indy 500 crazy for not adjusting start time

hidesert cowboy

hidesert cowboy

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I read this story, http://www.indystar.com/story/sport...-early-start-time-facilitate-double/95224958/

and think to myself what in the world are these guys thinking. A couple years back when kurt busch ran the 500 I actually watched all the race for the first time in I don't know ummmm 15 years. I have since watched the race again. They always start that race what seems like way too early on sunday, in particular living on mountain time.

indy car racing has an identity problem. It seems like nearly all their racers are foreigners. The problem is your average fan doesn't identify with these guys. This is why when they had the cart split indy car ruined the series. back in the day you AJ foyt, mears, unser, danny sullivan, etc. not simon pagenuad and helio castroneves. peeling off a couple nascar drivers to run the race would really get more fans to watch. I actually think they should move the race to saturday or monday actually. I also think nascar and indy car should look at doing something to help each others race out. There is no reason something can't be done that is mutually promotional to both races.
 
I watch the Indianapolis 500 no matter what. I loved it when Kurt Busch tried, it adds another interesting element and diversity to the field. The Indy folks should not compromise the event by moving to an even less desirable time slot in the vague hope that a NASCAR star or two will run the race. Those one-offs are cool, but they do not build genuine actual interest in the race or the series. IndyCar racing needs to stand on its own.

If you'll only watch the Indy 500 for a NASCAR driver, I can't really relate. There are plenty of American drivers in the series (Newgarden, Kimball, Rahal, Hunter-Reay, Rossi), that's an old excuse. For me they are just race car drivers, I don't care where they were born. I do wish there were a compromise that could be reached to allow crossovers, and to me the most sensible would be running the 600 on Saturday evening or Memorial Day afternoon instead of Sunday. But that isn't actually in NASCAR's best interests, just as messing with the tradition of the Indy 500 isn't in IndyCar's best interests.
 
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hidesert cowboy said:
I read this story, http://www.indystar.com/story/sport...-early-start-time-facilitate-double/95224958/

and think to myself what in the world are these guys thinking. A couple years back when kurt busch ran the 500 I actually watched all the race for the first time in I don't know ummmm 15 years. I have since watched the race again. They always start that race what seems like way too early on sunday, in particular living on mountain time.

indy car racing has an identity problem. It seems like nearly all their racers are foreigners. The problem is your average fan doesn't identify with these guys. This is why when they had the cart split indy car ruined the series. back in the day you AJ foyt, mears, unser, danny sullivan, etc. not simon pagenuad and helio castroneves. peeling off a couple nascar drivers to run the race would really get more fans to watch. I actually think they should move the race to saturday or monday actually. I also think nascar and indy car should look at doing something to help each others race out. There is no reason something can't be done that is mutually promotional to both races.
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I am all for being smart and making things better. I sure would love to see Mays that actually filled the calendar again, as in real bump days that involved more than 33 or 34 candidates fighting over 33 spots. It used to the ****, were there was many more than 33 drivers making a credible case.

I also would love to see more home grown talent involved. Not so much to wave the flag, which is a postiive thing. But more about watching a rough kid going through rigors of refinement and growing up to be a badass in the 500. Those home grown journeys are a great thing for observant fans to watch unfold.

But there is no magic wand, speed cost money, and some rich kid from South America has the finances to to pay the bills. I dont like the ride buying either but I also have no solutions, and the more prestigiou$ the greater the challange IMO. Still the same some drives like Wheldon's ladt win a couple years ago was a great underdog story imo.

But the current race day is excellent form imo, I wouldn't change a thing.
Disclaimer : I am not an Indy type either, I have never been to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. And I been to more races at Charlotte than I can count, the 600 theAll Star race and fall race many times. But it is still easy to see that they are doing a great job with the Indianapolis 500, at least imo
 
hidesert cowboy said:
I read this story, http://www.indystar.com/story/sport...-early-start-time-facilitate-double/95224958/

and think to myself what in the world are these guys thinking. A couple years back when kurt busch ran the 500 I actually watched all the race for the first time in I don't know ummmm 15 years. I have since watched the race again. They always start that race what seems like way too early on sunday, in particular living on mountain time.
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Your solution to starting early is to start even earlier? Because that's what Cindric is discussing, moving it back to 11 AM. Saturday is just not going to happen and I doubt Monday ever will again either.

Also, if you actually look at the grid, the roster of American drivers is as good as it's been in years. Newgarden, Rahal, and RHR are all contenders. Rossi and Daly had very respectable rookie seasons, Kimball might be the most consistent driver in the series. Hildebrand has another chance to prove himself in a full-time seat in 2017. I wouldn't count on Marco getting his **** seriously together anytime soon but that's still a formidable lineup.
 
