Dan Wheldon move

[glauistean]

away from Panther racing seems like it was bound to happen.

Has his stock fallen since he won the 500? Also, is Chip that good a talent at spotting said talent or lack thereof that lead to Wheldon not getting a new contract? Maybe it was an engineer thing or something else.

I have also heard that Wheldon demanded in the region of $4 million in order to race with Panther and that he got it. Do you guys/gals believe that?
If he did get it, does that make him the highest paid in the series?

Is there someone like Dario that is making more? How much does Helio make? Seems as though he was making big bucks when they released the records during his trial and that was early 2000's. Hopefully not more than Will Power or Justin Wilson as I feel he, Wilson, is a far better driver than he is allowed to show. A bit like Michael Scumacher in F1 with a dog of a car.

I'd value any input. Cheers.

[glauistean]

Well, this hread did not generate any interest but if anyone reading knows more about the current lawsuit against Panther I would be interested.

The team was supposedly receiving 10 million per year from the National Guard. That is huge money. I don't know whther it is true or not but it came up in the court case so it must be true per documentation.

This is all reported on Politico.

[Chamoo]

I have no clue what Wheldon was making, and do not have a whole lot of info regarding the lawsuit involving Panther, but I do know that it sounds kind of out there.

However, Panther is the only team in the league that seems to be involved in lawsuits yearly. Maybe where there is smoke there is fire?

As for Wheldon, latest rumor is that he is looking at getting a drive with Kyle Busch's Truck Team.

[glauistean]

I have no clue what Wheldon was making, and do not have a whole lot of info regarding the lawsuit involving Panther, but I do know that it sounds kind of out there.

However, Panther is the only team in the league that seems to be involved in lawsuits yearly. Maybe where there is smoke there is fire?

As for Wheldon, latest rumor is that he is looking at getting a drive with Kyle Busch's Truck Team.

Chamoo, I heard that too. I think it's a done deal if I'm not mistaken.

Wonder what he thinks now if he signed the deal and that Lotus (Most British of Cars) is coming. Do you think KK or Jimmy would be interested in him?

[Lousada]

Wonder what he thinks now if he signed the deal and that Lotus (Most British of Cars) is coming. Do you think KK or Jimmy would be interested in him?

Lotus/KV would be fouls if they do not sign some proper drivers. With TK and Wheldon on the market you can build a top-lineup fast. But perhaps they wait until the money starts in 2012 to snap them up. A year in Nascar doesn't rub off to much Indy skills anyway.

[Anubis]

Chamoo, I heard that too. I think it's a done deal if I'm not mistaken.

Wonder what he thinks now if he signed the deal and that Lotus (Most British of Cars) is coming. Do you think KK or Jimmy would be interested in him?

Am I alone in thinking Wilson in a Lotus would just be great fun to support? He's got the perfect demeanour for it, whereas Wheldon has always grated with me for some reason. As a Brit*, I find the idea of Wilson in a Lotus most appealing. I'd be cheering him on, probably whilst sipping a Martini. Shaken, not stirred, you understand.

*Yes, I know they're technically Malaysian, but Alex Yoong doesn't have quite the same appeal

[glauistean]

Am I alone in thinking Wilson in a Lotus would just be great fun to support? He's got the perfect demeanor for it, whereas Wheldon has always grated with me for some reason. As a Brit*, I find the idea of Wilson in a Lotus most appealing. I'd be cheering him on, probably whilst sipping a Martini. Shaken, not stirred, you understand.

*Yes, I know they're technically Malaysian, but Alex Yoong doesn't have quite the same appeal

Hornet, I'm not sure that race drivers like to told their nice guys but picked the best of 'em in Justin. I like him a lot. No BS, no silly temper tantrums and I for that he was out of a seat. Is Z-LIne his or DR'S.

I'll cheer on Justin anytime too. My mother and father are Irish so we have to get the home countries rooting on a real champion that F1 should never have given up on. Too bad Jaguar was such a flop. I believe Justin is probably the best street/road course driver in the series.

He is always around no matter the team. Dale Coyne would have kept him if he could but there is not that much money there.

[Anubis]

I think it's possible to be a racer and a "nice guy". I'd say Button and Barrichello are in that vein as well. I also like the way Wilson has remained very, very British over there. I half expect him to go back after the race and have a nice cup of tea :)

[nigelred5]

Am I alone in thinking Wilson in a Lotus would just be great fun to support? He's got the perfect demeanour for it, whereas Wheldon has always grated with me for some reason. As a Brit*, I find the idea of Wilson in a Lotus most appealing. I'd be cheering him on, probably whilst sipping a Martini. Shaken, not stirred, you understand.

*Yes, I know they're technically Malaysian, but Alex Yoong doesn't have quite the same appeal

No you're not! That would be a great Combination IMHO. That's the kind of Nationalism in Indycar racing that I would love to see, and one actually makes at least a little sense to fans! It wouldn't have to necessarily be with KV to be a Brit in a Lotus, but it would make it all the better if he were in a Green and Yellow Lotus! :)

[Mark in Oshawa]

Wheldon in a Lotus with KK and company running the show would be a good move. The problem always comes back to sponsors and who is bringing the dough.

With luck, this happens.