[WestCoast]

IndyCar is back, it was a great race with a storybook ending...
______________________________________________

Rahal stuns the competition in St. Pete, but is a momentary reprieve for ex-Champ Car teams

Written by Scott Keller · April 6, 2008


Graham Rahal made history on Sunday afternoon by becoming the youngest driver to win an Indy Car series race. The youngster overcame an early incident with Will Power, and ran away from Helio Castroneves on a late race restart to come away with the victory.

Rahal’s early struggles were in major contrast to his blistering speed in the closing laps of the race. The youngster seemed to have ice water in his veins when it counted, especially when he had two-time Indy 500 winner, Castroneves, nipping at his heels.

The race seemed to take forever to get started, but ended up being a gem. The IRL’s decision to run the first laps under caution due to rain was probably prudent, but it was boring. Thank goodness for TiVo. Once the race began, the action was wild. Polesitter, Tony Kanaan, battled early with the Justin Wilson, and both looked good early. But fuel strategies seemed all over the place. Kanaan pitted early, and this put him out of position for the rest of the race. The abysmal race coverage made it difficult to follow the pit strategies, though. More on ABC’s coverage later.
The wet conditions changed to dry in the mid-race stints. Ernesto “EJ” Viso was the first to take on slicks and it paid off. EJ ran near the front for a portion of the race, and looked very good. This guy can drive! EJ ended up fourth in the end, and looks to be an asset for Wiggin’s post-Minardi HVM team.
The Target team, which seemed unstoppable in Miami didn’t fare very well in St. Pete. Scott Dixon is a heckuva road-racer, but had a spin that seemed to tear up something in his transmission, and his day ended early. Dan Wheldon finished on the lead lap, but only managed to finish 12th, one spot behind AJ Foyt IV. I’m sure that the Target boys will bounce back in Motegi and Kansas.
Halfway through the race, I thought maybe I was watching a Champ Car race (minus the DP01’s of course). It was a timed street race with a lot of passing and action in the wet. It was all to familiar, and it was no wonder that the transition teams were faring so well.
Conquest Racing had quite a day. Both Enrique Bernoldi and Franck Perera were having great runs, with Enrique finishing fifth. Perera’s result was ruined when he made a rookie mistake and crashed Vitor Meira out of the race on an ill-advised passing attempt.
In other small-team news, Marty Roth has a pretty solid driver in Jay Howard, but Marty needs to hire a road-racing gun for these non-oval events. Marty’s car was withdrawn after a crash in the morning warm-up, and he was all over the place all weekend. There are more than a few good road racers that are looking for work, too.
KV Racing had a fairly good day, although Power seemed to struggle in the wet. I wondered if they didn’t have their car setup for the wet, but the pit reporters never looked into the situation. Neither was a threat for the podium, but both finished in the top 10. Not bad.
Danica had a rough and tumble day, but was able to manage a 10th place finish. She was mercifully saved from being put a lap down by Justin Wilson early in the race when IRL officials stole a page out of NASCAR’s book and threw a “debris caution” for what appeared to be a piece of paper or cardboard. It was pretty funny when Marty Reid and Scott Goodyear were talking about the IRL safety concern when the camera panned to the “dangerous debris” that was being blown around in the light breeze of passing cars. But Danica recovered and drove a couple of solid stints to end strong.
The ABC coverage was less than stellar. The pit-babe that they had interviewing drivers and crew seemed to be in over her head. She would be great for personal interest and lifestyle pieces, but she’s not a good fit for covering the pits. Hey, didn’t I see Jon Beekhuis covering ALMS on ABC yesterday? Marty and Scott were also made some gaffes in the booth. Most notable, when Graham Rahal was taking the lead in the closing laps, they basically missed the call. It was the defining moment of the race, and they totally dropped the ball. They seemed to be gabbing about some of the IRL “regulars” back in the field.
The next seven races on the Indy Car schedule all take place on ovals, so the transition teams (and their fan base) shouldn’t get too cocky about their strong showing. It will be July before the next road course comes up on the Indy Car schedule at Watkins Glen. Yes, today’s race was great, but the reality is that the IRL is still an oval-centric series. Kansas, Indy, Milwaukee, Texas, Iowa, and Richmond are going to be tough. If the ex-Champ Car guys don’t do better than they did in Homestead, it could be a long three months. But for now, it’s time to savor a great race, and a good day for Indy Car racing.

