High Hopes For Indy 500 Following Early Success Of Unification
With the merger of IRL and Champ Car, the May 25 Indianapolis 500 is "promising to be better than it's been in a long time," according to Curt Cavin of the INDIANAPOLIS STAR, which yesterday ran a special section on the unification of the IndyCar Series. Thirteen new drivers are part of the "nearly 40 car-and-driver combinations expected to participate" in the race, and both represent figures as high as the Indy 500 has seen in more than a decade. Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Joie Chitwood said that ticket sales for the race are up "for the fifth year in a row," but declined to provide specific details (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 5/4). ESPN.com's John Oreovicz wrote there is "finally the sense that Indy is on the brink of a comeback." With increased participation, attendance and TV ratings are "expected to follow suit, continuing a season-long trend." This year's race is "just the kickoff to a three-year celebration culminating in 2011 for the centennial anniversary" of the first Indy 500 (ESPN.com, 5/4).
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George Feels IRL Needs To Capitalize On
Momentum From Open-Wheel Unification |
SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST: In Indianapolis, Bob Kravitz wrote while IRL Founder Tony George may be "worn out from the 12-year-long civil war that nearly killed off" open-wheel racing, at "least he survived it." George now "can concentrate on rebuilding open-wheel racing and restoring some of the Indianapolis 500's lost luster." Open-wheel racing "may never regain its former status," but "at least now, they've given themselves a fighting chance." For the first time since the IRL and Champ Car split in '96, the story lines at the Indy 500 "will revolve around the sport, and not its tangled web of back-alley politics." George: "We have to use this opportunity in the near term to stabilize things and to build. We need to take full advantage of the good things that have happened recently and build up racing." George said of the IndyCar Series, "I would hope there's a buzz.'' Citing early season wins by 19-year-old Graham Rahal and Danica Patrick, as well as increased TV ratings, George said, "I think all of us -- the teams, all the partners -- are all trying to work together on how to best capitalize on unification." Kravitz wrote, "If there's a Marshall Plan for open-wheel racing, this would be a good time to set it in motion. As the last man standing, it is up to George to undo the mess he helped make" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 5/4).
FIVE TIPS: In Indianapolis, Steve Ballard, as part of the newspaper's special feature, listed five things "that need to happen quickly" for the IndyCar Series. First, secure title sponsorship. IRL Commercial Division President Terry Angstadt is "optimistic about getting" a title sponsorship deal, "preferably for five years, done this summer when companies typically make their business decisions for the following year." Angstadt: "We're going to find out how good (of) sales people we are." Second, the series must promote talent. With Patrick, Rahal, Marco Andretti and Helio Castroneves, the series has "no shortage of star power." The IndyCar Series "talent pool is deeper than at any time since the early" '90s. Third, the IRL must make teams self-sufficient. While IRL and Champ Car teams both have "struggled to find sponsorship and have been kept afloat by handouts from their sanctioning bodies," KV Racing co-Owner and former driver Jimmy Vasser is "adamant that has to stop." Vasser: "Teams need to be able to sustain themselves through sponsorships. The thing that drove everyone to the bargaining table is that both sides had to subsidize teams." Fourth, the league must set the '09 schedule. And fifth, the series must "put the past to rest" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 5/4).
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