Published: March 06, 2008 09:52 pm            

TRIBUNE-STAR EDITORAL: Long road ahead for IndyCar

New merger might salvage open wheel

TERRE HAUTE — The ill-fated split in open-wheel auto racing in 1994 did not change the Indianapolis 500’s status as “the greatest spectacle in racing.” The Speedway still drew massive crowds, and Indy remained a spectacle, an event.

But that break into two factional series — CART and the new Indy Racing League — hurt open-wheel racing as a sport. That division splintered its fan base, just as NASCAR was growing into a new national pastime in work-a-day America. The Indy cars would grab the country’s attention every Memorial Day for the prestigious 500, and then race under the radar for all but the most diehard open-wheel followers.

Open-wheel racing reunified on Feb. 22. The owners of the Champ Car (formerly CART) agreed to shut down that series and send its teams and drivers to the IRL, which is owned by Speedway President Tony George. It was George’s decision to challenge the powerful CART teams and create his upstart league that split the sport 12 years ago. Now George has made peace with his rivals by merging the two into a new IndyCar Series.

The 1994 breakup cost George, the grandson of late Terre Haute businessman Tony Hulman, nearly $200 million over the years, and this merger may cost him another $30 million to complete, according to an Associated Press report. However, the reunification could pay off for open-wheel racing, the Speedway and the state of Indiana in the future.

The Hoosier racing culture is extensive, from the 500 to O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis, dirt ovals such as the Terre Haute Action Track, drag strips and quarter-midget facilities. Because of that history, the state also attracts satellite motorsports businesses. Indiana competes against other states, namely NASCAR haven North Carolina, to lure such parts makers, testing and technology firms.

The return to one open-wheel series could raise its visibility, expand its number of cars and race dates, and also draw motorsports industry investment to Indiana.

“This merger will create a series which is going to be more attractive to the industry, more attractive to the drivers and more attractive to the fans, and all of that leads to more money flowing into Indiana and increased numbers of jobs,” said Guy Faulkner, assistant professor of motorsports studies at Indiana State University.

The IndyCar Series has a long, long road ahead in attempting to recapture some of its lost national interest. NASCAR has a firm grip on fans, with its weekly soap-opera of points duels, feuds and personality clashes. That won’t change in the foreseeable future.

In the meantime, though, open-wheel racing has its best chance in more than a decade to re-enter average Americans’ consciousness.

        

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