Is the IRL too exciting?

Andy Sallee/Motorsport.com

It seems almost unfair to complain about a race that ended with a .0077 sec. margin of victory, but SPEED's Robin Miller makes some very good points.

I've never loved NASCAR's restrictor-plate racing at Daytona, finding that type of racing, with up to 40 cars in a pack, to be totally artificial.  It is not a real test of man and machine.

Of course, the dangers inherent in pack racing are troubling:

Eventually, people (drivers and/or fans) WILL die from this madness.

The IndyCar Series will never feature packs of 40, if only because 40 cars will never start an IndyCar race.  But last Saturday's race at Chicagoland Speedway did feature packs of, at times, 15 cars.  The difference, compared to NASCAR, is that Briscoe & Co. were going 215 mph a lap, 25+ mph more than the stock cars.

The fact that nothing awful happened is a tribute to the drivers.  While driving the car in isolation is simple at track like Chicagoland, doing so while racing two or three-wide is anything but.  It  is exciting, harrowing and, yes, dangerous.  The fact that only two of those three elements were seen last week is obviously a good thing, but luck (and skill) will eventually fail us.  Ask Kenny Brack (graphic):

To be fair to the IRL, the "flight" issue, which killed Tony Renna in 2003, has largely subsided in recent years, but if the pack racing continues like it existed last week, then fate is being tempted (regardless of how safe the car is).  One touch (or series of touches) could spell disaster for the sport (think Le Mans 1955).

Beyond that, it can seem contrived at times.  Racing should be a test of man (or woman) and machine, with some seperation between the fast cars and those who "missed" the setup. 

The racing in Chicagoland and, in theory, the other 1.5 mile tracks doesn't give us this.  Instead, we get "side-by-side" racing with passes, if they are finished at all, taking at least 5-10 laps to complete. 

This is compelling once or twice a year; after 5 races like this, it is both boring (in a repettitive sort of way) and sheer madness at the same time.  What should be done?

Well, the overall formula (chassis + engine) won't change until 2012, and given the economy, major "tweaks" to the current formula are unlikely.  I do have two thoughts, however.

First, since 2006, Honda has provided the field with detuned engines, putting out around 650 horsepower.  They are reliable, but woefully underpowered.  Could Honda maybe add 50 or so horsepower, while still being reliable?  This way, the higher downforce Dallaras would have more raw power to put to the track.

Second, change the wing settings at the 1.5 mile tracks to something closer (if not identical) to those used at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  This would take some downforce away, making the driver an integral part of driving each lap.  The result would, hopefully, be some seperation without eliminating passing throughout the field.

It's a fine line and many will vehemently disagree that a problem exists.  Others fear that any changes will simply create single-file parades.  But can we afford to do nothing and simply tempt fate?  Feel free to chime in with your thoughts below.