What we learned from the MAVTV 500
Here is what we learned from the MAVTV 500:
1. Pack racing makes a return
Rahal had barely crossed the start/finish line on Saturday afternoon when a mix of outcry and support emerged from the drivers regarding the race.
Downforce levels mandated by the series and the lack of familiarity with the new aero kit setups led to cars being unable to pull away from each other. It led to what many consider to be dangerous pack racing, reminiscent of Las Vegas in 2011 when Dan Wheldon was killed in a massive wreck.
“What are we doing?" said Will Power, who was involved in a wreck with Takuma Sato late in the event. “That's crazy racing. We just don't need another incident like we had at Vegas, and running like this it's just a matter of time."
The 40-year-old Kanaan echoed that sentiment, saying immediately after the event that that type of racing makes him question whether he wants to continue his career.
Conversely, there were drivers who were in favor of the tightly-packed field. Ed Carpenter – long a proponent of high-speed oval racing – took to Twitter to make his opinions known.
“I love close IndyCar racing," tweeted Carpenter. “Hate to see drivers bad-mouthing a series. If you want to race, race. If not, retire."
Ryan Briscoe, whose dramatic crash with Ryan Hunter-Reay with one lap to go brought out the final yellow, also showcased his support on Twitter.
“I thought today's IndyCar race was awesome," tweeted Briscoe. “A few drivers need to show more respect out there, but the racing was fierce and exciting."
Therein lays the dilemma for IndyCar. Racing like what was seen on Saturday is unmatched in the world of motorsports outside of Daytona and Talladega. For a sport desperately needing an influx of new interest, pack racing puts open-wheel racing on the map. But it is also extremely dangerous, with the next on-track fatality perhaps seeing the complete collapse of the fledgling series.
Many viewers of the race at Fontana thoroughly enjoyed it. However, do not expect to see another one like that anytime soon.
2. Honda resurgence
Not only did Honda need a performance from its stable of drivers like it got on Saturday, but the IndyCar Series needed it as well.
Struggling with aero and performance all year, Honda Performance Development finally looked Chevrolet's equal on the two-mile oval in Fontana.
Rahal and Marco Andretti (third place) represented Honda on the podium, while James Lakes (seventh) and Jack Hawksworth (10th) also represented the manufacturer in the top 10.
IndyCar needs Honda to stay interested in the sport, with the return of the long-time partner still a question mark past 2016. Continued poor performances out of its teams would do nothing to help that situation. Hitting on some setups and competing on par with Chevrolet will do nothing but boost Honda's morale and make it more willing to stick around into the future.
We will see in the coming weeks if Saturday was a flash in the pan or the beginning of a trend.
3. More penalty inconsistency
When Rahal pulled out of his pits with the refueling hose still attached on lap 187, eventually bringing out a caution, a drive-through penalty for a safety violation was sure to follow.
Right?
Wrong.
Rahal somehow avoided a penalty, with the series instead promising a post-race punishment.
While some penalties can be subjective or needing more time to analyze the incident, the miscue by Rahal's fueler to re-insert the hose back into the car as he was pulling away was as blatant and obvious as they come.
Yet the IndyCar Series claimed it needed more time to evaluate the situation.
It reeks of amateurism among the three race stewards in charge of officiating the race and only continues a lack of any real consistency in penalties. The majority of penalties this season have come days after an event is completed.
The fact that a driver won an event while somehow avoiding a clear penalty is a huge blemish on the series.
4. Come watch racing…anybody…please
There are small crowds and then there was what was on hand Saturday in Fontana. The most optimistic guesses had maybe 8,000 on hand to watch the exhilarating race, making the 68,000-seat venue look embarrassingly empty.
IndyCar's ridiculous mantra in which it does not schedule its season past Labor Day to avoid the NFL claimed another victim, with no one willing to battle the Southern California heat for an afternoon race in the midst of summer.
Auto Club Speedway officials have pushed for an early-fall date for its IndyCar race, a must if the event is going to get any substantial turnout. If the series does not break away from its scheduling stance and give the venue what it wants, there will soon be one less oval on the slate. Justin Kenny/News-Sentinel