Red and white was flying high in victory lane this afternoon. Canadian driver and rising star, James Hinchcliffe, won today's IndyCar season opener at St. Petersburg. Although lacking the typical Florida sun, the Grand Prix at St. Pete left some great moments nonetheless. Will Power sat on the pole, a driver who is always in contention at a street course, but throughout the race Power was slowly drifting from that P1 spot after a series of unfortunate incidents. Starting with losing his lead to teammate Helio Castronves on a restart, then a scary incident where JR Hildebrand ran over his tires, causing damage and position loss. Last year's Indy 500 winner, Dario Franchitti, was out of the race early after hitting the wall.
Swiss driver, Simona De Silvestro ran a fantastic race with her new team at KV Racing. She ran in the Top 5 consistently all day. Her teammate Tony Kanaan ran up front as well. During the final laps of the race, her tires wore and the fuel tank was running low. Unfortunately, she was forced to back off and conserve. She ended the day in 6th place after a 3-wide finish between her, Scott Dixon and EJ Viso.
"We were running up front the whole day and it was really cool to be
keeping up with them,'' she said. ''I think we can really learn from
this and try to be better next week. We all know we can be fast and
qualify fast and run up front. Now we just have to minimize mistakes so
we can win races.''
I suspect a great season for Simona and the whole KV Racing team.
Hinchcliffe won over the lead from Penske driver Helio Castronves on the final restart. This win is the first for the Indycar driver and the first for GoDaddy.com (Danica Patrick won her only IndyCar race in Japan with a different sponsor). Hinchcliffe dedicated the win to the late Dan Wheldon who resided in St. Petersburg before his death in 2011. ''This is his hometown; this is his car,'' said Hinchcliffe. Dan Wheldon was signed to drive the Andretti Motorsports GoDaddy.com car before his death. Hinchcliffe will be added to the Dan Wheldon memorial at the track. He said, ''Knowing my face will be on that memorial, that's really special.''
One of the most debated and controversial topics in the world of sports is the idea of auto racing not being a "real sport."
Sport - an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.
You may be questioning the physical exertion part of auto racing. I am happy to bring you a post with answers. From the outside, driving a racecar seems like light work, but it is what is on the inside of the car that truly defines auto racing as a sport. I realize everyone is going to disagree, but I thought I would give a little information to open your eyes. The stamina and skill of the race car driver is phenomenal.
Brain:
The brain is a extremely complex muscle. When adding speeds up to 200 mph, the brain starts to get nervous. A jumble of thoughts pierce a driver's brain at each moment of the race. It is an emotionally draining experience. It takes time to train a race car driver's brain to adjust to the adrenaline of these high speeds and emotions. Many drivers use yoga and different breathing techniques to control the brain's energy in the race car.
Eyes:
The eyes play a crucial role during a 3 hour long race. Scanning the track and the surrounding cars will strain the eyes, not to mention the bright media posters on the sidelines. A driver has to be alert and focused during the whole race.
Neck:
The neck is put through an EXTREME amount of pressure in the race car. The human head weighs about the weight of a bowling ball. During a race, drivers can experience up to 5 gs. If you ever watch an in-car camera shot of a driver during a race, you will notice how the head jerks back and forth. This goes on for the duration of the race. You can't just jump into a race car for 3 hours without some sort of training. Along with intense workouts, former Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher used to put on a weighted helmet while watching TV. It helped build the neck muscle to allow him to be strong enough to handle the pressure in the cockpit. Here is a little fun fact; Most drivers have necks just like linebackers. Have I convinced you yet?
Heart:
Racers need to have great cardiovascular condition in order to make it through the race. The heart works about as much as a marathon runner. Heat is a huge factor in this also. When the car is anywhere from 150-180 degrees it works the body and mind even harder.
You see, along with working the legs (pushing the brake can feel like pushing 300 lbs), race car drivers are constantly working their bodies through the duration of race. And the races are not quick. Many football and baseball players have breaks during the game, allowing their body to recoup from all the stress. Race cars don't get intermissions. If the information on these key parts of physical exertion didn't convince you then nothing will. As far as the entertainment side of the definition, I can tell you racing is nothing short of entertaining. If you are an anti-auto racing type of person, I challenge you to watch one race. Give it a shot. It just might be more exciting than you expected. Personally, I will never get tired of watching this sport. My respect for these athletes, yes I said athletes, is beyond great. Every sport requires different skills and abilities. Whether you are on the field, in the pool or on the racetrack. From now on, let's just keep calm and enjoy sports.
