INDY 500: Can Any of These "Lesser Known" One Offers Shock the Usual Suspects?

Dario Franchitti taking his Victory lap in 2012. Who'll join him this year in the Celebrations? (The Tomaso Collection)

Especially since I cannot think of another "One Offer" besides the late Dannyboy SPIKE' Wheldon drinking Milk at Indy Wayback' in 2011...

First off, I hate the term "field Filler," although unfortunately that's exactly what many of these drivers are, for better or worse.

And when I began reviewing this portion of the Mega' 12 One Offers', I came up with a Sad Trivia Questione Answer. Of these four drivers, what does Carlos Munoz, Charlie Kimball, Oriol Servia and past IndyCar Driver Carlos Huertas have in Common with Danica Patrick?

AJ Foyt Enterprises with Jonathan Byrd Racing
Engine: Chevrolet

#33. James Davison, Australia

First Race: 2014

Starts: 3

Not exactly sure why, perhaps it's his "Aussie Grit?" That so Jazzes Me U-P! Over this Driver, compelling Mwah to take such a Shine to him.

Ideally, James Davison would be being called up right now most likely  by Dale Coyne to substitute for the injured Pietro Fittipaldi, akin to his filling in for le Hamburgular', nee Sealmeister' Bourdais last year at DCR. which the 31yr old Australian's raced his last two Indy 500's aboard Coyne's racecars in 2015 & 2017 respectively.

Davison has a decade's old association with Indy Cars, having contested the 2008 Firestone Indy Lights season for Sam Schmidt Motorsports before finishing runner-up to '09 Lights titlist J.R. Hildebrand, driving for TG's Brand New Vision Racing team.

and if thou 'Ol Memory serves me correctly? James took the number 33 for his rookie outing at Mother Speedway in 2014 for KV Racing Technology since he was the 33rd and final Indy 500 entry that year.

Hopefully Davison, along with TK' Follow-your-Schnoz! Kanaan and rookie Matheus Leist can give A.J. Foyt decent results this year, and Davison in particular can represent the third entry better than past efforts.

Yet Davison didn't make things any easier for the Team, Crew or Himself with his unfortunate practice crash during the latter portion of Fast Friday...

James Davison's Crash puts No. 33 car on Bubble for Bump Day

And although it pertains to the entire field, this One's for You James. As your Mates from Oz' sing It's Now or Never, Man...

VIDEO: Midnight Oil - Now or Never land Song

Andretti Autosport

Engine: Honda

#25. Stefan Wilson, UK

First Race: 2016

Starts: 1

We All know the story of Stefan STORK' Wilson, younger brother of the departed Justin B-I-G UNIT' Wilson giving up his Andretti Autosport Hondre' powered seat so some guy named Fernando could run last year's race, Ci?

INDY 500: Andretti Six Pack'

Thus, Mikey A', in conjunction with Honda have made good on Thar promise to give Stefan a "Fully funded" ride this May, as Wilson will be part of Andretti's now yearly six Pack entry at Mother Speedway.

Stefan made his rookie debut at the Brickyard in 2016 for the KV Alphabet Soup Brigade, driving the No. 25 KVSH Racing entry to a Ho-Hum 28th place finish, and obviously is looking to improve upon that this year.

#29. Carlos Munoz, Columbia

First Race: 2013

Starts: 5

Carlos Munoz electrified, and worried many with his then unconventional line round the Speedway as a rookie for Andretti Autosport in 2013, where he started from the middle of Row-1 and finished in the same place as runner-up to Tony Kanaan. As Munoz's excellent finish netted him that year's Rookie Of the Year (ROY) Honours.

Munoz once again finished P2 in 2016, behind fellow Andretti rookie team-mate Alexander Rossi, before departing Mikey A's Squad for the floundering A.J. Foyt Enterprises operation last year, where he scored his fourth Top-10 finish to date.

Obviously with Andretti Autosport having two Indy 500 winners on its roster, along with having won last year's race with Takuma Sato, Honda's affinity for winning at Mother Speedway, and Munoz's knack for going quickly Thar. The soft Spoken Columbian driver's hoping to Steal the Show and Kiss the Bricks like past Andretti drivers.

Dale Coyne with Tom Burns Racing
Engine: Honda

#17. Conor Daly, USA

First Race: 2013

Starts: 4

Sadly, like many drivers who go to A.J. Foyt enterprises, it becomes an IndyCar career Killer... Although Conor's been bounced from two teams now - after first losing his Dale Coyne Racing ride after the 2016 season.

