IRR renews its call for more rich, riveting oval track sweetness, as road races truly are the skim milk of IndyCar.
Why must the home of the world’s most famous sip of milk be in a distinct minority of race tracks? Considering two thirds of IndyCar’s races now take place on road courses – several of which are utterly unwatchable, like Mid-Ohio – the old Ovaltine ads suddenly leapt to mind, inspiring our call for ‘More oval tracks, please!’
Longtime readers are no doubt accustomed to our overt oval track preferences. It’s significant to note however that recent seasons more than bear this out. Take last year, for example. Indy, Pocono, Texas and even East St. Louis (of all places) were easily the most entertaining races of the season.
By contrast, St. Pete, Toronto and Watkins Glen were terrible. Happily the latter’s no longer with us – one down, two to go. It’s really no surprise as high speed, circuitous venues routinely outshine their plodding, winding yet more numerous counterparts. That is unless your idea of compelling competition is Sonoma last September – talk about sour!
Image of A Christmas Story from the web
As poltroonish politicians are always saying, ‘Think of the children!’ An entire generation of young race fans now exists to whom exquisite oval races are all but alien. Two hundred mile per hour plus thrills have become waaaay too few and far between, even if you get NBC Sports. Thank you, Mark Miles. Indy cars with their incredible power and agility are woefully wasted at sub-interstate speeds on pot holed streets and chicaned parking lots. Such so called tracks should be left to the likes of F1. Or better yet, to milk trucks.
If NA$CAR/ISC controlled ovals like Fontana, Chicago and Michigan won’t play ball – it’s a Googlesque monopoly that should be investigated and dismantled – then double up on current ones like Pocono and Texas. The ol’ Texas two step, so to speak, used to be commonplace in the late 1990s and early 2000s. This year again we get a double dose of the streets of Detroit?! Not exactly the cream of the crop.
Photo from indycar.com
Multiple visits to the very best tracks should return to the schedule, thereby improving the seriously out of whack road course to oval track ratio. It’s a tried and true tradition in open wheel racing, even if the brass at 16th and Georgetown have forgotten this fact. Think of it – three or four oval twin events would be as sweet as adding a shot of chocolate (or bourbon) to your glass in the morning.
Also, brand new ovals should be built expressly for IndyCar, like that little gem of a track outside Des Moines, Iowa. We hear all this talk of infrastructure, yet sadly there’s been nothing from the series on this front – at all. Then again, what do you expect from milquetoast Miles?
Photo from wcnc.com
Holding more oval races adds excitement, value and yes, even some danger to an otherwise lethargic lineup. New IndyCar tracks should be built, multiple visits to ovals made and classic former venues reincorporated into the mix. After all, oval tracks are an important part of a balanced breakfast, er – schedule.
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also, you forget. most of the drivers don’t want to race on that many ovals, most don’t have enough experience, and about the danger…road racing is dangerous as well. tell me, how many races have you raced? all i know is i look more forward to road and street races than the boring as hell circles these days…oh look, another pass for the leed that took no effort…sports car racing’s on
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how old are you? in the 90s, cart had 6 ovals (indlucing your beloved indy) and 10 road corses…also, most exciting. maybe you want to see mindless passing, but i want a little more. like…actually watching cars drive and navigate turns, braking, cornering, handling…rather than *makes droaning roundy round noise*
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You sir, are a BLOODY MORON!! INDYCAR was and should be once again about BLINDING SPEED, THAT IS WHAT BROUGHT FANS TO THE STANDS. INDYCAR’S ARE MEANT TO BE RUN AT OVER 200MPH ON OVALS.. Your right, most drivers don’t want to run ovals.. BECAUSE MOST OF THEM ARE FOREIGN FUCKING PUSSIES THAT SHOULD; NOT HAVE THERE ASSES IN A THOROUGH BRED INDYCAR! take YOUR ASS TO THE LAND OF FUCKING F-1 AND DON’T COME BACK!
“LIFE BEGINS AT 220MPH”
BELIEVE IT!!
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meh, never liked f1 as much as you’d think, no passing. champ car was always my cup of tea. i like a few ovals, but seeing them constantly gets boring…look, i’m sorry real racing messed up the irl, maybe you can suck off tony george and ask for another split. have fun killing drivers
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