Has IndyCar’s Silly Season finally Started?

As it sure seems like it ramped-up at Road America…

 

During the Gateway weekend, IndyCar Radio spent the entire weekend saying how one of IndyCar’s Silly Season Drivers had been taken off the board. With the announcement of Christian Rasmussen’s contract extension at ECR. Arse-sumedly the standard two year “multi-year” contract.

 

Have to say my level of following IndyCar and motor racing in general has taken a dip this season, so I’m outta the loop on latest rumours.

 

Initially, I  only knew of three drivers who were out of contract at season’s end, i.e.; Josef Newgarden, Marcus Ericsson and Nolan Siegel. While thought I heard on Marshall Pruett’s podcast that Marcus Armstrong’s contract is up? While noting that Rinus VeeKay has a one year Dealio’ with Juncos Hollinger Racing, with an option for a second year. But Marshall claimed He didn’t know who got to trigger the extension; team or driver?

 

Have read scuttlebutt suggesting that Newgarden wants out of Team Penske, which seems very strange to me. As nobody leaves Penske; Penske dismisses the drivers instead. Although I suppose you could say that DJ WillyP’ walked away from Team Penske. But only after they didn’t seem to want to keep Will Power anymore…

 

If true, and I’m having a hard time believing this, obviously the vacant Team Penske seat would be the biggest seat available on the grid. So I guess that Newgarden would be the biggest domino waiting to fall.

 

Second biggest is Marcus Ericsson’s plight of remaining at Andretti global. As I’ve long thought that some who call Him the “Norwegian Nightmare”, aka Dennis Hauger’s current Dale Coyne Racing adventure is just a tune-up before joining the Andretti Mothership.

 

Yet Pruett made a compelling argument for Andretti Global standing pat with the Swede, who was ninth in the championship at the halfway point. (Gateway) So does Andretti Global give Ericsson a one year extension? And Hauger remain with Coyne a second year?

 

Definitely feel that Nolan Siegel’s time at Arrow McLaren will come to an end, especially with Tony Kanaan having said He needed to finish tenth in this year’s championship.

 

Believe I read/heard something making me wonder about McLaren Formula 1 reserve driver Leonardo Fornaro waiting in the wings?

 

Reportedly, the reigning FIA Formula 2 champion will test an McLaren IndyCar after season’s end, when driver evaluation testing days can take place. Although team principal tony Kanaan said don’t read too much into it, Fornaro’s focus if Formula 1. But TK’ would like to see how Fornaro handle’s an IndyCar…

 

Forgot that Christian Lundgaard’s also out of contract at season’s end. But this one seems a slam dunk for staying at Arrow McLaren. (Especially after His second win of the season at Road America) As it just Mwah who finds it interesting the team shifted master strategist Kyle Moyer onto Lundgaard’s timing stand this season from Siegel’s car…

 

Then I suppose Romain Grosjean at Coyne could be on a one year contract? And Junco’s Sting Ray Robb seemingly is on a year-to-year deal. But I have zero clue who’s available or will potentially fill these seats? Especially since I’m awaiting Marshall Pruett’s next Silly Season installment like many…

 

Shazam! Tuning into IndyCar Radio’s Friday first IndyCar practice session from Road America, Mark Gravelly’ James brought up Pruett’s June 19th Silly Season article apparently making waves in the IndyCar paddock.

 

Michael Young talked to Arrow McLaren Team Principal Tony Kanaan on the subject, who was totally uncomittal – saying He’s just focused on winning and the weekend. But He’s been in that position before and wants to help everybody…

 

Along with Team Penske’s Tim Cindric; ScottyMac’s (McLaughlin) Strategist. With cindric’s answer being the best. Noting how a long time ago He learned to not believe everything you read.

 

Yet the babble over Newgarden wanting “Out” of Team Penske seems to be picking up momentum, as I’ve now had a second person tell me this rumor…

 

While obviously, only time will tell how close to the mark Pruett’s June report was? With the biggest gossip being over Felix-the-Cat’ (Rosenqvist) on the move, most likely to Andretti Global as Marcus Ericsson’s replacement.

 

Not to mention apparently big changes taking place over the ownership structure of Juncos Hollinger Racing, so stay tuned Race Fans!

