Fred Nation, a long-time Indianapolis Motor Speedway executive vice president, announced Tuesday that he will be a Democratic
candidate for mayor of his hometown, Terre Haute, next year.
Nation recently filed a candidate’s statement of organization at the Vigo County Courthouse, forming the “Nation
for Mayor” committee.
Nation, 66, told the Terre Haute Tribune-Star that he made the decision to seek the city’s top job five weeks ago.
Terre Haute’s current mayor is Duke Bennett, a Republican (the first Republican mayor of Terre Haute in over 35 years),
who is finishing out his first four-year term.
Since 1996, Nation has worked for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and has been a close ally to Tony George, who was removed
as IMS boss last year. Nation said he will continue to work at IMS through his mayoral campaign.
Nation, an Indiana State University graduate, has never held a political office, but has considerable roots in politics,
serving as press secretary from 1979 to 1980 for U.S. Sen. Birch Bayh and as press secretary for Gov. Evan Bayh from 1989
to 1996.
In other IMS news, long-time communications/PR employee Eric Powell, announced he is leaving the Speedway at the end of this
year to take a job with the Indiana Rail Road Co. Powell is the latest in a string of departures, including Ron Green and
Chris Schwartz, who have left IMS’ communications/marketing department in the last year.
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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.
Speedway's Fred Nation to run for Terre Haute mayor
December 15, 2010
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Good ole' Obamacare. Thanks liberals and those who didn't bother to vote.
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Yes. Blame those who were too lazy to go vote Obama out and those who voted him in again. That's my take on it. I know folks won't get it on the left. OK. Start berating me now!
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Serioulsy, people are AGINST this project? Most communities would be salivating over a project like this. You'd rather have an empty eye-sore gas station and shacks posing as apartments? This project is exactly what BR needs. BUILD IT MR MAYOR. And yes, I am a BR resident, and have been for 20 years.
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As a St. Vincent employee of over 20 years, I am saddened and disheartened by this announcement. Unfortunately, as the healthcare "industry" continues on this political and corporate path, all that St. Vincent Hospital has stood for spiritually for its employees and this community is being sucked dry. I know it truly has no choice. It is not just Obamacare or just competition or just any single thing. This trend started long before I was even born when the government became involved in healthcare and it became an "industry." I grieve for those who will lose their jobs, one of whom may be me, but I also grieve for this hospital which I have served for over 20 years. May God give us and it the grace to withstand the future of healthcare.
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Why do people constantly harp on this issue and act ignorant about what a city population measures? A city's population is the city's population. There is no argument or debate about it. If you want to measure the density of a city--measure it. If you want to measure the size of a metropolitan area, then measure the metropolitan population. City boundaries cover different sized areas--and they always have (though the disparity has probably increased since about 1900 or so when more cities began annexing their surrounding communities). For example, San Francisco only covers 49 square miles while Houston cover nearly 600 square miles. No one argues about the population rankings of either city even though they clearly cover extremely different sized areas. Indianapolis is the 13 largest city by population in the U.S. That is a fact. While the population of a metropolitan area may give you a better sense of how large a community is, as noted, even metro areas can vary widely in the size of geographic area they cover--so that is not a perfect comparison either.
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Also like the comments that Don Prudhomme is talking about running an IRL team in 2012.
I'll publicly invite D to write one as well. What do you say D? can you handle a c note?
You could always just call and ask Mari. Or call one of their lawyers at Ice Miller.
Ring a bell?
again, you and your ear hair can believe what you want, but my sources are pretty dang good. It all makes perfect sense, once the 100th anniversary is over, Mari and the girls can say they have had enough.
And Tony George continbues to be unemployed and burn thru his unearned wealth. A lonely little man with nothing much to do, and no one really paying attention anymore.
I do not doubt you've heard gossip. The legal community is worse as a whole that way than some elderly womens bridge club in Carmel.
If this was something that was in the works it would be one of the top 5 Indy business stories of the century. Don't you imagine someone from IBJ or the Star or some local news outlet worth their salt would sniff it out?
You'll need to do better.
