IRL going after NASCAR fans?

By Mike Harper

The Indy Racing League took no action against Dan Wheldon and Danica Patrick for a post race confrontation between the two at Milwaukee last Sunday.

After getting into each other on the track, Patrick approached Wheldon after the event and had some choice words for him. "She's probably feeling the pressure of not winning races when her teammates are," Wheldon said. "She's just feisty. ... She's messing with the wrong person if she wants to get feisty."

This week I receive an email from Texas Motor Speedway with the headline, "Danica vs. Wheldon" the "Rumble at the Speedway" with an associated quote from Danica that said, "If he thinks I'm not going to remember that, HE'S CRAZY!"

The amazing thing - the email from TMS came two days after the incident. This tells me the IRL and our good friends at TMS had their marketing machines up and going hours after the war of words took place between the two racing stars. And, thanks to Patrick and Wheldon the IRL and track promoters have been given an early Christmas gift.

In my opinion, one problem facing NASCAR these days is the lack of driver rivalries. You’ve heard me say this before, but anytime there’s a conflict between two NASCAR drivers, NASCAR will jump in and squash it with penalties and fines. Kevin Harvick and Greg Biffle or Jeff Gordon and Matt Kenseth are perfect examples of post race confrontations from the past where a shove resulted in penalties. Ultimately these potential rivalries weren’t allowed to grow.

It really doesn’t take much brainpower to know that racing fans love a good rivalry. Hard racing, finger pointing and intimidation can fuel the excitement of a fan base, which normally results in tickets sales and increased popularity for the drivers and a racing series. What happened between Patrick and Wheldon after Sunday’s race was gravy. A shove, some good quotes and now a marketing strategy could be just the attention needed to grow the series and compete with NASCAR.

For those who don’t know me, I’m not an IRL fan. I respect the drivers and enjoy watching a few laps here and there, but to spend time watching an entire event isn’t something I’ve done. I would imagine there’s many people out there who feel the same way I do.

But in reality, I’m a stock car fan with an open mind to other forms of racing. And, to be perfectly honest with you, if a rivalry pops up in any racing series where two drivers are passionate enough to argue about a race – then count me in as a fan. This is where I believe the IRL or TMS got it right with the Patrick – Wheldon tiff.

Along with ARCA, I still believe NASCAR is the most exciting racing out there. But in everything that NASCAR is doing right, unfortunately they’re lacking in the rivalry department. (Where’s the Busch vs. Stewart signs?)

IRL knows this and I think as they test this "Rumble at the Speedway" marketing strategy, they could gain some NASCAR fans who are looking for a racing series that allows their drivers to slightly police themselves and promotes rivalries versus the method changing personalities through penalties and fines.