Gil de Ferrand and Helio Castroneves reminiscing in
Gasoline Alley. (The Tomaso Collection)
This picture was taken sometime during this May’s
Pole Day weekend at Mother Speedway. As No Fenders Offical’ Photographer
CARPETS’ claims He asked Hulio’ if He’d gotten back at Gil and Penske Racing Boss
Tim Cindric for the Speeding ticket prank pulled upon Him? And saying that Gil
had a wry smile upon His face afterwards…
As will it be one of the predicted favourites, or
somebody not expected to win?
This is just a lowly Cellar Dweller Blogger’s
Unscientific Guess upon who’ll be Drinking Milk this Sunday, following the conclusion
of the 107th running of the Indianapolis 500.
Naturally, the Smart money, and most easiest
pick would presumably once again be Scotty thee Iceman 2.0 Dixon, whom
seemingly is overdue for His second 500 victory.
Yet I’m beginning to feel that Dixon’s got the
fabled Andretti Curse upon His shoulders, and will never win another Indy 500, and
I’m sticking to that prediction I made before this year’s “Guns ‘N roses” Indy
GP.
As my initial pick then was another of Dixon’s
Chip Ganassi Racing stablemates, with Takuma Sato becoming a Three-times Indy
500 Champion. Which I still say is a strong possibility.
Yet how could I overlook my Numero Uno IndyCar driver
Pato O’Ward? Especially since the young Mexican finished runner-up last May! Which
I suppose is partialy why I did so, since it’s hard to replicate or improve your
finishing position at Mother Speedway each year…
As it was just pure subjecture coming a day
after this year’s GNR Indy GP. But it’s odd how the Penske’s really Don’t feel
like a threat right now! Or Andretti Autosport, and certainly not Meyer Shank
Racing! Since I’ve been telling No Fenders Offical’ Photographer CARPETS’ that Helio
Castroneves is Toast! Or as the Aussie’s prefer saying Cactus for over six
months now!
And I fear that Hulio’s MSR teammate Symone’,
nee Pageantry’, aka Simon Pagenaud also seems to be at the end of His IndyCar
career!
And not sure why? But prior to Sunday’s Fast 12
shootout beginning, I found myself picking Alex Palou as this year’s Indy 500
winner. Followed by Pato O’Ward and Alexander Rossi for my Top-3 picks.
Although I’ll begrudgingly admit you can never count out Dixon…
As it seems like the obvious answer is that
this year’s winner will come from either Ganassi or Arrow McLaren. But then
again, that’s why they actually run the race!
While Monday’s practice saw the first incident of
the month, when Thy Leggy Juan’, aka Katherine Legge unintentionally ran into
the back of Stefan Stork’ Wilson’s racecar during practice. With Legge
apparently saying that the line of Cars ahead had Checked Up and She was simply
unable to avoid Wilson’s car ahead of Her!
And after a 40mins Red flag period to fix the Safer
Barrier and Wall, Team Penske’s Will Power was the day’s quickest runner at
229mph-plus, now that the Boost has once again been Turned Down. Taking away those
extra 100 “Ponies’. (Horsepower)
And did we really learn anything from the final
Carb Day practice session? Other than it felt overly frenetic to Mwah! As Thar
also seemed to be some concern over tyre blistering issues? Most notably on
Alexander Rossi’s rear’s…
While poor Katherine Legge’s confidence has to
be somewhat shaken? As She had to immediately lift after a rear wheel nut was
spotted bouncing down the race track! And I believe it was Her right rear tyre
trying to dislodge itself from Her racecar! Immediately bringing up mention of
how that had happened to Graham Rahal when exiting the Pits during the race a
few years ago.
Then late in the session Andretti autosport’s
Devlin DeFrancesco had a right front tyre seemingly explode upon Him on track! Although
afterwards, “Sparky” said it was an old set of tyres they were going to use for
the Pit Stop contest and they hadn’t felt right to Him during the lap…
The Top-10 on the Time Sheet following the end
of two hours saw Takuma Sato P1 at 227.855mph. Followed by Scott Dixon, will
Power, Alex Palou, Kyle Kirkwood, Agustin Canapino, Colton Herta, Romain Grosjean,
Josef Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin.
Hmm, three Chip Ganassi Racing, Andretti
Autosport and Team Penske’s in the Top-10, with a rookie Argentine Juncos
Hollinger Racing entry as the lone interloper.
As I’d say that the driver that made the most
waves during the practice was Josef Newgarden, who could seemingly put His racecar
anywhere He wanted!
While thee Great Santini, aka Santino Ferrucci
reportedly wasn’t very happy with His A.J. foyt Enterprises racecar! Finishing
P31, while His rookie teammate Benjamin Pedersen was 17th. As the only two cars
slower than Ferrucci were Callum Ilott and Rinus VeeKay.
Jack Harvey was the quickest of the three Rahal
Letterman Lanigan Racing entries in 13th, with Conor Daly one place ahead as the fastest Ed Carpenter Racing entry.
Meanwhile TK’, aka tony Kannan was the quickest
of the Arrow McLaren quartet in 11th, with Rossi and Pato O’Ward P14-15, and Felix-the
Cat’ (Rosenqvist) was 28th. Whilst defending Indy 500 race winner Marcus
Ericsson was P18.
So I’d say it’s anybody’s guess on who will be
victorious Sunday, as we’re just a Skosh’ under 120 minutes from the Green Flag
flying!
“Gentlemen and Lady, Start your Engines!”
Uncle Bobby giving Tomaso directions which way to
Pose at the IMS Flagroom, circa 2012. (The Tomaso Collection)
As Thars Nonthin’ like Robin Miller being Master of
Ceremonies for a Hilarious Roasting of Uncle bobby!
