NASCAR’s “European Vacation” Road Race at COTA

As All that was missing were Chevy Chase and His Sweetheart Cristie Brinkley…

 

Yeah I know, Y’all are Jonesin’ for some riveting Banter on that other Oval race from Texas Motor Speedway. But that’s Not how I roll Here in Nofendersville…

 

As late Saturday Nite’, since ‘Ol Elton John sez’ Saturday Nite’s for Fightin’, Righto? (March 25th) I was perusing my NFB Newsline for The Blind’s telephone service, when my Minneapolis Star Motorsports “feed” popped up a story about the forthcoming Roundy round race at Circuit Of The Americas. (COTA) The first Road Course race of the season.

 

What Tripped my No. 4 Wire from my normally pressing Next was the mention of not one, but two former Formula 1 World Champions competing, Say What?

 

As I had Zero Clue that Bloody ‘Ol Jense’, aka Jenson Button had inked a three race Dealio to go Cup racing, presumably All three races driving for Rick Ware Racing. (RWR)

 

As RWR announced Wayback’ on March 10th that Button would run three Road Course events for them. The first being at Austin. And then Jense’ will compete at the inaugural Chicago Street race and finish with the Indianapolis Road Course race in August…

 

Not to mention that thee Iceman’, aka Kimi Raikonnen would be making His second Cup start for Trackhaus Racing’s Project 91 entry. The Team’s third car dedicated to running International Drivers on a limited basis. As Raikkonen made His RASSCAR’ Debut with the team last year at Watkins Glen.

 

Thus I made a mental note of this, but didn’t plan on “Watching” the race. Having chosen the MotoGP season opener from Portimoa, Portugal instead as my Sunday event.

 

Yet as I was making lunch just after noon, I decided to switch over to FOX and decided I could at least Hear how the start went? Before I decided what the Hell! I’ll just make it a lazy Sunday afternoon instead…

 

Pretty sure it was just before the green Flag finally flew for the overly drawn out start, complete with Mikey “Aw Shucks!” Waltrip pimpin’ His Pace Car ride, Spew!

 Before Mike Joy mentioned Thar were 35 regulars and four Road Course Ringers, Huh?

 

As I’d forgotten this was one of the possibly seven Cup races this year that Conor Daly would attempt racing in, since after all, He had a Free weekend like all of His IndyCar “Buddies.” With Daly once again behind the wheel of The Money Team Racing’s No. 50 Chevy  Camaro. As Conor rolled off 35^th, ahead of former IndyCar driver Cody Ware.

 

While I did hear Mike Joy mention that perennial IMSA Sports Car Ace Jordan Taylor had qualified an impressive fourth, after an early race “Dust Up” saw Him drop back to 10th. As Jordan was making His NASCAR Debut substituting for Chase Elliot in the No. 9 Hendrick Chevrolet Camaro. As Elliot had broken His leg Snowboarding.

 

But Thar was No mention of where 2007 and 2009 F1 World Champions Kimi Raikkonen and Jenson Button started. As noted, Button was also making His Roundy Round Cup Debut aboard the No. 15 Rick Ware Racing Ford Mustang. While Raikkonen and His Oophlats were making their second outing behind the wheel of the No. 91 Trackhaus Racing’s Camaro.

 

And it was funny how I felt bad for ‘Ol JJ’, aka Jimmie Johnson getting punted on lap-1. Arse-sumedly since I came to enjoy Johnson’s Humbleness during His two year IndyCar experiment. With Johnson later opining that’s what happens when you’re starting from 31^st, after being cleared from the Medical Center.

 

As lookie Dar’ Mom, IndyCar aren’t the only ones to Crash on lap-1, Zoinks! Although the clean-up seemed to take forever…

 

And who was that funny sounding “Foreign” speaker on FOX? As it took me a little while to figure it out. But I’m 99% certain it was Herr Guenther! Although absolutely No Freakin’ idea why Haas F1 Team Principal Guenther Steiner was doing Colour commentary on a Roundy Round Taxicab Bombers’ race? Other than He had an “Off” weekend and was helping with NASCAR’s unexpected Circuit Of The Americas

race’s international flair?

