Use the Force, Marco

Preseason predictions for 2007 ICS champion thusfar:
• Jack Arute says Marco
• Scott Goodyear says Marco
• Curt Cavin says Marco (well, as a darkhorse)

Of course my thinking is the kid will finish behind six other drivers, so it would seem I’ve gone off the reservation (and really, I’m not on their reservation anyway.) I know he’s very good, but I’ve been trying to figure out why it is everyone is so fascinated with Andretti 3.0 over all the other drivers.

Well, I’ve figured it out: it’s all about Star Wars.

Young Skywalker (Marco) realizes his planet (AGR) has been conquered by the reigning forces of the empire (Penske). He seeks training from a wise, experienced, small, green Jedi (Kanaan) and sets forth to save the universe (IRL). He is aided by both a princess (Danica) who turns out to be his sister (well, teammate) and a rogue mercenary (brogue mercenary – Dario).

Crazy, isn’t it? Did you know Danica!’s parents own a Jabba the Hut, err, Java Hut? It’s true.

I know Roger Penske can’t get in the headset of Andretti 3.0 and say “I am your fah-thah”, but recall that Marco’s grandfather Mario was once a Penske driver - from 1976 to 1980! File that under “You don’t know the Pow-ah of the dark side.”

And while I wouldn’t compare Ashley Judd to Chewbacca, she could probably portray Danica! in whatever movie about her gets made. I mean, is the tantrum in Michigan not Oscar material? Oh, the anguish! The pain!

Everybody loves Star Wars, and everybody wants to watch the young Jedi blow up the Death Star. But I want all of those wonderful folks covering the league to remember one thing: Skywalker isn’t a Jedi until his third movie (season).