Season-End Awards

Well, the IndyCar offseason is now a week old, and I'm still savoring that terrific finale. As always happens at the conclusion of a season, I'm also reflective. Time to hand out IndyAnnie's annual season awards!

Best Race: Prior to the season finale, I would have voted Brazil as my favorite race of the year because it featured some exciting passing, a last-lap pass, and a surprise winner. But I have to say Fontana was the best race. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, and I could not predict the outcome. Cars stayed grouped together for much of the race, which generated some good passes and three- or four-wide action. You also have to be impressed with the way the finishing drivers handled the tough, grueling conditions of a 500-miler. Yes, there were a great deal of crashes and only nine cars finished the race, but even until the end, we were treated to some pure racing drama. I'm still thinking about it many days later!

Worst Race: I know a lot of people will say Texas was the worst race of the year because it lacked action, but to me, the worst race was Toronto Race 2. I don't get bored by motorsports very often, but that race failed to sustain my attention. Dixon ran away with it, and his victory was never in doubt. No one could come close to catching him, and even behind him, there wasn't much action. I may be a little biased because I was at the Texas race, and it's always more exciting to actually be at the races, but I stand by my choice.

Driver of the Year of course has to go to Scott Dixon, because he won the most races and he won them on different tracks: ovals and street courses. He's also the champ so it's tough to argue with this one.

Rookie of the Year: Carlos Munoz. I know Tristan Vautier was the default winner of the Sunoco Rookie of the Year, and he started the year strong and participated in all IndyCar races, but let's be honest. Munoz was far more exciting to watch. He captivated an audience with his daring moves at both Indianapolis and Fontana, and I think we're all eagerly looking forward to what he can do as a full-time driver.

Most Improved Driver: Charlie Kimball earned a lot of respect this year. He showed everyone he should not be considered a Ganassi B-teamer, but a serious contender each and every race. He scored a podium at Pocono, won his first IndyCar race at Mid-Ohio, and challenged Will Power for the lead at Fontana. He has developed into one heck of a race car driver, and he should only continue to improve on the Ganassi superteam next year.

Move of the Year: This has to be James Hinchcliffe's last-lap pass on Takuma Sato to win in Sao Paulo. We saw a lot of great moves and passes this year, so it's hard to pinpoint just one, but to me, Hinch's move was the most memorable of the year. It was the only one that had me jumping out of my seat cheering, too.

Best Moment: Ryan Hunter-Reay celebrating his first Father's Day with his son in Victory Lane at Milwaukee was pretty touching, but I think the best moment was Tony Kanaan's Indy 500 win. Finally, TK captured that elusive victory. And the roar from the crowd as he took the checkered flag was unforgettable. That moment was special.

Biggest (Pleasant) Surprise: All the first-time winners we had this year, and the surprising amount of parity in the field. Four first-time winners, four first-time podium finishers, ten different race winners, and twenty different drivers on the podium throughout the year. Now, the finale did come down to a Penske-Ganassi showdown once again, but overall the field was very competitive, with anyone having a legitimate chance to win each race.

Biggest Disappointment: Without a doubt, I am hugely disappointed that IndyCar will not be returning to Baltimore next year or probably ever again. This was one of my favorite races because it looked spectacular on TV, and it produced some exciting racing. I hope some other city steps up to take its place and give us the same quality entertainment that Baltimore provided.

Quote of the Year: This was tough, because we've had some memorable ones over the year, such as Dixon's "That was a d*ck move right there" comment in reference to Power's crew member. But my personal favorite comes from Will Power, as he spoke about Sebastien Bourdais in Detroit: "He once was a champ, now he's a chump."

All in all, it was an enjoyable, entertaining IndyCar Series season once again. I will continue to post some news, thoughts, analysis, and reflections throughout the offseason. Just because the season is over doesn't mean we have to stop thinking and talking about IndyCar. After all, there are only five months until St. Pete!

