Dearest fellow IndyCar fans (as well as anyone who arrived here via Blogger’s “Next blog>>” feature),
It is the with sincerest lack of humor that I am submitting my letter of resignation to you, my readers. For over four years (50 months and one day, in fact) I have endeavored to entertain and inform you, but recent events for me outside the world of racing have left me with little verve to provide for you the coverage of Indy Racing League news at a standard at which I am comfortable. In short, I’ve lost my mojo. So it is that I am effectively ending the run of “My Name Is IRL”, which for the record was always supposed to be pronounced like “Earl” and not “I-R-L”. (It was intended to embrace the slam Gene Simmons once said about how “IRL sounds like a disease”. In case you ever wondered.)
Rest assured my departure has nothing to do with the state of racing. Now, I would be lying if I said I was not concerned at the possibility of the sport transforming itself into a series of events featuring DeltaWings bouncing around the streets of major metropolitan areas because as anyone who has read this site would know that’s obviously (yes, I said "obviously") not what I as a fan would enjoy. But that’s not the reason, because as of right now that’s not what the 2010 season is featuring, and even though I’m resigning from the blogging business by no means am I surrendering my enjoyment of IndyCar racing.
No, this has everything to do with my life and the “Behind the Blog” episode that will never air on VH1. What I can tell you is this departure isn’t because I’m checking into a rehab clinic or battling some medical issue or anything like that, but I won’t divulge anything more than to say I’ve been struggling with some external circumstances that have gotten even more serious in recent weeks. And that seriousness has been weighing on me to the point that I don’t feel like I’m neither following the sport nor writing about it at the level your and I have come to expect. I know it’s cliché, but in this case it's absolutely true that I want and need to spend more time with my (shrinking) family.
In all honesty, I probably should have shut it down at the conclusion of last season. I was hardly posting back then, and even though I’d read innumerable stories about which I thought many of you would like to comment, I just couldn’t put the words together in a way that would make it worth your while to read. I mean, you have a lot of choices where to get your racing news, and since the whole bimergification there have been some incredible IndyCar sites popping up. In recent years the bar for online publications dealing with IndyCars has been raised considerably, and I’d rather say nothing about the topics of the day than waste your time saying something that’s not only already been said, but also been said more interestingly at any number of other sites.
And since this is the end I want to say “thank you” to EVERYONE who has helped me with this site in any capacity, although quite frankly that would be a list too long to even being to compile. That said, I’m compelled at least to publicly acknowledge my appreciation for the efforts of those who have contributed here: Declan Brennan, Dale Nixon, Shane Rogers, the MMack, and even Tony Johns who after a few posts here managed to score a gig at SBNation. (For the record, I’ve used whatever influence I have to request that the good folks at IndyCar.com to replace the link to my site with his.) And I also cannot properly express with words my eternal gratitude to my occasional landlord Roy Hobbson, as well as MoneyCJ and Bill “pressdog” Zahren for being such great friends beyond the realm of blogging ...and I have to stop there before I become overwhelmed with manly tears.
Lastly, I need to thank you, dear reader, whomever you are. When someone starts a blog they do so hoping and praying someone will eventually read it, but when the hits and comments increase to the level I’ve enjoyed here that anticipation turns into a heartfelt feeling of privilege and responsibility. And man, although I have loved having that responsibility for the better part of this run, I also have been keenly aware you deserve a lot more than what I’m able to give you right now. I hope someday the mojo comes back, but that day isn’t today.
And ...well, I guess that's it. Oh, the blog and the sidebar will still be here and I'll still be around on twitter now and then, but the posting portion of the program is now closed for business. So with that, I say to you all one last, heartfelt time - thank you very VERY much, and good night.
Your humble host,
Jeff Iannucci
Something New to Complain About
-
This is old news now by now, and the furor has already died down. But I was
out of commission when this occurred and the reaction it brought is still
fresh...
3 days ago
Jeff,
Thanks for all the support you have shown me since I have been a member of the blogger community. It is appreciated.
Godspeed.
