Perhaps when Marco decides to finally hang up
His racing Helmut. He can swap it for a Football Helmut and rum roughshod on
the Gridiron, Hut-Hut Arkansas
Photo c/o No Fenders Offical’ Photographer Carpets’
’Ol Hollywood’s still got it! (The Tomaso
Collection)
Danny Sullivan riding in pickup before the Race
Sunday, waving to the crowd and in His Miller Beer red Fire-suit.
According to Carpets’, Danny’s not a Hulio’
Just for Men type ‘O guy, Hya! But still looks good.
The picture is nearly in the exact spot where
He gathered up his car after the famous spin 40 years ago…
Photo C/O No Fenders Offical’ Photographer CARPETS’
Team Penske March 85C. (The Tomaso Collection)
The original Penske Racing March 85C that Danny
Sullivan drove to victory sits quietly in Gasoline Alley.
Photo C/O No Fenders Offical’ Photographer CARPETS’
No. 51 DCR entry during Qualifying. (The Tomaso
Collection)
Thee “New” No. 51 Dale Coyne Racing Miller High
Life entry of Jacob Abel, during Saturday qualifying at Mother Speedway.
Photo C/O No Fenders Offical’ Photographer CARPETS’
Miller High Life March 85C on display at the Penske
Racing Museum. (The Tomaso Collection)
If only Jacob Abel could have found one of those
missing three miles per hour Sunday…
This riveting No Fenders story is about ‘Ol
Hollywood’, aka Danny Sullivan. Yet Just to put things into perspective.
Reigning IndyCar Champion Alex Palou tied Sullivan’s, Tony Kanaan and Jimmy
Murphy’s career tally of 17 wins at road America on just His 90th start!
As the Spaniard, who’s truly having a magical
season, had 17 wins, 38 podiums and eight poles in 90 starts. While Sullivan
had 17 wins, 40 podiums and 19 poles from 171 starts over 12 years, double
Palou’s “short” career to date.
Danny Sullivan came back upon my radar,
presumably like most for it being the 40th anniversary of that most memorable
Spin ‘n win Indianapolis 500 victory on May 26, 1985; which I still believe is
the first modern day Indy 500 I watched on television.
VIDEO: Danny Sullivan’s 1985
Indianapolis 500
It was fun hearing the old soundbite of IMS
Radio Network’s call of the 1985 Indianapolis 500 during the pre-race build-up Sunday
morning for this year’s race. As Paul Page, who turns 80 this November 25th,
certainly sounds His age today, which obviously is part of the aging process we
All experience…
Funniest bit in Page’s post-race live interview
40yrs ago is Sully’ saying He’d read the scoreboard wrong and thought there
were only 14-laps remaining and it was time to G-O when He spun passing Mario!
Which was actually only lap 140…
Along with Sully’ repeatedly yelling Mamma!
Before Page asked who’s that Danny? That’s my mamma! During the live winner’s
interview in victory lane; then being 35yr old.
Daniel John Sullivan III was born on March 9,
1950 in Louisville, Kentucky, which is also where current IndyCar driver Jacob
Abel hails from.
Sullivan who was a Lumberjack and New York City
Taxi driver before becoming a racing star, cut His racing teeth with a 21st
birthday gift to the Jim Russell Driving School in Jolly ‘Ol England.
Sullivan made His CART PPG IndyCar world Series
debut in 1982 for Forsythe Racing at the Stroh’s 200 at Atlanta Motor Speedway,
and contested two rounds that year, i.e.; Atlanta and Indianapolis.
Driving Forsythe Racing’s No. 33 March 82C
Cosworth, Sullivan finished an impressive third upon debut at Atlanta. Before making
His rookie debut in that year’s Indianapolis 500. With fellow rookies Chet
Fillip, Chip Ganassi, Herm Johnson, Jim Hickman, Roger Mears, Bobby Rahal,
Hector Rebaque and Dale Whittington.
