[Racer Duck]

IndyCar Title Contenders Take Different Approach

With five races remaining in the IndyCar Series championship, contenders for the title must weigh how aggressive to be vs. how conservative they should be depending on their position in the standings.

For leader Scott Dixon, whose lead dropped five points to 58 after the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio, the approach can be a bit more conservative.

"I wouldn't say it's huge fun trying to keep tabs on where people are, people that you're chasing for a championship," he said. "But, you know, that's the deal about it. And it's not all about going out and winning races. It's about having consistency, finishing races, making the maximum of every situation."


Dixon and second-place contender Helio Castroneves are the only drivers with 10 top-five finishes in the first 12 races. Castroneves finished second at Mid-Ohio, while Dixon was third.

"At this point in the championship, I saw Scott behind me, so I'm sure he was just waiting for something to happen," said Castroneves. "I was like, 'I won't do that. I know what you're thinking, but I will not do that.'

"In my situation, obviously Scott has a big lead on the championship. I mean, it's not over. I'm going for it. I have to try not only to win a race but to be there in front of him every race. We're definitely going to try to do a little bit more aggressiveness, but not stupid, just aggressive."

Source: PaddockTalk.com

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

IndyCar Title Contenders Take Different Approach

With five races remaining in the IndyCar Series championship, contenders for the title must weigh how aggressive to be vs. how conservative they should be depending on their position in the standings.

For leader Scott Dixon, whose lead dropped five points to 58 after the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio, the approach can be a bit more conservative.

"I wouldn't say it's huge fun trying to keep tabs on where people are, people that you're chasing for a championship," he said. "But, you know, that's the deal about it. And it's not all about going out and winning races. It's about having consistency, finishing races, making the maximum of every situation."

You have no idea how unadulerated bull sh1t statements like that sadden me.

Damn these championships!!!!!

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

You have no idea how unadulerated bull sh1t statements like that sadden me.

Damn these championships!!!!!

I knew when I read that story I could get you riled up

[DOF_power]

But unfortunately he's right, championships are about points.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by DOF_power

But unfortunately he's right, championships are about points.

Even so, it makes me, the fan, feel cheated when I hear a driver, any driver, saying the most important thing it to get the most points possible rather than trying to win and failing that, trying for 2nd, etc.. It's like they aren't focused on giving their best, but doing what gives the best ROI no matter how little effort it takes.

[DOF_power]

So change the points system to award more to the winner, that's the only solution and/or add some non-championship races like it used to be the case in the (old) F1 (Pre Concorde).

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by DOF_power

So change the points system to award more to the winner, that's the only solution and/or add some non-championship races like it used to be the case in the (old) F1 (Pre Concorde).

Agreed. The only draw a non-championship race would have is a larger than normal purse, otherwise not a lot of reason foot the expense of another race .. unless, that is, you just like to race .. which seems pretty rare anymore.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by DOF_power

So change the points system to award more to the winner, that's the only solution and/or add some non-championship races like it used to be the case in the (old) F1 (Pre Concorde).

Absolutely!!!!! Speaking for myself I could care less about a championship. I want to see them race to win and this "reward consistency" stuff has perpetuated a myth the racing is like S&B sports where the championship is everything. It ain't.

I agree, Give the winner, or at least the top three (podium)a gigantic points advantage to ensure the drivers who finish in these three positions the most knock the dog snot out of the rest of the drivers at season's end.

I don't care if it results in a points runaway. If it makes the racing better and the drivers drive harder then... what's the down side?

Non championship races...??? I think I like it. It has a precedent because this is exactly what NASCAR did with Cup in 1971. All races (they had 16 of them) under 250 miles in length didn't count toward the championship. (Gave that one away, didn't I, Ducky?)

Non-championship races could be a way to add some more short tracks to the schedule or maybe even <gasp> a dirt race or two? If the purses are lower than the champion races maybe then we'd see just how many of these primadonna's are in it for the racing and how many are in it for the stardom and the money?

Thank you, DOF.