Who’ll win this year’s Indy NXT Championship?

And more importantly, will it matter?

 

Suppose its due to gorging Thyself upon motorsports over the Mid-Ohio weekend. Having listened to both Indy NXT races, IndyCar Qualie and race, along with tuning in for Sunday’s Unlimited Hydroplane Heats and Gold Cup finale on the Ohio river. I’ve simply become waterlogged regarding motor racing!

 

Not to mention casually following the World Cup. Hell even managing to find a few games on FOX Sports radio, streamed via Zed Intrawood’s – when they felt like airing them.

 

Along with strangely feeling deflated over my Numero Uno IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward winning His first race of the season in Lexington. As I’d wanted Christian Lundgaard to stick the knife in Zak Brown’s punting Him Kerbside!

 

As its quite odd, since I’ve never been a fan of Lundgaard’s, but feel He’s getting a raw deal a la James Hinchcliffe, Oliver Askew, Theo Pourchaire, but I digress…

 

Adding to this malaise I suppose is the absolute Beatdown Enzo Fittipaldi put upon the entire Indy NXT field at Lexington.

 

Leading Friday’s practice, then claiming both poles for the Double header weekend. Along with a new pole record. And then leading both races wire-to-wire to go from 27 points behind to leading the title fight by 17 markers was nothing short of impressive!

 

Nikita Johnson who led the points standings entering Mid-Ohio slid down to third, 20 points adrift, while thee other TK’. Nope, not Tommy Kendall or Tony Kanaan, butt Tymek Kucharczyk, Fittipaldi’s HMD Motorsports teammate wound-up second after Mid-Ohio.

 

As these three drivers have played leapfrog with each other over leading the championship. As Fittipaldi had four wins, two poles and nine Top-5 finishes after Mid-Ohio. (431 points) While Johnson had two wins, 0 poles and six top-5’s. (411 points) And Kucharczyk had one win, 0 poles and ten top-5’s, (414 points) with everyone else some 100 markers adrift of this trio.

 

But guess we really shouldn’t have expected things to stay status quo, Eh?

 

Nashville Super speedway’s 1.33-mile concreate oval was an impound race. Presumably due to the weekend’s format being a two day event. Meaning drivers had to set their cars up for the race before qualifying, with no adjustments afterwards.

 

Matteo Nannini claimed pole, with A. J. Foyt Enterprises Alessandro de Tullio second. As de Tullio who has the most poles this season with seven, came up just 0.0931-seconds short of His eighth pole. With Fittipaldi’s two lap average speed being 177.427mph vs. de Tullio’s 177.114mph.

 

 Nikita Johnson was third and the driver Kevin Lee calls the Oval-meister’, Myles Rowe lined up fourth.

 

Don’t know what happened to points leader Enzo Fittipaldi, who qualified P14. Or Tymek Kucharczyk down in a lowly 17th, Youch!

 

Sadly, Kucharczyk’s woes weren’t over, as the Pole’ finished an uncharacteristic P18; three laps down, albeit I cannot find out any reason for this. As there’s no report upon His race outing, Say What?

 

Fittipaldi gradually worked His way forward for an eventual 11th place finish, but all the action naturally was up front. And all that was covered…

 

Nannini had a spirited fight with teammate Johnson over the lead, which the Italian never surrendered. With the exception of Rowe passing the Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR Boyz’ briefly before a yellow flag came out.

 

The race’s main battle was over who’d eventually finish runner-up? As Johnson, Lochie Hughes and Rowe all took turns sharing it, before Johnson finally secured second place with Row claiming the podium’s final step.

 

Yet it was Nannini cruising home with a 5.6+ second lead for His second win of the season. While Johnson reclaimed the points lead over Fittipaldi by a lone, solitary marker; 451 vs. 450 points. With Kucharczyk falling 25 markers behind in third with 426 points.

 

Only four races remain. With this weekend’s Portland event, (Aug 9th ) Milwaukee (Aug 30th) and Laguna Seca’s season ending Double Header. (Sept 5-6th)

 

Thus two permanent road courses and a historic oval sandwiched in-between round out the calendar’s 17 events.

 

Although the last three year’s Indy NXT champions, i.e.; Dennis Hauger, Louis foster and Christian Rasmussen are all currently IndyCar drivers. Hauger’s tenure isn’t certain next year.

 

As for every Indy NXT champion making it to IndyCar and securing a future there, there’s far more who have either never gotten to IndyCar, or had very short tenures…

As Linus Lundqvist’s name is on the tip of my tongue. With the likes of Oliver Askew, Ed Jones, Kyle Kiser, Spencer Pigot, you get the idea – not being round in IndyCar anymore. And the path to an open IndyCar seat is only becoming more daunting each year… 

FOX, IndyCar Radio collect Yellow Cards

With a multiple Hours Red Flag for extensive Stoppage time before Mother Nature won in PK’s!

 

Think you’d have to say that the Nashville weekend was a “Wash” at best, Eh?

 

Saturday morning began with Team Penske’s David Malukas crashing, going to Hospital and then not qualifying. Joined by Graham Rahal’s RLLR chariot unable to get away in time and also not qualify.

 

Yet qualifying itself saw FOX, or was it IndyCar drawing a yellow card for pushing the start of Qualie’ forward ten minutes without telling anybody! In order to fit Qualie’ into FOX’s one hour window…

 

As I was Cornfuzed’ when tuning into IndyCar Radio at the advertised time of High Noon (Pacific) only to be greeted by the third car of Caio collet on-track, What-the-Bleep?

 

Yet as many know, Graham’s troubles for the day weren’t over, when hitting the wall during the day’s final qualifying session. With Rahal being joined by Meyer Shank Racing’s (MSR) Marcus Armstrong and Dale Coyne Racing’s Romain Grosjean. Although all three pit crews had plenty of time to repair their damaged racecars…

 

And so much for that big TV ratings bump, THUD!

 

Listening to the entire World Cup final on my latest “go-to” FOX sports Radio affiliate; Honolulu’s KIKI 990AM, I Arse-sumed that IndyCar would be delaying the race’s start as my talking keychain clock chimed 2:39PM (Pacific) when the game’s extra-time stoppage play began.

