Quote:
Originally posted by Hyacinth
I don't think there is any way that the IRL can successfully add road courses to the mix. The salt-of-the-earth American oval track drivers would never be able to adjust to road courses.
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Actually, while there are some "salt of the earth" oval drivers in the IRL, there are quite a few who began their racing careers in the SCCA running on road courses. (Sam Hornish, Greg Ray, Scott Sharp, and Jacques Lazier, to name a few)
And a number of drivers have experience in Indy Lights and Toyota Atlantic, series that run on road courses. (Jeff Ward, Ricthie Hearn, Robbie Buhl, and Buzz Caulkins, for example)
Also, there is one of those "salt of the earth" sprint and midget drivers in NASCAR who wins just about every road course (Jeff Gordon). Having this type of background doesn't hamper one's adaptability.
Most of the IRL's drivers should take quite well to the road courses.
Now... the IRL equipment is a different story.