Been there several times, the afternoon heat is borderline unbearable. Plus later in the day you have the threat of showers/severe thunderstorms, etc. The noon start time, which is 9am on the west coast, gets you out of there by 3pm, and on the highway by 5pm, and we usually make it to Chicago in time to watch the 600 at our hotel. Personally, I would like to see the 600 moved to Saturday.

As far as the lack of drivers, NASCAR and Indy are in the same boat, none of the drivers stand out.
 
cheesepuffs said:
Indy's rating and attendance have been rising year over year while "Premier Series" NASCAR tumbles. Indy doesn't, and shouldn't, give a damn.
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Indy 500 ratings were actually surprisingly down in 2016, but general trends would indicate that they would not benefit from trying to ride NASCAR's coattails. The 500 is again the premier race of Memorial Day weekend, as it should be.

Coca-Cola 600

2008: 4.7 / 7.6 million
2010: 4.0 / 6.5 million
2012: 4.5 / 8.1 million
2014: 4.1 / 7 million
2015: 3.8 / 6.4 million
2016: 3.4 / 5.7 million

Indianapolis 500

2010: 3.6 / 5.8 million
2012: 4.3 / 6.9 million
2014: 3.9 / 6.2 million
2015: 4.2 / 6.5 million
2016: 3.8 / 5.9 million

There is no question that if the Indy race were run later in the day, it would do higher TV numbers. It's just not better for the event itself for weather reasons already mentioned.
 
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cheesepuffs said:
Indy's rating and attendance have been rising year over year while "Premier Series" NASCAR tumbles. Indy doesn't, and shouldn't, give a damn.
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Indy might be doing better because they fired the jerk running it.
Nascar needs to do the same.
 
AndyMarquisLive said:
The start time changed to 12pm because of daylight savings being enacted in Indiana.

It's not Indycar's job to accommodate NASCAR drivers who might but probably won't compete in one race.
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that is not the point. the point is they are trying to compete with nascar instead they should be feeding off it. if the race was entirely a different day imagine if they had tony stewart in an indy car say 7 or 8 years ago. I know kahne sucks now but he probably would have ran it. The point is being donkey about the day the race is on is hurting them.
 
hidesert cowboy said:
that is not the point. the point is they are trying to compete with nascar instead they should be feeding off it. if the race was entirely a different day imagine if they had tony stewart in an indy car say 7 or 8 years ago. I know kahne sucks now but he probably would have ran it. The point is being donkey about the day the race is on is hurting them.
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So, INDYCAR should move the race up so a NASCAR driver might can run it? Even though the Indianapolis 500 is bigger than the World 600?

Besides, if INDYCAR started the 500 at 11am, NASCAR would move up the 600 to 4pm. That's how it's worked for years now. It's NASCAR, not INDYCAR, that's making it hard to do the double.
 
hidesert cowboy said:
that is not the point. the point is they are trying to compete with nascar instead they should be feeding off it. if the race was entirely a different day imagine if they had tony stewart in an indy car say 7 or 8 years ago. I know kahne sucks now but he probably would have ran it. The point is being donkey about the day the race is on is hurting them.
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It's been on Sunday for over four decades. This is not a new development and it hasn't been an issue.

Btw, Kahne isn't running in IndyCar until he's racing for a NASCAR owner other than Rick Hendrick.
 
hidesert cowboy said:
that is not the point. the point is they are trying to compete with nascar instead they should be feeding off it. if the race was entirely a different day imagine if they had tony stewart in an indy car say 7 or 8 years ago. I know kahne sucks now but he probably would have ran it. The point is being donkey about the day the race is on is hurting them.
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There is not much to feed off anymore. The Indy 500 is again the more popular and significant race in a much less desirable time slot. If Jimmie Johnson was able to run the race, yes, some fans would follow and interest would tick up. It's NASCAR's job to accommodate that if they want. If they don't, that's their decision.
 
gnomesayin said:
Indy 500 ratings were actually surprisingly down in 2016, but general trends would indicate that they would not benefit from trying to ride NASCAR's coattails. The 500 is again the premier race of Memorial Day weekend, as it should be.

Coca-Cola 600

2008: 4.7 / 7.6 million
2010: 4.0 / 6.5 million
2012: 4.5 / 8.1 million
2014: 4.1 / 7 million
2015: 3.8 / 6.4 million
2016: 3.4 / 5.7 million

Indianapolis 500

2010: 3.6 / 5.8 million
2012: 4.3 / 6.9 million
2014: 3.9 / 6.2 million
2015: 4.2 / 6.5 million
2016: 3.8 / 5.9 million

There is no question that if the Indy race were run later in the day, it would do higher TV numbers. It's just not better for the event itself for weather reasons already mentioned.
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I wonder what caused 8.1 million people to check out the Charlotte race in 2012? If trends continue the race will draw about 5 million next year.
 
