The first-ever IndyCar doubleheader at Texas Motor Speedway was a tale of two races. Saturday's snoozefest saw Scott Dixon take the checkered flag for his fifth victory at the track, after he led all but six laps. The race was largely a parade with very little passing, likely due to several factors. One, qualifying was rained out so the field was set by entrant points. Presumably this meant that some fast cars, like Tony Kanaan, would start at the back but be able to pass cars easily as they charged to the front. However, that did not happen because the PJ1 trackbite compound applied to supposedly help the NASCAR races proved to be too slippery for IndyCars. If someone tried to move up to pass on the outside, they had to either quickly back out of the attempted pass or risk hitting the wall. Lastly, the IndyCar aero package for ovals does not seem to encourage passing or close racing. The race became a track position affair with cars separated from one another and unable to close the gaps. It was probably the most boring race I have ever witnessed. I can't complain too much though because it was the first race I have attended since 2019, and whenever you can witness IndyCars in person it's a good day for me.
Sunday's race was far more exciting, though, and renewed my faith in the track. Pato O'Ward alone was worth the price of admission, as he daringly passed several drivers en route to his first IndyCar win. I watched him attempting to pass Will Power all day, as he seemed to have the faster car but couldn't pass (because of the PJ1 compound). I knew if he could figure out how to pass on this one-groove track, he would take off, and sure enough he did. Graham Rahal was also fun to watch, especially once he passed Dixon for the lead. These top three drivers stayed close together until the final pit stop, drafting to save fuel. Anytime you can see multiple passes for the lead and a first-time winner, it's a great race in my opinion, and that's what we were treated to on Sunday. Unfortunately the carnage at the start tore up a lot of race cars, but beyond that it was enjoyable and a reminder of what racing at Texas once was and could be again. I felt especially bad for Sebastien Bourdais, whose team worked late to repair the car after Newgarden bumped him and spun him out on Saturday, only to be taken out before the green flag flew on Sunday.
I saw a lot of fans on social media calling for IndyCar to leave Texas Motor Speedway, either forever or until the track can either be repaved or the PJ1 compound removed. Most of these calls came after Saturday's parade. So let me get this straight--we decry that IndyCar doesn't have many oval races anymore, but here is an oval track that actually wants IndyCar and supports them year after year, even when attendance wanes, and you want to get rid of them? Sunday showed that we can have decent racing at this track, particularly if drivers are willing to push the limit a bit to pass. Let's hold off on the "cancel Texas" clamors for a little while, OK?
I'm not sure if this race will return to its usual June date next year or not, but I loved not sweating my ass off at the track for once! Once the rain cleared on Saturday, it was quite pleasant. I'm glad Texas was a doubleheader this year, because if IndyCar had left after Saturday's snoozer, we might never want them to return. They got another chance on Sunday and totally redeemed themselves with good racing.
As I said, this was the first race I attended since 2019, and I'm not sure how other tracks are handling the pandemic, but there was definitely a minimalist fan experience this time compared to previous years. There were no team trailers, no IndyCar merchandise tent, no driver autographs, no touring the garages after the race, no concerts, no race scanners, and no flyover. Rain nullified qualifying, and there was no qualifying on Sunday (though there probably should have been; I agree with Alexander Rossi on that one), so you were really just there for the race and that's it. There were a few trailers and "spin-the-wheel" type booths where fans could get prizes, but those were all outside the gate so you didn't even need a ticket to access them. I understand this may be a one-off and things will return to "normal" next year, but oval tracks need to have more for the fans. It's no wonder attendance is so poor at oval tracks compared to road and street courses where there is action on track all day, and games and activities throughout the venue. Fans lament the lack of ovals on the schedule, but if we have little to watch or do at the track and are treated to single-file parades, no wonder they are disappearing from the schedule. I'm not giving up hope yet. As long as my health cooperates, I will return to Texas Motor Speedway if they have an IndyCar race next year, whether it's in May, June, or some other date.
Three Stars of the Weekend
#1 Star: Pato O'Ward
Pato was truly a treat to watch, especially on Sunday. He earned his first IndyCar victory, and it was awesome to see his genuine joy in Victory Lane. He had a massive contingent of fans cheering for him, so I hope he stays in IndyCar for a long time.
#2 Star: Scott Dixon
What else can you say about the master? He had a definite advantage starting on the front row Saturday and on the pole Sunday, but he still drove like a champ and leaves the weekend with the championship lead once again. He's just a damn good driver. Period.
#3 Star: Graham Rahal
With an honorable mention to rookie Scott McLaughlin for earning his first IndyCar podium in his first-ever oval race, Graham was truly a star during both races. He had a great car and made some slick passes, especially on Sunday. I enjoyed watching him, Pato, and Dixon at the front, wondering who would blink first and take the lead. He looks like a strong contender at Indy, coming off two top-five finishes, and is in the hunt for his first championship.
Three Stories of the Weekend
#1: Lack of Qualifying
The lack of qualifying definitely seemed to be a factor in Sunday's opening lap crash. I haven't watched the telecast yet, so I'm not sure if Dixon really did brake-check the field, but you also had faster cars starting toward the back, which is a recipe for disaster. TK was fastest in practice but had to start in the back. I would've liked to see what he could've done had qualifying taken place, and he sat on pole or the front row. It might have been a completely different weekend. I know that IndyCar chose to follow the rule book instead of adding a qualification session on Sunday, but surely this rule can be amended on a doubleheader weekend when quals are rained out, no? I hope they consider a revision in the offseason. They had time to qualify on Sunday, or at least practice to give the fans more of a show.
#2: PJ1
This was the drinking term of the weekend, and IndyCar and Texas will have to work together to figure out how best to improve the racing at this track. This topic has been addressed ad nauseum so that's all I'll say for now.
#3: Youth Movement
Aside from 40-year-old Dixon, the other three races this year have been won by younger drivers, including two first-time winners (Alex Palou and O'Ward). St. Pete winner Colton Herta was also fun to watch on Sunday; I saw him carve his way through the field a bit. It is exciting to watch these young guns make their mark on IndyCar and keep the veterans on their toes. I just hope the series can keep them around for awhile and not lose them to the allure of F1.
Here are a few photos from the weekend:
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