Iowa Speedway.
I love this track and this INDYCAR series race. The racing has never
disappointed and Saturday night was no exception.
Pre-Race: For the second race in a
row, another pre-race/rain delay. I confess that I didn’t watch as much as I
normally do because my mom and I were watching (and DVR’ing) the Daytime Emmys
in the bedroom. Don’t judge! I keep up with two soap operas and an actress from
each show took home trophies. Not to mention I was switching between the two
televisions to see what was going on. From what I saw, NBC Sports and its
broadcasters made do and we had a decent rain delay show but it could’ve been
better. That’s actually one thing ABC can do better: make use of rain delays.
The Race Broadcast: Normally, broadcasts this year on the NBC Sports
Network have been great but Iowa’s
just wasn’t as good as the previous broadcasts. I did enjoy Tommy Kendall in
the booth and would like to see him again. It was also a nice touch when Dario
Franchitti came in after his troubles. Still, the broadcast of the race was not
horrible and NBC Sports still beats ABC as the better INDYCAR broadcaster and I
am again disappointed about Toronto
being on ABC next week.
The Race: Two words – great racing. A lot of passing and a lot
of “hold your breath” moments at times. But it was entertaining to watch. This was one of the more bizarre races this
year and was crazy from beginning to end, but was fantastic. I found the Iowa
Corn 250 to be the best race of the year so far just edging out the Firestone
550k at Texas.
Heat Races: The
first time, the starting lineup for the Iowa Corn 250 was determined by three
heat races, the first two determining odd and even numbered positions 9-25 and
the final determining the top 8 starting positions – all set by practice
speeds. The first heat set even-numbered positions 10-24 and was won by Graham
Rahal. The second heat set odd-numbered positions 9-25 and was won by Tony
Kanaan. The final heat was won by Dario Franchitti, who was awarded the pole
position, but that was the highlight of his weekend in Iowa (see next section).
Though I did not like that
they were tape-delayed, I enjoyed the heat races and hope they can eventually
become the normal quialifying procedure for all non-Indy ovals. There does need
to be something at stake – point and/or money – and I think the winners of the
first two heats should also be able to run for the pole instead of positions on
the 5th row.
Franchitti’s Race Ends Before It Begins: I think the 2012 Iowa Corn 250 wins an award for one of
the most bizarre parade laps ever. First, Alex Tagliani stops on the track
(something that has occurred before this season). Then, out of nowhere, Dario
Franchitti is on the apron with a blown engine! This was just the latest in a
season of mostly bad luck for this year’s Indianapolis
500 winner. I’m still sticking with my gut feeling that he will NOT be
repeating this year. At this point, it would take a lot of podiums, especially
wins, and there would have to be some pretty rotten things happen to those
currently in the title hunt.
A Shakeup In the Championship Battle: (note: I am
only focusing on the top 8 because I feel that a combination of one or more in
this group will be in the championship title fight at the final race)
In my opinion, we might be
going to back to Iowa to remind us why a
certain driver or drivers is or is not in the title hunt come Fontana. This race really shook up the points
with Will Power and James Hinchcliffe’s on-track incidents and Dario
Franchitti’s engine failure and Ryan Hunter-Reay, Scott Dixon, Helio
Castroneves, Simon Pagenaud, and Tony Kanaan all having good nights.
While Power retained his
tight grip on the points lead, Hunter-Reay, Dixon, Castroneves, Hinchcliffe (despite his
accident), and Pagenaud are all within 40 points of the top spot (a maximum
number of points a driver can earn per race is 50). At this point, any of these
six, depending on each other’s performance in Toronto, could go into the second race North
of the Border with the points lead. Kanaan and Franchitti both have the chance,
especially with their experience, to add themselves to the group, but will have
to win and rely on their competitors struggling to make themselves legitimate
title contenders.
So, the top 6 consists of the
guy who really played Jean Girard in Talladega
Nights, “The Mayor” and GoDaddy Guy, the only driver to own a mirror ball
trophy in all of motorsports, “The Ice Man,” the only American in contention
for the title, and the king of the road and street courses with Mr. Ashley Judd
and INDYCAR’s fittest driver with the biggest nose right behind. Who’s your
pick?
Pagenaud Pulls a Kanaan: If you really think about it, did you think that
Simon Pagenaud would be this strong on ovals this season? Me neither. After
starting last in the field (25th) due to an engine change, Pagenaud made up 20
positions to finish 5th but ran as high as 3rd at one point. This Tony
Kanaan-esque performance (for those who don’t watch frequently, Kanaan is known
for runs from the back like this) was impressive especially for a rookie with
very little oval experience. With INDYCAR returning to road and street courses
events from Toronto through Baltimore,
there is a high possibility that this “rookie” (I’m starting to doubt the
classification because he’s run so well and should be named “rookie of the
year” come Fontana)
will be making his first of many trips to victory lane.
Other Notables: The first 9 laps were run under caution… Marco
Andretti finished 2nd, his first podium and best finish of the year… Tony
Kanaan finished 3rd, his second podium finish of the year… Helio Castroneves,
who was credited with starting 1st after Franchitti’s engine problems, led the
most laps with 133, finishing 6th due to tires fading at the end... The race
ended under caution due to an accident involving Katherine Legge
After the Checkers – Hunter-Reay
Makes It Two-In-A-Row: At the end of the race, it was Ryan Hunter-Reay scoring his second win
in a row. Does two-in-a-row make him a championship contender? It all depends on
how he does at the final races this season. He is 2nd in points behind Will
Power and within 3 points of the top spot. Yes. There is an chance.
INDYCAR 36: This week’s featured driver
was Charlie Kimball. I have yet to watch the entire episode but from what I
saw, it was good. I like Charlie but he has struggled so far in his INDYCAR
career so far. That does not take away from his seemingly pleasant personality
(I met him at Texas Motor Speedway last summer and he was very nice) and his
inspiration for those whose life is affected by diabetes.
Next Race: July 8
Honda Toronto Indy
Streets of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario (Canada)
1 PM ET (12 PM CT) - ABC
Defending Winner: Dario
Franchitti
INDYCAR 36 – July 8
Featuring Ed Carpenter
7:30 PM ET (6:30 PM CT) -
NBC Sports Network
Replays at Various Times
Throughout the week
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