IndyCar 2020 Picks and Discussion

[hertamaniac]

Lots of moves this off season and a new aeroscreen really makes the cars look like rocket ships.

Predictions for race winners and champion for 2020?

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

After the race, the cars can be turned into a giant buffet complete with sneeze guards!!!

 

[Squirlz]

I hope the Arrow McLarens run as good as they look. Too soon for any predictions other than the usual suspects will be at the top.

 

[hertamaniac]

I think that the young guns at Arrow will be real contenders for race wins, not the championship.

 

[_19disnA]

At least they are finally doing something to protect the driver from injury in their open wheel cars, which is a known concern. F1 implemented similar measures in 2018. Both IndyCar and NASCAR have an attendance problem and not sure they have figured out how to resolve that. If you watch the camera shots of the mostly empty grandstands at races, it is clear there are fewer people attending then in the past.

 

[Squirlz]

At least they are finally doing something to protect the driver from injury in their open wheel cars, which is a known concern. F1 implemented similar measures in 2018. Both IndyCar and NASCAR have an attendance problem and not sure they have figured out how to resolve that. If you watch the camera shots of the mostly empty grandstands at races, it is clear there are fewer people attending then in the past.

At the cookie-cutter ovals, yeah I agree. When we go to Belle Isle and Mid Ohio it is jam packed!

 

[hertamaniac]

At the cookie-cutter ovals, yeah I agree. When we go to Belle Isle and Mid Ohio it is jam packed!

Barber and St. Pete are packed, but only on race day. I've stopped going to St. Pete even though it's a little over 1.5 hours from the house. The circuit isn't the best for fans viewing the race and is more like a big street party.

Barber is the most fan friendly circuit we've been to, but there is not much overtaking.

I've been to Belle Isle, but not on a race weekend; the track looks awesome and I took my rental car over the curbs (which I thought they were temporary, not permanent).

 

[_19disnA]

The temporary street courses provide minimal passing opportunities and not nearly as many seats as established venues. Driving around in single file isn't my idea of racing. I agree that most people go to those for the party atmosphere and less for the racing. I prefer the ovals since there is more racing/passing and easier to watch on TV.

The big money teams tend to be the most competitive and little chance for the low budget teams to win. Indycar has never solved that problem even with the largely spec racing they do now.

 

[hertamaniac]

I also prefer ovals. For example, I worked at Nazareth Speedway for years in my youth. The view from the front stretch grandstands gave you, and I'm guessing, about 80-90% view of the track. That was the best value for your dollar that I found as compared to other tracks. I'm going back to the Indy 500 this year, but know that I will only get a small view of the cars in the turn (hence the reason for the jumbotrons and the new televisions they are installing right now). Next year, I think we're going to line up Texas Motor Speedway for the night race as a 1.5 mile oval should give a better viewing experience.

With the new aeroscreen this year and the center of gravity/pressure effects, this year's car is essentially new. Since the practice sessions they have been running last week, it is with limited number of cars (not in full traffic at race mode). So I think the low budget teams have a better shot for strong finishes earlier in the year before the juggernaut of Penske/Andretti/Ganassi get their arms around the technical aspects of this car.

I did see that Hinchcliffe signed with Andretti Racing for a 6th entry for the Indy 500.

 

[soniam]

I didn't go to Indy at COTA last year; husband did. We have tickets again this year, so I'll see how good the crowds are. Looking forward to another year at the Indy 500. I have been going almost every year since 1997. My husband has been going since 1990 I think. Our friends have been going since the 60s. My husband's uncle is joining us this year; he's never been. Parking is always a gamble. Our friends usually arrive a week or two early and find someone's house to park at In Speedway.

 

[_19disnA]

The split of USAC & IndyCar several years ago permanently damaged the sport and they have never fully recovered. The split was mostly about big egos and had little to do with better or more economical racing. They lost a lot of sponsors who are in racing to gain visibility and want their product to sell and didn't want to be part of the controversy. Fans just moved on to other sports and not sure you will ever get them back. Honestly, the cars go so fast on the large ovals you can barely see them going by. In the years we have been to Indy and sat on the front straight, always thought racing would be more enjoyable if you could actually see the cars. No fan can tell if the car is going 160 vs. 220. The cars have gotten too fast for some of the larger speedways and it isn't like they are going to enlarge the track. I don't get the impression that sponsors/owners/league/drivers have made any efforts to deal with this issue.

