Indycar News & Rumors.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Calm down, no one said it was sacred.

Are you sure no one watching doesn't care? If they didn't care, why are they still watching after all these years?

Tradition is very much at the heart of why people watch the Indy 500. People like to be part of an event, they like to reminisce after the event, they like the nostalgia that goes with all great sporting events.

So they're watching because 33 cars enter? Yeah, I HIGHLY doubt that's a reason more than 10% of the fans watch because 33 cars started. My ONLY statement was related to starting 32 cars, no one is going to turn in tickets or turn off the TV because only 32 cars showed up. People didn't turn off because only 33 cars were entered for multiple years so no bumping existed despite the many claims that's tradition.

More importantly for teams and the series, no sponsor gives a rip. And sorry but that's where the money comes in to run the race. Even with Indy full there's more money to the teams from sponsors except for the few who could win

[S griffin]

It is a bit of a worry though if the Indy 500 can't get a full 33 car grid. They've always managed to do it in the past, so they must be wondering what has changed this time. That said, they would still have bigger grids than most manage

[mstets]

Originally Posted by S griffin

It is a bit of a worry though if the Indy 500 can't get a full 33 car grid. They've always managed to do it in the past, so they must be wondering what has changed this time. That said, they would still have bigger grids than most manage

This is the best argument for 33 cars. MP wrote that it sends the wrong message to the health of the series if there are less than 33 starters because that's been the tradition. It wouldn't bother me if only the 27 full time entries start the race but I am not a current or potential sponsor.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

So they're watching because 33 cars enter? Yeah, I HIGHLY doubt that's a reason more than 10% of the fans watch because 33 cars started. My ONLY statement was related to starting 32 cars, no one is going to turn in tickets or turn off the TV because only 32 cars showed up. People didn't turn off because only 33 cars were entered for multiple years so no bumping existed despite the many claims that's tradition.

Having 33 cars enter isn't the sole reason fans watch the race but it is one of the reasons, as it's part of the tradition ever since 1934, just like the singing of ''Back Home Again in Indiana'' is part of the tradition and fans don't attend the race just to hear that.

Originally Posted by broadrun96

More importantly for teams and the series, no sponsor gives a rip. And sorry but that's where the money comes in to run the race. Even with Indy full there's more money to the teams from sponsors except for the few who could win

The driver and team sponsors certainly give a rip if their car either fails to finish, or has a lousy result. However, not having 33 cars will be of concern to the race organisers, the sponsors of the race itself and TV advertising because, as has been pointed out, it sends the wrong message regarding the health of the series.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Having 33 cars enter isn't the sole reason fans watch the race but it is one of the reasons, as it's part of the tradition ever since 1934, just like the singing of ''Back Home Again in Indiana'' is part of the tradition and fans don't attend the race just to hear that.



The driver and team sponsors certainly give a rip if their car either fails to finish, or has a lousy result. However, not having 33 cars will be of concern to the race organisers, the sponsors of the race itself and TV advertising because, as has been pointed out, it sends the wrong message regarding the health of the series.

That's my point EXACTLY, it doesn't say a DAMN thing except to those who only whinge doom and gloom. If sponsors gave a rip about 33 then the last 8 wouldn't be blank or sponsored by the team itself. Go back and look, more than a few of those final cars ran with either team owner or friend with zero budget from them on the cars. Obviously no sponsors really care or they would be associated. Sponsors already in the series already have their cars and if you ask the average person watching, and more importantly BUYING THE PRODUCTS, if they care if 33 are running you will find they don't at all. It's literally ONLY the doom patrol saying that, any one hear sponsors wanting to get in but can't find a car?? No, the few drivers who could enter can't find a team and money

[mstets]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

That's my point EXACTLY, it doesn't say a DAMN thing except to those who only whinge doom and gloom. If sponsors gave a rip about 33 then the last 8 wouldn't be blank or sponsored by the team itself. Go back and look, more than a few of those final cars ran with either team owner or friend with zero budget from them on the cars. Obviously no sponsors really care or they would be associated. Sponsors already in the series already have their cars and if you ask the average person watching, and more importantly BUYING THE PRODUCTS, if they care if 33 are running you will find they don't at all. It's literally ONLY the doom patrol saying that, any one hear sponsors wanting to get in but can't find a car?? No, the few drivers who could enter can't find a team and money

You make some interesting points. I can't think of many unsponsored cars recently other than Enerson in 2020. When were there 8 cars without major sponsorship? I remember cars practicing in the CART era without sponsorship but if they qualified they generally picked up a sponsor by race day. I think back then, there were sponsors looking to get their name on a car if it qualified even if they weren't willing to back a team before the car was qualified. If I recall correctly the VDS team ran the month of May in 1983 unsponsored with Geoff Brabham, then picked up sponsorship for the race. VDS traditionally ran F5000 and CanAm with no major sponsor. I was told at the time that the sponsor never paid despite a 4th place finish. In 1985, Scott Brayton didn't pick up Hardee's sponsorship until after he had qualified on the front row. Granted my examples are from another era, but could be repeated if the series can continue to gain exposure.