 

Was Rootin’ for A.J. Allmendinger to win as He ran in second. Although don’t know what happened on His second Pitstop when He went from third down to P15?

 

As I found myself getting annoyed over the lack of talkin’ up either of the former Formula 1 World Champions in the race. As it was just the RASSCAR’ Centric dribble per usual, albeit I did enjoy Curt Busch being in the booth.

 

And then somewherez’ after the remaining Top-3 leaders, William Byron-Allmendinger-Daniel Suarez pitted after lap-24; Mike Joy ‘N Company finally commented upon the “Road Ringers.” With Kimi 13th, Taylor P27, Button 31st and Daly 36th.

 

And then they started talkin’ briefly about thee original Iceman, nee Kimi Raikkonen running 13^th and something about His wearin’ sunglasses at Night? Before it seemingly became the Tyler Reddick show.

 

Obviously Curt Bush, former driver of Reddick’s 23/Xi No. 45 Toy-Yoter’ was pullin’ for Reddick, who after all replaced Him. As Curt Busch retired due to having sustained a Nasty Concussion! As Reddick would lead 40 of the race’s eventual 75 laps enroute to victory.

 

Then the lullaby sounds of 30-Something High revvin’ V-8 Stock Car engines making was it up to 25 Shifts per lap according to LarryMac’ (McReynolds) promptly put me to Sleep! With McReynolds also noting they’d average 1,700 Shifts during the race, prior to “Overtime.”

 

Before waking up just before the first of three “Checkers or Wreckers,” aka Green-White Flag race finishes. Since after all, the day’s TV coverage lasted some insanely long four-plus Hours!

 

Thus being a Wee Bitamyte’ groggy, I didn’t quite catch who was where for the three drivers I was tryin’ to follow, i.e.; Raikkonen, Taylor and Button. Who I think were P17-20-26 respectively?

 

Whilst pretty certain that Joy said that Taylor had vaulted all the way up to fifth on the the third race finish attempt, with Button 20^th and Raikkonen having dropped to P24 with slight damage to His Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. Although Raikkonen actually ran as High as fourth at one point before dropping back.

 

As the Box Score denotes that Button was the Highest finisher of the four Road Course Warriors with a fine 18th place finish. With Taylor P24 and Raikkonen P29. While Daly went behind the wall to repair His transmission and was classified 36th. Arse-sumedly why the Talkin’ Headz

Quit mentioning Conor’s name later in the broadcast…

 

Ironically, it was Kyle Busch finishing Runner-up to Reddick aboard His former ride, the #8 Richard Childress Racing Camaro. For which Reddick was supposed to drive this year as a Lame Duck Driver waiting to go to 23/XI Racing in 2024.

 

Yet with Curt Busch’s retirement, 23/XI was able to buy out Reddick’s remaining year and now the 27yr Old has promptly repaid the team by winning His first race in the No. 45 Toyota Camary.

 

And since we’re doing the “European Vacation:” theme here, I’ll mention the final driver on the third step of the podium being Alex Bowman in the No. 48 Hendrick Chevrolet. Whilst the top Ford driver was Team Penske’s Austin Cindric finishing sixth behind the wheel of His #2 Mustang… 

Texas Two Step...

The Ed Carpenter Racing Boys ‘N Girls busy making room for Boss Fast Eddie’s No. 33 entry for the upcoming Oval race. (The Tomaso Collection)

 

Time to Light this Candle! As the IndyCar season is truly set to Kickoff after a month’s respite. As Y’all Hard Core IndyCar Fans already know that Fast Eddie’, aka Ed Carpenter will make His season debut at Texas Motor Speedway. Seeing  ECR increase to three entries for All of this year’s Oval races.

 

Joining Carpenter in commencing His season is Takuma Sato, whose also running an Ovals Only programme this year. With the Affable Taku-san’ taking over the Chip Ganassi Racing’s No. 11 entry, that Sato’s sharing with rookie Marcus Armstrong this year.

