INDY 500: Mother Speedway upon Thy Mind...

Hildebrand’s Pit Crew standing on wall cheering as J.R. takes the white flag while leading the 2011 Indianapolis 500. (The Tomaso Collection)

With A-L-L of thou Attenzione focused upon Fernando Coming to America... My Mind began ponderin' the superfluous, before Alonso passed his rookie audition; As in when did the Monaco Grand Prix begin being held on Memorial Day weekend - in order to G-O Head-2-Head with Indy Cars premiere event?

Hence, a very perfunctory examination of this led to my discovering that the first Monaco Grand Prix held on Memorial Day weekend appears to be the 1976 event; formally known as the XXXIV Grand Prix de Monaco. When Formula 1's crown Jewell was being run in thou Principality, nee Monte Carlo on May 30th.

Ironically, on that very same day on this side of thou Puddle, none other than Johnny Rutherford was winning his second Indy 500 aboard the Works McLaren.

Fast forwarding back to the present, after having thoroughly enjoyed watching my first truly "live stream" of Fernando's Rookie Orientation via Racer.com, 'Ol R's, nee IndyCar Curmudgeon Robin Miller's Hilarious article below totally got me in the mood, albeit his questions sounded quite different with Lone Star JR' and SuperMario' actually in the booth...

On Miller's Mind: Indy Legends weigh in on Alonso

Alas, although I'm somewhat regrettably not attending this year's Indy 500, along with being teased 'bout thou "Other Florence" Oregon's TV Coverage being Blacked Out, a la Indianapolis; Hya!

Pretty sure the Stanley Cup's on another network, and that ABC will actually be showing the race in its entirety along with the winner's interview; ahem Peacock-lite, nee NBC Sports Network; Catch my drift!

Now I'll be scurrying to find a Telie' somewhers' upon Thee Oregonian Trail as we make our ways' Northwards from those Majestic Redwoods!

As hopefully I'm not that Hermit racing towards the light... Especially since that Sun's way too Damn Bright!

"From the White Sands
To the Canyonlands
To the redwood stands
To the Barren Lands"

VIDEO: Ghost Rider

Without ramblin' on too long, I've seen Mother Speedway from both sides of the fence, having been, and most likely a Wee Bitomyte' of Mwah always will be a devout CART loyalist, which is how I grew-up Open Wheel Racing-wise.

That said, I've had a wonderful relationship with Mother Speedway and the Month of May beginning in Twenty-oh-Nine, in large part to my Hosts Extraordinaire at Carpets Manor! As what I enjoy most about the Indy 500 is the fact that truly anybody can win on that given Sunday each May.

Yet in TK' Follow-Your-Schnoz! Kanaan's excellent video with his "Nutritionist" Robin Miller; Hya! The theme that's been expounded on afterwards, as Simon Pagenaud just won his very first Oval race, after being 0-for-28 being the Stat thrown out by IndyStar's Jim Ayello I believe. The Brickyard's most analyzed rookie will most likely be fighting an uphill battle.

Kanaan on Alonso at the Indy 500

And here's another typical laid back Indiana interview Miller did upon Fernando's arrival to Americre' at thou Barbers', as Nando' may be too busy dining with Miller & TK' at the Mug 'N bun right now...

Fernando Alonso with Robin Miller in Alabama

As I've rooted for countless drivers over the years, as far back as 'Ol Hollywood's (Danny Sullivan) improvable Spin 'N win, wanting anybody but Mario Andretti to win!

Yet what tends to annoy me most these days, is anybody simply picking the best driver to win, which certainly doesn't take any talent to deduce that; Hence although they were my number two & three favourite driver's, i.e.; Will Power and Simon Pagenaud respectively, I just don't get any thrill outta El Capitano' (Roger Penske) winning another Borg Warner. And Ditto for thouCheepster', aka Chip Ganassi, albeit I'm good with either Scott Dixon or Tony Kanaan winning, especially the latter.