 

Then after having put this story to “bed”, naturally news broke Wednesday (June 24th) that MSR had officially confirmed Rosenqvist’s departure from the team at season’s end. With Felix headed either to Andretti Global or Arrow McLaren… 

Myles Rowe puts on Clinique at Gateway

As I’m certain He saw the Chequered flag being waved!

 

Have to say that was one of the most bizarre race weekends I can remember in awhile, at Gateway. Yeah, it will always be Gateway to this ‘Ol Codger. Not Wide World Technology Raceway, Spew! (WWTR)

 

Missed Indy NXT live Qualie’, so I was unaware of the drama afterwards. As pole sitter Myles Rowe, who’d been faster by one mile per hour was disqualified for taking an extra flying lap after finishing His run. Failing to follow race officials instructions.

 

Have to say I agree with IndyCar Radio’s Driver Analyst Davey Hamilton, who said you cannot blame your radio for not hearing what lap you’re on. You need to be visually aware of your surroundings and situation and never trust your equipment.

 

Davey said He loved Myles, but just didn’t agree with Rowe trying to blame His radio, while Myles had said He needed to have a talk with the Bell Helmet guys…

 

Thus Myle was relegated to the final row, rolling off last in P24. But Hamilton said He was excited to see what Rowe and Enzo Fittipaldi could do coming from the back.

 

Also missed the memo over points leader Enzo Fittipaldi not being able to qualify Saturday due to a mechanical failure, meaning He’d start P23, alongside Rowe.

 

Yet as the race got ready to start, IndyCar Radio’s Michael Young and Davey Hamilton noticed a lack of two cars from the grid. Most notably Fittipaldi standing on pitlane waiting the arrival of His No. 67 HMD Motorsports racecar, before walking to the front of the grid.

 

As Hamilton said He couldn’t see any cars being pushed towards the track from their vantage point, with the other delinquent racecar being Matteo Nannini’s #20 Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR entry.

 

Then Fittipaldi ran to the garage as the race got ready to start, before His racecar with driver was pushed into pitlane. But race officials wouldn’t let Fittipaldi on-track until the entire field had taken the green! While Nannini also appeared and entered the race behind, possibly two laps down?

 

As queue the JAWS’ theme music! As Rowe was up to tenth place by lap 19 of 75. He’s coming boys!

 

“the High line is the Right line!”

 

Really have to say I was rootin’ for Homeboy’ Josh Person who’d gotten round Andretti Global teammate Max Taylor for second place; believe Alessandro de Tullio who’d started second dropped down the order. With Pierson then harrying pole sitter and Andretti global teammate Lochie Hughes before passing the Aussie’ for the lead.

 

Yet not only was Myles faster than everyone else, He also could place His car wherever He wanted to pass the opposition. Going down low to pass Taylor on lap 32 for third place, with His next victim being Hughes.

 

Rowe passed Hughes on lap 41 with a spectacular three wide pass and set sail for leader Person.

 

Target acquired, as Rowe went to the bottom again six laps later to pass Pierson and never looked back! Making history in the process of starting deepest in the field to win. Shattering Esteban “Ratta-Tat-Tat” Guerrieri’s record climb from P18 to first at the 2012 Freedom 100.

 

Fittipaldi’s day starting from the back wasn’t as stellar as Rowe’s, yet did climb ten places to finish 13th . With title protagonist Nikita Johnson finishing seventh.

 

De Tullio regained positions and finished runner-up to a distant Rowe, while Pierson held on for third, His best finish of the season.

 

Swear I heard Team Penske boss Jonathan Diuguid congratulating Rowe during Myle’s post-race winners interview. As it was Rowe’s third career win, all coming on ovals, and this one being extra special.

 

While Marshal Pruett has reported that Team Penske is considering giving Rowe a post season test aboard one of it’s Indy Cars.

 

Following Gateway, Nikita Johnson led the championship by two markers over Enzo Fittipaldi. (285-283) Both having won twice. And a further three markers adrift (280-points) was Tymek Kucharczyk. As the Polish driver’s been the revelation of the season so far! Scoring His maiden victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s second Indy road course race. Along with finishing third the first three races, and four thirds to date.

