Indy drivers apologise for poor race

There were just three lead changes among three drivers, and just five cars were on the lead lap at the finish. Franchitti went so far as to apologise to fans.

"Everybody's pushing," Franchitti said. "It's not like we're just cruising around. But nobody can get close enough to make passes. We need to look at that and fix it."

Despite winning, Dixon criticised the current format, which has produced several dull, single-file races on ovals this season.

"Many things we've changed over the last two years have maybe stopped the amount of passing," Dixon said. "But we've got to keep in mind what we're here to do. We're here to race. We're here to put on a show. Without our fans, we don't exist."

While enjoying the victory, Dixon was not thrilled about the manner of the win. He said he always knew Franchitti was unlikely to be able to pass him when the Scot closed in during the final stint.

"The only person that got close to me was my team-mate," Dixon said. "To be honest, I don't think he was going to pass me even if I went half a second or a second slower."

Franchitti said it was not just the race leader who was impossible to pass, but that even lapping backmarkers had been extremely difficult.

"We couldn't pass," he said. "We were a second slower when we were in traffic. I have to apologise to the fans because that was an awful, awful race.

"There's nothing the drivers can do about it. We're trying as hard as we can. It was a terrible race, but the bright spot is a one-two."

After similar criticism of the Kansas and Texas races in particular, the Indy Racing League is working on solutions in time for the next oval event at Kentucky Speedway in August. A potential power boost system has been tested, and adjustments to the tyre rules have also been suggested.