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Fernando Alonso and team-mate Marco Andretti during
his Rookie Orientation programme. (Image source: www.f1fanatic.co.uk)
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Careful Mikey A', you're gettin' awfully close to
tying 'Ol Andy Evans record of entering seven cars at Mother Speedway...
And now it's A-L-L Over, 'cept for the
Post-race celebrations and obligatory Monday morning Speedway winner's photo's...
Did Mikey and one of his illustrious six drivers kiss the bricks? Chirp-Chirp,
Bueller?
As I'll miss hangin' out at Carpets Manor Monday
night watching Dave Calabro amuse us with his Shtick whilst introducing the 33
Drivers at the Victory Banquet only available on local Indianapolis television,
as that'll be another first for Fernando...
And in my haste to put to bed multiple
stories for Y'all, so I could finally take a breather from this G-DAMN
Confuzer! Although I've got NO clue where your humble No Fenders scribe will
be, other than somewheres' on the road with Tacoma Bureau Chief Mary Ellen and
her trusty co-pilot Pixie-the Wonderdog! In our trusty Eh-Team' Van...
Thus, was it one of Michael Andretti's Armada
of six fire breathin' Dallara's pullin' into victory lane? Since Mikey &
Co. have nearly a fifth of the field's entrants, most notably being Fernando
Alonso, who I hope had a good race.
As the Double F1 World Champion was flanked
by two past Formula 1 cronies, Taku-san', nee Takuma Sato and the race's
defending winner Alexander Rossi.
As both of his F1 compatriots, well actually
three of them never really got great looks in Formula 1, as Rossi barely got
warmed up with his five outings in the back-marker Manor Marussia, while le
Hamburgular', nee SeaBass', aka Sebastain Bourdais was Franz tost's punching
bag at Toro Rosso!
Although Takuma started off with the irrepressible
EJ', nee Eddie Jordan's customer Honda powered Jordan Grand Prix in 2002, he
was quickly elevated to the Works Honda F1 programme, Lucky Strike BAR Honda F1
fulltime in '03 alongside Bloody 'JENSE! (Button) The team's High-water mark
came in '04, finishing runner-up in the coveted Constructors championship
behind Scuderia Ferrari. Then Taku-san was moved sideways to "Super Best Friends"
(Super Aguri F1) from 2006-08 before ultimately coming Stateside to race for
A.J. Foyt, then a Honda runner, for which Sato's obviously got close ties to...
Arguably, the team leader is "The
Dude!" aka Ryan Hunter-Reay, the 2012 IndyCar Series champion and 2014
Indy 500 winner, with the majority of his 16 wins-to-date coming during his
Andretti Autosport tenure.
Marco Andretti, who Me Thinks at any other
team would be gone... As what was that Quip last season 'bout Driving for Uber
by PT, eh? Is hoping for finally finishing a race devoid of mechanical
Gremlins, accidents, etc. Whilst theoretically he's got a shot at Mother
Speedway, after all having finished an Oh, So tantalizing runner-up during his
rookie debut in 2006.
And the Mike 'N Mike squad, i.e. Mike Shank
Racing running British rookie Jack Harvey for Mikey A' would probably beam over
winning Rookie Of the Year (ROY) Honours ahead of his more esteemed
Stable-mate, Ci!
Next Up, Roger Penske sports five Bonafied
contenders, with two of them being multi-time Indy 500 winners, including the
only other ex-Formula 1 driver to have won multiple Grands Prix, ergo Juan
Pablo Montoya.
Hmm? Is it just Mwah? As why is the media
completely overlooking the fact that Monty's actually closer to capturing the
mythical Triple Crown 'O Motorsports than Fernando is, having won Indy twice,
and the '03 Monaco Grand Prix...
Meanwhile, coming in third on the hit parade
is thee Cheepster', nee Chip Ganassi fielding four cars, as I keep forgetting
he's got the other former Formula 1 driver on his books, Max Chilton, who's
last major victory came on an Oval no less, albeit in an Indy Lights chassis at
Iowa.
Although Chilton never had a Tinker's Damn 'O
success in Formula 1 either, especially piloting one of those Tail-end Charlie
Marussia F1 mounts...
A.J. Foyt,
Dale Coyne and Schmidt Peterson Motorsports have three cars apiece respectively,
and Ed Carpenter and Bobby Rahal & Co. field two apiece.
While presumably, Juncos Racing finally confirmed
who it's two drivers would be? Especially since Starship HC' most desperately wanted
a full contingent of eleven rows of three rolling off Sunday.
This just leaves us with three suito One car
entries, i.e.; Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, (DRR) Harding Racing and Lazier
Partners, albeit the first two teams are sharing a collaborative
"Technical Alliance" since they're working out of the DRR shop.
thus, although Y'all know the answer, as
hopefully we've managed to arrive in "the Other" Florence
"Justin-time" for your humble No Fenders scribe to watch; Err listen to
thou Gurr-reatest Spectacle in racin', since I'm pretty sure they lifted the
Black Out in Oregon Dave; Hya!
Thus, we'll see if I can copy thou OLD-est
IndyCar Blogger Geo. Phillips winner's prediction curse here on No Fenders,
Y'all know where George picks his winner for the race and SHUHZAMM, RACE OVER!
As naturally the logical choice comes from
the Usual Suspects, i.e.; Penske, Ganassi and Andretti. As I'd say that all
five Team Penske drivers are sure picks. While the Ganassi & Andretti camps
aren't Full Houses, although certainly both of Cheeps' past Indy 500 winning
drivers: Scotty "Iceman 2.0" Dixon & "TK'
Follow-your-Schnoz!" Kanaan are definite Contendahs.
Ditto for Mikey Andretti's lead gun The Dude!
aka Ryan Hunter-Reay, or simply RHR, while I'd LUV' for Alexander Rossi to do
the unthinkable and match HULIO'S previous record of back-2-back victories in
his first two 500's! Whilst I suppose Marco could pull a Wabbitz' outta
somewheres?
And I'll throw in my three Dark Horses; Uhm,
can Y'all tell I'm making Yuhs wait for my non-scientific answer, eh? As thee
Mayor 'O Hinchtown, aka James Hinchcliffe and his Rooskie' Sidekick, a la Mad Russian
2.0 Mikhail "loose is Fast" Aleshin plus Oriol "suitcase"
Servia could surprise if the Hondre' engines as stout as last year.
Giving the Bowtie runners equal Dark horse
selections, obviously you can never overlook FAST EDDIE's, nee Ed Carpenter
Racing, it's owner and my Cinderella choice J.R. Hildebrand upsetting Team
Chevy's B-IG DAWGS' Penske Racing.
And the Answer is, Envelope please...
As I said previously, this is totally
unscientific, and I'm simply going with the name that popped into Thy Head
first...
Will Power
As I made this
choice the day prior to Fernando's first ever outing on an Oval, way before
Opening Day, so who knows how close this will come up roses, eh?
Err, I meant
Rhody's, as in look at those beautiful rhododendrons which should still be
ah-bloomin' in Florence, Juan' of the reasons we're stopping' Thar...
