Well, doom has been delayed at least

[MDS]

Before the beginning of the year there were a number of prognostications of doom and gloom for the ICS this year, a number of people were predicting car counts as low 19 for Infineon, which doesn't seem likely now unless a series of tragic events happen between now and then. We had 25 at Watkins Glen and we should be at 23/24 by the time the series rolls into Infineon later this year, and despite the predictions in Jan/Feb that the series might not make all of its stops after Indy, it looks like the ICS will continue for the foreseeable future.

It looks like things are actually getting better on many fronts instead of darker:

Ratings: While they haven't shown the improvement everyone would like, we are seeing an increase in the Versus ratings, and that's important because that is your dedicated fan base.

Small teams: Many said that HVM and Conquest would have a difficult time making it through the year and would need some "Help" after Indy. Certainly the season hasn't met Simona's expectations but the team appears solid through the end of the year. Conquest was expected to drop down to a partial one-car team after Indy, but is growing as a team and is finding sponsorship, having Angie's List on Bagett's car for a few weeks and now Ice-Watch.

Leadership: Despite the former leader's pledge of "Vision" Randy Bernard has done a stellar job in the first four months on the job. He's brought credibility and given the league a new start.

Yes there are some glaring problems, Graham Rahal is still out of a ride; Roger Penske has two sponsorless cars; I suspect Izod didn't so much come up with the additional money for RHR as much as shifted some of its commitment; the ratings haven't improved enough and attendance hasn't been great, but for now I'm hopeful.

[Phoenixent]

Roger Penske has two sponsorless cars

According to a Penske team member RJR is still paying the bills on those two cars for this year. They just could not have the classic paint job anymore do to some rules. Next year will be a telling year for Penske Racing on sponsorship for the 3 and 6 car.

[beachbum]

Before the beginning of the year there were a number of prognostications of doom and gloom for the ICS this year.....

The "sky is falling" crowd is still around, blasting anything and everything related to the IRL. Some are still faithful to the "series that is no more" but haven't accepted that this is the new face of open wheel in the US.

I sometimes go to their old forum and read the posts of the dozen or so faithful who still wring their hands in glee at anything that is negative about the IRL as they still want it to fail. What they expect would replace it, I have no idea. But now that TG is gone, they lost their main focal point, so they blast everything else and regularly prognosticate that the series is ready to implode.

Some of those people now post here and on other forums. Most have accepted that time marches on and change is inevitable and make reasonable posts. But a few have never given up "hope" and still try to denigrate the IRL anyway they can. It is fun to compare what they post on that other forum and what they post here. They sometimes try to hide their disdain, but usually fail.

[px400r]

The "sky is falling" crowd is still around, blasting anything and everything related to the IRL. Some are still faithful to the "series that is no more" but haven't accepted that this is the new face of open wheel in the US.

I sometimes go to their old forum and read the posts of the dozen or so faithful who still wring their hands in glee at anything that is negative about the IRL as they still want it to fail. What they expect would replace it, I have no idea. But now that TG is gone, they lost their main focal point, so they blast everything else and regularly prognosticate that the series is ready to implode.

Some of those people now post here and on other forums. Most have accepted that time marches on and change is inevitable and make reasonable posts. But a few have never given up "hope" and still try to denigrate the IRL anyway they can. It is fun to compare what they post on that other forum and what they post here. They sometimes try to hide their disdain, but usually fail.

As is the "everthing is hunky-dory" crowd, crowing about how great things are (or will be)- just give it some time. Versus, Izod, Danica, and a new chassis will fix everything and restore Indy Car and the 500 to it's full glory.

They sometimes cast their eyes down in deference to the naked king, but usually fail.

[EagleEye]

Some people are "doom and gloomers". Others are pie in the sky dreamers.

Some are just living reality day to day, and tell it like it is.

The Good:

IZOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Races have been pretty decent

Versus coverage.

New rules for engines.

Randy Bernard!

Roger Penske paying for his three-car team.

Will Power.

Indy format.

RHR, TK, Dario, Dixon, Justin Wilson, Simona, HCN, and Briscoe.

The Bad:

17 PAYING drivers, (18 this past weekend) keeping the car counts up.

Lowest 500 ratings, ever.

NO improvement in ABC ratings.

We (teams, series officials) almost outnumberd the fans at the Glen!

Several teams (raises hand) on the bubble for next year.

The Ugly:

TV Ratings.

Milka Duno.

TV Ratings.

BB and his calling races.

TV Ratings.


IZOD, has been amazing. RB has equally impressed. And the racing has been quite good. But, the TV ratiings continue to dog us. Indy was a shock.

But RB has a plan, and so far he has people buying into it. Now go buy an IZOD shirt!

[Scotty G.]

