NASCAR Indianapolis recap: Brickyard 400 once again underwhelms

By definition, Sunday’s Brickyard 400 was a race. In all practical sense, however, not much racing transpired at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Sure, there were 40 drivers competing for the prestige of winning at America’s most hallowed track. That’s all well and good. But as is typical when NASCAR takes to the 2.5-mile speedway constructed for open-wheel cars not bulky sedans, the field was largely spread out in a processional, single-file arrangement.

Passing was at such a premium, just a single lead change outside of green flag pit stops occurred. That even that deserves an asterisk, as Kyle Busch had the benefit of four fresh tires while leader Joey Logano had four worn Goodyears. Overall, Busch led a race-record 149 of 170 laps, routinely built up multi-second gaps on the field and was never seriously challenged.

So lethargic were the proceedings that at times the Brickyard 400 resembled less the perceived second-biggest event on the NASCAR calendar, and more a cure for insomnia.

Not that additional evidence is needed, but this year’s edition again proved NASCAR and Indianapolis are a complete mismatch. Stock cars need either banking to have side-by-side action or tight confines that generate physicality. The venerable Indianapolis track with its long straightaways and single groove through the corners fulfills neither of these requirements.

And that the race plays out to continually sparse crowds also accentuates the significant issues facing the sport: declining attendance and an often lackluster on-track product.

An estimated 50,000 spectators showed up on Sunday, according to the Indianapolis Star, making this year’s race is the lowest attended in the 23 years of NASCAR coming to Indianapolis. While a crowd that small wouldn’t constitute a big deal at some other tracks -- Homestead-Miami Speedway, the host of the championship finale, holds 46,000 -- because Indianapolis can accommodate upwards of 350,000, it gives the impression NASCAR cannot produce a product worthy of staging a race at the great motor sport cathedral.

Some will point toward the hot weather as an excuse why attendance wasn’t greater -- the area was under a heat advisory warning. Yet, even in years past under more optimal conditions, the attendance has also lagged. Sunday was merely the continuation of a downward trend that speaks to how the Brickyard 400 no longer resonates with the local fan base.

Considering the events on Sunday, which are the norm and not the exception when NASCAR races at Indianapolis, what enticement does anyone have to attend next year?

With native Hoosier Tony Stewart retiring at the end of the current season and adopted son Jeff Gordon re-retiring whenever Dale Earnhardt Jr. returns from concussion symptoms, it’s not unreasonable to think the 2017 Brickyard 400 will likely attract an even smaller crowd. Stewart and Gordon are drawing cards, and without them what little appeal of Indianapolis as a NASCAR venue is further diminished.

Perpetuating the problem with NASCAR visiting Indianapolis every summer is there are no viable options to improve the quality of racing. Adding the necessary banking is a nonstarter, as Indy cars couldn’t handle the increased speeds. Widening the apron in Turn 1 is often discussed, except there are no guarantees it would create additional passing opportunities.

There are no straightforward solutions. But what is apparent is that NASCAR and Indianapolis are like a married couple that initially enjoyed some great years only to have grown apart. And although an outright divorce may not be the answer, it is an option that should now be under serious consideration.