With a busy racing weekend in store, the southern circus that is NASCAR rolled into my adopted hometown of Milwaukee this weekend. Not the Sprint Cup Series mind you, but the junior-league Nationwide and Craftsman Trucks were in town.
It's been years since I have attended one of these such races and as a primarily road-racing and open-wheel fan, there was a wealth of culture shock to be embraced. Friday I paid visit to the racing trucks event.
Like the occasional rip on Texas, attending a NASCAR race is like "goin' to a whole other country."
I must say I was getting a bit comfortable going to IndyCar events with my media credential so having to show up at the track, search for a parking space and pay for tickets out of my own pocket was not much fun. The difference in attending races as a younger kid was that my dad took care of both said items.
The fanbase is completely different, as could be expected. The middle-class, hard-working, beer-drinking, mostly accented people comprise the "group of folks" there. Seated right behind me was a fan club rooting for Erik Darnell, who took liberty with NASCAR's decision to not throw a yellow flag at one point when a slower truck was on the racing line and out of fuel. A rash of four-letter words could be heard at any level in the particular grandstand.
To boot, with over 120 laps completed (these Trucks are some six seconds a lap slower than IndyCars), the race took longer and a little over two hours into the experience, lightning strikes and some drizzles were present around the track. I bolted, as did most of the half-capacity crowd, for the exits. A forty-minute delay later and the race resumed.
It was a good thing that IndyCar easily had more fans than the Trucks at the Milwaukee Mile, and probably as many if not a little more than the Nationwide race on Saturday night. There's still much work to be done though in those ranks and a roundtable meeting of potential manufacturers being held this week is a step in the rebuilding process.
IndyCar, after a week off, resumed at Iowa this past weekend. As usual, both no-hope drivers Marty Roth and Milka Duno crashed in practice, with Roth withdrawing before the race for the third time this season. Duno retired after 26 laps with the politically-correct "handling" issues, slang for being slower than a turtle in racing terms.
With 60 laps to go, fuel-mileage came into play as three drivers stayed out (Dan Wheldon, Hideki Mutoh and Danica) while the rest topped off their tanks. The former two stayed in their 1-2 spots with Danica fading to 6th by the checkers. For all the efforts of ABC/ESPN to promote the heck out of her, she has no top-five finishes this season with the exception of her fortunate first win in Japan.
Elsewhere I got to see an F1 race for a change, as Time Warner Cable's basic lineup doesn't include SPEED. The French GP, broadcast on FOX, featured a Ferrari 1-2 with Felipe Massa ahead thanks to a faulty exhaust pipe that derailed Kimi Raikkonen's race. As usual there was little of entertainment other than a gripping battle for third late in the going between Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen, Trulli eventually prevailing there.
Next week, NASCAR's main series returns to ovals following their one week road course jaunt to Sonoma, while IndyCar takes on its shortest track at the three-quarter mile Richmond bullring. Until then, cheers.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Father's Day weekend
My so-called "month on the road", where I didn't spend more than 10 consecutive days in any one spot, has come to a conclusion. Stops in Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Scottsdale and San Diego have all accumulated and now for an extended period of time I will be in one base.
A big sports weekend on Father's Day, racing not necessarily at the forefront. Most of the country was encapsulated by the riveting U.S. Open golf match between Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate, which Woods ultimately won. It wasn't for a lack of effort on Rocco's part. Ordinarily I wouldn't glance at golf - and playing isn't my forte either after swinging clubs with my dad Sunday morning was abysmal at best.
The NBA Finals were nearing their conclusion amidst the referee-fixing scandal brought about by the disgraced con ex-ref Tim Donaghy. Only now they have just wrapped up, Boston beating the Lakers with a drubbing in game six to win their first title in 22 years.
And racing-wise, Junior Nation got their answer to their never-ending question of when their homeboy would return to Victory Lane. On a fuel mileage gamble, which eventually led to extra laps after a late-race caution, Dale Jr. stayed out on his crew chief's call to hit Victory Lane for the first time in 76 races.
