Penske buys IMS and Indy car !

[rfuerst911sc]

Wow this is some pretty big news . I hope the Penske group can continue building Indy car as I have enjoyed the racing the last few years .


https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/roger-penske-buys-indianapolis-motor-132316161.html

[GH85Carrera]

Cool. The Indy car at least has some interesting real racing. I love F1, but the parades and economy runs get old.

[wayner]

Finally, we won!
Lets turn the clocks back to 1988!

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/roger-penske-buys-indianapolis-motor-132316161.html

Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the IndyCar Series were sold to Penske Entertainment Corp. in a stunning move Monday that relinquishes control of the iconic speedway from the Hulman family after 74 years...............

Penske has mixed track ownership and team ownership before, and the Detroit resident first purchased Michigan International Speedway in 1973. He later owned California Speedway, as well, and currently runs the Detroit Grand Prix doubleheader IndyCar weekend.

Does anyone see a potential conflict of interest?

The other race teams seem to be welcoming at this stage, will that last?

I can think of no better owner, just asking the obvious questions.

[javadog]

That’s huge news. Glad to finally get it out of the control of the Hulman family, who have mismanaged it for years.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by kach22i

Does anyone see a potential conflict of interest?.

No, Penske is a businessman, first and foremost. Indy needs a ton of help, the last 30 years have not been kind to it.

[widebody911]

I figured anyone who bought IMS would be getting the shaft

[JackDidley]

Originally Posted by widebody911

I figured anyone who bought IMS would be getting the shaft

Only if the bearings fail.

[sammyg2]

I'm sure there's a fix for that, we just need to agree what it is.
Simple right?

[rfuerst911sc]

I think Roger is a smart enough business man to know how to avoid conflict of interest . I can only hope this is a huge shot in the arm for Indy car and can only improve the sport . I don't think it will ever be back like it was as CART but continue to improve what has been a decent formula over the last few years .

[astrochex]

Indycar (no hyphen).

Penske will square away the business of Indycar and IMS. It is great for the sport IMHO.

I do hope the silly pay-out structure of the 500 becomes more equitable, however.

Originally Posted by astrochex

Indycar (no hyphen).

Penske will square away the business of Indycar and IMS. It is great for the sport IMHO.

I do hope the silly pay-out structure of the 500 becomes more equitable, however.

Agree. If anyone can shape up Indycar, it's Roger. Here we are talking over some of my ideas.

[IROC]

IMS is also opening itself up for other racing series (which I applaud). I hope that continues. I raced there this past summer in the ChampCar Endurance series. It was surreal screaming down the front straight and feeling that yard of bricks lap after lap.

My Dad took this picture of Penske at Indy circa 1978 (?):

Originally Posted by IROC

IMS is also opening itself up for other racing series (which I applaud). I hope that continues. I raced there this past summer in the ChampCar Endurance series. It was surreal screaming down the front straight and feeling that yard of bricks lap after lap.

Oh man, I bet that was amazing. Got any pics?

[legion]

This is weird, unexpected, but probably the best thing that could happen. I would think that long term (possibly after Roger retires), the Penske racing team and the race tracks and sanctioning body would have to be separate entities.

[IROC]

Originally Posted by madcorgi

Oh man, I bet that was amazing. Got any pics?

Our pit location was right in front of the Pagoda. That's me in the red.



Not a lot of spectators, but about 100 cars started the race. 10 hour race on Saturday and 10 hours on Sunday. We finished 3rd in class.

A brief moment of in-car footage from our car (not me driving at this point):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hMNUIunFEI

[strupgolf]

This is such good news. Hulman and company has really lost interest in the track and the series for the last couple of years. Penske will bring a new direction to this iconic track. I really hope he brings a 24 hour race to Indy, to me that's all I need to hear. Good times ahead.

Originally Posted by IROC

Our pit location was right in front of the Pagoda. That's me in the red.



Not a lot of spectators, but about 100 cars started the race. 10 hour race on Saturday and 10 hours on Sunday. We finished 3rd in class.

A brief moment of in-car footage from our car (not me driving at this point):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hMNUIunFEI

That is amazing Mike. Good thought to get the pagoda behind for the shot. I've been there several times, but only once around the track. And that was in the school bus tour.

[CurtEgerer]

It's good to see everyone on-board with the Penske deal. Ganassi, Rahal, Andretti, Foyt, Unser, etc. all very excited about the future. And give credit to Tony George for deliberately putting a deal together with Penske and not NASCAR, ISC or Liberty Media or some other non-racing entity.

Some pics of the track last time it was sold (1945 to the Hulmans). Needed a little TLC ....

the-last-time-the-indianapolis-motor-speedway-changed-hands-it-was-a-dilapidated-wreck

[URY914]

Even the Cap't can't save NASCRAP.