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IndyCar
INDYCAR: Miller’s Mailbag, 10.17
Always genuine, never lite: It's Miller time. Here's the latest Q&A from SPEED.com's IndyCar guru.
Could Tony George buy IndyCar? (Photo: LAT)
Hello open-wheel types and thanks for all your questions. I intend to answer your questions every week during the season, so just email me at . Don’t feel left out if I didn’t directly respond. I appreciate your interest and passion.
~Robin Miller
Q: What the hell is going on with Tone George? His ego and arrogance completely deflated open wheel in America and now it sounds like he wants to finish it off! I am involved in a family run business and can assure you that if your siblings and/or a parent want you out, you must have been a complete failure. Why they brought him back onto the board is still a mystery though most IMS fanatics like me were concerned that his pompous, audacious ass would show again, as it has. How is this attempted purchase being received by the rest of the family? I think TG’s brief fling with Formula One has him thinking he will try to be the American Bernie Ecclestone. I read in your SPEED story that Penske and Ganassi deny involvement but where do the other players stand regarding TG ruining, I mean running, this again? Unless he has some real influence now that he didn’t prior to the split, why would any owner or investor throw in with him? Also, in the real world of business he would been booted out the door. There is no way in hell that he is not in a conflict of interest. How can he be both buyer and seller?
Randy in Michigan
RM: Can’t speak for his family but his three sisters were tired enough of his business practices that they finally got the checkbook away from him in 2009 and I don’t think he’s been to any business schools since. But you said what a lot of us think, isn’t this a major conflict of interest?
Q:So, I have read some of the stuff about Tony George wanting to buy IndyCar. I just want to know why? Why all of the sudden does he want it back? I mean, forget the name running the series and let's look at the numbers. The series is moving forward, no one can deny that. Yes, TV ratings are still down, but that is to be expected when it's running on a channel that has a limited audience. Is George really still trying to pull the all ovals trick? Is he jealous that Bernard is doing so much better with managing the series? What faults does he find with Bernard? If it's true (and Penske pretty much confirmed it in the article you wrote) why doesn't George just step forward for an interview and give us a reason? So many questions!
Megan, an Arkansan IndyCar fan!
RM: Remember, he was forced out in ’09 by his sisters when there was only five on the board so he’s always wanted to be back in as far as I can tell. He resigned as IRL president as well as from the Hulman & Co. board and then seemed to immediately regret it. Yes, I think he’s jealous of Bernard’s popularity, among other things.
Q: I know I just wrote you a mailbag piece about the "negative nelly" thing, but if TG regains control then I'm done. My inclination is to wait and see if it will be OK. However, seeing as how he already destroyed a series (IRL not CART), I don't have much faith that a second time will yield better results. DJ Odom, Anderson, IN
RM: Jeff Belskus says the series isn’t for sale and I can’t imagine a business proposal from TG that would sway the board unless it was for silly money.
Q: Other than not being able to stand seeing someone enjoy a bit of success where he so obviously and publicly failed, what does Tony George want changed? Why would Barnes and Kalkhoven follow Tony anywhere? (It would appear that the Captain and the Chipster are letting common sense prevail, for now.)
Bill Karsey
RM: I think he wants more ovals and more control over the decision making. And he definitely wants Randy Bernard gone. Can’t speak for Barnes and KK but they’re all vacation buddies.
Q: I cannot believe that TG and KK are trying to take over IndyCar. We have had a good year with great racing and building for the future and "BAM" here comes TG and KK egos and control issues. No sponsor will want to be involved with this crap going on. I hope the girls understand that it was a mistake to put Tony back on the board. When is this all going to stop? TG knocked IndyCar back to the stone age because of his ego and control issues and there are individuals still out there ready to follow him still? You have to be a complete idiot. I would be in full support of a group taking over IndyCar as long as they are not TG or the France family or any of the owners we had already.
Jeff Laughlin
RM: Don’t forget John Barnes. Not sure when it’s going to stop but it’s detrimental to the series and disrespectful to the guy working his ass off to try and right the ship. Owners have shown they cannot be trusted to run a series. That’s why the Frances and Bernie have succeeded.
Q: Just what does TG and KK have a problem with the current IndyCar product. Maybe you can get JMV to get a summit together, because other that "Tony George is unhappy with the changes made" we really don't know what he doesn't like. Is it the better and non-pack racing? Improved car? If it's a lack of ovals, I don't think having TG owning the series would help that one damn bit. Maybe IndyCar isn't losing enough money for his taste... Jeremy from Harrisburg
RM: Can’t speak for either and don’t speak to either anymore but they both thought they were good leaders of IRL and Champ Car so how did all that turn out?
Q: After reading that Tony George is attempting to buy the series I'd just like to formally announce to this idiot (TG) that I will be done with IndyCar if he is successful in its purchase. He destroyed open-wheel racing once and they still have not recovered. My dad took me to my first race at State Fair Park in Milwaukee when I was 7 years old in 1979 and we’ve never missed a Milwaukee race to this day. Been to Indy and went to Michigan at least 7-8 times where I saw Greg Moore and Juan Montoya win. I hate to say it but TG will end my interest in the series for good. I'll just follow F1. TG should take a look at history. Sorry for the rant, I'm passionate about IndyCar but my passion is now starting to wane.