I am doing better every day, thanks for your kind thoughts
You honestly expect us to believe that the IBJ would not cover even the slightest inklings of a rumor that the speedway may be sold? It would be the second biggest story next to Lilly's being sold and IBJ has covered those rumors before.
I am sure like all the other predictions and "inside info" (wink, wink) this will not pan out either.
You should welcome this instead arching your backs. The selling of the speedway/series would benefit the sport as a whole...the same sport that they destroyed under the leadership of Tony George.
Keep your head in the sand, it's very becoming of you.
And where exactly did that comment come from? You really are becoming oblique.
FYI 12 years of Catholic education and 4 years at Purdue.
Clean house, I hope Fred get elected.
You do realize that Terre Haute is not in Marion County, right?
Seems strange that you agree with Myra who is talking about the the last 50 years and you somehow blame it for the last 15 years. But wasn't it the same attitude that fueled the growth from the 70's to today?
I am thinking the Terre Haute mentatlity died with Tony Hulman. late 70's on is when Indy expanded beyond the midwest and into national and international growth.
Growth, from late seventies to 1995 directly relates to CART involvement. 1996, when the "Terror Haute" mentality took over again is when the sport went back into it's hole. And the only way to get out of it today is to bury the Terre Haute mentality for ever.
It's a good thing!
So you are telling us someone is going to buy IMS for hundreds of millions and then tear it down? Really? Did you type that with a straight face?
So we have Burl giving IMS 5 more years, Chief anywhere from one year to many years to come and Da Hooey are your still at 2012 or have you bumped to 2013?
First, why on earth would the IMS current owners want the sale to be public? What is gained? There are v,eery small elite groups of people who even have the wherewithal to buy this thing, and none of the buyers or sellers wants this negotiation to be public. No offense to young Anthony, but he is way down the pecking order on something like this. Miller or Kirby or Oreo may have the proper pedigree to be told some things on this deal, but again, leaking this sale to the local business rag just does nothing but scuzz up the waters.
Now do you understand?
If you guys have this top secret info, then why wouldn't Anthony who I would give much more credit for having better sources. His stories have been much more on target than anything you guys post.
Also answer me these questions. Why would someone spend hundreds of millions or even over a billion to purchase the track and shut it down? Is real estate in Indy worth that much? Why would all these major companies, from Dallara to Honda to Chevy to Izod to Shell and on and on be putting so much money into a brand and a track that would be going away?
See your fantasies do not come close to matching reality. Couple that with the haters penchant for getting everything wrong, time after time and we all have a hard time taking anything you say seriously.
Now do YOU understand?
I still love how the gang that can't shoot straight on most of their predictions all of a sudden have a direct line to the Hulmans Board Room that ESPN, IBJ, and the other vaunted news services that break this kind of news, not to mention the sponsors who are diving hundreds of millions of dollars into the series have not heard of whisper of.
You guys crack me up.
I have no problem with the facility - it's one of the nicest in the world. I hope racing in many forms continues there. A close look at MotoGP event may reveal the future of racing here in Indy. But the IRL brand is toast.
I do not think the place gets bulldozed. In fact, with the speedway redevelopment, it could be better than ever. I sure hope so. There is a lot of potential..whn the economy turns around and indianapolis gets better leadership, and the Speedway gets new ownership, it has serious potential.
Mari and the girls are just done, and want their money. Toni just ruined it for everyone in the family, and they are sour on the whole racing deal - can you blame them? These people are simple folk who just want out.
What you posted at least is possible. Could the family look to sell the facility? Yes. possible. Is is possible that you not only have a direct line to the family, but take the trust they give you or your source and shatter it by posting it on a blog? Yes, possible. Is it probable? No. Again, for you to be as far off as you have been in the past, to now have this kind of access and then throw who ever you gave that info to under the bus is unlikely.
More likely you have thrown out a guess. No different than if I predicted NASCAR will reduce their number of races by 1/3 and Bernie will be leaving f1 soon....oh right, you guessed at that one as well. Well we can all make guesses, but trying to claim that you all of a sudden have insider info and willing to spill it on a blog is laughable.
Something tells me Anthony is not cutting his Christmas short by trying to track down your breaking news.
