the 4 or 5-time Auto Racing Winners at Indy:
Driver' Wins, Races, Laps Led, Years Won
A.J. Foyt, 4, 35, 555, 1961-1964-1967-1977: Indy Car
Al Unser, 4, 27, 644, 1970-1971-1978-1987: Indy Car
Rick Mears, 4, 15, 429, 1979-1984-1988-1991: Indy Car
Jeff Gordon, 4, 15, 440, 1994-1999-2001-2004: NASCAR Sprint Cup
Michael Schumacher, 5, 2000-2003-2004-2005-2006: F-1
also: Wolf Henzler has recorded four victories in Porsche Michelin Supercup series support races to the United States Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway since 2000. Henzler won once in 2002, 2003 and both races in 2004. F1 and Supercup no longer run at Indy
Run all the Brickyard races: four drivers have run all 15 Brickyard 400's since it first ran in 1994:
#24-Jeff Gordon [4 wins]
#71-Bobby Labonte [1 win]
#5-Mark Martin [best 2nd once]
#31-Jeff Burton [best 5th once]
There are four current race tracks the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series runs on that #5-Mark Martin has not won a Sprint Cup race at, plus Martin ran five races at Nashville and four races at Riverside and didn't win:
Pocono: 0 for 45 with six finishes of 2nd, last in 8/2004
Daytona: 0 for 49 with a best finish of 2nd in 2/2007
Indianapolis: 0 for 16 with a best finish of 2nd in 8/1998 and 7/2009
Homestead: 0 for 10 with a best finish of 2nd in 11/2005.(2-14-2010)
If Danica Dominates Daytona, Fans win Indy Ticket deals: New Indianapolis 500 ticket customers can cash in on Danica Patrick’s participation in the ARCA Racing Series season opener Saturday, Feb. 6 at Daytona International Speedway. It’s up to Danica how much they’ll cash in. If Patrick leads many laps, she’ll drive big Tower Terrace ticket price reductions for the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 30 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. She is driving the #7 Go Daddy machine for Andretti Autosport in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” For instance, if Patrick leads 40 laps, fans will receive a $40 reduction from the regular $90 price of a Tower Terrace ticket purchased between Saturday, Feb. 6 through Saturday Feb. 13. If she leads all 80 laps of the race, fans will receive the $90 ticket for $10! In honor of Patrick’s ground-breaking 19-lap run at the front in the closing laps of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race in 2005, the Speedway will offer at least $19 savings on Tower Terrace tickets for the 2010 Indy 500 purchased during the promotion dates. If Patrick leads 19 or fewer laps in the #7 JR Motorsports Chevy, the ticket price reduction remains $19. The promotion is for new purchases of Tower Terrace tickets only. Tower Terrace is located along the Speedway’s main straightaway, also providing an excellent view of pit lane.
Beginning immediately following the ARCA race Feb. 6, fans can purchase the discounted tickets online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com. The specially priced seats will be available 24 hours per day until 11:59pm/et Saturday, Feb. 13.(IMS)(2-5-2010)
Tony George resigned from posts at Indy: The Board of Directors of Hulman & Company and affiliated companies, including the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, has received the resignation of Anton H. “Tony” George from the board of directors effective immediately, according to Mari Hulman George, chairman.
“As members of his family, we are sorry to see Tony leave,” said Mrs. George. “We are grateful for his service to our company as a board member and of course for formerly serving as CEO and president of our companies. I speak for our whole family in wishing him well. All of us had hoped that Tony would continue to serve on the board, and we made that clear to him. We are disappointed with his decision to step down despite our wishes.” His resignation removes George from any remaining role in Hulman & Company, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indy Racing League, IMS Productions and other affiliated companies. His term as CEO of the family companies ended June 30, 2009. He continues to be involved in racing through his ownership of Vision Racing, a competitor in the IZOD IndyCar Series of the Indy Racing League. The board vacancy will be addressed at a later date. In addition to Mari Hulman George, board members include Nancy George, Josie George, Kathi George-Conforti and Jack Snyder.
