By Andrew Cutler
April 27 2010

It has been two months now since Randy Bernard stepped into his post as the CEO of the Indy Racing League. After supposedly taking time to learn the 'business' and get in touch with the fans to hear their suggestions (I'm not saying that this HASN"T happened; only that I would have no way of confirming that it has), Mr. Bernard has begun to implement some changes in his efforts to grow the sport

The first major change will be that, in addition to there being an overall IndyCar Series seaon champion each year, there will also be awards which recognize the driver and squad that scores the most points on the oval courses, and a similar one for the best road/street course performer. The exact names of the trophys will be revealed at the races at Texas (the oval award) and Watkins Glen (the road/street award). 

Of course, there is a good chance that the season champion will win at least one of these awards in their title march as well.

Given that the schedule is been roughly half ovals and half road/street races for a few years now, this is an idea that has been occasionally discussed by fans on various forum boards.

Let's look at last season as an example of how this would work. Dario Franchitti was the overall IndyCar Series Champion. Under this system, he would have also garnered the road/street title, but his Ganassi teammate, Scott Dixon, would have taken the oval trophy. 

Another possible change which seems to be comming (there is nothing offical yet, but motorsports journalists and fan forums have become convinced that it is only a matter of time) is the return to the idea of an IndyCar 'Triple Crown'; three races that, as with the American horse racing scene, hold a special value to the competitors and fans alike. In the '70s and early '80s, IndyCar (under USAC and then CART sactioning) had three five hundred mile oval events; Indy, Michigan and Pocono. While some fans long for a return to this type of a scenario, it is more reasonable - and likely - to expect that any new IndyCar Triple Crown will reflect the current diversity of circuts. The most likey grouping would be Indy, the historic street circut at Long Beach and the equally historic road course at Watkins Glen, although there is some hope that a return to the four mile Road America track might be in the offing.

I will keep everyone posted as this situation unfolds.