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Monday Should be a Work Day for IZOD IndyCar

One of the values of the Indianapolis Business Journal story I'm linking to below is to remind everyone that while IZOD IndyCar Series has a great ring to it, everyone has to make money on this deal for it to last.

If you think having a cool title sponsor will magically fill the seats and bump TV ratings up to a 2.5, you need to put down the crack pipe and come back to reality.

We can hope IZOD helps attract customers for IndyCar, but the product has to be something they want to buy (view) repeatedly or the league is screwed.

NASCAR Calls out ABC for a Boring Race ...??

From what I've read -- since I don't watch N-word races -- Talladega was a major snorefest until (in a shocking development) cars went airborne at the end.

In a breathtaking bit of chutzpah, N-word is publicly blaming ESPN and it's affiliates (ABC) for making the race boring on TV. It really was quite gripping and exciting throughout, N-word swears.

File this under the "customers will buy something they don't want if you just explain it to them enough."

Read the USA Today story HERE. Props to Twitter buddies @Fieldof33 and @tracksideonline for bringing this to my attention.

Räikkönen Could get $25 Million NOT to Drive

Speed TV is reporting that our favorite android driver, Kimi Räikkönen, could get $17 million Euros (about $25 million U.S.) NOT to drive anything in 2010.

Not bad work if you can get it.

Apparently, that's what Ferrari was willing to pay the Kimster to go away. But, Ferrari only pays $10 million Euros (about $15 million) if Räikkönen drives for another team.

So McLaren, reportedly courting Räikkönen to return to their team, got cagey and offered Räikkönen just $5 million Euros to race next year, knowing he'd get $15 million total with the Ferrari cash.

Spiffy math majors over at McLaren. Of course the Kimster wants McLaren to kick out mega millions on top of the $10M he's getting from the Scuderia. Stay tuned. Read about it HERE.

Honorary Iowan Mutoh to Newman/Haas/Lanigan

Curty Cavin is reporting over at the might Indy Star that chick magnet Hideki Mutoh will take his Formula Dream cash to Newman/Haas/Lanigan next year.

Looks like it's saki bombs with Graham now.

Read it HERE along with IMS Übermench Jeff Belskus saying "SO'S YOUR FACE" in response to "is the speedway for sale?"

("So's your face!" brought to you by the lighter fluid imbibing Roy Hobbson at the Silent Pagoda and HE STANDS BY IT.)

Pippa Mann Tests with Sam Schmidt

Pippa Mann is testing with Slammin' Sammy Schmidt on a twisty Monday at the "highly technical" Barber Motorsports Park.

Ungoogled News Release:

MANN TO TEST ON ROAD COURSE WITH SAM SCHMIDT MOTORSPORTS

Following her recent test at Kentucky Speedway, Pippa Mann is returning to the cockpit with Sam Schmidt Motorsports, at the Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama. The one-day test is scheduled for Monday 9th November, where Mann will get to drive the Firestone Indy Lights car around the 2.3- mile road course.

Tony George Deserves a Big Shout Out

Just listening to the podcast of the fellas on Trackside with Curty and Kevin. More details on the IZOD deal, an interview with Terry T-Bone Angstadt and more. You can listen via iTunes podcast or HERE.

One great point the boys made was that Tony George deserves a big shout out for his role in the IZOD deal. If Tony doesn't give Ryan Hunter-Reay a ride at Vision last year, maybe IZOD walks. Many, including me, were critical of using Tony Bucks in that situation.

Many, including me, were dumb asses, apparently. In any event, Tony for sure had a big role in attracting IZOD in the first place and getting them into the mix.

So, Tony, props to you from the pdog.

The Long-Suffering Scuderia Ferrari Pops Off about F1 Defections

Scuderia Ferrari posted a statement on their mothersite recently saying Formula 1 losing Honda, BMW, Bridgestone and Toyota had "more to do with a war waged against the major car manufacturers by those who managed Formula 1 over the past few years, than the result of any economic crisis."

Renault is currently mulling whether they will 1) continue to have a team, 2) just provide engines or 3) pull out entirely.

Even Robin Miller is Impressed

I have to admit I was taken by surprise at the scope of the IZOD deal. IndyCar (along with may other companies) has the bad habit of making a big deal about not-so-big event.

But the more fans hear about this deal, the more legit and bigger it sounds. Well done. Now phase two -- make the racing less predictable.

Robin Miller talks about some of the alleged title sponsors past and why even he's feeling optimistic today HERE.

Also, YouTube video of the announcement is HERE.

A Festival of IZOD-Related Interviews

Cue the transcript ...

IZOD IndyCar Series Announcement, Teleconference Combined Transcript

An interview with Jeff Belskus, Brian Barnhart, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Mike Kelly

IZOD IndyCar Series Announcement

THE MODERATOR: Good afternoon, everyone. We welcome you, appreciate you taking the time to join us. Special welcome to those watching on indycar.com and those that dialed in for the national teleconference.

Dario Digs it, T-Bone Digs it, Mr. Cool IZOD Man Digs it