Saturday at Infineon

Posted by Iannucci | 8/25/2007 | 7 comments »
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Well, now I know how those AGR drivers feel. Dario, Danica, Marco...and now me. Yes, I was bumped in an incident of aggressive driving by none other than Dan Wheldon.

Here's the deal: right before qualifications I was walking on pit lane, clinging to the side and staying out of the way. There were some folks standing right in front of me, so as I was walking around them I felt something brush up against my hand, then saw Wheldon bobble on his scooter and shoot me back a look. Dude, the scooter has a horn - use it!


It should be noted Wheldon qualified 10th, so as a "mea culpa" I'm posting this photo of Dan's best side for all the ladies. Meanwhile, I have not yet been summoned to have a sit down with Thunda in Barnhart's Office.

Speaking of scooters, Ryan Hunter-Reay seems to be the only driver who doesn't have one. He tools around on a mountain bike. Wonder if Jeff Simmons hasn't given the old one back yet.


Vitor Meira has one, although what he doesn't have is an Infineon girl to hold an umbrella for him. Alas, once again poor Vitor gets short-changed.


TJ Patrick (that would be Danica's very expressive Dad) is even more tightly wound than I thought. He's a conversational guy, but during qualifications he looked like a man waiting for his wife to give birth. When his daughter posted a P2 time he quickly shook his head and said "Bah! Dixon hasn't even put a good lap down yet."


I'd have bought a beverage to help Mr Patrick relax, but as you can see the beer is a bit pricey here. YIKES!


TJ wasn't the only one who was tense. Helio was a bundle of hopping energy before Firestone Fast Six portion of qualification. Just like the Firestone ad says, "...I love how you make people nervous and jittery.."

As you can see, there's excitement for everyone. I managed to talk to Curt Cavin again, who may in fact be the only reporter who leaves the Media Center. This is probably why he has all of the news. Also, despite seeing Jack and Vince of the ESPN pit crew, I haven't once caught sight of Brienne Pedigo. I don't know if she's fired or out shopping, but I just thought you should know.

Oh yeah, you can read all about the Carneros 100 Indy Pro Race at IndyCar.com. Alex Lloyd took the lead right away and held on to win despite constant pressure from Richard Antinucci, the nephew of Old Man Cheever and most certainly my distant cousin. Mike Potekhen finished third because he's a swell dude. Hideki Mutoh was charging but got spun in the final turn trying to pass Jaime Camara for fifth, and waited about 3 days before the safety team reached his car.

With delays like that Formula One would be right at home here.

And about that final turn - it's one of the few places on the track drivers can pass, and yet the only people that can see are up close are those in the media center. That's whack.


Anyhow, tomorrow is Race Day. From my seats in section 9 I can see almost the entire mountainous track, so if anything happens I'll be at the ready. You at home may be already brewing the coffee, but since I'll be smelling the Ethanol I should be able to maintain consciousness in case of a parade.

7 comments

  1. pressdog // August 25, 2007 5:49 PM  

    Helio was jumping up and down saying "Where's Jeff? Where's Jeff? Did I miss him? I hope I didn't miss him." Somebody needs to fire a tranq dart deep into the buttocks of TJ Patrick. Jussayin. Oh, Bre is there. I can sense it. I can FEEEEL it. $12 beer? WTF?

  2. Anonymous // August 25, 2007 6:18 PM  

    how many blondes in marco's and dan's pits?

  3. Anonymous // August 25, 2007 6:26 PM  

    GREAT work, my intrepid BrotherBlogger. Loving these updates. Keep em coming.

  4. Jennifer Coomer // August 25, 2007 7:15 PM  

    Have I ever told you about being inches away from being run down by Dixon on his Target scooter 500 weekend, 06?

  5. Anonymous // August 26, 2007 6:01 AM  

    Almost like being there, Jeff...almost like being there.

    :)

  6. Carrie // August 28, 2007 3:18 PM  

    Hmmm... great pic.

  7. Anonymous // August 28, 2007 4:06 PM  

    Hey, it's an epidemic! Sam, with Crystal on back, nearly ran ME down on Saturday. (Careful, Daddy-O - she's expecting!) I managed to get a nice shot of the backs of their heads...