 

Thus by my rudimentary ryth-muh-tick’, with the rest of the IndyCar Grid being unchanged, Thar will be a massive 28 Indy Cars competing at Texas this weekend…

 

Photo C/O No Fenders Offical’ Photographer CARPETS’ 

EXCLUSIVE: IndyCar “Secretly” Testing NXT GEN Dallara DW12 Replacement Chassis

“Open the Pod Bay doors HAL!”

 

Although this is Old News, we simply Didn’t know what the Fine Folks at Starship IndyCar’, nee Penske Entertainment were up to now over a year ago, when hosting the inaugural round of it’s Indy Autonomous Challenge.

 

Yet uncharacteristically, and perhaps because of All of the wonderful, generous Overflowing praise the IndyCar Administration has garnered over the past Offseason. Penske Entertainment’s No. 1 Puffed Shirt Marcus Miles, No relation to IndyCar drivers Marcus Ericsson or Armstrong, Hya! Has let the proverbial “Cat out amongst the Pigeons.”

 

According to Penske Entertainment CEO Mark Miles, IndyCar, in conjunction with it’s exclusive IndyCar Chassis supplier Dallara. Have been secretly testing various iterations of it’s forthcoming Dallara iNX-27 IndyCar chassis, which will finally replace the aging, current 2012 Spec Dallara DW12 in the near future.

 

As the final round of the Indy Autonomous Challenge will naturally be held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway sometime later this year. Presumably following some ‘lil ‘OL 500-miler Oval race…

 

As IMS CEO Doug Bowles thinks it would be a great way to cap off the fabled Brickyard’s extensive 2023 season, running sometime shortly after the upcoming Battle of the Bricks, with the first weekend of October being ideal.

 

While Miles says that the winning entry will receive a Cash prize equivalent to last year’s INDY Lights Champion Linus Lundqvist prize award of $500,000 being Donated to the winning University, since Lundqvist’s prize went unclaimed. With a royalty checque being paid for the duration of the Dallara iNX-27’s racing life.

 

Dallara iNX-27 Project Manager Paolo Bandini said there’s No current plans to replace IndyCar Drivers with a plethora of electronic Control Systems. (ECS) And instead, will simply scale up the winning Universities Autonomous Open Wheel Racing Chassis to proper dimensions for the inclusion of a Human Driver replete with the now di riggour Areoscreen, and a second generation Energy Recovery system. (ERS)

 

Yet Bandini stopped short of saying whether He knew anything about IndyCar opening up current Engine regulations, or whether or not a third, new OEM would be coming online in time for the iNX-27’s season debut tentatively slated for St Pete, 2027.

 

While Bandini also would not be drawn on commenting whether or not the iNX-27 chassis would ride on 18-inch tyres like it’s contemporary Single Seater brethren Formula 1 currently utilize…

 

With Bandini also saying that the internal code name for the new Next Generation IndyCar chassis was the JW-27 in Honour of the late Justin Wilson. But He didn’t know if that would stick, since Justin was best known for driving the No. 25 And the decision would be made by others at Dallara Automobili in the future.

 

As here’s the previous Autoweek story recounting the first two rounds of the Indy Autonomous Challenge…

 

https://www.autoweek.com/racing/more-racing/a38705407/how-indy-autonomous-racing-got-real/ 

Another Crazy, Wackoid’ IndyCar Season’s Start!

Marcus Ericsson, Will Power and Scott Dixon pictured at the end of the St Pete race. (The Tomaso Collection)

 

Yet at least I got to listen to the Important parts of the St Pete Broadcast!

 

First off, I’d like to tackle something that seems to being overlooked on Ye Blogosphere.

 

Yeah, I’d like there to Not be a four weeks gap in IndyCar’s first two rounds like everyone else. But what’s not being mentioned is the fact that this is primarily due to the multiple IndyCar Teams who also race in IMSA Sports Cars competition, and the need to Not race on the same weekend as the prestigious 12 Hours of Sebring.

