For current information on this topic, see 2008 IndyCar Series season

Indy Racing League
Sport governing body
Category	Open-wheel cars
Area of jurisdiction	United States  Canada  Japan  Australia
Formation date	1996
Headquarters	Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
President	Tony George
Chairman	Brian Rhoades
Other key staff	Brian Barnhart Tony Cotman
Website	IndyCar.com

The Indy Racing League, better known as IRL, is the sanctioning body of a predominantly American based open-wheel racing series. The 2008 IndyCar Series season is the 13th season of the series A sport governing body is a sports organization that has a regulatory or sanctioning function Open-wheel car (Often single-seater car, in UK English describes cars with the wheels outside the car's main body and in most cases one seat The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Anton Hulman "Tony" George (born December 30 1959) is the owner of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Brian Barnhart is the Chief Operating Officer of the Indy Racing League. Open-wheel car (Often single-seater car, in UK English describes cars with the wheels outside the car's main body and in most cases one seat Auto racing (also known as automobile racing, motor racing or car racing) is a Motorsport involving Racing Cars It

The League consists of two series, the premier IndyCar Series in DIRECTV HD (usually considered synonymous with the Indy Racing League), whose centerpiece is the Indianapolis 500, and Firestone Indy Lights, the official developmental series of the Indy Racing League. The IndyCar Series is the premier series of the Indy Racing League. The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, often shortened to Indianapolis 500 or Indy 500, and historically known simply as "The 500" is an American Firestone Indy Lights is a developmental racing series sanctioned by the Indy Racing League.

The IRL is owned by Hulman and Co., which also owns the Indianapolis Motor Speedway complex and the Clabber Girl brand. Hulman & Company is a private family owned company founded in 1850 by Francis Hulman as a wholesale grocery tobacco and liquor store in Terre Haute Indiana. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located in Speedway Indiana (an Enclave of Indianapolis) in the United States, is the home of the Clabber Girl is a brand of Baking powder popular in the United States, manufactured by Hulman & Co

Contents 1 Founding 2 History of the IndyCar name 3 IndyCar Series 4 Controversy 4.1 Split with CART 4.2 Interest 4.3 Driver Safety 5 Unification with Champ Car 6 2008 Season 7 References 8 See also 9 External links

Founding

The IRL was founded in 1994 by Tony George and began racing in 1996. Athletics For an extensive coverage see 1994 in athletics (track and field Track February 20 &mdash Anton Hulman "Tony" George (born December 30 1959) is the owner of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The first season of Indy Racing League competition consisted of only three races CART had sanctioned Indy car racing since 1979, when the organization broke away from USAC. Champ Car, was the name for a class and specification of cars used in American Championship Car Racing for many decades primarily for use in the Indianapolis Artistic Gymnastics World Artistic Gymnastics Championships: Men's all-around champion Alexander Dityatin, USSR The United States Automobile Club (USAC is an Open-wheel Auto racing sanctioning body George blueprinted the IRL as a lower-cost open-wheel alternative to CART, which had become technology-driven and dominated by a few wealthy multi-car teams, much like Formula One. It initially attracted some of the smaller teams who believed in the vision presented by Tony George. In later years, the IRL has become similar to the CART series from which it separated. The League's winner's circle is now dominated by a few wealthy teams--including those from the old CART series, such as Chip Ganassi Racing and Team Penske--, a strong contingent of foreign-born drivers, and has a schedule which includes five races that are not contested on ovals. Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates is an automotive racing organization with teams competing in NASCAR, IRL, and Grand-Am racing Penske Racing is a racing team that competes in the Indy Racing League, ALMS, and NASCAR.

