NASCAR to leave Indy?

[Jag_Warrior]

I also hope they leave. It would be fun to see what IMS/IICS would do without the funds received from the BY 400.

What does a beaver do after about 2 days when his leg is caught in a trap?

Though the tight-lipped Hulman-George clan has never divulged financial information, motorsports business experts have estimated the IRL has lost more than $400 million since its inception in 1996.

Sources close to the IRL said the series lost $22 million in 2009 and is headed for another eight-figure loss this year. IRL officials have cut $2 million in overhead in the last year, have raised $3 million in cash annually with a new title sponsorship deal with Izod, and tallied $2 million in profits from the series’ popular Brazil race, said motorsports business experts. That still leaves a $15 million hole to close.

Motorsports business experts estimate the profitability of the race for the IMS is still around $10 million to $13 million. But less than five years ago, it was more than double that.

Ticket revenue has declined more than $10 million and the loss of All-State as title sponsor cost the IMS another $2 million annually, motorsports business experts said. Factor in revenue declines in concessions, parking and other ancillary revenue and the drop is approaching $20 million.

NASCAR officials could be using Kentucky as a threat to leverage a better deal in Indianapolis, but Brown said IMS officials should be concerned, nonetheless.

“Even if [NASCAR] decides to schedule Kentucky on another weekend, that would have a big impact on the Brickyard 400’s profits,” Brown said. “I’m sure the race here gets a big draw from Kentucky, and NASCAR is risking oversaturating the market."

NASCAR decline not good for open-wheel racing

[call_me_andrew]

I thought it was interesting that the 400's crowd was estimated at 140,000. That's still better than the average NASCAR race; it just gets lost in those huge grandstands.

[DavePI2]

if you believe there were 140,000 people their then you must believe that there really is debris on the track when those cautions are thrown and the finishes arn't scripted. If nascar claims there were 140 then there probably was really no better then 100,000. The place was empty except on the front straight. It's not the economy either , people are getting tired of watching make believe racing. If nascar leaves goodby and don't let the door hit you on the way out, you should have never been there anyway.

[nigelred5]

Indycar is apparently out of most if not all of the ISC (France) tracks next year where they receive no promotion from the tracks(France). Maybe NASCAR(France) is trying to play a little tit for tat threatening to pull Cup out of Indy. I don't hear the sisters saying they want NASCAR out. NASCAR and ISC know how much the money from that race supports not just the track, but the series they obviously would love to kill. Would Brian France really pull NASCAR out of IMS?

Personally, I see a little openware fare between the two series on the horizon.

[Jag_Warrior]

If anything, I figure this is just ISC/NASCAR catching IMS while it's in a weak position and using Bernie Ecclestone style negotiating tactics to get what they want. As long as IMS has to use its profits to support the IRL to the tune of $15 to 20+ million a year, ISC knows that IMS can't really afford to lose the BY400. NASCAR probably doesn't want to lose it either. But in a game of chicken, NASCAR has a tank and IMS has a bicycle. Especially to Cup (or Nationwide, for that matter), the IRL poses no threat whatsoever, so I don't think NASCAR particularly cares whether the IRL lives or dies. In fact, NASCAR is actually in this strong position simply because the IRL is alive (and IMS has to keep it breathing).

[garyshell]

To add a bit of fuel to all this speculation, the local papers and media are abuzz with stories of a pending announcement from the Kentucky Speedway that they have secured a July date for a NASCAR race in 2011. Hmmmmm.

Gary

[call_me_andrew]

if you believe there were 140,000 people their then you must believe that there really is debris on the track when those cautions are thrown and the finishes arn't scripted. If nascar claims there were 140 then there probably was really no better then 100,000. The place was empty except on the front straight. It's not the economy either , people are getting tired of watching make believe racing. If nascar leaves goodby and don't let the door hit you on the way out, you should have never been there anyway.

The seats in the turns were full. The bare spots were only in the north and south chutes.

Only suckers sit in the straights at Indy anyway. You can see half the track sitting in the turns; you can only see what is directly in front of you in the straights.

[garyshell]

The seats in the turns were full. The bare spots were only in the north and south chutes.

Only suckers sit in the straights at Indy anyway. You can see half the track sitting in the turns; you can only see what is directly in front of you in the straights.

You can't see diddly squat in the straights. We went to the first F1 race and sat across from the pits. The only time we saw the cars was when they were entering and exiting the straight or when in the pits.

Gary

[Marbles]

NASCAR ain't going anywhere fast. The Hulmans and NASCAR need each other and the France gang is just trying to squeeze a better deal out of The Brickyard.

If I were the Hulman's I'd call them on it, As a Hulman, standing akimbo -- chest out, I would insist -- "don't let the door hit you in the arse". No, no, wait, I'd tell them, "Here's your hat, what's your hurray?" I like that line better.

And if they left I'd start plastering and painting. A good chance to get the Shrine back in shape.

[Lee Roy]

The Hulmans and NASCAR need each other . . . . . .

NASCAR needs the Hulmans like a Mockingbird needs a Craftsman cordless drill.