IndyCar's future, more notes

NASCAR legend Larry Pearson was hospitalized after a charity race Saturday in Bristol. AP

Bernard doesn't want to give any preconceptions to the advisory committee. If they suggest delaying the new car until 2013, he would consider that. He also said IndyCar Series president of competition Brian Barnhart and IndyCar president, commercial division Terry Angstadt have been notified of the advisory committee and was in favor of the extra step in the process.

"There will be representation from the IRL on this advisory board, most likely Brian," Bernard said. "I think they liked the idea. They like the idea that there are going to be experts involved to make the decision and will solidify the process that I call the Iconic IZOD IndyCar.

"I'm not calling it the 'Car of Tomorrow.'"

Bernard also said he has tremendous respect for Honda Performance Development, the current engine supplier for the series. Honda is currently the single-engine manufacturer in the series. Through a lengthy process known as the "Engine Manufacturers Roundtable" other engine companies expressed interest in considering an IndyCar Series program but so far, Honda is the only company moving forward.

"The advisory committee needs to sit down and understand everything from the economic impact of having a sole source as opposed to an open source," Bernard said. "The fans would love the idea of an open source. If it is not an economic hindrance to the team owners I think it is important to try that. But that will be a decision made by the advisory committee."

Bernard also plans to listen to the fans -- those that continue to follow the sport and even those disgruntled fans that feel alienated from the split that began with CART when the Indy Racing League began competition in January 1996.

"The fan is very important," Bernard said. "People ask me all the time, who is our competitor, and I say 'Anyone who is in entertainment.' We really need to understand the pulse of the fan out there and what they want. We put 6,000 of those surveys out and we're waiting for the feedback. I think we should have some answers this week, exactly what those results are. I think the fan will be important part of process as well as team owner, drivers and experts."

Erik Berkman, president of HPD, is on vacation and unavailable for comment. HPD spokesman T.E. McHale said Sunday night a reaction from the company would be made after hearing more details about Bernard's plan.

And This Is Why There Should Never Be An Old-Timers Race

For anyone who witnessed the horrifying sight of 57-year-old former NASCAR driver Larry Pearson getting T-boned by 71-year-old former Charlie Glotzbach in an exhibition race at Bristol on Saturday, it is a memory that can't be erased.

Thankfully, both drivers survived but Pearson's injuries include a fractured ankle and pelvis. He was released from Bristol Regional Medical Center late Monday afternoon and was admitted into Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC, according to his family. Glotzbach remains hospitalized Monday in Bristol, where he is listed in good condition.

Despite the fact that the Saturday Showdown is a charity race and the intentions of track promoters were noble, this is one sport that should never have an Old-Timers Race.

The cars used for the legends race at Bristol were from the USAR Pro Cup Series (formerly known as the Hooters Pro Cup). They were simply way too fast for drivers that have been out of competitive racing and now range from their mid-50s to mid-70s in age. These cars were lapping the .523-mile Bristol Motor Speedway in the 15-second range -- speeds equivalent to the NASCAR Nationwide Series race.

This is auto racing -- a sport that is dangerous by nature. It's not Old Timer's Day at Yankee Stadium with Bobby Richardson and Joe Pepitone trotting onto the field for an exhibition game.

In spite of the dangers, those who participated defended the event.

"It's our choice to race," said race winner Rick Wilson. "You get older and they say you're reaction time goes down, then you see a 19-year old do something on the track and say, 'What is he doing?'

"Nobody makes anybody get these race cars. I love it. It's a chance you take."

But in this case, it's an unnecessary risk.

Quote Of The Week

"I have absolutely no respect for Kevin Harvick. I think he's a bad person. That's my opinion. I've told him that. We've had our deal before and his actions through that interaction were so devious and underhanded and cowardly that, it's like; I just have no respect for him. When people like that question me, it makes me feel better because if those people were lined up patting me on the back I'd be on the wrong side of what's right and wrong. And I truly believe that."
--NASCAR driver Carl Edwards in response to Harvick saying he was "fake as hell."

Quote Of The Week II: In Case I Didn't Get My Point Across Edition

"It's really simple: I treat everyone the best way I can possibly treat them, that's the way I was raised, but I stand up for myself. I am not trying to be a good guy or a bad guy, that's just who I am. All those people that say whatever they say, know that if I have an issue with them, I go speak to them. I don't run around behind their back and talk like little girls. That's what a lot of them do. I learned that wasn't cool in about fifth grade."
-- Edwards responding to his image issues.

Quote Of The Week III: Getting Your Wings Clipped Edition

"I think the majority of the reason the wing is being changed is because of the way it looks. That means I believe the wing could have worked and we've seen that. If you look at the races at the end of last year, the middle part on last year, you look at the racing we have seen this year, all those races that we have had that have been really good have been with the wing. So it doesn't mean we can't be successful with the wing nor does it mean we can't be successful with the spoiler."
-- Jeff Burton on NASCAR's last race with the rear wing on the current generation race car.

What I'm Looking Forward To This Week

It's off to St. Petersburg for IndyCar's spring break. Who doesn't enjoy a trip to Florida in March when the sun is warm but not blazingly hot?