No Podiums in IndyCar ?

[ChicagocrewIRL]

Can someone please tell me why there aren't podium celebrations in IndyCar ?

In most other forms of motorsports, the winner along with the 2nd and 3rd place machines are celebrated. But in IndyCar, 2nd and 3rd are pretty much forgotten?

The reason this question came to mind was that I was reading in Autosport Magazine about how Helio has had podium finishes in 4 out of 7 tries including 2 wins at Indianapolis.

I think podium finishes should be given more prominence when discussing drivers' success. Finishing consistently in the top 3 is a huge accomplishment and shows consistency of a talented racer.

I'm willing to hear theories, hypotheticals, and facts as to why IndyCar doesn't do podium celebrations and recognition.

[DBell]

Can someone please tell me why there aren't podium celebrations in IndyCar ?

In most other forms of motorsports, the winner along with the 2nd and 3rd place machines are celebrated. But in IndyCar, 2nd and 3rd are pretty much forgotten?

The reason this question came to mind was that I was reading in Autosport Magazine about how Helio has had podium finishes in 4 out of 7 tries including 2 wins at Indianapolis.

I think podium finishes should be given more prominence when discussing drivers' success. Finishing consistently in the top 3 is a huge accomplishment and shows consistency of a talented racer.

I'm willing to hear theories, hypotheticals, and facts as to why IndyCar doesn't do podium celebrations and recognition.

Just guessing, but is it an oval thing? NASCAR doesn't do it either.

[ChicagocrewIRL]

That might be true. I need to look into how other oval series handle trophy presentations.

Not sure as to WHY an oval series doesn't do it though.

[Mark]

Always been the same with most American racing whever I've watched it? i.e. They are fully focused on the winning driver and that's it. Whereas there are regs in F1 that within a certain number of minutes after getting out of the car the drivers must be on the podium, they don't let TV crews talk to them in the meantime just for this reason.

[Hoss Ghoul]

I'd rather they gave credits for podiums and dropped the whole top 5 and top 10 finish thing. There is nothing paticuarly impressive about a lot of top 10's in a series with 18 or 19 cars. Top 3(podium) and Top 5 should be the distinction or stat of note.

As to your question, I think it is as DBell said, it seems that road racing distinguishes podium finishes and ovals celebrate the winners. Is(was) there podiums for oval CART races? I don't think so, but I cannot recall...?

[Hoss Ghoul]

Always been the same with most American racing whever I've watched it? i.e. They are fully focused on the winning driver and that's it. Whereas there are regs in F1 that within a certain number of minutes after getting out of the car the drivers must be on the podium, they don't let TV crews talk to them in the meantime just for this reason.

Your comment reminds me of another likely reason for this. International competition. F1 and European road racing, and also the tradition and history of the Olympic games, probably incorporated podiums do to the various nations competing in the event.

ALMS is an American series, but with international drivers, on road courses, they have podiums, for what its worth.

[Toe_Knee_Jorge]

Here's my opinion.

American racing has it's roots planted in American racers.

European racing was more multi national and a podium celebration allows for recognition of the participating countries, hence the playing of the national anthems during the podium celebrations.

tkj out

[Alexamateo]

Can someone please tell me why there aren't podium celebrations in IndyCar ?



FWIW, There have been podium celebrations at various times, as this photo of AL Unser Jr, Mark Dismore, and Sam Hornish Jr shows from Gateway in 2001. There may not be an official policy and decisions are left to the tracks.

I also agree with Hoss, a top ten is meaningless when you can get one and still be in the bottom half of the finishing order. Top 3's(podiums if you will) and top 5's are a truer measure of prowess.

[ChicagocrewIRL]

Thanks for all the brilliant insights and theories. I am beginning to think it is an INTERNATIONAL thing and not an American thing.

With multinational driver participation in international racing series, I think recognition of driver nationality plays a larger role.

I definitely agree that top 10s are meaningless in 18-22 car series. Top 3 or top 5 holds much more weight IMO .

[ChicagocrewIRL]

ALSO.....

It would be hard to imagine a podium celebration at the Indy 500. I think tradition dictates that the accomplishment of winning the 500 Mile Race have the focus solely on the winner. At Indy, there is no second.

Perhaps this tradition carries over to all the other races.

[ACTF_ZETT]

Winning is everything, who cares who finishes second? This isnt the olympics where your awarded bronze, silver, or gold. Personally after going to the first USGP, I thought the podium celebration took away from the winners celebration. Can you imagine a podium for the Indy 500? Passing the milk around. This is an experience that only the winner has earned.

And playing the national anthems for every driver on the podium, give me a break. Once again its not the olympics, your not competiting against representatives from every country...

[DBell]

Winning is everything, who cares who finishes second? This isnt the olympics where your awarded bronze, silver, or gold. Personally after going to the first USGP, I thought the podium celebration took away from the winners celebration. Can you imagine a podium for the Indy 500? Passing the milk around. This is an experience that only the winner has earned.

And playing the national anthems for every driver on the podium, give me a break. Once again its not the olympics, your not competiting against representatives from every country...

They don't play the anthems for all the drivers on the podium. They play the anthem for the winning driver and the nationality of the winning team. i.e. When Schumacher and Ferrari won they played the German and Italian anthems.

[pvtjoker]

The IRL do have podiums at all their road races and select ovals.

[keysersoze]

To me, in F1, when the top three drivers pull into parc ferme, exit their vehicles, and have a quick celebration with their crew (and each other), why, that's one of the coolest parts of the telecast.

[MarcoCheever]

"When Schumacher and Ferrari won they played the German and Italian anthems."

National anthems,,,,oh all those years I just thought they were podium themes...

[-Helix-]

There's no Podiums in NASCAR either.

