This past February Randy Bernard, CEO of the IZOD IndyCar Series announced the 2011 season would end with a return to Las Vegas Motor Speedway featuring a unique 'hook' to entice other series' drivers to compete.
The hook (or lure, more appropriately) is a $5 million prize to any non-IndyCar regular who can beat Will Power, Dario Franchitti, Scott Dixon, Helio Castroneves, Ryan Hunter-Reay and the rest of the regular IndyCar regulars.
From a marketing and promotional standpoint, this promotion is brilliant. Bernard wants and needs to raise the awareness of IndyCar in order to compete with NASCAR for corporate sponsorship dollars, media exposure and especially the support of the American race fan -- all of which suffered tremendously as a result of the 1996 CART/IRL split.
If one or more drivers like Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart, Juan Pablo Montoya or Kyle Busch show up to compete, Bernard's scheme might be a home run.
But there are a few wrinkles that give me pause.
And I'll start with the aspect of this promotion that I like the least: the "new customers only" part.
Good for the current IndyCar drivers for taking one for the team and not squawking about their being shut out for a chance at $5 million. They get it. Their series needs to grow, they can't lose something they never had and besides, the chances of an interloper winning are very, very slim.
Still. I remember how I felt when, as a nine-year customer of DISH network, I was informed that their promotional offer for a free 36" CRT or 50" projection HD TV with the purchase of an HD subscription package was for new customers only.
Next is the fact that the 2011 IndyCar Championship may be decided at Las Vegas and no one wants to see a 'guest' driver impact the final standings. Or a series regular. Or a wall.
Most importantly, however, is the possible perception that driving an IndyCar is something any other 'qualified' driver can do and do well with just a little bit of practice.
One of the drivers mentioned as a possible $5 million dollar man is former motocrosser, multi-time X games champion, rally driver, daredevil and now fledgling NASCAR NNS driver Travis Pastrana. Does Travis Pastrana have the skill necessary to race at the top level of open wheel racing in America? Probably. As does former Champ Car winner A.J. Allmendinger, current NASCAR star and sprint car owner/occasional driver Kasey Kahne, Ryan Newman, Scott Pruett and a number of other pilots.
But as a race fan who remembers when IndyCars were at the very, very top of the American motorsports ladder I disagree with the premise of inviting half a dozen superstars from other disciplines just to generate publicity. Especially at the last race of the season where a title and the spoils of a championship season are on the line.
As of now IndyCar has not revealed how many drivers have made inquiries or which racers Bernard & Co. will extend invitations to.
And truth be told this long-time, anything-with-wheels race fan is really looking forward to this race; not just for what happens after the green flag falls but for all the news and tests and revelations that will take place over the next few months in preparation for the race.
I relish the thought of Montoya, Pruett or even Memo Rojas getting in one of Chip Ganassi's cars and showing their stuff, just as I'd like to see Kurt Busch in a fourth Penske car or Simon Pagenaud in an Andretti Autosports entry.
But given a choice I'd rather see 'them vs. us' at the beginning or even towards the middle of the season, not at the IZOD IndyCar season finale and certainly not at the Las Vegas track. I truly hope this goes well but I don't want to see it reprised next year unless it's at the Indy 500 with a huge prize payout available to whomever crosses the finish line first.
Read More of Bill Tybur at his website: https://fmfl.net
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