Round 12 - Newton, IA
'Ryan's Corn Fuelled Charge'
A late race tyre strategy call from Michael Andretti saw his driver, Ryan Hunter-Reay take snatch victory from a weekend dominant Tony Kanaan with only two laps remaining (who finished third). A career best second for Josef Newgarden who also had a late change of tyres made late race moves up the standings.
Contributors this week are - Alex Lemon, Adam Frederick, Dan Brown, Richard Topham, John McLean, George O'Donnell, James Alban, Tom Firth, Katelyn Elders and Tom Waitt.
Contributors this week are - Alex Lemon, Adam Frederick, Dan Brown, Richard Topham, John McLean, George O'Donnell, James Alban, Tom Firth, Katelyn Elders and Tom Waitt.
Asked this lightheartedly last week but we are seeing some really fractious relationships among teams and drivers, Sato v Aleshin, Montoya v Carpenter, AJ Foyt v Idots, Power v well everyone.. Are these battles going to help spark of interest and grow Indycar or will nothing become of them and lost into the season?
Aleshin and Sato crash... again (C.Jones)
AL - Montoya v Carpenter, purely for JPM's use of the word douchebag last night.
AF - That was one of the best races this season and I was able to attend the race. All great sports have rivalries. These battles are going to definitely grow the sport especially when they start taking each other out.
DB - I personally don't like the whole "#IndyRivals" thing; you have to look at the last few laps of this race to show that excitement comes naturally rather than being stirred up into something it isn't by marketing people. I appreciate the need to bring in new fans to the series, I'm just not convinced this is the best way.
RT - I think every interview is a PR/sponsor name-checking exercise. Its only when there's a debatable 'incident' when you get some genuine reaction. Im sure they all have their least favourite(hated) drivers but sadly there is never time to discuss it and i dont think any of them are famous enough to create a media storm. I think that chance left with Danica.
JM - I think unless Marco Andretti and Graham Raha, and perhaps JPM, start getting together, interest in the rivalries is likely to stay within the IndyCar community, unfortunately. Unless you already follow the series, or sportscars, names like 'Power', 'Pagenaud' and 'Aleshin' will mean nothing, which is a real shame.
GOD - They are only going to spark interest to grow Indycar if they are publicised! They are great for the fans for sure.
JA - With any racing series, you need just a wee but of drama. It helps keep fans watching for possible exciting storylines!
TF - I think the battles will help build some interest, seeing some closer personalities to the end of the season , I don't really expect them to continue over to next season though, it kind of depends who goes where in 2015 though.
KE - They add a little intrigue and can be used in marketing but I think the return of Montoya is more interesting than Montoya vs Ed for example.
TW - It should spark interest if someone at marketing would get the word out about all the good things and interesting people involved in Indycar.
AF - That was one of the best races this season and I was able to attend the race. All great sports have rivalries. These battles are going to definitely grow the sport especially when they start taking each other out.
DB - I personally don't like the whole "#IndyRivals" thing; you have to look at the last few laps of this race to show that excitement comes naturally rather than being stirred up into something it isn't by marketing people. I appreciate the need to bring in new fans to the series, I'm just not convinced this is the best way.
RT - I think every interview is a PR/sponsor name-checking exercise. Its only when there's a debatable 'incident' when you get some genuine reaction. Im sure they all have their least favourite(hated) drivers but sadly there is never time to discuss it and i dont think any of them are famous enough to create a media storm. I think that chance left with Danica.
JM - I think unless Marco Andretti and Graham Raha, and perhaps JPM, start getting together, interest in the rivalries is likely to stay within the IndyCar community, unfortunately. Unless you already follow the series, or sportscars, names like 'Power', 'Pagenaud' and 'Aleshin' will mean nothing, which is a real shame.
GOD - They are only going to spark interest to grow Indycar if they are publicised! They are great for the fans for sure.
JA - With any racing series, you need just a wee but of drama. It helps keep fans watching for possible exciting storylines!
TF - I think the battles will help build some interest, seeing some closer personalities to the end of the season , I don't really expect them to continue over to next season though, it kind of depends who goes where in 2015 though.
KE - They add a little intrigue and can be used in marketing but I think the return of Montoya is more interesting than Montoya vs Ed for example.
TW - It should spark interest if someone at marketing would get the word out about all the good things and interesting people involved in Indycar.
Kanaan was dominant all weekend with pole and around 80% of the laps lead, yet still coming away with only a third, do you see his luck changing any time soon or are his chances of being successful in the #10 car diminishing through mistakes and bad luck?
