At a press conference today, CART "is expected to
announce" that last Sunday's Medic Drug Grand Prix was the
final CART race at Burke Lakefront Airport, according to
Jason Butler of the AKRON BEACON JOURNAL. The three-year
contract between IMG and CART expires this year, and CART
reportedly wants $2M "to stage the race" in Cleveland, while
IMG "won't go above" $1.5M (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 6/29).
WHAT IT MEANS: In Indianapolis, Robin Miller:
"Cleveland represents everything that CART needs but lacks
in so many of its 20 races. The wide, bumpy track features
some of the most exciting racing every season." Miller
reported that CART sponsor PPG Industries, which is based in
Cleveland, "is irate this race is going away [because] CART
didn't bother telling them until Friday." Miller: "What
CART's brain trust can't seem to grasp is that the Midwest
is their fan base" (STAR-NEWS, 6/28). ESPN's John Kernan:
"[CART] drivers say they'll be very disappointed if they
don't return to Cleveland." Paul Tracy: "This would be the
biggest mistake CART could make, because I don't think you
can see a better race than right here" (ESPN, 6/28).
IRL A BIG SELL? In Cleveland, Bud Shaw, on replacing
CART with the IRL: "IMG is greatly underestimating the
intelligence of its audience if it lets CART leave and tries
to sell the IRL" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 6/28).
JIM IS ONE FAN OF THE IRL: Chargers QB Jim Harbaugh,
and IRL team Panther Racing co-Owner: "The IRL gives people
an opportunity. I've got a lot of respect for what (IRL
Founder) Tony George's vision is. I think people
misunderstand what he's trying to do" (USA TODAY, 6/29).
NO DEAL: IRL Team Pelfrey "drew a high bid" of $1.53M
during an eBay auction Friday, but the team had a "minimum
selling price" of $3M so Owner Dale Pelfrey "is not
obligated to sell" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR-NEWS, 6/29).