Each Monday Jason and Adrian look back over the A to Z of the 2014 Verizon Indycar Series.
Part two this week covers F to J. We look at the tempestuous topics and some irreverent issues of an enthralling season, both on and off the track.
Part two this week covers F to J. We look at the tempestuous topics and some irreverent issues of an enthralling season, both on and off the track.
F is for Franchitti
(C.Owens)
When Dario Franchitti hung up his race helmet, Indycar lost one of it's best ever and someone with a genuine passion for his craft and an appreciation for the history of Indycar racing. Aside from a year out at Nascar, Franchitti was in an Indycar every year from 1997 so to not see him in a car this past season felt odd but thankfully he wasn't a stranger to the Indycar paddock and he has been playing an important role behind the scenes at Chip Ganassi racing. Don't believe me? Ask Tony Kanaan how important Dario's input has been, TK dedicated his Fontana win to Franchitti and thanked him for his coaching. Even out of a Car, Dario is still serving Indycar well and long may it continue.
G is for Graham, or Babe
Seat swap? (Twitter.com)
The son of 'stache had another forgettable season to add to his CV and although I firmly believe that the talent is there, there just seems to be something missing. Right now, Graham Rahal still has youth on his side (and a lovely girlfriend) but that's really it and even the youth is starting to slip away with very few good results to show for it. After his first two season with Newman Haas I would have put a lot of money on Graham not only being a multiple race winner by now but maybe a Champion too but sadly for him, and for Indycar, that hasn't happened. When he finally arrived with his Father's team, I think most of us suspected that there would be some positive results but in fact, there has been a regression and it's one that needs corrected and soon. The post season has saw changes already made to the engineering department at RLL with hopes of righting the ship for next season but the loss of National Guard is going to hurt a team that's already reeling. Here's hoping Father and Son Rahal can have a better 2015 than they did 2014.
H is for Hawk
| A new sponsor on a Montoya's No 2 Pens... Actually more pertinent link is the rise of Jack Hawksworth, the 23 year old rookie had a bit of an up and down year with results, but few could fault his determination and skill. Caught up in the restart drama at St Pete didn't get things to a good start for the MRTI graduate, but was strong during the GP of Indy and had a great weekend and a first podium at Houston. More good points followed at Toronto and Milwaukee for the winner of the Tony Renna Rising Star Award. |
I is for #Indysomniacs
Late races, and even later nights (TMS)
Something for those fans east of Cape Cod, three night races at Texas Motor Speedway, Iowa and the finale at Fontana saw some great racing, drama, controversy and a flurry of red bull infused tweets. There is something special about following racing at 3 am, the challenge of staying awake, the . But for the final race of the season, this applied to the east cost of the states too, with the chequered flag falling and the champion being crowned at a respectable 01:30 am, I jest, the desire to see the season finish before the pigskin has its day, or well, months... This resulted in the race starting at sunset to avoid the glare of the setting sun and the unruly August temperatures and the champion being crowned in the wee small hours on the East coast, not idea or something Fontana want to see back!
J is for Juan Pablo Montoya
Back in American open wheel racing after 13 years away in Formula 1 and NASCAR, the season got off to a slow, steady start with only a 5th place to show after late race incidents moved him up the order. Enter May, and Juan was back, he was quick all month, qualifying in 10th and bringing home a 5th place for Penske. More podiums at Texas Motor Speedway and Houston followed, before a brilliant performance all weekend long at the Pocono 500, taking pole and then a win, despite the attempted interventions on team mate Will Power. JPM stayed in championship contention until the penultimate round. In his comeback year, Montoya finished a very respectable 4th, next year he can only be stronger.
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