No, Shaquille O'Neal didn't blow out his thumb again.
But if this trend continues, it will be very detrimental to a sport that has been around since 1911.
The Indy Racing League kicked off their inaugural season at Walt Disney World for the Inday 200. Who won or lost is irrelevant at this time. But the controversy surrounding the league is.
Since its inception in 1995, leading up to the first race this past Saturday, the IRL has both caused and been subjected to problems with the other IndyCar league, the well-established Championship Auto Racing Teams, which runs here in Cleveland in mid-July.
The worst part of the issue is the fact that IRL is headed by Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Tony George, having a direct effoect on the greatest spectacle in racing, the Indianapolis 500.
According to George, 25 of the traditional 33 spots for the Indy 500 will be sactioned to the IRL, where the other nine will be open to everyone else.
The problem occurs when CART drivers are not members of the IRL, and all of their 40 or so drivers would have to fight for the meager nine spots.
CART owners were so outraged, that they intentionally set up another event, the U.S. 500, at Michigan International Speedway on the same day as the Indy 500.
Legends of the Brickyard are on both sides of the fence on this issue. A.J. Foyt, one of only three drivers to take the checkered flag at Indianapolis four times, has gone to the extent of suing CART for blocking the competitiveness of the IRL.
On the flip side, 1969 Indy winner Mario Andretti has stood up for CART, and in fact vowed to race in the Michigan event in protest of George's decision on Indy.
Whatever the case, the struggle between IRL and CART will press on, and more than likely take their fans with them.
Though IRL has taken a stronghold on the Brickyard, only because of George's position with the track, they only have mustered four other events. Along with Orlando, the IRL drivers will compete in Phoenix and Loudon, New Hampshire, which have been CART mainstays, as well as a new track in Las Vegas.
As for CART, they still maintain their prowess in scheduling, with their share of road track and oval races.And,as with previous seasons, Cleveland will be the venue of a Grand Prix again this year.
As for big names, the IRL has brought over 1990 Indy 500 winner Arie Luyendyk, Brickyard vet Roberto Guerrero, and former Formula One regular Michele Alboreto and Eddie Cheever, who was CART's Rookie of the Year in 1990.
CART still carries the load of stars, with greats such as Al Unser, Jr., Ohioan Bobby Rahal, and Robby Gordon, just to name a few.
To make a long story short, the IRL will have major problems trying to keep up with CART's clout and popularity, and is they want to survive the first year, they definitely have to try to rope more owners and drivers into their stables.
What of the Indianapolis 500? The tradition of the great race has survived war, neglect, rain, fire, and tragedy to remain legendary. I doubt that a split in the drivers anmd the owners will stop people from coming to the event. There's too much tradition involved with the Indy 500 to have people shy away from it.
But the rest of the races on IRL's schedule will certainly be a trial by fire for the league. and who knows? Maybe more big names will show up in the ranks if things go well. Only time will tell.
Follow-up: It seems that the IRL will not die, adding races in Texas and Charlotte, among others. IRL has also created new cars that promote affordability.. But, in my opinion, they're too damn slow!!
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