Arse-sumin’ we won’t have any T-Storm Cells
that Knock out the power this year, a la last year when I lost my internet
connection…
http://www.nofenders.net/2022/05/an-electrifying-night-before-500.html
When your Humble No Fenders Scribe Tomaso was
trying to “Watch,” Err listen to The Roast of Bobby Unser. For which I’ve only
ever seen the first part of Uncle bobby’s roasting, which weighs in at 47mins.
Although I can only find a slightly altered version
from what I remember “watching” the past two years…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0CaYumlHu0&t=961s
Yet this year, when “googling” the Roast of Bobby
Unser on Youtube. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Marshall Pruett had
uploaded Part 2, which I’ve never “seen” before. Which weighs in at 52 minutes,
so guess it’s gonna be another late nigh, Eh?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEJvqgIfKds
Since say what you want. But I sure miss ‘Ol R’s,
aka Robin Miller, Ye Curmudgeon of Indy Cars unique style of “Delivery!” Not to
mention the Wise-domes” of ‘Ol Uncle Bobby!
Photo C/O No Fenders Offical’ Photographer CARPETS’
Dan Wheldon standing on the Yard of Bricks by the Pace car following
His victory lap after winning the 2011 Indianapolis 500. (The Tomaso
Collection)
Be they from Ye ‘Ol Memorex or being Thar live…
Not really sure why the 1973 Indianapolis 500
stands out so strongly for Mwah as the worst Indy 500. For which we’re
celebrating it’s 50th Anniversary this year…
As what makes it worse than say the 1964 Indy
500? When Eddie Sachs and Dave macDonald both lost their lives in the race. Or
what about the 1955 event that we All know saw the demise of “Vukie”, aka Bill
vukovich.
What makes this even more strange for Mwah, is
that although I know I’ve scribbled about it here before on No Fenders many,
many Moons ago. That being a Wee lad’ riding in the back of my Grandfather’s Buick
Riviera over to the family’s summer vacation cottage on Hood Canal. (WA) And
getting to watch the ABC Wide World of Sports tape delayed TV Broadcasts of the
Indianapolis 500. Surely I wouldn’t have been allowed to watch the carnage of
1973? Not to mention that the race didn’t actually finish until Tuesday, May 30,
1973.
Don’t wish to belabour how Bad the ’73 event
was, for which others on Ye blogosphere have written about. As I’m just Happy
that Borg Warner and IMS gave ‘Ol Gordie’ Johncock a Baby Borg’ trophy this
year to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of His first Indy 500 victory that He
didn’t get to celebrate!
My current memories are that the first 500 I
remember watching when I still had relatively “full” vision, is the legendous’ 1985
“Spin ‘N Win” of ‘ol Hollywood’, aka Danny Sullivan’s!
Whilst I know for certain I watched Bobby Rahal
pass poor ‘Ol Coogan’, nee Kevin Cogan and Big Al’s (Unser) epic wins the
following two years…
But what’s funny to Mwah is how much the
1982-83 races stand out to me for different reasons, albeit they’ve just become
Folklore for Mwah having watched various snippets via Youtube over the years.
As the 1982 race stands out for being one of
the Best ever for the fantastic duel between Johncock and Rick Mears. With ‘83’s
race being special since it was local Boy Done good Tom “The Gasman” Sneva of
Spokane, WA being victorious! For which I still recall Goofy of Walt Disney
being Hired to inject some “looseness” into that Bignotti-Cotter campaign.
While it’s most certainly a poor memory of how
vehemently I was opposed to ‘Lil Napoleon’, aka TG’ or the man I used to call
Ronnie’ George! As thinking now how much of a wasted decade-plus, or as the
past RUSH song Between the Wheels comes sweeping across my radar; “Another Lost
Generation!”
“You know How that Rabbit Feels Underneath your Spinning wheels
But the Wheels of Time just Pass You by!”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cj1eUnNOvpY
As I still fondly recall the QFC Grocery store
cashier Bob bellowing Eddie Who? When asking me who’d won the 1998 Indy 500? Or
reveling over Robby DirtMann’ Gordoun’s running out of Methanol in 1999 after
Defecting to the Dark Side!
Or Juan Pablo Montoya kicking everybody’s Arse
in 2000, when CART drivers took the first seven finishing positions,
Yada-Yada-Yada…
And although I wasn’t thrilled over who won my
very first ever Indianapolis 500 attended in person, that being Helio Castroneves
who I much prefer calling Hulio’ in ’09. It was fun witnessing History and the
fact that “The Band” was back together again, i.e.; the 2008 Mergification.
As I still like to believe in my mind’s “Eye”
that I “Saw” a Hapless J.R. Holdebrand’s car sparking down the front straight
as Dannyboy Spike’ Weldon flashed by for an improvable win! Or that’s just the
collage I’ve painted into my memory…
Or Hearing for the only time ever Fans Booing
Dario REO Speedwagon Franchitti on His cool-down victory lap in 2012! Not to
mention the crowd erupting over TK’, aka Tony Kanaan’s victory a year later!
Or the total shock of rookie Alexander Rossi
winning the 100th running in 2016. Along with Will Power’s emphatic
Show Me Some Respect Motha Fokkers! Upon crossing the Yard of Bricks in 2018!
Since it’s hard to believe that it’s been five years now since my last 500…
Whilst I still enjoy the memory of Tacoma Bureau
Chief Mary ellen’s rendition of listening to the final laps in 2019 from our
local Bumfiddle’ Florence Grocery Outlet parking lot and Who’s It gonna Be?
Pagenaud, Rossi?
