Andretti Gone!!!!

[Speedworx]

Just as Michael gets in my good books, he goes and messes up again!

[Jay]

What a mess... If he's leaving he should say so and bugger off! If he's stayin then say so and shut up and race! It's this kind of 'We'll see what we're going to do' that investors and sponsors hate!

[SevenGrain]

Well, the "lets see what we are going to do" is actually coming from the sponsors.

Andretti and Kim Green have not ruled out CART , an fact Andretti said:

“It is really totally up to our sponsors and partners,” commented Andretti. “They are going to dictate where we go.” Andretti added that the possibility of racing in both CART and IRL was possible. “I think it can be done. There are several teams doing it that are not as big as we are. We’ve looked at the budgets from both angles and we are prepared to run both, but again it depends on what our sponsors want.”

Andretti was vague on what he’ll be doing next year. “My heart’s in CART. I love the format, I love the series. But I think the jury is still out (on CART’s future).” Andretti said driving in either CART or the IRL was a possibility, as well as only taking the driver’s seat for the Indy 500. “I would really still like to drive next year, but we don’t have any solid plans. I’d definitely like to do Indianapolis. You all know how important that race is to me.”

The title of this thread "Andretti Gone" is jumping the gun a bit, Nobody has announced a Honda-backed IRL effort yet. Honda has yet to sign it's first team. It's coming, mind you, but nothing is decided at the moment.

[Liz]

Paul Tracy has been saying he is waiting for B&W to decide and they told him it will be August 25th or thereabouts. He has said he is not going to wait around that long. Look for PT in another team if they don't get off their dusty. A Champ Car team.

Since Mr. Ashley Judd seems to have lost the plot anyway, perhaps the right place for him is the Inbred Racing League.

[Dave S]

From another article @ http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=100544

"I wanted to stay in the sport when I quit driving," Andretti said. "I wanted to be closer to racing than just as a consultant as my father is. I know he misses being closer."

" Both Andretti, Kim and Barry Green want to keep the driver lineup of Dario Franchitti and Paul Tracy. "Team Green has invested alot of money in these drivers, so we want to keep them, but it does depend on signing our sponsors."
Michael's role as a driver is undetermined at the present time, he admits that he would like to drive next year, but agrees with his partners that the most important thing is to provide stable jobs for the 80 some employees of the current Team Green"
At the present time, Andretti Green Racing has not decided which series they will run in 2003. It will depend on the sponsors and what they want to do. Andretti and Kim Green both believe that Andretti Green Racing has the ability and the resources to run both the CART and the IRL series. They have budgets for both series in place, just waiting on the sponsor signing.

[cartfan101]

although mike has done alot for our sport, he has no personality and i have heard that from so many fans at races. His father owning a team in cart will far offset any michael defect. Its clear that mikes days of keeping up with the likes of da matta are few and its much easier to just turn left than race on road courses. I am also very surprised that toyota and honda would switch to a series that really does not showcase the ability of an engine the way cart does. But they must have their reasons. I think Dario and tracy will remain in cart and that is good. Hey cart has to reinvent itself from the ground up with new sponsors, engine companies and chasis companies. Probably many new tracks as well. It could take 5-7 years to get back to the good days mabye more but with pook at the helm, i think we will be okay. Thats just the way i see it. So long mike, your father has more class. and smarts!

[mac]

I am not too perturbed about losing Mikey, but losing the Green operation would be a big blow, I believe.

[Jay]

Oh but Michael draws sooo many people who say, "Hey, let's go see Mario Andretti" - heard that about 10 times in Toronto and I know they were referring to Mikey.

[tantra]

As you may remember, Green had many cars as they transitioned from the Reynards to the lola, while at the same time preparing five IRL cars for last year's Indy 500. Micheal has purchased quite a stable full of equipment, and it will be interesting to see how he and his new partners use their 'horses' next season.

Sponsorship money, i.e. Brown and Williamson/Kool, will most likely determine if and how many cars the new team will run in the IRL. IMO, Motorola and the associate sponsors will continue to support and entry in the CART series.