 

As Sebring’s legendous’ ‘Ol School 12 Hours race is typically held on the second full week of March, and was held on March 18th this year. Which if Y’all recall, IndyCar’s race at Texas Motor Speedway exactly did so last year with great Dissatisfaction from those IndyCar teams affected!

 

Ah, it seems fairly strange to think that I haven’t Scribbled’ anythingy’ new for Ye No Fenders Blog in a month’s time. Having been on another glorious 23 days Holiday, albeit I’ve enjoyed being away from the Keyboard!

 

I simply love how Tacoma Bureau Chief Mary ellen Always takes care of me!

 

Case in point, after telling Her I wanted to listen to the St Pete IndyCar race while On Holiday, Abracadabra!

 

And in a case of apparently prescient knowledge, I was totally unworried over missing the season opening Formula 1 race also taking place in Bahrain the same weekend, since we All know how that Max Verstappen Red Bull Whitewash worked out! Although one does not need a Crystal Ball to foresee this. With Sergio Perez leading another Red Bull Farce in Jeddah. Along with reading subsequently Grizzled F1 Journo’ Joe Saward predicting a further Red Bull Massacre Down Under in Bloody Melbourne Mates! But I digress…

 

Yet fortuitously I asked Mary ellen to pull up the results of Friday’s practices for both F1 and IndyCar, to which She also inquisitively asked me where to find the IndyCar Radio Broadcast online. And when I mentioned they’d also be broadcasting Qualifying Saturday. She immediately said, Don’t you want to listen to that also?

 

Spending the week at Her Seester’s house on Vashon Island, Catherine had earlier divulged that the Internet service was currently awaiting a 48 Hours Reboot. Since She’d accidently cancelled the Credit Card it’s monthly Autopay payments had been being made from. With No idea when it would resume, or why it was taking so g-Damn long? But more upon that later…

 

As Saturday was a veritable “Keystone Cops” Comedy of Errors! Although it ultimately turned out to be a good “Spring Training” workout for Ye Apple Orchard’s technical issues!

 

Strangely, the Intrawoods’, nee internet service still wasn’t activated, with Catherine making another phone call to their Internets’ Service Provider (ISP) to find out what’s taking so long? With Catherine saying She knew how I could listen to it, as I sat on the couch with my faithful lap Hog Hang 10’ Hilo counting down until Qualie’ began at 11:15AM Pacific. As Catherine was initially busy listening to Wait Wait… don’t Tell Me! After saying I thought the race was tomorrow? Before pulling up the IndyCar Radio Network on Her Smart phone.

 

As perhaps it’s what All those Uber Smart Kids due these days? With Catherine saying She could stream the broadcast via Her phone thru their Rocu’s Bose Wave surround sound Speaker, and it would be just like being at the track! Whale’ not exactly Catherine, Hya!

 

Thus I marveled to Thyself after Catherine had repositioned the Bose speaker directly in front of Mwah for true “Stereophonic” sound. Along with Hilo seated on my lap as the start of the season’s first Qualifying session from St Pete began , musing “It Doesn’t get Any Better than This!” Especially when not having to inhale those typical, noxious wafting Cigar and Cigarette Fumes trackside!

 

Wallah, Just-in-time! Thar was Mike Gravelly’ James and Davey Hamilton Yacking at me as Catherine flitted about the house, being able to hear Her having a Chinwag’ with Mary Ellen before the broadcast suddenly Quit playing with just over 90 seconds remaining for Session One, Group One’s outing. Before I yelled Catherine!

 

An apologetic Catherine came out of the bedroom and said Sorry! I only have one bar and was trying to make a phone call. So I totally missed who’d gone thru for Group-1 before Catherine re-established “Connectivity.”

 

Then somewhere near the middle of Session One, Group Two’s 10mins, whilst Catherine was puttering about at the Dining room table Her phone rang, once again Knocking Out my Qualie’ broadcast! As it was Catherine’s Husband Stuart calling from somewhere in the Dolomites, to which Catherine Cheekily said we’ll have to Text Stuart, we’re currently having Broadband issues…

 

Next, I simply went into Hysterical, almost maniacal laughter when the next door neighbor teenager Alayla ran the Doorbell about halfway thru the 90mins broadcast and All three Dogs began Barking Madly! And Catherine and Alayla began talking excitedly over the piercing calamity of three Barking dogs! As even Hang 10’ Hilo, whose normally chilled, was Barking! Which obviously caused me to not be able to hear a Gory thing!