Mari Hulman George said she is very pleased with the direction of the company and the progress that has been made during the last six months. “Our company is healthy and is weathering the economic recession well,” she said. “Jeff Belskus, president and CEO of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and Curt Brighton, president and CEO of Hulman & Company, are both doing excellent jobs in guiding our companies through this difficult time. Many hard decisions have been made, and now our companies are well positioned for the future.”(IMS)(1-20-2010)
Free admission to Indy museum: The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum is offering free admission to the Museum and the narrated track tour on Wednesday, Dec. 23 as part of the "12 Free Days of Indy Christmas." For the fourth consecutive year, IMS is participating in the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association?s popular program that offers the public free admission for one day to many of Indianapolis? top tourist attractions. The IMS Hall of Fame Museum houses one of the world?s most diverse collections of race cars and historically-significant automobiles as well as motorsports artifacts and art. The Hall of Fame Museum features more than 75 vehicles on display representing various facets of motorsports and automobile history including the Indianapolis 500, stock car racing, sports car racing and vintage luxury passenger models. The Hall of Fame Museum is open 9am -5pm/et on Dec. 23. For more information, contact the Museum at (317) 492-6784 or visit www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com.(IMS)(12-23-2009)
Indy Motor Speedway holding warehouse sale: The Indianapolis Motor Speedway again will offer fans the opportunity to get a head start on holiday shopping at the annual IMS Warehouse Sale Nov. 6-7. Fans can get an additional 10 percent off their purchase by bringing an item to donate for The Salvation Army Center for Women and Children. For a list of accepted donation items, hours of the sale and more info, visit indianapolismotorspeedway.com or store.indianapolismotorspeedway.com.(11-6-2009)
2010 Brickyard 400 Tix on sale: Tickets for the 2010 Brickyard 400, scheduled for Sunday, July 25 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, are on sale now. Fans have three methods to purchase tickets for one of the premier races on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule:
*Online: Visit the Tickets section of indianapolismotorspeedway.com.
*Phone: Call the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700, or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area.
*In person: Visit the ticket office at the IMS Administration Building at the corner of Georgetown Road and 16th Street.
Online orders can be made at any time. Hours for phone orders and the ticket office are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday-Friday. Tickets for groups of 20 or more also are on sale. Contact the IMS Group Sales Department at (866) 221-8775 for more information.(IMS)(10-14-2009)
Indy staff plants trees: The Indianapolis Motor Speedway provided the manpower and NASCAR the material to add a little more green to Indianapolis’ Gustafson Park on Oct. 13. A total of 36 IMS employees volunteered their time to plant 40 trees in the 30-acre Indy Parks facility, located at the intersection of 30th Street and Moller Road – located a mile northwest of Turn 4 of the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval. Gustafson plays a key role for the nearby Eagledale neighborhood and Northwest High School, serving as a gathering place with its shaded picnic area, community swimming pool, football fields and baseball diamonds. The tree planting at Gustafson Park is part of NASCAR’s Green Flag Tree Planting Program. For every green flag waved during the 2009 Brickyard 400, NASCAR pledged to donate 10 trees to the local community. There were a total of four green flags during the race, won by three-time Brickyard 400 winner Jimmie Johnson. The program was launched during the 2009 season, at select NASCAR venues, with plans to expand it in 2010. The tree-planting event also comes one day before the kickoff of 2010 Brickyard 400 ticket sales, as tickets officially go on sale Wednesday, Oct. 14 at the ticket office in the IMS Administration Building at the corner of 16th Street and Georgetown Road, by phone at (800) 822-INDY or online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com.(IMS)(10-14-2009)
No NASCAR-GrandAm double-header at Indy: NASCAR's GrandAm series finally released its 2010 tour schedule, and on the Sprint Cup's Brickyard 400 weekend - July 25th is race day - the sports car series will be idle. NASCAR president Mike Helton had indicated three weeks ago, just after a GrandAm test around Indianapolis Motor Speedway's Formula One course, that a Cup-GrandAm double-header at Indy was possible. In fact the prospect of more Cup-GrandAm double-headers - such as at Daytona in July - appeared possible. The GrandAm series already runs with the NASCAR Nationwide tour at Montreal in late summer and with the Cup cars at Watkins Glen in early August.(MikeMulhern.net)(10-11-2009)
Indy double-header in 2010?: Next summer's Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis could be part of a novel double-header -- with NASCAR's Grand American sports cars also running at the Speedway on the Formula One road course during the Brickyard 400 weekend.
