The cultural divide between oval and road racing in the United States is generally recognized but not fully explored. This is especially true with its implications for today's Indianapolis 500 with respect to the cars and drivers that participate. Something occurred to me years ago in my work with Vanderbilt Cup historian and "Black Beast" race car owner - and that's the schism I am referencing traces back to the sport's earliest days.

This guy is a hugely interesting story. Good on him. The Chili Bowl is finally getting serious scrutiny and the idea of prevailing over 300 competitors is daunting - truly a major achievement.

Okay, so this is a stretch but I will make the analogy anyway. I think most people are aware there is a "think local" marketing movement underway today and especially with respect to our food supply. This development was never more obvious to me than when I visited nearby (to me) Asheville, North Carolina last summer. Anyway, on to my analogy.
 

Okay, I've said it before and I'll say it again. A study of history is essential to anticipating the future. It just seems inevitable to me that driverless, networked vehicles will dominate the roadways in coming decades.