Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Tony George said there
will be a full field at next month's Indy 500. George says he
doesn't have "any concerns" about filling the race card. George:
"Putting together a strong field won't be a problem here now or
in the future." George defended the talent and credentials of
the rookies entering the draw, and said "they all have been
champions at some level of racing and need only time to get used
to the higher speeds." He dismissed reports he was feeling
"outside pressure" from the U.S. 500, the CART race run on the
same day in Michigan. He said he knows of only 125 requests for
refunds at Indy, which he called "pretty amazing." George: "I
would be lying to you if I didn't say I'm really happy with the
way things are going. I wouldn't change a thing." IMS announced
it will hold an autograph day to introduce the unfamiliar racers
to fans (Dick Mittman, INDIANAPOLIS STAR/NEWS, 4/19).
TOO NICE? The changing face of NASCAR is examined by SI's
Ed Hinton as some Winston Cup series events leave some of
smaller, long-time venues for larger tracks in bigger cities.
Original driver Junior Johnson says the sport "has lost what got
it here." Johnson: "Now a driver must be able to speak well in
public and meet corporate people and all that stuff. That took
out the guys who would get out of their cars and beat the snot
out of each other and then the next day be friends" (SI, 4/22
issue).
