ABC to pay IRL 25% more

When Indy Racing League President and COO Brian Barnhart announced the 2006 IRL schedule at a luncheon meeting of the Madison Ave. Sports Car Driving and Chowder Society at Sardi’s restaurant in Manhattan, he said that a 25-percent increase in IRL TV rights fee payments is anticipated as payment for condensing the schedule. His closing line: “The IRL is the finest racing product in all of motorsport." NSSN

[Editor's Note: Do IRL officials really believe some of the BS that they spout? We wonder what Bernie Ecclestone and the France family think about Barnhart's comment? They probably fell off their chair with laughter.]