I think one thing that has been overlooked in this discussion is the affect of having a viable feeder sytem. Pror to the rear engine revolution in the mid ’60s, most drivers found their way to an Indy Car ride from the ranks of sprint cars and midgets. Once the rear engined car became the norm, most car owners weren’t eager to put some hot shoe from a midget into a totally different kind of car than the fellow had ever driven before because when it did happen, the results weren’t pretty. The drivers that came into Indy Cars fin the late ’60s and ’70s frequently came from Can-Am or some other sports car series where they were more familiar with road racing and rear engined cars. Things began to change in the late ’70s with the advent of some lower tier open wheel series like Formula Vee, Formula Junior and others. Today there are plenty of feeder series as well as the Fireston Indy Lights which offer many paths to Indy Cars.

Could it be that the reason that so many of these guys raced well into middle age is that there just weren’t that many young bucks clamoring to take their place.

Just a thought.

Jim

I watched a tape of the 1987 Indy 500 the other day (thank you, youtube) and was shocked at the number of drivers in their 40′s and OVER 50! So, being a younger fan, I also wonder when 33 became the age when you start thinking of retirement. Similarly, Tracy is fast as ever (as he keeps proving) yet everyone today thinks he’s far too old? why?