Another Shot for the "Russian Rocket!"

Mikhail Aleshin autographed "Hero Card" from Sonoma IndyCar race, 2014. (The Tomaso Collection)

I LIKE I-T! As T' Bell (Townsend) cleverly called Mikhail Aleshin the "Russian Rocket," claiming he was going Full Afterburner during his amazing performance at Pocono...

Although I'm definitely NO Soothsayer, Procostinator or Sage Talent Spotter. Nonetheless I do get enjoyment outta others suddenly taking notice of an Open Wheel Racing Driver I've previously tabbed for "GREATNESS;" Hya!

Especially since the OLD-est IndyCar Blogger, nee Geo. Phillips just wryly pointed out how that opinion plus $4.50 at Starbucks will get Yuhs a cup 'O coffee; Chuh-ching!

As I'd previously tabbed the Rooskie' to win a race this year. As Mikhail's quickly catapulted into becoming my second favourite IndyCar driver after Conor Daly, while I'm still casting about for my P3 choice.

Whilst Aleshin's NOT MAD! Nor was Billy Vukovich's father, according to 'Ol 'R, aka Robin Miller. Who's Quip bout giving Mikhail a book on Indy after introducing him to Vukie' II at the Speedway, and reading it said: "I like this Vukovich guy, cause he was leading a lot!"

INDYCAR: Aleshin loves the Ovals

Yet the part about Monday's running of the Rain Delayed Pocono 500 that got briefly touched upon, but is never truly discussed, is the Science & Engineering aspect portion of racing.

As I found it utterly fascinating hearing Sam Schmidt calmly explain how they were tinkering with Aleshin's set-up, by changing the Downforce settings Mid-race. Presumably trying to predict if they'd be able to run in Dirty Air at the end of the race - whilst Aleshin's assessing the changes at over 220mph!

Fascinating how the rear "Jackman," i.e.; Air-hose attendant can also change the rear wing's angle of attack during a Pit-stop simply with a cordless drill socket-gun, or whatever they use? For which as typical, it was the Awesome "Professer B," aka Jon Beekhuis making us conscious of these minute changes during Pit-stops.

Although I sorta understand why NBCSN shuffled the Deck on a Monday morning, when nobody's paying Attenzione; But why couldn't Paul Tracy stay over a further day's time? And NO disrespect to Miller, but Jon Beekhuis should have been moved Topside...

Thus, from my Wanderin' Eyes; Err Ears, since I really cannot see anythingy' onscreen, especially when they split I-T; CRAP! I can only ARSE-Sume that Aleshin's car was trimmed out with minimum Downforce, enabling him to go fast as long as he stayed out front, which I'm guessing he led most laps with 87?

thus, it'll be really interesting to see how the Russian Rocket does Saturday Nite during Texas's ABOMINATION of a race. As seriously? The Pre-amble and Post-race Airtime of One hour equals the allotted TV race-time, so what a Rip Off for the Fans, Y'all know the ones that get thee Obligatory thanking during every driver's PR Speak.

Meanwhile, I suppose it'd be easy to say I'm jumping on the DJ WillyP' Bandwagon, but I've been rootin' for him silently to win the championship for several races now. As I firmly believe that a driver must lose a championship in order to win one.

As it's HILLARIOUS that my former No. 2 & No. 3 Favourite Drivers are competing for the championship. As I thought it'd be too hard to root for two drivers on the same team, i.e.; Will Power & Simon Pagenaud respectively; but never imagined this scenario. As perhaps a second championship title won by Messer Power would silence the critics for once and all about cracking under pressure, eh?

Meanwhile, it seems obvious to Mwah, that not enough Attenzione is paid to the importance of not only having a really good Pit crew, but also needing a superb Engineer and excellent Strategist. As it becomes obvious how the deck's stacked against much of the field not having the financial resources of El Capitano', (Roger Penske) The Cheepster' (Chip Ganassi) and "Mikey A's (Andretti) Top Tier teams.

While we also definitely need more teams overall. As I'd really enjoy seeing Carlin and Juncos taking the next step and joining the B-I-G' DANCE. And even better yet, would be a third Bonified engine manufacturer like Ford/Cosworth or Fiat-Chrysler, say with their Alfa Romeo brand.

