Wednesday, February 5, 2020

John Andretti takes Chequered Flag at Age 56



John Andretti, "The King" (Richard Petty) and Dreyer & Reinbold unveil the RPM No. 43 racecar for the 2009 Indy 500. (Image source: motorsport.com)
Although he'll always be remember by the long running No Fenders moniker I've used for him as Gentleman John...

By now Y'all have heard the news that John Andretti Died from his protracted fight against Colon Cancer at the age of 56 on Thursday, January 30th.

As it seems like it's largely fallen underneath thou Radar since the Sports World is all Ah-wash' in the Kobe Bryant tragedy right now, not to mention that John presumably wouldn't be considered an "A lister" Celebrity wise by most, Righto? Even with his famous last name...

But I'd have to totally agree with 'Ol R's', nee Robin Miller's assessment of John, since he seemingly was always overshadowed by other Andretti's...


Although I was unawares' that John apparently began his professional racing career in IMSA in 1986 behind the wheel of a Factory BMW GTP racecar, partnered by another former IndyCar driver named Davy Jones, with the duo winning the Fall Watkins Glen race.

As the Works BMW two car squad also had 'Ol Hobbo', nee HobbsCap', aka David Hobbs and John "Wattie" Watson in its other GTP entry that year.

As John then made his Open Wheel Racing Debut the following year appropriately at the '87 Road America 200 CART race as Tom Sneva's replacement.

While I can still somewhat "See" that Fly; Err Pennzoil Yellow #4 Hall VDS Lola 9100 Chevrolet racecar he won his lone CART PPG Indy Car World Series IndyCar race Down Under at surfers Paradise in 1991 for the legendous' Jim Hall. Ironically the same year that his cousin Michael won his lone IndyCar Championship.

And I know I coveted a Randy Owens print of a brace 'O March/Porsche IndyCar's in Thar striking blue & white Fosters livery when John was Teo Fabi's team-mate during the 1990 CART PPG Indy Car World Series season...

Yet Arguably his Biggest Win came aboard Jim Busby's Busby Racing Miller High Life/BF Goodrich Porsche 962, when John with Co-drivers Bob Wolleck and Derrick Bell won the 1989 Sunbank 24 at Daytona 31yrs ago; Aye Karumba!

When Sunbank preceded the now well known moniker Rolex 24 for the prestigious Sports Car race held at Daytona International Speedway since 1962.

Although I suppose some would argue that his inaugural RASSCAR' victory at the 1997 Pepsi 400 at Daytona would also rank in stature, albeit it's the lesser of the prestigious DayToner' Roundy Round events...

As John spent the majority of his racing career in Stock Cars, competing in NASCAR between 1993 and 2010, amassing nearly 400 starts, claiming two victories and four Pole positions before returning to Indy Cars in 2007.

As it's hard to believe it's almost a Decade ago since his final race at Mother Speedway, contesting the 2011 Indy 500 in what became his late trademark #43 entry, endorsed by The King', nee Richard Petty himself, with Window World as his longtime sponsor.

Although I tend to recall his return to IndyCars for the Back-marker Roth Racing IRL entity, and due to No fault of his own, the estranged replacement of Jay Funnyman' Howard at Indianapolis.

While how many IndyCar Drivers have ever Strapped-on an NHRA Top Fuel Nitro Dragster? Which is exactly what John did Wayback in '93! Driving for former Major League Baseball player Jack Clark in the Taco Bell Express,. With Clark's first Driver being the late Tom "The Mongoose" McEwen.

As John's Top Fueler exploits came before becoming a Fulltime RASSCAR' TaxicabLand' Chauffer, making his debut for the totally unknown & forgotten Tex Racing in '93.

Along with making History as the first Driver to contest what became known as "The Double," when John raced in both the 1994 Indianapolis 500 and Charlotte 600 on the same Day!

And John seemingly was a Trailblazer in his own unique way, but became known to Mwah as Gentleman John for his Humble, always Positive, Smiling, Never Angry personality. And just seemed very grounded with zero Ego, especially for somebody with the last name of Andretti!

