Feb. 21 newsstand: It's over ... officially, Friday

A little bit of news today ... the 13-year war is over.

Announcement at 11 a.m. Friday, according to this story. It would be Thursday, but KK won't be in town yet.

The Associated Press says it's in the hands of the lawyers
Says Fred Nation: "It is still not done, but still moving. The lawyers are still lawyering and we are still trading drafts and whittling away at the issues. We're optimistic the issues can be resolved."

Says Conquest's Eric Bachelart, who is planning to enter two cars: "I believe it would be a stronger series again with a lot of solid events. What the IRL has is a good package, with the Indianapolis 500 and some other things that will help attract sponsors. There will be lots of cars, lots of teams. A good show."

*-The 2008 schedule will likely include LB, Edmonton and Surfer's.
*-The 2009 schedule will be a "clean sheet."
*-NHL, PKV, Forsythe, Coyne, Walker & Conquest are likely to make the jump. NHL, Forsythe and Conquest are expected to enter two cars each, which would bring at least 9 new cars to the IRL.

Bruce Martin notes the presser time and a few other details
Among the details is that the IRL will purchase CC's "intellectual property," including its record book. Martin also expects Mexico City's race to be melded into the IRL.

Of course, this means the Champ Car Panoz machines are reduced to show cars
Says Pacific Coast Motorsports' Tyler Tadevic: "You need a show car? Because if this does happen, mine is going to be nothing more than an expensive paper weight. I don't care how much money you have, that is a big hit to take."
Tadevic adds: "They are calling it a merger, but I don't call it that because the only ones getting anything out of he deal are the IRL teams."
The IRL is trying to get CC teams as much oval track time as possible before Homestead, according to John Griffin: "Being forward thinking, we've have contacted different tracks to reserve additional testing dates."

David Phillips takes a look at the teams who will have to adjust to a new car and a new series
Says TCGR's Mike Hull: “The Champ Car teams that are gonna be in the Indy Car Series are all quality, competent people. They know how to make things happen – away from the racetrack first, and then at the racetrack itself.

The Indy Star quotes Kevin Kalkhoven
Says KK: "We're (down to) just grinding out the details. You know what happens when you get attorneys involved."

Cavin also has a bunch of info on his daily blog
*-There is a date conflict between Edmonton & Mid-Ohio. Edmonton will likely be moving.
*-Cavin is guessing 7 CC cars make the migration. Paul Gentilozzi says the only two definites are Conquest Racing's two machines.
*-Long Beach & Motegi might be run the same weekend, as sort of a farewell for the CC teams.

The Long Beach Grand Prix is definitely on
Says LBGP president Jim Michelian: "I will say that we are excited about the prospects of any merger because it would bring clarity to open-wheel racing in America."

But the Portland and Cleveland races are likely off. Cleveland race officials will petition to keep the race on the 2008 circuit, but that is unlikely to happen.

Other news
Danica Patrick had a presser today. The transcript is here.
Says DP: "This is the most excited I've been going into a season, most comfortable I've felt. This year I feel like excitement is sort of maybe number one to nervousness. Where normally every other year I was more nervous than anything. So I'm really excited about it I feel confident as a driver. I feel like I've really come into my own and feel like I'm able to really push those limits to where I need to be. And I'm just really excited.”

Former driver news
One former driver is unemployed, but apparently not sniffing around a merged IndyCar Series. Instead, Jacques Villeneuve is going to look for another Sprint Cup ride, and has Barry Green helping him. JV does plan to race at LeMans this summer.

Sam Hornish Jr. is proud to play a part in Penske's 1-2 finish at Daytona
Says Sam: "As a kid I can remember waiting for two races every year: the Indianapolis 500 and the Daytona 500. I would've never imagined that I would be a driver in both of those prestigious events. ... To be part of Penske Racing's first Daytona 500 victory, no matter how small my role, meant so much to me."

Commentaries
A point-counterpoint in Michigan today.
Grand Rapids' Steve Kaminski says the Indy 500 is still a great draw
Says Steve: "It's going to take years to repair the damage, that's for sure. But at least the two parties have finally taken a step in the right direction. If there was going to be any hope for the sport, this step had to be taken. It is more than a public relations move. No longer will the already evaporating pool of drivers, sponsors and viewers be split. That's going to be the biggest thing. That will give open wheel racing at this level a chance grow again in the United States."

And, of course, someone from the brainwashed NASCAR masses has to tell the world that "nobody cares about open-wheel racing"
Of course, he spends most of his time blathering about how terrible Champ Car is (was) and translates that to all of open-wheel racing. And, to be honest, somebody cares. Approximately 250,000 nobodies buy tickets to a certain open-wheel race every May.

And finally
Our favorite CC syncophant reporter chimes in with some wishful thinking that the merger may be in the works for 2009
"We saw the health of Champ Car as viable or we would not have invested just one short year ago," said PCM's Tyler Tadevic. Tyler, dude, did you have blinders on?