What would become of the Indy 500?

A reader asks, Dear AutoRacing1.com, Given your are so adamant about the unnecessary dangers posed by open wheel racing on high speed ovals (and rightly so, I might add). What would be your vision for the Indianapolis 500, should open wheel racing in the USA take the steps you propose and become a strictly street/road racing series? (Supposing the Champ Car business plan wins out and destroys the IRL somewhere down the line) Mark Maslona, Cleveland, Ohio

Dear Mark, The Indy 500 must be salvaged and strengthened at all costs. It is the Super Bowl race of open wheel racing. The Indy Speedway is not a high-banked track like the others and should be retained. The popularity of that race makes the risk of the high speeds worth it, but the other ovals are not popular enough to warrant the risk. Indy also does not produce the dangerous "pack" racing that the high-banked ovals produce. We have no problem with 17 road/street races a year plus the Indy 500 as the lone oval. Being the lone oval will make it that much more unique and special and help it stand out above all the other 17 races….which is what you want for your Super Bowl. Leave the high-banks to NASCAR. They own them anyway. Mark C.