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Deal Unifies Indy Car Racing

A Tribune wire report

Published: February 23, 2008

Indy Car racing has finally gotten together.

The Indy Racing League and the Champ Car World Series signed a deal Friday to unify the two American open-wheel circuits, bringing them under the umbrella of the IRL.

"I'm glad that they were able to get it done," said A.J. Foyt, the first four-time winner of the Indianapolis 500. "It'll eliminate the confusion for the race fans and the sponsors because there'll be just one type of car and one type of motor and everyone will be running together. May the best team win."

After 12 years of bitter rivalry that confused fans, promoted apathy and nearly buried the sport, Champ Car agreed to cease operations, giving the surviving IRL the opportunity to rebuild open-wheel's lost prestige.

The deal, which has been in the works for about two weeks, was announced Friday in Indianapolis, where both series have their headquarters.

A statement was released, saying, "Owners of Champ Car and the Indy Racing League completed an agreement in principle Friday that will unify the sport for 2008.

"Gerald Forsythe, co-owner of Champ Car, signed an agreement in principle in Chicago, joining his partner Kevin Kalkhoven and Indy Racing League founder and CEO Tony George, who had signed late Thursday in Indianapolis."

IRL spokesman John Griffin said details will be forthcoming in a news conference next week.

Kevin Savoree, managing director of the April's Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, said: "The unification of the two major sanctioning bodies in open-wheel racing is perhaps the single biggest development in the history of the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg since we announced the formation of the event in 2004. It brings all of the top drivers and teams to St. Petersburg and will make an event that is already an entertaining and integral part of the region's sports calendar, even stronger."

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