Is the BY400 profitable?

[SoundMan360]

which 500 is trending upwards in attendance?

[fivehundred2go]

Yes, very. Now we just wait to 2013 and see if the new cars put on any better of a race at IMS...

Better bet - will Goodyear be allowed to test prior to actually having to race the new chassis - or is it the old "cot" with new sheetmetal and decals?

[Jakester]

The short answer is yes..it's the CoT chassis with new sheetmetal. I'm sure there's some roll cage changes to accomodate differing rooflines etc.

The good news...the CoT chassis is the safest ever built, and the new sheet metal does increase the 'relatability' to the production auto.

[fivehundred2go]

The short answer is yes..it's the CoT chassis with new sheetmetal. I'm sure there's some roll cage changes to accomodate differing rooflines etc.

The good news...the CoT chassis is the safest ever built, and the new sheet metal does increase the 'relatability' to the production auto.

At least there should be a handling baseline - unlike before with the tire issue that really cost in the number of fans - imho. Thanks for the info.

[indybigjohn]

Of course TV revenue keeps a lot of races afloat. However, I think if the attendance and the viewership numbers keep dropping, the networks will start to take a long look at them and won't be bidding as much.

[SoundMan360]

Of course TV revenue keeps a lot of races afloat. However, I think if the attendance and the viewership numbers keep dropping, the networks will start to take a long look at them and won't be bidding as much.

TV ratings dropped this year, but the race was on at the same time nearly 20 million people were watching the Olympics here.

Otherwise still a solid number.

[MoparsRule]

Of course TV revenue keeps a lot of races afloat. However, I think if the attendance and the viewership numbers keep dropping, the networks will start to take a long look at them and won't be bidding as much.

Overall, the next contract won't be nearly as costly to the networks as the current contract is.

[lkchris]

Profitable for ...

IMS?: yes
NASCAR?: yes
ABC?: yes
Teams with sponsors?: yes
Teams without sponsors?: yes

Would any of the above hold the race/be there if not?: No

But, it's nice to see some posters' concern for the Hulman-George family, which is synonymous with IMS and owns it lock/stock/barrel.

There is obviously zero connection between the concern for the Hulman-Georges as expressed in this thread and concern for Indycar of course ... save for the fact Indycar couldn't exist without them. Kind of clarifies that NASCAR down = Indycar up is a ridiculous notion.

As for the Goodyear fiasco ... get over it. Ancient history. It's the economy, nothing more. It's only those from lala land that fantasize NASCAR is becoming boring and Indycar will rule. The 400 will remain. The Hulman-Georges selling the speedway? Dream on.

What is going to change? Well, American unskilled labor is going to be paid at international rates in the future and that may affect ability to afford tickets to races. (No more UAW 500s for sure.) The 180-degree change in American car culture to high-tech that could counter this? Don't hold your breath.