As I stated before, I wouldn't be concerned if only the 27 full time cars started this year's race. It's more important that the TV audience grows, which will attract more and bigger sponsors in the future. There are lots of more important factors that will influence viewership other than number of starters. The average viewer isn't aware that 33 cars usually start the race and the regular fans of the series are going to watch regardless. More important is coverage of qualifying, promotion, and the weather on race day. If it's raining on race day everywhere but Indy, viewership will be boosted.

[S griffin]

Yes these are valid points. It's hard to do it without a sponsor. You need those backers to compete in the race. It was probably easier in the CART days, seeing as publicity was just as important and it got picked up by the sponsor. There was always the attraction of racing in the Indy 500, so some would do whatever means necessary. But those days are done. Money is more important than ever. Running these cars ain't cheap. But it's not all doom and gloom

Really there's something wrong if we can't get 33 cars, even if there are some drivers on the grid who you wouldn't normally choose to race in Indycars. The series needs to keep a careful eye over what's happening. The spectacle of the Indy 500 is still there, so hope for a good one, but it is still a worry if they can't get a full grid

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

That's my point EXACTLY, it doesn't say a DAMN thing except to those who only whinge doom and gloom. If sponsors gave a rip about 33 then the last 8 wouldn't be blank or sponsored by the team itself. Go back and look, more than a few of those final cars ran with either team owner or friend with zero budget from them on the cars. Obviously no sponsors really care or they would be associated. Sponsors already in the series already have their cars and if you ask the average person watching, and more importantly BUYING THE PRODUCTS, if they care if 33 are running you will find they don't at all. It's literally ONLY the doom patrol saying that, any one hear sponsors wanting to get in but can't find a car?? No, the few drivers who could enter can't find a team and money

No one is whingeing doom and gloom, all that's been said is it doesn't look good for the health of the series if they can't fill the grid with 33 cars. So in that regard, the sponsors who are involved with the race and series promotion, namely Gainbridge and NTT will give a rip if there aren't 33 cars on the grid.

However, regarding the sponsors for the actual teams and drivers, like DHL, Hy Vee, Verizon etc., their primary concern is if their car and driver wins the race, or has a good result.

As it is, it looks like there may be some contenders for the 33 slot.

https://racer.com/2022/04/13/juncos-...lis-500-entry/

[broadrun96]

Looks like the guys at the offices listen and watched, Nashville getting some tweaks to the track.

Start line just after the bridge to be used for start of race and all restarts, finish line stays where it was. T11, final corner, is getting slightly opened for visibility and possiblity better line.

https://racer.com/2022/04/18/nashvil...dycars-return/

[D.R.T.]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

No one is whingeing doom and gloom, all that's been said is it doesn't look good for the health of the series if they can't fill the grid with 33 cars. So in that regard, the sponsors who are involved with the race and series promotion, namely Gainbridge and NTT will give a rip if there aren't 33 cars on the grid.

Yet the reality is the Indycar series has never been stronger since 2001. 27 full time entries with quality up and down pit lane.

33 cars at Indy is neccessary, however its not a pointer to the health of the series. If anything it shows how teams have raised there own standards to the point that they dont want/need to run a half arsed entry destined for last place anymore.

[S griffin]

I think there's enough quality in the field, although maybe not every driver. It's a specialised series, but the attraction of the Indy 500 means there will always be a good grid

Hopefully we get a full grid at Indy, it wouldn't be the same without it, even if we get some drivers and teams of lesser quality. But we don't really get that many of those anyway

[broadrun96]

McLaren hitting the Twitter machine for 500 liveries

Rosenqvist

https://twitter.com/ArrowMcLarenSP/s...aJoR-s57ZWCNSg

O'Ward

https://twitter.com/ArrowMcLarenSP/s...0I4v2p8jPooyHA

And the old veteran

https://twitter.com/ArrowMcLarenSP/s...H_1Z8aK-7ulwLg

[broadrun96]

And other McLaren news, reports say Rossi has signed with them for next year. Supposedly there's a clause that says he can't talk with other teams until later this year though so....


https://racer.com/2022/04/19/andrett...claren-rumors/

[NaBUru38]

I like green and orange. But olive? Ewww!

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by D.R.T.

Yet the reality is the Indycar series has never been stronger since 2001. 27 full time entries with quality up and down pit lane.

33 cars at Indy is neccessary, however its not a pointer to the health of the series. If anything it shows how teams have raised there own standards to the point that they dont want/need to run a half arsed entry destined for last place anymore.

I agree with what Marshall Pruett wrote, in The Racer Mailbag, April 13 and he summed it up perfectly.

''if IndyCar is trying to grow, trying to promote its value and improved season-long car counts and TV ratings, what kind of message does it send by accepting a reduced car count at its biggest and most popular race? If they throw in the towel on its tradition of 33 starters, they open themselves up to big questions from sponsors, promoters, and their main corporate partners about the true health of the series.''

https://racer.com/2022/04/13/the-rac...ag-april-13/3/


On a completely different note. The 2 day open test at IMS has started.