Will Felix Rosenqvis’ts “Life change today, Tears
of Joy on His Face and With Arms Wide Open” driving this Creed racecar? (The Tomaso Collection
As who besides Hulio’ and Schlick’ will be making
History today?
It’s what all of us lowly, basement dwelling
Bloggers and Bench Racers do each and every year…
As once again I found myself choosing who my
pool of Indianapolis 500 winners were following the Alabama IndyCar race, and
prior to the Indy road course outing. For which I could only come up with the
following ten names.
Andretti Global: Colton Herta and Marcus
Ericsson; Arrow McLaren: Pato O’Ward and Christian Lundgaard; Chip Ganassi
Racing: Scott Dixon and Alex Palou; Ed Carpenter Racing: Alexander Rossi and
Team Penske: Josef Newgarden, Scott McLaughlin and Will Power. As those are the
ten true Contendahs’ for Mwah, prior to Fast Friday.
Although I’d have
to say that Herta’s chances took a major dent with that frightening Qualifying
Day crash!
This
year seems to be the least prepared, least excited I’ve been about the
Indianapolis 500 in years, albeit perhaps I say that every year I get older,
Eh? I said speak up Sonny, Hya!
Don’t take any stock in the Open test from
April, other than as Soctt Dixon eluded to, this year’s debut of the much
dreaded Hybrid Energy Recovery system (ERS) is a definite wildcard. Especially
since we don’t know how it will fare over 200 laps of repeated use…
Whom shalt thoust Lady Luck, Err Mother Speedway choose today
to drink milk in victory lane? Uhm ride the victory elevator to the stage high
above the adoring crowd, for everyone to see in rapture, having just won the
109th running of this year’s Indianapolis 500…
My top Cinderella story pick is thee great
Santini’, ergo Santino Ferrucci winning in the No. 14 and ‘Ol SuperTex’, nee
A.J. Foyt celebrating victory again!
My second choice is Felix-the-Cat’,
(Rosenqvist) as Hulio’s Cactus, and Ain’t gonna win number five, so put a Fork
in it!
Initially, my third sentimental pick was
Taku-san’, nee Takuma Sato becoming a three times winner. But I’ve changed that
to Alexander Rossi, who I think desperately needs a second win at Mother
Speedway to secure His place as a great IndyCar driver, who’s career appears to
be on a down glide scope. Then again, you could say ditto for Marcus Ericsson,
Eh?
Whilst don’t know why, but before practice
started Tuesday, my initial pick for winner was Scott Dixon. Who I think is
definitely flying underneath the radar this year, especially with that No. 10
teammate of His winning everything in site! And I still felt this way prior to
Friday’s Carb Day final practice session. Even if Palou was fastest during
Monday’s post qualifying practice session.
Will Power seems to be another stout choice,
while forget All of the chatter over Josef Schlick’ Newgarden winning three
consecutive races, which Ain’t gona happen!
All of which was before Sunday’s Attenuator Gate Shenanigans!
Had to go Wayback’ for the following
statistics. As of the 2008 Reunification, only three Indy 500 pole winners have
won the race: Scott Dixon, 2008; Helio Castroneves, 2009 and Simon Pagenaud,
2019. And only one rookie has won on debut, i.e.; Alexander Rossi in 2016.
Whilst No Fenders Offical’ Photographer
Carpets’ told me that 23 of the last 25 winners have come from just four teams,
i.e.; Andretti Global, Chip Ganassi Racing, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing and
obviously, Team Penske.
Bryan Herta Autosport, 2011 with Dan Wheldon
and KV Racing Technology in 2013 with Tony Kanaan are the only non “big four”
team winners. Meaning the deck’s stacked upon the field once again this year,
Sigh!
As suppose I wasn’t going out on a limb
predicting that pole would be between Alex Palou and Scott Mclaughlin on
Saturday Night. With my nod going to ScottyMac’ in the “Yellow Submarine”.
Although that means the Odds are against Him winning…
Of
course that was before I learned that ScottyMac’ had destroyed His primary car
during the Fast Twelve morning’s practice with No possibility of getting the
backup chassis prepared in time, Youch!
Then there were the two savage crashes of
Colton Herta and Marcus Armstrong on Saturday! Plus Takuma Sato destroying His
Dallara DW12’s tub during the Open test. Along with Kyffin Simpson trashing His
racecar and going airborne during Fast Friday practice! All before we get to
the Penske Attenuator Cheating scandal; Can Y’all say gorilla Glue?
Sato impressed as Always in Qualie’. As Nicky
Salt’ Yeoman quipped during the Fast Twelve Shootout He was convinced that
Taku-san’ could qualify a Shopping Cart! As Sato rolls off P2 Sunday.
Can Y’all tell I’m stalling? Since I’m
struggling over my pick between my Numero Uno IndyCar driver Pato Who? As
Patricio O’Ward’s interview following the Fast Twelve Shootout just made me
smile over His trying to explain the euphoric feeling of satisfaction of
driving these Narly racecars!
Verses my head telling me still Scott Dixon who
starts fourth, even though I obviously prefer O’Ward starting third, His best
Indy 500 qualifying result. I just don’t know how many times you can be the
Bridesmaid before winning?
And surely Alex Palou will factor into the
conversation, while I’d guess you have to say Felix-the-Cat’ (Rosenqvist) is a
Dark Horse pick.
Ok, even though I think it’s gonna be Dixon,
I’ll choose my main man Pato O’ward as the winner of this year’s Indianapolis
500.
(Photo C/O No Fenders Offical’ Photographer Carpets’)
