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Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Is this the End for Open Wheeled Racing in America?

The recent defection of Indy Racing League and Indy 500 champion, Dario Franchitti, may be the death knell for open- wheel racing in the United States.

Drivers from the Indy Racing League, Champ Car World Series, and Formula 1 are finding racing careers in stock car racing. The recent defection of Indy Racing League and Indy 500 champion, Dario Franchitti, may be the death knell for open- wheel racing in the United States.

NASCAR is clearly the champion of motorsports in America. At one time, NASCAR was the king of the south while the Champ Car World Series, formerly the Championship Auto Racing Teams, was reserved for fans with a more sophisticated racing palate. Then came the split between CART and Tony George. George was concerned with the direction that open wheel racing was going in terms of domestic driver development. Many of the best drivers were from other countries with very little American talent coming along. Tony George’s vision included great foreign talent being challenged by homegrown racers who cut their teeth behind the wheel of sprint cars and midgets.

CART did not agree and Tony George, as president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, decided to start his own series. The Indy Racing League was started with year old; non-turbocharged machines and raced only on ovals. The IRL has evolved but the damage has been done. Fans had to decide whether to follow a series comprised of road courses or one that featured ovals. The fans decided that ovals were better, but with a different type of car… stock cars and its fan friendly environment.

While the IRL and Champ Car squabbled about engine formulas and venues, NASCAR aggressively snatched curious fans and every ounce of sponsorship dollars. The logistical arguments, between the two racing factions, have further segmented the racing consumer market.

NASCAR has been able to watch Champ Car and IRL destroy one another without breaking a sweat. All NASCAR has to do now is sit back and observe the procession of former open wheel stars to the South. Joining Franchitti in NASCAR is former Formula 1 champ Jacques Villeneuve, Champ Car standout Patrick Carpentier, and America’s latest hope for Formula 1 greatness Scott Speed. This is an impressive list of drivers, with others to follow, who will leave the chaos of open wheel racing for the security of racing’s juggernaut, NASCAR.

NASCAR, you have come a long way baby. Gone are the days of good ol’ boy names like Hut and Buckshot. The entry list for Daytona 2008 will have an international appeal. If the star drivers from Champ Car and the IRL continue to fly south, open wheel racing and its rich history will be nothing more than a memory.


Franchitti photo by Kevin C. Cox/ Getty Images

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