LE MANS: IMSA Crashes 90th Edition Race

Can the Corvette’s score another GTE Pro Class victory this year?

 

As always, this year’s 90^th Edition of the 24 Heurs du Mans features a Bevy of IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Drivers jumping Across Ye Gory Puddle’, which I’ll just Highlight some of the Big Names known to be competing.

 

As it’s funny how three fourths of Cheep’s DPi Prototype Chauffeurs are at Circuit de la Sarthe. With Sebastien Bourdais (#10) and Alex Lynn (#23) in LMP2 entries. While Renger Van der Zande’s racing the No. 66 Ferrari 488 GT3 in the GTE Am category. As only Chip Ganassi Racing’s Earl Bamber is skipping the event, while le Hamburgular’, nee SeaBass’, aka Sebastien Bourdais is settling into his new Fulltime Sports Car career…

 

https://www.autosport.com/imsa/news/how-in-form-bourdais-is-nailing-his-normal-transition/10317415/

 

Meanwhile, the IMSA #31 Whelen Engineering AXR Cadillac DPi VR’s main drivers Pico Derani and Olivier Plau make up two thirds of the #708 Scuderia Glickenhaus entry. While the “Mach 5 Mustang Sally’s,” Err Mustang Sampling Cadd ‘Oh lacc’ drivers Richard Westbrook and Tristen Vautier are split between the two Le Mans Prototype Classes, with “Westie” partnering Ryan Briscoe in the Glickenhaus LMH No. 709 entry, with Vautier in the #44 LMP2 entry.

 

Wayne Taylor Racing’s (WTR) Ricky Taylor is Moonlighting aboard the #37 with WTR teammate Felipe Albuquerque (#22) and Meyer Shank Racing’s Oliver Jarvis as part of the two car United Autosports USA LMP2 entry.

 

As it’s the #23 United Autosports entry I’m most interested in, since it features a local Boy from Portland, Oregon at it’s controls. As Josh Pierson, who’ll become the youngest ever to compete at Le Mans at Age 16yrs 117 Days will partner with Oliver Jarvis and Alex Lynn; two pretty Decent teammates…

 

And I’ll confess, that I know virtually Nothing about Pierson, other than He Hails from The Rose City, (Portland) and finished fourth Overall in last year’s U.S. F2000 National championship with five Podiums. With a pair of second places and a trio of third places to His credit.

 

Otherwise, Not really sure what McLaren Racing’s Head Honcho Zak Brown Sees in the youngster, other than saying He’s very Mature for His Age and it’ll be interesting to See how He progresses…

 

Whilst almost forgot, since the FIA World Endurance Championship currently feels a Shell of Itself with just a scant six races yearly. Suppose many IndyCar Diehards Eyeballs will be Ah-Watchin’ the No. 5 Penske Oreca LMP2 entry, with Dane Cameron, Felipe Nasr and Emmanuel Collard at it’s Keyboard.

 

As think I saw a Racer.com Headline awhile ago stating this would be their final WEC race before solely focusing upon testing of Thar forthcoming Porsche LMPH Prototype effort for 2023.

 

The Saloons ranks see Corvette Racing fielding two of it’s Big boy GTE Pro Corvette C8.R’s as usual, with the Bowtie Brigade leading the way during this year’s Le Mans Test Day. Along with Riley Motorsport campaigning a Ferrari 488 GTE Evo as the Classes lone Privateer.

 

Cooper MacNeil, who’s Pappy’ owns some company named WeatherTech is competing aboard the No. 79 WeatherTech  Racing Porsche 911 RSR-19 GTE Am entry.

 

Whilst another car of interest for Mwah is the No. 88 Dempsey Proton Porsche 911 RSR-19 with former Champ Car Driver Jan Van Hagar’ Heylen of IMSA’s Wright Motorsports as part of the multi car Dempsey Proton/Proton competition/Hardpoint Proton Porsche 911 contingent.

 

As you can read more about the field of IMSA Stars at  this year’s Le Mans race in the following Racer article below…

 

https://racer.com/2022/06/08/imsa-stars-front-and-center-in-le-mans-field/ 

LE MANS: A Quick look at the 2022 Field

But should We really be surprised that the No. 7 Toyota was Fastest on Test Day…

 

This year’s 24 Heurs du Mans feels seriously Disjointed to Mwah, Arse-sumedly due to having been raptured in All things Indianapolis 500, not to mention that IndyCar races at Road America and Formula 1 competes in Baku the same weekend. Along with the fact that this year’s 90^th Edition Le Mans 24 Hours race taking place June 11-12 feels like a Stopgap race to Boot! With only five Hypercars entries comprising of the two All Conquering Werk’s Toyota’s vs. the Grandfathered LMP1 Alpine and the two Privateer Scuderia Glickenhaus mounts…

 

Obviously, the Odds On favourites will be one of Toyota’s two car GR010 hybrid Factory effort winning it’s fifth consecutive 24 Heurs du Mans victory, whilst I’ll be rootin’ again for the No. 7 with K-Squared’, aka Kamui Kobayashi to win, along with co-Drivers Mike “Ice Ice, Baby!” Conway and Jose Maria Lopez, who finally stood on the Podiums top step last year. With the No. 7 Driver’s lineup remaining unchanged.

