Merger of Champ Car, Indy Racing League series unlikely any time soon

Roger Penske is a force in the movement between Champ Cars and the IRL.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- A single series would be best for open-wheel racing, but Champ Car and the Indy Racing League believe this is not the right time for a merger.
But a future resolution remains a possibility, both sides said Friday.
Representatives from both series met in person at least twice earlier this week with team owner Roger Penske, who last month urged them to consider unification, spokesmen for Champ Car and the IRL said.
Champ Car and the IRL said in a joint statement that no more meetings were planned though "both parties believe that each has a better understanding of where common ground exists."
Door 'somewhat' open
IRL spokesman John Griffin said the meetings gave both sides a better understanding of each other's business objectives. He also said it was fair to say that the door to unification remained "somewhat open."
"It's definitely not cemented shut," Champ Car spokesman Eric Mauk said.
Penske's unparalleled standing in auto racing -- his teams have won the Indianapolis 500 a record 13 times -- lured Champ Car to the table, Mauk said.
"His status in the sport is as big as you can get," Mauk said.
Penske, an original owner in Champ Car series forerunner CART who now fields cars in the IRL, was traveling Friday and could not be reached for comment.
"He's [Penske] obviously made it pretty clear what his thoughts were relative to this whole thing, so at this point I think there's nothing further to add," Penske spokesman Chris Schwartz said.
The IRL and CART split in 1996. Penske moved his open-wheel operation from CART to the IRL in 2002.
Former CART team owners Gerald Forsythe, Paul Gentilozzi and Kevin Kalkhoven forged Champ Car last year. They beat out the IRL for CART's assets after it filed for bankruptcy.
One-race wonder
Since its creation as an alternative to CART, the IRL has struggled to find solid television and live audiences for many of its races but competes in the Indianapolis 500.
The IRL and Indianapolis Motor Speedway are owned by Tony George.
Champ Car also is experiencing many problems as it tries to move beyond CART.
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