At its inception, the series and George himself were widely ridiculed by members of the media and some CART competitors. The IRL's early seasons consisted of sparse schedules, mostly unknown drivers, and novice-level teams, even in the Indy 500. Eventually the schedule expanded, and caliber of drivers improved. The IRL began to draw teams from CART starting in 2000, contributing to the latter's bankruptcy, rebranding as Champ Car in 2003, and ultimate demise and absorption by the IRL in 2008. Bankruptcy is a legally declared inability or impairment of ability of an individual or organization to pay their Creditors Creditors may file a bankruptcy petition against Champ Car, was the name for a class and specification of cars used in American Championship Car Racing for many decades primarily for use in the Indianapolis

History of the IndyCar name

"Indy car" is sometimes used as a descriptive name for championship open wheel auto racing in the United States. Since 1916 there has been a recognized United States national Automobile racing National Championship for drivers of professional-level single-seat Open wheel The Indy car name derived as the result of the genre's fundamental link to the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race (often referred to as the "Indy 500"), the best known and most-popular open-wheel auto race in North America. The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, often shortened to Indianapolis 500 or Indy 500, and historically known simply as "The 500" is an American

Beginning in 1980, the term Indy car was often used to describe the race cars in the events sanctioned by CART, which had become the dominant governing body for open-wheel racing in the United States. Athletics For an extensive coverage see 1980 in athletics (track and field World Records June 12 &mdash Champ Car, was the name for a class and specification of cars used in American Championship Car Racing for many decades primarily for use in the Indianapolis The Indianapolis 500, however, remained sanctioned by USAC. The United States Automobile Club (USAC is an Open-wheel Auto racing sanctioning body CART recognized the Indy 500 on its schedule, and awarded points for finishers in the race from 1980-1995 despite not sanctioning it. The two entities operated separately, but utilized the same equipment.

In 1992, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway registered the IndyCar trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and licensed it to CART, which renamed its championship the IndyCar World Series. Athletics For an extensive coverage see 1992 in athletics (track and field Marathon August The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located in Speedway Indiana (an Enclave of Indianapolis) in the United States, is the home of the The United States Patent and Trademark Office ( PTO or USPTO) is an agency in the United States Department of Commerce that issues Patents to All references to the name "CART" were decidedly prohibited, as the series sought to eliminate perceived confusion from casual fans with the term kart. For other meanings see Kart (disambiguation Kart racing or karting is a variant of Open-wheel Motor sport with

In 1996 season, the IndyCar mark was the subject of a fierce legal battle. Athletics Decathlon Best Year Performance * &ndash 8824 points Marathon Prior to the 1996 season, Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Tony George had created his own national championship racing series, the Indy Racing League. Anton Hulman "Tony" George (born December 30 1959) is the owner of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In March of 1996, CART filed a lawsuit against the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in an effort to protect their license to the IndyCar mark which the Indianapolis Motor Speedway had attempted to terminate. In law a lawsuit is a civil action brought before a Court in which the party commencing the action the Plaintiff, seeks a legal or equitable remedy In April, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway filed a countersuit against CART to prevent them from further use of the mark. Eventually a settlement was reached in which CART agreed to give up the use of the IndyCar mark following the 1996 season and the IRL could not use the name before the end of the 2002 season.

Following a six year hiatus, the IRL announced it would rename their premier series the IndyCar Series for the 2003 racing season. Brickyard Trademarks, Inc. , a subsidiary of Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation, is the current owner of the IndyCar mark and licenses that mark to the Indy Racing League for use in connection with the IndyCar Series. CART (and its successor Champ Car) races outside the United States were still permitted to use the Indy moniker, such as the Toronto Molson Indy and Lexmark Indy 300, though the distinction is moot now, as the two leagues have unified. The Grand Prix of Toronto was a Champ Car World Series race held annually from 1986 to 2007, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

IndyCar Series

Main article: IndyCar Series

The IndyCar Series is the name adopted in 2003 for the premier series of the Indy Racing League. The IndyCar Series is the premier series of the Indy Racing League. Due to the legal settlement with CART, the IRL was unable to utilize the name until the beginning of the 2003 season. The 2003 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series season brought some of the biggest changes in its history With the introduction of the Indy Pro Series in 2002, it was necessary to differentiate the two series. Firestone Indy Lights is a developmental racing series sanctioned by the Indy Racing League.

