tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25142730.post7475926083337743886..comments2023-04-27T04:20:37.175-07:00Comments on My Name Is IRL: I am legendIannuccihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15120192496901254768noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25142730.post-76344945395649799732008-07-24T19:13:00.000-07:002008-07-24T19:13:00.000-07:00I think that "legend" is the sort of thing that yo...I think that "legend" is the sort of thing that you can only hang on an athlete when they're still active, only if they're clearly the most dominant player of their time, or are clearly bound to be in the top-10 of all time. Mario and A.J. fall in that category, same as Michael Jordan, Brett Farve, Hank Aaron, etc. Once a guy is retired, it's easier to put an athlete's accomplshments into perspective, and then guys who are 2-time Indy winners might be able to enter the argument, especially if they have a championship or two and 20+ race wins.<BR/><BR/>At this point, I'd say that Helio's not quite there yet, though future accomplishments could easily change that. I'd be more willing to put Hornish into the argument...though he hasn't won any dancing titles or have the TV-friendly personality, both of which I suspect played into the nomination...The SpeedGeekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03515637541673575394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25142730.post-8148264183959196532008-07-24T17:01:00.000-07:002008-07-24T17:01:00.000-07:00Wilbur Shaw, Bill Vukovich, and don't forget Tommy...Wilbur Shaw, Bill Vukovich, and don't forget Tommy Milton !!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25142730.post-31512256021997256892008-07-24T16:49:00.000-07:002008-07-24T16:49:00.000-07:00One more Indy win would mean a great deal more tha...One more Indy win would mean a great deal more than winning his first championship. It would put him in very elite company.Demond Sandershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02321360642491061693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25142730.post-75745171583613980582008-07-24T15:59:00.000-07:002008-07-24T15:59:00.000-07:00Legend is how many empty milk bottles sit on your ...Legend is how many empty milk bottles sit on your mantle, and having more than one qualifies in my bookAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25142730.post-2887433156524529792008-07-24T14:48:00.000-07:002008-07-24T14:48:00.000-07:00Let's not forget that, despite his obvious talent,...Let's not forget that, despite his obvious talent, all of Helio's success in IRL was prior to the unification. Yes, I know that some of the CART teams came to Indy to race him, but using that standard to measure, Penske was a CART team anyway, instantly becoming a Big Fish in a relatively small pond, and his drivers reaped the benefits (as did Chip's). The question looms large about the aforementioned matter of "who won" on the track, and there was evidence (that never got to be presented) to show that it may in fact have been PT. No doubt had it continued under green, Paul was going to eat Helio's lunch that day. But I digress... I agree with Jennifer, it's just too early to start laying that moniker upon the guy. Now that (most) all the 'guns' are here again, we'll see how it shakes out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25142730.post-49392044546031981242008-07-24T13:31:00.000-07:002008-07-24T13:31:00.000-07:00This is a semantic argument and that would bore me...This is a semantic argument and that would bore me to tears right now...mikebdothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05348165226950408458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25142730.post-68804658604324914082008-07-24T13:21:00.000-07:002008-07-24T13:21:00.000-07:00Jenna, that interpretation depends upon who you as...Jenna, that interpretation depends upon who you ask. If this were NASCAR and the Daytona 500, I'd agree, but Indy is an entity unto itself unlike any other closed course motor race. Jim Clark never won a USAC National Championship. I doubt he cared. He drank the milk, though.