As this was the race where ‘Ol SuperTex’, nee
A.J. Foyt infamously called Kevin Cogan that Damn Coogan! As Danny qualified
13th and finished P14 after crashing in Turn 4 on lap 148.
For 1983, Sullivan drove for the Tyrrell
Formula 1 team at the behest of the team’s primary sponsor Benetton, who wanted
an American driver in F1. As Sullivan’s highlight would be finishing fifth in
Monaco before being let go at season’s end.
Returning Stateside, Danny joined Doug
Shierson’s race team and promptly won three races during the 1984 IndyCar
season. Including His debutante win at Cleveland’s Burke Lakefront racetrack.
Followed by wins at Pocono, ironically the team’s primary sponsor’s Domino’s
Pizza 500. And the Molson Indy 300 at the Sanair Super Speedway in Quebec,
where future Penske teammate Ric Mears had a nasty crash that year!
Having finished fourth overall in the ’84
IndyCar Championship with five podiums, Sully’ moved to Penske Racing,
alongside teammates :Rocket” Rick Mears and Big al’, ergo Al Unser Sr.
As how many of us remember that Pancho Carter
won the 1985 Indianapolis 500 pole? Or that Mario Andretti started fourth and
Sullivan started eighth…
The zenith of Sully’s racing career came in
1988 when driving that beautiful gold Miller Beer car, nee Miller High Life for
Team Penske. Winning four races that season, including Portland. Amassing eleven
podiums and nine pole positions enroute to winning the CARTPPG IndyCar World
championship.
Whilst Danny would drive for El Capitano’, nee
Roger Penske until the end of 1990. Capping His Penske career by winning His
final race at Laguna Seca,after leading wire-to-wire from pole.
Next, Sullivan spent one forgettable season at
Patrick Racing with its recalcitrant Alfa Romeo project. Then two fraught years
with His final two IndyCar wins as ‘lil Al’s (Unser Jr) Galles Draco teammate,
and then a subpar partial season for local PacWest Racing in ’95 before
retiring from Open wheel Racing after a major shunt during the Michigan 500.
Having regaled
Y’all a decade ago with more esoteric ramblings upon ‘Ol Hollysood’ in the
following No fenders tome…
Sullivan also tried His hand at Touring Cars
races for Alfa Romeo and NASCAR. Along with making a total of four 24 Hours of
Le Mans starts. With His best finish being third in the 1994 24 Heurs du Mans
with Hans-Joachim Stuck and Thierry Boutsen, driving the Dauer 962 Le Mans
entry.
Meanwhile, back when I could still “See”, I
recall that the Team Penske Miller High Life March 85C was the only Indy 500
winner on display with a “Duckbill” nose, which I interpreted as being a road
course nose. Since every other Indianapolis 500 winner on display at the Penske
Racing Museum had needle nose’s. For which I’ve got no idea what shows up in
the picture above?
Whilst I was disappointed that the legendous’
Spin ‘n Win car wasn’t on display at the Penske Racing Museum this March. For
which it apparently showed up in Gasoline alley in May. Along with the man
Himself, now 75 years old taking a celebratory lap of honour Sunday morning.
Which I suppose makes it even more disappointing that Jacob Abel wasn’t able to qualify His Dale Coyne Racing’s Dallara DW12 Honda replete in Miller High Life livery for this year’s 109th running of that ‘lil Oval race held now each Memorial Day weekend…
Long ago photo of the No. 33 Alfa Romeo Tipo 308 on
display in the Indianapolis Hall of Fame museum. (The Tomaso Collection)
When Alfa Romeo raced on Both Sides of the Pond…
No idea why this story got so waylaid here upon
thoust Gory Isle ‘O Nofendersville, other than time simply flies bye-bye!
Having long ago read an interesting Blog post
about an Alfa Romeo Tipo 308 that had raced in the Pikes Peak Hill Climb. So
many years ago now, that the story’s link has been “Dead” for years!
