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I'm attempting to clear my mind and be objective about this entire issue... weighing the pros and cons as I see them. This is what I've come up with so far. I am working off the assumtion that CART folds in the next year or two and the IRL decends like carpetbaggers to profit from the shattered ruins...
I'm not trying to tee anyone off here. This is the best I can do at giving both sides a fair shot.
PROS:
1. Broader fan base.
It is likely that the addition of road racing to the IRL will attract fans that prefer road races to ovals, or those who view an oval/road mixture as the best demonstration of a racer's ability. Road racing would offer an opportunity for fans to come out of their self-imposed excile and enjoy Indy Racing once again.
2. Additional markets.
California, Wisconsin, Georgia, Mexico, Canada, Ohio... running road races offers greater opportunity for the IRL to showcase its product in front of potential fans.
3. More competitors.
Road racing should attract a few CART teams and others who excel at the right turning discipline.
4. Increase in sponsorship.
One would think that, by broadening the fan base and opening additional markets (particularly internationaly) that it may be easier to attract sponsors to the team and the series.
5. End of the Great Schism.
Finally, people could stop worrying about the "war", the "split", the "lockout", the "boycott", the "stock prices"... one entity racing for one common purpose. Build a memorial for the casualties and drive on into the future.
6. More races.
What could be better than that? The IRL could achieve a 20 - 22 race schedule. More races equal more exposure and a better chance of competing with NASCAR.
7. More foreign drivers.
Depending on which side of the issue one stands, this can be a good deal. Many enjoy seeing former F1 drivers and good drivers that couldn't work their way through F1 politics in the series. They greatly enhance the international flavor of Indycar.
8. Finally, a clear definition of the "Vision".
Tony George can say, "Look it... uh... ummm... I know many people thought this was... uh... uh... you know... the IRL was about... er... American drivers... er... cost control and... uh... some other stuff.... but it was really about me and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway running the show. Uh... what CART was doing on the track was... uh... er... ummm... really great... we just... uh... thought we should be in charge of it... er... to protect the interests at... uh... 16th and Georgetown.... ok? Sorry about the uh... confusion... we always intended to add.. ummm road racing if it made business sense to... uh... the league. Thats what its all about... uh.. you know? er... the money... so... er... ummm forget about that "all American, all Oval crap"... that didn't mean anything.
CONS:
1. Alienation of fans.
Some of the IRL's most hardcore fans believe in the series because of its all oval format. Many of these fans will give up on Indycar as it becomes more and more like the series it battled with for several years. As the worm turns, it will do so in many a race fans stomach. The addition of road racing fans may or may not be enough to make up for the loss of these oval zealots.
2. Old "Road to Indy" closed.
Many hoped, to varying degrees, that the traditional "Road to Indy"... the road that led to Indycar from America's short oval tracks... would be re-opened to the likes of Yeley, Hines, Drake and Steele. While the most talented of these drivers, such as Tony Stewart, might be able to make the transition to the IRL, perhaps through IPS, their chances will be reduced significantly by a series that also requires its drivers to have proven road racing ability. For many, these drivers won't be missed. For others, they have been woefully missed for years already.
3. Increased foreign pressence.
It is likely that the addition of road racing will only increase the percentage of foriegn drivers in the series. This is not an altogether bad thing. However, for right or wrong, many fans in the US are alienated by a foreign dominated series. The IRL will find it even more difficult to compete with NASCAR, whose overwhemling strength is its American personalities.
4. Rising costs.
The cost of fielding a team will increase significatnly with the additional races and the parts need to make an Indycar "road racable". If the new markets do not come with new sponsorship interest, the already low car counts could get even smaller. Even if car counts increase, we can probalby say goodbye to Hemelgarn, PDM, and other teams who are on the margin financially.
5. Less ovals.
Poorly attended ovals will be dumped for successful road racing venues. It is possible that, within a few years time, 40% or more of the schedule could consist of road races. Most IRL fans, at this point in history, would be disappointed to see that.
6. Loss of unique identity.
As an openwheel oval-only Indycar series, the IRL has an identity all of its own. While still in the shadow of NASCAR and F1, it can at least boast that it is the top of the line in its own particular discipline. Add road racing and you have a hybrid of mediocrity, always to be perceived as the lesser oval and lesser road racing series.
7. Street races.
Most do not enjoy street racing or concrete canyon parking lot parades. Get this straight... street racing IS road racing. They are highly marketable and successful creatures that brings the product into the fans backyard. If the IRL goes road racing, you can count on Long Beach, Cleveland, and perhaps a Canadian street race or two ultimately being on the schedule.