 

Max Taylor was fourth, 27 points behind. (258-points) And Vaulting to fifth was Myles Rowe, albeit 73 markers adrift. (212-points)

 

While the $64k question was whether Rowe could continue this momentum at the following Double Header weekend at Road America and to the end of the season?

 

Meanwhile, we learned that both Fittipaldi and Nannini’s racecars had suffered fuel leaks, being the cause of their maladies. Which struck a third, unrelated racecar. As Dennis Hauger failed to start the IndyCar race due to also suffering a fuel leak.

 

As don’t think I’ve ever heard of three cars suffering fuel leaks over a race weekend! 

The Show must Go On!

As where’s ‘Ol Uncle Bernaughty when Yuhs need Him, Eh?

 

Having already scribbled my two pesos worth here upon No Fenders regarding Penske’s latest “Unfair Advantage”. I won’t linger on the subject much longer, especially how everythingy’s AWESOME in Indy Cars, Cough-Cough!

 

But I just wanted to make a few more belated comments, for which I first heard Racer’s Marshall Pruett say out loud during His Week in IndyCar Penske Penalty Podcast. Although I already had similar sentiments over Penske Entertainment’s AWSM press machine…

 

Whilst I wasn’t surprised in the faintess, I did find it funny how much IndyCar.com, the series official House Organ tried wallpapering over Team Penske’s St Pete transgressions! With just one single story published with a rather inauspicious Headline. Before multiple stories about the upcoming Alabama Grand Prix at Barber Motorsports Park. Move along, Nothing to see here…

 

In hindsight, I feel pretty comfortable that Roger Penske didn’t know about this. And while His 15mins “Come to Jesus” meeting in the Barber Motorsports Park paddock in His “RV” with the ten IndyCar team owners was a step in the right direction. Obviously the meeting was way too short! And it just feels like enough wasn’t done regarding this situation…

 

Naturally the series was quite Happy to write about Arrow McLaren Firing David Malukas a day after Scott McLaughlin led Penske teammate Will Power home in a 1-2 finish at Barber’s.

 

As it’s sad thinking that David Malukas never got a chance to race in anger for McLaren. Or that His injury reportedly stems from His mistaking the front brake of His mountain bike for the rear and going Arse over Teakettle! Dislocating His wrist and tearing it’s tendons…

 

Until this season, Malukas has been my Numero Doce IndyCar driver, as I really like His personal Demeanour and had Hoed for His bigger ‘n better opportunity at McLaren, which we All know, now will never happen, Sigh!

 

As Malukas like many current IndyCar drivers climbed up the Stateside Open wheel Racing ladder system. With stops along the way in the U.S. f2000 National championship, Indy Pro 2000, FR Americas and finally Indy Lights before graduating to IndyCar in 2022.

 

Malukas drove two seasons for Dale Coyne Racing with HDM Motorsports, with funding from His Father’s Trucking business. With His breakout drive coming at Gateway, aka World Wide Technology Raceway or simply WWTR in September, 2022. When the rookie driver finally heeded to veteran spotter Pancho Carter’s advice to go High! As the “High line’s the right line!” Which Malukas used to audaciously pass then second place Scott McLaughlin. And came within “whiskers” of passing Josef Newgarden for the win! As Malukas was simply giddy over finishing runner-up between two Team Penske drivers!

 

David’s sophomore season at Coyne went somewhat sideways to say the least. But it’s worth remembering that Chip Ganassi Racing poached His race Engineer that season for Scott Dixon’s ride. With Malukas claiming His second podium at WWTR when finishing third.

 

Marshall Pruett notes that the driver market for 2025 in IndyCar should potentially offer the 22yr old driver a chance to return. With David saying for now He’s simply focused upon becoming 100% Healthy again…

 

And although I really Hope He returns next year to IndyCar, right now I’m struggling to “See” where He lands? As returning to Coyne seems His most likely option. Whilst obviously, Malukas is ruing His decision to go mountain biking on a “Beginner” course this February… 

IndyCar Rewind: Coronating A champion in the Rose City this Weekend?

