CART vs. IRL

For over a decade, American open-wheel racing was divided by a bitter civil war-one that reshaped the motorsport landscape and left lasting scars on a once-thriving championship. CART vs. IRL: The Split That Shattered IndyCar is the definitive narrative account of this turbulent era, charting the rise, fall, and uneasy reunification of a sport torn between competing visions.From the golden age of USAC and the formation of CART by rebel team owners, to the creation of the IRL under Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s leadership, this book follows the evolution of two rival series competing for prestige, sponsors, drivers, and the soul of American racing. With detailed year-by-year coverage, it traces the ascent of global stars, the splintering of fanbases, and the economic and cultural costs of a division that weakened both sides.Through vivid storytelling grounded in fact, this book recounts how IndyCar lost its grip on mainstream popularity, how NASCAR surged ahead, and how a slow, fragile process of reunification finally arrived in 2008. What was lost, what was learned, and whether it can ever be regained-this is the saga of one of motorsport’s most consequential battles.