Road Runner Turbo Indy 300

[DanicaFan]

Race 5 of 17

Race - Road Runner Turbo Indy 300

Location - Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, KS

Date - Saturday, May 1st

Time & TV Schedule - 1:30PM Eastern Time (2:00 Green Flag) ABC

Course Type - 1.5 Mile Oval

Distance - 200 Laps / 300 Miles

Practice Sessions - Friday, April 30th - 11:00am-12:00pm Eastern, 2:00pm -3:00pm Eastern

Qualifications - Friday, April 30th - 5:00-6:30pm Eastern

2009 Winner - Scott Dixon

[DanicaFan]

Here is the track layout..

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee236/DanicaRules/KansasSpeedway_ALL.gif

[DanicaFan]

I am SO GLAD the series is back on the ovals where they belong. It's Danica's time to shine. :)

[Chamoo]

I'm looking forward to seeing 27 cars darting around Kansas. I will be home as well I believe, so I'll be able to see this race. I cannot wait.

[TURN3]

I am SO GLAD the series is back on the ovals where they belong. It's Danica's time to shine. :)

Where they belong? Not much for history on openwheel are you? And I thought we've discussed this Danica shinning issue? Instead of fighting to get into the top 20 now she can use her equipment to start fighting for top 10's.

[DanicaFan]

Where they belong? Not much for history on openwheel are you? And I thought we've discussed this Danica shinning issue? Instead of fighting to get into the top 20 now she can use her equipment to start fighting for top 10's.

Sorry Turn3, the IRL was founded on ovals. So, let's keep the heritage of the Indy Series and keep them on the ovals. No, Danica will be consistently in the top 5 on the ovals and on the podium a few times. She will be climbing the points standings quickly. ;)

[SarahFan]

These forums are always good for a laugh!

Thanks dfan

[Phoenixent]

Sorry Turn3, the IRL was founded on ovals. So, let's keep the heritage of the Indy Series and keep them on the ovals. No, Danica will be consistently in the top 5 on the ovals and on the podium a few times. She will be climbing the points standings quickly. ;)

IRL has not been a strictly oval series since 2004. In 2005 they added 1 street course and 2 road course races. Oval racing is great as long there is a a lot of passing on the track. But some of those track need to go away and bring back some Super Speedways back to the series.

As for a constant top 5 for Danica I doubt it will happen as there are so many other great drivers in great teams out there but that's your dream.

[Scotty G.]

Oval racing is great as long there is a a lot of passing on the track. But some of those track need to go away and bring back some Super Speedways back to the series.




There will be more passing on the track at Kansas in the first 50 laps, then the first 4 races have had combined.

Kansas is a superspeedway.

What Indy Car actually needs, are more short ovals. We only have one left now. THAT is what Indy Car Racing was founded and built on. And that goes back a whole lot farther then 1993. ;)

[Dr. Krogshöj]

What is the point of having the race on Saturday if it is not a night race? What's wrong with Sunday afternoon?

[TURN3]

Sorry Turn3, the IRL was founded on ovals. So, let's keep the heritage of the Indy Series and keep them on the ovals. No, Danica will be consistently in the top 5 on the ovals and on the podium a few times. She will be climbing the points standings quickly. ;)

How surprised should I be that you don't realize a.) "IRL" doesn't exist anymore and b.) you have no concept of "Indycar" history pre-Danica? The evolution of the national championship has gone through many sanctioning bodies merged and split through the years. They have been racing on road courses since the early 1900's and fairly significantly since the 60's. The "IRL" was/has been a blip on that screen and hardly represented what is good about racing history. So do a little research, you might find that Danica did not invent the Dallara while you're at it.

While you're working on your research techniques, find in there where Danica has ever ran in the top 5 on ovals consistently. Granted, since there isn't any real skill required to keep up she has a greater chance but it is hard to imagine her out running any Penske car or any Ganassi car or any of her 3 teammates for 200 laps. She should be glad Ed isn't around this year but I'm going to guess the KV machines will be quick on ovals with EJ and Mario. So she's looking to compete for top 10's...and pray D&R's cars aren't quick!


What Indy Car actually needs, are more short ovals. We only have one left now. THAT is what Indy Car Racing was founded and built on. And that goes back a whole lot farther then 1993. ;)

True, more short ovals needed (i.e. Milwaukee) and less cookie cutters (i.e. Kansas, Ketucky, Chicagoland, etc.). The short ovals you speak of being part of the founding period where mostly dirt...doubt we'll see any on the schedule now that we are A.D. years.

[beachgirl]

Danica is an Indy 500 specialist. She does very well there. It's everywhere else that's the problem.

[SarahFan]

Awesome.... I got to go to bed and wake up laughing!

'consistant top 5 finisher'
'indy 500 specialist'


Comedy gold

[Lousada]

Awesome.... I got to go to bed and wake up laughing!

'consistant top 5 finisher'
'indy 500 specialist'


Comedy gold

Last year 8 out of 17 races in the top6. Just sayin...

[SarahFan]

Ryan Dario Scott helio were 'consistant top 5 finishers ..... Everyone else not so much

[bblocker68]

Sorry Turn3, the IRL was founded on ovals. So, let's keep the heritage of the Indy Series and keep them on the ovals. No, Danica will be consistently in the top 5 on the ovals and on the podium a few times. She will be climbing the points standings quickly. ;)

The IRL was founded on terms much different than ovals. They just happened to race them exclusively.

I'm surprised to not see a mushroom cloud hovering above this message board after reading that quote :)

I would really like to see them race on an oval with "Character", besides Indy. Phoenix, Milwaukee, Pocono, Michigan, NHIS..............Hell, let's go to Darlington or something! The cookie cutter's put me to sleep during the middle of the race.

