Penske's US mission

"There are three people on that side, and if we can get a consensus with [IRL chairman] Tony [George]..."

George formed the Indy Racing League in 1996 to create a new, all-oval race series as a rival to the Champ Car series organised by CART, Champ Car's predecessor. Penske moved his open-wheel operation from CART to the IRL in 2002.

Champ Car president Dick Eidswick responded to Penske's initiative to broke a deal with an email to Champ Car's employees that explained that OWRS was still working within the framework of a long-term plan. "Everyone wants the dream result, to get back to the way it was," Eidswick said. "But that's not in our plans. I think it's important that Champ Car offers the best motor racing product to our fans, at the track and on TV. Getting back together isn't a priority."

Eidswick added that the OWRS series could continue losing money for up to three years. "There would be a benefit in working together," he explained. "An end to the perceived war in open-wheel racing would be good, but it's less important to us now than it was five years ago. That won't mean we won't listen and we obviously have a high regard for Roger."

No formal meeting about a reunification has been scheduled but IRL spokesman Fred Nation said: "I don't think there's any magic deadline. We have a very open mind, and we always have, to parties with reasonable suggestions."