Especially since the Number 40 Always make’s me
think of ‘Ol top Jimmy’ (Vasser) in that brilliant Dayglow Orange Patrick
Racing Visteon sponsored IndyCar from Wayback’
This year by my Unofficial Count, Thars’ nearly
a third of the Grid who are 40 years Old
or Older participating. Even if All we hear about is the Youth movement occurring
in IndyCar’s currently, these 40-year Old’s have Something to say about it…
Sebastien Bourdais, Ed Carpenter, Helio Castroneves, Scott Dixon, Ryan
Hunter-Reay, Tony Kanaan, Juan Pablo Montoya, Will Power and Takuma Sato
Counting Down our “Top 9” Old Farts as ‘Ol
Casey Kasem would say. Clocking in at No. 5 on our IndyCar Geriatric countdown
as the El Senor member of “Group 2,” or the Bottom Half of our Elder Nine is le
Hamburgular’, SeaBass or the former Sealmeister B’, aka Sebastien Bourdais at
Age 42. As I never noticed before that Seb’ shares his Birthday with SuperMario’,
(Andretti) albeit Mario’s his senior by 39 years!
As Bourdais has had an interesting career at Mother
Speedway, beginning in ’05 with a total of eight starts (prior to this year’s
race) to his credit. With two Top 10 Finishes both with KV Racing Technology
and it’s Spinoff KVSH Racing being a 7th place in 2014 and P9 in 2016
respectively.
As you’d have to think that ‘Ol Top Jimmy’ (Vasser)
and James “Sully” Sullivan are wondering why they unceremoniously Dumped Sebastien
in favour of Santino Ferrucci and current #18 Sealmaster Pilote Ed Jones, Eh?
Especially when Sebastien scored his Career
Best Finish of 7th Overall during the Mergified IndyCar era in 2018
before being Fired, Huh? Although may be Ferrucci winning 2019 ROY (Rookie Of
the year) Honours made up for this?
Whilst unfortunately Bourdais is probably best
known at IMS for that Freakish Qualifying Crash in 2017, his first season at
Dale Coyne and Company, when he got Airborne and broke his pelvis! As somehow I
don’t think he’ll be able to put the storied No. 14 A.J. Foyt Racing into
Victory lane, or is that ride the Victory lane Elevator to the Top Floor this
May.
Coming in at No. 6, on the Outside of Row 2 is
Scott Dixon, the Oldest of our 40 year Olds, who’ll turn 41 on July 22nd.
As I’m Arse-suming that Ye “Iceman 2.0” feels like he’s got unfinished business
after last year’s Dominant performance before finally getting “Bested” by
Taku-san’, nee Takuma Sato after leading most of the race!
Next up is The Dude’, Ryan Hunter-Reay who
turns 41 on December 17th. As it must feel like a really, really
long time ago since drinking Milk in Victory lane Wayback’ in 2014. Although I
still love how he audaciously won that race ahead of Castroneves!
In the Middle of Row 3 at P8 on our Countdown.
For his 40th Birthday, El Capitano’, aka Roger Penske gave him a 2-year
contract extension, as DJ WillyP’ turned Ye Big 4-Oh on March 1st.
As I’m still somewhat surprised by this move, since his lone IndyCar title came
in 2014 and he won at Mother Speedway in 2018. But perhaps Roger & Co. are
hoping to soak in the adiration of Power breaking Mario Andretti’s All-time career
Pole positions, as he’s just five shy of tying the mark of 67. And may be there’s
nothing better currently available on the Driver market?
And Kicking Off our 40-Something’s Old Farts 9X
Countdown. Not to be Cornfuzed with the Fast Nine Shootout, Botta Boom, botta
Bing! Take it away Casy, Hya!
Coming in at No. 9, albeit not necessarily the “Slowest,”
but instead Ye Youngster of the 40 something’s Brigade is Indiana’s very own
Fast Eddie’, aka Ed Carpenter, who’s just a scant 48 Hours Younger than Will
Power! As the Butler Graduate turned 40 on March 3rd.
As Fast Eddie’ is best known for capturing three Pole positions at Mother Speedway, beginning with back-to-back Poles in 2013-14 before his third and latest in 2018, when finishing an Indianapolis 500 best as runner-up after leading a race high 65-laps behind that Show Me some Respect Mother Fuckers Will Power! While He’s the only Owner-Driver on the IndyCar Grid.