OT: Indy Racing League Predictions Thread

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Feb 25, 2004 6:51 pm

Good thread!
 
 Championship:
 1. Hornish
 2. Dixon
 3. Wheldon
 
 Top rookie: Darren Manning
 
 Indy 500: Castroneves
 
 Most intriguing storylines: Scheckter at Panther, Brack´s comeback, Franchitti´s comeback and acceptance of oval racing, evolving relationship between Castroneves and Hornish, effects of new aero and engine package on racing
 
 Hope to see: A ride for Al Unser Jr. and Buddy Lazier, another tight championship chase, at least one victory for Kenny Brack, hard, fast, safe races, more rivalries and emotion between drivers
 
 Can live without: Injuries, ride-hopping, endless speculation about a reunion between OWRS and the IRL that´s never going to happen
 
 Take care,
 PK

Jackdog · Post by **Jackdog** » Wed Feb 25, 2004 8:36 pm

1.Sharp
 2.Hornish
 3.Dixon
 
 I am going with Scott Sharp. I think it´s his year.
 
 Indy winner: De Ferran. I will be rooting for Fisher though.
 
 I don´t know enough about the rookies to even make a guess who will win that award.
 
 I hope its a safe season with no major crashes.

DChaps · Post by **DChaps** » Wed Feb 25, 2004 8:48 pm

Excellent. I am finally ready to start talking about racing again.
 
 Championship:
 1. Hornish
 2. Castroneves
 3. Dixon
 
 Top rookie: Darren Manning
 
 Indy 500: Castroneves
 
 Most intriguing storylines/predictions: Hornish at Penske - For whatever reason I just don´t think Hornish will not fit in at Penske, but he is so good he will still win the championship. He will end up leaving for a very lucrative Nascar ride not with Penske. Scheckter can´t fit in anywhere and this will be his last IRL season (if he doesn´t leave early). Interested in Brack´s and Franchitti´s comebacks. Seems to be a really good rookie class.
 
 Hope to see: ROAD COURSES announced for not too distant future (Laguna, Road America, Mid Ohio, Road Atlanta). Lots of great Tommy Kendall commentary! <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_smile.gif"> Close, safe racing. Also hope to see rides for Felipe Giaffone, Airton Dare, Al Unser Jr., Buddy Lazier, Memo Gidley, Richie Hearn, JJ Yeley.
 
 Can live without: The name IRL(can we just call it Indycar racing again now?), Lame ass TV coverage, OWRS (The Indycar racing I once loved is dead, don´t wish to see this hodge podge of crap taking second fiddle to a rock concert). Tony George (sorry PK, Speed interview with Despain just sealed my passionate distaste for him. Guy should be running for President) Sarah Fisher, Scott Goodyear, Billy Boat, Ride Buyers, Airborne crahses, Injuries, mid season rule changes, ugly ass speedway configuration on the Dallara chassis (looks like an ant eater not a race car), IROC and Infiniti Pro at Indy (what´s next trucks and shopping carts?).
 
 Most Unlikely but really Wish it could happen:
 Indy 500 field is filled with Nascar drivers such as Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch, Jeff Gordon, Ryan Newman, and gasp... Earnhardt Jr. Then Indycar racing steals away some of them for full time rides next year. [ This message was edited by: DChaps on 25-02-2004 16:51 ]

Neckthai · Post by **Neckthai** » Wed Feb 25, 2004 10:32 pm

Guys,
 
 Manning´s not a rookie because of his experience in the other series. Kinda like Dixon wasn´t a rookie anyplace but the 500 last year.
 
 My picks (which don´t necessarily reflect the views of my employer)
 
 Championship
 1. Kanaan
 2. Dixon
 3. Hornish
 
 Top Rookie
 Ed Carpenter
 
 Indy 500
 Dan Wheldon
 
 Most Intriguing storylines:
 
 * How will the super teams fare? Four cars for Andretti Green and Penske´s pairing of Hornish and Helio. (I forgot to finish the sentence)
 
 * Will Hornish´s move from Panther to Penske lead to his first Indy 500 win and fourth straight for Roger Penske?
 
