In brief, the Indy 500 had, over the years became a marketting device for major corporations not all of which were connected to the automobile industry. Each of the major figures in racing had signed up with several sponsors such that, by 1990, every square inch of every visible surface displayed the logos of private enterprize. A cynic would say that, since all of the amateurs permitted to start at the new, declassed Indy 500 were themselves members of a league run by Mr. George, that he was acting only in selfish interest. There are several basic marxian concepts which provide great intellectual leverage to the understanding of both the New and the Old Indy 500. Surplus production, surplus population, colonization of consciousness and mass marketing combine to drive the Indy 500 toward it present and future fate.
Surplus production is a great problem for major corporations.
As productivity increases, ever more workers become surplus to the labor needs of private capital. In order to solve the problem of surplus production in a declin- ing market, corporations turn to advertizing. The means to create markets is provided by a complex alliance between psychology, theatre, mass media and mass sports. If one wanted to do a freudian analysis, the over-powered race car becomes a phallic substitute and supplement in the fantasy life of both the drivers and the male audience who is entranced by the surging, driving, rushing, crashing battle of phallices. Corporate America must increase demand.