IRL to implement revenue sharing plan

IndyCar hopes to boost the size of its fields beyond the current 18-20 car norm with a new prize structure.

In an effort to help its smaller to mid-level teams and possibly attract new ones, SPEEDtv.com has learned the Indy Racing League will implement a revenue-sharing plan in 2008 that pays guaranteed money to IRL regulars but race purses would be eliminated except for the Indianapolis 500.

And it’s believed there will be an increase to next May’s Indy purse with the winner receiving $2 million and 33rd place paying no less than $300,000.

It remains a work in progress, but it’s believed the current plan calls for a team to receive $1.3 million for every car committed to the 17-race schedule. In other words, if you’re a two-car team, you receive $2.6 million spread out over 12 months. More at SPEEDTV.com

[Editor's Note: A revenue sharing plan is exactly what Champ Car has been doing for years, yet they were criticized by the IRL contingent for not paying purses. Now that the IRL will implement exactly the same plan it will be a good idea and the history revisionists will pay homage to the IRL for such forward thinking. And why wouldn't the IRL copy Champ Car's plan? They have copied everything else Champ Car/CART has done. It's a pretty sorry state of affairs when your business plan, if one exists, is to copy your opposition.]