As what’s that ‘Ol Airplane movie Shtick about Don’t Call Me Shirley! Since surely Alex Palou will finally be crowned the IndyCar Champion…

 

AH, what’s that ‘Ol Sayin’ about Back in thee Saddle again? As your somewhat refreshed No Fenders Scribe Tomaso returns to Ye Keyboard after a month’s sabattical…

 

As it’s funny how I’d managed to listen to every single Qualifying session and Race upon IndyCar Radio from St Pete thru Toronto. Which I still Don’t understand why our fine and Oh, so pleasant Kuhnaidiun’ Neighbours gets Crapped upon yearly with it’s race not being on mainstream Cable TV!

 

As seriously Comcast and IndyCar? You cannot find a measly three hour window of time upon either USA Network or Ahem, CNBC!

 

And whilst I was rootin’ for Christian Lundgaard, whom No Fenders Offical’ Photographer nicknamed Looneygard’, Hya! To win His maiden IndyCar race ahead of my Numero Uno IndyCar Driver Pato O’Ward.

 

All I could do was repeat the words that Alex Palou was Shitting Gold Bricks! With His masterful drive from P15 to runner-up with a severely damaged Front Wing that IndyCar Radio’s Mark Gravelly’ James was incredulous over it not falling off the last 20-laps!

 

Thus seeing Palou increase His points lead to 117 markers ahead of then second place Scott Dixon, who finished fourth Up North Eh! In what seems such an Oh, So Bloody long time ago!

 

As I’d miss “watching”, Err listening to the next three races. Since I prefer listening to them upon IndyCar Radio, since have I reminded Y’all I’m blind lately?

 

As Y’all know that was before “the King of Corn”, aka Josef Newgarden once again ran the tables with a clean sweep at Iowa’s Double Header weekend. As reportedly ‘Ol (Townsend) T-Bell’ came up with that Newgarden nicknamed…

 

Thus, with Newgarden scoring maximum points at Iowa, minus the two Poles positions being captured by Penske teammate will Power. Coupled with Palou’s eighth and third place finishes. Newgarden trimmed a healthy 37-points off of Palou’s lead, vaulting to second in the Championship at 477-397 points. Scott Dixon was third with 357 points. Marcus Ericsson fourth with 330 points and Scott McLaughlin fifth with 329 points prior to Nashville. Which you’d have to say was then effectively a two “Horse” fight for the Astor cup with Dixon a remote chance…

 

Totally missed the Nashville Crash-fest, albeit Tacoma Bureau Chief Mary ellen read me a race recap afterwards. Although it didn’t make any mention of how once again Palou’s Midas Touch continued! Since I believe it was sometime during the IndyCar-RASSCAR’ Double Necker’ weekend’s IndyCar Radio broadcast. Hearing Mark Gravelly’ James note how Palou had gotten lucky over not running out of fuel during Nashville to finish third…

 

As Palou led the Championship with 539 points prior to Gateway, Err Wide World Technology Raceway. With Dixon second with 438 points and Newgarden third with 434 points, being the only three potential Astor Cup Contendahs’.

 

As Scott McLaughlin with 395 points and Pato O’Ward with 388 points; positions fourth-fifth respectively were effectively eliminated from the title fight.

 

Yet even after Dixon scored an impriveable victory on Mother Speedway’s road course, wit the Kiwi’ now claiming at least one W’ for the last 19 years! Dixon still trails Palou by 101 points and Newgarden 105 points behind! Meaning all Palou needed to do was increase His lead to 109 points following WWTR and He would be crowned the 2023 NTT IndyCar Series Champion.

 

Gateway threw a few rinkles into the Championship chase, the first being the novel use of Alternate Flinstone’ tyres during the weekend’s condensed two day event. With Firestone allocating two sets of alternate rubber – with the mandates of one new set being used during Saturday’s first practice session, and the other during the race. With All 28 competitors being required to start on the primary coumpound and nobody being allowed to run the alternate during Qualifying. As this was hoped to spice up the show and bring in some alternate Pit strategies.

 

Secondly, initially five drivers were Hit with nine place Grid penalties for unapproved engine changes. With Scott McLaughlin, Scott Dixon, Takuma Sato, Kyle Kirkwood and Augustin Canipino All having taken on fifth engines for the season, which isn’t allowed per IndyCar rules. With the most significant of this quintet being Dixon, albeit the “Iceman 2.0” has a long habbit of making lemonade from lemons…

 

And I scribbled that analogy prior to Sunday’s race, where Dixon started P16!

