INDYCAR: Calamity Jane’ visits Nashville Again!

Like Josef Newgarden told a pouting Romain Grosjean after their Argie Bargie which saw Grosjean getting Knocked Offtrack. “Welcome to IndyCar, it Get’s A bit Tight!”

 

 

 

 

Otay, I need a Beer! As it feels like I’ve been doing nothing but typing ‘N typing the past few weeks “Contiguously!” Hmm, may be that’s why my Sciatica’s acting up? Oh Never Mind!

 

But with All of the Nonstop Madness revolving round Planet McLaren, albeit more specifically a one Mr. Zakery Brown! Not to mention what many have taken to calling Crashville! Hence I’m taking the rest of the week off here upon No Fenders.

 

Where to begin, Y’all? As I simply will Not attempt recapping the entire Music City Grand Prix! Especially since apparently Thar are Folks on Social Media complaining about It being another Shit show! For which All I can say, is what do you expect from a Temporary Street Circuit on the ultra Confined Streets of Downtown Nashville, Eh?

 

For a second day in-a-row, when tuning into IndyCar Radio at High Noon Pacific, which should have been a Clue, Hya! Once again we were in a Race Delay due to more Lightning Strikes! For which at least this time Mark Gravelly’ James informed us of this at the start of the intended Pre-race programme, before He and Davey Hamilton attempted keeping us entertained. And then finally playing the first 15+ laps of last year’s race, which should have been an Omen of What was to come!

 

Whenever I Hear of an IndyCar race being Delayed for Lightning, I immediately think of the one time Up North eh! At the 2010 Edmonton IndyCar race where we Had to not only leave the Aluminum Grandstands, but Exit the Circuit due to Lightning since there wasn’t Any place for suitable shelter! Which must have been Qualifying Day since I vaguely recall us just going “Home” for the day. Along with remembering how the Kuhnaidiun’ Air forces

F-18 Fighter Jet doing Fly overs would set off everybody’s Car Alarms each day at the nearby Train Station! But I digress…

 

By my very unofficial time keeping, the race was Delayed One Hour and 43mins, with the Green Flag flying at 2:13PM Pacific. And then as we All know, the ensuing Carnage began. Or what the Speed Freaks Stattmann coined as Carnage Poluzah!

 

Since I think it was only five minutes later when on lap-8 Alexander Rossi’s car suddenly lost drive and brought out the first of our eventual eight Gory Full course Cautions!

 

Personally I like the series racing at Nashville, and especially like it’s signature crossing of a Bridge over the Cumberland River. Yet I have Zero Clue if Anything can be done to widen what seems an overly narrow layout thru it’s Concrete Canyons.

 

But then again, I suppose Toronto’s tight too, Eh? Which is simply the nature of temporary Street Circuts. Not to mention the potentially impending building of the new Tennessee Titans Stadium being located in the current Paddock…

 

Whilst I’d have to say that the Shit Show happening coming On/Off the Bridge, being the only “Overly” long Straights reminds me of a Formmula 1 Street Circuit called Baku…

 

As for the race, I’ve already mentioned the eight Cautions, along with one unnecessary Green-White “Checkers or Wreckers!” Uhm Red Flag! For a total of 36 laps, just four Shy of Half of the race, Yikes! Along with the fact that only 13 of the 26 Cars entered finished ther race, which equals a staggering 50%!

 

Thus Y’all know that thee Iceman 2.0’, aka Scott Dixon managed to nurse His Heavily Damaged racecar from a lowly P14 starting position to winning His 53^rd IndyCar race at Nashville. Giving Him sole possession of being the series second winningest IndyCar Driver behind only A.J. Foyt’s 67 career IndyCar victories.

 

Even more impressive was how Dixon and longtime Strategist Mike Hull elected to Not change tyres and run the last 40-plus laps on a single set of Firestones! Since I tend to recall that Dixon’s Crew known as the “Wolfpack” had trouble changing them previously? Or perhaps that was when they were repairing the wounded racecar, since believe I Heard that Dixon made a total of six Pitstops!

 

Pole sitter ScottyMac’, nee Scott McLaughlin chased His Kiwi’ Idol to the stripe for second place by a scant whisker! And Alex Palou soldiered home third after running the latter Half of the race with a Broken left Front wing!

