Comments on: Helio Needs To Let It Go

By: Mike R

Mike R — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 21:04:34 +0000

Risking redundancy, I agree (as previously stated). Briscoe has a longer future, has matured and is the better prospect for the long haul. Also as previously stated, when the resources are focused on two cars instead of three, and without the ballyhoo that surrounds Helio on a semi-regular basis, I think Ryan may thrive in that environment and would again start rising to his potential.
A driver in a situation of possible loss-of-ride due to downsizing is going to be cautious about how close to the edge he runs at every race. When it’s time to downsize, the one who’s walling/wadding the most equipment is likely going to be the one on the outside looking in. Ryan has been the victim a few times this year. Helio has been the perp in two instances that took out his own teammate. With the longevity aspect taken into consideration, I see Briscoe staying. The emphasis on wins at the Speedway is the only possible saving grace I see for HCN.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 02:30:03 +0000

I agree with HCN! I would love to tell my worthless boss the business!

Let’s face it, this series is in the tank! Why not have some personality! Fining drivers for speech is what killed NASCAR and as you can see the fans are not coming back!

By: The Speedgeek

The Speedgeek — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 02:24:37 +0000

Oh, my below comment notwithstanding, were J.R. not under contract (I think, anyway) for next year with Panther, and if Hinch (who I think is a potential superduperstar, and the type of personality than can even cross over into mainstream sports and entertainment media) had even one more year of seasoning, both would be good choices. Under the exact set of circumstances that we’re looking at right now, I think Roger’ll go for a more experienced hand, and probably one of the guys who currently drives one of his cars. At least that’s good for two other teams in the paddock, whoever J.R. and Hinch do drive for.

By: The Speedgeek

The Speedgeek — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 02:20:53 +0000

If it were me, I’d be letting Helio go and keeping Briscoe for another year. Helio does give Roger a marginally better chance than Briscoe at winning exactly one race every year. It helps Helio’s case that that one race is the Indy 500, but I’m not all that convinced at this point that Briscoe is far behind Helio even at The Speedway (Briscoe did, after all, finish 5th there in a semi-Penske car only a few years ago, and did run at or above Helio’s pace all month this May). Meanwhile, Briscoe is more consistently quick at the road and street courses, of which the Series is seeing more and more join the schedule. Curt Cavin likes to point out that Briscoe has been punted out of races like three times this year. If you take away those three punts and simply give Ryan 10th place points for each of those races, I think he’s in an easy 5th place in the championship, which while not great, certainly destroys Helio’s current 10th in the championship (where most of Helio’s woes have been self-inflicted).

Then, after 2012 is up, Roger could see if Briscoe’s benefitted from the change to the Team Australia format, and if not, farm him back out to a sports car squad, should Roger get the contract to run Porsche’s LMP car. I’m not Tim Cindric, but if I were, this would be the stuff I’d be putting in Roger’s ear right about now.

By: Paige

Paige — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 01:28:39 +0000

I still don’t believe that one horrific season should determine whether or not to keep a driver with the kind of previous success that Helio has had.

Also, it seems to me like the sponsors still like him. With Danica gone, it’s very possible that some sponsors will want to be endorsed by the second most recognizable driver in the INDYCAR Series.

By: JohnMc

JohnMc — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 00:10:00 +0000

George, I was rethinking my take after making our video blog that Helio and Ryan would be released after this year because you made such a strong case for Penske keeping Helio. But I now believe even more that they will both get their walking papers. Penske gets two new cars and a new driver to the team to go along with Will. I have no doubt that when you give Will a good Penske car and a pit crew that will put the wheels on securely he can win the 500.

By: Brian Mckay

Brian Mckay — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 17:42:51 +0000

“a younger, “hungrier’ driver” like Hinchcliffe and Hildebrand!

By: Brian Mckay

Brian Mckay — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 17:41:16 +0000

I agree that Helio didn’t have a leg to stand on when complaining about his illegal pass and should therefore have kept quiet rather than tarnish his jovial, fan-friendly, sponsor-friendly image and Team Penske’s. And Robin should lean more toward impartial journalism than angry activism.

By: Mike R

Mike R — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 17:31:35 +0000

Yep.

By: Mike R

Mike R — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 17:30:37 +0000

Could very well be that Roger will ditch both Helio and…Kurt Busch. Both have become primadonna to the extreme. Not sure about Briscoe being jettisoned yet. I said the same thing last week too (sans the Busch part). I’m certain of one thing – Roger is weary of all the negative hoopla surrounding his drivers. He won’t suffer fools for long.