-Helix-
30th July 2007, 01:34
It's the track that is important, not the type of car racing on it. American Open Wheel may dominate Indy's history and tradition, but NASCAR dominates it's present and most likely it's future.
Stewart, Montoya, Gordon
These are the biggest names in American racing right now. And even though these three drivers finished one-two-three at Indy - it's in NASCARs and not the open wheelers they probably would have driven if this were 20 years ago. NASCAR is the biggest series in American racing. Indy is a cherished and historic track, but it's just that - a track. The Indy 500 is just another race on a great track.
While I watched Brickyard 400 coverage this week all the way up to the end with Stewart and his team climbing the fence. It hit me: the tradition and history these NASCAR guys keep talking about may not be NASCAR history... but it's dominated by NASCAR now. NASCAR is American racing. Indycars may have created that history and tradition, but their job is over and done. American Open Wheel's history is NASCAR's history.
The Indy 500 officially means nothing to me anymore other than another race on another track shared with America's top racing series. But you can hardly blame Tony George for handing the track and basically the key to all of it's history and tradition. He simply saw that NASCAR was actually profitable and had great potential. He wanted to make money. His ancestors who despised NASCAR might be rolling in their graves as they watch stockcars drive on those hallowed straights from the heavens - but times change. Indycars had their time.
We've officially entered a new era in American racing. Although I will always love open wheelers and will continue to follow BOTH the IRL and Champ Car - it's hard to admit that all this "merger" and the "comeback of AOW" is all pointless babble. It's a cult following sport and will most likely remain that way. So even though our memories of the old days might be depressing - let's remember what we got and be happy we do.
This post is by no means intended to start a flame war or another pointless CC v.s. IRL debate. It's just my feelings which I believe many share that I felt I needed to get off my chest. Thank you.
Stewart, Montoya, Gordon
These are the biggest names in American racing right now. And even though these three drivers finished one-two-three at Indy - it's in NASCARs and not the open wheelers they probably would have driven if this were 20 years ago. NASCAR is the biggest series in American racing. Indy is a cherished and historic track, but it's just that - a track. The Indy 500 is just another race on a great track.
While I watched Brickyard 400 coverage this week all the way up to the end with Stewart and his team climbing the fence. It hit me: the tradition and history these NASCAR guys keep talking about may not be NASCAR history... but it's dominated by NASCAR now. NASCAR is American racing. Indycars may have created that history and tradition, but their job is over and done. American Open Wheel's history is NASCAR's history.
The Indy 500 officially means nothing to me anymore other than another race on another track shared with America's top racing series. But you can hardly blame Tony George for handing the track and basically the key to all of it's history and tradition. He simply saw that NASCAR was actually profitable and had great potential. He wanted to make money. His ancestors who despised NASCAR might be rolling in their graves as they watch stockcars drive on those hallowed straights from the heavens - but times change. Indycars had their time.
We've officially entered a new era in American racing. Although I will always love open wheelers and will continue to follow BOTH the IRL and Champ Car - it's hard to admit that all this "merger" and the "comeback of AOW" is all pointless babble. It's a cult following sport and will most likely remain that way. So even though our memories of the old days might be depressing - let's remember what we got and be happy we do.
This post is by no means intended to start a flame war or another pointless CC v.s. IRL debate. It's just my feelings which I believe many share that I felt I needed to get off my chest. Thank you.