Eunuchs of Unification, unite! PaddockTalk reports CCWS head honcho Kevin Kalkhoven was NOT in Montreal for yesterday’s Champ Car race, but was instead in (gasp) Sonoma! Perhaps he and IRL generalissimo Tony George were discussing ideas for the 2008 season, or perhaps they were simply debating their favorite Merlot. Either way, it should be noted that the Montreal race will probably be the last for Champ Car as now that neck of the woods has been claimed by NASCAR.
The Daytona Beach News has some more information on possible IndyCar testing at Daytona International Speedway. It seems that the testing IS intended to lead towards a possible IRL race, but the race would be on the Daytona road course. That probably makes more sense, as having IndyCars racing on the steep banks of the 2.5 mile oval would probably result in vertigo episodes like those CART (Champ Car) had at Texas Motor Speedway in 2001.
Lastly, a Silly Season update from Sports Illustrated on Andretti 3.0’s new best friend, Bryan Herta. It seems Mr. Judd let the cat out of the bag for the Invisible Man’s plans for 2008 yesterday.
"I think for sure all four of us will not be on the same team next year…I think Bryan has already chosen what he wants to do next year. It's kind of sad because we've built up such a good relationship."
This begs the question: who spins out late if Danica! is leading an race for AGR next season?
Who spins for Danica? Whoever Mike tells to. It probably won't be Marco. Watch out if Danica! is leading late in the 2007 500.
I thought the whole things seemed really fishy. I mean Bryan Herta usually isn't the "bang the steering wheel" type. That was a sizeable red flag to me.
Hahaha, Danica leading a race at the end and not pulling El Fade-Tantrum?
Is it me or do you get the feeling if she's leading late in Chicagoland and running low on fuel she won't get a late spin from Simmons or Rice?
I mean, Simmons would be doing a Fred Flintsone down the track before THAT happens.
Here are some wonderful quotes from Dario's conference call and other things that make you go "hmmm":
Hmmm...interesting Dario comments...
Then I tried to chase Marco (Andretti) down. That last yellow really probably cost us the win because I know Marco was in trouble with fuel. When it went green again I wasn't quick enough. I probably would have only won the race on fuel strategy today.
Q. Marco was close on stretching fuel. Do you feel that last yellow flag is really what just did it?
DARIO FRANCHITTI: That's what I just said.
Q. Could you elaborate a little bit more?
DARIO FRANCHITTI: I think I said enough really. He was in trouble with fuel, and we weren't. That's the luck of the draw. That's the way it goes. He drove a hell of a race. I would say we were not as quick as him today, out of the pits anyway.