After four big years, Newman Haas starting over

While with Newman Haas, Sebastien Bourdais won 31 of 73 races from 2004 through 2007. AP

Donnie Hoevel walked into the Newman Haas Lanigan race shop in Indianapolis a few weeks ago, same as any other day during the last 23 years.

But this day, Hoevel discovered everything but the contents of his tool box would soon be of no more use him. Obsolete.

A team that had won the last four Champ Car titles with Formula One rookie Sebastien Bourdais had become a refugee when the open wheel circuit ceased operations in early March, its owners agreeing to sell its assets to the rival Indy Racing League.

A dynasty had been discontinued.

An expanded IRL would absorb the remaining teams -- five of which currently intend to continue -- with the promise of free engine leases, chassis and a vested team's $1.2-million revenue share per car entered this season. It was a salvation of sorts. But the next few years -- and certainly this one -- will be a trial.

"You're not going to catch up until December,'' Hoevel said.

A team that once business-planned in terms of championships now has the most humble of aspirations with the IRL season set to begin on April 29 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

"You reset your goals,'' said general manager Brian Lisles. "We'll be happy if we finish on the lead lap at Homestead.''

It's an inauspicious end to a historic four years at Newman Haas Lanigan. Bourdais established himself as one of North America's top open wheel talents and in doing so scripted the latest chapter for a team that has won eight titles. Bourdais won 31 of 73 races from 2004 through 2007 -- tying the single-season record with eight wins last year -- and became the first driver in 99 years of North American open wheel racing to win four straight championships. His run for a fifth never would have happened anyway -- as he accepted an offer from Scuderia Toro Rosso to launch an F1 career -- but Newman Haas Lanigan likely would have mounted a strong campaign behind second-year driver Graham Rahal or newcomer Justin Wilson.

Bourdais had long proclaimed that open wheel racing in North America was doomed without reunification. His epoch will undoubtedly be remembered -- fairly or not -- for coming just before a weakened Champ Car was consumed by the IRL. He quipped last year that his team's dominance had become "annoying'' to the series, so perhaps the amalgamation provided a tidy, dignified end.

Now the team starts completely over. And it does so already behind, having received its first of two free race cars from Vision Racing on March 3. But the learning curve of a completely new car made it impossible to attend a crucial test for Champ Car expatriates at Sebring International Raceway's road course beginning today.

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