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?
Showing posts with label IRL Indy racing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label IRL Indy racing. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Friday, February 15, 2008
Feb. 15 newsstand: Unification updates & more
Unification news
Indy Star: No news but many questions
Another interesting piece of news from this story ... the IRL may run a preseason exhibition non-points event in Turks and Caicos next year.
The L.A. Daily News says Walker is ahead of the game by switching.
"Part of the reason was because I really was unsure about where Champ Car was going. Obviously now it looks like I was absolutely brilliant in thinking that way, but I wasn't. But I was just concerned about our ability to keep raising money and keep motivating sponsors and fans to keep following Champ Car."
Another key piece from the story:
*-If there is unification, Pacific Coast Motorsports is likely to come over
Walker also tries to set the record straight in this TSN story
Says Walker: "We see open wheel racing as open wheel racing and we go where our business leads us. If it's in two series or if it's better for the business to be in one series then we will be where we can get the corporate support to be able to keep racing."
Scheckter to run Indy, Kansas, Sonoma
Luczo Dragon Racing enters Kansas, Indy and its sponsor's hometown race
John Cummiskey has also been hired as team manager for LDR.
Says Jay Penske: "Tomas is one of the top drivers on the IndyCar circuit. His presence and ability will give us a chance to win in each of our three races. Add in John's leadership and we feel very good about the direction of our team."
Reaction/commentary
Robin Miller, the guy who first reported this a week ago, says there's a lot of frustration trying to chase the story
He tosses out all kinds of bizarre scenarios, including Gerry Forsythe buying the remains of Champ Car and keeping the series going, KK and Team Australia investor Craig Gore joining forces on an IRL team.
Says Robin: "The lack of communication from Kalkhoven and Forsythe to the other owners and their employees is disengenous, unprofessional and Enron-like in its insulting silence."
Always armed with an opinion, A.J. Foyt speaks out
Says A.J.: "I don't know whether the merger would make much of a difference, although we might pick up a couple more races somewhere. I do know it would be better to have one circuit than two."
Also, if TG gives the CC teams incentives, A.J. says "I would throw a fit and pack my bags ... and others may do the same."
You have to scroll down to see it, but Tony Stewart only wants to see unification if the series goes back to its original principles and hires drivers based on their ability, rather than money.
Says the former IndyCar champ: "It sounds like the IRL is kind of getting to that stage (of hiring ride-buyers) anyway, and if that's the case, that's not what the IRL even was designed for to begin with. It makes the project a failure, almost, to a certain degree."
Event news
We've been getting a lot of event news from the Great White North
The Toronto Star says the Toronto race may still happen this year
Toronto GP president Charlie Johnstone said the race may happen if they pay a sanction fee to the IRL, and he thinks the series would choose the IRL over the Glen.
Also, KK debunks rumors that CC was planning to file bankruptcy.
Also, the Edmonton race was supposed to be one of the most well-supported and financially-stable on the CC calendar, but this Calgary Sun story says it is bleeding cash.
An anonymous source says: "I have been told that the original promoters in Edmonton lost more than $7 million. And they told Champ Car that without a huge infusion of cash from the provincial government, the race was doomed to be forever a money loser."
A new look at Danica
The Toledo Free Press takes a look at how the SI photo shoot adds a new dimension to Danica Patrick's career.
Says USA Today columnist Christine Brennan: “She's in danger of being Anna Kournikova. That is the kiss of death long term for a female athlete.”
IPS news
Another great name ... Tschops Sipuka, has passed his IPS rookie test.
And finally
Learn to drive with Tony Kanaan
Indy Star: No news but many questions
Says Derrick Walker: "We know there has been and continues to be discussions on the possibility of a merger. We know very little else."
Walker also says NHL is the only other team that is "for sure" likely to come: "They might be the only no-brainer. Others have the resources to do it, but would they want to deal with the hassle? The rest of us are on the bubble financially."
Walker also says NHL is the only other team that is "for sure" likely to come: "They might be the only no-brainer. Others have the resources to do it, but would they want to deal with the hassle? The rest of us are on the bubble financially."
Another interesting piece of news from this story ... the IRL may run a preseason exhibition non-points event in Turks and Caicos next year.
The L.A. Daily News says Walker is ahead of the game by switching.
"Part of the reason was because I really was unsure about where Champ Car was going. Obviously now it looks like I was absolutely brilliant in thinking that way, but I wasn't. But I was just concerned about our ability to keep raising money and keep motivating sponsors and fans to keep following Champ Car."
