Merger canâ€™t wait

UPDATE Another reader writes, Really, I could not have said what Peter Romero said in his recent note to you any better – his remarks are a mind read of my thoughts on these issues. I know I’m preaching to the choir, but he mimicked my thoughts so closely, I had to say how right he is! Reb Guthrie

07/12/06 A reader writes, Dear AutoRacing1, If Champ Car and the IRL do not merge soon given the news about Juan Pablo and possibly Danica, open wheel racing will be over as we know it. Well maybe not over but, open wheel racing will be the equal of club SCCA racing at Road America.

I do believe that if Champ Car and the IRL would have announced a merger by now Juan Pablo would have elected to rejoin a merged open wheel racing series rather than race taxi cabs. The same goes for Danica Patrick… she would have either re-signed with Rahal or negotiated with another open wheel racing team. Of course Danica is overrated but she is a big star (despite not winning anything) and open wheel racing needs her in a merged open wheel series.

Kevin K and Tony G must see the writing on the wall and get this thing done before NASCAR moves into Mexico and Canada (which they are doing as we speak) with Cup cars. When this happens the "new" NASCAR stars (Juan Pablo, Danica Patrick, Paul Tracy, Jacques Villeneuve, Adrian Fernandez, AJ Allmendinger, Dan Wheldon, Marco Andretti Sam Hornish, Helio…you get the picture….) will ALL leave open wheel racing for the $$$ and the popularity of NASCAR. This is borderline CRIMINAL!!!

We all know Tony started this mess but at this point I don't care who started it….someone needs to fix this and get open wheel together by 2007! If they wait any longer NASCAR WILL steal all of the stars, venues, and most importantly FANS of American open wheel racing. If this happens Champ Car and the IRL will have simply one race in the next few years….the Indy 500 and that too will be filled with the "new" NASCAR stars and the Indy 500 will be used to promote other NASCAR events!!!!

The announcement by Juan Pablo and the rumors of Danica and Jacques are VERY SERIOUS issues and if Kevin and Tony do not stop the bleeding NOW….the next announcement will be the "final nail" in the coffin of open wheel racing in America.

GET IT DONE KEVIN AND TONY or get use to watching taxi cabs at Long Beach. Peter M. Romero, Albuquerque, New Mexico