 

Know at one point Thar were 12 Cars involved in a Pile-up leading to another Yuhs guessed it, Full Course Caution! As believe it was Palou who Hit Will Power and damaged His Gearshift sensor. As Power eventually Faded to a subpar 11^th place finish.

 

Whilst I suppose Graham Rahal needs mentioning for the wrong reason. As Graham Crashed three times before retiring! With the worst being when Punting Pato O’Ward and damaging the Mexican’s gearbox, ergo Game Over! With Pato finishing a lowly P24. And I could go On ‘N On, but You get the Gist, Eh?

 

As fortunately we take a week Off before going to the season’s final Oval at WWT Raceway, nee Gateway, where there’ll probably be more Carnage…

 

2022 Point Standings

1) Will Power: 450

2) Scott Dixon: 444, -6

3) Marcus Ericsson: 438, -12

4) Josef Newgarden: 428, -22

5) Alex Palou: 417, -33

6) Scott McLaughlin: 392, -58

7) Pato O’Ward: 391, -59

 

Meanwhile the Top two Rookies saw promising finishes go awry. Since thought I read that RLLR’s Christian Lundgaard who leads the Rookie Of the Year (ROY) standings, saw Him Fade from second to eighth during that Green-White Checkers, Yeehaw! While Vanna I wanna Buy a vowel! Uhm, Dale Coyne Racing with HMD Motorsports David Malukas was unnecessarily Punted Off by an Over Aggressive Kyle Kirkwood! With Malukas finishing an unwarranted P20.

 

2022 Rookies Point Standings

1. (15^th) Christian Lundgaard: 272

2. (17th) David Malukas: 231, -41

(Overall Point Standings)

 

And like my two favourite Hosers’ from the Great white North Bob & Doug McKenzie would say. That Beer’s done! And I definitely need a Break from Ye Keyboard. So Take Off Eh! 

IndyCar Continues making Noise in the Music city upon return

Although Thunder ‘N Lightning put a Damper upon Qualifying and the Race…

 

Thanks to unexpectedly having Friday afternoon Free, I elected to “Dial Up,” err Tune-in to Friday’s First IndyCar Practice session from the Music City via IndyCar Radio on Ye Intrawoods’. (Internet) With the only change on the IndyCar Grid for Nashville being the welcome return of Beth Paretta’s partnership with Ed Carpenter Racing (ECR) seeing Symona-Symona’, aka Simona de Silvestro aboard Her #16 Paretta Autosport entry.

 

Practice

On top of the Timesheets Friday Was   Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Christian Lundgaard, with the Dane’ setting a time of 1:15.9659. Arrow McLaren SP’s Felix Rosenqvist was second, just some two-plus tenths behind, followed by Dale Coyne Racin wit HMD Motorsports David Malukas third.

 

Team Penske’s ScottyMac’, aka Scott McLaughlin led the Penske trio in fourth, with Josef Newgarden fifth and Will Power seventh.

 

Alexander Rossie led the way for Andretti Autosport in sixth, with colton Herta P8 and Romain Grosjean 10^th. While the top Ganassi Driver was Alex Palou in ninth. Marcus Ericsson was P11 and Scott Dixon 16^th.

 

Others getting off to a good start were Meyer Shank Racing’s Simon Pagenaud P12. Followed by Juncos Hollinger Racing’s Callum Ilott, who was one place ahead of Pato O’Ward. And A.J. foyt Enterprises Kyle Kirkwood was a promising P17.

 

Saturday’s second Practice session got off with a Bang! As Ed Carpenter Racing’s (ECR) Rinus VeeKay Smacked the Wall just seconds after the session going Green! Mangling His Nosecone and limping back to the Pits. As IndyCar Radio’s Mark Gravelly’ James took the words right outta my mouth, later noting how VeeKay’s re-signing with ECR wasn’t putting a Spring into His Step, or the team’s. As Conor Daly & VeeKay were P21-22; with Paretta Autosport’s teammate Simona de Silvestro 25 during Friday’s 75mins practice session.

 

And the three ECR entries fared little better Saturday, with VeeKay, Daly and de Silvestro P22-24 respectably.

 

Yet Rinus wasn’t the only driver seeing Nashville’s Concrete Canyon Up close ‘N Personal. As Graham Rahal had a similar incident, albeit managing to reverse out of the tyre barrier. Colton Herta spun on track and Rosenqvist mated the left side of His Dallara against the Jersey Barriers!