At this point I'm drawing a blank on anyone that would attempt the double anyway.
 
Now doubt the race would get more NASCAR eyes on it with one of their own running in the event but I wonder if viewers are lost on the west coast should there be an earlier start time? Maybe the NASCAR fan gain is outweighed by the difference? The diehards are going to watch regardless. Casual viewers, maybe not.
 
AndyMarquisLive said:
So, INDYCAR should move the race up so a NASCAR driver might can run it? Even though the Indianapolis 500 is bigger than the World 600?

Besides, if INDYCAR started the 500 at 11am, NASCAR would move up the 600 to 4pm. That's how it's worked for years now. It's NASCAR, not INDYCAR, that's making it hard to do the double.
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I agree here, The Indy 500 is a bucket list race for most drivers in the world. NASCAR should move the 600. Not only would it benefit the Indy 500 to have NASCAR drivers in it, it would benefit NASCAR in hopes of bringing some of the indycar fans over to watch the 600. Drivers crossing over to each series is a benefit to both series and not a detractor. I would like to see some Indycar drivers and F1 drivers in the Daytona 500.

As already stated, these events were developed to attract the best drivers in the world from all over the world and I personally would love to see more crossovers.
 
FLRacingFan said:
Larson, the Busch brothers, Kahne.
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Kurt's done it, and I thought he said he had no planes to try it again. Could be wrong. I really doubt Gibbs would allow Kyle to run it; especially since he made him reduce his extracurricular racing on the big tracks after the leg incident at Daytona.

Larson maybe. Ganassi connections and all. Kahne I don't know.
 
CamelPowered said:
Kurt's done it, and I thought he said he had no planes to try it again. Could be wrong. I really doubt Gibbs would allow Kyle to run it; especially since he made him reduce his extracurricular racing on the big tracks after the leg incident at Daytona.

Larson maybe. Ganassi connections and all. Kahne I don't know.
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Kurt was considering it until March this year. If he can clinch a Chase spot with an early win at some point that would help. The backing is probably there already.

Kasey said he's talked to teams about it but I really think he would have to leave HMS to get the permission to run. Kyle said his sponsors are interested in it but Joe is definitely going to be the hardest to convince.

The interest is there, though.
 
One thing that makes it easy for Cup driver to run the I500 is that Indy has trouble filling the field, despite the race's return to top status. They're lucky if they field 25 or 26 cars at most other races. A Kurt Busch can swing a one-race deal with a good team and have a good chance of making the field.

It would be harder for an IndyCar driver to run the 600. NASCAR already fills that field.
 
LouieLouie said:
I agree here, The Indy 500 is a bucket list race for most drivers in the world. NASCAR should move the 600. Not only would it benefit the Indy 500 to have NASCAR drivers in it, it would benefit NASCAR in hopes of bringing some of the indycar fans over to watch the 600. Drivers crossing over to each series is a benefit to both series and not a detractor. I would like to see some Indycar drivers and F1 drivers in the Daytona 500.

As already stated, these events were developed to attract the best drivers in the world from all over the world and I personally would love to see more crossovers.
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so now we are at NASCAR moving its race. umm you gotta be kidding me. for one the coke 600 traditionally wasn't and isn't the biggest race of the season. the indy 500 is, I dunno about the ONLY race of any significance these days for indy car. remember indy car was bigger than nascar not all that long ago. Indy doesn't have lights, so their race must be ran during the day. nascar would not let me repeat would not benefit in a meaningful way for indy car drivers to come and race the coke 600, however indy car would greatly benefit by nascar stars racing in its race.
 
hidesert cowboy said:
... however indy car would greatly benefit by nascar stars racing in its race.
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That's the opinion that most of us disagree with. IndyCar might benefit from having Cup drivers show up at some of its other races; IMSA certainly benefits from Cup drivers at the Rolex. However, the I500 is currently doing just fine without them.
 
The Indy 500 has been the big dog in American racing for decades. The start of the race was pretty much set and they follow tradition. I don't think Indiana followed day light savings time until about ten years ago so that messed with the timetable for someone doing both races.

