Tony George
 

http://www.theindychannel.com/sports...70/detail.html

http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...sted-from-ims/


( NOTE - The original link to the indy channel 6 news article - was deleted 47 minutes after reported and comments to the article were deleted 4 minutes later ; reason unknown. )

Re: Tony George
 

i heard tony stewart is buying the track and putting larry curry in charge:2:

Re: Tony George
 

The real rumor is that they are talking to Humpy Wheeler.....no I'm not kidding:14::15:

Re: Tony George
 

I agree. I'm just wondering what took so long. Like I said before and I'll say again, Tony Hulman must be spinning in his grave with all the crap that has happened to the Indy 500. Maybe now someone with a sense of tradition will take charge and never consider F1 again, dump the bikes and NASCAR and get Indy back to being INDY again. No offense to F1, bikes or NASCAR, I like 'em all, just not at Indy.
David.

Re: Tony George
 

Calling this stunning news would be an understatement. Getting fired by your sisters and your mother? Ouch. This story is just going to send shock waves through Indianapolis, the more it gets out there.

Jerry

Re: Tony George
 

And I thought this year was going to be my last year going to the race.

Re: Tony George
 

In the article I read it said that MotoGP was profitable and F1 was a disaster. I doubt we will see NASCAR and the bikes go but what I would like to see is the IRL use that road course which could now happen. Humpy would be a good choice, he was at the Indy 500.

Re: Tony George
 

PR-wise and sponsorship-wise this is a horrible move for the track. Remember he is STILL the CEO of the IRL just not the track. Thus cuts the money strings between the track and the IRL and that is certianly not good

Re: Tony George
 

I absolutly do not want to see Indy Cars on the Road Course but I would love to see a 24 hour Race Festival including Daytona Protypes and sports cars

Re: Tony George
 

It seemed to work out pretty well for the first 83 years. That's what separated Indy from all other tracks. That's what made it "special". Then ego and greed kicked in.
David.

Re: Tony George
 

Humpy Wheeler?!?! :11:How is that going to "bring back the tradition". No one with NASCAR ties should be anywhere near the Speedway in a decision making position. I know he didn't work for NASCAR, but he was hand in glove with that organization for a long time.

Re: Tony George
 

maybe the 500 will be run on the road course now... cart, chump car, who ever is left still complains at every corner about high speed ovals. Indy is about the only place they keep their mouths shut$$$$$.. road course IRL racing still has little passing.Tony did all he could to appease the road racers. The month of May had huge crowds this year dispite the economy. i think things are on the upswing at the speedway. Tony made that place a real world class place and i believe his grandfather would approve. The board has made a huge mistake in my mind......

Re: Tony George
 

I bet his first move will be to require fenders on cars in the 500.

Re: Tony George
 

How many of the movers and shakers in big time motorsports actually drove a midget?
How many have bolstered short track races with sponsorship dollars?
Was Humpy Wheeler often spied standing by the fence at a USAC sprint car race?
Any of you out there HARF members? Did you get a free ticket to time trials? Did you ever take home a gift from the banquet that was sponsored by IMS?
Who gave Jay Drake a chance in the pro series?


Consider these questions -- this could set the stage for an internal power struggle that can see the family relinquish control of the track and see the sale of the track to one of the outside conglomerates - that will take money and control away from the city and region - and if you want to see a money grab just wait and see.

I would advise tempering your glee.

Re: Tony George
 

I agree 100%, BTW Tony was just on channel 8 denying the rumor.

Re: Tony George
 

Interesting that Channel 6 has pulled the story from their website.

Jerry

Re: Tony George
 

UPDATE AT :

http://www.wishtv.com/dpp/sports/aut...S_CEO_20090527

Re: Tony George
 

http://www.wishtv.com/dpp/sports/aut...S_CEO_20090527

Doesn't exactly look like a blanket denial to me. There's enough ambiguity in his answers to leave open the possibility of a second Tuesday meeting, held by the other members. Or it could even be something as little as a "trial balloon" floated by the others, just to see how such a thing would be received. Politicians use this tactic all the time. Only the parties involved know for sure. Only time will tell.

Jerry

Re: Tony George
 

Here is a corrected link http://www.wishtv.com/dpp/sports/aut...S_CEO_20090527
Looks like R Miller has egg on his face but thats nothing new

Re: Tony George
 

Mari was just asked by Curt Cavin and she said the same thing as TG. No changes. RM has once again stepped on his d***.

