Wheel2Wheel: Indy, Danica & 600

FH writers Holly Cain and Geoffrey Miller are taking part in both major American races this weekend. Here, they go Wheel2Wheel on some major issues facing each sport.

There's been lots of talk about Danica Patrick this week moving to NASCAR. We'll ask again: is this for real?

Holly Cain: While Danica is clearly enjoying her flirtation with NASCAR, I don't think it's a real option - yet as much as a bargaining ploy to land a good IndyCar ride.

Geoffrey Miller: I couldn't agree more, though a move by her would be a tremendous short-term gain for NASCAR in terms of a new character in the garage.

HC: I think she would be better received by NASCAR after she proves herself in open-wheel. Stock cars have proven to be a difficult transition for IndyCar and Formula One champs and Patrick isn't in that league yet.

A move to NASCAR now would be perceived as a marketing ploy and that's not the best circumstance for Patrick, who wants to be taken seriously as a race car driver.

GM: Danica has caught a bunch of flack for her on-track conflicts and her off-track personal exploits, but that's all ground that comes with a sudden shot to stardom. Does she have talent as a race car driver? You bet. Is she ready to handle a 3,200 lb stock car without any previous experience? Certainly not.

Pay attention, I believe, to who's been bringing this NASCAR business up -- and its not the most-loved or most-hated (depending on how you view here) driver in IndyCar that is stirring up the ruckus.

NASCAR's rebuttal to the Indianapolis 500 is the longer Coca-Cola 600. Is that race too long?

GM: NASCAR's gotta do something to keep itself on the map during Memorial Day weekend, and the best way is to have the novelty of a 600-mile race and do it after the milk has been drank at Indy. 600 miles once a year is a fun thing, and talk of shortening it is just a lame attempt to cheapen the sport.

HC: Frankly, 500 miles at Pocono or Dover feels even longer. I understand need for a unique race format - especially going up against the Indy 500, but generally speaking I think NASCAR should hold shorter races at some venues.

Finally, has the Indianapolis 500 regained some its lost luster since the reuinifcation of the two open-wheel series? What more can be done?

HC: At this point, talk of the open-wheel split is out-dated and irrelevant. The Indy 500 is the biggest race in America, with pagentry and tradition, the largest audience of any sporting event and this year, the closest starting field in history. A larger entry field would be a nice improvement and give more meaning to the four-day qualifying format.

GM: Indianapolis is still Indianapolis, though it seems the tremendous stories that make IMS track historian Donald Davidson so busy during the month of May have dissipated. A lot of the pomp and circumstance around the race seems to be there nowadays just because lots of people say its there. That's not to say, though, that nearly every major sporting event feels like the hype machine went on overdrive for it these days.