The IZOD Indy Car Series returns to action on our own shores this weekend in St. Pete. There are a lot of really nice stories, including Graham Rahal, who gets behind the wheel of Sarah Fisher’s car for a couple of non-ovals until he may go full time again with NHL. There is a rumor out there that he has sponsorship lined up for a full season ride. That would be great.
Not so great are a disappointing number of entries in the Indy Lights group. Last year they had plenty. This year they are struggling to get 16. That is a clear indication some more changes are needed. The burgeoning ladder system is critical for future success, and now that Atlantics is teats up a golden opportunity exists. There you have another item for the Randy checklist.
I like the runway and the water scenery at St. Pete, but mostly it’s just another idiotic temporary street parade route. I really hope Mr. Bernard does not get used to this crap. My other wish is that any team other than Penske or Ganassi wins.
ESPN on ABC has the coverage, and right out of the gate it’s inferior. No qualifications coverage, no special programming, the same old crew (Gentlemen, start your Scott Goodyear drinking games), and probably a strictly enforced window. The promos are pretty cool, however, and they seem to be running them fairly frequently.
Nothing would make me happier this year than to see wins by Dryer & Reinbold, Foyt, and/or Panther.
Defender of IndyCar 
Yeah, no qualifying show, but the promotional value of being on ABC is important. Last year there was no ABC coverage until the 500, which meant that the lead up to the 500 happened in a black hole. ABC’s ratings were off last year, and it took them most of their 5 race schedule to recover some semblance of normal IRL/ABC ratings. I knew they were making a mistake when I saw the TV schedule last year, and I’m glad they fixed that.
Indy Lights has no TV this year, and that’s all there is to that. The impact on the series is obvious. I feel sorry for the teams. It’s not a good time to be in Indy Lights. Hard to believe that their are only 15 drivers listed on the Lights web site. Just a few years ago they started 29 (if memory serves) at Homestead. I guess the economy has something to do with it, but the TV thing has got to hurt. A lot.
Jim Guthrie provided 5 cars last year, then they went and banned him and his Son, guess he must have really pissed the Myers guy off real bad.
Editor’s Note: Sounds like both parties involved need to grow the *#$% up and start thinking about fans for once.
Street courses are much more exciting than 1.5 mile, 100% throttle ovals…..and tis funny that your beloved old school IRL teams D&R, Foyt, and Panther only have a chance at winning on your much hated street courses. Also funny that your “underdog” teams don’t include any ex CCWS teams, your bias is clearly showing.
Editor’s Note: To each his own. Those who arrogantly huff about ovals with their noses in the air generally do not know the first thing about them and in most cases have never even seen one. Personally, I like the variety of many oval styles along with natural terrain road courses. Even one or two street parades (Long Beach and St. Pete for example) enhance the overall appeal. The good news is that if you actually like these street abominations, the IZOD Indy Car Series appears willing to continue spreading their legs with the frequency of a crack whore desperate for yet another quick infusion.
You are correct about my enthusiasm for underdogs; most of them chose sanity and class over arrogance and boycotting that damaged the sport. It will be nice when everyone joins us in the year 2010 for a change.
I agree that the lack of a TV package is the problem with the FIL. It makes me wonder how many cars they’d have if one was in place. I’d bet there would be a 10 car increase at least.
As far as ovals and street races go, I like both but prefer the ovals. Collectively, we all like both. Politically, it’s the same. And it also applies for chassis selection.
I am more convinced Randy will get things done. He hired a 4-star heavy hand from the AirForce because he already knows it’s going to take military proceedures to get things done in this heavily stagnated political environment.
“Nothing would make me happier this year than to see wins by Dryer & Reinbold, Foyt, and/or Panther”
And know that I will be cheering against these teams at every moment, if and the few times when I actually watch.
Editor’s Note: Considering your relative lack of class and sportsmanship as well as your allegiance to a series that failed, twice, I am hardly surprised. What matters to the IZOD Indy Car Series is not what allegiances are, it is only that you continue watching. I am told the series appreciates your eyeballs.
Troy, the sooner you drop off the planet the better.
The series doesn’t really have my eyeballs. I usually can’t watch more than a few laps before one of the hacks crashes out and causes a caution. Most IRL races are boring, and their TV ratings reflect that.
Editor’s Note: And yet you care enough to offer commentary about it nearly every day. How mature.