 

Believe it was 3:10PM when the World Cup finale match ended? Before I ditched the broadcast and switched to IndyCar Radio, with Mark Gravelly’ James telling us we’re in a weather delay due to nearby lightning strikes. Although the track’s in good condition and hasn’t gotten wet yet.

 

As James made the first of His multiple inclement weather announcement at 3:16PM, before saying they’d be dropping out for awhile, but would give the local radio station updates along the way.

 

So I went back to KIKI, only to be greeted by telling me they were going to LaLa Land and the Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball game, Stee-rike!

 

Back over to IndyCar Radio now playing an episode of IndyCar Flashback, featuring the 1997 Los Wages IRL race.

 

As I enjoyed hearing the camaraderie between Bob Jenkins and Gary Lee. With Mike “Yippie-Aye-eh!” King as a turn announcer and a much younger Vince Welch and Mark James as pit reporters.

 

Yet the sound quality was atrocious! As the race coverage was Blasting, Alex Wolff “Just-right” and Paul Kelly mooted, muffled and way too low! Hmm, where’s those three Pigs, Oh Never Mind!

 

Surely there’ll be an hourly update as we approached 5:00PM, Stee-rike 2! Instead simply going to a “Puff” piece by Nicky Salt’ Yeoman, who wasn’t even at the track about IndyCar drivers training regimens, with my clock chiming 5:03PM. Before going straight into another canned program. With some First to the Flag episode also hosted by Messer Yeoman. So I went off to make some dinner, since may be we’re gonna have a night race?

 

Having gone round the horn of checking two IndyCar Bloggers websites and Indycar.com, we’re still in a holding pattern – check back later. Uhm, pretty G-Damn certain that was Stee-rike 3!

 

Now IndyCar Radio was playing a semi-condensed version of last year’s Nashville race with zero commercial breaks. Instead Yeoman would set the stage and we’d jump forward somewhere without ever giving us a Freakin’ weather update. Come on guys, this is pathetic!

 

At 5:24PM I double checked that Lebanon, TN was indeed on Central time, i.e.; two hours ahead. Wondering out loud how late they could start a night race there?

 

Then finally at 6:14PM after having checked Indycar.com multiple times. My screen reader read race delayed until Monday, July 20th at 12 Noon (Pacific) Then the top news story said the postponement story was from one hour ago, Huh?

 

As I never heard IndyCar Radio ever announce this, or give any inkling that the race had been postponed! Which I think was deserving of either a second Yellow Card or Red! 

INDYCAR: Nashville Rewind

As when’s the last time a seatbelt scuttled a Championship, Eh?

 

The IndyCar House Organ had an entertaining story prior to Nashville’s season finale about how Will Power was once again chasing the No. 10 for the Championship title. Claiming it was Déjà vu all over again for DJ WillyP’…

 

This made me Flashback to one season in particular, when Power crumpled and lost to Dario “REO Speedwagon” Franchitti, again! Going outside and yelling expletives out loud upon the Tacoma waterfront roadside. Although I can no longer remember if it was 2010 or 2011? But I’m guessing it was the latter. Although it could have also have been 2012 when Power crashed at Fontana and lost a third consecutive title in-a-row to The Dude! Aka Ryan Hunter-Reay…

 

As Franchitti drove the Target Chip Ganassi Racing No. 10 entry to three of His eventual four IndyCar Championships from 2009-11. As I tend to recall that ’09 was the year Ryan Briscoe threw away the title when smacking the wall in Motegi on a late race pitstop.

 

Tuning into IndyCar Radio and the voices of Mark Gravelly’ James and Davey Hamilton bright ‘n early Saturday morning, since I wanted to know if rain would be interrupting the day’s festivities? As usual. I was surprised to hear that Alex Palou would be taking a nine place grid penalty for another unapproved engine change at Nashville Super Speedway. Then further learning that ScottyMac’, aka Scott McLaughlin and Alexander Rossi would also incur the same penalty for their unapproved engine changes. Before both Santino Ferrucci and Christian Rasmussen joined this party…

 

The week got off to an auspicious start, when Nolan Siegel being fourth quickest found that dreaded Yump’ in Turn-3 or was it 4? Losing control of His McLaren chariot and tagging the wall heavily! As this delay to repair the Safer Barrier was perfectly timed for me to wonder off and have breakfast…

 

Palou was quickest in Practice-1 before qualifying, when the Spaniard made things interesting, Righto? Although certainly not what Palou was expecting. After a first lap of 200mph+, the second lap was markedly “Slower” at 198mph and change – seeing Palou wind-up P15 before incurring His grid penalty to ultimately start 24th, Youch!

 

While a steely jawed Will Power who didn’t seem overly confident in the post Qualie’ interview on the grid will start fourth in Sunday’s race. Since obviously the weekend’s main focus is which of these two drivers will join a very elite group of Three-times IndyCar Champions, which currently numbers seven by my unofficial reckoning.

 

With Louis Meyer, Ted Horn, Jimmy Bryan, Rick Mears, Al Unser Sr, Bobby Rahal and Sam Hornish Jr the current members of this very elite 3X Winners “club”.

 

As you could say that Kyle Kirkwood, who claimed His very first Oval track Pole position was somewhat overshadowed. Although He’d certainly get attention late evening after rain delays when also finding the dreaded bump and damaging His Andretti mount heavily!

 

If you’re reading this site, then presumably you already know the outcome of this year’s IndyCar season finale at Nashville.

 

As full disclosure. Even though I’ve been a Mega’ Fan of DJWillyP’, aka Will Power’s  over a decade, I was Rootin’ for Alex Palou to win His third IndyCar Championship at Nashville.

 

Yet I certainly wasn’t expecting my Internet Service Provider (ISP) whose motto is: Spectrum, We Care! To take a Dump right before the most critical portion of the entire race!

 

Being Blind, have I mentioned that lately, Y’all? I prefer listening to the IndyCar Radio broadcast vs. television, since I feel I get a far better description of what’s occurring.

 

Thus I was listening to lead announcer ‘Ol Gravelly’ (Mark James) getting ready to read the Top-10 drivers before going to the first commercial break when my speakers inexplicably went silent, Ah Frick!