The IRL developed a consistent engine package and chassis rules which have produced some of the closest finishes in any racing series. It initially attracted some of the smaller teams who believed in the vision presented by Tony George. In later years, the IRL has come full-circle and become similar to the CART series it sought to separate from. The IRL is now dominated by a few wealthy teams, including those from the old CART series, like Chip Ganassi Racing and Team Penske, has a strong contingent of foreign-born drivers. Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates is an automotive racing organization with teams competing in NASCAR, IRL, and Grand-Am racing Penske Racing is a racing team that competes in the Indy Racing League, ALMS, and NASCAR.

The series initially raced exclusively on oval tracks, as the league was founded partly in response to the increasing prominence of road and street courses on the CART schedule. Road racing can be a term involving Road running, road bicycle races, or Automobile races Street racing is a form of unsanctioned and illegal Auto racing which takes place on Public roads Street racing can either be spontaneous or well-planned In 2005, the series abandoned its unofficial ovals-only stance, and added three road/street course events (Watkins Glen, Infineon and St. Petersburg). Watkins Glen International (nicknamed "The Glen" is an auto race track located near Watkins Glen New York, at the southern tip of Seneca Lake. Infineon Raceway, formerly Sears Point Raceway, is a road course and drag strip located on the landform known as Sears Point in the southern Sonoma Mountains The Honda Grand Prix of St Petersburg is an Indy Racing League IndyCar Series race held in St For 2007, two more road/street events (Mid-Ohio and Belle Isle) have been added. The 2007 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series season began with a night race on Saturday March 24 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is a road course Auto racing facility located in Troy Township, Morrow County, Ohio, United States For the Formula One event see United States Grand Prix East The Detroit Indy Grand Prix presented by Firestone is a weekend of professional racing

Controversy

Split with CART

The Indy Racing League may be unique in being the only sporting series in the world to measure opposition by lack of negative attention. The split between Tony George and the CART governing body was extremely acrimonious, and both series have suffered since, as the fan base also split. The 'war' between competing groups of fans is most active now on the Internet, especially on motorsports message boards, and tends to affect any attempts at impartial views of either racing series. The Internet is a global system of interconnected Computer networks

The most bitter point of conflict between Champ Car and the IRL is the Indianapolis 500, long considered the crown jewel of North American motorsports. Champ Car, was the name for a class and specification of cars used in American Championship Car Racing for many decades primarily for use in the Indianapolis After the beginning of the IRL in 1996, Tony George restricted entry of the starting 33 cars to 25 IRL cars from full-time IRL teams, with only eight other cars being permitted to start. Athletics Decathlon Best Year Performance * &ndash 8824 points Marathon In retaliation, CART scheduled what was supposed to become its new showcase event, the U.S. 500, at Michigan International Speedway on the same day, but it drew far less fan interest and was discontinued after its 1999 running. The US 500 was an automobile race sanctioned by CART on May 26, 1996 at the Michigan International Speedway as an alternative to the Michigan International Speedway is a two-mile (322-km moderate-banked D-shaped Superspeedway located off U Athletics For an extensive coverage see 1999 in athletics (track and field Track Hicham Although modified in 1999, the initial Indy 500 policy toward CART has continued to be held up as proof of George and the IRL's ill-intent towards CART.

In 1997, Tony George specified new technical rules for less expensive cars and "production based" engines that outlawed the CART-spec cars that had been the mainstay of the race since the late 1970s. Anton Hulman "Tony" George (born December 30 1959) is the owner of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. For the next few years almost all of the CART teams and drivers did not compete in the race. While this situation allowed many American drivers to participate in an event they might otherwise have been unable to afford, the turbulent political situation and the absence of the many of the top IndyCar drivers, the big-name sponsors and faster CART-spec cars casting something of a shadow over the race; it was certainly arguable that to the average fan the replacement of at least fairly-well-known foreign drivers by almost-unknown American ones was not perceived as a real gain.