[TURN3]

I would really like to see them race on an oval with "Character", besides Indy. Phoenix, Milwaukee, Pocono, Michigan, NHIS..............Hell, let's go to Darlington or something! The cookie cutter's put me to sleep during the middle of the race.

Such a shame they aren't going to be at Milwaukee this year. I think everybody agrees Phoenix (as far as a track) would be a welcome addition. Too bad Nazareth no longer exists. For kicks, the "roval" at Rio de Janerio provided some pretty exciting racing too. You are correct, ovals with character would be very very welcome...enough of the cookie cutters (i.e. KANSAS!)

[harvick#1]

Kansas is a superspeedway.


Kansas is a Cookie Cutter.

now a true Superspeedway when the IRL/Cart ran on is California and Michigan.


There should be less cookie cutters IMO, but Chicagoland Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway has time and time again produced great racing, so that one should stay, they need to drop Richmond for NHIS, and I'd say Kansas for Milwaukee.

I personally dont think there was any worse of a race last year than Richmond where I believe there was 0 on track passes

[Dr. Krogshöj]

Kansas is a Cookie Cutter.

now a true Superspeedway when the IRL/Cart ran on is California and Michigan.


There should be less cookie cutters IMO, but Chicagoland Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway has time and time again produced great racing, so that one should stay, they need to drop Richmond for NHIS, and I'd say Kansas for Milwaukee.

I personally dont think there was any worse of a race last year than Richmond where I believe there was 0 on track passes

Richmond is not part of the schedule anymore, but I think you're harsh. Last year's race was dull, but it was not the only one, and 2008 was quite entertaining. It was a place where the drivers had to work hard to drive the car and make competitive passes. On short ovals, the passes are a lot more meaningful than on the 1.5-mile cookie cutters.

NHIS is a great track for open wheel racing and SMI actually wanted IndyCar there for this season. But the IRL turned down their offer. I think they were concerned that too few fans in a 90k facility would make the series look bad. As far as I know, they turned down LVMS on the same grounds. I remember a rumor that the IRL wanted to stage a race at the speedway's parking lot but SMI fortunately said no to this farcical idea.

[TURN3]

My major objection to super speedways is that as long as the current car/engine spec is used there is no driver challenge during the race. Yes, it takes a special skill to get the very best set up on the car for these races and great communication skills between driver and engineer. That's all during practice. The race is an anti climax. The car now dictates who can pass and who can win the race. The driver, unless he/she really screws up, has little to do with the result. The cars need to be more difficult to drive and fast enough that you can not go flat all the way around.

Perfectly said.

[mileman]

What is the point of having the race on Saturday if it is not a night race? What's wrong with Sunday afternoon?

Yes - what is the reason for a Saturday afternoon race? I must have missed it. Saturday seems a bit odd unless it's a night race...

[Scotty G.]

Yes - what is the reason for a Saturday afternoon race? I must have missed it. Saturday seems a bit odd unless it's a night race...

The Truck race is the headliner at Kansas.

[Phoenixent]

There will be more passing on the track at Kansas in the first 50 laps, then the first 4 races have had combined. I agree with you on that Scott as there will be more passing.


Kansas is a superspeedway. I believe a Super Speedway is 2.0 to 2.5 miles. Kansas is a nice track but not a Super Speedway.


What Indy Car actually needs, are more short ovals. We only have one left now. THAT is what Indy Car Racing was founded and built on. And that goes back a whole lot farther then 1993. ;) I would like to see Phoenix back on the schedule right before Indy like it was for years dating back to AAA and Milwaukee after Indy.

[Phoenixent]

The series needs to get the Triple Crown back and make it a big money win. Al Unser Sr. is the only driver to win the Triple Crown in 1978 by winning Indy, Pocono, and Ontario. Indycar can promote it like NASCAR use to do with the Winston Million. Big money payout for each event in the Triple Crown with a giant bonus for the driver to capture all three in one year. Remember the head lines when Bill Elliott won the Winston Million in 1985. That one event helped NASCAR leap into that forefront of US Auto Racing.

[Mark in Oshawa]

The series needs to get the Triple Crown back and make it a big money win. Al Unser Sr. is the only driver to win the Triple Crown in 1978 by winning Indy, Pocono, and Ontario. Indycar can promote it like NASCAR use to do with the Winston Million. Big money payout for each event in the Triple Crown with a giant bonus for the driver to capture all three in one year. Remember the head lines when Bill Elliott won the Winston Million in 1985. That one event helped NASCAR leap into that forefront of US Auto Racing.

One small problem. Who is fronting this money?

You fix that, a lot of other problems likely are being solved in the process.....

Such as ratings.

Starter is dead on the money. Many of us love ovals, but they cannot be foot to the floor drafting duels.

The IRL guys drive Kansas or Chicagoland with their foot on the mat. Sorry, That is like the NASCAR guys at Dega. It is all about drafting at that point. That isn't taking traditional racing skills and applying them. It is interesting once or twice in 17 races, but I am not a fan of it.

Scotty says there will be more passes in the first 50 laps than there was in the first 4 races. Sorry Scott, not one of those passes will have any real meaning. It is like baskets in a basketball game. One by itself isn't meaningful unless it is the last one. Track position really wont mean squat until the last 20 laps or so. Well I can avoid the first 2 hours and tune in for the end, just like I could with a NBA game.

Short ovals, flat ovals don't give up this meaningless passing. Milwaukee, Phoenix and New Hampshire require passing skills. Racing skills. Setting up people to pass them,. and having the right setup in the car. IN short, no different really than road racing. Just all the turns are fast ones to the left.

