The CART/IRL Split Analogy

A father loves his children dearly. He teaches them and watches them grow and is proud to be a part of their progress. Somewhere in the teen years, the children sometimes become "all knowing". (This is not the case with all children but it is for this analogy.) Parents aren't perfect either as sometimes they react with discipline that is too harsh for the actions exhibited by the children. This causes great turmoil within the family. Eventually... the children realize their actions may have been disrespectful and thoughtless. The parents too realize that their children do have minds of their own and need to grow and express themselves. After the few years of learning and growing for both the children and the parents are completed, the families get back together for annual "visits". They share their years experiences and catch up on all the family business.....they refresh old acquaintances and make new ones as well. After the annual reunion, the children leave again to tend to the business of their own families. The parents go back to their children that are still at home... waiting for the next annual reunion.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the father of Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART). During the 1980's, the Speedway and its personnel taught CART owners and teams how to market auto racing and even provided them with the world's best playground to practice their marketing.

At the age of 16, CART (the child in this case) decided that they knew what was best for themselves and broke off their relationship with their father. The Speedway reacted firmly but with haste. Being a stern parent, the Speedway said "You can't use my playground anymore, if you are going to act like that."...... to which CART replied..."I never liked your playground anyway." Tempers flared and stones were cast. The turmoil had begun.

As time passes, and both sides have a chance to see what impacts arguments can have on the family (both positive and negative)... the time for talks of reunion come. Not all of the children will return home for visits, but year after year, more of them realize that they miss their father.... they miss the good memories of home. The father is longing for their visit but being the stern disciplinarian that he is, still demands that the house rules apply (fathers are like that, you know).

More and more CART teams are hinting at making visits to the Speedway. They have their own series now but realize that the Speedway is where they grew up. It is always nice to return home for a visit. There is no longer a head to head battle of the U.S. 500 and the Indianapolis 500. In fact, CART has a Saturday race that is within 3 hours driving distance of the Sunday race in Indy.

The family has grown. The Indy Racing League is the "child at home" and is thriving, growing, and learning. The older child is CART.... and as a member of this family... I sincerely invite the older kids to come home for a visit and meet your new siblings.

Terry Callahan
12/27/96