28/02/2011
NEWS STORY
IndyCar boss Randy Bernard has issued an interesting challenge to drivers from other series; qualify for and win the 2011 season finale at Las Vegas and you'll collect a cool $5 million (£3m).
"We believe our drivers are the best drivers in the world," said Bernard in a teleconference. "We have to gain credibility for these drivers, and there's not a better way than to throw a challenge out like this."
Sadly, the date (October 16) conflicts with the Korean Grand Prix otherwise we might have seen a couple of F1 regulars take up the challenge. However, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is in action at Charlotte, N.C the previous day which means former F1 star Juan Pablo Montoya could pick up the gauntlet.
"Oh boy, if my grandfather finds this out we will be a five-car team," tweeted Marco Andretti prompting dreams that his father Michael and legendary grandfather Mario might give the challenge some thought.
Bernard denies that the challenge could compromise IndyCar's reputation, saying: "This is a challenge to showcase the sport of IndyCar to other motor sports around the world and try to attract a new audience and some new drivers and showcase how tough it is to be an IndyCar driver."
This year's race is the first IndyCar event at Las Vegas since 2000.