For which I felt something slightly akin to
Jack Harvey this year. Since I was Happy for Symone’, aka Pageantry’, nee Simon
Pagenaud who once was my favourite IndyCar driver after Justin Big Unit’ Wilson’s
demise. But I had wanted Rossi to win His second Indy 500 that year, just to Shut
Up the Neysayers!
Or reveling over Taku-san’, nee Takuma Sato’s two
Indianapolis 500 victories. Doin’ my Takuma Sato You’re the Man Ickey Shuffle
victory Dance after Defeating Castroneves in 2017! Along with His second win
over a seemingly stumped Scott Dixon! Along with weirdly rooting against my
current Numero Uno IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward last year, wanting Marcus Ericsson
to win.
And now being “totally” Blind! Have I mentioned
I’m Blind lately? My yearly tradition is to spend the Month of May listening to
first the “Guns ‘N Roses” (GMR) Indy GP. The week of practice and Qualifying,
and then the race all via the IndyCar Radio Network thru my Confuzer’s very
impressive Soundbar!
Since being on radio, for which I always Hear Ye
Curmudgeon ‘O Indy Cars, nee ‘Ol R’, aka the late robin Miller writing me: Why
would Anybody wish to listen to an IndyCar race on the Radio?
Yet being Blind, this is far superior for Mwah!
Since they actually have to call the action vs. Leigh Diffey and Company
Arse-suming the TV Viewer can See what’s going on!
As it’ll be one year exactly since I was forced
to “watch,” Err listen to my last IndyCar race on NBC this Sunday, after a
Lightning storm the evening before knocked my Interwoods’ service Offline…
Photo C/O No Fenders Offical’ Photographer CARPETS’
As what a long, Strange Trip it’s been at Mother
Speedway this May!
By now it’s old news, even if it’s only 72
Hours Old since the following Day’s Press Conference. But we All know about the
first incident of this year’s Indianapolis 500 practice and qualifying. When
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Katherine Legge was unable to avoid crashing
into Dreyer & Reinbold Racing/Cusick Motorsports Stefan Wilson directly ahead
of Her, when the large group of cars suddenly Checked up!
As both cars heavily impacted the Safer Barrier
during Monday’s final practice session before Carb Day. With Wilson getting the
worst of it, when His No. 24 Dallara/Chevy’s Nose made Heavy contact with the
Wall! Which ultimately led to the 33yr Old Englishman suffering a broken vertebrae
and being ruled ineligible for this year’s 107th running of the Indianapolis
500.
As Racer’s Marshall Pruett mentioned earlier how
He’d noticed Stefan’s elbows being Bloody Raw from the way that I believe the Six
foot Three and One-half inches tall? Driver had to Accordion Himself in order
to fit into the Uber tight confines of the Dallara DW12 chassis. And how His
older brother, the late Justin Wilson had also suffered a broken back after a
seemingly mild crash at Mid-Ohio years earlier!
Yet when did the
driver’s Height become akin to State Secrets? Since I cannot find Stefan’s
listed Height anywhere on Ye Intrawoods’, Urgh! Even though I know He was
taller then His older brother Justin…
All of which makes me wonder why Dallara and
IndyCar Don’t require larger Tubs? Even though I’m sure it’s a weight issue to
what a longer chassis would incur, Not to mention Aerodynamics and longer
wheelbase racecars. But taller drivers shouldn’t be punished for their Height!
Although as I’ve said many times before, I’m
Not an Engineer. And reportedly Stef’s tub was substantially damaged during His
Turn-1 Wall impact! Requiring a new tub regardless. So I don’t know if a
Shorter driver would have incurred the same injuries or not? And you have to
say the resiliency and overall “Survivability” for racecars entering Turn-1 at
approximately 235-238mph with the Boost turned down is remarkable!
Which ultimately leads to Graham Rahal having
accepted DRR and Don Cusick’s offer to replace Stefan Wilson this Sunday in the
team’s No. 24 entry. Since ironically Graham is also one of the taller drivers
in the IndyCar Paddock, along with His new teammate Ryan Hunter-Reay Me Thinks…
Yeah, I’ve probably been somewhat Harsh against
Graham over the years here upon No Fenders, where I tend to just let my raw
emotions fly! Having previously noted how much I was rooting for Jack Harvey to
knock Graham out of this year’s Indy 500 field, for symmetry’s sake, being the
30th Anniversary of His father Bobby not qualifying.
Yet I do feel that Graham is definitely one of the
“good Guys” in IndyCar. And His classiness in handling the devastating
situation of being Bumped from the Indy 500 was impressive. Along with His emphatically
proclaiming He wouldn’t Buy His way into the 500 or Deny any of His teammates
their ride speaks volumes to Mwah!
As I tend to forget how Graham was the one
leading the charge for the Wilson Family Charity auction after Justin’s Death,
which raised nearly $640,000! Along with knowing of two private situations
where He provided Indy 500 accommodations for somebody with Cancer. Along with
donating a set of racing tyres for a struggling driver…
Although one has to say that it’s a very weird
way that Graham Rahal ultimately made His way into this year’s Indianapolis 500
field! As Kudos to everyone making this happen, including Honda, who Graham’s been
a longtime partner of. Don Cusick, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, Chevrolet and
everyone else!
Two of the more obscure trivia tidbits divulged
on Sunday’s Pole and Last Row Shootout were that Graham Rahal would have become
only the third driver with 15 consecutive Indy 500 starts to Not Qualify.
Joining Johnny Rutherford and Tom Sneva.
Also, with Jack Harvey starting 33rd and last.
Harvey would have become only the third driver to start last two years in-a-row,
joining Billy Boat and Marty Roth…
But Graham will now start 33rd and last aboard
the No. 24 DRR/Cusick Motorsports Dallara/Chevy instead.
