by olderfan
Which would expire in 25-50 laps if run at full boost. So, what's the point?
Interesting technical exercise, and part of the technical diversity that was once a part of the 500, though.
And how, exactly was Penske cheating? The Mercedes engine fully complied with the rules as they existed at the time, as did the Buick. And if you're saying that Penske so easily manipulated IMS & USAC into the rules changes needed to make the Mercedes engine possible, then what does that say about the abilities of IMS (and it's puppet organization USAC) to effectively manage the 500, much less an entire series?
And changing the rules "mid stream" would just be another example of how IMS & USAC were woefully unprepared, and unqualified to manage the evolving environment of modern, high horsepower open wheel racing, and some would argue those traits are evident still today.
And if you read "The Beast" then you also know that despite the money, and miles of testing and hours of dyno work, it was only shortly before that years 500 that Penske & Ilmor got an engine to last 500 miles. So despite the advantages in torque & horsepower, which were derived TOTALLY within what was then the current regulations (which Menard also took advantage of with the Buick V-6 project (oh, remember when there was variety at Indy...) there was still a lot of doubt that the engines would last the race distance. And in the race itself, Paul Tracy's engine was not healthy, and was down on power.
Racing is (or used to be) about pushing the limits, within the rules. Its up to the ruling bodies to produce enforceable regulations, and then police them effectively. You may not like what Penske did, but to call it cheating is a stretch. But if the "answer" to that is the current plague of "spec", or near spec racing then I'm afraid that the interest will (and has) decline in the 500 after this monumental 100th running, and the future isn't very bright for any motorsport.