IndyCar News and Notes, 3/4/2014

Kurt Busch to drive for Andretti Autosport in the 98th running of The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.

Before anyone jumps down my throat, let me say I have no problem with any individual competing in any automobile race. Regardless of race, nationality, religion, gender, political affiliation, whatever; if said individual can qualify for the race, then said individual should be able to compete. Period.

Also, NASCAR star Kurt Busch and 1995 Indianapolis 500 winner and 1997 Formula 1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve are name drivers, who will help draw viewers, and generate media coverage for the 98th running of The Greatest Spectacle in Racing. While you can count me amongst the vocal legion that would prefer to see up-and-coming American open-wheelers like Conor Daly and Sage Karam instead, rather than Busch and/or Villeneuve, I am not one who scoffs at the idea of either competing. Also, as mentioned before, both will help generate coverage and attention for the race.

My only concern is that IndyCar and IMS will focus too much of their promotional and marketing efforts on men like Busch and Villeneuve to the detriment of their established drivers. Drivers like Busch and Villeneuve should be part of the promotional efforts, but not the focus of them. How IMS and IndyCar utilize the presence of the big name drivers to draw greater attention to the overall product will be very telling. Because at the end of the day, having Busch and Villeneuve running Memorial Day weekend will add to the Indy 500. Just keep in mind, they won’t be running the next week at Detroit.

Speaking of Busch:

Busch, of course, made the announcement that he would be running in this year’s Indy 500 for Andretti Autosport on FOX News this morning. Busch is also headed for Bristol, CT, where he is expected to interview on ESPN later this afternoon.

Of course, the 2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion’s notorious temper and off-putting persona has been well-documented through the years. And while I’m not going to sit here and pronounce Busch a saint, I will credit him — and the public relations specialist coaching him — for making a clear and noticeable effort to change his public image over the past 12 months. This morning, he was very well-dressed, friendly, and prepared for the interview. Sure, many of his answers were rehearsed clichés, but let’s be honest: combining four-letter expletives and imperative mood was Busch's M.O. about 18 months ago.

The MVP of IndyCar:

Michael Andretti continues to show he is the best IndyCar owner of his era.

Michael Andretti was an all-time great Indy car driver. In fact, you might be surprised to know, Michael actually won a greater percentage of his starts than famous father Mario.

But as stated here numerous times on AutoRacing1.com, and as we saw this morning with Busch’s announcement, however good Michael was a driver, he is an even better team owner. Currently, there is no one in IndyCar who generates more return on investment for sponsors. And when you combine that with Andretti Autosport’s success on track, Andretti’s commitment to the sport’s ladder program, his promotional efforts with various events, and other factors, Andretti has already carved out his place as this generation’s best IndyCar owner.

Brian Carroccio