 

This happens frequently when listening via Indycar.com, with either just a brief interruption before resuming. Or sometimes the page will tell me it’s buffering…

 

Still being in the Dark and missing the action, I tried refreshing the page and Crickets! And after trying this a few times, my browser repeatedly said Hmm, you’re not connected to the internet, WTF! Telling me I needed to do all sorts of unnecessary troubleshooting, Urgh!

 

So I skidattled out to the living room to see if my Telie’ was also not working? But low and behold, Thars Kevin Lee’s voice, Sigh!

 

So I scrambled back to Thy Confuzer’ and log off and rebooted, Urgh! With the IndyCar Radio broadcast coming back withtheir Driver Analyst Davey Hamilton lamenting over how Power had to come into pitlane to have His seatbelts re-secured, say What!

 

With Hamilton and James musing over Power Going five laps down – now somewhere’s round lap-28 Me Thinks?

 

Thus the Championship had effectively been handed to Palou on a silver platter, who seemed to be having less than a stellar race. But perhaps this was due to knowning He just had to finish the race, regardless of position?

 

While the race didn’t really seem that exciting initially, until the final caution flag for Marcus Ericsson with some seventy laps remaining made fuel strategy paramount!

 

As suddenly I was torn between three, Err four drivers going down to the final 30-laps to be victorious. With Conor Daly being a Dark Horse Contendah’ for an unlikely maiden IndyCar win. Which would have been a wonderful Cinderella ending to His IndyCar future…

 

Whilst my fingers were crossed for Davey Malukas, who was battling ah-Mighty with Colton Herta and Pato O’Ward. And even though Pato Who? Is my Numero Uno driver, I was also aware that Colton Herta had failed to win on an Oval.

 

As Kudos to Herta finally scoring His maiden Oval track W’. With Pato Who? Coming up just short in second. With Homeboy Schlick! And IndyCar’s current villan Josef Newgarden coming home a distant third…

 

Whilst Palou claimed His third Astor Cup trophy in four seasons! As Power can only lament what could have been? Before learning that His seatbelt came off a second time late in the race. Which is a most bizarre way to lose a championship! 

Time for IndyCar’s season finale at Nashville

And crowning Alex Palou as this year’s IndyCar champion…

 

Having been on Holiday (again) during the Portland and Milwaukee Double Header weekend’s, I only got to listen to the Portland race via IndyCar Radio. Which was reminiscent of past Portland Snoozer’s after a Hard day’s outing trackside drinking multiple "Adult" beverages in the blazing sunshine Wayback’ in the Good ‘Ol CART Dazes! When Portland’s racetrack still featured the West End Grandstands between Turns 5-7, which now is RV Parking instead…

 

As will Power’s dominant performance Sunday was also sleep inducing, albeit this time with Hang 10’ Hilo laying alongside Mwah on the couch. As the highlight of the Portland weekend was the Great Santini’s improveable maiden Indycar Pole position Saturday, before finishing a distant eighth.

 

Thus, I didn’t listen to any of the Milwaukee action until returning home and “watching”, Err listening to the various Highlight packages via Youtube, which left much of the drama out of these six minutes vignettes. Except for Kevin Lee’s nauseating, annoying totally FAKE excitement, nee Yelling!

 

While Yuhs already know that Pato O’Ward won Saturday’s race, and ScottyMac’, aka Scott McLaughlin won Sunday’s race.

 

Yet largely overlooked was Conor Daly scoring Junco Hollinger Racing’s (JHR) first ever podium when finishing third on Saturday. Before gearbox issues saw Daly soldier to a 17th place finish Sunday.

 

Meanwhile, Santino Ferrucci dazzled us again with two fourth place finishes at the Milwaukee Mile enroute to setting a record for most passes! With Santino saying it’s been a Helluva year for the No. 14, currently sitting comfortably in tenth place in the championship. Leading 11th place Christian Lundgaard by 38-points; 339-301. And trailing ninth place Alexander Rossi by only 11 “markers”. (350-339)

 

Yet I suppose everyone’s waiting for me to comment upon the title fight and the misfortunes of both Championship leader Alex Palou (525 points) and second place Will Power, (492 points) who trails Palou by 33 markers. And with a maximun of 54 points on offer; mathematically third place Scott McLaughlin is the only other title challenger, albeit a longshot 50 points adrift. (475 points) Meaning the championship is Palou’s to lose. Although interestingly, currently both Penske drivers have the first tiebreaker advantage with three wins apiece vs. Palou’s two.

 

Reportedly Palou suffered an Hybrid induced electrical failure upon the grid Sunday which then fried His battery! Leaving the Spaniard stuck in fourth gear and not even able to communicate on the radio to His crew. As the No. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing crew had to discharge the Energy Recovery system (ERS) in order to learn the battery was toast! Replace the battery after draining the ERS again and then recharging it in order to get Palou back on track 29-laps behind, before ultimately finishing P19.

 

Yet it was Will Power who shot Himself in the foot once again by mashing the loud pedal on a late race restart and pirouetting into the wall! Lightly damaging His front wing. Before two pitstops – to ultimately decide to replace the front win caused Him to go a lap down, dropping from sixth to 13th place, before finishing tenth. As just the drop from sixth to tenth was a loss of eight points!

 

Points Scoring System

1st = 50, 2nd: 40, 3rd: 35, 4th: 32, 5th: 30, 6th: 28, 7th: 26, 8th: 24, 9th: 22 and 10th: 20.

 

Positions 11 thru 25 decrease by one point from 19 to five.

 

Bonus Points

One point for Pole position. Two points for Most laps led, and One point for leading a lap.

 

According to Raymond Hando of For the Love of Indy, Palou wins the Championship no matter what, with a ninth place finish. For which initially, I hadn’t done the math for. But Yes, Palou’s 33-points plus 22 = 55-points; one more than the maximum of 54.

 

One other interesting wrinkle to Sunday’s season finale on the 1.33 mile Tri-oval. With IndyCar making it’s return to this concrete Oval for the first time since 2008. Is the return of Alternate compound Oval tyres. Which Arse-sumedly at least two laps have to be run on both tyre compounds…

 

Being a longtime Will Power Fan, you’d think I’d be pulling for Him this weekend. But I’d actually like to see Alex Palou score His maiden Oval track win and get the “Monkey” off His back! Whilst I expect Palou to do enough to secure His third IndyCar Championship in four years and then celebrate with His traditional Fried Chicken Fricassee!