Racing would have a bigger fanbase if more of the teams could be competitive and not just the teams with the most $$ or sponsors always win. Since they don't run a race every week during the season, unless you actually follow that type of racing, you probably forget when the next race will be and which TV network it will be on.

 

[hertamaniac]

The best race I have seen was the MAV TV 500 at California Speedway (2015). The chassis was that awful looking Lego-like car, but it produced a massive amount of down-force to allow close racing for most/all teams. That race was the first full pack racing for IndyCar that I have seen. It seemed like almost half the field could win on any lap. So sometimes the car package can produce highly competitive racing for the lesser budget teams; this is not the norm, but was refreshing to see that it could be done. That race (which I encourage anyone to watch on YouTube) was probably the lowest attendance for an IndyCar race. I believe the estimate was ~3,000 total spectators. But, this race was in the middle of the summer, in the middle of the day and in the desert portion of California. This race used to be highly successful when it was the last race of season, in the fall, and under the lights.

IndyCar is part to blame for a declined attendance, but the track promoters also need to have some ownership as well. They need to work that schedule slot for their track that can provide the best draw. I know this is a tug-of-war scenario between the tracks and IndyCar.

I have repurchased my NBC Sports IndyCar Pass this year as I enjoy the extra coverage and can watch any race/practice/qualifying if I miss it live.

 

[hertamaniac]

I didn't go to Indy at COTA last year; husband did. We have tickets again this year, so I'll see how good the crowds are. Looking forward to another year at the Indy 500. I have been going almost every year since 1997. My husband has been going since 1990 I think. Our friends have been going since the 60s. My husband's uncle is joining us this year; he's never been. Parking is always a gamble. Our friends usually arrive a week or two early and find someone's house to park at In Speedway.

COTA looks like an amazing track! I know they resurfaced portions of it as it became very bumpy.

This will be my 2nd Indy 500. The first was 2002 and we had seats outside of turn 4. I couldn't see much as the blur was mind-boggling, but that TV screen in front of us made it palatable.

I hear parking at the homes is plentiful, but depending on distance from the track = $ spent. I did find a couple of places near the track that offer many spots, but I would prefer to be closer to turn 1. We're going to be in grandstand B closest to turn 1 and under the cover from the penthouses. Our tickets were expensive enough and I couldn't see spending anymore for a penthouse seat.

 

[_19disnA]

Parking a distance away from the track at Indy is a good idea since traffic closer to the track will be in gridlock after the race ends. If you don't mind walking to a nearby neighborhood, you will actually find it a faster way to exit. Sitting in the shade is a good idea since some years have been VERY hot/sunny and you will bake in the sun. Since this is generally one of the first warmer days for that part of the country, people often get sunburned not realizing how sunny it will be.

 

[soniam]

COTA looks like an amazing track! I know they resurfaced portions of it as it became very bumpy.

This will be my 2nd Indy 500. The first was 2002 and we had seats outside of turn 4. I couldn't see much as the blur was mind-boggling, but that TV screen in front of us made it palatable.

I hear parking at the homes is plentiful, but depending on distance from the track = $ spent. I did find a couple of places near the track that offer many spots, but I would prefer to be closer to turn 1. We're going to be in grandstand B closest to turn 1 and under the cover from the penthouses. Our tickets were expensive enough and I couldn't see spending anymore for a penthouse seat.

COTA is pretty amazing. I did a Driving Event on it in one of our street cars once. I thought I loved Laguna Seca, but COTA stole my heart. My husband does amateur autoracing with SCCA. They just had a race there 2 weeks ago. He said the grip is great on the new sections, and they are not bumpy. However, they didn't resurface the entire track, so in the rain, the old sections are pretty slick now. He thought it was fun

There are usual 4-6 of us in a car, so we split the cost of parking and only need 1 spot. Some years have been more expensive than others, but a lot of times we can get a spot in someone's yard, usually arranged ahead of time, for about $50. It's usually not too far of a walk. Never park such that you have to pull onto 16th street. The traffic after the race is really bad. We usually try to take a back way out toward Allison or Mug n Bun to leave the track.