 

Which IndyCar was trying to do Saturday at Gateway, since Thunderstorms and a steady Downpour totally disrupted the schedule, with the morning’s 8AM Pacific and Qualifying at 11AM Pacific both being Rained Out!

 

As it’s Uber Annoying how difficult for somebody who doesn’t do the TWIT-ER” game or other Social Media outlets to find out in “real” time what’s going on? Since All that the official IndyCar website told me was to come back for updates, after being the first place I learned of the track being under deluge!

 

Thin Mike Silver of The Pit Window gave an WWTR update saying that track activities could begin as early as 5:00PM Central time, being 3PM here on the Central Oregon coast. Before Ye Oldest IndyCar Blogger George Phillips of Oilpressure Fame finally posted His Welcome to WWTR post around 1PM Pacific saying that there was still some Drizzle and that the track had lights. So who knows what the day’s schedule will turn out as? Meaning I spent the morning and afternoon going round the “Horn” trying to find out when track activities would actually begin? With the totally revised schedule commencing nearly some nine hours later! At 4:45PM Pacific, (6:45PM Central) with just a single 60mins practice – plus the two 10mins High line “rubbering-in” sessions. For which overnight rain was expected to wash away.

 

While the Diehard IndyCar Fans got to see the Indy NXT race be held under the lights Saturday evening…

 

Qualifying was shifted to Sunday morning with the race staying in it’s same “time” window.

 

Yet Sunday morning’s Qualifying was delayed by 22mins due to a Silver Crown sprint Car having laid Oil down upon the racing surface during their practice. But the weather was much improved, albeit the predicted rain overnight had indeed washed the rubber away.

 

While it was also announced that IndyCar points leader Alex Palou would incur a nine place Grid penalty for an unapproved (fifth) engine change, ultimately starting P14.

 

Whilst some on Ye Bloggosphere are singing the praises of Kevin The Werewolf! Lee as Fill-in lead Announcer for Lee Diffey, Splat! Kevin’soverly manufacturered Faux excitement is one of the reasons compelling Mwah to have switched to IndyCar Radio instead!

 

And while the Gateway race was enjoyable, I stil really Don’t know how Scott Dixon worked His Majic once again for another W’. As I was rootin’ Ah-Mighty’ for Pato O’Ward to win Sunday. But like O’Ward said following finishing runner-up by 22 seconds. Being the largest winning margin since Juan Pablo Montoya beat Patrick Carpentier by 12 seconds in 2000…

 Dixon Pulled a Dixon!

 

While is it wrong that I broke into Gleeful laughter when Josef Newgarden Hit the wall on lap-211! As I simply didn’t want Him to win All five Oval track races this year. Not to mention He’s become my new Villain – Thanks to Hulio’s demise, and soon to be Indy 500 Only status!

 

Hey, Robin Miller says Hate’s Good!

 

Whilst it was super enjoyable having David Malukas in the No. 18 Dale Coyne Racing entry running at the front All race long, ultimately claiming His second ever series Podium finish of third.

 

Thus with Alex Palou’s subpar day of finishing seventh coupled with Scott Dixon’s win. Dixon trimmed a healthy 27 points off of Palou’s lead and now trails Alex Palou by 74 points entering the Rose City, aka Portland. Where I’ll be expecting Palou to finally be crowned this year’s IndyCar Champion, Sunday! 

INDYCAR: Gateway 2022 Championship Countdown Edition

As welcome to the Podium David Malukas!

 

The NTT IndyCar Series final Oval race of the year at World Wide Technology Raceway, (WWTR) at the track that will forever simply be Gateway for Mwah. Saw 26 Cars on the Grid, with the only change being Ed Carpenter Racing’s (ECR) Boss Fast Eddie’ (Ed Carpenter) in His #33 ECR entry.

