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IndyCar
INDYCAR: Bernard Sets $5M Las Vegas Challenge
“We’re offering $5 million if any non-Indy car driver can show up and beat our guys at Vegas,” said IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard about the series' 2011 season finale.
The 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series season finale in Las Vegas will offer plenty of eye candy for those who attend. (IndyCar Series)
Based on past history, Las Vegas might not seem like a good place to have the final Indy car race of 2011.
Whether it was the Indy Racing League from 1997-2000 or Champ Car in 2004 and 2005, the Las Vegas Motor Speedway was full of empty seats.
But Randy Bernard has a couple of ideas he hopes will make Oct. 16, 2011 a success as well as a day to remember.
Title sponsor IZOD is giving a free ticket to the Vegas finale to fans who buy a ticket at any IZOD INDYCAR race during the season and a $5 million bonus if being offered to any outsider for the victory.
During his days with the Pro Bull Riders, Bernard was able to pack the Thomas & Mack Arena for five straight nights and he’s hoping to entice open wheel fans to the sight of several good oval-track races in the past.
“If you buy a ticket for any of our races, we’ll give you a free one for Vegas,” said Bernard during a press conference at the Aria Hotel & Casino on Tuesday morning to officially announce the season finale.
“We’re going to limit this offer to the first 80,000 fans but we feel like it’s a great way to get people interested in a great weekend getaway. We promise entertainment, competition and value and this is a spectacular track in one of the best cities to entertain.”
The second part of Bernard’s promotion is aimed at drivers everywhere.
“We’re offering $5 million if any non-Indy car driver can show up and beat our guys at Vegas,” continued Bernard, who originally had proposed a $20 million bounty for anybody winning the Indianapolis 500 and Charlotte 600 on the same day.
“We’re always talking about having the best drivers on the planet so if anybody can qualify and win the race, we’ll write them a check for $5 million.”
Obviously, Bernard would love to have Vegas natives Kurt and Kyle Busch give it a shot (NASCAR runs at Charlotte on Saturday night) and Nationwide regular Jason Leffler has Indy car experience. Or maybe it might be a sports car star like David Brabham.
There’s also the chance that Sam Hornish and Juan Montoya could come cherry pick the biggest payday in racing to date.
“We’re going to reserve the right to invite five drivers and we’ll set up a panel to select them,” said Bernard. “I’m told they’d have a much better chance to win at this track than Indianapolis.
“We’ve got some of the fastest cars in the world and the most diverse series in the world and we welcome anybody who thinks they can beat our guys.”
It will be the last race ever for these Dallara chassis and Bernard said a special test session would be set up for the five challengers.
The race itself will be 200 laps (300 miles) and be promoted by INDYCAR.
“I’ve got a great relationship with this city and I like being the promoter because we can take care of the fans and sponsors in a better way,” said Bernard.
“It’s just a one-year deal and I want to prove to SMI that we can deliver and build on this relationship.”
The race will be carried by ABC, following Saturday night’s NASCAR/Chase race on the same network.
Whether it was the Indy Racing League from 1997-2000 or Champ Car in 2004 and 2005, the Las Vegas Motor Speedway was full of empty seats.
But Randy Bernard has a couple of ideas he hopes will make Oct. 16, 2011 a success as well as a day to remember.
Title sponsor IZOD is giving a free ticket to the Vegas finale to fans who buy a ticket at any IZOD INDYCAR race during the season and a $5 million bonus if being offered to any outsider for the victory.
During his days with the Pro Bull Riders, Bernard was able to pack the Thomas & Mack Arena for five straight nights and he’s hoping to entice open wheel fans to the sight of several good oval-track races in the past.
“If you buy a ticket for any of our races, we’ll give you a free one for Vegas,” said Bernard during a press conference at the Aria Hotel & Casino on Tuesday morning to officially announce the season finale.
“We’re going to limit this offer to the first 80,000 fans but we feel like it’s a great way to get people interested in a great weekend getaway. We promise entertainment, competition and value and this is a spectacular track in one of the best cities to entertain.”
The second part of Bernard’s promotion is aimed at drivers everywhere.
“We’re offering $5 million if any non-Indy car driver can show up and beat our guys at Vegas,” continued Bernard, who originally had proposed a $20 million bounty for anybody winning the Indianapolis 500 and Charlotte 600 on the same day.
“We’re always talking about having the best drivers on the planet so if anybody can qualify and win the race, we’ll write them a check for $5 million.”
Obviously, Bernard would love to have Vegas natives Kurt and Kyle Busch give it a shot (NASCAR runs at Charlotte on Saturday night) and Nationwide regular Jason Leffler has Indy car experience. Or maybe it might be a sports car star like David Brabham.
There’s also the chance that Sam Hornish and Juan Montoya could come cherry pick the biggest payday in racing to date.
“We’re going to reserve the right to invite five drivers and we’ll set up a panel to select them,” said Bernard. “I’m told they’d have a much better chance to win at this track than Indianapolis.
“We’ve got some of the fastest cars in the world and the most diverse series in the world and we welcome anybody who thinks they can beat our guys.”
It will be the last race ever for these Dallara chassis and Bernard said a special test session would be set up for the five challengers.
The race itself will be 200 laps (300 miles) and be promoted by INDYCAR.
“I’ve got a great relationship with this city and I like being the promoter because we can take care of the fans and sponsors in a better way,” said Bernard.
“It’s just a one-year deal and I want to prove to SMI that we can deliver and build on this relationship.”
The race will be carried by ABC, following Saturday night’s NASCAR/Chase race on the same network.
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