When will people learn Robin is not credible?

Re: Tony George
 

A very wise man once told me that if we throw the scoundrels out, we might not like the new scoundrels

Re: Tony George
 

i think people forget that humpy was instumental in indy cars at charlot. then debris went threw the fence and the irl left. Maybe Tonys plate is full and humpy is coming in to help. Hay ovalmister, you are so big on traditions, how many 500's have you been to?

Re: Tony George
 

Well said, Pat! Tony is the ONLY link to the short track guys to the Speedway. With him gone there will be ZERO chance for these guys to get to Indy. I realize chances now are minuscule.... but it is still a possibility.

Re: Tony George
 

The last thing in the world they need is that buffoon !!!

Re: Tony George
 

My first Indy 500 was in 1974. I was 10 years old. I've missed two 500's since then. One for the birth of my daughter while living in Texas and one due to military service overseas.
My Dads' first Indy 500 was in 1935. (I still have his ticket stub). He didn't miss a 500 until he passed away in 2004.
Is that enough tradition for you? :6:
David.

Re: Tony George
 

John!!...Nice to meet you,Areo at THAT/Kokomo!!...I'n Phx...went by to check Manzy today...all gates locked,looks same except for a couple rigs parked....posted inside is:guard dog on DUTY....Keep Out Employees Only!!....Sad deal!!........No sign of anybody there or in front at Cory's TeeShirt Shop!!.........
___________
Brucer'

Re: Tony George
 

your profile says your from minnesota, just makeing sure you had actually been to the race. I think they have done pretty well with tradition, but then again my first 500 was in 94. only missed 1 since.:6:

Re: Tony George
 

yeah it was nice to meet you in person, will you be here for midget week or are you waiting until Sprintweek

Re: Tony George
 

Miller usually has pretty good sources. His problem is that he likes to fire off when he first gets something instead of letting it play out a little bit....trying to "break the story". I'm sure SOMETHING is going on, but it doesn't sound like it is exactly as he reported....at least not yet.

I do think some changes need to be made. The event will never be what it once was regardless.

There will never be speed records set again...no way they let them go 237 again....just glad I got to see it in person.

Most of the infield party is gone....which is a same b/c I think there is a place for everybody there.

You can't build it and race it anymore. That is a big draw back. The big teams would win in that case, but they win now anyway so I say open it up. Here are the rules and if you can build a car and engine to get in, then great.

Those three things alone have taken away from it. There are several others that have too. Change might be a good thing. Hell, they tried to body slam Helio back into his car so he wouldn't climb the fence b/c TV didn't want to waste the time. Screw TV. The fans in the seats wanted to see him get out so I'm glad he did what he wanted to.

I still enjoy going out. The track was open and had cars on the track 12 days. I was at the track 12 days for all or part of each day. The die-hards still go, but the fringe fans are long gone.

Will be interesting to see what happens.

Re: Tony George
 

Nothing is official as far as I can tell.

Re: Tony George
 

Humpy Wheeler??? Be careful what you wish for.

Remember, this was the guy that wanted to put fenders on the IRL cars.

Re: Tony George
 

Yeah, we've been in Minnesota for about 3 years now. My job moves us around the country (and world sometimes) every 4-5 years at a time. I'm a native hoosier, born and raised 20 miles from Winchester. We always get back to Indy for the 500. In 1985 I was in Spain the day before the 500 and made it to the race. In 1989 I was in Munich, Germany the day before the 500 and made it to the race.

I'm a huge fan of the 500. It was a big part of my childhood and it also serves as a family reunion of sorts every year. That's why I hate to see things like F1 muddy up the history of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Didn't I read somewhere that 600 million dollars was spent to alter the facility for F1? (New garage paddock, road course, etc...only for the event to be a money loser every year). Geez, Tony George could have bought a LOT of Indy cars for that. And hired 20-30 sprint and midget drivers.

Then the black eyes the Speedway received last year with the NASCAR tire fiasco, F1 tire fiasco a few years ago where only 6 cars started....These were international stories. I don't know, I just think it tarnishes the reputation of the track.

I was the biggest fan Tony George ever had from 1996 to 2003 or so. I loved watching the sprint/midget guys prove to the world that they could drive Indy cars. Mixed in with the international racers, they put on the best, closest Indy car races I have ever seen. Usually at the white flag you still didn't know who was gonna win. I attended races literally from Phoenix to New Hampshire.