The split ended with a unification in 2008. (See section on unification below)

Interest

Weak attendance and TV ratings have plagued the IRL since its inception. Television ( TV) is a widely used Telecommunication medium for sending ( Broadcasting) and receiving moving Images, either monochromatic Eventually, the CART series temporarily lost its broadcast network television exposure, and it is suggested that CART's losses equate with IRL's gains.

To many others, the IRL/CART split has resulted in an overall loss of interest in open-wheel motor racing in North America. NASCAR has since supplanted open-wheel racing as the most popular auto racing sport in the United States, and from 1995 onward, NASCAR's Daytona 500 has surpassed IRL's Indianapolis 500 in U. The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing ( NASCAR) is the largest sanctioning body of Stock cars in the United States. The Daytona 500 is a 200-lap long NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach Florida. The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, often shortened to Indianapolis 500 or Indy 500, and historically known simply as "The 500" is an American S. television ratings. The split has also hurt overall sponsorship of US open-wheel racing; in 2006 and 2007 several top CART and IRL drivers have left for the more lucrative NASCAR, including Dario Franchitti and A.J. Allmendinger. Dario J Franchitti (born 19 May, 1973 in Bathgate, West Lothian) is a Scottish racing driver of Italian descent Anthony James Allmendinger (born December 16, 1981, in Los Gatos California) attended Leigh High School and is an American Racecar ^[1]

Some IRL fans have also become disgruntled with the current direction of the series, feeling that its current domination by ex-CART drivers/teams and the inclusion of street courses goes against the League's founding principles. Although they believe that the absence of oval-trained open-wheel drivers is primarily to blame for the IRL's woes, it should be pointed out that USAC still runs sprint car races, mainly with developmental drivers, on a regular basis. Sprint cars are high-powered race cars designed primarily for the purpose of running on short oval or circular dirt or paved tracks However, those drivers are more likely to sign contracts with NASCAR teams for financial reasons. The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing ( NASCAR) is the largest sanctioning body of Stock cars in the United States.

While the League's race broadcasts struggle to find an audience, this is counterbalanced by the improved and increased TV coverage and improving attendance at many events. The continuation of the ABC network contract, as well as the establishment of successful races in Texas and Japan, and renewed interest in and attendance at the flagship Indianapolis 500 are seen by some as additional signs of stability. The American Broadcasting Company ( ABC) is an American Television network. Texas ( is a state geographically located in the South Central United States and is also known as the Lone Star State. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. In addition, the IRL has all its races broadcast on XM Satellite Radio, the exclusive satellite radio partner since 2005. A satellite radio or subscription radio (SR is a Digital radio signal that is broadcast by a Communications satellite, which covers a much wider geographical Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

The sharp reduction in manufacturer support for the series in 2006 resulted in a struggle by teams to find financial backing to compete. The 2006 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series season began on March 26 and concluded on September 10. Several teams were forced to cut back their operations or quit full time racing activities altogether. This trend continued in 2007, with only 18 full-time competitors (one more than in the rival Champ Car World Series). Champ Car, was the name for a class and specification of cars used in American Championship Car Racing for many decades primarily for use in the Indianapolis However, 22 cars were on the grid for the final 2007 race at Chicagoland, with two teams, Panther and Roth, expanding to three and two cars respectively. Also, the announcement by the Indy Racing League on October 2, 2007 of an enhanced driver/team payout system, with guaranteed money for full-time participants, is designed for smaller teams (be they new or current Indy Pro teams) to have the funds needed to race and for larger teams to have a financial guarantee attached to their loyalty. Events 1187 - Siege of Jerusalem: Saladin captures Jerusalem after 88 years of Crusader rule Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.

