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INDYCAR: Robin Miller’s IndyCar Notebook
Written by: Robin Miller   
03/16/2008
Indianapolis, Ind.
 
John Menard, a key member of the original IRL, is returning to the series as a sponsor. (LAT photo) ยป More Photos

MENARD RETURNS TO INDYCARS When the Indy Racing League began in 1996, John Menard’s team went from Indy 500 specialists to multi-car fixtures who were usually on top of the scoreboard with Tony Stewart.

Stewart won the title in 1997 before jumping on the NASCAR money train and Menard fielded IRL cars through 2001 before pulling the plug to head south to follow his son Paul's stock-car career. But the billionaire from Eau Claire, Wis. is returning to Indy cars full-time this season -- as a sponsor, not an owner. Menard will sponsor Ed Carpenter for Tony George's Vision Racing.

"I miss Indy and all the people, so it's going to be fun to be involved again," said Menard, who sponsored Vitor Meira's IRL effort in 2002 and 2003. "Going to 37 NASCAR races doesn't leave a lot of free time and I try to get to most of Paul's races. "But I'll be in St. Pete and in Indy for sure."

The 68-year-old began competing at Indianapolis in 1979 with Herm Johnson and concentrated on May only until the IRL was formed. He's fielded entries for Al Unser, Tom Sneva and Robby Gordon but never made it to victory lane

"Obviously, it's something I'd love to do some day while I'm still a young man," he said with a laugh. "I'm just glad Tony was able to get this unification done. I admire him for hanging in there and sticking to his guns."

The pairing of Menard and George could be a little strained since Larry Curry is the team manager. Curry went to jail for embezzling Menard's money in the late '90s.

"He (Curry) apologized and I think he meant it," said Menard.

As for the possibilities of being a car owner again, he replied: "Maybe I'll do something in the future and get more involved. We'll see."

Carpenter and Anthony Foyt IV are again teammates for George.

WALKER TO SUE GORE It looks like Derrick Walker will be going after ex-partner Craig Gore in court.

"We gave him (Gore) in writing an opportunity to settle this and not go through a legal dogfight," said Walker, who formed Team Australia with Gore
three years ago. "It's up to him to respond by tomorrow so if there's no response or no effort to resolve, then Tuesday I start building my case.

"There's damages, money owed and I've got a huge paper trail. I have no hesitation going into court to prove our case."

Walker, who learned last week that Gore had joined Kevin Kalkhoven's team for 2008, claims the Aussie owes him money from 2007.

"He (Gore) had a signed agreement for 2008 but he led me on until the last minute and then jumped over to Kalkhoven," continued Walker, who also lost driver Will Power to Kalkhoven's team. "This is about 2007 and default payments and I have no option but to take him to court.

"He took my driver, my engineer and completely submarined us, so it's pretty shabby to say the least.

"If he's smart, he'll make a good faith effort and he can settle this by taking carew of last year."

Walker announced last week he was shutting his Indy-car team down after 18 years because of this financial plight.

RICE BACK WITH DREYER & REINBOLD Buddy Rice fielded phone calls from other teams, including one Champ Car operation, but the 2004 Indy 500 winner decided to stay with Dennis Reinbold for 2008.

"I talked with Eric Bachelart and a couple other people,e but I think it's best to stay with an established IRL team rather than start from scratch with somebody else that's got to learn everything," said Rice. "I've developed a good relationship with John Dick and we've had a couple of good tests this winter so I think we're way ahead of last year at this time."

The 32-year-old native of Phoenix managed a trio of top-5 finishes in 2007 and says the key to moving up is simple.

"We just need a couple of sponsors so we can get wind tunnel and seven-post shaker rig time," he said. "We've got some good people, but it's tough to keep up with the top three without some funding."

Townsend Bell and Milka Dunno will split the other Dreyer & Reinbold ride.
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