"It's a matter of how they might be able to change over to the road course from the oval," NASCAR president Mike Helton said. NASCAR ran both the Grand Am and Sprint Cup events the same day at Daytona in July, in what is seen as a test of track changeover techniques and promotions for other similar double-header weekends for NASCAR's stock cars and sports cars. "But Daytona is a lot different than Indianapolis," Helton points out. "It used to take a long time (as much as six to eight hours) to change over Daytona from one to the other. But they've figured out how to cut time down."(MikeMulhern.net)(9-22-2009)
IndyCar owners support moving up Indianapolis 500 start time: The Indianapolis 500 will return to its more traditional start time -- 11 a.m. -- if some influential IndyCar Series team owners have a say in it. The leaders of Team Penske and Andretti Green Racing said Saturday they support a change back to the earlier start time to help the event attract NASCAR drivers, which they figure would boost television ratings for the 500. Currently, the 1 p.m. start at Indianapolis Motor Speedway does not allow enough time for drivers to complete the 500 miles and then fly to Concord, N.C., for the Sprint Cup Series night race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Team Penske president Tim Cindric brought the subject up in an owners meeting held with Indy Racing League officials prior to the race at Chicagoland Speedway. "It's worth one (ratings) point, at least," Cindric said after the meeting.(Indianapolis Star)(8-30-2009)
Renew Brickyard 400 Tix by Aug 10th get cooler: Fans who renew their Race Day Brickyard 400 tickets online by midnight Monday, Aug. 10, 2009 at imstix.com can choose a collectible cooler featuring one of the following Sprint Cup Series stars: Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr. or Kasey Kahne. Or fans can opt for a cooler commemorating the historic IMS Centennial Era celebration. IMS is one of the few remaining sports facilities in the world that allows fans to bring in their own food and drinks. Go to www.imstix.com and complete the following steps:
•Click on the “Reorder Tickets” tab beneath the Brickyard 400 logo
•Log in to your account
•Follow the step-by-step instructions to complete the renewal process
•Select your choice of six-pack cooler
Pending official release of the 2010 Sprint Cup Series schedule by NASCAR, the 2010 Brickyard 400 is scheduled for Sunday, July 25. Tickets for the final event of 2009 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway –the Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Aug. 28-30– can be purchased online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com at any time.(IMS)(7-30-2009)
Allstate terminates Brickyard sponsorship: Allstate and Indianapolis Motor Speedway are ending their five-year title sponsorship arrangement for naming rights to the NASCAR race at the track. It was run Sunday for the final time as the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. Speedway spokesman Ron Green said it's unlikely a replacement will be sought and the race will return to its former name as the Brickyard 400. Allstate, in a statement, cited "stronger (results) in other properties" for not renewing its sponsorship.(Indianapolis Star)(7-27-2009)
NASCAR back at Indy...in the fall? Stock cars might return this fall. IMS officials have discussed staging an exhibition on the road course with NASCAR and Grand Am's sports cars. The road course will begin to be installed next week for the Aug. 28-30 motorcycle event, the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix.(Indianapolis Star)(7-27-2009)
Indy Transporter Parade: A parade of approximately 40 colorful NASCAR Sprint Cup Series transporters will drive through greater Indianapolis on Thursday evening, July 23, the day before the 16th Allstate 400 at the Brickyard opens at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The parade will start at 6:00pm in Greenwood and travel on Interstate 65 North to Interstate 70 West. The transporters will exit at Holt Road and drive to 10th Street before stopping on Main Street in Speedway, where they will be on display for the public until 8:30pm. Info about tickets for the Allstate 400 at indianapolismotorspeedway.com.(IMS)(7-23-2009)
Changing Indy 500 start time not being discussed: For those hoping that the Indianapolis 500 might change its start time to encourage drivers to be able to do both the IndyCar Series race and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 on the same day, think again. Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corp. President and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Belskus, who oversees both the IRL and the race track, said Tuesday during a news conference at the track that he has had no discussions about changing the start time since taking over the position three weeks ago. The Indianapolis 500 start time likely would have to change from its recent 1 p.m. EDT slot for it to be possible for a driver to do both events. It would be hard for Lowe's Motor Speedway to start the NASCAR race later than 5:45 p.m. because of the length of the 600-mile race, which takes more than four hours to complete. With the crossover of open-wheel drivers to NASCAR - such as #14-Tony Stewart, #42-Juan Pablo Montoya, #7-Robby Gordon, #34-John Andretti and #77-Sam Hornish Jr. - heavy interest could be generated if drivers could do both races and rumors have circulated that the start time could be altered.(SceneDaily)(7-22-2009)
- Humpy in talks to Indy to help promote UPDATE: Humpy Wheeler, who helped make Lowe's Motor Speedway a power in NASCAR, said he could be in line to help Indy-car racing improve its business. Wheeler confirmed talks with Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corp. officials about having his company, The Wheeler Company, offer promotional and marketing support to the IndyCar Series.
