Sharp & Simmons Confirmed With Rahal

[Tim Northcutt]

This item was in today's Indy Star:

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dl...611080466/1052

[rustyfan]

Great news

[BootsOntheSide]

It says a lot about the IRL's current status that a news item which basically confirms the loss of 2 cars (the third Rahal entry and Sharp's ride elsewhere) can be seen as 'great news'.

[Alwaysfirst]

I agree. Whilst it may be good for the 2 drivers the IRL is loosing a team (Fernandez) and a 3rd seat. It effectively means that there are 3 seats less in the IRL-not really such great news.

[rustyfan]

Considering some naysayers were quite certain Team Rahal would leave the IRL as well or scale down to just the Ethanol car I think it's good news they'll remain at least a two-car team.

That Fernandez has put his team in limbo isn't good news, no, but that, on the other hand, is a different topic (even though in one way relates to this one).

EDIT - Btw, it's not three less seats, "only" two. Remember that Matsuura went to Panther, and as far as I can recall they did not field a second full-time car this season? Hmm... or did they? Can't remember, the last couple of races seem so long ago now...

[stradlin21]

Good news then for Rahal

I like the look of this team, two good sponsors, a series veteran along with a driver who showed great improvement in the second half of this season

Could be dark horses for a win or two

[stradlin21]

Originally Posted by BootsOntheSide

It says a lot about the IRL's current status that a news item which basically confirms the loss of 2 cars (the third Rahal entry and Sharp's ride elsewhere) can be seen as 'great news'.

does it???

look at it like this

there is 15 or 16 cars confirmed so far but every car on that grid is looking good!

All the teams look competitive! Its better then the Champ Car field we have where only about 3 teams can do anything

Andretti Green, Penske, Panther and Ganassi will all be potential race winners

and with another year of experience, Vision could sneak a win and Rahal look good aswell

Quality not quantity is the key for the IRL

unlike Champ Car

[mac]

Originally Posted by stradlin21

does it???

look at it like this

there is 15 or 16 cars confirmed so far but every car on that grid is looking good!

All the teams look competitive! Its better then the Champ Car field we have where only about 3 teams can do anything

Andretti Green, Penske, Panther and Ganassi will all be potential race winners

and with another year of experience, Vision could sneak a win and Rahal look good aswell

Quality not quantity is the key for the IRL

unlike Champ Car

Really?

Well Newman Haas, Forsythe, RuSport and CTE-HVM all won races this year, while PKV and Team Australia very nearly won a race at some point.

I think your "quality" argument is a bit of a stretch.

[D.R.T.]

Originally Posted by stradlin21

All the teams look competitive! Its better then the Champ Car field we have where only about 3 teams can do anything

Andretti Green, Penske, Panther and Ganassi will all be potential race winners

and with another year of experience, Vision could sneak a win and Rahal look good aswell

Quality not quantity is the key for the IRL

unlike Champ Car

Dude I think a reality pill is needed there. Its perfectly fine to have a preferred championship but you are talking dribble.

The IRL was dominated by AGR for 2004 and 2005 and then two teams abolished the rest in 06. So I am not I know how or want to know how you come to the conclusion that all the teams are competitive but have a closer look.

[BootsOntheSide]

The two teams who dominated 2006 have the same packages for 2007 - everybody else is making changes. I wouldn't be surprised if the same 4 drivers as 2006 win almost every race next year; only Meira and possibly Kanaan look likely to break through.