Comments on: The Irresponsible Firing Of Randy Bernard

By: Indygrrrrl

Indygrrrrl — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 18:07:54 +0000

I guess in this age of immediate news, what would we expect? I compare it to reporting the victims of an accident before informing the next of kin. To me that is sort of George’s point, the on again, off again twisting in the wind was pretty unnecessary, just to get the scoop on the story. I know that is the goal of journalism, an maybe it is Poly-Anna-ish of me to hope it could be another way. I liked the man.

By: John King

John King — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 14:55:45 +0000

I don’t see how you can dismiss the IBJ’s reporting of the events, and then say you can’t figure out what happened. It seems obvious to me that the IBJ’s reporting is exactly what happened — the board asked Bernard to resign last Thursday, with the caveat that it wouldn’t be announced for a couple weeks so they could have a media plan in place. When IBJ used its sources and published a story, Bernard and everyone at IndyCar decided to stick to their guns until they could coordinate a response. Which is what they did on Sunday with the “emergency” board meeting. … It is not irresponsible for a professional journalist to use his professional judgement in trusting several well-placed but unnamed sources to report a major, game-changing event on his beat, as long as all sides have a chance to comment. IndyCar did respond, saying “Randy Bernard is not fired. That is the case at the moment and in the future.” Of course, that turned out to be ridiculous. But what did you expect? For the famously tight-lipped IndyCar to say, “Aww, Anthony, you got us. We were trying to keep it on the down low, but yeah, we let Randy go. Hold on a second while I call our executive team and board of directors and just let them know what’s happening, and I’ll patch you in.”

By: The Black Piper

The Black Piper — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 00:47:19 +0000

Prediction – Within 5 years (and possibly sooner) The Indianapolis Motor Speedway will go the way of Riverside, Ontario and many of the great old racing venues and become a real estate development. The third generation of family management has arrived and that is the death of many, if not the majority, of family run companies.

By: Ron Ford

Ron Ford — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 22:51:05 +0000

Dog, if you are in a wait and see mode regarding what went on inside the company you may want to stock up on your favorite coffee. If you give a 20% transparency mark to Randy Bernard’s reign, what mark would you assign to Tony George? Perhaps minus 20%.

By: pressdog

pressdog — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 22:00:57 +0000

Interesting opinions. Good stuff from George as always. I’m in a wait-and-see mode. It really depends on who Randy is replaced with for me. As for Bernard, the guy did a lot of good things, no question, but nobody knows what he was like inside the company, etc. etc. My opinion is we outsiders have about 20% of a complete picture of Bernard’s reign. Too much unknown for me to be freaked out in any direction over this. As I said, who is hired next will tell a fuller story.

By: The Chrome Horn (@thechromehorn33)

The Chrome Horn (@thechromehorn33) — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 20:24:52 +0000

Well said George. Its all so, so sad. They just can’t get out of their own way.

By: Rob

Rob — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 19:50:38 +0000

There is a lot wrong with Indy car. Trying to set up a race in Italy is just a prime example. The China race was stupid and if that is why he lost his job, there might be merit to that.

There are too few ovals and no real excuse for it. Way too many street courses. Too much control by the owners, which led to the demise of CART. If they had fired him for these things, it might have had merit.

But we all know that this firing is in some way related to Tony George’s resignation from the Board, which is related to his attempt to take over the league with a group of owners. Bernard was fired because the owners are taking over (Tony George or no Tony George). That means the status quo will continue and we will continue down the road of street parades (with their government $$$) and cookie cutter spec cars.

I cannot imagine anything worse.

By: redcar

redcar — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 18:50:16 +0000

Indycar will not be sold to anyone outside the family. That would give an outsider too much leverage with the 500. Anyway–where would all those relatives work? So if it’s sold, it will be to a member of the family. Let’s see–who could that be…?

And what will the new/old leadership do any differently? New TV contract–nope, not up for several years. (And they negotiated the last loser in the first place.) More ovals? Ovals don’t want them. Scrap the new car and start over on a “newer” new car to be implemented sometime in the future? Owners will love that. Cancel street races? Be a warm-up act for Nationwide races? Put on 2 more fenders and merge with ALMS? Go-kart rides on the infield track at IMS?

My initial outrage has given way to laughter at the neverending self-abuse of this racing series.

By: billytheskink

billytheskink — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 18:24:45 +0000

Looking for someone to take that title away from you, Mr. Heitzler?

By: Indygrrrrl

Indygrrrrl — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 17:37:09 +0000

Are you really TG using a pseudonym? And I believe not only the bloggers are crying boo-hoo–they are just the ones who most closely reflect the voices of the fans–because they ARE fans. Bernard was nobody’s boy, but the fans’.