IndyCar Racing Requires Both Oval and Road Circuit Skill

Earlier this year IndyCar announced that in addition to having its usual series champion, drivers will also compete to be named oval and road circuit champions. As the only race series to compete on both styles of track, drivers are often stronger on one type or another but not both. If a driver doesn't want to become pigeonholed into winning only one style, he/she must drive well on a variety of course shapes and conditions to be able to win the overall championship.  Different tracks call for different strategies and skill sets.

There are two things drivers must watch out for no matter what the track: crashing and passing. On oval tracks, passing can be accomplished by gaining speed and driving behind the lead car to face less wind resistance before quickly overtaking and surpassing. Road tracks, on the other hand, require much more in-the-moment maneuvering, with driver strategy varying according to the road and what's on it. Certain stretches will be harder to overpass an opponent than others and it is essential to know which is which and time it right. Countless racing videos show that failing to take into account all conditions can be disastrous.

Winning a race is all about controlling variables. Mastering the track is a crucial step but one of many. If skill more than luck is to be responsible for a win, drivers must relate how vehicle performance, weather conditions, team dynamics, and the limits of their own skill affect their odds of winning as well as where they need to improve.