Patrick Says Stability Of IRL Will Factor Into Future Decisions
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Patrick, In Final Year Of Contract With
Andretti Green Racing, Will Look At All Options |
IndyCar driver Danica Patrick said that the "stability of the racing series will factor into her decision" to stay in the IRL or try a move to NASCAR, according to Bruce Martin of SI.com. Patrick is in the final year of her contract with Andretti Green Racing and has said that she "will look at any and all options, including a jump to NASCAR." The option of moving to NASCAR "didn't diminish last week as reports of strife within the Hulman-George family surfaced." Patrick: "That's kind of an interesting question. What you want in a league is stability and upward momentum. I have no idea what that is right now. There seems to be conflicting answers and ideas on what is really happening." More Patrick: "All I'm really concerned about is the structure and the stability of the group I'm racing for." Martin noted Patrick is currently fourth in the IndyCar Series points standings and has "established herself as one of the leading contenders for this year's series championship." Patrick's "emergence as a legitimate contender rather than a novelty act could be coming at a perfect time for her to cash in on her new contract," and the IRL "certainly doesn't want to lose its most recognizable face." Meanwhile, HVM Racing Owner Keith Wiggins believes if the Hulman-George family splits up the IRL from Indianapolis Motor Speedway, then the "laws of unintended consequences could have a dramatic negative impact on both businesses." Wiggins: "The two help support each other and give it some security, but like any other business it has to stand on its own, as well." IRL Commercial Division President Terry Angstadt: "It's big news in Indianapolis and I'm not trying to downplay it, but we still have lots of momentum and don't see that as any type of deterrent at all. This is not slowing us down for one minute" (SI.com, 6/1).
SUPPORT SYSTEM: Speed TV's Robin Miller said of IRL & IMS CEO Tony George, "This paddock rallied around him, and they said we've got to have Tony George. I think they took that petition to (George's mother, Mari Hulman George), and a lot of different people, whether it's Honda or Firestone or different people, going to the sisters maybe and going to Mari and saying, 'Listen, we've got to have (IRL) and we've got to have Tony running the speedway because he helps keep the (IRL) alive." Miller added, "How ironic is it that we're talking about car owners rallying and saying, 'We've got to keep Tony George.' Can you imagine that being said five or six years ago?" ("Wind Tunnel With Dave Despain," Speed, 5/31).
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