This time a year ago, the U.S.-based IndyCar series was preparing to welcome teams from its rival ChampCar series after the merger between the two sanctioning bodies ended a 12-year war between the preeminent North American open wheel racing series.
Indianapolis 500 Enjoys Resurgence
The first season under the unified IndyCar banner proved to be a success with, according to IndyCar officials, improved TV ratings, especially for the Indianapolis 500, an uptick in attendance at many venues and, especially important, improved on track racing. But with the 2009 season set to begin April 5 at St. Petersburg, Fla, the series is still grappling with growing pains.
The global economic meltdown's tentacles have reached to the board rooms of IndyCar sponsors, resulting in a drop in support that's affecting the participation of several teams, most notably formerly front-running Rahal-Letterman Racing, which as of March 30, will not be fielding a team. Other teams, such a venerable Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing, KV Racing Technology and Vision Racing, are also experiencing difficulties in securing funding to field multiple car teams as they did last year.
David Letterman's Team Parked
Losing Rahal-Letterman from the paddock would be an especially bitter pill to swallow for the series. The team headed by open wheel legend and 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal and talk show host David Letterman, won the Indy 500 with driver Buddy Rice (also on the sidelines in '09) in 2004. The team is still seeking funding, but even if a suitor is found, putting a package together at such a late date would likely make the team an also-ran in '09.
Things aren't much better at Newman/Haas/Lanigan. The team that has won a total of eight open wheel season titles, including four straight ('04, '05, '06 and '07) with driver Sebastien Bourdais (now driving in Formula One), has struggled to secure backing, but has settled its driver lineup with second generation rising star Graham Rahal and rookie Robert Doornbos.
Dancing With the Stars Champ Castroneves on Trial
Team Penske is also dealing with a driver shuffle, but not one caused by a lack of funding. Two-time Indy 500 champion and "Dancing With The Stars" winner Helio Castroneves has been replaced at least temporarily by Australian Will Power while he faces legal troubles after being charged with federal tax evasion in the off season. Ryan Briscoe returns to fill the second seat at Penske.
Last season's points and Indy 500 champion, Scott Dixon, returns to Target Chip Ganassi Racing and will be partnered with former series and Indy champion Dario Franchitti, fresh off his unsuccessful NASCAR sojourn. By all accounts, Dixon is the favorite to win a third series title in '09, although he could get a strong push from Franchitti, who won the series title in '07.
Look for strong challenges from Andretti Green's Tony Kanaan, Penske Racing's Briscoe, and possibly Dan Wheldon, who moves from Ganassi Racing to Panther Racing. Two high-profile Andretti Green drivers, Marco Andretti and Danica Patrick, look to rebound from somewhat disappointing '08 seasons.
VERSUS Replaces ESPN as TV Partner
After having its races aired on ESPN and ABC last season, the series shifts primarily to the VERSUS cable outlet. While three of the 17 races will be aired on ABC, the move has many observers questioning how transitioning to the channel with a far smaller reach than ESPN/ABC will affect exposure of the series.
Honda Racing Engines and Firestone Tires Return as Suppliers
Amid all the changes and uncertainty, some things remain the same: the cars will continue to be powered by the 3.5-liter, Honda V8 engine (650 HP), utilize the sturdy Dallara chassis and will be shod with Firestone tires.
