Tony George and Kevin Kalkhoven celebrate unity. (Shawn Payne/IRL photo)

George said the IndyCar Series expects to add two other former Champ Car races – Edmonton, Alberta, and Surfers Paradise, Australia, to the 2008 schedule, but dates haven’t been finalized. The Surfers Paradise race was scheduled by Champ Car for late October, and may run as a non-points event. All three races – Long Beach, Edmonton and Surfers Paradise – are expected to be part of the 2009 season. The Motegi contract with the IRL ends with the 2008 race, so a conflict with Long Beach’s traditional April date isn’t expected.

Specifics weren’t offered on future car configurations or whether the series will return to turbocharged engines from the current naturally aspirated format. The IndyCar Series’ current engine/chassis generation ends after the 2009 season.

“We’re going to be looking at all the available technologies that are coming from a number of technologies,” George said. “Turbochargers may or may not be a part of that. Ethanol may or may not be a part of that. I don’t know.”

IRL officials are considering special test sessions next month at Homestead and Sebring for the former Champ Car teams before the March 29 opener. While most teams and drivers were present Wednesday, because of short notice they didn’t participate in a test session that followed the press conference, nor will they participate in Thursday’s session at Homestead or next week’s sessions at Sebring.

Tony George and Kevin Kalkhoven celebrate unity. (Shawn Payne/IRL photo)

George and Kalkhoven also indicated that teams on both sides might form specific alliances in order to shorten the learning process for the newcomers. Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing already has begin working closely with Rahal Letterman Racing, while Kalkhoven’s KV Racing is aligning itself with Target Chip Ganassi Racing.

The series is likely to retain its oval bias. George said he envisions a 20-race schedule, with close to or more than half of those being on oval tracks. However, he also indicated he has spoken with Mike Lanigan, who promotes street races in Cleveland and Houston. “It’s important to me to have a variety of ovals on the schedule,” George said. "But international opportunities are out there. We need to look at building a schedule that makes sense from every perspective.”

Also included in the unification are assurances that the IRL is attempting to add the three former Champ Car races to its ABC/ESPN television lineup. All other races are televised live, except Motegi, which is tape-delayed. The IRL also will purchase various non-tangible assets such as intellectual property and historical records from Champ Car, along with the Champ Car medical transporter.

While Wednesday’s announcement was short on fresh news and specifics, it was long on congratulations. The chasm that has damaged the single-seat, open-cockpit, open-wheel form of racing for more than a decade had officially ended, and the participants were, above all, relieved.

“Having one series is for the best, not only for the drivers and the teams, but for the fans,” Castroneves said. “It’s about time.”