INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -Danica Patrick and Helio Castroneves are household names. If they follow a recent trend, they won't be Indy Racing League names for long.
Patrick and Castroneves will be among the favorites to win the Indianapolis 500 on May 25. Win or lose, they could eventually follow the last two Indy 500 winners, Sam Hornish Jr. and Dario Franchitti, to the riches and exposure of NASCAR. It's something Patrick flirted with in 2006 before deciding to stay with the IRL.
The impact of defections by Patrick, Castroneves or both would appear to be devastating because the two have appeal beyond racing fans. Patrick appeared in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue in February, then won her first IndyCar race last month. Castroneves won ``Dancing with the Stars,'' last year, and since has moved to the top of the series standings.
Terry Angstadt, president of the IRL's commercial division, has high hopes for the future because of early indicators that interest has picked up this season. Television numbers are up from 2007, with a 38 percent ratings increase and a 28 percent higher share in four races this season. Merchandise sales at the tracks are up 23 percent.
Until such increases in interest become consistent, Angstadt knows the IRL will struggle to keep its top stars because the financial opportunities are greater in NASCAR.
``Are there financial opportunities there? Absolutely,'' Angstadt told the Associated Press. ``We don't hide behind that. They are the dominant force in motor sports. ...
``We really try to focus all of our energy and efforts on things we can control and change. If people like a Sam Hornish Jr. and a Dario Franchitti want to race in NASCAR, best wishes. Would I prefer to have them here? Absolutely. I'm not crazy. At the same time, we can't control that.''
Bobby Rahal, the 1986 Indy 500 winner, said marketing will play a role in making the IRL powerful enough to compete with NASCAR down the road.
``If the racing was the key, well, I don't know much better racing out there,'' he said. ``But it's not. That's not the key. It's the personalities and the individuals and the stories. NASCAR and sponsors have done a great job of promoting those kinds of things over the years. This series just has to do the same.''
Franchitti feels the IRL is on its way up, especially since it merged with the Champ Car World Series in February after a split 12 years earlier.
``I think the series is fine on its own,'' he said. ``I do think they've made all the right moves to make the series stronger and that will make it more attractive for the drivers for sure.''
Younger drivers like Australian Will Power share Franchitti's confidence that the IRL is thriving. The former Champ Car driver said the merger has already improved the quality of the product.
``I think it's in very good shape,'' Power said. ``The best thing that ever happened was the two series coming together. Now, we have a lot to work with and all the best venues together and all the best teams.''
Patrick has been in the spotlight since winning the Twin Ring Motegi 300 on April 20 in Japan. Angstadt said it solidified her status as a driver.
Castroneves is a two-time Indy 500 winner whose opportunity on ``Dancing with the Stars'' revealed what Angstadt already knew - that Castroneves is marketable.
``It gave Helio such a showcase,'' Angstadt said. ``He has such an engaging personality, and America fell in love with him. And every time they would introduce him as two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves - huge exposure for us.''
``To be in front of 22 million people a couple times a week, and then to have such an interactive relationship - I mean, people had to pick up the phone, or jump on a computer or text to vote. That's real involvement.''
Angstadt said other stars, such as veterans Dan Wheldon and Tony Kanaan, and younger stars, such as Power, Marco Andretti, Graham Rahal (Bobby's son) and Justin Wilson, are marketable as well. But for now, the IRL is riding ``DanicaMania.''
``It's not going to be all Danica, all the time,'' he said. ``But, to take advantage of what has happened, a very historic moment for a female athlete, are we going to exploit that to the fullest? Yes, we are.''
Angstadt said Patrick told him after last season that she's committed to the IRL.
``Danica, I think, is pretty happy here,'' he said. ``I think she sees things improving for the better. She said 'Terry, if you see opportunities where I can help the league grow, call me.' And we have. And she has performed.''
In time, Angstadt believes the IRL will reach a point in which veteran stars will stay, and if not, new stars can thrive, and the IRL will move on.
``The opportunities really are endless for the sport,'' he said. ``This form of motorsport can be restored to a very powerful business, and that's what we're working hard to do.''
