Massive layoffs coming for IndyCar teams

Q: Maybe I’m just your typical impatient American who can’t wait to see if the policies of the new regime have had time to address the many problems AOWR faces, but the last few weeks seem like things are getting worse. There were what, ten people in the stands at Homestead, with next to one watching on Versus as usual. Barely a blip on the radar of the press about Dario winning his third Championship (the Hybrid Porsche in ALMS had more press, and it came in 18th). By my count three Champions looking for rides (Tracy, Kanaan, and Wheldon), plus a few other top guys who shouldn’t have a problem getting a seat, but don't have the sponsorship. And the scariest sign of the apocalypse, sponsors pulling out left and right in just about every series, let alone IICS. Is Indy Car going to make it much longer? Maybe Delta Wing would have been the way to go, better to go out in a blaze of glory than having to watch this protracted death rattle continue. What would happen if IICS goes belly up? Any other sanctioning bodies who might buy the series in a fire sale (FIA or ALMS)? Could the 500 go back to being a sort of one off race for the fastest 33 cars that show up in May? Steve J. Sollon

RM: There's no denying it's a shaky situation and I'm hearing massive layoffs for IndyCar teams (mechanics) are starting. I think as long as the Hulman-George family provides TEAM money, IICS can survive but having most of the races on VERSUS is killing the owners' ability to raise sponsorships. It might take buying its way out of that VERSUS deal for IndyCar to have a fighting chance. Could there just be an Indy 500, run whatcha brung? Hate to find out but it could come to that some day. SPEEDTV.com