jwhite9185 From United Kingdom, joined May 2007, 722 posts, RR: 0 Posted (1 year 3 days 2 hours ago) and read 1518 times:
Well as theres a thread for the Monaco GP, I thought i'd start one for the other classic race that occurs on the final weekend of May.
With the qualifications done, it seems that the Chevy engine is the one to beat this year - as has been the case for the season so far. Once again Team Penske continue their dominance, although Andretti Autosport have looked strong all month too and they could spring a surprise.
Not as much of a surprise as Josef Newgarden being the quickest Honda - quicker than the Ganassi group of teams by a longshot.
Bit disappointing that theres no real bumping this year though, mainly due to Lotus not being able to get its act together. So far the 2 remaining Lotus competitors, Jean Alesi and Simona de Silvestro are way off speed, and if they make it into the race it will be interesting to see if Indycar let them continue if they turn out to be dangerously slow.
My bet is on Helio Castroneves for the race this year - Yeah, Will Power has dominated so far this season, but he's yet to prove himself on the ovals and I can't see Ryan Briscoe lasting the whole 500 miles without making some sort of mistake!
KingairTA From United States of America, joined Feb 2009, 445 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (1 year 2 days 17 hours ago) and read 1481 times:
Indy 500 lost all appeal to me when CART and IRL had their falling out. Its no longer a race of the worlds best and of the latest and greatest tech. Most of the drivers are all IRL regulars in spec cars. Gone of the days of using a turbine or a diesel or electric etc.
randyh3253 From United States of America, joined Jan 2011, 42 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (1 year 2 days 15 hours ago) and read 1477 times:
My driver (Charlie Kimball) destroyed the car today, good thing they are going to repair and and not go to backup so he won't be dropping to the rear of the field.
fxramper From United States of America, joined Dec 2005, 7027 posts, RR: 93 Reply 3, posted (1 year 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 1436 times:
Not what it use to be unfortunately. I remember Bobby Rahal, the Andrettis, Al Unser Jr. and Arie Luyendyk. I guess I'll watch it if there isn't a golf tournament on.
jwhite9185 From United Kingdom, joined May 2007, 722 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (1 year 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 1424 times:
The common conception is that the last proper 500 was in 1995. Although now the 2 series are back together and there's a CEO in charge that isn't hellbent on destroying all the competition the series seems to be heading in the right direction again.
Quoting randyh3253 (Reply 2):
My driver (Charlie Kimball) destroyed the car today, good thing they are going to repair and and not go to backup so he won't be dropping to the rear of the field.
Surprising that both the Ganassi B team drivers out qualified the Target drivers - think that's the first time this has happened.
Unsurprisingly, both Lotus were last and a long way off the pace. Wondering how much longer they will be around for before they throw in the towel.
It's rumoured that there's another engine manufacturer Looking at joining the series for 2013.
KiwiRob From New Zealand, joined Jun 2005, 5295 posts, RR: 3 Reply 5, posted (1 year 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 1418 times:
Very surprised to see Dixon qualify in 15th, he's usually top 5. The Honda engine appears to be struggling, although it's a lot better than the Lotus Judd power plant.
randyh3253 From United States of America, joined Jan 2011, 42 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (1 year 2 days ago) and read 1399 times:
Quoting jwhite9185 (Reply 4): Surprising that both the Ganassi B team drivers out qualified the Target drivers - think that's the first time this has happened.
Hard to believe that Rahal and Kimball have basically outrun Dixie and Dario all year if you take accidents out of the equation. I understand that Chevy has Ilmor building their engines and they used to build the Honda engines, but Honda just hasn't lived up to they hype this year and I think that has truly hurt the Target team. Does anyone else get the feeling that the Wheldon accident may have really affected Dario? He just doesn't seem like the same driver...
jwhite9185 From United Kingdom, joined May 2007, 722 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (1 year 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 1385 times:
Quoting randyh3253 (Reply 6): Does anyone else get the feeling that the Wheldon accident may have really affected Dario? He just doesn't seem like the same driver...
Could be - but i also read pre season that he had to adapt to last foot braking for the first time in his career. They have fitted an adaptor kit to his car so he can go back to right foot braking, but the car is designed with left foot breakers in mind so theoretically he could still be at a disadvantage.
Either way i cant see him making it 4 championships in a row this season.
Quoting randyh3253 (Reply 6): Honda just hasn't lived up to they hype this year and I think that has truly hurt the Target team.
Much like when they had the Toyota engine towards the end. If things continue, no doubt they will have a Chevy in the back before long... and it'll become a spec series again like when everybody ditched Chevy and Toyota in favour of the all conquering Honda.
randyh3253 From United States of America, joined Jan 2011, 42 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (1 year 1 day 18 hours ago) and read 1369 times:
Quoting jwhite9185 (Reply 7): Either way i cant see him making it 4 championships in a row this season.