Advertisement "Right now it's all in its infancy," he said. "We haven't made any deals yet; we're just in the talking stage." IMS Corp. officials have not confirmed talks with Wheeler or his son, Trip, who runs the family business. Wheeler, who in the 1960s worked with Firestone's Indy-car program, said there is a need to "objectively look" at the series.(Indy Star)(6-26-2009)
UPDATE: Former Lowe's Motor Speedway president H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler was at the Indianapolis 500 and plans to be back at the famed Brickyard for Sunday's Sprint Cup race. Could he be positioning himself to become a permanent fixture there? "Could be," Wheeler said on Monday night. There is an opening now. Joie Chitwood, the president and chief operating officer at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, announced on Monday he is resigning to become vice president of business operations for International Speedway Corp. in Daytona Beach, Fla. "We were talking," Wheeler said. "Things have kind of slowed down a little bit. The latest move about Chitwood leaving added to the drama. We'll see what happens." Asked directly if he were interested in a position at IMS, Wheeler said, "We'll see."(ESPN Insider)(7-22-2009)
- Chitwood leaves Indy and joins ISC: Indianapolis Motor Speedway President and Chief Operating Officer Joie Chitwood announced July 20 he was stepping down from his position after this week’s Allstate 400 at the Brickyard and returning to his home state of Florida. His last day with IMS will be Thursday, Aug. 6. IMS President and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Belskus will assume the daily responsibilities of managing the Speedway. It has not been determined if Chitwood will be replaced. Chitwood is becoming the vice president of business operations for the International Speedway Corporation, with headquarters in Daytona Beach, FL.(IMS)(7-21-2009)
- 2009 IMS tickets available: Established in 1909, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has long prevailed as an icon of motorsports excellence. Beginning in 2009, the Speedway celebrates its Centennial Era, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the facility in 2009 and the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race in 2011. Tickets for the two remaining events in 2009 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway - the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard and Red Bull Indianapolis GP - can be purchased online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com at any time. Tickets for groups of 20 or more also are on sale. Contact the IMS Group Sales Department at (866) 221-8775 for more information.(IMS)(7-21-2009)
- Roundtrip Shuttles Available for the Brickyard: The Town of Speedway is facilitating roundtrip bus service for Allstate 400 at the Brickyard fans Sunday, July 26 at three convenient locations, including two in downtown Indianapolis and one at Indianapolis International Airport. Service will be provided by Transportation Management Services (TMS) and the Free Enterprise System, Inc. Both companies will serve fans with air-conditioned shuttles and handicapped-accessible vehicles on all routes. For shuttle schedulesand more info, go to indianapolismotorspeedway.com.(IMS)(7-20-2009)
- Indy Digital Guest Guide available: Fans can enhance their experience at the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard on July 24-26 at IMS by reading the event's digital Guest Guide available at the Traveler Info. tab at allstate400atthebrickyard.com and the Next Event tab at indianapolismotorspeedway.com. The 16-page guide, available exclusively online, includes information about the event, including the schedule, directions, parking and transportation, a facility map, merchandise locations and more. The interactive guide also is enhanced by embedded video and photos, creating a rich multimedia experience for fans.(IMS)(7-18-2009)
- Grand Marshal named for Indy: Indiana Pacers 2009 first-round draft pick Tyler Hansbrough will serve as grand marshal for the 16th Allstate 400 at the Brickyard on Sunday, July 26. Hansbrough, a 6-foot 9-inch forward selected with the 13th overall pick in the NBA draft, also will wave the green flag to start the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series' mid-summer classic at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Info about tickets for the Allstate 400 at indianapolismotorspeedway.com.(IMS)(7-17-2009)
- Ticket special for military at Indy: Members of the United States military can take advantage of a special promotion for Race Day tickets for the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard on Sunday, July 26. The package includes one Race Day ticket in the North Vista or Northeast Vista Backstretch, two Indianapolis Motor Speedway souvenirs and a coupon good for 10 percent off the purchase of IMS merchandise, all for $70. That's a savings of $25 off the retail value of $95. All orders for this package must be received by Friday, July 24. To order, call the IMS Group Sales Office at (866) 221-8775 or visit brickyard.com, type MIL09BY into the Package Promotion Code box and then select the grandstand of your choice. Tickets are limited and subject to availability.(IMS)(7-17-2009)