A 'disappointing' podium for TK (C.Jones)
AL - It's only a matter of time before it comes good.
AF - I think his luck will change. If RHR and Joseph Newgarden would have not pit TK would have definitely been able to win the race.
DB - Other than the 2012 500, the 10 car seems to be cursed! TK's talent is undeniable and I'm sure the win will come, but luck doesn't seem to be on his side at present.
RT - It seems like getting a good setup is difficult with these cars still. When they do get a 'good car' and dont win they seem to take it forward into following races. Its been a long time since TK has been so dominant in a race so maybe he was just a victim of a better last minute strategy.
JM - He seemed to have Iowa in the bag until the last caution, so there's nothing wrong with his driving or, seemingly, his confidence and he's making less mistakes than Power so perhaps it's just luck. However bear in mind that Dario Franchitti struggled in the DW12 too and whilst the great drives were still there, he wasn't as young as he once. Maybe this is an issue for TK too?
GOD - The race in Iowa was out of his control. Tony just needs to focus on driving the car fast and a good result will come.
JA - I believe he has a great chance of getting a win..He has a superb team around him, I would be shocked if he didn't get a win!
TF - A few races ago, I thought Ganassi's year was going to be a total write off but the team is turning it around and now I can see TK getting a win by seasons end , Ganassi need to do a little more, as does TK but it's getting back towards victory lane. Iowa wasn't bad luck as much as a gamble (a great gamble) by Andretti late in the race that paid off, It wouldn't of made sense for Ganassi to take that gamble.
KE - TK has always had bad luck (see every 500 except 2013!). I think his mistakes are lessening and it's up to the team and the other drivers (Rahal, I am looking at you) to ensure he gets the results. Dixon hasn't had the best season either, and 30 points between the two is pretty good.
TW - Something is askew ; I don't see things being turned around this season.
AF - I think his luck will change. If RHR and Joseph Newgarden would have not pit TK would have definitely been able to win the race.
DB - Other than the 2012 500, the 10 car seems to be cursed! TK's talent is undeniable and I'm sure the win will come, but luck doesn't seem to be on his side at present.
RT - It seems like getting a good setup is difficult with these cars still. When they do get a 'good car' and dont win they seem to take it forward into following races. Its been a long time since TK has been so dominant in a race so maybe he was just a victim of a better last minute strategy.
JM - He seemed to have Iowa in the bag until the last caution, so there's nothing wrong with his driving or, seemingly, his confidence and he's making less mistakes than Power so perhaps it's just luck. However bear in mind that Dario Franchitti struggled in the DW12 too and whilst the great drives were still there, he wasn't as young as he once. Maybe this is an issue for TK too?
GOD - The race in Iowa was out of his control. Tony just needs to focus on driving the car fast and a good result will come.
JA - I believe he has a great chance of getting a win..He has a superb team around him, I would be shocked if he didn't get a win!
TF - A few races ago, I thought Ganassi's year was going to be a total write off but the team is turning it around and now I can see TK getting a win by seasons end , Ganassi need to do a little more, as does TK but it's getting back towards victory lane. Iowa wasn't bad luck as much as a gamble (a great gamble) by Andretti late in the race that paid off, It wouldn't of made sense for Ganassi to take that gamble.
KE - TK has always had bad luck (see every 500 except 2013!). I think his mistakes are lessening and it's up to the team and the other drivers (Rahal, I am looking at you) to ensure he gets the results. Dixon hasn't had the best season either, and 30 points between the two is pretty good.
TW - Something is askew ; I don't see things being turned around this season.
Again Power had late race issues, Helio dropped places, Montoya crashed out, but Hunter-Reay won bringing him into championship contention. Can you see the list of contenders growing or shrinking as we head towards the final third of the season. If so, who?
RHR for a late season championship dash? (C.Jones)
AL - It's between Power, Helio, JPM, RHR and Pagenaud, but I feel Pag will fall away due to his team's inexperience in title situations.
AF - I think the championship is down the 4 people Power, Castroneves, Hunter-Reay, and Pagenaud. I hope this is Penskes year.
DB - Growing for now. As no-one is putting a run of wins together mid-season, a-la RHR in 2012 or Dixon last year, the rest are naturally staying in touch. Until someone strings a few wins together I expect it to remain tight.
RT - I think there's plenty of points left and its all about consistency. Helio wouldve won last year being consistent but without the win it didnt happen. I think hes better placed this year and will probably win at the end. Id like to see Pagenaud win, I think hes the most improved over last couple of years and always seems to have a good car. I dont see anyone else sneaking in the Top 5. If Hunter Reay can build on this weekend he has a chance also but luck rarely stays with him.
