IRL to CART: Stop Using the Term "IndyCar"

03/22/96

United Press International reported that the feud between the Indy Racing League (IRL) and the Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) has refocused, at least momentarily, around the use of the term "IndyCar." On Tuesday, Tony George, founder of the Indy Racing League and president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway told CART that it has 30 days to stop using the term in reference to itself.

Tony George's ultimatum has been issued as something of a delayed reaction to CART's invention of a new race, the US 500, to lure drivers away from the Indy 500. CART invented the new race after George founded the IRL and made the Indy 500 its principal event. George has said that his goal in founding the league was to preserve traditional features of Indy Racing such, as the oval track. CART's US 500 is scheduled to run on the same afternoon as the Indy 500, but in Michigan, so that drivers and teams have to choose between the two races: most are following CART's money to Michigan.

Bob Walters, spokesman for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway said "I would think people would tire of a group that doesn't want to race at Indy calling itself IndyCar." CART officials have not responded to the issue.

Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel