2008 Champ Car World Series

Cancelled 2008 American motorsport season May 2023 August 2026 2008 Champ Car Champ Car World Series 14 April 20 November 9 2007 Final Season The 2008 Champ Car World Series was the cancelled 30th season of the Champ Car World Series, a motor racing series for top-level American open-wheel cars, and the fifth season under the sanctioning of Champ Car. It would have represented the 97th official national championship season with the rivaling 2008 IndyCar Series. The championship was to have featured 14 rounds, beginning on April 20 and ending on November 9. Entering the 13th year of the schism between the two American open-wheel car racing sanctioning bodies, Champ Car and the Indy Racing League (IRL), public interest in the sport had fallen well short of fellow American motorsport NASCAR and none of the attempts to unify the leagues materialized.Oreovicz John January 4, 2008 American open-wheel racing held hostage: Year 13 https://www.espn.com/racing/columns/story?columnist=oreovicz_john&id=3180918&seriesId=1 live https://web.archive.org/web/20260310034831/https://www.espn.com/racing/columns/story?columnist=oreovicz_john&id=3180918&seriesId=1 March 10, 2026 August 10, 2026 ESPN.com ESPN Internet Ventures As Champ Car faced impending bankruptcy, however, negotiations followed through, and the leagues finally merged on February 22, 2008, under the IndyCar Series banner. As per the leagues' agreement, Champ Car was dissolved as an entity after their final race, the 2008 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, which was held on the same day as the IRL's Indy Japan 300. All participants of the Long Beach race who intended to join the IndyCar Series were awarded points towards their 2008 championship. The race was won by Will Power.April 20, 2008 Will Power wins historic Champ Car finale https://www.cbc.ca/sports/will-power-wins-historic-champ-car-finale-1.724191 CBC Sports The Associated Press May 12, 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20251127134411/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/will-power-wins-historic-champ-car-finale-1.724191 November 27, 2025 live Teams and drivers The following teams and drivers were expected to compete in the 2008 Champ Car World Series prior to the Champ Car–Indy Racing League (IRL) merger. All teams would have used 2.65 L U.S.gal on turbocharged V8 engines supplied by Cosworth, the Panoz DP01 chassis, and tires supplied by Bridgestone.Glossary http://www.champcarworldseries.com/About/Glossary.asp?LanguageID=1 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080620062845/http://www.champcarworldseries.com/About/Glossary.asp?LanguageID=1 June 20, 2008 August 11, 2026 Champ Car World Series TeamNo. Car numberDriverUSA Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing1GBR Justin WilsonJanuary 29, 2008 Justin Wilson, Graham Rahal To Make Up Newman/Haas/Lanigan Lineup http://www.champcarworldseries.com/News/Article.asp?ID=12494 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080206021046/http://www.champcarworldseries.com/News/Article.asp?ID=12494 February 6, 2008 January 29, 2008 Champ Car World Series Lincolnshire, Illinois2USA Graham Rahal USA Forsythe/Pettit Racing3CAN Paul TracyJanuary 7, 2008 Report: Tracy decides to stay in Champ Car series https://www.espn.com/racing/news/story?id=3184766&seriesId=5 December 24, 2024 ESPN.com en Oreovicz John https://web.archive.org/web/20250101224840/https://www.espn.com/racing/news/story?id=3184766&seriesId=5 January 1, 2025 live ESPN Internet VenturesUSA Rocketsports Racing8BRA Enrique BernoldiJanuary 28, 2008 Rocketsports Signs Former F1 Driver http://www.champcarworldseries.com/News/Article.asp?ID=12491 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080304112543/http://www.champcarworldseries.com/News/Article.asp?ID=12491 March 4, 2008 January 28, 2008 Champ Car World Series Indianapolis USA PKV Racing22ESP Oriol ServiàJanuary 5, 2008 Oriol Servià Signs With PKV https://www.champcarworldseries.com/News/Article.asp?ID=12462 https://web.archive.org/web/20080304104526/https://www.champcarworldseries.com/News/Article.asp?ID=12462 March 4, 2008 January 10, 2008 dead Champ Car World Series USA Conquest Racing24FRA Franck PereraFebruary 6, 2008 Conquest Racing Confirms Atlantic's 'Fearless' Franck Perera For 2008 Champ Car World Series Season http://www.champcarworldseries.com/News/Article.asp?ID=12520 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080304113757/http://www.champcarworldseries.com/News/Article.asp?ID=12520 March 4, 2008 February 6, 2008 Champ Car World SeriesUnited States Pacific Coast Motorsports28Mexico David MartínezJanuary 26, 2008 David Martinez set to Test with PCM and Alex Figge at Sebring http://www.champcarworldseries.com/News/Article.asp?ID=12488 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080321205908/http://www.champcarworldseries.com/News/Article.asp?ID=12488 