American-born competitors was a point of contention for some fans and owners. In addition, the feeder series and "ladder" for arriving at Indy evolved from USAC sprints and midgets to predominantly formula-style road racing. Many of the top drivers on the circuit were now moving up from such disciplines as Can-Am, SCCA Super Vee, Atlantics, Indy Lights, and IMSA. Rick Mears won the Indy 500 four times (1979, 1984, 1988, 1991) during the CART era, all for Penske Racing. The Penske team itself was one of the most successful teams during the era, winning nine races from 1979-1994. Al Unser Jr. became the first second-generation driver to win, while his father Al Unser Sr. won the race for the fourth time himself in 1987, in doing so, becoming the oldest driver to win. Speeds increased from just over 200 mph in the late 1970s, to over 230 mph by 1992. In 1986, Bobby Rahal became the first driver ever to complete the 500 miles in less than three hours, at an average speed of 170.722 mph. Starting in 1986, ABC Sports began carrying the race live on network television. In addition, the radio network swelled to over 1,200 affiliates nationwide. IRL / "Split" Era From 1996–2007. The IRL was formed in 1996, starting what was considered a "split" in the sport of Indy car racing. Speedway president Tony George founded the series with stated goals of implementing cost saving measures and to increase American driver participation. CART-based teams boycotted the race for four years, considering the move a "power grab" by George, and citing several organizational disagreements. Popularity in the sport of Indy car racing and the Indy 500 saw a visible decline in attendance, television ratings, and positive media coverage. A new formula of normally-aspirated machines was introduced for 1997, and the "original" or "Old School IRL" era ran to roughly 2002. By 2003, most of the top CART-based teams and manufacturers had defected to the IRL, and likewise the landscape slowly receded back to resemble that of the CART era. Later, manufacturers began to pull out of the series, leaving Dallara and Honda as the only chassis and engine suppliers, respectively. A de facto "spec car" era began in 2006, but equipment shortages were not much of an issue going forward. Also in 2006, the series began experimenting with ethanol fuel blends. A major event off the track