This sport has some real momentum now

[Danny Noonan]

New cars on the way. Additional manufacturers coming on board. Announcements imminent for 3 Americans getting full-time rides. The most historically successful team reloading on sponsors. the most successful team of the past decade starting a junior 2-car team. A new series level sponsor coming shortly that will have massive activation. The possibility of "a new track record."

This is clearly the most exciting time for this sport since the mid-90s.

[GoFastNow]

New cars on the way. Additional manufacturers coming on board. Announcements imminent for 3 Americans getting full-time rides. The most historically successful team reloading on sponsors. the most successful team of the past decade starting a junior 2-car team. A new series level sponsor coming shortly that will have massive activation. The possibility of "a new track record."

This is clearly the most exciting time for this sport since the mid-90s.

True True

[Indy-hp]

There certainly has been a lot of good news lately, but "momentum" by definition requires an increase in forward progress. Every year there is a series of two or more good news announcements, and every year somebody posts that the series has "momentum." Yet, every time this has happened in the last 5 years, the series continued to lose more fans.

By all measurements that matter, TV ratings and track attendance, there has been no forward progress, much less an increase. In reality, the series is still going backwards by the latest measurements.

I don't mean to pee on your cornflakes this morning, but let's be real. Rather than say "momentum," how about a "real potential for some progress?" It's still an exciting time despite a lack of any measurable "momentum."

[GoFastNow]

Indy-hp

Hush yo face....

This is the definition of momentum. Starting with the Chassis announcement, then SFR announcing Sarah and Ed switch, then JR, Tomorrow Ganassi, and much more to come, yeah that is most assuredly momentum. Also, track attendance last season was up by almost 20%. NASCAR is going backwards, with down attendance sponsor loss etc...IndyCar is gaining momentum daily.

[Heath Hamilton]

I wish I could post the "losing horn" sound effect from the Price Is Right, when someone guesses the wrong price....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ytCEuuW2_A

There certainly has been a lot of good news lately, but "momentum" by definition requires an increase in forward progress. Every year there is a series of two or more good news announcements, and every year somebody posts that the series has "momentum." Yet, every time this has happened in the last 5 years, the series continued to lose more fans.

By all measurements that matter, TV ratings and track attendance, there has been no forward progress, much less an increase. In reality, the series is still going backwards by the latest measurements.

I don't mean to pee on your cornflakes this morning, but let's be real. Rather than say "momentum," how about a "real potential for some progress?" It's still an exciting time despite a lack of any measurable "momentum."

[Doyouloveit?]

I agree.

Don't get me wrong, I'm excited about J.R. Hildebrand getting a ride, as well as, Graham Rahal getting a top tier ride. BUT, it will suck if either Wheldon or TK aren't in a car full-time next season. Both of them have arguably been the best ambassadors for the sport. I truly hope those guys are in a ride next year.

If those two aren't in a ride, then IMO the Indy 500 just got a little less interesting. But, with that said I'm sure they both will be a part of the series in some shape or form.

[indyracefan]

There certainly has been a lot of good news lately, but "momentum" by definition requires an increase in forward progress. Every year there is a series of two or more good news announcements, and every year somebody posts that the series has "momentum." Yet, every time this has happened in the last 5 years, the series continued to lose more fans.

By all measurements that matter, TV ratings and track attendance, there has been no forward progress, much less an increase. In reality, the series is still going backwards by the latest measurements.

I don't mean to pee on your cornflakes this morning, but let's be real. Rather than say "momentum," how about a "real potential for some progress?" It's still an exciting time despite a lack of any measurable "momentum."

Sure you did or you wouldn't have commented at all.

[atrackforumfan]

This sport doesn't have momentum. There are a few signs that it might start getting bigger in the future, which is good.

[Turn13]

Let's not talk about the no-hitter 'til it's official

[Since83]

What we are witnessing is good series management (something completely missing for the last 15 years). Hopefully that will lead to more fans and ratings which would be my definition of an increase in momentum. I am optimistic that it will.

[Fro]

This sport doesn't have momentum. As a business, there are a few signs that it might start getting bigger in the future.

There's certainly been business momentum in this off-season (the only bad news has been 7-11 leaving and Edmonton being briefly cancelled), but people have to be realistic and realize that the last things to move in this chain are going to be the TV ratings and attendance numbers. It may even be a couple years before there's a clear positive trend.

The casual fan has no idea about the good things going on, so these announcements aren't going to immediately draw them in. You have to put a consistently good product out for the fans and market it well to slowly get eyeballs back and butts in seats. Unless you have the perfect storm your ratings and attendance aren't going to have a huge spike. It's much easier to destroy a sport than to rebuild it, especially with a sport that's been damaged so much.

[The Stickman]

There certainly has been a lot of good news lately, but "momentum" by definition requires an increase in forward progress. Every year there is a series of two or more good news announcements, and every year somebody posts that the series has "momentum." Yet, every time this has happened in the last 5 years, the series continued to lose more fans.

By all measurements that matter, TV ratings and track attendance, there has been no forward progress, much less an increase. In reality, the series is still going backwards by the latest measurements.

I don't mean to pee on your cornflakes this morning, but let's be real. Rather than say "momentum," how about a "real potential for some progress?" It's still an exciting time despite a lack of any measurable "momentum."

Actually those are not the only measurements for the series. In fact the sponsors coming on board, Increased activation from those series sponsors that increases the series profits, and increased car counts all show that there is indeed momentum. If they did not believe things were going up they wouldn't put their money out there. Just look at the announcements during this offseason. They simply have not stopped. That is momentum. This week we get 3 American drivers getting new rides. Two of which are from the FIL series. Two of those rides are a new team and therefore a plus 2 for the car count. I can not remember any offseason that had this much excitement.

[paper]

things are for sure aiming upward, the more new interest comes from new participation the easier it will become to get more,,,,,,,, paper

[speedy badger]

Hellllooo Noonan!

I agree 100%! Recent new is all positive. As increase in particapation by manufacturese and sponsors is NOT the industry standard currently. When comparing Indycar Series to the bigger overall racing scene, there IS a lot of momentum. Call it busines momentum or whatever, but this is all positive stuff...

[Indy-hp]

Actually those are not the only measurements for the series. In fact the sponsors coming on board, Increased activation from those series sponsors that increases the series profits, and increased car counts all show that there is indeed momentum. If they did not believe things were going up they wouldn't put their money out there. Just look at the announcements during this offseason. They simply have not stopped. That is momentum. This week we get 3 American drivers getting new rides. Two of which are from the FIL series. Two of those rides are a new team and therefore a plus 2 for the car count. I can not remember any offseason that had this much excitement.

I understand your position, but for every new sponsor, we have lost one (Marlboro, Motorola, 7-Eleven, etc.), and for every new, inexpensive young driver, it looks likely we will lose/have lost a high-salaried winning veteran still in their prime (Kanaan, Wheldon, etc.). At best, the IICS is holding even, which is certainly better than going down and I am encouraged by all the good news, but it is not yet progress or "momentum."