CART: Andrew Craig Fired as CART CEO
16 June 2000
Detroit, MI- CART CEO Andrew Craig was given his walking papers today after a morning meeting of the CART Board of Directors. Craig, who has served as CEO since 1994, was not available for comment as the announcement was made. The CART series has seen a continual decline in both attendance at racing events and the all-important TV ratings over the last four years. Part of the reason for the decline has been the split between CART and the rival IRL (Indy Racing League) which was created in 1996.Rumors of a lack of confidence in Craig's leadership have been present since the beginning of the year. Several CART Board members on condition of anonymity informed "The Auto Channel" that they were privately unhappy with the direction that Craig' was taking the schedule. Several pointed to the idea of traveling to Europe as a non-starter when the series was having trouble getting grandstands in the United States filled. One owner commented in Homestead "It's great to trot off to Europe and do a show, but shouldn't we be concerned about the fact that we have some problems here in our own backyard?"
No announcement was made at this time for a replacement. More to follow.
By David Treffer-The Auto Channel