It would be a welcome EVOLUTIONARY phase. What are you worried about Defender of the IRL, you championed the failure of the sport, do you not want it restored to it's former greatness? Or, are you just a Hulman lackey/toadie?
'Restoring it to it's former greatness' is another one of those cart idiot straw men. You kids do not really have a clue about what it was or what it is. To me, Indy Car was great in the late 60s and early 70's prior to the cart coup de 'etat.
By the way, when was the last time you were in the area? Have you taken a look at the demographics and income stats?
I didn't think so.
Oh, and when will the reputable representatives of the media pick up on this hot scent?
LOL.
IMS = ATM PERIOD!
Burl leave thinking to the adults, you will hurt yourself.
I am so very grateful you have decided to so freely share this top secret information with us. I guess the mainstream publications will investigate it thoroughly any minute now, huh?
Still waiting for you to tell us what the land at the speedway is going to sell for. this should be good.
By the way, with the IMS centered redevelopment going on, development land, is going for around $15,000 to as high as $20,000 and acre. Those are actual selling prices you can look up right now. Throw in the cost of massive demolition, and you are exposed one again.
Sorry, not impressed or believing what you posted.
I will continue refraining from holding my breath for the foreseeable future, thanks.
is open wheel racing better off since the IRL/Team Tony/terre Haute has been in charge?! Um, no. So then ask yourself who is hating? The Hulmanistas who have driven the sport into the ground? Letting nascar's popularity and F1's technology make the IRL look like a pinewood derby series? The IMS folks had everything going their way fornyears, but that wasn't enough. They sent young, arrogant and ignorant Tony to takeover the whole thing and now look where you are! So who has been the hater? Ye who caused the most damage to the sport than everyone else combined! That is who.
I think Fred knows the inevitable, and he's getting out like the rest of them have. Tony crapper all mover this league/series and nobody has been able to clean it up since.
Quit defending the hateful damage that the Hulmanista regime has instilled on this once greatnstart, and see the truth.
Hulman family sees end to national popularity of racing on horizon (but Tony wouldn't listen). Only viable racing series will be global appeal/marketability of Formula One, which will grow by leaps once Bernie assumes room temperature.
Economic spiral speeds up itch by Hulmans to sell the IMS and the property. Cut their losses after 62 years of rampant profits.
New owners possible with a plethora of scenarios possible for IMS - from total re-development of property to multi-series racing venue.
Public purposely kept in dark, all negotiations hush-hush and back room. Enquiring minds continue to put forth outrageous explanations and I have a cousin - who has a boyfriend - whose step mother knows a barber in Terre Haute insider stories.
Yeah, that sounds about right.
oh and you know that there are developers willing to spend 100's of millions to buy 600 acres for a "mixed use" development but again, no one else knows this?
Really? You are sticking to that?
I say, what value can be gleened from 2011, the lame duck IRL season? Sell after the 500 is over with the faux build up promises in 2012.
And just think....it's on Versus for the next 8 years!! WooT!
You do realize Indycar is an IMS property, that cart tried to use illegally after the split and a court had to intervene to get them to stop using it. You need to get off the loopy juice and join reality.
On another note, cool stamp the USPS is issuing to honor the centenial. Second time the Wasp has been on a stamp. So when do they issue the cart stamp?
A strong series feeds a strong centerpiece race. The IRL (and current IzoD abomination) haven't and can't do that for the 500. FACT.
There will be no CART stamp, and the fact it's dead has no bearing on the speedway after the IRL was hatched. So, keep using the the only rusty broken tool in your barren shed.
The series that supposedly bilked investors was run by it's owners which then took the investors money and use it in the IRL. Another fruitless point you constantly supply. So, you and the series you support are direct benefactors of the supposed swindling. But, the joke is YOU were the one's swindled by TONY GEORGE, which you willingly continually contribute to. HYPOCRITES.
cart-centric idiot crybabies still pontificating about their own self-perceived greatness of that twice-bankrupt cancer to the sport look increasingly foolish with the passage of time. My heartfelt advice? Grow up.
There will probably always be ill-fated mutiny attempts by arrogant buffoons. Heck, there was one in '47 just one year after Tony Hulman rescued the place from becoming a bigger version of Eagledale.
