'bye Tony

Tony George denied that he has left...his mother, the Chairman of the Board, said that there was no call...

where does this crap come from?

The Hulman/George owns the IMS and it would be very unusual for them to bring someone else in, particularly with the reunification of CART and the IRL.

 

It's reported at Speed & Gordon Kirby at MotorSport - hope its real. Humpy Wheeler would be the perfect promoter. Goodby underpowered, overwinged Spec series cars. Hello good racing

 

EDIT: Live news report from the Speedway.

Statements from both TG and his mom say the rumors are false and he is still the CEO.

They say their greatest growth potential is currently the Indy Racing League. All other properties are profitable and doing well considering the current economic conditions.

 

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has released a statement reiterating Tony George's position as CEO of the Speedway following published reports that George had been voted out of the role during an IMS board meeting on Tuesday night.

American media reports suggested that George had essentially been fired by his three sisters, who were angry over excessive spending estimated at $600 million since he started the Indy Racing League in 1996. That report and others indicated the IMS board might be interested in hiring Humpy Wheeler to replace George.

However, a statement was subsequently released saying that while the board had asked George to devise a plan for the management of the family companies "that would allow him to focus on the business which requires the greatest attention", he remained in his role as CEO.

"Contrary to published reports, I continue to serve as CEO of IMS," said George. "Our board of directors met yesterday, and we did discuss how to best confront challenges and exploit opportunities facing our businesses. This is nothing new and is something that we continually do as a board.

"But no changes in leadership or responsibility have been made. We don't normally comment on board deliberations concerning our family business. However, the widespread, inaccurate reports and rumours caused my mother and me to conclude that it was necessary to set the record straight.

"If changes are made in the management of the company that are newsworthy, we will announce them when they are made."

The statement said that George's plan would be presented to the board later in 2010.

Chairman of the board Mari Hulman George added: "There was a general discussion about the challenges and opportunities facing all of our companies and where most of our energies need to be spent. All of our properties are doing well, given the challenges of the current economy. The Indy Racing League represents our greatest growth opportunity and therefore deserves the most attention at this point."

 

The IndyCar Series team owners have expressed their support for Tony George following reports suggesting his future as CEO of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was in doubt.

It was reported earlier this week that George, founder of the Indy Racing League, had been voted out of his position at a board meeting.

IMS issued a statement denying this, but did suggest that future restructuring was possible, and that the board had asked George to "to devise a plan for management of Hulman & Company, the Indy Racing League, Clabber Girl and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway that would allow him to focus on the business which requires the greatest attention."

Last night at Milwaukee, the 12 teams participating in the full IndyCar season released a statement reiterating that George had their full backing.

"During the past week there have been many rumours and innuendos about our CEO Tony George," said the statement.

"We, the IndyCar team owners, want to express our full support to Tony. As an innovator and leader of our sport, he continually strives to help and improve IndyCar racing, and for that we are exceptionally grateful."

IMS runs both the Indianapolis track and the IndyCar and Indy Lights championships, among other businesses, while George is also the head of his own Vision Racing team.

 

"We, the IndyCar team owners, want to express our full support to Tony. As an innovator and leader of our sport, he continually strives to help and improve IndyCar racing, and for that we are exceptionally grateful."



Poor Tony. The seat of a perfectly good pair of trousers ruined by the friction of all those DanicaCar® team owner lips and noses.

 

Yes, of course you are correct, including Penske and Ganassi.

 

I was a big Champ Car fan and was pissed when they went under. Yet again. At least IRL isn't just oval anymore.

 

Hahaha! Powered by FEAR!