48 Indy car

[CIRF]

Isn't that a bit of a problem though? IndyCar is suppose to be the pinnacle of American open-wheel racing. Throwing Johnson in there to go on joy rides during races without properly preparing them seems more like damaging to the league's reputation than help it.

Are you suggesting that Indy Car refuse to allow a 7 time Cup champion, who is widely considered one of the 2 or 3 best NASCAR drivers of all time, be barred from competing in the series. Now THAT would be some big news. Not real popular but big news, nonetheless.

I thoroughly enjoy Indy Car on ovals but in my world Indy Car is NOT the pinnacle of open wheel racing in America. It can't be until they require those racing for the Indy Car championship to compete at places like Springfield, Illinois, Eldora Speedway, Knoxville, Iowa and Du Quoin, Illinois. I know that is a pipe dream but it's my pipe dream! LOL!

[Rajflyboy]

Indy Car is the pinnacle of open wheel racing. Indy 500 has over 300,000 fans in attendance each year 👍.

[CIRF]

The Indy 500 is, and always has been, the biggest racing event, and in fact, the largest one day sporting event in the world and probably always will be. That is not at issue.

The driver who wins the Indy 500 is far more identifiable than the driver who wins the overall season points championship. That too is indisputable.

My point is this: up until, and thru 1970 in order to be the "National Driving Champion" the champion had to be successful not only at places like Indy, Reading, PA, Langhorne, PA, Phoenix, AZ, Sonoma, CA, they also had to race and be competitive at places like the Sacramento Dirt Mile, The Indiana State Fairgrounds, Springfield, IL and Du Quoin, IL. After 1970 the "National Driving Champion" never had to compete on mile dirt tracks.

The guys that won their championships on dirt ovals, pavement ovals and road courses were the TRUE champions. That is my definition of the pinnacle of open wheel racing. As I said, it's never going to happen, but it should!!