Barnes: A few thoughts on the schedule surrounding the Indy 500

The checkered flag has fallen on this year’s Indianapolis 500 and the paddock moves on, with the majority exhausted and emotionally drained, to Detroit this weekend.

Crew members spanning engineers, mechanics and other personnel have put in long hours over the few weeks, which began with the Sonsio Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course before turning the page to everything that comes with the Indy 500.

But they go on. On to the Roger Penske marketing machine that is the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix. That’s not all, though, because then the IndyCar Series goes straight to World Wide Technology Raceway for a Sunday night race on June 7 to wrap up five consecutive weekends of madness.

AJ Foyt Racing’s Santino Ferrucci, who finished eighth in the Indy 500, wouldn’t mind seeing a break for his team. On an IndyCar media call Wednesday morning, he stated, “Yeah, not necessarily for me, it’s tough to go into the shop and see the crew that have been turning cars around, turn around cars to go to Detroit, when you’re having 4 a.m. starts non-stop. Yeah, I get that you want to ride the momentum as a series, but you also don’t want to burn out your people that bring the cars to the track.”

Santino Ferrucci, AJ Foyt Enterprises Chevrolet

During a conversation with a team owner this morning, he told Motorsport.com, “It’s f***ing stupid” to not have a bye week after the Indy 500 and help get the entire organization, including people at the shop, marketing, public relations, along with mechanics and engineers, back to full strength.

So, what is the ideal scenario? Is there one?

Certainly, the series needs to capitalize on the momentum of the Indy 500, especially one that could be regarded as one of the best ever after Felix Rosenqvist pulled off a surging one-lap dash en route to the closest finish in 110 editions of the event.

Since moving away from Belle Isle and going to Downtown Detroit in 2023, some of the races have been downright laughable and, at times, a struggle for everyone. In short, there’s a legitimate question to be had if that race is what should be cast as the shining example to retain any potential fans that watched the Indy 500.

Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing Honda

One thing at a time, though, let’s touch on a way that can alleviate some pressure on the teams putting in those long hours in preparation for the Indy 500, even if they don’t get a proper bye week after it.

My first thought is the race prior to the Indy 500 festivities that take place on the IMS road course. The Indy GP as it’s better known (sorry Sonsio), in my opinion, should be moved from being part of the buildup and put alongside the IMSA ‘Battle on the Bricks’ weekend as either the main show or the undercard. Let’s be honest, the weather for the Indy GP weekend in May usually sucks. It’s either cold, rainy, or both, making it less ideal for fans. Pivoting that to share the weekend with IMSA would also strengthen that card and also allow the season to extend a bit. That race could fall right after Milwaukee and before the season finale at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, which I’d bet FOX Sports could work out something to make sure it gets the afternoon/evening slot after one of the initial two weeks of the NFL season after one of the early games.

That’s the first step.

Carrying the momentum forward after the Indy 500

The other, which is likely the tougher thing to swing, is the momentum after the Indy 500.

Where should it go? Or more importantly, when?

I understand both schools of thought on a break and continuing momentum. And don’t give me your NASCAR garbage argument of “They race every week, so IndyCar folks need to shut up.” It’s OK that everything is not the same.

Anyways, I’d like to see something adopted where the Indy 500 winner is celebrated properly and for an extended amount of time, which does mean having the weekend after off. There is so much built to hype up “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” as the biggest and best race in the World, so why turn the page so quickly after that and erase it from memory? And that’s where the teams can have a chance to breathe and spend a day or two with their respective families.

After that, go run a midweek night race at World Wide Technology Raceway. It gives some folks a short bit of time off, but could also bolster momentum with another oval race, but this one being primetime under the lights and presented in a similar fashion as a big-time baseball or football game. And the reason for WWRT over Milwaukee, which used to be the post-Indy 500 spot for a time, is because Milwaukee has something going for it around that Labor Day Weekend date that follows up the Wisconsin State Fair. Plus, WWRT has been one of the strongest races on the schedule over recent years and is always a fun night race full of fireworks both on and off the track.

In this hypothetical scenario, the trip to Motor City would slot in following WWRT, and that could either be the weekend after or 10 days later.

There is no perfect scenario to keep everyone happy, but the best way to present this sport is to prioritize the people that put in those long hours, the backbone of teams, turning around each and every machine so the drivers can push the limits and showcase why this sport is North America’s premier open-wheel championship.