 

Team Penske flexed Thar Muscles sweeping the Top Three spots Saturday morning wit McLaughlin ahead of Newgarden and Power. Fourth was Rossi, followed by Kirkwood, Rosenqvist, Grosjean, Herrta, Lundgaard and Malukas rounding out the Top 10.

 

McLaughlin’s time of 1:15.4609 was marginally faster than Lundgaard’s Friday time. While I’m afraid that Kirkwood’s P5 is an Outlier since teams only got to run on the brand new Green Sidewall “Guacamole” Alternate Firestone tyres Friday. Thus Saturday’s practice was run solely on the Black primary rubber, so we’ll see how this translates to Qualie’.

 

As believe it was Mark James noting it was scottyMac’ who came up with the Guacamole nickname…

 

The other title Contendah’s positions saw Scott Dixon leading a three car Congo line in 11^th. Followed by Palou and O’Ward P12-13 respectably, with Ericsson an uncharacteristic P19.

 

Qualifying

Tuning in at 1:25PM Pacific, when Thar should have been five minutes until Qualifying started. Instead my Confuzer Speakers started playing the muted tunes of Sid Collins calling another Indy 500. As I thought Oh Shit, Here we Go Again! Before checking the official IndyCar website to learn that a Thunder ‘N Lightning Storm had rolled tru Downtown Nashville and we were in a Holding pattern due to the multiple nearby lightning strikes. So I listened to Sid Collins calling what had to be the 1975 Indianapolis 500 instead, since somebody interviewed SuperMario’, nee Mario Andretti in the #21. As Mario Had Crashed on the Backstretch and seemed totally Befuddled over what Had Happened?

 

As Mario did indeed drive the Vels Parnelli Jones #21 viceroy Eagle/Offenhauser in the 1975 Indy 500…

 

Qualifying finally began 90mins late and was immediately interrupted by a Ref Flag brought out by Devlin DeFrancesco. Next Colton Herta Overcooked a Corner into the Tyre Barrier and brought out a second Red Flag in Round One’s Group One session with One minute remaining, catching many drivers out – including a Fuming Rossi, Rosenqvist, etc. As Dalton Kellett had wisely gone out early and set a Quick time to surprisingly advance to the Fast 12 round.

 

DJ willyP’ Spun and brought out a Yellow Flag during the Fast 12 shootout, finishing P8 and sharing Row 4 of the Grid with David Malukas. Whilst Palou was the only Ganassi driver to advance to the Fast Six Shootout. With Dixon and Ericsson a disappointing P14, P18 respectably.

 

And like I expected, Kyle Kirkwood failed to advance out of His Round One, group-1 Qualie’ session, winding up P16, albeit No idea if this was due to being caught up in the multiple Red flags or His racecar Not liking the Firestone “guacamole” Alternate rubber? While rinus VeeKay rebounded by Qualifying 10^th.

 

The Fast Six was probably the most diverse in awhile, with five teams in the mix, with only Penske having two drivers in the Shootout. As the driver who’s been Red Hot this weekend Stormed to His second Pole of the year, as Nobody could catch Scott McLaughlin.

 

Andretti’s Romain Grosjean was closest in second with RLLR’s Christian Lundgaard third. Alex Palou was a distant fourth, saying He Didn’t have anything left for Pole. While Row-3 features Arrow McLaren SP’s Pato O’Ward and Josef Newgarden. 

INDYCAR: Brickyard GP Postmortem

Like Dude, that race was so long Ago! And it don’t even register after Crashville’, Yeehaw!

 

Wasn’t originally planning on scribblin’ about this here on No Fenders, but thought Thar was a few Nuggets to share…

 

Not until a few days following the Brickyard Weekend’s IndyCar race,

August 3^rd Me Thinks? We were made privy to the fact that Alexander Rossi’s winning #27 Andretti Autosport Dallara/Honda entry had Failed Post-race Tech Inspection. Specifically being underneath the minimum 1,700lb weight limit when the car’s Drinks’ (water) bottle was removed from the chassis. Which Racer’s Marshall Pruett claims can weigh between 2-3lbs, for which teams typically make up by adding extra Ballast. Typically somewhere in the range of 5-7lbs.

