David Brown

One driver even crashed into the wall.

And when they race today, every car will take that corner more than 70 times at speeds of 200 miles an hour.

A blowout wouldn't just end a driver's race.

It could end their life.

But despite the risk, F1 officials have refused to install extra curves to slow the cars at the crucial turn.

They reason that doing so would penalize the teams that don't use Michelin.

So the track is staying the same.

Eccleston leans forward in his seat as the cars approach the end of the formation lap.

20 cars sweep toward the final corner.

Then, one car peels off into the pit lane.

Another follows, and another, and another.

In total, 14 cars drive into the pits.

Mechanics roll them straight into the garages.

Every team using Michelin tires has withdrawn from the race.

Out in the grandstands, a dawning realization spreads through the crowd like a shockwave.

Cheers turn to booze.

Some fans hurl drinks and programs towards the track.

Others simply stand there in stunned disbelief.

The starting lights flicker above the grid.

Just six cars remain, sitting alone on the vast straight of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.