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Monday, January 27 Updated: February 4, 4:14 PM ET  Comments on IRL drivers ESPN.com We spotlighted IRL drivers Tomas Scheckter, Scott Sharp and Tora Takagi. Here are your thoughts on their '02 campaigns and prospects for next season:
Tomas Scheckter
Jim Bishop Valley Stream, N.Y.
It's a good thing Ganassi has very deep pockets because until Tomas can prove that he's done crashing every chance he gets, Chip's gonna be rebuilding A LOT of race cars. Maybe if Tomas has to pay to fix them he will calm down enough to win some races. Kenneth Miner Phoenix
If Scheckter thought Team Cheever and the IRL chassis had safety concerns, why is he back in the Identical wRecking League again? I think that Cheever got lucky when Tomas left his team from an economic standpoint if nothing else. Tomas belongs on a team where loyalty means nothing and that is what he will get with Chip. Just ask Jeff Ward. He won and got dumped by an operation that only put forth its maximum effort for the Indy 500 last year leaving Ward with fairly uncompetitive cars the rest of the time. Good luck, Tomas, may you get what you deserve. Rick Oestricher N. Richland Hills, Texas
Chip Ganassi has signed a gem in Tomas Scheckter. This fearless kid will shock the racing world by winning the IRL championship in 2003. Sandon Robertson Tigard, Oregon
Scott Sharp
Matthew Embury Saint Joseph, Mich.
Unspectacular -- that's the key word in your spotlight. The Nazareth win was a gift, no doubt about it. If Scott will catch the draft of Hornish, Team Penske and a few of the ex-CARTers, he'll have to improve on his qualifying. That said, Scott is a fine ambassador for the IRL and a good race car driver. The new Toyota engine should help him out quite a bit. If he doesn't crack the top ten in points, I'll be very surprised. Chris Estrada Pascoag, R.I.
Kelley Racing has two drivers: one with the skills to win a championship and one with the skills to be a good corporate driver (at best). Sharp is the corporate soldier for the Kelley clan and likely will not see victory lane in '03 despite being on an upper echelon team in terms of funding and equipment. His driving style is more suited to NASCAR which doesn't translate well to high-speed open-wheel. Top five in points and one win should be considered a great year for Scott against the ever-talented IndyCar fields now. David Zehr Goshen, Ind.
Scott Sharp has been somewhat inconsistent during his IRL career. Never a backmarker, not always a championship contender. He has great talent, and the partnership with Unser Jr. will pay off more this year. I think Kelley racing will find their "groove" this year, as Sharp and Unser challenge Penske and Hornish for the title. Sharp will win at least one. Dave Badics South Bend, Ind.
Tora Takagi
H.C. Jover Encino, Calif.
Tora could be the biggest wild card in the Indycar pack this year. Good history on ovals combined with the solid and competitive Mo Nunn team, don't be surprised if he finishes in the Top 10 in points, along with his teammate. David Zehr Goshen, Ind.
I think Tora will find the racing boring just going around in circles and will come running back to CART. Cliff Klein Boynton Beach, Fla.
Corporate money brought him over to the IRL. Takagi's OK, but he won't have the impact that the Penske guys did last season or the AGR and Ganassi drivers will have this year. Rex Garrison Tulsa, Okla.  Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories
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