Watching the Indy Car race from Phoenix now on NBCSN and the crowd size is pitiful.

Yes it is... I don't watch the road races. Is there much larger attendance?

I guess a 12 second win and 5 or 6 cars on the lead lap sure doesn't help my argument for more ovals less road races.

There are several one mile dirt tracks across our great country. Put em on dirt.Just testing on dirt would be a good story

This is why we don't see more ovals on the schedule...

Paul Tracy said that the rubber from the "sprint car" race may have been a factor in the first lap crash. Don't know about the rubber, but pretty sure there hasn't been a sprint car race at PIR in 25 years or so.

The current car configuration isn't as conducive to "High Banked" oval track racing as they once were. High downforce bullet-shaped cars are better suited to flatter ovals, than high banks. The faster the cars go, the less actual racing takes place(boring), there is no need to go 235mph. Then add in a complete disconnect from "actual" grassroots American style oval track racing(which is what we do) and a lack of "actual" American drivers being sought for rides in the series and you get a public who is not interested. Some highly opinionated folks erroneously blame Tony George for all the series current short comings, but that just isn't true, the IRL years were some of the most successful and well-attended races for many years. Finally, add in the multiple power plays for control over the years and you get this stumbling bumbling, drama laden, series with people nobody knows and cars traveling so fast you can't tell who is who and to the casual fan its off-putting to say the least. Plenty of blame to go around, but the IRL days produced some of the last best American drivers to come out of that series, you won't see that anymore.

Bottom line, todays "younger" casual fan likes shorter entertainment events that suit their minimal attention spans, 2hrs or less. Americans on the whole, prefer to actually be able to pronounce the drivers names, be familiar with where they come from and be able understand them when they talk. If your dream series is an international form of F1 lite, then you have what you want now. However, if you'd like greater attendance and support from fans in this country, things need to change. I'm an American and I believe in supporting Americans first.

Make American Open Wheel Racing Great Again!

Which is exactly why IMS saw an uptick in ticket sales the week of Alonso's decision to run.....

You're entitled to your own opinion, but not your own set of facts, and there are others here who have pointed out that those of us laying it out for you are correct. I wonder why that is? Sarcasm on/ I don't think it would have anything to do with the fact that we read actual documents, books, interview transcripts, and view video interviews and past races. Sarcasm off/

I tell you what. We'll both promote a race. I'll fill my field with the Andrettis, Fittipaldis, Mansells, Jim Clarks, Vettells, Mears, Rutherfords, Unsers, and Gurneys of the world. You can fill your race with all the USAC, WoO, and local talent until your heart is overflowing. Hell you can resurrect a few of your favorite Offy power front engine machines if you want to. I'll skip on the bus jumping through flames with a gigantic 'Merican flag competition. What I will do is promote the living breathing Jesus out of my event and the stars filling it while working on a contract to get it put on network TV. You can keep promoting yours via posters on telephone polls, Facebook, and then run the race on PPV live stream.

We'll compare gate receipts and sponsor dollars after the event. I may not get a post on here about how proud and honored someone was that they got to see Kinser and Hewitt run the 500 but my money is on that I'll be the one living a little bit larger the day after.

I understand this is pure blasphemy here, but racing as a whole would be a Hell of a lot better off with thinkers and doers like Gurney in charge. I hate having to tell you this, but there is a world outside wherever it is in Georgia you live and if your were any kind of a American you would take pride in having an event that can garner world wide attention.

I picked up on that, too. He was referring to the Silver Crown race, I am sure, when he was making his point.

I was just glad that he and Townsend Bell were on the TV vice Cheever and Goodyear.

Colin Chapman with putting the motor in the rear was the start of the oval downward trend.