The full story on Harrah's and the IRL

[CrewChief]

I got an email from Harrah's today concerning the Foyt sponsorship. While I feel the IRL has come a long way obviously we have a lot of work to do:

I am sorry you were disappointed after reading the article in the Indianapolis Star regarding our future involvement with the A.J. Foyt Racing IRL team.

Yes, it is true. We are no longer sponsoring the Foyt team in the IRL.

I do not disagree with your thoughts of Harrah's being crazy in leaving A.J. Foyt IV. But, there are larger issues then that.

First, as well as the IRL team is doing, the television coverage is not of that of the Busch Series (which we currently sponsor A.J. Foyt's youngest son). Second, though the IRL series is a building block for amateur driver's, it has become pro foreigners. Third, and most importantly, A.J. Foyt IV is and will be a tremendous race car driver, but he is only 18 years of age. Because of our gaming status and the fact that you must be 21 to enter our casinos and play, the fit was not something we felt would be in the best interest of either party.

Harrah's will continue to support the open-wheel program, but our sources and research tell us that NASCAR is far superior in fan and customer loyalty. With that being said, we are sponsoring A.J. Foyt's youngest son, Larry Foyt, in the Winston Cup in 2003.

Thank you for your concern. We hope that you reconsider and that Harrah's will continue to earn your business. I hope my explanation is, if anything, a small incentive to be loyal to Harrah's.

Sincerely,
Ron Hicks
Manager
Harrah's - Motorsports

[SPM]

pro foreigner?

[KnockOff]

Good straight-up reply. No shucking and jiving.

[dog-ring]

building block for amatuer drivers?

[Lucky161]

Whether you agree with the jist of the reply or not, it is still one sponsor's position explained in a pretty straight foward manner. As CrewChief suggested, the IRL has come a long way, but it is not THERE yet.

[mvc]

At least they were honest and truthful; too bad they're jumping off the wagon so soon. The proof will be in ten years.

[Jeff Bedel]

I'm glad its straightforward, but the loyaly BS stinks. The racing is incredible. Just like everything else though , just because your #1 (NASCAR) doesn't always mean your the best.

[Truth Detector]

Originally posted by dog-ring:
<STRONG>building block for amatuer drivers?
</STRONG>

My thought exactly.

[Truth Detector]

Originally posted by dog-ring:
<STRONG>building block for amatuer drivers?
</STRONG>

Then again....they were on Salad Bar's sidepod.

[CrewChief]

I know other people have emailed Fred Nation and gotten a response. I would love to email him a copy of this could some please PM me his email address if you have it, I couldn't find it on the IRL web site.

[mnkywrch]

Maybe if ole AJ had fielded a better team...

[CrewChief]

Originally posted by mnkywrch:
<STRONG>Maybe if ole AJ had fielded a better team...</STRONG>

mnky spin it anyway you want but AJ's IRL team won a race last year and Dare ran strong after Indy. The BGN team has been mid pack in a watered down year and Larry has the potential to be a great team manager/owner but he will be way out matched in cup. And this coming from someone who has always been a huge Foyt fan.

[CamKing]

Originally posted by CrewChief:
<STRONG> our sources and research tell us that NASCAR is far superior in fan and customer loyalty. </STRONG>

This is all that matters to sponsors, and until this changes the IRL will be second rate in the eyes of the sponsors.

[Racewriter]

No way to spin this one. Same stuff a lot of us have been saying. This is being said by someone in charge of spending millions on racing - in the IRL.

[debdrake]

Originally posted by SPM:
<STRONG>pro foreigner?

</STRONG>

Wonder if they've looked at the Nascar entry list for 2003 yet? Fittipaldi, some Japanese ride-buyer, maybe Brack... How long will it be before the Americans are the minority in the Cup series?