Comments on: Random Thoughts On Kentucky

By: Leigh O'Gorman

Leigh O'Gorman — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 23:14:40 +0000

Hey George,
While I agree it was a great race (fantastic jobs by everyone, especially Carpenter, Power and Fisher), I still think you’re being a little hard on some of the road/street courses.

Sure not all of them are going to be perfect; but just with ovals, it’s up to the league to find tracks that have potential for passing, great races and for putting many a posterior on paid seats.

I must admit though I’m very sad to see Milwaukee off the schedule, but at the same time, I’ve never been that pushed about Richmond. However I would also say that as an F1/road course fan, Edmonton and Sonoma (and the recently departed Detroit Belle Isle) never instilled a feeling that I was about to see a good race – and I think I was proved right each time.

To be honest, I would love to see Brazil raced on either an oval or at the great Interlagos circuit (truly great and challenging track); however if they insist on a Rio street race, it had better be very good.

Meanwhile and quite sadly, the rather fine Rockingham Motorspeedway (about 75 miles north of me in England) lies in waste since CART split from here – a crying shame.

By: pressdog

pressdog — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 03:21:55 +0000

Agreed! Best race of the season so far. Ditto on the second groove. Great to see people not only run it, but use it to win. Sarah drove an awesome race. Big ups to her team.

By: tim nothhelfer

tim nothhelfer — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 01:02:00 +0000

I thought the the most important development of of the race was the second grove and the lack of marbles and gray are up top. With out that clean grove there may be no side by side action to speak of.

Outstanding job done by Firestone, Honda and all the personnel involved to get a great show in before the rain came back!

By: James O.

James O. — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 16:39:51 +0000

I was irritated with VS coverage, or lack thereof, of what was going in outside the top 6 or so. You brought up Sarah. I saw Conway and Moraes collide but after that–unless I missed it somehow–nothing. If it had been a red car or AGR, they would either have had video replays or (if unavailable) some comments on who was at fault. And there was mention that RHR was in it, yet except for one brief mention–nothing.

And you’d never know that Milka Duno was there at all if you don’t read the crawl.

I’m not saying they need a lot of airtime, but stuff like that does help give the viewer a bigger picture of the race and what’s going on throughout, not just at the front of the pack.

By: Tom

Tom — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 14:31:08 +0000

Halleluja! At last, some real racing. I agree. Best of the season so far.

As for the coverage, it was excellant as usual, but they seemed to struggle keep up with the action. Understandable, it’s the first oval race in a long time with any action. But still, when drivers who are on the start list start appearing as “Out” on the scroll, without a mention of what happened and why, the announcers and coverage team are not doing their jobs. Did any even see Jaques Lazier last night? According to the scoring he was in the race. Same goes for the moving chicane, Milka Duno. She appeared late in the race, after not being listed as running earlier. Not that it matters but as a fan I like to know what’s happening in the back too. And did anyone else see COnway pull into the pits from the infield grass? What happened? Granted keeping up with COnway’s mistakes is a lot to ask for any coverage team.

You are right. Sarah had a strong run. She deserved more air time.

Finally, I’m disappointed they couldn’t find a way to get at least 1 new oval to replace Milwaukee or Richmond. I cant figure out what the story is with New Hampshire. Both sides are telling us different things.