Welcome to the RACER Mailbag where we take a deep dive into all things IndyCar. Questions for any of RACER’s writers can be sent to mailbag@racer.com. We absolutely love hearing your comments and opinions, but letters that include a question are more likely to be published. Keep in mind that questions received after 3pm ET each Monday will be saved for the following week.
Q: IndyCar has been a bit lackluster lately, don’t you think? Palou seems to be dominating, and I was hoping for a different champion this year. Do you think the hybrid system is to blame for the lack of passing on street and road courses? Just curious.
Dan, AZ
MARSHALL PRUETT: There are a few things at play here, Dan. The weight of the hybrid system is a big factor in the lack of passing. It’s not necessarily the hybrid system itself, but rather the added weight it brings to the cars. If IndyCar replaced the ERS units with rocks to match the weight, we’d still be having this conversation.
Tires are another issue affecting the racing. The street course alternates are so soft that they practically melt if pushed too hard, forcing drivers to hold back to prevent tire degradation. This limits their ability to attack and make daring passes.
At Thermal, the road course alternates reacted similarly due to the track surface, once again forcing drivers to be cautious. Barber was the first race where both tire compounds held up well, but the lack of performance separation meant drivers were all running at similar speeds, making passing opportunities scarce.
The weight, tire compounds, similar paces, lack of cautions, and passing opportunities from restarts have all contributed to the current state of racing in IndyCar. The cars just can’t handle aggressive passing attempts like they used to, leading to less exciting wheel-to-wheel action.
Q: Big Possum here, feeling a bit guilty for saying this, but NASCAR put on a better show than IndyCar at Texas. The race was packed with action, close racing, numerous pit stops, crashes, and a thrilling finish. IndyCar needs to step up its game, especially with the Indy 500 as its saving grace. What are your thoughts on this?
MP: Thanks for sharing your perspective, Big Possum. It’s a tough spot for Penske Entertainment to be in right now. With a new TV partner and a heavy pre-season advertising campaign, they had high expectations for this season. Unfortunately, the racing hasn’t lived up to the hype.
IndyCar needs to consider how its product compares to others on the market. In recent years, it stood out as a fast-paced and exciting racing series, but that’s changed in 2025. Fans are now turning to other series like F1 and IMSA for more entertainment.
Penske has the power to make changes and improve the product, but it won’t be easy. With contracts in place, they’ll need to work with their partners to find quick fixes and regain their competitive edge.
In conclusion, IndyCar has some work to do if it wants to win back fans and reclaim its status as the premier racing series. Let’s hope they can turn things around soon.
