Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma

[DanicaFan]

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

Race 14 of 18

Race - Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma

Location - Infineon Raceway, Sonoma, CA

Date - Sunday, August 28th

Time & TV Schedule - Pre-Race Show-Sunday, August 28th -4:00PM Eastern - Green Flag - 4:45PM Eastern - Versus

Course Type - 2.303 Mile Road Course

Distance - 75 Laps / 172.725 Miles

Practice Sessions -
Friday, August 26th - 5:50PM -6:35PM Eastern -Group 1A & 6:35PM-7:05PM -1B
Saturday, August 27th -1:50PM -2:50PM Eastern
Sunday, August 28th -Warm Up Session - 12:00PM - 12:30PM Eastern

Qualifications - Saturday, August 27th - 5:35PM -6:55PM Eastern

2010 Pole Sitter - #12 Will Power / 1:16.5282 -108.337 mph

2010 Winner - #12 Will Power

**Note - All times listed in Eastern Time, Sonoma, CA is 3 hours behind Eastern.

[DanicaFan]

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

[DanicaFan]

2010 Race Facts..

Length of Race - 1 hour, 52 minutes, 34 seconds
Average Speed - 92.063 mph
Margin Of Victory - .7432 seconds
Lead Changes - 2 Times Among 2 Drivers
Caution Laps - 4 Cautions for 10 Laps
Fastest Lap - #24 JR Hildebrand -Lap #13 - 104.739 mph

[DanicaFan]

Pit Lane Assignments..

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee236/DanicaRules/sonomapits2011.jpg

[SarahFan]

Why is this race not a rousing success?

Open wheel racecars on NoCal and a classic twisty...yet attendance ratings and fan interest have continually been soft

[DanicaFan]

Why is this race not a rousing success?

Open wheel racecars on NoCal and a classic twisty...yet attendance ratings and fan interest have continually been soft

I dont get it either. I would love to go out there to see a race. I think the area looks real cool.

[Chris R]

Why is this race not a rousing success?

Open wheel racecars on NoCal and a classic twisty...yet attendance ratings and fan interest have continually been soft

Not high-brow enough for the people with money and not low-brow enough for the NASCAR set????

does the time of year hurt it in that area?

How does NASCAR do there??

[anthonyvop]

Why is this race not a rousing success?

Open wheel racecars on NoCal and a classic twisty...yet attendance ratings and fan interest have continually been soft

The track is one turn after another. No straights to speak of where they can stretch their legs and outbreak an opponent. You could say it is Mikey Mouse for lack of a better term.

NoCal is the home to the 3 top sellers of Toyota Prius

[00steven]

They should be in Laguna Seca this weekend.

[anthonyvop]

I dunno, they did a lot of out breaking each other at Toronto and can do it here. Now if it's out braking you're looking for, maybe not so much. ;)

Damn auto-correct.

[DanicaFan]

Entry List..

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

[numanoid]

Why is this race not a rousing success?

Open wheel racecars on NoCal and a classic twisty...yet attendance ratings and fan interest have continually been soft

This may have something to do with it:

From 2010:

Lead Changes - 2 Times Among 2 Drivers

Wow..exciting stuff.

[heliocastroneves#3]

I've driven this circuit in rFactor... It's like Mid-Ohio; a great circuit to drive but the racing isn't great.... Then I prefer Montreal or Cleveland instead of Infineon.

In this case I can understand why Danica wants more ovals.... Because a race on a 1,5 mile oval brings more excitement then a race on this road course.. But you never know, in Toronto it's also difficult to pass and we all know what for a race we saw there.. :D

[Anubis]

Looking forward to this, if only to see how Pantano does, as I believe he stuck it in the top five during testing, which is none too shabby. Nice little element to shake things up if nothing else.

[harvick#1]

I've driven this circuit in rFactor... It's like Mid-Ohio; a great circuit to drive but the racing isn't great.... Then I prefer Montreal or Cleveland instead of Infineon.

In this case I can understand why Danica wants more ovals.... Because a race on a 1,5 mile oval brings more excitement then a race on this road course.. But you never know, in Toronto it's also difficult to pass and we all know what for a race we saw there.. :D

what we saw at Toronto was a bunch of amateurish driving blocking and the other not brake, but while Sonoma's back drop is good, the Indy format for this track is horrible, there is really no real passing corners, the hairpin could be made into one, which then sets up for Turns 1 and 2, but they use the short version of the track :rolleyes:

[Dr. Krogshöj]

I've driven this circuit in rFactor... It's like Mid-Ohio; a great circuit to drive but the racing isn't great.... Then I prefer Montreal or Cleveland instead of Infineon.

