Tony George Ousted, Has One Less Job In Motorsports - UPDATED

Tony George, Vision Racing Team Owner/President of the IRL along pitlane during qualifications for the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach last month. Tony George has one less major task in the world of Motorsports to worry about after being ousted from the management of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I wonder if he will retain his golf membership? Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2009)

Tony George Ousted, Has One Less Job In Motorsports - UPDATED (at bottom)

Probably one of the most compelling figures in all of Motorsports ... certainly, in the annuals of North America open-wheel racing, Tony George has been ousted from the management of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Robin Miller writing for SPEED TV cites that a source close to the situation confirmed that the 49-year-old grandson of Tony Hulman would no longer be CEO of the Speedway after a vote of the IMS board of directors which includes mother Mari, sisters Josie, Nancy and Kathy, attorney Jack Snyder and George.

This excerpted and edited from SPEED.tv -

INDYCAR: Tony George Ousted From IMS
Written by: Robin Miller - 05/27/2009

The controversial, ground-breaking, tumultuous 20-year reign of Tony George at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is over. SPEEDtv.com has learned George was voted out of power in a Tuesday night board meeting in Indianapolis.
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Calls to Snyder and Fred Nation, IMS vice president of communications, were not returned and George did not respond to an email.

George, who started the Indy Racing League in 1996, will continue as CEO of the IndyCar series and is expected to take more of a hands-on role after Tuesday's developments at the Speedway.

It had been rumored for several years that his sisters were concerned with the amount of money George had spent on keeping the IRL afloat and changing the look of the Speedway.

It's estimated that between paying purses, supplying cars, engines and parts for other teams, hiring high powered public relations firms and starting his own IRL team, plus remaking Indy to accomodate Formula One, the IRL founder has spent more than $600 million during the past 13 years.

And his siblings were reportedly concerned about running out of money.
Reference Here>>

Many who lived through the split ... then the merger of open-wheel racing in North America were willing to bury the hatchet, but we had no idea this was where we would find the hatchet buried ... in the end.

UPDATE:

Both Tony George & Mari Hulman-George Deny Reports ... after earlier reports that Tony George had been ousted by the board of directors of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway -

Tony George denies the reports saying:

"I am still CEO and still president of Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation, Hulman and Company and CEO of the Indy Racing League" -Tony George

Mari Hulman-George denies the reports saying:

"There haven't been any changes. We just discussed things like we usually do and how to make things better." -Mari Hulman-George

Quotes courtesy of WTHR
(ht: 16thAndGeorgetown)

I guess the buried hatchet has been pulled out, wound patched, and the hatchet will be placed in an undisclosed and secure location. As for Tony and his T-Times at the golf course, he will be able to get on anytime he wants! ... stay tuned.

Final UPDATE on the Tony George "Ouster" story first broke by famed and revered Motor Press reporter Robin Miller.

Tony George is still the CEO of Indianapolis Motor Speedway! Further, he still retains ownership of the IRL team, Vision Racing, and he is still the President and CEO of the Indy Racing League (the last two positions were never in doubt).

Most everyone in this community respect Robin Miller but it appears that he was sucked into a family feud over the management of the famed racing venue, Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

I guess we have to say that Tony George's one less job in motorsports is that he never has to take Robin Miller seriously (or grant him special access to any of the properties he controls) ... anymore.

IMS Statement Here>>

... notes from The EDJE

Pole Day At IMS's Centnnial Era

The main straitaway Pagoda of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway located at 16th and Georgetown in Speedway, Indiana. The Pagoda is decorated to commerate the first 100 years of the race facility's existance. Image Credit: Andy Sallee (2009)

Pole Day At IMS's Centnnial Era

The first full day of qualifications for the 93rd running of the INDY 500 begins today as Justin Wilson takes to the track at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in his Dale Coyne Racing prepared, Z-Line HD furniture sponsored Dallara.

On this first day, only the first 11 places of the grid will be filled based upon the average speed attained over four laps of this 100 year old 2 and a half mile four-cornered oval. The field for the race on race day will have 11 rows of three cars per row making 33 cars, but on this first day only 11 cars are assured of a position in the grid of "The World's Greatest Race Course".

Each driver will have a maximum of three attempts to get into the field in the allotted time of the six and a half our qualification period.

Once the fastest 11 places are filled, the slowest car to qualify will be on the "Bubble" for the balance of the day. The driver who ends up in the 11th position will be a position that will be in jeopardy of being bumped until the six and a half hour session ends.

