This week we passed the halfway point of the 2008 IndyCar season and IRL has been sharing some good news. Everyone knew that the unification of the Indy Racing League and the Champ Car World Series would make the new league much more appealing to spectators and sponsors alike. Terry Angstadt, President of the Indy Racing League's Commercial Division shared, "We could not be happier with what we have seen over the first half of the unified IndyCar Series season." He then went on to indicate "Key areas like attendance, ratings and sponsorship are all pointed in the right direction, and we anticipate further growth and momentum headed into the second half of the season."

Under Terry Angstadt's commercial portfolio we also saw great numbers around viewership, merchandise sales, and sponsorship. Consider the following:

• Overall viewership is up 17 percent season to date compared to 2007
• At-track merchandise sales are up by 70 percent compared to 2007 (thanks to Danica's celebrity status?)
• New major IRL sponsors like DIRECTV, Coca-Cola and IZOD (to be inked this weekend at Watkins Glen)

Here is are a number of other IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights midseason metrics that maybe of interest:

• 1 IndyCar Series driver to complete every lap of competition this season (1,886): Dan Wheldon.
• 3 First-time winners in the IndyCar Series: Danica Patrick, Graham Rahal and Ryan Briscoe.
• 5 Different winners in seven Firestone Indy Lights events.
• 6 Different winners in nine IndyCar Series events.
• 9 Races remaining on the 2008 Firestone Indy Lights schedule, six of which will be held on road courses.
• 15 IndyCar Series drivers who have finished in the top five.
• 22 Scott Dixon's finishing position at St. Petersburg, his only finish outside of the top four.
• 27 Firestone Indy Lights cars that started at Indianapolis for the Firestone Freedom 100 -- a series record.
• 28 IndyCar Series cars that started at Texas -- the largest IndyCar Series field outside of the Indianapolis 500 since 2002.
• 43 Point lead of Scott Dixon after nine races in 2008.
• 65 Point lead of Dario Franchitti after nine races in 2007.
• 633 Laps led by Scott Dixon, who hasn't led in the past two races.

Honestly now, is this turning out to be the best year in a long time or what! Let us know your thoughts.

Photo Credit: Craig Stephen