[DOF_power]

Here's a Robin Miller piece:

MILLER: Rahal, White and Blue Written

by: Robin Miller 04/07/2008 - 03:02 AM St. Petersburg, Fla.


Helio Castroneves and Tony Kanaan have always been fast, personable and very appreciative of the opportunity they’ve been given in this country. They’re also ultra-competitive and never truly satisfied unless they’re standing in victory lane. But both Brazilians understood what happened here Sunday afternoon was exactly what American open wheel racing desperately needs.

“This is great for our sport,” said Castroneves, referring to Graham Rahal’s stunning win in the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
“Bobby Rahal was a legend and now his son is following in his footsteps. It’s a lot of pressure on him but he did a fantastic job today.
“It’s great that his name ended up winning because it shows open wheel is getting stronger and better. This is a big deal.”

Kanaan, a fixture at the front of the Indy Racing League the past six seasons, echoed the sentiments of many of us who want to see open wheel get back on the national radar.

“We need the Rahals, the Andrettis, we need new names and new stars,” said the 2004 IRL champion who finished third Sunday.
“You see it everywhere, the new generation in NASCAR and Formula 1 and now you’re going to see it here.
“Graham didn’t drive like he was 19 years old. He played it cool and I guess he proved how good he is and his name still says something. I’m very, very pleased for him to win this race.”

So should be the promoters at Long Beach, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Iowa, Kentucky, Sonoma, Nashville, Chicago, Detroit and Mid-Ohio.
And the folks at ABC and ESPN, as well as the IRL marketing staff.
Because the only way for Indy car racing to restore its connection with the American public is for some American drivers to shine.

That’s not to say it isn’t cool to have Briscoe, Castroneves, Dixon, Junqueira, Kanaan, Manning, Power, Wheldon and Wilson in the mix.
In CART’s heyday it was an international melting pot of talent headlined with Fittipaldi, Franchitti, Montoya, Mansell, Tracy and Zanardi.

But they were racing Andretti, Gordon, Herta, Pruett, Rahal, Sullivan, Unser and Vasser. It made for great rivalries and it made people care from Vancouver to Miami.

That’s why it’s imperative for Marco Andretti, Anthony Foyt IV, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Danica Patrick and Rahal to win races, run up front and contend for championships. NASCAR is popular because its fans identify so closely with the drivers. They follow their favorites.

They care about them. Just like people use to worship A.J., Mario, Parnelli, Gurney, Mears, Rutherford and the Unsers. The IRL has tried to generate enthusiasm with Gene Simmons, rock bands, the two-seater, the Fan Experience, a monthly magazine and any number of promotions.

But the only real way to get old fans back, make new ones and restore TV ratings to respectability is to have some red, white and blue heroes. That second generation has to carry the flag, along with Danica, and the IRL must fend off the NASCAR vultures and not let these kids get away.

Next to a win by Patrick, rekindling the Andretti-Rahal rivalry is the fastest way to generate some national interest and get some headlines in newspapers instead of two paragraphs in sports briefs.

They’re 19 and 21, respectively, and they just might be able to bring open wheel racing back to prominence in the next several years.

The fact young Rahal is so amazingly composed and gifted wasn’t lost on anybody who watched him in Atlantics two years ago or last year when he was teamed with four-time Champ Car king Sebastien Bourdais.

He wasn’t intimidated by Bourdais’ presence or by his huge jump in horsepower and competition. Graham sounds like he’s 29 in interviews and drives like somebody in that age bracket instead of a teenage who was in a go kart just four years ago. Sure, he got a couple of good breaks Sunday to put him in position to win, but what matters most is that he delivered. In impressive fashion.

