Sunday, May 28, 2023

INDY 500: Who’ll Win this Year’s race?

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!”