National sponsors, TV networks and local hotels and
businesses are all "smarting" from the spilt between the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) and CART, according to Bill
Koenig in Indianapolis. Miller Brewing has had a "major" IMS
presence for years, but Miller also sponsors a CART team owned by
Bobby Rahal. This year, Miller has decided to move much of its
corporate entertainment from Indianapolis to Brooklyn, MI, the
site of CART's U.S. 500. IMS officials have announced Miller
won't be sold at Indy this year. Hotel officials in Indianapolis
say demand remains "strong," but they still will have to replace
some customers have come to past 500's. Mercedes-Benz estimates
it has spent $250,000 in the past at Indy on various race-related
costs, including rooms and entertainment. But this year
Mercedes, with business ties to CART team owner Roger Penske,
will attend the U.S. 500. One corporate exec said he likes the
way CART is becoming an international series, but he doesn't like
being caught in the middle between CART and IMS. The unnamed
exec: "Sponsors at the end of the day are business people.
NASCAR looks pretty interesting now." ABC Sports Senior VP David
Downs, on "disappointing" early IndyCar ratings: "The feud is
creating some confusion that is affecting the ratings"
(INDIANAPOLIS STAR/NEWS, 4/27).
