Instead of supporting a new race in Cleveland, IMS did this:

[bugeyedgomer]

Ok, well it's common knowledge through the paddock, so this is what any number of people would tell you.

There's a prominent paint company in the Cleveland area. They go to RP looking to restart the Cleveland GP. Roger gives them his support of the idea
and directs them to a capable promoter, and word gets back to IMS/Indycar. Someone from that end of things tells the paint company to spend their money supporting the 100th 500 instead because they know the IRl is done after that.

if the aim of the series was to have successful events outside The Holy Yard 'O Bricks, a Cleveland sponsor for a Cleveland event would be a start.

One must conclude that H-G Klan doesn't give a $4!t about anything except their little world.