And America = NASCAR country. You do the math.

[Komahawk]

IMO F1 has the best podium/trophy presentations. Everyone on his podium with his trophy, and the national anthem of the winner is played. Kinda makes it look 'olympic'. Just classy. IRL should copy that, the IRL-grid is almost as international as F1 nowadays.

[RGM Fan]

Its not just an oval thing the now defunct ASA recognized the top three finishers with a podium.

I think its more of the IRL trying to be NASCAR without fenders.

As far as it not being international the IRL races in Japan and more forign races are likely coming. Also 80 percent of the field comes from a country other than the US so I fail to see how the IRL could be considered anything other than "International."

[Komahawk]

Nah, not 80% of the field. Just 80% of the top10. There's like 7 or 8 Americans on the grid.

[ChicagocrewIRL]

Danica got her first ever PODIUM today. CONGRATS DANICA !!! GREAT RACE!

[RGM Fan]

Danica got her first ever PODIUM today. CONGRATS DANICA !!! GREAT RACE!

Okay

So dominates the race leading three fourths of the race, most of the lead changes coming as a result of pit stops, six cars on the lead lap, and 13 of 20 running at the finish is a good, excuse me, great race.

Yeah, sure.

[Hoss Ghoul]

Okay

So dominates the race leading three fourths of the race, most of the lead changes coming as a result of pit stops, six cars on the lead lap, and 13 of 20 running at the finish is a good, excuse me, great race.

Yeah, sure.

Don't you feel stupid, wasting your time on worthless criticism?

[ChicagocrewIRL]

Okay

So dominates the race leading three fourths of the race, most of the lead changes coming as a result of pit stops, six cars on the lead lap, and 13 of 20 running at the finish is a good, excuse me, great race.

Yeah, sure.




I'll have a heart attack and die on the day whenever you have anything positive to say.

In any case.... have a nice day.... peace and love peace and love .

<<<SPECIAL TEXAS RACING NOOGIES FOR YOU RGM>>> :) :P

CONGRATULATIONS DANICA ON YOUR FIRST CAREER PODIUM

[luke]

I'd rather they gave credits for podiums and dropped the whole top 5 and top 10 finish thing. There is nothing paticuarly impressive about a lot of top 10's in a series with 18 or 19 cars. Top 3(podium) and Top 5 should be the distinction or stat of note.

As to your question, I think it is as DBell said, it seems that road racing distinguishes podium finishes and ovals celebrate the winners. Is(was) there podiums for oval CART races? I don't think so, but I cannot recall...?

There diffinatly was a propper podium at the Rockingham 500 the year Franchitti won it....

[BobbyC]

The other recognition is oval racing's background has been in horse racing, and in horse racing, the winner and his team (trainer, assistants, owner, jockey) are all together with the winning official.

As a rule, a podium ceremony recognises just the drivers, and the winning team principal. The mechanics are on the bottom and aren't part of the ceremony the fans see.

Three drivers, three trophies, and some spray doesn't do justice as one driver, one chief mechanic, and every member of the winning team being part of the week's magazines gives something back.

A full Winner's Circle with the winning car, driver, owner, and entire team behind the team makes for better PR. What the fan sees with the full ceremony is the entire team celebrating -- not just the driver and owner, but down to the lowest rung on the crew ladder are in the photos. The tire changers, fuelers, engine tuner, shock specialist, aerodynamicist, engineers, pit crew trainers, and sometimes even the hospitality staff join together for the ceremony because it is a celebration of the entire team. All of this owes to oval racing's heritage in horses. A first-time winner sharing in the win with his entire crew also makes for great emotion, especially when the photographers have the crew in caps promoting various sponsors taking pictures to celebrate.

The winner's circle doesn't celebrate the drivers as much as it celebrates everyone on the team who did their best to win the race. They aren't background -- they are foreground.

[Skid Marx]

Always been the same with most American racing whever I've watched it? i.e. They are fully focused on the winning driver and that's it. Whereas there are regs in F1 that within a certain number of minutes after getting out of the car the drivers must be on the podium, they don't let TV crews talk to them in the meantime just for this reason.

Not quite. CART used to have podium celebrations at their oval races. I went to every race CART held at the oval at Gateway (St. Louis), 1997-2000, and there was a podium celebration every time. I also went to Milwaukee once and there was a podium celebration there as well.

[Cessna195]

I say we don’t need podiums. 2nd place is just first loser.
John

[nigelred5]

CART didn't have Podiums until embracing more of an international flair and road course orientation after the split as best I can remember. We have winners circle or victory lane, not a podium in most american forms of racing. None of that "everyone's a winner" b.s. ;)

In American racing, hell, american sports in general, it's pretty much only the winner that gets to celebrate. No one remembers who finished second.

[Komahawk]

Yea, and no one cares that sometimes you can take over or even extend your championship lead with a 2nd or 3rd place.

[Mark in Oshawa]

Podiums work if you want to have value in finishing in the top 3, but I guess the traditions in American racing are more germane to who won, and everyone else is the first second. It is as much to do with the mentality of the national ethos of the USA as compared to Europe. In Europe,there is a lot of emphasis on working together and everyone getting along. In America, it is "just win baby".......which might explain why the American business climate is so dog eat dog and Darwininian in scope. American's don't like to reward doing well, they reward winners.....

[BobbyC]

Mark,

Rewarding winners?

How about rewarding the guy who sits in the pits all day to plot strategy and is there for the winner? What's the glory of watching the entire AGR team together celebrating Dario Franchitti's win at Richmond? What does it mean to the rookie engineer celebrating his first race win in winner's circle? What does it mean for a married father to celebrate with wife and kids together? Winner's Circles from horse racing celebrate family and friends.