Indy Speedway on the block?

UPDATE This rumor is downgraded to 'false' today. Jeff Belskus hasn't said much publicly since assuming the leadership of Indianapolis Motor Speedway from Tony George in July, but what he said Thursday came through loud and clear.

"The Speedway and the Indy Racing League are not for sale," he said after Izod was confirmed as the new title sponsor of the IndyCar Series. "Absolutely not."

Belskus acknowledged he has spent much of his time as chief executive officer reviewing the financial status of the company and could not say staff cuts are over.

"2009 was not very kind to us from a revenue standpoint," he said, noting low attendance at the NASCAR and MotoGP races at the Speedway. "When that happens, you have to make adjustments."

Terms of the Izod deal were not confirmed, but Belskus said the IndyCar Series would receive a boost to its bottom line. However, the largest chunk of what is believed to be at least a $15 million a year investment by Izod will be to a marketing and advertising campaign to help all aspects of IMS.

"To have a healthy race series, you have to have healthy teams and healthy events, and this helps us with that," he said. Indy Star

10/25/09 Unconfirmed rumors from AR1 sources tell us that the Hulman George family has secretly put the Indianapolis Motor Speedway up for sale if the right buyer comes along. We have not heard what the asking price is, but it would not surprise us if it carries a $1 billion price tag. If true, would ISC or Bruton Smith, both synonymous with NASCAR, dig deep to acquire it?