All Things Green For IndyCar Series

Ethanol is not the only thing right now that is green in the IndyCar series.

In less than half of a year and in only nine races, North America's premier open wheel series has grown stupendously. The growth of the IRL series sprung out of the announcement in February which stated both IndyCar and the Champ Car World Series would merge together under the IndyCar series. The unification has proven to be a lucrative one and it is the first time fans have watched a preeminent unified open wheel formula in North America since 1978 when CART split from USAC.

“We could not be happier with what we have seen over the first half of the unified IndyCar Series season,” Terry Angstadt, president of IRL's commercial division, joyously reported. "Key areas like attendance, ratings and sponsorship are all pointed in the right direction, and we anticipate further growth and momentum headed into the second half of the season.”

The numbers speak for themselves. Within the past four months, ratings shot up in six of the last nine races. ABC's ratings have gone up 4% while on the ESPN and ESPN2 networks the numbers soared upwards to 61% and 45% respectively. Overall viewership is up 17% from last year at this time. During the Bombardier Learjet 550 at Texas Motor Speedway the Nielsen rating was a 1.0, the highest ever for an IRL broadcast on ESPN2. Also merchandise sales are up a soaring 70%.

Fans are not the only ones enjoying the action either. Sponsors are also getting in on the action in the IndyCar series. DIRECTV has jumped in as a title sponsor and Coca-Cola is a new sponsor. Recently announced during this past week's action at Watkins Glen was Philips-Van Heusen's IZOD brand is now the official clothier for the Indy Racing League. For the rest of 2008, IZOD is providing apparel to all IndyCar personnel and teams. Starting next year IZOD will unveil a new clothing line to the consumer inspired by IndyCar. To celebrate the new partnership IZOD hoisted a 60x80 foot banner of poster boy and spokesperson Ryan Hunter-Reay up on a building in the middle of Manhattan. On the billboard it said “I AM NEXT.” With Hunter-Reay's first win at the Glen and a little spray paint surgery, the banner now reads: “I AM NOW.”

What does all of this new growth and sponsorships mean on the racing end? Business. IRL is hoping to revamp the series by the year 2011. Late last month IRL officials met with nine manufacturers and six engine builders that are interested in moving into IndyCar. The notion of reintroducing turbochargers to the sport was also brought up during these meetings. Turbochargers were banned by the IRL in 1997. Ultimately the IRL is looking at having three or four engine builds for the IndyCar series. Reporters were also shown for a second year in a row scale models of new car designs. Indy officials are hoping to have everything settled by the fall of this year in order to make the 2011 timetable.

Everything is looking up for the IndyCar series. In a time where NASCAR ratings and attendance have dropped, the land is full of opportunity. Indy officials expect nothing more than further growth for last half of the 2008 season. With new sponsors, new drivers, and a close championship battle, IndyCar is a sleeping giant that is coming to the fore front of American motorsport. Ryan Hunter-Reay's IZOD banner claims that he is “Now.” Right now he is not alone. All of the IndyCar series is a definite “Now.”