Post-Finale Thoughts

I think Saturday night's season finale in Fontana showed everyone why IndyCar racing is the best,  most exciting in the world. Unfortunately, some people will just look at the box score, see that only nine cars finished the race with only five on the lead lap, and think the race was terrible. But that race was anything but terrible. It was a fantastic finish to a fantastic season.

First of all, congratulations to Scott Dixon, the 2013 IZOD IndyCar Series champion. He drove a smart race, staying out of trouble and not getting too aggressive. Things certainly got interesting at the end, as he encountered some overheating issues, and we weren't sure if he would finish the race. But he did and capped a remarkable championship comeback, one that he earned by winning more races than anyone this season. A season that started off dismally for all Ganassi cars rebounded impressively, highlighted by a Ganassi sweep at Pocono. He earned this title, the third of his career, and cemented his IndyCar legacy as one of the best drivers of all time.

Helio Castroneves fought until the end, and he has to be proud of how he gave it a full effort. He very nearly pulled out a win until a broken front wing forced him to pit late in the race. Even after that, Dixon's win wasn't guaranteed, given the way the race had gone to that point. As Helio looks back on his season, one has to wonder if he regrets playing it safe in some of those earlier races. Hindsight is 20/20 of course, but I think his result will change the way drivers compete for the championship in the future. In order to win the title, you have to win races. And that's really the way it should be. I want to thank both Helio and Dixon for giving us some real, thrilling drama right up until the end.

Lost in all the championship shuffle was that Will Power won a 500-mile race...on an oval. Not a "twin-275" oval where he had randomly drawn a good start position, but a legitimate oval race and a true test of endurance and skill. Power called it the most satisfying win of his career, and it's easy to understand why. While nothing can really take away the sting of losing last year's championship title, this win had to feel like sweet redemption. And considering how well he performed in the last third of the year, winning three of the last five races, I think we can say he's back in championship form and will be a force to be reckoned with next year. I'd say not only should we consider him a possible favorite for the IndyCar Series championship, but we should also consider him a favorite for the Indy 500. He has exorcised those oval demons with some impressive performances at the ovals this year, and has quieted those critics (such as Ed Carpenter) who see him as a road/street course specialist only. I'm really happy for him, and I'll be cheering for him next year to get his first championship.

As for the race itself, I thought it was excellent. Three- and four-wide racing? Incredible passing? A fearless rookie, Carlos Munoz, showing us why he deserves a full-time ride next year? Multiple lead changes and drama right up to the last lap? Come on, as some people said afterwards, if you didn't like that race, then you won't like anything. My friend who watched the race with me actually commented at one point, "This is a lot better than NASCAR. Their [IndyCar's] racing on ovals is amazing." YES! This is what so many IndyCar fans have realized for so long, and I'm glad others are starting to see that as well. Even NASCAR personalities were tweeting about what an entertaining race it was:

Pretty darn good #IndyCar race going on out west tonight!
— Darrell Waltrip (@AllWaltrip) October 20, 2013

However, there is the other side of the story, the crashes. Pippa Mann and Sebastian Saavedra completed their Indy 500 reunion by becoming the first victims, and it's still unclear exactly what happened there. Other drivers such as Alex Tagliani, A.J. Allmendinger, and Sebastien Bourdais appeared to get caught up in the track seams and spin out (Dinger's was more a result of trying to handle a slowing Ed Carpenter in front of him). But Justin Wilson and five other cars experienced "the big one" on lap 111. Wilson suffered the most damage, with an inoperable pelvis fracture and a pulmonary contusion (a medical term that is over my head). Fortunately he will recover, because we all feared the worst as we watched the crews extract him from the car. I hope he and Dario heal quickly and healthily, and we see them both in an IndyCar in St. Petersburg next year.

The high attrition rate was curious, considering we had not experienced anything like it all season, and more than fifteen cars finished last year's finale at Fontana. Anything can happen in a 500-mile race, however, and we were shown just how grueling that experience is for the drivers and the cars. It was an unfortunate side effect of the race, but I don't think it took away from the overall event. Even on the last restart, with only five cars vying for the win, we saw some great racing and edge-of-your-seat drama. IndyCar and Auto Club Speedway showed us why they have the perfect showcase for a season finale. As the curtain closes on the 2013 season, I am left with a bittersweet feeling. It's sad to know that we won't see any racing for five more months, but I will savor the high from that enjoyable finale for awhile. Thank you, IndyCar, for another fantastic season.