“These kids are going to give us a lot of hard times,” said Kanaan, who then added: “And I’m looking forward to beating them in the future.”

That’s what is needed. Veterans vs. kids; experience vs. bravado; foreigners vs. Yanks. Hopefully, a new era began here Sunday.

FANS GET JOBBED IN RAIN

Saturday’s qualifying shootout was great stuff for the fans and full of drama so the IRL should be commended for changing the format. On the flip side, IRL officials should be ashamed for Sunday’s sorry start.

The crowd, estimated at 45,000, withstood the downpour just before the start and many stayed in their seats but then got screwed by watching the first 10 laps run under the yellow flag at 50 mph. IRL officials said there was standing water in a couple corners and it was too treacherous.

I say that’s crap. It wasn’t raining that hard and there were only puddles in a couple turns, but the conditions weren’t nearly as bad as they were in Montreal and St. Jovite the past couple years when Champ Car dropped the green. Why bolt on rain tires and declare it a wet weather race if you’re not going to race? A few drivers said it was dangerous. Well guess what? Racing is supposed to have that element, it’s what sets it apart from stick and ball sports. At least red flag the race and clean up the problem. The IRL ran seven laps before somebody finally sent out the blower. But I’ll tell you what blows and that was the decision not to go green.

This is supposed to be big-time racing series with professionals who deal with the elements. Not an SCCA regional.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by DOF_power

Here's a Robin Miller piece:

MILLER: Rahal, White and Blue Written

by: Robin Miller 04/07/2008 - 03:02 AM St. Petersburg, Fla.


Helio Castroneves and Tony Kanaan have always been fast, personable and very appreciative of the opportunity they’ve been given in this country. They’re also ultra-competitive and never truly satisfied unless they’re standing in victory lane. But both Brazilians understood what happened here Sunday afternoon was exactly what American open wheel racing desperately needs.

“This is great for our sport,” said Castroneves, referring to Graham Rahal’s stunning win in the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
“Bobby Rahal was a legend and now his son is following in his footsteps. It’s a lot of pressure on him but he did a fantastic job today.
“It’s great that his name ended up winning because it shows open wheel is getting stronger and better. This is a big deal.”

Kanaan, a fixture at the front of the Indy Racing League the past six seasons, echoed the sentiments of many of us who want to see open wheel get back on the national radar.

“We need the Rahals, the Andrettis, we need new names and new stars,” said the 2004 IRL champion who finished third Sunday.
“You see it everywhere, the new generation in NASCAR and Formula 1 and now you’re going to see it here.
“Graham didn’t drive like he was 19 years old. He played it cool and I guess he proved how good he is and his name still says something. I’m very, very pleased for him to win this race.”

So should be the promoters at Long Beach, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Iowa, Kentucky, Sonoma, Nashville, Chicago, Detroit and Mid-Ohio.
And the folks at ABC and ESPN, as well as the IRL marketing staff.
Because the only way for Indy car racing to restore its connection with the American public is for some American drivers to shine.

That’s not to say it isn’t cool to have Briscoe, Castroneves, Dixon, Junqueira, Kanaan, Manning, Power, Wheldon and Wilson in the mix.
In CART’s heyday it was an international melting pot of talent headlined with Fittipaldi, Franchitti, Montoya, Mansell, Tracy and Zanardi.

But they were racing Andretti, Gordon, Herta, Pruett, Rahal, Sullivan, Unser and Vasser. It made for great rivalries and it made people care from Vancouver to Miami.

That’s why it’s imperative for Marco Andretti, Anthony Foyt IV, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Danica Patrick and Rahal to win races, run up front and contend for championships. NASCAR is popular because its fans identify so closely with the drivers. They follow their favorites.

They care about them. Just like people use to worship A.J., Mario, Parnelli, Gurney, Mears, Rutherford and the Unsers. The IRL has tried to generate enthusiasm with Gene Simmons, rock bands, the two-seater, the Fan Experience, a monthly magazine and any number of promotions.

