The IndyCar Series marked its 200th race at Kentucky Sept. 4. There didn’t seem to be much of a celebration. That’s
probably because series CEO Randy Bernard is too focused on what the open-wheel race series will look like over the next 50
races rather than what has been accomplished in getting to this milestone.
But the 200 yard marker has some folks reflecting on the history of this series. And pondering, what next?
In reality, Bernard is probably a lot more focused on the next 17 or so races that will be on the slate next year. Then there’s
the next great hope to drive up TV ratings and attendance; a new chassis that will be unveiled in 2012.
And if Bernard can lure a few more American drivers to the series that will draw even more interest to the series. Then if
he can get at least a handful of races shifted from Versus cable channel to network television (NBC seems a logical spot),
then certainly the television ratings will spike.
Ahh, I think we’ve landed on the hallmark of open-wheel’s first 200 races. If the series wrote an autobiography
of itself, it would have to be called “In search of a BBD.” The problem is, I’m not sure a bigger, better
deal is out there. And I’m not sure there ever was.
The prevailing thought was if costs were controlled, an all-oval format was offered and a platform for American drivers was
built, the series would flourish. Then it went like this, if we could just get a few of the big boys back from CART. If only
we could merge the two series back together. If only we could get a title sponsor. If only we could get in big markets like
Chicago. If only we could get out of apathetic markets like Chicago. If only we could end the season in a glitzy town like
Las Vegas. And this is my personal favorite … If only we could get Tony George back in control. And on and on and on
and on.
So here we sit. Another owners riot averted for now. But still facing the same old problems the series has been having for
years.
There’s no shortage of people that will tell you the IndyCar Series’ problems are simple. I can’t tell
you how many times I’ve heard “WE NEED MORE AMERICAN DRIVERS!!!!” Where are all the Tony Stewarts and A.J.
Foyts and Jeff Gordons for crying out loud?!
Really? That’s the problem. Huh.
Consider this: In 1995, the last year before the open-wheel Civil War, there were 14 U.S. drivers in the Indianapolis 500.
This year there were nine. You mean to tell me that five more American drivers is all it would take to put this once proud
series’ pedal back to the metal.
Some how I don’t think so. And if Randy Bernard is as smart as some people say he is, I bet he doesn’t think
so either.
I’m not sure what the solutions are. But I know this; Bernard’s first task is identifying the problems.
Not an easy job. And certainly not a simple dilemma.
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Welcome to The Score, your place for hard-hitting sports business news, fast-breaking updates and fuel-injected debate. Buckle up. I'm your host, Anthony Schoettle, IBJ sports reporter.
IndyCar hits major milestone; CEO still chasing solutions
September 8, 2010
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Saw the Indy Men's Chorus "Music of Gilbert & Sullivan" at the Indiana Historical Society on Sunday evening.
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Temporary workers are not "tools" they are people and companies that keep large amounts of temp staff are cheating.
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I miss having them around. I hope one of their stores is in the general Meridian/86th Street area. I will make good use of it.
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The Fringe! Plus, the simple fact that there are so many local faves in such close proximity to each other.
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I remenber, watching the toll road, being built, through South Bend, when I was 10 years old. I believe, back then that it was estimated, that the toll road, would be paid for in 20 years and then it would be free. I am now 71, what happened? Since the power is in the people, by that, I mean that, we the people are in total control of everything. I, suggest that no one ever use the toll road again, let it go broke. We the people can control the price of everything, from groceries to gas, if we would just do it. If we don't pay the asking price, the sellers will lower the price and if we wait awhile, they will lower the price to what we accept as reasonable. I would like to know why a highway like interstate 94, is so well maintained, a much better highway, than the toll road, but has no tolls. I would also like to know why, a sitting governor, with a term limit, maximum of eight years, can lease, public property, for 75 years. Even though I have transponders in both of my trucks and will not be affected by the increase, I have been and will contine to avoid using the toll road. I make many trips from northern Indiana to Chicago, every year, and I prefer the better highway, I94!
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And by the way, Mr. Bernard, no disrespect meant here, but when you're walking through the paddock you might want to stop quickly and see you runs into your back end - those are the people you don't need.
Oh well back to ALMS and F1.
BTW Defender, give it up your bleeting is getting old.
To clarify: What was celebrated is the 200th race in the IRL's less-than-stellar history. This includes all races from the time it set out to destroy AOW racing in 1996 to the 2010 Kentucky race.
15 to 25 million fans left the sport due to the idiotic IRL decisions by Tony George in 1996 and Randy Bernard is trying to get them back.
Keep insulting the fanbase....WE KNOW WHAT HAPPENED, stop trying to act like it didn't. Keep on ignoring major parts of the history....your only destroying the sport more. A caustic middle eastern leader is saying the west lies about WWII atrocities.....what amazing similarity between that and what the IRL management is trying to do with the history of OW racing in this country.
IF so, then only "15" of the last century's worth of Indy 500's are actually "IndyCar" based. What hypocrisy.
IRL...still in business, only now going to promote it's own races and rent it's own tracks. $675 million and getting deeper into the RED ink.
IRL/IndyCar/IZOD has NEVER made a penny in all of it's 15 years. Keep staying in business and sucking up ALL the Hulman-George money. I love that business part of it...all.
IRL attendance = FALLING and FAILING
IRL TV Viewership = FALLING and FAILING
SAcred cows indeed...like almost all of the 2010 schedule won't be on the 2011 schedule if Mr. Bernard's word can be taken as fact.
As for TV ratings falling, racing viewership as a whole typically falls off this time of year as King Football returns. I'd also question the type of race coverage VS delivers. To me, a VS IndyCar race views more like a video game than a sporting event. Too many cutaways, multi-screens and running crawls.
