How come they don't have free re-fuels during cautions in Indy Car? (with the driver retaining position)
I can't think of any racing organization that gives a free re-fuel like that. Not short track, F1, Nascar, Indy, SCORE off road racing, kart racing, etc. Pit strategy is part of the race
She took a chance on fuel because it was her only chance to stay out front. She caused a small wreck under yellow and had to pit off sequence. So to make up for it, she had to stay out and take a chance on fuel.
It's been a few years since I saw the Indy 500, but IIRC, IRL does permit refueling during pitstops for repair work. The weight issue might have been at play here - Patrick's team might've been trying to increase her weight advantage by deliberately running the car with as little fuel as possible.
Gordon is taking the wrong approach here and sounds childish - but the weight issue is real. Overall, this is a good thing - IndyCar racing needed a shakeup.