Back in the good ‘Ol days when it was still a
dirt road, and it was the Unser’s playground, before ‘Ol Uncle bobby became the
ultimate King of The Mountain! When His uncle Louis (Unser) was trading blows
for victory with Al Rogers. As ironically Louis Unser won twice aboard an
Maserati 8CTF, but that’s a story for another day…
As here’s a link
about Pikes Peak history Y’all may enjoy…
Yet some of Y’all may be way ahead of me,
knowing the car I’m referring to, Eh?
History denotes that a scant total of four Alfa
Romeo Tipo 308’s, also known as Alfa Romeo 8C-308’s were built. Having been
designed by famed engineer Gioacchino Columbo, who’d go onto fame at Scuderia
Ferrari.
These racecars were built for the three litre
Grand Prix category and campaigned by Enzo Ferrari, then running Alfa Corse,
Alfa’s factory racing department. With the likes of Tazio Nuvolari and other
legendary Alfa Corse drivers.
Although the Tipo 308 wasn’t overly successful
in what then was the European Grand Prix series. With Alfa Romeo going up
against the likes of the dominant Auto Union and Mercedes Grands Prix teams.
Yet Raymond Sommer driving for Alfa Corse did
win a pair of Hill Climb events at La Tubrie in 1938-39 behind the wheel of an
Tipo 308 with its 2991cc Straight-8 cylinder Roots supercharger engine.
I suppose the part that always inspires me
about this era of racing cars is their amazing longevity, since the Tipo 308
would race for some twelve-plus years. Hmm, sort of like today’s Dallara DW12,
Oh Never Mind!
With war brewing in Europe, and soon to engulf
the globe, i.e.; World War II. Sommer enlisted in the French Army in early
1940, and the Tipo 308 was sold to two wealthy American’s Richard Wharton and
Thomas Dewart.
The duo hoped of reuniting Nuvolari with the
Alfa for that year’s Indianapolis 500, but later hired Clarence Chester “Chet”
Miller as the Alfa Romeo’s race driver. Miller qualified the Tipo 308 27th,
with a speed of 121.392mph.
Unfortunately, Miller handed off to relief
driver Henry Banks on lap 148, just before the race ran under caution the rest
of the way due to rain. As the car would be classified P17, with 189 laps
completed.
The car wasn’t entered in the 1941 Indianapolis
500, the last before the United States entered World War II, and was eventually
sold to Milt Marion. Before racing resumed at the Speedway in 1946 with pre war
machinery, including the Alfa.
For 1946, Louis Durant; no relation to William
Crapo Durant, founder of General Motors and Chevrolet. As Durant’s birth name
was Durant Oscar Lewis whom drove under the nom de plume Louis Durant. Qualifying
the No. 33 Alfa an impressive sixth, albeit with a slower speed of 118.973mph
vs. Miller’s 121-plus qualification six years earlier.
Durant ran a slow but steady race, being the
final finisher to complete all 200 laps also in sixth place. Before the car’s
future owner gained notoriety for being involved in the ASPAr (American Society
of Professional Auto Racers) “Affair.” When drivers were demanding a larger
slice of the pie, Err larger purse and Arse-sumedly larger payout. Sondd
familiar? Can Y’all say NASCAR and the ensuing Anti-trust lawsuit currently
playing out…
Durant who’d aligned Himself with the ASPAR
crowd, saw Indianapolis rookie Walt Brown assigned to drive the #33 Alfa for
1947. With Brown qualifying with a speed of 118.355mph and finishing seventh.
With only fellow rookie Bill Holland’s second place finish besting the
impressive rookie.
Although Marion entered the car for the 1948
Indianapolis 500, apparently there were no takers, before a deal was struck to
sell the Alfa Romeo to Johnny Mauro, who’d caused quite a kerfuffle during 1947
with His controversial entry form involving the aforementioned ASPAR affair,
before ultimately failing to qualify for that year’s race.
