One can’t help but think we’re seeing a good change here.
With 2010 in the books, the IZOD IndyCar Series has completed another season of evolution as it prepares for its much-hyped 2012 campaign. So far, things are shaping up better than expected for what can be argued as the series’ second “re-launch” since its inception in 1996 (if you count the reunification of open-wheel racing in 2008).
IndyCar has managed to score some major coups this offseason, such as the additions of Chevrolet and Lotus as engine/aero kit manufacturers. In about 15 months, brand competition will be back, to the delight of many. Of course, the trick now is to ensure that these groups won’t spend each other into smithereens.
With these positive developments surrounding IndyCar 2012, it can lead people to believe that this coming season will be a lame-duck year. In some ways, they’re correct, particularly in the fact that this will be the final season for the current Dallara/Honda package that has served the series for the better part of a decade.
But there’s also plenty to look forward to in 2011, such as a bolstered lineup of American talent, a visit to two new tracks and, of course, a special anniversary for a very special race.
Let’s take a peek at what the near-future holds ...
1. 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 (kazoos and party hats optional)
As the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” turns 100 years old, it finds itself in a strange place. The recent positive developments in open-wheel racing are certainly boosts to its future outlook, but it’s also coming off its worst television rating ever.
Plenty of work needs to be done in order to regain some of its former stature, but it may be impossible to get it all back. As much as the open-wheel split was a detriment to the 500, it can also be argued that the race is simply a victim of changing times.
But this is still the 100th anniversary, so expect lots of promotion and chances to revisit history from the series and title sponsor IZOD. At the very least, it’ll be a great party and if more people show up for it, it’s gravy.
FUN FACT: The 2011 Indy 500 will be the 100th anniversary race, but it won’t be the 100th running of the race. The ‘500’ didn’t run for six years due to World War I and World War II. Thus, the proper 100th running won’t occur until 2016.
2. USA! USA! USA!
In the last few seasons, one of the sore spots for IndyCar has been its lack of competitive home-grown talent. In the last four seasons, there has only been five wins from American drivers and one of them, Ryan Hunter-Reay, has two of the five triumphs. But there will be a bigger opportunity for the red, white and blue to fly high in 2011.
Graham Rahal and Charlie Kimball will lead Chip Ganassi’s new two-car satellite operation and have the chance to learn from two of the best in teammates Dario Franchitti and Scott Dixon. Hunter-Reay will stick with Andretti Autosport for another two seasons. Over at Panther Racing, former Firestone Indy Lights champion J.R. Hildebrand will take over the familiar No. 4 car. And while team owner Sarah Fisher has ended on her driving career, she’s handed the keys over to a capable replacement in Ed Carpenter for nine events.
Add in Danica Patrick and Marco Andretti, and IndyCar will have six full-time Americans on the grid this season. It may not be a whole lot, but considering there were just three of them last season (Hunter-Reay, Patrick and Andretti) – and all of them were on the same squad – it’s definitely an improvement.
3. Northeast expansion
The Northeastern U.S. had been an underserved market for IndyCar racing, with one lone outpost for the series in Watkins Glen International. The ISC-owned road course is off the schedule for 2010, but happily for fans in New England and the Mid-Atlantic regions, two new Northeast events have stepped up in the Glen’s absence.
The short, flat oval at New Hampshire Motor Speedway should make for interesting racing when the IndyCars return to the “Magic Mile” on Aug. 14. Three weeks later, they’ll be whizzing around the Inner Harbor for the inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix street race on Sept. 4.
There are plenty of new fans to be made in both regions if the series and the tracks put in proper marketing efforts, so it’ll be interesting to see how those markets respond to the new races. New England has a strong open-wheel tradition with modified racing. And although Baltimore residents have Dover International Speedway relatively nearby, it is not a motorsports town. If the series can succeed there, it will tap into a new market that not even mighty NASCAR has been able to tap into.
That said, the northeast portion of the country isn’t the only one that gained on the new schedule.
The Milwaukee Mile is also making a triumphant return to the IndyCar schedule this season after fighting for its very survival for a couple of years. As the oldest continually operating motor speedway on earth, the Mile's historical link with open-wheel racing is a cherished one for many people so it's great to see it back.
4. Kanaan’s next chapter
When convenience store giant 7-Eleven announced it would be ending its eight-year tenure as primary backer for former IndyCar/IRL champion Tony Kanaan, one of the more iconic partnerships in series history came to a close. That spelled the end of Kanaan’s time with Andretti Autosport as well, forcing the fan favorite to hunt for precious sponsorship.
Kanaan had been linked to a possible part-time gig with Kyle Busch’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team. While Kanaan in a NASCAR truck would’ve been exciting, IndyCar faithful are glad to know that he’s sticking with open-wheel racing.
His new team, De Ferran Dragon Racing, has shown flashes of speed in the past with young Brazilian driver Rafa Matos. But now with Kanaan on board, the expectations for this growing operation have jumped considerably.
It’s time for this group to become consistent contenders for victories, and TK can – and should -- be just the man for the job.
5. Randy Bernard’s progress as CEO
He’s had a year to get used to the IndyCar world and all the good and bad things in it. Now, in year two, look for Randy Bernard to continue to grow into his role as leader of the sport.
On Jan. 11, IndyCar will hold its “State of the Union” address. If you’ve read Marshall Pruett’s interview with Bernard over on SPEEDTV.com, you’ll have noticed some details for 2011 come out but you’ll also have seen some allusions to bigger things getting announced in the “State of the Union.”
One hopes that those “things” include a major marketing plan for the entire series that can engage both newcomers and those that can be considered “estranged” due to the recent history of the sport. Ways to create a bigger, better atmosphere at the track throughout the entire IndyCar schedule would also be welcome.
