OT: It's May...You Know What That Means...INDY!!!

[Dalton26 16,892]

Racing at a faster speed than nascar, you have to be sure not to hit anything. You don't see how that's more difficult than racing slower and being able to bump against things?

Not when bigger cars are driving very fast and bumping each other. I'd rather have no contact while driving so I don't see how that's more difficult.

Again wouldn't have people like JPM and Danica dominated in Nascar if it's so much easier?

[Josh 12,649]

Not when bigger cars are driving very fast and bumping each other. I'd rather have no contact while driving so I don't see how that's more difficult.

Again wouldn't have people like JPM and Danica dominated in Nascar if it's so much easier?

Danica sucks at racing.  I don't think she could dominate the county fair.

 

I never said Nascar was easy.  I just think it takes a lot more skill to race without touching anything than being able to bump your way around the track.

[Dalton26 16,892]

Danica sucks at racing. I don't think she could dominate the county fair.

I never said Nascar was easy. I just think it takes a lot more skill to race without touching anything than being able to bump your way around the track.

Fair enough. You just said any old redneck could bump their way around the track so that's how it came off. Agree to disagree.

[Hovadipo 56,441]

Danica sucks at racing. I don't think she could dominate the county fair.

She always ran well at Indy, though. Somehow.

[JSHoosier 20,306]

In Nascar, you can bump your way around, in Indy Car, you have to be in control.  It's much more impressive imo.  Any ol redneck can bump their way around a track.  IndyCar takes more skill.

Open wheel drivers have said that stock car racing is more difficult.  John Andretti, Tony Stewart, Menard, Montoya all made the jump and really only one of them saw success.  I also remember there was a series called the International Race of Champions or IROC, and open wheel drivers competed on the same track as stock car drivers in cars set up exactly the same, the series was dominated by stock car drivers.

 

Neither one is easy, but I wouldn't be so quick to say Indy takes more skill.

[coonhounds 9,035]

There two completely different types of vehicles so it takes different skill sets in drivers to be good in both. I am sure there are several nascar drivers that would struggle to adapt to indy car and same the other way around. It takes alot of skill to do both and there is know way to say which takes more skill. The iroc series was stock cars so I would expect stock car drivers to have a major advantage so that isnt a good comparison. The most talented driver imo so far was aj foyt because of his usac wins four indy 500 wins and also won in nascar. But to say which takes more talent is a impossible to say.

[pappy1865 2,211]

Growing up in Mooresville was awesome.  The sad thing about being on the road these last 3 years have meant I've not been to the track in ages.  Favorite time of year.  Remember high school/early college days at IUPUI when the race would happen, then the Pacers would play, plus the Indians at night.  Man I miss being home!

[IU Bud 445]

At the same time, Indycars have built in intimidation where if you DO bump, there's the chance that you won't live through the ensuing crash. It sounds bad but it's true. It's just a finesse vs. contact thing like I said before. Depends on what you prefer.

I liked stock cars ... when they were stock cars. Car companies used to design cars that would offer a benefit on the track.  Remember the Grand Prix with the special nose and rear window?  Or, the Monte Carlo SS with the cleaner aero nose?  I guess I gave up when they allowed the Dodge nose to be radically changed on the race car to be competitive because the road car had to look like the Ram pickup. 

 

When was the last time you saw a 2 door V8 Ford Fusion? I don't recognize the Chevy or Toyotas on the track. If you want to race a car with a body and call it a stock car, an auto maker needs to offer 500 of those for sale in that configuration. Otherwise, race cars should look like the late model series.  I respect that series because they aren't pretending to be something they aren't.

 

I hate professional wrestling.  It is a not a "sport" and is governed by what will sell tickets.  That is what modern Nascar reminds me of.  Nascar has sold out to cater to the people that buy collector cars, t-shirts, and other licensed Nascar products.  When a popular driver wins, Nascar sells more stuff. The reason for the "lucky dog" is to keep fans from walking away when their driver has an issue. They say it is to prevent people from racing back to the line. All you have to do is freeze the field at the yellow and that problem is solved.  A pebble on the track can give Junior his lap back and back into contention.

 

The people at the races get into arguments over what the other driver did to their driver. I saw two people at the Brickyard almost come to blows because of who their favorite was.  I have Indy drivers I like more than others, but I have never left bummed about the driver that won. Am I a snob? No, I just think there is a proper way to cheer at a race track.  There is also an acceptable way to act in public.  Being at a race track doesn't excuse that.  People have disappointed me at the two Nascar events I have attended.

 

Don't get me started on the truck series!!

[Hovadipo 56,441]

Qualifying weekend!

[Parakeet Jones 3,773]

It was nice to be at the track yesterday.  The heat kept the speeds down a little bit.  I have the radio feed on and rain has ground things to a halt this morning.  Rain has stopped and as long as it holds, qualifying will start at 12:25.

 

I'm hoping a few surprises sneak into the fast 9.  

[Hovadipo 56,441]

It was nice to be at the track yesterday. The heat kept the speeds down a little bit. I have the radio feed on and rain has ground things to a halt this morning. Rain has stopped and as long as it holds, qualifying will start at 12:25.

I'm hoping a few surprises sneak into the fast 9.

ABC coverage from 4-6. Yippee....

11-3 on ESPN3 if you have the means. (I'm home for the weekend. In the country. With 1990's-era internet.) Headed to the track for quals tomorrow though!

[Parakeet Jones 3,773]

ABC coverage from 4-6. Yippee....

11-3 on ESPN3 if you have the means. (I'm home for the weekend. In the country. With 1990's-era internet.) Headed to the track for quals tomorrow though!