JM - Unless CGR pull something out of the bag like they did last year or Marco and Carlos Muñoz start getting the results they've been on the verge on; the top five now will be the top five after Fontana, though perhaps in a different order.
GOD - Difficult to say. The best thing about Indycar is the diversity of the tracks so let's see what happens at the double header on the streets of Toronto. If Dixon doubles up like he did last year then maybe he'll come from nowhere into championship contention.
JA - I would say about the same. If things play out, the championship will come down to 3 drivers.(it could be anyone in the top five)
TF - It all depends on Toronto really and who comes out of that with the most progress, Think that will be the swing event to show who really is in this title race. I think personally it's Helio vs Power realistically now and If RHR can have consistency, can see him been in a shot. Besides those three, I think Pagenaud and Montoya have an outside chance and with Pagenaud favouring road courses, maybe more of a chance for him to feature , lets wait and see.
KE - Dixon should never be counted out but I think it's RHR vs Penske for the title.
TW - It will stay the same and anyone could be the champion.
AF - I think the championship is down the 4 people Power, Castroneves, Hunter-Reay, and Pagenaud. I hope this is Penskes year.
DB - Growing for now. As no-one is putting a run of wins together mid-season, a-la RHR in 2012 or Dixon last year, the rest are naturally staying in touch. Until someone strings a few wins together I expect it to remain tight.
RT - I think there's plenty of points left and its all about consistency. Helio wouldve won last year being consistent but without the win it didnt happen. I think hes better placed this year and will probably win at the end. Id like to see Pagenaud win, I think hes the most improved over last couple of years and always seems to have a good car. I dont see anyone else sneaking in the Top 5. If Hunter Reay can build on this weekend he has a chance also but luck rarely stays with him.
JM - Unless CGR pull something out of the bag like they did last year or Marco and Carlos Muñoz start getting the results they've been on the verge on; the top five now will be the top five after Fontana, though perhaps in a different order.
GOD - Difficult to say. The best thing about Indycar is the diversity of the tracks so let's see what happens at the double header on the streets of Toronto. If Dixon doubles up like he did last year then maybe he'll come from nowhere into championship contention.
JA - I would say about the same. If things play out, the championship will come down to 3 drivers.(it could be anyone in the top five)
TF - It all depends on Toronto really and who comes out of that with the most progress, Think that will be the swing event to show who really is in this title race. I think personally it's Helio vs Power realistically now and If RHR can have consistency, can see him been in a shot. Besides those three, I think Pagenaud and Montoya have an outside chance and with Pagenaud favouring road courses, maybe more of a chance for him to feature , lets wait and see.
KE - Dixon should never be counted out but I think it's RHR vs Penske for the title.
TW - It will stay the same and anyone could be the champion.
Montoya v Carpenter, the move that took JPM out of the race, your call on it?
AL - Blocking
DB - Ed was very lucky to avoid a penalty in my view; yet more inconsistency from Race Control. Last week Will Power was (rightly) penalised for blocking, this week Carpenter blocks, causing avoidable contact and putting a rival into the wall, but no action is taken. Either the rules need to be clarified or Race Control needs to apply them more consistently.
RT - Montoya gambled and went for the gap he thought was going to be there. I think it was bad sportsmanship for Carpenter to come down on him when it was clear he was taking the high line previously. Not worthy of a penalty but surely Carpenter knows that type of contact could easily have flipped him.
JM - I don't think there was any malice in it but it was a very clear attempt at blocking which very clearly went wrong. Had it happened at Fontana or Texas the consequences could've been much worse. Undoubtedly a racing incident but in lieu of a penalty, I think a fine would be justified. Ed knows better.
GOD - Ed was at fault but I would give him the benefit of the doubt as to whether his actions were deliberate.
JA - Carpenter should have received a drive through penalty. He ran the high line all race, and decided to run low? Hold on player!
TF - I thought it was carpenter's move that caused it , nothing JPM could do, really surprised Indycar called no penalty on it personally.
KE - Ed stuck his nose where it shouldn't have. Wish Montoya had thrown his gloves at him though!
TW - It appeared to me like a block by the Vodka car.
DB - Ed was very lucky to avoid a penalty in my view; yet more inconsistency from Race Control. Last week Will Power was (rightly) penalised for blocking, this week Carpenter blocks, causing avoidable contact and putting a rival into the wall, but no action is taken. Either the rules need to be clarified or Race Control needs to apply them more consistently.
