Firestone 550K

[DanicaFan]

Race 7 of 17

Race - Firestone 550K

Location - Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, TX

Date - Saturday, June 5th

Time & TV Schedule - 8PM Eastern Time (8:45 Green Flag) Versus

Course Type - 1.5 Mile Oval

Distance - 228 Laps / 342 Miles (550K)

Practice Sessions - Friday, June 4th - 1:45-2:55 PM & 8:00 -8:30 PM Eastern Time

Qualifications - Friday, June 4th - 4:35 -6:00 PM Eastern Time

2009 Pole Sitter - Dario Franchitti

2009 Winner - Helio Castroneves

**Note - All Times listed in Eastern Time, Texas is CDT time which is 1 hour behind Eastern

[DanicaFan]

Texas Motor Speedway Track Facts...

Width - 58 feet
Frontstretch - 2,250 feet
Backstretch - 1,330 feet
Total Distance -1.5 Mile oval
Banking - 24 degree turns & 5 degree straights
Total Permanent Seating - 138,122
Total Estimated Capacity - 191,122

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee236/DanicaRules/texasmotorspeedway-1.jpg

[DanicaFan]

Here is the entry list for the race.. 26 cars entered...

Car# & Driver / Car Name / Team

#2 Raphael Matos / HP Luczo Dragon / De Ferran Dragon Racing
#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 / Energizer / 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 / Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
#24 TBA / 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
#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

[DanicaFan]

Dont forget to tune in and watch qualifications today. I will get to see Danica get her first pole of the year!! :)

[GRW1983]

Here is the entry list for the race.. 26 cars entered...

Car# & Driver / Car Name / Team

#2 Raphael Matos / HP Luczo Dragon / De Ferran Dragon Racing
#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 / Energizer / 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 / Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
#24 TBA / 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
#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


Add Scheckter to the line-up as he's in the #24 for this race.
Dario for pole based on his indy speed.

[TURN3]

Dont forget to tune in and watch qualifications today. I will get to see Danica get her first pole of the year!! :)

And Bourdais needs oval experience....the delusions continue.

[SarahFan]

vs cameras in the team trailer!?!?

[Lousada]

Briscoe for the win? He often needs a big bounce with the wall before he wakes up.

[SarahFan]

Briscoe for the win? He often needs a big bounce with the wall before he wakes up.


as soon as the members across the racing boards start predicting he will be fired he shuts em up with a win....

last year he ran second...... but wasnt he about to lap the field and run away with it when the phantom yellow came out last year? or was it the year before i cant remember

[harvick#1]

I believe it was last year when Briscoe got screwed

[DanicaFan]

Here is the qualifying order for today..

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

[Easy Drifter]

Chad whatever it is you smoke it does provide great halucinations! :D

[DanicaFan]

Here are the pit lane assignments..

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

[TURN3]

No real surprises in practice...Dixon, Briscoe, Power....Duno in 6th, status quo...Danica 15th. Can't win too many poles when you're practicing in the lower half of the grid.

[DanicaFan]

The Practice session is over... Scott Dixon was the fastest. Im also thinking that Alex Lloyd was in the #18 car for Milka Duno to be able to throw that flyer although I cant confirm it at this time.. :)

Rank / Car# & Driver / Speed

1. #9 Scott Dixon / 216.387
2. #6 Ryan Briscoe / 216.098
3. #12 Will Power / 215.887
4. #8 EJ Viso / 215.107
5. #4 Dan Wheldon / 215.033
6. #18 Milka Duno / 214.727
7. #26 Marco Andretti / 214.688
8. #11 Tony Kanaan / 214.598
9. #10 Dario Franchitti / 214.512
10. #3 Helio Castroneves / 214.344
11. #19 Alex Lloyd / 214.332
12. #77 Alex Tagliani / 214.288
13. #22 Justin Wilson / 214.074
14. #36 Bertrand Baguette / 213.995
15. #7 Danica Patrick / 213.968
16. #67 Sarah Fisher / 213.872
17. #14 Vitor Meira / 213.776
18. #32 Mario Moraes / 213.511
19. #06 Hideki Mutoh / 213.365
20. #24 Tomas Scheckter / 213.349
21. #37 Ryan Hunter-Reay / 213.29
22. #2 Raphael Matos / 212.962
23. #66 Jay Howard / 212.93
24. #5 Takuma Sato / 212.919
25. #78 Simona De Silvestro / 212.719
26. #34 Mario Romancini / 212.678

[Alfa Fan]

Milka was in the car and went over 1mph quicker than Danica, so start throwing the toys out of the pram time!

[DanicaFan]

No real surprises in practice...Dixon, Briscoe, Power....Duno in 6th, status quo...Danica 15th. Can't win too many poles when you're practicing in the lower half of the grid.

You always have to badmouth Danica, dont you have anything positive to say about her ?

[garyshell]

You always have to badmouth Danica, dont you have anything positive to say about her ?

In a word... no. Anyone who throws her team under the bu as she did at Indy deserves nothing but derision.

Gary

[GRW1983]

You always have to badmouth Danica, dont you have anything positive to say about her ?

Well when your outpaced even by Milka Duno, I think that deserves a little teasing. Again, outpaced by Andretti & Kanaan and only quicker than Hunter-Reay, who has a damaged hand and is probably in his back-up car from Indy so he might not be fully up to speed with that car yet. She'll do well to qualify in the top 10 based on these practice times. I reckon P11-15 for Danica today.

[DanicaFan]

Milka being that fast was a fluke, probably lots of tow. Look for her in the back of the field come qualifying.

Danica will be just fine. She will get speed. Look for her to be in contention for the pole. Front 2 rows for sure.

[harvick#1]

Milka being that fast was a fluke, probably lots of tow. Look for her in the back of the field come qualifying.

