No the sky is not falling for IndyCar

Tony George

Ever since the news first broke on May 27 that Indy Racing League founder Tony George was being ousted as CEO of the family-owned Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Corporation it was as if “Chicken Little" was running around screaming “The sky is falling! The sky is falling!"

Concerned IndyCar Series team owners led by former Panther Racing partner Gary Pedigo and Dreyer & Reinbold owner Dennis Reinbold even signed and circulated a letter of support from all IndyCar team owners. It was sent to George’s mother and IMS, Corp. Chairman Mari Hulman George asking that her son be retained in his position as the man who made the final decisions for both the IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

George was offered a choice to stay as the Indy Racing League CEO but when he ultimately decided to step aside completely and remain as a board member of IMS and team owner of Vision Racing on June 30, it only fueled the “Chicken Littles" of the IndyCar Series paddock. Rumors began to fly that George’s three sisters – Nancy, Josie and Kathi Conforti – were entertaining offers to sell the Speedway. That everyone from the International Speedway Corporation (ISC) — controlled by NASCAR’s France Family – to John Menard were interested in buying the “World’s Greatest Race Course."

But these rumors were fueled by panic. And after talking to George’s sisters at Sunday night’s Indy Racing League Championship Celebration at the W Hotel on South Beach in Miami Beach, Florida, let’s make one thing perfectly clear:

The sky is NOT falling in regards to the future of the IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In a private chat Sunday night, “The Sisters" remain committed to the family-run business and the Speedway that was saved by their grandfather, Tony Hulman, when he purchased the track from Eddie Rickenbacker in November 1945. More at Versus.com