For 1948, Mauro qualified P27 with a speed of
121.790mph. And then drove the trusty #33 Alfa Romeo racecar to its third
consecutive top ten finish, crossing the finish line in ninth place. With Louis
Durant driving as relief driver for 19 laps. Mauro was then elevated to eighth
place the following day, after officials reviewed the scoring tape.
That year, Mauro from Denver, Colorado drove
the Tipo 308 in the Pikes Peak Hill climb. Finishing third with a time of 16
minutes, 55 seconds. When the International Hill climb was part of the AAA Championship.
With Mauro’s accomplishment celebrated in a nationwide Mobil 1 newspaper
advertisement.
Although Mauro entered the Alfa for the 1949
Indianapolis 500, He never attempted to qualify it Himself. Yet Tony
Bettenhausen tried bumping His way back into the field with the Alfa, the
eleven year old chassis simply wasn’t quick enough, with Bettenhausen failing
to make the Show.
Reportedly Mauro qualified the Alfa Romeo
fourth in 1949, for the annual Labour Day Pikes Peak Hill climb event. But two
women with cameras wandered out on-track, causing Mauro to have to swerve to
avoid hitting them. Instead, crashing into a parked car!
Mauro brought the Alfa to Mother Speedway one
final time in 1950, but technology had passed the twelve year old Tipo 308,
with the car once again failing to qualify. Ending the car’s competition days,
before ultimately being donated to the Indianapolis Hall of Fame museum, where
it still resides today…
Information shamelessly pilfered from Kevin Triplett’s Racing History Alfa Romeo 308 story.
Blue Crown Spark Plug Special racecar. (Image
source: Bing.com)
As that’s definitely not a “Shaken, not Stirred” intended pun. Get it?
Like much past history I try delving into here
upon No Fenders. Even after having finished my monstrous six part Blue Crown
Spark Plug Saga Wayback in Gory 2009. The year of my debutante Indianapolis 500
race, where some pesky Brazilian was making His own history following a tax
trial, I still feel like I know only the rudimentary facts about Lou Moore…
Lewis Henry Moore was born on September 12,
1904 in Hinton, Oklahoma, before His family migrated to California. Reportedly
at age 16, He became a mechanic and started building and racing cars, having
bought an old Ford Model T.
Moore made His rookie debut at the Indianapolis
Motor Speedway in 1928, qualifying eighth and finishing runner-up behind Louis
Meyer for that year’s 16th running of the Indianapolis 500.
Moore’s crowning accomplishment as a driver was
winning the 1932 Indianapolis 500 pole. Along with His second place finish, He
scored a brace of third place finishes between 1933-34.
Interestingly, Moore also competed in the 1934
Tripoli Grand Prix, held on May 6th that year. With this Formula Libre event
being won by the great Achille Varzi aboard an Alfa Romeo Tipo-b P3. With Moore
finishing seventh in a Miller 3.0-litre racecar.
Yet Moore is best known for his racing exploits
as a team owner, beginning in 1937, after having retired from driving the year
prior.
More entered one car for Mauri Rose in 1937,
which finished 18th, retiring with an oil line failure.
The following year, His entry for driver Floyd
Roberts won the first of His eventual five victories as a car owner. Yet sadly,
Roberts was killed in the 1939 Indy 500 aboard the same car.
Mauri Rose drove once again for Moore,
finishing third in the 1940 race at the Brickyard. Following the race, Lucy
O’Reilly Shell sold Her two Ecurie O’Reilly Maserati 8CTF’s to Lou Moore.
For 1941, Moore entered an unprecedented four
racecars at the Speedway, with the two Elgin Piston Pin Maserati’s driven by
Rose and Duke Nalon. While a further two Wetteroth Offy’s (Offenhauser) were
entered as the Noc-Out Hose Clamp Specials for Floyd Davis and Cliff Bergere.
