Comments on: Are Alex Lloyd & N/H/L The Best Fit?

By: Freddie

Freddie — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:08:29 +0000

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By: IRL: Alex Lloyd secures end-of-season race seat | Brits on Pole

IRL: Alex Lloyd secures end-of-season race seat | Brits on Pole — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 15:50:15 +0000

[...] IRL blogger George Phillips was less sure: “I do not mean to disparage Alex Lloyd, but this move would not benefit him [...]

By: gnome

gnome — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 23:58:11 +0000

I keep thinking, since we keep hearing about how messy Wheldon’s relationship with Panther racing is going, and assuming Panther (who right now we can consider the equal to N/H/L?) would want a young, talented, marketable American driver….
ah heck, it makes sense, but I’d really rather have Graham stay at N/H/L

By: Franchittitlitter

Franchittitlitter — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 18:17:16 +0000

I gotta agree with Tom. I seem to be the only one not on the Rahal bandwagon- yes, he’s got great talent, but he’s his own worst enemy. I think Lloyd is exceptional and has a very bright future.

I should also say that Oriol is my favorite driver so I’m biased, but I believe that Oriol/Lloyd is the way to go for N/H/L. And bring back the DAFCA Special!

By: Dicks Simon

Dicks Simon — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 22:07:11 +0000

Lloyd is in the car at Homestead and likely in the car full-time in 2010, for one reason. $$$$ Its the only thing that matters in this sport anymore. Not saying he isn’t talented, but without the cash he is bringing, this car wouldn’t run.

Its also why Doornbos got the seat to begin with. He was terrible though and basically was told to go away, after he couldn’t get along with anyone and sucked on the track.

I think Rahal ends up with DeFerren, to be their veteran driver to go along with Sato. DeFerren cannot run 2 Indy Car rookies, with ZERO oval experience. Plus, the series NEEDS Rahal to become a star and he will, with DeFerren and Bob Clarke’s well funded operation.

I think Dan Wheldon ends up at NHL, as Alex Lloyd’s teammate in 2010.

By: The Speedgeek

The Speedgeek — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:08:04 +0000

I’m not too alarmed about the Lloyd at Homestead audition. It’s a chance to try out a new guy to see if he works, and I presume that Alex is bringing a little bit of cash for the ride. That’s no bad thing, since he’s also got a lot of talent to go with that check. From what I’ve heard, the 06 car has seen hardly a single dollar of sponsorship cash since after Indy, as witnessed by the team using leftover McDonald’s stickers to un-blanken the sidepods. Even if Alex is only bringing $100,000 for the one race, it’s certainly $100,000 more than Servia was bringing. Also, from what I’ve heard, N/H/L hasn’t done much in the way of testing at all this year, which hasn’t helped their case at all. If a small injection of money can allow them to go get some miles and work on some setups, then all the better. If Alex turns out to be good and gets on well with the team, then maybe they can talk about ’10, but it’s still early in the day for that.

By: Tom

Tom — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 17:52:12 +0000

I’m not convinced that driver lineup for NHL in 2010 will be Rahal and Lloyd. I think NHL is auditioning Lloyd to cover their bets in the event Rahal leaves for another team. (Not sure where he’d go. De Ferran maybe?)

Unless the economics change significantly, I think next years lineup at N/H/L will be
1.) Rahal – Lloyd or other promising young talent
2.) Champ Car Veteran with the most sponsorship money to offer

By: Dex

Dex — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 17:27:17 +0000

Great point about Briscoe, his maturation happened under the guidance of Roger Penske driving for Porsche in the ALMS.

I have said it esle where that, jumping into a front running car in the ALMS would be of huge benefit to a driver like Marco or Graham. Look at what it has done for Simon Pagenaud?

Dex

By: Tim Nothhelfer

Tim Nothhelfer — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 17:00:33 +0000

I just want to see what Lloyd will do in a good car full time.

By: JP

JP — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:13:52 +0000

I think this is a technicality, but it may be worth mentioning that Graham is a free agent and while there are no logical “better” places for him to go next year, he does not yet have a contract with NHL for 2010.

The curious thing here, we are calling Graham a young, relatively unexperienced talent here. He has three years of major open wheel experience. Now compare that to the driver line up that participates week in week out. He has equivalent if not more experience than a third of the field. (viso, Moraes, mutoh, matos, conway, Antinucci, andretti). When the grissled veterans are 28, The IndyCar series is young, very young.

I think NHL is, using a phrase from team sports, in what we might call a youth movement. They are searching for that one, or two stars that will hit their prime and carry them back to greatness when the formula changes in 2012 and the playing field is levelled. As for the mentorship both these young men could use, I would hope that comes from the organization and not necessarily a team mate. Ryan Briscoes rapid improvement upon joining Penske probably had more to do with the guidance of Roger and Tim than it did Helio.