Neither the IRL nor Champ Car has made a comment. The two have been meeting in recent weeks to discuss a possible merger, which would unite U.S. open wheel racing for the first time since the early 1990s.

Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire is the sole tire provider for both series, with Firestone brand race tires being used by IRL teams, and Bridgestone brand tires by Champ Car teams.

The merger is expected to take place immediately, and would effectively scrub most of Champ Car’s 2008 schedule, according to reports.

Since the Tony George-owned IRL split with the then-named CART in the early 1990s, the two series have had informal discussions about a merger. (Tire Review/Akron)