March 21, 2008 August 11, 2026 Champ Car World Series29USA Alex Figge Test drivers The following drivers did not have a guaranteed ride for the 2008 Champ Car World Series, but competed in the final Champ Car open test at Sebring International Raceway prior to the merger. Team No. Car number Driver GBR Minardi Team USA 4 COL E. J. VisoFebruary 1, 2008 Viso To Pilot Minardi Team USA Entry At Sebring Test http://www.champcarworldseries.com/News/Article.asp?ID=12504 December 24, 2024 Champ Car World Series https://web.archive.org/web/20080316041956/http://www.champcarworldseries.com/News/Article.asp?ID=12504 March 16, 2008 dead Indianapolis USA Forsythe/Pettit Racing 7 FRA Franck MontagnyFebruary 1, 2008 It's 'Open Season' On Testing http://www.champcarworldseries.com/News/Article.asp?ID=12506 https://web.archive.org/web/20080304114144/http://www.champcarworldseries.com/News/Article.asp?ID=12506 March 4, 2008 December 24, 2024 Champ Car World Series dead Sebring, Florida USA Dale Coyne Racing 11 BRA Bruno Junqueira 19 BRA Mario Moraes USA PKV Racing 21 CAN Alex Tagliani2008-01-22 PKV Racing to test Tagliani https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/champcar-cart-pkv-racing-to-test-tagliani/2262206/ 2024-12-24 Motorsport.com USA Conquest Racing 34 FRA Simon Pagenaud2008-02-01 Simon Pagenaud, Franck Perera to Test for Conquest at Sebring https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/champcar-cart-conquest-racing-sebring-test-preview/2265138/ 2024-12-24 Motorsport.com Team changes Days before the 2007 Lexmark Indy 300, Justin Wilson revealed to Gold Coast Publications that his team RuSPORT was shutting down at the end of the 2007 season, leaving him without a ride.McLeod Pat October 17, 2007 Wilson races under cloud as team folds http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2007/10/17/3845_gold-coast-indy.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071019042203/http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2007/10/17/3845_gold-coast-indy.html October 19, 2007 August 11, 2026 Gold Coast Publications The team was previously merged with Rocketsports Racing as RSPORTS at the start of the season, but the two teams separated in August 2007.Straver Patrick August 24, 2007 RSports wordt weer Rocketsports en RuSport RSports becomes Rocketsports and RuSport again https://www.openwheelworld.net/nl/nieuws/4236/RSports_wordt_weer_Rocketsports_en_RuSport live https://web.archive.org/web/20231130005440/https://www.openwheelworld.net/nl/nieuws/4236/RSports_wordt_weer_Rocketsports_en_RuSport November 30, 2023 August 12, 2026 Open Wheel World nl Bruce Delahorne, the senior manager of national advertising and racing of the team's sponsor CDW, explained that the company was pulling their sponsorship because he had lost confidence in the team after Dan Pettit acquired it from founder Paul Russo.November 11, 2007 CDW 'not interested in IRL, NASCAR'. https://www.crash.net/indycar/news/25583/1/cdw-not-interested-in-irl-nascar January 7, 2025 Crash.net en Huntting Lynne https://web.archive.org/web/20250123084926/https://www.crash.net/indycar/news/25583/1/cdw-not-interested-in-irl-nascar January 23, 2025 live In November 2007, Pettit announced that RuSPORT would merge with Forsythe Championship Racing, which became Forsythe/Pettit Racing for the 2008 season.November 26, 2007 Forsythe, RuSport teams merge for 2008 https://www.autoweek.com/news/a2060896/forsythe-rusport-teams-merge-2008/ December 24, 2024 Autoweek live https://web.archive.org/web/20260811233822/https://www.autoweek.com/news/a2060896/forsythe-rusport-teams-merge-2008/ August 11, 2026 Team Australia co-owner Derrick Walker initially expressed a desire to field cars in the Champ Car World Series and the IndyCar Series as he did in 2000 and 2001, having already owned four Panoz chassis for the former series and three Dallara chassis for the latter.Straver Patrick February 11, 2008 Team Australia overweegt deelname aan Champ Car en IRL Team Australia is considering participating in Champ Car and IRL. https://www.openwheelworld.net/nl/nieuws/4991/Team_Australia_overweegt_deelname_aan_Champ_Car_en_IRL live https://web.archive.org/web/20260511153202/https://www.openwheelworld.net/nl/nieuws/4991/Team_Australia_overweegt_deelname_aan_Champ_Car_en_IRL May 11, 2026 August 11, 2026 Open Wheel World nl However, due to his frustration over Champ Car officials' lack of communication with their teams and his presumption that their series was soon shutting down, Walker decided against participating in pre-season testing at Sebring International Raceway and planned on joining the IndyCar Series.February 12, 2008 Owner Walker making plans to compete in rival league https://www.espn.com/racing/news/story?seriesId=5&id=3243165 live https://web.archive.org/web/20250812152735/https://www.espn.com/racing/news/story?seriesId=5&id=3243165 August 12, 