Details on the unification of open wheel racing in the United States were announced at Homestead-Miami Speedway on 27 February 2008.

In effect, Champ Car, has been absorbed into the Indy Racing League set-up, and the season will consist of the Indycar schedule plus races at up to three of the previously-announced Champ Car venues.

The Champ Car race scheduled for Long Beach in April will go ahead, and will be the last race to be run under Champ Car auspices. Talks are underway to add the Edmonton and Surfers Paradise races to the unified 2008 schedule.

Paul Newman, co-owner of Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing (NHLR) said: “When I heard about the reunification, I felt like I had died and gone to heaven.  I am very happy that we are going back to the high side.” Carl Haas, co-owner of NHLR added: “We have been loyal supporters of Champ Car but one unified open-wheel series is best for our sport.  Competing in our first full IndyCar season will be one of the biggest challenges our team has faced because of the limited time frame to prepare for the season and get acclimated to the new equipment and race  tracks.  We have only competed in two IndyCar Series events at the Indianapolis 500 so we face a steep learning curve.  It will be a difficult season but we have many talented and dedicated employees who will work hard to keep our team competitive.”

Justin, who will drive the # 02 McDonald’s entry for NHLR in 2008, said “I am very excited about the reunification of open wheel racing and the opportunity this gives everyone for the future.  Not just for ourselves, but also for the young drivers coming up.  Stefan was thinking of coming over to race in the United States but the uncertainty made him continue to pursue a career in Europe.  This gives open wheel racing an opportunity to prosper again as one entity.  We are certainly not in the same situation, competition-wise, starting the IndyCar Series season as we would have been in Champ Car but Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing are proven winners and we will all work hard to be as competitive as possible this season.  Now that we are back to one series and we’re racing on ovals and a lot of tracks I don’t know there are going to be a lot of changes but ultimately if we can work our way through the short term, it is good for open wheel racing.  There is opportunity for a great future.”

Here are arrangements in place between Justin Wilson Investors Club and NHLR for the provision of hospitality at North American events. More details will appear on this website as soon as they are available.