 *Will any of the OWRS guys come over for May despite races throughout the month?
 
 * Will Neck and PK kill each other at Homestead this weekend?
 
 Hope to see:
 * More cars than at Homestead as rides materialize for Little Al, Buddy Lazier and Sarah Fisher
 * Wheel-to-wheel racing at most tracks
 * More exposure on mainstream sports show.
 * Dixon, Castroneves or Sharp wins a Taxicab Invitational race.
 
 I can live without:
 * People confusing CART for the IRL.
 * The politicizing of what´s supposed to be sport. [ This message was edited by: Neckthai on 25-02-2004 19:58 ]

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Feb 25, 2004 11:18 pm

Yep, I f*cked up on picking Manning. Neck is right, he´s technically not a rookie.
 
 I´ll revise and say Mark Taylor, simply because Cheever never has run two cars successfully. I´d love to see Ed Carpenter run well, as I think he´s much more in the cockpit than just Tony George´s stepson. Sure, the connections helped him get good equipment in USAC, but Ed is a talented race driver.
 
 Other points to dissect:
 
 1. Jack, I like your sentimental pick of De Ferran for Indy. But Gil will be in the Penske pits on Race Day if not in Fort Lauderdale. He retired after last season, brother. <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_smile.gif"> You and Dom still must come to the track in May, though!
 
 2. Neck, since when did Penske add two cars to become a four-car team? Did The Captain hire Racin Gardner and Jon Herb? <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_smile.gif">
 
 3. Don, if Kendall joins the IRL TV team, it only will be for the ABC telecasts. Neck issued a release today about the TV team for ESPN and ESPN 2. Page and Goodyear in the booth, Arute and a babe named Jamie Little on pit road. Dr. Jerry Punch will be in the pits for selected ESPN and ESPN2 shows.
 
 4. Don, no chance on Yeley running the IRL this year. He has an A-B-C (ARCA, Busch, Cup) deal with Joe Gibbs Racing for multiple years, starting this season.
 
 My longshot pick to win Indy: Alex Barron. I would LOVE that. I have no problem with foreign drivers, but I wouldn´t mind seeing a Yank on the Borg-Warner Trophy again, as it helps with exposure and PR here in the States.
 
 Quick, name the last American to win the Indianapolis 500 and the year. Answer below.
 
 Take care,
 PK
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Answer: Eddie Cheever Jr., 1998

Neckthai · Post by **Neckthai** » Wed Feb 25, 2004 11:56 pm

Z,
 
 I´m around. I just don´t have much time to post during the day. I don´t think they´d like me posting on company time, and since my desk right across from a VP´s office, Tony George´s top lieutenants tend to walk by frequently.
 
 I fixed my post to finish the thoughts I didn´t finish.
 
 No more IROC at Indy this year, but give the Pro Series a chance. Three graduates to the IndyCar Series in two years, and Tony George is behind the series -- as evidence by some things done this week.
 
 Oh yeah... Jon Herb may just make an appearance this weekend.

DChaps · Post by **DChaps** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 12:40 am

Heh, do you guys really classify last years CART season as disqualifying Rookie status for Manning? <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_smile.gif"> To me it was akin to the Indy Lights or Toyota Atlantics of the early 90´s, competition-wise anyway. Yeah you had veterans like Tracy and Vasser, but come on, CART stopped being a top tier racing series as soon as Ganassi, Penske and Andretti/Green left for the IRL. Last year CART had Mika Salo and Alex Yoong classified as Rookies and they were coming from stints in F1.
 
 Oh well, if I can´t pick Manning, then I will go with Taylor. I also like what I see with Carpenter, regardless of his family attachments. See, I can be unbiased sometimes.
 
 I completely forgot about Barron. Would love to see him do well too.
 
 I know Yeley´s tied up with Gibbs and it chaps my hide. I guess he got a couple shots in the IRL, but just seemed like he could have been another Tony Stewart type if given the right opportunity. Well, I guess we will get to see if that is the case, unfortunately it will be skipping any full time rides in Indycars.
 
