[AlkyMadness]

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

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

[Ovalmeister]

Originally Posted by 767 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.

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!
David.

[Seadog]

Originally Posted by Ovalmeister 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! David.

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...

[Charles Nungester]

Originally Posted by Ovalmeister 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.

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.

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

[E.P.]

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

[LEADERS EDGE]

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.

[spicoli]

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

Originally Posted by aussiemidgetfan and an ontrack product that makes NASCAR look good.

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.

[AustinSprinter]

Originally Posted by racefan20 yeah it was nice to meet you in person, will you be here for midget week or are you waiting until Sprintweek

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