IndyCar to begin Thawing Out?

Although Thars been No Snow on Ye Isle ‘O Nofendersvilles lately Mateys! As Hell, even the Sun’s trying to come out. Following our Ice, Sleet, Snow, Rain, High Surf Warning, Sneaker Waves and Coastal Flooding,

Yada Yada Yada…

 

As what’s that ‘Ol Beatles song about some Red Hot Orb in thousth Sky? Sing it George!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_O1QKQCsGs

 

Shortly No Fenders will be Wall to Wall with what’s traditionally the first race of the year for Mwah. And Yeah, I know that the Dakar Rally is proceeding in Saudi Arabia right now. (Dec 31-Jan 15, 2023)

 

But since it Ain’t on Any Terrestrial Cable TV Channel, Chirp Chirp, Bueller? Nobody Stateside will see the potential Audi RS Q e-tron score Dakar’s first Hybrid Overall “Cars” Class victory…

 

Thus, this is just intended to be playing Ketsup’ with a quick look at the few IndyCar News items I’m aware of right now from our Winter’s Break…

 

Prior to the Christmas Holidazes’, Felix Rosenqvist was announced of one of the upcoming Race Of Champion (ROC) contestants for this year’s January 28-29 event.

 

Naturally Rosenqvist who’s making His first ROC appearance will be super “Pumped” to be competing on Home Soil in the North of Sweden in the Baltic on Snow and Ice. Arse-sumedly at last’s year’s Pite Havsbad course in Pitea, Sweden. Yah Sure Yuh Betcha!

 

While No idea if Huski Chocolate will be an official Race Of Champions sponsor or not to ward off the cold?

 

As Rosenqvist will be paired with Johan Kristoffersson in the Nations Cup against such team’s as Finland’s Valtteri Bottas and Mika Hakkinen. Norway’s Pedar and Oliver Solberg. And the United Kingdom will feature Indy NXT Rookie Jamie Chadwick and David Coulthard again.

 

With Germany being comprised of ‘lil syd Viddle, Aka Sebastian Vettel and Mick Schumacher. While we’re still Ah-Waitin’ on who’ll partner Mr. Le Mans, aka Tom Kristensen for Denmark. Along with Who Felipe Drugovich, the reigning FIA Formula 2 Champion and Aston Martin F1 Test and Reserve Driver’s partner for Latin America will be?

 

And apparently Belgium was unconfirmed prior to Santa arriving. Whilst following New Years, Team USA’s entry of Tanner Foust and Travis Pastrana was announced. Which seems very Apropos following Travis’s “good Buddy” Ken Block’s unfortunate Demise snowmobiling…

 

Meanwhile IndyCar, Err Penske Entertainment continues it’s Glacial We’re Not telling You Anything Important News Dribble by finally announcing that Mahle indeed is the series Partner providing the Hybrid Energy Recovery system, (ERS)  some ten months after Racer’s Marshall Pruett reported this, Drip Drip Drip!

 

Yuhs know, like IndyCar putting out another glowing Press release stating how Mahle’s surpassed a Bevy ‘O Milestones the past two years. Uhm Crickets! As we’re Not telling you what Any of those Milestones were…

 

On the Driver Front, we’re still Ah-Waiting’ who the final, potential three 2023 NTT IndyCar Series Drivers will be? As obviously the most coveted is the Ovals Only position for Chip Ganassi Racing’s (CGR) No. 11. For which I’ve already guessed will be filled by Takuma Sato.

 

But this just feels like a “Stop Gap” measure to Mwah. Especially since Taku-san’s now 46yrs Old. And surely a switch to an Acura Sports Car team is on the Horizon for Sato? Which rules out CGR since Thar a Cadillac partner in Sports Cars…

 

As I don’t know if Cheep’s just Ah-Waitin’ to see if IndyCar Rookie Marcus Armstrong, who’ll run the Twisties’ portion in the #11 this year, will  “Make the Grade” and come up with the Funding for a Full season Drive in 2024?

