Is the IRL officially dead?

[RACECAR]

Scott Sharp moves to ALMS

The last original Indy Racing League driver is heading for sports cars. SPEEDTV.com has learned that Scott Sharp is taking his Patron sponsorship to Highcroft Racing in the American Le Mans series for 2008.

With this announcement, Decreasing attendance and TV ratings coupled with the move by the other top stars Dario Franchitti and Sam Hornish Jr, Is the IRL now a dead strip of land or is life still in it?

 

[superberkut]

No news has circulated this, and with more exciting/prestigious series around, the IRL may just be dead, if only because it was too 'in-between'. Controversy in the past does not help, either.

It may be too early, but I think it is dead.

 

[JohnBM01]

I need only mention one name to show why the series isn't PARTICULARLY dead- Danica Patrick. Unless Danica defects as well, I'm sure fans will still watch the IndyCar Series, even if just to see her. If she ends up winning her first race... and several more, then SOME attention will be paid to the IndyCar Series again. I just don't want to say at this point that the series is on getting by on life support (so to speak).

I don't think it's particularly dead, speaking as a fan of the series. The series needs a hell of a lot of drivers to fill the ranks. Either that, or get the ICS/Champ Car merger going sooner.

 

[Layla's Keeper]

No need to worry too much about Indy, it's actually quite safe and sound even with the recent defections of Franchitti, Sharp, and Hornish.

The schedule's already in place and 100% a go, Roth Racing has announced they'll contend the full schedule with 2 cars, taking advantage of the new payout system, Hornish has been replaced by Ryan Briscoe at Penske, and IPS standout Hideki Mutoh has the AGR ride.

Rahal-Letterman is auditioning other IPS drivers for Sharp's ride, and word in the paddock is to keep an eye on Panther being back in a big way. The IRL is in no serious danger, expect a pleasant stable year out of the series.

 

[superberkut]

Well, I see now that it is still alive, but the fame and publicity has died down, mostly in light of other events. It does not even receive a lot of coverage here in Canada.