Izod IndyCar Series CEO Randy Bernard has “done some good things in his second year as the head of the open-wheel series,” but his biggest gamble -- a bid to "bring in an all-star cast to challenge IndyCar regulars at the season finale in Las Vegas -- fell flat,” according to Anthony Schoettle of the INDIANAPOLIS BUSINESS JOURNAL. The idea “gets an A, the execution gets an F.” Trying to pass off '11 Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon as an "outside challenger for $5 million is a poor attempt to save a stunt gone wrong.” Schoettle wrote if Bernard “had a do-over on this one, my guess is he might do a little more due diligence.” While he has “inched up television ratings and attendance this year, the series is still in bad need of a jump start.” Since Bernard has a history of being “a top-rate promoter, I expect him to have solid, creative ideas.” However, to be an “effective CEO and to grow the open-wheel enterprise, his execution has to be better” (IBJ.com, 9/14). But in Indianapolis, Curt Cavin wrote critics can “say what you want about the initial $5 million challenge, but since March we’ve been talking about a new event in Las Vegas.” Cavin: “Can you EVER remember talking about a new event like that? How about a season-ending race getting this much hype for SIX MONTHS? ... Does it overshadow the championship a bit? Of course it does, but tell me the last time the championship battle truly moved the needle with the mainstreamers” (INDYSTAR.com 9/14).
ON A MOMENTUM UPSWING: In California, Mike Griffith writes IndyCar has a “pretty good race for the championship going on as Will Power has erased a huge deficit over the past three races and trails Dario Franchitti by just five points heading into Sunday’s race in Japan.” Former driver Rick Mears, who currently serves as a consultant for Penske Racing, said, "Right now IndyCar has some good momentum going. I think IndyCar is on an upswing. The racing is the best it’s ever been, the competition level is high and there are a number of teams that can win on any given day.” Mears added Bernard "has done a great job." Mears: "He’s come in with a fresh set of eyes and sees things from different angles. He can think out of the box a little. It’s always about improvising, just like driving a car” (Bakersfield CALIFORNIAN, 9/15).