 

The Seester’ No. 8 that won three years in-a-row from 2018-20 with Kazuki Nakajima, Sebastian Beumi and Brendon Hartley at it’s controls. With Nakajima and Beumi winning three straight apiece, whilst Hartley, who’s a two times winner has won with two separate teams, i.e.; Porsche in 2017 and Toyota in 2020.

 

As ryo Hirakawa replaces Nakajima, who retired at the end of last year’s FIA World endurance Championship (WEC) season, and becomes Toyota’sRace team Manager.

 

And even though I’d prefer somebody else winning instead, I don’t expect it to happen, especially since the Toy-Yoters’ are the only “all Wheel Drive” (AWD) Hybrid powered LMH entrants in the Anemic five car Hypercars field.

 

But a la last year, I’ll also be cheering for the upstart American team. Since I’m also a Huge Fan of Ryan briscoe’s, who’ll be part of Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus’s Sophomore Le Mans outing with it’s two car SCG 007 entry

 

As Briscoe will be piloting the #709 with team-mates “Westie,” nee Richard Westbrook and Franck Mailleux, who swaps seats with Romain Dumas aboard the “Rear Wheel Drive” (RWD) “Blown” 3.5-litre V-8 twin turbo SCG007 racecar.

 

Meanwhile it’s sister car the #708 sees Pipo Derani and Olivier Pla joined by the aforementioned Romain Dumas at it’s controls for this year’s 24 Hours race outing.

 

Whilst the final LMH entry is the #36 Alpine A480 single car entry, the rebadged Rebellion LMP1 R13, another RWD Prototype propelled by a 4.5-litre Normally Aspirated Gibson V-8 lump that won this year’s Sebring Season Opener WEC event.

 

As the No. 36 features Nicolas Lapierre, the only name I recognize of it’s Driver’s trio. Presumably since the Frenchman’s a two times Sebring 12 Hours winner, along with four Le Mans 24 Hours Class victories. With Lapierre once again being joined by countryman Matthieu Vaxivier and Brazilian Andre Negro.

 

As still seems really weird that Thars Over five times as many second tier LMP2 Class entries, with a robust 27. Whilst the Tintop’ Saloons are similarly structured with seven GTE Pro entrants supported by 23 GTE AM runners.

 

The #1 Richard Mille Racing LMP2 entry’s All Femme Fatale entry of the past two seasons has been revamped following Tatiana calderon’s departure to A.J. foyt Enterprises IndyCar team, where She’s running a Twisties’ Only, nee Road Courses and Street Circuits programme as a Rookie this year aboard the team’s third entry.

 

While Sophia Florsch has moved over to the #47 Algarve Pro Racing’s  LMP2 entry, with Jack “Achey Breaky” Aitken and John Falb as Her Co-Drivers. Leaving only Netherlands Beitske Bisser’s whereabouts Unknown? As perhaps bisser’s returned to the W Series?

 

As this year the entry sports an All French Male lineup of Charles Milesi, Lilou Wadoux and some Rally Guy named Sebastien Ogier, as perhaps Y’all have heard of Him? You know, the reigning Eight Times World Rally Championship winner!

 

As Ogier is the second most successful WRC Driver with 54 wins and 637 Stage wins as of the 2022 Portugal Rally, only one championship title behind fellow Countryman Sebastien Loeb’s nine WRC Crowns…

 

Meanwhile, the GTE Pro Saloons category is comprised of seven  entries, with three Factories doing that Noah Arc’s 2X2 thingy’; with two Ferrari’s Porsches and Corvette’s, along with a Privateer Ferrari entered by Riley Motorsport.

 

The “lower” tier GTE Am entry list sees 12 Ferrari 488 GT3’s vs. 8 Porsche 911 RSR’s and 3 Aston Martin Vantage AMR’s.

 

As the Iron Dames No. 85 Ferrari returns intact with le Femmes Sarah boby, Rahel Frey and Michelle Gatting, the trio’s second outing, while the Iron Dames entry has run the past three 24 Hours of Le Mans races.

 

While the Porsche ranks includes another Hollywood Heart throb racing at Circuit de la Sarthe, with Michael Fassbender making his Le Mans Debut behind the wheel of the No. 93 Proton competition Porsche, with IMSA Co-Drivers Matt Campbell and Zacharie Robichon.

 

The race will be shown live upon Motortrend TV Stateside, with it’s TV Coverage beginning Saturday, June 11^th at 6:30AM Pacific. But as Always, Check your local listings.