Remembering DW

I started this blog exactly one year ago, and I was very strategic in my date selection. I chose October 16 as my launch date because it marked the anniversary of the day we lost Dan Wheldon, and that was also the date I realized how passionate I am about IndyCar.

I’m not ashamed to admit I cried like a baby when Dan passed, and that reaction surprised me. I don’t think I get emotionally invested in professional sports or athletes, and even now, I don’t think I would have the same reaction if something unexpected and tragic were to happen to someone from my favorite team. Two years ago, I was just starting to get back into IndyCar racing as a regular follower. Of course I knew who Dan Wheldon was and understood some of his accomplishments, but because I’d been away from the sport for so long (mainly because of work commitments and conflicts; I still remained a casual fan), I didn’t have a chance to feel a strong connection to him as many fans did (and do). To me, he was an Indy 500 champion and an incredibly charismatic, enjoyable television commentator. I loved listening to his enthusiastic analysis of the races, and though Townsend Bell, Leigh Diffey, and others do a good job as well, I still think he was the best analyst to ever sit in the NBC Sports Network (then Versus) booth. I literally tuned into the races because I wanted to hear what he had to say.

After that fatal accident in Las Vegas, I could not stop reading articles about Dan and about IndyCar. I had an insatiable hunger for IndyCar news, and that continues to this day. I also started journaling about the tragedy and about IndyCar racing in general. Last year, as I realized my passion was unwavering and that I enjoyed writing about it, I also realized I had no one else with whom I could share these feelings. Thus, this blog was born.

I had no idea that starting this blog would introduce me to a whole community of IndyCar fans and fellow bloggers. I had no idea that so many people shared my passion. But I am so grateful for both of these things, and in a way, I suppose I have Dan to thank for them. Were it not for his energetic commentary during the races, I would not have continued to renew my interest in IndyCar racing. And had I not been so affected by his passing, I don’t think I would have discovered this passion, nor even considered starting a blog about it.

Dan’s legacy lives on. When Helio won the first race following Dan’s death, in Dan’s adopted hometown of St. Petersburg, and he climbed the fence at Dan Wheldon Way, it was one of the most moving, memorable images I’ve ever seen. I tear up just thinking about it. This year, James Hinchcliffe, who took over Dan’s GoDaddy ride, won his first IndyCar race at St. Petersburg. And the DW12, which Dan helped test and develop, likely saved Dario Franchitti’s life in Houston just a short time ago. His spirit is everywhere, and I’m glad we continue to remember and celebrate his life.

So I will remember Dan on this day and every time I scour the Internet for an article about IndyCar (which is quite often!). I know the rest of the IndyCar community mourns and remembers him as well.

Fontana Storylines

As the IZOD IndyCar Series season winds down to its frenzied finale, all eyes are on the championship, naturally. The title is more Dixon's to lose, since he holds a fairly comfortable 25-point lead over Helio Castroneves. But as we saw last year, anything can happen. And there are plenty of other storylines to follow in Fontana. I can't wait!

Of course, not only is Dixon gunning for another IndyCar championship, but he and Tony Kanaan are also seeking another leg of the Triple Crown and a $250,000 bonus. So don't think that Dixie will just settle for a top ten, even if it guarantees him the overall title. Thanks to IndyCar for bringing back the Triple Crown and the added intrigue that accompanies it.

There are also extra financial incentives and bragging rights for being one of the top five overall drivers for the year. And if you look at fourth through seventh in the standings, this fight gets pretty heated. Justin Wilson looks to put a cap on a highly impressive year and finally receive his due, and reigning champ Ryan Hunter-Reay wants to show that he's still one of (if not the) the best drivers in the series. He'll have to beat his teammate Marco Andretti to secure that top-five overall finish.