Another key piece from the story:
*-If there is unification, Pacific Coast Motorsports is likely to come over
Walker also tries to set the record straight in this TSN story
Says Walker: "We see open wheel racing as open wheel racing and we go where our business leads us. If it's in two series or if it's better for the business to be in one series then we will be where we can get the corporate support to be able to keep racing."
Scheckter to run Indy, Kansas, Sonoma
Luczo Dragon Racing enters Kansas, Indy and its sponsor's hometown race
John Cummiskey has also been hired as team manager for LDR.
Says Jay Penske: "Tomas is one of the top drivers on the IndyCar circuit. His presence and ability will give us a chance to win in each of our three races. Add in John's leadership and we feel very good about the direction of our team."
Reaction/commentary
Robin Miller, the guy who first reported this a week ago, says there's a lot of frustration trying to chase the story
He tosses out all kinds of bizarre scenarios, including Gerry Forsythe buying the remains of Champ Car and keeping the series going, KK and Team Australia investor Craig Gore joining forces on an IRL team.
Says Robin: "The lack of communication from Kalkhoven and Forsythe to the other owners and their employees is disengenous, unprofessional and Enron-like in its insulting silence."
Always armed with an opinion, A.J. Foyt speaks out
Says A.J.: "I don't know whether the merger would make much of a difference, although we might pick up a couple more races somewhere. I do know it would be better to have one circuit than two."
Also, if TG gives the CC teams incentives, A.J. says "I would throw a fit and pack my bags ... and others may do the same."
You have to scroll down to see it, but Tony Stewart only wants to see unification if the series goes back to its original principles and hires drivers based on their ability, rather than money.
Says the former IndyCar champ: "It sounds like the IRL is kind of getting to that stage (of hiring ride-buyers) anyway, and if that's the case, that's not what the IRL even was designed for to begin with. It makes the project a failure, almost, to a certain degree."
Event news
We've been getting a lot of event news from the Great White North
The Toronto Star says the Toronto race may still happen this year
Toronto GP president Charlie Johnstone said the race may happen if they pay a sanction fee to the IRL, and he thinks the series would choose the IRL over the Glen.
Also, KK debunks rumors that CC was planning to file bankruptcy.
Also, the Edmonton race was supposed to be one of the most well-supported and financially-stable on the CC calendar, but this Calgary Sun story says it is bleeding cash.
An anonymous source says: "I have been told that the original promoters in Edmonton lost more than $7 million. And they told Champ Car that without a huge infusion of cash from the provincial government, the race was doomed to be forever a money loser."
A new look at Danica
The Toledo Free Press takes a look at how the SI photo shoot adds a new dimension to Danica Patrick's career.
Says USA Today columnist Christine Brennan: “She's in danger of being Anna Kournikova. That is the kiss of death long term for a female athlete.”
IPS news
Another great name ... Tschops Sipuka, has passed his IPS rookie test.
And finally
Learn to drive with Tony Kanaan
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Feb. 9 newsstand: More unification talk
The follow-ups to Friday's unification announcement are coming fast ...
First, the details:
Indianapolis Star: Tony George, Brian Barnhart, Terry Angstadt and Robert Clarke are headed to the mothership. The object? Talk Honda into moving the Motegi date to the fall so the unification can happen. KK says he and TG had a brief conversation Friday.
The Fort Worth perspective
TMS is one of the key tracks on the IndyCar circuit. IRL spokesperson John Griffin confirms the same thing that the Toronto story's anonymous source confirmed: free cars, engines and the TEAM program.
Eddie Gossage says a merger would be the "best thing to happen to the sport."
Commentaries
AutoWeek: Is it real?
Chicken Little keeps repeating "unification is at hand" But, as writer Steven Cole Smith says, "Chicken Little might be right eventually. But is now truly the time?"
Panther Racing has its own commentary on its website
Says Vitor Meira: “Every year we hear of these merger talks. And every year I get excited about it. It’s good for the sport. It’s good for the teams, the sponsors, the tracks and especially the Indianapolis 500. I’ve got my fingers crossed all weekend.” Meanwhile, a few Panther team members are excited about the possibility of going to Surfer's Paradise.
And, of course
AP: Merger talk too little, too late for NASCAR defectors
Hey, somebody had to talk to them, right? Anyway, you can tell this is good when the most-quoted source is noted open-wheel defector Kyle Petty.