 

Whilst I’m Arse-suming Y’all can find a Full Field Entry list of All 62 entries and Thar respective 186 Drivers at Racer.com’s Sports Car page, along with a Spotters Guide… 

Rookie Kerfuffle lingers while IndyCar Says Goodbye to Belle Isle

As I’m gonna Miss racing on that Rock…

 

For Thyself, as A Blind Word Butcher’, I now totally prefer listening to the IndyCar Radio Network’s “Call” of the races vs. Nothing But Commercials, err NBC! Thus I found this past weekend’s Internets Broadcast far More enjoyable than the Indy 500 TV Broadcast, which I really feel like I Don’t need to “Watch,” Err listen to anymore, which really makes me wonder why I’m still willing to pay such an exorbitant amount ‘O Dinero monthly for Cable TV, But I Digress…

 

Thus it was a perfect weekend as I got to listen to Qualifying live Saturday morning via IndyCar Radio where I took great delight in Nicky Salt’ Yeoman’s Uber Astute comment regarding IndyCar Rookie David Malukas Driving like Somebody Had Stolen a Trophy from Him! In regards to the laughable Ha ha, Not! Ludicrous awarding of the Indianapolis 500 Rookie Of the Year (ROY) to Jimmie Johnson.

 

As it would be extremely easy to Pile On to the overwhelming sentiments of Ye Blogosphere, and perhaps General feelings regarding this pathetic choice of Johnson over Malukas at Mother Speedway. Which just simply seems to be one more Nauseating Nod to that Taxicab bombers series…

As I really Don’t understand why IndyCar is doing Nothing to promote All of It’s Stars, as there’s so many story lines they could be using to promote All of the Great IndyCar Drivers!

 

Like I’ve said before, I admire Jimmie for what He’s doing, and He seems to be totally Humble and just trying to perfect his Open wheel Racecraft. But the Hype over Johnson just Didn’t warrant His winning the Indy 500 ROY, especially after putting Himself into the Wall Solo! Since at the very least, if my memory’s correct? Johnson and Malukas should have been Co-Rookies Of the Year a la Larry Rice and somebody named Rick Mears…

 

Thus it was even funnier when IndyCar Radio Network Pitlane Reporter Ryan Marin, who’s quickly vaulted to my Numero Uno favourite Pitlane Reporter, who far exceeds either NBC’s Snidely Whiplash or The Wherewolf’, aka Marty Snider  or Kevin Lee! (respectively) Repeated Nick Yeoman’s comment of Driving like Somebody Had Stolen His Trophy after Malukas had made His first ever Fast Six Shootout appearance, for which the 20yr Old Chicago Driver seemed very deferential in His response, before Marin finished the interview by saying that Malukas, who Qualified 6^th vs. another tepid Johnson 20-something result was Definitely the People’s Choice!

 

Alas, it’s very funny how much it took me by surprise hearing Mark Gravelly’ James pronounce this being the 30^th running of the Detroit Grand Prix on Belle Isle. For which I really shouldn’t have been so surprised, since I still vaguely recall watching that Uber Bad Arse Black ‘N gold John Player Special Lotus 98T of Ayrton Senna poundin’ round those Mean, err lumpy Streets of Downtown Detroit Wayback’ in Gory 1986! Not to mention when Scott Scooter’ Pruett was kicking Arse’ in those Narly Jack Roush Ford Mustang Trans Am “Pony Cars!”

 

 

But I suppose it’s just part of getting Old-ER’ that made me forget we’ve been going to Belle Isle for three decades. Although I did remember that I’d scribbled about the Beautiful Island some six years ago…

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2016/06/belle-isle-recollections.html

 

As it’s amazing how far the racetrack at Belle Isle’s progressed over the years, or is it that just the racing’s gotten that much better?

 

Since I can still recall sitting thru an overly long Red Flag period with such luminaries as ‘Ol r’, Ye Curmudgeon ‘O IndyCar’s robin Miller entertaining us as impromptu repairs were being made to the track’s surface. After James Hinchcliffe’s IndyCar’s front suspension had been wrecked after running over a Tar Ball Chunk ‘O Ashfault that had been torn out of the decaying track surface! With some Quick Dry Cement being applied, Aye Karumba!

 

Or how about when that Big GM, nee Chevy Mucky Muck promptly Stuffed the Corvette ZR1 Pace Car into the track’s Jersey Barrier, Whump!

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2018/06/yo-pace-car-driver-better-check-your.html

 

But I’d have to say that it’s mostly down to the brilliant Firestone alternate rubber compound’s rapid, intentional degrading that made Sunday’s race so enjoyable.

 

While I think it was Ryan Marin again interviewing David Malukas Sunday, asking Him if He’d been getting any advice from Coyne Ware Racing teammate Takuma Sato who qualified second how to drive Belle Isle? To which Malukas replied Yes, Taku’ said you’ve got to drive it like a Grandma!

 

Not to mention Michael Young’s comment of How He just couldn’t wrap His Head round how Windsor, Ontario Canada was to the South of Him from His Turn 7 vantage point…

 

Have to say I was totally rootin’ for Alexander rossi, who seemed to be on the perfect strategy for once to finally win a race after nearly three years of futility! Making it even funnier how I was rooting against one of my past favourite drivers DJWillyP’, aka Will Power, who surely His Alternate Red compound Firestones wouldn’t be able to go the distance of the final 20 laps vs. Rossi’s preferred Black primary compound Slicks. Yet it was pretty insane how Power had built up a monster 35 second lead before His final Pit Stop.

 

Thus Power won by a lone second from an unexpecting 16^th starting spot, with Rossi coming home second from 11^th, and Scott Dixon third after starting P9. Whilst that Malukas fellah finished 11th and ‘Ol JJ’, nee Jimmie Johnson Ho Hum, was P22.

