Danica Patrick’s initial thrust into stock-car racing earned her sponsor $230,000 in media exposure, according to a research
firm. Her next race on Feb. 13
should generate much more.
The CEO of the Professional Bull Riders Association has accepted an offer to lead the Indy Racing League. The IRL has been
without a leader since Tony George was ousted last summer as boss of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Unable to raise the $1.5 million to $3 million needed to operate an Indy Racing League team this year, Tony George folded
Vision Racing this morning.
Indy Racing League goes outside racing circles to look for new CEO. Professional Bull Riders Association boss offered job
to replace Tony George.
His resignation removes George from any remaining role in Hulman & Co., Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IMS
Productions and other affiliated companies.
Tony Cotman, 42, has vacated his post as Indy Racing League vice president of competition.
What’s next for the Colts, the Pacers, the 500 and more.
Faced with the need to save money, the six-member board of the IMS and IRL voted on May 26 to replace George.
The Performance Racing Industry Show has set its 2010 dates for Dec. 9-11. That means the International Motorsports Industry
Show held in Indianapolis will have Dec. 1-3 to itself.
Belt tightening for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Indy Racing League continues with the much-anticipated announcement
that the Brickyard’s "month of May" activities will be shortened in 2010.
MainGate holds an exclusive license to make and sell Patrick’s IRL-centric merchandise, and is
now in negotiations with New York-based IMG to get part of her NASCAR-related business.
Last week, Patrick signed a three-year contract extension with Andretti Autosport to stay in the IndyCar series, but its schedule
gives her enough time to also try NASCAR.
The team moved just a few suites down from its Park 100 facility, but officials said it’s a big move
for the Indianapolis-based Indy Racing League operation.
Race track’s new chief information officer previously worked at NCAA, Indianapolis Museum of Art.
Izod IndyCar Series driver Sarah Fisher recently renewed her contract with AAA Hoosier Insurance. AAA will continue to
be a personal sponsor of Fisher and will remain an associate sponsor on Fisher’s No. 67 car for the 2010 and 2011 Indianapolis
500s.
A source at Indianapolis Motor Speedway said IMS laid off 40 employees Wednesday, mostly from its human resources department,
in a cost-saving move.
Izod IndyCar driver Sarah Fisher shows how taking a hammer to work every day is better used to build yourself up, not tear
others down. AAA signs with popular driver for two more years.
Izod officials said they signed their title sponsorship deal despite the fact that the series’ iconic leader Tony George was
shown the door during negotiations.
Jeff Belskus, CEO of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, called the sponsorship deal “one of the most significant announcements
in the history
of the IndyCar series.”
The IndyCar Series’ new title sponsor brokered one wild element in its new deal. They’re putting a fan in front of the starting
grid of each race.
