Report: Champ Car and IRL close to deal

One report from Robin Miller quoted an undisclosed owner as being told "there would only be one series in 2008."

IRL testing begins February 27 at Homestead. A deal could put eight new teams on the IndyCar starting grid. Rumors have Tony George offering free cars and engines plus more than $1 million to any teams that run the entire season.

One other major obstacle is the Long Beach Grand Prix. It was set for the same weekend at the IndyCar race at Twin Ring Motegi and a deal has to be worked out before any agreement can be finalized.

A race in Edmonton might also find a spot on the IndyCar schedule as it was attended by almost 200,000 fans. Other races like Toronto, Mexico City and Surfer's Paradise might catch on in 2009.

But for long-suffering open-wheel fans, the nightmare might just be ending.