Winds swirl around the Speedway and set the flags mounted on the Pagoda straight. Image Credit: Andy Sallee (2009)

This excerpted and edited from indycar.com -

Handicapping qualifying
By Dave Lewandowski - indycar.com - Friday, May 8, 2009

Helio Castroneves has started from the pole twice in his eight Indianapolis 500-Mile Races. Scott Dixon, attempting to qualifying for his 100th IndyCar Series race, was the 2008 pole sitter. Tony Kanaan is the only other full-time IndyCar Series driver with 10 career pole starts, including 2005 at Indianapolis.

Does that make them favorites to win the PEAK Performance Pole Award presented by AutoZone on May 9?
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The point is there are more contenders than pretenders to fill the 11 positions on Pole Day. There's a two-hour practice window (first hour split between two groups) preceding commencement of four-lap cumulative time qualifications.
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Once positions 1-11 are filled, bumping will occur for the remainder of the noon-6 p.m. (EDT) session to determine the pole winner and 10 other qualifiers for the day. Each car has three attempts per day to qualify and, if bumped, that entrant can re-enter the qualification line. Entrants also can withdraw a qualified car and re-enter the line.

"Today was an important day," said Meira, driver of the No. 14 ABC Supply car for A.J. Foyt Racing. "The main thing is that the car is solid. We might not be the fastest car out there but it's very, very solid. It's really grippy and definitely a good race car."

Four consistent qualifying laps - on the largest stage in auto racing - is all that's needed to claim one of the 11 spots available for the May 24 race. Maybe even the pole.

"I would be surprised if one of the Penske's wasn't on the pole," Patrick said. "They seem to really be quick right now. But anything can happen around here. You can be one small change or two or three small changes away from having a really great car or a really bad car -- or at least a car that's not in the ballpark for the front spot. Anything can happen."
Reference Here>>

Click it: Qualification procedure Qualification order

One impression of a long time motorsports legend of the 100 year old Indianapolis Motor Speedway complex came in from Richard Petty on his first year as a car owner at the track ...

the500Petty's initial IMS impression ... not so great. Re: garage area -- "Looked like a bunch of barns for horses and cows and stuff." --pd

Ryan Briscoe (224.131), Helio Castroneves, Graham Rahal, Will Power, Marco Andretti, Danica Patrick, Hideki Mutoh, Mario Moraes, Raphael Matos, Ed Carpenter, & Justin Wilson fill the top 11 places - Let the bumping begin!

UPDATE: It's 4:00 PM ET at the track, two hours to go and drivers are beginning to take runs for the pole position.

Tweets - From Twitter:

IndyTalkDanica 7th 222.882. Faster than first run. Climbs from 10th to 7th. #indy500

IndyCarPRCastroneves takes the pole from Ryan Briscoe with a four-lap average of 224.864.

kvracingMario & Paul going out for practice for maybe attempting to qualify again for MM and first time for PT

FuriousWedgeHelio's run should be the lighting of the fire for everyone, those wanting poll, and those just wanting in the Top 11

1:30 PT - 4:30 at the track and 90 minutes left to make it into the first 11 spots ... or grab the pole away from Helio Castroneves.

Stack ranking at 90 minutes out: 1-Helio Castroneves (224.864), 2-Ryan Briscoe, 3-Dario Franchitti, 4-Scott Dixon, 5-Graham Rahal, 6-Will Power, 7-Danica Patrick, 8-Marco Andretti, 9-Tony Kanaan, 10-Mario Moraes, 11-Hideki Mutoh

With the action warming up on the track, Danica Patrick wonders if her position in the field is assured [CONTROL-CLICK PHOTO - 1st Qualifying Run Video]. Image Credit: Andy Sallee (2009)

IndyTalkWe're back to practice at Indy. #indy500

IndyTalkTranscript of press conference today at Indy with The King, Richard Petty: http://twurl.nl/t457dp #indy500

VisionRacingEd & the 20 Menards car heading out to get in some practice laps & see where we can do... no decision on a qualifying attempt yet #Indy500

SarahFisher67Off to tech....we shall see- Klint

VisionRacing21 Vision car will wait until tomorrow to qualify. Ed however in the 20 Menards car... we'll see! OH the drama #Indy500

5:00PM ET at the track and one hour to make it into the top 11!

17:03:09 GMT-0400 The track is green. Tony Kanaan is out to make a qualifying attempt. He thinks he has a shot to move up ... maybe take the pole.

