IRL is missing Americans

Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Kan.

The glory days of American open-wheel racing were the original reality TV, millions of viewers tuning in each week to see if Foyt could hold off the Unser boys, Sullivan could chase down Mears, Rutherford could best Johncock.

The action was compelling, the actors iconic.

“Those guys were like rock stars,” Canadian driver Paul Tracy said.

The stars are still there, just not as red-white-and-blue as they once were.

An influx of talented European and South American drivers, many of them practically covered in sponsors when they show up at the garages, has caused the Indy Racing League to lose the homegrown appeal it once had when A.J. Foyt, Rick Mears and Al Unser were bumping tires and trading titles.

Since 2001, the only American driver to win the IRL season title is Sam Hornish Jr., who won his third in 2006. He also was the last American to win the Indianapolis 500, the same year. But Hornish isn’t around anymore; he bolted for NASCAR money three years ago.

Last season was the first time in 100 years an American failed to win an IndyCar race, and this year just two U.S.-born drivers have full-time rides: Danica Patrick and Marco Andretti.

The TV package here hasn’t helped IndyCar. While open-wheel racing is shown on one of Brazil’s top networks, 12 of the 17 IRL races this year are on Versus.