OK, let's all get frothy now. Helio has the pole for the umteenth time this year, but starting right next to him for the Honda 200 at Mid Ohio is Little Miss Sunshine herself. Ya think she's feeling close to that first win with all three of her AGR buddies starting directly behind her?
Now, to be fair to the cynical out there, yes it's VERY likely that the AGR team could realize this opportunity and have everyone throw a 4-car block party to anyone who tries to move up on Danica! at Mid Ohio, but I gotta tell ya - after watching the practice and qualifications, I don't think it's necessary. Quite simply, it doesn't appear that track has anywhere on it that IndyCars can pass each other.
Well, there is one place: the pits.
Since this is a new race I'm going to take the easy way out and just say we have not standard to judge who is most likely to win this weekend. However, since I have inexplicably channelling my inner Money and have incredibly managed to pick the winner of the last three races (it's true), I will go ahead and suggest the favorite is Scott Dixon, despite starting sixth in this race.
Iceman owns the road courses. He's perfect at The Glen (3 for 3) and he practically lapped the field at Infineon last year before his pit crew went wacky. (what? Ganassi pit foibles? who knew?)
Money says: "Wheldon. No, seriously - I'll call it for Marco and hope that the #17 car finds a wall early on."
Ahem. Money is SO off the Rahal Christmas Card list.
Anyhow, maybe I'm wrong and this race will be more racy like Watkins Glen instead of less racy like Sonoma. I'd hate to have the only passing be viewers passing out from boredom. Just in case, do yourself a favor this week and supplement your viewing experience with ESPN's RaceCast. At least you can see where you favorite driver is on the track.
Do me a favor and wake me if Danica wins, because for the record I'll admit that I would indeed like to see her win a race. I don't know if I want it as much as ABC/ESPN desires, because as long as she's near the front you can expect to see LOTS of coverage of her Batmobile. I'm telling ya, if you are not a Danica Maniac you will need the RaceCast.
So try to keep thos eyelids open, and enjoy the show!
This Could Be a Real Shot in the Arm
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Nowadays, whenever I discuss IndyCar marketing – I do so with caution.
After writing a post last summer that called into question some of the
marketing eff...
1 day ago
This is one race where Danger Mouse has a real shot at a podium finish. And a contract renewal.
Danica? No. No reason, just no.
Helio? No. Next year, Yes. His string of bad luck will continue
1) Manning (He's hungry. Literally. Foyt pays minimum wage.)
2) Hornish (I hate to admit it, but let the flames begin. Just not a "Sam Fan.")
3) Dario (It's the year of the Dario. Accept it.)
4) Vitor (He's good at coming from behind.)
5) Ryan Hunter-Reay (Yeah, I went there, and what's the deal with the hyphenated last name?)
6) Scheckter (He needs a break, and so does Vision)
7) Quattro (ditto above)
8) Dixon (Sure, why not?)
9) Buddy Rice (He doesn't want to be upstaged by the new boy in town)
10) Scott Sharp (Sure, why not? I always get the two Scotts mixed up anyway)
AGR goes three wide behind Danica, Barnhart doesn't see at thing wrong with it, average race speed is 76 mph. !! OK, since this is a road course race, pretty much 89% of the action is going to happen in the pits, so look for the short-filling, yellow-benefiting, circus-music festival in the pits. Once the pit stops are done, you can go out and mow the lawn until the next pit window. Z-z-z-z-z. Likewise after the last pit stops. You're just staying alert for yellows at that point. The leader after the last pit stop on a road/street race usually wins barring air strike. And remember what Goodyear says -- one thing to catch them, another thing to pass them.
With the points for the year where they are, I can just see Dario and Tony blocking for Danica to get her first win - NOT. Somehow, I don't see Dario sacrificing any points whatsoever to help Little Ms. Sunshine.
For a second I thought Marco died. Okay, I like to exaggerate.