1. Several teams (raises hand) on the bubble for next year.

2. But, the TV ratiings continue to dog us. Indy was a shock.

1. I have to think Conquest, AZZT, HVM, whatever is left of Newman/Haas and possibly Panther could be in trouble for 2011. Not sure how stable KV is either, as this season could put them in such a hole financially (despite each driver paying the team at least $5 million bucks to race) that they will be struggling to keep things going.

2. Why would anyone continue to be "shocked" by Indy's ratings? They have continued to go down by the year and there were the least amount of American drivers in the race in the almost 100 years of Indy 500's. Without Americans dominating the sport again in numbers, America is not going to pay attention. Doesn't matter who is in charge, who the series sponsor is, what cars are used or anything else.



And with the TEAM deal, all of these teams basically have to continue to show up for races. So nobody should be surprised that the small teams have soldiered on. Plus those small teams are all financed by drivers, so as long as those checkos cleared, they will continue to race.

[Mark in Oshawa]

Ah yes....Scott has the answers.....

Scott, it isn't just the lack of Americans...I keep telling you that, but you keep whipping that horse. IT is a part of the puzzle but it is much more than that.

Personally, I think they hit rock bottom last year as a series. This year they will start to trend up.

I think a lot of teams will soldier on, and find ways to hang in, but I do agree with Scott on this point that the pay drivers are the issue. That said, how do teams survive without major sponsors if they don't take the ride buyer? Face this reality too, the ride buyer is just a driver with a sponsor looking for a team. Rather than a team with a sponsor looking for a driver. Sponsors like the former, we fans and team owners like the latter.

The drivers with sponsors are not the best drivers always, they just are the best at getting money, and if more American drivers of skill were better at this game, much of the complaints Scotty has would be made moot...

[EagleEye]

1. I have to think Conquest, AZZT, HVM, whatever is left of Newman/Haas and possibly Panther could be in trouble for 2011. Not sure how stable KV is either, as this season could put them in such a hole financially (despite each driver paying the team at least $5 million bucks to race) that they will be struggling to keep things going.

2. Why would anyone continue to be "shocked" by Indy's ratings? They have continued to go down by the year and there were the least amount of American drivers in the race in the almost 100 years of Indy 500's. Without Americans dominating the sport again in numbers, America is not going to pay attention. Doesn't matter who is in charge, who the series sponsor is, what cars are used or anything else.



And with the TEAM deal, all of these teams basically have to continue to show up for races. So nobody should be surprised that the small teams have soldiered on. Plus those small teams are all financed by drivers, so as long as those checkos cleared, they will continue to race.

Agree, sadly, on point 1. Ride buyers will be needed to save the day again.

As for the "shock" ratings for Indy, we all were told and expected a bump up for ratings based the increased exposure from Izod, additional marketing on ABC, and some other factors. The only projection for ratings going down was if there was rain, and ABC and the production crew had some good stuff to run with to hold the ratings if we had that issue, which we didn't.

I was among many who thought for sure that the Indy rating would trend upward, so that is what I mean by it being a shock to us.

While I agree a lack of America drivers is one reason, I recall good ratings in Champcar when several non-americans did well. I talked to one persone at the Glen that indicated his disgust with all the ride buyers, which might be the heart of the problem. Most those who follow open wheel are fairly smart, and I assume many are getting tired of those who have paid for rides, while those like Rahal, and others who have earned rides sit and wait.

God Bless Izod though as they look to stand pat and give it a go for another year.

[Mark in Oshawa]

Ride buyers are the only thing keeping some of these teams going unfortunately. As I said, the old method of having a team and a sponsor and putting a DESERVING driver in the seat just isn't going to work. The sponsors look for drivers....

[SoCalPVguy]

Unfortunately I think doom has only been delayed. Yes the car count is good but trouble signs for next year abound:

1. The VERSUS deal is a killer an assures that even a fine on track product won't be seen by any significant number of people, which leads to...

2. Lack of sponsorships due to both the low rating for the network that isn't seen any way, and coupled with...

3. A poor economy, some experts liken to 1932 depression all over again --- high taxes, high forced health care costs, and disincentives from a socialist ideologue congress and president prevent businesses for having discretionary cash for optional type sports marketing (hurts all sports, but hurts marginal specialty sports like Indy racing more than say the NFL), there is no 'recovery' now and next year will be worse, as evidenced by ...

4. IZOD's apparent upcoming pull back of sponsorship money next year, which could lead to ...

5. Small teams with already thin sponsorship being in real trouble, that causes...

6. These small teams to rely on no name foreign "ride buyer" drivers to stay afloat, which results in ...

7. Lack of fan knowledge and familiarity with no name foreign drivers, lessening their interest and causing ...

8. Even LESS people watching VERSUS and starting the cycle again.