 

Friday’s First Practice session prior to qualifying saw Team Penske’s DJ WillyP’, ergo Will Power on top of the Time Sheets with a speed of 180.539mph. Followed by Chip Ganassi Racing’s (CGR) Alex Palou and Arrow McLaren SP’s (AMSP) Felix Rosenqvist, with Penske’s ScottyMac’, nee Scott McLaughlin and CGR’s Marcus Ericsson rounding out the Top-5. AMSP’s Pato O’Ward was sixth, and Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Graham Rahal in seventh was the first driver below 180mph! Penske’s Josef Newgarden, Coyne-Ware Racing’s Takuma Sato and Scott Dixon completed the Top-10.

 

Interestingly, Rookie Devlin DeFrancesco led the four car Andretti Autosport train in P11,which the Kuhnuck’ backed up with His career Best Qualifying performance of 10^th, second Fastest Andretti runner with a speed of 179.531mph. Whilst Fellow Rookies David Malukus (Dale Coyne Racing with HMD Motorsport) was P13 and matched that in Qualifying. A.J. foyt’s Kyle Kirkwood was P16 and 20^th in Qualie’. RLLR’s Christian Lundgaard was P19 and Juncos Hollinger Racing’s Callum Ilott was P22. Which both matched later in Qualifying…

 

Qualifying

Surprisingly, Taku-san’, aka Takuma Sato was the first driver to average 180mph during Qualifying, when He jumped from a 179.9 to 180.3 to finish with a 180.048mph two lap average and will roll off P8.

 

Felix Rosenqvist, the 17^th  Qualifier, with the Qualifying order being run in the inverse order of Season Points. Saw the Swede’ get loose and Spin on His first lap and will start last in P26. Although Felix managed to mostly “Save” the car and not sure if He Hit anything? Other than I know He popped one of His tires and I think He lightly Brushed the Wall?

 

Twentieth qualifier Pato O’ward knocked Sato off of the Pole with a 180.303mph  run, (7^th) which was extremely short lived. Since Scott McLaughlin became the first Qualifier to eclipse 181mph for a final Qualie’ speed of 181.406mph, ultimately Qualifying fourth fastest.

 

While according to IndyCar Radio’s Michael Young, the entire track was then being Shaded in Clouds along with a Tailwind down the Straight, which pushed each of the last five Qualifiers Faster ‘N Faster!

 

Josef Newgarden’s first lap was a bit Disappointing with the recent trend of each runner going Quicker. Being only  a 180-plus lap before Josef found two miles per hour more and became the first driver to Throw Down a lap of 182mph! As Newgarden’s average Qualifying run was 181.629mph. (P3) Quickly dispersing Penske teammate McLaughlin.

 

Next up was Alex Palou, once again in the No. 10 American Legion car. Setting His Best ever Gateway Qualie’ time at 181.289mph. (5^th) Before CGR teammate Scott Dixon struggled with the Handling of His #9 racecar for a two lap average of 180.954mph, winding up sixth fastest.

 

Then Marcus Ericsson raised the bar to 182.070mph (2^nd) before the driver I’d predicted to win the Pole prior to Qualifying went out for His Warmup lap. As you just knew that Will Power was going to run the Gauntlet and capture His record tying 67^th Pole position!

 

And even with Will Bobbling in Turns 3-4 on His first lap, it still was in the High 182’s! Before as Power told Michael Young afterwards, He’d also had an issue in Turns 1-2but knew if He kept His Foot into it, He could run a “6!” Which presumably meant 24.6-second lap. Which is exactly what will did with a 24.5782 second lap when Uncorking a Mega’ lap of 183mph-plus! And capturing Pole Number 67 with an average speed of 182.727mph. Now tied with Mario Andretti for Most IndyCar Pole positions, aye Karumba!

 

Race

From Pole, will Power led a total of 128 laps, and I Heard Mark Gravelly’ James say He’d led 104 of the first 109 laps.

 

With 43-laps remaining the Red Flag came out for Rain. And I loved ScottyMac’s Deadpan answer to Michael Young. When Young asked Him about Rainbows Down Under? Scotty said Oh Yeah, But they’re Upside Down! And the water goes Down the Drain Backwards. To which Scott Dixon played along with Young later, agreeing with McLauglin and Man, the water goes the opposite way too…

 

Two Hours, Nine minutes and 14 seconds later, the Red Flag for Rain was lifted with cars refiring engines at 7:09PM Pacific. Before the Green Flag came out four laps later at 7:13PM Pacific. For which it turned into a completely different race! As Josef Newgarden BOO! Passed ScottyMac’ for the lead and never looked back. But my eventual Driver of The Race, the unexpected David Malukas Drove round McLaughlin with just two laps remaining to finish Runner-up for His Debutante IndyCar Podium!

