Cheat Sheet: Edmonton 2008

Get your visas and your “Bob and Doug McKenzie” references ready, because this week the IndyCar series makes it’s first ever trip to the Great White North. Check out this very important video to help get you in the proper Canadian mood for this festive occasion.



This is the week the “transition drivers” (a.k.a. “refugees”) get their best chance to stick it to the ones who’ve been handing out the regular beatings show their skills on an equal playing field because they are the only drivers who have raced on this Edmonton airport circuit. There’s no substitute for experience, and no one in the Top 8 in the points has any at this track.

And really, after the road course naps and short-oval demolition derbies we’ve had this month we could use some fresh and new right about now, even if it means a dreaded street race. It might be a parade, but at least it will feature some new faces up front. (Not to mention Bob Jenkins and Jon Beekuis).

Speaking of faces, Milka Duno has been replaced by Townsend Bell and his super cool Flourescent Assault Vehicle. Sadly, Milka won’t be able to ride the wave of publicity generated by her post-practice towel throwing exercise, so she won't be able to answer questions from Jack Arute (also missing this weekend) after he went off the deep end and compared her to a chihuahua.

"Milka, yip yip yip?"

"Jack, we talkin’ about PRACTICE.”

Ah, what could have been. Oh, well.

Favorite: Will Power. Ricky Bobby three wins in his brief Champ Car career all came on street courses, so he maybe we should call him a "street course specialist". Yeah, that sounds catchy.

Contender: Justin Wilson. The Cajun Sheff has never finished worse than 4th in three career starts at Edmonton. He won this event in 2006 and finished second to the SeaBass last year. He's ready to flash some Big Mac action all over Edmonton.

Longshot: Mario Moraes. Earlier in the season he was a punchline, but lately Eminenm has looked like a contender. He was 7th at The Glen, 10th at Nashville, and even led a lap at Mid Ohio. We may have to start paying attention to this kid.

Driver To Watch: Paul Tracy. Whether you want to or not. Especially going into the first turn, next to Danica!.

Danica Threat Level: DanCon Five. Lowest level, which might be a good thing since a lot of frothy viewers will only be tuning in to watch her get angry at somebody. The likelihood for a win is low, but the increased potential for incidents have the Manica Hand Puppets on high alert.

Drinking Term: "Spin". If you've seen footage from practice this weekend then you know what this is all about.

Stat of the Race: Darren Manning has finished in the Top 10 in each of the last three races. Think about that for a moment.

pressdog says: "I'd love to have Paul "Chrome Horn" Tracy win entirely because it would touch off such a grand mal froth in and around the league. But you can't just put him in a crapwagon for the first time and expect he won't be, ah, crappy. So I'm calling it for Will Power to win, challenged by Justin Wilson. Dark horse is Jeff's beloved Son of 'Stache to place."

"...Jeff's beloved...?" What? 'Dog must be hitting the Labatt's early to have me confused with that other blogger. At any rate, enjoy the show!