[Don]

Fitz....in addition to the Trans-Am, a favorite of mine was the Can-Am series, especially the # 65 & 66 Chaparrals of Jim Hall & Hap Sharp,racing at tracks in the East, Watkins Glen and Bridgehampton ( Long Island NY )

*** With IZOD sponsorship and VERSUS TV coverage of the series, might be a start with a long way to go. Hopefully, there will be more than 33 cars showing up for the Indy 500 qualifying, the suspense of past years to set the field.

" Long Beach race draws VERSUS' most viewers: VERSUS' coverage of the IZOD IndyCar Series's Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 18 earned a .5 national household rating, according Nielsen Media Research, making it the network's highest-rated and most-watched race.

The race, won by Andretti Autosport's Ryan Hunter-Reay, averaged 490,000 viewers during its 3-6 p.m. (EDT) window and peaked with .6 HH rating and 525,000 viewers.

VERSUS' first three races of the 2010 season, as compared to the same number of live events last season, have grown 67 percent in household ratings (.5 vs..3) and 30 percent in average viewers (404,000 vs. 310,000).

Additionally, viewership among all key male demographics is also showing substantial growth: Men 18-34 (up 104 percent), Men 18-49 (up 38 percent) and Men 25-54 (up 60 percent). "



*** Might be a return of sponsorship to the race series, especially for the start and park cars

" Shell Oil Company and Penske Racing Announce Alliance

April 21, 2010

HOUSTON, Tex. (April 21, 2010) - Shell Oil Company and Penske Corporation announce a multi-year cross business alliance starting in the 2011 racing season. The new alliance allows Shell and Pennzoil to expand their motorsports presence as it includes a primary sponsorship with 2004 NASCAR® Sprint Cup Series Champion, Kurt Busch and the No. 22 car, as well as associate sponsorships promoting Shell V-Power® with IZOD IndyCar Series drivers Helio Castroneves, Will Power and Ryan Briscoe. "

http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=364980