Also somewhat unfortunately, when I think of Conor, who was my Numero Uno IndyCar Driver until losing his Drive this season. Is the irony of chauffeuring the Smithfield Foods "fueld by Bacon" Special , whilst driving the iconic #43 for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports during his second outing at the Speedway. When the car Done Caught On Fire during the Parade lap; YOUCH!

As I wouldn't have been surprised if there'd been a number swap to the #19 in the offing for Conor, due to Pietro Fittipaldi's substitute replacement, which I really thought would be the lamented S-Squared', aka Sebastian Saavedra bringing Gary Peterson's AFS "Sprinkler" money to the party.

But I'm ARSE-Sumin' that Dale Coyne sagely thought to keep the primary Sponsor of his No. 19 Rent-a-Ride entry happy by announcing that ZCD; Uhm, Messer Zachary Claman DeMelo would continue his tap dancing duties for DCR instead...

Coyne names Claman DeMelo as Indy 500 replacement

Daly drove his first full IndyCar season for DCR in 2016, and Pippa Mann was one of his team-mates, including the late Brian Clauson and Gabby Chaves at Indy.

Conor's best finish at Mother Speedway to date is P22 during his rookie outing for A.J. Foyt Enterprises, and will campaign a car run with Tom Burns, a longtime Indy 500 car sponsor, who previously joined forces with Lazier Partners Racing to form Lazier Burns Racing in 2016.

Dale Coyne Racing
Engine: Honda

#63. Pippa Mann, UK (DNQ)

First Race: 2011

Starts: 6

Pippa Mann's become a fixture at Dale Coyne Racing for the Month of May, and since her worst finish of 30th in 2013, she's steadily improved each year since then. With her past two Indy 500 starts netting finishes of 18th & 17th respectively.

And whilst we've All gotten accustomed to her running the Pink for Women's Breast Cancer Awareness colours, this year she's got a new sponsor and her familiar No. 63 will be sporting a different hue. As can Pippa crack the Top-15 finishing order this year?

NOTE

Although Thee Mayor 'O Hinchtown', aka James Hinchliffe's failure to make the Starting Field of 33 this year was more shocking! Unfortunately Pippa was also unable to find enough Speed to make the Show for 2018, and will have to wait another year to Hopefully Qualify once again...

Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
Engine: Chevrolet

#24. Sage Karam, USA

First Race: 2014

Starts: 4

Sage Dangerboy' Karam got his nickname from the Wily PT', nee Thrill from The West Hill, aka Paul Tracy before debris from his car rained down upon Justin Wilson at Pocono that fateful day in 2015...

As the 2013 Indy Lights Champion made his Indy 500 debut aboard a Dreyer & Reinbold "Satellite Squad" effort for thee Cheepster', nee Chip Ganassi four years ago, en route to his career best finish at Indianapolis, finishing P9, but being out-voted for Rookie Of the Year (ROY) Honours by some Taxi Cab Driver named Busch.

Otherwise his last three results have been mostly unforgettable, with a brace 'O 32nd's and last year's finish of P28.

#66. J.R. Hildebrand, USA

First Race: 2011

Starts: 7

Unfortunately, this likeable Yank', the 2009 Indy Lights Champion is mostly remembered for his failures, most notably his last lap crash during his inaugural race at the Brickyard. Or his being unceremoniously Dumped by Panther Racing Owner John "Fans R Us' Barnes! Or losing his ride last year with FAST EDDIE', nee Ed Carpenter Racing, where Dare I say his replacement isn't exactly Wowing Us; Righto?

But who knows, the 30yr old Californian, who's a "Brainiac" who graduated High School with a 4.12 GPA, and was accepted to multiple Colleges including M.I.T. - which he let his 3yr Deferral lapse in order to pursue racing. Who was chided for letting his "Hair Down" and face growing long last season. Perhaps will score another Top-10 finish, which he's currently got four. Or may be a Top-5?

As Hildebrand certainly seems to know his way round Mother Speedway, with the only Questione being how good will his new team be?

IndyCar Driver J.R. Hildebrand teaches Detroit Students about Racing Technology

Trivia Answer 

Carlos Munoz, Charlie Kimball, Oriol Servia, Danica Patrick and Carlos Huertas have All won a single IndyCar race to Date...

For the other One Off Drivers in this year's Indy 500 field racing for Ed Carpenter Racing thru Team Penske, see; INDY 500: Who'd ah Thunk-It, that Castroneves would become A "One-Offer"

(Photo Courtesy of No Fenders ‘Offical Photographer CARPETS')

INDY 500: Who'd ah Thunk-It, that Castroneves would become A "One-Offer"

The Lazier Racing Partners Car #91 heading towards the Pits during the 2013 Indy 500. As then, just like now, All this car needed was a sponsor! (The Tomaso Collection)

But Don't Fret Y'all, El Capitano's kept his Star Driver Gleefully employed piloting his Acura DPi Prototype in IMSA's Weathertech SportsCar Championship...

