Or will Andretti Autosport teammate Colton Herta
Steal Romain’s Thunder and Win for the First time in a Year?
Although I really cannot say that I’ve ever
been a Fan of Romain Grosjean’s, especially when He was what I considered a Hot
Headed Formula 1 driver! I did enjoy His embracing Indy Cars upon His rookie
season with Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing in 2021.
Thus, I suppose I’d like to see the Frenchman
finally “Break His Duck” in IndyCar, by securing His long awaited maiden
victory.
According to Racer’s Marshall Pruett, for which
I wasn’t aware of. Grosjean’s in some rarefied company right now, albeit tied
for third with Russ Snowbird and Raul Boesel with five second place finishes
without a win.
Whilst Vitor Meira Holds the record for most Second
places without ever winning an IndyCar race with eight Runner-up finishes. With
Geoff Brabham P2 with His notching of six Second place finishes.
Continuing my recapping First time IndyCar
winners circa 2008 that Grosjean’s Chasing. For which if I’ve done my ryth-muh-tickin’
correctly? Romain’s one of twelve current IndyCar drivers on the Grid searching
for His maiden victory. As Here’s the Rest of the previous first time Winners…
2015
At the venue that I believe He called His Home
track, since Nashville wasn’t on the schedule yet. Josef Newgarden scored His
Debutante IndyCar W’ during the fourth round of the season, at Barber Motorsports
Park driving for CFH Racing. As it would be a Breakout year for Newgarden who
scored two wins that season.
Round 7’s Belle Isle Detroit Race 1 saw another
first time Columbian winner. When Carlos Munoz won His First and Only IndyCar
race driving for Andretti Autosport.
2016
It seems like a lifetime ago that I witnessed Alexander
Rossi score undoubtedly what was an unexpected victory at Mother Speedway’s
100th running. As Rossi scord His first W’ as a rookie No less in the
Indianapolis 500 driving for Andretti Herta Autosport. And currently is the
last rookie to date to do so…
2017-18
No First time IndyCar winners.
2019
In only His third ever IndyCar start driving
for Harding Steinbrenner Racing. Colton Herta became the series youngest ever
winner at Circuit Of the Americas, (COTA) in Austin, Texas at Age 18 years, 359
days Old! Herta would subsequently become the youngest ever Pole sitter later
that year as a 19yr Old Teenager at Road America. And then for good measure,
Colton won the season finale at Laguna Seca.
2020
This one still pains me, even if I do like the
Swede! It’s just that Felix rosenqvist, then driving for Chip Ganassi Racing. Snatched
His First, and so far Only IndyCar victory away from my current Numero Uno
IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward with just One and a Half laps remaining at Elkhart
Lake. When Felix-the-Cat’ won in Round 4’s Road America Race 2, which I
lamented over in the following No Fenders tome…
http://www.nofenders.net/2020/07/indycar-oward-just-6-miles-short-of.html
2021
Second year driver Alex Palou sent Shockwaves
thru the IndyCar paddock upon winning for the First time at Birmingham’s season
opening race for chip Ganassi Racing. As it would be the first of Palou’s
eventual three wins enroute to a surprising IndyCar Championship!
Pato O’Ward finally got the Monkey Off His Back
by winning His maiden IndyCar race at Texas Motor Speedway’s Race 2. As the win
was fitting since it came in His adopted Home State and came just some four
days before His 22nd Birthday, driving for then Arrow McLaren SP, then better
known as “SPAM!”
The following race, Round 5 on Mother Speedway’s
Infield Road Course. Rinus VeeKay won the GNR Indy Grand Prix for Ed Carpenter
Racing.
Round 7 at Belle Isle’s Detroit Race 1 saw Will
Power go Ballistic when His Chevy lump’ wouldn’t refire after a late Red Flag.
Seeing Sweden’s Marcus Ericsson aboard the No. 8 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda
claiming His Debutante IndyCar victory.
2022
Kiwi’ Multi-Supercars Champion Bad Arse
ScottyMac’, aka Scott McLaughlin clamed His maiden IndyCar W’ at the season
opening St Pete race, where He put a Beatdown upon the field! A la what I’d
witness Him doing at Portland, leading 104 of 110 laps from Pole! His third
victory of the season, with Mid-Ohio in-between, during His Breakout season for
Team Penske.
2023
And that leads us to this year, which so far
we’ve witnessed Kyle Kirkwood at Andretti Autosport in just His 20th
IndyCar race become a series First-time winner.
Which leads us to the $64k Question. Can Romain
Grosjean become the newest First time IndyCar winner this weekend on Mother Speedway’s
Infield Road Course? Since Romain seems to have an affinity for this Twisty’s racing
circuit. Having claimed His first Pole position and first two Podiums at IMS, albeit
Not on that Oval portion…
As Grosjean’s gotten off to a Hot start this
year, looking poised for victory at St Pete. Along with another possible podium
at Texas Motor Speedway. Followed by His two Second place finishes the last two
races.
Of the current twelve IndyCar drivers chasing their Debutante W’, I’d have to say that following Grosjean, who seems the most likely to finally stand atop the Podiums. I’d have to rate Christian Lundgaard the next most likely to score His first IndyCar win. And then either Callum Ilott or David Malukas…
Update
Our latest newcomer to this ever growing list
is Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Christian Lundgaard, who was my second choice
for breaking their IndyCar “Duck”.
This was the 22yr old Dane’s Breakout season,
having clamed His maiden Pole at the track He began His IndyCar career on. Taking
the “guns ‘n roses” (GMR( Indy GP top qualifying position.
Then at Toronto in July, just five days before
His birthday. Lundgaard had an epic weekend, where He made a Clean Sweep!
Claiming His second Pole, the Fastest lap, Most laps led enroute to His Debutante
IndyCar victory! Scoring RLLR’s first W’ in some three years…
As Lundgaard celebrated His win by promptly shaving
off His mustache! Having made a deal with a good friend to not shave it off
until He won His first IndyCar race!
