INDIANAPOLIS -- If you're an open wheel disciple and you've been openly caustic about NASCAR's supposed accessibility to its fans, critical of it's too good to be true storylines, sick of its announcers murdering the English language and jealous of its amazing mainstream popularity, then you would be hard pressed to write this column.

But, sitting in front of my television Sunday afternoon, I had to admit that what I'd just watched had excited me about as much as any CART or IRL race in the past few years. From the track to the announcing booth it was a splendid show, at least when it counted at the end.

Those last two laps at Darlington were what auto racing is all about. Two guys gassing, gouging and grinding to the checkered flag -- damn the consequences.

It wasn't a four hour drone-a-thon or a restrictor-plate, I need a teammate or friend exercise. No, this was driving your car to its limit, and then some, as you fought as hard to keep control as you did to beat the other guy.

That Ricky Craven nosed Kurt Busch by a couple inches isn't as relevant as how they wound up knotted at the finish line like two dogs in heat.

With 10 laps left you could see that Craven was catching Busch in much the same fashion as Rick Mears began reeling in Gordon Johncock at Indy in 1982. As Mike Joy proclaimed Busch the likely winner, Darrell Waltrip interjected a Lee Corso, "not so fast my friend."

And there was no mistaking the level of excitement and anticipation in DW's voice as Craven closed in on Busch. You could tell he was genuinely geeked to be calling the action as he urged on Craven to cool it in Turns 1-2 and save his last punch for Turns 3-4.

It was perfect advice as Craven pulled alongside as they rocketed off the banking and headed for home. How they kept from crashing puzzled both drivers, but their slam-bang finish caused Waltrip's voice to rise four octaves and Larry McReynolds to shout down all the people criticizing NASCAR for being boring.

As good as they were in those final turns, Craven and Busch were equally impressive when the engines had been turned off.

Craven, whose only other victory had come at Martinsville in 2001 after recovering from a serious head injury, gave a thoughtful, insightful interview about the mayhem he'd just participated in. Instead of turning it into a Tide commercial, he paid tribute to Busch and then declared how much it meant to win at a place with Darlington's heritage. He was totally sincere and you could feel it.

Busch, who had won me over last February when he showed up at CART spring training and tested one of Bobby Rahal's Champ Cars with immediate prowess, reacted like all drivers should but few do after such a special moment.

Busch didn't storm off to his trailer and refuse to talk to the media or whine about losing his power steering or the closest finish in modern Cup history. No, he smiled during his interview and seemed to relish the reality of the situation.

"That was why you race," he said. "You live for that."

It was so refreshing to see a couple of race drivers appreciate the moment.

Make no mistake, I'd still take an open wheel show at Michigan or Fontana or Phoenix to any tin tops at the same tracks. And I'll always believe it takes more moxie and talent to run wheel-to-wheel at 200 mph with open wheels.

NASCAR surely doesn't need me to add to its awesome TV ratings. But I'm glad I tuned in on Sunday.

Mistake by the Lake
CART's announcement it was canceling its race this August at Elkhart Lake due to financial problems is unacceptable with its hardcore fans and a major mistake from this viewpoint.

Not only is CART turning away from America's premier test of man and machine on a road course, it's turning its back on the people who actually care about the Champ Car series. They don't stay in the middle of Wisconsin for three days for the fancy hotels and restaurants, they go because they're CART fans. Or they were.

Several longtime CART loyalists vowed in e-mails and phone calls they would no longer follow CART if Elkhart Lake wasn't reinstated this summer.

CART chose to help finance a few races last year (including Road America) and maybe the promoters at Elkhart Lake aren't the best partners. Maybe it's a losing proposition but CEO Chris Pook needs to rethink this decision because Road America is part of CART's heritage and why it gained on-track respect around the globe.

Pook made it clear last year he didn't have any love for Elkhart Lake but his organization can't take the hatred he's created with this decision. If CART goes away from true road courses and becomes a street series, it's truly lost its way.