Merger talks leave Cleveland promoter puzzled

The promoter of the Grand Prix of Cleveland said Thursday he is "in a fog" like everyone else on exactly what is happening between the Indy Racing League and the Champ Car World Series.

Mike Lanigan, chief executive for Mi-Jack Promotions, said unification talks are going on, but he has no indications about the future of the races he promotes in Cleveland and in Houston.

Gerald Forsythe (L) and Kevin Kalkhoven

"I've talked to [Kevin] Kalkhoven, once, and Gerald Forsythe, once," Lanigan said of two CCWS owners. "The only thing they've told me is they are in discussions. No one has told me Cleveland and Houston are out, or that they are in, quite frankly."

Lanigan said he is for unification between the two open-wheel series, but it always has been with the understanding Cleveland, in particular, would be part of the deal. Last fall, Mi-Jack and the city of Cleveland signed a five-year race agreement through 2012.

"We have a huge amount of money invested in Cleveland and Houston," Lanigan said. "But the light at the end of the tunnel for us was always unification. That would bring Houston and Cleveland closer to profitability. I always thought Cleveland was near the top of their radar screen. And maybe that will happen. But I don't know anything right now." Cleveland.com