INDIANAPOLIS -- When Tony George came up with the concept for the Indy Racing League, it was an effort to ensure the continued prosperity of the track his family had fashioned from a weed-infested, broken-down facility that had seen better days into the world's most famous racing facility.

Indy was an oval. The trend in Indy Car racing was shifting away from ovals to road races. The shift precluded oval-only drivers from a legitimate chance at Indy's Victory Lane. While no one will confirm it, there is no question in my mind that Jeff Gordon's failure to land a ride in CART helped George make his IRL decision.

More and more oval open wheelers were migrating south to NASCAR land. Fewer and fewer open wheel owners in support series like Silver Crown, Midgets or Sprints saw any opportunity to move up to Indy Cars. CART's global movement opened bridges to Formula One.

George did what any good businessman would do: He searched for a formula that would keep sufficient shelf product (cars and drivers) available to produce 33 cars -- three abreast in 11 rows -- for his Indianapolis 500.

Too often critics of the IRL exclaim that were it not for the pull of the Indy 500, the IRL would not survive. They are right on that observation. But that's the point.

The IRL was never founded to bring American drivers back to the Indianapolis 500. Instead, it was developed to feed Indy.

Tightened chassis and engine rules produced a less technologically-driven, state-of-the-art racing machine. Instead, the cars evolved into racers that produced one of the tightest and fastest fields ever seen at the old Brickyard.

The IRL series has produced an excellent product at any size oval. From the mile-and-a-half high-banked tracks to the tight miles and sweeping two-milers. The IRL cars have sliced and diced and run inches apart with thrilling results.

It is, however, just a warm-up for Indy. That's where the action is. That's where the pressure multiplies. Winning Indy is what propels every team that runs an Indy Car.

So what about CART? The series has the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, incredibly successful events in Australia and Toronto. Do they need Indy?

Absolutely.

CART drivers have snared the last two editions of Indy. A quick look at this year's 500 field reflects Indy's importance. Stalwart CART leaders like Michael Andretti, Dario Franchitti, Paul Tracy, Kenny Brack, Bruno Junqueria Tony Kaanan and Jimmy Vasser all get the starter's flag for this year's race. CART shelved the month of May so that its teams could take a flyer at the 500.

But don't look for a reunion between the two parties.

During an Open Wheel Summit held on the grounds of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IRL and Indy President Tony George was quizzed about growing speculation that CART was on the brink of going out of business.

"You can ask me anything you want about the Indy Racing League, but don't ask me whether I think CART is going to go out of business," George told a local TV reporter.

"Neither series is going away. That's not the focus of either sanctioning body," explained CART's operations VP John Lopes. "CART is well positioned for the future we are growing as an international multi sporting sanctioning body."

CART has moved its offices from suburban Detroit to the Hoosier capital. Officials say it was to get their arms around their teams, many of which are located in the Indy area.

CART president and CEO Chris Pook has legions of shareholders to answer to and a stock price to guard. Pook talks about NAFTA, a global economy and the need to capitalize upon CART's worldwide popularity.

The IRL has less interest in global markets. Its thrust is American markets and America's preoccupation with oval racing. As has been the case since its inception, the IRL is all about the Indianapolis 500.

There is no denying the stature of Indy has increased with the return of CART's top teams. But they have come back on George's terms. They are here with cars that will produce an exciting Indianapolis 500, not a ho-hum race seen two years before the birth of the IRL when Mercedes outfoxed the competition and the Indy's rule book with its monster "stock block."

They are here to satisfy a need.

They are here because Indy is of the ultimate importance in the world of open wheel "Indy Car" racing. You can call 'em "Champ Cars," but they are "Indy Cars."