Whilst I won’t even dwell upon the irony of it
being another “One Off” Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver who ultimately
put Graham back into the race! Although it’s just ironic and nothing else!
While apparently in the press conference.
Graham said with a smile on His face, You Haven’t gotten rid of Me yet Jack!
Thus having been a Huge Fan of Justin Wilson’s
for several years, and feeling like Stefan’s never gotten a proper “Crack” at
His IndyCar racing aspirations. Naturally I have to feel disappointed for Stefan’s
injury and missing the race!
Yet I can only Hope that He comes back stronger
than ever like His late brother did! And that better days for both Cusick
Motorsports and Stefan Wilson are near on the Horizon!
Get Well soon Stefan!
As the yearly Hunt for the perfect, Classic Tenderloin
Rolls On…
Every May, the Media likes to Salt ‘N Pepper us
with stories of People’s yearly Indianapolis 500 traditions, since after all it’s
the Gurr-Reatest’ Something Ruther…
And although I can No longer recall if I’ve
ever Had one? Since I only remember paying $9.00 for a Steak Sandwich during
the 2006 USGP Formula 1 race instead, but I digress…
Thus for over a Decade Now, I’ve lived
vicariously thru the written and spoken word
of one such person with the tradition of Hunting for the elusive,
perfect Classic Tenderloin Sandwich at Mother Speedway every May! For which
this ‘lil Ditty’s in regards to and Good Hunting!
Testing Testing,
1-2, 1-2, Is this Thingy’ On?
“The Searcher”
I looked Under Stand J
I looked Behind the Museum
I Asked around the Pagoda
But They couldn’t Help Me either
They Call Me The Searcher
I’ve been Searchin’ Far and Wide
I Won’t Get to Taste what I Came For
Until I’m Trackside
I Asked Doug Boles
I Asked Mark Miles
I Asked Jay Frye
But He Couldn’t Help Me either
They Call Me The Searcher
I’ve been Searchin’ Far and Wide
I Won’t Get to Taste what I Came For
Until I’m Trackside
People ten to Scoff at Me
They Think I’m Crazy lookin’ for the perfect
Tenderloin
Always interrupting Me to Say Hi George
When I’m putting Mustard on my Bun
Finding A Classic Tenderloin
I’ve been Searchin’ for Miles
Because I’m The Searcher
And I want A Real Tenderloin
And I Won’t Get to Get What I’m After
Until I’m trackside
I’ve learned Not to Stop at the First concession
Stand
But Yeah look at My Face, Ain’t that A Smile
I’m Happy when I’ve found My Classic Tenderloin
Cause I’ve Got Values and I Won’t be Denied
I’m lookin’ for Mine
You’re lookin’ for Yours
We’re Both lookin’ together, But we don’t Know
where to Turn!
They Call Me The Searcher
I’ve been Searchin’ Far and Wide
I Won’t Get to Taste what I Came For
Until I’m Trackside
This Lyrical Prose
was Shamelessly inspired by The Who’s The Seeker song, which Y’all can listen
to in the Youtube link below…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAbzlj3nf4E
(Originally written by Tomaso on May 15, 2022)
Hildebrand’s (Panther Racing) Pit crew standing on wall on Lap-199
cheering as JR takes the white Flag seemingly headed for victory! (The Tomaso
collection)
As where’s the late Jim McKay to say “The Thrill of
Victory, and the Agony of Defeat!”
Suppose it’s just Mwah? But I was far more sintilated
by the outcome of the Last Row Shootout vs. Fast Six Shootou for Pole position
at Mother Speedway on Sunday!
Have never had anything against Jack Not Bloody
Nige! Harvey, just that He’s never moved thoust proverbial needle for Mwha.
Making it Uber Funny that I was rootin’ so vehemently for the Englishman Sunday!
As I know it’s probably wrong, as I flash back
to Gory Ought Nine (my first Indy 500) and riding in the IMS Elevator with
Daniel Banes Cooper and Graham Rahal. With Danny commenting upon Graham’s “Air
Jordan-like” Sneakers.
Whilst to Graham’s credit. He’s the only IndyCar
driver who took a question from this lowly No Fenders Blogger about Portland International
Raceway during a long ago IMS Teleconference…
But I simply wanted Graham to Not Qualify for
this year’s Indianapolis 500! Especially since the symmetry was so grand! Being
the 30th Anniversary since His father Bobby Rahal failed to qualify
for the Indianapolis 500!
As it’s strange how vividly I can still remember
three decades later, a lifesize cardboard cutout of “Stash Senor”, aka Bobby
Rahal resplendent in His Miller High Life Firesuit. At a local Portland, Oregon
“Watering Hole” during that year’s G.I. Joes Budweiser 200 Portland IndyCar
race - that some clever Patron had attached Wanted, Two Tickets for Indy
underneath His right Armpit!
And although I’m Arse-suming it was simply
programmed for sometime during the broadcast, since they place the same Promo
every broadcast. I found it Uber’ ironic hearing good ‘Ol bobby Rahal’s voice promoting
the IMS Museum whilst two of His drivers were fighting to Bump each other out
of this year’s Indy 500!
As Harvey went out on track with some 16mins
remaining, I found myself crossing two sets of fingers for bloody Jack! Even
though it was simply a cooling down lap at 170mph…
Thus I found myself feeling the “Agony of Defeat!”
thinking that Jack Harvey had simply Shot His Wad! Saying Bye-Bye Jack, you’ve
just lost your Job!
As Harvey’s second run during the Last Row
shootout with some ten minutes remaining in the One Hour session wasn’t Quick
enough to Bump Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing teammate Graham Rahal from the
field!
With the Englishman originally needing to find what
I thought Davey Hamilton said was some eight tenths of a mile per hour!
