It is time for Tony George; by Jim Gandolf

I can see as a young guy growing up in the State of Indiana that the Hulman Family was the biggest name in motorsports. I just didn't know any better, because I was consumed but the greatness of Tony Hulman and his history of buying the Indianapolis Motor Speedway after World War II. The improvements, just to get the abandon race track open in time for the 1946 race. I love the great passion of Tony Hulman started a race back in the early 1970’s. I could only listen to that start on the radio in that time frame. When I started in racing as a tour guide back in the mid 1980’s I just could not believe the wonderful starting of the races; of the wife of Tony Hulman; Marry Hulman was so unbelievable I just had to pinch myself a few times. I did see the opening of the Pan-American Games in Indianapolis at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway back in 1987, I was so proud of America I started to get tears in my eyes, as I saw the USA team walk down the main straight away at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  I remember the day I met Tony George in person, I had a major client called UNO International Games, and I loved taking their clients through the garage and pits at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I thought that company was great, because of not only did this company called UNO International Games, but this company owned radio stations throughout the USA.  It was the year 1989, and I was very busy with a music performer that had a hit in that time frame, called Kip Winger or the group was called Winger. The day before; I was dealing with Kenny Aronoff, which at that time was the drummer for John Mellencamp. I did have some real fun clients with UNO International Card Games. I met Tony George in the suite that UNO owned and I didn’t know who Tony George was at that time, and a wonderful guy by the name of Brad Greg pulled me aside and said, “That’s Tony George, just be nice to him.” I looked at Brad Greg and said, “Who’s Tony George, and I am nice to everyone!”  Brad Greg was so happy he stumped me on the who’s who at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway he almost choked on his soda as he started to laugh at me. Brad Greg then said to me, “That’s Mary Hulman George’s son, goofy; Tony Hulman’s grandson!”  I felt stupid and then extended my hand to Tony George and said, “It was nice to meet you.” Then Tony George and I talk just about nothing but the race track called the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I explained to him how Rick Holmes (One of my friends growing up) and I used to sneak in the track, and how a few of my other friends used to play hide and seek in that great place. I just didn’t know he was going to be the CEO of the place.  I believe that in all the factors of open wheel racing Tony George should be at the top position at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Tony George is defiantly the top man for the job. I believe as a Christian that people learn in life from the balance of time. Tony George did wonderful for open wheel racing, lowered the cost for a race team owner, and extended the excitement of a very close race. Fan Fest, was so cool. I think the only way to get a major title sponsor for IndyCar over the next five years it has to be with a very strong person at the top, and that person is Tony George. I just can’t imagine the talks that Tony George had with his Grandfather (Tony Halman), when Tony George was a young boy. The talks with his own mother; that has had so much responsibility, over the years, Mary Halman George which is and has been the most powerful woman in motorsports ever in its history of racing. I know what companies would be involved in supporting open wheel racing or I love the name IndyCar racing series. I feel that the time is right, because of the Hulman Family is now responsible for so much now. Indianapolis Grand Prix, Indianapolis 500 Mile Race, Brickyard 400, Moto GP, and just few more challenges into the future of all of our heritage in this great stated of confusion of who is who over there at the race track. Timing is everything, and the timing is now. The stability in all major roads of investment is strength in every balance of a corporation. The balance of a strong leader is Tony George for open wheel racing.

Jim Gandolf