Verizon IndyCar Series team Owner Roger Penske said from his standpoint, the product "has never been stronger or more competitive," according to Mike Brudenell of the DETROIT FREE PRESS. Penske added although IndyCar is not the NFL, MLB or NBA, the sport needs a "better TV package." Penske: "We are missing that big TV bump you see in NASCAR and some other sports." Penske said the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix this year "will be better and the racing just as good as in the past. With the new cement surface and better sight lines, it's going to be a great weekend." Penkse said of his attendance expectations for the race, "I can see with a nice, warm and dry Friday, we could have 75,000-100,000 fans here at Belle Isle over the weekend." Penske said of the racetrack breaking up in '12, "I
couldn't believe it. We had just brought the race back. We'd spent a lot
of time fixing holes. But, hey, our team (of workers) never took their
foot off the gas. They got the track fixed and the race restarted." When asked if IndyCar is better racing than F1, Penske responded, "Formula One is the highest technology there is in racing. Teams have budgets of $300 million and more a season. ... But I believe IndyCar produces more balanced competition and better racing. That makes the show." When asked which is his favorite -- NASCAR or IndyCar -- Penske said, "If I had to choose between winning an Indy 500 or Daytona 500, it would be Indy. It's just the greatest race in the world." He said of his future in racing, "I don't see any reason not to stay in racing. It's given me the Penske brand" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 5/6).