- Music Lineup Named for Allstate 400 at the Brickyard: Virgin Records recording artists Saving Abel will headline a diverse lineup of musical acts scheduled to play during Allstate 400 at the Brickyard weekend July 24-26 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Popular rock band Saving Abel will play from 11:00am to 12:00pm on Sunday, July 26 on the Coke Zero Stage, concluding 30 minutes before 2009 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard pre-race ceremonies begin. The Coke Zero Stage is located in the IMS Pagoda Plaza, located directly behind the landmark Pagoda control tower. The Allstate 400 at the Brickyard Practice Day lineup Friday, July 24 features Indianapolis-based musical acts Healing Sixes from 11:30am - 12:30pm and Corey Cox from 4:30-5:30pm, both on the Coke Zero Stage. The Speedway’s public gates open at 8:00am Friday with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice scheduled for 2:00-3:00pm and 3:30-4:30pm. The Coke Zero Stage music lineup Saturday, July 25 includes country music artist Casey Jamerson from 11:45am -12:30pm, The Elms from 1:00-2:00p.m., Megan Linville from 3:00-3:45pm and Steve Trent and Small Town from 4:30-5:30pm. Public gates open at 7:00am Saturday. Tickets for the two remaining events in 2009 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway – the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard and Red Bull Indianapolis GP – can be purchased online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com at any time. Tickets for groups of 20 or more also are on sale. Contact the IMS Group Sales Department at (866) 221-8775 for more information.(IMS)(7-17-2009)
- IMS giving away tickets through social media sites: Fans of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will want to stay logged on to the IMS pages on Twitter, Facebook and MySpace as IMS will soon give away pairs of Allstate 400 at the Brickyard tickets via these social networking Web sites. The giveaways will take place at multiple, random locations in and around Indianapolis. Some sets of tickets feature the autographs of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stars Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch and more. For each ticket giveaway, IMS staff will use one of the three Web sites to alert fans of the location of the giveaway and other necessary information to claim the tickets. The first person to locate the IMS staff member at the location will win two tickets to the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard on Sunday, July 26.(IMS PR)(7-4-2009)
- Executive Management Changes At Indy: The Board of Directors of Hulman & Company and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced that a new management team comprised of veteran IMS executives W. Curtis Brighton and Jeffrey G. Belskus will head the Hulman-George companies effective July 1. Brighton, currently executive vice president and chief legal counsel, will become president and CEO of Hulman & Company. Belskus, currently executive vice president and chief financial officer for the companies, will become president and CEO of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation. They will replace Tony George, who will no longer serve as president and chief executive officer of the Hulman-George companies but will remain a board member of the Hulman-George companies. "Our board had asked Tony to structure our executive staff to create efficiencies in our business structure and to concentrate his leadership efforts in the Indy Racing League," said Mari Hulman George, IMS chairman of the board. "He has decided that with the recent unification of open-wheel racing and the experienced management team IMS has cultivated over the years, now would be the time for him to concentrate on his team ownership of Vision Racing with his family and other personal business interests he and his family share." Joie Chitwood is president and chief operating officer (COO) of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, LLC. Terry Angstadt is president of the commercial division of the Indy Racing League. Brian Barnhart is president of the competition division of the Indy Racing League. Charlie Morgan is president and COO of IMS Productions. Gary Morris is president and COO of Clabber Girl.(IMS PR)(6-30-2009)
- IMS to make announcement?: The Indianapolis Motor Speedway's board of directors is meeting again Tuesday and expected to make an announcement concerning Tony George's position. It was reported on SPEEDtv.com last month that George had been voted out of power as CEO of IMS by his three sisters, which control six of the board of director votes and had removed his wife. Laura, from her IMS position earlier in May. TG maintained he was still CEO but an IMS release admitted the board wanted George to devise a a management plan that would allow him to focus on the business which requires the greatest attention. He is also CEO of the Indy Racing League, which he founded in 1996. It's speculated that George could be replacing his mother, Mari Hulman-George, as IMS chairman of the board and that longtime NASCAR promoter Humpy Wheeler could be brought in as acting IMS president.(SPEEDtv)(6-29-2009)
