INDIANAPOLIS—The Indy Racing League is shifting gears as Series officials acknowledged Tuesday that economics has made cost-cutting a top priority. “We’ve got to create a sound business model in this competitive environment, or we won’t be in a competitive environment very long,“ IRL president of competition Brian Barnhart said. A planned engine change, scheduled for 2011, could be delayed one year, and the traditional three-year engine cycle may be extended to five years.

Rahal Letterman Racing, which won the 2004 Indianapolis 500 and brought Danica Patrick to the IndyCar Series, needs a primary sponsor to compete in the 2009 IndyCar Series. “Everybody knows about what’s going on in this economy, and things look pretty grim,“ team co-owner Bobby Rahal said today. “But we do have some sponsorship on board and what we’re still looking for is a primary sponsor.

INDIANAPOLIS—Helio Castroneves is being replaced on Team Penske by Australian driver Will Power—at least until the two-time Indianapolis 500 winner’s tax evasion trail is resolved. Castroneves, who has pleaded innocent to charges of conspiracy and tax evasion involving about $5.5 million in income stashed in offshore accounts, is scheduled to go to trial in Miami on March 2, just over a month before the IndyCar season begins.