https://racer.com/2023/04/24/indycar-re ... ale-rumor/IndyCar refutes Liberty Media sale rumor
The latest round of speculation regarding a sale of the NTT IndyCar Series took flight leading into the recent Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. Liberty Media, owners of Formula 1, were positioned as the group making a move to purchase the American open-wheel series owned by Penske Entertainment.
Speaking at Long Beach, Penske Corporation president Bud Denker provided an unequivocal answer when asked about the rumor and whether Penske Entertainment was interested in selling IndyCar or its other marquee property, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
“There’s no truth to any of that,” Denker told RACER. “There’s been no discussion, and frankly, we wouldn’t sell it. Being the stewards of the Indy 500 and being stewards of the IndyCar Series go hand in hand.
“We bought this series and bought the Speedway in 2020, and as long as we own both of those, they’re going to stay together.”
RACER also reached out to sources within Liberty Media and Formula 1, who stated the rumor was “completely wrong.”
Probably worth its own thread.
Thoughts?
Personally, would hate to see the sale of Indycar to Liberty. I think it would turn into an awful crossover episode.
I also don't think that Roger would be willing to sell the series or track. He's got an opportunity that I don't think he ever thought he'd have. And as much as he can be a prick, I don't doubt his utter love for American open wheel racing.
But the elephant in the room is that he's as old as time. I mean, he might knock about for another decade. But will he be "there" enough to run things beyond the next ... 5 years? (Assuming he's around that long.)
Which then leads to succession.
While I don't think Roger would sell, who knows what his successors would do? Jay Penske ran an Indycar team for a while (and is still in Formula E?). Has he got the love? Or is he more of a businessman? And who knows what the division of the estate and ownership of things like the series and track would shake out. The family could be united, or it could be on for love and money.
I think that's when a sale could happen.