The symmetry of that number is profound - that was Dale Sr.'s number of career victories - and this was also Rick Hendrick's "adopted son" scoring his first win for what Forbes estimates is the highest valued team in the series. While Dale has lost his father, Rick has lost a son, and it was fitting this would be the day these two finally won a points race together. He has genuinely been the best of the four-car Hendrick armada this season and a legit championship contender come the fall.
On the subject of wins and losses, though, while politics would usually be a far stretch to fit the parameters of this blog, I can't go through this week without a mention of Tim Russert's passing. As a young would-be journalist myself, and I mean that in terms of motorsports writing and not as a blogger, there's always a lot to learn from the veterans of this profession and perhaps none was more fair and fitting to the standards of it in a political sense than Tim.
He could ask the tough questions without coming off as rude or overbearing, and had a genuine passion for his job that few seem to display on the outside. Politics in this country is a dirty game more often than not, the mudslinging of both parties leads many to apathy and/or negativity. But Russert, having originally worked for Sen. Moynahan of NY, knew the inside of his work before becoming a "voice of the people".
And at its core, something I continue to study throughout my college career, that is the essence of this field, even as it changes with new technologies. A journalist should be someone who can eloquently but not pompously convey the questions and thoughts of their constituents for the betterment of that particular field. Russert was that to his core, and his loss is a difficult one to swallow.
For me, Sundays encompassed two interchangeable things - racing from February through September and football from that time until January. But always on before that was Meet the Press, and now it won't be the same without hearing those words from the ultimate family and fellow Jesuit-educated man.
A big sports weekend on Father's Day, racing not necessarily at the forefront. Most of the country was encapsulated by the riveting U.S. Open golf match between Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate, which Woods ultimately won. It wasn't for a lack of effort on Rocco's part. Ordinarily I wouldn't glance at golf - and playing isn't my forte either after swinging clubs with my dad Sunday morning was abysmal at best.
The NBA Finals were nearing their conclusion amidst the referee-fixing scandal brought about by the disgraced con ex-ref Tim Donaghy. Only now they have just wrapped up, Boston beating the Lakers with a drubbing in game six to win their first title in 22 years.
And racing-wise, Junior Nation got their answer to their never-ending question of when their homeboy would return to Victory Lane. On a fuel mileage gamble, which eventually led to extra laps after a late-race caution, Dale Jr. stayed out on his crew chief's call to hit Victory Lane for the first time in 76 races.
The symmetry of that number is profound - that was Dale Sr.'s number of career victories - and this was also Rick Hendrick's "adopted son" scoring his first win for what Forbes estimates is the highest valued team in the series. While Dale has lost his father, Rick has lost a son, and it was fitting this would be the day these two finally won a points race together. He has genuinely been the best of the four-car Hendrick armada this season and a legit championship contender come the fall.
On the subject of wins and losses, though, while politics would usually be a far stretch to fit the parameters of this blog, I can't go through this week without a mention of Tim Russert's passing. As a young would-be journalist myself, and I mean that in terms of motorsports writing and not as a blogger, there's always a lot to learn from the veterans of this profession and perhaps none was more fair and fitting to the standards of it in a political sense than Tim.
He could ask the tough questions without coming off as rude or overbearing, and had a genuine passion for his job that few seem to display on the outside. Politics in this country is a dirty game more often than not, the mudslinging of both parties leads many to apathy and/or negativity. But Russert, having originally worked for Sen. Moynahan of NY, knew the inside of his work before becoming a "voice of the people".
And at its core, something I continue to study throughout my college career, that is the essence of this field, even as it changes with new technologies. A journalist should be someone who can eloquently but not pompously convey the questions and thoughts of their constituents for the betterment of that particular field. Russert was that to his core, and his loss is a difficult one to swallow.
For me, Sundays encompassed two interchangeable things - racing from February through September and football from that time until January. But always on before that was Meet the Press, and now it won't be the same without hearing those words from the ultimate family and fellow Jesuit-educated man.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
BMW breaks through
Taking a break from IndyCar coverage this week to focus on Formula One, and a first-time winner in both driver and team. For the first time in three weeks I wasn't at a track, but in San Diego soaking up some wonderful weather.