- IMS, O'Reilly Raceway Park offering ticket packages: The Indianapolis Motor Speedway and O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis are teaming up to offer ticket packages for three exciting NASCAR races July 24-26 and other value-added features for less than $100. The packages, available starting Monday, June 15, provide fans with special offers on reserved-seat race tickets and food coupons for the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard Sprint Cup Series race Sunday, July 26 at IMS, the Kroger 200 Nationwide Series race Saturday evening, July 25 and the AAA Insurance 200 Camping World Truck Series race Friday evening, July 24, both at O'Reilly Raceway Park. Round-trip luxury motorcoach transportation between IMS and O'Reilly Raceway Park, provided by TourHendricksCounty.com, also will be among the many benefits of the packages. Fans can choose from "Two Track Double Pack" or "Two Track Triple Pack" options.(ORP PR)(6-13-2009)
- Wheeler to take over Indy? Will legendary NASCAR promoter Humpy Wheeler be asked to take over the reins of legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway? That's part of the speculation swirling around the 100-year-old track the past few days, following Sunday's Indy 500, which showed yet another significant TV ratings drop. Wheeler, at Indy over the weekend instead of at Charlotte's Lowe's Motor Speedway, which he ran for more than 30 years for Bruton Smith, has been noncommittal about the Indy affair. Tony George, the 49-year-old who has been running the privately owned Indianapolis track for his family, has been equally noncommittal about what lies ahead, except to deny that he has been ousted as Indy boss. George says he's still the CEO. But there is pressure on George, from family members, to pump up the Indy Racing League, which has struggled to make a go of it. So NASCAR's France family isn't the only American racing giant operation under the gun in these turbulent economic times. George and his family, which owns Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indy Racing League, is suddenly in the news for an internal squabble over how that family's racing operations are going.
George himself denies reports that his family has asked him to step down as boss of the deal, but the mass confusion over what really has been happening this week behind closed door in Indianapolis has everyone wondering just what's up.(mikemulhern.net)(5-31-2009)
- Indy to devise management plan: At a regular meeting of the board of directors of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Tuesday, May 26, board members asked Tony George, chief executive officer of the IMS companies, to devise a plan for management of Hulman & Company, the Indy Racing League, Clabber Girl and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway that would allow him to focus on the business which requires the greatest attention. This plan is to be presented to the board at a meeting later this year.
IMS Chairman of the Board Mari Hulman George said: “There was a general discussion about the challenges and opportunities facing all of our companies and where most of our energies need to be spent. All of our properties are doing well, given the challenges of the current economy. The Indy Racing League represents our greatest growth opportunity and therefore deserves the most attention at this point.”
Tony George said: “Contrary to published reports, I continue to serve as CEO of IMS. Our board of directors met yesterday, and we did discuss how to best confront challenges and exploit opportunities facing our businesses. This is nothing new and is something that we continually do as a board. But no changes in leadership or responsibility have been made. We don’t normally comment on board deliberations concerning our family business. However, the widespread, inaccurate reports and rumors caused my mother and me to conclude that it was necessary to set the record straight. If changes are made in the management of the company that are newsworthy, we will announce them when they are made.”(IMS)(5-29-2009)
- Tony George Ousted From IMS: DENIED: The controversial, ground-breaking, tumultuous 20-year reign of Tony George at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is over. SPEEDtv.com has learned George was voted out of power in a Tuesday night board meeting in Indianapolis. A source close to the situation confirmed that the 49-year-old grandson of Tony Hulman would no longer be CEO of the Speedway after a vote of the IMS board of directors which includes mother Mari, sisters Josie, Nancy and Kathy, attorney Jack Snyder and George. Calls to Snyder and Fred Nation, IMS vice president of communications, were not returned and George did not respond to an email. George, who started the Indy Racing League in 1996, will continue as CEO of the IndyCar series and is expected to take more of a hands-on role after Tuesday's developments at the Speedway. It had been rumored for several years that his sisters were concerned with the amount of money George had spent on keeping the IRL afloat and changing the look of the Speedway. He helped orchestrate the unification of open wheel racing with Champ Car's Kevin Kalkhoven in 2008 but since then has mostly concentrated on trying to improve Vision Racing for stepson Ed Carpenter and Ryan Hunter-Reay.
