“State of” Assessment from Brian Barnhart Finds the “Pro Series Nation” Strong
by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com
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Terry Angstadt (L) and Brian Barnhart. Photo: ShawnPayneIRL |
The top management of the Indy Racing League likes what it sees in the Indy Pro Series.
Concluding an extraordinary season of record-breaking accomplishment on the track, and record-breaking money paid out off, the sixteen-race development league leading to IndyCar earned glowing remarks from President of Racing and Operations Brian Barnhart on Saturday (September 1st).
Barnhart delivered a “State of the IRL” address from Detroit where the Indy Racing League is competing the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix this weekend. He was accompanied on the podium by IRL President of the Commercial Division Terry Angstadt.
“In its sixth season, the Indy Pro Series is stronger now than it has ever been,” said Barnhart.
“The series has averaged more than 23 cars on the starting grid for this season's 15 races, representing a 48% increase over last year and an 86% increase over two years ago.”
Barnhart added that more drivers and more teams are seeking to become a part of the Series with several potential competitors and a possible new sponsor emerging in recent weeks.
Money In, Money Out Make IPS Appealing to More Teams
The Indy Pro Series has seen an amazing increase in prize money in the last three years, now paying out a pot of gold that counts nearly four million dollars.
On the other side of the ledger, costs have been held in check by mandating a single-specification chassis, engine and tire package; plus the addition to the schedule of the innovative “double-header” weekends (St. Petersburg, US Grand Prix at Indianapolis, Watkins Glen, and Sonoma).
“The Indy Pro Series engine program is the cheapest per mile of any major racing development series,” added Barnhart.
Opportunity for Testing with IndyCar Series Teams Benefits Drivers
The series has also benefited from IndyCar teams affiliating with the Indy Pro Series. In 2007, four teams (Andretti Green, Chip Ganassi, Panther and Rahal Letterman) joined forces with Pro Series competitors to earn additional testing days and take a look at young talent in IndyCar machinery.
“Bonus testing rules have created an incentive for four IndyCar Series teams to participate in the Indy Pro Series,” Barnhart said.
“This participation has led to five drivers in this year's field having the opportunity to test an IndyCar Series car, and one of those drivers, Hideki Mutoh, will drive in the IndyCar Series season finale at Chicagoland.
Alex Lloyd tested recently at Sebring International with Chip Ganassi Racing (which fields an Indy Pro Series team), while Andrew Prendeville (Rahal Letterman Racing) and Jaime Camara (Andretti Green Racing) have also tested the big cars within the last month.
Indy Pro Series Tent Keeps Getting Bigger
The Indy Pro Series established a new high with a 25-car field contesting the Liberty Challenge at Indianapolis on June 16th during the US Grand Prix weekend.
How much more can the series grow without raising concerns for safety or effective competition management by race officials?
“To be honest with you, the biggest reason (for limiting participation) is simply logistics,” Barnhart said.
“As we bring in events at certain racetracks, if there's the IndyCar Series and the Pro Series and one or two other series that run with us, you run out of paddock space,” he continued.
“The biggest concern is the available pit lane space for the number of cars that you can run, and the available paddock space for transporters.”
“We're (now) averaging 23 cars,” he said. “I can see the Indy Pro Series expanding to 26 or 28 cars, and still being able to accomplish our goals.”
The next Indy Pro Series event is the Chicagoland 100 on September 9th at Chicagoland Speedway. ESPN2’s coverage of the race will be televised at 5 PM EDT on September 13th.
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