President Trump issues executive order to begin preparations for IndyCar race in Washington

[Ol Janx Spirit]

61. It's hard to get under my skin unless you are just disparaging auto racing...

..altogether.

The beauty of it is that each series really showcases a different set of engineering and driving styles and skills.

In the modern era, the longest Formula One race is the Las Vegas Grand Prix, covering 192 miles--or two hours; whichever comes first; while the longest Formula 2 race is 105.6 miles--or one hour; whichever comes first. I think that is a big reason to not put F2 above IndyCar or LMH.

There are eight races on the IndyCar calendar this year longer than 192 miles--and not all of them are oval races.

The iconic Indianapolis 500 is a true 500 mile test of both drivers, machines, and teams--with 6 or 7 pit stops versus one or two in the average Formula One race. And that includes refueling which Formula 1 and Formula 2 do not do.

WRC does not get the respect it deserves either. There are real arguments to be made that it is really the most true form of racing out there--running on varied-surface public roads (gravel, tarmac, snow.)

I love motorsport in all of its forms. I think they all deserve respect in their own right.

In my mind and experience, Formula 1 is the most exciting and most demanding series on many levels, but IndyCar has a unique set of demands that put it right up there with Formula 1 from a driver and mechanic standpoint.

Will I watch every IndyCar race on the schedule this year? Absolutely not. Will I get up at 3 am if I have to and call my college-age son on the phone and watch the Formula 1 race with him? Absolutely.

I would not miss it--and that says something about it; or me--and my kid.

He is a mechanical engineering/aerospace minor student, so you can only imagine the level at which he is watching the races now....

We are both looking forward to the changes in the formula this year as it shakes up the field and challenges the engineers, drivers, and teams.

33 days, 23 hours, and 47 minutes--but who's counting....