IndyCar embarrassed itself on TV again

UPDATE #2 Rumor has it that IndyCar may be learning their lesson (the hard way), and may not do double file restarts at Long Beach due to the track being tight. It would be a crashfest. Ditto for all street circuits. As stated below, IndyCar should only consider double file restarts for the ovals. But as we stated, if the outside groove is full of marbles (tire rubber) the driver on the outside will crowd the driver on the inside (to share the groove) to maintain traction and if the tires touch – start praying.

04/11/11 A reader adds, Dear AutoRacing1: The IndyCar series said it was adding more excitement for the fans with double-file restarts. What are they talking about? 90% of all the double-file restarts for yesterday's race ended up have contact and accidents, bringing out yet another full course yellow thus repeating the cycle each time….making the race VERY BORING for the fans with so many caution laps.

Why does IndyCar feel so compelled to always copy Nascar and their fake, gimmick-filled, fabricated racing? If IndyCar wants to copy another racing series, why not Formula 1? After all, F1 is the pinnacle of (open wheel) racing. Tony, Little Falls, NJ

Dear Tony, I think the double file restarts will work OK on the ovals (if the outside groove is not full of marbles) but so far it does not appear to work on the road courses. There was some good racing on Sunday, but the drivers eventually ran out of talent when it came to not touching each other. Cautions breed more cautions, especially with double file restarts. My only fear on the ovals is the high speed. Rubber Tire-to-Rubber Tire contact at those speeds could launch a car into the grandstands. If that happens no insurance company will insure an IndyCar oval race after that and they will have to run 100% road and street circuits. Mark C.

04/10/11 Well, we are now into the 2nd IndyCar race of the season, this time at Barber Motorsports Park, and the Double File restarts certainly were exciting, however, as AR1.com told you when this rule was announced, there will be a lot of carnage and the team owners had better get their check books out.

Today at Barber was no different, as almost every restart saw cars crashing. They managed to get through the first corner at this track, but that is not the issue. The issue is the cars stay 2-wide through about half the lap and one way or the other, when the adrenaline is flowing and the drivers are trying very hard to gain position, the "open" wheel are going to touch the other "open" wheel or the bodywork of the car next to you and chaos is going to ensue.

So while we love the action, let's just hope it does not bankrupt the team owners. (See related News item)