The Indianapolis 500 has long been looked upon as being one of the greatest sports traditions in America. Throughout the 1960's to the 1980's drivers racing on the American open wheel circuit were fast, brash, and American. It wasn't until the 1990's that drivers from Europe began to migrate overseas. None of these drivers were slouches.
Nigel Mansell shocked the world in late 1992 when he left the Willams F1 team. Mansell, the reigning Formula 1 World Champion, would not return to his seat at Williams. Instead opting to race alongside Mario Andretti at Newman-Haas Racing in the CART series.
Mansell wasted no time collecting five wins and the 1993 CART championship. Mansell boasted a solid third place at the 1993 Indianapolis 500 - his first oval race. It was most likely the most impressive run anyone had seen up until that point.
Mansell began a trend. In 1996, Italian Alex Zanardi joined the CART series and promptly won back to back championships in 1997 and 1998. Fans seemed to buy in. Mansell and Zanardi quickly became fan favorites.
That trend continues to this day. IndyCar continues to see more and more European and South American drivers compete each season. For example, this year's Indianapolis 500 featured 11 Americans out of 33 drivers. Thirty years ago, the 1984 Indianapolis 500 featured 26 American drivers out of 33.
For 2015, rumors are swirling. Formula 1 drivers now see IndyCar as a far more practical option. European teams see IndyCar and Indy Lights as a cheaper option that will bring more chances of success. All of these aspects are great for the overall health of the series.
However, will fans buy in? Will television buy in? Most sports networks enjoy broadcasting NASCAR because of the logistics. Yet it also appears as though for networks, promoting an American born driver is also the easier option.
Telecasts of IndyCar seem to have a difficult time promoting drivers from European backgrounds, instead opting to focus on Americans and Brazilians.
That leads to the main question. With the exception of Jean-Eric Vergne, few fans and television networks will be familiar with these European drivers. Will ABC and NBC be able to promote these drivers as the future stars they are? Will IndyCar itself market these drivers properly? It remains to be seen. However the ball is in IndyCar's court. They have many options as towards how they can use these drivers to their advantage. Hopefully, pride and proper promotion turn out favorable.
Nigel Mansell shocked the world in late 1992 when he left the Willams F1 team. Mansell, the reigning Formula 1 World Champion, would not return to his seat at Williams. Instead opting to race alongside Mario Andretti at Newman-Haas Racing in the CART series.
Mansell wasted no time collecting five wins and the 1993 CART championship. Mansell boasted a solid third place at the 1993 Indianapolis 500 - his first oval race. It was most likely the most impressive run anyone had seen up until that point.
Mansell began a trend. In 1996, Italian Alex Zanardi joined the CART series and promptly won back to back championships in 1997 and 1998. Fans seemed to buy in. Mansell and Zanardi quickly became fan favorites.
That trend continues to this day. IndyCar continues to see more and more European and South American drivers compete each season. For example, this year's Indianapolis 500 featured 11 Americans out of 33 drivers. Thirty years ago, the 1984 Indianapolis 500 featured 26 American drivers out of 33.
For 2015, rumors are swirling. Formula 1 drivers now see IndyCar as a far more practical option. European teams see IndyCar and Indy Lights as a cheaper option that will bring more chances of success. All of these aspects are great for the overall health of the series.
However, will fans buy in? Will television buy in? Most sports networks enjoy broadcasting NASCAR because of the logistics. Yet it also appears as though for networks, promoting an American born driver is also the easier option.
Telecasts of IndyCar seem to have a difficult time promoting drivers from European backgrounds, instead opting to focus on Americans and Brazilians.
That leads to the main question. With the exception of Jean-Eric Vergne, few fans and television networks will be familiar with these European drivers. Will ABC and NBC be able to promote these drivers as the future stars they are? Will IndyCar itself market these drivers properly? It remains to be seen. However the ball is in IndyCar's court. They have many options as towards how they can use these drivers to their advantage. Hopefully, pride and proper promotion turn out favorable.
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