 

But if His Driving is anywhere near this super impressive introductory interview with Marshall Pruett, then watch out IndyCar! As I only wish He was running the entire season so He could be Rookie Of the Year…

 

https://marshallpruett.podbean.com/e/mp-1355-catching-up-with-marcus-armstrong/

 

Also, CGR will test current Ferrari Academy Member, and former FIA Formula 2 Driver Robert ShwartZman this month as part of the team’s evaluating who’ll fill the departing Alex Palou’s seat in 2024…

 

No word as of New Years Day upon either of Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing’s plans on who’ll fill it’s No. 51 seat? And Ditto at Juncos Hollinger Racing for it’s expected No. 78 second entry. Although Marshall has noted that should JHR run a second car just because they said the would? Especially if they cannot find a talented Driver with the requisite Budget to fill it?

 

While 48 Hours following Christmas, Marshall Pruett worte that now 2020 Indy Pro 2000 Champion and 2022 Indy Lights Runner-up Sting Ray Robb was drawing a Bead upon landing one of these two remaining IndyCar Seats. As interestingly, the Idaho native’s receiving managerial “advice” from Alexander Rossi’s father Peter, Stay tuned! As my bet is Robb lands the No. 51 seat…

 

As the Clock’s winding down. Since we’re now only 24 days Away until Spring Training. Uhm, did somebody say Spring? Yuhs know when IndyCar Holds it’s first Preseason test at California’s Thermal Club over February 2-3. Although Zero idea if All of the expected 27 Car Grid shows up for this or not? 

INDYCAR: The 2022 Season Commences at St Pete

Let’s Light this Candle! Vroom-Vroom showtime boys ‘N Girls, rock ‘N roll!

 

What better way to Rev U-P IndyCar Fans then with the first Practice Sessions, or is it Session? After another Gory 154 Days  Offseason, eh? STEE-RIKE!

 

Nope, Yuhs Won’t be able to See ‘em take to Saint Petersburg’s Airfield temporary street course either Friday’s Practice or Saturday’s qualifying live unless you’ve signed up for the newly re-imagined NBC Sports Gold Bricks Paywall, Err NBC Sports Streaming’s Peacock service, Cock A Doo little dudu!

 

As it’s a royal Pain in Thy Keister having to wait until 13-days “Out” before I can start rummaging round my NFB Newsline for The Blind’s telephone service’s Zap2It’ TV Guide to try Deducing if Thars Any chance of Qualie’ being shown Tape Delayed on either USA Network or CNBC? C’mon IndyCar and Comcast, you can Bleepin’ do it!

 

But it’s actually great knowing that I Don’t have to spend All day Saturday in a virtual Bubble waiting impatiently for the 9:30PM Pacific Canned replay of IndyCar Qualifying Interrupted by 43 Freakin’ commercial Break during it’s 90mins Airing! As it’s Another Day I can Delete from my Motorsports Activities…

 

you can watch the Race Sunday morning, February 27^th on BIG NBC as Geo Phillips like saying, also fondly known by it’s acronym Nothing But commercials! But as always, check your local listings for TV Times!

 

Rookies Abound…

#11 Tatiana Calderon: A.J. Foyt Racing; #14 Kyle Kirkwood: A.J. foyt Enterprises; #18 David Malukas: Dale coyne Racing with HDM Motorsports; #29 Devlin DeFrancesco: Andretti Steinbrenner Autosport; #30 christian Lundgaard: Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing and #77 Callum Ilott: Juncos Hollinger Racing.

 

So it’s probably just Mwah, but I find this year’s Rookie IndyCar Crop far more fascinating than last year’s Overly Ballyhooed Rookie Class, with the exception of Romain Grosjean, who Definitely Wasn’t a rookie in any sense besides joining the IndyCar Circus!

 

I tend to recall that Racer’s Marshall Pruett picked Christian Lundgaard to be Rookie Of the Year (ROY) last year, based on his team’s “Equipment.” As I struggle with this choice, especially since the young Dane’s only run one IndyCar race, and as far as I know, has Never been on an Oval.

 

If we’re going solely equipment-wise, then you’d have to think Devlin DeFrancesco would be the Frontrunner, although I’m most definitely Not Sold on the young KuhNuck’, especially due to his tepid Indy Lights campaign.