But the only real way to get old fans back, make new ones and restore TV ratings to respectability is to have some red, white and blue heroes. That second generation has to carry the flag, along with Danica, and the IRL must fend off the NASCAR vultures and not let these kids get away.

Next to a win by Patrick, rekindling the Andretti-Rahal rivalry is the fastest way to generate some national interest and get some headlines in newspapers instead of two paragraphs in sports briefs.

They’re 19 and 21, respectively, and they just might be able to bring open wheel racing back to prominence in the next several years.

The fact young Rahal is so amazingly composed and gifted wasn’t lost on anybody who watched him in Atlantics two years ago or last year when he was teamed with four-time Champ Car king Sebastien Bourdais.

He wasn’t intimidated by Bourdais’ presence or by his huge jump in horsepower and competition. Graham sounds like he’s 29 in interviews and drives like somebody in that age bracket instead of a teenage who was in a go kart just four years ago. Sure, he got a couple of good breaks Sunday to put him in position to win, but what matters most is that he delivered. In impressive fashion.

“These kids are going to give us a lot of hard times,” said Kanaan, who then added: “And I’m looking forward to beating them in the future.”

That’s what is needed. Veterans vs. kids; experience vs. bravado; foreigners vs. Yanks. Hopefully, a new era began here Sunday.

FANS GET JOBBED IN RAIN

Saturday’s qualifying shootout was great stuff for the fans and full of drama so the IRL should be commended for changing the format. On the flip side, IRL officials should be ashamed for Sunday’s sorry start.

The crowd, estimated at 45,000, withstood the downpour just before the start and many stayed in their seats but then got screwed by watching the first 10 laps run under the yellow flag at 50 mph. IRL officials said there was standing water in a couple corners and it was too treacherous.

I say that’s crap. It wasn’t raining that hard and there were only puddles in a couple turns, but the conditions weren’t nearly as bad as they were in Montreal and St. Jovite the past couple years when Champ Car dropped the green. Why bolt on rain tires and declare it a wet weather race if you’re not going to race? A few drivers said it was dangerous. Well guess what? Racing is supposed to have that element, it’s what sets it apart from stick and ball sports. At least red flag the race and clean up the problem. The IRL ran seven laps before somebody finally sent out the blower. But I’ll tell you what blows and that was the decision not to go green.

This is supposed to be big-time racing series with professionals who deal with the elements. Not an SCCA regional.

Have to say I lost a bit of respect for Robin Miller when he named Danica as one that needs to run up front and contend for championships in order for IRL to make a comeback. IMHO, if IRL needs Danica to win, they'd better start figuring out a way to fix races .. she just doesn't have the talent to do it on her own...

[DOF_power]

That part seemed shady for me too. But I figure he's just saying it as it is, Danica Patrick has some popularity, so she must do well.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

Have to say I lost a bit of respect for Robin Miller when he named Danica as one that needs to run up front and contend for championships in order for IRL to make a comeback. IMHO, if IRL needs Danica to win, they'd better start figuring out a way to fix races .. she just doesn't have the talent to do it on her own...

I didn't see it but listened to it on XM. If it looked as good as it sounded it was, by far, the best race of the weekend. I totally agree with Castroneves and TK, it was great for IRL and open wheeled, rear engined racing.

As for Robin's touting Danica... I think Miller's been hanging out with NA__AR types too long. He's starting to sound like racing is mostly about personalities and individuals and less about racing and competition.

[DOF_power]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

I didn't see it but listened to it on XM. If it looked as good as it sounded it was, by far, the best race of the weekend. I totally agree with Castroneves and TK, it was great for IRL and open wheeled, rear engined racing.

As for Robin's touting Danica... I think Miller's been hanging out with NA__AR types too long. He's starting to sound like racing is mostly about personalities and individuals and less about racing and competition.

That's because IRL has got a good race but not much popularity.
Racing and popularity are 2 different things. And IRL needs the second.

[WestCoast]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

I didn't see it but listened to it on XM. .

Bob, TAPE the next road race, Long Beach is always a thriller.