Although apparently it was only 0.68miles per hour to advance…
Thus I felt that IndyCar Radio Driver Analyst
Davey Hamilton was correct when Harvey’s crew thru on a third set of Firestone
tyres, which came from Christian lundgaard’s supply. That Harvey simply wouldn’t
have enough speed to Bump Graham from the field!
And only Harvey and His team will know what was
the true difference? As Harvey pulled out onto Mother Speedway with some 2.5
minutes remaming as Graham sat in His cockpit with No chance of responding! As
was it the tyre pressure adjustments or something else? Or simply Jack Harvey driving
the four laps of His life to potentially save His Job as an IndyCar Driver?
But whatever it was, Harvey did the unthinkable
by knocking Graham out with a four lap average of 229.166 vs. 229.159 miles per
hour after four laps or ten miles! Which I believe is a difference of seven
One-thousand’s mph?
For which I cannot believe how ecstatic I was!
And how loudly I Kackled over Graham’s demise! Since I know it wasn’t the same.
But I hadn’t felt that same amount of euphoria since Kyle Kiser Bumped some Smarmy
Spaniard named Fernando Alonso out of the field in 2019!
Thus for Mwah, and with No disrespect towards
any of the Fast six Pole Shootout competitors, including my Numero Uno IndyCar
Driver Pato O’Ward. With both eventual Pole winner Alex Palou and second place
Rinus VeeKay throwing down monster first laps of 235mph-plus, aye Karumba! It
really simply didn’t matter to me!
As I’d gotten what I wanted; being for Graham
Rahal to Not make the Show! For which I have to say that both Graham and father
Bobby both handled most professionally! And Didn’t shy away from All of the unwanted
Attention and Scrum for interviews…
As even more classy was Graham apparently
shaking Harvey’s hand in Congratulations immediately afterwards!
Since not sure why? Especially since it was a
different circumstance. But I found myself Flashing-back to when Big Al (Unser)
Defeated His son ‘lil Al’ for the 1985 CART/PPG IndyCar World Series
Championship! When Al Unser said although He Didn’t want to Beat His son, He
owed it to His team and sponsors to do His Best…
Whilst I believe it was IndyCar Radio Pit Reporter
Alex Wolff who interviewed Bobby Rahal before the Last Row Shootout warm-up
session began. To which bobby answered that He was Proud of Katherine Legge and
that She deserved to be in the race! And that RLLR wouldn’t “Pull” Her from the
cockpit no matter what happened during the Last Row Shootout!
For which I’m also glad that RLLR won’t deny
Jack Harvey from starting this year’s race in favour of Graham Rahal! And that
Graham, bobby and the rest of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing will simply face
the music come this Sunday. Although perhaps Harvey’s, Lundgaard’s and Legge’s
cars will carry some extra “Associate” sponsors from Graham’s car upon them now?
Picture C/O No Fenders Offical’ Photographer CARPETS’
Since we All know it’s now Bass Ackwards with the Made
for TV Drama occurring Sunday. Even though Saturday was pretty G-Damn Exciting!
Managed to listen to a portion of the early Hours
of Fast Friday via IndyCar Radio. Where Nicky Salt’ Yeoman and Jake “The
Riddler!” Query mentioned multiple times how Takuma Sato had the day’s top speed
of 234.753mph before He aboarted His four lap Qualie’ simulation after flirting
with almost Hitting the Wall! Whilst Rinus VeeKay held the fastest four lap
average, but All of that was before the Halfway mark of the day’s six hours
running…
As I’m not sure how much the single lap results
mean? Since it seems that the four lap average mock qualifying simulation
speeds are more important, righto? Nevertheless Here’s the day’s Top-10
runners, with Sato’s lap remaining quickest.
As I’d say it’s definitely a surprise that
Andretti Autosport’s Marco Andretti was second, with His teammates Kyle
Kirkwood eight and Colton Herta ninth. Ed Carpenter Racing’s Rinus VeeKay was
third fastest, and final driver in the 234mph range.
Sato’s Chip Ganassi Racing teammates Marcus
Ericson was fourth, with Scott Dixon tenth. As Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’ward was fifth,
followed by Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden sixth and A.J. foyt’s Santino
Ferrucci an impressive seventh.
As Jake Query noted, the two IndyCar teams struggling
the most were Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLLR) and Juncos Hollinger
Racing! (JHR) With All four of the RLLR cars towards the bottom of the time
sheet with surprisingly Katherine Legge leading the way in 29th with a speed of
231.420mph. Yet teammates Jack Harvey, (231.166) Christian Lundgaard (231.153)
and Graham Rahal (230.669) Were P31-33, Youch!
Whilst the Nightmare continued for JHR’s Kallum
Ilott, for which you can obviously say that the team simply got it wrong! And Thars
really No reason to Bash them about the decision to not decide to finally
switch to an alternate chassis for Ilott until Friday afternoon. Meaning the
talented Englishman, who other drivers marveled over His skill of keeping His
Wandering Matilda Off of the Walls! Was the only driver unable to crack the
230mph barrier! Only capable of dragging His recalcitrant Dallara to a 228.942mph
speed.
While His teammate Agustin Canapino was in 20th
with a rock solid speed of 232.920mph, nearly four miles per hour faster than
Ilott!
As JHR will thrash over Friday night to get
teammate Canapino’s April Open test mount ready for Ilott to Shake-down during
Saturday morning practice before attempting to Qualify.
