IndyCar: Things are pretty bad when a team has to beg fans for money

It is pretty sad when an IndyCar race team has to beg its fans for money. Some teams are run on a shoestring budget and need ride-buyer money to stay afloat.

While some teams are fairly well funded, even most of the top-teams rely on ride-buyer money for some of their cars.

Teams are so cash poor in IndyCar they cannot afford new cars and have to race ones that are 12 years old.

The Marotti Autosport team is begging fans to buy into their team to raise money to enter the Indy 500.  It makes the series look bad and reflects negatively on those responsible for the commercial aspects of IndyCar.

Marotti Autosport’s Indy 500 program and car have been named the Spirit of Speedway.

“With our Spirit of Speedway program, we are the first to honor Speedway, Ind., hometown of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” said team owner Will Marotti, who launched Marotti Autosport in 2016 when he partnered with Arrow McLaren SP, formerly Schmidt-Peterson Motorsports in the 100th running of the Indy 500.

“With the goal to become the first fully race fan owned entry, what better way to rally support and excitement than to honor the wonderful town of Speedway.”

For a suggested $10,000 investment, race fan investors receive a 1% ownership stake in the car and a commensurate 1% share of the prize money generated by the Spirit of Speedway entry in the 2023 Indy 500.

“Our race fan investors will not only own a part of the car, but they will also have exclusive access to team announcements, driver autograph session and team dinner leading up to the Indy 500, first class hospitality during the May and July Grand Prix weekends, and of course the coveted Indy 500,” Marotti said.

In addition to their second crowd fund, Marotti Autosport is also currently seeking corporate sponsors for the Spirit of Speedway Indy 500 entry.

“We are encouraged by the interest and conversations we’ve had thus far,” Marotti said. “We are committed to creating a motorsports program that will not only give race fans the opportunity to live a dream, but to also bring value and a platform for a corporate partner at the greatest spectacle in all of racing.”

“We are excited about the talent that is out there and with the conclusion of the 2022 NTT IndyCar Series season, some additional drivers are becoming available,” Marotti said. “We have a passion for Speedway, Indiana, and the most prestigious race in the world, and we are seeking to be a competitive entry for the biggest prize in motorsports— the Borg Warner Trophy!”