Keep Kansas, Keep Texas and maybe Chicagoland...but don't pour out all this argument that it is great racing. Sorry....it is in a sense just meaningless stuff.

Watch old footage of PT and Mansell at New Hampshire years ago (92 I believe) and then tell me any race at the cookie cutter 1.5 mile races required more skill and guile. Those two had an epic battle cutting in and out of traffic. Missing guys by inches as they had so much more car under them than the field. Diving in and out...passing on the outside...on the inside...going 3 wide where their was only room for 2 cars.

Best oval race I have seen in Indycar/CCWS/IRL history.....right up there with the 92 and 95 500's...

[DanicaFan]

Here is the entry list for this race. Sadly, no Graham Rahal..http://www.ten-tenths.com/forum/images/smilies/frown.gif

Car# & Driver / Car Name / Team

#2 Raphael Matos / HP Luczo Dragon / Luczo Dragon Racing-DeFerran Motorsports
#3 Helio Castroneves / Team Penske / Team Penske
#4 Dan Wheldon / National Guard Panther Racing / Panther Racing
#5 Takuma Sato / Lotus-KV Racing Technology / KV Racing Technology
#6 Ryan Briscoe / Team Penske / Team Penske
#7 Danica Patrick / Team GoDaddy.com / Andretti Autosport
#8 EJ Viso / PDVSA-Jet Aviation-KVRT / KV Racing Technology
#9 Scott Dixon / Target Chip Ganassi Racing / Target Chip Ganassi Racing
#10 Dario Franchitti / Suave / Target Chip Ganassi Racing
#11 Tony Kanaan / Team 7-Eleven / Andretti Autosport
#12 Will Power / Verizon Team Penske / Verizon Team Penske
#14 Vitor Meira / ABC Supply Co. AJ Foyt Racing / AJ Foyt Enterprises
#18 Milka Duno / CITGO / Dale Coyne Racing
#19 Alex Lloyd / Boy Scouts of America / Dale Coyne Racing
#22 Justin Wilson / Team Z-Line Designs-DRR / Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
#24 Mike Conway / Dreyer & Reinbold Racing / Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
#26 Marco Andretti / Team Venom Energy / Andretti Autosport
#32 Mario Moraes / KV Racing Technology / KV Racing Technology
#34 Mario Romancini / Conquest Racing / Conquest Racing
#36 Bertrand Baguette / Conquest Racing-RACB / Conquest Racing
#37 Ryan Hunter-Reay / Team IZOD / Andretti Autosport
#43 John Andretti / Team Window World / Richard Petty-Andretti Autosport
#66 Jay Howard / Service Central-Sarah Fisher Racing / Sarah Fisher Racing
#67 Sarah Fisher / Dollar General-Sarah Fisher Racing / Sarah Fisher Racing
#77 Alex Tagliani / FAZZT Race Team / FAZZT Race Team
#78 Simona De Silvestro / Team Stargate Worlds-HVM / HVM Racing
#06 Hideki Mutoh / Formula Dream-Panasonic / Newman Haas Racing

[Scotty G.]

1. Scotty says there will be more passes in the first 50 laps than there was in the first 4 races. Sorry Scott, not one of those passes will have any real meaning.

2. Track position really wont mean squat until the last 20 laps or so.

3. Keep Kansas, Keep Texas and maybe Chicagoland...but don't pour out all this argument that it is great racing. Sorry....it is in a sense just meaningless stuff.




1. So what? People want to watch action. People want to watch cars running close to one another and PASSING one another ON THE TRACK. People pay a lot of hard earned money to go to these races. They don't want to watch a parade, where nobody moves (because the passes "wouldn't mean anything"). Pit strategy and saving fuel has become WAY WAY too much of the way of life of the IRL of the past few years. Sorry, but a little bit of that is OK. Seeing that race after race (which is what road and street racing is ALL ABOUT) is a complete bore to the vast majority of American race fans.

And those that think passes in the first 50 laps of a oval race are "meaningless" probably don't have a clue about oval track racing to begin with.

2. So what? We see more then enough "track position" following, I mean, racing in this sport already now. We need some balls-to-the-wall oval racing, where you are actually going over 200 MPH in a race car designed to go over 200 MPH. We need some danger. We need that hard wall on the outside to punish those that drive like fools (and I am sure the oval novice's will test out those walls this weekend). No sand traps at Kansas. That is what makes oval racing exhilerating to watch and makes some drivers crap their pants. Road and street racing might be nice in person. But its generally lousy on TV. Its a tough sell, to a public that by-and-large, prefers American oval track racing to the Euro-centric type of racing that Indy Cars of today seem hellbent on shoving down everyone's throat.

IZOD is trying to sell and market "the fastest drivers/racing in the world". Its been a lie so far. NASCAR races and their drivers are running MUCH faster speeds at most places then Indy Car does. You can't sell "speed" and "danger", in a sport now that can't even get over 120 MPH at most of the places they visit.

3. With the right drivers and the right package (which we haven't had either lately) those places DO provide great racing. Almost always did in the late 90's to the mid 2000's. Instead of having all of these drivers who are too scared to get off the white line (DP, I am looking at you) get some more drivers in the series who understand oval racing and aren't afraid to pass on the outside (Scheckter, I am looking at you) and those places become the place that TRUE Indy Racing League racing was born and its reputation created.

