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IndyCar
INDYCAR: Bernard Clarifies Statement Regarding Tracy
Randy Bernard created a minor firestorm with a comment about Paul Tracy in Tuesday's edition of USA TODAY but the INDYCAR CEO wants to set the record straight.
Paul Tracy's draw in the IZOD IndyCar Series can't be underestimated. (LAT)
Randy Bernard created a minor firestorm with a comment about Paul Tracy in Tuesday's edition of USA TODAY but the INDYCAR CEO wants to set the record straight: he knows the winning-est active driver in open wheel racing is still a crowd pleaser and wants him back in the IZOD series.
Being asked about the season finale in Las Vegas on Oct. 16th where he's offering any non-Indy car driver $5 million for a victory, Bernard was told that Tracy and some other drivers didn't like the idea of offering a big pay day when some stars are still without rides for 2011.
"I'd like to say, 'Paul, if you could sell the tickets, I wouldn't have to do this,'" Bernard said to a group of reporters covering INDYCAR sprint training here at Barber Motorsports Park on Monday. "But our drivers have not been able to create the credibility they need. It's not because they don't have the talent, it's because there's been no emotional attachment to our fan base. We have to bring that back."
Bernard, who would pay off the $5 million through an insurance policy, clarified he was specifically speaking of last year's final race, which drew a pathetic crowd and .3 television rating (and which Tracy did not compete in).
But the popular veteran from Toronto with 31 wins in his 20 year-career said his telephone, email, text and twitter accounts hit the rev limiter all day Tuesday from outraged fans.
"Why would he (Bernard) say I don't sell tickets?" asked Tracy, who only competed in 5 of 17 races in 2010 and hasn't had a full-time ride since 2007. "I think I sell a helluva lot more tickets than a lot of his drivers. I know Honda of Canada believes it.
"Randy better hope I've got a ride in Toronto or that place will be empty."
Bernard issued a mea culpa Tuesday night after trying to call Tracy all day.
"I didn't bring Paul's name up--one of the reporters did, and maybe I didn't say it right and it was my fault," he said. "But I was simply trying to point out how tough it's been getting people to attend or watch our season finale. We're the best kept secret in sports and it's my job to bring excitement, produce good TV shows that drives up our ratings and fill the seats.
"But I want to clarify that I think PT is a great ambassador for our sport. His out-going personality is exactly what I've been talking about and I've tried to help him find sponsorship and will continue to. I want him in our series."
Being asked about the season finale in Las Vegas on Oct. 16th where he's offering any non-Indy car driver $5 million for a victory, Bernard was told that Tracy and some other drivers didn't like the idea of offering a big pay day when some stars are still without rides for 2011.
"I'd like to say, 'Paul, if you could sell the tickets, I wouldn't have to do this,'" Bernard said to a group of reporters covering INDYCAR sprint training here at Barber Motorsports Park on Monday. "But our drivers have not been able to create the credibility they need. It's not because they don't have the talent, it's because there's been no emotional attachment to our fan base. We have to bring that back."
Bernard, who would pay off the $5 million through an insurance policy, clarified he was specifically speaking of last year's final race, which drew a pathetic crowd and .3 television rating (and which Tracy did not compete in).
But the popular veteran from Toronto with 31 wins in his 20 year-career said his telephone, email, text and twitter accounts hit the rev limiter all day Tuesday from outraged fans.
"Why would he (Bernard) say I don't sell tickets?" asked Tracy, who only competed in 5 of 17 races in 2010 and hasn't had a full-time ride since 2007. "I think I sell a helluva lot more tickets than a lot of his drivers. I know Honda of Canada believes it.
"Randy better hope I've got a ride in Toronto or that place will be empty."
Bernard issued a mea culpa Tuesday night after trying to call Tracy all day.
"I didn't bring Paul's name up--one of the reporters did, and maybe I didn't say it right and it was my fault," he said. "But I was simply trying to point out how tough it's been getting people to attend or watch our season finale. We're the best kept secret in sports and it's my job to bring excitement, produce good TV shows that drives up our ratings and fill the seats.
"But I want to clarify that I think PT is a great ambassador for our sport. His out-going personality is exactly what I've been talking about and I've tried to help him find sponsorship and will continue to. I want him in our series."
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