Penske buys IndyCar, IMS and maybe even Indianapolis itself

[2muchcoffeeman]

Well, then.

Roger Penske buys Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IndyCar

 

[playthrough]

Being in Indy, this is the biggest sports/news story since the Colts came to town. Maybe bigger.

Just weird to think it's not family-owned anymore, though most in the know would tell you that being family-owned hasn't always been a good thing (see George, Tony). When the company spun off Clabber Girl earlier this year, that was a sign that maybe something bigger was in the works. In the long run, it's probably a good move. But the family would have made a helluva lot more money selling decades ago.

From a competitive standpoint at IndyCar and the Indy 500, not sure I like it. This is like the Yankees buying MLB. And I can't see Penske stepping back from his race teams and trying to win the 500, which he cherishes above everything else in his life.

 

[DanielSimpsonDay]

At the very least, the track and the series are in the hands of someone who loves and reveres them.

 

[Azrael]

and can run a business

 

[playthrough]

Penske calls it "the IRL" in the press conference ... oof.

 

[BTExpress]

When the company spun off Clabber Girl earlier this year, that was a sign that maybe something bigger was in the works.

I occasionally see old Clabber Girl ads as wall decor at the Cracker Barrel. Had no idea it was still a thing.

 

[Driftwood]

I think it's a good move. Penske will put the finish line before the bottom line.
Although, at 82, I'm not sure how long he will be doing much of anything.

 

[DanielSimpsonDay]

Penske calls it "the IRL" in the press conference ... oof.

"I like you, IRL."

"It's IndyCar, sir."

"IndyCar"

 

[playthrough]

I think it's a good move. Penske will put the finish line before the bottom line.
Although, at 82, I'm not sure how long he will be doing much of anything.

He said he'll be stepping off the pit box at the 500 because he'll have bigger things to do, and that pleasantly surprised me. He'll make some significant changes around IMS and the series. And because there are so few motorsports media left, plus many in the Indy media draw checks from IMS/IndyCar, he won't face a lot of hard questions while doing it. But overall, I think it's a good move.

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

Penske calls it "the IRL" in the press conference ... oof.

So do I.

 

[Driftwood]

I interviewed Penske once. It was in a luxury suite at Bristol. He was as nice and as accommodating as anyone and wouldn't let me and another guy go after the interview until we sat down and refreshed ourselves in the suite. He insisted. We obliged.

 

[swingline]

I interviewed Penske once. It was in a luxury suite at Bristol. He was as nice and as accommodating as anyone and wouldn't let me and another guy go after the interview until we sat down and refreshed ourselves in the suite. He insisted. We obliged.

Water and a nosh? Moist towelette? Shower and a massage?

 

[wicked]

Best news in racing in years. Only thing better would've been the Frances selling NASCAR before Brian ran it into the ground.

 

[Bubbler]

Earthquake-level news in Indiana.

I like it. The Hulman family have felt indifferent for years and they got nailed in the Madoff scheme, so they were not as financially strong as they once were.

Penske will re-invigorate the proceedings. Though he faces the headwinds of a big drop in interest in motorsports of all forms.

 

[Neutral Corner]

I think Penske is a good thing, but since he is 82 the obvious question is who takes over when he is gone.

 

[Driftwood]

Water and a nosh? Moist towelette? Shower and a massage?

Just a cold Miller Lite.

 

[Bubbler]

I think Penske is a good thing, but since he is 82 the obvious question is who takes over when he is gone.

Probably his sons, who have been in the Penske Corp. for a long time.

 

[wicked]

I didn't know Jay Penske owned Variety and Rolling Stone. Wonder how much interest he'll have in the racing business.

 

[playthrough]

Earthquake-level news in Indiana.

I like it. The Hulman family have felt indifferent for years and they got nailed in the Madoff scheme, so they were not as financially strong as they once were.

Penske will re-invigorate the proceedings. Though he faces the headwinds of a big drop in interest in motorsports of all forms.

Hearing him mention a 24-hour race and a return of F1 to IMS was inspiring, even if he was just spitballing. (Though he knows exactly what he's doing to say that during a press conference.) Everything over the last couple decades there was about cash flow or lack thereof. Penske will spend money in order to make money.

 

[Bubbler]

Hearing him mention a 24-hour race and a return of F1 to IMS was inspiring, even if he was just spitballing. (Though he knows exactly what he's doing to say that during a press conference.) Everything over the last couple decades there was about cash flow or lack thereof. Penske will spend money in order to make money.

This has so many wide-ranging repercussions in all of motorsports.

A few monumental things to ponder:
- Does this open IndyCar up to the ISC circuits that have tried to squeeze them/keep them out? Does this also increase the likelihood of NASCAR/IndyCar doubleheader weekends? NBC would love to have it during their NASCAR broadcast window.
- Does this make it more likely either the World 600 date or the Indy 500 date is moved so that drivers can realistically attempt to do both?
- Does this mean the possibility of a universal motorsports calendar, at least in America, could exist? Motorsports popularity has fallen way off from its late 90s/early 2000s peak. It would do ALL of the series a world of good to try not to step on each others' toes.
- What will Penske's connections mean for series title sponsorship? Another engine manufacturer for IndyCar?
- Will Penske lock in the season-long teams in IndyCar into the 500? He advocated for that last spring.
- How can Penske make the Brickyard viable again? He said he wants to maintain it at IMS, despite the fact that it has become an afterthought to the fans in Indiana.

These are just a few. This is one of the biggest developments in motorsports in ages.