Indy-car foes still warring

Steve Herman

Tuesday, Dec. 3, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

INDIANAPOLIS -- A reconciliation between the warring Indy-car factions doesn't appear likely.

"Both sides gave a good effort to try for unification. We weren't successful," said Tony George, president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and founder of the renegade Indy Racing League.

The IRL's second season began in August, and the next race will be on Jan. 25 in Orlando, Fla. It will be the first race with the new IRL chassis and engine packages.

George, who formed the IRL primarily to bring Indy-racing back to its oval-track roots and to cut costs he said were locking many teams and drivers out of the sport, announced several executive staff changes Monday. He also said it was still too soon to tell how many new teams might align themselves with IRL.

"There are several new teams that have been working over the fall preparing for next season to enter the series when the new equipment is available," he said. "Most people are reluctant to come out publicly and announce their programs until they are completely (settled) with drivers, crews, everything."

Championship Auto Racing Teams, made up of most of the top names in the sport, boycotted the Indianapolis 500 in protest of a qualifying procedure that awarded up to 25 starting spots to IRL series regulars.

That rule will not change in 1997, George said.

"That performance incentive remains in effect," he said. "We started the 33 fastest cars period, so it wasn't really tested. But certain people won't run with us regardless what the rules are. So I don't think it's keeping people away."

Among the staff changes George announced Monday was the appointment of former Goodyear racing manager Leo Mehl as Speedway vice president and IRL executive director. He succeeds Jack Long, who resigned to pursue other business interests, George said.

He also announced the appointments of Jeffrey Belskus, executive vice president, administration and operations; William Donaldson, executive vice president, marketing and sales; W. Curtis Brighton, vice president and general counsel; and Fred Nation, vice president, corporate communication.

"In recent years, there has been a de-emphasis on Indianapolis-type oval racing. The other group (CART) sort of shifted away from that," said Mehl, a former chemical engineer who ran Goodyear's race tire program for 37 years.

"But if you look at television ratings, attendance and where investment in race tracks is, you'll find it's all on ovals. There are great opportunities here," Mehl said.

"The (IRL) concept was absolutely right from the beginning."

George said he has spoken with the chassis and engine manufacturers and is satisfied "everything is going right on schedule."

Scott Sharp won the IRL True Value 200 at Loudon, N.H., in August. Richie Hearn won the second race, the Las Vegas 200 in September, while Mike Groff leads Michele Alboreto and Buzz Calkins by one point in the driver standings.