Meanwhile, the Underdog Abel Motorsports entry
with R. C. Enersen at the Keyboard slotted in at P30, with a best lap speed of
231.242mph. but it doesn’t seem like much is being said about this entry, which
I take as a good thing! Since All of the Media’s focus seems to be upon the two
aforementioned teams above…
Whilst not surprisingly, Chip Ganassi Racing
drivers have led All three days of practice. With Takuma Sato P1, “Top of the
Pops” on Wednesday and Friday. With Marcus Ericsson P1 Thursday.
As stay tuned for two days of action packed
Drama! As who’s it gonna be going home dejected Sunday afternoon? And which of
the Ganassi Boyz’ will be on Pole? Or will somebody else step up and steal the
Show?
As I can only wonder if Callum Ilott’s unable
to qualify for this year’s Indianapolis 500, will that be the Kicker that makes
Him leave the team that brought Him to Indy Cars next year?
Day One: Fast and most definitely Furious!
What an Insane first day of Qualifying that
was! With a record shattering 84 Qualie’ attempts! As I’m not sure where to
begin?
Have to say I was far more interested over who’d
be in the Last Row Shootout; which is why I suppose I began scribblin’ down
every competitors four lap average. Having tuned into the IndyCar Radio broadcast
at 7:58AM Pacific, with Ryan Hunter-reay being the very first qualifier. As I
managed to keep track thru the first 28 runs before missing David Malukas’s
first attempt when the IndyCar Radio broadcast stopped at 11AM Pacivic. Thus
needing to scramble to tune into 1075 The Fan via Ye Intrawoods’.
And with Team Penske pulling both ScottyMac’,
aka Scott McLaughlin and Josef Newgarden’s first guaranteed attempts, I believe
that it was Agustin Canapino who was the 32nd and last car to make Thar first
Qualie’ attempt
Thus originally seeing Canapino’s teammate Callum
Ilott slowest with a speed of 227.720mph, followed by Graham Rahal’s 228.526mph,
for which the RLLR Team was completely flabbergasted!
Ironically nary a peep was made about R. C. enersen’s
qualification run of 231.129mph. As Enersen and Abel Motorsports quietly made
the Show in 29th
Then on Ilott’s second run, the Bloody Brit ‘ threw
down a monster first lap of 232.4mph. Leading to a four lap average of 231.182mph,
seeing Ilott qualify P28! And JHR making the right call to switch chassis.
Who’d Ah-thunk-It? That with three hours remaiing
it would be the two DCr Boyz’ vs. half of RLLR’s entries, i.e.; Harvey and Graham
Rahal being the four Slowest cars. As prior to 1PM Pacific, I believe it was Dale
Coyne Racing’s Sting Ray Robb, David Malukas, Rahal and Harvey P31-34.
As Malukas and Christian Lundgaard became
locked in a Mano e Mano duel over the 30th and final “Safe” position of the
day. As “Little Spud” (Malukas) had it before Lundgaard reclaimed it five minutes
later. Before Malukas ran a stout 231.769mph on His day’s final run to improve
to the middle of Row 8 in P23.
Ironically it would be the Dane’ (Lundgaard) as
the final qualifier trying to knock His teammate Katherine Legge out of P30. With Legge sitting on a speed of 231.070mph,
with Her crew giving Her Hugs as Lundgaard rumbled along after the Gun had been
Fired. As who’d guess that Legge would be the only RLLR entry to make the
Top-30 on Day-1? As I began singing,
Three Rahal’s and a Dale Coyne Racing in A Tree…
As it’ll be Lundgaard, Jack Harvey, Graham
Rahal and rookie Sting Ray Robb in the Last Row Shootout Sunday.
Meanwhile it was Arrow McLaren’s Felix-the-Cat’
(Rosenqvist) knocking His teammate Alexander Rossi off of P1 at 1:45PM Pacific.
With Rosenqvist being the only driver of the day to record two laps in the
234mph bracket, with a four lap average of 233.947mph vs. Rossi’s 233.528mph
average.
As All four Arrow McLaren’s and Chip Ganassi
Racing entries made the Fast 12 shootout. With the surprise of the day bseeing
both A.J. foyt enterprises making the Fast-12 field! With Santino Ferrucci ninth
and Benjamin Pedersen P11! Along with Ed Carpenter Racing’s Rinus VeeKay P4 and
the lone Team Penske entry of Will Power in twelfth, matching His Car number…
As Team Penske provided more late drama when
withdrawing Josef Newgarden’s time with just twenty minutes remaining. For
which I thought for sure they were pulling another last year’s McLaughlin
Blunder! But Newgarden only lost one position, sliding down to 17th, three
positions behind McLaughlin.
Whilst obviously Andretti Autosport was disappointed not having a single entry in Sunday’s Pole shootout, which surely will be another day of drama!
And will it be “The Agony of Defeat” for somebody
unexpected? Or fairly straightforward for who’s gonna miss the Show?
Since your Humble No Fenders Scribe Tomaso is a
terribly slow t-y-p-er… I began my “Handicapping” of this year’s Indianapolis 500
field just days before what I prefer calling the “Guns ‘N Roses” Indy GP! Which
is officially known as the GMR Indy Grand Prix.
Having read Racer’s Marshall Pruett’s piece
upon Abel Motorsports efforts to make their maiden Indianapolis 500. The Team’s
Manager John Brunner was saying All of the right things. And I’m fairly convinced
that Abel Motorsports and R.C. Enderson will make this year’s field!
As Brunner notes that they’ve got a separate, dedicated
veteran Indy 500 crew, including Engineer Mike Colliver, who previously guided
A.J. foyt’s Sebastien Bourdais and Kyle Kirkwood’s entries.
And the team’s had Neil Enerson’s Dallara DW12 racecar,
which previously ran in Oval and Road Course trim with Top gun Racing having
received No upgrades since 2021. Has just receive it’s first Speedway Body-fit,
along with new Speedway Uprights, Gearbox and Chevrolet engine updates. So I believe
that the No. 50 is ready to “rock ‘N Roll!”