RT - Montoya gambled and went for the gap he thought was going to be there. I think it was bad sportsmanship for Carpenter to come down on him when it was clear he was taking the high line previously. Not worthy of a penalty but surely Carpenter knows that type of contact could easily have flipped him.
JM - I don't think there was any malice in it but it was a very clear attempt at blocking which very clearly went wrong. Had it happened at Fontana or Texas the consequences could've been much worse. Undoubtedly a racing incident but in lieu of a penalty, I think a fine would be justified. Ed knows better.
GOD - Ed was at fault but I would give him the benefit of the doubt as to whether his actions were deliberate.
JA - Carpenter should have received a drive through penalty. He ran the high line all race, and decided to run low? Hold on player!
TF - I thought it was carpenter's move that caused it , nothing JPM could do, really surprised Indycar called no penalty on it personally.
KE - Ed stuck his nose where it shouldn't have. Wish Montoya had thrown his gloves at him though!
TW - It appeared to me like a block by the Vodka car.
Driver of the Day - Josef Newgarden #67 SFHR
Rising stock (C.Jones)
A close vote, by one ahead of Tony Kanaan who was excellent in his own right, but a career best finish for Newgarden whose team made the late race call for new tyres and benefited with great passes throughout the top ten. It should be noted he ran high for a lot of the race, surely that first win awaits...soon?
"That was the weirdest experience I've had in a race. It's almost unfair. You put on tires like that and you just have so much more grip than everybody. It was a great call. And I knew it was going to be an interesting race because Graham and Ryan (Hunter-Reay) had done it in front of me and I thought, 'If this is going to play out, it will be between us.' And Ryan got a good jump and I got a good jump with it and we kept carving up to the top and I knew the laps were clicking down and with about five to go, I realized, 'OK, this is going to get really good.' Just not enough time to get Ryan. I think it's really cool finishing on the podium. Obviously it's a great job for our whole team, especially after qualifying, we made a bit of an error there. We just did an amazing job tonight. Our team was solid. We had such good pit stops, really good strategy and kept our head in the game the entire way. We didn't have the best balance all race long, but there were parts when we were really fast. We just kept with it and at the end there, we made it when it counted."
"That was the weirdest experience I've had in a race. It's almost unfair. You put on tires like that and you just have so much more grip than everybody. It was a great call. And I knew it was going to be an interesting race because Graham and Ryan (Hunter-Reay) had done it in front of me and I thought, 'If this is going to play out, it will be between us.' And Ryan got a good jump and I got a good jump with it and we kept carving up to the top and I knew the laps were clicking down and with about five to go, I realized, 'OK, this is going to get really good.' Just not enough time to get Ryan. I think it's really cool finishing on the podium. Obviously it's a great job for our whole team, especially after qualifying, we made a bit of an error there. We just did an amazing job tonight. Our team was solid. We had such good pit stops, really good strategy and kept our head in the game the entire way. We didn't have the best balance all race long, but there were parts when we were really fast. We just kept with it and at the end there, we made it when it counted."
...and the thoughts of our contributors
AL - +19 places says it all
DB - A close decision between him & TK, but given Josef's moves through the field, he just edges it. Finishing with a joint-career-best second place, I think him going one better isn't far away!
JM - Yet another charge through the field after a disappointing qualifying and had the race lasted 301 laps, he could've been in victory lane. He benefited from that last caution for sure, but the things he's done in the races this season, in a single-car team, have been unreal.
TF - RHR ran an awesome race, so did the Ganassi boys but you expect them to be at the sharp end. Newgarden continues to impress as the underdog and second place overall is absolutely.brilliant for both him and Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing.
TW - Grit and execution moving up through the field.
DB - A close decision between him & TK, but given Josef's moves through the field, he just edges it. Finishing with a joint-career-best second place, I think him going one better isn't far away!
JM - Yet another charge through the field after a disappointing qualifying and had the race lasted 301 laps, he could've been in victory lane. He benefited from that last caution for sure, but the things he's done in the races this season, in a single-car team, have been unreal.
TF - RHR ran an awesome race, so did the Ganassi boys but you expect them to be at the sharp end. Newgarden continues to impress as the underdog and second place overall is absolutely.brilliant for both him and Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing.
TW - Grit and execution moving up through the field.
Rate the Race - 4 Stars
Probably the best race of the season so far. Plenty of close racing and overtaking throughout the field. Tyre strategy, rain delays, controversy, what more can you want?
(S.Gritzmacher)