Wow, I'm not quite sure what to say. It was this blog that first sparked my interest and curiosity into the IndyCar blogosphere. I think all of us who spend any amount of time blogging about the IZOD IndyCar Series owe you a debt of gratitude for what you have done over the past 4 years. You have set the bar very high and I'm not sure that those of us who remain will reach that level. I wish you the best of luck in whatever direction you are choosing to go. I can certainly speak for many others when I say that you will be truly missed and should your mojo ever return, we will all be glad to have you back amongst us again!
Really sorry to hear, Jeff. Your posts have brought a smile to my face every time and you'll be truly missed.
I've visited your site nearly every day over the last couple years, and I'll continue to do so in hopes of a return by the master.
Thanks Jeff, for all you've done.
-James
Jeff,
Say it ain't so!
Whatever your issues are, get them sorted. You clearly have your priorities in order, and that's to be respected.
Best of luck to you, and hope to see you at another event soon.
-Kaaveh
Good luck to you in the future - you're a fine writer and I hope when things are back on an even keel you'll find your fingers itching again.
Andy, britsonpole.com
And then ... there was despondency. I've torn my clothes and put on sack cloth. For a time it was you and me, hoss, two small boats alone in the IndyCar blogger sea. Good times. Good times. When the schwerve is gone, it's gone, and real life is the priority, of course, but ... manly tears. Thanks for remaining our humble host by always turning away from self aggrandizement, and for serving your readers first and foremost. Insert copious weeping here.
Sh*@. This is the first indy racing blog that I ran across and always found it to be well worth the time to read and even obsess over. It is indeed a dark day in the blogosphere. I hope the "behind the blog " issues work themselves out in a positive way. Best of luck to you sir.
Good luck, Jeff. You gotta do what you gotta do. I enjoyed your blogging and wish you the best.
Wow, I'm truly without words at the moment. Wishing you the best my friend.
Jeff,
Long time reader, first time poster. Thanks for all of the work you've put in to making a 5-minute slice of my mornings a litte more enjoyable the past couple of years.
Best of Luck.
Long live The King, frowny emoticon.
Jeff,
Yours was the first IndyCar blog I found and ventured to comment on. It opened my eyes to the whole blogging world of IndyCar. Thank you for your site, your insight, your humor, and your promotion of other bloggers. You will be missed! Many prayers for real life stuff!
Megan (bickelmom)
awful news, shame to hear it as I enjoyed your blog on the sport. I have just posted to the effect of reducing and changing my blog postings too, for reasons which have nothing to do with racing (yet are not as apparently serious as yours).
I do hope that your decision helps you with your troubles and that you are able to sort them out now.
Thanks for the blog and all the best for the future.
You'll be missed brother. Thanks for the years of enjoyable reading.
I'll be posting my thoughts on the matter in a Pagoda post. After I pull myself together.
A dark day indeed.
Jeff,
Be under no illusions, one of the reasons the IndyCar blogosphere has the high quality you mention is because you set a high standard to begin with - you were among the first.
Like others, this was the first racing blog I started reading. It was after many months reading this site, along with Pdog and Meesh, that I became inspired to follow on and start my own blog. I'm sure others can say something similar. Paul is right - you are owed a debt.
Best of luck and I hope we continue to see you around the community, whenever you have a spare minute to unwind, and I hope we'll see you back in the saddle again some day, however long that may be.
Pat W
toomuchracing.com
Really sorry to see you're splitting Jeff, IndyCar will be a much smaller place without you.
Feel free to crop up from time to time and say hello.
Jeff:
I'm saddened that things have come to this for you. I first got the idea to blog, listening to you on "Blogger Night" on Trackside a couple of years ago. You helped me get started and have been a good friend throughout the last year.
I hope that your issues work out for the best and that your family gets through this. Best of luck to you and please don't stay away long.
Jeff-
Just a fan and used to post a bit but, like you, priorities took hold. I owe you for my 15 seconds of fame with my buddies when you chose "Fronkensteen" for Franck Perera's nickname. Still look at the site quite often and know of most of the other sites because of you. Best of luck to you and hope you return soon.
SS Minnow
Rest assured Jeff, the bar you set is so high that it may never be reached again. But IndyCar fans are the winners as they will enjoy the efforts of numerous bloggers to emulate, but never, equal you!
