Jeff Gordon promises fans that this year's Allstate 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway won't be like last year's race. We're sure you're duly relieved.
On the off chance you don't have instant recall on last year's race, it was the one that looked like a typical summer vacation on the interstates. Drive 25 miles at normal speed, squeeze into one lane for 10 miles, drive 25 miles at normal speed and so on. But with tires that supposedly won't shred every few laps, Kyle Busch is free to reclaim his rightful place as the instigator of all controversy.
Our question is how much does the venue matter? Wrigley Field has long made the Cubs relevant despite their losing ways, but does making four left turns at the Brickyard make the Allstate 400 one of the world's best races?
- Voters say nothing is wrong with Dale Earnhardt Jr.; he's just not very good.
- SportsNation doesn't think NASCAR is in very good shape as a major sport.
- Rankings: Where would Danica Patrick rank in NASCAR?
- Voters may not have much optimism when it comes to the state of NASCAR, but blogger kockelman88 thinks the powers that be have earned at least some praise for listening to fans. But implement these four changes and things might get even better.
- Chat: Ask NASCAR writer David Newton about this weekend's race at 1 p.m. ET
- SportsNation Groups: Nascar Fans | Mark Martin Fan Club | Junior Nation
“The COT and rubber woes have made this venue a boring race. Didn't use to be that way. I can remember one race when DJ had the car to beat and ran out of gas into turn 1 early on. Got back out there but was 3 or 4 laps down. Every caution/restart he would make one lap back (there was no dumb-a## Lucky Dog back then).
” -- SteelBone925
“Indy would/will be better to watch if they start using tires that will last about the same length of time as fuel. Watching pit strategies with the possibility of blowing a tire while stretching out a few extra laps is what makes for a better race here. Speed-wise, it could be considered a super speedway, but because of the wide straightaways and low banking, passing and drafting are much different. The new restart method should make it a bit more interesting also.
” -- vweaver69
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