It was the greatest IndyCar race in history (2nd Update)

UPDATE #2 Another reader writes, Dear AR1.com, The race featured a total of 3,173 on-track passes – 2,537 for position. Wow! It was indeed the greatest race in motorsports history and absolutely the best race I have ever witnessed firsthand. I want to see more of it. I saw your other recommendation that Fontana should be the season opener in late January. Could not agree more. But Firestone will have two bring two tire compounds, because every once in a while it can be cold and a softer compound would be safer. The race must start at 1 PM PT, which should be warm enough. Starting the season before NASCAR with an exciting race like we saw Saturday would get the IndyCar season off on the right foot. Dan in Laguna Hills, CA

06/28/15 A reader writes, Dear AR1.com, I know you have said it many time but I was born and raised in Newport Beach, Southern California and have lived here for 37 years and there is no way in hell I am getting on the freeway and driving inland to see a race. Even the people in Riverside and San Bernardino which are right next door are coming my way to the beach on a Saturday in the middle of summer. The people that run Indy Car are hands down the biggest #%& in sports today. Just dumb. Ryan Shea

06/27/15 Dear AR1.com, I witnessed the greatest IndyCar race in history today at Fontana that nobody saw. Why are the drivers bellyaching again? Was the racing to close for their skill level? Mordichai Rosen, Los Angeles, CA

Open wheel cars with canopies would look awesome and make it safe to have pack racing

Dear Mordichai, It is much more dangerous to 'pack' race with an open wheel car than with a stock car. Drivers can die. However, there is an easy solution. IndyCar can have exciting pack racing that is safe for the drivers. The only thing that is required is for the new 2018 car to be designed with a canopy to protect the drivers. I have heard all the nonsense about the canopy possibly trapping the driver in the car. The only scenario that is an issue is a fire where the driver must exit quickly. Fires do not happen that often these days and when they do, a properly designed fire suppression system can minimize the risk to the driver until safety crews arrive on the scene, which is usually within 15 to 30 seconds. So IndyCar has to ask themselves, do they want an entertaining sport with canopies over the drivers head, or a borefest and a fan base that continues to dwindle? Mark C.