 

As until Milwaukee, think I read Racer’s Marshall Pruett saying Palou had an average finishing position of 4.63! As His lone copybook blemish this season was His self-induced accident during Iowa’s first race, before bouncing back to fourth the following day. With His Milwaukee finish of P19 solely due to mechanical woes…

 

As interestingly, Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon and Alex Palou have both been victims of Hybrid powertrain issues this year. So perhaps it’ll be Penske’s turn at Nashville?

 

Meanwhile, Conor Daly and David Malukas both can say Job Done! Having hauled their respective JHR and Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) Nos. 78 & 66 mounts comfortably into the vaunted Leaders Circle Prize fund standings. For which I believe that the race for the 22nd and final position is between Ed Carpenter Racing’s Christian Rasmussen and A.J. Foyt’s Sting Ray Robb? With RLLR’s Pietro Fittipaldi also potentially in the mix…

 

Leaders Circle Points Standings

According to the Indianapolis Star’s Motorsports Beat Reporter Nathan Browne.

 

19. No. 78 Juncos Hollinger Racing: 189 point

20. No. 66 Meyer Shank Racing: 187 points

21. No. 30 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing: 177 points

22. No. 41 A.J. foyt enterprises: 175 points

23. No. 20 Ed Carpenter Racing: 174 points

 

With Dale Coyne Racing’s Nos. 18 & 51 being outside the “Cut” line.

As I really cannot say what the Charter System will do for us other than clarify the 25 IndyCar Fulltime entries eligible for the 22 positions. Since right now, Ganassi’s Nos. 11-4 entries make this clear as Mud on a Rainy day!

 

Although I’d also enjoy seeing Alexander Rossi score His first win in quite some time for McLaren, whom He’s departing from following this race, with Christian Lundgaard taking His seat next year. As who knows where Rossi’s new IndyCar home will be in 2025?

 

As it’s been a whopping 778-days since Rossi last won the Gallagher Grand Prix on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s permanent road course for Andretti Autosport on July 30, 2022, Yikes!

 

And Ditto for Davey’ Malukas scoring His maiden IndyCar win at Nashville. As I still don’t understand why He’s chosen to depart to A.J. Foyt Enterprises next year. Where hopefully He’ll be paired with Ferrucci. Which wisely, it sounds like Larry Foyt’s keen on making happen…

 

As I suppose I could ramble on ‘n on, but instead. We’ll just have to wait another 48Hrs for the dust to settle and see who’s victorious. Since after all, that’s why they run the races…

    

INDYCAR: Calamity Jane’ visits Nashville Again!

Like Josef Newgarden told a pouting Romain Grosjean after their Argie Bargie which saw Grosjean getting Knocked Offtrack. “Welcome to IndyCar, it Get’s A bit Tight!”

 

 

 

 

Otay, I need a Beer! As it feels like I’ve been doing nothing but typing ‘N typing the past few weeks “Contiguously!” Hmm, may be that’s why my Sciatica’s acting up? Oh Never Mind!

 

But with All of the Nonstop Madness revolving round Planet McLaren, albeit more specifically a one Mr. Zakery Brown! Not to mention what many have taken to calling Crashville! Hence I’m taking the rest of the week off here upon No Fenders.

 

Where to begin, Y’all? As I simply will Not attempt recapping the entire Music City Grand Prix! Especially since apparently Thar are Folks on Social Media complaining about It being another Shit show! For which All I can say, is what do you expect from a Temporary Street Circuit on the ultra Confined Streets of Downtown Nashville, Eh?

 

For a second day in-a-row, when tuning into IndyCar Radio at High Noon Pacific, which should have been a Clue, Hya! Once again we were in a Race Delay due to more Lightning Strikes! For which at least this time Mark Gravelly’ James informed us of this at the start of the intended Pre-race programme, before He and Davey Hamilton attempted keeping us entertained. And then finally playing the first 15+ laps of last year’s race, which should have been an Omen of What was to come!

 

Whenever I Hear of an IndyCar race being Delayed for Lightning, I immediately think of the one time Up North eh! At the 2010 Edmonton IndyCar race where we Had to not only leave the Aluminum Grandstands, but Exit the Circuit due to Lightning since there wasn’t Any place for suitable shelter! Which must have been Qualifying Day since I vaguely recall us just going “Home” for the day. Along with remembering how the Kuhnaidiun’ Air forces

F-18 Fighter Jet doing Fly overs would set off everybody’s Car Alarms each day at the nearby Train Station! But I digress…

 

By my very unofficial time keeping, the race was Delayed One Hour and 43mins, with the Green Flag flying at 2:13PM Pacific. And then as we All know, the ensuing Carnage began. Or what the Speed Freaks Stattmann coined as Carnage Poluzah!

 

Since I think it was only five minutes later when on lap-8 Alexander Rossi’s car suddenly lost drive and brought out the first of our eventual eight Gory Full course Cautions!

 

Personally I like the series racing at Nashville, and especially like it’s signature crossing of a Bridge over the Cumberland River. Yet I have Zero Clue if Anything can be done to widen what seems an overly narrow layout thru it’s Concrete Canyons.

 

But then again, I suppose Toronto’s tight too, Eh? Which is simply the nature of temporary Street Circuts. Not to mention the potentially impending building of the new Tennessee Titans Stadium being located in the current Paddock…

 

Whilst I’d have to say that the Shit Show happening coming On/Off the Bridge, being the only “Overly” long Straights reminds me of a Formmula 1 Street Circuit called Baku…

 

As for the race, I’ve already mentioned the eight Cautions, along with one unnecessary Green-White “Checkers or Wreckers!” Uhm Red Flag! For a total of 36 laps, just four Shy of Half of the race, Yikes! Along with the fact that only 13 of the 26 Cars entered finished ther race, which equals a staggering 50%!

 

Thus Y’all know that thee Iceman 2.0’, aka Scott Dixon managed to nurse His Heavily Damaged racecar from a lowly P14 starting position to winning His 53^rd IndyCar race at Nashville. Giving Him sole possession of being the series second winningest IndyCar Driver behind only A.J. Foyt’s 67 career IndyCar victories.