I think his chances for the 4 peat were over when the schedule was announced. Power had to be grinning from ear to ear when he saw if for the first time.
photopilot From Cuba, joined Jul 2002, 2439 posts, RR: 20 Reply 10, posted (1 year 1 day 18 hours ago) and read 1361 times:
Quoting PHX787 (Reply 9): I think 3 women (Pippa Mann, Sarah Fisher? and Milka Duno) will be in the race, but I highly doubt any of them will be a contender.
Sarah Fisher is now a team owner so her driving days are behind her. If they qualify, here's the four ladies vying for this year's 500...... Simona de Silvestro, Ana Beatriz, Pippa Mann, Katherine Legge
randyh3253 From United States of America, joined Jan 2011, 42 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (1 year 1 day 18 hours ago) and read 1361 times:
Quoting PHX787 (Reply 9): I get tickets ever year so I'm gonna give you guys a trackside report after the race
I'll also be at the race. Was at the Championship in Vegas last year, so looking forward to this considering what I witnessed the last go around
Also just saw this on Twitter:
Jeff Gluck @jeff_gluck
IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard told me he is not sure whether 2 slower Lotus cars will be allowed to race in Indy 500.
PHX787 From Japan, joined Mar 2012, 4973 posts, RR: 14 Reply 13, posted (1 year 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 1332 times:
Quoting randyh3253 (Reply 11): I'll also be at the race. Was at the Championship in Vegas last year, so looking forward to this considering what I witnessed the last go around
jwhite9185 From United Kingdom, joined May 2007, 722 posts, RR: 0 Reply 14, posted (1 year 22 hours ago) and read 1297 times:
Quoting randyh3253 (Reply 8): I think his chances for the 4 peat were over when the schedule was announced. Power had to be grinning from ear to ear when he saw if for the first time.
Yeah, and Power is doing alright so far - to the point where its getting a bit boring with Penske winning every race.
Quoting photopilot (Reply 10): If they qualify, here's the four ladies vying for this year's 500...... Simona de Silvestro, Ana Beatriz, Pippa Mann, Katherine Legge
Apparently Pippa Mann came close to securing a drive but announced on pole day it had all fallen apart. I think Ana Beatriz has the strongest chance of the three purely for the fact she has the best team of them.
Quoting PHX787 (Reply 13): My pick for this year's first crash. He always crashes.
Or Marco, although he seems to be doing well this year. Maybe contender for a shock win?
jwhite9185 From United Kingdom, joined May 2007, 722 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (12 months 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 1170 times:
Well the race kicks off in a few hours. Not seen anything saying the Lotus' will be pulled from the field yet. Although i guess theres nothing saying it can't happen during the race like with Milka a few years back.
PHX787 From Japan, joined Mar 2012, 4973 posts, RR: 14 Reply 17, posted (12 months 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 1167 times:
I haven't heard anything about drivers getting pulled- yet. It's still early. I'm going to leave the Nati to head up there in about 10 minutes. I'll try to get a report trackside but Im not sure how to use the forums from my iPhone
When I come back tonight, I'll let you know how it was
I'm surprised they even let Lotus start today. Both cars were IMHO just 1) a field filler, they needed the 33. And 2) let in to get all three engine builders in
I don't like how they keep showing the Damica Patrick commercials either.. They need to separate the series from her, she went to NASCAR, stop showing her in indycar..
PHX787 From Japan, joined Mar 2012, 4973 posts, RR: 14 Reply 22, posted (12 months 19 hours ago) and read 1099 times:
I just wanna say that was the best race I've ever attended. Lead changes, records, everything! A shame Satoh didn't get the win -_- turned in too early.
ikramerica From United States of America, joined exactly 8 years ago today! , 21029 posts, RR: 60 Reply 23, posted (12 months 8 hours ago) and read 1087 times:
So disappointed in Satos mistake. Drove the perfect race, yet didn't learn from the 30 lead changes that passing into 1 or 3 is suicide but passing out of 2 is the key to winning on lap 200.
Maybe he was surprised franchitti moved aside for him and thought he should take the chance, and franchitti did cause that accident rubbing Sato after making room, but it's Satos mistake for even trying. Dario's really lucky he wasn't flipped. If he rubbed a little harder he might have rolled over Satos wheels and been lifted.
Of all the things to worry about... the Wookie has no pants.
ltbewr From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 12335 posts, RR: 12 Reply 24, posted (12 months 3 hours ago) and read 1068 times:
I only got to see 2/3rd of the race. The last 30 laps were hard out racing, with a lot of lead changes and another last lap crash to affect the outcome. Franchitti becomes a 3-time winner. I was moved by the respect shown to the late Dan Weldon by the drivers and others after the race.
25 slider: GREAT RACE!!!! Since the CART/IRL divorce was finally squared away, we've had some of the best Indy 500s in ages. Just fantastic one again. Most lead
26 ikramerica: Exciting race, but not great, because the design of the cars and engines this year made it impossible to hold a lead. The ONLY reason Dario won was b
27 jwhite9185: I thought that myself. Im also surprised that theres been no engine failures during races so far this year. On to Detroit - although Dixons on pole,
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