The 90^th running of the Indianapolis 500 this past Sunday was one of the most exciting races ever seen in the race's long history, yet how many of the people in attendance, or watching with their family's on TV this Memorial Day weekend, will watch another Indy Racing League race this year? Not many. Even with the exciting finish that transpired when Sam Hornish Jr. past rookie phemon, 19 year Marco Andretti on the final front stretch to win the race, very few will watch another IRL race until next year when the 91^st running of the Indy 500 takes place.

Why? 

Even though the Indy 500 is, as they claim, one of the biggest sporting events in the United States, NASCAR still rules the motorsports landscape in America, while F1 dominates it Internationally. Ever since the Indy Racing League was created after breaking away from the CART (Championship Auto Racing Teams) series, open wheel racing in America has never been the same.

Yes I may live in Canada, but since open-wheel racing took such a hit in the 90's, NASCAR's popularity has risen, capturing the imagination of open wheel auto racing fans that were torn by which series to watch. I'm not bashing NASCAR, I'm a huge fan in fact, but the glory that once was open-wheel racing in America is no more. Sponsors that, in the past, would have been clamouring to sponsor a car in the Indy 500, have instead steered their money to NASCAR because it is a much better year-round investment.  

This past weekend's race does give me some hope. With Danica Patrick entering her second year in IRL, and with a new Andretti by the name of Marco entering the mix, there may be hope after all. Now all IRL officials have to do is try to figure out how to carry the excitement that accompanies the Indy 500 over to the other IRL events this season.