Toronto To Join IndyCar Series In '09, Replacing Nashville Race

Toronto Race To Join IndyCar Series In '09

ATTENDANCE NO PROBLEM: SI.com's Bruce Martin noted with this year's Rexall Edmonton Indy being held from Thursday to Saturday, there was "concern that the spectator attendance would be off from the traditional Friday-Sunday schedule." But with "perfect weather all three days, there were big crowds for Thursday's practice sessions, Friday's qualifications and a capacity crowd for Saturday's race." While attendance figures were not announced, Saturday's race "probably drew 60,000, with 50,000 fans on Thursday and 50,000 on Friday for a three-day total over 160,000." Driver Scott Dixon, who won Saturday's race, said of the crowds, "When I first went out I couldn't believe how many people were here for a practice on a Thursday. I haven't seen anything quite like that before. It was fantastic to see that support and the fans were quite knowledgeable, too" (SI.com, 7/28).

INDY FEVER: In this week's SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, Ourand & Lefton report both ABC/ESPN and Fox Sports have told the IRL that they are "interested in broadcasting only the Indianapolis 500." But the IRL is "trying to sell a package that includes at least four other races for broadcast as well." ESPN and Fox also have told the series that they "would not pay the same rights fee" IRL currently gets from ABC/ESPN, which is around $10M annually. While Fox has had "some discussions with the series," sources said that Versus has "shown the most interest in obtaining a package, which would not include the marquee races." Meanwhile, while the original asking price for title sponsorship rights for the IndyCar series was "close to $10[M] per year," sources said that entitlement can "now be had for [$4-5M], with an additional seven-figure media commitment" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 7/28 issue).

Print This Article