8. Finally, a clear definition of the "Vision".
(same as above)
I'm not trying to tee anyone off here. This is the best I can do at giving both sides a fair shot.
PROS:
1. Broader fan base.
It is likely that the addition of road racing to the IRL will attract fans that prefer road races to ovals, or those who view an oval/road mixture as the best demonstration of a racer's ability. Road racing would offer an opportunity for fans to come out of their self-imposed excile and enjoy Indy Racing once again.
2. Additional markets.
California, Wisconsin, Georgia, Mexico, Canada, Ohio... running road races offers greater opportunity for the IRL to showcase its product in front of potential fans.
3. More competitors.
Road racing should attract a few CART teams and others who excel at the right turning discipline.
4. Increase in sponsorship.
One would think that, by broadening the fan base and opening additional markets (particularly internationaly) that it may be easier to attract sponsors to the team and the series.
5. End of the Great Schism.
Finally, people could stop worrying about the "war", the "split", the "lockout", the "boycott", the "stock prices"... one entity racing for one common purpose. Build a memorial for the casualties and drive on into the future.
6. More races.
What could be better than that? The IRL could achieve a 20 - 22 race schedule. More races equal more exposure and a better chance of competing with NASCAR.
7. More foreign drivers.
Depending on which side of the issue one stands, this can be a good deal. Many enjoy seeing former F1 drivers and good drivers that couldn't work their way through F1 politics in the series. They greatly enhance the international flavor of Indycar.
8. Finally, a clear definition of the "Vision".
Tony George can say, "Look it... uh... ummm... I know many people thought this was... uh... uh... you know... the IRL was about... er... American drivers... er... cost control and... uh... some other stuff.... but it was really about me and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway running the show. Uh... what CART was doing on the track was... uh... er... ummm... really great... we just... uh... thought we should be in charge of it... er... to protect the interests at... uh... 16th and Georgetown.... ok? Sorry about the uh... confusion... we always intended to add.. ummm road racing if it made business sense to... uh... the league. Thats what its all about... uh.. you know? er... the money... so... er... ummm forget about that "all American, all Oval crap"... that didn't mean anything.
CONS:
1. Alienation of fans.
Some of the IRL's most hardcore fans believe in the series because of its all oval format. Many of these fans will give up on Indycar as it becomes more and more like the series it battled with for several years. As the worm turns, it will do so in many a race fans stomach. The addition of road racing fans may or may not be enough to make up for the loss of these oval zealots.
2. Old "Road to Indy" closed.
Many hoped, to varying degrees, that the traditional "Road to Indy"... the road that led to Indycar from America's short oval tracks... would be re-opened to the likes of Yeley, Hines, Drake and Steele. While the most talented of these drivers, such as Tony Stewart, might be able to make the transition to the IRL, perhaps through IPS, their chances will be reduced significantly by a series that also requires its drivers to have proven road racing ability. For many, these drivers won't be missed. For others, they have been woefully missed for years already.
3. Increased foreign pressence.
It is likely that the addition of road racing will only increase the percentage of foriegn drivers in the series. This is not an altogether bad thing. However, for right or wrong, many fans in the US are alienated by a foreign dominated series. The IRL will find it even more difficult to compete with NASCAR, whose overwhemling strength is its American personalities.
4. Rising costs.
The cost of fielding a team will increase significatnly with the additional races and the parts need to make an Indycar "road racable". If the new markets do not come with new sponsorship interest, the already low car counts could get even smaller. Even if car counts increase, we can probalby say goodbye to Hemelgarn, PDM, and other teams who are on the margin financially.
5. Less ovals.
Poorly attended ovals will be dumped for successful road racing venues. It is possible that, within a few years time, 40% or more of the schedule could consist of road races. Most IRL fans, at this point in history, would be disappointed to see that.
6. Loss of unique identity.
As an openwheel oval-only Indycar series, the IRL has an identity all of its own. While still in the shadow of NASCAR and F1, it can at least boast that it is the top of the line in its own particular discipline. Add road racing and you have a hybrid of mediocrity, always to be perceived as the lesser oval and lesser road racing series.
7. Street races.
Most do not enjoy street racing or concrete canyon parking lot parades. Get this straight... street racing IS road racing. They are highly marketable and successful creatures that brings the product into the fans backyard. If the IRL goes road racing, you can count on Long Beach, Cleveland, and perhaps a Canadian street race or two ultimately being on the schedule.
8. Finally, a clear definition of the "Vision".
(same as above)
But, it seems to be generating some good discussion, so it's cool. 
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