To me, the most intriguing storyline concerns the manufacturer competition. Chevy and Honda have each won 9 races this year, and this race is anyone's to take. I think that adds some extra drama and motivation for all teams, especially those not named Penske or Ganassi. Honda will be looking to prove that Pocono was no fluke and they can be counted on to win a 500-mile race. And after Chevy snatched Ganassi from Honda's clutches, you can bet they will be looking for even more bragging rights and IndyCar domination.

This race kind of has an all-star feel to it (or a family reunion perhaps), as it brings back some of the IndyCar stars from this year and years past: A.J. Allmendinger racing for Team Penske. Alex Tagliani taking Dario Franchitti's spot. Both of these drivers are strong on ovals, and will be helping their teammates try to secure the championship title, so this will be fascinating to watch. We will also see the return of J.R. Hildebrand, driving for Tagliani's former employer, Barracuda Racing, and the popular, likable Pippa Mann, who will reunite with Dale Coyne Racing. With the exception of Allmendinger, who already has a full-time ride in NASCAR next year, all of these drivers are also essentially auditioning for next season, so they will want to make a good impression.

This also marks the final race for the IZOD IndyCar Series, although I don't expect we'll see much of a farewell party for that title sponsor. It's also National Guard's last collaboration with Panther Racing, so can you say awkward? It would be most ironic if either Allmendinger or Oriol Servia wins the race, as an ode to these two sponsors.

There's much more to watch for I'm sure, but above all else, and especially after what happened in Houston, I know we all hope for a clean, safe race. Dario and Dan will be on everyone's minds in this finale, and I hope all drivers, crews, and fans are treated to an enjoyable, safe night of entertainment and good racing action.

Grand Prix of Houston

I was fortunate to attend the first race of the Grand Prix of Houston doubleheader last weekend. It was the first non-oval motorsports race I have ever attended, and like most sporting events, there were things I liked and things I didn't like. Before I discuss the fan perspective though, let's recap the race itself.

Sorry to be a teacher for a moment, but Primary-Recency Theory argues that audiences will remember the first thing that you say and the last thing that you say more than anything in the middle. I think this theory proved its merit in Houston since the weekend of course will be remembered for how it started and how it ended. The event did not start well, with some track issues that were overlooked because it was assembled so hastily (out of necessity). Crews worked feverishly overnight to repair the bumpy track, but it still looked tough on both drivers and cars. After they postponed qualifying, negative criticism about IndyCar permeated various media sources, and I worried that the first race would be a disaster. I'm happy that I was wrong. Both races were action-packed, with tons of passing, especially in turn 2, which was right in my vantage point.

But what a weekend to forget for Helio Castroneves. We all knew Scott Dixon was on a roll, and that he had an excellent chance to close the gap by the time the weekend was over, but I doubt any of us could have predicted the huge points swing we did see. A 49-point lead evaporated into a 25-point deficit because of mechanical issues. I'm rooting for Helio to win his first championship, but let's face it, it's going to be very difficult now. I feel for him, and it was a crushing blow to exit the second race so early, especially after sitting on the pole. Critics will point to how conservatively Helio has driven over the past few races, staying out of trouble instead of going for the win. And Dixon has driven like a champion this year, with four victories, so if he hangs on to win it, it will definitely be deserved. But what a bummer for Helio and Team Penske. At least the championship is going down to the wire and the final race. Again. Gotta love that.

I have now read mixed reviews of standing starts, but when they were first tried in Toronto, fans demanded them and loved them. I still do not understand the appeal. They didn't work at either race in Houston so can we finally admit they're not that great? They just make IndyCar and its drivers look incompetent, which they are not. I will say, though, that witnessing them in person and hearing the engines revving is pretty cool and far more exciting than watching them on TV. But kudos to IndyCar for trying them again, even after an aborted start, because that's what the fans claimed they wanted. This fan, however, could do just fine without them.