 

Although another rookie I really felt for was Kyle Kirkwood, who I really appreciate His gritting out His injured Hand/Wrist after His Shunt during Saturday morning’s second Warm Up session. Which afterwards, He went off and won the IMSA GTD category for Vasser Sullivan Racing’s Lexus race team, and ran in the Top 5 of the IndyCar race for a long time before making a rookie mistake, which He quickly Blamed upon Himself and Not due to His injury, which I’m Not buying since He spent considerable time with an ice pack on His injured wrist! Not to mention the lack of power steering.

 

Whilst cannot remember which Blogger sagely noted how Fun it would be seeing The Great Santini’, aka Santino Ferrucci driving the No. 14 for ‘Ol SuperTex’, aka A.J. foyt next year as Kirkwood’s replacement.

 

As I guess we’ll have to wait with Baited Breath to “See” how the return to Detroit’s Downtown Streets plays out next year… 

INDY 500: Turning the Page Upon the 2’s

By Ringing Out the last vestiges of this year’s Indy 500 trivia…

 

So the 106^th running of the Indianapolis 500 is Done ‘N dusted. As congratulations to Marcus Ericsson, who I certainly Didn’t Pick to win this year and joins Mother Speedway’s legendous’ Record Book! For which now we’re off to Belle Isle and the rest of the “Tracks” on the IndyCar Calendar…

 

As I won’t attempt going thru all of the Indianapolis 500 Years ending in 2, but some that stuck out for me over the Month ‘N May, and I’ve not had time or space to comment upon here on No Fenders. And Nah, No Time Space Continuum Jokes Here, Hya!

 

Although you could certainly add Colton Herta’s wicked High-side Blow Over Carb Day accident to the mix!

 

The first 2’ that caught my Attenzione was pointed out by The Pit Window’s Mike Silver. Noting how He was somewhat  surprised Not more was being made out of the fact that this year marked the 50^th Anniversary of Mark Donohue winning for El Capitano’, giving Roger Penske the first of His 18 Baby borg trophies! As that brilliant Sunoco Blue McLaren M16B/Offenhauser is one of my All-time favourite IndyCar’s!

 

Putting this somewhat into perspective, and making me feel somewhat Old, since I Grew Up during the 1980’s listening to them. I’ve just learned that Steely Dan’s Debut Album Can’t Buy A Thrill was released this very same year. With their first Album including two Bona fide Hit Singles, i.e.; Do It Again and Realin’ In the Years. Although the track Dirty work is also very familiar to Mwah…

 

Meanwhile the IndyStar’s Dana Hunsinger Bembow wrote a bunch of great Indy 500 “Human Interest” stories over the month. The first being upon the Oft, Overlooked Jimmy Murphy, winner of the 1922 Indianapolis 500. Not to mention also presumably being America’s first ever Formula 1 winner at the 1921 French Grand Prix, along with winning the AAA National championship twice in 1922 and 1924, the latter posthumously.

 

Noting how Murphy Cut His Teeth as a Riding Mechanic for some of the Best then, before Duesenberg’s No. 1 Driver Tommy Milton recommended Duesenberg giving Him a Factory Car to Drive. For which Jimmy dually won the first race entered, the Beverly Hills Board Track race!

 

As Murphy would soon become known as “The King of the Boards,” before Sadly, Murphy lost His life contesting a Board Track race in 1924 as a favour to the race’s Promoter.

 

While Her Article about how Paul Tracy still firmly believes He won the 2002 Indy 500 twenty years later made me recall the time in 2009 riding the elevator down from the IMS Media Center’s forth floor with my IMS Media Center “Handler” Daniel Baines cooper. When Danny asked Mark Gravelly’ James if He thought that Paul Tracy Had won the ’02 Indy 500?

 

For which I  thought I could feel James Mutinous Scowl radiating as He Firmly, and somewhat testily said that Helio Castroneves most Definitely won that Race! Although I would have expected Nothing less from Mark James, since after All He was an IndyCar employee then working for somebody named Tony George, Just Sayin’

 

As you have to say it’s interesting how two of Roger Penske’s record 18 Indy 500 victories have been won by lawyers fighting Appeals! And a third W’ comes courtesy of another trademark Penske “Unfair Advantage” with that Mercedes Stock Block motor.

 

While I also was reminded that it was 30 years ago that we witnessed the Closest Indianapolis 500 finish in History when reading Geo. Phillips Oilpressure yarn about the Galmer IndyCar chassis, one of my favourites. As I can still recall having been given Cough cough! The NO. 33 entry in our ‘lil Indy 500 Racing Pool that year. Y’all know when somebody later named Scott “What Pace Car”” goodyear finished a tantalizing 0.043 second behind ‘lil al’, aka Al Unser Jr.

 

Although I tend to forget that Goodyear had Failed to Qualify and replaced Mike Groff that year…

 

And capping off this quick Look See at some of the 2’s, I’ll close with the following two Nuggets.