Dan Hanke, Milwaukee
RM: Your email is representative of the 300-plus I’ve received in the past few days and I wonder if the board of directors has any idea of the backlash if TG were allowed to buy or run the series again.
~Robin Miller
Q: What the hell is going on with Tone George? His ego and arrogance completely deflated open wheel in America and now it sounds like he wants to finish it off! I am involved in a family run business and can assure you that if your siblings and/or a parent want you out, you must have been a complete failure. Why they brought him back onto the board is still a mystery though most IMS fanatics like me were concerned that his pompous, audacious ass would show again, as it has. How is this attempted purchase being received by the rest of the family? I think TG’s brief fling with Formula One has him thinking he will try to be the American Bernie Ecclestone. I read in your SPEED story that Penske and Ganassi deny involvement but where do the other players stand regarding TG ruining, I mean running, this again? Unless he has some real influence now that he didn’t prior to the split, why would any owner or investor throw in with him? Also, in the real world of business he would been booted out the door. There is no way in hell that he is not in a conflict of interest. How can he be both buyer and seller?
Randy in Michigan
RM: Can’t speak for his family but his three sisters were tired enough of his business practices that they finally got the checkbook away from him in 2009 and I don’t think he’s been to any business schools since. But you said what a lot of us think, isn’t this a major conflict of interest?
Q:So, I have read some of the stuff about Tony George wanting to buy IndyCar. I just want to know why? Why all of the sudden does he want it back? I mean, forget the name running the series and let's look at the numbers. The series is moving forward, no one can deny that. Yes, TV ratings are still down, but that is to be expected when it's running on a channel that has a limited audience. Is George really still trying to pull the all ovals trick? Is he jealous that Bernard is doing so much better with managing the series? What faults does he find with Bernard? If it's true (and Penske pretty much confirmed it in the article you wrote) why doesn't George just step forward for an interview and give us a reason? So many questions!
Megan, an Arkansan IndyCar fan!
RM: Remember, he was forced out in ’09 by his sisters when there was only five on the board so he’s always wanted to be back in as far as I can tell. He resigned as IRL president as well as from the Hulman & Co. board and then seemed to immediately regret it. Yes, I think he’s jealous of Bernard’s popularity, among other things.
Q: I know I just wrote you a mailbag piece about the "negative nelly" thing, but if TG regains control then I'm done. My inclination is to wait and see if it will be OK. However, seeing as how he already destroyed a series (IRL not CART), I don't have much faith that a second time will yield better results. DJ Odom, Anderson, IN
RM: Jeff Belskus says the series isn’t for sale and I can’t imagine a business proposal from TG that would sway the board unless it was for silly money.
Q: Other than not being able to stand seeing someone enjoy a bit of success where he so obviously and publicly failed, what does Tony George want changed? Why would Barnes and Kalkhoven follow Tony anywhere? (It would appear that the Captain and the Chipster are letting common sense prevail, for now.)
Bill Karsey
RM: I think he wants more ovals and more control over the decision making. And he definitely wants Randy Bernard gone. Can’t speak for Barnes and KK but they’re all vacation buddies.
Q: I cannot believe that TG and KK are trying to take over IndyCar. We have had a good year with great racing and building for the future and "BAM" here comes TG and KK egos and control issues. No sponsor will want to be involved with this crap going on. I hope the girls understand that it was a mistake to put Tony back on the board. When is this all going to stop? TG knocked IndyCar back to the stone age because of his ego and control issues and there are individuals still out there ready to follow him still? You have to be a complete idiot. I would be in full support of a group taking over IndyCar as long as they are not TG or the France family or any of the owners we had already.
Jeff Laughlin
RM: Don’t forget John Barnes. Not sure when it’s going to stop but it’s detrimental to the series and disrespectful to the guy working his ass off to try and right the ship. Owners have shown they cannot be trusted to run a series. That’s why the Frances and Bernie have succeeded.
Q: Just what does TG and KK have a problem with the current IndyCar product. Maybe you can get JMV to get a summit together, because other that "Tony George is unhappy with the changes made" we really don't know what he doesn't like. Is it the better and non-pack racing? Improved car? If it's a lack of ovals, I don't think having TG owning the series would help that one damn bit. Maybe IndyCar isn't losing enough money for his taste... Jeremy from Harrisburg
RM: Can’t speak for either and don’t speak to either anymore but they both thought they were good leaders of IRL and Champ Car so how did all that turn out?
Q: After reading that Tony George is attempting to buy the series I'd just like to formally announce to this idiot (TG) that I will be done with IndyCar if he is successful in its purchase. He destroyed open-wheel racing once and they still have not recovered. My dad took me to my first race at State Fair Park in Milwaukee when I was 7 years old in 1979 and we’ve never missed a Milwaukee race to this day. Been to Indy and went to Michigan at least 7-8 times where I saw Greg Moore and Juan Montoya win. I hate to say it but TG will end my interest in the series for good. I'll just follow F1. TG should take a look at history. Sorry for the rant, I'm passionate about IndyCar but my passion is now starting to wane.
Dan Hanke, Milwaukee
RM: Your email is representative of the 300-plus I’ve received in the past few days and I wonder if the board of directors has any idea of the backlash if TG were allowed to buy or run the series again.
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