I like it when drivers try running both races and it has been proven it can be done. But I'm guessing that the Indy and NASCAR aren't concerned about drivers running both races.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
That's the opinion that most of us disagree with. IndyCar might benefit from having Cup drivers show up at some of its other races; IMSA certainly benefits from Cup drivers at the Rolex. However, the I500 is currently doing just fine without them.
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the sport is about drivers and personalities. the ARCA series has drivers that go around the track why isn't their series huge. They don't have the stars and personalities. indy car has the same problems ARCA does and relies soley on its past prestige.
 
dpkimmel2001 said:
The Indy 500 ratings pale in comparison to NASCAR's premier race @ Daytona. The Daytona 500 still sets the bar. The ratings aren't even close. The attandance..... That's a different story.

http://autoweek.com/article/nascar-sprint-cup/battle-tv-ratings-nascars-daytona-500-laps-indy-500
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To be fair, Daytona occurs when half the country is buried in snow, and the lull between the NFL and baseball seasons. Still, I prefer going to Daytona over Indy. Plenty to do in central Florida, where as outside of the race, the Indianapolis area is damn ghost town.
 
joe h said:
To be fair, Daytona occurs when half the country is buried in snow, and the lull between the NFL and baseball seasons. Still, I prefer going to Daytona over Indy. Plenty to do in central Florida, where as outside of the race, the Indianapolis area is damn ghost town.
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That really makes no difference with the original point that I was making. NASCAR's still king here in the US.
 
dpkimmel2001 said:
The Indy 500 ratings pale in comparison to NASCAR's premier race @ Daytona. The Daytona 500 still sets the bar. The ratings aren't even close. The attandance..... That's a different story.

http://autoweek.com/article/nascar-sprint-cup/battle-tv-ratings-nascars-daytona-500-laps-indy-500
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This is true. Over the past several years Indy 500 ratings are basically flat with fluctuations from year to year, and Daytona 500 ratings are down massively, but still considerably higher than Indy 500 numbers as of 2016. Keep in mind that the Daytona 500 shed 40% of its audience from 2013 to 2016. It's also true that IndyCar ratings for events other than the Indy 500 are small. Up somewhat recently, but still low.

None of that has anything to do with whether the Indy 500 start time should be moved.
 
joe h said:
To be fair, Daytona occurs when half the country is buried in snow, and the lull between the NFL and baseball seasons. Still, I prefer going to Daytona over Indy. Plenty to do in central Florida, where as outside of the race, the Indianapolis area is damn ghost town.
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Indianapolis is a small city with about 850,000 residents but there is plenty to do in and around the locale. Don't forget that IMS is located in essentially what is a residential area and not downtown.
 
gnomesayin said:
This is true. Over the past several years Indy 500 ratings are basically flat with fluctuations from year to year, and Daytona 500 ratings are down massively, but still considerably higher than Indy 500 numbers as of 2016. Keep in mind that the Daytona 500 shed 40% of its audience from 2013 to 2016. It's also true that IndyCar ratings for events other than the Indy 500 are small. Up somewhat recently, but still low.

None of that has anything to do with whether the Indy 500 start time should be moved.
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Daytona has shed about 40% of its seating and its home audience but I am told by people wiser than I that it is nothing to be concerned with.....:D

It is possible that the 500 is Nascar's only race that is sold out although there are a few others with small capacities that come close.
 
joe h said:
To be fair, Daytona occurs when half the country is buried in snow, and the lull between the NFL and baseball seasons. Still, I prefer going to Daytona over Indy. Plenty to do in central Florida, where as outside of the race, the Indianapolis area is damn ghost town.
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Ah, but Indy has IRP / ORP / LRP / whatever they're calling it this week.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
Ah, but Indy has IRP / ORP / LRP / whatever they're calling it this week.
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Lived in North Dakota my whole life, so speedweek is my families get away from winter for a week, or two. So we go down watch a couple races, and in between, either go fishing, sit on the beach, take a short cruise to the Bahamas, or spend a day at one of orlando's theme parks.

For the 100th anniversary of the 500, we decided to take in the whole week of festivities, and were sort of amazed at how fast the city just clears out. After the race, we headed downtown to our hotel, showered and changed, and by 6 headed to a restaurant, and the town was just dead. Other than the garbage and bleachers along the parade route, you wouldn't even know the biggest race had just taken place in that town.
 
joe h said:
Lived in North Dakota my whole life, so speedweek is my families get away from winter for a week, or two. So we go down watch a couple races, and in between, either go fishing, sit on the beach, take a short cruise to the Bahamas, or spend a day at one of orlando's theme parks.

For the 100th anniversary of the 500, we decided to take in the whole week of festivities, and were sort of amazed at how fast the city just clears out. After the race, we headed downtown to our hotel, showered and changed, and by 6 headed to a restaurant, and the town was just dead. Other than the garbage and bleachers along the parade route, you wouldn't even know the biggest race had just taken place in that town.
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I was born in Circle City, still have family there, and get back up there every couple of years. They pretty much roll up the sidewalks unless the Colts or Pacers are playing. :D But Lucas definitely puts on better racing than the big track!
 
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