IRL Field May Hit All-Time Low; Rahal Hints At Defection

Rahal Says Move To Champ Car Not Out Of Question

A week after Cheever Racing suspended operations, IRL team Dreyer & Reinbold Racing indicated that it “does not have the funds to race” at Michigan Int’l Speedway next weekend, according to Curt Cavin of the INDIANAPOLIS STAR. If a deal “doesn’t come together quickly, Dreyer & Reinbold’s absence will leave the IRL with 17 cars, its fewest ever” (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 7/23). The IRL team owned by Carmelo Anthony and Ron Hemelgarn also ceased operations due to lack of sponsorship earlier this month (THE DAILY).

CHAMPS AND CHALLENGERS: IRL team owner Bobby Rahal said there are “probably 50-50 odds” that he, Roger Penske and Chip Ganassi will move their teams to Champ Car if a merger between the racing series does not occur. Rahal said that “seeing 59,538 for qualifying [Saturday at the Edmonton Grand Prix] is believing.” Rahal was in Edmonton to watch his son, Graham, compete at the Champ Car Atlantic race. Graham “was upset at [Danica] Patrick” for criticizing his father for missing IRL races to watch his son compete. Bobby Rahal added, “When there are date conflicts, I’m going to watch my Graham” (EDMONTON SUN, 7/23). The 59,538 marks a drop from the 66,250 who attended the second day of qualifying during last year’s inaugural running of the race. The two-day total for qualifying was 107,470, compared to 121,972 last year (EDMONTON JOURNAL, 7/23). Mike Lanigan, the promoter of Champ Car events in Houston and Cleveland, said, “My personal feeling is we’re way ahead [of the IRL]. If you look at our attendance figures, we’re light years ahead. If you take the Indy 500 out of the equation, they don’t come close to use in terms of average attendance.” In Houston, Neil Hohlfeld wrote Champ Car is “viable. It has started or re-started successful events in such venues as Houston, Edmonton and San Jose in the last two years,” and next year, the season begins in Las Vegas. Also, fans “can expect to see improvement in seating, corporate hospitality offerings, entertainment options and team paddocks in 2007” (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 7/22).

F1 AT INDY: Indy Motor Speedway CEO Tony George indicated that his trip to London this month to discuss the future of the U.S. Grand Prix with F1 Management Chair Bernie Ecclestone is “no longer necessary.” George declined to comment when asked if he and Ecclestone has negotiated a deal on the phone, but an IRL spokesperson said that a deal has not been finalized (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 7/24).