Everybody loves Alex, except Zak. But Cheep’ loves
winners better! (The Tomaso Collection)
As who will Santa be Awarding “Gifts” to this year?
Whilst pretty sure I know who’s getting a lump ‘O coal! (Zakery)
Once again, I’m finishing 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 Jotted down after somewhat quick
deliberation.
Whilst Y’all can
compare ‘n contrast this year’s choices with my Elongated 2024 Selections in
the following link.
The
2024 IndyCar Golden Tailpipe Awards edition
WINNERS
2025 IndyCar Champion: Alex Palou, Spain
2025 Indy 500: Alex Palou; Chip Ganassi Racing
2025 Rookie Of the Year: Louis foster, UK
CATEGORIES
1. Driver of The Year
Winner: Alex Palou
Yeah, this one seems obvious, even though I
typically try thinking outside the box. Yet “vice Champion” Pato O’Ward
finished 196 points behind, and with six less victories!
As let that sink in Uno Momento. Alex Palou’s
margin of victory was ten points shy of four “Clean Sweep” race weekends, i.e.;
Pole, ONE lap LED, Most laps led and the Win. (54 points maximum) Or four
points shy of a four race wins lead!
As we All know that Alex truly had a magical
season, with 8 wins, 6 poles, 14 Top-5’s and 15 Top-10 finishes, enroute to
crushing the competition.
And for the cherry on top, Palou won His first
ever Oval race at none other than the Indianapolis 500, Bravo!
Other
Choices
Pato O’Ward, Kyle Kirkwood, and I suppose Scott
Dixon?
2. Biggest Disappointments of The Year
For Mwah, this one’s simple. As the two biggest
disappointments are Roger Penske’s Dismissal of will Power, and Zak Brown’s
refusal to settle out of court vs. Alex Palou.
We all know that Power was Penske’s best
finishing driver the past two seasons, not to mention all of His other
glittering stats.
As how do you replace a Two-times IndyCar
Champion, Indianapolis 500 winner. The All-time career Pole winner, (71) and
fourth All-time career wins (45) with David Malukus?
As no disrespect to Chicago Davey’, having been
a Fan of His since entering Indy Cars, But! The Kid’s only raced four seasons
with a total of 44 starts. Zero pole positions or wins and three podiums.
Although He did finish a career best 11th
overall driving for A.J. Foyt Enterprises last year…
Yet how does one replace the legendous’ Will
Power? While Shame on Roger for treating Him like a commodity on a ledger sheet
and deciding it’s past it’s best used by date, which He also did with Helio
Castroneves…
An
Inglorious end to a Glorious Partnership
Yet even worse, is Zak Brown’s insistence upon
ruining Alex Palou for life! Claiming the Four-times IndyCar Series Champion
and reigning Indy 500 winner owes Him an eye watering $19.5m, as in millions
for alleged “Damages” over Palou rescinding His desires to drive for Zak!
As I cannot confirm this, or heard it anywhere
else. But I believe I heard Marshall Pruett say on His Podcast that at one
point Zak was willing to settle for just a few million dollars…
The
“long and expensive” McLaren v Palou war comes to a Conclusion
3. Race of The Year
Oval Track Winner: Milwaukee
Like most choices here, this was simply a
process of elimination. As I’d have to say that Gateway ranked towards getting
the nod, but ultimately fell short due to the fact that Milwaukee featured our
latest debutante IndyCar winner, that being Christian Rasmussen.
Not to mention that Rasmussen and Ed Carpenter
Racing (ECR) boldly chose to pit on the final caution to bolt on fresh
Firestones and storm to the lead from I believe being P19, or was it 9th?
Audaciously passing none other than Alex Palou for the victory!
Sugarplums,
Rainbows and Splenda Sweetness abound at Milwaukee
Twisties' Track Winner: Portland
This probably was the hardest choice for Mwah,
since the season finishes so long ago! But giving my Home-track the nod. Since
Thar was actually passing at Portland, with Pato O’Ward starting on pole due to
pole winner Christian Lundgaard serving a six grid place drop for an unapproved
engine change.
While Lundgaard and Palou had a mighty scrap
over second place, while Will Power returned to the top step of the podium a
year later after His last win at Portland. As DJ WillyP’ started third, but won
again!
4. Most Improved Team of the Year
Winner: Meyer Shank Racing
Initially considered two other teams for this
honour, i.e.; A.J. Foyt Enterprises and Ed Carpenter Racing. Since both
improved overall. Yet Foyt’s Santino Ferrucci slid down, and even with one win,
ECR’s two drovers were only 13th and 15th.
Yet with MSR’s two drivers finishing inside the
Top 10. With Felix-the-Cat’ (Rosenqvist) sixth, and Marcus Armstrong only 8
points behind in eighth. (372-364) This is “Heady” territory for the Midfield
team. As now they need to win a race to continue their upwards trajectory.
5. Most Disappointing Team of the Year
Winner: Team Penske
Yeah, their three drivers finished P9-10-12 in
the championship, with a paltry two wins. Which naturally you’d expect more
from El Capitano’s eponymous race team.
Yet being caught cheating at Mother Speedway,
the second time in 14 months, ultimately left shock waves at Team Penske. And
then there’s the bungling of Will Power’s dismissal to boot! Which makes this
choice a no brainer.