In this case I can understand why Danica wants more ovals.... Because a race on a 1,5 mile oval brings more excitement then a race on this road course.. But you never know, in Toronto it's also difficult to pass and we all know what for a race we saw there.. :D

It's not difficult to pass in Toronto, there's a long straight ending in a hairpin. I can't remember a single Toronto race that didn't have a lot of outbraking into Turn 3. Infineon doesn't have a similar feature so I have no idea why people compare the two.


what we saw at Toronto was a bunch of amateurish driving blocking and the other not brake, but while Sonoma's back drop is good, the Indy format for this track is horrible, there is really no real passing corners, the hairpin could be made into one, which then sets up for Turns 1 and 2, but they use the short version of the track :rolleyes:

I've thought about that but there is no runoff at the hairpin. It's too dangerous.

[elan 02]

A little help from fans that have been to this track. Where is a good GA area,and is parking and leaveing as bad as I'v heard. Any tricks for a quik exit. I will be coming from SF side west. I agree with OO this should at LS. Thanks for any help

[garyshell]

A little help from fans that have been to this track. Where is a good GA area,and is parking and leaveing as bad as I'v heard. Any tricks for a quik exit. I will be coming from SF side west. I agree with OO this should at LS. Thanks for any help

LS is as bad if not worse to get out of. I haven't been to LS in a long time but last time I was there the spectator amenities sucked.

Gary

[Nikki Katz]

de Silvestro - who the flip is her management? How could she not have a VISA???????

[anthonyvop]

e a race on a 1,5 mile oval brings more excitement then a race on this road course..

In your Opinion.

For me the haulers entering the paddock is more exciting than an Oval race.

[jimispeed]

A new chassis, turbos, p2p should change the action on these courses. Let's hope!

[elan 02]

Sorry Gray you had such a bad time at LS, Not sure why. Maybe you should visit more often. Lets see. Red Bull spent several million and Yamaha spent a few million. Now nascar fans will tell you that Somoma spent millions . From what I can see they just bulldozzed the hills down to fit all thoughs concrete seat everywhere. Removed just about all the trees and pretty much made it look like the barren hills that surround the track. Boring and ugly. Yes Gary you do need to revisit LS.

[numanoid]

Practice results are up, but I can't post them.

Dario
Power
Castroneves
Dixon
Pantano

Are the top 5 drivers after practice.

[DanicaFan]

Results of Practice Session 1..

Rank / Car# & Driver / Lap Time / Speed

1. #10 Dario Franchitti / 01:19.4269 / 104.383
2. #12 Will Power / 01:19.5633 / 104.204
3. #3 Helio Castroneves / 01:19.6638 / 104.072
4. #9 Scott Dixon / 01:20.0421 / 103.580
5. #22 Giorgio Pantano / 01:20.1292 / 103.468
6. #19 Sebastien Bourdais / 01:20.2283 / 103.340
7. #24 Ana Beatriz / 01:20.2505 / 103.312
8. #59 EJ Viso / 01:20.3457 / 103.189
9. #2 Oriol Servia / 01:20.3585 / 103.173
10. #18 James Jakes / 01:20.4210 / 103.092
11. #06 James Hinchcliffe / 01:20.4232 / 103.090
12. #28 Ryan Hunter-Reay / 01:20.5637 / 102.910
13. #83 Charlie Kimball / 01:20.6296 / 102.826
14. #38 Graham Rahal / 01:20.6327 / 102.822
15. #26 Marco Andretti / 01:20.6706 / 102.774
16. #6 Ryan Briscoe / 01:20.6946 / 102.743
17. #88 Ho-Pin Tung / 01:20.7191 / 102.712
18. #27 Mike Conway / 01:20.7235 / 102.706
19. #4 JR Hildebrand / 01:20.7411 / 102.684
20. #17 Martin Plowman / 01:20.7872 / 102.625
21. #77 Alex Tagliani / 01:20.8485 / 102.547
22. #82 Tony Kanaan / 01:20.8517 / 102.543
23. #5 Takuma Sato / 01:20.9204 / 102.456
24. #34 Sebastian Saavedra / 01:20.9725 / 102.390
25. #78 Simon Pagenaud / 01:21.6091 / 101.592
26. #7 Danica Patrick / 01:21.6341 / 101.560
27. #14 Vitor Meira / 01:21.7230 / 101.450
28. #67 Ed Carpenter / 01:23.3049 / 99.524

[heliocastroneves#3]

In your Opinion.