 

Although IndyCar also deemed Rossi’s car to Not be under the minimum weight during the race, they were unwilling to publicly divulge how much the car had failed Post-race tech inspection by. To which Pruett speculates that the chassis had to be somewhere between 1,697-1,699 pounds in order to trigger this infraction. And that somebody made an unintended mistake on calculating extra ballast needed. Thus Andretti Autosport was docked $25,000 and 20 entrant points. While Rossi was also docked 20 points, dropping one place in the standings to ninth, one point behind Arrow McLaren SP’s Felix Rosenqvist; who’ll potentially be teammates next year…

 

Arse-sumedly due to the fact that Justin B-I-G Unit’ Wilson was my Numero Uno IndyCar Driver for several years until His untimely Death. I still remember Wilson’s winning the 2012 Texas Motor Speedway IndyCar race where subsequently Dale Coyne Racing (DCR) was penalized following their victory for having more Downforce than Allowed. Although IndyCardid Not take the win away from DCR! Instead it took away five points from Wilson and fined Coyne $7,500 for having unapproved parts on Wilson’s sidepods.

 

For which I remember more Dario Franchitti’s, who I was calling Dashley Lepew at the time’s ridiculous comment. With Dario Whining loudly about He’d Happily Cut Off an Appendage to make up for the amount of Downforce Justin had precieveably Had an Advantage of during that race…

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2012/06/may-be-ganassi-should-add-sazzall-to.html

 

Tyres’ R Us…

Although Not trying to take Anything Away from Jessica Mace’s accomplishment of going over the Wall as Alexander Rossi’s right Rear tyer changer during His Brickyard GP victory, for which I say congrats to Jessica! It’s worth noting, since I Don’t wish to Call Out my current No. 1 Pit Reporter by name, but! If He’d read to the bottom of Marshall Pruett’s article…

 

Then He would have known that the Unheralded, and I’d say totally unknown Tess Gape was the first Female Tyre Changer to go Over the Wall on a winning IndyCar entry. With Gape doing so on the winning entry Wayback in Gory Ought-three on The Dude’s! Aka Ryan Hunter-Reay’s American Spirit Team Johansson Reynard 02i Cosworth racecar down Under at surfers Paradise Mates!  

 

 https://racer.com/2022/08/02/why-rossis-ims-win-was-one-for-the-history-books/

 

It’s A Mad, Mad World!

C’mon Y’all, Sing it Along with me. It’s A Mad world After all. It’s A Mad World After All!

 

As think I’m gonna start calling Zak Brown thee Mad Hatter! Since it was just prior to Toronto, that ‘lil race Up North Eh! When some Ganassi v Palou lawsuit was making thunder claps, remember that Y’all? That apparently it was quietly learned that Felix Rosenqvist contrary to popular belief, is Not under Contract at Arrow McLaren SP, Uhm McLaren Racing for 2023! Which Pruett reportd just days prior to Nashville.

 

Despite the fact that Zakery Brown and McLaren put out a press release on June 23 proclaiming that Felix was “Off the Market,” being signed for McLaren next year. Just not knowing if the Swede would be in IndyCar or Formula E next year, Rosenqvist is actually Available next year…

 

 

Which just seems like it was an overly “Clever” Diversionary tactic being deployed by thee Mad Hatter and McLaren in order to trykeeping Rosenqvist in the Fold while knowing the Shit was gonna Hit the Fan over Alex Palou’s “Poaching!” For which All I can say is Smoke On! 

INDYCAR: Mother Speedway Smiles on Alexander Rossi

As it’s good Having A Beaming Rossi Smiling again from atop the Podium…

 

Don’t know ‘bout Y’all, but this current stretch of the IndyCar season feels like the Fast and furious to me, and I Never thought I’d use that analogy! As I’ve already scribbled some preliminary thoughts here upon No Fenders prior to the second Indy Road Course’s Brickyard GP Qualie’ session.

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2022/07/indycar-catching-up-on-ims-road-course.html

  

In Marshall Pruett’s typical fashion,

It was entertaining Hearing How Appalled He was over IndyCar being treated like the Red Headed Step Sister at IMS over the Brickyard Double Header Roundy Round’ weekend! With Marshall noting How Weird it’s having IndyCar being the Undercard of the Undercard of the Undercard! And How they’re literally by the Shitters! i.e.; Turn 1 Honey Buckets which He proclaimed in His Racer Friday Morning Indy GP Report video.

