Monday, November 25, 2013

Allmendinger Trots off to Fendersland again...



Although I doubt A.J. would enjoy being compared to a Yankee Doodle Dandy; Hmm? Isn't thar some sort of feathered fricassee happening just a few Dazes from now? "Quack-Quack, Gobble-Gobble; Duck Turkey!" Hooah!

Nevertheless, I'll admit that I was 'Geeked! Awhile ago over what I truly thought was an audition for a full time gig in 2014, applauding thee Captain's (Roger Penske) fortitude for sticking by one of his fallen drivers known as the 'Dinger, nee A.J. Allmendinger, when boldly putting him into his No. 2 IndyCar racecar for selected events including the series biggest race of the year, aka the Indy 500!

As I've known about A.J. for awhile now, especially since I was on hand to witness his debutant Champ Car victory at Portland International Raceway 'Wayback in 'Twenty-Oh-Six, having gone from proverbial "Zero" to Hero in a scant week's time - having been surprisingly let go from RuSport Racing to make way for "Shorty," aka Cristiano da Matta, to replacing a drop kicked Mario "Boom Boom" Dominguez at Forsythe Championship Racing...


And while I applauded Roger's integrity for helping out a virtual "Family member," surely there was more to this story than just Penske's generosity, right? Like I mean it seemed like the perfect chance for  AJ's long term future in Open Wheel Racing with Penske Racing, as I even went so far as to boldly predict that Allmendinger would become Helio Castroneves replacement in the near future, albeit purely speculation upon my part - since obviously I was way wrong on that one, eh?


But I found 'Dinger's amazing turnaround from the heights of winning the Rolex 24 and landing a fulltime Cup ride with Penske to his subsequent failed drug test, losing his ride and then returning to Open Wheel Racing after a six year absence to be quite intoxicating, as I even included him as part of my all IndyCar roulette numbers by selecting the No. 2 as part of my bet when in Indy!

Thus naturally I'm disappointed that the 'Dinger's headed back to Stock Cars fulltime next year, although I understand why, albeit I can only speculate that in some way, shape or form, it's got to do with Greenbacks... As I think you can currently make a better living driving a mediocre Taxicab vs. IndyCar ride these days, right? while perhaps A.J. feels like he's already been there, done that in Open Wheel Racing? Although I think there's still miles to go in that regard, but he just wants to be a  Roundy-round boy instead...

As perhaps A.J. sees a brighter future monetary-wise in 'RASSCAR then IndyCar? As I'll try not to dip too far into the negativity pool here, since I don't wanna be accused of being part of les Miserables... But just perhaps, this is a portrait of where Indy Cars ranks today in the collective minds of established American racecar drivers? Not to mention television executives.

As Y'all have to say it's funny that another Damn Foreigner is coming to Indy Cars as effectively A.J. left for Tintops while thee Whirling Dervish Juan Pablo Montoya, which the IndyCar purists stick to calling him simply Juan Montoya since that's apparently how he began racing here stateside will take over the vacated No. 2 seat next year fulltime, which at the least should provide some much needed Fireworks in IndyCar...

And I guess The Captain is going for the quick fix? Since at the ripe 'Ol age of 76, he's still desperately wanting to secure another "Naked Man on a Uni," Err Astor Cup  trophy, since you'd have to ARSE-sume that at the very least Monty will push his two teammate's Helio (Castroneves) and Will (Power) but just how competitive will he be? As he's only some four months younger than Helio is, (both 38) which means the two elder Penske stable mates could give the younger Power (32) some grief, although I'm hoping it'll be Power finally getting the proverbial monkey off his back next year championship wise...

Yet it's too bad that the allure of RASSCAR's Siren Song was too strong for A.J. to resist, as I find him an entertaining personality and a breath of fresh air, as his I500 Banquet Awards speech was priceless, and he'll be missed, even if his Open Wheel return was brief, nevertheless it was enjoyable, especially witnessing him lead at Mother Speedway, as surely he'd love to have another crack at winning the Borg Warner trophy, right?

Hmm? Its kinda funny that Roger's last two 'Yanks to pilot his cars are both Good 'Ol Stockcar Boyz, eh? Can Y'all say Sam "I AM!" Hornish, Jr. and Allmendinger; "Just Sayin', as wouldn't it be nice to see an up 'N comer American driving for The Captain again? Say like a Joseph Newgarden, Conor Daly or whoever? But then again, it's nice having the luxury of being able to pick any driver you want, eh?

Thus, I'll miss 'dinger next year, and since I DON'T follow RASSCAR, I'll probably lose track of him, although I think I'll at least get to see him running the Rolex 24 again for Michael shank Racing? Although not sure if his Brit "Sidekick" Justin 'B-I-G UNIT Wilson will be able to participate or not? Hmm? Why did the Tagline "BIG & TALL" just come to mind here scribbling 'bout those two? Perhaps 'cause I still recall Justin dryly saying AJ's hash-tag was "Big Shot" after they'd won the 50th running of the Daytona 24hrs...


Now will somebody pass me a biscuit; Gobble-Gobble...
 
UPDATE
Unbeknownst to Mwah, ironically 'Mac Montoya was busy getting his first helping of a DW12 when participating in winter testing at Sebring alongside Penske Racing teammates Will Power & Helio Castroneves on the very same day I posted this story...