2025 August 13, 2026 ESPN.com ESPN Internet Ventures Indianapolis Associated Press In June 2007, adult entertainment company AVN Media Network partnered with marketing firm Sports & Entertainment International to form AVN Racing, a team that was planned to field at least one full-time entry for the 2008 season. The team's chief executive officer (CEO) and president Russ Herriott hoped to "run a race or two [in 2007] as a test for us and for Champ Car to see if it makes sense to do a full season in 2008." The team did not issue any further statements about their involvement in the series, however, signaling that it was shut down before the 2008 season was scheduled to begin.July 12, 2007 Is the AVN Racing effort real? https://www.autoracing1.com/pl/158286 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20230418054509/https://www.autoracing1.com/pl/158286 April 18, 2023 August 11, 2026 AutoRacing1Benthem Haiko June 24, 2007 AVN Racing wil erotiek industrie promoten met eigen team AVN Racing wants to promote the erotic industry with its own team. https://www.openwheelworld.net/nl/nieuws/3466/AVN_Racing_wil_erotiek_industrie_promoten_met_eigen_team live https://web.archive.org/web/20251209114426/https://www.openwheelworld.net/nl/nieuws/3466/AVN_Racing_wil_erotiek_industrie_promoten_met_eigen_team December 9, 2025 August 11, 2026 Open Wheel World nl Driver changes thumb|299x299px|Justin Wilson (pictured in 2009) replaced Sébastien Bourdais at Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing. He was considered the title favorite before Champ Car went bankrupt.March 13, 2008 Wilson expecting a tough time https://www.autosport.com/indycar/news/wilson-expecting-a-tough-time-4419336/4419336/ https://web.archive.org/web/20240106021656/https://www.autosport.com/indycar/news/wilson-expecting-a-tough-time-4419336/4419336/ January 6, 2024 December 24, 2024 en live Autosport English Steven Motorsport Network The series' most notable absentee was four-time and defending champion Sébastien Bourdais, who moved to Formula One for the 2008 season, joining Scuderia Toro Rosso as a replacement for Vitantonio Liuzzi.Knutson Dan January 25, 2008 Bourdais' transition to F1's Toro Rosso 'all coming together' http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/news/story?series=6&id=3214027 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080129140657/http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/news/story?series=6&id=3214027 January 29, 2008 August 12, 2026 ESPN.com ESPN Internet VenturesCollantine Keith August 10, 2007 Bourdais replaces Liuzzi for 2008 https://www.racefans.net/2007/08/10/bourdais-replaces-liuzzi-for-2008/ December 24, 2024 RaceFans en-GB https://web.archive.org/web/20211017055732/https://www.racefans.net/2007/08/10/bourdais-replaces-liuzzi-for-2008/ October 17, 2021 live Wilson took Bourdais' seat at Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing and was teamed with second-generation driver Graham Rahal, while Wilson's former RSPORTS teammate Alex Tagliani was replaced by former Formula One driver Enrique Bernoldi at Rocketsports Racing. 2007 Rookie of the Year Robert Doornbos valiantly fought to replace Bourdais and was confused as to why Wilson was chosen over him. He was also in a contractual disagreement with his current team Minardi Team USA, demanding that they give him a larger budget for the upcoming season in order to avoid him leaving for other teams that took an interest in hiring him, such as PKV Racing and Forsythe/Pettit Racing.Straver Patrick February 8, 2008 Doornbos stelt Minardi een ultimatum Doornbos issues Minardi an ultimatum https://www.openwheelworld.net/nl/nieuws/4977/Doornbos_stelt_Minardi_een_ultimatum live https://web.archive.org/web/20251209102810/https://www.openwheelworld.net/nl/nieuws/4977/Doornbos_stelt_Minardi_een_ultimatum December 9, 2025 August 13, 2026 Open Wheel World nl Oriol Servià drove for PKV Racing in the final two rounds of the 2007 season after being let go by Forsythe/Pettit Racing (then Forsythe Championship Racing) in favor of rookie driver David Martínez, and later signed on to rejoin the team for the first time since the 2006 season. The team planned to field a second entry with an unknown driver. Servià's past teammate and 2003 Drivers' Champion Paul Tracy was speculated to soon become an IRL driver after a report from veteran journalist Robin Miller claimed that his team owner Gerald Forsythe gave him an ultimatum to accept a large pay cut for his five-year contract with the team or lose his ride altogether.The Way It Is/ Paul Tracy is unmoved and newly motivated with Forsythe in Champ Car https://www.gordonkirby.com/categories/columns/theway/2008/the_way_it_is_no108.html December 24, 2024 GordonKirby.com https://web.archive.org/web/20250324133407/http://www.gordonkirby.com/categories/columns/theway/2008/the_way_it_is_no108.html March 24, 2025 liveMiller