It seems like every May the Indianapolis 500 tries to resort to some big trick to bring some magic back to the old Brickyard to get America to pay attention to the once easy to sell out Month of May and Indy 500. They've tried concerts, special events, glamping, a huge "door" set up with a Hot Wheels track and stadium truck jump. They've even added an extra race called the Indianapolis Grand Prix and tried many different formats in qualifying.

This year the hope for magic is Fernando Alonso taking a day away from his Formula One endeavors to race in the 500 and bring the attention the big race never needed in the past.

How about revisiting what made the Indy 500 magical prior to the American Openwheel Wars of the mid 90s. Prior to the formation of the Indy Racing League the rule book was open to all entrants so long as their cars were built to the rules. Once IMS controlled the car and engine manufacturers to get a cut, it all began to go wrong. And as people started to lose interest the sponsors withered and cut back.

Then the IMS brainless-trust decided they needed to cut costs and went to pure spec racing. Poof! There went the magic!

Instead of trying to pull a rabbit magically out their hat it appears they remain desperate and now every year try to pull a sure winner out of their ass.