 

https://racer.com/2022/07/29/video-friday-morning-indy-gp-report/

 

The Best News of the entire weekend was that Josef Newgarden was Cleared to compete in all IndyCar Activities and passed both of His Concussion Protocol tests Thursday-Friday!

 

And you have to say it’s Funny how Newgarden seemingly was “Glued” to His good buddy DJ WillyP’s  Gearbox, with All three Penske Drivers in Round One’s Group 1 Qualie’ session, with Power and Newgarden winding up P4-5 respectively at Day’s end…

 

Biggest News had to be Felix Rosenqvist, the Forgotten Arrow McLaren SP Driver winning the Pole position! Not to mention how estatic Pato O’Ward was qualifying third. Along with O’Ward enthusing How Happy He was for Felix to be on Pole, saying He definitely Deserves to Stay in IndyCar! And How Rosenqvist’s the right type of Driver as a teammate, who’s totally Transparent, which is what you need in a teammate! Which the media took as a vailed swipe at the possibility of Alex Palou landing at AMSP next year…

 

Great interview with David Malukas by Marshall Pruett after Qualifying, where Malukas “Kidded” about liking to Have Brakes on a Road course! Claiming He’d had No Front Breaks during the Fast 12 Knockout phase, noting how His Brake pressure PSI was almost Half of what they normally have!

 

As Malukas has His work cut out keeping up with Christian Lundgaard in the Rookie Of the Year (ROY) Battle. As Lundgaard made His first Fast Six Shootout appearance of the year, finishing sixth, one year from making His Shock Debut when Qualifying P4 at the same race.

 

Whilst is it just Mwah? But have Y’all noticed how Chip Ganassi Racing isn’t running IndyCar title sponsor NTT Data on it’s #10 entry now. Since I know that Alex Palou ran with American Legion on His car at Iowa’s Race-2 and on the IMS Road Course. With the Spaniard being Cheep’s Highest Qualifying entry in P7.

 

Rossi Finally claims another W’

Although this race was definitely not as Wet ‘N wooly as the “Guns ‘N Roses” Indy GP in May. Nonetheless the first lap weren’t Pretty! As I think it was Colton Herta who bumped into Will Power, who in turn Spun Out a Hapless Pato o’Ward! With the duo dropping to the tail end of the grid.

 

Cannot remember what the first Caution was for? But DJ WillyP’ used this to Help go forwards from P16 with O’Ward also making up places. And the day just got worse for Arrow McLaren SP, as Pole Sitter Felix Rosenqvist just dropped like a rock and ultimately limped home ninth.

 

Alexander Rossi who’d started second, tried making a late breaking pass upon Roseqvist for the lead going into Turn-1 but wasn’t successful. This caused Rossi to drop into the clutches of Andretti Autosport teammate Colton Herta who made an easy pass upon Him and looked set to motor off into the Sunset enroute to victory.

 

Yet Herta pounded the Infield Kerbing too Hard on lap 42 and suddenly lost drive to His car, limping slowly to Pitlane before retiring and Rossi Never looked back after! As I love how All of the media pointed out it had been 1,133 Gory Days and 49 races since Rossi last won over three years ago at Road America! (June 23, 2019)

 

With Racer’s Marshall Pruett cheekily noting in His Post-race video that Rossi’s Happy and Smiling today, but He’ll find something to be Grumpy about tomorrow, Hya!

 

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Rookie Christian Lundgaard spent All day in the top sic, and much of the end of the race in second, where the Dane’ finished, scoring His maiden IndyCar Podium. Coupled  with David Malukas’s 13^th place finish; Lungaard once again increases His rookie Of the Year (ROY) points lead to +27. (248-221)

 

And although Will Power didn’t have anything for the first two finishers, ‘Ol DJ WillyP’ wily sauntered home P3, leading a three car Team Penske Freight train across the Yard ‘O Bricks. As ScottyMac’ (Scott McLaughlin) got around teammate Josef Newgarden with the Kiwi finishing fourth and Newgarden P5.

