A Few Thoughts upon IndyCar's impending silly Season

Especially since the Season's pretty much Over, and we're just Ah-waitin' for the Dominoes to begin Ah-tumblin', with thee Mayor 'O Hinchtown being the Lynchpin...

Now that we're effectively winding down the 2019 NTT IndyCar Series season, it'll soon be time to Shift Gears and concentrate on the 2020 IndyCar Silly Season, for which we'll only have to wait a ridiculous 269 Days to Find Out, El Correctomundo?

As I'll start with the low Hangin' Fruit, the will He, won't He conjecture over TK' Follow-your-Schnoz! Kanaan returning for his 23rd IndyCar season next year? Which I'll say TK' returns, since I doubt he wishes to go out with such a Bad taste in His mouth over this year's Dismal campaign...

Will Tony Kanaan return for 23rd IndyCar season in 2020?

Although 'Ol R', aka Robin Miller threw out an interesting Slant, Uhm Read Option? On why wouldn't TK' just find the best possible Indy 500 Only ride instead next year? Ah, SHIT! We'll have to wait 'til FRIGGIN' Football season's over to find out; SPEW!

Thus, I've had a few more thoughts percolate since previously speculating on Indy Lights runner-up Rinus VeeKay potentially driving Fast Eddie's' (Carpenter) No. 21 ride next year, in lieu of Spencer Pigot. Especially since I have Nothing against Spencer.

As not sure why I overlooked the fact that his current racing team already has an IndyCar programme, albeit Juncos Racing and Kyle Kiser have mostly concentrated upon Sports car racing this season, with the exception of Circuit Of The Americas (COTA) and Indianapolis, where they Bumped someone named Fernando, ci!

INDY 500: DRAGONSLAYERS!

So why couldn't the Niederlander' simply graduate to Indy Cars with Juncos Racing instead? Especially since he's got the necessary Financial Backing of Holland's No. 2 Supermarket Chain Jumbo, Just Sayin'.

VeeKay Aims to lead Dutch Army to Indy Cars

Yet where will Andretti Autosport's 2019 Indy Lights Champion Oliver Askew wind up? Especially since he'll be flush with the $1.1m Championship cheque which ensures him three IndyCar races next year, including the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500.

Meanwhile, where will Thee Mayor 'O Hinchtown, nee James Hinchcliffe ultimately decide to hang his Helmet?

If he stays with the reconstituted Arrow SPM boyz', who join forces with McLaren next year. Along with switching to Chevrolet lumps', then perhaps Conor Daly could join him in the second Arrow McLaren Racing SP seat?

As is it just Mwah? Or have Y'all noticed how Hinch's Dropped Out of the Honda commercials ever since Arrow SPM made their announcement to switch to the rival Bowtie Brigade...

Yet if Hinch' stays with Honder', which is Aussie' Speak for Honda, Righto Leigh Diffey; Hya! Then where would he go? As the third Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing seat sounds somewhat less likely now.

With my Wild Arse thoughts being, How 'bout a two car Meyer Shank Racing Fulltime entry next year, with the KuhNuck' joining the already well established entry of Jack Bloody Nige! Harvey & Co. As you'd like to see the two Honda engines Dismissed from Arrow SPM back in the Gene Pool next year.

As I'll speculate Thars' possibly gonna be three Honder' lumps available, since it seems fairly certain Colton Herta's bound for Mikey A's fifth car next year, unless Harding continues as the Andretti Autosport's B-Team with Askew?

Whilst I haven't even pontificated over Carlin's line-up next year. Hmm, may be 'Ol Narly Pinball', aka Charlie Kimball and Max Chilton can combine for one Fulltime entry, and Conor Daly getting the second seat Fulltime if he doesn't land at McLaren SP?

Although I like the far more comical acronym that Marshall Pruett and Robin Miller bandied 'bout in Thar latest Marshall Pruett Podcast. Sardonically referring to it as SPAM!

While we still Don't know if The Great Santini', nee Santino Ferrucci will decide to keep racing with his Minnowesqe Dale Coyne Merriment? Or what about Marcus Ericson?

And what about Harding racing returning next season? Or who'll partner Kanaan at A.J. Foyt enterprises? Ah, so many miles to go. Which is why they call it Silly Season, el Correctomundo?

An Early Look at the 2020 IndyCar Driver line-ups still Unconfirmed

F1: With little Fanfare, Haas and Rich Energy finally Part Ways

As what's that Mr. Story? Yuhs say How-How-How, they gotta lot 'O Nice Girls where Yuhs are Slick Willie...

Although not surprising, especially with All of the Bombastic remarks made up to the British Grand Prix. Now that tempers have cooled and All the Lawyers have Dotted the T's and Crossed Thar Eye's, or however that goes, Eh?

Haas Ends Title Sponsorship Deal with Rich Energy

As this certainly Ain't as Juicy an Outcome vs. what became Headline News Wayback in Mid July, when 'Ol William Story was having a Twitter War against the Haas F1 Team, who basically stood Mum on All the behind the Scenes Machinations...

F1: Haas Energy Partner Fuels Novel Sponsorship Approach

Although Inquiring Minds wanna Know, where will Messer Top', aka William Story show up next? Perhaps as a rival F1 Team Owner? Said Ah-How-How-How, indeedy!

IMSA: Longtime Announcer Brian Till Fighting Cancer

Although I typically Don't listen to the Marshall Pruett Podcast's. And Not because I Don't like Racer's Marshall or his Guests. But primarily since I cannot seem to figure out how to open the link with my Screen Reader interface; But I Digress...