For me the haulers entering the paddock is more exciting than an Oval race.

Now you're talking about an road course race and an oval race... I only said that I'd like a race on a 1,5 mile oval much more then a race on THIS road course.... As I already mentioned; I prefer Cleveland or Montreal and not this circuit... Of course it's MY opinion, I'm not gonna post someone else's opinion... :D

[DanicaFan]

Here are the qualifying groups for today..

Group 1

#12 Will Power
#9 Scott Dixon
#19 Sebastien Bourdais
#59 EJ Viso
#18 James Jakes
#28 Ryan Hunter-Reay
#38 Graham Rahal
#6 Ryan Briscoe
#27 Mike Conway
#17 Martin Plowman
#82 Tony Kanaan
#34 Sebastian Saavedra
#7 Danica Patrick
#67 Ed Carpenter

Group 2

#10 Dario Franchitti
#3 Helio Castroneves
#22 Giorgio Pantano
#24 Ana Beatriz
#2 Oriol Servia
#06 James Hinchcliffe
#83 Charlie Kimball
#26 Marco Andretti
#88 Ho-Pin Tung
#4 JR Hildebrand
#77 Alex Tagliani
#5 Takuma Sato
#78 Simon Pagenaud
#14 Vitor Meira

[shazbot]

Is there any way to watch these darn races on line? With no Versus I haven't seen a race all year.

[harvick#1]

Justin.tv - Streaming live video broadcasts for everyone (http://www.justin.tv)

[DanicaFan]

The 6 moving on from Group 1 are..

#12 Will Power
#6 Ryan Briscoe
#9 Scott Dixon
#19 Sebastien Bourdais
#27 Mike Conway
#59 EJ Viso

[Hoop-98]

http://i54.tinypic.com/25jwajn.jpg

[DanicaFan]

Group 2 has taken the Green Flag..

[DanicaFan]

The 6 moving on from Group 2 are..

#10 Dario Franchitti
#3 Helio Castroneves
#24 Ana Beatriz
#06 James Hinchcliffe
#77 Alex Tagliani
#22 Giorgio Pantano

[Hoop-98]

http://i51.tinypic.com/erx10x.jpg

[NickFalzone]

Hm, looks like Danica's team hasn't been able to find the speed yet this weekend. I'm sure they'll get her up front by tomorrow though.

[SarahFan]

Danica fan--

You haven't weighed in on danicas recent nationwide announcement..

Just curios ... Are you a Indycar fan first or a Danica fan first?

[DanicaFan]

The Firestone Fast 6 are..

#12 Will Power
#6 Ryan Briscoe
#3 Helio Castroneves
#10 Dario Franchitti
#9 Scott Dixon
#06 James Hinchcliffe

[Hoop-98]

Looks like Helio is stalled as the session ends...

http://i52.tinypic.com/fcte0o.jpg

[DanicaFan]

Danica fan--

You haven't weighed in on danicas recent nationwide announcement..

Just curios ... Are you a Indycar fan first or a Danica fan first?

Yes I did, its in the other thread.. :)

[DavePI2]

say chad, I don't know how to upload photos here, if you could would you post that photo of danica's new ride I sent you. Hope you are doing well and see you next year at midohio.

[DanicaFan]

Congrats to Will Power for getting the pole position.

[Hoop-98]

Penske Sweep!

http://i53.tinypic.com/21l8xn8.jpg

[SarahFan]

Sorry dfan.... Missed it.... Heck I missed a whole page of that thread ...guess that shows how much I care one way or the other..

I feel for ya ... When your favorite driver leaves the sport you love it's gotta be a bummer

[DanicaFan]

Sorry dfan.... Missed it.... Heck I missed a whole page of that thread ...guess that shows how much I care one way or the other..

I feel for ya ... When your favorite driver leaves the sport you love it's gotta be a bummer

Thanks my friend. Yeah, it brings me down, Im not gonna lie but I will continue to love Indycar racing as I always have before she came up in 2005.

Oh, and I will be rooting for Marco Andretti. He will be my favorite Indycar driver next year.