I say enjoy what we have and watch the next iteration of evolution. I have not seen a bad one yet, and I have been watching in person since 1959.
I know many people who would argue that the peak for open wheel was the 50's and 60's. Converting from front engine to rear engine. The large number of odd type cars. Diesels, turbines, Offy's etc... The fact that drivers could and would run dirt races the night before, hose down the car, change the tires and run them at Indy.
That was also the hey day of the celebrity at Indy. "A" listers like Clark Gable, Barbara Stanwyck, Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Ed Sullivan, Tony Curtis, Paul Newman, Jimmy Stewart, James Garner and Kirk Douglas etc...
Recent celebs like Mark Wahlberg and Jack Nicholson are getting us more back to that time.
But to claim that the 90's were the zenith is very arguable.
But I thought that cart was the golden series. The series that you adored and longed for. All of a sudden you are now not such a huge fan? Using your logic, Tony George is gone, " So, keep using the the only rusty broken tool in your barren shed."
You are funny to watch. Get in a trap, then you pretend the trap is not there and you go on to a different subject. Like a mouse in a maze although the mouse eventually finds the cheese, I am not sure you know what the cheese looks like anymore.
2011 is lame duck. So is the 'centennial'. Stillborn on the Hulman George watch. great job fellas supporting the AOW terroristic endevors of the gang that couldn't shoot straight, the IRL/Speedway/500.
How in the world do you manage to foist that nonsense in a thread about Fred Nation running for mayor of Terre Haute?
You kids amaze me. You're just so darned cute.
Indy 2011 is for stodgy old fools reluctant to move forward. No body cares about the centennial or the past. Frankly, neither does the Speedway or the Hulman's.
Burl, the sale couldn't come quick enough. Fred Nation, run Terre Haute into the ground, sir.
But I guess if my life revolved around waiting for an apology from IMS to make my life whole, I guess I would be reaching out to any lifeline I can find.
Indy is here for my lifetime and my childrens. The recent signing of engine manufacturers and new sponsors shows that.
Cart IPO money was long gone before any of the cart owners came over. They went through it like a kid unwrapping presents. Don't believe me, check the financials of your favorite series. It bled red ink in buckets. I guess buying infomercial time is not cheap.
Here is the one truth in this whole blog we have been reading: The sport is just not popular anymore. At all. so that is one thing I agree with Burl on. The rest is smudge pot. But the fellow has it right. You just don't see or hear people talking about Indy Car racing anymore outside the racing forums, blogs, etcetera...People just seem to have moved on. When I was a young 'un, hanging around the Speedway in the 70's and thereabout, even non-racing fans took an interest every May. It was exciting around here. Last May I was amazed at how little interest there was during the month. It was a complete 180 from the days of old. Like a shopping mall on a Tuesday afternoon. A few here and there, but quiet, and lazy. You asked, where did all the people go? They came out for the race last May, but I saw a lot of empty seats and overall lethargy from the crowd. Just seems like the race has lost its luster, the old girl. It isn't the same. Maybe there have been too many Indy 500's now and it finally has run its course. I guess we'll see. But I doubt Burl's story. Seems to big of a deal to get out into the ears of a guy like that and not the local media. But one thing for sure: It just sure seems like the Indy 500 is a thing of yesterday. Hope I am wrong. Been there every year since 1976 when my grandpa was crewing for Bob Harkey. Back then and well into the 80's and early 90's, it was HUGE. Not anymore. You hardly even hear people talking racing in the month of May just down the street.
Where is their apology for that stellar track record?
Then we heard that his relative was being paid an advance to write a book about the demise of the speedway and the future "mixed use development" but again no press had heard about this.
Now he has seen the design and it shows a small museum (I suppose they are tearing the old one down?) or a plaque and they are reusing the infrastructure. I guess the pagoda could be a Macys, some of the stands could be used for a football stadium, the garages could be where the rich park and there would be plenty of snack bars and bathrooms for the residents and shoppers.
Burl of course begins to hedge his bet with "if the place somehow, miraculously, remains a race track,". Classic. As usual, the hater patrol makes up stories and then has to begin to back track.