 Another Hope to See: Lots of kick ass articles "By Arni Sribhen".
 
 PS - I don´t have a problem with the Pro series, just think running at Indy should be reserved for the top drivers in the top series. One thing I will give Tony George props for is bringing Nascar to the Brickyard and F1 back to the US. I am not so much of a "traditionalist", but Infiniti Pro and IROC were going too far. <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_wink.gif"> [ This message was edited by: DChaps on 25-02-2004 20:57 ]

ProvoAnC · Post by **ProvoAnC** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 3:48 am

Who cares...CART RULES!!!!!!!!
 
 
 
 
 
 ahahah...someone´s gotta piss off ol PK <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_wink.gif">

DChaps · Post by **DChaps** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 5:03 am

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD>Quote:<HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><BLOCKQUOTE>I´m not too upset about Yeley heading South. He´s a big talent but he never seemed committed to pursuing an IRL ride. I think TG´s handling of Despain´s Kasey Kahne/Ryan Newman question was one of his better responses. I agree it´s important to develop stars who will stay in the series. Being a NASCAR feeder series has as big a downside as the CART/F1 pipeline did. A little continuity will go a long way in trying to rebuild the fan base.</BLOCKQUOTE></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>
 
 Agreed. but the reason that these guys are not committed to Indycar racing is what needs to be investigated. Can you imagine Rick Mears switching to Nascar back in the early 80´s after having already won a couple championships and Indy 500´s? No way. But if he came along now, he would be scooped up by Nascar after a few years, if not sooner. I would guess the main reasons for this trend would be simple: Nascar can now offer more money, more "perceived" competition, more exposure, more stability, etc.
 
 That´s where I always felt the IRL "American/Sprint Car" arguement against CART fell flat. Besides the Jeff Gordon scenario, who was really pursuing Indycar racing with legitimate credentials and being snubbed? How hard did Gordon really try anyway? Seems that if he really had wanted to run Indycars, he would have gone to the IRL at least for one-off 500 attempts like Stewart. Ahh who cares, I have beat this dead horse too many times before. <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_wink.gif">
 
 <TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD>Quote:<HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><BLOCKQUOTE>I don´t mind the IPS at the Speedway. Particularly if there are only going to be a handful of qualifying attempts. If a bunch of rich guys with Ferraris can run in support of the USGP, I can´t complain (much) about Billy Roe. But please God, don´t let the trucks run there ever.
 </BLOCKQUOTE></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>
 
 I forgot all about that. Hasn´t there also been some Porsche race to go along with F1 race?
 
 A little off topic, but since we are talking about the start of the racing season: How about the number of drivers either retired, fired, or for whatever reason without rides this season?
 
 Jacques Villeneuve
 Heinz Harold Frentzen
 Jos Verstappen
 Colin McRae
 Tommi Makinen
 Richard Burns
 Al Unser Jr.
 Buddy Lazier
 Gil deFerran
 Felipe Giaffone
 Sarah Fisher
 Bill Elliot
 
 Guess it remains to be seen who is without rides in OWRS (CART).
 
 When was the last year that an Unser was not in a top tier racing series? 35 years? 40? If not for John Andretti getting that DEI ride in Nascar, 2004 could have been the first year in a really, really long time with no Unsers or Andretti´s actively racing in top racing series. [ This message was edited by: DChaps on 26-02-2004 01:25 ]

Jackdog · Post by **Jackdog** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 6:22 am

"Jack, I like your sentimental pick of De Ferran for Indy. But Gil will be in the Penske pits on Race Day if not in Fort Lauderdale. He retired after last season, brother."
 
 "Jackdog: DeFerran retired. He´s always been a class act, I´m glad he was able to walk away on his own terms."
 
 
 Thanks guys I had no clue!! Boy do I look like a rookie or what? Since Gil is not driving anymore I better update my Indy pick <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_biggrin.gif">
 
 Indy 500: Sarah Fisher.
 
