Pato O’Ward celebrates another Year

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! 

A Few, Random Holiday Gift Ideas

But You’d better send Santa your list Priority Mail!

 

This is just a thought for those who may be trying to think of what to come up with for those interested in Motor Racing this fast approaching Christmas. As Thars’ currently three new Books I’d love to be able to read! But being a Blind Motor Racing Enthusiast, naturally I’m unable to read them, Sigh…

 

In No particular order, I’ll list them in how I’d tackle ‘em, but it’s just my personal preference. on Pole position or P1’, first I’d start with the just released ‘lil Al tome. Having once been a Fan of Al Unser Jr’s when for Mwah you were either a ‘lil Al )Unser) or Mikey A’ (Andretti) Fan during our yearly treks to Portland International Raceway during the 1990’s, when CART (Championship Auto Racing Teams) was at it’s Zenith!

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2009/06/portlands-centennial.html

 

I Always Rooted for ‘lil Al as an Underdog at Galles Racing thru his Dominating 1994 Penske campaign, before I felt He’d Smoked one too many Marlboros and seemed to drive off a Cliff figuratively. For which this book candidly deals with his reoccurring Alcohol Abuse and his other Misdeeds…

 

Al Unser Jr: A checkered Past

 

Next, since I actually Grew Up and wintnessed first hand the devastation of what forever will simply be known as The Split! Although being a Twisties’ Devotee and Portland International Raceway being my Hometrack, I was fiercely entrenched on the CART side of the Open Wheel Racing Divide. And naturally, the man I took to calling ‘lil Napoleon’, Ronnie George or just plain TG’, Tony George was the Enemy and his IRL was known to Mwah as the Indy Retirement League! But Hey, who’s still taking sides, Eh?

 

Thus I’d like to think that noted Journalist John Oreovicz’s Indy Split book would give me a wider perspective of both sides of this Stupid Destruction of Open Wheel Racing in America!

 

Especially since after a Quarter of a Century following TG’ announcing his intention to create the IRL in 1994. He’d go Full circle and Sell the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IndyCar Series and IMS Productions to his past Arch Nemesis El Capitano’, nee Roger Penske, one of the Architects of the rival Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) IndyCar series…

 

Indy Split by John Oreovicz

 

And taking the final Podium step is Paul Page’s book, who’s title is pretty self explanatory. As how could you not be interested in what the MC, Err Referee of the On Screen Smackdown of Uncle Bobby’ (Unser) Beating Up on the loquisious Sam Posey during ABC’s IndyCar TV coverage would have to say!

 

Hello, I’m Paul Page, It’s Race Day in Indianapolis

 

And like others who’ve already applauded Racer’s Marshall Pruett for asking those purchasing Motor Racing Gifts to do so from their local Memorabilia “Bricks “N Mortar” Stores. Noting how Amazon Won’t miss your business! Or eBay or Wallmart, etc.

 

Marshall recently posted a list of Independent Book and Memorabilia Stores you may wish to consider giving your Business in the November 24^th edition of The Racer Mailbag, which is just below the picture of The Great Santini’, aka Santino Ferrucci in the link below.

 

While Marshall also points out how ‘Ol R’, aka Robin Miller the Curmudgeon ‘O Indy Cars was also fond of the offerings of Race Maker Press, Octane Press and Coastal 181.

 

https://racer.com/2021/11/24/the-racer-mailbag-november-24/4/

 

Also, although I traditionally Roll Out Ye Barrell, Err link to this previous No Fenders post during the Turkey Lurkey Holiday week, Y’all may wish to give a try of some Past and Present Racers various Vinos. Whilst No idea if Ye Mayor’s Hinchtown Hammer Down  Beer is still available?

