Tony George ousted from IMS

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Originally Posted by indycool

IMO, Ken's link in post #158 to Bruce Martin's piece seems the most logical. The family seemingly has not been shy about shoveling dollars where they're needed, be it a new grandstand or pagoda at the Speedway, the IRL, Vision Racing or whatever. The company hasn't hesitated to bring people in and try them to reach goals they need. If some type of reorganization is planned at the family level, or structure level, guess I'll watch what happens and draw an opinion from that.

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Ah, IC, it's been a while. I guess that's all any of us can do. But something must have happened on the board side to set these events, whatever they really are, in motion. Improvments to the racetrack are logical and to be expected, whether for specific events or as part of long term maintenence, but using funds to prop up a series like the IRL have to be looked at a bit differently. I'm very interested to see if Humpy Wheeler shows up at the Brickyard 400 and if anything else reaches the surface by then.

As I read it, it was Humpy's first visit to Indy since 1970 when he was with Firestone.

Have you heard any reports of Humpy and IMS folks talking?

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Originally Posted by Starter

So far, that is pure speculation. A good idea perhaps, but when was the last time any one controling a major racing series acted on a good idea? :p

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NASCAR and F1 started banning good ideas just a few years ago. But in AOWR? Gee... uh... maybe... :confused: I think I was still wearing a white sport jacket and no socks on weekends, and I only knew about there being one George Bush. Whoever said, "the future is always bright" should have their azz kicked.

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Originally Posted by Starter

So far, that is pure speculation. A good idea perhaps, but when was the last time any one controling a major racing series acted on a good idea? :p

The "TG out" rumor seems to have more basis.

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Speculation? That was a question, Starter...

"No" would have been just fine, even though I am waiting for IndyCool, too :D

There was a rumor flying around a year or so ago that the IRL approached Eddie Gossage. Apparently he is happy right where he is. Besides, considering the pummeling TG and Barnhart get for everything, why would anyone want to put themselves in a position where they would be the subject to the wrath of bloggers and intardnet experts who perpetuate every myth and rumor until it becomes "fact"?

Chap, there didn't appear to be any rumors circling about Humpy joining the IMS staff in connection with the thread topic. All I heard was that, since Humpy didn't have Charlotte to do any more, and it's the Centennial Era at IMS, he was invited to attend for the first time in a long time when it hadn't been possible before, and he did....he was part of another era of Indy car racing when he was with Firestone years ago.

The only time I have heard Humpy's name mentioned was by Robin Miller on a report during Speed's Sunday call-in show, hosted by Dave Despain. In that report by Robin he threw out Humpy's name as well as Tim Mayer (who recently resigned from ALMS) and said there was speculation that those 2 names were in the mix as a replacement for TG.

I think if Humpy was going, he would have been there by now. Humpy doesn't screw around when he wants to do something. That said, I would love to see him take over things up there.

Great thread boys...I was gone 10 days and it took me the better part of an hour to get to the end.

I know Tony still has his job, but things have gone quiet. That means little other than it still could happen.

I think ideally we all want a strong Indy 500 as a jewel in a series of 18 to 20 races, about one third to one half on ovals, in about 4 countries, with numerous engine possibilities and a few chassis. THAT would be idea...and we had it once. Someone wanted all of that under his thumb..and he doesn't have it now...all though he has the illusion of control at this point.

I have no idea where this sport will go in the next year, but we are at the tipping point. I do know this much. The Indy 500 wont die any time soon, but I will tell you that its place is pretty much gone as the top of the racing food chain in North America in any form. It was once the leader...now it is taking a back seat to most of the NASCAR Cup events at Daytona, Darlington, Richmond, Texas, Bristol and yes...the Brickyard 400 in the eyes of many.

Something HAS to happen. Tony cant get this series to where it needs to go, and the stepmom and the sisterhood have finally figured this out and are holding him to account. We just need to wait.

Oh...one more thing.

Rush Limbaugh isn't as smart as he likes to think he is, but he is a damn sight more right ( as in right and wrong ) than his detractors would like to admit. If this wasn't so, the staff of the President of the US of A wouldn't spend so much time attacking him. When you attract that sort of political heat, you must be right on something...