REAL American Indy Car Racing finally gets underway this weekend. Should be a great lead-in to the biggest and baddest Indy Car Race in the land. :)

[harvick#1]

sorry but oval racing has produced alot of snoozers, as they basically turn it into a fuel milage race everytime.

but now that they cannot lean the engine out anymore, maybe the racing will improve, but going flat out around the track the entire race in not racing, a race should require Skill, until the IRL takes downforce out of the cars to force them to slow down through the corner, the ovals they are on will always be a joke in racing

[DavePI2]

well danicafan I will never agree with you on your favorite driver but I do appreciate the imformation you provide. Entry list looks encouraging even if grahm isn't on it.

david

[FormerFF]

1: Danica usually does well on the high speed ovals. Things should be a little tougher this year, competition wise, but on the other hand, her team seems to be doing better this year.

2: Races are being scheduled on Saturday so as not to go head to head with the Sprint Cup series.

[harvick#1]

1: Danica usually does well on the high speed ovals. Things should be a little tougher this year, competition wise, but on the other hand, her team seems to be doing better this year.

2: Races are being scheduled on Saturday so as not to go head to head with the Sprint Cup series.

Nascar Sprint Cup is Sat night at Richmond ;)

[garyshell]

REAL American Indy Car Racing finally gets underway this weekend. Should be a great lead-in to the biggest and baddest Indy Car Race in the land. :)


sorry but oval racing has produced alot of snoozers, as they basically turn it into a fuel milage race everytime.



"Less filling!" "Tastes great!"
"Less filling!" "Tastes great!"
"Less filling!" "Tastes great!"

Guess what you, are both wrong. There are many of us who like BOTH ovals and road courses and have always felt it was that combination that made REAL American open wheel racing so compelling.

Gary

[TURN3]

"Less filling!" "Tastes great!"
"Less filling!" "Tastes great!"
"Less filling!" "Tastes great!"

Guess what you, are both wrong. There are many of us who like BOTH ovals and road courses and have always felt it was that combination that made REAL American open wheel racing so compelling.

Gary

Most diverse racing series in the world...that's what I missed and it is back to some degree. Just need multiple chassis and engine manufacturers to be a "real" racing series. Track type distribution is fine now, just need more of those challenging ovals in place of no skill cookie cutters like we discussed earlier.

[Mark in Oshawa]

"Less filling!" "Tastes great!"
"Less filling!" "Tastes great!"
"Less filling!" "Tastes great!"

Guess what you, are both wrong. There are many of us who like BOTH ovals and road courses and have always felt it was that combination that made REAL American open wheel racing so compelling.

Gary

Thanks Gary. You are right. Scotty thinks I haven't seen an oval race. Scotty thinks I don't know what I am talking about when I am tired of watching the lead change 20 times in the first 50 laps of a 200 lap race.

I watched the first 3 seasons of the IRL Scott. The best races were the ones on flat ovals where the guys had to lift to get the beast's through the corners. I don't see anyone going flat for a full run at Indy.....Seeing some SKILL other than driving flat out would be nice...

The point is Scott, for a guy who hates all the Euro's and hates road/street racing, you stayed with it though the first 4 races, and cannot say you didn't see some entertaining bits here and there. IT is part of the series, just as the ovals coming up are now part of it. I can live with your ovals, and you better live with the road/street races.

Lets face it Scott, if you were right, well the IRL would have NEVER gave up on the ovals now would it? Why Milwaukee would have been SO successful that the IRL would be going back there in June...oh right...it isn't.

IRL oval fans want to support that half of the series? Maybe they better start buying tickets Scott....

Quite frankly, I am sick and tired of his debate. I have watched it all for the last 30 years...and I very quickly realized the series needs both camps. What you advocate Scott is the same dated and brain dead marketing that drove this sport into the ditch under Tony George....

[Dr. Krogshöj]

1. So what? People want to watch action. People want to watch cars running close to one another and PASSING one another ON THE TRACK. People pay a lot of hard earned money to go to these races. They don't want to watch a parade, where nobody moves (because the passes "wouldn't mean anything"). Pit strategy and saving fuel has become WAY WAY too much of the way of life of the IRL of the past few years. Sorry, but a little bit of that is OK. Seeing that race after race (which is what road and street racing is ALL ABOUT) is a complete bore to the vast majority of American race fans.

People who go to a hockey game expect to see goals. People who go to a basketball game want to see goals as well. Yes, both types of goals matter. But do they matter the same amount? I remember the old Handford device Michigan 500's from the CART era and I felt I didn't loose anything if watched only the last five laps. On the other hand, I always enjoy racing at the Milwaukee Mile. We need passes, but we need them to matter.

[DanicaFan]

well danicafan I will never agree with you on your favorite driver but I do appreciate the imformation you provide. Entry list looks encouraging even if grahm isn't on it.

david

Thanks Dave.

[harvick#1]

"Less filling!" "Tastes great!"
"Less filling!" "Tastes great!"
"Less filling!" "Tastes great!"

Guess what you, are both wrong. There are many of us who like BOTH ovals and road courses and have always felt it was that combination that made REAL American open wheel racing so compelling.

Gary

don't get me wrong, I like ovla racing, but when you take any skill out of the drivers hands by making a car that has so much downforce there is no need for a brake pedal, its gonna be a boring race, if the IRL found a way to take downforce away and forced the cars to say only go around the turns at 170 instead of 215, you going to see drivers that can hustle the car alittle harder than others and start seeing real racing on a oval. but as I said, now that they took the fuel knob away, I really hope that can help produce better racing,

[garyshell]

don't get me wrong, I like ovla racing, but when you take any skill out of the drivers hands by making a car that has so much downforce there is no need for a brake pedal, its gonna be a boring race, if the IRL found a way to take downforce away and forced the cars to say only go around the turns at 170 instead of 215, you going to see drivers that can hustle the car alittle harder than others and start seeing real racing on a oval. but as I said, now that they took the fuel knob away, I really hope that can help produce better racing,


I agree with you 1,000,000 percent. I want to see the revs go way down and the brake light go on in the corners when I am watching the on-screen display. Anything less is totally unacceptable. I have been screaming for no wings, hard tires and more horespower at for years. I want to visibly see the drivers drive the cars, not ride in them.

