Quotes of the Week

"It's never Junior; it's always the crew chief. He's [Dale Jr.'s new crew chief, Lance McGrew] got his hands full, I guess, having to deal with what's going on. And if Junior doesn't run well, then he [McGrew] is going to be the 'problem' again. You've got to make the most popular driver in the sport competitive, so you gotta do what you gotta do, I guess." Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver, Joe Gibbs Racing, commenting on the dismissal of Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s crew chief, Tony Eury Jr.

"The fact that Mayfield is taking this approach raises two questions: is he incredibly innocent or is he incredibly crazy?" Dave Grayson, NASCAR journalist, commenting on Jeremy Mayfield's disregard for the restrictions of his suspension, and his contradiction of information released by NASCAR, after he failed a random drug test. Mayfield is now considering legal action against NASCAR and Aegis Sciences Corporation.

"So the drivers nowadays have big attitudes and they're highly confident in themselves, never think they're wrong about anything. I think if I did some of the stuff that goes on on the tracks today at the age of some of these young kids, running guys, you know, down into the grass and into the pit wall, I mean, if I did that when I was 21, 22 years old to a guy like A.J. or Mario, they'd come down and pull me behind the garage and kick the crap out of me." Paul Tracy, IndyCar driver, commenting during a press conference with A.J. Foyt about driving for Foyt's team at Milwaukee

"For decades Formula One has been the stage for egocentric performers, and the cast grows every day, like cancer." Lauda said reporters at the weekend were reporting "every fart" and detail of the situation, while the teams were "too stupid" to properly brief them. "This is a Formula One that is just embarrassing." Niki Lauda, 3 times World Drivers Champion, is unimpressed with the spate of politicking in Formula 1.

"The FIA wants to significantly reduce costs with two objectives: to stop any more existing teams from quitting the sport and to allow for the eventual entry of new teams. Both these targets can be met: costs will be considerably reduced and, at the same time, there will be considerable efforts made by the current competitors in Formula 1 to stay in the sport. If this happens and I really hope it does, I would prefer to say that Formula 1 is the winner: it will have kept its main characteristics of technological and sporting competition, it will have been assured of stability in the regulations and the long term commitment of the participants. This is what FOTA has always wanted: to work alongside the FIA and the Commercial Rights Holder for a healthy and prosperous Formula 1." Stefano Domenicali, Team Principal, Ferrari

"There is no agenda on the part of Williams. We are not trying to split the teams. We are not even trying to dissuade them. As a team we have a certain philosophy and this is an inevitable and necessary development. It may well be that other teams have a different view. I completely respect that. We feel there is a huge chance to resolve this and very much hope that all the existing teams, plus one or two new ones, will be on the grid with us next year." Adam Parr, Williams CEO, says the British team is not trying to split up the teams with its decision to submit its entry for the 2010 championship. He said Williams broke ranks and signed up because it is a "racing team" that is "legally obliged" to compete next year and until 2012 due to an existing agreement with the sport's ruling bodies.

"We are devaluing Formula One. It is not correct that teams of GP2 race with us; it brings down our image and our technology." Flavio Briatore, Team Principal, Renault, says Formula 1 risks watering down its prestige and value by opening the door to outfits worthy of junior categories.

"Contrary to published reports, I continue to serve as CEO of IMS. Our board of directors met yesterday, and we did discuss how to best confront challenges and exploit opportunities facing our businesses. This is nothing new and is something that we continually do as a board. But no changes in leadership or responsibility have been made. We don't normally comment on board deliberations concerning our family business. However, the widespread, inaccurate reports and rumors caused my mother and me to conclude that it was necessary to set the record straight. If changes are made in the management of the company that are newsworthy, we will announce them when they are made." Tony George, CEO of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, commenting on the reports that he has been ousted of power at IMS

“My story came out on Wednesday. They came along and they came up with a press release that basically said, ‘Yea, we’re thinking about moving Tony [George] where he’s best needed.’ Well where he’s best needed, according to the IRL paddock, is right where he’s at because we know the Speedway has been propping up the IndyCar Series since 1996. And if they leave, who’s going to take over the IRL? So I think there's real concern here in the paddock, it’s a really scary paddock. They came together last night. The owners got together and they signed a petition to give to Mari George that said, ‘We think Tony’s been doing a great job. Let’s just leave him right here.’ So I think the most important thing is maybe this buys Tony a little time. He’s still the CEO. He didn’t tell a lie. I just said the sisters had voted him out of power and to take the checkbook away. But if you left it up to the vote here of the racing people, it’s like 'Leave Tony there. We’ve got to have the IRL. We just can’t have the Indy 500 because I know it’s our cornerstone, but if we don’t have the Speedway propping this thing up financially, who’s going to do it?' " Robin Miller, Open Wheel Journalist, commenting on the conflicting reports that Tony George was ousted from his leadership post of CEO at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway