The race was more interesting than recent ovals. I do agree and I also think the road course races produce better racing. I did watch the race and there were some moments but after Wilson checked out on the last restart, it difficult for anyone to make a real run at Dixon or Wilson. Like F1, they seem to struggle in dirty air and lose front grip. Unlike F1, they have a spec series which makes it difficult for anyone to have an edge to overcome the issue. They patiently wait for mistakes. That’s part of racing but I think we all would agree that Indycar could be a really good series with some key tweaks to the formula.

I am not sure I followed the Red Stripe versus Black tire issue in the race as well. Lap times didn’t seem to definitively demonstrate an advantage while the commentators were making over the sheer brilliance of the red stripe performance (maybe I dozed off and missed the obvious information on this). I am sure there was a difference and Penske, Coyne and Ganassi know exactly what that was but the commentary team seemed bereft of the data other than lap times. They called a good race but I think their theories, especially Jack’s, always center on rubber (rightfully so) but somehow don’t seem to bear fruit when it all is said and done. Fuel mileage became a factor and usually is in Indycar. Not knocking it, that’s just an element of the series.

As for IMS. If you suggest that I am not honoring the memory or history of the great track, I have done a poor job explaining myself. I have as much respect for the oval as anyone but a series can’t be based on one oval track. IMS is a race, not a series and the series has to embrace many other circuits to be viable. Long Beach, Watkins Glen etc. Indycar has all the trappings of a great series but is missing key elements to make it so. The sisters feel the same and have voted for Tony to step down. The teams are concerned about the long-term viability and support they will get from the sisters and I don’t blame them. If things don’t pan out, look for a new series of CART/CHAMP to break away from the sisters and start under the leadership of Penske, Ganassi, Panther, Coyne and Andretti/Green.

In closing, I know you love Indycar and that’s a noble cause but taking an inventory of the ills of Indycar is not a sport for me, it is a critique in the hopes that the series will get it right and provide an alternate open-wheel series to F1 here in the states. For my money? Combine ALMS and Indycar on race weekends at road courses and we got ourselves an open-wheel series! ;)

Ahh yes, there was a pass for the lead and lots of passing throughout the field at the Glen and you lambaste it as “difficult to overtake with little racing to be found”. Really. Did you watch the race?

Granted, the oval product has been tedious this year, but judging from the past decade or so, the IRL has put on a fantastic show. I trust that this will be corrected.

Nice diatribe on CCWS and sad devotion to IMS. Tells me all I need to know about your opinions on IndyCar.