 

Even more impressive was how Dixon and longtime Strategist Mike Hull elected to Not change tyres and run the last 40-plus laps on a single set of Firestones! Since I tend to recall that Dixon’s Crew known as the “Wolfpack” had trouble changing them previously? Or perhaps that was when they were repairing the wounded racecar, since believe I Heard that Dixon made a total of six Pitstops!

 

Pole sitter ScottyMac’, nee Scott McLaughlin chased His Kiwi’ Idol to the stripe for second place by a scant whisker! And Alex Palou soldiered home third after running the latter Half of the race with a Broken left Front wing!

 

Know at one point Thar were 12 Cars involved in a Pile-up leading to another Yuhs guessed it, Full Course Caution! As believe it was Palou who Hit Will Power and damaged His Gearshift sensor. As Power eventually Faded to a subpar 11^th place finish.

 

Whilst I suppose Graham Rahal needs mentioning for the wrong reason. As Graham Crashed three times before retiring! With the worst being when Punting Pato O’Ward and damaging the Mexican’s gearbox, ergo Game Over! With Pato finishing a lowly P24. And I could go On ‘N On, but You get the Gist, Eh?

 

As fortunately we take a week Off before going to the season’s final Oval at WWT Raceway, nee Gateway, where there’ll probably be more Carnage…

 

2022 Point Standings

1) Will Power: 450

2) Scott Dixon: 444, -6

3) Marcus Ericsson: 438, -12

4) Josef Newgarden: 428, -22

5) Alex Palou: 417, -33

6) Scott McLaughlin: 392, -58

7) Pato O’Ward: 391, -59

 

Meanwhile the Top two Rookies saw promising finishes go awry. Since thought I read that RLLR’s Christian Lundgaard who leads the Rookie Of the Year (ROY) standings, saw Him Fade from second to eighth during that Green-White Checkers, Yeehaw! While Vanna I wanna Buy a vowel! Uhm, Dale Coyne Racing with HMD Motorsports David Malukas was unnecessarily Punted Off by an Over Aggressive Kyle Kirkwood! With Malukas finishing an unwarranted P20.

 

2022 Rookies Point Standings

1. (15^th) Christian Lundgaard: 272

2. (17th) David Malukas: 231, -41

(Overall Point Standings)

 

And like my two favourite Hosers’ from the Great white North Bob & Doug McKenzie would say. That Beer’s done! And I definitely need a Break from Ye Keyboard. So Take Off Eh! 

IndyCar Continues making Noise in the Music city upon return

Although Thunder ‘N Lightning put a Damper upon Qualifying and the Race…

 

Thanks to unexpectedly having Friday afternoon Free, I elected to “Dial Up,” err Tune-in to Friday’s First IndyCar Practice session from the Music City via IndyCar Radio on Ye Intrawoods’. (Internet) With the only change on the IndyCar Grid for Nashville being the welcome return of Beth Paretta’s partnership with Ed Carpenter Racing (ECR) seeing Symona-Symona’, aka Simona de Silvestro aboard Her #16 Paretta Autosport entry.

 

Practice

On top of the Timesheets Friday Was   Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Christian Lundgaard, with the Dane’ setting a time of 1:15.9659. Arrow McLaren SP’s Felix Rosenqvist was second, just some two-plus tenths behind, followed by Dale Coyne Racin wit HMD Motorsports David Malukas third.

 

Team Penske’s ScottyMac’, aka Scott McLaughlin led the Penske trio in fourth, with Josef Newgarden fifth and Will Power seventh.

 

Alexander Rossie led the way for Andretti Autosport in sixth, with colton Herta P8 and Romain Grosjean 10^th. While the top Ganassi Driver was Alex Palou in ninth. Marcus Ericsson was P11 and Scott Dixon 16^th.

 

Others getting off to a good start were Meyer Shank Racing’s Simon Pagenaud P12. Followed by Juncos Hollinger Racing’s Callum Ilott, who was one place ahead of Pato O’Ward. And A.J. foyt Enterprises Kyle Kirkwood was a promising P17.

 

Saturday’s second Practice session got off with a Bang! As Ed Carpenter Racing’s (ECR) Rinus VeeKay Smacked the Wall just seconds after the session going Green! Mangling His Nosecone and limping back to the Pits. As IndyCar Radio’s Mark Gravelly’ James took the words right outta my mouth, later noting how VeeKay’s re-signing with ECR wasn’t putting a Spring into His Step, or the team’s. As Conor Daly & VeeKay were P21-22; with Paretta Autosport’s teammate Simona de Silvestro 25 during Friday’s 75mins practice session.

 

And the three ECR entries fared little better Saturday, with VeeKay, Daly and de Silvestro P22-24 respectably.

 

Yet Rinus wasn’t the only driver seeing Nashville’s Concrete Canyon Up close ‘N Personal. As Graham Rahal had a similar incident, albeit managing to reverse out of the tyre barrier. Colton Herta spun on track and Rosenqvist mated the left side of His Dallara against the Jersey Barriers!

 

Team Penske flexed Thar Muscles sweeping the Top Three spots Saturday morning wit McLaughlin ahead of Newgarden and Power. Fourth was Rossi, followed by Kirkwood, Rosenqvist, Grosjean, Herrta, Lundgaard and Malukas rounding out the Top 10.

 

McLaughlin’s time of 1:15.4609 was marginally faster than Lundgaard’s Friday time. While I’m afraid that Kirkwood’s P5 is an Outlier since teams only got to run on the brand new Green Sidewall “Guacamole” Alternate Firestone tyres Friday. Thus Saturday’s practice was run solely on the Black primary rubber, so we’ll see how this translates to Qualie’.

 

As believe it was Mark James noting it was scottyMac’ who came up with the Guacamole nickname…

 

The other title Contendah’s positions saw Scott Dixon leading a three car Congo line in 11^th. Followed by Palou and O’Ward P12-13 respectably, with Ericsson an uncharacteristic P19.