The IRL's tenth anniversary season in 2006 was marked by improvements in some arenas and continued difficulties in others. The 2006 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series season began on March 26 and concluded on September 10. Television ratings for the 2005 Indy 500 were up approximately 40% from the previous year. The 2005 Indianapolis 500 was held at Indianapolis on Sunday May 29, 2005. Almost all of this increase has been attributed to increased interest in the event due to the entry of Danica Patrick, considered to be the first female driver whose team was strong enough to provide her with a competitive, even potentially race-winning car. Danica Sue Patrick (born March 25, 1982 in Beloit Wisconsin) is an American Auto racing driver competing in the IndyCar Series The predictions of pundits with regard to this seemed accurate when Patrick, despite several "rookie"-type mistakes, actually led a good portion of the final stages of the race, not relinquishing the lead until only seven laps remained and still finishing fourth, the best finish ever for a female driver in the Indy 500. However, as Patrick's season wore on, her unspectacular on-track performance led to a decline in "Danicamania. " Still, signs of Patrick's ability to attract new viewers were apparent. Overall television ratings improved 53% from 2004 to 2005, attendance increased 9%, merchandise sales were up 75%, and Web traffic on the series' site rose 162%. According to Joyce Julius and Associates, an independent Ann Arbor, Michigan-based media research firm, sponsors got 57% more exposure during 2005 IRL telecasts than in 2004.

In September 2005, the IRL announced its 2006 schedule. The series dropped races at California Speedway, Phoenix International Raceway and Pikes Peak International Raceway (the latter due to track closure) and added no new events. The Auto Club Speedway of Southern California (formerly California Speedway) is a two-mile low-banked D-shaped oval Superspeedway in Fontana California Phoenix International Raceway, or just PIR, is a one mile Tri-oval race track located in Avondale Arizona. Pikes Peak International Raceway, also known as PPIR, is a racetrack located in Fountain Colorado, south of Colorado Springs and north of Pueblo The IRL received substantial negative publicity for its "streamlined" schedule. This criticism was muted when the 2007 IRL schedule revealed a 17 race schedule with no reductions from 2006. Two of the three races added in 2007 (Mid-Ohio and Detroit's Belle Isle) were former Champ Car races. In comparison, Champ Car began the 2007 season with 17 listed races, but had to cancel three of them due to various factors. Upon releasing their 2008 schedule shortly after the 2007 season ended in September, the Indy Racing League confirmed a 16 race schedule, with the Michigan race not returning at the track's request.

Driver Safety

Driver safety has also been a major point of concern, with an alarming number of drivers injured, primarily in the early years of the series, some of them seriously, even fatally. Unlike road racing venues, the lack of run-offs on oval tracks, coupled with higher, sometimes far higher, speeds due to the long straightaways and banked turns, means that there is simply far less margin for error. Road racing can be a term involving Road running, road bicycle races, or Automobile races Car design was attributed as a leading cause of early injuries, but the series has made significant and continuous improvements to chassis safety to address these safety concerns as they have become apparent. Following a series of spectacular high-profile accidents in 2003, including American racing legend Mario Andretti and former champion Kenny Bräck, and the death of Tony Renna in testing at Indianapolis, the IRL made additional changes to reduce speeds and increase safety. Artistic gymnastics World Artistic Gymnastics Championships: Men's all-around champions Paul Hamm, USA, Mario Gabriele Andretti (born February 28, 1940) is an Italian American former racecar driver and one of the most successful Americans in the Kenneth "Kenny" Brack (born March 21, 1966 in Arvika, Värmland) is a Race car driver from Sweden. Tony Renna ( November 23 1976 - October 22 2003) was an American race car driver from DeLand Florida who raced in the Indy Racing These included a significant review and changes in the chassis, and a further reduction in engine displacement. As a result, the 2004 season, while still far from perfect, was the safest IRL season to date.