Nonetheless, I'm always intrigued to hear what 'Ol r', as I believe it was another Media Man with the Moniker JMV . Nope, Not 'Ol Jan Michael Vincent of Airwolf Fame; Hya! But Indianapolis's 1070 WFNI The Fan's "Shock Jock," Uhm Talk Host John Michael Vincent calls Robin Miller has to say.

Thus I tuned into the Marshall Pruett Week in IndyCar MP 647 Podcast on Friday the 13th NO less; Aye Karumba!

And listened to All Gory 98mins, for which towards the end of the Podcast, Marshall noted that it was great seeing the support fellow Announcer Till was getting at his Go Fund Me page for his fight against Throat Cancer, which I was totally Unawares' of. Which Y'all can read 'bout in the Racer link below.

Broadcaster Brian Till to undergo Treatment for Throat Cancer

Whilst I've been a Fan of Brian's a longtime now, and have always thought he's a fine Broadcaster who we should get to Hear more of, having briefly chronicled Till in the following No Fenders tome. 

Trio of Aspiring Racers turned Broadcasters

As Kudos to Graham Rahal & Courtney Force and everyone else Donating to his cause...

Jessi Combs, Woman's Land Speed Record Holder Dies in Oregon Crash

North American Eagle 1,000mph Land Speed Record racecar. Photo by North American Eagle Project. (Image source: hemmings.com)

As another racer perishes in their pursuit of Ultimate Speed and glory. Whilst some say Bad things come in Three's...

Yeah, know we're All still supposed to be enraptured over that Scintillating? Portland IndyCar race held Labour Day weekend, which is why I partially decided to hold this story back. And then that same weekend in Belgium, at Spa Francorchamps, Anthoine Hubert Died in a Formula 2 Crash.

Alas, I found it somewhat ironic to learn just a week prior to Indy Cars arrival in thee Rose City, the News that Jessi Combs had Died in the Alvord Desert in Southeast Oregon, August 27th. Which presumably Y'all have heard about by now, Righto?

Racer Jessi Combs Dies in Land Speed record Attempt

Having first come across the News when listening to Car and Driver magazine via my NFB Newsline for The Blind telephone service, I had Zero Clue over who Jessi Combs was? Not to mention that she was known as The Fastest Woman on Four Wheels!

Jessi Combs Bio

Yet when I heard the words North American eagle, (NAE) Claxon Bells started sounding loudly, as I know that name! As it was none other than No Fenders Tacoma Bureau Chief Mary Ellen who introduced me to this unique Land Speed record project when she saw said vehicle on the I-5 Highway north of Seattle nearly a Decade ago, Wayback in 2010. For which I noted this briefly, albeit in Part 2 of another of my never ending No Fenders tomes.

The 700 Club

Not to mention that I've had Thar Official Website in my No Fenders Racing Links section for nearly as long...

North American Eagle: Land Speed Record Challenger

Although somehow I missed thoust Memo? Since I'd ARSE-Sume that originally this ex-F-104 Lockeed Starfighter Fighter plane was configured in the traditional three-wheels Jet Rocket-car layout. Since it was originally envisioned to re-capture the Land Speed Record (LSR) currently held by Andy Green aboard the ThrustSSC, by going an astounding 800mph!

Alas, I got busy 'N quit following the project and therefore had NO clue that Jessi Combs at the controls of the Eagle Rocket-car, which was now sporting four wheels had Broken the Women's Land Speed Record Wayback in 2013 on the exact same Alvord Desert.

As Combs shattered the existing record then held by lee Breedlove since February 11, 1965, wife of some LSR Jockey named Craig. Having set the record aboard the Spirit of America Sonic 1 at Bonneville at 308.5mph. Before Combs went 90 miles per hour faster, when going  398.95mph on October 9, 2013!

Although I cannot find any definitive technical details upon the NAE Supersonic Speed Challenger, other than it measures some 56-feet long, weighs in at over 7 Tons! And is propelled by a General electric J-79 jet engine with Afterburner producing up to 52,000 Horsepower.

The Vehicle

Combs, along with NAE Founder Ed Shadle next set their sights upon besting two current Land Speed Records, the Women's Overall and the Single engine records in September, 2016.

As Shadle, who ultimately drove to a speed of 515mph in the Eagle, aborted his record attempt after experiencing steering issues during testing.

Meanwhile, ironically combs was  attempting breaking Kitty O'Neal's current Land Speed Record made on the very same Dry Lake-bed in Oregon Wayback in December, 1976! Which I only learned of last year when Kitti "Flamed Out."

Female Speed Demon Kitty O'Neil Flames Out

Yet Jessi's attempt was ultimately Derailed when she made a One-way pass at 477mph before going Off-course into some stray Cacti, promptly ending that year's record attempt!

Next, in 2018, Combs and Crew were back at it once again at their familiar testing grounds in Oregon - while making another record run at 483.227mph. A parts failure allowed a Door Hatch to open, allowing Debris to enter the Eagle's engine, curtailing any further record attempts towards Besting O'Neil's elusive record.

North American Eagle Team Vows  to continue Land Speed Record Quest despite Ed Shadle's Death

Sadly, Combs Death comes on the Heels of NAE leader Shadle's Death in September, 2018. And these two major events, including the wrecked vehicle and the Team's always Scant  Finances would seem to put a Damper upon the continuation of the project, which is just pure Speculation upon my part.

Police Investigating Computers Onboard Jessi Combs Vehicle to Determine Accident Cause

Although History would suggest that eventually some Female, or Females? Will ultimately Break the current Women's Land Speed Record's, since there seems to be a distinction between the Overall Speed record and Four wheels Speed record? The latter Combs Broke after it had stood for nearly a Half Century...