Tony George resigned

[The instant classic]

I'm afraid they have cut off the moneytrain. In TG's own words the IRL is not viable at this moment. Now he's gone from IMS he can't move money around anymore. Who knows how many cars and races are propped up?
At this moment the IRL has no future plan, no new car manufacturers, no titlesponsors, no new chassis and very few fans. This could be a quick end to the IRL...

i was just thinking this afew mins ago, what if Tony doesnt get along with the new CEO of indy? wolud he ever say i wont race the indy 500 next year?

the all money he put into the IRL came from IMS, and i cant see him paying for the IRL out of his own pocket, with the ratings down and more fans talking about nascar on indycar forums now, i think yr right this could be the end of the IRL, i wolud be shocked to see them come back next year

[Lousada]

i was just thinking this afew mins ago, what if Tony doesnt get along with the new CEO of indy? wolud he ever say i wont race the indy 500 next year?

If I'm correct the new CEO's are the people who used to be directly below TG and even hired by him. So there won't be much of a change in direction of how things operate. I think this is more a case of grabbing control over the money flows?

By the way wouldn't it be ironic if the IRL decides to abandon the Indy500. Then we're right back in 1995, except nobody gives a damn anymore.

[Bob Riebe]

If I'm correct the new CEO's are the people who used to be directly below TG and even hired by him. So there won't be much of a change in direction of how things operate. I think this is more a case of grabbing control over the money flows?

By the way wouldn't it be ironic if the IRL decides to abandon the Indy500. Then we're right back in 1995, except nobody gives a damn anymore.

The Indianapolis 500 IS the IRL.

[Lousada]

The Indianapolis 500 IS the IRL.

There will be an Indy500 long after the IRL (I hope). The IRL is dropping ovals and is aiming abroad it seems. It won't be long before the Indy500 will have little connection with the IRL. If the IRL can even survive without the unlimited paychecks from IMS that is. So then what happens???

[methanolHuffer]

This is the part where the IRL get's sold for pennies on the dollar.
Or at least he'll try to hold out until January of next year for a better price, but will get nothing.

IMS will be fine. Even if weeds grow through the row of bricks, it will never be sold outside the family.

[disko]

why all the doom and gloom? Look, a lot of us are in business, and at the end of the day we are accountable for making money. Sometimes there is a need for a change at the top, but the show still continues.

Were in a crazy economic bullsh-t situation because of the greedy pukes on wall street. We just need to find different avenues of profitability for our businesses. If you don;t, you become complacent and the competition erodes your market share. If you were accountable to your shareholders, or as a stockholder, isn't this your mission statement to be profitable? How are the Hulman Companies any different?

the IRL will be around. They not going to be sold, and they are going to be racing next year.

[maximilian]

I always felt that the SECURE future of open wheel racing in the US would entail NASCAR either starting the "NASCAR Open Wheel Series" themselves, or... maybe now buying out the IRL, and making it the "NASCAR Indycar Series" - coupled with the massive NASCAR marketing engine, money, sponsors, track contracts, and brand recognition (that makes even something as silly as the Truck Series a success), it may well work!

[The instant classic]

I always felt that the SECURE future of open wheel racing in the US would entail NASCAR either starting the "NASCAR Open Wheel Series" themselves, or... maybe now buying out the IRL, and making it the "NASCAR Indycar Series" - coupled with the massive NASCAR marketing engine, money, sponsors, track contracts, and brand recognition (that makes even something as silly as the Truck Series a success), it may well work!

you gave me an idea, if nascar ever wanted Danica nows the time to get her, buy out the IRL

[timshag]

All I can say is where the hell is IndyCool when you need him?

Geeeeeeez!!!!

[FormerFF]

Well, that certainly vindicates Robin Miller.