Says the IndyCar expert from North Carolina: "It's almost like watching things going in with diplomacy in foreign countries, where you think, 'OK, now we're going to have a break in this,' and you never have a break. It's getting to the point now where they've cried 'reunification' enough that no one really pays attention."
Non-unification news
Panther Racing announced on its website Q&A this week that it intends to be a one-car team this year. The quote: "It’s safe to say now that Panther will be a one-car team in 2008, at least until the Indy 500, where we would likely expand to a two-car operation." (thanks to MyNameIsIRL for the heads-up on this one)
First, the details:
Indianapolis Star: Tony George, Brian Barnhart, Terry Angstadt and Robert Clarke are headed to the mothership. The object? Talk Honda into moving the Motegi date to the fall so the unification can happen. KK says he and TG had a brief conversation Friday.
Among the quotes from KK: "There's no deal, and no deal's been offered" ... "I sent Tony a text (message) to find out what is going on." "Gerry and I are enthusiastic to get this done; the question is, can we get it done?"
Says TG: "It seems that every time we've been close some new obstacle gets thrown in the way."
But, Speed's Jeff Olson reports that Champ Car people have said the talks have stalled while TG and the gang head to Japan.
Says KK's statement: "Over the past three years, we have fielded and offered several proposals regarding unification of the two premier U.S.-based open-wheel racing series, but we have been unable to reach an acceptable solution. Discussions currently are at a standstill, and we therefore are proceeding with plans to continue as Champ Car.”
Good quote from Panther's John Barns: “Two things happen in Indianapolis every spring: the grass turns from brown to green, and there are talks of an open-wheel merger. I’ll get excited about this when I hear the news from Tony George.”
The hurdles
A Toronto Globe & Mail story says TG has offered free cars, free engines and the $1.2 million TEAM incentive to any CC teams that switch. But KK says there are "insurmountable obstacles."
The key source is an anonymous "IndyCar Series Insider": "We all want to make a deal and then all stand up together and stop losing money. We want to find some way to get together with Champ Car and keep their marketable assets."
While Toronto & the Mont Tremblant CC races would be gone (Edmonton, Long Beach & Surfer's Paradise would be incorporated into the ICS schedule), the anonymous source said the Toronto race would likely be back on the schedule in 2009.
Affecting individual races
The Canadian National Post says the Edmonton race is secure
Says an anonymous Edmonton source: "Edmonton is definitely on the map, whether Champ Car goes it alone or they merge with the IRL. This is just golden. It would be the show. The unfortunate part is, Edmonton might be the only Canadian race. Toronto could be wiped off the map. From a national point of view it's not great to have Toronto and (Mont-Tremblant) cancelled."
In this story from the Toronto Star (Toronto sees the possibility of its GP being gone), KK says "The likelihood of anything taking place for 2008, as a result of these leaks, is very low."
The Long Beach perspective
The story looks into extending the agreement with the city to run the race through at least 2015, with an option to extend five years beyond that. The city is offering a five-year agreement, instead of the traditional 10-year extension, because of development along the waterfront. Currently, the agreement to run the race runs through 2010.Says TG: "It seems that every time we've been close some new obstacle gets thrown in the way."
But, Speed's Jeff Olson reports that Champ Car people have said the talks have stalled while TG and the gang head to Japan.
Says KK's statement: "Over the past three years, we have fielded and offered several proposals regarding unification of the two premier U.S.-based open-wheel racing series, but we have been unable to reach an acceptable solution. Discussions currently are at a standstill, and we therefore are proceeding with plans to continue as Champ Car.”
Good quote from Panther's John Barns: “Two things happen in Indianapolis every spring: the grass turns from brown to green, and there are talks of an open-wheel merger. I’ll get excited about this when I hear the news from Tony George.”
The hurdles
A Toronto Globe & Mail story says TG has offered free cars, free engines and the $1.2 million TEAM incentive to any CC teams that switch. But KK says there are "insurmountable obstacles."
The key source is an anonymous "IndyCar Series Insider": "We all want to make a deal and then all stand up together and stop losing money. We want to find some way to get together with Champ Car and keep their marketable assets."
While Toronto & the Mont Tremblant CC races would be gone (Edmonton, Long Beach & Surfer's Paradise would be incorporated into the ICS schedule), the anonymous source said the Toronto race would likely be back on the schedule in 2009.