 

Although I was less than impressed with this year’s Fast 12 Pole Shootout format, which I’ll save for another, Rainy day. I did think it was Cool that some Cat named “Rocket Rick” (Mears) was Deputizing for this year’s Indy 500 Pace Car Driver Sarah Fisher on Pole Day, driving the 70^th Anniversary Corvette Pace Car. Hmm, some guy named Penske Owns the facility and his IndyCar team runs bowties’, CoInky-dense? But still very Cool!

 

Which made me remember that it was 40 years ago ‘Ol Gordie Johncock Beat Rick Mears to win His second Indianapolis 500 victory in a thrilling duel with Mears.

 

Along with the fact that I’m positive Nobody’s talking about regarding 2012. Since All that’s remembered is how close Takuma Sato came to winning His first Indianapolis 500 that year, when being given the Cold shoulder by eventual race winner Dario Franchitti. But what’s Sato’s motto? Oh Yeah, “No Attack, No chance! While that was the only time I’ve ever Heard Fans vehemently Booing ain Indy 500 winner!

 

Instead, 10 years ago was the Sad, Pathetic and Disappointing Debut of the third IndyCar engine manufacturer. Y’all remember when John Judd built Lotus engines appeared briefly, before the Under-powered Luddi’ lumps quickly Disappeared forever from the IndyCar landscape!

 

As poor Indy 500 Rookie Jean Alesi, who’s #64 Fan Force United Dallara/Lotus entry was black Flagged for Not meeting the 105% Minimum Speed requirement Rule by lap 9! While Keith Wiggins was unable to get out of His Lotus engine supply contract, with His #78 HVM Racing’s Lotus entry driven by Simona de Silvestro was similarly Black Flagged One lap later! 

An electrifying Night Before the 500’

As there was most definitely “A Disturbance in The Force!”

 

So I was trying to carry out another one of my Silly Indy 500 traditions, when I listen to the Roast of Bobby Unser the Night before that ‘Ol R’, aka Ye Curmudgeon ‘O IndyCar Robin Miller MC’ed Wayback’ in 2018. Which even though I’ve”Watched,” Err listened to it now several times over the years,  still makes me laugh and brings a Smile to my Face!

 

As the video weighs in at 47mins and I was right at the part where El Capitano’, nee Roger Penske was telling us how Uncle bobby had had His Mechanics Drain the normal Mobil 1/Pennzoil Gearbox lubricants in order to put in some Amsoil, since Bobby had a connection with the latter, and was probably just trying to get a Buck from Amsoil when the video abruptly Stopped at 8:05PM Pacific and the screen when Dark!

 

To which I quickly discerned when None of the House lights would come on, we’d lost our Power! As we’d been having major Gusting Winds All Day along the Oregon Coast, along with what my telephone news reported as a Soaking Rain! And I just muttered to myself how long will the power be out, and will this Screw Me Outta listening to the Indy 500 Radio Broadcast Sunday?

 

Strange Days Indeed!

As All I can say is It’s A Strange World After all! As it’s really Funny what Pisses Us Off as Humans! Since I absolutely know that Tacoma Bureau Chief Mary Ellen would immediately tell me I’m Having A First World Problem!

 

Nonetheless, I was absolutely Bummed Out when spending the entire Hour plus Pre-race Sunday morning trying to No Avail to get my El Stupidio Spectrum Internet service to Gory connect! For which it simply wouldn’t do, with the Indycar.com Radio Webpage saying it had simply timed out and that I needed to Check My Internet Connection, which surely was a biproduct of the previous evening’s Power Outage, el Correctomundo!

 

So Dejectedly, I listened to NBC’s TV Broadcast instead for this first time during the entire Month ‘O May, for which All I can say is that it just seemed really Milktoast!

 

Now Don’t get me wrong, as I totally prefer having NBC doing IndyCar vs. those Sleep Inducing Augusta 18^th Hole Golf match Snoozers ABC used to produce, But!

 

May be it was just Mwah, when constantly Hitting the Mute Button for another round of Nothing But Commercials! But I found it Uber Annoying that All Leigh Diffey said was that Rinus VeeKay was Out before the commercials began! And then they Never showed a replay or told us what Happened? As it wasn’t until rinus was released from the Infield Care Center talking to Kevin Lee multiple laps later, noting the Dejection in VeeKay’s voice that we learned that He’d simply lost it in Turn 2, which would be the Achilles Heel of Mother Speedway for several drivers during the course of the race.

 

And then even more annoying was Hearing Diffey telling us You Won’t Miss Anything as we go Side-by-Side Nonstop for our next Commercial Break! Which if you’re Freakin’ blind like Mwah, than Y’all Cannot See Anything in some teensy weansy Cardboard cutout Onscreen Box!

 

And I simply do Not want to Hear a single solitary word about Rutledge “Bake Me A Cake” Woods driving a Swamp Boat somewhere in the Infield! Or Rutledge showing us the view of Roger Penske and His Family watching the race from the top of the Pagoda! Like do I really need to be reminded how Privledged roger is whilst I can’t even have working Internets’, Spew!