 

Qualifying

Tuning in at 1:25PM Pacific, when Thar should have been five minutes until Qualifying started. Instead my Confuzer Speakers started playing the muted tunes of Sid Collins calling another Indy 500. As I thought Oh Shit, Here we Go Again! Before checking the official IndyCar website to learn that a Thunder ‘N Lightning Storm had rolled tru Downtown Nashville and we were in a Holding pattern due to the multiple nearby lightning strikes. So I listened to Sid Collins calling what had to be the 1975 Indianapolis 500 instead, since somebody interviewed SuperMario’, nee Mario Andretti in the #21. As Mario Had Crashed on the Backstretch and seemed totally Befuddled over what Had Happened?

 

As Mario did indeed drive the Vels Parnelli Jones #21 viceroy Eagle/Offenhauser in the 1975 Indy 500…

 

Qualifying finally began 90mins late and was immediately interrupted by a Ref Flag brought out by Devlin DeFrancesco. Next Colton Herta Overcooked a Corner into the Tyre Barrier and brought out a second Red Flag in Round One’s Group One session with One minute remaining, catching many drivers out – including a Fuming Rossi, Rosenqvist, etc. As Dalton Kellett had wisely gone out early and set a Quick time to surprisingly advance to the Fast 12 round.

 

DJ willyP’ Spun and brought out a Yellow Flag during the Fast 12 shootout, finishing P8 and sharing Row 4 of the Grid with David Malukas. Whilst Palou was the only Ganassi driver to advance to the Fast Six Shootout. With Dixon and Ericsson a disappointing P14, P18 respectably.

 

And like I expected, Kyle Kirkwood failed to advance out of His Round One, group-1 Qualie’ session, winding up P16, albeit No idea if this was due to being caught up in the multiple Red flags or His racecar Not liking the Firestone “guacamole” Alternate rubber? While rinus VeeKay rebounded by Qualifying 10^th.

 

The Fast Six was probably the most diverse in awhile, with five teams in the mix, with only Penske having two drivers in the Shootout. As the driver who’s been Red Hot this weekend Stormed to His second Pole of the year, as Nobody could catch Scott McLaughlin.

 

Andretti’s Romain Grosjean was closest in second with RLLR’s Christian Lundgaard third. Alex Palou was a distant fourth, saying He Didn’t have anything left for Pole. While Row-3 features Arrow McLaren SP’s Pato O’Ward and Josef Newgarden. 

IndyCar’s Rumble in The Jungle on Nashville’s Streets still Reverberates!

As why did Guns ‘N Roses Welcome to the Jungle song come Screaming into My Head Race day, Uh Duh!

 

Yeah, everybody, their Dogs, Cats and Pet Boa constrictors have already Chimed in on the Inaugural Nashville IndyCar Street Race with Thar versions of the Good, The Bad and The Ugly! As what’s that ‘Ol Clint Eastwood saying? Uhm, “Man’s gotta Know His limitations!”

 

Hey Guys, You can Quit putting Up the Turn-6 Grandstands! Think they’re racing somewhere else this weekend…

 

Thus I’ll try keeping this Short ‘N Semi-Sweet, especially since I was  on Ye Opposite coast when the race occurred.

 

But I can Definitively say that when the race was Delayed Again, this time for a mysterious Stream ‘O Water coming out of the adjacent Turn-3 Suites and Oozing Ontrack as a Gory Stream, I said Out loud in near Hysteria, CLUSTERFUCK!

 

And like what many apparently were saying on TWIT-ER’, and yes I know those 2020 Tokyo Olympics got in the way, but you could say that this year’s IndyCar season has that same Start, Stop, Start feeling that many joked about on Twitter. Uhm, like Rinse, Lather, Repeat El Correctomundo? Now that we’re Hip Deep in the run to the Season Finale in the next eight weeks after a five week layoff.

 

Fortunately for Mwah, since how can a RASSCAR’ Taxicab Bombers Road Race at Watkins Glen not go long, into multiple Checkers or Wreckers, Uhm Green white Finishes? I sagely elected to listen to the Nashville IndyCar race via Zed Internets and Good ‘Ol AM1075 The Fan instead. Tuning in just before 2PM Pacific, I was very happy to hear a great introductory 15mins of Nonstop talking to multiple IndyCar Drivers!

 

As how prophetic was romain Grosjean when asked if Nashville reminded him of any particular track he’d raced on? To which he said Baku, as in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix which always has plenty ‘O Carnage…

And I say Sagely since I didn’t know that Kevin “The Wherewolve” Lee would be filling in for Leigh Diffey, although this was an educated guess, not to mention I’m practicing for next year when IndyCar goes “Dark” with it’s Peacock Only “TV” race broadcasts, Bite Me Comcast!

 

Oh Yeah, since some in Ye Blogosphere are Championing Kevin Lee to fill The big Chair permanently when Diffey moves on, Kevin Lee is a Horrible lead Announcer and should just stick to his Day Job as a Pitlane Reporter instead!

 

After five weeks off, it was good to hear the voices of Nicky Salt’ Yeoman and Jake “The riddler” Query, along with Ryan Marin and bloody Hell, Even Michael SCHREECH! Young was enjoyable in Pitlane where he didn’t do any Screechy Shouting, Note to Kevin, Oh Never Mind! While Rob Blackman was a pleasant addition in order for the IndyCar Radio network to cover both sides of the Cumberland river bridge.

 

And it was Uber Funny hearing lead Announcer Mark Gravelly’ James say how when he heard Scott Dixon’s answer to the question if they’d talked about the start in the Drivers Briefing? He just started laughing while Dixon said straightlaced, I Don’t recall Any Talking about that, and you Never Know what Drivers will really do!

 

To which Driver Analyst Davey Hamilton wryly chimed in with amusement in his voice, I’ve been in those situations and Drivers have said (“Promised”) everything, but when the Green Flag Flies they simply forget everything and become Aggressive…

 

Is the track Narrow and tight? Certainly it is, and Arse-sumedly you cannot compare it to Barber Motorsports Park (BMS) But! The Naysayers said BMS was too tight since it was designed for Motorcycles, but we’ve come to expect having fairly decent IndyCar races there over the years during the current Dallara DW12 era.