As of May 1st, when I began scourin' thou Intrawoods to see who'd be racing at Mother Speedway this year. my Ryth-Muh-Tickin' not only tallied 36 entries, but also 12, which is a favourite number Up here in Seattle... Err Thars' 12 "One-Off" concerns potentially contesting this year's Indy 500, albeit Buddy Lazier's programme was very much unknown... As I'd hoped to see Buddy in action one more time at the Speedway.

Yet you'd have to surmise that not all of these One-off Contendahs' would make The Show, Eh? And with the engine Horsepower being fairly similar, who'll get Bumped Out? You Make The Call...

Ed Carpenter Racing
Engine: Chevrolet

#13. Danica Patrick, USA

First Race: 2005

Starts: 7

Not even gonna try any prolific prose upon thou Disco Queen 'O Indy Cars. Although I do chuckle over her sound bite of Not being Relative... But those RASSCAR' Greenbacks weren't too Bad, were they? Kinda like the colour of her car this year, as I'll expect the Go Daddy machine to crash out of the race at some point.

VIDEO: Wipeout Song

Which surely she'll be heard over the In-car Radio exclaiming;

”IT’S NOT MY FAULT,” HONEST!

But Dan-Dan-danicker obviously still's Got I-T! Since it was enough to lure me back to Mother Speedway this May, so I could say I saw her final race.

But Inquiring Minds Wanna Know...

Jive Talking: Can Racing live Without Danica?

Lazier Partners Racing

Engine: Chevrolet

(W) Buddy Lazier, USA

First Race: 1991

Winner: 1996

Starts: 20

Unfortunately, Buddy, and the Family named racing team owned by his Father Bob & Co. were unable to come up with the necessary capital to enter this year's Indy 500. As last year's race, for which Buddy crashed Hard, may be Buddy's last?

VIDEO: Buddy Lazier - Hard Crash during 2017 Indy 500

Although I'll forever cherish a Fantastic evening Kibitzing' with Buddy and the late Dr. Who at the now Derelict and Demolished? IMS Flagroom, where Buddy was super nice to Mwah!

Buddy’s The Man!

Schmidt Peterson Motorsports

Engine: Honda

#7. Jay Howard, USA

First Race: 2011

Starts: 2

Unfortunately Jay Funnyman' Howard seems like the Punch-line to a Bad Joke, as he's the driver who caused Scott Dixon to G-O Airborne during last year's race! When he was seven laps behind in P33, Albeit Jay blamed "the Dude!," nee Ryan Hunter-Reay for pushing him into the marbles...

This team's been the most pleasant surprise of the early season with its massively revamped Engineering Department, so Howard should be in good shape there, but I feel like he's definitely SPM's third wheel and I really Don't Expect much from him.

And with Jay's Quirky relationship with Mother Speedway, I wouldn't be shocked if he was one of the Bumpees', although I think he'll squeak into the race...

Scuderia Corsa Racing with RLL

Engine: Honda

#64. Oriel Servia, Spain

First Race: 2008

Starts: 9

Although Oriol "suitcase" Servia is racing for a brand new team from the IMSA Weathertech Sportscar championship, who I've previously mentioned are the Defending Two-times GT Daytona (GTD) Class Champions. They're partnering with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, effectively as a third entry.

thus with "The Graminator" and reigning Indy 500 Winner Takuma Sato as team-mates, not to mention having raced for RLLR previously, look for Servia to mix it up with the B-I-G BOYZ', as my late Awntie' Harriet liked calling 'em.

Team Penske

Engine: Chevrolet

#3. (W) Helio Castroneves, Brazil

First Race: 2001

Winner: 2001-02, 2009

Starts: 17

What can I say 'bout Good 'Ol HULIO', that hasn't already been said, Eh? As he's the only Three Times Winner in the field, one of only nine men to do so. And he's also the only winner now relegated to "One Off" status.

Along with his three "Baby Borg" trophies, Castroneves has also finished runner-up three times, including last year's epic Duel with eventual winner Taku-san', aka Takuma Sato! And also has finished third once.

As a member of Team Penske's Four-car Armada, you cannot count out Helio from joining a rarefied trio of Four-times Winners, albeit I certainly Hope he NEVER joins them! But that's a debate for another day...

(Photo Courtesy of No Fenders ‘Offical Photographer CARPETS')