Series revives IndyCar title

The change in identity is designed to enhance the links between the series and its premier event, the Indianapolis 500. The Indy Racing League name will continue to be used as the name of the sanctioning body for the championship and its feeder category, the Infiniti Pro Series.

"The new IRL IndyCar Series helps create a clear identity for the most exciting open-wheel series in the world, separate from the sanctioning body name," said Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IRL boss Tony George. "Never before in the history of American racing have we had an open-wheel, oval-based series with established drivers, the celebrated owners and the significant committed players from the auto industry that the IndyCar Series will have in 2003."

Owner/driver Eddie Cheever said: "Everything is right back to where it should be. We have the best oval racing series in the world. We have the 86-year history of the Indianapolis 500 as our tradition. Everyone already knows about us as IndyCar drivers. Now we can officially say it. The final piece of the puzzle has been put in place."

The IndyCar title was last used by the CART series in 1995. However, the term remained the property of the Indianapolis Speedway. After he set up the rival IRL, Tony George blocked CART from continuing to use the term, but was unable to utilize it for his IRL championship until the contract expired at the end of last year.