<BR/><BR/>I agree that without a National Championship, Legend is a bit much, but the Peyton Manning comparison seems a bit thin.Fred Hurleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03379706257551429697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25142730.post-90359346314654528562008-07-24T12:49:00.000-07:002008-07-24T12:49:00.000-07:00Helio=Peyton Manning (pre-Superbowl). Peyton wasn...Helio=Peyton Manning (pre-Superbowl). Peyton wasn't truly one of the best until he got a ring. Winning Indy is big, but in the end its just one race of many in the quest for championship.Jennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04786236835700820067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25142730.post-41621496330003515072008-07-24T12:03:00.000-07:002008-07-24T12:03:00.000-07:00"no.. Helio has 1 indy 500 victory.. he has 2 ring..."no.. Helio has 1 indy 500 victory.. he has 2 rings, but he only won the race once...."<BR/><BR/>Let me guess, you're a Paul Tracy fan. Helio won that race fair and square. He was still in the lead when the caution came out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25142730.post-16827803185743685552008-07-24T12:01:00.000-07:002008-07-24T12:01:00.000-07:00Is that you, Paul Tracy, leaving comments on blogs...Is that you, Paul Tracy, leaving comments on blogs as "Anonymous"? <BR/><BR/>I think one day most will be comfortable with calling Helio a legend. But it may be kind of early for that title just yet.Jennifer Coomerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15144695641505947308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25142730.post-68391939736468652612008-07-24T11:09:00.000-07:002008-07-24T11:09:00.000-07:00Putting your no championship argument into perspec...Putting your no championship argument into perspective, I'd have to point toward a NASCAR driver. Mark Martin. I don't have his stats right in front of me but the guy is a legend even without a championship. <BR/><BR/>All that said, Helio still doesn't measure up to that stick either. At least not yet.Carriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04476944589668626586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25142730.post-24232425562330959682008-07-24T11:07:00.000-07:002008-07-24T11:07:00.000-07:00Marty Roth, a legend in his own mind.Marty Roth, a legend in his own mind.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25142730.post-36819168868355570792008-07-24T10:56:00.000-07:002008-07-24T10:56:00.000-07:00Luyendijk a possible legend? I never understood th...Luyendijk a possible legend? I never understood that much really. Sure, he's a legend here in the Netherlands, no doubt he's the best Dutch racedriver ever after Jan Lammers (whom we might also remember from his CART/IndyCar time at Forsythe and fading disappointing All American Racers), but is he even legendary in international terms? I doubt, but he's still a hero nonetheless.<BR/><BR/>Helio is a great driver, but in my opinion nowhere near legend. AJ Foyt, Ralph DaPalma, Alex Zanardi, Rick Mears, Mario Andretti, etc. These are legends to me, no Helio Castroneves, not without a championshiptitle.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25142730.post-56424893917388040682008-07-24T10:25:00.000-07:002008-07-24T10:25:00.000-07:00no.. Helio has 1 indy 500 victory.. he has 2 ring...no.. Helio has 1 indy 500 victory.. he has 2 rings, but he only won the race once....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25142730.post-1257551421702983442008-07-24T09:38:00.000-07:002008-07-24T09:38:00.000-07:00I wonder if they have their selection criteria spe...I wonder if they have their selection criteria spelled out anywhere.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25142730.post-69161159494167925542008-07-24T09:33:00.000-07:002008-07-24T09:33:00.000-07:00Well, Legend is a weird title, sort of like MVP is...Well, Legend is a weird title, sort of like MVP is always contentious. Is it the basketball player who most lifted his team to great heights, or is it the best all-around player?<BR/><BR/>In this case, Helio has twice earned the coolest parking space on earth, and that's gotta count for something.<BR/><BR/>But still, no Championship. I'd say if he wins a Championship, he'll be very close. Add another 500? Even closer. The problem is that the early part of his career came when nobody was watching, by and large.<BR/><BR/>Also, one thing the other legendary drivers have in common is that all raced into their 40's ... or didn't make it that far.<BR/><BR/>Leaving aside the terrible latter option, if Helio accomplishes those things cited above, and races into his early forties, then he might well qualify.<BR/><BR/>Though he does pass one test. Ask 100 Americans to name an Indy car driver (or open-wheel driver) from the last 15 years. I'll bet Helio would be the #1 answer. Well, maybe Danica, but after that, Helio.Fred Hurleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03379706257551429697noreply@blogger.com