No Comparison

Following, is a list of the common elements of NASCAR and IndyCar racing:

1. Both the NASCAR and IndyCar series are based in the United States

Tzit. 

That's all... So, at last, can those that consistently look to NASCAR for inspiration in "saving" IndyCar please cease the practice?

Is NASCAR more successful than IndyCar? Yes. But NASCAR has built its fan base on a blend of racing and entertainment that's unique in the world. Good for them. 

The fact is, the vast majority of race series across the globe survive/thrive without using the NASCAR formula—whatever that is.

Why must we confine our search for useful tools to grow North America's premier open-wheel series to our own shores, just because it's familiar and easy? The answer is, we don't have to, and we shouldn't. 

If Formula 1 has a great idea, super. If V8 Supercars does, awesome. And if NASCAR incorporates an element that truly suits us, so be it. But, to me, that doesn't include the "entertainment" tools they lean on—you decide what those are.  

It's becoming increasingly less arguable that IndyCar has some of/the best racing on the planet. So perhaps some of our issues lie elsewhere.  

If you will allow me, I would like to end with a quote from the eminent English essayist, Sir Alex Lloyd, who once said, "Gimmicks don't grow a fan base. Better promotion does."

—Chris  

Sammy Speaks

Will he, or won’t he?

Photo: IndyCar

I’ve seen plenty of quotes from Sam Hornish, Jr. as to whether he will run the "Indianapolis 500" again, but audible interviews seem to be a bit more scarce.

Last night, 1070 The Fan’s, JMV, caught up with Sam and asked him about Indy, NASCAR, Tom Carnegie, and more. Take a listen here, decide for yourself whether you think he’ll return to the '500', then share your opinion via our poll. 

—JM    

Agent Patrick Infiltrates Enemy Lines

Here’s what I hope Danica’s 6^th-place finish in Saturday’s ARCA race really said:

“Hi, I’m Danica Patrick. I’m beautiful, charming, a good racecar driver and, sometimes, a real pistol!

I’m over here driving stock cars because I want to stretch my legs a little bit, and it could prove to be a lucrative career move for me in the future but, for now, I’ll just be visiting.

My regular job is driving in the IZOD IndyCar Series, and that season starts very soon. The cars are really cool looking, the racing is super close—with open wheels, if you can believe that—and we go as fast as 230 mph at the Indianapolis 500.

If you liked watching me in a stock car, you should really check me out in an Indycar. That’s where I do my best work. And, by the way, you won’t have any trouble spotting me—just look for the GoDaddy.com logo. I’m sponsored by them in the IndyCar Series, too.”

Alright, don’t let this, maybe, overly optimistic rant fool you—I tossed the rose-colored glasses out years ago. I can see the handwriting on the wall. I know that anything less than a series of disastrous forays in stock cars means DP will likely be heading to NASCAR full-time, sooner rather than later.

And for the record, if these words somehow, miraculously reach your ears, Danica, I truly hope you make a career out of IndyCar. I recognize NASCAR is a quantum leap in prominence and income for you, but there’s something to be said for sticking to your roots when all other signs say yank them up and plant them elsewhere. You can be the one high-profile driver that has plenty of options but recognizes the growth potential of IndyCar, sticks with it, and truly helps make it grow. Years from now, you can say I helped build that… satisfying. I digress.

In the meantime, while Danica tests her wings, I’m choosing (possibly, quite foolishly) to view all the attention she has gotten thus far and will get in fender-world to just be free advertising for the IZOD IndyCar Series.

What the future holds, I don’t think anyone knows—including Danica—but for now, let’s enjoy the ride.

See things a little differently? Cool. I embrace and encourage opposing views. Make a comment or send me a Tweet, if you’re so inclined… and thanks.

—JM