Crazy how Texas is now the only 1.5 mile oval left on the IndyCar schedule when tracks of that configuration just like Atlanta used to be a staple of this series. They have all basically left and become NASCAR-only tracks!
So i randomly searched for this footage and am so happy it was posted. I'm more of a stock car fan, but I did attend this race. I remember "the big one" at 27:00, but I mainly remember that high pitched scream of these cars. A sound like no other! Thank you for posting!
@greatassistant Most likely. Also during the 1998 race with the huge backstretch accident, a tire can be seen skimming acorss the empty backstretch grandstands.
Honestly, had ISM/SMI/NASCAR hadn't renovated and reconfigured Atlanta into the disaster that it is right now, I would actually be lobbying for IndyCar to return to Atlanta...... but that's pretty much wishful thinking at this point
Actually not a bad crowd considering it was Atlanta. Looks like 20-25k. And that's a lot for them at the time. It's actually a nice facility...too bad they're not there anymore.
I knew they came off the air early when Greg Ray won the race at Atlanta because they took longer, and we didn't see Greg Ray in Victory Lane because the National Hot Rod Association was coming up.
so, they had different companys building the oldsmobile motor? i'm curious as to win it stopped, and why they didn't touch on that more, it would have led to a bit more interest in the engine wars rather than oldsmobile wins everything
It stopped in 2003 when Toyota and Honda came in with engine leases. I don't remember what Chevy did to start the season but when Cosworth took over control for them, they handled all the engine work.
@805motorsport 0:28 can of pop or opening xD but in all seriousness i think they will come back to atlanta because of what they did to the cars at texas. But i still dont trust 1.5 mile tracks, and im sure if they do they will try to slow the cars down even more. But i dont think its a smart idea.
I can't help but feel like the accident on lap 54 was one of the reasons why CART cancelled the Texas race the next day. It's a wonder no one was killed in that accident.
I'm fairly sure the fact drivers were getting seriously dizzy just by doing 10-lap runs played a tremendous role, way bigger than a crash at lower speeds that basically injured no one
i think indycar will return to atlanta in 2013, because i want it to become the season finale and randy bernard is planning 20 races 50/50 ovals/road & street circuits.