 PK,me and Dom will be there brother. I can´t wait to hook up with you and Arni. Have fun at Homestead! Don´t kill Arni,he´s a yankee now <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_wink.gif">

DChaps · Post by **DChaps** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 7:29 am

All very good points sf_z, you are right on as usual.
 <TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD>Quote:<HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><BLOCKQUOTE>I remember Dick Trickle when he was just a painful, burning sensation.
 
 Exposure: Ward Burton does TV commercials! I rest my case... </BLOCKQUOTE></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>
 
 <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_smile.gif"> <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_smile.gif"> I just laughed out loud so hard I woke my kids.
 
 Don´t worry Jackdog, you won´t get any grief from me on your "rookie" mistakes. I just love to see new fans getting into racing. Sounds like you are kicking butt in Indycar Series, keep up the good work! However, if Sarah Fisher wins the Indy 500, I will buy you and Dom the game of your choice. <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_wink.gif">

Jackdog · Post by **Jackdog** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 9:17 am

That´s a deal Don!
 
 I know she´s a huge longshot,but she was nice enough to sign some hats and cards for my wife and son last year. She made fans for life after that gesture. PK was the mastermind behind that. Thanks again PK!
 
 I am having a blast with the game. It has turned me into a fan. I am hyped up for the start of the season. It should be a blast. <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_biggrin.gif">

DChaps · Post by **DChaps** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 11:22 am

Sarah is very fan friendly and I respect her for that. Lots of drivers these days completely forget about the fans.
 
 I give her a hard time because she seems to be so overhyped and overexposed when compared to her actual performance, but she is a talented driver and I wish her no bad luck. Who knows? An Indy 500 win by a woman might just be the kind of thing Indycar racing needs to get the world watching again.

DChaps · Post by **DChaps** » Sat Feb 28, 2004 1:20 am

Hey guys, ESPN has their free IRL Challenge Fantasy League up and running. Go here:
 
 http://games.espn.go.com/irl/frontpage
 
 Create an entry, and pick 5 drivers under the cap before midnight tomorrow night.
 
 My entry is ATL DChaps.
 
 I also created a Group/Team called DSP Racing. Once you have created your entry, you can join the group. Password is mears91.
 
 Don´t know if Arni and Paul can join us or not, the rules do not seem clear about IRL employees. Check it out:
 
 <IMG SRC=http://home.comcast.net/~dchaps/dsp-irl.jpg>

Jackdog · Post by **Jackdog** » Sat Feb 28, 2004 8:48 am

<IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_biggrin.gif"> <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_biggrin.gif"> <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_biggrin.gif"> <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_biggrin.gif"> <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_biggrin.gif"> <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_biggrin.gif"> <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_biggrin.gif"> <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_biggrin.gif"> <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_biggrin.gif"> <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_biggrin.gif">
 
 I am in!! Great idea Don. [ This message was edited by: JackDog on 28-02-2004 05:08 ]

DChaps · Post by **DChaps** » Thu Mar 18, 2004 12:38 am

Thanks for the reminder.

Jamie and Jack,

Don't forget to change your lineups to make sure you have drivers that are competing this weekend. I think Jack had Sarah and Buddy who I believe are both out until Indy, and Jamie had Brack who is still out recovering from injuries. Amazingly, Jamie still managed to beat my lineup even taking a zero for Brack.

DChaps · Post by **DChaps** » Thu Mar 18, 2004 4:07 pm

Yeah, sf is right. Fernandez is a bargain right now. I think he should do pretty well in the IRL. Maybe not a front runner, but a consistent 5-10 guy with a possibilty for wins once they get their feet underneath them.

I think this is a much bigger win for the IRL than many people are giving credit. Yeah Fernandez is 40 and he is not a top name in the US, but he brings some pretty big sponsor dollars and a huge Latin American fan base to the table. Even as CART was in a downward spiral, the races in Mexico were booming. I am not really a big Fernandez fan, but I have always loved that Tecate paint scheme. One of the best looking cars in Indycar racing (IMO).