The Indy Car Wars - by Sigur E Whitaker (Paperback)

About the Book

"As cars became more sophisticated, the cost of supporting a team had skyrocketed. In an effort to increase purses paid by racing promoters and win lucrative TV contracts, a group of owners formed Championship Auto Racing Teams in 1978. This book details the fight over control of Champ Car racing before reunification in 2008"--

Book Synopsis

The world of Champ Car auto racing was changing in the 1970s. As cars became more sophisticated, the cost of supporting a team had skyrocketed, making things difficult for team owners. In an effort to increase purses paid by racing promoters and win lucrative television contracts, a group of owners formed Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) in 1978. Soon after, CART split from its sanctioning body, the United States Auto Club (USAC).

Though Champ Cars ran on numerous tracks, the Indianapolis 500 was the payday that supported most teams through the season. From the beginning, CART had most of the successful teams and popular drivers, and they focused on driving a wedge between the track owners and the USAC. Over the next 30 years, the tension between CART and USAC ebbed and flowed until all parties realized that reunification was needed for the sake of the sport. This book details the fight over control of Champ Car racing before reunification in 2008.

Review Quotes

"an incredibly detailed, well told and riveting story...entertaining and never told before stories...incredible story of how open wheel racing mad NASCARs ascendency easier. A must read"-Victory Lane.

About the Author

A native of Indianapolis, Sigur E. Whitaker, is the great-great-niece of James Allison, one of the founders of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. A retired banker, she lives in Norfolk, Virginia.