While Aleshin's "Comeback" in his second full season of Indy Cars is even more remarkable after surviving that wicked Fontana crash, along with his funding being blocked by Americre' last year, 'cause we DON'T like that nasty Putin...

Mikhail Aleshin celebrating Life and first career IndyCar Pole

GO MIKHAIL!

100R: Final Seven Speedway Men who raced in both Front and Rear Engine chassis

While IndyCar continues trying to Cash-in upon it's perceived growing popularity at Thy Speedway, another's legacy continues shriveling away...

Although this is another languishing story, I-T floated up to Thy Surface upon reading Robin Miller's rant regarding his Mount Rushmore of IndyCar Drivers, recently which I won't give thee answer away, albeit there A-L-L legendous' as 'Ol Kenny Sergeant of Speed Freaks would decry! Not to mention that three-fourths' of these are also included below.

MILLER: Giving Thanks to My Mount Rushmore

This past January, Bob Harkey at age 85 passed away, as Harkey was then one of the eight remaining men to have raced in the Indianapolis 500 in both a front and rear engine racing car.

As perhaps you've heard of most of these remaining seven retired IndyCar chauffeurs holding this distinction, with the likes of A.J. Foyt, Jim McElreath, Gordon Johncock, Parnelli Jones, Johnny Rutherford, Bobby Unser and Chuck Hulse.

Indy 500 veteran Bob Harkey passes away at 85

As it's a pretty distinguished class comprising of the race's first ever four-times winner, two three-times winners, one two-time winner and a single 500 winner.  As these five legendous' drivers have won a staggering total of thirteen Borg Warner trophies collectively!

And I've enjoyed listening to Mr. Harkey upon Don Kay's 'lil Autosport Radio Show previously, with the most colourful "Hoosier" regaling us with multiple stories 'O his life's lore.

As I'm pretty sure that none of those remaining  seven drivers can boast of ever being a Stunt Pilot or Wing Walker! Although Johnny Rutherford has flown his own P-51 Mustang's for years past. Whilst the only name above I've never heard of before is this one Mr. Chuck Hulse, who's a past USAC Midget Racer and Indy 500 contestant from Anaheim, CA.

Wither Wilson, One year later...

Justin Wilson poses with his new Jaguar F1 car after his transfer from Minardi in late 2003. (Image source: motorsport.com)

In what seems a rather telling, albeit pathetic endorsement of the current plight 'O Indy Cars; on the heels of Schmidt & Co taking James Jakes cheque over Conor Daly's talent, another perennial Open Wheel Racing driver found himself facing an uncertain future in the sport as the 2015 IndyCar season was set to commence...

Cavin: Where will Justin Wilson end up?

And while this trend isn't new, and will inevitably continue, nevertheless, it shouldn't have occurred to one of the sport's best known drivers, a multi-time winner, Balls-to-the-Walls 'Twisty Speed Merchant, total Fan favourite, safety leader and all around affable Good Guy!

As I'd remained loyal to whom I'd affectionately called Justin B-I-G' UNIT Wilson for over ten year's! Having first become smitten with the lanky Brit 'Wayback during the early Champ Car Dazes, circa 2004-05, which I've tried briefly chronicling in;

Almendinger and Wilson: The RuSport Years

Yet as I mentioned in the story above, I actually was first introduced to  JW' at Suzuka Circuito where he was partnering Mark 'Handlebarz Webber at Jaguar during the 2003 Japanese Grand Prix, ironically his final start in Formula 1; racing against the likes of then utterly dominant 'DER TERMINATOR's (M. Schumacher) fire breathing Scuderia Ferrari!

As my funniest memory of Justin, who reportedly is still the tallest driver ever in F1, then at 6-feet 4-inches, with Jaguar team-mate Mark Webber, another "Six Footer," (6' 1") both  dwarfed Scott "Scooter" Pruett whom they sandwiched between them during a publicity "Photo-shoot" for Ford's Jaguar.

Pruett was then racing the XKR Bud Light sponsored Trans Am car for Paul "Goofy" Gentilozzi's Rocketsports Racing team, with Pruett rocketing to the TA title by obliterating the field with eight of eleven wins en route to his third Trans Am crown!