Danica will be just fine. She will get speed. Look for her to be in contention for the pole. Front 2 rows for sure.

So why are you badmouthing Milka all the time!!!!!! sorry but she only has 1 less win than Danica in the IRL.

why dont you stop being so biased to your driver and see the sport in a unbiased point of view for once.

[beachbum]

Milka being that fast was a fluke, probably lots of tow. Look for her in the back of the field come qualifying.

Danica will be just fine. She will get speed. Look for her to be in contention for the pole. Front 2 rows for sure.No pole, no first 2 rows.

[Scotty G.]

Does Alex Lloyd win a medal for being best in class, in quals?

Danica said that Texas suits her because "the car doesn't slide around much at Texas". We know DP. You can't drive a car that isn't mechanically stuck and aerodynamically perfect (thanks to your sorry-ass crew/team). :p

[DanicaFan]

Congratulations to Ryan Briscoe for winning the pole.

Here is your starting line-up..

Row 1

#6 Ryan Briscoe - 215.273
#10 Dario Franchitti - 215.261

Row 2

#12 Will Power - 215.158
#9 Scott Dixon - 215.152

Row 3

#3 Helio Castroneves - 214.411
#19 Alex Lloyd - 214.408

Row 4

#06 Hideki Mutoh - 214.380
#7 Danica Patrick - 214.098

Row 5

#32 Mario Moraes - 213.800
#26 Marco Andretti - 213.785

Row 6

#5 Takuma Sato - 213.692
#22 Justin Wilson - 213.602

Row 7

#11 Tony Kanaan - 213.346
#8 EJ Viso - 213.336

Row 8

#4 Dan Wheldon - 213.316
#67 Sarah Fisher - 213.256

Row 9

#18 Milka Duno - 213.222
#24 Tomas Scheckter - 212.904

Row 10

#14 Vitor Meira - 212.805
#77 Alex Tagliani - 212.526

Row 11

#66 Jay Howard - 212.448
#36 Bertrand Baguette - 212.349

Row 12

#2 Raphael Matos - 212.327
#37 Ryan Hunter-Reay - 212.298

Row 13

#34 Mario Romancini - 212.101
#78 Simona De Silvestro - 211.289

[SarahFan]

I am simply done listening to posters tell me some secretary in danicas agents office sitting in a cubicle posting how great she is what type of fan this sport needs more of

[Scotty G.]

Can we get some more red and black cars? Seriously. Are there any original thoughts out there with paint schemes in mind?



Mutoh predicting a huge pack race tomorrow. At least it will be interesting to watch (which very few Indy Car races have been in the last 4 or 5 years). Hope some of these drivers keep their drawers clean.

[Mark in Oshawa]

Milka being 20th or so just says how easy this track is to drive with the aero aids the cars have now. Keep your foot to the floor and your heart in your mouth and after a while it is easy. The only tough part to it will be racing in a pack all day. God knows where anyone gets huge amounts of entertainment out of that at times, but I will watch..and pine for the days when people actually had to display a skill in getting the car around the track rather than hanging on and trying to guess the draft.

[GRW1983]

Congratulations to Ryan Briscoe for winning the pole.

Here is your starting line-up..

Row 1

#6 Ryan Briscoe - 215.273
#10 Dario Franchitti - 215.261

Row 2

#12 Will Power - 215.158
#9 Scott Dixon - 215.152

Row 3

#3 Helio Castroneves - 214.411
#19 Alex Lloyd - 214.408

Row 4

#06 Hideki Mutoh - 214.380
#7 Danica Patrick - 214.098

Row 5

#32 Mario Moraes - 213.800
#26 Marco Andretti - 213.785

Row 6

#5 Takuma Sato - 213.692
#22 Justin Wilson - 213.602

Row 7

#11 Tony Kanaan - 213.346
#8 EJ Viso - 213.336

Row 8

#4 Dan Wheldon - 213.316
#67 Sarah Fisher - 213.256

Row 9

#18 Milka Duno - 213.222
#24 Tomas Scheckter - 212.904

Row 10

#14 Vitor Meira - 212.805
#77 Alex Tagliani - 212.526

Row 11

#66 Jay Howard - 212.448
#36 Bertrand Baguette - 212.349

Row 12

#2 Raphael Matos - 212.327
#37 Ryan Hunter-Reay - 212.298

Row 13

#34 Mario Romancini - 212.101
#78 Simona De Silvestro - 211.289

Oh well, Danica's not on the front two rows, but she did do better than P11-15 that I thought she'd manage. Looks like tomorrow will be quite a close race.

[Easy Drifter]

Milka will be a menace there but I expect her to drop back quickly. Surprised at Tags and Simona. Wish Sarah was in the new car.
I also expect the Princess to drop back at the beginning as she does not like close racing.

[Alfa Fan]

And just look at who the five drivers who are starting around her are. I suspect she'll get in the way and collide with one of them and then throw a hissy fit. In fact that's so likely it almost goes without saying.

[beachgirl]

You always have to badmouth Danica, dont you have anything positive to say about her ?

DF, you don't understand. You make preposterous claims about Danica's abilities, and where she'll qualify and finish, all the time. She hasn't lived up to your hype yet. It's not Danica these guys are mocking (this time). It's you.

[SoCalPVguy]

Dont forget to tune in and watch qualifications today. I will get to see Danica get her first pole of the year!! :)

FAIL !!!

[SoCalPVguy]

You always have to badmouth Danica, dont you have anything positive to say about her ?

I badmouth DP directly for her phony "branding" over real driving substance, her lack of driving ability especially on any track with a left hand turn, her lack of fellowship towards here crew, her "its somebody else's fault" attitude, and her entitlement demeanor because if I badmouth you and your mindless cheer-leading flying in the face of real results (see above post), Starter'll bounce me from the forum.