Robin December 9, 2007 CHAMP CAR: Tracy Told to Renegotiate Contract http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/champcar/42007/ https://web.archive.org/web/20071211090225/http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/champcar/42007/ December 11, 2007 December 24, 2024 Speed Channel dead Indianapolis, Indiana However, in January 2008, Tracy confirmed that he would remain with the team following a meeting with Forsythe after the holiday season. Champ Car Atlantic driver Franck Perera was announced as Conquest Racing's first of two drivers for the 2008 season; the other driver was never announced prior to the merger. Perera finished second in the 2007 Atlantic Championship, but despite champion Raphael Matos' switch to the IRL Indy Pro Series for their 2008 season, Perera did not receive the $2 million advancement prize. Pacific Coast Motorsports retained Alex Figge for the 2008 season, partnering him with Martínez in his first full season of the Champ Car World Series. Planned schedule The 2008 Champ Car World Series schedule was announced on November 5, 2007. For the second consecutive year, no oval tracks were included.Malsher David November 5, 2007 Jerez in, Vegas out in 2008 http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/63814 live https://web.archive.org/web/20080213225634/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/63814 February 13, 2008 August 12, 2026 Autosport Haymarket Publications RoundDateRaceTrackLocation1April 20Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beachpeachpuff S silver Streets of Long BeachUSA Long Beach, California2April 27Grand Prix of Houstonpeachpuff S silver JAGFlo Speedway at Reliant ParkUSA Houston, Texas3May 18Champ Car Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Secalightblue R silver Mazda Raceway Laguna SecaUSA Monterey, California4June 1Champ Car Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit Zolderlightblue R silver Circuit ZolderBEL Heusden-Zolder, Limburg5June 8Gran Premio Champ Car de Españalightblue R silver Circuito de JerezESP Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz6June 22Champ Car Grand Prix of Clevelandpeachpuff S silver Cleveland Burke Lakefront AirportUSA Cleveland, Ohio7June 29Champ Car Mont-Tremblantlightblue R silver Circuit Mont-TremblantCAN Mont-Tremblant, Quebec8July 6Steelback Grand Prix of Torontopeachpuff S silver Exhibition PlaceCAN Toronto, Ontario9July 20Rexall Grand Prix of Edmontonlightblue R silver Edmonton City Centre AirportCAN Edmonton, Alberta10July 27Champ Car Grand Prix of Portlandlightblue R silver Portland International RacewayUSA Portland, Oregon11August 10Road America Grand Prixlightblue R silver Road AmericaUSA Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin12September 14Champ Car Grand Prix of Holland at TT Circuit Assenlightblue R silver TT Circuit AssenNED Assen, Drenthe13October 26Gold Coast Indy 300peachpuff S silver Surfers Paradise Street CircuitAUS Surfers Paradise, Queensland14November 9Gran Premio Tecatelightblue R silver Autódromo Hermanos RodríguezMEX Mexico City Source:2008 Event Schedule http://www.champcarworldseries.com/Event/EventSchedule.asp dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080222030528/http://www.champcarworldseries.com/Event/EventSchedule.asp February 22, 2008 August 12, 2026 Champ Car World Series Key Symbol Track type lightblue R silver Road course peachpuff S silver Street circuit Schedule changes thumb|250x250px|Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca (pictured in 2005) was due to return to the Champ Car World Series after a three-year absence. The lone new addition to the Champ Car World Series calendar in 2008 was the Gran Premio Champ Car de España. Circuito de Jerez, the track on which the Grand Prix was to be held, last hosted a Formula One race in 1997, but had since underwent a resurfacing in 2005. It would have been the first Champ Car World Series race to be staged in Spain.November 6, 2007 La Champ Car 2008 pasará por el Circuito de Jerez The 2008 Champ Car series will visit the Jerez Circuit https://www.motorpasion.com/formula1/la-champ-car-2008-pasara-por-el-circuito-de-jerez live https://web.archive.org/web/20190916120312/https://www.motorpasion.com/formula1/la-champ-car-2008-pasara-por-el-circuito-de-jerez September 16, 2019 August 12, 2026 Motorpasión es Another track returned to the series' schedule; after being excluded in 2005 in favor of the San Jose Grand Prix, the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca's Grand Prix returned to the Champ Car World Series in 2008 because several new construction projects in San Jose left race organizers with little room to reconfigure the San Jose Street Circuit.de Bruijn Wouter September 11, 2007 Champ Car bevestigt terugkeer Laguna Seca Champ Car confirms return to Laguna Seca