But its another long winded version of Hyperbole as
always…
Its sad thinking that we’ve only reached the
halfway point of another IndyCar traditionally ridiculous offseason on December
8th, according to For the Love of Indy’s Raymond Hando, Yikes! While there’s
now only 73 days remaining until St Pete, OMG
Alas, its time once again for your Humble No
Fenders scribe Tomaso’s zany year ender awards Hoopla, or should that be Jambalaya
‘O choices? Y’all make the call…
CATEGORIES 6-10
6. Most Improved Driver of the Year
Winner: Santino Ferrucci
What more can I say about thee Great Santini’,
ergo Santino Ferrucci, who netted A.J. Foyt Enterprises Top-10 season finish
for the first time since 2002! When the forgotten Airton Dare finished ninth
overall in the Indy Racing League. The year He won His only IRL race at Kansas
Speedway.
As the most impressive part was that Santino
improved mightily upon the Twisties’ portion of the calendar. Since we already
know about His oval prowess, evidenced again at Mother Speedway.
Yet Ferrucci improved ten positions overall
this year, finishing ninth. Sandwiched between Newgarden and Rossi! And next
year’s lineup of Ferrucci and Malukas should be fun to watch.
7. Most Disappointing Driver of the Year
Winner: Alexander Rossi
It would be easy to pick someone like Graham
Rahal. Whilst I’d argue that Josef Newgarden’s season overall was
disappointing. Yet since Schlick’ is my Numero Uno IndyCar Villan, I’m quite
happy with His subpar eighth place finish…
I suppose it should be hard to be disappointed
claiming eleven podiums in sixteen starts. Including a pair of Top-5 finishes.
Claiming fourth in the Indianapolis 500 and third at Laguna Seca.
Yet due to fracturing a finger at Toronto, with Theo
Pourchaire flying from Paris overnight to substitute for Him. This caused Rossi
to finish tenth overall, just one point behind ninth place Santino Ferrucci.
(367-366 points)
Yet I was really hoping we’d see Rossi back in
the winner’s circle this season. Along with a contract extension at Arrow
Mclaren. But Rossi never truly “Jelled” at McLaren, and thus will begin anew at
Ed Carpenter Racing next year.
8. Comeback Driver of The Year
Winner: David Malukas
Think Y’all know the story about Chicago
Davey’s bicycling accident, Righto? Having grabbed the wrong brake and
subsequently breaking His wrist and damaging tendons which ruled Him out of
ever turning a competitive lap for His new team Arrow McLaren. With Davey’s
seat finally going to Nolan Siegel, after stints by Callum Ilott and Theo
Pourchaire…
Davey made His return to IndyCar at one of the
more physically demanding tracks, i.e.; Laguna Seca in the “Route 66” (#66)
Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) entry, replacing Tom Blomqvist for the remainder of
the season.
Memory says Malukas qualified in the Fast-12. And
was running inside the Top-10? Before finishing a disappointing P16. Whilst I
also tend to recall Him making the Fast six Shootout at Mid-Ohio, site of the
series inaugural hybrid race. Wher unfortunately He stalled the car during the
first pitstop due to the extremely “tall” first gear ratio needed to counteract
the hybrid system…
Ironically Davey’s best season finish came Up
North Eh! Driving a special tribute Tragically Hip mobile to sixth place in
Toronto after starting sixth. Where members of the Tragically Hip Band served
as the Grand Marshals and gave the command to Start-Your-Engines!
Malukas netted two Top-10 finishes in His ten
races, hauling the #66 into the vaunted Leader Circle prize fund, which He was
hired to do. Before making what seems like a shock decision to sign for A.J.
foyt Enterprises for 2025. Although Foyt does have a technical alliance with
Team Penske, but MSR’s technical alliance with Ganassi Ain’t bad either…
9. “Big Boyz Pants” Award
Winner: Romain Grosjean
Initially considered thee Great Santini’ for
this award. But Santino Ferrucci had one glaring Foopah that I’m trying to not
acknowledge! Thus His bosom buddy Romain Grosjean quickly came to mind instead.
Especially after Romain decided to speak His mind post season, Youza!
http://www.nofenders.net/2024/12/grosjean-speaks-out.html
As Grosjean arguably had Juncos Hollinger
Racing’s best season, with a total of six Top-10 finishes. Including a best
finish of fourth at Monterey, the team’s best ever finish to date. Eclipsing
Callum Ilott’s brace of fifth place finishes. With Grosjean finishing P17
overall.
Although looking up JHR’s results, Ilott
finished P16 the year before. Scoring those fifth place finishes at St Pete and
Laguna Seca.
While it’ll be sad if JHR goes with two “Pay”
drivers this coming year…
10. Rookie of The Year
Winner: Christian Rasmussen
Yeah, I know this award should go to the
official Rookie Of the Year (ROY) Linus Lundqvist. But the Swede’ was one of
only two fulltime IndyCar rookies this season. The other being His less
accomplished Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Kyffin Simpson. As the pair were the
only two of ten eventual rookies to run full season…
Yet driving for Cheeps’ eponymous championship
winning effort, you’d expect nothing less from Lundqvist, since CGR teammate
Marcus Armstong won the honor the previous year.
But instead, I’m giving the nod to Ed Carpenter
Racing’s Christian Rasmussen, who ultimately ran three fewer races than
Lundqvist did. With the only other rookie to have a double digit season being
Nolan Siegel.
As the Dane got off to a somewhat rocky start,
tending to crash quite a bit! And surely giving boss Fast Eddie’ a few more
gray hairs, eh?
Yet Rasmussen seemed to be in the limelight at
Mother Speedway for His unique line, along with raising other driver’s dander!
But finished as the top rookie in 12th, only some 5.4 seconds behind the
leader. And ahead of What’s His name Roundy Round’ driver!
Initially slated to only run the Twisties’ portion of the schedule, along with the third ECR entry at Indianapolis. Yet as the pressure mounted, boss Ed Carpenter relinquished the final three oval races in order for Rasmussen to keep the No. 20 entry in the Leader Circle prize fund, which He did. With His #20 ECR entry finishing 21st overall; since Ganassi’s Nos. 4 and 11 weren’t eligible.