For my Off thee Cuff, First Take. Ill say that
it’s two other Rookies who are on the proverbial “Hot Seat.” Mainly A.J. foyt
enterprises Benjamin Pedersen and Juncos Hollinger Racing’s (JHR) Augustin
Canapino. While I’ll expect JHR to have solved Canapino’s teammate Callum Ilott’s
chassis issues from the Open Test.
I’d also say that Rahal Letterman Lanigan
Racing’s (RLLR) Katherine Legge is a possibility for Not making the Show. For
which I could add RLLR teammate Jack Harvey to this list
Also suppose that Sting Ray Robb could potentially
struggle at Mother Speedway? Whilst we’re All Ah-Waitin’ to see who’ll be the
surprise having issues this year. But cannot say I exactly like trying to
predict who’ll be packing Thar suitcases this May?
Practice Begins, Sorta…
Whale’ lookie Thar Folks, it’s Mother Nature at
the very top of the scoring pylon for the first day of Official Indianapolis
500 Practice, Shuhzamm! As rain washed out the long anticipated yearly running
of racing cars Turnin’ Left at Mother Speedway…
Prior to Tuesday’s washout, I did learn that
with the permission of IMS and Chevrolet’s assistance. Abel Motorsports had
their 2.2-litre twin turbocharger V-6 Bowtie’ lump’ installed on Thursday prior
to the Indy GP, and successfully fired the Chevy motor Thursday night!
And with No Disrespect to Top gun Racing, Abel
Motorsports just feels like a far better prepared effort that I still expect to
Qualify for this year’s Indy 500.
Practice Commences
One day later, Speedway, Indiana saw bright,
clear skies, with R. C. enersen passing His Rookie Orientation Program
Wednesday morning, before the entire 34 Grid took to the day’s six Hours of
practice. But what do the speeds really mean?
Not surprisingly, Scott Dixon hung around the
top of the Time Sheets until Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) teammate Takuma Sato
bumped Him off of P1 with a lap of 229.439mph late in the day. As CGR would
have All four entries in the Top-10, with Alex Palou fourth and Marcus Ericsson
seventh. Followed by Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin fifth and Josef Newgarden ninth,
and Andretti Autosport Colton Herta sixth and Marco Andretti tenth. With two surprises,
seeing A. J. Foyt’s Santino Ferrucci third and Dryer & Reinbold’s Ryan
Hunter-Reay P8.
So what were the Arrow McLaren Boyz’ up to?
Since Alexander Rossi was quickest in P19 with Pato O’Ward P20. Followed by
Tony Kanaan in 23rd and Felix Rosenqvist 26th. While Foyt’s Benjamin Pedersen was
21st (225.480mph) and Junco Hollinger Racing’s (JHR) Agustin Canapino was P22. (225.127)
Both ahead of the latter two McLaren’s!
Also funny how in the battle of the two 48yr
Old Brazilian’s, i.e.; Kanaan and Helio Castroneves, Tony won the day’s battle
with Castroneves being 24th.
Slowest of the day was JHR’s Callum Ilott in 34th,
with a speed of 223.409mph. As I caught Ilott telling IndyCar Radio’s Ryan
Marin when tuning in briefly. That the first two runs were still “somewhat sketchy”,
but now He felt they had a handle on the car and could start working forwards.
R. C. enersen was one position ahead of Ilott.
(224.017) Whilst oddly Ed Carpenter was 28th. And Romain Grosjean was P30 (224.550)
with Christian Lundgaard P32, (224.300) split by Katherine Legge at 224.461mph.
Day 2’s Practice saw many of the same faces in
the Top-10, with All four of the CGR boyz’ Thar again. This time with Marcus
Ericsson’s 229.607mph being the day’s quickest speed. Followed by Dixon in second,
seemingly lurking! Sato P7 and Palou ninth. The only other team with multiple
drivers in the Top-10 was Arrow McLaren. With Pato O’Ward eight and Alexander
Rossi, who ran the most laps with 164 being thenth.
Surprises of the day have to be Meyer shank
Racing’s Simon Pagenaud in third, with Ed Carpenter Racing’s Conor Daly winding
up sixth. With Penske’s Will Power (fourth) and Andretti Autosport’s Colton
Herta (fifth) sandwiched in-between.
Still have Zero idea if it means anything? But
the day’s Slowest five cars were: ECR’s Rinus VeeKay, (225.028mph) and Ed Carpenter
(224.906) P30-31. JHR’s Callum Ilott 32nd, (224.727) followed by DRR/Cusick
Motorsports Stefan Wilson at 224.673mph and RLLR’s Katherine Legge last at 223.934mph.
Abel Motorsports R. C. Enersen was an
impressive 28th at 225.112mph. Ahead of Andretti Autosport’s Devlin DeFrancesco
(P29) and the other five slowest competitors!
Whilst it’s worth noting that Legge was P14 on
the “No Tow” list I believe. Which represents car speed without the Aerodynamic
Tow once gets when running in a draft behind a pack of cars.
And now it’s time for Faux, err Fast Friday, when speeds are Artificially Inflated due to turning up the Boost! Albeit weather permitting…
But will one of these drivers “Not look Like the
Others” following this Sunday?
Here’s what’s hopefully a Quick look at the
seven “Extras” comprising this year’s Indianapolis 500’s 34 Car field.
As will it be one of these seven drivers, or
somebody else Not making the 107th Running on Sunday, May 28th?