 

And then I suppose Strike 3 would be another Yellow Flag Caution thrown on Lap 157? When Diffey proclaimed it’s gonna get wild with 43 laps remaining while Never telling us who caused the latest Caution! Instead with Kevin Lee Me Thinks? Talking to colton Herta who Race Control “Parked” for running too Slow before Yuhs Guessed It. Another Deluge ‘O Freakin’ Commercials, Barf!

 

As it wasn’t until with 35-33 laps remaining that somebody talked to Scott McLaughlin after having been released from the Infield Care Center that I was able to figure out who’d Crashed…

 

And so much for being the “Iceman,” Eh? As Scott Dixon will be cursing  Himself for another year for letting another Indy 500 Slip thru his fingers, especially after leading 95 laps enroute to surpassing Al Unser Sr. for All-time Career laps led at Mother Speedway.

 

Although I had to wonder if Dixon’s Speeding Penalty was possibly related to the issue of teams Pulling Back the Brake Pads to reduce rolling friction we’ve Heard about. Or did Soctt simply miss judge the Pit entrance by that elusive Milli-fraction?

 

Whilst is it just Mwah? But who was the one of Cheep’s five Drivers Nobody talked much about? Since it was All about Dixon and Alex Palou on row 1. TK’ follow Your Schnoz! Kanaan and whenever Jimmie Johnson sneezed, Thar was a Slow Motion Frame by Frame Breakdown… As I had to momentarily “Note to Self!” I was Rootin’ against my Numero Uno IndyCar Driver Pato O’Ward when sitting with two sets ‘O fingers Crossed and Cheering for Marcus Ericsson! But I simply never felt that Pato had the Car to win…

 

As suppose I’m Name Dropping here now? But I still remember that Ericsson was the Only active Formula 1 Driver willing to let me take my picture with Him Wayback’ at Willie Buxom’s Buxton Bigtime Bash in Austin, Texas during the 2014 Formula 1 weekend at COTA when being a Sauber F1 Pilote.

 

Whilst the only other driver who let me take a picture with Him was Bad Arse Yank’ GP2 racer and Marussia F1 Reserve Driver, somebody named Alexander Rossi, as perhaps Y’all have Heard of Him? As it’s pretty Funny how they both went on to become Indianapolis 500 winners!

 

And then NBC reminded me again why I Hate their TV Broadcasts, since the Post race was immediately shoved over to Peacock, which I Don’t Have! And do Not plan on getting Anytime soon! Not to mention Bellowing Shut Up everytime Queen Danica started talking! While ‘lil E’, aka Dale Earnhardt Jr. just seems completely Out of place during an Open Wheel Racing Broadcast…

 

Then Who’d Ah-thunk It? As Silly Me, how would I know that I simply needed to call Spectrum and have them Automatically Reboot my Modem in order to restore my Internet Connection, Eh? Which I did following the race. As Strange Days Indeedy!

 

Whilst I just remembered that following this year’s Texas race, Mary ellen asked me who I’d been Rootin’ for at the end of the race, to which I replied Marcus Ericsson, who finished third…

 

Congratulations Marcus Ericsson! 

My Yearly Indy 500 Race Day Tradition

Although I’ve got a Ton ‘O Great Memories from my 7 Indy 500’s Attended…

 

Seems like a Mega’ amount ‘O time has been spent talking about Us Fans Indy 500 Traditions. For which I probably did before? But definitely have been doing in earnest yearly since 2019, when I prefer actually listening to the race being called via Old Fashioned Radio…

 

As I look forward each May to Hearing the voices of Mark Gravelly’ James, Davey Hamilton, Nicky Salt’ Yeoman, Jake The Riddler’ Query and Michael Screech’ Young.

Along with Hopefully my two favourite Pitlane Reporters Ryan Marin and Alex wolff on the IndyCar Radio Network via Indycar.com’s Screen Reader Friendly webpage. Especially since for reasons unknown, this year I haven’t been able to Pull Up The Fan’s WFNI 1075AM Radio Broadcast via Zed Internets.

 

Whilst I appreciate a fellow blogger echoing some of my past sentiments regarding NBC’s Month ‘O May TV Coverage. Noting how it’s just a tad Bit too Mucho NASCAR Centric, which I’ve previously scribbled about on No Fenders.

 

Nothing But Promotions?

as once again I eagerly await the actual race beginning! But not All of the Bullshit Pre-race Banter, Err Hype upon Ye Peacock, Uhm Big NBC. Which Y’all know totally stands for Nothing But Commercials!

 

Since even though I like Leigh Diffey, Townsend Bell and James Hinchcliffe, and try “Supporting” IndyCar’s television partner by typically “watching,” Err listening to the races.

 

Yet I simply cannot fathom stomaching Four-plus Hours of Queen Danica, ‘lil Ironhead’ (Dale Earnhardt, Jr.) Steve “I Knows Everything” Letarte and especially Rutledge “Bake Me A Cake” Wood’s Uber Insightfulness, SPEW!

 

As I still say this is nothing more than an multi Hours Infomercial primer’ for the upcoming RASSCAR’ Roundy round season on NBC, BARF!

 

Not to mention I’ve never been a Fan of Marty Snidely Whiplash! Snyder or Kevin The Wherewolf’ Lee’s Reading from a Queue Card demeanour. OOPS, what’s that ‘bout Not saying Anything if you Don’t Uhm? Oh Never Mind!