The IRL was also the first race series to adopt the new SAFER soft wall safety system, which debuted at the Indianapolis 500 and has now been installed at almost all major oval racing circuits. The Steel and Foam Energy Reduction (SAFER barrier, sometimes called a soft wall, is a technology found primarily on oval automobile Race tracks and intended to make Recognized as one of the most significant improvements ever in racing safety, the SAFER system research and design was supported and funded in large part by the Hulman-George family and Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The system's full name, Steel And Foam Energy Reduction, accurately explains the method used to attenuate high-G impacts that in the past led to serious driver injuries.

Unification with Champ Car

On January 23, 2008, Robin Miller reported that Tony George had offered to Champ Car management a proposal that included free cars and engine leases to Champ Car teams willing to run the entire 2008 IndyCar Series schedule in exchange for adding Champ Car's dates at Long Beach, Toronto, Edmonton, Mexico City, and Australia to the IndyCar Series schedule, effectively reuniting American open wheel racing. Events 393 - Roman Emperor Theodosius I proclaims his nine year old son Honorius co-emperor Robin Miller (born 1950 in Indianapolis) is an American motorsports Journalist. Anton Hulman "Tony" George (born December 30 1959) is the owner of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Champ Car, was the name for a class and specification of cars used in American Championship Car Racing for many decades primarily for use in the Indianapolis The Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach is an Open-wheel race held on a temporary road course in Long Beach California. The Grand Prix of Toronto was a Champ Car World Series race held annually from 1986 to 2007, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada The Rexall Edmonton Indy is a round of the IndyCar Series held at a temporary circuit set up at the Edmonton City Centre Airport near the downtown area of For the race held at Fundidora Park in Monterrey, Mexico - see Tecate/Telmex Grand Prix of Monterrey. Since 1916 there has been a recognized United States national Automobile racing National Championship for drivers of professional-level single-seat Open wheel ^[2] The offer was initially made in November 2007. ^[2] On February 10, 2008, Tony George, along with IRL representatives Terry Angstadt and Brian Barnhart, plus former Honda executive Robert Clarke, traveled to Japan to discuss moving the Indy Japan 300 at Twin Ring Motegi. Events 1355 - The St Scholastica's Day riot breaks out in Oxford, England, leaving 63 scholars and perhaps 30 locals dead Brian Barnhart is the Chief Operating Officer of the Indy Racing League. () is a Multinational corporation, engine Manufacturer and engineering corporation headquartered in Japan. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. The Indy Japan 300 presented by Bridgestone is an Indy Racing League IndyCar Series race held at Twin Ring Motegi in Motegi Japan. Twin Ring Motegi is an automobile racing track located at Motegi, Japan. ^[3] Moving that race, or postponing it, would be required in order to accommodate the Long Beach Grand Prix, which is scheduled for the same weekend. The Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach is an Open-wheel race held on a temporary road course in Long Beach California. ^[3] Optimism following the meeting was high. ^[4]

On February 19, 2008, Robin Miller reported on SPEED and Curt Cavin blogged on IndyStar.com^[5] that the managements of Indy Racing League and Champ Car have come to an agreement to become one entity. Events 197 - Roman Emperor Septimius Severus defeats usurper Clodius Albinus in the Battle of Lugdunum Robin Miller (born 1950 in Indianapolis) is an American motorsports Journalist. Speed, sometimes still referred to as the Speed Channel, is a cable and satellite Television channel broadcast to various parts of North The Indianapolis Star is a daily Newspaper which began publishing on June 6, 1903. Champ Car, was the name for a class and specification of cars used in American Championship Car Racing for many decades primarily for use in the Indianapolis The move would effectively end a 12-year split and reunite American Open Wheel racing. Since 1916 there has been a recognized United States national Automobile racing National Championship for drivers of professional-level single-seat Open wheel Meanwhile, Brian Barnhart announced that Tony George is negotiating the unification, and an inventory of available IndyCar chassis and equipment for the Champ Car teams is underway. Brian Barnhart is the Chief Operating Officer of the Indy Racing League. Anton Hulman "Tony" George (born December 30 1959) is the owner of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. ^[5] On February 22, Cavin initially reported that no deal had been reached between the IRL and CCWS in a lengthy dinner meeting between George and CCWS president Kevin Kalkhoven the previous evening. Kevin Oscar Newton Kalkoven, former CEO of JDS Uniphase, is an Australian venture capitalist and Auto racing magnate based in Menlo Park California Later in the day, however, it was reported that the merger deal had been completed, confirmed by George, and that it would be formally announced at a press conference the following week. ^[6]