[SarahFan]

You should PM the loneranger.... He has a strange fascination with the andrettis...

[DanicaFan]

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

[jimispeed]

Bourdais qualifies 8th! Maybe he's starting to find the right formula for these cars!!

[SarahFan]

It will be interesting to see how the penske boys tomorrow... Can Helios and briscoe keep Franchitti at bay and let will run away and hide

[heliocastroneves#3]

Since Danica's NASCAR announcement some days ago I decided to immediately become a Hélio fan and already after qualifying I can smile, because he starts second. :)

Also congrats to Power for his sixth pole of the season. :D

[DanicaFan]

This morning's warm-up session..

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

[SoCalPVguy]

A couple of things stand out in the warm up times ...
Power-Dixon run run 1-2, 2-1 away from the field barring a crash.
Surprises: Look at Plowman, Beatriz, Pantano and Jakes !
The princess isn't even in just phoning it in.. more like snail mailing it in.
How can one part of the Ganassi team #9-10 be so fast and the other part #38-83 be so slow ?

[Anubis]

Been out and about, so just catching up on the qualifying results. Surprisingly decent effort by Plowman, solid base for Pantano to build on and Tung faster than you know who. Looking forward to the race!

[shazbot]

Ah now I remember why I've not missed the IRL. What time does the actual race start so I don't have to sit through this pre race drivel.

[anthonyvop]

Ah now I remember why I've not missed the IRL. What time does the actual race start so I don't have to sit through this pre race drivel.

Seriously!!! Is there a worse pre-race show?

At least I got to hear RB finally say thing I like. "the driver's job is to race and they should do what they are paid to do."

[coogmaster]

Was Iowa really a worse race than this today?

[coogmaster]

In your Opinion.

For me the haulers entering the paddock is more exciting than an Oval race.


Was a race like Iowa really worse than this race today, IYO?

At least Iowa had plenty of passing. I think Rahal's pass on Tag was the first of the day today.

[gm99]

Pretty embarrassing race for Andretti Autosport so far (and a fairly lame race overall).

[DavePI2]

I wonder if Andretti will let Danica run out of gas in any of her final races like Rahal did at Michigan after she told everyone she was leaving his team while saying it was all Bobby's fault she didn't do better.Come to think of it I heard the old car is running right excuse again today. Sorry Chad but her current running order may indicate just how much michael had to do with whatever success she has had. Before he would have been making statagy moves designed to get her farther up, doesn't appear that is happening now. She probably will do better next year, she won't need michael to move her up, nascar will make sure she has good finishes.

[Anubis]

Not the most exciting race in the world, but still enjoyed it. I can understand why they don't use the extended final turn layout, but it does rather strangle the track. Nice drive by Power and with my "support the underdog" hat on, I thought a great display by Pantano. Kept Bourdais behind him and brought it home in the top six, which was more or less the "best of the rest" behind the Penske and Ganassi boys. I'd say that constitutes a good day in the office, given the circumstances.

[DanicaFan]

Congrats to Will Power and the Penske team for a 1-2-3 finish.

[DanicaFan]

Here are the final results..

1. #12 Will Power
2. #3 Helio Castroneves
3. #6 Ryan Briscoe
4. #10 Dario Franchitti
5. #9 Scott Dixon
6. #19 Sebastien Bourdais
7. #06 James Hinchcliffe
8. #38 Graham Rahal
9. #59 EJ Viso
10. #28 Ryan Hunter-Reay
11. #2 Oriol Servia
12. #17 Martin Plowman
13. #24 Ana Beatriz
14. #34 Sebastian Saavedra
15. #78 Simon Pagenaud
16. #27 Mike Conway
17. #22 Giorgio Pantano
18. #5 Takuma Sato
19. #18 James Jakes
20. #77 Alex Tagliani
21. #7 Danica Patrick
22. #14 Vitor Meira
23. #4 JR Hildebrand
24. #26 Marco Andretti
25. #67 Ed Carpenter
26. #83 Charlie Kimball
27. #88 Ho-Pin Tung
28. #82 Tony Kanaan

[Anubis]

Pantano penalised...daft.

[Marbles]

Not the most exciting race but this has a lot to do with the absence of 10 cautions and 10 side by side restarts. Sorry folks, but that's racing! Uncharacteristically decent coverage back in the field where there was actually passing. Takes me back to the nineties. Multiple thumbs up to Miller in the pre-race when discussing Barnhardt with Bernard. This is the ballsy, confrontational stuff that needs to be done to interrupt these endless strokefests they call race coverage.