 

The legendous’ Dr. who…

Part of what I enjoy most about listening to IndyCar Radio Broadcasts is how they’ve got more time to go Down various Wabbit Holes’ that TV doesn’t, since they’re Nothing But commercials! But don’t get me wrong, IndyCar Radio does it’s own version of what I tend to Bellow at Ye Confuzer’s Speakers: Commercial City!

Nonetheless, I do enjoy how they get to spend more time interviewing people and telling stories.

 

And since I simply could this year, I tuned into copious amounts of two Practice Days, along with nearly the entire Qualifying Day and Pole Day programmes…

 

Having listened via IndyCar Radio to Sunday’s 90mins Pole Day Practice session, the end of the Broadcast brought a Smile to my Face. As they were wrapping up, Mark Gravelly’ James said just to put a Bow upon The Flying Dutchman’s, nee Arie Luyendyk’s All time 236.986mph record Qualifying run, the Fastest ever four lap Average at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, set on the second day of Qualifying in 1996.

 

Luyendyk Always credits that run to his race Engineer, some Bloke named Tim Wardrop! As it was Fun hearingJames and Davey Hamilton briefly reminisce about the late Dr. Who. With James saying unless somebody introduced you to Him, you’d Never know who Tim Wardrop was. With Davey saying He was a Bit wild behind the scenes and All you ever had to do was look for the guy wearing the leather jacket! To which James said, He’d been talking with somebody in the Media Center about how Dr. Who looked more like the Manager for a British Rock Band…

 

As I had the good fortune of being introduced to Messer Wardrop Wayback’ in Bloody 2007, following my Fantastic 2X Seater ride with Davey Hamilton! Appropriately at the IMS Flagroom Bar, which No longer exists.

 

And then met him several more times over the following years, with the last being in 2012. When Tim was the Race Engineer for somebody I took to calling “Mean Jean!” In that Abomination of a racecar with the Luddi’ Boat Anchor in it’s Backside!

 

Y’all recall when 47yr old ex-Ferrari Formula 1 Driver Jean Alesi, then an Lotus Ambassador drove Tyce Carlson’s Fan Force United Dallara/Lotus entry, which qualified last, some 16+ mph Slower than the Pole speed!

 

As I can still remember No Fenders Offical’ Photographer Carpets asking Tim Wardrop if He wanted us to throw something Ontrack in order to Help Alesi from getting lapped! For which Dave was totally Jesting, as we were enjoying a late lunch on Car Day at Mother Speedway when Tim joined us briefly.

 

And I was also Happy hearing Tim tell us that Alesi was a Rea Racer!

 

Whilst also fondly recalling asking Dr. Who if He was going to the Last Row Party? To which Tim blankly asked What’s That? And upon informing Him, Tim said, Oh, I’d better go check that out, and off He went with trademark leather jacket in hand…

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2012/10/sayonara-doctor-who.html

 

For which I’d forgotten about Fan Force United having announced plans to run Stefan Stork’ Wilson in a 2015 Full Season IndyCcar campaign, which never materialized due to Sponsorship woes.

 

Whilst I wasn’t aware that the team had hired Buddy Lazier as Driving Coach for Messer Alesi a Decade ago, which makes me think of the time Buddy and Tim allowed me to Butt into their conversation at the Flagroom, as I interjected F1 trivia to fill in the Blanks in Thar conversation.

 

Whilst as always, I’ll be hoping for an Upset winner Sunday! Along with listening to Jim Cornelison’s very enjoyable rendition of Back Home Again… 

INDY 500: Chasing the Dragon’s Tail. Month of May Almost Over

As will the Pole sitter be victorious, or will somebody else Spoil Scott Dixon’s party?

 

Perhaps it’s just Mwah, but I find the whole Saga of Saving No. 33 and How It Took an IndyCar Village to be the most Appealing Month ‘O May Story this year, even if I’m Not sure what I now think about Elton Julian, since I really didn’t need to know that He lives in Beverly Hills, California. But then again Motor Racing is A Rich Man’s Game after All…

 

Actualy have to save I’m most impressed by A.J. foyt’s racing team’s efforts in making sure IndyCar, and more importantly, the Indianapolis 500 got to keep it’s tradition of 11 Rows of 3 this year. Since not only did Foyt provide the chassis, but then the team began converting it from Road Corse setup to Oval Track configuration immediately following the “Guns ‘N Roses” Indy GP race, before the DragonSpeed team arrived in Gasoline Alley Monday morning. Since they’d been Busy winning at Mid Ohio Sunday, where Henrik Hedman and Juan Pablo Montoya won the LMP2 Class.

 

While some Foyt Crewmembers even pulled “All Nighters” to ensure the car would be ready for Opening Day Tuesday, May 17^th, Bravo!

 

Not to mention IndyCar President Jay Frye’s tireless efforts to make the 33^rd Indy 500 a reality, along with Team Penske, Andretti Autosport and Juncos Hollinger Racing stepping up and providing the various Bit’s ‘O Missing Pitlane equipment.

