I had a chance to print out the thread on why they USAC guys like JJ Yelly don't have IRL rides, as well as a few other racing articles to read while on the road during our recent family vacation to Nebraska and after them, I had a lot of time to think about it while passing the miles.
The IPS is supposed to be the last rung on the ladder to the IRL right? But... How many USAC'ers have made the step up?
The only one I can think of is Aaron Fike.
From what I understand it costs something like $750K to run an IPS team for a season, so it's probably something like a $1 Million to run a top notch operation.
I'd like to see Tony George reach into his coffers and pay for a full season ride in an IPS car for each of the USAC national champions (Midget, Sprints and Silver Crown).
CART does this sort of thing with Barber Dodge and Toyota Atlantic, so why not the IRL?
Ok... It would cost TG and/or the IRL $3 Mil, to do it, but.... They would have an automatic fan base of USAC short track fans ready to follow their stars onto the next step.
Now while they are at it, they should negotiate a contract with ESPN or ESPN2 to run the IPS races in their entirety, before or after the IRL races (like Toyota Atlantic and the old Indy Lights)
With the USAC boys running, I'd bet it would give the TV ratings a boost.
And... Since USAC and the IRL already have so many connections, why not adjust the various schedules for the 3 USAC national series so they don't conflict with the IPS events.
That way these champions could still run the short track events or even the whole schedule, while competing in the IPS.
Also....
Any IRL team that wants to field a multi-car operation must also field at least one IPS team. Didn't Indy Lights have a similar rule?
Heck if it costs someone like Ganassi or Penski $20 Mil, to run a two car IRL effort, what's another $1 Mil to do an IPS team too? Peanuts that's what....
If the USAC boys do well enough in the IPS, one would assume that the better IRL teams would recruit them, and we'd get to see the Yelly's, Steels, Drakes and Hines of the future compete against the foreign and American road race guys!
If the USAC'ers wash out, then at least they had a chance to run rear engine, winged, formula cars during their career! And at least the IPS would have a boost in fan interest.
What do y'all think?
The IPS is supposed to be the last rung on the ladder to the IRL right? But... How many USAC'ers have made the step up?
The only one I can think of is Aaron Fike.
From what I understand it costs something like $750K to run an IPS team for a season, so it's probably something like a $1 Million to run a top notch operation.
I'd like to see Tony George reach into his coffers and pay for a full season ride in an IPS car for each of the USAC national champions (Midget, Sprints and Silver Crown).
CART does this sort of thing with Barber Dodge and Toyota Atlantic, so why not the IRL?
Ok... It would cost TG and/or the IRL $3 Mil, to do it, but.... They would have an automatic fan base of USAC short track fans ready to follow their stars onto the next step.
Now while they are at it, they should negotiate a contract with ESPN or ESPN2 to run the IPS races in their entirety, before or after the IRL races (like Toyota Atlantic and the old Indy Lights)
With the USAC boys running, I'd bet it would give the TV ratings a boost.
And... Since USAC and the IRL already have so many connections, why not adjust the various schedules for the 3 USAC national series so they don't conflict with the IPS events.
That way these champions could still run the short track events or even the whole schedule, while competing in the IPS.
Also....
Any IRL team that wants to field a multi-car operation must also field at least one IPS team. Didn't Indy Lights have a similar rule?
Heck if it costs someone like Ganassi or Penski $20 Mil, to run a two car IRL effort, what's another $1 Mil to do an IPS team too? Peanuts that's what....
If the USAC boys do well enough in the IPS, one would assume that the better IRL teams would recruit them, and we'd get to see the Yelly's, Steels, Drakes and Hines of the future compete against the foreign and American road race guys!
If the USAC'ers wash out, then at least they had a chance to run rear engine, winged, formula cars during their career! And at least the IPS would have a boost in fan interest.
What do y'all think?
Comment