Meira, Piquet Test Trucks + More IndyCar Freebies!

Two-time Indianapolis 500 runner-up Vitor Meira and former F1 Renault driver Nelson Piquet, Jr. will test with Red Horse Racing of the NASCAR (sans-culottes!) Camping World Truck Series. The one-day test is scheduled for October 12.

"We look forward to helping Vitor Meira and Nelson Piquet make the transition into NASCAR." - Tom DeLoach, Owner of Red Horse Racing

This is strange for several reasons. For one, Meira was one of several IndyCar drivers promoting the IndyCar finale at Macy's in Miami October 2. Incidentally, IZOD and APEX Brasil used the event to give away 50 free tickets to the race. The freebie count is steadily climbing.

Returning to the matter at hand, A.J. Foyt confirmed last week that Meira would return to the cockpit of the ABC Supply Co./AJ Foyt Racing Dallara in 2010. Why, then, is Meira participating in a Camping World Trucks test next week? I suppose that he could just be looking to run a few Truck races in addition to his 2010 IndyCar schedule. However, given the desperate economic straits of the IndyCar Series, I do wonder about Foyt's sponsorship commitments for next season.


Piquet had been rumored to be looking at Eric Bachelart's Conquest Racing team in IndyCar. But you can't blame the son of the former world champion for checking out a NASCAR opportunity. The Truck Series is not only less costly than IndyCar, but also more popular, typically beating IndyCar's television ratings by about 45%.


NASCAR suddenly finds itself struggling with declining Cup ratings and attendance amid a still sluggish economy. The TV ratings decrease is most important because it devalues the NASCAR product at the firm level rather than the systemic level. We are therefore likely to see ride buyers migrate to NASCAR because it is still a much better deal than IndyCar.

I was told a few years ago that Vitor Meira brought no money to the table. I have no reason to believe that is not still true. However, if those who are driver-financiers go away, then how will the IRL sustain its overpriced and unwanted product?


Roggespierre