 

As Newgarden should be content losing only two points in the title fight, while McLauglin clings to an outside chance some 81 markers adrift…

 

Scott Dixon who was boiling after qualifying a lowly 20^th, led CGR’s Quartet Home with a  Quiet eighth place finish, two places ahead of Alex Palou. With Marcus Ericsson making an impressive recovery drive from last to P11. As the Swede lost His Points lead to Power and now trails by nine markers.

 

Ericsson finished one position ahead of O’Ward, with the Mexican tenaciously staying in the Championship Hunt. As next up is Nashville, (Round 14) where ericsson’s the Defending Race winner, and Anything can Happen…

 

2022 Point Standings

1) Will Power: 431

2) Marcus Ericsson: 422, -9

3) Josef Newgarden: 399, -32

4) Scott Dixon: 393, -38

5) Pato O’Ward: 385, -46

6) Alex Palou: 379, -52 

Another “Spin ‘N win!” A Rooskie’ tries Cup, A yank’ Wins Again and Kimi to sample Watkins Glen

Although No idea if thee Iceman’ will try an Ice Cream from the Concession Stands in Upstate New York?

 

Have to say it was a very entertaining weekend from Mother Speedway,. Since originally I had No intentions of Tuning into the premiere Taxicab bombers race on Indianapolis Motor speedway’s Infield Road Course. Which I only caught snippets of, part of Stage 2 and mostly the end of the race…

 

What I enjoyed most was the Host of “New Guard” Names at the Sharp end of the Grid. With the likes of Tyler Reddic, Christopher Bell, A.J. Allmendinger, Ross Chastain and Austin Cindric being Called Out. And How ‘bout that Allmendinger, Eh?

 

As still Don’t think Racing Drivers are Athletes? As Allmendinger not only ran out of (Drinking) water, but His Cool Suit malfunctioned! With ambient temperature in the 80’s, and the track surface Bakin’ at over 100deg-F. To which NASCAR Truck series winner and NBC Pit Reporter Parker Kligerman said it had Happened to Him previously and it’s like wearing a Garbage Bag underneath your Firesuit, Youza!

 

 

As I was Rootin’ for the unlikely Sweeping of the weekend by ‘Ol A.J. who got as far up as second before fading to finish seventh. With Allmendinger basically Falling out of His car from Heat exhaustion as soon as the race ended! But was checked and Cleared by IMS Medical Staff afterwards.

 

Kligerman had His own issues the day prior when suffering a Brake failure during the Xfinity race that Allmendinger won. To which Kyle Larson’s Brake failure Sunday was also Scary with His 3,500lb Stock Car getting All four wheels off Terra firma when clouting a Hapless Ty gibbs! Who was Substituting for Kurt Busch, in the car Reddick will “Inherit” in 2024.

 

As Reddick who started from Pole, led the most laps and won His second NASCAR race of the season for RCR, while Chastain was ultimately penalized for “Cleverly” using the Access Road to enable Him to navigate Turn-1 where All of the Roundy Round Boyz’ were trying Ah-Mighty to be the last of the Great, late Brakers!

 

 

Was super Cornfuzed Saturday when Hearing somewhere the news that a Formula 1 Driver would be starting the Big Boyz’ Cup race Sunday, Huh? I didn’t think that Kimi the Original “Iceman” Raikkonen was making His Cup Debut until Watkins Glen? Only to discover late Saturday evening that it was Russian ex-Formula 1 driver Daniil Kvyat “They” were talking about.

 

As Kvyat who last race for Scuderia AlphaTauri at the 2020 season ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was making His Stock Car Debut for the Minnowesqe Team Hezeberg, who I’ve only heard briefly about earlier this year. When Jacques Villeneuve made His Debut in the Big Show when Qualifying His way into the Daytona 500 on Speed…

 

As Kvyat said it was definitely interesting driving the latest Gen-X generation Cup Car. Obviously completely different and at the total opposite of the spectrum compared to F1!

 

As Daniil Qualified the team’s second entry, it’s #26 Toy-Yoter’ Camry 36^th, which is where I believe He finished enroute to becoming the first Russian to contest a NASCAR Cup race.

 

The  team’s primary Cup entry, the #27 Team Hezeberg Ford Mustang GT was driven by Dutch racer Loris Hezemans, son of Team Co-Owner Toine Hezemans. As Loris hasn’t been cleared to drive upon the Superspeedway’s, Hence why Jacques was racing at Day-Toner’.