F1 ran in Canada with Robert Kubica delivering a fantastic triumph for BMW Sauber. One year ago such a situation as occurred on Sunday in Montreal might have been unfathomable.
The first time one sees Kubica's terrifying accident last year, chills run down the spine. As recently as four or five years ago that would have meant serious injuries if not worse. Because of the forgiving nature of modern, new circuits in the series, there is usually plenty of run-off area to scrub off speed before making contact.
Where Kubica wrecked, it was a grass strip before head-on contact into the barrier that destroyed his chassis and launched him across the track, with carbon fiber shards spread everywhere.
What stayed intact was the driver's monocoque, and the second-year driver emerged solely with a bruised ankle. One missed race a week later and he was back in the cockpit, best of the rest not from Ferrari and McLaren in France.
A year later, the Pole returned to the circuit and was the only one remotely in the same zip code as Lewis Hamilton throughout practice and qualifying. Once Hamilton made a colossal pit lane error, the race was his and he thoroughly took advantage. To say it was a deserved result would be an understatement. As Bob Varsha said on the FOX telecast, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve owed Kubica his first victory.
Kubica has delivered, through seven races, on the promise he showcased as a rookie the second half of 2006. BMW's improved pace sees them finally challenging Ferrari and McLaren, and the win was the first not by either of those teams since Fernando Alonso won the last race at Suzuka in October of '06. BMW's former incarnation of Sauber was the eternal midpack team that always did the best it could with limited resources. As BMW has now poured money and its available resources into the game, the team has jumped up the grid.
It is a long season and Hamilton will no doubt rue his mistake. As Kubica and Kimi Raikkonen clearly obeyed the notorious Montreal pit lane red light, Hamilton lost focus and veered left into Kimi's parked car. Not often in modern F1 the two title protagonists take each other out (with Michael Schumacher in the field this wasn't such a rarity). Not only was there a lack of points from this race but Hamilton has now been docked 10 grid positions the following event in France, which should hinder his odds there.
Second and third in the race went to veterans Nick Heidfeld and David Coulthard. Neither's been very impressive this year - Heidfeld has lost his edge at BMW to Kubica - but the podiums were deserved for keeping their heads clean and avoiding the pitfalls and mistakes of their rivals.
For Coulthard, odds are this is the last time the Scotsman will crack the rostrum before he drifts into commentary work next year for the BBC. Nothing is confirmed on that front but with his style and expert opinion, as well as his age, all signs point to DC working the mike next year instead of a steering wheel.
It was also the last North American voyage for the European-based series this season. Rumors abound about the U.S.'s place in the series and given most of the manufacturers have their main market Stateside, and a pocket of 100-200,000 fans will always attend the race, Indy should come back if a title sponsor is found. But money talks and wherever Bernie can get his sanctioning fee paid is where F1 will race, whether Americans like it or not.
A word also about his partner-in-crime, embattled FIA President Max Mosley. He has retained his position through the end of his 2009 term despite the alleged sex scandal that has tarnished what little positive opinion of the man still existed. Only if his personal affairs interfere with his job at hand should Mosley have been booted, in my opinion, and by not cutting him loose for this marks one time I can agree with the World Motor Sport Council.
Mosley may be off the hot seat but most Americans aren't after a stifling heat wave currently stretching across the north and southeast; as well as in the deserts where it is always going to boil. That coupled with the crumbling economy, skyrocketing gas prices and political mudslinging means it is good to have distractions such as racing or stick-and-ball sports.
F1 ran in Canada with Robert Kubica delivering a fantastic triumph for BMW Sauber. One year ago such a situation as occurred on Sunday in Montreal might have been unfathomable.
The first time one sees Kubica's terrifying accident last year, chills run down the spine. As recently as four or five years ago that would have meant serious injuries if not worse. Because of the forgiving nature of modern, new circuits in the series, there is usually plenty of run-off area to scrub off speed before making contact.
Where Kubica wrecked, it was a grass strip before head-on contact into the barrier that destroyed his chassis and launched him across the track, with carbon fiber shards spread everywhere.
