What is the Grand-Am secret?
A reader asks, Dear AutoRacing1.com, How is it possible for the Rolex Series to have so many sponsored teams and drivers who are all paid a decent salary given so few fans in the grandstands and such miniscule TV ratings that SPEED TV brings? I just do not see what commercial value the sponsors get with so few eyeballs watching. Where is the money really coming from? Robert Berkus, St. Louis, Mo. . Dear Robert, We are not privy to the inside deals that are going on in the Grand-Am. Some say much of the money is coming from the France family who need some tax write-offs. Regardless of where the money is really coming from, they have managed to get a stellar field of big-name drivers for this year's Rolex 24….and they are getting paid to drive. Meanwhile, every sponsor in a France family racing series means one less for IndyCar racing. Mark C.