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Takuma Sato and Michael Andretti at Pocono this
August. (Image source: oilpressure.wordpress.com)
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Ah, it seems so long ago now, that I was
absolutely over the Moon with Takuma Sato being victorious at Mother Speedway
this May!
As I giddily rejoiced recently after Sato's
impressive Pole winning run at another Oval, when he unexpectedly snatched P1
away from "Symone Pagenoe," aka Pageantry', nee Simon Pagenaud, as
the final driver to qualify.
But what made the affable Japanese Open Wheel
Racing talent's scoring his seventh career IndyCar Pole impressive was the
fashion he did it in. As I was listening via the IMS Radio Network, since I
simply cannot stomach Kevin Lee as NBCSN's lead announcer; but I digress...
As think it was Zachery Moose' Veach filling
in as Driver Analyst for Davey Hamilton? Who said, Come-on, DON'T park Marco
Andretti's wrecked Dallara in front of Taku!
Otay, it was actually Andretti Auto sport's Team leader
Ryan The Dude! Hunter-Reay who'd just smacked the wall, as Marco had actually
stayed clean, but he certainly hasn't carried the Andretti flag very far this
year...
As Somme-thun' about adding insult to injury
of not only having your team-mate wreck on the run before you, but then
dangling his car on the back of a Tow Truck directly in front of you during the
Red flag portion to clean the track; CRIKEYS!
Whilst further cementing my admiration of the
series new "Joe Cool;" Err Alexander Rossi was his unselfishly sprinting
down the entire Pitlane, presumably still with his helmet & HANS Device on,
also in full Driving Kit! To simply lean into Takuma's cockpit and offer a few
words of encouragement...
As I thoroughly
enjoyed IMS Radio Network Pit Reporter Dave First's Quip 'bout "Nice 40'
Sprint Time!"
And who could forget 'bout his wild driving
at Texas Motor Speedway this summer? Where I was shoutin' exuberantly at Thy
Telie' G-O SATO, G-O-SATO! As I really thought he'd win again, (before auguring
into the grass) since Y'all know his most enduring motto, right?
"No Attack, No Chance!"
Whilst another one 'O my favourite Quips from
Taku-san, which makes me smile comes from Wayback when, with High 'N Mighty DC'
(David Coulthard( telling the Japanese F1 racer he'd never attempted making a
pass there, to which Sato immediately said "I KNOW!"
As I actually saw Taku-san first in action
fourteen years ago in Suzuka, NO less! And still vividly recall absolutely how
GONZO! The entire Japanese crowd was for their Home Driver Sato, with a sea of
BAR-Honda Ball Caps being the headgear 'O choice! As Jenson Who? (Button) was
Sato's esteemed team-mate and No. 1 Driver.
But it was this summer's race at Indianapolis
which still brings a smile to my face! As I'd wanted ANYBODY but HULIO' to win!
As I dejectedly said to Jeannie, whilst watchin' the race from the comfort of
Thar couch in thou "Other Florence." (Oregon)
FUCK!
IT'S OVER!
After Castroneves passed Sato on Lap 194,
which I was certain was the Coup de Gras; SHIT! with a scant 5-laps remaining;
SIGH! To which she immediately shot back, it's NOT over yet...
As I roared with delight as Sato retook the
lead from Castroneves and for the final five agonizing laps I sat with four
sets 'O fingers crossed encouraging Sato home!
EUREKA!
As I jubilantly broke into my Happy Dance! As
Jonathan said: He looks more Happy then Takuma Sato does! As I began broadly
grinning and breaking out into an impromptu Jig, chanting whilst doin' my 'Ol
DW' Boogity-Boogity-Boogity!I've won the DayToner 500 Icky Shuffle...
TAKU-SAN,
TAKU-SAN,
YOU'RE THE MAN!
As I'd planned to have updated my ancient No
Fenders prose upon Japan's countless Open Wheel Racing Drivers by now, but
Y'all know the drill in Nofendersville, and hence I'm still working on adding
Takuma Sato to the story...
JapaneseOpen Wheel warriors
As I'll leave Y'all with one more story link to
read, an enjoyable look back at Sato's pathway to Indy Cars and Oval racing...
CONGRATULATIONS
TAKUMA, YOU'RE DEFINITELY THE MAN!