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They came. Some came for the first time, some for the umpteenth consecutive time, some for the first time in a long time. Were the latter visiting an old friend for the final time, or were they coming back to witness a rebirth? Were the first timers there just for the celebrity of this milestone, never to return again? We may never know. Nevertheless, the Speedway once again looked glorious in its fully filled grandstands and infield. I remember when every race looked this way.  The pre- and post- race traffic delays actually made me happy.  Will we see this ever again? here are some final thoughts on Race Weekend:

Carb Day and Legends Day both had tremendous crowds. They were just a taste of what Race Day would be like. I talked to several first timers both days who had a hard time believing the race day crowd would be triple what they were seeing.

The Race Day traffic jams actually made me happy, because it meant that the race had sold out again. I didn’t think it was even close to some of the worst traffic jams I’d ever seen on Race Day, however. A little over an hour on a side street wasn’t bad at all.

The “Celebrating My ____/100” labels was a very nice community touch. They allowed strangers to connect with more than just the smiles and nods that fans give each other as they walk around before the start. I’ve seen many photos on twitter of the tags. Mine will be on display in the “500” room.

The most meaningful event of the weekend was Saturday evening’s pre race party. My race group joined by several of my racing friends was just an incredible bonding of fans. Thanks to my girlfriend Marty, who cooked and planned the event, and to all who came, it was a wonderful time.

The Carb Night Burger Bash is one of my favorite events of the weekend. It is a fantastic post Carb Day get together. I like that it raises a lot of money for charity. However…The move downtown, while necessary because of the growth of the event, took away the intimate feeling of it. While I appreciate Steak n Shake’s involvement and sponsor activation in Indycar,  a local business lost out in this deal.  The stage and glitz sadly moved the Burger Bash to a new level which I found a bit unsettling. I will still support it, but I am not happy with this direction.

I just watched the DVR of ABC’s pre-race show. It is by far the best pre-race they have ever done. An excellent blend of history and current races, great features, and an overall reverence and respect for the 500 I have never seen from them. I hope this is the beginning of better things from ABC regarding Indycar.

Now on to Detroit. I will continue writing about the history of the 500 while covering the rest of the IndyCar season as much as I can.

 

 

 

 

This is a hard race to figure out. Nearly half the field has a chance to win. I have given this a lot of thought.  I go with my instincts most of the time, and my instincts are telling me this: There will be a repeat winner. He will not drive for Penske. In fact, he won’t even drive a Chevrolet.  My pick: I’ll tell you in a bit, but first here’s why.

First, let’s eliminate some contenders.  James Hinchcliffe winning the pole is a great story. What an incredible movie there could be if he won the race.  I haven’t seen the sped in race trim from him that could get him to Victory Lane.  Josef Newgarden can win races, but more often than not, his pit stops keep him out of the winner’s circle. That is my concern regarding his chances.

Other contenders- Scott Dixon could win if the race becomes a fuel saving contest. I think there will be enough yellow flag time that fuel will not be an issue. Tony Kanaan has shown speed in race trim, but do the Chevys have enough power to match the Hondas? I haven’t seen that.

Of course, you cannot count out the Penske drivers to be players. I think they will play a role but fade in the end. Again, not enough speed over the long haul.

So we come to my winner: Ryan Hunter-Reay will win his second Indianapolis 500.

I think this will become the type of race that Hunter-Reay excels at, a fast race with just enough cautions to cause teams to gamble a bit on strategy. Hunter-Reay will also use his uncanny ability to put his car wherever he wants to to get by someone. When we all raise our milk cartons to salute the winner, it will be the 28 car. Enjoy the race

My Predictions:

Winner: Ryan Hunter-Reay

Rookie of the year: Alexander Rossi

Cautions: 6 for 53 laps

First car out: Jack Hawksworth

 

Originally published May 25, 2016

I’ll admit it. I am biased on this topic. I love the old front engine cars. Maybe it’s because growing up they were what a race car was. Unlike the rear engine cars, front engine machines came in a variety of shapes and sizes. Most rear engine cars look basically the same to me. I’m not talking about today’s Dallara.  The early rear engine cars were noticeably distinct from one another. A sameness crept into the design, especially after wings were added.

What were the greatest cars? My criteria is part objective and part subjective. Cars that won more than once easily make the cut. Design and livery are a big qualification as well.  I prefer the simpler liveries. Here are my top five greatest cars, front engine division.

5. Belond Exhaust Special.  The car designed by George Salih won back to back to back races in 1957-58. The engine is laid on its side, allowing a lower profile. Note the fin behind the driver’s headrest.