Alas, probably having something to do with my current station in life, I find myself rooting more 'N more for thee 'lil guys instead of the B-I-G 3', nee Penske, Ganassi and Andretti.

And although I don't think my current No. 1 IndyCar Driver will be victorious, as Conor Daly's going thru his own steep learning phase from transitioning from the Hondre' package last year, nonetheless his A.J. Foyt Enterprises team-mate Carlos Munoz has a stellar record at the Speedway, so watch out Team Penske!

My current second favourite's thee "Mad Russian," nee Mikhail Aleshin, albeit he seems to be pushing himself really hard this year, as still not quite sure what happened at Phoenix? Whilst obviously his team leader Hinch', aka James Hinchcliffe would be a very popular winner.

But choosing one Bowtie (Chevrolet) and Honda competitor apiece I'd like most to see; Err well, read about if we don't make it to Florence "Justin-time" for me to sit on the couch? We're Here...

As I still believe I saw his wounded racecar showering sparks down the front straight six years ago, I'd be thrilled if whom I think the original Captain America? Nee Jr. Hildebrand steal Team Chevy; Err Penske's Thunder! As guessin' he can drink the milk with his good hand, eh?

On the Honda side, the selection's a 'lil harder for Mwah, as it'd be awesome to see Takuma Sato finally seal the deal and upstage his Andretti team-mates, since after all: No Attack, No Chance! As he's probably got the better shot over my pick, none other than Oriol "suitcase" Servia, as it'd be funny having the other Spaniard in victory lane, Ci!

And for Rookie Of the Year (ROY) I'm quite smitten with Zachery "Moose" Veach, who hopefully will land a fulltime IndyCar ride in the near future.

As those are my sentimental picks this year...

Yet obviously Fernando will be gunning for him, along with Andretti Auto sport's other rookie Jack Harvey, while Dale Coyne's Ed Jones will probably be completely forgotten in the ROY battle?

Alonso's overlooked comment that shows he's serious about winning the Indy 500

Yet as 'Ol 'R sez; Hate is Good! An thus, although he doesn't bother me nearly as much anymore, I still just want ANYBODY besides HULIO' (Castroneves) to win the bloody race!

Trading Seats, Who'll Come Out on Top?

Jenson Button, the 2009 world champion, who will replace Fernando Alonso at McLaren this weekend in Monaco, had some fun with his ex-team-mate Fernando prior to the Spaniard running on an Oval for the first time ever at Indianapolis May 3rd.

Jenson Button

:Fernando, it's your replacement, here, 'Remember me? I used to be your team-mate. 'I have just seen a picture of your car which looks awesome. Good luck and stay safe. I will keep your seat warm in Monaco and get lots of juicy points for when you return, and make you jealous you did not race."

(Source: www.dailymail.co.uk)

Alonso's Indy 500 car revealed

Ironically, Fernando and Jenson's paths have crossed more than once. As we know, Alonso won both of his F1 titles for le Reggie', nee Renault over a decade ago, who bought out Benetton circa 2000.

As the driver I've been calling Fredrico Suave for years now made his Formula 1 debut for Minardi in 2001, while Button switched from Team Willy', (Williams F1) to Benetton for his sophomore season, where Fernando's manager "HMS Monogram," aka "flavour Flav," nee Flavio Briatore was at the helm.

Renault ran their new Formula 1 team a final year under the Benetton moniker in 2001 before switching over to fully branded Renault Works status in 2002, where Alonso spent the year as the team's test driver.

For '03, "Playboy" JENSE' was dropped in favour of Alonso, while Button landed at BAR Honda F1, with Alonso scoring his maiden Grands Prix victory that season at Budapest, becoming then the youngest ever Grands Prix winner before his Ferrari Protégé 'lil Sid Viddle surpassed him, then Ditto to Vettel upon Max Dutchboy' Verstappens' shock victory last year!

