Comments on: What A Fast Finish!

By: Rick

Rick — Mon, 23 May 2011 17:08:58 +0000

I think the Fast Nine arrangement is a good compromise. First, it’s entertaining for the fans. No one will argue that after Saturday. Second, it rewards bravery and risk. The 9th fastest qualifier knows he has the chance to improve his position, if he’s willing and able to put four mor laps together. Finally, the timid (for lack of a better word) don’t have to risk starting worse than 9th, wrecking a car, etc. They could always go out and make a slow, conservative lap just to stay in the field.

By: The Speedgeek

The Speedgeek — Mon, 23 May 2011 14:50:44 +0000

Agreed. I understand the old guys’ (A.J. and Robin Miller) take on things, but for the sake of trying to get some TV viewers, I’m 100% behind the Fast 9 concept. Guarantee that barring rain there’ll be action for 90 straight minutes and that you will see the Pole winning run is a far better way to get people to tune in than the old “you have to watch 6 straight hours of TV, endure periods when nothing may be happening, and hopefully you’re not left staring out the window at a nice, warm May afternoon” way of going about things. I’m pretty much a purist at heart, but I’m cool with this tweak making for some compelling drama (which it certainly did on Saturday).

By: JB

JB — Sun, 22 May 2011 13:42:57 +0000

That was a reference to having enough fuel on Sunday, not the actual fuel pump.

And yes. May 1995 completely destroyed* Team Penske. That’s why they returned to win it 5 times in the next decade.

By: redcar

redcar — Sun, 22 May 2011 12:57:04 +0000

I hesitate to disagree with Foyt, but the Final Nine thing sure made quals exciting–and made for great TV also. I like it. For an event like Indianapolis, qualifying should be an event too.

By: Bent Wickerbill

Bent Wickerbill — Sun, 22 May 2011 12:17:30 +0000

It was an exciting and unexpected outcome yesterday, but I have to admit that I agree with Mr. Foyt regarding qualifying…. At Indy, if you go out and turn the time you are happy with (and you get three shots during the course of the day). That should be your slot. Being required to go back out at the end of the day after putting your car on the fiirst three rows, especially the front row for most drivers and teams, is nothing but tempting fate…

By: Bent Wickerbill

Bent Wickerbill — Sun, 22 May 2011 12:11:41 +0000

I don’t know what you were watching, but Penske and Co. got spanked in qualifying yesterday… I don’t think this marks a changing of the guard, as it is a long race and both Penske and Ganassi will certainly be a force to contend with race day….

By: Rick

Rick — Sun, 22 May 2011 07:06:07 +0000

I’m envious of your front-row seat for the action! I can only imagine what the atmosphere there is like.
Mario claimed on the TV broadcast that Andretti Autosport had discovered their problem and should be able to get their cars in the field Sunday. We’ll see.
Focusing on the positive and the underdogs, congrats to Tagliani for the pole and to the 4 part-time or one-off drivers in the Fast Nine.

I’m looking forward to Sunday’s action and am positively giddy for the race itself.

By: StephenP_83

StephenP_83 — Sun, 22 May 2011 06:34:24 +0000

George,
Haven’t posted in awhile since I’ve been stuck in Iraq, but I definitely have been taking the time to keep up with racing. I have no way to watch qualifying where I am at, but I was able to keep up with everything during Saturday thanks to the streaming audio feature on 1070the fan (where I’ve also been enjoying “The Talk of Gasoline Alley”).

I am completely and utterly impressed by Simona. After I saw the video clip of her wreck and the huge white gloves she was wearing, I didn’t think she would be able to drive a car. It blew me away that she was able to go out in that chassis and get it qualified when a whole bunch of other people couldn’t get their primary cars in. Pretty good drama while listening along on the radio. Speaking of listening on the radio, I’m pretending I’m experiencing the 500 in the older days when unless you were in Indianapolis you had to listen to the radio. That’s the only way I can not be depressed about not seeing the race on the 100th anniversary of that first race in 1911. (BTW, I picked up a book about the 1911 race at the beginning of the month called, “Blood and Smoke” by Charles Leerhsen. I’m only about halfway through it, but I recommend it. Especially if you have any doubt in your mind about the outcome of the first race.)

Sam Schmidt is nothing but inspirational. Being a HUGE Formula 1 fan, I can’t help but compare him to Frank Williams. Both of those men have a huge following amongst whole motor sports fan base. It would be something to see Sam Schmidt win the 500!

My last note…Good call IMS by having a medal of honor winner be the starter for the 500. Bruce Crandall is an American hero and on memorial day having a hero speaks to my heart a lot more than some celebrity does!

By: Brian

Brian — Sun, 22 May 2011 03:19:11 +0000

Simona … Burned hands, … oldest, slowest chassis in the field, … outqualifies some of the bigger name(s)” Loved it. Love to see underdogs do well.
By the way, Will Power is an android, while Briscoe Inferno is flesh-and-blood like you and me.

By: Brian McKay

Brian McKay — Sun, 22 May 2011 03:14:47 +0000

Team Penske failed to qualify one year.
Ganassi Racing probably put too little fuel in 9 and 10 in order to be light & fast. Doubt that a fuel pump was at fault. Lesser teams with lesser cars didn’t have such a problem.