 

And Alayla, whose 14yrs old just wanted to “Play” with Danny, Catherine & Stuart’s 80-plus pounds Pitbull mix. Whilst Catherine and Alayla seemed totally Oblivious to the idea of my needing it to be QUIET! In order to actually Hear the Intrawoods’, nee internet broadcast…

 

Fortunately Mary Ellen came to my rescue and picked up the wireless Bose speaker and escorted me into the nearby Master bedroom, with Hilo trailing behind. As She left me holding the speaker while going and getting a TV tray table to place it upon. Got a foam pillow for my backside with Hilo hopping onto my lap, and then closed the door for me so I could finally Hear what was going on with three minutes remaining for session two’s Fast 12 Knockout round!

 

But at least I got to listen in relative silence to the final six minutes Fast Six Shootout. The most important part, being for Pole position, which Romain Grosjean somewhat unexpectedly claimed.

 

Later that afternoon, Catherine & Stuart’s daughter Elizabeth, a College Senior at UPS came over to the Island for the weekend. And as we sat around the table following dinner the topic of the Internet being out came up. To which incredulously Elizabeth Screamed What

 

As Catherine tried explaining how it wasn’t Her fault that She’d accidently cancelled the Credit Card! Before I Sardonically said to Elizabeth, I guess that’s sorta a Deal Breaker! To which Elizabeth curtly shot back it sorta is! To which I couldn’t help myself and said I guess that was Need to Know Information…

 

Sunday morning, the Intrawoods’ service still wasn’t working, WTF! For which Catherine called their ISP again, to which it told Her the service had been restored and would She like them to reset it? Which should take up to 10mins time. And then still without thee Intrawoods’ working, Catherine began reading the trouble shooting guide. And for reasons totally unknown, the modem had mysteriously become unplugged! For which this would take a further 10mins to reset after being plugged back in…

 

Yet finally just some Gory 10mins before the Pre-race broadcast began, Eureka! Thankfully Mary Ellen was able to set-up Her laptop for Mwah in the guest bedroom where I could close the door! And listen to the whole IndyCar race in relative silence with Hilo on my lap!

 

As we All know what happened during the race. As suddenly Mark James was Screaming at me over the calamity of the massive six-seven car Pile-up at Turn-3 on lap-1! For which I promptly sought out Mary Ellen to turn down the volume during the 21mins Red Flag period…

 

As it just seemed like it turned into an All Skate that Nobody wanted to win! As I found myself once again Rootin’ for ScottyMac’, aka Scott McLaughlin before you know what!

 

And I really thought that Pato O’Ward had the race in the bag, since it had turned into a single groove race track with the propensity of Marbles Off-line. But then that weird, almost never, random plenum fire temporarily Halted Pato’s forward progress, and Marcus Ericsson said Thank You very Mucho!

 

Photo C/O No Fenders Offical’ Photographer CARPETS’ 

PRM: Donohue – Front ‘N Center

Front view of Mark Donohue’s 1966 Lola T-152 Offenhauser 4WD IndyCar. (The Tomaso Collection)

 

Photo C/O Blogmeister’ Miguel 

PRM: Mark Donohue’s 1969 Lola IndyCar

Left side view of Mark Donohue’s #66 1969 Sunoco Lola T-152 Four Wheel Drive Offenhauser IndyCar, with Snowbyrd  MJ’ in background. (The Tomaso Collection)

 

Photo C/O Blogmeister’ Miguel 

PRM: Power – Front ‘N Center

Front view of Will Power’s 2018 #12 Verizon Dallara IR-18/Chevrolet Indianapolis 500 winner. (The Tomaso Collection)

 

Photo C/O Blogmeister’ Miguel