Watch out Santa, Mr. Zackery Brown’s handing out
lawsuits this year…
As Rock ‘N Roll Kiddoes’, Uhm, Fasten Your
Seatbelts for Another Bumpy ride! As it’s time for another rendition of
Tomaso’s wacky Year ender Awards that Everyone just Absolutely Craves, Righto?
CATEGORIES 6-10
6. Most Improved Driver of the Year
Winner: Kyle Kirkwood
Otay, this one seemed simple. Even if you’d obviously
expected the driver Marshal Pruett enjoys calling Kirk Kirkwood to improve. As
it almost seems unfair to even consider Kyle’s rookie season at A.J. Foyt
Enterprises…
As the Road to Indy Wunderkind’ had a fairly
miserable maiden IndyCar season campaign, mostly due to trying to outperform in
the Foyt entry. Although Kirkwood made plenty of rookie mistakes Himself too.
With a single Top-10 finish at Long Beach being His best result.
Returning to Andretti Autosport after a lowly
P24 Overall ranking at Foyt. Obviously Mikey a’ would have been saying “Houston,
we’ve got a Problem!” If Kirkwood didn’t finish above that this season.
As we All know, Kirkwood had a breakout season
by ultimately claiming two wins enroute to 11th Overall this year. Claiming His
maiden IndyCar w’ in just the season’s third race at Long Beach from Pole
position!
As Kirkwood was seemingly untouchable at Long
Beach, while it was the only race I recall missing? When Kirkwood claimed His
second win at Nashville. In surely what was another Crash-fest, Eh?
As Kirkwood’s two wins, ironically His only podium
finishes help net Him 13 places in the points standings this season…
7. Most Disappointing Driver of the Year
Winner: Romain Grosjean
Perhaps I’m just Piling On the Frenchman? But
for Romain’s second season at Andretti Autosport looking so promising. Even
having scribbled a No Fenders story titled Can Romain Grosjean Win at Indianapolis?
Which He failed to do, with His two early season runner-up finishes being His
High water mark…
As we All know, Grosjean’s season, and temper
simply imploded! With the Camera’s Eye capturing His Heated confrontation with
the team on Pitlane!
As Romain’s implosion reportedly stems due to
having signed a contract extension that Mikey A’ refused to sign, with the
Frenchman having since filed for Arbitration.
As I’m sure we’ll All be waiting to see how
long before the Honeymoon ends at His latest employer Juncos Hollinger Racing…
Although after I
finished scribblin’ this. I realized that Colton Herta could have also easily won
this dubious Honor…
8. Comeback Driver of The Year
Winner: Graham Rahal
Chose Graham simply on the merits of His and
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s recovery following their Horrible Indianapolis
500 outing!
Nah, won’t scribble about the ironies of RLLR
teammate Katherine Legge’s practice accident getting Graham back into the race.
Instead, Yuhs just have to be impressed how Graham and the team put their Heads
down and rebounded afterwards.
As it’s been an Uber’ long time since I’ve
rooted so emphatically for Graham to win! After coming Oh, so close at the
August Indy GP road course race behind Scott Dixon!
Not to mention Graham claiming two Pole
positions, the first coming some four-plus years since His last. While Christian
Lundgaard gave RLLR it’s first IndyCar victory in some three years at Toronto.
9. “Big Boyz Pants” Award
Winner: Jack Harvey
You have to feel for this likeable, most
amiable Englishman, who simply never could quite “Switch On” after the arrival
of Helio Castroneves to His former team Meyer Shank Racing. Especially after
Hulio
‘ won some ‘lil ‘Ol Oval race…
As we’ll never know why things went so terribly Pear-shaped
for Harvey during His two seasons at RLLR? But I tremendously enjoyed His “Stiff
Upper lip”, Grit and Determination at Mother Speedway this May.
As I believe Harvey coined it the Hunger Games for RLLR’s
miserable qualifying performances. And I have to say that I was emphatically
rootin’ for Jack, Not Bloody Nige! Harvey to do the unthinkable and Bump
esteemed team leader Graham Rahal from the field on the 30th anniversary of His
father Bobby being Bumped!
For which Y’all already know the answer. As Harvey found a
miraculous few miles per hour of speed that had eluded Him All weekend long. Bumping
His way into the field as Graham sat helplessly watching from His cockpit on the
Pitlane, in what I thought was a truly gritty performance by Harvey!
As the Pole Shootout really didn’t matter to Mwah afterwards…
10. Rookie of The Year
Winner: Augustin Canapino
Although Marcus Armstrong, running only the “Twisties”
portion of the calendar won the IndyCar Rookie Of the Year title. Driving for
the vastly superior Chip Ganassi Racing, you’d have expected the Kiwi’ to do so…
Thus my choice for Augustin was easy. Since the
Argentinian Touring Car Multi-times Champion had never raced in a Single Seater.
Nor raced on an Oval! And Hell also had to learn English to boot.
So overall I was very impressed by Canapino’s
On-track performance. Yet unfortunately I’ve considerably soured upon Canapino
for allowing and encouraging His Argentine Fanbase to so Disgustedly Attack
Callum Ilott. Not once, but twice during the season!
Not to mention Riccardo Juncos decidedly
partisan backing of Canapino and His Fans. Along with giving Ilott a raw deal
by stringing Him along! Leaves me completely turned Off upon Juncos Hollinger
Racing and Canapino!
As I really cannot wait to see how long and what Happens when Romain Grosjean collides with Canapino next year!
