Indy Car returns to Las Vegas with a twist

Indy car announced today that the series will return to Las Vegas this year for the season finale. Also if a non regular Indy Car driver wins the race the driver will get 5 Million dollars!! I don't know how realistic this is for Robby but I think it would be awesome exposure for SPEED and I feel like Robby could run up front and contend. Also something to note is that this will be the last race for the current chassis and body style for the current Indy Car's so he could probably pick one up for a lot less then it would be normally. Plus with the new Nascar partnership with Penske this makes alot of sense to me but we all know it is up to the almighty $.

Here is a link with more info about it. http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/indycar-bernard-sets-5m-las-vegas-challenge

Plus Robby just tweeted "5 mil huh...."

I hope he can work something out!

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Permalink Reply by zoomsss on February 22, 2011 at 10:52pm

Robby has the most votes, JPM second (who I don't think will have any interest in it)

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Permalink Reply by Robby2Win7 on February 22, 2011 at 7:32pm

If Junior doesn't make the chase, Bernard should go after him to race in that event. Then they may get people to watch that race. All kidding aside, Robby should be all over this.

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Permalink Reply by Mike/WC77 on February 22, 2011 at 7:52pm

I would hope Roger Penske is all over this & fields cars for Robby, & Hornish

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Permalink Reply by DefLefty on February 22, 2011 at 8:31pm

Couple interesting points to ponder.......

- are the Indy regulars pissed that they're offering $5m to someone outside of the series (as someone already mentioned, getting in their way while trying to win a championship)?

- no mention of anyone from F1 ($5m is probably chump change to them) or other non-American open wheel series?

- former and/or retired Indy Car vets? Michael Andretti? Paul Tracy? Buddy Lazier? John Andretti? Eddie Cheever?

I'm sure there's a story on some of them, but just rattled off a few names off the top of my head. IMO - great marketing strategy. It's got us talking about the IRL in February. The only time there's been talk about the IRL in February was when the other #7 was being interviewed before a Nationwide race.

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Permalink Reply by alan4s on February 22, 2011 at 8:46pm

The full announcement says "drivers from any other series", so I presume that disqualifies retired drivers. Limiting the number of drivers they accept gives them the opportunity to veto anyone they think might be an overt risk to the regulars, and also allows them to pick and choose amongst the non-IndyCar series they allow to participate. I'd be very surprised if the didn't already have a bunch of folks in mind, and have already contacted them to get them thinking about it.

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Permalink Reply by Tooltime on February 22, 2011 at 9:08pm

Will it be a road course around my city, or at LVMS? If its in the city again, then that series and the City of Las Vegas can go kiss my arse!!!!!!!!! The city of las vegas spent a TON of money to make the roads which were going to used for the race as smooth as possible, to only be torn up shortly afterwards........dont get me wrong, I LOOOOOVE road racing, but not if MY tax dollars are going to be spent again,and then wasted again. Sorry for the rant! I will still attend! Racing,,,,,once you get a whif, it stays in your blood then you're done!

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Permalink Reply by Hmsdude24 on February 22, 2011 at 9:10pm

It's the Speedway

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Permalink Reply by Tooltime on February 22, 2011 at 9:14pm

Copy thanks! i still like road courses! lol

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Permalink Reply by timothy price on February 22, 2011 at 10:07pm

TOOL sounds like something Harry R would try to prmote

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Permalink Reply by Mark Allen on February 22, 2011 at 9:26pm

I think that the guys are smart enough to know that a promo like this puts butts in seats and eyes on TV's. That means more money and sponsorship for all. Plus I'm sure they'd be chomping at the bit to insure some interloper didn't come in and cherry pick $$ and to prove that they're the best. I hope this comes off. Would be great to see a 30 car field at a great track with a full house and national coverage. Hope our boy is in, assuming he has plans for May he should have a car......

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Permalink Reply by dastexan on February 22, 2011 at 9:44pm

so robby will get a shot at 2 indy car wins this year.

that would be quite the payday for winning those two races too.

robby is going to go, indycar would love to have him I think as well.

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Permalink Reply by T. Crane on February 22, 2011 at 9:57pm

just a note:

Nobody has mentioned that the NASCAR Truck series is scheduled to run LVMS on Oct 15th, with the INDYCAR race scheduled on the 16th. Maybe some truck teams might be interested in this challenge, they will be there anyway. The trucks do not bring a huge crowd during the race there so maybe this will help that race too. Should be a great weekend. Maybe Robby can bring a truck too!