And poor Chief took it hook line and sinker. Now he will have to pretend like he knew it was a story all along. Or more likely he will just ignore it which is what he usually does when shown to be wrong.
You guys refuse to acknowledge it.
I am also having a difficult time understanding how the voters of Terre Haute, Indiana might hold Fred's employment by Hulman & Company at IMS against him. Aren't people in Terre Haute considered, as you children so lovingly and maturely refer to many, 'gomers' as well?
Son, when you find yourself in a hole it is best to stop digging.
In this case, Chief missed big time. There is a reason most of Terre Haute has Hulman in its name. Rose-Hulman, Hulman Field, Hulman Street, St. Benedicts Cathedral (affectionatly called St. Hulmans), The Hulman Center Arena, Hulman Memorial Union, WTHI, First National Bank, Buildings and endowments at ISU and St Mary of the Woods College and not to mention Hulman & Co, makers of Clabber Girl and other household names.
Fred will have no problem being elected. Terre Haute knows what makes them tick and it begins and ends with Hulman.
Still waiting for the haters to realize having two Indy cars on stamps is a heck of an acheivement. I am betting no business has had that kind of success. You do not get your name or product on a stamp is no one cares about you. How many stamps has NASCAR had?
So, Fred Nation put's on his resume what:
1. Helped orchestrate the greatest crime of the century: The creation of the IRL and the subsequent destruction of the Indy 500 and AOW racing.
OR
2. Led the coverup of Tony George's failed venture into the leadership of Indy and AOW.
Was Fred successful? I reckon so...in an 'accessory to a crime' kind of way. In that sense he was the nuts. Just the kind of material politico's are made of. Terre Haute should be proud.
You on the other hand do not post any sources so we have to take the word of an anonymous poster as truth. A poster who has not gotten much right on predictions and is even down playing his latest one.
Forgive me if I do not believe every word you say. But look at it this way. I could say Indy will get a major blizzard within 2 years. I know this for a fact and have it on the utmost authority it will happen. Do you believe me?
That is what you are asking us to believe, that you have insider info, which you have never shown any ability to have, that your relative got an advance to write a book about it, and no one in the press has knowledge of it? Really?
Answer: It's not.
He nearly doubled over when I told him someone was buying the track to turn into a "mixed use development". He wanted to know if the new snakepit would be the redlight district for this new "mixed use development".
later.
Chief, happy new year and I wish you nothing but the best this year.
By the way, can you send over the financial information for year 2010? Just want to confirm that IRL continued it's losing ways with a financial year in the red again. $750+ million for a series that can't get a TV rating over 0.30 or and Indy broadcast at lowest levels in history certainly are thing to celebrate.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation and the IZOD IndyCar Series are privately held entities that do not share financial data with outside folks. Randy Bernard and the Hulman-George family have publicly indicated 2010 showed a slight profit for the IZOD Indy Car Series, which now has no debt.
"$750+ million for a series that can't get a TV rating over 0.30 or and Indy broadcast at lowest levels in history certainly are thing to celebrate."
Luckily, only idiots on the Internet treat 12+ Nielsen numbers as if they mean anything. The IZOD IndyCar Series experienced a 40% increase in the numbers for key target demographics. That is impressive considering the television landscape is more fragmented than it ever has been, and the fact that more entertainment options and delivery methods exist than at any other time in history. Quite impressive indeed.
I also patiently await you or someone else to give me an accounting of IMS/IndyCar revenue versus expenses since 1996. All I ever hear is what you believe the numbers to be, but I never read any sort of accounting, as I have repeatedly asked. When will you do that? You know, in the interest of credibility?
You got NOTHING. NOTHING. Blue socks anyone?
What on God's green earth are you prattling on about now? Could you hold the ADD at bay for a few seconds and answer some of the previously posed questions instead of rambling on incoherently about one completely unrelated topic after another? All we seek is intelligent, mature dialog with adults. I do not believe that is too much to ask.
Good luck to Mr. Nation on his mayoral bid.
Buddy Rice can't get a seat but Tony Kanaan can. Indy 500 wins no longer mean anything.
A. What does your all caps question have to do with Fred Nation?
B. Please point me to a link that clearly states they are leaving after 2011. The parties involved have stated that negotiations continue and that no decision has been made.
