There is both fact and fiction to the statement that Michael Andretti's switch to the IRL is him following the money.

Yes, Honda's decision to support the IRL had a lot to do with the second-generation champion's choice. But it is not a case of Andretti Green going racing on Honda's tab.

"That's one thing I want to get straightened out right now," Andretti said to me. "Honda is not bankrolling this team. I wish that they were, but they aren't."

The truth is that Honda's support will come in R&D, testing fees and assorted marketing programs that could include deep discounts for vital engine pieces and equipment.

"They're going to be our technical partner and we will be their factory team. But, they are going to spend their resources on finding ways to win," Andretti said. "If you let your emotions enter into it my decision to leave CART was very tough. But this is a business and as a business I feel that the best opportunities for our team are to go to the IRL.

"This is a decision that I am not making for myself. This is a decision that I am making for the 80 families that are working for us."

The IRL became attractive to Andretti this season as he watched the championship chase.

"I'll tell you it was exciting. I watched those races on the edge of my seat. It was great," he said. "That's what its all about. That's one thing that the IRL has going for it. They're putting on such great shows. I think their rules package is very good in terms of making competition on the race track. And I want to be a part of that for sure."

The competition. That has always been something Andretti has fed off of. That is not to say CART does not have competition. It does. It is saying the IRL's competition equation is more attractive to Andretti.

That and the money.

When you tally the number of corporate partners the IRL has put together for next season, teams like Andretti Green can look forward to healthy purses and support programs that will certainly affect bottom lines.

The advances by the IRL will leave some of its longtime teams on the sidelines in 2003. That downside is offset by arrivals like Andretti Green.

Tony Kanaan, Dario Franchitti and Andretti swell the growing talent pool in the IRL. It might be said guys like Franchitti wish that they were still in CART. I'm sure that it was not easy for Andretti to say goodbye to a series that made him rich and famous.

Just as Tony Stewart left the IRL for the riches of NASCAR, so too have these three joined the IRL. Their arrival in 2003 further swings the Indy Car balance scale in the U.S. over to the IRL.