But then, when your race consists of single file cars zooming round and round with little passing, you're going to bore viewers. The time of day for both races didn't help as late Saturday afternoon or evening starts might be live fan friendly but not home TV viewer friendly.
Also, Versus network offers a gawd awful line-up of shows that I doubt reach potential IndyCar racing fans. Drumming up viewers who're watching MMA, bicycle races or bullriding (sorry, Randy) to an IndyCar race telecast isn't going to happen.
If I'm a promoter, why invest $$$ in the same thing when it captures no ones interest?
IRL is responsible for it's horrific performance PERIOD. And it had NOTHING to do with foreign drivers or ride buyers. IRL is the laughing stock of the racing universe. That's the problem and why promoters cant sell it, and IRL can't figure it out. Sucks to be them...
Yet...you all just act it all has no importance. Fascinating. It's like watching the knight in The Holy Grail get all of his appendages cut off. The IRL hobbles about on stumps bleeding out yet still talking trash.
IRL...the series that olny sociopaths and psychopaths could love.
Monty Python - very good - "Throw out your dead..throw out your dead" Think that is what TG said when he was over at CART headquarters in Park 100 when they were closing the doors?
AOW Bridge Troll: What is your name?
Lord Sagamoron: Tony errr...George
AOW Bridge Troll: What is your quest?
Lord Sagamoron: To preserve AOW racing
AOW Bridge Troll: What is your favorite color?
Lord Sagamoron: Red, wait no greeeeeeeeen...err, ummmm, ahhh I don't know...........pfffffffttt.
Numbs the mind and mines the dumb.
"I don't know the logistics of what happened so it's hard to criticize one part or another," driver Tony Kanaan told The AP. "To me, it's a shame. It's like losing my home race. It's the race all my friends get to see. It's the only race a lot of people here can afford to go see. It's the only opportunity I have to invite people to watch."
Logistics? Yeah, I don't knbow the logistics of what happened either, I guess. I thought what they did was load up trucks and drive them down the road to the race track and off-load them. I thought those were the "logistics". Ohhhhh....you mean, "particulars" of what happened. I see. I forgets...you an IRL driver. That's right. And you are also around high-school drop out Danica and Marco all the time so that right there does not help. I feel for ya'. Yeah, well, anyhow, we don't know the particulars other than the ONLY people there were your invitees friends and some family members and a couple Trackforum posters in their Dollar General hats. You mean those particulars? As in there are more people wandering around in the Everglades bird-spotting than watching you hustle the 7-11 Mobile around in circles chasing Helio? Those particulars. I see. As for the logistics of the whole deal, well they won't have to worry about that but one more time. After that, logistics come down one more sorry season for some reason the sisters are foolish enough to allow more wad to be flushed on all for what? So Randy can save a little face? To give Special Ed a Spesh to win the last Indy 500 in? As if anybody cares anymore and will go to see that crap anyhow right? Incidentally, the early word on W. 16th is that next year's 500 may not crack 200,000. Run the dinosaur one last time for 100 year kicks and a chance for Special Ed and then pull the plug. Be like Tony and get scarce.
More markets again penetrated by the IRL and they can't draw flies.
The answer to the question no one asked back in 1996 has been answered: IRL NOT WANTED ANYWHERE.
Hey...the Mickey Mouse course at Walt Disney World (where the IRL cut it's teeth in 1996 and broke it's first backs etc) is available. There's no grandstands up so it'll be easy to claim an IRL sellout.
THE IRL IS PATHETIC. VERIZON...run away from any sponsorship deal. Fast.
They will watch anything that comes out of the pasture called the IMS. hopefully it will be turned into a parking lot very soon. What a disgusting pitiful place to be a fan of.
Here's prediction that came true: Absence of free Tix Marlboro gave out PLUS the end of NASCAR season ticketing requiring the package to include IRL tix too has resulted in the IRL being DUMPED from ALL ISC tracks in 2011.
IRL had been propped up all those years! No fan base was developed and now they turn their back on the dozens of fans that bothered to go.
What the heck...the IRL sucks. Iman...a prediction comes true and you are no where to be found. Figures.
Now the IRL's signature fake OVAL races on ISC oval trCKS are gone....now what?
WOW, this ain't your daddy's IRL anymore...
RUMORS abound today that the IRL moniker goes BYE BYE today. DEATHBLOW 2010 continues...... Bwahahahahahaha!
What's next...the paperclip in Gateway or the Caesar's Palace parking lot?
IRL.....the answer to a question NO oNE ASKED. Now $700 million in the red and CLIMBING. How much you figure it takes to rent a track for racing no one watches? Track sanction fees will PLUMMET at these types of events.
Looks like the $700 million the IRL spent was for NOTHING! And a TBA included.
Also, I hear the press conference in Milwaukee today was BOTCHED up bad just like only the SPeedway can do it. No video, no audio. And BMG as the promoter...EEEEEgads, they did the horrible announcement of the Dallara kickback contract/ICOLONIC committee announcement.
The IRL....good riddance?
Geez, I thought IRL would have had some good racing to promote itself with seeing as it raced at Milwaukee before. Guess not...
Why not use CART footage...they use CART attendance numbers when attracting venues like New Hampshire and Baltimore and Toronto. Yet, the HAPLESS IRL can't draw flies. GEEZ, I wonder why????
Hey, why not call it CART too? I know why, because it'll NEVER be that. That would be an insult to CART....dead now tw!ce for over two to six years.
Is Randy trying to hoodwink us, the 15 to 25 million fans LOST in the open wheel split? I think he is.... Is the apology in fact the mothballing of the IRL name? I;m not sure that's a fair trade...
All you need is dollars and a dream....
IRL Sponsors and partners apparently could care less about it too as they continue to pour money into the losing IRL property. Makes no sense...