December 19, 1995
IndyCar did not release any additional details regarding the U.S. 500 yesterday, however it is widely believed that CBS will televise the qualifying and race weekends, and that the total purse will be as much as $5 million. No title sponsor was announced, nor is any being sought.
As any race fan who hasn't been living on the moon knows, IndyCar released a 1996 schedule last spring showing conflicting dates with the USAC Rookie Orientation at Indianapolis as well as the Indy Racing League's New Hampshire race, then adopted rules that would effectively obsolete 1995 chassis for 1996. The IRL, which had earlier scrapped its own new rules package for 1996, decided to stick with the 1995 rules, then announced a new qualifying format for the Indianapolis 500 virtually guaranteeing the top 25 IRL team owners of a spot in the Memorial Day classic.
Terming the new format (which would have seen them battling for the eight at large spots) a "lockout," IndyCar began exploring the possibility of staging its own 500 miles race on Memorial Day. Although efforts to find some sort of common ground between IndyCar and IRL continued behind the scenes through November, with yesterday's announcement the schism between the team owners and Tony George seems to have gone beyond the point of no return.
"I don't think it's a decision that anyone was happy to make," said Bobby Rahal. "It's clear that the IRL does not want us; they don't want our cars, our engines, so it's time to go elsewhere. It's unfortunate but, like I said, it's a decision we didn't really want to have to make."
"Let me be clear: Target/Chip Ganassi Racing wants to race at Indianapolis," said Chip Ganassi in a prepared statement, I know all my fellow team owners do as well. No one should doubt that we want to be there.
"However, business requirements, sporting tradition and plain common sense make us want to be there competing under the traditional, open qualifying rules which help create a level playing field. The new qualifying rules established by the Speedway makes his impossible. The fans understand this rule artificially and drastically reduces the competition because it is certain the best drivers and cars will not be in the field. For 79 years that's what Indy has been all about -- the best in the world try to win. Unfortunately, it appears the Speedway has forgotten that is why the fans come. I'm certain the management of Churchill Downs would never even think of running the Kentucky Derby without the best horses and jockeys.
"I am happy that the IndyCar organization will offer fans a legitimate 500 mile race on May 26, one that features the best drivers and cars, performing for the public on the basis of long-established, fair rules."
"We can only say we are disappointed by the action because of its negative impact on automobile racing in North America. CART's action could diminish the opportunities for some drivers and teams to compete in the greatest motorsports event in the world, the Indianapolis 500.
"However, it does not change or influence any plans for the 1996 Indianapolis 500 or the launching of the Indy Racing League, the series of oval track races which is designed to provide growth and long-term stability to the sport. If anything, CART's action underscores the need for our new league. The 80th Indianapolis 500, open to all competitors who choose to run for racing's richest prize, will be run May 26, 1996.
"CART owners and competitors are not locked out of either the Indianapolis 500 or the Indy Racing League. All have been invited to participate. Our intent was that the IRL could coexist with CART's current series of races -- which has never included the USAC-sanctioned Indianapolis 500. Whether by its own rule changes or scheduling conflicts, CART has created an unhealthy all-or-nothing choice for the racing community.
"The IRL was created for inclusion, not exclusion -- and certainly not to be in direct conflict with or to replace any series already in existence. Toward that end, invitations to the 1996 Indianapolis 500 remain open to those caught in the web of Monday's announcement."
The one entity caught in the web would appear to be Valvoline, which last month announced that it would be a supporting sponsor of the Indy Racing League and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway while, at the same time, continuing its sponsorship of Walker Racing's IndyCar team in the PPG Indy Car World Series.
"We didn't anticipate this level of solidarity," said Mark Coughlin, manager, motorsports marketing for Valvoline, "especially from the sponsors, who appear to be willing to pay the same sponsorship dollars and get less in return.
"We have an agreement in principle with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It was done before the alternative 500 was a reality and at a time when we anticipated something like 30% of the IndyCar teams would participate in the Indianapolis 500 and that the level of the show would be high.
"But that doesn't appear to be happening. We have an agreement in principle based on certain deliverables, but those deliverables appear to be going away... We're re-examining the whole thing because the landscape has changed. What were grey areas are now black and white, and we're going to be able to determine the level of the show very shortly."
As we noted last week, just 10 of the drivers who practiced at Orlando lapped within 105% of Buddy Lazier's quickest lap. If the IndyCar solidarity holds firm, how many cars and drivers are there that will be able to lap within 105%, 110% even 120% of pole at Indianapolis -- especially if Arie Luyendyk or Scott Brayton start turning 235s in John Menard's cars? There is a real possibility the 80th Indianapolis 500 could either have a short field, or a very dangerous one...
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