I don't think you could find anyone who wasn't happy for Simona DeSilvestro earning her first IndyCar podium on Saturday. She has really salvaged her year with some strong performances lately, and she has to be optimistic about next year. Hopefully she'll have a good teammate to work with.

Though it's been an un-Will-Power-like season, he showed he still has the racing chops this weekend by winning the second race and staying in contention most of Saturday. But what was with that pit strategy in the first race? Stay out a little longer while the leaders come in to pit? That strategy definitely backfired, and you could see how difficult it was for Power to pull away from Dixon, who was on fresh tires. I thought that was a poor call by Tim Cindric, especially when it involved Helio's teammate and his main championship rival. I realize they got burned a little by the caution flag, but I think they would have had a difficult time hanging onto the lead even without the caution. (UPDATE: After watching the video of Race 1, I now understand this pit strategy was to help Power lead the most laps so they could take a bonus point away from Dixon. Makes more sense now!)

For all the good news the weekend brought, unfortunately it ended on a somber, scary note. Dario Franchitti's last-lap crash took my breath away. It was the first big wreck we've had in IndyCar since 2011, which tells you something about the safety of the DW12 and the skill of these drivers. (Yes, we've had some bad crashes, such as Josef Newgarden and Sebastien Bourdais's at Sonoma last year, but it didn't evoke memories of Las Vegas like this one did.) The crash has been analyzed extensively by individuals with more technical knowledge than me (and frustratingly, also by so-called "experts" who know nothing about IndyCar, but don't get me started on that!) so I will just say two things: Thank goodness no one was seriously hurt. Dario will be in pain for awhile but it could have been much worse, and I know we're all thankful that it wasn't. And second, let's be careful with our accusations of blame here. It was an unfortunate racing incident, but we don't know that the track caused the crash. The catch fencing did its job, it kept the car on the track. Maybe the stands shouldn't have been so close to such a high-speed area, and maybe we can make these tracks even safer. But the bottom line is that these kinds of crashes can occur anywhere, because open-wheel racing is dangerous. We should never think it is immune from incident. Race car driving is risky business, but the biggest risk of all is complacency.

As for the event, I am left with mostly positive feelings, though there's certainly room for improvement at the Grand Prix. First off, the pros: I was very impressed with the layout of the track and the surrounding activities (such as games and an arena filled with display booths), and even more impressed with how much racing fans could see over the course of three days. Indy Lights, Mazda Road to Indy, USF2000, Pirelli World Challenge...it was a racing fan's dream come true. The crowd was great, and it was nice to see such a large turnout. I've already mentioned in a previous blog how thrilling it was to walk across the pedestrian bridge while cars sped past beneath my feet. There were plenty of things to do and see, and I understand why street races are so popular. I would attend again, but...

Not in such hot temperatures. Saturday was miserably hot, and all of the fans were dripping in sweat from the heat and high humidity. Now this weather would be a little more tolerable if there were shady places where fans could escape to, or if we were allowed to bring in our own water instead of paying $4.25 for a 20-oz. bottle of it. And with that heat, I had to purchase a lot of water. Ridiculous, and not fan-friendly at all. Like I said, this was the first street race I have attended so I'm not sure if this is typical or not, but at the oval speedways I've visited you can bring in a cooler-with some restrictions of course. I really hope Houston revisits this policy, especially if the race is in June next year as it's rumored to be. I understand if you don't want fans bringing alcohol, but at least let them have water, sheesh. The area behind Grandstand 1 was also inexplicably devoid of shade, activities, and picnic tables or places to sit and eat. It was like a mini ghost town (but with plenty of fans milling around). Grandstand 1 had the most expensive seats, so I would think you'd give that location a little extra attention.

It was also strange to not be able to see the whole track. I'm used to ovals, where it's easier to see all the cars. But the promoters did a good job displaying all the necessary information and passing on the video screens, so I can't complain. I eventually got used to it, but it was a different experience. I'm glad I recorded the races so I could get a more complete picture of the track.