As I never got to meet him, but know he would have been most gracious to me, and it would have been a pleasure meeting him briefly...

Yet it's John's Charitable Work that sets him apart for Mwah, albeit having zero Clue what the other Andretti's due in this realm of Philanthropy? But John tirelessly campaigned for children, most notably at Riley's Children's Hospital in Indianapolis, along with other Charity's.

Since I recall seeing his Stinger' IndyCar Wayback' in 2013 at the IMS Museum, which he got multiple IndyCar Drivers to autograph before it was auctioned off for St Jude's Children's Research at the 2016 100th running of the Indianapolis 500.


And although I've got zero idea how much or who won this amazing piece 'O memorabilia, I did find out that John actually spent four years attempting to get All 273 living Indy 500 Drivers who'd competed in the race up to the 2011 Centenary!

As the car was painted to mimic the 1911 Marmon Wasp winner, replete with faux black leather cowling straps and black front nose radiator - with the No. 32 chosen in a nod to Indy's tradition of 33 Starters, in what's just one more example of John's tireless work for others...


As this car should really be on permanent Display in the IMS Museum as part of the Speedway's collection both in tribute to John Andretti and it's unique Indy 500 significance. which after a 'lil more digging, I'm happy to learn that's exactly where it landed...


Arrivederci John!

Monday, February 3, 2020

Honda Scuttles Alonso's Indy 500 Plans



As talk 'bout holding a grudge!

I first learned the news via Racer Sunday morning prior to this year's Super Bowl LIV and just started chuckling after saying W-O-W! A few times. Since I'd say Thars some really Bad Blood between the Honda Brass in Tokyo and Fernando Alonso, Yuhs Think?

As I'm not surprised, but instead I've been ponderin' what a really fine line racing drivers are forced to walk. Since Alonso's being punished for his multiple outbursts vs. Honda's then woefully anemic Formula 1 return as an engine; Err PU', nee Power Unit supplier.

As I know I actually heard Fernando's most scandalous salvo, when claiming over the In-car radio that the Honder' was like running with a GP2 lump' or Somme-thun to that effect. Since  this took place in 2015.

But the part I'm pondering is how we as Fans, myself included clamour each 'N every year for drivers to Not be Vanilla, button down All Corporate Speak and actually have a pulse and display unique personalities. yet if they do so, they risk the ire of being severely punished for their true insights.

Although I'm certainly not implying that Fernando's an innocent Choir Boy, who I've had a Love-Hate relationship with for 15yrs now. And his Renault Crash Gate, McLaren and Ferrari years certainly weren't without incidents...

Yet isn't it time for Honda to let go of this apparent grudge, even if they were indeed slighted five years ago? Or will Alonso be persona non grata with the Honda Motor Company indefinitely? And what's really best for the Sport of Motor Racing?

INDYCAR: Now just Three Seats Up for Grabs, Actually more likely Doce'



As the IndyCar Driver rotisserie slowly rolls down to who'll Fill out the 2020 Grid...

A little light reading for your consumption as Americre' works off its Soupier Dooper Bowl LIV Hangover, Righto? Which means Football's Over, Yeehaw! And now it's onto Duh DayToner 500...

By now Y'all have heard the riveting news 'bout 'Ol Naroly Pinball', aka Charlie Kimball landing a Fulltime ride aboard the No. 4 A.J. Foyt Enterprises IndyCar, which obviously is good news for Charlie...


Arse-sumedly Thee Oldest' IndyCar Blogger Geo. Phillips will have Somme-thun' definitive to say upon SuperTex's latest hiring and the sordid state 'O A.J. Foyt's racing team.

since if the reports hinted in 'Ol R's, nee Robin Miller's article above are true, it seems a Sad State of Fortunes for Indy Cars, when Fan Favourite TK' Follow-your-Schnoz! Kanaan cannot find the requisite Dinero to run a Full Season campaign! Running just the Ovals instead, as reportedly the storied No. 14 will be shared by three drivers this season; Huh?

