Merger talks continue

Indy Racing Founder Tony George and Champ Car World Series co-owner Kevin Kalkhoven have been in meetings the past two days in Indianapolis. Reports indicated that a merger announcement unifying the two racing series was expected Friday, but a statement released by the IRL suggests otherwise.
“The ongoing talks between the Indy Racing League and Champ Car World Series will continue into at least Friday in regards to the unification of open-wheel racing," according to the statement released Thursday night. "Any confirmation of unification will be made once an agreement is in place. There are no plans for a news conference at this time. Much progress has been made toward unifying the sport.”
There have been a couple of online and newspaper reports regarding which Champ Car races will be absorbed by the IRL. One report indicated that the Twin Ring Motegi IRL race in Japan will not be moved and will proceed as planned, which means it will conflict with the Long Beach Grand Prix, the supposed start of the Champ Car World Series schedule. The Twin Ring Motegi race is April 19; the Long Beach Grand Prix is April 20.
Instead of running the Long Beach Grand Prix as an IRL race, it's possible it could become a farewell race for Champ Car. However, if the merger series unify, most of the Champ Car teams would switch to the IRL. There could potentially be only about a half dozen Champ Car teams willing to race in the Long Beach Grand Prix.
Other reports suggest the season-ending Champ Car race in Surfers Paradise, Australia would become a non-points exhibition race in the IRL in 2008. Chicagoland Speedway has a contract with the IRL that guarantees the race there will be the season finale in the IRL.