Is it possible to find something unexpected but still unsurprising?
That's how I felt when I heard the news about JR Hildebrand being let go by Panther Racing. At first I was shocked, probably because this change comes in the middle of a season. But upon further reflection I realized we all knew it was coming. Three strikes and you're out I suppose. JR did make his share of mistakes, and being the first one out of the Indy 500 this year was the final straw. But I also don't believe he deserves all of the blame for that team's lack of success.
Hildebrand's initial mistake was smacking the wall on the final turn of the 2011 Indy 500. He was within one turn of winning the biggest race in the world in his rookie season. Fine, you can chalk that up to a rookie mistake (and, like I said, perhaps a little bit of fate intervening to give Dan Wheldon one final victory). Last season was unspectacular but featured few errors, certainly none like that one. He finished 14th in last year's Indy 500, probably playing it safe and trying to get over the previous year's heartbreak.
Then we come to this season. The biggest mistake JR made was driving over the back of Will Power's car in St. Pete. He admitted the mistake and said he wasn't paying attention. Still, that was a dangerous and, quite frankly, stupid mistake. I think he will always be known as the driver who crashed on the final turn of the Indy 500, but this error will also mark his infamy in IndyCar.
As for this year's Indy 500, JR indicated that the team went with an aggressive setup and he never truly felt comfortable in the car. So is he the only one at fault for his early crash? I don't believe he is, and as I've remarked in previous posts, this team has never quite "gelled" together. Whether that's because of owner John Barnes, the engineers, or Hildebrand, we'll probably never know. It is somewhat telling though that the team has gone through drivers like babies go through diapers. And just like those diapers, something stinks. Hopefully Hildebrand can get some more experience elsewhere and return as a driver on a mission.
Ryan Briscoe takes over the #4 car for this weekend's Dual in Detroit, and it looks like Oriol Servia will be the driver for the remainder of the year. Some individuals have a problem with this, claiming that the National Guard-sponsored car should have an American driver in it. I agree, but then we need to find a good American driver to take it over. That driver should drive the car with the same sense of pride that service members feel when they see it. I'm sure Briscoe and Servia know this, and will represent their sponsor well. I wonder what will happen to Hildebrand's national commercial now about how the National Guard is "more than a sponsor?"
I have mixed feelings about the doubleheader in Detroit this weekend. As a television viewer, it's difficult to commit to watching two full races on a weekend. And I wonder how many casual fans will tune in on Sunday and think the race is a rerun of Saturday's event. It makes more sense for attendance, that fans can attend both races for one price. It will be very taxing on the drivers, and we'll find out how much fitness really matters. Last year's Grand Prix at Belle Isle was the worst race of the year, with virtually no passing, Dixon dominating from start to finish, and an embarrassing pothole-filled track. Changes have been made for this year, though, and hopefully those changes result in a more entertaining race. IndyCar needs to build on the momentum and excitement from the Indy 500.
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