IndyCar Series Set To Begin '09 Testing One Year After Unification
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George Considers IndyCar Series In
Good Shape Despite Struggling Economy |
IRL CEO Tony George yesterday said that the timing of the IRL-Champ Car World Series unification last February "could not have been better," according to Curt Cavin of the INDIANAPOLIS STAR. George "acknowledges unification has not cured all of the sport's ills," but he considers IRL racing "to be in relatively good shape given the global financial struggles." George said unification "did create some buzz, and we saw a lot of growth when a lot of other (groups) were seeing negative growth." George: "There's still going to be some paint and some realignment and repositioning. We're going to find out in the next three or four months how we're doing." Cavin notes the "most significant byproduct of unification has been clarity in the marketplace." CSS Stellar VP/Client Management Adrian Sussmann, whose firm reps several IRL drivers, said unification "takes one variable out of the equation." Sussmann: "You don't get 'Which one are you?' That was always the killer question." But aside from the cancellation of the '09 Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix and the "current lack of participation" from Rahal Letterman Racing (RLR), the IndyCar Series "remains mostly intact as the first test of the season is conducted" at Homestead-Miami Speedway today. Twenty-two car-and-driver combinations are expected for the testing, "four less than last season's race average," and league officials "project at least 24 participants" by the April 5 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Cavin notes RLR is the only IndyCar Series team "currently on the sidelines," while Luczo Dragon and Team 3G "have grown to full-time participants." The challenges facing IRL include "forming a strong working relationship with its new cable television partner, Versus, and finding rides for stars" like Paul Tracy, Buddy Rice and Ryan Hunter-Reay (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 2/24).
STAYING POWER: SI.com's Bruce Martin reported IndyCar Series officials "remain hopeful they can weather the financial challenges ... despite a sluggish economy which may cut into the car count from last year's 26-28 cars on the starting grid to 22-24 this season." IRL Commercial Division President Terry Angstadt: "From a commercial standpoint, unification continues to bring unparalleled successes. Previously, half of our battle was trying to explain the differences between two racing series. That battle is gone and doors are opening much easier now" (SI.com, 2/23).
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