 

And Speaking ‘O Dutchies’, I was so surprised over Max Verstappen not only coming from an uncharacteristic P10 Qualie’ result, before Gobblin’ up the Competizione and ultimately passing race leader Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari not once, but twice! As Verstappen made a lazy 360-degrees Spin after passing the Monegasce the first time for the lead. Hit nothing, resuming His charge for the lead again before motoring to His 28^th Formula 1 victory!

 

As all I could think of was ‘Ol Hollywood’, aka Danny sullivan’s memorable “Spin ‘N Win” nearly some 40 Odd years ago at the 1985 Indianapolis 500! Making me somewhat embarrassed that I momentarily couldn’t recall who’d won the prior day’s

IndyCar race when talking on the phone, Aye Karumba!

 

As sorry Rossi, who I’ve been a Fan of for a long time. But as the media lamented, it had been an excruciatingly long 1,133 Days and 49 races since Alexander Rossi had won His last IndyCar race! As All I could figure is that it’s been so long since I’ve Heard Rossi’s name in the winner’s circle. Along with being mesmerized by Max Headroom’s performance, that I had temporary “Some-timers,” Sorry Alexander!

 

Another name I hadn’t Heard mentioned in a longtime was Joey Hand’s, who was chauffeuring the #15 Rick Ware Racing (RWR) Ford Mustang GT. As Joey’s a prolific Sports Car racer who’s Stock Car transition makes me think of Andy The Enforcer’ Lally. While the second #51 RWR Ford was being driven by Cody Ware, Remember Him Y’all?

 

Finally, Yes! Kimi and His Oomphlats’ will be contesting this year’s RASSCAR’ round at Watkins glen International Raceway August 21^st.

With Kimi suitably impressed by Justin Marks flying to His Switzerland Home to inquire if thee Iceman’ would be interested in contesting a Roundy Round race for His team? As Marks and Entertainer Pitbull are Co-Owners of the Trackhouse Racing Team that fields entries for Ross Chastain and Daniel Suarez. As Trackhouse acquired the former chip Ganassi Racing NASCAR Operation in order to secure two NASCAR Franchises, Err Charters.

 

As Raikkonen will make His Cup Debut behind the wheel of the team’s third #91 Chevrolet Camaro for Trackhouse’s Project 91 effort, the team’s initiative to expand Internationally, albeit Kimi’s drive is just a “One Off” this season. As the team Hopes to run it’s #91 entry again in the future, but not until 2023…

 

Whilst we could potentially See two F1 Drivers racing Taxicabs at Watkins Glen? Since Daniil Kvyat is also interested in running The Glen and the Charlotte Roval. Damn, I might have to watch another Cup race, Yikes! 

I Will Not be Driving for Insert Race Team Here Next Year, Insert Drivers Name Here!

C’mon Down Oscar, You’re the latest Driver who Wants to Go Somewhere else!

 

Presumably since I’m continuing to get Old-ER’, I simply cannot remember such a Shit Show surrounding Planet McLaren! Or being able to Process, Disseminate and scribble everythingy’ that occurs daily in the 24/7 News Cycle we live in. Having “Coined” the phrase long ago that Motor Racing Never Sleeps!

 

Especially since it’s 30 Odd years ago that some Dude named Flavio Poached a young German driver away from EJ’, nee Eddi Jordan. Who’s name was Michael Schumacher…

 

Naturally after I’d Squeezed in briefly here upon No Fenders the news of Fredrico Suave’s “surprise” move to Aston Martin next year as ‘lil syd viddle’s replacement. And that surely Alpine would be shortly announcing Oscar Piastri as Fred Alonso’s replacement for 2023, Kuhblamoe!

 

Following alpine’s announcement Tuesday that the 21yr Old Australian would be joining Esteban Ocon next year in the obligatory Press Release, Shuhzamm! Piastri pulled an Alex Palou! Taking to TWIT-ER’ to proclaim that Ahem, Alpine’s Press Release wasn’t endorsed by Him and that He wouldn’t be driving for Alpine next year!

 

Sound Familiar? Since it comes across to Mwah that somebody named Zak Brown’s got His Fingerprints All Over It! And the Media’s quickly made the same conclusion, noting the distinct similarities between the Chip Ganassi Racing v Palou Spat. And now Alpine v Piastri.

