And the Winner takes it by a Nose! Somebody give me
a cheeseburger…
Yessiree Bog, Bob’s Your Uncle Mateys! As I’m just
trying to finish off the year’s No Fenders posts Here upon Ye mystical’ Isle of
Nofendersville, with Thy yearly IndyCar Golden Tailpipe Award selections. Hence
these choices were just quickly Jotted upon after my initial Spur of Ye Cuff selections
below.
Whilst Y’all can compare ‘n contrast this
year’s choices with the Uber Exciting 2021 Selections in the following link.
http://www.nofenders.net/2022/01/the-2021-indycar-golden-tailpipe-awards_02004863583.html
WINNERS
2022 IndyCar Champion: Will Power
2022 Indy 500: Marcus ericsson
2022 Rookie Of the Year: Christian Lundgaard
CATEGORIES
1. Driver of The Year
Winner: Will Power
This one seemed pretty easy this year,
especially since I’m still a Fan of DJ willyP’s! As Will was metronomic this
season, improving eight positions Ahead of last’s year’s results.
And even if He only claimed one win enroute to
His second IndyCar title. His steady Podiums and Top Five results were
impressive. Like when He pulled a third place outta a lowly P16 Starting
position at Mid-Ohio!
But even more remarkable was His finally
surpassing ye Great SuperMario’, aka Mario Andretti for All-time IndyCar Career
Pole positions with 68!
As it seems a really long time now since I
briefly spoke to a much younger Will Power at the IMS Museum the day after the ’09
Indianapolis 500, when He was the third wheel running Penske Trucking
sponsorship in a partial season…
2. Biggest Disappointments of The Year
Have to say that the whole Palou Gate Saga was
uber disappointing, since it basically came down to Ye time Honoured tradition
of Money! As initially I was Shocked by Alex Palou publicly stating He wouldn’t
be driving for Ye Cheepster’, aka Chip Ganassi next year. Having decided upon
the Greener pastures of Arrow McLaren SP and everythingy’ Mr. Zakery Brown Had
promised Him…
Yet like colton Herta said best, Zak’s Cut
Throat, He’s a Businessman! While I can’t really fault Chip Ganassi for telling
Alex to Honour the Contract He’d previously signed, presumably under No Duress.
http://www.nofenders.net/2022/07/indycar-ganassi-v-palou.html
As we All know how this worked out, meaning I’m
really Not sure who I’m most Disappointed with? Especially since All three
involved played a part in this Ugly and ultimately Stupid Affair! With Palou
simply having to wait another year before He can drive for AMSP. Where you’ve gotta
wonder why Tyler Kiel wanted to leave…
The other big Disappointment to Mwah, albeit
should I really be surprised? Is the apparent lack of leadership at IndyCar. As
this has to be my favourite Open Wheel Racing series, but Chirp Chirp, Bueller?
Does Anybody beside All of us Diehard IndyCar
Fans know about it? As last time I checked, having the most competitive racing
series didn’t Cut It! As I loathe The Real Housewives of Formula 1! But you’ve
got to say it’s made the Drivers wildly popular and the Stars of F1! Especially
since Thar racing wasn’t that exciting this year…
But it’s Sad, as Y’all know where I’m going,
But? When the Biggest disappointment of the Year for Mwah is What’s NXT from IndyCar’s
Vaunted Braintrust? And why isn’t it’s Next Generation Indy Lights Champion
Linus Lundqvist Not getting a Shot to make it in the Big Leagues, ergo IndyCar?
http://www.nofenders.net/2022/11/penske-entertainments-nxt-great.html
3. Race of The Year
Oval Track Winner: Gateway (World Wide Technology Raceway)
So we’ll never know, and it seemed a pretty
tall order at the time. Since Rookie
David Malukas was trying to Hunt Down Uber Bad Arse Two times IndyCar champion Josef
Newgarden for His possible maiden IndyCar victory. But Malukas’s Post-race
comments about Oh My Gawd! I’m chasing two Team Penske Cars, like do Not do
Anything Stupid to them!
As who knows if David Had listened to veteran
Spotter Pancho carter’s advice earlier, if He could have Also passed Newgarden
on the High line? But I know I sat at my Confuzer’ with both sets ‘O fingers
crossed chanting G-O Malukas! When listening to the race via IndyCar Radio. And
ScotyMac’ didn’t seem too pleased to have lost second place, even though He
seemed to know it was Ah-Comin’.
Other
Choices
Texas Motor Speedway, Indianapolis 500
Twisties' Track Winner: Laguna Seca
The Season Finale gets my nod this year, even
if some might call it a snoozer due to Alex Palou’s 30-second Beatdown over
Team Penske!
Yet the race was gripping to Mwah, since I
badly wanted Will Power to win His second IndyCar title, which He did with
aplomb by finishing third. As Power seemed to send the Shot Across Newgarden’s
Bow when winning His record setting 68th Pole the day prior with
Josef stuck in the Kitty-litter!
Other
Choices
Barber Motorsports Park
4. Most Improved Team of the Year
Winner: Juncos Hollinger Racing
Have always been a Fan of Riccardo Juncos, and
Callum Ilott quickly vaulted Himself to my current third favourite IndyCar
Driver behind Pato O’Ward and David Malukas, but I digress…
Ok, so it’s just their first Full season in
Indy Cars, but what a remarkable improvement over last year’s three West coast
races. As this team and Ilott always seem to be Fighting Above their “Playing”
Weight! Especially since they were the only single car entry on the Grid.
5. Most Disappointing Teams of the Year
Co-Winners: ECR and MSR
Yeah I know, it’s only supposed to be one
single team. And I could go with my yearly Underperformers Andretti, or RLLR.
As I would have simply chosen Meyer Shank
Racing (MSR) for this dubious award. Yet it’s too easy with that Fast Talkin’ Dancing
Fool Hulio’ on it’s roster! Like are you really surprised over Helio Castroneves
poor results this year?
But I did expect more out of Symone’, nee
Pageantry’, aka Simon Pagenaud. Or is this a true reflection of how much work
the team has to do? Especially with Thar Technical Alliance with Mikey a’s
Squad.
Won’t discuss Fast Eddie’s diminishing pace behind the Keyboard. And I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised with Ye Count Rinus VeeKay’s spotty performance, Eh? While conor Daly was simply disappointing! As not sure why I expected more from ECR this year?
For the Conclusion of this Golden Tailpipe Awards Categories 6-10, i.e.; Most Improved
Driver of The Year, Most Disappointing Driver of The Year, Comeback Driver of The
Year, “Big Boyz Pants” Award and Rookie of The Year, Please visit the following
No Fenders link below…
http://www.nofenders.net/2022/12/the-2022-indycar-golden-tailpipe-awards.html
