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IRL, Champ Car To Merge?

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A Tribune wire report

Published: February 9, 2008

DAYTONA BEACH - While NASCAR is undeniably the headline-maker this week in the motor sports world, an entirely separate drama is under way, and it has international complications: Once again, the union of the two major domestic open-wheel racing series, the Indy Racing League and the Champ Car World Series, appears to be nearly a done deal.

Or not.

Chicken Little was, if nothing else, consistent in his message, and his story proves that if you keep saying the sky is falling, odds are eventually something will hit the ground. That consistent message is that the IRL and Champ Car series are getting back together, following the split in 1996, when the IRL was formed as a breakaway group from Champ Car, then called CART (Championship Auto Racing Teams).

Since then, both series have struggled, though the IRL, bolstered by its flagship event, the Indianapolis 500, probably has struggled less. Repeatedly these past two years we've heard that Champ Car and the IRL would get back together, something that all parties seem to think is a good idea.

Now, word comes that it could happen as early as right now, before the Champ Car season opener, the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 20, Champ Car's signature event. The Indianapolis Star is reporting that Tony George, who controls the IRL, is on his way today to Japan, where he will try to get Honda to postpone the IRL race that is scheduled to be held that April 20 weekend at Motegi, Japan - Honda owns the track - so his IRL teams can compete at Long Beach.

The idea that the two series could combine by April 20 - or even earlier, as the IRL season opens March 29 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, then will race at St. Petersburg on April 6 - seems far-fetched, as at this date, Champ Car has a number of contracts in place for races around the world, and presumably many would have to be canceled to accommodate a combined Champ Car-IRL season.

Meanwhile, Champ Car issued its own statement Friday afternoon, from majority owners Kevin Kalkhoven and Jerry Forsythe: "Unfortunately, leaks and media reports about a possible unification of Champ Car and the Indy Racing League IRL have significantly hampered discussions. Over the past three years, we have fielded and offered several proposals regarding unification of the two premier U.S.-based open-wheel racing series, but we have been unable to reach an acceptable solution. Discussions currently are at a standstill, and we therefore are proceeding with plans to continue as Champ Car."

NHRA: Former Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Antron Brown raced to the Top Fuel qualifying lead in the Carquest Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, Calif. Brown posted a performance of 4.495 seconds at 330.07 mph.

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