INDYCAR: 'We need to follow our rulebook' on Texas - Frye

IndyCar opted to go back to Texas Motor Speedway in August for one reason: the patient people who hung in there last Saturday night.

"We could have tried to run today (Monday) or tomorrow and got to the halfway mark in front of nobody or we could come back and put on a show for the fans who supported us last weekend," said Jay Frye (above), president of competition and operations for IndyCar after announcing a return on Aug. 27. "I think we owe to them to run those last 177 laps."

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Added TMS President Eddie Gossage: "We want to give the fans a race. That's the plan."

On Sunday, despite no overnight rains, the track still wasn't ready for the scheduled green flag at 1:05 p.m. local, although general manager Eddie Gossage said it was ready and that IndyCar called off the jet dryers at 10:30 a.m.before discovering a problem. "We had a communication problem," he said.

When the race started 45 minutes late, the clouds started rolling in and, following the ghastly-looking crash between Josef Newgarden and Conor Daly on lap 42, the field ran behind the pace until it began pouring on lap 71.

Many fans have written RACER.com wondering why the race just can't be re-run in its entirety.

"Because we need to follow our rulebook and uphold the integrity of the championship," replied Frye. "IndyCar used to get criticized for changing the rules all the time and this is unchartered territory with a red flag for 70-some days, so we'll spend the next couple days looking at that needs to happen.

"Obviously, we're so thankful Josef wasn't hurt too badly and Conor escaped injury but what if we let them restart in August and there was a big pile-up on the first lap but they missed it? They were 30-some laps behind and now they have a chance to get a good finish. That impacts the championship."

Asked if it was possible to reinstate those 29 laps run under caution and make the distance 206 laps, Frye responded: "That's not a bad idea, so it's something we might consider."

There will be a practice session followed by an autograph session and then the remainder of the race.

"The fans are owed a good show and we're going to give them one," said Frye.