Affecting individual races
The Canadian National Post says the Edmonton race is secure
Says an anonymous Edmonton source: "Edmonton is definitely on the map, whether Champ Car goes it alone or they merge with the IRL. This is just golden. It would be the show. The unfortunate part is, Edmonton might be the only Canadian race. Toronto could be wiped off the map. From a national point of view it's not great to have Toronto and (Mont-Tremblant) cancelled."
In this story from the Toronto Star (Toronto sees the possibility of its GP being gone), KK says "The likelihood of anything taking place for 2008, as a result of these leaks, is very low."
The Long Beach perspective
The Fort Worth perspective
TMS is one of the key tracks on the IndyCar circuit. IRL spokesperson John Griffin confirms the same thing that the Toronto story's anonymous source confirmed: free cars, engines and the TEAM program.
Eddie Gossage says a merger would be the "best thing to happen to the sport."
Commentaries
AutoWeek: Is it real?
Chicken Little keeps repeating "unification is at hand" But, as writer Steven Cole Smith says, "Chicken Little might be right eventually. But is now truly the time?"
Panther Racing has its own commentary on its website
Says Vitor Meira: “Every year we hear of these merger talks. And every year I get excited about it. It’s good for the sport. It’s good for the teams, the sponsors, the tracks and especially the Indianapolis 500. I’ve got my fingers crossed all weekend.” Meanwhile, a few Panther team members are excited about the possibility of going to Surfer's Paradise.
And, of course
AP: Merger talk too little, too late for NASCAR defectors
Hey, somebody had to talk to them, right? Anyway, you can tell this is good when the most-quoted source is noted open-wheel defector Kyle Petty.
Says the IndyCar expert from North Carolina: "It's almost like watching things going in with diplomacy in foreign countries, where you think, 'OK, now we're going to have a break in this,' and you never have a break. It's getting to the point now where they've cried 'reunification' enough that no one really pays attention."
Non-unification news
Panther Racing announced on its website Q&A this week that it intends to be a one-car team this year. The quote: "It’s safe to say now that Panther will be a one-car team in 2008, at least until the Indy 500, where we would likely expand to a two-car operation." (thanks to MyNameIsIRL for the heads-up on this one)
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Feb. 2 newsstand
Silly Season update to follow ...
Just a few nuggets of news over the last few days ...
Front office news: Cotman to IRL
Former Champ Car race steward Tony Cotman is now joining the IRL's staff as Brian Barnhart's sidekick. Many CC folks said Cotman was the best thing that the series had last year, but he recently resigned.
Says TC: “I’m just going where I think the future of open-wheel racing is going to be. It’s a good job. I’m going to oversee anything that has to do with competition, technical issues, tracks and assist Brian in race control.”
Tomas to Luczo Dragon
Patrick Long had been rumored for this seat, but Tomas Scheckter is likely to pilot the Luczo Dragon ride for the Indy 500. Jay Penske's team is also planning to run Kansas and one other race ... more if sponsorship materializes.
Says Roger's kid of Scheckter: ""He's certainly one of the best out there who doesn't have a ride."
Wheldon to NASCAR in '09?
Ganassi signed Alex Lloyd for a reason ... we noted this in the last newsstand, but Wheldon talks about the '08 season and the future with ESPN.com.
Says the soon-to-be-bachelor-no-more: "At the end of the day, people have always tagged me as the next driver to go to NASCAR, and I have said that I would like to try that. I'm not going to deny that. But going into this season, I want as little distractions as possible, and I have totally cast that stuff aside. I'm a firm believer in this saying: If it's meant to be, it's meant to be."
Split news
This is a few days old, but TG's offer for open-wheel unity didn't go very far, at least this year, as TG scrapped it as we got closer to the season. TG would've provided cars for CC teams, plus brought Long Beach and a couple of other races into the fold.
The big quote was this from Carl Haas in Robin Miller's story: “It hasn’t happened yet but we’ve certainly considered going. It may not happen this year, but it’s highly probable we’ll do it in 2009 because there needs to be one series.”
Says TG, in Cavin's story: "Teams started coming to me in December and January, and there's not much I can do at that point. I needed to know earlier so we could get the cars ordered."
While looking for pigs to fly as I read this, Robin Miller says the IRL will win the war, and blasts Champ Car for keeping it going. The big point in this story was RM's discussion of Carl Haas' comment from above: "Haas ... went to the IRL leader because he, (Paul) Newman and Mike Lanigan are troubled about the lack of professionalism, lack of communication and lack of anything resembling a future."
Meanwhile, although Justin Wilson has a home at NHLR, most of Champ Car's driver lineup is not set for the first race.