[Mark in Oshawa]

And just look at who the five drivers who are starting around her are. I suspect she'll get in the way and collide with one of them and then throw a hissy fit. In fact that's so likely it almost goes without saying.
She is in near Moraes....I think she should be scared right there...lol

She will do what she always does, find a place to ride around, and hope for attrition to give her the finish. I haven't seen her really work people over to get positions......ever.

As for the rest, I too am disappointed in Tags. That said, this isn't his type of racing. As for Sarah, I would love to see her have a good finish...

[TURN3]

You always have to badmouth Danica, dont you have anything positive to say about her ?

To directly answer your question, NO!

How is calling it like it is constitute "badmouthing"? It was more a joke about how the hell Milka ended up 6th on the charts this morning...looks like she followed it up with a good quali too. So, status quo would be something like Dixon, Power, Briscoe, etc...Milka hardly the norm...but Danica in 15th is about right...soooooo hence status quo!! Get it? You really need to start studying.

[TURN3]

Milka being that fast was a fluke, probably lots of tow. Look for her in the back of the field come qualifying.

Danica will be just fine. She will get speed. Look for her to be in contention for the pole. Front 2 rows for sure.

And as I read on after I post, I see that you were home smoking something today instead of work. :eek: She did do better than she practiced though, easily her best session of the entire season. But you and I both know that she'll be back in about 15th before lap 25. Go Milka Go!!

[Alfa Fan]

Corrected grid

Row 1

#7 Danica Patrick - 300.000
#6 Ryan Briscoe - 215.273

Row 2

#10 Dario Franchitti - 215.261
#12 Will Power - 215.158

Row 3

#9 Scott Dixon - 215.152
#3 Helio Castroneves - 214.411

Row 4

#19 Alex Lloyd - 214.408
#06 Hideki Mutoh - 214.380

Row 5

#32 Mario Moraes - 213.800
#26 Marco Andretti - 213.785

Row 6

#5 Takuma Sato - 213.692
#22 Justin Wilson - 213.602

Row 7

#11 Tony Kanaan - 213.346
#8 EJ Viso - 213.336

Row 8

#4 Dan Wheldon - 213.316
#67 Sarah Fisher - 213.256

Row 9

#18 Milka Duno - 213.222
#24 Tomas Scheckter - 212.904

Row 10

#14 Vitor Meira - 212.805
#77 Alex Tagliani - 212.526

Row 11

#66 Jay Howard - 212.448
#36 Bertrand Baguette - 212.349

Row 12

#2 Raphael Matos - 212.327
#37 Ryan Hunter-Reay - 212.298

Row 13

#34 Mario Romancini - 212.101
#78 Simona De Silvestro - 211.289

[NickFalzone]

lol Alfa Fan. I bet DF didn't even see that 300 mph qualifying effort coming. :p : As she said post-interview, her team finally gave her an OK car, and thanks to her technical driving abilities, she got it up over 310 on the straights. Dario aint got nothin on her.

[harvick#1]

Milka being 20th or so just says how easy this track is to drive with the aero aids the cars have now. Keep your foot to the floor and your heart in your mouth and after a while it is easy. The only tough part to it will be racing in a pack all day. God knows where anyone gets huge amounts of entertainment out of that at times, but I will watch..and pine for the days when people actually had to display a skill in getting the car around the track rather than hanging on and trying to guess the draft.

couldnt have said it any better Mark, 100% agree with you :up:

to see these races on ovals being fuel throttle snoozes, its gonna be hard for any of the non CG/RP cars to contend for a top 5.

like as you said, until they take away this aero that always full throttle racing, the fans will tune off because while there are several forum members here that like to bash Street/Road races for being parades, the ovals are just as bad but just much faster

[DanicaFan]

Here are the 2nd practice session results..

1. #9 Scott Dixon - 215.175
2. #11 Tony Kanaan - 215.016
3. #12 Will Power - 214.714
4. #10 Dario Franchitti - 214.550
5. #4 Dan Wheldon - 214.419
6. #6 Ryan Briscoe - 214.409
7. #8 EJ Viso - 214.391
8. #22 Justin Wilson - 214.233
9. #26 Marco Andretti - 214.174
10. #24 Tomas Scheckter - 213.872
11. #77 Alex Tagliani - 213.732
12. #37 Ryan Hunter-Reay - 213.435
13. #14 Vitor Meira - 213.400
14. #7 Danica Patrick - 213.387
15. #2 Raphael Matos - 212.890
16. #67 Sarah Fisher - 212.790
17. #78 Simona De Silvestro - 212.741
18. #3 Helio Castroneves - 212.520
19. #06 Hideki Mutoh - 212.505
20. #5 Takuma Sato - 212.362
21. #32 Mario Moraes - 212.220
22. #19 Alex Lloyd - 212.198
23. #36 Bertrand Baguette - 212.153
24. #34 Mario Romancini - 211.314
25. #66 Jay Howard - 210.285
26. #18 Milka Duno - 209.480

[TURN3]

Corrected grid

Row 1

#7 Danica Patrick - 300.000
#6 Ryan Briscoe - 215.273

Row 2

#10 Dario Franchitti - 215.261
#12 Will Power - 215.158

Row 3

#9 Scott Dixon - 215.152
#3 Helio Castroneves - 214.411

Row 4

#19 Alex Lloyd - 214.408
#06 Hideki Mutoh - 214.380

Row 5

#32 Mario Moraes - 213.800
#26 Marco Andretti - 213.785

Row 6

#5 Takuma Sato - 213.692
#22 Justin Wilson - 213.602

Row 7

#11 Tony Kanaan - 213.346
#8 EJ Viso - 213.336

Row 8

#4 Dan Wheldon - 213.316
#67 Sarah Fisher - 213.256

Row 9

#18 Milka Duno - 213.222
#24 Tomas Scheckter - 212.904

Row 10

#14 Vitor Meira - 212.805
#77 Alex Tagliani - 212.526

Row 11

#66 Jay Howard - 212.448
#36 Bertrand Baguette - 212.349

Row 12

#2 Raphael Matos - 212.327
#37 Ryan Hunter-Reay - 212.298

Row 13

#34 Mario Romancini - 212.101
#78 Simona De Silvestro - 211.289

Good GOD! I woke up still barely not functioning as seen this...scared me half to death. Careful please! LOL.