Rose would start from pole aboard His No. 3
Maserati, before retiring on lap-60 due to spark plug issues. Moore then
inserted Mauri into the hapless Floyd Davis’s No. 16 Wetteroth Offenhauser
entry and the rest was history, with Rose winning the race, while Davis was
nowhere to be found afterwards…
For 1946, Moore didn’t enter any racecars and moonlighted
as Cliff Bergere’s chief mechanic. Interestingly, this was the ex-Floyd Roberts
1938 winning Champ Car, and Bergere claimed His one and only Indy 500 pole
aboard it that year, before finishing an unheralded P16. As the Noc-Out Clamp
racecar ironically was listed as Out of Oil…
The year’s 1947-49 cemented Moore’s legacy as a
winning team owner, when His Blue Crown Spark Plug front wheel drive Diedt
Offenhauser “Specials” won the race an unprecedented three years in-a-row.
The 1947 race saw “the thrill of Victory, and
Agony of defeat”. As rookie Bill Holland led a dominant 143-laps and was
leading when confused by Lou Moore hanging out an EZ sign for both drivers.
And while Holland was cruising to victory at
reduced speed, He simply waved to teammate Mauri rose, who He thought was
unlapping Himself on lap-193. With Rose going onto claim His second
Indianapolis 500 victory, to Holland’s disbelief!
Rose won again in 1948, leading another 1-2
Blue Crown Spark Plug sweep. And then in ’49, Holland was circumspect when the
EZ sign came out once again while leading. As Rose was disobeying team orders
again, yet this time His magneto packed-up with eight laps remaining and
Holland finally won at Mother Speedway. And Moore fired Rose immediately
following the race.
Thus Moore not only had won five Indianapolis
500 race’s, but became the first ever team owner to win three consecutive
events. A feat that has only been accomplished once more by Team Penske between
2001-03.
Meanwhile, Moore’s legacy as the winningest
Indy 500 team owner stood for 38 years until El Capitano’, nee Roger Penske won
His sixth Borg Warner trophy in 1987. While we all know that Roger and Team
Penske have gone onto win a staggering total of 20 Indianapolis 500’s between
1972 and 2025.
To read my very
long, detailed Mega six parts Blue Crown Spark Plug Specials Saga, with
pictures provided by Dean Jackson. Whose father Purvis was the proprietor of
Blue Crown Spark Plugs, please visit the following No Fenders link below.
http://www.nofenders.net/2012/05/blue-crown-spark-plug-specials-saga.html
Aftermath
Lou Moore died at the age of 51 on March 25,
1956. Complaining of a headache, Moore was rushed to hospital where He died of
a brain hemorrhage, according to the Indianapolis Star.
Ironically, I just listened to Marshall
Pruett’s podcast with Ed Justice Jr, who dryly noted that Lou Moore was
considered the “Roger Penske” of His day, but wasn’t Roger!
Chip Ganassi, who just won His sixth Indianapolis 500 as a team owner, took 66 years to surpass the great Lou Moore’s accomplishment! While Andretti Global remains tied with Moore for five wins apiece…
2023 Shell V-Power Nitro+ IndyCar. (The Tomaso Collection)
Front view of Josef Newgarden’s 2023 Team Penske
Indianapolis 500 winner, replete with de riggour Aeroscreen.
(Photo C/O No Fenders Blogmeister Miguel)
Side view of Shell V-Power Nitro+ Dallara DW12
Chevrolet. (The Tomaso Collection)
Here’s Josef Schlick’ Newgarden’s 2023 Team Penske
chassis, winner of the 107th Indianapolis 500 on display in Scottsdale.
(Photo C/O No Fenders Blogmeister Miguel)
Menards 2019 Dallara DW12 Chevrolet. (The Tomaso
Collection)
Front view of Simon Pagenaud’s 2019 Menards Team
Penske IndyCar. Winner of the 103rd Indianapolis 500.
(Photo C/O No Fenders Blogmeister Miguel)
Side view of Menards 2019 Indianapolis 500 winner. (The
Tomaso Collection)
Here’s Simon Pagenaud’s bright, neon green Menards
2019 Indianapolis 500 winner on display in Scottsdale. As Symone’, nee
Pageantry’ (Simon Pagenaud) gave John Menard His debutante Indy 500 winners
ring, after forty years of frustration!
