Although I doubt A.J. would enjoy being compared to
a Yankee Doodle Dandy; Hmm? Isn't thar some sort of feathered fricassee happening
just a few Dazes from now? "Quack-Quack, Gobble-Gobble; Duck Turkey!"
Hooah!
Nevertheless, I'll admit that I was 'Geeked! Awhile
ago over what I truly thought was an audition for a full time gig in 2014,
applauding thee Captain's (Roger Penske) fortitude for sticking by one of his
fallen drivers known as the 'Dinger, nee A.J. Allmendinger, when boldly putting
him into his No. 2 IndyCar racecar for selected events including the series
biggest race of the year, aka the Indy 500!
As I've known about A.J. for awhile now,
especially since I was on hand to witness his debutant Champ Car victory at
Portland International Raceway 'Wayback in 'Twenty-Oh-Six, having gone from
proverbial "Zero" to Hero in a scant week's time - having been
surprisingly let go from RuSport Racing to make way for "Shorty," aka
Cristiano da Matta, to replacing a drop kicked Mario "Boom Boom"
Dominguez at Forsythe Championship Racing...
And while I applauded Roger's integrity for
helping out a virtual "Family member," surely there was more to this
story than just Penske's generosity, right? Like I mean it seemed like the
perfect chance for AJ's long term future
in Open Wheel Racing with Penske Racing, as I even went so far as to boldly
predict that Allmendinger would become Helio Castroneves replacement in the
near future, albeit purely speculation upon my part - since obviously I was way
wrong on that one, eh?
But I found 'Dinger's amazing turnaround from
the heights of winning the Rolex 24 and landing a fulltime Cup ride with Penske
to his subsequent failed drug test, losing his ride and then returning to Open
Wheel Racing after a six year absence to be quite intoxicating, as I even
included him as part of my all IndyCar roulette numbers by selecting the No. 2
as part of my bet when in Indy!
Thus naturally I'm disappointed that the
'Dinger's headed back to Stock Cars fulltime next year, although I understand why,
albeit I can only speculate that in some way, shape or form, it's got to do
with Greenbacks... As I think you can currently make a better living driving a
mediocre Taxicab vs. IndyCar ride these days, right? while perhaps A.J. feels
like he's already been there, done that in Open Wheel Racing? Although I think
there's still miles to go in that regard, but he just wants to be a Roundy-round boy instead...
As perhaps A.J. sees a brighter future
monetary-wise in 'RASSCAR then IndyCar? As I'll try not to dip too far into the
negativity pool here, since I don't wanna be accused of being part of les
Miserables... But just perhaps, this is a portrait of where Indy Cars ranks
today in the collective minds of established American racecar drivers? Not to
mention television executives.
As Y'all have to say it's funny that another
Damn Foreigner is coming to Indy Cars as effectively A.J. left for Tintops
while thee Whirling Dervish Juan Pablo Montoya, which the IndyCar purists stick
to calling him simply Juan Montoya since that's apparently how he began racing
here stateside will take over the vacated No. 2 seat next year fulltime, which
at the least should provide some much needed Fireworks in IndyCar...
And I guess The Captain is going for the
quick fix? Since at the ripe 'Ol age of 76, he's still desperately wanting to
secure another "Naked Man on a Uni," Err Astor Cup trophy, since you'd have to ARSE-sume that at
the very least Monty will push his two teammate's Helio (Castroneves) and Will
(Power) but just how competitive will he be? As he's only some four months
younger than Helio is, (both 38) which means the two elder Penske stable mates
could give the younger Power (32) some grief, although I'm hoping it'll be
Power finally getting the proverbial monkey off his back next year championship
wise...
Yet it's too bad that the allure of RASSCAR's
Siren Song was too strong for A.J. to resist, as I find him an entertaining
personality and a breath of fresh air, as his I500 Banquet Awards speech was
priceless, and he'll be missed, even if his Open Wheel return was brief,
nevertheless it was enjoyable, especially witnessing him lead at Mother
Speedway, as surely he'd love to have another crack at winning the Borg Warner
trophy, right?
Hmm? Its kinda funny that Roger's last two
'Yanks to pilot his cars are both Good 'Ol Stockcar Boyz, eh? Can Y'all say Sam
"I AM!" Hornish, Jr. and Allmendinger; "Just Sayin', as wouldn't
it be nice to see an up 'N comer American driving for The Captain again? Say
like a Joseph Newgarden, Conor Daly or whoever? But then again, it's nice
having the luxury of being able to pick any driver you want, eh?
Thus, I'll miss 'dinger next year, and since
I DON'T follow RASSCAR, I'll probably lose track of him, although I think I'll
at least get to see him running the Rolex 24 again for Michael shank Racing?
Although not sure if his Brit "Sidekick" Justin 'B-I-G UNIT Wilson
will be able to participate or not? Hmm? Why did the Tagline "BIG &
TALL" just come to mind here scribbling 'bout those two? Perhaps 'cause I
still recall Justin dryly saying AJ's hash-tag was "Big Shot" after
they'd won the 50th running of the Daytona 24hrs...
Now will somebody pass me a biscuit;
Gobble-Gobble...
UPDATE
Unbeknownst to Mwah, ironically 'Mac Montoya was
busy getting his first helping of a DW12 when participating in winter testing
at Sebring alongside Penske Racing teammates Will Power & Helio Castroneves
on the very same day I posted this story...