[00steven]

Dario will win, he has momentum and experience.

Look for Briscoe to be gone at years end. Penske will put Hornish back where he belongs.

[SarahFan]

Dario will win, he has momentum and experience.

Look for Briscoe to be gone at years end. Penske will put Hornish back where he belongs.


First post caling for the captain to fire a guy currently sitting on pole.... Multiple race winner and a guy who tool the championship down to the final laps last season


Rich

[DanicaFan]

Briscoe is safe at Penske.

[glauistean]

And Bourdais needs oval experience....the delusions continue.

Have they changed where pole is? Methinks your fanaticism far outweighs the cranial capacity to make sound cognizant judgments. :)

[TURN3]

Have they changed where pole is? Methinks your fanaticism far outweighs the cranial capacity to make sound cognizant judgments. :)

?

[TURN3]

I have a question about Danica's Peak commercial. "When you Peak, you win!". So does she use something else?

[SarahFan]

Getting ready for the green...

I predict future Indy500 winner Sarah Fisher gets the pole!

[SarahFan]

What's the deal .... I thought gossage wanted the race after Indy so he could really pack the place

Looks to be by far the slimest crowd at tms

[SarahFan]

Yellow?

[Nikki Katz]

Have just got in, 2 AM here and a bit drunk, have I missed anything?

[SarahFan]

Briscoe loses 4 spots ....

WTF!

[mlittle]

Yellow?

Debris caution, I think.......... :eek: :eek: :eek:

[SarahFan]

No reason for the yellow given....

[mlittle]

Briscoe loses 4 spots ....

WTF!

Here's another WTF thought............
Danica's in 3rd atm. Someone alert the presses......... :eek: :eek: :eek:

[mlittle]

No reason for the yellow given....

The geniuses in the Versus booth said it was for debris, but I don't think they ever showed the debris itself...............maybe it was a phantom debris caution, who knows?

[Nikki Katz]

I know she's whiney, but I'm cheering for Patrick tonight. Wouldn't it be great if someone won on an oval that didn't race for Ganassi or Penske?

[TURN3]

Danica is doing great. No problem giving her credit given it is the first time she's ever earnd it. Long way to go but good job so far.

[harvick#1]

I keep getting interrupted by the National Weather Service

[SarahFan]

That was very very very scary!

[Nikki Katz]

That wasn't great fire extinguishing. I hope she's ok, she looked more than a little shaken.

[TURN3]

Pardon my lack of cuss words but every single member of that safety team should be fired immediately or sooner. What an absolute frickin' circus show. Joke. I don't care what excuses there are, that is ridiculous. Screw them, throw them under the bus.

[Hoop-98]

Very poor emergency work by the normally good Holmatro..

[mlittle]

Pardon my lack of cuss words but every single member of that safety team should be fired immediately or sooner. What an absolute frickin' circus show. Joke. I don't care what excuses there are, that is ridiculous. Screw them, throw them under the bus.

Agreed. That was just ridiculous on their part. :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

[SarahFan]

No doubt t.... Wonder what part of she's on fire they didn't understand

[Anubis]

That wasn't great fire extinguishing. I hope she's ok, she looked more than a little shaken.

I'm a little surprised at how roughly they removed her from the car. I accept it's on fire, but it's a bit of a worry to see them yanking her out of the car like that, as that could have dire consequences if she was injured.

[Hoop-98]

The issue seems to have been the headrest

[Jag_Warrior]

No doubt t.... Wonder what part of she's on fire they didn't understand

Retards. Amateur retards!

[harvick#1]

so are they gonna warn Danica for Blocking, or was that only for the Indy 500

[TURN3]

Really Danica?

[Nikki Katz]

I'm a little surprised at how roughly they removed her from the car. I accept it's on fire, but it's a bit of a worry to see them yanking her out of the car like that, as that could have dire consequences if she was injured.
Yeah, that's a fair point. There was a lot to be desired all around really.

[Jag_Warrior]

Danica's crew is doing great.

;)

Fixed it for you. :D

[mlittle]

Retards. Amateur retards!

Amateur Hour.........it's starting to look like Amateur Hour tonight.......... :mad: :eek: :eek:

[mlittle]

Caution's out................

Looks like Helio's involved; Moraes and Baguette as well.........and by Helio's expression towards Moraes, I don't think they'll be sending each other Christmas cards this year............

[Jag_Warrior]

so are they gonna warn Danica for Blocking, or was that only for the Indy 500

Considering what she did to Kanaan, either it was just for the 500, or Danica runs under a different rule book than everybody else. Could be either one... I'm not sure.

[TURN3]

I've won $40 on KV crashes! I called 'em! If Viso crashes I get a cool $100!

[SarahFan]

End of an impressive run for Bertrand.......

Helio pissed!

Loyd the drive of the race so far IMO

[SarahFan]

Rough nite in the pits for lots of teams

[SarahFan]

Nice to see simona with only a burn on her hand

[garyshell]

Simona's interview outside the pit hospital was fabulous. She is the REAL deal.

