Tony Stewart celebrates after winning the last IROC championship in 2006

Racing:

NASCAR Sprint Cup Fulfills IROC Dream

By Greg Zyla

The adage "business as usual," which I file in the same category as the "I'm 99 percent sure" statement, has cropped up recently in the sport of auto racing. Past history has taught me that whenever I hear or read the "I'm 99 percent sure," line, it's a certainty that the 1 percent negative will win out.

With this in mind, I cite two specific recent happenings for this week's column: first, the continuing exodus of Indy/Champ Car-style open-wheel drivers to stock-car racing, and second, the resignation of Sprint's CEO in the wake of major cell-phone subscription losses and consequent stock tumble. Both businesses have inferred that in 2008, we'll more or less see "business as usual."

Let's start with the Indy/Champ cars. Champ Car ran an unheralded November race in Mexico that featured 17 drivers, 12 of whom I'd never heard of. TV Nielsen ratings and spectator attendance? Not so good.

Over in the competing IRL IndyCar Series, where great wheel-to-wheel racing takes place along with better Nielsen ratings, the defection of its all-time winner Sam Hornish to run full-time for current boss Roger Penske in 2008 Sprint Cup removes yet another IRL star from its roster. The Hornish/Penske announcement follows fellow IRL star Dario Franchitti's declaration that he, too, will run NASCAR Cup full-time next year for Ganassi/Sabates.

Add to this scenario stock car newcomers Montoya, Allmendinger, Villeneuve, Speed and Carpentier, along with ex-open wheel and now established NASCAR headliners Gordon (both), Stewart, Mears, Kahne and Yeley, and it's crystal clear what is happening in this sport.

Ironically, this trend fulfills "International Race Of Champions" founder Jay Signore's 1974 vision of a successful series, albeit not on such a grand scale. Signore lost his IROC series abruptly last February when sponsor Crown Royal decided the Roush/Fenway/McMurray team would take priority. Today, in what would impress any fan of illusion and magic, NASCAR's Cup division is turning into a real, esteemed, weekly drama of IROC-inspired eminence, i.e., put the best drivers from all disciplines of racing in stock cars and drop the green flag.

The reason? NASCAR's strong pull of return on investment for its sponsors and owners, and the corresponding fact that Sam Hornish will probably make more money on NASCAR apparel and novelty sales than he did running Indy Cars bodes well for stock-car fans and NASCAR in particular. It's that simple.

Granted, NASCAR's naysayers will point to television ratings being down a bit, or the usual less-than-packed race weekend seats during college and pro football season. Still, I'll bet that come February 2008, everyone will be talking NASCAR Sprint Cup, with heretofor unparalleled interest.

But there are downturns, too, and some are somber and uncontrollable.

Can NASCAR expect "business as usual" from its now-struggling Sprint series sponsor, which committed to a 10-year, $700 million deal in 2004?

Many feel Sprint won't be able to renew its NASCAR sponsorship unless financial conditions improve. Specifically, Sprint CEO Steven Forsee resigned as chairman and CEO recently amid poor company earnings and a corresponding tank in Sprint's stock price. Whoever takes over as CEO may not see value in the NASCAR agreement.

Let's hope NASCAR fans support Sprint in the next few years, that Indy car racing finally comes to its senses, and that the new, weekly 2008 NASCAR "IROC" Sprint Cup succeeds beyond anyone's wildest dreams. We also give special thanks to Jay Signore and company, who gave these open-wheel stars countless laps at speed for 30 years with his small, but effective, IROC series.

Write to Greg Zyla in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send an e-mail to gzyla@ptd.net.

(c) 2007 King Features Synd., Inc.