Long ago Bruce Martin story on John Menard’s path
to finally claiming victory in the Indianapolis 500.
https://www.indycar.com/News/2019/05/05-29-BMartin-John-Menard
(Photo C/O No Fenders Blogmeister Miguel)
Y’all know what’s Ah-comin’ Righto? Can You Hear Me
Now Racer and IndyCar Radio Network?
In what seems to be a fitting nod to the now
concluded “Month of May”, why would I have expected anything less?
On Monday, May 12th, Y’all may be aware of Racer
launching it’s “New & Improved” website, which for Mwah, now no longer
adequately works! As why would you do this two weeks before the biggest IndyCar
race of the year, and the day before Indianapolis 500 practice began?
Being a Blind Motorsports Fan and having “read:
Racer.com for the past dozen-plus years, which I rely on for my daily racing
news. I utilize Zoomtext Fusion 2025 screen reading software to read the
internet and All things electronic, i.e.; email, word, etc.
Thus, I’m
guessing whatever you’ve done in the coding of your new website isn’t
compatible with my screen reader. As it now says button when I “click” on the
IndyCar section, (for example) which never happened before.
And then after I have to play jump with whatever
comes up next, needing to tab to get past whatever it is? All of the subject
titles simply say Article page. And below that says Authors profile page for
the entire current page, Huh?
The same issue occurs when I select the F1, IMSA,
etc. “button”, meaning I have zero idea what Any of the articles on the entire
website are about? And I really do not wish to spend my time playing guess what
this mystery article is?
If this information is now a graphic? Then my
screen reader would be unable to read it, for which I don’t think this should
be done. And I have the exact same issues in either Microsoft Edge or
Firefox/Mozilla web browsers, which once again makes me think it’s a coding
issue.
Guessing I’m the only person having this issue? As
all I know is that Racer’s previous website worked perfectly and “interfaced”
with my screen reader. As something’s obviously happened! Since this is the
only website on Ye Intrawoods I have this issue with, Urgh!
Then there’s the whole month’s issues of
IndyCar Radio and IndyCar Radio Network’s pathetic sound quality, which I tired
of quickly and didn’t bother venting my frustrations previously, since after
all, it’s the world’s greatest racetrack. Uhm what is it? Speak Up sonny! Did
Yuhs say something about a Firetruck?
The horrible sound quality issues began with
the IndyCar tune-up race on the road course during Mothers Day weekend. As not
only was the “Stereo” sounds quality strange, like inside of a tin can. You
also could never hear what the pit reporters were saying when talking to a
driver. But you could hear them talking over the intercom completely, i.e.; Rob
Blackman saying I’ll go talk to Ferrucci, etc. Not to mention the Booth Boys
cracking jokes during the commercial breaks, with Nicky Salt’ Yeoman enjoying
Davey Hamilton’s One-liner…
This same, pathetic and annoying turn up, down
rinse, lather, repeat volume issue persisted throughout Indianapolis 500
practice, whenever I did try bothering to tune-in. Although thankfully I was
busy the first two-plus days. And then I just turned off IndyCar Radio during
Fast Friday since this was so G-Damn Annoying! As you’d think they’d have been
able to fix this by Fast Friday, El Correctomundo?
Huh, what did you say Alex Wolff? Oh, what’s
that Firetruck doing in Gasoline Alley? You did say Firetruck, Eh?
Resorted to my old “trick” of listening to Indy
500 Qualifying upon The Fan’s 1070AM Tune In weblink, which was much better.
But hey, if you thought FOX had too many Adverts’, (commercials) then Y’all
better not listen to IndyCar via The Fan!