 

As originally Pato O’ward was going to be my Driver of The Race since I just kept saying Stones! After O’Ward pulled off another of His ultra Daring Passes upon DJ WillyP’ for the lead of the race! (Pre Red Flag) As O’Ward was simply amazing during this race, and it’s a Shame that He and Power both struggled after the Red Flag restart with Thar Flinstone’ tyres being Done Used Up! As Pato would have to settle for P4 while Malukas’s teammate Takuma Sato slipped past Power for fifth. And Power only just Holds onto His Points lead over Newgarden by the three Bonus Points He claimed for winning Pole and leading the most laps!

 

Of the other Championship Contendahs’, Marcus Ericsson led Scott Dixon and Alex Palou Home in a three car CGR Freight train, P7-8-9 respectively.

 

2022 Point Standings

1) Will Power: 482

2) Josef Newgarden: 479, -3

3) Scott Dixon: 468, -14

4) Marcus Ericsson: 465, -17

5) Alex Palou: 439, -43

6) Scott McLaughlin: 428, -54

7) Pato O’Ward: 424, -58

 

Shout Out to Devlin DeFrancesco who scored His career Best finish in 12th. While Kyle Kirkwood finished P17, one place ahead of A.J. Foyt enterprises teammate Dalton Kellett. And Christian Lundgaard finished a disappointing 19^th.

 

2022 Rookies Point Standings

1. (15^th) Christian Lundgaard: 283

2. (16^th) David Malukas: 272, -11

(Overall Point Standings) 

Romain Grosjean’s Career renaissance

As everybody likes the Rookie French Driver in Indy Cars…

 

Like many, I was most intrigued over how Romain Grosjean would fair in his debutante IndyCar Oval race Saturday Nite’ at whatever for Mwah will simply be Gateway, now known as World Wide Technology Raceway (WWTR) or simply WWT Raceway instead…

 

As I marveled how far the Frenchman has come in his racing career, as for some strange reason I heard Mark Handlebarz’ Webber Cooing in my ear…

 

As everybody knows about Romain’s Horrific, Fiery Shunt at Bahrain last year, which Thankfully He Walked Away from!

 

During the Pre-race Banter, believe it was NBC Sports (Townsend) T-Bell’ who mentioned that Grosjean’s new nickname is The Phoenix. While IndyStar’s Nathan Browne mentioned in a story how the Frenchman was wearing his trademarked “Ball Cap” with two hands raised in the Air with Flames All around as the Phoenix, not to mention his one hand still bears the Scars of being engulfed in Fire for some 30 seconds!

 

Yet how many remember, myself included that Grosjean began his Formula 1 career as “Nielsen Ho’s,” aka Nelson Piquet Jr’s replacement at Renault after the Brazilian had been dropped following the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix for the rest of the season, having been le Reggie’s Test and Reserve Driver, where interestingly his Car number was 8.

 

As Grosjean was completely overshadowed by what erupted into Crash Gate that Fall, with Piquet Junior’s pronouncement of having been told to deliberately Crash by “HMS Monogram,” neee Flavour Flav’, aka Team Boss Flavio Briatore during the ’08 Singapore Grand Prix to ensure that his team-mate and team leader Fredrico Suave, aka Fernando Alonso won the race!

 

Romain was jettisoned from the Renault F1 Team at season’s end and rebuilt his career by winning both the 2011 GP2 Asia and main GP2 Series Championships, the only driver to do so before returning to Formula 1 in 2012 at the newly renamed Lotus F1 Team, having previously been Lotus Renault GP after Renault had sold a majority share to Genii Capital investor Gerard Lopez at the end of ’09.

 

As Romain joined some Finnish Guy who famously said “Just leave Me Alone, I Know what I’m doing!” Known as the “Iceman,” nee Kimi Raikkonen as Lotus F1 Team leader.