Meanwhile button would have to wait a further three years before finally "Breaking his Duck" at the Hunga-boring Ring, at the '06 Hungarian Grand Prix, ironically the site of both driver's maiden F1 wins.

The pair obviously have battled each other ever since, albeit becoming team-mates in 2015, when the mighty Japanese Auto Giant Honda returned to Formula 1 with wide eyed aspirations of returning to their former Glory Days with the Woking outfit and their old Task-master Ron Dennis.

Unfortunately, 2015 was an ugly season and apparently a harvenger 'O thingys' to come, i.e.; 2017's abysmal season so  far! As the team finished ninth overall on 27 points, with bloody Jense' outscoring Fernando 16-11, with the McLaren Honda duo finishing P16-17 in the Driver's points standings respectively.

Apparently 2015 was an anomaly, since for the very first time in Alonso's career, a team-mate had outscored him, as Fredrico returned to form by finishing tenth overall with 54 points vs. Button's 21 netting the Brit P15 last year. Whilst I didn't expect Alonso or his new team-mate Stoffel Vandoorne to crack McLaren's point drought at Fernando's home race in Barcelona, with the pair currently knotted Nil-Nil', aka 0-0.

As isn't It Ironic that ARSE-Sumedly the two teams that will still be sporting Goose Eggs prior to Monaco will be engine; Err PU partners next year! i.e.; McLaren and Sauber.

Whale', at least that was my prediction before Pascal Wehrlein finished an amazing seventh place at Barcelona, vaulting Sauber ahead of McLaren, now the only F1 constructor to failed scoring any points...

Alonso's first Indy 500 outing in Pictures

As Alonso's guaranteed to score his first points of the year this Sunday at Mother Speedway, since I believe points are awarded to everyone who finishes the race?

SHIT! It's Double Bonus points, right? Not to mention that OVER Inflated Qualie points handout for the Fast 9 & Co. Like won't it have been amazing if Alonso cracked the Top-9 Shootout...

And Y'all can check out my current IndyCar villain's totally astute assessment of the current Formula 1 situation, where Helious' emphasizes how Fernando didn't just simply forget how to Drive! In his typical witty, entertaining and Uhm, Tap-Tap-Tap, Oh Yeah, energetic interview with the Speed Freaks...

 

Helio Castroneves on Indy, Alonso and Other Freakness

INDY 500: Carb Day - Final Day's Track Activities before race

Set them DVR Recordin' Devices if you're Jonesin' for Juan' last look at the Indy Cars before the B-I-g' Race...

Friday's Carb Day is fast approaching, when the Indy Cars will run their final practice session before the 101st running of the Indianapolis 500, along with the annual Pit Stop contest.

Yet Don't forget that the Indy Lights Super Bowl event takes place on Carb Day, with the annual running of the Freedom 100, which I believe is "live" on Peacock-lite', nee NBC Sports Network?

Have absolutely NO idea how many cars will take the green flag for the premiere Mazda Road To Indy (MRTI) ladder series event, or it there will be any "one Off's" taking part?

As will Andretti Steinbrenner Racing's teenager phenom Colton Herta, son of Mikey A's partner Bryan Herta, co-team owner of the No. 98 reigning Indy 500 winner continue running roughshod over the field?

Or will Juncos Racing's Kyle Kiser put the Kybosh upon current Lights point leader Herta's runaway success?

can Santiago Urrutia or his rookie Belardi Auto Racing Stable-mate Aaron Telitz put their slow starting season back on track with victory?

And may be one of the defending series champion Carlin's four car powerhouse team will upset the Andretti and Belardi Apple-kart? Or will there be another first-time surprise winner? Guess Y'all will just have to tune-in to find out, eh?

As it appears that Team Pelfrey has extended Mexican Indy Lights rookie Patricio O'Ward's "Seat Time" in their second racecar, who'll presumably be chauffeuring the #3 at all of Indianapolis's events...

LIGHTS: 2017 Season sees Major Team Changes...