Drama free.
"But unless you've trained your heart like a distance runner, built your
muscles like a football player, and conditioned your body to withstand
150-degree heat, you'd probably kill yourself and several bystanders by
the third turn." - Kristin Philipkoski
Wow, I haven't posted here in so long! I have really been slacking off lately. 2012 is coming to a close and what a great year it has been! Brad Keselowski is our 2012 champion and it was a wild finale. Jimmie Johnson having late race problems and losing his shot at a 6th championship. The guy no one ever expected to win was hoisting the trophy at the end of Homestead. The 28 year-old from Michigan is now the reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup champion.
There are many changes going into the 2013 season, and I am sure there will be more to come as February draws near. 48 days and counting.
1. Kenseth Joining JGR.
During the 2012 season, Matt Kenseth announced he was leaving Roush Fenway Racing. On September 4th, he announced he had signed with Joe Gibbs Racing for the 2013 season.
2. Joey Logano Joins Penske
Since Kenseth had replaced Joey Logano in the #20 JGR Toyota, Logano was looking for a new ride as well. He landed a job at Penske Racing in the #22 Ford for the 2013 season. He will team up with reigning champ Brad Keselowski.
3. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. -- Newest Sprint Cup Driver
The reigning Nationwide Series champion for the past 2 seasons will be making the switch to NASCAR's top series in 2013. Stenhouse Jr. will replaced veteran driver Matt Kenseth at Roush Fenway Racing in the number that Kenseth made famous, No. 17. Most of Kenseth's sponsor from the 2012 season will stay with Stenhouse through 2013.
4. Trevor Bayne in Full Time Nationwide
The 2011 Daytona 500 has not received the glory and success expected after winning a Daytona 500. The past few season have been rough and strenuous. Everything from a mysterious illness to lack of sponsorship the 21 year-old has been in the waiting zone. 2013 is looking a little brighter. With Ricky Stenhouse Jr. moving to Cup, that opens up a Nationwide ride for Bayne. Cargrill agreed to continue sponsoring the No. 6 Ford allowing Bayne to run full-time. Bayne is still signed with the Wood Brothers, and will most likely run select Cup races.
5. Kevin Harvick Leaving RCR?
This is not official yet, but rumor has it Kevin Harvick will be leaving the Richard Childress Racing organization in 2014. Sources said Harvick was possibly moving to Stewart-Haas Racing. None of this is confirmed and Harvick will continue to race at RCR for the next 2 seasons.
I'm writing this for the first-timers. The ones who dream and hope to be there. To step into the TV screen. To finally smell the burning rubber and gasoline you had to imagine all these years. I remember the first time I walked into New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Just seeing the sign from the road put butterflies in my stomach. For an auto racing fan there is no greater feeling. Seeing the sea of campers and the size of the grandstands gives you an unique feeling you cannot get from watching it on TV, and you aren't even inside the track yet. Golf carts fly by and you push your way through the crowds, the adrenaline starts pumping. As you take that first step up the stairs beneath the stands, for a first-timer, it's breathtaking. There is absolutely nothing more beautiful than seeing the smooth, finesse track for the first time. It has a whole different appearance than it does on a screen. Standing for the national anthem, the sound of the flyover. The rumble of the engines starting up. Your whole body shakes and you feel like a part of the race. If I had a nickel for every time I asked myself, "Am I really here? Is this really happening?" You hold your breath as the green flag drops. They're off. The initial sound of the cars is deafening.
By far the biggest fight in NASCAR history took place Sunday afternoon in Phoenix. Just one race before the season finale next week at Homestead. Post-race drama between Jeff Gordon and Clint Bowyer occurred quickly after an on-track incident sent tempers askew. Clint Bowyer bumped Gordon's car, sending the 4-time champ into the wall. Most would call it a "racing accident" or "rubbing" but Gordon obviously didn't think so. Okay, there are only 3 laps to go, Harvick is leading and just moments from clinching his first victory of the year, when the caution comes out. Gordon retaliated and decided to put Bowyer in the wall. What do you expect from a heated racecar driver? The real entertainment didn't come until after the cars were parked on pit road.