Also do not understand why The Fan needs to
drop the IndyCar Radio Network coverage for three hours during the middle of
Indy 500 qualifying? Since they just put on some B-Team instead, so I jumped
back to Indycar.com’s strangled radio webcast instead before simply completely tuning
out until 1PM Pacific when Mark Gravelly’ James and Zach Veach returned to the
Airwaves…
Sunday’s final qualifying day’s coverage was
much better on The Fan, which I only bothered beginning with during the Fast
Twelve Shootout, so naturally was astounded over ScottyMac’, aka Scott
McLauglin destroying His primary Yellow Submarine Speedway car during morning
practice, Youza! Before the unbelievable Team Penske Attenuator Shenanigans…
Naturally, I thought the sound issue qualities
would have been ironed out by Race Day, Stee-rike! Since just like the race
itself unfolding into two parts. The radio broadcast sound issues persisted
thru the entire first half of the race, as I repeatedly jumped back ‘n forth
between IndyCar Radio and 1070AM The Fan with barely any improvement between
either site, Groan! As I even tried tuning into IndyCar Radio Network’s newest
member’s station KALL, in Salt Lake City Utah to no avail!
As
it’s Uber annoying that Mark James never, ever mentions any West Coast radio
stations, with the exception of Hawaii having been mentioned in the past.
Whilst I couldn’t find a listing of IndyCar Radio Network affiliates…
So I just spent nearly the first half of the
race constantly scooting up closer to my Confuzers Bitchin’ Soundbar speakers,
along with jacking up and then back down after the turn announcers were yelling
over the race cars sound modulation, Sigh!
And then just like the race “settled” down,
suddenly The Fan’s sound quality improved immeasurably and I was able to listen
the rest of the way without constantly adjusting the volume. With my only
complaint being after the litany of Commercials run Ad Nauseum, Seriously? You
had to go to another Freakin’ commercial break with twelve laps remaining, and
not returning to the race until only eight laps to go, WTF!
Yeah, being Blind, I’m definitely a Card
carrying member of les Miserables, Hya!
Now, stay tuned for the G-r-R-Reatest Spectacle in, Oh Never Mind…
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’)
Santino Ferrucci hard at work on His Motorcoach
putting up rain awnings. (The Tomaso Collection)
This picture was presumably taken 48 Hours
before thee Great Santini learned from His Boss Larry that apparently Team
Penske wasn’t sharing everything in their technical alliance. Since the Foyt
team didn’t know about their latest trick “Aero” treatment!
Photo C/O No Fenders Offical’ Photographer CARPETS’
But for All the Wrong reasons!
So it’s the day before the Mack Daddy 109th
running of the Indianapolis 500, and I just have to say that this year’s race
has a bad taste in the mouth for Mwah…
After learning late Monday evening of Team
Penske’s additional penalties handed out by J. Douglas Boles, all I could say
was Horseshit! Wondering to thyself do I totally ignore Team Penske being
caught cheating again, or do I try scribbling something constructive here upon
No Fenders? Skipping the F-bombs’ laden initial response I had when learning
about this…
Everyone knows about Penske’s No. 2 Josef
Newgarden and No. 12 Will Power’s entries being sent to the last row, now
starting P32-33 based upon Saturday’s qualifying speed. And that they’ve been
given the final two pit selections, forfeited their qualifying points and
handed a $100,000 fine per car. Along with Team Penske top two IndyCar
lieutenant’s Tim Cindric and Ron Ruzewski being banned from taking further part
in this year’s Indianapolis 500; for the second straight year, Boo-Hoo-Hoo!
I understand Boles decision of keeping the
fastest 33 cars in the field, but I also believe what Pato O’Ward said.
Claiming that the cars were in their altered configuration on Saturday, for
which we’ll never truly know…
But I say that IndyCar’s penalty wasn’t harsh
enough. As the only message that can truly be sent about altering a safety
component on a racecar, however slight is simply for immediate Disqualification.
End of Story!
As the IndyCar statement claims that the Attenuator’s
seams were filled in order to gain an aerodynamic advantage, which regardless
of whom you believe, is just another of the countless examples of Penske
seeking it’s legendous “Unfair Advantage!”
