Why IndyCars at Phoenix are boring

Hunter-Reay at dizzy high speed at Phoenix

A reader asks, Dear AR1.com, I went to the Phoenix IndyCar race last year and there was hardly any passing. I saw Friday's practice sessions and again it was single file and no passing. Why are IndyCars so boring at some tracks? William Beattle

Dear William, They cannot pass because the cars have way too much downforce and are nearly full throttle all the way around the Phoenix 1-mile oval. Racing will not be better at Phoenix until they take the wings off the cars and make the tires wider – i.e. more mechanical grip and less aero grip. The cars get around the track in just 19 seconds. Do single file 190 mph laps put more people in the grandstands at Phoenix? Not a single one. Mark C.