"Our vision".

• Author: GEORGE, ANTON HULMAN
• Position: Indianapolis Motor Speedway - Brief Article

Tony George reflects on changes at the Speedway

At the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corp., our vision is international leadership in motorsports entertainment, built on the rich history and tradition of the Indianapolis 500.

When I became president in 1990, I already had been asked dozens of times why we only ran one race a year. I had been racing myself and had an interest in Formula One, but prior to realizing that dream we developed a different strategic alliance. We decided to host a stockcar race. The Brickyard 400, launched in 1994; has opened up a lucrative Midwest market to NASCAR and given the Speedway the second-largest single-day sporting event in the world.

Today, we're putting the finishing touches on the Speedway to allow us to host our third, world-class event. The Formula One World Championship run by the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile is truly one of the great commercial success stories in motorsports. In the year 2000, there will be 17 grands prix in 16 countries. They will be televised in 200 countries to more than 50 billion aggregate viewers. Formula One and soccer are the most popular sports in other countries and we look forward to having a place on the schedule.

The September 24, 2000, U.S. Grand Prix in Indianapolis will be the most highly anticipated new motorsports event on the calendar. Indianapolis is recognized worldwide as hallowed ground in racing. Indianapolis will benefit from increased international exposure. It will enhance an already strong reputation in sports. And with five months until the race, 99 percent of the available hotel rooms in Marion County have been contracted for the U.S. Grand Prix weekend. Like the Indy 500 and the Brickyard 400, it will happen every year. It will be like a Super Bowl every year.

Ticket sales have been very good. They've exceeded most people's expectations...