Norman, Okla. — By Brian Sargent

Transcript Sports Writer

The deathblow to North American open-wheel racing came in September 1994. That’s when Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Tony George led a group that broke away from Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) and founded the Indy Racing League (IRL).

The reasons for this split, which was no doubt discordant, are many and varied.

Here’s the CliffsNotes version: CART shifted its emphasis more toward a European-type series, which essentially made it an invitational series, being run to a great extent by wealthy playboys and heirs. Smaller teams charged that their interests weren’t being considered by CART.

George’s new organization intended to contest a sub-championship within the context of CART, but the CART board wanted none of that.

Fast forward to the 21st century when CART and IRL are battling each other for open-wheel supremacy and fans. There’s no clear winner, though it can be argued IRL leads because it has two things CART lacks — the world’s most famous auto race (Indianapolis 500) and the world’s most famous female race-car driver (Danica Patrick).

Will another form of racing suffer the same fate as open-wheel did?

Quite possibly, yes.

And, ironically, the date would be 11 years to the month since IRL was formed.

Earlier this month, Richard Petty Driving Experience announced the formation of its National SprintCar League. This league signed away 12 of the 17 current World of Outlaws series’ full-time drivers and teams to three-year agreements beginning with the 2006 season.

The NSL’s creation hits close to home because Norman-based DIRT Motorsports acquired the Outlaws in February 2004 from founder Ted Johnson.

Bolting for the NSL include notable drivers Steve and Kraig Kinser, Danny Lasoski, Jason Meyers and Tim Shaffer.

No doubt, this will cause tracks, race promoters and future sprint car drivers to choose sides. It’s already begun.

Terry McCarl told the Des Moines (Iowa) Register too many restrictions and too much uncertainty related to the Petty group’s presentation contributed to his choice to remain with the Outlaws.

“I’m 40,” said McCarl. “I’m not taking a leap of faith unless I know there’s something to land on safely. I’m a loyal person. (DIRT Motorsports) didn’t offer any reason to leave them.”

Obviously, Lasoski disagreed.

Lasoski, who said he won’t run any 2006 Outlaws-sanctioned events, was concerned no Outlaws races would be televised live, though races will be televised by the Outdoor Channel on a tape-delay basis. (The NSL doesn’t have a television package, yet.) He said a new direction was needed.

“We saw no light at the end of the tunnel,” Lasoski told the Des Moines Register. “This is a breath of fresh air for us.”

Does Lasoski believe live TV broadcasts of NSL races will bring more attention to sprint car racing, which appeals to a small niche?

More likely what attracted Lasoski to the NSL was the almighty dollar.

It’s crazy to think a racing series run by the Pettys including teams fielded by Nextel Cup drivers Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne and Dave Blaney wouldn’t have bigger race purses than DIRT Motorsports offers.

What does DIRT Motorsports think of the NSL raiding its drivers?

Consider that one day after NSL announced its creation DIRT Motorsports posted a ‘World of Outlaws Spring Series Rule Bulletin’ on its Web site. Six specific violations all included drivers and/or teams having a relationship with a competing series.

Rule No. 3 of this conduct section read, “Public appearances of WoO teams and/or drivers in the promotion or support of an competing series or event.”

Violators would be fined and penalized a minimum of 250 series points.

How many fans, who ultimately determine the success of sports leagues, care if another sprint car series enters the market?

The easy answer is half. But more than 75 percent of respondents to a racingone.com poll picked ‘NSL’ when asked which series they will support in 2006.

The death of sprint car racing has begun. Let’s hope it doesn’t get messy-like divorce open-wheel racing went through.

NASCAR in Norman

Ryan Newman’s Nextel Cup No. 12 Alltel Dodge Charger will be on display twice this weekend in Norman.

The car will be at the Alltel retail store, 3700 W. Robinson St., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday. Beginning 3 p.m. Saturday, the car will be on north side of Owen Field before Oklahoma’s football game against Kansas State.

An Alltel Racing team pit box showcasing various racing memorabilia also will be on display. In addition, fans can work an air gun to clock their speed changing a tire and test their racing skills at Sony PlayStation racing game units.

Brian Sargent

366-3546

bsargent@normantranscript.com