POWER PLAYERS for the week of April 17: This week's 10 most influential
people in the Business and Politics of Motorsports, as selected by long-time journalist/publicist and industry insider Michael Knight. 1. Verizon IndyCar Series drivers -- This isn't what IndyCar CEO Mark Miles had in mind on the road to the historic 100th running of the Indianapolis 500, the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing" that this time will be the "Race of the Century," the storyline trends this season have been: Drivers saying they cannot pass, the cars have too much downforce, the racing is "boring" (Tony Kanaan at Long Beach), the racing was better before aero kits, controversy over dome skid plates and strakes (try to explain that to any major city sports columnist who might consider writing about the 100th Indy), and (shocking!) concerns about the officiating. This as the series will present two more hard-to-pass road course events before the Big I500. Will Miles take dramatic action? Will he impose secret fines to any drivers because of their complaints? Oh, that makes two more storylines to follow that don't mesh with the 100th Indy. Help wanted: Chief Communications Officer for IndyCar and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway who will be a part of the senior management team.
[ more next week . . . ]