Why does Marco give people laps ahead of him such grief? It's nice to see teams play as teams... or is it.

One moronic decision after another by race (out of)control. Ferchrissakes, check Pantano's line to preceding 4 cars through that corner and the following 4 cars through that corner and please explain to all of us what he did wrong??? Infraction for what? Not braking for some desperate and hopeless outside move by an opponent?

[Anubis]

One moronic decision after another by race (out of)control. Ferchrissakes, check Pantano's line to preceding 4 cars through that corner and the following 4 cars through that corner and please explain to all of us what he did wrong??? Infraction for what? Not braking for some desperate and hopeless outside move by an opponent?

They don't do the series any favours with decisions like that. I could understand it if Pantano had made a wild lunge, but if he's on the same line as everyone else, how is it his concern where Bourdais ends up? Classic bit of defensive driving and he loses a great result over it. Idiotic.

[FIAT1]

Pantano penelized for racing.Moron call again.

[anthonyvop]

Was a race like Iowa really worse than this race today, IYO?

At least Iowa had plenty of passing. I think Rahal's pass on Tag was the first of the day today.

Much more exciting than the contrived, show that is oval racing.

The Pantano penalty has a faint odor of NASCAR style controls.

[00steven]

I'm sorry but that was the worst race of the year. When the top 5 starters all finish in the same spot they started, you know you've seen a dull race.

[Jag_Warrior]

Seriously!!! Is there a worse pre-race show?

At least I got to hear RB finally say thing I like. "the driver's job is to race and they should do what they are paid to do."

Pitiful display by Bernard. From the beginning, I feel like I was very open-minded about Bernard. I actually wanted to see him get things turned around. But today's interview sealed it (Miller doesn't pull any punches, does he?!): Bernard is in over his head. He probably doesn't have very many people who can support him. But he isn't what is called a "change agent" in my world. Maybe he could have been one early on, but now he's more of a status quo kind of guy, IMO. Too bad really.

And BTW, this race sucked. And I'd rather watch a bad road race than a good oval. But every other race I watched this weekend beat the hell out of this this sad excuse for a race: F1, GP2 and NASCAR Sprint Cup.

[Marbles]

Forgot to mention, I loved the sign on Servia's steering wheel pre-race: "Winner of the Blockhead.com 225."

[SoCalPVguy]

Pitiful display by Bernard. From the beginning, I feel like I was very open-minded about Bernard. I actually wanted to see him get things turned around. But today's interview sealed it (Miller doesn't pull any punches, does he?!): Bernard is in over his head. He probably doesn't have very many people who can support him. But he isn't what is called a "change agent" in my world. Maybe he could have been one early on, but now he's more of a status quo kind of guy, IMO. Too bad really. And BTW, this race sucked. And I'd rather watch a bad road race than a good oval. But every other race I watched this weekend beat the hell out of this this sad excuse for a race: F1, GP2 and NASCAR Sprint Cup.

Agreed.

In the pre race discussion between Miller and Bernard, Robin was really giving it to RB and laying into TGBB. But did you notice the studio host giving Miller hand signals - cut it - cut it- stop - to try and get him to lay off RB and TGGB, and then abruptly cut off the discussion, Robin looked pissed. Check a replay if there is one ...

I get it now that this is RB's last year, although prematurely IMHO. The final nail in his coffin will be when the big 5-million dollar las vegas challenge fizzles.

Race itself ....... BORRRRRRING, were there any pasess in the top 5 for position,ummmmmmmm... No. The only halfway exciting moment was the two abreast restart w/ 6 laps to go if only to see if Briscoe could hold off Dario to preserve the Penske sweep and Will Power's maximum points cut into Dario's lead. Well there's two hours out of my life I won't get back.

As for the princess, 'phoning it in' is generous.. well maybe if your phone is two tin cans and a string...

They said it was a great crowd but man those stands sure looked empty to me on TV.

Ending with the Brad Keselowski "tweet" re. Patrick’s “branding techniques only serves to undermine the future credibility of female races who wish to make it based on skill, mental toughness and a never give up attitude.”

[SoCalPVguy]

Seriously!!! Is there a worse pre-race show? At least I got to hear RB finally say thing I like. "the driver's job is to race and they should do what they are paid to do."

Actually with all the ride buyers a more accurate quote would be ... "the driver's job is to race and they should do what they are paying to do."