17:04:44 GMT-0400 Tony Kanaan has a 223.619 mph second lap.

17:06:21 GMT-0400 Tony Kanaan takes the checkered flag and qualifies in P5 with a 4-lap average speed of 223.612 mph. Moves up four places.

17:07:34 GMT-0400 Paul Tracy is on the track for a qualifying attempt.

PlanetIrlPT talking to his favorite person in the world there. I expect a good run here. #indy500

17:09:16 GMT-0400 Paul Tracy has a 222.076 mph first lap.

17:10:38 GMT-0400 Paul Tracy has a 221.893 mph third lap.

17:11:25 GMT-0400 Paul Tracy takes the checkered flag and qualifies in P11 with a 4-lap average speed of 221.915 mph. He is presently "On The Bubble" ready to get bumped.

IndyCarPRTracy qualifies 11th, bumping Hideki Mutoh from the field.

IndyTalkTracy 11th at 221.915. Bumps Mutoh. Tracy heads right back into qualifying line.

Penske Racing's Will Power makes it into the field at P9 making three cars operated by the Penske stable in the top 9 positions. Image Credit: Andy Sallee (2009)

17:18:20 GMT-0400 Hideki Mutoh is at the track pad for a qualifying attempt.

Talk has it that Graham Rahal may pull his time and head to technical inspection in order to improve his position at P4??? This does not make sense, but it is not official.

17:22:22 GMT-0400 Hideki Mutoh takes the green flag for his qualifying attempt.

17:23:05 GMT-0400 Hideki Mutoh has a 223.245 mph first lap.

17:25:17 GMT-0400 Hideki Mutoh takes the checkered flag and qualifies in P10 with a 4-lap average speed of 222.581 mph. Bumps PT (Paul Tracy) to the curb.

Shock of the day - NHLR's Graham Rahal removes himself from the second row for a shot at the pole!

17:30:08 GMT-0400 Graham Rahal has a 224.230 mph first lap. Fastest lap for him in the month.

Graham Rahal moves up from the outside of the second row to the inside of the second row - What Is The Point?

Marco Andretti on the track - 17:35:46 GMT-0400 Marco Andretti has a 223.143 mph second lap.

Four lap average 223.114 puts him on the inside of row 3.

Scott Dixon now out challenging for the pole. Finishes the four laps with 223.867 and does not move his position on the grid.

IndyCarPRDixon fifth. Moraes out for a second attempt.

17:42:27 GMT-0400 Mario Moraes is on the track for a qualifying attempt.

17:44:08 GMT-0400 Mario Moraes has a 223.785 mph first lap.

17:46:08 GMT-0400 Mario Moraes takes the checkered flag and qualifies P7 with a 4-lap average speed of 223.331 mph.

Paul Tracy is the only driver to be bumped each time these qualified drivers remove their times and post better or equal times.

17:47:42 GMT-0400 Raphael Matos takes the green flag on the qualifying attempt.

17:50:28 GMT-0400 Raphael Matos takes the checkered flag with a 4-lap average speed of 222.466 mph. Does not qualify for the field today. Hideki Mutoh on the bubble.

Ryan Briscoe had already placed his car next to his teammate Helio Castroneves, was thinking of giving it another try at the pole position [CONTROL-CLICK PHOTO - 1st Qualifying Run Video]. Image Credit: Andy Sallee (2009)

Ryan Briscoe removes his P2 time to challenge for the pole.

17:52:05 GMT-0400 Ryan Briscoe takes the green flag on the qualifying attempt.

17:52:48 GMT-0400 Ryan Briscoe has a 224.377 mph first lap. This is faster and looks good.

17:54:09 GMT-0400 Ryan Briscoe has a 223.930 mph third lap. Not faster. May lose a spot!?

17:54:49 GMT-0400 Ryan Briscoe takes the checkered flag with a 4-lap average speed of 224.083 mph. Struggles with wind on the track - inconsistant. Keeps P2 on the grid.

17:55:19 GMT-0400 the driver for Ganassi/SamSchmidt, Alex Lloyd is on the track for a qualifying attempt.

17:57:08 GMT-0400 Alex Lloyd has a 222.989 mph first lap.

17:58:28 GMT-0400 Alex Lloyd has a 222.427 mph third lap. Four lap average of 222.622 and bumps Hideki Mutoh and places the HER energy drink sponsored ride into 11th and last place for the day.

