The '12 Izod IndyCar Series season begins on March 25 and “regardless of how it unfolds, the focus in IndyCar this year will return to the race track and won't be shining brightly on Danica Patrick, who has left open-wheel behind for a full-time job in NASCAR,” according to Jenna Fryer of the AP. Patrick’s departure has “opened the door for the many other personalities in IndyCar to be featured for the first time in years.” From “James Hinchcliffe, her replacement in the highly visible GoDaddy car for Andretti, American drivers Marco Andretti, Graham Rahal, Ryan Hunter-Reay and JR Hildebrand, and perennial title contender Will Power -- all have an opportunity to thrive in Patrick's absence.” IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard “recognizes the importance in building new stars for the series but stresses the on-track performance of the drivers will be critical to their commercial success.” The series also “got a boost from the addition of Formula One veteran Rubens Barrichello,” whose presence “will help IndyCar in international fan appeal -- ticket sales for the Sao Paulo event picked up considerably in the days after he signed with KV Racing, and he gives credibility to the series at a time it needs it most.” In addition, Barrichello can “lend a strong voice to the ongoing safety debate and can counsel drivers as they fight to have their voice heard more this season” (AP, 3/14). Bernard said of Patrick’s departure from the series, “I think that she overshadowed a lot of our drivers and this is the time when Dario Franchitti will shine more.” CNBC’s Darren Rovell asked, “So Danica might have been too much?” Bernard noted Patrick was “fantastic for IndyCar so I wouldn’t say that she was too much because she brought a lot of attention.” Bernard: “But what’s more important right now is that we showcase our winners and our drivers that are winning on a weekly basis” (“Street Signs,” CNBC, 3/14).
ON THE BIG SCREEN: FOXSPORTS.com’s Liz Claman noted IndyCar signed a deal with Dreamworks Animation to partner on the upcoming animated film “Turbo,” and the collaboration means drivers, animators and scriptwriters will “try to find the best way to bring the idea of Indy racing to a new (read younger) demographic and, in turn, hopefully spawn new fans who buy race tickets and merchandise.” Though Bernard had “every desire to skew his sport to a younger audience, it was actually Dreamworks that approached IndyCar about joining forces” (FOXSPORTS.com, 3/14). Bernard said of the upcoming film, “We really wanted to showcase open-wheel racing around the world to mainstream and this definitely does that.” The success of the “Cars” franchise from Disney's Pixar has benefited NASCAR and “if you’re a little kid right now, Lightning McQueen is one of your heroes and Turbo is going to be that next one and it’s about IndyCar.” Bernard: “It’s a feel-good (movie). It’s not about the speed, it’s about the spirit type of movie and I think that’s what’s very important” (“Street Signs,” CNBC, 3/14). Fox' Claman said, "There’s always a villain in these movies. Should the villain really be NASCAR?” Bernard laughed and replied, “No mention of the other motorsports in our movie” ("Fox Business After The Bell," Fox Business, 3/14).