Dex
Jeff,
Like many of the other folks here, when I went looking for IndyCar blogs in the run up to the 2008 Indy 500 (by typing "indy+500+blog" in to Google), yours was the first blog at the top of the (very short) list. After reading your site for a couple of months and meeting you briefly at the first Burger Bash, I decided it was time to revive my mostly moribund blog (which remains mostly moribund, but that's certainly not your fault). Since that time, your blog has remained the gold standard that I and everybody else have looked up to and aspired to emulate. You've been a source of great entertainment, a source of great debate, and (forgive the melodramatics here) a source of great inspiration.
In all seriousness here, my heart absolutely goes out to you and your family. You've all been in my thoughts over the past few months, and you'll remain in my thoughts today and into the future. Best of luck, and I hope to see you back at the "Official Blogger Keyboard" on the "Official Blogger Couch" in the "Official Basement" someday.
Best Regards,
Andy
Jeff: Good luck. Godspeed. And thanks for informing and entertaining us for so long. Please drop a tweet now and then; it's always good to hear from IRL.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Seriously though, be well Jeff. Peace.
Yours was one of the first Indycar blogs I found and I used it to find many of the other blogs I enjoy reading. I used to make comments but when you went to the google i.d. thing I just never bothered to sign up. But I signed up today just to tell you how much I've enjoyed reading your blog over the past year or two. Thank you and best wishes.
Jeff,
Sorry to hear about your departure. You truly are one of the best and you will be missed by all of us. Thank you for everything!
Best Regards,
-Ryan
Jeff
Thanks, and be well.
Jeff, I'll never forget the day you broke down the blogger wall when you got Oreo to answer some questions after his yearly ESPN "split" article. That moment cleared the way to legitimacy for all of us that dove into the motorsports blogging world. Can't say thanks enough for all you've done for us as bloggers, and for even more of us as readers. Best of luck to you in all your future endeavors!
Jeff,
Like many others, I've been following your blog for a couple of years now and have always enjoyed visiting your site. I wish you the best of luck my man. Be well
-Vitorfan
Jeff,
Like many others, I've been following your blog for a couple of years now and have always enjoyed visiting your site. I wish you the best of luck my man. Be well
-Vitorfan
Jeff:
You are one of a kind, man. A true pioneer. My Name is IRL always was a great read, providing superb information for fans and everyone in the Indy Racing League community.
Your work will be missed. But you clearly have your priorities straight.
All the best!
Take care,
Paul Kelly
Communications Manager
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
NO :(
It seems cliché, but I'll miss you too, as was also the first blog about the IRL that I started reading, because here in Brazil, the series isn't soo popular, truth be told. So inevitably the best sources of reading are in English.
Anways, best wishes man *bear hug*
http://www.nooooooooooooooo.com/
Thanks for all your great work over the years! I've enjoyed it!
Everyone says it, but it is true, your site was the first motorsports blog I read. And it definently was a major influence on my decision to enter into the world of blogging. Thanks for providing great coverage, insperation, and advice to all of us aspiring bloggers. You've helped legitimize Indycar bloggers. You will be missed, thanks for everything.
Dylan
Sorry to see you go, this was always the first place I checked in the morning. Thanks for being there and the first blog I found.
I forgot to ask..
What will become of the other writers, will they be able to keep blogging, or hopefully they'll find a new home?
Dale's recent posts from Indy were excellent.
Pat
toomuchracing.com
Jeff,
Thanks for all you have done. Best wishes.
Jeff,
Thanks for your blogs! They've been insightful, with a dash of humor, great quotes, and a whole lot of heart. I've enjoyed following your blog (all 10-ish months that I have) and am sorry to see it go. However, I am glad that you understand what is important in your life and I have a high amount of respect for you as a result.
I hope life gets better for you and that we may someday see you around here writing again.
Catie
Thanks for sharing the $40,000 steering wheel (without a fuel knob) of the MyNameIsIRL empire, listening to my Penske conspiracies and above all, for being a friend.
This exciting and sometimes maddening sport is what brought us all together and I really think that your lasting legacy is the next generation of hungry up-and-coming IndyCar bloggers who were inspired by yourself, Pressdog, and Money CJ hereafter referred to as "the founding fathers".