Gary

[SarahFan]

Power pits with 57 Togo



Catbird seat?

[SarahFan]

Briacoe with clean air

last year he built a large lead when out front

[Jag_Warrior]

Simona's interview outside the pit hospital was fabulous. She is the REAL deal.

Gary

That interview sort of reminded me of how collected Katherine Legge was after her tumbling crash years ago. I hope to see brighter days for Simona. She's got nerves of steel. You can't say that she gets easily shook. That's for sure.

[mlittle]

Power pits with 57 Togo



Catbird seat?

If it works, he could be in the pound seats. If not, he could be in the peanut gallery. Who knows what can happen?

[SarahFan]

Danica is in aposition to win this thing

[Hoop-98]

paultracy3 (https://twitter.com/paultracy3) http://www.motorsportforums.com/forums/
I think dp is going to win this race

[mlittle]

Danica is in aposition to win this thing

Wouldn't that be the shock of the year, huh? :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

[SarahFan]

That interview sort of reminded me of how collected Katherine Legge was after her tumbling crash years ago. I hope to see brighter days for Simona. She's got nerves of steel. You can't say that she gets easily shook. That's for sure.


Inthought the same thing

[SarahFan]

Are you serious ....


F'en commercials with 20 to go!!!!

[harvick#1]

I think Briscoe just stepped up his game

[mlittle]

I think Briscoe just stepped up his game

Briscoe wins; Danica 2nd & Marco 3rd.
Looks like Briscoe did step up his game tonight. :)

[TURN3]

Let me be the first to congratulate Danica, my opinion probably the best race of her career. I doubt it'll be consistent but for 1 night she looked good, raced wheel to wheel, took the lead briefly, a good race.

[garyshell]

I gotta give her due. Danica drove a hell of a good race.

Gary

[SarahFan]

Wasn't someone calling for briscoe to be replaced a few pages ago!?!?


Best race of danicas career.... By a large margin.... Camera didn't show her getting out of the car ... But crew wasn't giving he any love at all there

[mlittle]

Let me be the first to congratulate Danica, my opinion probably the best race of her career. I doubt it'll be consistent but for 1 night she looked good, raced wheel to wheel, took the lead briefly, a good race.

That was a great performance of hers' tonight; now if she could just do that every race instead of every so often...........

[SarahFan]

Stock in 'uh um'

[Jag_Warrior]

Some irony here: the first IRL race I ever watched was one sent to me by an old (now in parts unknown) friend from the old MSNBC racing board. That was a Texas race. Now the second IRL race that I have ever watched (in total) is this one... also a Texas race. Pretty good stuff, I must admit. Not so much passing, but the ones that were made seemed to count for something. And I also have to give The Danica some credit for driving a good race. But I have to give Ryan Briscoe even more credit for driving a great race. More than likely, he was driving for his job... and he did what he needed to do: win! And he didn't cruise. He took it!

[TURN3]

That was a great performance of hers' tonight; now if she could just do that every race instead of every so often...........

Every so often would be a big improvement over once!

[TURN3]

Stock in 'uh um'

and...."ya know"

[Jag_Warrior]

Camera didn't show her getting out of the car ... But crew wasn't giving he any love at all there

Really? Still some hurt feelings among the crew?

[garyshell]

and...."ya know"

No, Little Al Unser owns the trademark on that... "well ya know".

Gary

[mlittle]

Every so often would be a big improvement over once!

I think I was being a little bit sarcastic there, but you're right; every so often would be better than once.........

[harvick#1]

I gotta give her due. Danica drove a hell of a good race.

Gary

She got outraced by Ryan when it mattered the most, and she even had the lead and Ryan grabbed it from her with force and pulled away, she had a good race, but no way was she gonna make that same move Ryan pulled on Danica.


she was actually lucky that Power was holding up Andretti and Dixon, cause she would've been in 4th, Andretti went from 2 seconds to 1.2 in the last 2 laps on Danica

[call_me_andrew]

Good race tonight. It's nice to see Andretti Autosport at the front again.

I missed that amature safety team though.

[SarahFan]

Marco.... That was a nice interview...

A couple 3rds in a row ....maybe were seeing a maturing young racer


* he looks a lot like a young Mario doesn't he

[harvick#1]

Every so often would be a big improvement over once!

even a blind squirrel can find some nuts every now and then, same goes for the handling of the cars, until she can do this every race, I'm not sold on one event, and this is not like her first season, shes been her long enough that Arute doesnt have to think this is the greatest thing since sliced bread

[harvick#1]

Marco.... That was a nice interview...

A couple 3rds in a row ....maybe were seeing a maturing young racer


* he looks a lot like a young Mario doesn't he

well, hes off to France next week, lets see how Marco does in the LMP1 race car

[TURN3]

Really? Still some hurt feelings among the crew?

I don't think it is hurt feelings, they just don't like her. Not a lot of people inside AA have liked her for years.

[DanicaFan]

Danica is awesome!!!! Way to go and get that podium 2nd place!!

[SarahFan]

Really? Still some hurt feelings among the crew?

Not sure .... Like I said they didn't show her getting out of the car ... Perhaps they gave her big props .... But from whatvthey showed they were ignoreing her

clearly TK wasn't very happy with her ....TK=highroad

[DanicaFan]

Danica was awesome tonight as well as her pit crew. Kudos to Ryan for the win.

Here are the final results..

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

[harvick#1]

Not sure .... Like I said they didn't show her getting out of the car ... Perhaps they gave her big props .... But from whatvthey showed they were ignoreing her

clearly TK wasn't very happy with her ....TK=highroad

TK got majorly blocked by his so-called teammate earlier in the race, I wouldnt be happy neither

[garyshell]

even a blind squirrel can find some nuts every now and then, same goes for the handling of the cars, until she can do this every race, I'm not sold on one event, and this is not like her first season, shes been her long enough that Arute doesnt have to think this is the greatest thing since sliced bread


Who said ANYTHING about this being any sort of trend or turn around for her. All we said was she drove a great race. No more. No less.