What stayed intact was the driver's monocoque, and the second-year driver emerged solely with a bruised ankle. One missed race a week later and he was back in the cockpit, best of the rest not from Ferrari and McLaren in France.
A year later, the Pole returned to the circuit and was the only one remotely in the same zip code as Lewis Hamilton throughout practice and qualifying. Once Hamilton made a colossal pit lane error, the race was his and he thoroughly took advantage. To say it was a deserved result would be an understatement. As Bob Varsha said on the FOX telecast, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve owed Kubica his first victory.
Kubica has delivered, through seven races, on the promise he showcased as a rookie the second half of 2006. BMW's improved pace sees them finally challenging Ferrari and McLaren, and the win was the first not by either of those teams since Fernando Alonso won the last race at Suzuka in October of '06. BMW's former incarnation of Sauber was the eternal midpack team that always did the best it could with limited resources. As BMW has now poured money and its available resources into the game, the team has jumped up the grid.
It is a long season and Hamilton will no doubt rue his mistake. As Kubica and Kimi Raikkonen clearly obeyed the notorious Montreal pit lane red light, Hamilton lost focus and veered left into Kimi's parked car. Not often in modern F1 the two title protagonists take each other out (with Michael Schumacher in the field this wasn't such a rarity). Not only was there a lack of points from this race but Hamilton has now been docked 10 grid positions the following event in France, which should hinder his odds there.
Second and third in the race went to veterans Nick Heidfeld and David Coulthard. Neither's been very impressive this year - Heidfeld has lost his edge at BMW to Kubica - but the podiums were deserved for keeping their heads clean and avoiding the pitfalls and mistakes of their rivals.
For Coulthard, odds are this is the last time the Scotsman will crack the rostrum before he drifts into commentary work next year for the BBC. Nothing is confirmed on that front but with his style and expert opinion, as well as his age, all signs point to DC working the mike next year instead of a steering wheel.
It was also the last North American voyage for the European-based series this season. Rumors abound about the U.S.'s place in the series and given most of the manufacturers have their main market Stateside, and a pocket of 100-200,000 fans will always attend the race, Indy should come back if a title sponsor is found. But money talks and wherever Bernie can get his sanctioning fee paid is where F1 will race, whether Americans like it or not.
A word also about his partner-in-crime, embattled FIA President Max Mosley. He has retained his position through the end of his 2009 term despite the alleged sex scandal that has tarnished what little positive opinion of the man still existed. Only if his personal affairs interfere with his job at hand should Mosley have been booted, in my opinion, and by not cutting him loose for this marks one time I can agree with the World Motor Sport Council.
Mosley may be off the hot seat but most Americans aren't after a stifling heat wave currently stretching across the north and southeast; as well as in the deserts where it is always going to boil. That coupled with the crumbling economy, skyrocketing gas prices and political mudslinging means it is good to have distractions such as racing or stick-and-ball sports.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Mile/IndyCar report card
Villainized one week ago, and criticized to no end by members of the media and all the Danica fans, Ryan Briscoe thoroughly served up several helpings of humble pie with his win this weekend. His drive through the field at the treacherous Milwaukee Mile, the first race at the track with 26 cars since 1999, was masterful as he worked the high line to his advantage. Then, when Scott Dixon closed to within striking distance, Briscoe held off all challenges and then narrowly avoided a catastrophic crash in front of him.
The Aussie had his head held high after the controversial pit incident a week ago and from replays it appeared as though he had pulled into the outside lane. But after letting the incident set in for a week, it is apparent the only reason he found himself in as much trouble as he did was because it was Danica. Had that been any other driver, chances are it would have been an afterthought.
A week ago I will admit a petition for Tomas Scheckter to be placed in Briscoe's Penske seat. Scheckter would be a natural fit in a full-time seat especially as he ran so well in limited time with the Penske offshoot, Luczo Dragon Racing. Briscoe's not off the hook by any stretch of the imagination but Roger believes in him now and several more good runs/finishes should quiet the doubters, myself included.
There was a bigger crowd than in recent years for either IndyCar or Champ Car races at the Mile, and the largest car turnout in nine years. Milwaukee's place on the schedule should not be in doubt.