And while I hope Kimball & Co. can improve SuperTex's ship, with Kanaan's unexpected podium at Gateway last year being the first for the team since 2015; YOUCH! You've gotta hope it won't be a Career Killer a la the likes 'O Darren Manning, Jack Hawksworth, Conor Daly or Matheus Leist's to name just a few!

Since Foyt's last win came at the hands of Takuma Sato at Long Beach in 2013, and I'm guessing they haven't had a multiple wins season since 1999 with Kenny Brack and Billy Boat during the Indy Racing League!

Then Hot on Thar Heels of Kimball's confirmation finally came word of thoust Slowly Simmerin' announcement of what I'd long ago presumed upon le Hamburgular's Dumping.

 That Thee Great Santini', aka Santino Ferrucci would be filling the vacated #18 Dale Coyne Racing with Vasser Sullivan Alphabet Soup Brigade seat this season, and now inherits the role of Team leader with the arrival of Spanish IndyCar Rookie Alex Palou.

As this just leaves us wonderin' who Carlin will decide to insert into it's unknown Driver line-up of its two cars, Arse-sumedly with its own DCR XP Caladrocious rotating Driver line-up itself?

Yet is it just Mwah, or does this lack of stability towards this year's IndyCar Grid, along with the fraught Off-season seem like a sign of IndyCar's not being the Everythingys' getting Better Cock A Du-little-do' Soundbites that Puffed Shirt Mark Miles likes singing to us All year long?

And is it just another case of the Rich getting Richer and Uhm... As Team Penske, Andretti Autosport and Chip Ganassi Racing, the typical winning entities field nearly 50% of the IndyCar grid, leaving the Crumbs to the remaining entrants  who are scrambling to fund Thar rides however possible.

Or are we just in a "Holding Pattern" 'til the vaunted 2022 NTT IndyCar Series roll-out of shiny new Hybrid powered chassis, and a hoped for third OEM Engine manufacturer to hopefully increase the field's participants?

As it seems to me that whilst the B-I-G 3" continue Thar relentless jostle for superiority, the rest of the field's playing second fiddle...

Since Foyt's most certainly in a rebuilding mode. Carlin's a total unknown, as well as part timer DragonSpeed. With the only potential Bowtie runners to possibly give Team Penske some grief being Ed Carpenter Racing and the team I'm most interested in, SPAM", aka Arrow McLaren SP.

Meanwhile on the Honda side, Scuttlebutt still lingers round where Thee Mayor, aka James Hinchcliffe will end up this season on a Part-time basis? As Hinch' notes how he landed his new sponsor and is ready to return this May.




Hmm? Honda just Scuttled some Smarmy Spaniard's ride for Indy this May, with the News cleverly "leaked" just hours before some 'lil Pigskin game on Sunday when everyone's presumably Distracted, El Correctomundo!

Me Thinks Mikey A' would be wise to insert Thee Mayor into what was supposedly Fernando Alonso's seat at Mother Speedway, which would greatly appease his engine supplier!

And can Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing get Son 'O Stash', aka Graham Rahal back upon  the podium's Top Step? Along with ultimately landing Hinchcliffe as Sato's eventual replacement.

While I feel like Dale Coyne and Company will definitely be taking a step backwards this year with its Driver & Engineering Shuffle, , albeit hopefully not for Ferrucci's sake..

And obviously, You'd be expecting a step forward from Meyer Shank Racing and Jack Bloody Nige! Harvey, but then again why wouldn't Yuhs, especially since they're now in a Technical Alliance with Andretti Autosport, giving Mikey A' and Company six full-season racers.

And then what's been rumoured for weeks now was finally confirmed, when Foyt announced that Tony Kanaan would just be contesting this year's five Oval track events in his "Last Lap" tour.


As may be we'll learn Somme-thun' at the upcoming Spring Training outing Feb 11-12 at COTA, nee Circuit Of The Americas, like who's driving at Carlin? But I'm definitely not holding Thy Breath!