Gary

[Jag_Warrior]

Not sure .... Like I said they didn't show her getting out of the car ... Perhaps they gave her big props .... But from whatvthey showed they were ignoreing her

clearly TK wasn't very happy with her ....TK=highroad

Yeah, it didn't sound like TK would be coming in early to setup her car in future races, huh? :D Does he still do that, BTW?

Finally, I detect some actual spirit from an IRL driver. I thought maybe they'd all signed some sort of Speak No Evil clause in their contracts.

__________________
Now what is this I'm watching on Versus? Some kinda porn?! Girls who can bend themselves in half while wearing a leotard? What the... :eek: They need to have this show on BEFORE the races!

[garyshell]

Whoa, TK's interview clearly showed there was no love lost for Danica. He really cut her but good. He was pissed. Rightfully so.

Gary

[TURN3]

Whoa, TK's interview clearly showed there was no love lost for Danica. He really cut her but good. He was pissed. Rightfully so.

Gary

Yep, hope Danica's good mood gets her through the rest of the season. If her goose wasn't already cooked with TK and Mikey, I'd say it certainly is now. I honestly don't expect her back at AA next year. How that comes to be is up for argument, I don't buy the NASCAR bit because I don't think anybody wants her there either. What could've been a finish to extend the brand might end up being the race that finishes it off for good.

[Scotty G.]

Yep, hope Danica's good mood gets her through the rest of the season. If her goose wasn't already cooked with TK and Mikey, I'd say it certainly is now. I honestly don't expect her back at AA next year. How that comes to be is up for argument, I don't buy the NASCAR bit because I don't think anybody wants her there either. What could've been a finish to extend the brand might end up being the race that finishes it off for good.

She drove tonight like someone who is about ready to head to a different series full-time.

Almost like a "last hurrah" type of race from her. I am sure IMG and Go Daddy were happy. They are trying very hard to get her out of Indy Car and into NASCAR ASAP. She had a "salary drive" type of look tonight (which is a stick-and-ball term).

She could care less about her team or her teammates. Which she has shown in spades in the last 2 weeks.

[Scotty G.]

I don't buy the NASCAR bit because I don't think anybody wants her there either.


There are 3 very important entities that want her there:

1. IMG
2. Go Daddy
3. Her daddy

[harvick#1]

There are 3 very important entities that want her there:

1. IMG
2. Go Daddy
3. Her daddy

but unlike the IRL, Nascar will send drivers home, and if she goes to the cup series, shes toast, a team may buy the points for the first 5 races of the year, but once thats over, she'll be lucky to qualify for a 1/3rd of the races

[SarahFan]

Dario will win, he has momentum and experience.

Look for Briscoe to be gone at years end. Penske will put Hornish back where he belongs.


yep briscoe sucks.....captain cant kick him to the curb fast enough

[NickFalzone]

got the race on tape and gonna watch it in the am. Just watched highlights and looks like I missed a good one live. Glad to see Ryan get a win at TMS, he really should have won last year. As far as the comments about attendance, well from the shots in this vid the attendance looks pretty solid, maybe 2/3 or 3/4 full? Certainly a lot of people out there.

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[SarahFan]

got the race on tape and gonna watch it in the am. Just watched highlights and looks like I missed a good one live. Glad to see Ryan get a win at TMS, he really should have won last year. As far as the comments about attendance, well from the shots in this vid the attendance looks pretty solid, maybe 2/3 or 3/4 full? Certainly a lot of people out there.

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2/3 to 3/4?

um uh wel er.....no

[TURN3]

There are 3 very important entities that want her there:

1. IMG
2. Go Daddy
3. Her daddy

Yes Scotty guess "sombebody" wants here there but that isn't what I meant. I was talking about teams. Seriously, you imagine JR Motorsports continuing this experiment next year? As an organization, they've been thouroughly embarassed this year and they don't have a full-time driver. I just don't see any team picking her up is what I meant.

[SarahFan]

Yes Scotty guess "sombebody" wants here there but that isn't what I meant. I was talking about teams. Seriously, you imagine JR Motorsports continuing this experiment next year? As an organization, they've been thouroughly embarassed this year and they don't have a full-time driver. I just don't see any team picking her up is what I meant.

problem is godaddy is throwing around millions.... and some team some where needs the cash

[garyshell]

Maxpais from twitter:


maxpapis: Watching Indy Texas just got really upset for @simdesilvestro spending 10 second while car was burning need to do better than that @indycar
maxpapis: RT @scoop42: : Davey on IMS Radio excusing safety team b/c "we dont have fires" & they dont get much practice. Pardon my French: BULLSH*T.

PT from twitter:

paultracy3: That was very scary , safety team did a very poor job
paultracy3: It's very difficult to get out of a a irl car with a oval headrest cuz it's so tight to your helmet
paultracy3: The whole headrest is realy hard to take off too because the bodyfit is tight
paultracy3: Fire first then the driver . I don't know what that guy was doing with the hose , it's a good thing the big guy jumped to get her
Gary

[SarahFan]

Maxpais from twitter:



PT from twitter:

Gary

as too the headrest.... some sort of ripcord ala' a fighter jet....im not talking full on ejection obviosly, but to release the headrest would seem doable

[beachgirl]

Yep, hope Danica's good mood gets her through the rest of the season. If her goose wasn't already cooked with TK and Mikey, I'd say it certainly is now. I honestly don't expect her back at AA next year. How that comes to be is up for argument, I don't buy the NASCAR bit because I don't think anybody wants her there either. What could've been a finish to extend the brand might end up being the race that finishes it off for good.

