Penske said the sanctioning body and NTT IndyCar Series will be a separate companyGETTY IMAGES
Roger Penske after announcing his deal to buy IndyCar and Indianapolis Motor Speedway "downplayed suggestions" that there is a "conflict of interest due to his also being a team owner," according to Mark Glendenning of RACER.com. Penske said the sanctioning body and NTT IndyCar Series will be a "separate company, and the other assets will be in the Speedway." He said, "I understand the integrity, and there's got to be a line. I know what my job is, and hopefully I've got enough credibility with everyone that we can be sure that there is not a conflict." Initial reactions from rival IndyCar team owners "showed little evidence of such concerns on their part" (RACER.com, 11/4).
WEARING A NEW HAT: In Indianapolis, Nathan Brown writes Penske has been a "vocal, well-respected steward of the sport with prime interests in protecting his financial investment and human capital as a team owner." But as he "transitions out of the pit box and into the Pagoda's luxury boxes, he realizes those strategies and fierce opinions must also transform." For years, he was "looked to as a prime decision-maker whose opinion carried weight." In his new role, he "carries the ultimate power, but must find ways to rest on the middle ground." In order to "preserve the integrity of the sport he cares so deeply about, he's now preparing to defer hot-button issues to the people he's inheriting while he works on the widest of big-picture issues that face IndyCar's next 10 years or more." While Penske "may have to make some compromises, he also brings an unparalleled vision and energy that unanimously excited IndyCar owners in their reactions" to the news (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 11/5). Also in Indianapolis, Gregg Doyel writes Penske is the "perfect man for this job." It may "look weird to those on the outside," with Penske "already owning the best racing team in the sport." But IndyCar is a "niche sport," so the rules "should be -- must be -- different for a sport like this one, struggling to find a foothold." Penske "knows how it looks, and knows what he must do now: Step back from his dominant Penske teams" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 11/5).
BEST-CASE SCENARIO? In Indianapolis, James Briggs in a front-page piece writes the "most important thing" is for Penske to "get things right with IMS and IndyCar." There are "no guarantees -- and, let's be honest, Penske is not young, so his succession plan will come into play some day." In the short term, people "should be heartened to know that as the beloved IMS sells, it will transition to the familiar hands of another conscientious owner" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 11/5). RACER.com's Robin Miller wrote Penske purchasing IMS and IndyCar "isn't just the biggest news" in the last 50 years of the sport, it is "also the best news." If anyone can "make IndyCar more relevant 11 months of the year, increase the purses for the Indy 500 and the series, secure another engine manufacturer, and put the right people in the right places with a master plan for success," it is Penske (RACER.com, 11/5). In Indiana, Ben Smith writes IMS is "motorsports' most precious heirloom." Smith: "Who would you entrust with that heirloom more than Roger Penske, who not only understands the weight of its history but has contributed so much to it?" (Ft. Wayne JOURNAL GAZETTE, 11/5).
HEADED FOR SUCCESS: In Indianapolis, Mike Lopresti wrote once Hulman & Co. and the George family "decided it was time to sell the family keepsake, could you think of anyone better" to sell to than Penske? He has the "magic name and the money and the expertise and credibility and the track record -- both on and off the track" (IBJ.com, 11/4). THE ATHLETIC's Bob Kravitz wrote under the header, "Roger Penske Will Steer The Indy 500 And IMS In The Right Direction" (THEATHLETIC.com, 11/4). IndyCar driver Graham Rahal said, "We know Roger's reputation. We know the way that Roger operates, and this will take IndyCar racing, this will take the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as a facility, as a fan experience, to a whole new level. Nothing Roger does, does he do poorly, it's that simple, and so I think everybody in our sport is over the moon" (DETROIT NEWS, 11/5).
WHEELS OF FORTUNE: Several current and former IndyCar drivers tweeted in support of the news. Rahal tweeted, "Our series and @IMS are in great hands. If you know anything about Mr. Penske, it's that he holds his work to the highest of standards. I have no doubts that we will see @indycar and the Indy 500 rise to new heights." James Hinchcliffe: "Congrats to Roger Penske on what I'm sure is a dream come true, & most importantly thank you to the Hulman-George family for 74 years of passionate commitment to growing motorsport. Excited to see what the future holds!" Dario Franchitti: "Great (and slightly shocking) news that Roger Penske & Penske Corp bought @IMS & @IndyCar ,RP's passion for Indycar & the 500 plus his business acumen make this a huge win. As all the drivers say at the 500 prize giving, thanks to the Hulman George family for their stewardship." Former NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon: "@IMS has meant so much to me & my career over the years. Thank you to the Hulman-George family for their contributions to @NASCAR & the growth of motorsports overall. All the best to the 'Captain' & the entire Penske organization after hearing today's news."