All I see is Jeff Gordon walking from his car, scowl on his face. When all of a sudden, he goes down. One of Clint Bowyer's crew member apparently knocked him to the ground. Soon, both Bowyer and Gordon's crews are throwing punches at each other. I swear, it looked like a battle scene. Some guys walked away with bloody lips. I was in complete shock.
Next thing I know the cameras turn to Bowyer, running from his car down to the garage area. And he was running FAST. Security held him back as he pointed to Jeff's hauler. I cannot remember a more exciting finish to a NASCAR race.
Clint Bowyer was 3rd in the championship before heading into Phoenix. He now sits in 4th, most likely out of championship contention. I think what Gordon did to Bowyer was wrong, but I also do not agree with the actions of Bowyer's team. Although it was entertaining to watch, it was completely unnecessary.
More excitement continued as the race finished it's 3 remaining laps. Danica Patrick hit the wall and spun down the track, but no caution was thrown. She had to ride along the apron all the way around the track to get to pit road as the rest of the field raced to the checkered flag. Someone got out of control, came down on Danica and caused multiple cars to finished in a cloud of smoke. Kurt Busch's car hit Paul Menard's allowing his nose to slide under Danica's car almost sending her airborne. Kevin Harvick snatched the win through all this chaos. I have no idea why NASCAR didn't throw the caution for Danica. It made complete sense, considering she had to cruise around to find pit road not to mention the debris it left behind. I think NASCAR was having a bad day yesterday in Phoenix.
As for penalites, NASCAR has issued a $100,000 fine for Jeff Gordon, as well as docking him 25 points. This due to his retaliation toward Clint Bowyer on the track.
"I take responsibility for my actions on the race track," Gordon said.
"I accept NASCAR's decision and look forward to ending the season on a
high note at Homestead."
Crew chief for Bowyer, Brian Pattie was given a $25,000 fine and put on probation until Dec. 31st.
Now, here is the plot twist. Brad Keselowski, who is leading the points over Jimmie Johnson going into Homestead, was fined $25,000 for using HIS PHONE during the red flag. Does NASCAR even remember the Daytona 500? Keselowski used his phone to tweet the legendary picture of the jet-dryer fire. The first tweet from inside a racecar. NASCAR never said anything. BK even told the story of why he keeps his phone in his car, and NASCAR did not care at all. It boggles my mind that they would do this to the man running for the championship. He did nothing wrong.
Sometimes I think NASCAR is bipolar. I'll leave it at that.
Surprise! Brian Vickers has joined Joe Gibbs Racing! If you are thinking, "What? Who is Brian Vickers?" let me refresh your memory. Vickers hasn't been in a full-time ride since 2011, before Red Bull Racing left NASCAR. He drove the #83 RBR Toyota along side Kasey Kahne. In 2012 he has shared the #55 MWR ride with veteran Mark Martin and owner Michael Waltrip. In the 4 or 5 races he has competed in, he has done a phenomenal job! And I'm not exaggerating. He has had a few Top 5 finishes and has rarely finished outside the Top 10. Vickers will not be in another Cup ride for 2013, but announced that Dollar General will extend their contract to sponsor Vickers for a full-time Nationwide ride. DG also will sponsor Matt Kenseth's #20 Cup car for 17 races next season. Vickers will compete for the NNS title and seems extremely satisfied with the opportunity.
“I'm very happy to stay in the Toyota family, and when you look at the
Nationwide Series over the past several years, no team has dominated
like Joe Gibbs Racing,” Vickers said about the announcement.
Normally, drivers would not want to switch from Cup to the lower level in Nationwide, but Vickers hasn't been in a racecar for a full season for some time. Like Vickers said, JGR is a strong team to be with in the Nationwide series. They have had tremendous success in the past and Vickers, being in the sport for a while now, will be the perfect fit. He has the talent and passion it takes to win the championship.
