[Zeke]

The Thermal format ruined the race. After 2 heats of 14 cars and 13 cars respectfully, 12 got to race the main. Well, the main is 2 heats of 10 laps each, same as the qualifying heats, but...
No tire change at the mid mark of 10 laps for a 10 minute break for fuel, wing adjustments. But again, not tires.

So what did they do? Drove at 3/4 speed for the first 10 laps. Herta running 10 second laps slower. He didn't lose a lap because of the 3 mile course length. All were just crawling and spread out not at all like the 2 elimination races. Just to save the tires for the 2nd 10 lap sprint. That was as boring as it gets.

So, Herta thinks with the best saved tires it's all his. Not. Struggled from near last to a very distant 4th, at least 10 seconds behind the winner. So did the rest of the tire savers. It was all in the hands of the guy that drove hard all the time, as it should be.

I bet they come back next year.