"If CART continues on, it's just going to drag all of open-wheel racing down"

In the quote "If CART advances, it's simply going to drag all of open-wheel racing down", Michael Andretti reveals concern about the possible unfavorable effect of the Champion Auto Racing Teams (CART) series on open-wheel racing as a whole. To dissect this statement, it is very important to understand the context in which it was made and Andretti's possible motivations and point of views.

CART was a popular open-wheel racing series, especially in North America, during the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Nevertheless, the series faced numerous difficulties, including monetary problems, team and driver defections, and competitors from rival series like the Indy Racing League (IRL), which later on ended up being the NTT IndyCar Series. These issues resulted in a duration of instability and fragmentation within open-wheel racing.

Andretti's comment most likely originates from concerns about this fragmentation. The presence of several contending series can water down sponsor interest, viewership, and the skill pool, making it harder for any single series to prosper. When resources, fans, and media attention are divided in between competitors, the general product might suffer, leaving none of the series strong enough to command considerable attention on the world phase. This could result in reducing purses, fewer sponsorships, and decreasing fan bases, damaging the sport in general.

Andretti, as a veteran driver with significant personal and familial stakes in the sport, would understandably be worried about such results. His statement might reflect a belief that consolidating under a single, more cohesive series could be the best way to maintain and strengthen open-wheel racing's standing and appeal.

Therefore, the quote can be viewed as a call for unity and strategic positioning in the face of obstacles, promoting for choices that would decrease internal competition and make the most of the health and growth of open-wheel racing on the whole. While the specifics of how and when these changes may occur can vary, the central message is clear: disunity and competition from within are seen as damaging to the sport's success.