Will Power Dominating IZOD IndyCar Series

An article by New Track Record    3 Comments

I thought this street racing stuff was supposed to be boring? The second race of the IZOD IndyCar Series was anything but that. I even watched this race twice, if you count sneaking the live indycar.com race feed during work Monday morning as a viewing. (sorry boss). We are now 2 for 2 for good races in the 2010 IZOD IndyCar season. St. Pete was another fast and furious (minus Van Diesel) race with a lot of action throughout the entire race. If you happen to be stuck in the office Monday, forgot to record the ESPN2 or simply failed in life and didn’t even attempt to watch the race, check out the video of the 2010 Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Highlights.

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

Speaking of 2 for 2, this Aussie is on it! Will Power was the driver to beat the entire weekend. He grabbed the pole with a dominating qualifying time and was near the front the entire race. He drove a very smart and determined race that guided his #6 Penske machine to victory lane. At the beginning of the race, his car was not there as he was quickly swallowed up by Marco and Dixon in the opening lap. Instead of pushing his car when it wasn’t quite there, he patiently waited for the track conditions to improve to make his plays. His passes were all perfectly time and executed. Will clearly has proven that he will be the one to beat on the road/street courses this season. However as we move forward with the remainder of the season, the big question is: What can he do on an oval? The quick answer; he is driving for Penske. Enough said.

Biggest Step Forward:

There are two drivers that come to mind. We all knew that Justin Wilson was going to take the DRR team on his shoulders and carry them throughout the season. He didn’t disappoint on Monday. He clearly is a very talented driver on these courses and it is not a question ofif he will win a race for DRR this season, but when will he win a race for DRR this season. Another great showing on Monday, was Alex Tagliani (racing for team FAZZT) as he finished a strong 6^th. Although this is FAZZT’s first season in the IICS, they are going to make things interesting for the ‘big three’. Plus, has anyone seen Alex’s wife? ESPN/VERSUS, get a damn camera on her! We are trying to improve the ratings here aren’t we?

Biggest Step Backward:

Scotty D, I don’t think St. Pete likes you all too well. Make that three years in a row that you have posted a DNF. Not only did you give the boot to Sato (ending his day) but you decided to dry hump the turn 9 wall (putting an abrupt end to your day, and probably some server chafing). Yeah, Yeah – You started last season the same way and was still in the hunt for the championship. However can you remind me how that ended up for you? (Why, I wrote this like Scott is actually going to read this? I have no idea. But if he does… he can give me credit for helping him turn his season around and all of you can be extremely impressed.)

Wanker Move of the Race:

Sometimes, I think to myself that I could go out there and drive an IndyCar. I lie in bed, imagining what it would feel and look like to pilot one of those machines. I think to myself, “yeah…. Dude, you could sooo do that!” That fantasy is quickly shattered every year at the first open practice session while sitting in the IMS infield and I witness that first IndyCar to come off the back stretch into turn 3 at 220mph (for those of you who live around Indy during the month of May, you probably just got goose bumps. Your welcome). HOWEVER, I am positive that I could navigate an IndyCar around the track of St. Pete DURING a parade lap without any incident. That same thing cannot be said about a professional race car driver currently in the series. Milka Duno is a joke and it is only a matter of time before she takes out a contending driver (as you read this, I am on Wikipedia updating the information on CITGO which now reads “Venezuelan word for slow”)

Fist Pump Worthy Pass of the Race:

Early in the race, on lap 32 Helio pulled such a quick “where the f*ck did he come from” move on Rahal that I think it Graham is still trying to figure how exactly did that happen. It’s moments like this that make you appreciate the guts that some of these racecar drivers possess.

TV Coverage:

I had two different viewing experiences. I tried to watch the race through the Live Video Streaming on indycar.com. It kept crashing (insert another Milka joke) and I had to restart it a few dozen times. When I was able to watch the taped ESPN version at home, some of the excitement had worn off. The coverage itself was what I have come to expect from ESPN. It is not as a complete of coverage as what VERSUS provides, but it was nothing really to complain about. I love watching those onboard camera shots (helps with the visualization during my bedtime fantasies…)

Overall Dissertation:

I am really enjoying the IZOD IndyCar Series this year. This race may not have been as exciting as the Brazil race, but none the less it was a good one. I am not sure if it is because the season is so young, but it feels like the overall competition is a lot closer this year. There were 10 – 13 drivers that could have won that race on Monday.

Before I wrap this up and let you get back to your life, I wanted to comment on the cars of Rahal and Hunter-Reay. I REALLY like the last names on the spoilers. I know, I know. That is a prime spot for sponsors but, from a fan’s perspective I view it as if were the name on the back of a football or basketball jersey. One of Randy Bernard’s goal this season is to make these drivers into more recognized stars. Here is one small change that could have a big impact.

Next Race: Indy Grand Prix of Alabama on April 11^th, 3:00pm EST on VERSUS