IndyCarFan
1st July 2009, 22:57
In the IndyStar article about Tony George's departure as CEO it says "He was asked to remain in charge of the IRL but declined."
Maybe I'm jumping to conclusions but my take on this is that Tony knows the sisters are tired of spending money on the IRL. Tony has already stated that the IRL has never turned a profit. Without a title sponsor and some really profitable races other than Indy it probably never will turn a profit. If the sisters are going to turn off the money flow it's only a matter of time before the IRL goes belly up. The team owners know this and that's why they all threw their support behind Tony when this story first broke back in May. Tony is in the best position right now to know what's coming and he's already taken what he thinks is the best course of action. The only other option I can see is the family selling the IRL. Potential buyers would be limited to the France family (returning it to an oval only series to add more races to the ISC tracks), the teams (ala CART) or a deep pocketed person(s) who likes racing and would enjoy having a racing series as a "toy".
Just a little theory based on my reading between the lines. If anyone cares to comment or add to it feel free.
Maybe I'm jumping to conclusions but my take on this is that Tony knows the sisters are tired of spending money on the IRL. Tony has already stated that the IRL has never turned a profit. Without a title sponsor and some really profitable races other than Indy it probably never will turn a profit. If the sisters are going to turn off the money flow it's only a matter of time before the IRL goes belly up. The team owners know this and that's why they all threw their support behind Tony when this story first broke back in May. Tony is in the best position right now to know what's coming and he's already taken what he thinks is the best course of action. The only other option I can see is the family selling the IRL. Potential buyers would be limited to the France family (returning it to an oval only series to add more races to the ISC tracks), the teams (ala CART) or a deep pocketed person(s) who likes racing and would enjoy having a racing series as a "toy".
Just a little theory based on my reading between the lines. If anyone cares to comment or add to it feel free.