The IndyCar Series opens the second-half its 2008 season this weekend at Watkins Glen International, and after four months and nine races, the unification of open-wheel racing under the IndyCar Series banner is a success both on and off the track.
By all accounts and measurements, the on-track product featuring an average 26 cars per week has been a success and could reach 29 at select races later in the season.
Off-track the IndyCar Series continues to show business momentum.
“We could not be happier with what we have seen over the first half of the unified IndyCar Series season, ” said Terry Angstadt, president of the commercial division of the Indy Racing League, the sanctioning body for the IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights. “Key areas like attendance, ratings and sponsorship are all pointed in the right direction, and we anticipate further growth and momentum headed into the second half of the season. ”
With attendance, league officials are impressed with what they have seen everywhere the schedule has stopped to date in 2008. Tracks have reported increased attendance numbers, and the in-market and at-track “vibe” has been noticeable. Reports from tracks on the second-half of the schedule have been even more positive.
IndyCar Series races have shown ratings increases in six of nine races to date, and ratings are up across the board on ABC. Overall viewership is up 17 percent season to date compared to 2007.
Merchandise sales are way up with at-track sales increasing by 70 percent compared to 2007.
“Unification has been wonderful for the sport, and there’s a real buzz around the IndyCar Series, ” said Angstadt. “Our focus now is to continue to work hard and build a broader sponsorship base for the teams, venues, media and the league. ”
What they’re saying:
Halfway through the 2008 IndyCar Series season, the drivers talk about the unification, the transition into the IndyCar Series and their season to date:
JUSTIN WILSON: “It’s great. We’ve got everyone back together and we’ve got everyone working in the same direction. It’s great to race every weekend, especially if you have a bad weekend you don’t get a chance to dwell on it. ”
ED CARPENTER: “I think it’s awesome. Everywhere we go, it’s super competitive and there is a lot of good racing. It’s a better series for everyone now. ”
WILL POWER: “I think what’s good about this is you’ve got the best teams and best drivers all in one series. ”
RYAN BRISCOE: “Great. I don’t think it could be better. I think this year there are some compromises. Not everyone’s happy. Some guys are getting a bit more testing, some less, but I think if that’s what it takes to keep everyone on board and to keep everyone together then that’s the way it’s got to be. I think next year it’s going to be the best it’s ever been. It’s going to be a level playing field next year. We’re going to know all the tracks. It’s so competitive. ”
BUDDY RICE: “It’s been great. You can see by the number of people showing up that’s it great for the sport, the teams and the sponsors. I’m glad to be a part of it. ”
HIDEKI MUTOH: “The good news is there is very high competition. It’s the highest championship in America, so that’s good. ”
MARTY ROTH: “I love the unification. ” I’m a Canadian and we don’t have to explain the differences between Champ Car and the IndyCar Series anymore. I love it. ”
Transitioning from Champ Car World Series to the IndyCar Series:
ORIOL SERVIA: “Every race we are just trying our best. Some races come out better than others. I’m quite happy. We are still trying very hard to catch up with the other guys. ”
MARIO MORAES: “It’s quite tough for me. I’m working out a lot. ”
BRUNO JUNQUEIRA: “It’s been good and difficult. It has been a big challenge for us. We’re getting better every race. ”
Thoughts on the season up to now and any “surprises” of the season:
WILL POWER: “This year our strengths are on the road courses, but we’re catching up on the ovals. We seem to be running more competitively. I think the second half of the season will be good for us. ”
ED CARPENTER: “Graham Rahal is obviously going to be a very good driver. Hideki Mutoh is coming out strong as a rookie, but he’s with a great team. ”
RYAN BRISCOE: “I’m pretty happy. My goal has been from the start to be in the top five consistently. It’s tough. It’s so competitive; it’s difficult to be in the top five every race. We recovered well from a couple of non-finishes early in the season. Now, we’ve got to keep the momentum going, keep racing at the front. ”
DANICA PATRICK: “It’s been challenging, not as good as I expected. I think it would’ve looked a little bit better if I would have had the finishes at Kansas and Indy. I think they both would have both been top-fives. ”
VITOR MEIRA: “So far we have done very well. We came from a very difficult year last year. The Delphi National Guard car really stepped up this year, mostly from Indianapolis on. ”
MARCO ANDRETTI: “It’s been up and down, but we’ve been able to be in the top five every time we’ve finished. Maybe a bit snake-bitten, but we’ve got to keep working. ”
A. J. FOYT IV: “The start of it was good and then we hit a couple rough spots. We’re starting to turn it around with a top-five (finish) at Iowa. ”
TONY KANAAN: “There have been a lot of ups and downs this season, people trying to tear down our team, but we sat down and we’re working well together. This is a good team effort. ”
MARTY ROTH: “I’ve had a horrible season, but that’s the way it goes sometimes. Starting up a new team, you don’t think it plays on you, you think you can clear your head and just drive, but it wears on you a little bit. We’ve been doing a lot of tapping the walls lately. Hopefully we’ve climbed over that hump. ”
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