Bridgestone/Firestone is having the same promo for at least one IRL event, so it's not intended as an insult to TG.
As for the F1 ticket refund, the IMS is suggesting to all fan inquiries that they contact the FIA, F1 and Michelin for their refund. It doesn't sound like TG is paying back anything, at least not yet. The FIA just couldn't be reasonable to provide a race, but give all the points to the Bridgestone runners, so I don't think the fans are going to get anything from F1, it'll end up being TG footing the bill...until he sues F1.
F1 has a surprising number of US fans. Oddly I think a lot of them aren't into CC or the IRL. This is a big chance for both US OW series to grab some new fans and not just for Cleveland race attendance, TV too.