WITH TITLE DEAL, IRL WONDERED, 'WHERE'S THE PEP, BOYS?'

          The IRL's lawsuit against Pep Boys claims that the
     company "didn't live up to its end" of a five-year deal as
     the series' title sponsor, as it had "committed to spend an
     average of nearly" $4.8M a year over the next three years,
     with "much of that pegged to activities aimed at expanding"
     the IRL's fan base, according to Bill Koenig of the
     INDIANAPOLIS STAR.  In addition to "direct payments" to the
     IRL, the lawsuit states that Pep Boys had "agreed last year
     to spend money" on IRL-related ads, corporate entertainment
     at races, an exhibition at the Indy Fan Fest and a corporate
     suite at IMS.  While "specific amounts for each type of
     spending were not included" in the suit, the IRL "estimated
     that Pep Boys failed to spend nearly" $4.1M in '99
     "obligations."  The suit contends that Pep Boys "agreed to
     spend another" $14.4M from 2000-02.  Meanwhile, IRL VP/PR
     Fred Nation said the series has "prospects" for a new title
     sponsor "we're beginning discussions with.  It's more than
     one (company)" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 12/10).