As we all know, IndyCar suffered a huge decline in popularity and fanbase during the “split” era. Over the last 4-5 years it has enjoyed a huge resurgence. Both on its own and piggybacking onto the F1 Drive to Survive Wave IndyCar is more popular than it has ever been in the 21st century.
In a past article, I wrote about how Indycar should create its own version of drive to survive and I stand by that. I also think they should partner MUCH more closely with IWSC moving forward. The casual fan in the USA has NO idea what IWSC even is. However, we diehards know it is some of the most exciting and action-packed racing on earth. These two series should try to host race weekends together as much as possible.
Anyone that has been to the GP of Long Beach knows that it is just fantastic. Not only do they have Indy and IWSC but they also have Formula Drift, Super Trucks, Global Time Attack, Formula Atlantic Historic, Pirelli Challenge, etc, etc.
With 2-5 categories all competing at once, IWSC creates limitless action wherever they race and it creates an electric atmosphere and every year converts people that just came for the part into race fans. Even if it was just Indy and IWSC pope would still leave both feeling like they got more than their money’s worth but also a subset would come away as true race fans and start following on TV which leads to ratings, which leads to more TV money, sponsors, etc and the health of true racing in America just strengthens.
Outside of Long Beach, we see Indycar and IWSC overlap this season only at Detroit. That is a shame considering they share other tracks on the calendar like Road America and Laguna Seca. Add to that the fact that in the endurance racers the best of IndyCar from Rossi and Castroneves to Palou and Montoya and it creates crossover interest.
Non-racing diehards get bored easily. IWSC is the last thing from boring with the huge lap time discrepancies from Dpi to LMP2 to GTD there is always action on the track. Let’s hope the powers that be understand the appeal here and get these two series couple up on more weekends to continue to expand the reach and appeal of open-wheel and sports car racing and in turn see both continue to grow and blossom.