 

Callum Ilott’s also Arse-sumedly not been on an Oval before, and as much as I want him and his team to succeed, they seem to be vying with Dale Coyne and Company for Minnowesqe status and have yet to prove they can put a car Ontrack that finishes the entire race respectively. Not to mention Thar the Only single Car team on the Grid this season.

 

Have already written that David Malukas is my Dark Horse pick for ROY’, as I just really like this “Kid’s” Demeanour. Yeah, I know Not to get Hooked just by one single Marshall Pruett Podcast, but He also gave Kirkwood a spirited fight for the Indy Lights title last year, and perhaps DCR can continue it’s magic of last year’s Grosjean campaign?

 

Lastly, how times have changed, Eh? With ‘Ol SuperTex’, nee A.J. foyt Not only running a pair of rookies, but with one being a Girl to Boot! But Don’t get me wrong, as I think Tatiana Calderon will Open some Eyes this season, albeit She’s hampered by running only the Street and Road Corses as the only partial season rookie.

 

Meanwhile, I’ve been a Huge Fan of Kirkwood’s ever since learning his name Wayback in his F3 Americas Days, and He’s simply blitzed every rung on the Road to Indy ladder with multiple Championships. As Kyle’s only knock is running for foyt, who’ve become legendous’ for Perennially  running in the Back Half of the Grid, Ack!

 

What to look for?

Naturally Questions Abound, as this is the Shiny, Happy New Car Smell time ‘O year, when Hope springs eternal  towards Grandeur of Championship quests…

 

Beginning with the low Hanging Fruit, obviously you can Never count out Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden or Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon to figure into the title fight. Whilst many will be wonderin’ how Alex Palou Defends his unexpected IndyCar crown from last season.

 

And I’d like to believe that Arrow McLaren SP’s Pato O’Ward, Hmm? Have I mentioned lately He’s my Numero Uno IndyCar Driver? Will once again be part of the Championship discussion. Not to mention, Arse-sumedly Colton Herta will do likewise for Andretti Autosport, while I’d like to see his teammate Alexander Rossi do so also, but not sure if that will happen?

 

As will this be Rossi’s final season at Mikey a’s squad? Since I know Marshall Pruett already proclaimed last December that Kyle Kirkwood would be One and Done at Foyt before returning to Andretti, presumably taking Rossi’s vacated seat? As Rossi’s in a contract year and will definitely be looking to improve His Stock and finally return to the Winners circle.

 

But which Andretti driver will stand Atop the Podium first, Newby’ Romain Grosjean or Rossi?

 

As I’m sure we could go Case by Case for every IndyCar team and Thar Drivers roster, but that would run pages long by my lack of scribblin’ short stories here on No Fenders!

 

As the verdict’s still out upon many, i.e.; Meyer shank Racing’s reboot with Hulio’ (Helio Castroneves) and Simon Pagenaud, which I think is setting itself up for a Disappointing season? Since I definitely think Hulio’ will Fade, but not sure how Pagenaud will do? Although Obviously He’ll wish to prove leaving Penske wasn’t a Bad idea!

 

Not to mention Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s three Car Monty. Or Ed Carpenter Racing’s “refresh” Etcetera Etcetera Etcetera!

 

As who’ll get off to a Quick Start? Since you’d have to think St Pete favours Defending Race Winner Colton Big Shot! Herta, who’s on quite the Winnning Streak right now! Not to mention a very impressive maiden Race Of Champions (ROC) outing on Snow & Ice with Jimmie Johnson Ya Sure Yuh Betcha!

 

 Or will it be another of our countless Contendas’, i.e.; Penske, Ganassi or other Andretti Boyz’ starting off with a Win? And did we really learn anything from the Final Sebring tune Up Test? We’ll soon know… 

Race Of Champions Cancelled

Read about this late Monday in The Guardian which noted that this year's Race Of Champions (ROC) in Bangkok was cancelled due to the current political unrest in the city, of which at least four people have been killed to date...

2013 Race Of Champions Called Off