[elan 02]

Just got home,great 20 minute air show at lunch!

[harvick#1]

Pantano penalized, WTF is wrong with the IRL!!!!!! not only did they put on a pitiful show, but the one guy making passes and makes an aggressive but clean pass on Bourdais and gets notched for his troubles.

pitiful

[DBell]

Pantano penalized, WTF is wrong with the IRL!!!!!! not only did they put on a pitiful show, but the one guy making passes and makes an aggressive but clean pass on Bourdais and gets notched for his troubles.

pitiful

Agree. Perfect example of why BB has to go, but with Randy a 100% behind him, fat chance. I'd give my rant on Randy Bernard's stance on BB and race control, but I can't say it any better than Jag did. Apparently, Barnhardt has blackmail material on Randy now. He's like J. Edger Hoover. :dozey:

[djparky]

watched about 10 laps and gave up on it- great track- not for racing though. even the Sky team seemed bored with it.

[nigelred5]

I didn't get to watch the race(Thank you IRENE). Never been a big fan of Sears Point myself. With a very short turn around to get back to the East coast for the Baltimore race, maybe everyone was phoning it in a little. . IIRC they are scheduled to be in Baltimore by 6:00 Wednesday.

[Chris R]

At least if a hurricane has to stop m from watching a race, it was this one - sounds like I would have been more stressed and agitated than I already was if I watched it - just what I need from my sports entertainment!!

[champcarray]

Logging in from a Panera to see the results. Glad to hear Hinch finished top 10 again. Sorry to hear the race itself wasn't very interesting.... I'm not a fan of teams finishing 1-2-3. I witnessed a Penske sweep at New Hampshire back in the 90s. Something about it just rubs me the wrong way.

[banshee74]

Agreed.

In the pre race discussion between Miller and Bernard, Robin was really giving it to RB and laying into TGBB. But did you notice the studio host giving Miller hand signals - cut it - cut it- stop - to try and get him to lay off RB and TGGB, and then abruptly cut off the discussion, Robin looked pissed. Check a replay if there is one ...

I get it now that this is RB's last year, although prematurely IMHO. The final nail in his coffin will be when the big 5-million dollar las vegas challenge fizzles.

Race itself ....... BORRRRRRING, were there any pasess in the top 5 for position,ummmmmmmm... No. The only halfway exciting moment was the two abreast restart w/ 6 laps to go if only to see if Briscoe could hold off Dario to preserve the Penske sweep and Will Power's maximum points cut into Dario's lead. Well there's two hours out of my life I won't get back.

As for the princess, 'phoning it in' is generous.. well maybe if your phone is two tin cans and a string...

They said it was a great crowd but man those stands sure looked empty to me on TV.

Ending with the Brad Keselowski "tweet" re. Patrick’s “branding techniques only serves to undermine the future credibility of female races who wish to make it based on skill, mental toughness and a never give up attitude.”


This post says it all...why the Indy car series is going downhill both in racing quality and attendance (money!!) They've focused on a ridiculous level of racing rules and interpretation (Pantano penalty)...if Princess had done the same thing the announcers would have (in the past) been falling all over themselves praising her "Moving up", and BB wouldn't even think of penalizing one of the few bright spots of revenue draw (albeit for the wrong reasons). So much for even handed race direction. Reminds me of a track I used to run where the Dad of one of the racers ran the track! DUH!!!

Which brings me to my question...from the green flag to the end....I don't think they mentioned Princess's name ONCE....maybe I missed it, but....even in the "through the field" segment, they quit before they got to the last couple spots (Princess). I never caught any of her pit stops, no normal "moving up" comments (even though she doesn't pass anyone ...all due to others pitting and attrition).....could it be that Indy car has purposely taken the attitude of "she's leaving, no more favored status". This series has to make some tough decisions......top positions change, adoption of racing rules that ENABLE competition, and ensuring RACING is the draw and not the hyping of untalented drivers.

[Adamfree]

Just disgusted with RB. Cudos to Robin Miller for getting right in his mug and asking him the questions that needed to be asked. But what is wrong with HIM?? and insult to injury Dept. that call on Pantano was horsepucky. It seems as if BB is rubbing RB's and our faces in it. Strange and unnacceptable off with him.

[SoCalPVguy]

...adoption of racing rules that ENABLE competition, and ensuring RACING is the draw and not the hyping of untalented drivers.