As this long forgotten image was part of the  PR exercise  blitz "FoMoCo" (Ford Motor Company) was piling on for the '03 United States Grand Prix; but I digress...

Alas, it'd be by sheer good fortune, when one of the "Premiere" Open Wheel Racing sanctioning series, nee Champ Car World Series (CCWS) actually attempted promoting itself in the Pacific Northwest in regards to its yearly Father's Day race at Portland International Raceway, that Wilson was dispatched to the Seattle Roadster Show in March, 2006 at Qwest Field, where  I'd lament that both the Seahawks and Champ Car were then in Quest of success; Hooah! Having the good fortune of meeting Justin in the flesh - and practically having all to my own... 

2006 Seattle Roadster Show

Justin Wilson's autographed "Hero Card" from the 2014 Sonoma IndyCar race. (The Tomaso Collection)

As Justin was then a two-time winner and most definitely a Rising Star in CCWS, whom for Mwah was a refreshing alternative to le 'Hamburgular, nee Sebastain Bourdais. Especially since Justin never MOPED! Like SeaBass did, nor did Wilson ever throw anybody underneath the proverbial Bus.

Hence, of the few times I can count on one hand. When Justin was "Hot" underneath the collar, the driver in Question most appropriately deserved Justin's ire!

As I still chuckle today over Ryan Briscoe recalling how after the two had collided and he was gonna give Wilson a piece of his mind. When the lanky Brit extracted himself from the cockpit and towered over the Aussie, Briscoe thought to himself it would simply be better to walk away...

And Y'all remember Dario "REO Speedwagon" Franchitti's glowing Quip towards Justin, right? When Dario said something to the effect of the following during an Indianapolis 500 media day outing:

"God Help Us if Justin ever gets a competitive ride!"

As Justin never truly got the break he deserved, but it never disparaged him publicly, having driven for a "Who's Who" of racing teams, typically ones with lesser budgets vs. Open Wheel's Stall harts Penske and Ganassi, the latter of whom I still bristle at, as Wilson got harangued for bringing in Cheeps' then leading Daytona Prototype when Wilson heard something go Bang! And ultimately finished runner-up, in what I always wonder if it was an audition for an IndyCar seat?

Thus, surely it was even sweeter winning the Rolex 24 for Michael Shank Racing alongside his good friend, ex-RuSport team-mate and co-driver A.J. Allmendinger for the 50th running no less! As Justin won for RuSport, Newman Haas Lanigan Racing and Dale Coyne Racing, before sadly perishing just weeks after his 37th birthday driving for Andretti Autosport in what can only be described as a Freakish accident!

For which understandably, his wife Julia went away for this year's Pocono 500 IndyCar race weekend to grieve privately over the loss of her husband and father of their two girls.

Grief still fresh a year after Justin Wilson's death

And although I couldn't see them, I was happy to hear Simon, one of the Hosers' accompanying me this May at Mother Speedway, that he'd seen tons of people wearing the exact same BAD ARSE' WILSON! T-Shirt I was wearing that day in my own 'lil tribute to this great person!

MILLER: It had All been Turning Around for Wilson

As I'll probably get in trouble for saying this, but Justin struck me as the type of person who'd be the first to tell Sage Karam that it wasn't his fault and that he shouldn't carry any remorse...

PRUETT: Befriending the Bad Ass Justin Wilson

As it now only seems fitting that Justin was at the controls of the Andretti Autosport racecar when they ran it in Rolling Stones livery during Carb Day, (2015) for which that year's Indy 500 was the final time I saw him race in person...

As Thanks for the memories Justin!

Champ Car Wins

Year/Race name/Venue

2005  Molson Indy Toronto: Toronto, Canada; Temporary Street Circuit

2005  Gran Primio Tecate: Mexico City; Permanent Road Course

2006  West Edmonton Mall Grand Prix presented by The Brick:   Edmonton, Canada; Temporary Street Circuit

2007 Bavaria Champ Car Grand Prix Powered by Audi: Netherlands; Permanent Road Course

INDYCAR Wins

Year/Race name/Venue

2008  Detroit Indy Grand Prix presented by Firestone: Belle Isle, Michigan; Temporary Street Circuit

2009  Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen: Watkins Glen, New York; Permanent Road Course

2012  Firestone 550: Texas Motor Speedway; Oval