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Long time lurker, first time poster. I've read this thread a couple of times and finally decided to post on it.
First, let me say that I'm a fan of sprint and midget racing, but I'm also a fan of IRL racing. We can all complain that we want 1996 back, but that isn't going to happen. What many of you fail to realize is that the business model simply wasn't working back then.
Tony G gave it a good try, but then did what he had to do to keep the doors open. If 1996 was so great, why were the stands so empty? Sure, we all supported it, but majority of America sports fans didn't come out and support Boat, Yeley, Stewart, etc. while in the IRL. I would argue that a larger percentage of today's general "motorsports" fans care much more about Tony Kanaan than they do Billy Boat.
What we need is a mix. That's what's made Indy so spectactular for nearly 100 years. Oval trackers vs. international superstars in the same race. Back then it was Foyt vs. Andretti. Today we need Hines vs. Kanaan. It should be about the best in the WORLD. Indianapolis 500 is an international event and should always be an international event. My argument has always been that no one ever had a problem rooting for or against Luyendyk, Mansell, Fittipaldi, etc., but now you suddenly have a problem with today's foreign drivers? What gives?
Just my opinion folks. Keep on racin!
Chasin Cars
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