Although He might wish for something a bit stronger
than that energy drink, ci? (The Tomaso Collection)
And I’m quite certain He’d like a Borg Warner
trophy as one of His presents!
For those of you following the gossip columns,
today marks Patricio O’Ward Junco’s 27th Birthday. While I’ve got zero clue how
Pato’s celebrating today.
Arse-sumedly all of the IndyCar drivers busses,
Err motor coaches are parked at Mother Speedway. So perhaps Pato will be
searchin’ for a tenderloin sandwich or some fried chicken to share with Alex
Palou, Ole!
INDY
500: Searchin’ Far and Wide
Meanwhile, like typical. Thinking of my Numero
Uno IndyCar driver’s nationality, I wondered who was the last Mexicali IndyCar
Pilote before Him to race at Mother Speedway?
Think it was Michel Jourdain Jr, who last raced
in the 2012 Indianapolis 500. Before failing to qualify the next year, when
Bump Day saw ten cars vying for the final nine grid spots.
Ironically, Katherine Legge sat on the Bubble,
driving for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports. While Jourdain’s Rahal Letterman
Lanigan Racing (RLLR) “Steed” just wouldn’t Giddy-Up! As RLLR took several
swings to get the Dallara-Honda entry to run fast, but no dice! Before the team
finally gave up at 5:45PM with Jourdain never having made a qualifying attempt.
Fast forwarding to today, there’s currently two aspiring Indy NXT drivers
hoping to join Pato in IndyCar.
Ricardo Escotto, age 21 is in His third season.
Having driven for Juncos Hollinger Racing (JHR) in 2024 for five races. Then
joining Andretti Cape NXT for the season’s first nine races, before leaving the
team.
For 2026, Escotto as returned to JHR, and
presumably plans on completing His first full season Indy NXT campaign.
Salvador de Alba Jr, age 26 is racing for HVM
Motorsports in His third Indy NXT season.
De Alba spent His rookie season in 2024
competing for Andretti Cape NXT, finishing fifth in the championship.
Last year, Salvador graduated to Andretti
Global, where He played “third fiddle”. Being overshadowed by Dennis Hauger and
Lochie Hughes, albeit the entire grid was overshadowed by eventual champion
Hauger. While Hughes finished third overall.
Nevertheless, de Alba scored His maiden Indy
NXT win with an emphatic triumph on the Milwaukee Mile! Followed by being a
disappointed runner-up at Nashville’s season finale. Once again finishing fifth
overall.
And now, having just learned of the totally
unknown rookie Alejandro Bobavilla, competing in this years Formula Regional
Americas championship for powerhouse Crosslink Motorsports.
Whilst you can read my elongated, previous No
Fenders tome about our Southern “Brothers” and Mexico’s involvement in Open
Wheel Racing below.
On
The Border - Mexicali Racing Talents
Happy Birthday Pato!