https://www.openwheelworld.net/nl/nieuws/4494/Champ_Car_bevestigt_terugkeer_Laguna_Seca/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20260608083304/https://www.openwheelworld.net/nl/nieuws/4494/Champ_Car_bevestigt_terugkeer_Laguna_Seca/ June 8, 2026 August 12, 2026 Open Wheel World nl Despite the popularity of the inaugural Vegas Grand Prix in 2007, the event did not return to the schedule in 2008 because its promoters failed to secure sponsorship, which resulted in a financial loss. They also cancelled the 2007 Grand Prix Arizona for the same reason. However, the event's local organizer Jim Freudenberg still hoped to bring back the event in 2009, possibly moving it from downtown Las Vegas to the Thomas & Mack Center near the Las Vegas Strip.Straver Patrick November 25, 2007 Vegas Grand Prix in 2009 niet uitgesloten Vegas Grand Prix in 2009 not ruled out https://www.openwheelworld.net/nl/nieuws/4788/Vegas_Grand_Prix_in_2009_niet_uitgesloten/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20260419005804/https://www.openwheelworld.net/nl/nieuws/4788/Vegas_Grand_Prix_in_2009_niet_uitgesloten/ April 19, 2026 August 12, 2026 Open Wheel World nl The Grand Prix of Long Beach thus returned as the season opener and was set to celebrate its silver anniversary as a Champ Car World Series event. The China Grand Prix at Zhuhai International Circuit, which was cancelled in 2007 due to a change of race promoter, was also left off the 2008 schedule because Champ Car felt that not enough progress was made for them to continue pursuing the event.Straver Patrick November 6, 2007 Champ Car stelt de 2008 kalender voorzichtiger op Champ Car draws up the 2008 calendar more cautiously. https://www.openwheelworld.net/nl/nieuws/4671/Champ_Car_stelt_de_2008_kalender_voorzichtiger_op/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20260510054143/https://www.openwheelworld.net/nl/nieuws/4671/Champ_Car_stelt_de_2008_kalender_voorzichtiger_op/ May 10, 2026 August 12, 2026 Open Wheel World nl Champ Car–IRL merger In January 2008, rumors of a potential unification between Champ Car and the IRL were reignited, as Speed Channel revealed that IRL CEO Tony George planned to offer free cars and engines to the Champ Car teams and add five Champ Car World Series events to the IndyCar Series' 2008 schedule in order to unify American open-wheel car racing.January 27, 2008 CHAMP CAR: Tony George Makes an Offer for Unity http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/champcar/42686/ https://web.archive.org/web/20080127104701/http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/champcar/42686/ January 27, 2008 December 24, 2024 Speed Channel Miller Robin dead Indianapolis, Indiana However, George claimed that the window of opportunity for 2008 had passed, while Champ Car team owners said that a formal offer was never made.January 28, 2008 Tony George's Offer to Champ Car - January 2008 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-tony-georges-offe/161461127/ December 24, 2024 The Indianapolis Star D1 Newspapers.com https://web.archive.org/web/20251104191152/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-tony-georges-offe/161461127/ November 4, 2025 live Shortly after, eight of the nine Champ Car World Series teams entered fourteen drivers for the first open test of the season at Sebring International Raceway on February 2–4; Team Australia was the only team that didn't participate.Straver Patrick February 1, 2008 Update: Definitieve deelnemerslijst test Sebring Update: Final participant list Sebring test https://www.openwheelworld.net/nl/nieuws/4947/Update__Definitieve_deelnemerslijst_test_Sebring live https://web.archive.org/web/20260512084710/https://www.openwheelworld.net/nl/nieuws/4947/Update__Definitieve_deelnemerslijst_test_Sebring May 12, 2026 August 12, 2026 Open Wheel World nl Some of the teams were using the test to evaluate possible candidates for their cars in the upcoming season. Franck Montagny impressed in his outing with Forsythe/Pettit Racing by topping the speed charts in the first two days of testing,February 3, 2008 Franck Perera puts Conquest Racing on top at Sebring Open Test http://www.champcarworldseries.com/News/Article.asp?ID=12508 https://web.archive.org/web/20080304115919/http://www.champcarworldseries.com/News/Article.asp?ID=12508 March 4, 2008 December 24, 2024 Champ Car World Series dead Sebring, Florida while countryman Franck Perera led the final day.Straver Patrick February 4, 2008 Perera sluit de open test op Sebring als snelste af Perera finishes the open test at Sebring as the fastest. https://www.openwheelworld.net/nl/nieuws/4965/Perera_sluit_de_open_test_op_Sebring_als_snelste_af live https://web.archive.org/web/20260315200441/https://www.openwheelworld.net/nl/nieuws/4965/Perera_sluit_de_open_test_op_Sebring_als_snelste_af March 15, 2026 August 12, 2026 Open Wheel World nl Unification of the sport was set in motion again on February 7, as Robin Miller reported that