It's assumed Jeff Belskus, the IMS chief financial officer, and Curt Brighton, general counsel for the Speedway, will run the show until a replacement is hired. One name making the rounds has been Humpy Wheeler, the longtime promoter at Charlotte who was at last Sunday's Indy 500 for the first time since 1970. The heirs to Tony's throne are Kyle and Jarrod Krisiloff (sons of Josie), Jesika Gunter (daughter of Nancy), Olivia Conforti (daughter of Kathy), Tony Jr. and Lauren (son and daughter of Tony and Laura George). None are on the board as yet but Jarrod Krisiloff currently works in IMS Productions and has spent the past four years learning the ropes of other departments while brother Kyle pursued a driving career in Atlantics and NASCAR before retiring to go to work for the Speedway late last year.(SPEEDtv - oops they removed the link when the story proved to be false)(5-27-2009)
UPDATE: Tony George denied a report today that he has been ousted from his key role at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, saying he still holds all leadership positions associated with the family-owned business. "I am still CEO and still president of Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation, Hulman and Company, and CEO of the Indy Racing League," George said. According to the report -- which came from an online media company, and was picked up by two local news outlets -- a decision to dismiss George came at Tuesday night's board of directors meeting. George, however, described the meeting as "typical," as did his mother, Mari Hulman George, who is chairman of the board. Hulman George also said there was no call to oust her son, who has held leadership positions at IMS since 1990.(Indianapolis Star)(5-27-2009)
- Centennial Era Balloon Festival at Indy: The famed Energizer Bunny “Hot Hare” Balloon – the world’s tallest hot air balloon – will be among the many colorful participants in the Centennial Era Balloon Festival presented by AT&T Real Yellow Pages on May 1-3 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The “Hot Hare” likeness of the Energizer Bunny, which has been the star of entertaining Energizer Battery commercials since October 1989, stands at 175 feet when fully inflated – 25 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty. The balloon, along with many other colorful hot air balloons, will participate in a full weekend of activities as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway kicks off its Centennial Era celebration, honoring the founding and construction of the iconic Speedway in 1909. The Centennial Era Balloon Festival presented by AT&T Real Yellow Pages will feature balloon “glows” open to the public Friday night, May 1 and Saturday night, May 2, plus balloon races Saturday morning, May 2 and Sunday morning, May 3. It’s an appropriate start to the Centennial Era, as a balloon event on June 5, 1909 was the first competitive event to take place at IMS.
Some additional Energizer Bunny “Hot Hare” Balloon facts:
•Height of the ears: 60 feet (as tall as the presidents’ faces on Mount Rushmore; the ears alone are the height of the average hot air balloon)
•Thread used to sew the balloon: 84 miles
•Head: 30 feet wide by 45 feet long
•Sandals: 60 feet long, 12 feet wide, four feet deep
•Shoe Size: The equivalent of 98 EEEEE
•Balloon volume: 180,000 cubic feet (could fit 550 million Energizer AA batteries)
•Balloon weight: 1,170 pounds (equivalent to 4,680 Energizer D batteries)
•Double propane burner output: 30 million BTU per hour (equivalent to 5,000 gas grills)
•Crew: 20 crew members required to facilitate safe inflation, takeoff and landing.
Tickets for the three events in 2009 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway – the Indianapolis 500, Allstate 400 at the Brickyard and Red Bull Indianapolis GP – can be purchased online at indianapolismotorspeedway.com at any time.(IMS PR)(4-28-2009)
- Special Deals on Indianapolis Tickets: Turn 3 of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is historically the “sweet spot” of action during the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, as some of the race’s most decisive passes and incidents have taken place there. Now, selected backstretch reserved seats will be available at a special value price for the 16th Allstate 400 at the Brickyard on Sunday, July 26, offering NASCAR fans great action at a great price. These seats are at the end of the back straightaway entering Turn 3 of the historic 2.5-mile IMS oval. Seats in Sections 41 through 50 of the Northeast Vista Backstretch, including the Northeast Vista Backstretch Platform (wheelchair-accessible seating), will sell for $45 each, a $30 savings. Tickets for the three events in 2009 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway – the 93rd Indianapolis 500, 16th Allstate 400 at the Brickyard and second Red Bull Indianapolis GP – can be ordered online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com at any time.(IMS PR)(2-24-2009)
