Thermal Club: The great unknown awaits INDYCAR drivers in the Coachella desert

THERMAL, Calif. — The glaring difference between the first INDYCAR points race at The Thermal Club and other races is the fans. Or rather the absence of them.

There won't be as many spectators as drivers are used to seeing. 

Only 5,000 will potentially attend the event on Sunday at the private motorsports club. It's like an exclusive golf club with luxury homes. But it's more extravagant, with garages full of exotic sports cars and a racetrack for members to drive their cherished toys. 

The vibe could be eerie since the race will take place in a huge venue, only to be enjoyed by the few who can afford it. And there's the epic media buy from the ownership to lure INDYCAR to run there that will ultimately showcase the 426-acre facility on television. 

But the drivers have more important things to focus on. They have to concentrate on navigating the 17-turn, 3.067-mile course. This is a much more complex task than a year ago when the exhibition, All-Star format at Thermal didn’t feature a run of more than 10 laps without drivers making adjustments.

Now, they must try to strategize a 65-lap race where they have both the primary and option, softer tires. They didn’t have the alternates a year ago. And they also have the hybrid engine that was introduced last season. Even the primary tire is new. In fact, it is so new, it wasn't used when a few teams tested it here two months ago.

Pit stops? 

The drivers think three during the race. But maybe two and that's if the softer tires really last (drivers must use each type of tire for at least two laps during the race). Or maybe even four if tire wear during a run (likely 15 to 18 laps) costs a driver three to four seconds a lap — enough to make up the time of an extra pit stop.

"I