a deal had finally been reached between the two series on similar terms to George's previous offer.Miller Robin February 7, 2008 Is Open-Wheel Peace Finally at Hand? http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/open-wheel-peace-at-hand/ https://web.archive.org/web/20080219140327/http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/open-wheel-peace-at-hand/ February 19, 2008 December 24, 2024 Speed Channel dead 1 Indianapolis, Indiana Shortly after, George traveled to Japan to resolve a scheduling conflict between the IRL-sanctioned Indy Japan 300 and the Champ Car-sanctioned Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, the latter of which couldn't be rescheduled because of the contract with Long Beach Convention Center.Whitaker Sigur E. The Indy Car Wars: The 30-Year Fight for Control of American Open-Wheel Racing McFarland & Company 2015 9780786498321 en 127–128February 7, 2008 Champ Car, Indy Racing League working on truce https://www.autoweek.com/news/a2035041/champ-car-indy-racing-league-working-truce/ December 24, 2024 Autoweek en-US Cavin Curt https://web.archive.org/web/20250111194958/https://www.autoweek.com/news/a2035041/champ-car-indy-racing-league-working-truce/ January 11, 2025 live Hearst Autos The officials of Twin Ring Motegi – the track that the Indy Japan 300 was held at – offered to move their race back a week, but Kansas Speedway already had an IndyCar Series race scheduled on that weekend. Meanwhile, ESPN.com writer John Oreovicz revealed that Champ Car was considering an emergency liquidation in order to allow the IRL to assume full control of American open-wheel car racing;February 12, 2008 Oreovicz: Champ Car bankruptcy could be part of merger https://www.espn.com/racing/columns/story?columnist=oreovicz_john&id=3242608&seriesId=1 December 24, 2024 ESPN.com en https://web.archive.org/web/20250104012012/https://www.espn.com/racing/columns/story?columnist=oreovicz_john&id=3242608&seriesId=1 January 4, 2025 live ESPN Internet Ventures Champ Car co-owner Kevin Kalkhoven denied the report at first, but later admitted that he and co-owner Gerald Forsythe were discussing a merger with the IRL and indicated that media leaks had "significantly hampered discussions."February 9, 2008 INDYCAR: Merger Talks Awaiting Developments http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/indycar-merger-talks-awaiting-developments https://web.archive.org/web/20080214182551/http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/indycar-merger-talks-awaiting-developments February 14, 2008 December 24, 2024 Speed Channel Gluck Jeff dead Indianapolis, Indiana 1 "What we have done is in the best interest of the fans of North American open-wheel motorsport. It has been a long and interesting journey but I honestly believe that it's just the start of a lot of hard work on the schedule, on the car for [2012], and on promoting the personalities. We're redeveloping North American motorsport, and I'm committed to it. Please recognize that this is just the start." Champ Car co-owner Kevin Kalkhoven commenting on his decision to unify Indy car racing. left 33% The Champ Car–IRL merger was finally announced by both organizations at Indianapolis on February 22, 2008,February 22, 2008 IRL, Champ Car sign merger, ending 12-year split https://www.espn.com/racing/news/story?id=3259364&seriesId=1 December 24, 2024 ESPN.com en https://web.archive.org/web/20260512203109/https://www.espn.com/racing/news/story?seriesId=1&id=3259364 May 12, 2026 live ESPN Internet Ventures with details of the merger being revealed in a press conference at Homestead–Miami Speedway five days later.February 27, 2008 Tony George, Kevin Kalkhoven Unification Press Conference Transcript http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=10583 August 11, 2026 IndyCar Series https://web.archive.org/web/20080304123158/http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=10583 March 4, 2008 dead Indy Racing League As per their deal, Champ Car's Long Beach race and the IRL's Motegi race would be held on the same day; the former event would be promoted as the send-off of the Champ Car World Series, after which Champ Car would be dissolved, and any drivers who intended on joining the IndyCar Series would receive championship points towards the series' 2008 season.February 27, 2008 IRL officially confirms unification https://www.autosport.com/indycar/news/irl-officially-confirms-unification-4419659/4419659/ December 25, 2024 Autosport https://web.archive.org/web/20250103235254/https://www.autosport.com/indycar/news/irl-officially-confirms-unification-4419659/4419659/ January 3, 2025 live Motorsport Network Olson Jeff The Grand Prix of Long Beach was held under Champ Car specifications, meaning that all participants of the event would use the Panoz chassis and Cosworth engines for the last time.Olson Jeff February 27, 2008 George, Kalkhoven on