Barber’s IndyCar race didn’t need a lead change to be exciting

It wasn't the best race of all time, but Sunday's Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama was the best race of all time that didn't include a leader change.

Will Power was hardly ever touched as he led every lap of the race at Barber Motorsports Park. Normally, that's a prescription for disastrous reviews and lousy TV ratings.

If a NASCAR race ended with Jimmie Johnson leading every lap the howls of outrage from fans and journalists would be deafening.

But this race, at a track where passing is at a premium, didn't need a pass for the lead to provide excitement. The rest of the field provided plenty of passes, spins, wrecks, smashed chassis and hurt feelings.

Last year's race turned into a festival of fuel conservation, which is almost always a fan turnoff. This year the middle of the field put on a show that rivaled the pre-race fireworks.

That may make drivers uneasy and may create bad feelings as the season goes along. But as Versus analyst Robin Miller noted, "We need some hate in this series." AL.com