 

But you’d have to say that his return to F1 wasn’t exactly stellar, having multiple First lap Crashes and being publicly called a “First lap Nutcase” by Mark Webber after they’d collided on lap-1 at that year’s Japanese Grand Prix! As Grosjean had been involved in seven first lap incidents in the first 12 Grands Prix, leading up to Belgium.

 

Not to mention being given a One race Ban for triggering the Multi-car Pile-up at Spa Francorchamps, where Grosjean’s Lotus barely missed Alonso’s Helmet, with the Spaniard now driving for Ferrari!

 

As the Crash ultimately took out four cars including Lewis Hamilton’s McLaren, for which Romain had cut in front of. Alonso’s Ferrari, Sauber’s Sergio Perez and Grosjean. Not to mention affecting Sauber’s Kamui Kobayashi’s race, who finished 13^th.

 

As romain became the first F1 Driver to be given a One race Ban since somebody known on No Fenders as Der Terminator’, aka Michael Schumacher Wayback in 1994! Along with being fined $50,000 Euros!

 

Yet to be fair to Grosjean, I do recall rootin’ for him to do the unthinkable at the 2013 USGP at Circuit Of the Americas and somehow pass ‘lil Syd viddle (Sebastian Vettel) who was leading the race in his Red Bull. As Grosjean Cooly held off Vettel’s team-mate and his Bosom Buddy Webber for second place in a Red Bull Racing “Kidney Pie” Sandwich…

 

After four seasons at Lotus, Romain joined the latest Brand New Formula 1 Team, Haas F1 in 2016 for the remainder of his Formula 1 career, and I cannot help but wonder now if he chose the number 8 in deference to it being his first car number in F1?

 

Fast forwarding to this year, I’d have to say that Romain’s probably the most popular driver in Indy Cars? As how can you not feel Happy for Him and the Feel Good story of the Minnowesqe Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing’s Rookie IndyCar Driver securing his first series Pole position and Podium in only his third ever IndyCar outing! Not to mention having the IMS Road Course figured out by finishing Runner-up twice.

 

Thus naturally you’d be curious over how the former F1 Pilote who’d never raced on an Oval before would do in only his tenth IndyCar outing, wouldn’t you?

 

Rolling off P14, from the outside of Row 7, Romain managed to dodge All of the Carnage that occurred in the first 60-plus laps, mostly being Yellow, with the Hijinxs of Ed Jones v Graham Rahal, Ed Carpenter and Simon Pagenaud v Josef Newgarden!

 

And after the race had finally settled down following five cautions for a ridiculous amount ‘O Yellow Flag laps, Grosjean electrified Mwah, making some Nifty Overtaking maneuvers on Ovalmeister TK’ follow your Schnoz! Kanaan and Dalton Kellett. Then Conor Daly, whom I believe Romain had been sent to the back of the field for Avoidable Contact with Daly previously?

 

Next up was Scott McLaughlin and then I think he put a daring High Side pass upon The Dude, aka Ryan Hunter-Reay before settling in at eighth place Ontrack.

 

Of course Grosjean who told Nathan Browne the only thing that had possibly prepared him for Oval racing was his time spent Ice racing Wayback in ’09! Had his struggles learning how to adapt to driving on Cold, “Hard,” Fresh Firestone rubber and got up into the ”Gray,” aka “Marbles” and summarily lost All of the positions he’d gained! Which happened over multiple Pit Stops.

 

Not to mention getting “Hosed” by being on the wrong side of the evening’s final Caution period when Alexander Rossi tagged the Wall after making his final Pitstop and trying to stay ahead of Race leader Newgarden and eventual Runner-up Pato O’Ward. As Grosjean ultimately finished exactly where he’d started in 14^th, but I’d say it was a very good race for him.

 

Naturally I’ve been Pulling for Grosjean to Beat Team Penske’s rookie Scott McLaughlin in the Rookie Of the Year (ROY) battle for awhile now. And not because I have anything against the Kiwi’, it’s just that I tire easily of Team Penske always winning everything! So Go Romain! Who reputedly now trails McLaughlin by 23 points with three races remaining.

 

As Hopefully  we’ll see Grosjean making his Full season IndyCar campaign next year, including his Debutante Indy 500, no matter who He’s driving for, with another celebrated driver named Jimmie Johnson as part of his 2022 Mother Speedway Rookie Class…