Dude, the the Indy RACING League, IRL, is dead.. now all we have is the I.P.L. Indy "Parade" League or Indy "Penalty" League.

[heliocastroneves#3]

I dunno whats your problem, compared to F1 the IndyCar Series is awesome. In F1 they already give a penalty when two cars are having a LITTLE contact... Pantano's penalty wasn't needed but it's good that people like Hunter-Reay and Conway had to take a penalty in Edmonton and are putted on probation.

You may have your opinion, but if there's a parade series with a lot of penalties it's the Formula One....

[coogmaster]

Much more exciting than the contrived, show that is oval racing.

The Pantano penalty has a faint odor of NASCAR style controls.


I agree that the penalty is another example of how the rulebook needs to be altered and clarified, and the man interpreting the rules either should be replaced or smacked upside the head.

I enjoy a good road race. When it has PASSING. Competition is the driving force behind motorsports, racing with other drivers, not sitting back and watching a train go by. Left & right hand turns are a good challenge for the drivers, I agree. But, the F1 race in SPA was head & shoulders above this. These cars just can't pass on road courses (no ground effects, cars built for ovals, ect).

That being said, I understand how ovals can be boring sometimes. Anytime you have a parade, no matter the track, that's no fun. Wheel to wheel competition, however, is the essence behind American OW racing - A race like Iowa, Kanaan ahead one lap, Marco the next, then after that they come by side-by-side - I mean, that's RACING. Sometimes the challenge of racing a driver is better than the challenge of racing the track (IMO).

Bottom line, and we all know this, it's the car. A unique challenge of ovals and road racing is what sets AOWR apart from NAPCAR, F1 and the rest. The new car might be ugly, it might take a year for the new engines to come through - but, I think the racing will be fresh and exciting on all circuits (I have faith in turbos), something we all have been needing for too long.

[DBell]

I dunno whats your problem, compared to F1 the IndyCar Series is awesome. In F1 they already give a penalty when two cars are having a LITTLE contact... Pantano's penalty wasn't needed but it's good that people like Hunter-Reay and Conway had to take a penalty in Edmonton and are putted on probation.

You may have your opinion, but if there's a parade series with a lot of penalties it's the Formula One....

Have you actually watched F1 this year. Spa had more passing on the first few laps than IndyCar had the whole race. Way more parades in IndyCar this year than F1.

[00steven]

F1, Indycar, and NASCAR have all a good to great year,imo.

[JTK]

What a dreadfully boring race that was, now I know why I prefer the excitement of the ovals. Indycar has switched too many races away from the ovals, a revert to at least 60/40% back in their favour is needed.

[NickFalzone]

The scenic road courses, such as in Ohio, Alabama, and Sonoma, are all pretty to view, and probably fun to drive, but they are dreadfully dull to watch, and a real anchor on the entertainment value/ratings of the IndyCar series. Add 1 or 2 street circuit, another oval, and drop 3 road races, and you've got yourselves a MUCH better racing schedule.

[nigelred5]

I agree with you on Sonoma and Mid Ohio being boring races to watch, and I had hoped Barber would be different but it's not. I'd love to switch sonoma for laguna Seca, but my frienhds that live in the bay area will tell you you have a better chance of a consistent crowd at Sonoma than all the way down at Laguna Seca(?). Mid ohio also has a better chance for better crowds than Road America, but the tracks barely bear comparison for raceability IMHO, the Indycars should be at Road America and still be at the Glen. Barber is a beautiful place, but sadly pretty much a bike track. Indycars really need tracks with nice long straights.

I'd lovee to see The IMS road course configured in some way to utilize much more of the oval and see an Indycar/ALMS 12 hr endurance race.

[Nikki Katz]

I don't think the race was that bad, though not exactly one of the best. I don't really understand Pantano's penalty though, was he just penalised for overtaking? There've been many more questionable moves (perhaps not this race) that have gone unpunished.

[maxmach]

Good race, not great.......solid I guess. Not every race is going to be a barn burner, or crashfest, which gets more mainstream attention but for the wrong reasons. Rahal was looking racey, just too far back to matter. Pantanos penelty was BS. Bourdais, I think He may be having the drive of the year, overcoming a lot. And this from a PT fan.
As for Benard and Miller......looks like the lone ranger isn't so alone anymore........
ANd please, Jenkins might be a nice guy......but His announcing.......just hurts my ears.

