Indy Cars: 2010

[Don]

With Indy Cars having a new leader, might be an increase in cars and interest, here's a few to start with:

*** IndyCar Looking Up Down South
by Jonathan Ingram

" IndyCar Draws Big Crowd In Alabama -- It's a positively good jolt and a big story when the fans start pouring into a track to see an IndyCar race staged in foreign territory. But track owner George Barber needs to take a few lessons from Bruton Smith, always a master at putting out large crowd figures at his tracks before public ownership handcuffed him with rules and regulations. Smith would invariably regard a crowd at one of his facilities with a veteran eye, then add about one third to arrive at the limits of credibility. In other words, a crowd of roughly 30,000 that showed up at Barber Motorsports Park should be announced as 40,000 if you want to have real some on-the-ground cred and a big number. "


*** POLE SHOOTOUT, BUSY BUMP DAY HEADLINE NEW '500' QUALIFYING FORMAT

'Fast Nine' to make thrilling late-day run for pole Saturday, May 22

INDIANAPOLIS, Wednesday, April 14, 2010 -- An exciting new qualifying format for the Indianapolis 500, featuring a 90-minute "shootout" in which the nine fastest cars make a dramatic, late-day run for the pole, will debut Saturday, May 22 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Complete Article:

http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=363924

[Fitz]

Too bad they don't go back to letting the owners and drivers bring cars to this track/Race and race what they brung! I am an old dog that was raised in Indy. Lived on the North side and you could hear the Novi's all day across the city. Had rich friend who owned Sheridan Thompson car that AJ drove. You would see Ford Race Chevy; Engines were different and guess what....300,000 spectators rushed the gates to get in to see the qualifications. Race Day was just as big.
Now you have Hondas racing Honda motors, genetic chassis V same thing and everyone running on the same tires. The race has become boring just like Nasycar. No passing etc; no running people down in the pits. No Cheating!
Bring back Trans-am. That was racing. Great to watch FordM V ChevyC etc.
No wonder the TV ratings are so low. Might as well watch Golf or go shoot little guns @ illegals running the borders.

Not sure this new approach to get TV fans will change anything. Where is Loyd Ruby when you need him.

[Don]

Fitz....in addition to the Trans-Am, a favorite of mine was the Can-Am series, especially the # 65 & 66 Chaparrals of Jim Hall & Hap Sharp,racing at tracks in the East, Watkins Glen and Bridgehampton ( Long Island NY )

*** With IZOD sponsorship and VERSUS TV coverage of the series, might be a start with a long way to go. Hopefully, there will be more than 33 cars showing up for the Indy 500 qualifying, the suspense of past years to set the field.

" Long Beach race draws VERSUS' most viewers: VERSUS' coverage of the IZOD IndyCar Series's Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 18 earned a .5 national household rating, according Nielsen Media Research, making it the network's highest-rated and most-watched race.

The race, won by Andretti Autosport's Ryan Hunter-Reay, averaged 490,000 viewers during its 3-6 p.m. (EDT) window and peaked with .6 HH rating and 525,000 viewers.

VERSUS' first three races of the 2010 season, as compared to the same number of live events last season, have grown 67 percent in household ratings (.5 vs..3) and 30 percent in average viewers (404,000 vs. 310,000).

Additionally, viewership among all key male demographics is also showing substantial growth: Men 18-34 (up 104 percent), Men 18-49 (up 38 percent) and Men 25-54 (up 60 percent). "



*** Might be a return of sponsorship to the race series, especially for the start and park cars

" Shell Oil Company and Penske Racing Announce Alliance

April 21, 2010

HOUSTON, Tex. (April 21, 2010) - Shell Oil Company and Penske Corporation announce a multi-year cross business alliance starting in the 2011 racing season. The new alliance allows Shell and Pennzoil to expand their motorsports presence as it includes a primary sponsorship with 2004 NASCAR® Sprint Cup Series Champion, Kurt Busch and the No. 22 car, as well as associate sponsorships promoting Shell V-Power® with IZOD IndyCar Series drivers Helio Castroneves, Will Power and Ryan Briscoe. "

http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=364980