Of course, much of what will happen next year depends upon whether or not Michael decides to continue driving for another year. There is speculation at this juncture that he may just retire to run the business, but he has given no indication yet that that is his intention.

BTW, both Tracy and Dario are without contracts at this time, so they are likely to look into other opportunites. Players has been trying to get Paul for several years. Paul has also considered going into NASCAR (where you can make some big bucks and drive until your grandkids are old enough to come to see you compete). It will be interesting to see where Dario lands, if he doesn't sign with Andretti Green.

[Flatspot]

Like him or not Michael is still the winningest active driver in the series and it would be a bummer to see him out of the CART. Either way, Michael is a draw. People love him or love to hate him and that is money at the gate. Remember though, all of the cards haven't been dealt, and people are mearly speculating that he's going to the IRL. Ye of little faith! I've seen nothing based in fact on the subject and all anyone knows for sure is that he has purchased an interest in Team Green. To be sure, both sides will do everthing they can to get him on their side of the fence.

If Michael were to go, my guess is he won't last long as a driver. You know about his tolerance of drivers less skilled or experienced. He won't be able to stand it. In the meantime it makes sense for a person of his stature in racing, at his age, and with his financial resources to plan ahead. If we were all that smart... I think owning a team is a good move for him wherever he lands. Go Michael Go!

[paul-collins]

I know it's been said that Barry is remaining with TAG as a consultant, but for how long? I don't see that he'd be happy with that level of involvement.

Maybe he'll be buying some R8s for next year?

[MolsonBoy]

Read Robin Miller's take on yesterdays press conference. There are still lots of questions that need to be answered.
Find the article here:
http://espn.go.com/rpm/cart/2002/0723/1409221.html

[Jay]

That is a great article! I especially loved the comment:

for Michael Andretti: "....And my dad is already thinking about writing me out of his will."

And it did put some light on something I never thought of before which is the number of IRL drivers that end up in hospital. Why so dangerous?

[paul-collins]

Simple - more crashes per laps run. Now that's entertainment value!

[tantra]

Have you ever viewed an IRL race?
Too many cars, going faster than some drivers and some tracks can handle, spinning out of control and into concrete walls.... It's just what TG envisioned it to be; NASCAR without the fenders and decal headlights.

Frankly, I'm surprised (and relived) that more IRL drivers haven't been hurt more severely.

And what did that German F1 guy, I think his name is Michael also, say when asked if he would ever drive in the Indy 500? He said "no, it's too dangerous".
See how smart some world campions can be.

[macdaddy]

There have been many great world champions who weren't afraid of the Brickyard. Stewart, Mansell, Fittipaldi, and I'm sure there have been many others. I think that German F1 guy made himself sound like an arse when he said that. He seems to do that alot.

But everything you said about the IRL is spot-on. Except maybe the part about "too many drivers".

[StuiE]

Originally posted by Jay
"Inbred Racing League... " I think that's the best explanation of the acronym I've heard yet.

they call it EARL down there!

[Emfa]

Originally posted by Jay
"Inbred Racing League... " I think that's the best explanation of the acronym I've heard yet.

And here was me thinking that it was Inept Racing League!

Originally posted by macdaddy
There have been many great world champions who weren't afraid of the Brickyard. Stewart, Mansell, Fittipaldi, and I'm sure there have been many others. I think that German F1 guy made himself sound like an arse when he said that. He seems to do that alot.

I wonder what Nelson Piquet's view is? Healthy respect, or loathing?

[Neil C]

Although I prefer CART, it's curious that so many CART fans have become so defensive the best they can come up with is cheap shots and name calling directed at IRL, its participants and fans.

Live and let live.

I was never much of a Mike Andretti fan but Liz, in the past two years I've actually become a bit of a Mikey supporter as an involuntary reaction to your incessant raves. Sorry to hear you've now got Franchitti in your sights. He doesn't deserve it.