 

Entertaining how Elton (Julian) not only told IndyCar Radio’s Ryan Marin the story of how He and Don Kusik put the Dealio’ together at Thermal Club Racetrack in Sleepy Thermal, California, which I’d never Heard of before. Apparently being an Automotive Enthusiast’s Playground for the Rich and Famous…

 

https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la-west/lifestyles/2021/08/04/thermal-club-race-track-housing-development-revs-up

 

But also said Thars’ seven drivers in this year’s Indy 500 that have driven for him, beginning with the three who won this year’s Rolex 24 LMP2 Class being: Colton Herta, Pato O’Ward and Devlin DeFrancesco. Then there’s that Montoyer’ Feller’, aka Juan Pablo Montoya. Whilst I’d forgotten that rinus VeeKay and Felix Rosenqvist had driven for DragonSpeed, with Stefan Stork’ Wilson being number seven.

 

Felt really Bad for Wilson, when somebody probably burning Ye Mindnight Oil a tad too Mucho? Inadvertently got the NO. 25’s “Gear Stack” scrambled and ended up putting the second and third Gears in BassAckwards! So that when Stefan thought He was shifting into third gear on His way to fourth, Kablamoe! The lower second gear ratio sent the 2.2-liter turbocharged Chevy spinning past it’s 12,000 Redline to 16,000RPM’s, Crikeys!

 

So I’m really Hoping that Stefan, who starts 33^rd with No Time recorded not only finishes the entire race, but Doesn’t finish last, since He and Everybody involved in this effort Deserves a Decent Indy 500 Finish!

 

Obviously, Thars far too many Storylines to cover in the remaining space Here, and I’m Not gonna predict a winner this year, since I chose Scot Dixon last year before Wilson’s unforced Brake Failure on Pitlane left Dixie’, Alexander Rossi and Tony Kanaan All running Out of Fuel or taking Emergency Pit Stops!

 

And after having chosen rinus VeeKay to win Pole for the second year in a row, after the Kiwi’ threw Down that Monstrous, Mega first 234+ lap! I knew it was All Over, and began Hearing ‘Ol Dandy don (Meredith) singing turn Out the lights, The Party’s Over…

 

And with Dixon’s setting the All time Pole Speed record for the Indianapolis 500 at a blistering 234.046mph! Breaking the late Scott Brayton’s mark of 233.718mph set in 1996, you’d have to say Dixon’s got some Unfinished Business, Again, after starting on Pole a year ago! As I’ve never Heard a Driver being so Pestimistic every time a microphone’s been Shoved in front of His Face this May.

 

Dixon’s CGR teammates Alex Palou, Tony Kanaan and Marcus Ericsson All seem like good possibilities.

 

Although Don’t think Palou will be Joking this time round if Dixon wins about Sharing one of his Borg Warners with Him! Since the Affable Spaniard had been Joking about how Soctt had four Poles Already, so He could at least give me One, before Dixon secured His fifth Indy 500 Pole…

 

Whilst the cagey Kanaan seems like He’s just waiting to pounce Sunday for His second Borg Warner trophy. But I suppose several Drivers are thinking likewise…

 

Row 9 will be fascinating to watch, since it features Colton Herta on the Inside, Scott McLaughlin and Helio Castroneves on the Outside starting P25-27, as surely this trio will work their way forward. But No! Hulio’ won’t be winning His fifth Indy 500 this Sunday!

 

Meanwhile two former winners surely Aren’t Happy of missing out on the Fast 12 Shootout, with Simon Pagenaud rolling off 16^th and Alexander Rossi a Dejected P20, after having Pulled His initial 17^th Qualifying time only to drop three places backwards.

 

While I’d enjoy seeing Taku-san’, aka Takuma Sato Drinking Milk for the third time in His long IndyCar career, which would be the fitting touch to his interesting Month of May, which would befit Dale Coyne’s Arduous IndyCar career, albeit Not so wild about His Pardner’ Rick Ware, and I just don’t know if Coyne-Ware Racin’gs Pit Crew is Good enough for Victory?

 

And I’m somewhat resigned to the idea that Jimmie Johnson seemingly has the best shot of being Rookie Of the Year now, as How He Saved that Power Slide on lap one of his Fast 12 shootout Qualie’ run still amazes Me! But then again, it’s 500 miles, so we’ll see. As I definitely do Not think He’ll win the race.

 

Whilst Two Sites Unite Bloggers Geo. Phillips and Paul Dalby haven’t exactly gone out on limbs picking Scott Dixon and Pato O’Ward to win respectively, which naturally the latter’s pick makes me Happy, albeit I just don’t think O’Ward will be drinking Milk Sunday…

 

And I could ramble on ‘N on, but it’s time to put a bow upon this No Fenders tome. Uhm, is that an Omen of which engine manufacturer wins on Sunday. Or did I just

Curse the Bowtie’ runners?

 

And although I’m Not picking a winner this year, I will toss out my Kentucky Derby 80:1 Longshot winner pick. And No, it’s Not Stefan Wilson, since that seems to easy.

 

Instead, my Longshot choice is J.R. Hildebrand, since I think Mother speedway needs to return some “Love” to A.J. foyt Enterprises for ensuring 33 Cars this year!