Unification Plans http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/george-kalkhoven-lay-out-unification-plans/ dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080301214748/http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/george-kalkhoven-lay-out-unification-plans/ March 1, 2008 August 13, 2026 Speed Channel Homestead, Florida 1 The Edmonton and Surfers Paradise races were integrated into the 2008 IndyCar Series schedule, the latter of which was a non-championship event,Straver Patrick May 31, 2008 Edmonton eindelijk officieel op de kalender Edmonton finally official on the calendar https://www.openwheelworld.net/nl/nieuws/5715/Edmonton_eindelijk_officieel_op_de_kalender/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20260310033158/https://www.openwheelworld.net/nl/nieuws/5715/Edmonton_eindelijk_officieel_op_de_kalender/ March 10, 2026 August 13, 2026 Open Wheel World nl while the remaining Champ Car World Series events were cancelled, though the IRL did not rule out bringing some of the races back for their 2009 IndyCar Series season. In addition, the IRL purchased various "non-tangible and tangible assets of Champ Car," including their intellectual property, historical records of American open-wheel car racing dating back to 1909, and their medical transporter.Olson Jeff February 27, 2008 George, Kalkhoven on Unification Plans http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/george-kalkhoven-lay-out-unification-plans//P2/ dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080301215725/http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/george-kalkhoven-lay-out-unification-plans//P2/ March 1, 2008 August 13, 2026 Speed Channel Homestead, Florida 2Oreovicz John October 27, 2020 Looking Back on Reunification https://www.johnoreovicz.com/2020/10/27/looking-back-on-reunification/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20250818084005/https://www.johnoreovicz.com/2020/10/27/looking-back-on-reunification/ August 18, 2025 August 14, 2026 JohnOreovicz.com The remants of Champ Car were filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in March.March 6, 2008 Champ Car Series files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy https://www.espn.com/racing/news/story?id=3280271&seriesId=5 December 24, 2021 ESPN.com en https://web.archive.org/web/20210304135912/https://www.espn.com/racing/news/story?id=3280271&seriesId=5 March 4, 2021 live ESPN Internet Ventures All nine Champ Car teams were eligible to receive the IRL's support package, which included two Dallara chassis (one new and one used), one Honda engine lease program, and $1.2 million per team. Six of the nine teams elected to enter the IndyCar Series in 2008;Indy Car history: 2008 - 2019 https://www.openwheelworld.net/en/indycar-history/42/Indy_Car_history_2008_-_2019 live https://web.archive.org/web/20260411122329/https://www.openwheelworld.net/en/indycar-history/42/Indy_Car_history_2008_-_2019 April 11, 2026 August 13, 2026 Open Wheel World Forsythe/Pettit Racing and Rocketsports Racing both disbanded because of a lack of sponsorship,Oreovicz John February 29, 2008 Forsythe surprise dropout as IndyCar Series starts up https://www.espn.com/racing/columns/story?columnist=oreovicz_john&id=3271200&seriesId=1 December 25, 2024 ESPN.com en https://web.archive.org/web/20260813044732/https://www.espn.com/racing/columns/story?columnist=oreovicz_john&id=3271200&seriesId=1 August 13, 2026 live ESPN Internet Ventures Homestead, FloridaFebruary 24, 2008 Rocketsports won't join IRL for financial reasons - February 24, 2008 https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-rocketsports-wont-join/161519304/ December 25, 2024 Tampa Bay Times 21 https://web.archive.org/web/20250104041123/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-rocketsports-wont-join/161519304/ January 4, 2025 live Newspapers.com while an acrimonious split between Team Australia co-owners Derrick Walker and Craig Gore led to Walker Racing shutting down and Will Power being hired by KV Racing Technology.March 21, 2008 Walker threatens to sue co-owner Gore https://www.autosport.com/indycar/news/walker-threatens-to-sue-co-owner-gore-4419026/4419026/ December 25, 2024 Autosport Beer Matt https://web.archive.org/web/20220128003123/https://www.autosport.com/indycar/news/walker-threatens-to-sue-co-owner-gore-4419026/4419026/ January 28, 2022 live Motorsport NetworkMarch 25, 2008 Gore responds to Walker legal threat. https://www.crash.net/indycar/news/25848/1/gore-walker-spiteful-and-nefarious December 25, 2024 Crash.net en https://web.archive.org/web/20250103235216/https://www.crash.net/indycar/news/25848/1/gore-walker-spiteful-and-nefarious January 3, 2025 live Twenty drivers competed in the Champ Car World Series finale at Long Beach, including veterans such as Paul Tracy, Roberto Moreno, Mario Domínguez, Alex Tagliani, and Jimmy Vasser. Nine of the drivers