NASCAR, Chip and his plan.

[Brantoc]

Ya know, Chip is obviously interested in the IRL, but runs a few NASCAR cars also.

NASCAR is wanting more owners of fewer cars.

How about Panther run a NASCAR and two IRL?
How about Cheever run a NASCAR and two IRL?

Use NASCAR as a way to pickup dollars to fund a IRL team?

[Rommey]

Use NASCAR as a way to pickup dollars to fund a IRL team?

You want a sponsor to pay for Nascar, yet want to syphon off some of those same sponsor-bucks to also fund a IRL team?

Can't the "appeal" of the IRL attract sponsors without riding on the coattails of another series?

[JSR]

You want a sponsor to pay for Nascar, yet want to syphon off some of those same sponsor-bucks to also fund a IRL team?

Not to mention that in Nascar you can't just show up and race. The team would have to be able to qualify for the races.

[F1 fanru]

Speed News asked Chip about his CCWS plans for 06, he said he'll back in the IRL and that's it. He didn't say he wouldn't race and didn't say he would. IMO there's more to chip running in CC then he's telling. He could of easily stopped all rumors by telling Speed News that he has no intention running any CC races in 06, instead he just poured more fuel on the fire without giving Speed News a definite no I'm not running CC next year. IMO I think we'll see Chip run a couple selected races in CC next year.

[indyracefan]

Speed News asked Chip about his CCWS plans for 06, he said he'll back in the IRL and that's it. He didn't say he wouldn't race and didn't say he would. IMO there's more to chip running in CC then he's telling. He could of easily stopped all rumors by telling Speed News that he has no intention running any CC races in 06, instead he just poured more fuel on the fire without giving Speed News a definite no I'm not running CC next year. IMO I think we'll see Chip run a couple selected races in CC next year.

...I think one thing Chip, and many others have realized is that you can never say 'never' to anything concerning open-wheel racing these days.

[sceptic]

Ya know, Chip is obviously interested in the IRL, but runs a few NASCAR cars also.

NASCAR is wanting more owners of fewer cars.

How about Panther run a NASCAR and two IRL?
How about Cheever run a NASCAR and two IRL?

Use NASCAR as a way to pickup dollars to fund a IRL team?

the indy 500 field payed for by NASCAR?

[March817]

You want a sponsor to pay for Nascar, yet want to syphon off some of those same sponsor-bucks to also fund a IRL team?

Can't the "appeal" of the IRL attract sponsors without riding on the coattails of another series?

...or manufacturer subsidies, or series welfare.

The IRL needs to get to the point where it makes economic sense to run a team.

[SJFast]

"Can't the "appeal" of the IRL attract sponsors without riding on the coattails of another series?"

Nope !

[lkchris]

The IRL needs to get to the point where it makes economic sense to run a team.

Perhaps if the team owners hired drivers of interest to American fans ... .

What IRL needs is owners from NASCAR. Vice versa is needed by no one.

[Z28]

I'm seeing the potential for NASCAR's greed and need for control to help the IRL. Flat out they will stop the car owners from gaining too strong a hand with a few car owners owning too much of the field by limiting the number of cars an owner can run.

Add in things that don't seem to matter like a TV commercial featuring Bill Ford saying how his company would be producing even more vehicles that run on Ethanol. IRL future fuel is? Dan Davis ventures to Indianapolis to talk to the IRL about apparently nothing even though Ford will only go back to open wheel racing if there is one series.

So does Jack Roush just fold up two or three of his Cup teams because he's limited? Or if there were a Ford engine in the IRL does he become a partner in say Panther racing building their Ford engines and then sell them a couple of his NASCAR teams which then open up shop staffed by, hmmm a bunch of former Roush NASCAR employees and backed by some former Roush sponsors. This format could easily transfer to Chevrolet for Hendrick and Childress. And I'm sure DC could manage to couple Dodge and Mercedes in the same way. Whatever rules NASCAR puts in place are unlikely to have loopholes so ways around them would have to be found.

NASCAR is king and will remain so for quite some time, the NASCAR automakers want to stay on that ride and do so with the large, well staffed organizations who can keep their brand running strong and not have to seek out new car owners who have potential that may of may not be able to deliver. So building or branding an available engine in the IRL doesn't seem to be as big a deal if it works in conjunction with the long term NASCAR program.