Cover would be great. I just wear a sunhat and sunscreen or a sunshirt. We are from Texas though, so we expect the sun. It can be really cold too. I think we have seen almost every weather, except snow, including a tornado warning that closed the track. My first year, the race was rained out until Tuesday

I do like our visibility where we are. There's always a lot of action near us.

 

[hertamaniac]

COTA is pretty amazing. I did a Driving Event on it in one of our street cars once. I thought I loved Laguna Seca, but COTA stole my heart. My husband does amateur autoracing with SCCA. They just had a race there 2 weeks ago. He said the grip is great on the new sections, and they are not bumpy. However, they didn't resurface the entire track, so in the rain, the old sections are pretty slick now. He thought it was fun

There are usual 4-6 of us in a car, so we split the cost of parking and only need 1 spot. Some years have been more expensive than others, but a lot of times we can get a spot in someone's yard, usually arranged ahead of time, for about $50. It's usually not too far of a walk. Never park such that you have to pull onto 16th street. The traffic after the race is really bad. We usually try to take a back way out toward Allison or Mug n Bun to leave the track.

Cover would be great. I just wear a sunhat and sunscreen or a sunshirt. We are from Texas though, so we expect the sun. It can be really cold too. I think we have seen almost every weather, except snow, including a tornado warning that closed the track. My first year, the race was rained out until Tuesday

I do like our visibility where we are. There's always a lot of action near us.

We'll probably be coming in from Crawfordsville Street, but going to the neighborhoods before 16th. I think there are a couple of businesses someone recommended that you can pre-purchase a parking pass. We'll see as I do want to support the locals who open their yards to us fans.

I did drive on the track last year at Barber (see below, also including a first for me as a track sweeper flipped on the banking at a race track). I was driving with one hand on the wheel while hastily trying to take photos with the other. They gave us a few laps and the blind turns and elevations changes was like riding the best roller coaster; I'll take that memory to the grave.

If you husband races for the SCCA, I wonder if he can also be a trackside volunteer for some of the IndyCar races? I had heard that some/most of the officials are members of the SCCA. I know if I was fortunate to be a member, I would be going every chance I could to be a track official.

I know that the 500 experiences many different weather scenarios, so we'll be as prepared as we can be. I booked extra nights after Sunday just to cover a delay. We are also going to the parade downtown on Saturday as I've never seen it and have heard good things.

Your seats are the prime section for uncovered views. If they had covered grandstands in the short chute between 1 and 2, then I would have dropped the $ to grab them. I can handle the sun/heat with no issue (live in central Florida), but the other person I'm taking cannot. She is fair skinned and can't do that regardless of what she wears.

 

[hertamaniac]

Parking a distance away from the track at Indy is a good idea since traffic closer to the track will be in gridlock after the race ends. If you don't mind walking to a nearby neighborhood, you will actually find it a faster way to exit. Sitting in the shade is a good idea since some years have been VERY hot/sunny and you will bake in the sun. Since this is generally one of the first warmer days for that part of the country, people often get sunburned not realizing how sunny it will be.

Agreed. We paid much more for the covered grandstand seats, but it's more for the shade than anything else. I think those TV's mounted under the penthouse suites really will make our seats more enjoyable. It's not that I don't think those jumbtrons aren't great, but a high def. TV in front of us should help the experience even more. We'll see.

 

[soniam]

If you husband races for the SCCA, I wonder if he can also be a trackside volunteer for some of the IndyCar races? I had heard that some/most of the officials are members of the SCCA. I know if I was fortunate to be a member, I would be going every chance I could to be a track official.

Spots for volunteers at Indy are highly sought after. I think they mostly go to locals or people who have been doing it a lot. Plus, our Indy trips are about spending time with friends and family. He did get to race on the track year before last, I think. They did the SCCA runoffs there. It was a really big event, because everyone wanted to race on the track. I didn't get to go, because it was during the school year. Someone had to take of our son.

 

[hertamaniac]

Indy 500 date moved to August 23rd.

 

[soniam]

Yep, easily rebooked our flights. We used points originally. Since the August flight was so much cheaper, my husband was able to switch us from coach to business class for less points Trying to look on the bright side of life here. All of the Hiltons where we would stay are booked, but husband found a Hyatt Place. It won't be the worst hotel we have stayed at in Indy. Hope everyone can switch to the new dates.