But I am not willing to just throw out the oval races as some advocate.

Gary

[DanicaFan]

Here are the pit lane assignments..

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee236/DanicaRules/kansaspitlane.jpg

[Easy Drifter]

I would like to clarify a misconception many people have about racing tires.
They have to be matched to the cars as far as performance goes.
Going to a hard or even worse a very hard compound tire will create huge problems that no tire company would accept.
A very hard tire would be sliding all the time and promptly overheat.
More pit stops. Many tire failures. Far far more clag, or little balls of rubber thrown off from overheated tires.
Yes there probably is a happy medium with tires that produce a little less grip but it would be a narrow band.
Reduce aero grip and the tire company could probably come up with a suitable compound.
Look at the problem the Taxi Cabs are having this year with tire failures and it shows just how difficult it is to get the compound right.
Michelin's failure at Indy was overheating tires on the abrasive surface and long very high downforce corner.
Goodyear also had a disaster with the Taxi Cabs at Indy.

[Mark in Oshawa]

I would like to clarify a misconception many people have about racing tires.
They have to be matched to the cars as far as performance goes.
Going to a hard or even worse a very hard compound tire will create huge problems that no tire company would accept.
A very hard tire would be sliding all the time and promptly overheat.
More pit stops. Many tire failures. Far far more clag, or little balls of rubber thrown off from overheated tires.
Yes there probably is a happy medium with tires that produce a little less grip but it would be a narrow band.
Reduce aero grip and the tire company could probably come up with a suitable compound.
Look at the problem the Taxi Cabs are having this year with tire failures and it shows just how difficult it is to get the compound right.
Michelin's failure at Indy was overheating tires on the abrasive surface and long very high downforce corner.
Goodyear also had a disaster with the Taxi Cabs at Indy.

Indycar tires are excellent really. I am with you Drifter, you want to reduce cornering speeds and make the guys drive the cars, you take away downforce...and by extention, give them less drag meaning higher straightaway speeds. This forces any oval to be a situation where the driver has to jump on and off the gas to get around it...making it...racing. What a concept!

[DanicaFan]

I hope they can get practice and qualifications in today. The weather forecast is calling for rain almost all day in Kansas.

[Easy Drifter]

Looking at the weather map I think you are unfortuantely correct. Depending on how fast the system moves even tomoorow could be in doubt.
Up here we sure could use it. We have an outdoor total fire ban in most areas. No open air fires period. Everything is tinder dry.
Georgian Bay is the lowest I have ever seen it at this time of year. Normally late August early Sept before it is this low. The Hog River that I live beside on is so low that people in my complex probably will not be able to keep there boats there this year and they are not big boats just 12 to 20 footers.

[DanicaFan]

As feared, the first practice was rained out. The next practice is set for 2pm Eastern. Im hoping they get some practice in and the qualifications.

[DanicaFan]

Here is the qualification order (if they run)

1. #67 Sarah Fisher
2. #24 Mike Conway
3. #43 John Andretti
4. #78 Simona De Silvestro
5. #66 Jay Howard
6. #06 Hideki Mutoh
7. #34 Mario Romancini
8. #2 Raphael Matos
9. #26 Marco Andretti
10. #3 Helio Castroneves
11. #37 Ryan Hunter-Reay
12. #4 Dan Wheldon
13. #22 Justin Wilson
14. #11 Tony Kanaan
15. #12 Will Power
16. #19 Alex Lloyd
17. #32 Mario Moraes
18. #7 Danica Patrick
19. #77 Alex Tagliani
20. #14 Vitor Meira
21. #9 Scott Dixon
22. #5 Takuma Sato
23. #8 EJ Viso
24. #10 Dario Franchitti
25. #18 Milka Duno
26. #6 Ryan Briscoe
27. #36 Bertrand Baguette

[DanicaFan]

I just got a text, unfortunately its still raining. :(

[DanicaFan]

Practice to start shortly and qualifications soon after that.

Nice. I get to see Danica get the pole today. :)

[garyshell]

Practice to start shortly and qualifications soon after that.

Nice. I get to see Danica get the pole today. :)


And I get to look out my window and watch pigs fly. Oh wait... that doesn't happen until Sunday: http://www.flyingpigmarathon.com/

Gary

[garyshell]

Cars are on track but turn off your audio there is a advertising loop. "What's it like to drive an..." over and over and over...


Ahhh. Now it's fixed. No announcers though and no socring and timing.

Gary

[TURN3]

Pretty impressive seeing the #36 Conques machine able to hold off Marco for a bit, Marco has been in the top 10 pretty much all session. Moraes was as high as 2nd in for KV but surprised yet agan to see Viso lagging back around 14th.

Your the Danica was 10th at last check DFan...last of the AA regulars and that is with drafting going on. Looks like she'll be exactly where I predicted around 9th to 12th...at least somebody gets it!

[DanicaFan]

Here are the results of the practice session.. Danica up there. Good job!

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee236/DanicaRules/kansaspractice.jpg

[TURN3]

What is it saying when Milka goes from 8 seconds a lap off pace to .5? Obviously her talent level has gotten drastically better or what?

[Mark in Oshawa]

What is it saying when Milka goes from 8 seconds a lap off pace to .5? Obviously her talent level has gotten drastically better or what?

