More Amazing Selections from the Cheap Seats…
Otay Kiddoes’, once again your Humble No
Fenders Scribe Tomaso is on the “Back foot,” Uhm Playin’ Ketsup once again. With
another rousing rendition of his yearly Unscientific Year ender Awards
selections…
CATEGORIES 6-10
6. Most Improved Driver of the Year
Winner: Marcus Ericsson
Although you could argue that actually Alex
Palou is the clear winner of this category, having gone from 16th
Overall as a Rookie in 2020 at Dale coyne and company to Champion in 2021! Nonetheless
I’m giving it to the Swede instead, since Marcus Ericsson has made steady
improvements in each of his three IndyCar seasons to date.
Not to mention having a Breakout season by
scoring his first two IndyCar victories, both in dramatic fashion and finishing
sixth Overall. But the Hard part will be to improve upon this season in 2022…
7. Most Disappointing Driver of the Year
Winner: James Hinchcliffe
This one’s the hardest decision for Mwah in the
Bottom Half of Ye Top 10 Categories. Since Thars multiple drivers who could
easily fill-in here, i.e.; Simon Pagenaud, Will Power, Alexander Rossi, Ryan
Hunter-Reay or Felix Rosenqvist…
But I’m giving it to The Mayor of Hinchtown,
even though I know James Hinchcliffe was suffering some sort of leg injury prior
to season’s start that He would Never divulge. And I suppose the final three
races of 2021 gave us a potential clue over how Hinch’s Fulltime return to
Andretti Autosport would go, Eh?
And while fellow Andretti teammates Rossi and
Hunter-Reay also fought the dreaded Cartoon Anvil All season long, Hinchcliffe’s
season was just one long, painful whimpering lowly struggle for the former race
winner, and a really Sad way to end his “Fulltime” IndyCar career!
8. Comeback Driver of The Year
Winner: Romain Grosjean
Yeah, sort of seems like the Frenchman shouldn’t
be eligible for this category, since He was an IndyCar Rookie. Nevertheless,
having seen the picture going viral of the Scar remaining on his Burned Hand
from that Horrific Shunt in Bahrain! Y’all know when Romain’s Backmarker Haas
Formula 1 chassis became a Roman Candle, Err Flaming chariot when Shearing in
Half upon Striking the Armco barrier during the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix!
Thus, how could you Not choose Grosjean for
Comeback Driver after his totally embracing a brand new Racing series in a new
Country and effusing such Positivity at every single racetrack whilst driving
for one of the Minnowesqe IndyCar teams…
9. "Big Boyz Pants" Award
Winner: Marcus Ericsson
This one seemed easy, since how can it go to
Anybody else? Especially after how He won his second race of the year in such
Dramatic fashion in ye “Music city!” Y’all know when Marcus Slammed into the
back tyre of the Hapless Sebastien Bourdais, almost went Airborne and limped
his damaged Dallara All the way around Nashville’s Downtown temporary Street
circuit! Managing Not going a lap Down while replacing his front wing, to
improveable winner in Nashville’s Debutante IndyCar race!
As I Luv’ the stories of All the Disgusted
Swede’s who turned Thar Telie’s Off in the middle of the Night, only to
discover the next morning Ericsson had miraculously Won! As what a Sweet
victory for the likeable Pilote of the Huski Chocolate IndyCar, Ya Sure Yuh
Betcha!
10. Rookie of The Year
Winner: Romain Grosjean
Although Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin narrowly won the IndyCar Rookie Of the year (ROY) Championship. And I have Nothing against the Bad Arse Kiwi’ multiple SuperCars Champion.
You could argue He won this title largely due
to finishing Runner-up in the Texas Motor Speedway’s Race-1, contesting three
more events than Grosjean did, including the Double Points paying Indianapolis
500. Since McLaughlin ultimately won the ROY Crown by 33 points, after Grosjean
had trimmed his lead down to a scant 21 markers.
But if you’ve been kind enough to read my No
Fenders meandering the past year, then you already know that I was Rootin’ the
entire season for Romain to win this Honour even though only running a limited
IndyCar campaign.
As Grosjean Electrified Mwah with his performance on Mother Speedway’s Road Course, taking his maiden Pole position and scoring two Podium finishes Thar! Not to mention wowing Us with his exuberant passing demonstration during his Oval Debut at WWT Raceway, nee Gateway, albeit his finishing position doesn’t tell the whole story! Making it an Already decided choice for Mwah before I even began typing this…