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Tomaso posing with just three of the many racecars
on Display at the Penske Racing Museum during Fall 2019 visit. ((The Tomaso
Collection)
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Once again, your Humble No Fenders Scribe
Tomaso's burrowin' down another Wabbihole', which Y'all should really be used
to by now, El Correctomundo?
As several thoughts struck me upon returning
to my Numero Uno Arizona Haunt in Scottsdale; Uhm, can Y'all guess what it is?
Yeah, it's the Penske Racing Museum, which I first learned of its existence via
that long ago, Defunct TV Show called Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain. When Ye
'Ol Windbag' held court with El Capitano', nee Roger Penske live from thou
museum Wayback circa 2005; Aye Karumba!
Cannot recall the last time I stepped foot
into the museum, albeit several years ago now, while I'll admit I had mild reservations
'bout going this past November since I knew I would most likely not be able to
see the cars, although I've seen most of them previously, especially several of
the "Classic" Indianapolis 500 winners, i.e.; 1972, 1984-85-87-88,
etc.
But what I enjoy most 'bout visiting, is
there's always something new I haven't seen before on display, which case in
point was the Mario Andretti 1979 Championship winning IROC Chevrolet Camaro
Z/28. For which I'll confess I was momentarily Cornfuzed by...
As I pondered out loud to my museum Sherpa, No
Fenders Blogmeister Miguel that I didn't think 'Ol SuperMario', nee Mario
Andretti drove for Thee Captain that season since I knew he was busy defending
his Formula 1 World Championship title for Lotus that year.
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| Mario Andretti's 1979 Championship winning IROC VI Camaro. ((The Tomaso Collection) |
Although it Hit Me like A Two Ton Heavy
Thing! Last May whilst the Media focused Magnanimously upon the 50th
Anniversary of Mario's lone Indianapolis 500 victory, it was his eventual Team
Penske replacement Rick Mears 40th Anniversary of his first of Four Indy 500
Wins! Which seems to have gone largely unnoticed.
As Y'all might
enjoy my take upon Team Penske's racing pursuits, albeit labourisly Scribbled
here on No Fenders now a Decade ago; Crikeys! Hmm, may be a sequel's warranted?
And perhaps I missed another Memo? As I've
also now realized that it was also 40 years ago being the final season of McLaren
Racing's exploits in IndyCar's.
Which I suppose I'm thinking of this largely
due to that Mario IROC Camaro and the year 1979, Righto? although may be Thars'
Somme-thun' eluding to that in the following video? That I Don't recall having
watched last year when McLaren touted it's return to IndyCar with the No. 66 on
its flanks.
Having previously chronicled the exploits of
McLaren's original IndyCar endeavours in another of my many No Fenders tomes...
Continuing on this Wayback' theme, although I
thought it prior to the occasion. Perhaps it's just Mwah, but isn't it ironic
with the Official Completion of Roger Penske's purchase of the Indianapolis
Motor Speedway, January 6th. After the Shock announcement of this transaction late
2019.
Ironically, one of the Key Figures in the
formation of then rival IndyCar Series CART, nee Championship Auto Racing
Teams, which held its Debutante Season in 1979 was also a one Mr. Penske!
As we All know that CART would Feud with
somebody with the initials TG', and his rival Indy Racing League, Most famously
when Tony George infamously Decried his 25-8 Rule favouring his IRL Brethren at
his family's hallowed Speedway in what ultimately became known forever as The
Split!
And then four decades later, Shuhzamm! He'd
sell the Whole Kit 'N Caboodle, nee Mother Speedway, the IndyCar Series and IMS
Productions to El Capitano'; Strange Days indeed. As what A Waste!
Lastly, speakin' of Roger, McLaren and the
number 66. I left the museum ponderin' if the Mark Donohue Porsche Carrera RSR I've
seen previously there, albeit not on display this time round, perhaps was
Donohue's 1974 IROC Championship winner?
Which I'm now 100% totally convince it is, as
it's Funny how when I previously saw the 911 Panzerwagon I never wondered what it
was? Or its significance in the scheme 'O Donohue's career, especially since
it's his final Championship winning racecar.
But since I'm Not a RASSCAR' Fan! Which is essentially
what I recall the IROC Series evolving into, I'm guessin' this had some unknown
Knock-on effect upon my previous lack of Curiosity, perhaps?
And for those who Don't Know, Donohue, who
won Penske's first Indianapolis 500 in 1972 did so in an McLaren M16
Offenhauser with the No. 66 on it.
And if Fernando
Alonso does indeed run the third Arrow McLaren SP Dallara-Chevrolet IndyCar at
Mother Speedway this May, will it once again sport the No. 66 this time in the
correct hue of Kiwi Orange?
NOTES
Let's Do the Time Warp Partial Song Lyrics taken
from The Rocky Horror Picture Show Movie, 1975.
Racecars trio photo includes: Rick Mears 1984 #6
Pennzoil Special March 84C/Cosworth Indy 500 winner, Mark Donohue's 1974 #28
First National Travelers Checks Penske PC1/Cosworth DFV Formula 1 chassis, and
the aforementioned Mario Andretti 1979 IROC Camaro.
(Photos c/o No Fenders Blogmeister' Miguel)