My “gut” feeling is that as long as Roger
Penske holds the keys to everything. Sadly, there will forever be a dark cloud
overhead IndyCar! Which I really don’t know the solution to, but I’d say it’s
quite the conundrum.
Since once again one of the little teams is
taking it in the shorts financially, whilst the Big Dawgs’ keep rollin’ on! As
how much did Dale Coyne just lose out upon?
As the spotlight should have been solely
focused upon the incredible accomplishment of rookie Robert Shwartzman, which
was Freakin’ Amazing! With only five IndyCar races to His (and Prema’s) credit,
He becomes just the third rookie in Indy 500 History to win pole!
The last being Italian Teo Fabi in 1983, the
year Prema was formed. And first rookie team since the “Gasman” Tom Sneva
driving for Mayer Motor Racing in ’84.
Totally Unbelievable!
Yet lie Pato O’Ward said in the IndyStar
article I listened to late Sunday night, following the Fast Twelve Shootout.
The real question is why does Penske feel they need to do such things? As
they’ve got really good drivers, good equipment, so why?
And who will Roger put on Double Secret
Probation this time? Uhm, guess that Doug Boles did that for Him, Eh?
Although I’d like to point out what at least I
heard Boles say during His press conference announcing the harsher penalty. The
Nos. 2 and 12 weren’t disqualified, Team Penske simply elected to withdraw them
on Sunday. As they were allowed to run in the Fast 12 Shootout but most
certainly would be disqualified afterwards for failing post technical
inspection.
While I still do not believe Cindric’s comment
about ScottyMac’s No. 3 car not having a modified attenuator. Unless that means
that Team Penske made the modification between McLaughlin’s practice crash and
Sunday qualifying? Even though reports claim that other teams have photographs
of Penske’s car running with this modification going back to last year, Huh?
As it’s a really Ugly problem! And no matter
how it was handled/not handled? Somebody in the Last Row shootout got screwed!
Especially when it’s the series owner caught cheating at the racetrack He owns!
As congratulations to Robert Shwartzman and
Prema Racing! And may somebody beside Team Penske win this Sunday! Since can
you imagine the scuttlebutt if either the No. 2 or No. 12 wins?
Aftermath
Naturally, the story wasn’t finished. Since a
day after I finished penning this article, Roger Penske dropped a Bombshell
with the firing of Tim Cindric, Rob Ruzewski and Kyle Moyer, His top three
IndyCar lieutenants on Wednesday, May 21st.
This is quite significant, since I like many
believed that Cindric would one day take over control of Team Penske when El
Capitano’, nee Roger Penske had finally taken the chequered flag…
I should also say that I’ve found Doug Boles to
be very pragmatic during this whole ugly situation, and as a lawyer saying He’s
just been working with the facts. As Boles has been decisive and
straightforward in what appropriate punishment He could deal out. Thus I find
myself unexpectedly defending Him, by just saying that He’s only been president
of IndyCar since early February. And as Boles said, the Penske
penalitespenalties are probably Harsher then what was handed out to other team
violations at the Thermal club this past March…
I also know that whilst photographic evidence
of Josef Newgarden’s 2024 Indy 500 winning car sporting the exact same
alterations exist. Boles has noted that He’s been told the Aerodynamic
modification would net 0.0mph gain.
While it’s also somewhat hard to believe that
Roger Penske would wish such negative publicity focused upon Him at the
racetrack He so cherishes, and has spent millions improving to make “Penske
Perfect”. Not to mention the huge stain this puts upon His legendous’ racing
organization. Not to mention All of the people who work so diligently for Him…
Yet I still say that the only acceptable
punishment for modifying a safety component. With the rear attenuator designed
presumably with said seam gap to crumple in a rearwards accident and dissipate
crash energy away from the driver, is for immediate Disqualification of said
racecar!
While it will be very interesting to see how IndyCar moves forward from this massive scandal…