I attended one of Brian Vickers' appearances at New Hampshire Motor Speedway back in July and he has an incredible knowledge for the sport. He has raced sports cars in the past and can adapt to change easily. Vickers will be a great addition for JGR's Nationwide Series team. I believe he has what it takes to be the 2013 Nationwide Champion.
I remember sitting in front of the TV, wearing my Dario Franchitti t-shirt, ready to find out who would be the 2011 champion. I remember during the pre-race show a reporter interviewing an excited and bubbly guy. This man was given an opportunity. He was smiling from ear to ear as he explained his mission for the day ahead. He had to race from the very last starting position in the IndyCar season finale at Las Vegas, and if he won, a fan and himself would receive $5,000,000. It seemed like a logical deal to take at the time. His confidence that he could get the job done was overflowing. The man on my TV screen was Dan Wheldon. Yeah, I knew him. I remembered watching him win the Indy 500 earlier that year. It was the first Indy 500 I had ever watched since coming into the auto racing world. But, honestly, I was sad when he won the 500. J.R. Hildebrand, a rookie, crashed while leading on the final lap. Dan Wheldon passed Hildebrand's demolished race car to win his 2nd Indy 500. I cried for J.R. and wondered why this had to happen to him. Why did Dan Wheldon have to win it? He didn't deserve it.
I never in a million years would believe that was the last time I would ever see him.
Lap 11 of the finale. I didn't see it coming. A fiery mess with car parts spitting out of black smoke. My stomach twisted and turned. I started to sob before all the cars came to rest. Uncontrollable sobbing. I knew it was bad. Oh, it was horrifying. Never in my life had I witnessed a crash like that. My attention came to a lone car sitting on the apron. Medical crews were crowded around it. I remember my dad asking, "Is that Dan Wheldon?"
It was.
Why wasn't he getting out? Why? I mean, he must be okay, right? Race car drivers are not allowed to get hurt. The cars are too advanced. All the protection of the chassis, the helmet, the fire resistant suits. It's all there to keep them safe. No way was this man critically injured. I was not going to believe this. We all stood there in front of our TV in shock. We waited and waited. I finally asked through my tears, "Is he dead?" My dad said he didn't know. From there on, I knew this was not like any ordinary race car wreck. That man was not getting out of the car. It had been too long.
I was determined to watch the broadcast until I knew for sure. I was praying and praying the outcome would be positive. This must be a dream. This can't actually be happening right now. The channel went to commercial break. When they returned from commericial Dan's car was on the wrecker with a tarp over it. My heart sunk to the pit of my stomach. I had been looking for good signs telling me he would be okay. That he was alive. But that tarp set an uneasy feeling inside me. The race commentators informed us that Dan was being helicoptered to a nearby hospital. That gave me some relief. Again, we waited and waited for the next update. All of the drivers were sent to a driver's meeting. When they returned I could see Danica Patrick crying and Tony Kanaan sitting on the wall with his head between his knees. I could not control my own tears. Something happened in that driver's meeting, and I wasn't ready to hear it.
ABC was late to a press conference with Randy Bernard the Chief Executive Officer of IndyCar. So, Marty Reid told us the news we all knew, but weren't ready to accept. His voice echoed through my ears. "We have lost Dan Wheldon." As a black and white picture of a man I had never followed, wasn't even a fan, of flashed across the screen, I sobbed. I cannot even imagine how a long-time fan was feeling. Just like when Dale Earnhardt Sr. was taken from us, the racing world grieved together. Our sport is dangerous. It just is. It always will be. Dan died in the cockpit of a car he hoped to make safer. He was designing and testing a safer chassis for 2013. He died doing what he loved. I know that Dan's legacy will thrive for years to come, just like Earnhardt. Dan was extremely talented and gifted. I didn't get to know him or watch him race for very long, but I felt like a part of me died with Dan. A race fan is connected to the sport, especially the people who make it what it is. Dan influenced IndyCar in so many ways and he will never be forgotten. We call Dan 'Lionheart'. A signature Lionheart Knight was found on most of his helmets and the title of his book. He had that passion and strength of a lion in the race car. We need to appreciate the life given to us, because you never know when you will make that final turn. We love and miss you Lionheart.