I think this is the level of skill being required to hold your foot to the floor all the way around vs having to actually drive the race car as you would at the previous four. However, Scott on good authority tells me this is tougher.....

[TURN3]

I'm cerainly disappointed D&R doesn't seem to have a better oval car for Wilson. Was one of the things I was watching. Also, what the bleep is going on for RHR? AA give him one of TK's tubs from last year or something? For surprising.

[Scotty G.]

It appears FAZZT, Panther and Foyt have certainly gotten themselves into the game in 2010.

Should make for 7 more good cars at Indy.


HVM also appears to be better, although still near the back. Sim's times are right there.


Coyne and Conquest could be in big trouble at Indy.

[DanicaFan]

Congratulations to Ryan Briscoe for winning the pole.

[TURN3]

It appears FAZZT, Panther and Foyt have certainly gotten themselves into the game in 2010.

Should make for 7 more good cars at Indy.


HVM also appears to be better, although still near the back. Sim's times are right there.


Coyne and Conquest could be in big trouble at Indy.

Yep, yep, yep...on the other end, still surprised about D&R, KV, and AA (relatively speaking). Good to see a few smaller teams able to run fast on these types of tracks.

BTW, your sweetie q'd 10th, which is pathetic speaking comparatively. That being said, she is the top AA qualifier which is very surprising, especially with RHR at the back.

[Easy Drifter]

Since DF ordained the 'Princess' to be on pole I guess IC are going to invert the first 10. :D :eek: :p :

[FormerFF]

What is it saying when Milka goes from 8 seconds a lap off pace to .5? Obviously her talent level has gotten drastically better or what?

On a fast oval, you can tighten up the car so it's stable to drive, but not particularly fast, put a slow driver in and he or she will still be able to drive it flat out. You'll never win a race that way, but you can finish it.

On a road course, you just gotta drive the car. There's no equivalent car setup that will make the car somewhat competitive for an unskilled driver.

[FormerFF]

Since DF ordained the 'Princess' to be on pole I guess IC are going to invert the first 10. :D :eek: :p :

To be fair to her, she is the fastest of the Andretti Autosports cars.

[DanicaFan]

Here is the starting grid..

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee236/DanicaRules/startinggridkansas.jpg

[ChicagocrewIRL]

To be fair to her, she is the fastest of the Andretti Autosports cars.

Marco was in P4 but got DQd for driving under the white line, as did Dan Wheldon who had a pretty solid qualifying run.

[Nikki Katz]

Aargh, is this on as per the website 1:30 PM ET today? So 6:30 PM today here? I'm out and I can't tape the internet feed. Damn, was looking forward to that.

[beachgirl]

To be fair to her, she is the fastest of the Andretti Autosports cars.

Unfortunately, DF said nothing about her being the fastest of the AA cars, only that she'd be on pole (as he always fervently, but futilely, wishes).

:D

[DanicaFan]

Unfortunately, DF said nothing about her being the fastest of the AA cars, only that she'd be on pole (as he always fervently, but futilely, wishes).

:D

Danica is almost always the fastest on her team on the ovals. She dominates the ovals. :)

[SarahFan]

dominates?

well then whats the stakes for our bet....and why havent you responeded to my thread about danibrand?...legitimate question

[harvick#1]

Danica is almost always the fastest on her team on the ovals. She dominates the ovals. :)

1 fuel milage win for her career is hardly anything :rolleyes:

domination is Roger Penske, or Chip Ganassi. also I see the guys like Will Power and Tags who are basically road racers are faster than Danica, now why is this :confused:

Danica will be running around the 9-15th place the whole race, dont get too excited

[SarahFan]

1 fuel milage win for her career is hardly anything :rolleyes:

domination is Roger Penske, or Chip Ganassi. also I see the guys like Will Power and Tags who are basically road racers are faster than Danica, now why is this :confused:

Danica will be running around the 9-15th place the whole race, dont get too excited

hey... if you got to watch the race wearing danicas 2006 race suit youd be excited too

[harvick#1]

hey... if you got to watch the race wearing danicas 2006 race suit youd be excited too

nah, cause I wont be able to watch the race, I got better things to do than watch an oval race :)

[TURN3]

Danica is almost always the fastest on her team on the ovals. She dominates the ovals. :)

She "dominates" the ovals which is why TK has gotten into her car the past 3 years straight at Indy so the engineers had an explanation of what adjustments the car needed.

She "dominates" ovals which is why she's led a grand total of 110 laps in her entire Indycar career (out of 13,750 that she's completed or .8%)

She "dominates" ovals with that 1 win as mentioned (a win she's never been able to back up with a legitimate one).

She "dominates" ovals with what would've been equal to 5th in oval championship points last year...lacking a single mechanical failure to which her nearest 6 competitors all experienced at least 1 yet were spaced less than 40 points from her.

She "dominates" FakeDanicaFan's thoughts through the days and nights

Maybe we can start a comic book character "DominatrixDanica" so fiction will have a "Dominating" place for FakeDanican's fantasy world.

[beachgirl]

Danica is almost always the fastest on her team on the ovals. She dominates the ovals. :)

I'm starting to feel that DF has a psychological need to be beat up on, since these types of posts keep appearing over and over.

If the line would have said "she's much better on the ovals", I don't think anyone would have much of a quibble. (Note, I said MUCH.) However, the gratuitous use of the word "dominates" just invites major abuse.

[NickFalzone]

Well according to Danica, she's starting up front, and is glad to be off the "boring" road courses.

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[FormerFF]

ABC just showed a shot of the stands. Is the attendance always that poor?