17:59:53 GMT-0400 Justin Wilson is on the track for a qualifying attempt. Seconds from the final gun and out for four laps.

17:59:53 GMT-0400 Justin Wilson is on the track for a qualifying attempt.

Justin Wilson does not make the field on this day.

18:04:05 GMT-0400 Justin Wilson takes the checkered flag with a 4-lap average speed of 222.476 mph.

IndyTalkWilson too slow. 222.476. But he should be a solid Day 2 qualifier. Way to go Dale Coyne for taking a shot. #indy500

Helio Castroneves captures his third pole position for the Indy 500 [CONTROL-CLICK PHOTO - Qualifying Run Video]. The Brazilian, who won the race in 2001 and 2002 as well as taking pole in both 2003 and 2007, beat his Penske team-mate Ryan Briscoe to the top spot, with Dario Franchitti completing the front row for Ganassi. Image Credit: Andy Sallee (2009)

IndyTalkHelio in tears on pit lane, overcome with emotion after winning third career Indianapolis 500 pole. #indy500

A great story for Helio, from facing a prison term jus a couple of weeks ago to Pole Position at the INDY 500 - May has been very, very good for Helio Castroneves!

Pos --- Driver --- Team --- Speed
1. Helio Castroneves Penske 224.864mph
2. Ryan Briscoe Penske 224.083mph
3. Dario Franchitti Ganassi 224.010mph
4. Graham Rahal Newman/Haas/Lanigan 223.954mph
5. Scott Dixon Ganassi 223.867mph
6. Tony Kanaan Andretti Green 223.612mph
7. Mario Moraes KV 223.331mph
8. Marco Andretti Andretti Green 223.114mph
9. Will Power Penske 223.028mph
10. Danica Patrick Andretti Green 222.882mph
11. Alex Lloyd Ganassi/Sam Schmidt 222.622mph

Story description of the day's events HERE >>

... notes from The EDJE

Heads In The Game - An INDY Long Beach 2009 Retrospective

Penske Racing's driver, Ryan Briscoe, working through chassis set-ups with team owner, Roger Penske during Practice session #3 of the 35th Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Ryan Briscoe had trouble handling the demands thrown up by the streets around Shoreline Drive, failing to make it into the Firestone Fast Six in "Knockout" qualifying and eventually finishing the race out of the top ten at P13 - while setting the fastest lap in the race at 1:11.2582 (on lap 82 of 85). Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2009)

Heads In The Game - An INDY Long Beach 2009 Retrospective

A Photo/Video compilation of the event from the pits. Photos taken during the three days of practice, qualification, and competition at the 35th Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach and the first ever IndyCar Series event in Long Beach under full unification of open wheel racing competition in North America.

The video uses close-up images of the drivers as they sit in their Dallara race cars while engineers tweak the chassis in order to gain faster lap times. Red Wall tires Vs Black Wall tires, umbrellas, cockpit fans to keep drivers comfortable, pit in, pit out, add fuel, and discuss the set up with team owners are postures expressed by the players who drive here and have their heads in the game.

Video music overlay performed by the Kings of Leon - "Sex On Fire" - launch 

and play while watching video below.

Players in order of appearance are (some are repeated with photos taken in time sequence) Graham Rahal, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Dario Franchitti, Justin Wilson, Ed Carpenter, Danica Patrick, Marco Andretti, EJ Viso, Mike Conway, Stanton Barrett, Robert Doornbos, Ryan Briscoe, Helio Castroneves, Vitor Meira, Jimmy Vasser, Paul Tracy, and Will Power.

Dallara platforms at full song from the sounds of Honda engines overlay this version - mute volume and play music from video above as this content is timed to coincide.

Pole Position

Driver Will Power (Penske Racing)

Time 1:09.7107

PODIUM

First         Dario Franchitti (Chip Ganassi Racing)

Second Will Power (Penske Racing)

Third Tony Kanaan (Andretti Green Racing)

Last Note: Danica Patrick (Andretti Green Racing) qualified at P22 in a field of 23 cars and finished P4 just behind her teammate Tony Kanaan.

Enjoy.

... notes from The EDJE 

TAGS: Kings Of Leon, Doornbos, IRL, Long Beach Grand Prix, Viso, Wilson, Conway, Hunter-Reay, Andretti, Meira, Tracy, Patrick, Castroneves, Rahal, Vasser, Franchitti, Barrett, Briscoe, Power, Carpenter, The EDJE