Marco Andretti
Age: 36, DOB: 3/13/87
#98, Andretti Herta Autosport
with Marco Andretti and Curb-Agajanian
2006 Indianapolis 500 and Indy
Racing League Rookie Of the Year
2020 Indianapolis 500 Pole Winner
Although Marco’s become the proverbial “Fifth
Wheel” at Andretti Autosport, having switched to “One Off” IndyCar status in
2021. Nonetheless, you’d have to Arse-sume that Marco will once again safely
Qualify for His 18th Indy 500. Especially since theoretically He’s got six
other drivers Data to rely upon.
Whilst Marco’s
definitely vaulted to P1 for longest Team Name, ahead of Dale Coyne and His
various Alphabet Soup Brigades, Hya!
Ed Carpenter
Age: 42, DOB: 3/3/81
#33, Ed Carpenter Racing
Three times Indianapolis 500 Pole
winner: 2013-14, 2018
Like many, I tend to believe that Fast Eddie’s
better days of driving are behind Him. Yet who am I to tell Ed Carpenter what
to do? Especially since He’s the Team Owner. And I believe Ed will be making
His 20th start this May, as He continues His Ovals Only racing program.
Pretty certain that Ed made the Top-12 Shootout
for Pole last year, and the ECR cars are always fast at Mother Speedway, albeit
it’s been ECR teammate Rinus VeeKay who’s been the top starter of the team
recently.
R. C. Enerson
Age: 26, DOB: 3/6/97
#50, Abel Motorsports
Richard Clayton “R. C.” Enerson is the only
rookie of these seven drivers, hoping to be one of potentially four rookies in
this year’s field. As R. C. has made a total of five IndyCar starts overall,
and attempted making His first Indianapolis 500 in 2021 with Top gun Racing. Which
unfortunately was an uphill struggle for this Minnowesqe, underfunded race team
that ultimately saw Enerson as the slowest driver all of that May.
Yet I feel much more confident about this year’s
entry with Abel Motorsports who seem to be putting together a quality entry. And
expect R. C. to qualify this year, meaning somebody else’s going Home…
http://www.nofenders.net/2023/04/indy-500-can-abel-motorsports-bump-its.html
Ryan Hunter-Reay
Age: 42, DOB: 12/17/80
#23, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
2008 Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar
Series Rookie Of the Year
2014 Indianapolis 500 Winner
When I think of whom I called Bully-Ray’ for
many years, before becoming simply “the Dude!” For Mwah, Hunter-Reay’s synonymous
with the No. 28 Andretti Autosport Banana
yellow DHL car, which we know is now occupied by Romain Grosjean…
Hunter-Reay’s not raced an IndyCar since the
2021 Long Beach season finale, His 239th IndyCar start. And I’ve got
Zero clue of what colour scheme or sponsorship livery He’s running this year at
DRR. Yet ryan didn’t have any troubles with His IMS refresher course, and
finished P14 on the time sheets during this year’s IMS Open test.
As I’ll expect Hunter-Reay to make His 16th
Indy 500 start, but don’t expect Him to win, while I’d Ars-sume a Top-10 finish
is possible.
Tony Kanaan
Age: 48, DOB: 12/31/74
#66, Arrow McLaren
2005 Indianapolis 500 Pole Winner
13 Indianapolis 500 Winner
What can I scribble about TK’ that hasn’t
already been said? Other than I do like the symmetry of TK’ retiring ten years
after His Indy 500 victory.
As Tony
promises this is His last, last, last Indianapolis 500 race! And His last
IndyCar start, Honest! For which I’ll Hope that the Fan favourite Brazilian
goes out on top! Although it’ll be hard to replicate last year’s third place
finish. Since after all, Kanaan’s the fourth “Arrow” in Arrow McLaren’s “Quiver”.
But it will be interesting to see who comes out P1 for the team this May. And
it sounds like Tony’s at least got a very good looking racecar for His 22nd and
final outing at Mother Speedway, where Tony says He’ll be Crying like a Baby
come race day!
Katherine Legge
Age: 42, DOB: 7/12/80
#44, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
Seems like a really, really long time since I
got whom I affectionately call thy Leggy Juan’s autograph as a Champ car rookie
at Portland International raceway Wayback’ in Gory 2006!
As I guess one could stay that Katherine’s had
a star crossed career, having driven a multitude of racing cars over the
decades. Having made Her first Indianapolis 500 start in 2012 for Jay Penske’s
Dragonspeed outfit before being unceremoniously Dumped by Jay! And then Her
second and final Indy 500 start to date came a decade ago when driving for
Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, with finishes of 22nd and 26th respectively.
And although Katherine finished towards the
bottom of the Time sheets during the Open test. I’ve got no idea what She or
the team were working on that day? As Katherine and Linus Lundqvist tested at Texas
Motor Speedway the day following this year’s race in order to help RLLR get “sorted”
for Indy this May. As I’d like to Arse-sume that as RLLR’s fourth entry She’ll get
similar equipment to the team’s three primary drivers. And I’d like to believe
that Legge will qualify and make Her third start at Mother Speedway later this
month.
Stefan Wilson
Age: 33, DOB: 9/20/89
#24, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing/Cusick
Motorsports
As we All know, Stefan Stork’ Wilson is the
younger brother of the late, Justin Big Unit’ Wilson. Whose struggled to find
the necessary “Backing” to enable a Fulltime IndyCar career.
Stefan will be attempting to make His fifth
Indianapolis 500 start, having found an enthusiastic “Backer” in don Cusick,
who’s funded Stefan’s last few years Indy 500 rides.
Stefan finished sixth during this April’s IMS Open test, and hopefully these results will carry over for this year’s event. Although I Don’t expect Stefan to win. His best finish to date is 15th in 2018. When needing to Pit for Fuel with four laps remaining while leading the race. As I’ll expect Stefan to safely make the field this weekend…