C. Let's assume for a moment that Firestone won't be back for 2012. Is it your opinion that it signals a death knell for the series?
D. Why aren't the adults panic stricken like the obsessed children?
E. Why do you keep using the obsolete 'IRL' acronym?
Please go slowly and answer the questions. I know you have time because your resident forum is currently out of business.
Good lord, 350% percent is MISLEADING as it's not tied to sales revenues vs $$ invested in the series. Even ZAK BROWN is laughing at the claims.
Maybe FIRESTONE read the bogus information supported by the IRL/IZOD and said enough is enough. REALITY is the IRL/IZOd/Indy is not the investment panacea others claim it is.
More lies told by the series, it's sponsors and supporters to gain faux interest in the failing series. Just another GIMMICK. And now, FIRESTONE exiting. And OVALS, and legacy, and everything. Burl is RIGHT, it's going down. And where is the MASSIVE sponsorship announcement 12 weeks overdue? Nad, where's the new car chassis and engine? ANd...where's the MASSIVE activation for the centennial? I haven't seen ONE ad about it and there are football games and college basketball and postage stamps up the ying-yang and ZIP-NADA-ZILTCH-BLOTTO. NOTHING. FAILURE, IZOD INDY stylee. Apologists? I want ANSWERS.
A. When will IZOD be leaving because you disagree with their satisfaction?
B. Why is the Firestone's parent company also leaving Formula One? Is that not a 'better' series than IndyCar?
C. Where is your confirmation Firestone is leaving IndyCar?
D. What are you planning for January 11 when Randy Bernard gives his state of the IZOD IndyCar Series (not 'IRL') address?
Will Ol' Randy bury the hatchet on January 11 and fess up to the failures IMS has created with the creation of the IRL? Will IMS accept FULL responsibility for the mess AOW finds itself in?
Will the used-car saleman Randy do the impossible, APOLOGIZE for the indiscretions of the speedway? IS he ready to beg for CART fanbase forgiveness?
Hey, I'm sure the dogs could be called off...but you'd have to drop that speedway arrogance to get the job done....because the centennial era is stinking the world up, and the IRL ain't gonna get to high AOW levels again without inclusionary tactics, the tactics the speedway is good at is exclusionary.
What is the truth? Are not FIRESTONE seeing the SAME 350% ROI that IZOD is? Why?
(because the IZOD numbers are lies and out of context). It's that simple.
I believe I'll just let the words and antics of the children speak for themselves. The actual racing fans will simply enjoy a great sport for at least the rest of all our lifetimes.
As far as Firestone, Indystar posted it is possible. I am not sure I would want to hitch my wagon to a possible report in the same paper that also reported the Pacers were moving to Oklahoma City and the Colts were all but packing for LA.
If Firestone leaves, I would love to see Hoosier Tire supply to the series. They did well in NASCAR until Goodyear forced them out. They are an Indiana company that produces tires for all level of racing. I think it would be a good fit...if Firestone leaves.
Noticed everyone overlook the latest million dollar+ sponsor Global Corporate Alliance. They are a a huge insurance broker and should be a good fit for the series.
But of course to the haters this spells doom.
If this was all a slam dunk they'd be back. See, problems exist in this series that no one wants to see.
The only Bernard quote in the article is "No doubt, definitely concerned," Which I am sure any league boss would be concerned if a major supplier was talking about "if" they come back. He also was attributed as saying he was concerned if they do not come back. So where did he say he expresses doubt about anything. Come on Chief you are embarrassing yourself with your desperate attempts to read more into and article than is there.
this series is going places I tells ya!
Well lets do it again. Chief posts that the irl is second fiddle? Not what I am reading in the Vegas paper. Sounds more like the trucks are the opening act, the warm up act if you will. As the article says, "The truck race -- which is Sept. 25 this year -- has attracted more than 40,000 each of the past few years because of low ticket prices, and nearly all spectators have been Southern Nevadans.
Adding IndyCars the day after next year's Oct. 15 truck race has potential to be successful and entertaining for fans from around the country and world."
http://www.lvrj.com/sports/irl-return-could-be-local-boon-101631028.html