[Marbles]

I don't think the race was that bad, though not exactly one of the best.

I agree that while it certainly wasn't a barn burner, there was some action in the back and it was caught by the broadcast. I'm wondering if they had a new guy in the truck in charge of this coverage. LOL, years from now someone will see a picture of Saavedra up on that hill and wonder how he managed that.


I don't really understand Pantano's penalty though, was he just penalised for overtaking? There've been many more questionable moves (perhaps not this race) that have gone unpunished.

Looking back, I understand the penalty as Indycar sees it. Pantano was not on the racing line and he was the car ahead from the previous corner. He isn't allowed to stray from the racing line. His move was not an F1 style "move inside and then assume the racing line when arriving at the next corner." He took the inside line immediately upon exiting the previous corner and kept it into the next corner. I believe? It was text book racecraft... anywhere on the planet except Indycar.

The F1 race has been mentioned a few times in comparison to this one. Firstly, it was at Spa. Need i say more? Okay, I will. Secondly, most people here don't like the silliness of P2P. How would you like Indycar to have a rear wing that opens up, gives a huge aero advantage and can only be used by the guy who somehow found himself behind?

[Jag_Warrior]

Maybe it's because I'm more of an F1 fan than an IRL fan, but to me the DRS is a much better solution to the passing issue than Push-to-Pass (which is really just Push-Not-to-Pass... like KERS). With KERS and P2P, if both drivers get on it at roughly the same time, there is no advantage. With DRS, the following car has to be within one second of the leading car. And since at least two laps have to expire before it's activated, it's not as if a slow (but lucky) car is going to be eating up the field just by using DRS. If the passing car just got a lucky break, instead of disappearing into the distance (as is usually the case), he will simply be re-passed when they get back into a DRS zone. I didn't care for P2P when CCWS had it and I don't care for it now.

I like the technology potential that KERS might lead to in passenger cars (P2P doesn't have a real world application that I'm aware of). But for racing, I really like DRS.

Additionally, I'm not a fan (at all) of the IRL forcing people to choose these make believe lanes. Don't weave. But pick whatever racing line you want and RACE! On a given weekend, if they're all on, I'll always watch the F1 race, usually the GP2 and I'll at least DVR the IRL race. And if I sum them all up, on the officiating (this season), I'd rank F1 first (usually), GP2 second (usually) and the IRL has consistently been the caboose this season. Truly AWFUL officiating, IMO. I don't think the IRL could do any worse if they just fired Barnhart and rewrote the rule book (the road course portion anyway) to what GP2 has, and let former GP2 stewards call the races. More and more of the drivers in the IRL are ex GP2 drivers anyway. Heck, at least they'd be familiar with it. And it makes more sense than a lot of these odd ball rules that Barnhart and his cast of clowns have dreamed up.

[DBell]

I agree with Jag. The 1 second rule is what makes it palatable for me. If a driver is 5 seconds behind, he can't use it to catch up. But if he's faster and closes to within a second, then he's faster anyway and it sure beats having a clearly faster car become stuck aerodynamically behind a slower car. Last year's championship was largely decided by this when Alonso got stuck behind the Renault and couldn't find a way past in the last race of the year. Maybe it will need to be tweaked at a couple of races, Turkey comes to mind, as it may be too big of an advantage, but overall, I think it has been a great success. The racing in F1 has been very good the last few years and the DRS has helped F1 have great racing this year. I would add that I think DRS is only a part of the reason for the great racing this year. The Pirelli tires have been maybe an even bigger reason that F1 has been so good this year and this could be something that IndyCar could look at. If IndyCar had tires that would have trouble lasting for a full fuel run and teams would have to pit more because of tires than fuel, then maybe that would help eliminate the all the fuel saving that goes on in their races.

I would add that I'm no fan of PTP either.

[Marbles]

I pretty much agree with you guys on all points with the exception of the DRS. It's a decadent delight for sure. I agree that it has certainly helped spice up the racing as well as some other things but there's just something so wrong about one driver having being able to use a device that another can't. This ain't Mario Kart. All Rosberg had was one big smoking car on the grid and no DRS when he shot to the front. It would have been interesting to see him attempt to hold off the rest without being passed like he was standing still when the DRS was activated. Fat chance at seeing another "Villeneuve at Jarama" in modern day F1.

I'm don't think of myself as a purist. The Hanford Device was fits and giggles but the only advantage a driver had was his position on the track.