were competing for the IndyCar Series championship.English Steven Bumper grid for Champ Car finale https://www.autosport.com/general/news/bumper-grid-for-champ-car-finale-4420584/4420584/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20250824175241/https://www.autosport.com/general/news/bumper-grid-for-champ-car-finale-4420584/4420584/ August 24, 2025 August 13, 2026 Autosport Motorsport Network Power led 81 of 83 laps and won the race.Oreovicz John April 21, 2008 Power saved his best race yet for Champ Car's last hurrah http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/racing/champcar/columns/story?columnist=oreovicz_john&id=3356318 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080422193356/http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/racing/champcar/columns/story?columnist=oreovicz_john&id=3356318 April 22, 2008 August 13, 2026 ESPN.com ESPN Internet Ventures Long Beach, California Legacy For the 2009 season, the annual Surfers Paradise race was moved to the A1 Grand Prix series,Beer Matt November 11, 2008 IRL sorry to lose Surfers Paradise https://www.autosport.com/indycar/news/irl-sorry-to-lose-surfers-paradise-4425139/4425139/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20220531134639/https://www.autosport.com/indycar/news/irl-sorry-to-lose-surfers-paradise-4425139/4425139/ May 31, 2022 August 13, 2026 Autosport Motorsport Network while the Long Beach and Toronto events were added onto the IndyCar Series schedule.DiZinno Tony July 30, 2008 2009 shaping up with schedule release http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=300641 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080812114002/http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=300641 August 12, 2008 August 13, 2026 Motorsport.com Since then, four events from the Champ Car World Series' aborted 2008 season – Houston in 2013,Lewandowski Dave March 28, 2012 Houston, we have liftoff for October 2013 event http://www.indycar.com/en/News/2012/March/3-28-Houston-added-to-2013-schedule.aspx live https://web.archive.org/web/20120401031213/http://www.indycar.com/en/News/2012/March/3-28-Houston-added-to-2013-schedule.aspx April 1, 2012 August 13, 2026 IndyCar Series IndyCar Road America in 2016,Glendenning Mark August 8, 2015 IndyCar to return to Road America in 2016 http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/120260 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20150906122627/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/120260 September 6, 2015 August 13, 2026 Autosport Haymarket Publications Portland in 2018,Errington Tom October 16, 2017 IndyCar explains decision to drop Watkins Glen for Portland for '18 https://www.autosport.com/indycar/news/indycar-explains-decision-to-drop-watkins-glen-for-portland-for-18-4993750/4993750/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20260518063547/https://www.autosport.com/indycar/news/indycar-explains-decision-to-drop-watkins-glen-for-portland-for-18-4993750/4993750/ May 18, 2026 August 13, 2026 Autosport Motorsport Network and Laguna Seca in 2019Malsher David July 18, 2018 Laguna Seca replaces Sonoma on 2019 IndyCar schedule https://www.motorsport.com/indycar/news/laguna-seca-replaces-sonoma-on-2019-indycar-schedule-1061010/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20180718031845/https://www.motorsport.com/indycar/news/laguna-seca-replaces-sonoma-on-2019-indycar-schedule-1061010/ July 18, 2018 August 13, 2026 Motorsport.com Motorsport Network – were retained by the IndyCar Series, but the Edmonton, Houston, and Toronto races were discontinued after 2012, 2014 and 2025, respectively.September 21, 2012 Edmonton IndyCar event folds https://www.espn.com/racing/indycar/story/_/id/8408424/edmonton-indycar-folds-no-plan-future live https://web.archive.org/web/20260813172026/https://www.espn.com/racing/indycar/story/_/id/8408424/edmonton-indycar-folds-no-plan-future August 13, 2026 August 13, 2026 ESPN.com ESPN Internet Ventures Edmonton, Alberta Associated PressHouston Reliant Park https://www.racingcircuits.info/north-america/usa/houston-reliant-park.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20260630225222/https://www.racingcircuits.info/north-america/usa/houston-reliant-park.html June 30, 2026 August 13, 2026 Racing CircuitsAugust 11, 2026 Race Preview: Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham https://chipganassiracing.com/news/race-preview-ontario-honda-dealers-indy-at-markham live https://web.archive.org/web/20260813155941/https://chipganassiracing.com/news/race-preview-ontario-honda-dealers-indy-at-markham August 13, 2026 August 13, 2026 Chip Ganassi Racing Indianapolis Of the final nine Champ Car World Series teams, Dale Coyne Racing is the only team that still operates in the IndyCar Series as of 2026. References Category:Champ Car seasons Champ Car 2008 in Champ Car Champ Car 2008 Champ Car World Series