George’s destruction of open wheel racing

Just how much damage has Tony George's decision to create the IRL caused open wheel racing in the USA? Consider this – Through 1995 CART had elevated the sport to new highs. Still riding on that high the IRL's opening race at Disney World in 1996 drew a 2.2 rating on ABC. CART's opening round at Homestead drew a 2.1, also on ABC. The Indy 500 that year got a 6.6 and CART's US 500 at Michigan that same Memorial Day recorded a 2.6 on ESPN. Since then the split caused by the IRL has done its damage and destroyed open wheel racing to the point where today the IRL or Champ Car are happy with a pathetic 1.0 rating. And guys like Tony George, John Barnes and AJ Foyt still don't think a merger is necessary. Imagine that!