Reflecting on the first several events so far, IndyCar has definitely gained momentum to the general public, if not immediately on the TV ratings front. A 4.5 rating at the 500 was not something to crow about when it was still outdone by the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600.
What drove Champ Car to its grave more than anything else was a lack of stability on all fronts. IndyCar has to do everything it can to maintain some of the assets picked up in their acquisition as well as some of their strongholds.
They must keep their manufacturer (Honda) happy and invite competition, and it appears steps are being taken in both directions. Honda re-upped for five future seasons with a roundtable of manufacturer execs to be assembled later this month to discuss new entries. Given Toyota's rampage in NASCAR it would not be a surprise, in my opinion, to see GM or Cosworth return. The latter is KV Racing co-owner Kevin Kalkhoven's company after all...
The new formula for 2011 must coincide with the changes in road cars, to be technologically relevant and environmentally friendly. Ethanol is a good start and after speaking with someone well-versed in the field in Indy, it was brought up that cellulostic ethanol would be viable. Engines must be turbos, a smaller block of 2.4 or 2.6 liters that is pleasing to the ears.
Long Beach and Edmonton have secured races for five more years at least, but former CC strongholds Cleveland, Toronto and Road America must come back. Portland could be added as well to give the series a race in the Pacific Northwest, a market NASCAR has not yet cornered. Some of the awful ISC 1.5 milers must go - the Kansases, Nashvilles and Kentuckys of the world.
The driver lineup cannot change but for a few spots. Period. The driver carousel of rotating European and Latin American pay-drivers doomed continuity in CC and already reared its ugly head a few races in once the talented French driver Franck Perera was jettisoned for the moneyed Brazilian Jaime Camara. Paul Tracy, Robert Doornbos and Nelson Philippe were CC winners but as they wanted to be paid, could not find seats in the merged series. Sometimes, the more things change the more they stay the same. PT is the most notable loss of the three.
While the Camara change isn't a move at the front of the field necessarily, it is a symbol of what could happen if teams can't secure the necessary backing on their own and have to resort to the services of less able pilots. Hopefully the new teams can find the financial wherewithall to survive past this year when they are in essence, racing on Tony George's dime with the TEAM enhancement program. Otherwise, the increased car count could drastically drop.
And the drivers need to be in advertisements with their sponsors. Why Marco Andretti has not yet dropped off a movie at a Blockbuster in his IndyCar is beyond me. Why Graham Rahal isn't saying "I'm lovin' it" at McDonald's is inexcusable. These two are the future of IndyCars as they continue to mature. Why Red Bull isn't on Buddy Rice's car is pathetic. Rice is a badass American, former Indy 500 winner, and able to turn a smaller-budget operation in Dreyer & Reinbold into a top-ten contender.
Finally, the TV package needs to change. ESPN or SPEED should be able to find a 1/2 hour, once-weekly timeslot for IndyCar Live! or something of the sort to return. Half-hearted projects were abandoned after a few years but had good ideas - the CART Friday Night show that ran during 2002 was great as it featured highlights of the race weekend atmosphere that you could get if you were there and could inspire new fans to come to the events.
Put together the media members of IndyCar, Robin Miller for sure and a couple others, together for a 6-8 minute roundtable segment to discuss the week's race and talking points. Bring the Up to Speed! online show to the TV airwaves, as it has the potential to capture a broader audience for the casual viewer who might be flipping through channels. If ESPN can re-air boxing matches from 30 years ago, or hours upon hours of World's Strongest Man, World Series of Poker and sanctioned gluttony (hot dog-eating contests), then certainly they can promote a series that blows NASCAR out of the weeds in terms of speed, technology, and variety.
The Aussie had his head held high after the controversial pit incident a week ago and from replays it appeared as though he had pulled into the outside lane. But after letting the incident set in for a week, it is apparent the only reason he found himself in as much trouble as he did was because it was Danica. Had that been any other driver, chances are it would have been an afterthought.
