IRL will not ban testing like NASCAR

The IRL will not ban testing as NASCAR did recently.

"[That] could have a different effect on our series than it does in Cup," said league competition boss Brian Barnhart. "We're trying to balance sustainability of our existing owners with attracting new owners and new drivers. If a new team or a rookie driver is trying to come to your series and isn't allowed to test, there's not much likelihood that they're going to join your series.

"When you're sitting on 43-plus cars, like Cup is, that's probably not a situation they're too worried about."

Barnhart said IndyCar testing will be curtailed, however. He also expects 22-24 cars at each race in 2009. AutoWeek

[Editor's Note: Unlike other recent decisions by the IRL (TV package and dropping Surfers), this is the correct decision by the IRL.]