| Msg ID: 2865501 |
INDY QUESTION +0/-0
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| Author:Caddy Daddy
5/23/2026 10:15:27 AM |
I don't follow this type of racing. I will watch the 500 Sunday, mostly out of habit and nostalgia. My question revolves around "when did it change"? Meaning, when (and why) did Indy car owners stop hiring AMERICAN Sprint Car drivers that were proven or showed promise, and start hiring FOREIGNERS who come over here with suitcases full of cash and buy a ride"? I would love to hear your reasoning........ |
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| Msg ID: 2865503 |
INDY QUESTION +0/-0
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| Author:Opperman4x
5/23/2026 10:43:03 AM Reply to: 2865501 |
As soon as they took the dirt miles of the USAC schedule. And then there was CART, formed by a bunch of F-1 wannabes. |
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| Msg ID: 2865506 |
INDY QUESTION +0/-0
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| Author:kjeyres
5/23/2026 10:53:42 AM Reply to: 2865503 |
During the changeover in the late 80’s early 90’s, NASCAR paid a lot more for the drivers than Indy Car/ Champcar/Cart/IRL, losing guys like Jeff Gordon, Ken Schrader, and many more to NASCAR, opening the door for non American drivers. |
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| Msg ID: 2865507 |
Greg +0/-0
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| Author:kjeyres
5/23/2026 10:54:37 AM Reply to: 2865506 |
What do you think? |
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| Msg ID: 2865509 |
My thoughts +0/-0
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| Author:Greg Collins
5/23/2026 11:25:26 AM Reply to: 2865507 |
Opperman4x pretty much sums it up. Dirt miles were removed from USAC championship, CART was formed, increase in number of road races, increase in arrival of funded foreign drivers. American drivers with talent, success in sprint cars, midgets no longer were pursued by Indycar owners. The Indy Racing League in the late 90s gave some opportunities to American sprint and midget car drivers but that evaporated soon after upon merger of IRL and CART. In this year’s 500, only Ed Carpenter started out in sprint cars. Being the stepson of Tony Hulman George provided him with the dollars required to pursue and further his career into Indycars. Today he is a successful Indycar owner, driving only at the 500. He has won the pole at Indy three times and is a top runner each year at the 500. |
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| Msg ID: 2865516 |
My thoughts +0/-0
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| Author:Caddy Daddy
5/23/2026 12:39:22 PM Reply to: 2865509 |
While perusing the photos of the 2026 starting field, I noticed that Mr. Carpenter is the only one with gray hair........'nough said! |
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| Msg ID: 2865508 |
Borrowing a phrase spoken by former Giants GM George Young... +0/-0
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| Author:John Mc
5/23/2026 11:20:34 AM Reply to: 2865501 |
Every time someone says it's not about the money, it's ALL about the money! |
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| Msg ID: 2865548 |
Indy Car Question +0/-0
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| Author:fatdaddy11D
5/23/2026 10:35:42 PM Reply to: 2865508 |
When they moved the engine to the wrong end of the car! |
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| Msg ID: 2865568 |
Indy Car Question +0/-0
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| Author:Caddy Daddy
5/24/2026 10:33:55 AM Reply to: 2865548 |
Absolutely LOVE that answer!!! Give me a Kurtis or Watson Roadster any day!!!!!!!! |
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| Msg ID: 2865637 |
Indy Car Question +0/-0
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| Author:fatdaddy11D
5/25/2026 7:15:26 PM Reply to: 2865568 |
Real race cars and real drivers back then. My Dad was friends with Tommy Hinnershitz and I still have an autographed Miracle Powder tin bank from him. |
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| Msg ID: 2865575 |
Indi car split in 2 +0/-0
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| Author:TBONE
5/24/2026 12:36:21 PM Reply to: 2865501 |
Does any remember the split in Indi car racing I believe IRl anad Usac cars they needed drivers to fill both originations |
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| Msg ID: 2865582 |
INDY QUESTION +0/-0
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| Author:Jd57
5/24/2026 3:38:03 PM Reply to: 2865501 |
Love looking at the old pictures of Aj Jr Al unser Mario slinging it in the dirt with a hoop over there head. |
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