[SarahFan]

Stands aren't empty..... They are ROOMY!

[TURN3]

With Danica the next car to go a lap down I'm smelling a debris caution any second.

[FormerFF]

With Danica the next car to go a lap down I'm smelling a debris caution any second.

Nope.

[e2mtt]

Nope.

She makes a tenacious chicane though! Tought Helio a thing or two there...

[beachgirl]

I cannot believe how badly Danica was blocking Helio - lap after lap- she's a lap down, there was NO excuse for that. If anyone else would have done that to her - all he** would have broken loose on her radio. She was not fighting not to go a lap down. She was just being totally obstinant. No excuse whatsoever.

[FormerFF]

I cannot believe how badly Danica was blocking Helio - lap after lap- she's a lap down, there was NO excuse for that. If anyone else would have done that to her - all he** would have broken loose on her radio. She was not fighting not to go a lap down. She was just being totally obstinant. No excuse whatsoever.

I assume she was trying to help her teammate. You saw how easily she let Kanaan by.

[TURN3]

I assume she was trying to help her teammate. You saw how easily she let Kanaan by.

Not exactly, Once Helio got an inch in front of her he chopped down on her and took the air off her front wing. She deserved to be put in the fence. Still curious which driver it was that said he would put her in the fence if she ever blocked him like that again...that was last year.

[TURN3]

It is Danica's time to shine now! 2 cars actually fighting for a top 5 out. She'll move up to 12th now!! Way to go girl!! Too bad for Mutoh and Sato, both very impressive today. Considering Viso was strong before his brain fades (plural) I'd say KV's oval cars look strong. Good news for PT fans at Indy.

[FormerFF]

Well, that wasn't much. Not the best lead-in to Indy.

[DanicaFan]

Congratulations to Scott Dixon for the win.

[Easy Drifter]

Darn race cars kept interrupting the commercials!
We do not get side by side in Canada. Thank you TSN.
Even if you watch on ABC you get the TSN feed.
Well DF she wasn't much better on the oval. Dario wasn't very impressed with her at the end and Helio was obvisiously p--d off with her.

[DanicaFan]

Here are the final results..

1. #9 Scott Dixon
2. #10 Dario Franchitti
3. #11 Tony Kanaan
4. #3 Helio Castroneves
5. #37 Ryan Hunter-Reay
6. #6 Ryan Briscoe
7. #32 Mario Moraes
8. #77 Alex Tagliani
9. #43 John Andretti
10.#14 Vitor Meira
11.#7 Danica Patrick
12. #12 Will Power
13. #26 Marco Andretti
14. #24 Mike Conway
15. #4 Dan Wheldon
16. #2 Raphael Matos
17. #67 Sarah Fisher
18.#22 Justin Wilson
19.#19 Alex Lloyd
20. #36 Bertrand Baguette
21. #78 Simona De Silvestro
22. #34 Mario Romancini
23. #06 Hideki Mutoh
24. #5 Takuma Sato
25. #66 Jay Howard
26. #18 Milka Duno
27. #8 EJ Viso

[TURN3]

Well DF she wasn't much better on the oval. Dario wasn't very impressed with her at the end and Helio was obvisiously p--d off with her.

Yep she po'd a lot of people again today, what is new. Good thing for her that the Japanese contention took each other out, Power made a rare mistake, and Viso...well was Viso. Without the attritrition she would've been a DOMINANT 15th! Serously though, the competetion looks much tought from 3rd on back. Crumbs are going to be a little more difficult to collect this year.

[Chamoo]

Well, that wasn't much. Not the best lead-in to Indy.

Terrible lead-in to Indy! What a waste of a race.

[Lousada]

Terrible lead-in to Indy! What a waste of a race.

What race were you watching? There was passing all through the field, plenty of battles, lots of side-by-side racing. Only the Ganassis were way better than the rest, but what else is new. I enjoyed this a lot more than Barber and Long Beach were barely anything happened.

Of course, I wasn't watching ABC...

[Easy Drifter]

Basically it was a long drag race with turns.
Foot the the floor flat out all the time.
If you couldn't do that you were out of the mix.
It meant those who could run flat out with the best areo (least drag) were the fastest, or if your engine had a few more HP.
It is rare that engines are exactly the same power. Close but not quite equal.
Main thing here though was getting the aero exactly right.
That ain't real racing!!!!!!!

[Chamoo]

What race were you watching? There was passing all through the field, plenty of battles, lots of side-by-side racing. Only the Ganassis were way better than the rest, but what else is new. I enjoyed this a lot more than Barber and Long Beach were barely anything happened.

Of course, I wasn't watching ABC...

There was passing in the first 3 or 4 laps after each caution. That was it.

ABC had about 403 commercials as well.

[DBell]

I recorded the race on dvr and decided to check in here to see wich Ganassi or Penske car won. After reading the comments about the race, I doubt I'll bother watching it at all. Sounds like last years oval races.

[MDS]

Seriously, why was this run on a Saturday?

[Easy Drifter]

The Truck race tomorrow is the headline race.

[SarahFan]

Seriously, why was this run on a Saturday?

did you see the crowd?

[garyshell]

What happened to bring Briscoe into the pits with only three wheels? And why didn't the announce team say a word about it. Man do I HATE those two idiots in the announce booth. So much so, I won't even mention them by name, they are just two idiots.

Gary

[MDS]

did you see the crowd?

Yeah, I have to think they won't be back next year.

[Scotty G.]

I recorded the race on dvr and decided to check in here to see which Ganassi or Penske car won. After reading the comments about the race, I doubt I'll bother watching it at all. Sounds like last years oval races.

