UNGAR RESIGNS FROM IRL.(Ken Ungar resigns from Indy Racing League)

The Indy Racing League's No. 3 official, the one who crafted the controversial 2006 race schedule, resigned last week. The move is effective at season's end.

Ken Ungar was the IRL's senior vice president of business affairs, responsible for the sales, marketing, business development and public relations departments. He was the league's chief schedule-maker in recent years.

Ungar was criticized last month when he announced a race schedule for next season that shrank by three races. In fairness, the loss of Pikes Peak (Colorado) International Raceway was not Ungar's doing; the track is being sold to International Speedway Corp., which intends to close it down. The IRL is set for 14 races in 2006, with races at Phoenix and Fontana, California, dropped.

Ungar is the second key member of the IRL's business department to resign. Bill Long, vice president of marketing, resigned in July.

Ungar was the first chief of staff of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, hired in January 1997. He was appointed to the board of the U.S. Auto Club in 2000 and was instrumental in building Chicagoland Speedway, a track co-owned by the George family firm. Ungar moved to the IRL in December 2001. Last year he negotiated the league's TV contract with ABC and ESPN through 2009.

Not over yet

There is no sign of the fat lady: Contrary to recent indications, the political battle over Formula One is far from over. BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Honda, Renault and Toyota-the firms that comprise the Grand Prix Manufacturers Association-are continuing with plans for a breakaway series in 2008.