bob jennings' WORLD O' RACING  10/02/99

"So now let's just get on with life."

Row three qualifiers Sam Schmidt (222.734), winner Kenny Brack (222.659) and Scott Goodyear (222.387) line up to prepare for the start of the 1999 "Indianapolis 500"

Bob Jennings

"This would have been a marriage of convenience, you know, like a shotgun wedding. It didn't have a chance. So the best thing for us to do is not race on the weekend of Indy and those who want to go can have at it.

"So now let's just get on with life."

This is a quote from CART's Steve Horne, which appeared in a front page story, in the September 26, 1999 edition of  The Indianapolis Star.The article titled "Hopes for CART-IRL deal quashed" was written by Robin Miller and Curt Cavin. It featured comments from Tony George, in Las Vegas, for the Indy Racing League event, ending speculation that Indy car reunification was going to occur in the near future.

George's Las Vegas remarks, on Saturday September 25, set off the expected reactions, which indicates to me the continued significance of the "Indianapolis 500," despite the general depressed state of big time open wheel racing in this country. The "500" remains the big prize CART teams, manufacturers and sponsors cherish. The issues relating to events, in May, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, still generate more media than any other single story in racing, including any thing in NASCAR; the Winston Cup title, the "Daytona 500," Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Dale Earnhardt, Dale Jarrett, Ford versus Chevrolet, you name it.

It's unfortunate, however, that the big stories, in open wheel racing, result from the negative and political aspects of the sport, rather than what's happening on the race track, which is where the stories should be coming from.

Of course, here in Indianapolis, Indy car racing is still a big deal. Any news regarding the issues, surrounding Indy car racing, is especially big. There were a couple front page stories, in last week's editions, of The Indianapolis Star, along with a few more articles which headline the local sports and business news. Anything that has an impact on the future of the "Indianapolis 500" is still a big deal in this community.

Our two local resident idiot radio personalities, on WFBQ FM, Bob and Tom, not withstanding, AM radio station WIBC remains the primary echo of public sentiment in the area. Last Tuesday evening, on WIBC's evening sports call in show, most of the program was devoted to CART, IRL and Indy car issues. Tony George, Fred Treadway and local National Speed Sport News columnist Dave Argabright were among callers to the program. I didn't hear what George had to say, and I only heard the last few moments of Treadway's call. Argabright's remarks, however, were perhaps the closest reflection of my own feelings about the CART - IRL issue. 

Argabright indicated he wasn't for a CART - IRL merger, and as unpopular as it may seem, I'm not in favor of it either. My main concern is that a unified Indy car series would develop into basically what CART now presents, and that's one of the last things I want to see occur.

For me, the most telling point Argabright made was that during "CART's watch," prior to the formation of the Indy Racing League, NASCAR began its explosive growth, largely at the expense of Indy car racing. In other words, it was CART's misdirection which has probably been most responsible for what has occurred. I've been expressing that view for three years. It's expressed throughout the content on this website. It was good to hear someone else make the same point.

What is even worse, CART still appears to be deeply rooted in this same philosophy. CART team owners continue to shun marketable American talent for a constant stream of foreign drivers; continue to follow the path of preferring over priced equipment and continue to run those ridiculous races through public streets.

Much of the media, covering motor sport, which appears to be mostly sympathetic to CART, including Robin Miller, acknowledge that CART wanted a merger more than the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the IRL. An immediate result of Tony George's declarations, last weekend, that there will be no reunification, in the immediate future, was a steep decline in the price of CART stock, which has maintained a decent value since CART went public.

Where does this leave the Indy Racing League? Unhappily, for me, things continue to look bleak for the future of the IRL. Last Sunday's crowd, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, was estimated at 20,000, which is pretty bad. Then, at mid-week, as expected, Lowes Motor Speedway announced that the IRL will not be included on the 2000 schedule. The announced IRL race, in Cleveland, next July, has been scrapped in favor of a return by CART. It would seem that the IRL dates, for 2000, at Las Vegas and Atlanta, are tenuous, at best. Although a race, at the new oval, in Kentucky, will be on the 2000 schedule, Tony George admitted he is scrambling to put together a full schedule for next season. 

Obviously, the IRL has yet to find it's way into public favor. Most of the "so called" media experts admit the IRL puts on good races. Neither corporate sponsors, nor racing fans, seem to be paying much attention though.

Recent rumors suggest that Al Unser Jr. will be racing, full time, in the IRL next season. Despite Unser's long victory drought and questions about his motivation and ability to win, Little Al still has a big name. I'm sure Unser's appearance, in the IRL, would bring attention to the series and I think the most obvious result would be a lot more people coming to "500" practice next May.  Little Al remains a big local favorite and I think his possible Indianapolis come back will be an important story.

The IRL is working hard to develop it's own heroes. The loss of both Tony Stewart and Arie Luyendyk, after the 1999 "Indianapolis 500," was big for the IRL, because those two drivers symbolized the series more than any other competitors, with the possible exception of A.J. Foyt.

The three drivers, in the photo, on this page, are prime examples of potential IRL stars. Scott Goodyear is a long time Indy car racing veteran and one of the few drivers, from the pre-IRL days, with much name recognition. 1999 "Indianapolis 500" winner Kenny Brack is gaining attention. However, Brack has often been rumored as Bryan Herta's replacement, on the Rahal team, for next season. So, he may gone soon. Luyendyk's replacement, Sam Schmidt, is an IRL product. All summer Schmidt has been knocking on the door to victory. Last Sunday,  he opened the door and his first win came in his home town Las Vegas. Sam seems to have a charisma, of sorts, which might translate into some new IRL fans. 

My own feeling is that eventually there will be some sort of an Indy car racing accord, but we aren't at that point yet. However, there are things which can be done now, which might bring accommodation. Since neither series has yet to announce a full schedule, for the 2000 season, it makes a lot of sense to me, for both sides, to minimize scheduling conflicts. 

Another way to build some consolidation would be some cross-over competition. It's anticipated that a few CART teams will be at Indianapolis, in May. I hope that occurs. Obviously some of the CART regulars would enhance the quality of the "500" field and I'd be especially interested to see how the Newman Haas team compares to the Menard team or something like that. I think the competition will be a lot closer than what "CARTisans" might expect. I'm all in favor of CART participation, at Indianapolis, next May, because it will be fun to see head to head confrontation between the competitors representing both groups.

I have to admit, however, that my first choice would be for the Indy Racing League to become successful on its own merit. I became emotionally involved with the series, during the 1996 "Indianapolis 500," and I really want to see the IRL succeed.

I guess Tony George feels the same way.

Regardless of what does develop in the coming seasons, I'm all for Steve Horne's suggestion right now. CART run your races as you see fit. The IRL keep working to build growth.

"So now let's just get on with life."