2008 Season

See main article: 2008 IndyCar Series season

Indy Racing League founder and CEO Tony George and owners of the Champ Car World Series have completed an agreement in principle that will unify the sport for 2008. The 2008 IndyCar Series season is the 13th season of the series ^[7]

The 2008 IndyCar Series in DIRECTV HD season will be the 13th season of the series. Its Premier event will be the 92nd Indianapolis 500. The 92nd Indianapolis 500-Mile Race was run on Sunday May 25, 2008 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway Indiana, USA. First of the season's 16 races will be held on March 29 at Homestead. Events 1461 - Wars of the Roses: Battle of Towton - Edward of York defeats Queen Margaret to become King Homestead-Miami Speedway is a race track in Homestead Florida southwest of Miami. All races will be televised on ESPN, ESPN2, or ABC and aired on XM Satellite Radio. ESPN, originally an acronym for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, is an American Cable television network dedicated to ESPN2 debuted on October 1, 1993, as a sister station of ESPN.

On April 3, 2008, The IndyCar Series announced that its Premier Official Sponsor would be DIRECTV. Events 1043 - Edward the Confessor is crowned King of England. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common ^[8] With this new sponsorship came a new name. The series is now known as the IndyCar Series in DIRECTV HD. This is due to the whole season being aired in High Definition.

The 2008 season opener was won by Scott Dixon followed by Marco Andretti and Dan Wheldon. Scott Ronald Dixon (born July 22 1980 is a New Zealand motor racing driver who has twice won the Indy Racing League (IRL championship in the United States Tony Kanaan was leading the race when he crashed into a spinning Ernesto Viso's car just 7 laps from the finish. He finished 8th.

The second race of the season, The Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg was won by Graham Rahal. The race was started under caution due to excessive moisture on the course. There were several spins in the wet conditions, including the eventual winner. Rahal was followed across the finish line by Helio Castroneves and Tony Kanaan.

Rahal, unable to participate in the season opener because of a crash in testing, became the youngest winner ever in the IndyCar series. He also became the first driver to win in his series debut since Scott Dixon in 2003.

References

See also

• 2008 IndyCar Series season
• 2008 Indy Lights season
• List of current Indycar races
• List of Indycar teams
• IRL drivers
• Indianapolis 500
• Firestone Indy Lights Series
• ABC Sports Indy Racing (video game)
• United States Auto Club

External links

• IndyCar.com - Official Site
• Indy500.com- Official Site of the Indy 500
• SPEED TV - IRL news from SPEED Channel

The 2008 IndyCar Series season is the 13th season of the series The 2008 Indy Racing League Firestone Indy Lights Series season, formerly the Indy Pro Series, began Current Indy Racing League races and locations Former Indy Racing League races and locations zMax 500k - Atlanta Motor Speedway This is a list of the teams in the IndyCar Series of the Indy Racing League. The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, often shortened to Indianapolis 500 or Indy 500, and historically known simply as "The 500" is an American Firestone Indy Lights is a developmental racing series sanctioned by the Indy Racing League. ABC Sports Indy Racing is a racing Computer game made in 1997. The United States Automobile Club (USAC is an Open-wheel Auto racing sanctioning body

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