Earlier in the year, I had written that I was pleased that CART and the
IRL had stopped the petty fighting, and each series were dutifully working on
their own business plans. At least, that's how it appeared
source:
paddocktalk.com ~
Mike Sulka
Apparently, it was a simple lull in a long war.
How long must this war go on?
I can't help but think we are about to miss an opportunity for the sport of open
wheel racing to thrive in the United States. I don't believe they have to merge
and form one-series. Just stop the frivolous bickering, and the constant
attempts to undermine the other series. Make some agreement that allows each
series to focus on what they do best.
Since the creation of CART, there has always been a tension between the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the series. The IRL was simply a continuance of
that tension. The result of its creation was an explosion of hostilities into a
full-blown civil war. With the two sides fighting for the same hearts, minds,
and soil.
For five years, the rag tag group of refugees that formed the IRL made due.
Peace talks between the sides have continued on and off since the announcement
that led to the IRL.
Andrew Craig, Derrick Walker, and a host of others with leadership roles in CART
have approached Tony George over the years. Sometimes alone, sometimes together.