IndyCar Needs To Make A Splash

Racing is not like other sports where a prospects popularity can peak before they even make it on the field.

Example: In the world of soccer, young stars such as the Brazilian Neymar is only 20 but has been the most covenant player in the world for three years now.

Robert Griffin III and Andrew Luck were massive names before even being drafted into the NFL and currently Johnny Manziel is a freshman at Texas A&M but is already a national star and his profile will sky rocket by winning the Heisman Trophy.

Then there is the likes of LeBron James who was a superstar before he even graduated high school.

Racing does not work that way. Kyle Larson is great and is lighting the racing world on fire. But dominating in USAC, NASCAR East Division and being impressive in a few Truck races does not get America to take notice. With racing, your only noticed once your successful on the grandest of stages.

Larson, Bryan Clauson, Conor Daly, Zach Veach, Sage Karam, Spencer Pigot and Matthew Brabham to name a few are all young up-and-coming stars but only die hard race fans care about these drivers. They could all end up in IndyCar in five years but sadly that won't get people watching.

When it comes to racing, the causal American will tune in to see stars. That's why IndyCar and Roger Penske have to get Tony Stewart to do the Indianapolis 500. We can get Bryan Clauson in a one-off entry again but unfortunately his name is only known to the die hards. The average sports fan knows Tony Stewart, Brad Keselowski, Jimmie Johnson and others just by turning on ESPN on accident. IndyCar can sign the next one hundred top American racing prospects but signing them won't get people's attention.

In 2007, David Beckham came to Major League Soccer, a league that was overlooked by almost all Americans. Since then the league has grown by seven teams, built seven soccer-specific stadiums with an eighth on the way, double the average player salary and other big name stars from Europe have come to States. Did Beckham single handily create seven clubs and build seven stadium? No he did not, but his presence got people's attention and the league has been benefiting ever since.

IndyCar needs to make a splash. IndyCar needs a David Beckham like move. Just as NASCAR picked at the American Open-Wheel talent by signing the likes AJ Allmendinger, Sam Hornish and Dario Franchitti to name a few, IndyCar has to go out, spend some money and sign a big name from NASCAR. They need to get them to commit for at least five years and show the public what IndyCar racing is all about. Show that these are extremely talented drivers and the racing is just as exciting if not more exciting than NASCAR.

And this isn't something for just Mark Miles or Jeff Belskus to work on. This must be a project from the top to the bottom by those who want to see the series grow. The series, a top team (Penske) and the sponsors have to recruit a top driver and show the driver they are wanted and have support in this venture.

IndyCar wants better ratings and more new fans, they need to make a splash.