I am working around in the kitchen today so radio is a better option for me.  In reality, the radio coverage is so much better than ABC's coverage.

[OliviaPope40 6,533]

[Parakeet Jones 3,773]

This is definitely not the kind of drama we need for qualifying.  

[Hovadipo 56,441]

Man this sucks. Hopefully we actually get started in a half hour. Up in the turn 1 box if anyone is here and wants to say hi.

[LIHoosier 26,310]

Graham Rahal's firesuit is hilarious.

 

[IU Bud 445]

I heard a lot of negative comments about qualifications yesterday.  The issue with the cars, in my mind, was a precautionary move because they don't have enough data to determine how big of an issue they have. That is a topic for a separate post.

 

While some say it hurt the series, I say it was a good move. The cars were stable and there were no on track incidents. They had little choice to do anything other than eliminate the fast 9 with the issues and rain on Saturday. Personally, I hate the fast 9 at Indy.  I want the teams to put their best time on the board in their 3 attempts and leave it there.  Making teams come back later and do it again doesn't make sense.  Reward those that get it right the first time.  The 31 - 33 shootout allowed a feeling of the old bump day drama in a condensed format.

 

I have been to a lot of qualification days when few cars qualify.  Seeing 33 cars qualify back to back and see Lazier make a couple of attempts was entertaining on a rainy Spring day.  It wasn't ideal, but Indy got it done and doesn't deserve the criticism it received.  The fault is with the league that scheduled Indy as the first oval of the year with no testing of the speedway kits prior to Indy.

 

Frankly, I am happy there weren't more issues with the body kits. We may see issues in the race when they have to run 200 laps in traffic. 

[Hovadipo 56,441]

I heard a lot of negative comments about qualifications yesterday. The issue with the cars, in my mind, was a precautionary move because they don't have enough data to determine how big of an issue they have. That is a topic for a separate post.

While some say it hurt the series, I say it was a good move. The cars were stable and there were no on track incidents. They had little choice to do anything other than eliminate the fast 9 with the issues and rain on Saturday. Personally, I hate the fast 9 at Indy. I want the teams to put their best time on the board in their 3 attempts and leave it there. Making teams come back later and do it again doesn't make sense. Reward those that get it right the first time. The 31 - 33 shootout allowed a feeling of the old bump day drama in a condensed format.

I have been to a lot of qualification days when few cars qualify. Seeing 33 cars qualify back to back and see Lazier make a couple of attempts was entertaining on a rainy Spring day. It wasn't ideal, but Indy got it done and doesn't deserve the criticism it received. The fault is with the league that scheduled Indy as the first oval of the year with no testing of the speedway kits prior to Indy.

Frankly, I am happy there weren't more issues with the body kits. We may see issues in the race when they have to run 200 laps in traffic.

Waiting yesterday was not fun. But it was a lot more fun than seeing someone else get airborne. Cars got on the track and then everyone was happy. I had a blast. Quals were predictably, safely ran, but can I tell the difference between a guy coming into 1 at 235 and 228? No.

I too am wondering what will happen next weekend. The last few years have spoiled people because the races have been crazy. I obviously hope someone (my guess would be Dixon) doesn't win by 20 seconds, but you never know. And then there's the issue with new kits running in traffic. But hopefully they get their crap figured out before the 100th though. That could be a big race for the sport, and looking bad that weekend will really hurt IndyCar in my mind.

[IU Bud 445]

Waiting yesterday was not fun. But it was a lot more fun than seeing someone else get airborne. Cars got on the track and then everyone was happy. I had a blast. Quals were predictably, safely ran, but can I tell the difference between a guy coming into 1 at 235 and 228? No.

I too am wondering what will happen next weekend. The last few years have spoiled people because the races have been crazy. I obviously hope someone (my guess would be Dixon) doesn't win by 20 seconds, but you never know. And then there's the issue with new kits running in traffic. But hopefully they get their crap figured out before the 100th though. That could be a big race for the sport, and looking bad that weekend will really hurt IndyCar in my mind.

I saw a lot of cars able to run through the corners behind another car. I never saw a big line of cars do that, but it was good to see 2 cars do it.  I am looking forward to the race.  I begin my week before the 500 weather watch and a search for where I put my ponchos that I only need to carry to and from the track. I hope to keep them packed away.

 

Where are your tickets? We are in Stand C.  We used to be in the Paddock about 20 yards before the start/finish line.  We had a great view of the pre-race activities. The upper level in the Paddock really restricted our view. I like the open view of Stand C more. We can see more of the track, especially turn 4 and some parts of the short chute, and the front stretch into turn 1.  My son prefers the Paddock, but I want to sit in Stand C at least this year. I sat in Stand A and liked it too.

[Hovadipo 56,441]

I saw a lot of cars able to run through the corners behind another car. I never saw a big line of cars do that, but it was good to see 2 cars do it. I am looking forward to the race. I begin my week before the 500 weather watch and a search for where I put my ponchos that I only need to carry to and from the track. I hope to keep them packed away.

Where are your tickets? We are in Stand C. We used to be in the Paddock about 20 yards before the start/finish line. We had a great view of the pre-race activities. The upper level in the Paddock really restricted our view. I like the open view of Stand C more. We can see more of the track, especially turn 4 and some parts of the short chute, and the front stretch into turn 1. My son prefers the Paddock, but I want to sit in Stand C at least this year. I sat in Stand A and liked it too.

Turn 2 infield hill. :) Not a great view of the race at all, but we have a big group and enjoy being able to move around and hate being cramped in the stands. Used to be the Turn 1 hill before they took it out.

Also, Hinchcliffe just had another nasty looking crash a bit ago and he ended up getting flipped up. 4 out of 5 big crashes have gotten flipped now I believe.