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Leagues and Governing Bodies

MEMORIAL DAY MADNESS: ONE WEEK 'TIL INDY CAR SHOWDOWN

     Unlike the death of veteran Scott Brayton, the accident that
sent rookie Indy car driver Dan Drinan to the hospital this
weekend could be attributed of the IRL-IndyCar feud, according to
Joseph Siano of the N.Y. TIMES.  Drinan was driving a '91 Lola,
and Siano writes, "Without the CART boycott, the only excuse a
car that old would have to be on the speedway grounds would be as
a display in the track's museum."  Siano adds, the task at Indy
"is clear:  Get past it safely, if not spectacularly, and come
back next year with new cars and renewed hopes" (N.Y. TIMES,
5/19).
     OFF THE TRACK: IMS President Tony George is profiled in
today's N.Y. TIMES.  Those who know George best describe him as
intelligent, deliberate and highly competitive. Others --
"including some car owners and their sponsors -- use terms like
aloof, xenophobic and misguided" (Joseph Siano, N.Y. TIMES,
5/20).    About 20 Indianapolis area hotels still have vacancies
for Indy weekend, and some tourism companies have seen a "steep
decline" in revenue due to the Indy split (Bill Koenig,
INDIANAPOLIS STAR-NEWS, 5/17).  Texaco had planned to have its
primary corporate presence at Indy, but now it will be at
Charlotte for NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600.   Mercedes will be at the
U.S. 500 and spend approximately $250,000 at the Michigan race
(INDIANAPOLIS STAR-NEWS, 5/18).  BUSINESS WEEK examines the split
and the awkward position of sponsors.  Ad rates for ABC's Indy
500 broadcast are down to $160,000 per 30-second from $200,000
last year.  ESPN has sold out ad time for an estimated $35,000
per 30-second for the U.S. 500.  But BUSINESS WEEK's Kerwin &
Koenig note if IndyCar's popularity suffers, NASCAR will likely
benefit as it broadens its fan base and TV ratings continue to
rise (BUSINESS WEEK, 5/27 issue).

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