When did this become the second biggest race of the year?????
When I came into the sport as a fan, the Big Four were the: Daytona 500, World/Coke 600, Southern 500, and the Fall Talladega race I beleive.
True, it pays just under the Daytona 500 and just over the Texas race, but a big payout does not make a race. All the prestige that is Indy, belongs to IRL, not Nascar and stock car racing should only view it equal to a Pocono or Richmond.
The Brickyard has been a big race ever since NASCAR started racing there.... which hasn't been that long.
It's because of the track itself. The Brickyard has a long and prestigious history even though NASCAR has only been part of it a very short time. It's the only track I know of that has been declared a national landmark.
The IRL has made it what it is. NASCAR drivers want to win there because of that. Don't forget, NASCAR drivers are racers, not just fans. Doesn't matter what league you are in, racing is racing to them.
So even though to a casual NASCAR fan, it could be considered just another track in the 36 race schedule... to a true racer or even racing fan, it's the mecca of all tracks.
no, what made the 'Big Four', (as any true fan would know), was the quality of the race that was put forth to the public. 80% of the Brickyard races have been 'ho-hum, is it over yet?' kinds of races.
again, the Indy 500 is a great race if you love that type of car, engineering, etc., but that glory belongs to open wheel racing. I think the first race there was special just because it had never happened before, but thats about it. I can see the drivers wanting to win there just like they want to win at Bristol or Watkins Glen. Its a different kind of track, but certainly not worthy of the title, second biggest race.
