Time for Change; FRANCHITTI WINS IN IOWA AS THE IRL LOOKS TO IMPROVE ITS SHOW.(NEWS)

Byline: CURT CAVIN

The IndyCar Series put on quite a show at Iowa Speedway, with Dario Franchitti winning the race. But series officials acknowledge that they have a problem that their stars can't fix.

Drivers have been unable to pass cars on the larger oval tracks; side-by-side racing has been compromised.

The difficulty was on full display during the June 6 race at Texas Motor Speedway, and the races in Kansas and Indianapolis also provided plenty of concern about the diminished entertainment value. Now, with a monthlong stretch without a big-track race, Indy Racing League competition boss Brian Barnhart wants changes. The goal is to make the cars more difficult to drive, but it is important to remove aerodynamic turbulence so drivers can get close enough to competitors to pass.

The IRL is considering implementing a reduction in the minimum rear-wing angle and its attached wicker and allowing aerodynamic aids such as winglets in front of the rear tires, sidepod extensions and wheel covers.

"Anytime you give people choices, some are going to choose correctly, and some are going to choose incorrectly, Barnhart said.

"Good cars become bad cars, and bad cars become good cars as the fuel burns and the tires wear out. That's the situation we need to create.