RYAN HUNTER-REAY MOVES FROM VISION TO AJ FOYT RACING FOR REMAINDER OF 2009
Ok race fans, let me be real clear about something: This is more of an opinion piece mixed with news, than it is a news piece mixed with opinion. I would hate to end up in the middle of a heated debate on ESPN like our fearless leader JRod recently did. (Great job by the way JRod…they missed the bigger point you presented very clearly.)
I am not a Ryan Hunter-Reay fan. Not even close…in fact when he qualified on bump day into the Indianapolis 500 and he whined and whined and whined about how slow they were, I lost all remaining respect for one of the few grown men in America that have a hyphenated last name. Instead of the jubilation the other qualifiers into the GREATEST SPECTACLE IN RACING showed, RHR simply whined and complained about being slow. There were rumors of him complaining about how Vision Racing was focusing more on their primary driver than they were his entry. I assume, if that’s true, it’s only because they were tired of wiping his nose and changing his diaper.
If you have read any of my previous articles regarding the IndyCar Series, I have been a bit of fan boy I suppose, never really challenging anything that happens and blindly smelling the ethanol that wafts past my nostrils at 220mph. Today however, I have something to say.
After the Texas race, Vision Racing was having sponsorship issues and decided to park the #21 for the remainder of the year. Concurrently, AJ Foyt had an opening from the Vitor Meira crash at the 500 and had used Paul Tracy and his grandson AJ Foyt IV this past week. So you have a seat open due to an injury…and a team that shuts down one of its entries in the league due to sponsorship issues. So one plus one equals two right?
Sort of. In MY OPINION, RHR is not even close to being the same caliber driver as Paul Tracy. PT, except for the Canadian races finds himself without a seat for the year as of right now, so availability isn’t an issue. What is the issue?
MONEY.
Ryan Hunter-Reay is the golden boy of IZOD. If you have seen the IZOD commercials, you have seen him in them. He has IZOD sponsorship behind him..and sure other drivers have sponsors behind them as well, but none of the other drivers have a FREAKING SERIES SPONSOR on their side. IZOD is the official clothier of the IndyCar Series. Meaning…they have committed some decent coin to back the league…and when we find ourselves where the golden boy may not even be in the league? Well, that’s not acceptable.
Right here, is where having Tony George run a team…and the league itself, causes some serious conflicts. Look at this quote from Indycar.com:
“Following the Texas race, it became clear that this could be a reasonable solution to a number of challenges and it needed consideration,” George said. “A.J. Foyt and I spoke candidly about what Ryan had to offer. We all feel Ryan will be able to contribute to their program and provide continuity for the rest of the season while they await Vitor’s return.” -Tony George
So, as I read through the lines…doesn’t it sort of sound like Tony helped AJ see the benefits of having Ryan in the seat? What does spoke candidly mean? If it means, look AJ we cannot have the golden boy of one of our biggest name sponsors not have a ride in the series and we are going to use your car…then I agree. That is candid.
And as far as continuity goes? Continually whining…continually running into the wall…and continually running as back marker…though I think those are all accurate, perhaps the most accurate of all is continually being backed by corporate money.
If there is one thing about motor sports that absolutely drives me crazy, it is seeing those with money be able to run…and those with talent sit on the sideline. But…that’s the nature of auto racing. And you can hate the game but not the player, I get that…but in this case…it’s a bit of both I suppose. So Ryan, I wish you well…but don’t continue this act of entitlement. We all know why you are where you are. Prove me wrong.