I think she burned a LOT of bridges last night with a lot of people - teammates and other teams and team principals. Not a very wise thing when you'll probably be racing with these same people for the rest of the year. Maybe.

[Dr. Krogshöj]

Did you guys hear the crowd cheer when Dario took the lead? Did you hear the paying customers go crazy when Briscoe got to the front? Even from the tv broadcast, it was awesome! The fans simply love them!

[Jag_Warrior]

Maxpais from twitter:


Quote:
maxpapis: Watching Indy Texas just got really upset for @simdesilvestro spending 10 second while car was burning need to do better than that @indycar
maxpapis: RT @scoop42: : Davey on IMS Radio excusing safety team b/c "we dont have fires" & they dont get much practice. Pardon my French: BULLSH*T.


Gary

Wow! Just wow! I know the world is full of shills, pillow biters and boot-licking lackeys... but WOW! :rolleyes: Who is this "Davey on IMS Radio" person?

I bet they don't see too many broken necks, severed legs or a lot of other things either. If anybody is actually stupid enough to buy (or sell) that as a legitimate excuse for that amateur hour display, the only way they should get into a racetrack is if they buy a ticket. Whoever Davey is, he should be ashamed of himself.

And if what Davey is saying is correct, I'm sure that's something the IRL's insurance carrier will be anxious to know.

[markabilly]

Wow! Just wow! I know the world is full of shills, pillow biters and boot-licking lackeys... but WOW! :rolleyes: Who is this "Davey on IMS Radio" person?

I bet they don't see too many broken necks, severed legs or a lot of other things either. If anybody is actually stupid enough to buy (or sell) that as a legitimate excuse for that amateur hour display, the only way they should get into a racetrack is if they buy a ticket. Whoever Davey is, he should be ashamed of himself.

And if what Davey is saying is correct, I'm sure that's something the IRL's insurance carrier will be anxious to know.

it was considerably more than ten seconds

[Marbles]

Hey, it's one thing to squirt off them extinguishers during that pre-season rehearsal but there's a lot of maintenance and cost when practising with them hoses.

That's sarcasm and some truth. I have sympathy for the safety team. These guys didn't want to **** up. They just looked unprepared and that's most likely a systemic problem.

[markabilly]

Hey, it's one thing to squirt off them extinguishers during that pre-season rehearsal but there's a lot of maintenance and cost when practising with them hoses.

That's sarcasm and a lot of truth. I have sympathy for the safety team. These guys didn't want to **** up. They just looked unprepared and that's most likely a systemic problem.
maybe, but my old, old, slow beat up ass would know what to do, and it is not panick and try to pull somebody sideways and down, who has to stand up to get out of the car--in a manner that keeps her from getting out....

yeah the fire is hot and scary and no one wants to get close to it, but that is what you are there for..NOT to have a great seat to see the race......if not willing to step up, then do not be there :D

[garyshell]

maybe, but my old, old, slow beat up ass would know what to do, and it is not panick and try to pull somebody sideways and down, who has to stand up to get out of the car--in a manner that keeps her from getting out....

yeah the fire is hot and scary and no one wants to get close to it, but that is what you are there for..NOT to have a great seat to see the race......if not willing to step up, then do not be there :D

I am not about to critique the one guy who risked his own ass and stood there in the flames trying to get her out. As others have pointed out the head restraint system is a bit tough to handle in calmer conditions. He may have been a bit ham fisted but he stayed there risking injury to himself in the process.

My beef is with the guys who just stood there with limp hoses in their hands and watched. (Read whatever innuendo you'd like into that. All apply.) Those guys need to have a face to face with Simona and she should spit in each one's face. But she is too classy an act for that.

Gary

[Marbles]

With regards to the race itself there were a lot of close moments and excitement. However, I get the same feeling watching these races that I got watching the Hanford races in CART. I feel dirty.

[Marbles]

And cheap.

[Jag_Warrior]

With regards to the race itself there were a lot of close moments and excitement. However, I get the same feeling watching these races that I got watching the Hanford races in CART. I feel dirty.

I was at the Champ Car race at Vegas when they ran the road course wings. I thought it was pretty exciting... running side by side, nose to tail, passes every other lap. Course, it was about 2 in the morning when we got out of there, so the bugs in the overhead lights seemed exciting to me too. But after the race I started thinking about it, and yeah, it did have that manufactured feel to it. But it, like this race, did play pretty well at first blush. But no, I don't want to analyze what I saw too much. Best to treat this kind of like a one night stand and stick with that initial memory.

Like I said, this is the first IRL race I've watched in total since the one that was sent to me on a VHS tape over ten years ago (anybody know what happened to MDRaceFan?). I've watched bits & pieces of several, but never a complete race. It didn't suck and I'll probably watch another one in the future.

[Easy Drifter]

In my time as a marshal, driver, wrench etc. I fought 4 car and 1 bike fire. Didn't lose one. I did receive training and as an official watched the Air Force do a demo fire fighting session for the marshals.
Sometimes it just takes a little clear thinking.
At Trois Rivieres one year an Alfa caught fire in the paddock. There were several extinguishers, including a couple of 20 lbs being used to little effect as they could not get the hood open. I grabbed our little motorhome 2 lb deal and trotted over. I let loose into an empty headlight pod that I figured was an air intake to the Webbers. I was right. One blast and it was out.
Not a hero. I just spotted a way to attack the fire without the hood being up.
But the IC crew should be prepared for things to go wrong. They are supposed to be trained to a high standard. Robin Miller described them as Keystone Cops.