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2015/11/speedy-vintners-2015-vintage.html 

Two Thumbs Up for Sir Lewis, Rossi Races Baja and The Doctor Hangs Up his Helmet

As one Rossi Plays In the Dirt while another Puts Away his Riding implements…

 

Just a few leftovers from Ye Turkey Lurkey Festimuss…

 

No, I’m Not giving Sir Lewis Hamilton 2 Thumbs Up for his recent Shenanigans, Err victories at Sao Paolo and Qatar. Nope instead I’m just thoroughly Stoke’ over his decision to wear a custom “Crash Bucket” prominently displaying the Rainbow Flag Pride coloursin support of the LBGTQ+ community against Qatar and Saudi Arabia’s Abhorrent Behaviour and “Beliefs” towards the Gay Community and those who are Different…

 

As Hamilton’s support of the LGBTQ+ Community with his striking Helmet design, which he says He’ll continue wearing at Jeda; as C’mon Lewis, Don’t give Abu Dhabi a Free pass!

 

As Hamilton’s show of support follows Sebastian Vettel’s Bold statement in Hungary, where he was reprimanded by the FIA Stewards for not covering up his personal T-Shirt with the words Saying Love in predominant Rainbow Pride colours in response to Hungary’s Dastardly Anti-LGBTQ+ Government policies!

 

Meanwhile, and I had Zero Clue he was once again contesting the Ba-Jah’ 1000. IndyCar driver Alexander Rossi was part of the winning Class 7 Honda Ridgeline Pickup Truck’s crew in his third attempt. As Rossi joins the likes of ‘Ol Rufus Parnelli Jones as Indianapolis 500 winners to win the Baja 1000.

 

Although I believe that Parnelli’s the only Indy 500 winner to have ever won the prestigious Baja 1000 Overall not once, but twice consecutively between 1971-1972 with Co-Driver Bill Stroppe in a Ford Bronco.

 

And I recall what Jones called “Big Oly!” Quite well as a Wee lad being a shiny Gold Bronco with cutout side Doors and monstrous Sprint Car style “roof” Wing adorned with it’s sponsor Oly’ emblazoned upon it’s sides Endplates.

 

As that was the only Beer my Grandfather drank and I tend to recall him giving me many Oly powered stickers promoting the local Warshington’ Olympia Beer brand from Tumwater, WA.

 

Having just learned that the highly modified 1969 Big Oly’ Ford Bronco with a “tuned” Thunderin’ 351cid Ford V-8 recently sold at Auction for $1.7 million! Or a total of $1.87m with All Buyers Fees and Commissions included, Aye Karumba!

 

https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1132373_parnelli-jones-baja-raced-big-oly-ford-bronco-sold-for-1-87m

 

Arse-sumedly everybody already knows about The Doctor’, nee Valentino Rossi finally calling Time on his illustrious MotoGP career at season’s end, following an imperious two plus decades of throwing his legs over the saddle of the Baddest Road Racing Motorcycles! Beginning with his “big Bikes” 500cc debut at the 2000 South African Motorcycle Grand Prix (March 19^th) on the Honda NSR500  Grand Prix machine before the series was rebranded MotoGP in 2002.

 

Prior to this year’s Season Finale at Valencia, Spain, Rossi had made 371 Starts in the premiere  MotoGP class. Scored an Amazing 89 wins, 199 Podiums and 55 Pole Positions during his unheard of 21 year MotoGP career!

 

As it was the Italian’s 432^nd Overall Motorcycle Start, i.e.; 125CC, 250, 500 and MotoGP combined. With The Doctor having claimed a staggering Nine Championships total over a 25 year career beginning with his Debutante 125cc campaign in 1996. As Rossi won the 125cc Championship in 1997 before spending two years in 250cc’s, where he won the 250cc crown in 1999 before graduating to the satellite Honda Nastro Azzurro Squad aboard a Hondre’ NSR500 “Scooter” for the new millennium.

 

Valentino won the first of five straight titles beginning in 2001, not only as the very last 500cc World Champion, but also the latest Satellite Team winner. With his first three Championships on Hondas before switching to Yamaha for the 2004 season. And Rossi lost the ’06 MotoGP title to the late Nicky Hayden, aka The Kentucky Kid when crashing out in the season finale. Rossi claimed his final two MotoGP World Championships in 2008-09 along with three more Runner-up finishes between 2014-16, also on Yamahoppers’ after returning from a dreadful two year stint at Ducati. Wit The Doctor’s final MotoGP victory coming at the 2017 AssenTT circuit…