As you know, I've tried to do everything I could to change your mind but it's hard to hunger strike staying in a hotel two blocks from St. Elmos or organize a blockade of picketing IZOD models (maybe serving free Jaegerbombs to them wasn't such a good idea...it just made all the clothes come off)
Seriously, it's been a pleasure and before this starts sounding too much like a eulogy, let me just say I consider MNII "parked" and not mothballed.
Hey, if Sarah can pull out a 2003 Dallara and make the show...
Thanks again, and I'm sure I speak for all the legions of readers that hope that the IndyCar writing bug bites again soon...and it's like an infection
-DN
Really sorry to hear the news Jeff. Maybe one day down the road, we will both be back. Hope so.
the treehugger.
Jeff,
What can I say? I'm truly sorry to hear about this. You've been an awesome inspiration to me and many other bloggers. I really hope that one day, you'll come back. In the meantime, the IndyCar blogosphere will not be the same without you.
Please accept my best wishes for you and your family.
Sincerely,
Chris Estrada
Love ya buddy. Keep your chin up and remember you can always change your mind....MONEY CJ
As JP first said, and it feels appropriate as the 500 just wrapped, but "Godspeed" to you and yours, Jeff.
Truly, you've been an inspiration among the IndyCar blogdom, and no one will truly be able to fill the void you leave behind.
- Bill
Some day... many years from now... when the sport has fully recovered... and PIXAR is making movies about a brave little Swift chassis... I'll accidentally type in your url and shed a tear.
Demond Sanders
18to88.com
I never really commented, but your blog has been a daily click for me for a couple of years. I'll miss your wit. Good luck.
Thanks,
Seth
Hi Jeff. I have been reading the blog for a long time now and think you have done a great job. This is literally the first site I check every day. Thanks for all of your hard work and dedication. Good luck with your personal life. I sincerely hope it all turns out for the best. Take care, Bob Tzucker
Jeff,
I don't know you personally, but I have absolutely love reading your stuff! So funny, interesting and smart. Praying for you and whatever your situation is. Maybe one day you'll be back! We all hope so!
Jeff,
Although we never met in person, I've really enjoyed everything you've poured into this blog for all the time. Seeing all the bloggers in the IMS press room just last week was proof of the real vision you outlined for the blogger community, and setting the bar ridiculously high with everything you did over the years.
Only other connection is being a fellow Brophy Bronco! Best of luck and best wishes with everything.
Tony D
Jeff,
So sorry to read your blog today. After I heard you on Trackside, I subscribed to your blog and have enjoyed it since. I'm happy that we met at the Long Beach "pile up" and sincerely hope the external situations work themselves out in your best interest. You will be missed and I hope the blog will return one day.
Best Wishes,
Mike
Jeff, thank you so much for the years of great writing and insights - we were fortunate to have you for as many years as we did! It was a pleasure meeting you at the first Burger Bash in '08 - you were as gracious in person as you always have been on your site. I wish you the very best!
Jeff,
Thanks for being the best IRL blog in the business, and thanks for being a friend. You'll be sorely missed, but we're always just an email away.
God speed,
John
My transition from casual racewatcher to hardcore IndyCar fan coincided with finding your little piece of the internet. Not having any family members who are racing fans, sites like yours were key. You'll be terribly missed, although the RSS feed will remain in my Google Reader on the off chance you make a comeback.
With each passing year I care less and less about the IRL, but I always enjoyed reading your website. It even prompted me to start my own website covering sprint cars. So I just wanted to say thank you.
You are the reason I started my blog. Hopefully one day you can come back and lead the bloggers again.
Take care,
Matt Chamois
You've been one of the best. Take care of your situation and life will work out. Hope to read you again soon!
Shucks, Jeff, I was just about to ask you if I could get my site listed in the sidebar. Oh well.
Happy trails to you, good luck with your life, and hopefully we'll hear from you now and again.
Jeff:
I've read your site almost every day since 2006. You, Pressdog, and MoneyCJ were the ones who turned me from a mostly F1 fan who only watched the 500 to a hardcore fan. When I had to move to Russia for my job you guys helped me get my Indy fix. I'm proof that blogging does work!!! I hope everything works out in your personal life.
It won't be quite the same,
-George