 

As Dixon noted afterwards, they need to figure out how to Not Penalize those who stay out and lose track position. Not to mention his displeasure over the Red Flags situation. While The Pit window’s (IndyCar blogger) Mike Silver wryly noted how they didn’t need the final Red Flag, since the race simply needed to be put Out of it’s Misery, Youch!

 

While Davey Hamilton kept pointing out during the entire race how you could make up a lap by simply doing a Drive thru the Pits since the Pace Car was so Slow vs. making a Pitstop during the Yellow Flag. Uhm, Nine Yellow flags and two Red Flags is simply a travesty! As I Don’t recall Vancouver, BC ever having this issue in either circuit layout.

 

Davey also correctly pointed out during the Radio Broadcast the easiest fix would be to simply move All of the restarts to Turn-9 a la the race’s start, for which it was sorta funny hearing Hulio’ (Castroneves) being Cornfuzed on where the race would actually start? Telling Michael Young turn 4, turn 9? Don’t Ask me Man, I’m new to this…

 

And Dixon dually noted that the Drivers would give their suggestions to Circuit Designer Tony Cottman, as I’d say even though it’s No longer a Blank canvas, He’s got plenty of room to play with.

 

And like Geo. Phillips of Oilpressure fame noted the day after the race, the Trans Am, Gt America and Robby Gordoun’s (Gordon) Stadium Truck series, which All were larger vehicles managed to not cause such Mayhem and Havock runnin’ two wide.

 

Also, robin Miller wrote afterwards, on a Scale of 1 to 10, the race was a 2 and a Clunker!

 

Although I did take immense Joy in Marcus Ericsson Cooly Holding Off Colton big Shot! Herta for some 20 laps chanting c’mon Marcus with Four Sets ‘O Fingers crossed! And although I know it’s Not Fair, After I finished laughing Maniacally  over Herta clouting the Wall whilst chasing Ericsson, I sat Thar laughing and saying out loud choke! Since I Don’t know which has gotten more Hype, Nashville or Herta?

 

Oh Yeah, the other part that baffled me, especially since the race apparently went past Sunset and was Bumping Up against Sun down is I thought there was a two hour time limit to IndyCar races? Since according to my Talking Keychain clock the race began at 2:51PM and it seemed like the Post race was wrapping up at 5:43PM Pacific. Which even with the race’s first 20mins Red Flag period, I Dunno, seems like it went past two  hours…

 

But overall, I hope people in general will realize it’s Always a good thing to be Adding races to the Calendar, No Matter the “Teething” issues and I Hope that Nashville will thrive for many years to come! 

Under the Nashville Big Top, IndyCar Debut puts on Circus Show

As perhaps Colton Herta described the Atmosphere best by proclaiming it a Zoo Out Thar! With Lions, Tigers, Giraffes, Zebras and All sorts of Other Animals on Hand, Mooh, Mooh!

 

After a 35-day layoff, Indy Cars returned to action on it’s first new temporary Street Circuit event in Downtown Nashville, Tennessee last weekend, as Y’all can look elsewhere for the details on the last previous Brand New IndyCar Temporary Street circuit race, which I believe was the 2011 Baltimore GP.

 

Although I don’t really wanna type this, since we’re returning to the second half of the season, with another Madcap Dash to the Long Beach Finale, here’s what the typical grid will look like, albeit switching Twisties’ Only Drivers at Gateway.

 

(2) A.J. foyt: Sebastian Bourdais and Dalton Kellett; (3) Andretti Autosport: Colton Herta, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Alexander Rossi; (1) Andretti Steinbrenner Autosport: James Hinchcliffe; (1) Carlin: Max Chilton; (4) Chip Ganassi Racing: Scott Dixon, Marcus ericsson, Jimmie Johnson and Alex Palou; (1) Dale Coyne Racing wit Vasser Sullivan: Ed Jones; (1) Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing: Romain Grosjean; (2) Ed Carpenter Racing: Conor Daly and Rinus VeeKay; (1) Meyer shank Racing: Jack Harvey; (2) Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing: Graham Rahal and Takuma Sato; (4) Team Penske: Josef Newgarden, Scott McLaughlin, Simon Pagenaud and Will Power.

 

As that’s the typical 24 entries we’ve seen contesting the first half of the season. Which didn’t include Castroneves who’ll be racing the second MSR entry the rest of the season, with the exception of Gateway, Err Wide World Technology Raceway’s (WWTR) Short Oval, where Grosjean will make his Oval Debut. Tony Kanaan and Ed Carpenter will substitute for Johnson and Daly at their respective teams, while Daly substitutes for Chilton, all at WWTR.

 

Top Gun Racing will make it’s IndyCar Series Debut at the forthcoming second IMS road Course race and Juncos Hollinger Racing will contest the last three rounds in preparation for it’s 2022 Full Season campaign.

 

Nashville saw an additional three cars on the entry list with the inclusion of MSR’s #06 second entry for Castroneves, IndyCar rookie Cody Ware making his second race in the second Coyne Ware Racing #52 entry. And Santino Ferrucci driving the third RLLR #45 entry, giving us a Mega 27 Cars on the Grid, which reportedly hasn’t occurred since Long Beach, 2013! And that’s just before we even take the Green Flag, WHEW!

 

TV Noise

While I’m Happy that ‘Ol sugar Ray Tracy’s (Paul Tracy) back in the Booth, this Bullshit over Thar being No room to show IndyCar’s Saturday Qualifying in it’s typical One Hour format with 43 commercial Breaks is Blasphemy! As I literally Blew A Gasket over this Bullshit!

 

Hmm, CNBC managed to find three hours for the RASSCAR’ cup Lite race from 12:30-3:30PM (Pacific) before airing 90 minutes of Shark Tank, BARF! Before needing to cut away to the Tokyo Olympics at 5PM Pacific. And it’s just absolutely Cockamamy that NBC couldn’t manage to find a One Hour Time Slot on one of it’s multiple Cable TV Channels, since this is just one more sign of how Marginalized Indy Cars has become.

 

And to think how roger says it needs “Eyeballs” on it! And what better way to get everybody Amped Up after a five week layoff, Uhm Crickets, Crickets, Beuller?

 

So Cry Me A River if your Ballyhooed TV Ratings Tank this weekend IndyCar, because you Deserve It, Buggers!