4.  Blue Crown Spark Plug Special.  This Offenhauser powered, front wheel drive machine won in 1947 and 1948 with Mauri Rose driving to victory both years. Car owner Lou Moore is second behind Roger Penske in victories by an owner with five.

3.  Sheraton-Thompson Special. The 1964 winning car is a A. J. Watson built roadster driven by A. J. Foyt to his second 500 win. It was the last front engine car to win the race.

2.  Fuel Injection Special.  Bill Vukovich dominated in 1953 and 1954 in the original “roadster”. Note the cockpit offset to the right. The car was leading in 1952 when a steering rod broke with eight laps left. Vukovich led 435 laps in this car.

1. Boyle Special (top of story  photo) Another car that dominated the 500. Wilbur Shaw won in this Maserati in 1939 and 1940. He was leading in 1940 when a wheel collapsed late in the race. After the war, Ted Horn drove it from 1946-48  to finishes of third, third, and fourth. Future winner Lee Wallard took the car to the lead in the 1949 race. Bill Vukovich took his 1950 rookie test in the Maserati, but did not make the race. This car was truly the chariot of the gods.

I will be back tomorrow with my race preview. It will be bold, thoughtful, and likely highly inaccurate.

I have seen:

The Track…

Front stretch bricks turn asphalt,

Master Control Tower become new Pagoda,

Parking lot made Plaza,

Pit sign boards fade to radios,

Three scoring pylons,

Frame garages set in stone,

Grandstands rise and fall,

Scoreboards show action around the track.

The Cars..

Engines march to the rear,

Tires lose their treads,

Wings replace sleek tubes,

150 mph, 200 mph,

210 mph, 220 mph,

230 mph.

The Race…

Four time winners,

Close finishes,

Great races,

Dull races,

Qualifying silliness,

Qualifying drama.

The Speedway changes,

Yet my emotions stay the same.

The second century of racing is about to begin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The final hours of qualifying yesterday and today produced some great drama.  The top spot changed hands several times, and one of the smaller teams ended up with the fastest speed.  The hours before that were as dull as the last hour was thrilling. The current qualifying procedure is the problem. First, with only thirty -three cars there is no intrigue as to who will make the field.  Second, having to qualify on two days to set a position is redundant and meaningless.  Third, too many points are available for qualifying. I have a proposal to change qualifying and add some life to both days.

The problem of car count is most likely going to be the biggest issue for a while. Until a third engine manufacturer comes on board, I don’t see an increase in car on the grid. Even then, we could just see a redistribution of the current field split among three engines rather than two. My proposal assumes just thirty-three entries.

For my new procedure, I’m looking no further than the street/road course qualification process. Yes, knockout qualifying with an Indy twist. Keep the four lap runs. Qualify in groups. Keep the Fast Nine. Here is how my plan works.

Based on Fast Friday speeds,  divide the field into three groups of eleven. the three groups by speed rank:

Group 1: 1,4,7,10,13, 16, 19, 22,25,28, 31

Group 2: 2,5,8,11,14,1,7,20, 23, 26, 29, 32

Group 3: 3,6,9,12,15, 18,21,24,27,30,33.

Group 3 goes first, then group 2 and finally group 1.

Each group has two hours. Each car may make more than one run after everyone has had a turn. The fastest six advance to the next round. The rest of the group is assigned grid positions accordingly. First qualifying group 29-33, second group 24-28, third group 19-23.

That is the Saturday program.  As yesterday showed, six o’clock is not necessarily when qualifying needs to stop.

Sunday’s schedule , after practice sessions for cars still eligible for the pole and for those eliminated Saturday, is a three hour session to determine the fastest nine qualifiers. The slowest nine get grid spots 10-18. After a one hour break, the Fast Nine compete using the current format.

Points are still awarded, but not in great numbers. The fastest in each first round group gets one point. The fastest in the round of eighteen gets one point. The pole winner gets two points.  While it’s easy for me to spend others people’s money,  substantial cash rewards need to be paid out for each round as well.

Qualifying procedures have changed several times over the years.  It seems many changes have come rapidly in the last decade or so. I believe my proposal offers a bit more excitement to the current format. I’m very interested in hearing t your thoughts about this idea and if you have other plans you’d like to share.

I plan several posts this week. Tomorrow, changes I’ve seen at the speedway over 6 decades, a post about my favorite speedway cars, and of course my fearless and probably very  inaccurate race predictions.