Happy Turbo Day! Many of us IndyCar fans have waited a long time for this day. I plan to see the movie within the next week, and I'll post a review after I've seen it. So far the reviews are mixed, so we'll see. Already I'm noticing some issues with the release. Entertainment Weekly mistakenly identified the racing in the movie as NASCAR, which ticks me off, along with other IndyCar fans I'm sure. Please, reviewers, get it right--NASCAR was in Cars. Turbo features IndyCars.
Now, let's look back on last weekend's doubleheader in Toronto, an event that certainly did not lack drama...at least on Saturday. Sunday could've used some more drama in my opinion. To recap...
All the hype and publicity over the standing start quickly evaporated into a collaborative public outcry when the start was aborted due to Josef Newgarden's car issues. Wow, were fans in a tizzy when this happened. Fans in attendance booed Newgarden, as if it was his fault there was no standing start. And fans on Twitter erupted in anger, demanding (and ultimately getting) a re-do on Sunday. To me, it was no big deal. We had been warned ahead of time that if the standing start was not successful on the first try, it would be aborted. After witnessing the lackluster beginning to Sunday's race, I have to say rolling starts are much more interesting. But kudos to IndyCar for trying something different.
Kudos also to Sebastien Bourdais for finally earning a spot on the podium--twice. He nearly won Race 1 , too, but after using up all his Push-to-Passes and finishing on reds, it was only a matter of time before Dixon passed him for the lead. Unfortunately, Bourdais' good weekend was overshadowed by his podium oops--dropping and shattering the crystal trophy he'd just earned. Really, I can't fault him for that blooper. I would've thought the trophy was attached to the base, as most trophies are. But he gave us a humorous moment on a day that needed some by the end of it.
Will Power made an aggressive move on Dario Franchitti late in the race, in Turn 3 once again, and Power met doom once again, ending up in the tires. I think we all know what happened next. After reviewing the move, race control decided Dario was blocking Will, and they took away his podium finish--after he had posed for pictures and just as he was getting ready to participate in the champagne toast. Later, Dario's finish was reinstated after Derrick Walker reviewed the move on different monitors, with apparently more advanced technology than they have in race control. Most fans attributed this embarrassing turn of events to Brian Barnhart, who was subbing for Beaux Barfield, and it doesn't seem to be concidence that controversy followed Barnhart's return to officiating. I'll say this about the move: I'm no fan of Dario's but he didn't deserve to be penalized. Sato's moves in Sao Paulo were much more egregious and nothing was called on him. So while IndyCar ended up with egg on their faces, they eventually took the correct action. All this drama was an unfortunate conclusion to a race that featured a lot of action and passing. However, NASCAR fans love this kind of drama, right? So maybe IndyCar needs more of this?
More drama emerged on Sunday when Dario was allowed to run only one lap on red tires, even though the rules stipulate you must run at least two laps. Again, this turned out in Dario's favor because of a new "doubleheader rule" that allows for exceptions just in case a team runs out of tires. I think IndyCar needs to rethink that one. If you can't run a mere two laps on reds you don't deserve to finish in fourth place. Part of me wonders if they just let it slide because they felt bad about interrupting his podium celebration on Saturday.
What a weekend to forget for Andretti Autosport. Ryan Hunter-Reay had pit problems on Saturday, and crashed late in the race on Sunday to take a big hit in the points. James Hinchcliffe couldn't even get on the starting grid on Sunday, which was hugely disappointing to the home crowd. These complications, coupled with their underwhelming qualifying effort, shifted the IndyCar tides. Ganassi and Penske appear to be coming on strong again, while Andretti appears headed in the opposite direction.
I'll be honest, Sunday's race bored me. Perhaps I was doubleheadered out. Perhaps I had higher expectations because Saturday's race had been so exciting, and perhaps I was less than thrilled to see Dixon win again, but I think that race ranks up there with Texas as the worst one of the year. I attribute the lack of excitement to two things: one, Ganassi and Honda finally figuring things out (hence, Dixon's runaway win), and two, the standing start. The standing start seemed to immediately spread out the field, leading to little passing and a Formula-One-style race. But if I'm to believe fans' comments on Twitter and elsewhere, the standing start was amazing and should be retained. I have to respectfully disagree. It was an experiment, great. But the rolling starts allow for much more excitement. It's like the old adage says: If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Overall, the weekend belonged to Scott Dixon and he deserves major congratulations for his accomplishments in IndyCar. With his victory in race 1 and his dominating performance in race 2, he has now won three races in a row and really shaken up the championship standings. As the schedule gets a long three-week layoff now, it's difficult to say anyone has momentum, but the pendulum definitely seems to be swinging Dixon's way.
Other Random Race Notes:
Takuma Sato finished in last place on Saturday. Hmm, karma after Pocono's debacle?...Loved having Steve Matchett in the NBCSN booth. He added humor, insight, and intelligence to the commentary. The trio of Matchett, Leigh Diffey, and Townsend Bell is a winning combination...Carlos Munoz impressed again, stepping in for an injured Ryan Briscoe at the last minute. And lastly, extra special get-well wishes for daddy-to-be Briscoe!
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