The IRL (Name) Is Dead
Randy Bernard
By Andrew Cutler
September 15 2010
Okay; I admit that I have been 'sitting' on this story for a couple of days now, but that was only because I wanted to see if there would be 'further developements' forthcomming in relatively short order: You will understand what I was waiting for shortly, I promise.
Here is what has transpired to this point:
At last Friday's press conference to unveil the 2011 IndyCar Series schedule, Randy Bernard also declared that all use of the term 'Indy Racing League' or the intials 'IRL' would be dropped in the future and replaced by the simple term "IndyCar'.
The Indy Racing League/IRL name came about during the genesis of the AOWR schism back in 1995 owing to the fact that, due to promotional/contractual agreements already in place with several CART racing venues, Tony George was restricted from using any variation of the term 'Indy Car' to describe his upstart series. As the CART/IRL 'war' raged on over the years, the IRL moniker became an object of hate for the CART faithful - and a reminder of how far AOWR had fallen in popularity to many on both sides.
When CART offically disbanded in 2003 - only to be replaced with the CCWS - Tony George began to reclaim the legal rights to the term 'Indy Car', and soon 'Indy Racing League' became the name of the overall sanctioning body, with 'IndyCar Series' replacing it as the name of the top-level series.
Nonetheless, the negative connotations of "Indy Racing League/IRL' persist to this day.
Therefore, it was of little suprise to anyone when Mr. Bernard began talking a few months back about dropping it's use alltogeather. It is a move that he hopes will clear up some of the remaining confusion about the AOWR scene - and help to draw many of it's long-departed fans back. "We want to create perception and we want to welcome back those 15-20 million fans that we lost in the mid-'90s. Let's go back to our roots. Let's go back to what made IndyCar. And the first thing we need to do is make sure that our brand image is positive."
The reason why I have been holding back on relasing this story is this; there has yet to be any offical word on two points: #1) At what point does this take effect; immediately, or after the 2010 season is over? #2) What exactly will be the 'offical' name of the overall sanctioning body &/or the 'IndyCar Series' now? - Will the series take on a new name (perhaps due to an incomming sponsor) to distinguish itself from the overall sanctioningf body's name? Will there even be an offical name for the sanctioning body?
No news yet on any of these issues. I will keep everyone updated as developements warrent.
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Let me extend a hand of sincere appreciation to you, sir. For cryin' out loud, nobody on earth ever looked at one of those cars and called it an IRL Car! They Are Indy Cars. Always have been, an always will. What kind of car did Rick Mears drive? What kind of car did AJ Foyt drive? For that matter, what kind of car does Danica drive? An IRL Car? Never heard of it.
I predict that your announcement will probably be met with a giant yawn. For most of us, Indy Cars has always been what the name was and you are just making it official again. Thanks though for lettin' us be able to say it out loud again.
Indy Cars. Indy Cars. Indy Cars. Oh, that feels sooo good!
W