[Lousada]

Wow! Just wow! I know the world is full of shills, pillow biters and boot-licking lackeys... but WOW! :rolleyes: Who is this "Davey on IMS Radio" person?


I'm pretty sure that would be Davey Hamilton.

[SarahFan]

it will be interesting to see if and how they address the simona fire on the next broadcast....

im predicting a nice feel good segment on the safety team... how they have addressed fires and similar situations.... there reaction at Indy and Conway.....a renewed commitment etc....


*and I'll be OK with it.....not to excuse or sweep what happened last saturday nite under the rug, but sometimes a wake-up call is exactly that.... a wake up call

[beachgirl]

I'm pretty sure that would be Davey Hamilton.

I would like to know what Davey Hamilton would have thought if it had been HIS butt and body being toasted by a fubar. Talk's cheap when you're in the broadcast booth.

[Jag_Warrior]

I'm pretty sure that would be Davey Hamilton.

Well, that's sad... especially coming from a racer. It's one thing to be incompetent (the safety crew), but it's even worse to be stupid (Davey Hamilton).

[GRW1983]

it will be interesting to see if and how they address the simona fire on the next broadcast....

im predicting a nice feel good segment on the safety team... how they have addressed fires and similar situations.... there reaction at Indy and Conway.....a renewed commitment etc....


*and I'll be OK with it.....not to excuse or sweep what happened last saturday nite under the rug, but sometimes a wake-up call is exactly that.... a wake up call

I'm still waiting for IndyCar to PUBLICLY apologise for that debacle on Saturday night. HVM are so right to criticise the safety team for their hopeless attempt at a rescue. Thank god that car wasn't upside down because that could have been horrific. I know the head-collar is a safety feature, but why should you have to remove it to get out of the car, your wasting time when you could be climbing out. Look at the Helio/Moraes crash, both drivers had the steering wheel off, unbuckled and climbed out. No need to remove the head-collar. Either the head-collar is re-designed in such a way that it is easier to remove or educate ALL drivers that in an emergency situation, don't bother to remove it and exit the car immediately.

F1 drivers have to exit a car in 5 seconds, they even make reference to that very same number in the film Driven, so that was obviously the standard in CART, so what the hell is the standard for IndyCar??? It seems that when some drivers crash, they can exit the car without any help or need to remove the head-collar, so if these cars are supposed to be identical, then surely EVERY driver has the capacity to exit the car without any help or need to remove the head-collar. I don't blame Simona in any way, the safety team carries the can on this one for their total lack of fire-fighting ability and their total panic when they realised she'd been on fire far too long.

I for one will be very interested to see how IndyCar reacts to this situation at the next race, and in the future. Fires in the pit are fairly common and dealt with swiftly. Fires on track are RARE, but that doesn't excuse what happened to Simona. As for Davey Hamilton defending the safety team, what an idiot. If they'd done their job, Simona wouldn't have suffered burns and we'd all be praising them for their swift response instead of criticising them for looking like the Keystone Cops. Drivers should not be, effectively, trapped in their cars when they are on fire. Steering wheel off, belts undone, climb out. How hard does that have to be???

[00steven]

Indycar will just sweep the fire incident under the rug.

[SoCalPVguy]

Indycar will just sweep the fire incident under the rug.

You are correct they did... read the official IRL statement---

First and foremost, we make the safety of our competitors a priority when on the track. The primary hose on the series' safety truck malfunctioned, so the safety team had to go to the backup of the bottles. All equipment is checked prior to going on track before every race. We are examining why the hose malfunctioned to ensure this equipment failure will not happen again.



Our Safety Team consists of approximately 24 highly-trained safety personnel with a minimum of 14 attending each event - 2 trauma physicians, 3 paramedics and 9 firefighters/EMTs. Team members have an average of 20 years of experience in their respective areas. The safety team is recognized for its high standards and high performance and this problem will be addressed.

[Easy Drifter]

Nothing about looking at the 'collars' to see if improvements can be made. Nothing about investigating better firefighting equipment, or better fire protection for their firefighters/rescue people.
All of that should have been included. Maybe they would do zip but statements to indicate the above would show more concern!

[markabilly]

Nothing about looking at the 'collars' to see if improvements can be made. Nothing about investigating better firefighting equipment, or better fire protection for their firefighters/rescue people.
All of that should have been included. Maybe they would do zip but statements to indicate the above would show more concern!
yep, one would think some heavy duty training on how to extract someone from the cockpit would also be in order.....per my other post in you got to be kidding.........

[GRW1983]

You are correct they did... read the official IRL statement---

First and foremost, we make the safety of our competitors a priority when on the track. The primary hose on the series' safety truck malfunctioned, so the safety team had to go to the backup of the bottles. All equipment is checked prior to going on track before every race. We are examining why the hose malfunctioned to ensure this equipment failure will not happen again.



Our Safety Team consists of approximately 24 highly-trained safety personnel with a minimum of 14 attending each event - 2 trauma physicians, 3 paramedics and 9 firefighters/EMTs. Team members have an average of 20 years of experience in their respective areas. The safety team is recognized for its high standards and high performance and this problem will be addressed.

Oh okay, that makes what happened on Saturday night just fine, then? Where the hell is the apology to Simona and HVM, and why no mention as to why it took so long for Simona to get out of the car??? I would respect the IRL a lot more if they said in their statement that regardless of equipment failure, their response was inadequate and immediate action would be taken to ensure that there was no repeat and that they were very sorry Simona suffered minor burns and apologised, publicly, to her and her team. I won't be holding my breath on this one, though. :down:

[SarahFan]

dont hold your breath......

[GRW1983]

dont hold your breath......

Trust me SarahFan, I'm not!!! :p

[00steven]

We need to just be thankful shes ok. A fire in a racecar is serious stuff.

Wish you well Simona!