Despite the tragic 15 car crash Sunday that took the life of Indy 500 champion Dan Wheldon, fans at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana are still looking forward to the return of IndyCar racing next season.
"Nobody likes to see that, but these are gladiators in their own arenas," said Angel Castaneda, a racing fan.
"IndyCars is cool, especially out here in Fontana, but once they put on the suit they know the dangers that come with it," said Jose Padilla, a racing fan.
The track at Las Vegas, where the deadly accident happened, was 1.5 miles in a banked oval shape and was designed for the NASCAR circuit. By contrast the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a 2.5 mile course in a nearly rectangle shape.
Five time defending NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson doesn't want IndyCars to race on oval tracks, like the one in Las Vegas and the one in Fontana.
"Those cars are going so fast and get airborne frequently on ovals," said Johnson. "I wouldn't run them on ovals. There's just no need to."
But fans in Fontana say not all tracks are the same.
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A half mile longer than the one in Las Vegas, the track at Fontana has more room to spread out. Also, the banks aren't as steep. 14% as compared to the 20% curves at Las Vegas.
Wheldon was on record as loving to race in Fontana.
"I actually saw him in Sonoma, and he was very excited, the fact that IndyCar racing was coming back here," said David Talley, of the Auto Club Speedway. "It's just sad that when September 15th rolls around that here he won't be here to be part of the excitement."
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