[onearmsteve]

as the driver of the #10.

i'm going to be curious to see where Wheldon lands now. this is an intersting turn of events and i'm not quite sure where the fallout came from.

IndyCar.com

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by onearmsteve

as the driver of the #10.

i'm going to be curious to see where Wheldon lands now. this is an intersting turn of events and i'm not quite sure where the fallout came from.

IndyCar.com

Wow!

But, I think many of us saw this coming, in one way or another. Franchitti's a great talent but the learning curve for him in stock cars is just too steep in today's climate and Dario's just too good of a talent to let wither on the vine. I kind of figured Chip would put him back in Indy but I thought he'd resurrect the #16 car, not bump Wheldon. But, OTOH, Dan has been pretty vocal about his being unhappy so...?

Where Wheldon ends up will be something to watch. Would he be able to go back to AGR? (How many times does it work when you return to a team you've previously driven for?) I haven't heard of any new rides lately? Will he finally try NASCAR? (I think he has the temperament for it but the patience?)


Things get curiouser and curiouser.

[onearmsteve]

he will not have any more success in NASCAR than any of the other open wheelers have.

i hope to god he stays in the IRL. i would love for Penske roll out a 3rd car for him.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by onearmsteve

he will not have any more success in NASCAR than any of the other open wheelers have.

i hope to god he stays in the IRL. i would love for Penske roll out a 3rd car for him.

I agree. This NA__AR/open wheel merging is iffy. Some can do it ( JPM, Allmendinger and Speed) but others have a lot of trouble adapting. I think, in another era it would have been really interesting. But today, with the "We demand instant results!" mentality, it can be a nightmare.

Now there's an idea I didn't think of. <slap!> Yeah, that would be sweet. Team mates with Castroneves and Briscoe. I really like that idea.

[onearmsteve]

don't listen to me though. i can be a pretty big Penske homer. i figure everybody should drive for him and anybody who turns him down or gets fired pretty much commits career suicide.

there was a rumor floating around the Paddock at Indy early May that involved Sam Hornish qualifying a car for the race just in case he wasn't in the top 35 by the time the World 600 rolled around. turns out Sam was in the top 35 when the race came, so it was a moot point. it leads to believe Penske feels like he could field a third team.

but i'm just speculating over something that won't happen.

off topic a bit, but i've always said Greg Moore was going to be Penske's next huge star, until he lost his life at Fontana. that one was a real shame.

[clutch]

Shortly after Franchitti's announcement, Panther Racing said Wheldon will return to the IndyCar team with which he began his IndyCar career in 2002.
Wheldon, who joined the Ganassi team in 2006, right after winning the series championship and the Indy 500 for Andretti Green Racing, has been overshadowed by Dixon in his time there.
"Dan Wheldon has done everything this organization has asked of him," Gansassi said. "He was competitive from the moment that he stepped into the car for us. Dan is a class act both on and off the track and we wish him nothing but the best." Wheldon, who signed a multiyear agreement with Panther, said, "I'm looking forward to when my obligations with my current team have been honored, so I can get with the entire Panther family and start moving towards all of our goals of winning races and championships together. It's great to be back."
Greg Moore.......he had such a great future ahead of him

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by clutch

Shortly after Franchitti's announcement, Panther Racing said Wheldon will return to the IndyCar team with which he began his IndyCar career in 2002.
Wheldon, who joined the Ganassi team in 2006, right after winning the series championship and the Indy 500 for Andretti Green Racing, has been overshadowed by Dixon in his time there.
"Dan Wheldon has done everything this organization has asked of him," Gansassi said. "He was competitive from the moment that he stepped into the car for us. Dan is a class act both on and off the track and we wish him nothing but the best." Wheldon, who signed a multiyear agreement with Panther, said, "I'm looking forward to when my obligations with my current team have been honored, so I can get with the entire Panther family and start moving towards all of our goals of winning races and championships together. It's great to be back."
Greg Moore.......he had such a great future ahead of him

Interesting, Clutch. Thanks. Where does that leave Vitor Miera? Is he out or is Panther starting a second team?

Indycar silly season might be getting as interesting as NA__AR's is?

One thing is for sure. Tony george has just got to be loving the press these high profile driver changes bring IRL.

[onearmsteve]

he'll be more than welcome to race a second car with Panther, provided sponsorship is available. a two car team would do wonders for Panther.

i would hope somebody would nab Vitor and give him a decent ride.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by onearmsteve

he'll be more than welcome to race a second car with Panther, provided sponsorship is available. a two car team would do wonders for Panther.

i would hope somebody would nab Vitor and give him a decent ride.

I agree. Vitor drives every lap like it's the last one. There is another racing series I can think of whose drivers might take lessons in desire from the IRL drivers like Miera.