Tony George's Role Seen As Key In Any Open-Wheel Merger
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Without Tony George’s Blessing, Open
Wheel Merger Seems Unlikely |
While IRL team owner Roger Penske said that talks over who would run a merged series was not part of a meeting he had recently with Champ Car investors, "that now has become an issue," according to sources cited by Dean McNulty of the TORONTO SUN. One source said IRL Founder Tony George "was not part of Penske's deal-making but he has sent out word that any merged series would have to be under his control." Champ Car investor Paul Gentilozzi indicated that "that would almost certainly be a deal breaker." Gentilozzi: "The next step is not up to us. We made a first step in conjunction with Roger and the next step is up to Tony George." Meanwhile, sources added that Bridgestone — a sponsor of both series — "was behind Penske's peace offering." A source said, "Bridgestone wants there to be just one open-wheel series where it can park its money. Without that happening, the threat is implicit it will pull out of both." Another source said that Champ Car sponsor Ford "is not interested in continuing its support if the series merges under IRL rules" (TORONTO SUN, 7/5). McNulty reports today that Bridgestone's plan "involves the formation of a whole new series with ovals, road courses and temporary street courses, with a commissioner — modelled after the [NFL] — running the operation." Mario Andretti encouraged Penske to consider the Bridgestone plan, which he said "has enough meat on the bone to be worth chewing on" (TORONTO SUN, 7/7). OFF ROAD: In Indianapolis, Steve Ballard wrote Champ Car driver Paul Tracy "was forced by [his team owner and series investor] Gerald Forsythe to decline an invitation" from NASCAR team owner Richard Childress to drive in last month's road race in Sonoma, California. Tracy told Canadian media that the "only explanation he got was that his presence in a NASCAR race would confuse fans who might think he was leaving Champ Cars" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 7/3).
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