Where are we now? We are CART renamed. Like I said earlier, this is the first IRL season that started with a road course event. Not one but TWO. Also we are STREET racing again.
Which brings me to ask myself a question....Did Tony George really want to help sprint/midget racers? Or did he just want total control of Indy car racing? Think about it. Where are the sprint/midget racers now? How many street/road races are there now? Isn't this CART rebadged?

Just a few thoughts and humble opinions. Gotta go, we're off to the Twins/Red Sox game tonight. Love watchin' Big Poppy strike out! :11;
David.

Re: Tony George
 

767,

I'll vouch for Ovalmeister (not that he needs me to vouch for him). I've known him for 30 years. He's been around or in or near this sport for a long, long time. He knows his s**t. Better than most around here.

I understand David's frustration with the way things are. I may differ with him in that I still feel positive about the way things are. But I certainly respect his well thought out opinion. I'd like things to change and get a Daland or Steele to Indy. But it is what it is and I will stick with it and hope for the best.

I guess I'm a glass half full kind of guy. I generally look for the positive. But I do still have my moments...:32:

Re: Tony George
 

Your joking right? While F1 was a fiasco. The bikes carry a strong following and NASCAR will never not be part of indy again.. Expecially if Humpys involved.

I'll go so far to say F1 Destroyed itself and injured Indy in the process.

I get where your comming from but if the traditions still had any truth to them there'd be more than two former short track racers in the leauge.

Nascar brings in millions to the local economy even if it was a money loser to the track, The local buisnesses would suffer a blow from a boost they've been accoustomed to getting for quite some time now. Hotels, Restaraunts, gas stations, Vendors. Speedway residents front yards for parking. Its insane the $$$ involved. :31:

Re: Tony George
 

You're right.
Nothing officially has happened yet.
The IMS news release does not really deny anything except that it has not been voted on by the board so Tony George is still in charge. That meeting will happen some time later this year. Later this year could be tomorrow, next week, or next October.
There might be very little difference between "was ousted" or "will be ousted."
As far as Miller jumping the gun, not if his sources are right. His job is to get the news accurate, and first. I've gotten burned a couple of times that way.
IF it turns out to be not completely accurate, my bet is it is because Robin's story forced them to change positions.
Jim Morrison

Re: Tony George
 

If anyone listened to 1260am R Miller was on there for the better part of 90 minutes defending his story. He is clear in his message that his source is impeccable and he will be proven right.Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Tony George
 

I think what we are seeing go on is a family situation that is now brewing into a public situation.

Anyone that is a casual observer of the Speedway knows that something has been going on for awhile.

I just hope that they can come together because if they aren't careful and this gets out of control; the lawyers will leave them with nothing(relative terms) and the Speedway will become the final crown jewel that NASCAR has been coveting since NASCAR was formed. Open wheel racing as we know it could go away.

I have been as harsh a critic of George and the Speedway as anyone, but the train is already rolling and it cannot turn around now. However slight, I honestly believe that the IRL is starting to inch forward on a daily basis.

I believe Humpy's name is mentioned because he has been a long time family friend.

I am not a Robin Miller fan, but I believe that where there is smoke there is fire in this case and I would almost bet dollars to doughnuts that the person that leaked that story either shares D.N.A with Tony or has children that do.

You have to admit this though; in watching that press conference with Tony he seeems as relaxed and relieved as I have ever sen him publicly. Either he has been ousted or he finally got to tell someone what he thinks of them.

Re: Tony George
 

Wasn't Humpy Wheeler the one who said women don't like to attend dirt track races because it messes up their hair-dos?

Re: Tony George
 

Huh?

I think you've had one too many Fosters, my friend. Have you watched a NASCAR race lately? Don't confuse your hardon for IndyCar with NASCAR having a good racing product.

Tell you what: buy a plane ticket, come to Kokomo on a Sunday night, and let that marinate. Then go watch an IndyCar oval race and a NASCAR oval race, back to back. Afterwards, you tell me which one most closely resembles what you saw at Kokomo.

NASCAR is to racing what pantyhose is to finger f****ing.

Re: Tony George
 

Not sure yet John!!!.....Movin to Yuma property in Aug.to be closer to Manzy n' Pas' was the orig. plan??...till it sold....
____________
Brucer