 

Pre-Race Banter

Whilst Nashville’s Geo Phillips of Oilpressure Fame, Ye Oldest IndyCar Blogger noted on Friday that Dario REO Speedwagon’ Franchitti drove the track’s first celebratory lap in the Corvette Pace Car with Josef Newgarden and Scott Dixon following him, it wasn’t All Smiles for  fellow Chip Ganassi Racing Driver and current IndyCar Points leader Alex Palou. As the Affable Spaniard would start six positions behind wherever he Qualified due to the team having to make an unapproved engine change following the private Portland IndyCar test.

 

Worst yet is that IndyCar Rules also preclude any team switching to an unapproved fifth engine in the first ten races from scoring any points in the vaunted Engine Manufacturers Championship. As this will definitely affect Honda since Palou’s been their most consistent points scorer.

 

Also according to Messer Phillips comes word that The Pit Window’s Mike Silver had told him how his Grandstand wasn’t even constructed on Friday! Not to mention George noting the total lack of Trash Cans on the premises or the lack of Pedestrian Foot Bridges. Not to mention the exorbitant concession Prices! And that doesn’t even bring up the typical issues of city streets vs. IndyCar’s, i.e.; Can Y’all Say Bumbs! Or as I prefer calling ‘em Yumps, Yeehaw! With racecars getting Airborne!

 

 Before the Race…

Friday’s first 75mins IndyCar practice predictably saw the lap times steadily decrease, and at the end of the session it was Andretti Autosport’s Colton Herta leading the way, with the first six cars all being Honda’s, whilst P7-10 were Chevy’s. Herta was followed by Scott Dixon, Romain Grosjean, Alexander Rossi, Marcus Ericsson and Alex Palou. Arrow McLaren SP’s Felix Rosenqvist was the fastest Bowtie’ runner followed by Will Power, Scott McLaughlin and Simon Pagenaud.

 

There were two Ref Flag periods, the first for Arrow McLaren SP’s Pato O’Ward who clouted the Turn-3 Wall and Crumpled his Front suspension! As Messer Silver notes Thars a Narly Bump in Turn-3, coInky-dense?

 

Whilst ECR’s Conor Daly Smacked the Turn-9 Wall BassAckwards, ending the session 4mins early…

 

This gave us two Andretti Autosport, three Chip Ganassi, one Coyne-Ware, one AMSP and three Penske’s in the Top 10 on Day-1, as I always enjoy seeing how the field progresses over the weekend, even if I can No longer follow it live on TV, Jackarses!

 

Saturday’s Practice-2 saw Colton Herta remain Atop the Time Sheets followed by Alexander Rossi, Scott Dixon, Alex Palou and Sebastien Bourdais rounding out the Top 5.

 

As Thar wwere plenty of Bumps ‘n Bruises during the 45mins session, beginning with Scott Dixon Spinning and Stalling his No. 9 Dallara Honda, bringing out a Ref Flag just a few minutes after going Green!

 

Graham Rahal clipped the wall during the session and ended practice on the Sidelines. Then Rookie Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin brought out the second Red Flag when he spun into the Barriers and damaged his rear wing. But the most spectacular incident came when Rossi bolted on some Flinstone’ Alternate Red Rubber and summarily Clouted the Wall, crumpling his front suspension and ripping his front wing off in the process!

 

Then adding Insult to Injury, Dixon looped his Chip Ganassi Racing ride at the same corner he’d previously Spun in, but this time when trying to whip his racecar around, he hit the barriers and  ripped his rear wing off in the process!

  

The Invisible Qualifying Session!

Yeah, I tried Not spending the day Fuming at those NBC Clowns! Yuhs know, Clowns to the Left of Me, Jokers to the Right, Here I am Stuck in The Middle Again, Bastardos!

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2021/07/why-is-indycar-trying-to-make-it-so.html

 

Oh? Actually Qualie’ wasn’t shown on Tape Delayed basis because of the Olympics, but instead the NBC Sports Camera Crews were busy helping erect the Turn-6 Grandstands, since they still Didn’t have a place to mount Thar Cameras on Saturday! Not to mention they couldn’t access their mandatory Grandstand Credentials on the Tennessee Titans Mobile App, Hut Hut, Omaha!

 

But even bigger than the Grandstands still being Under Construction Saturday, had to be the news of Josef Newgarden Clouting the Wall during the Fast 12 Qualie’ session when on the Bubble in P6, triggering a local yellow Flag which caused the Hometown Boy to lose his Fastest lap and wind up P12 instead! As this would elevate Romain Grosjean into the Fast Six Shootout.

 

And Nary a Peep about my Numero Uno IndyCar Driver Pato O’Ward who seems to have been Outshone for once by Arrow McLaren SP team-mate Felix rosenqvist. As the Swede made the Fast Six Shootout, his first time this season Me Thinks, while Pato finished 9^th.

 

Whilst I’m Uber Cornfused over why Rinus VeeKay was walloping down in 22nd? Starting behind the likes of Dalton Kellett (19^th) and Max Chilton. (21^st)

 

Amazingly, No Penske’s made it into the Fast Six Shootout, with two Andretti Autosport, two Chip Ganassi entries and solitary efforts from Arrow McLaren SP and Coyne-Ware Racing instead.

 

As it was Colton Herta continuing his weekend’s Domination by capturing Pole by a “large,” nearly 0.6 second margin over Scott Dixon. Alex Palou finished third but would start P9 due to his engine penalty.

 

Alexander Rossi was fourth, with Felix rosenqvist fifth and Romain Grosjean sixth, who’ll all move one place forward due to Palou’s six Grid Spot penalty, thus starting one position behind second place IndyCar Points sitter Pato O’Ward who moved up to P8.

 

With Jack Harvey presumably claiming his best Qualie’ result in P7, who rolled off sixth Sunday. And Simon Pagenaud the highest Team Penske driver qualifying 8^{th, started from the inside of Row 4 in P7 alongside O’Ward. Hmm, where’s that Dancin’ fool Hulio’, eh?}

 

And that’s just a flavour of the Nashville weekend before the Green flag Dropped on Sunday, with everybody Ah-Holdin’ Thar Breaths over what would happen on Lap 1 and would it stay green, go Yellow or gulp see another Red flag Fly?