Catching up with the runner-up
Scott Dixon can't fly under the radar anymore.
From the tabloids & features
OK magazine interviews Helio Castroneves, while people show up to see him in Grand Rapids.
Tony Kanaan takes a spin around Belle Isle
Former drivers news
De Ferran to ALMS
Former Indy winner Gil de Ferran, one of the all-around good guys in motorsport, is leaving his F1 post with Honda to join the ALMS with Tom Anderson. He isn't ruling out an IndyCar effort in the future. Gil also talks with Crash.net.
Sam isn't ruling out Indy in the future
This story has finally made it to NASCARworld, so here goes.
IPS news
Doug Prendeville to Andersen Racing (which has a partnership with RLR)
Richard Antinucci to Sam Schmidt Motorsports, where James Davison will be his teammate
Bobby Wilson in Team E ride
Racing biz stuff
ESPN.com's Terry Blount discusses the difficulty of finding sponsorships in motorsports.
Joost Web TV is giving the Indianapolis Motor Speedway a boost
Just a few nuggets of news over the last few days ...
Front office news: Cotman to IRL
Former Champ Car race steward Tony Cotman is now joining the IRL's staff as Brian Barnhart's sidekick. Many CC folks said Cotman was the best thing that the series had last year, but he recently resigned.
Says TC: “I’m just going where I think the future of open-wheel racing is going to be. It’s a good job. I’m going to oversee anything that has to do with competition, technical issues, tracks and assist Brian in race control.”
Tomas to Luczo Dragon
Patrick Long had been rumored for this seat, but Tomas Scheckter is likely to pilot the Luczo Dragon ride for the Indy 500. Jay Penske's team is also planning to run Kansas and one other race ... more if sponsorship materializes.
Says Roger's kid of Scheckter: ""He's certainly one of the best out there who doesn't have a ride."
Wheldon to NASCAR in '09?
Ganassi signed Alex Lloyd for a reason ... we noted this in the last newsstand, but Wheldon talks about the '08 season and the future with ESPN.com.
Says the soon-to-be-bachelor-no-more: "At the end of the day, people have always tagged me as the next driver to go to NASCAR, and I have said that I would like to try that. I'm not going to deny that. But going into this season, I want as little distractions as possible, and I have totally cast that stuff aside. I'm a firm believer in this saying: If it's meant to be, it's meant to be."
Split news
This is a few days old, but TG's offer for open-wheel unity didn't go very far, at least this year, as TG scrapped it as we got closer to the season. TG would've provided cars for CC teams, plus brought Long Beach and a couple of other races into the fold.
The big quote was this from Carl Haas in Robin Miller's story: “It hasn’t happened yet but we’ve certainly considered going. It may not happen this year, but it’s highly probable we’ll do it in 2009 because there needs to be one series.”
Says TG, in Cavin's story: "Teams started coming to me in December and January, and there's not much I can do at that point. I needed to know earlier so we could get the cars ordered."
While looking for pigs to fly as I read this, Robin Miller says the IRL will win the war, and blasts Champ Car for keeping it going. The big point in this story was RM's discussion of Carl Haas' comment from above: "Haas ... went to the IRL leader because he, (Paul) Newman and Mike Lanigan are troubled about the lack of professionalism, lack of communication and lack of anything resembling a future."
Meanwhile, although Justin Wilson has a home at NHLR, most of Champ Car's driver lineup is not set for the first race.
Catching up with the runner-up
Scott Dixon can't fly under the radar anymore.
From the tabloids & features
OK magazine interviews Helio Castroneves, while people show up to see him in Grand Rapids.
Tony Kanaan takes a spin around Belle Isle
Former drivers news
De Ferran to ALMS
Former Indy winner Gil de Ferran, one of the all-around good guys in motorsport, is leaving his F1 post with Honda to join the ALMS with Tom Anderson. He isn't ruling out an IndyCar effort in the future. Gil also talks with Crash.net.
Sam isn't ruling out Indy in the future
This story has finally made it to NASCARworld, so here goes.
IPS news
Doug Prendeville to Andersen Racing (which has a partnership with RLR)
Richard Antinucci to Sam Schmidt Motorsports, where James Davison will be his teammate
Bobby Wilson in Team E ride
Racing biz stuff
ESPN.com's Terry Blount discusses the difficulty of finding sponsorships in motorsports.
Joost Web TV is giving the Indianapolis Motor Speedway a boost
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