Or all of this year's road/street races too.

[Scotty G.]

did you see the crowd?

Probably about the same number of people who were in Brazil or St. Pete on raceday.

[NickFalzone]

What happened to bring Briscoe into the pits with only three wheels? And why didn't the announce team say a word about it. Man do I HATE those two idiots in the announce booth. So much so, I won't even mention them by name, they are just two idiots.

Gary

The VS crew occasionally bothers me by being a couple steps behind on the track action. But there are countless instances where the ABC crew just completely misses BIG events on track while Marty is rambling about Danica or Scott's talking about the marbles. Honestly after every ABC race I hear about BIG things that happened that tweedledee and tweedledum completely missed. I sometimes wonder if they're even watching the race at all or just reading from notes in some off-site production booth. I haven't watched the whole Kansas race, but I see that the usual low-standards are being kept.

[Easy Drifter]

They did mention the 3 wheels, but they didn't know what happened. It seems no camera caught it or any TV spotter and nobody thought to ask a pit reporter to find out.
That is something the director should have done.

[harvick#1]

wow John "has-been" Andretti finished ahead of Danica.

hey she only finished 11th for an oval specialist, she needs to just quit racing now, she has no business in coming to Nascar

[Lousada]

There was passing in the first 3 or 4 laps after each caution. That was it.

ABC had about 403 commercials as well.

Definately not. I had the International Feed and Race Control on at the same time, both commercial free of course, and the radio for commentary. When you see two different feeds at the same time you notice how much the directors miss during the race. A few times it was as bad that the IMS radio commentators were talking about incidents that were shown on neither feed. But with three different feeds on at the same time, I had an entertaining 2 hours ;)

[jackmart]

Briscoe had a second error in the pits. He commented about it in the pits but the announcers ignored it. He seemed to pit earlier than everyone else and I don't remember him being off strategy.

I don't understand how the tire never got put on his car,what the heck is that about?

[DanicaFan]

It's that time of year again, May, the best month of the year. I am excited. I will be down at the track quite a bit so my posts may be late in getting up here when it nears qualifications and race time. I am putting the month of May schedule up seperate from the opening race post since it is an extensive race schedule.

Race 6 of 17

Race - Indianapolis 500

Location - Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Speedway, IN

Date - Sunday, May 30th

Time & TV Schedule - 12:00PM Eastern Time (1:11PM Green Flag) ABC

Course Type - 2.5 Mile Oval

Distance - 200 Laps / 500 Miles

2009 Winner - Helio Castroneves

[DanicaFan]

2010 Indianapolis 500 Month of May Schedule.. (All Times Eastern)

Sat., May 8th - Centennial Era Balloon Festival -Founders Race -7:30am, Concert/Fireworks -5-9:15pm (Gates open 5pm -9:15pm)
Sat., May 15th - Indianapolis Star Opening Day - Veterans-12:00pm-2:00pm - Rookie Orientation Program-2-6:00pm (Gates open 9am-6:00pm)
Sun., May 16th - Practice-12:00pm-2:00pm, Rookie Orientation Program- 2-6:00pm (Gates open 9am-6pm)
Mon., May 17th - Thurs., May 20th - Practice - All Cars- 12-6:00pm (Gates open 9am-6pm)
Friday, May 21st - Fast Friday - All Cars - 12-6pm ( Gates open 8am -6pm)
Sat., May 23rd - Pole Day Qualifying - Practice 8am-10am, Qualifications -12-6pm (Gates open 7am-6pm)
Sun., May 24th - Bump Day Qualifying -Practice 9am-10am - Qualifications 12-6pm (Gates open 8am-6pm)
Wed, May 26th - 500 Festivial Community Day - No Track Activity -(Gates open 9am-6pm)
Thursday, May 27th - Firestone Freedom 100 Practice & Qualifying - Practice -9-9:45am, 11:45am-12:00, Qualifying 3-4pm (Gates open 9am-6pm)
Friday, May 28th - Miller Lite Carb Day - Indy 500 Final Practice -11am-12:00, Firestone Freedom 100 - 12:30pm, Pit Stop Challenge -1:30pm-3pm, Miller Lite Carb Day Concert -ZZ Top -3:30pm (Gates open 8am-6pm)
Sat, May 29th - Public Driver's Meeting (Gates open 8-5pm)
Sunday, May 30th - Race Day - Indy 500 - 12:00noon, Green Flag -1:11pm - (Gates open 6am)

**NOTE - Versus will air the qualification days as well as Carb Day.

[Marbles]

An uneventful event for the most part from a competitive stand point. A smooth, error free performance by Dixon. Sato was very impressive for the most part but from my POV could have avoided the late race incident. Patrick embarrassed herself as a backmarker messing with the front of the field. It's one thing to fight from going a lap down but unacceptable from a race fan's perspective to do what she did. However, she got a free skate by the announcers who played it as a legitimate battle. Tough luck for Briscoe but as mentioned earlier, it was a mystery as to how things transpired.

[Mark in Oshawa]

An uneventful event for the most part from a competitive stand point. A smooth, error free performance by Dixon. Sato was very impressive for the most part but from my POV could have avoided the late race incident. Patrick embarrassed herself as a backmarker messing with the front of the field. It's one thing to fight from going a lap down but unacceptable from a race fan's perspective to do what she did. However, she got a free skate by the announcers who played it as a legitimate battle. Tough luck for Briscoe but as mentioned earlier, it was a mystery as to how things transpired.

Patrick fighting people while a lap down? Boy...hasn't that happened a few times before? She tries that nonsense in NASCAR, they will be picking her car out of the wall a lot...