A week ago I will admit a petition for Tomas Scheckter to be placed in Briscoe's Penske seat. Scheckter would be a natural fit in a full-time seat especially as he ran so well in limited time with the Penske offshoot, Luczo Dragon Racing. Briscoe's not off the hook by any stretch of the imagination but Roger believes in him now and several more good runs/finishes should quiet the doubters, myself included.
There was a bigger crowd than in recent years for either IndyCar or Champ Car races at the Mile, and the largest car turnout in nine years. Milwaukee's place on the schedule should not be in doubt.
Reflecting on the first several events so far, IndyCar has definitely gained momentum to the general public, if not immediately on the TV ratings front. A 4.5 rating at the 500 was not something to crow about when it was still outdone by the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600.
What drove Champ Car to its grave more than anything else was a lack of stability on all fronts. IndyCar has to do everything it can to maintain some of the assets picked up in their acquisition as well as some of their strongholds.
They must keep their manufacturer (Honda) happy and invite competition, and it appears steps are being taken in both directions. Honda re-upped for five future seasons with a roundtable of manufacturer execs to be assembled later this month to discuss new entries. Given Toyota's rampage in NASCAR it would not be a surprise, in my opinion, to see GM or Cosworth return. The latter is KV Racing co-owner Kevin Kalkhoven's company after all...
The new formula for 2011 must coincide with the changes in road cars, to be technologically relevant and environmentally friendly. Ethanol is a good start and after speaking with someone well-versed in the field in Indy, it was brought up that cellulostic ethanol would be viable. Engines must be turbos, a smaller block of 2.4 or 2.6 liters that is pleasing to the ears.
Long Beach and Edmonton have secured races for five more years at least, but former CC strongholds Cleveland, Toronto and Road America must come back. Portland could be added as well to give the series a race in the Pacific Northwest, a market NASCAR has not yet cornered. Some of the awful ISC 1.5 milers must go - the Kansases, Nashvilles and Kentuckys of the world.
The driver lineup cannot change but for a few spots. Period. The driver carousel of rotating European and Latin American pay-drivers doomed continuity in CC and already reared its ugly head a few races in once the talented French driver Franck Perera was jettisoned for the moneyed Brazilian Jaime Camara. Paul Tracy, Robert Doornbos and Nelson Philippe were CC winners but as they wanted to be paid, could not find seats in the merged series. Sometimes, the more things change the more they stay the same. PT is the most notable loss of the three.
While the Camara change isn't a move at the front of the field necessarily, it is a symbol of what could happen if teams can't secure the necessary backing on their own and have to resort to the services of less able pilots. Hopefully the new teams can find the financial wherewithall to survive past this year when they are in essence, racing on Tony George's dime with the TEAM enhancement program. Otherwise, the increased car count could drastically drop.
And the drivers need to be in advertisements with their sponsors. Why Marco Andretti has not yet dropped off a movie at a Blockbuster in his IndyCar is beyond me. Why Graham Rahal isn't saying "I'm lovin' it" at McDonald's is inexcusable. These two are the future of IndyCars as they continue to mature. Why Red Bull isn't on Buddy Rice's car is pathetic. Rice is a badass American, former Indy 500 winner, and able to turn a smaller-budget operation in Dreyer & Reinbold into a top-ten contender.
Finally, the TV package needs to change. ESPN or SPEED should be able to find a 1/2 hour, once-weekly timeslot for IndyCar Live! or something of the sort to return. Half-hearted projects were abandoned after a few years but had good ideas - the CART Friday Night show that ran during 2002 was great as it featured highlights of the race weekend atmosphere that you could get if you were there and could inspire new fans to come to the events.
Put together the media members of IndyCar, Robin Miller for sure and a couple others, together for a 6-8 minute roundtable segment to discuss the week's race and talking points. Bring the Up to Speed! online show to the TV airwaves, as it has the potential to capture a broader audience for the casual viewer who might be flipping through channels. If ESPN can re-air boxing matches from 30 years ago, or hours upon hours of World's Strongest Man, World Series of Poker and sanctioned gluttony (hot dog-eating contests), then certainly they can promote a series that blows NASCAR out of the weeds in terms of speed, technology, and variety.
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