Indy Racing League Decides Not To Change Qualifying Rule That Led To Boycott Of Indy 500
The Indy Racing League, comfortable with the apparently irreconcilable split in auto racing, will not change a qualifying rule that led to this year’s boycott of the Indianapolis 500.
Tony George, president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and founder of the IRL, announced several executive staff changes on Monday and said the 1996-97 racing season will be the “true test” of the success of his new series.
“People will have to look at the IRL and evaluate it once we’ve had a year to establish ourselves with our own technical specifications,” George said.
“Both sides gave a good effort to try for unification. We weren’t successful,” he said. “But I’m very pleased to be going in the direction we are. There’s plenty of race tracks and opportunities for growth.”
The IRL, which broke away from the dominant Championship Auto Racing Teams last year, began with a five-race schedule this year, including the Indianapolis 500, and has added races at Texas and Pike’s Peak. Other sites will be announced later, George said.
CART, made up of most of the big names in racing, boycotted Indianapolis because of a qualifying rule that awarded up to 25 spots in the 33-car lineup to IRL series regulars. That rule will not change in 1997, George said.
“That performance incentive remains in effect,” he said. “We started the 33 fastest cars, period, so it wasn’t really tested. But certain people won’t run with us regardless what the rules are. So I don’t think it’s keeping people away.”
The second IRL season began in August. The Jan. 25 race in Orlando will be the third event of the new season.
Among the staff changes George announced was the appointment of former Goodyear racing manager Leo Mehl as Speedway vice president and IRL executive director. He succeeds Jack Long, who resigned to pursue other business interests, George said.
He also announced the appointments of Jeffrey Belskus, executive vice president, administration and operations; William Donaldson, executive vice president, marketing and sales; W. Curtis Brighton, vice president and general counsel; and Fred Nation, vice president, corporate communication.