 

For which Racer’s Chris Medland notes that Piastri’s move implies He’s signed for another team. While Alpine Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer Bluntly said He Doesn’t know what Oscar’s signed wit McLaren, when noting that communication Had Broken down wit Piastri…

 

As the only thing that’s different is that McLaren’s staying Mum upon the subject, making me think that Szafnauer’s trying to throw a Spanner into Brown’s Driver manueverings! Although  this matter definitely sounds like it’s headed straight to the FIA Contract Recognition Board Tootsweet!

 

Thus it also sounds like the Handwriting’s on the Wall for the embattled DannyRic’, nee Daniel Riccardo’s departure from McLaren F1 nexxt year, regardless of having a year remaining on His current contract.

 

But it just really makes me wonder mostly how Alex Palou and Colton Herta will feel about this, along with Pato O’Ward to lesser effect. Since the Mexican seems somewhat resigned to the fact He’s an IndyCar Driver. While Felix Rosenqvist is getting the Shaft by being pushed over to Formula E!

 

As what’sthat ‘Ol don Henley song about You Can’t Get the Genie Back into the Bottle…

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb7rVb4UrWk 

Chip Ganassi Racing “Now Hiring!”

“Slow” Drivers Need Not Apply!

 

Nope, I’m Not taking sides in the Cheep v Palou Sweepstakes, for which I truly Hope that Alex Palou Ain’t gona end up with nothing more than a Bag ‘O glitter!

 

And that was before I learned of Palou’s lawyer’s Counter suit…

 

Just wanted to toss out a little more thoughts upon the subject, since thoust pages of No Fenders have been Overflowing lately. And Haven’t been able to squeeze these in.

 

On the subject of Poaching rival team’s Drivers. Less we forget that Ganassi secured the services of a one Mr. Ed Jones away from Dale Coyne, who thought His Handshake Deal with the emirati Driver would keep Him at DCR a second year. Remember that Y’all? Or more importantly how Jones IndyCar career panned out…

 

And No! I’m Not trying to compare Palou to Jones, since it’s Obvious that Palou’s much more talented!

 

But before we All feel bad for Dale Coyne. Must have been on Racer via Marshall Pruett where I read how Coyne Had prevented letting le Hamburgular’, nee Sealmeister B’, aka SeaBass’ or simply sebastien Bourdais from leaving DCR, when Coyne wouldn’t forgo His Contract Extension upon Bourdais. While ironically Bourdais was trying to move to CGR!

 

Or How Dale Coyne Racing (DCR) wouldn’t release the Big Unit’, nee Justin Wilson from His contract, to which I think Marshall said Justin sat out from driving for DCR before He finally was able to move to Andretti just before His untimely Demise…

 

But I still like Colton Herta’s comment about Zak brown the Best. With Herta saying Zak’s Cut Throat, He’s a Businessman! For which obviously, All Team Owners Are! And I’d say that it’s the Drivers who have a limited “Shelve life” career wise vs. the Owners…

 

Yet cannot say I can recall a Driver being Sued by His Owner in the middle of a season and still being expected to show Up and Drive for Him!

 

Whilst let’s Not forget about Tyler Reddick, who announced His Departure from current RASSCAR’ Richard Childress Racing’s team 18 months before His Contract expires! Which News leaked out either the same day, when Reddick “Crashed” a 23/11 Racing Zoom Call, but most definitely the same week as Palou’s Contract Spat did. And we haven’t even gotten to the Oscar Piastri story!

 

Naturally I’d finished scribblin’ this No Fenders story before Hearing the News that Alex Palou’s lawyer’s had filed a Counter suit vs. Chip Ganassi Racing LLC for Defamation and wanting the trial moved to Federal Court in Hopes of getting a “Fairer” Hearing from the Judge involved in the matter, since it would require a New Judge being assigned. Also Slowing CGR’s request for an expedited trial in Marion county civil court before the end of August.

 

For which Cheep’s lawyers have rescinded their Superior court filing and agreed to move the trial to Federal court jurisdiction, still in Marion County. Although they’re still trying for an expedited Trial while attempting to keep the matter “Sealed” and just for the Judge’s privy…

 

Yep, Yuhs know it. Hold onto Your Hollyhocks indeedy!