Friday, July 29, 2022

INDYCAR: Catching up on IMS Road Course Double Header weekend

As I’m guessing that Will Power takes over the Points lead this weekend…

 

And I wrote that Before Marcus Ericsson’s Mechanical Malady relegated Him to (P25) last in Qualifying.

 

Obviously by now, Y’all know the events following Sunday’s Iowa Race-2 which Josef Newgarden seemingly Had in the Bag! Having led a Monstrous 148-laps and cruising towards His fifth win of the season before calamity Struck on lap 235!

 

While I Heard the Post-accident interview with Josef who sounded fine, albeit somewhat in Shock since He Didn’t have a Clue over what had happened? What followed later that evening is of far more significance to Mwah than the outcome of the race!

 

As Newgarden fainted in the Bus lot and Hit his Head on the Pavement, which He apparently suffered a cut to His Head in this unexpected Fall! And while it seemed like many were trying to  make it sound extremely severe. IndyCar just prudently Airlifted Newgarden to a nearby Hospital for further evaluation due to the fact that it was a 45mins drive, and that the Ambulance would need to navigate thru the departing Blake Shelton Concert traffic.

 

Although I must say, and I’ve been loathe to scribble this but; now that Newgarden’s Fine, and Cleared to Drive the rest of the event. It did make me think of another former Penske Driver named Mark Donohue…

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2015/08/remembering-penskes-first-racer-mark.html

 

Thus I think we All knew about thee Great Santini’, aka Santino Ferrucci being signed by Team Penske as a potential substitute driver for Newgarden if He Failed His Thursday IndyCar concussion Protocol test. As I Don’t know ‘bout Y’all, but I spent much of Thursday checking thoust Intrawoods’ for any updates upon Josef’s prognosis.

 

Meanwhile, one more piece of the 2023 IndyCar Silly Season was publicly confirmed as we All awaited the latest news on Newgarden’s pending Mother Speedway’s road Course race status.

 

Although Racer’s Marshall Pruett had already claimed this in His latest July silly Season Update. Nonetheless it’s great news that Callum Ilott will be staying at Juncos Hollinger Racing. With JHR signing the talented Englishman to a long term contract extension, whatever that means?

 

According to The Pit Window’s Mike Silver, Illot signed a two year extension, which I guess in this day and age is considered long term, Eh?

 

But I take that as a clear statement during Palou Gate to Keep your Grubby Mitts Off Our Driver! As now All we wait for is who’ll be driving JHR’s expected second racecar next year? For which I say that Ferrucci would be a perfect fit. Although Marshall’s also floated current FIA Formula 2 driver Marcus Armstrong’s name here…

 

Finally late afternoon, I learned that Newgarden had passed His Concussion Protocol Test and was Provisionally Cleared to take part in Friday’s practice session. Then He’ll be tested one further time in order to be cleared for taking part in the rest of the weekend’s IndyCar activities, i.e.; Qualifying and Race.

 

Thus Ferrucci goes back to His “day Job” of driving the #26 Sam Hunt Toyota in the NASCAR Xfinity series, which also races on Mother speedway’s Road Course Saturday, following the IndyCar race.

 

As I loved the interview IndyCar Radio Network’s Ryan Marin did with Santino during the IndyCar practice session, asking how did the phone call come about, and what was it like seeing that strange number on your phone? To which Santino said Yeah, there was a bit of a missed call. And then I almost dropped my phone after He said this is Tim, tim who? “Oh shit!” Hello Mr. cindric! As you could just Hear the enthusiasm in Santino’s voice gushing over how insanely exciting it was for Him to be mentioned in the same breath as Team Penske!

 

Well I see you’re wearing your Sam Hunt Racing Toyota Shirt, tell us what it’ll be like driving a Stock Car around here? Ferrucci Giggling said Oh Man, My Heads still in IndyCar as I’ve gotta tell myself instead of Braking at the 350 board, I need to be Braking at the 850 Board! Yes, I think I deserve to be in Indy Cars Fulltime and Hopefully Team Penske asking me to be Newgarden’s Backup will Open some Other Team Owners eyes…

 

Ferrucci also said while technically He was still on Standby for Josef. He’s a Big Guy and I’ve got No Doubts He’ll be just fine and in the car for Qualifying. And with that said and Newgarden finishing P2 in IndyCar’s lone 90mins Practice session, I’d say “E’s Back!”

 

Meaning Newgarden will be able to contest winning His potential third IndyCar Series Championship Crown, lying just a svelte 34 points behind Marcus ericsson. Although He’ll have His work cut out for Him, since the Indianapolis Road course seemingly is Penske teammate Will Power’s Playground! Since Power’s won five times and is the defending race winner. Along with having won six Poles including this May’s Indy GP, 50% of the 12 Road Course races run prior to this weekend…

 

And are we really surprised that both Newgarden and Power made it to the Fast Six Shootout? Although I don’t think anybody saw Arrow McLaren SP’s Felix rosenqvist, Remember Him Y’all? Winning the Pole, which the Swede’ politely pointed out was His second Pole upon the IMS Road Cours. In what could be AMSP’s IndyCar lineup next year? With Alexander rossi and Pato O’Ward second and third. Followed by Power in fourth, Newgarden fifth and Christian Lundgaard sixth.

 

While Thar’s the Scuttlebutt about How Mikey a’ may be looking to make a change of Drivers for His #29 Andretti Steinbrenner Autosport entry currently chauffeured by Devlin DeFrancesco. So Thar potentially could be two “Big 3” IndyCar Teams racing seats up for grabs next year, i.e.; Palou’s and DeFrancesco’s?

 

Although I really cannot see Ferrucci in either the #10 or #29 seat next year, although it would be great fun for us Fans watching the Fireworks between Santino and Romain Grosjean, Eh? Although somehow I think Mikey A’s Not looking for any more Headaches next year, Hya!

 

While Santino would probably totally “toe the line” at CGR, I just Don’t think He’s the Championship calibre driver Cheep’s looking for…

 

But I do think that Ferrucci would be a great fit for the potential second Juncos Hollinger Racing entry, especially since Santino’s definitely No slouch on Ovals, which is the team’s “Weak link” for Callum Ilott right now…

 

So who needs A Real Housewives of F1 Reality TV Show, eh?