When Fairytale endings don’t quite happen…
Cannot say the Long Beach weekend of IndyCar
and IMSA racing was overly exciting. In truth, both races seemed exceedingly
processional. Which perhaps was a biproduct of excessive marbling offline? Or
the propensity of different rubber compounds being applied over the weekend?
Saturday’s Wat If naturally involved thee young
Wicky’, aka Robert Wickens. With that nickname being indelibly ingrained thanks
to who’s going by the handle Jimmy Hinge’ these days…
Everyone knows Robby’s story and life changing
effects from that 2018 Pocono IndyCar incident. Thus how cool was it having
Wickens claim His maiden IMSA pole position after the No. 89 Vasser Sullivan
Racing Lexus RC F racecar was DQ’ed (Disqualified) for exceeding minimum ride
height during post tech inspection.
Wickens not only led the race’s first 25 laps,
but pulled out a healthy lead, in part to minimize the time loss of extracting
Him from the cockpit during their first pitstop some 35+ minutes later. The
minimum drive-time requirement.
It was interesting hearing Davey Hamilton of
IndyCar Radio commenting on how Wickens has to switch hands on His specially
adapted steering wheel hand Controlled Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R at Long
Beach’s famous Hairpin turn. Assuring everyone its not easy! Which I thought
was fascinating coming from another driver who’s been through the adversity of
having some 20-plus foot operations!
And although the crew was ecstatic over their
work of dragging Robby to the pit wall. Unfortunately co-driver Mason Filippi
first ran into trouble with a GTP car. And then got roughed-up by the Turner
Motorsports BMW with Robbie Foley at the wheel! Ultimately finishing sixth in
the GTD class.
Listening to IMSA Radio Saturday afternoon, I
first heard John Hindhaugh mention the rumours of Acura pulling its IMSA GTP
programme at season’s end, Huh? But I’m getting ahead of myself…
Apparently Colin Brown had a massive shunt
during Friday, necessitating the No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing Acura ARX-06B being
completely rebuilt. While the Seester’ No. 93 claimed pole in the hands of Nick
Yelloly.
And although the No. 93 lost the lead once in
traffic, Yellowly and Renger van der Zande were victorious for Acura at their
home race. The team’s first wins since Watkins Glen six hours Enduro’ last June,
by the nO. 60. While the No. 93’s last victory was last year’s street race at
Detroit. And Acura’s first win at Long Beach.
Felix-the-Cat’ (Rosenqvist) said it best
Saturday after capturing His first IndyCar pole in two years, ironically also
at Long Beach. Telling boss Mike Shank to soak it in, it doesn’t get much
better than Y’all know. Isn’t that a beer slogan for somebody? And not Mike
Shank’s favourite Busch lite, but I digress…
Winning the IMSA race from pole, having Green
Day on His No. 60 IndyCar and also being on pole . For which we know the only
blemish to the weekend was that solitary full course caution on lap 58. When
the entire field pitted, and with a slight bobble and worse pit box selection
after leading 51 of 58 laps. “The Surgeon” Alex Palou and His pit crew roared
out ahead of Rosenqvist, Frick! And as IndyCar Radio pit reporter Ryan Marin
said. Say Good Bye! With Palou winning again, Rosenqvist second and Scott Dixon
third. With Honda sweeping the podium Sunday.
Suppose it should have been inevitable? With it
being suggested that MSR will run the Honda Charter entry in 2028, giving them
three cars in IndyCar.
And with Honda, Err Acura winning almost
everything in IMSA recently. And the massive financial loss just incurred.
Acura confirmed the rumour Wednesday, April 22nd they would “pause” their
factory IMSA GTP programme at season’s end.
Interestingly, Honda HRC U.S. boss David Salters
said Acura will beef-up its presence in IndyCar, with Marcus Armstrong’s No. 66
MSR entry now sporting Acura branding. Which previously had Spectrum listed as
its primary sponsor for the 110th Indianapolis 500.
Whilst MSR said it will seek opportunites with
other OEM partners for future IMSA participation, which may occur? I’m also
reminded of Chip Ganassi Racing saying something similar after losing its service
provider contract with Cadillac in IMSA GTP.
Scuttlebutt suggests the two MSR Acura
ARX-06B’s most likely will end up in the Asian Le Mans Series newly created
Hypercar category as true privateer efforts. While I’d forgotten that Sports
Car regulations will “reset” in 2030, which could see an Acura/Honda return to
top flight prototype racing?
Yet obviously, its always sad to have a manufacturer leave motor racing. And so much for celebrating Acura’s 40th birthday over the Long Beach weekend…