All in all I had a great time at the Grand Prix of Houston, and I hope to return. I hope other fans will as well, and won't be too scared off by what happened on Sunday. There were so many races run on that track over the weekend, it's actually pretty remarkable that we only had one incident, albeit a big one. I know the track organizers and promoters will continue to make this event an improved, enjoyable experience for all. Get well soon, Dario and fans.

An Overdue Thank-You Letter

A more detailed recap of the Houston doubleheader, including my perspective as a fan in attendance on that sweltering Saturday, will be forthcoming, but today is a day for reflection. With all the post-race analysis and conversation surrounding Dario Franchitti's accident in Houston, I think we forget sometimes to remember and to thank the individuals and teams who have helped make this series safer for all involved. NBC's website has an excellent analysis and recap of how Dario's accident could have been much worse. I think it's time to formally recognize and offer some public thank you's to the following:

Thank you to Dallara for building a safer car, particularly the "tub" where the driver sits. In the past, that part of the car would break into a million pieces and would provide very little protection. But we can also thank technology and some brilliant minds for the new and improved IndyCar we have today, and the even better versions yet to come.

Thank you to the safety crews, who arrive on scene and assess a situation quickly and responsibly. Some people complain that they take too long, but they're often tucked away in a far-off land, and on a street course there's usually no direct path to the incident. They get there as soon as they can because they understand the urgency that their job requires.

Thank you to the medical personnel who respond to racing-related injuries without judgment. There are those who may refuse treatment to a driver who knowingly puts him/herself at risk, but there are also those who give racers, officials, and fans the same care they would give to any patient.

Thank you to the track organizers and construction workers who (especially in Houston) quickly assemble and disassemble a course and plan fan-friendly events. It's impossible to satisfy everyone, and sometimes things can get overlooked, but these folks learn from their mistakes and continually try to improve the experience for everyone.

Thank you to the pit crews, who willingly place themselves in a dangerous and stressful situation but perform their jobs with a strong work ethic that can serve as a model for others in any profession to follow. These crews must also suffer in extreme heat for a long period of time, and they rarely receive the recognition they deserve.

Thank you to the engineers and mechanics, many of whom work long, late hours, to prepare a car for a race. They are the quick thinkers and problem-solvers, who diagnose a concern and prescribe a solution. Sometimes the solution works, sometimes it doesn't. Just like life, we learn and we move on.

Thank you to the safety innovators, who have invented and refined many of the features we now take for granted. Things like SAFER barriers, catch fencing, the HANS device, seat belts, and rear wheel pods have all helped reduce the amount of fatalities and serious injuries. We must also thank those individuals who continue to make safety a priority and continue to pursue ways to make all motorsports, and all vehicles safer.

Thank you to members of the media, who bring us the stories, sights, and sounds we so desperately crave. Now, not all media members should be thanked, for there are those who reacted too quickly and irrationally after Sunday's crash, and there are those who are woefully misinformed. But I'm talking about the good ones, and especially the camera operators who bring us some amazing images, and who also often suffer in 100-degree heat. We all wanted to know what happened as soon as it happened on Sunday, and a special thank-you to the NBC Sports Network crew for giving us accurate, fast information.

Thank you to the drivers, who risk life and limb to do something they love for our entertainment. Let's face it, many motorsports fans would love to be in the cockpit of these cars, but some of us are not willing or able to take the risk. So we live vicariously through the ones who do take the risk.

Thank you to the fans who attend and watch races knowing that disaster may occur, but who ignore or downplay those thoughts for the sake of entertainment, camaraderie, and awe. We forget that we could be injured, too, but we like to get up close to the action because racing excites all the senses. I cannot explain the feeling I had as I crossed the bridge to the other side of the track in Houston, as IndyCars zoomed past underneath my feet (this was during qualifying). Unbelievably exhilarating, and I am so thankful for that experience.

Lastly, thank you to Dan Wheldon, whose legacy lives on. His assistance and expertise in testing and developing the DW12 that likely saved Dario's life will not be forgotten. Perhaps his spirit was watching over Dario and the fans on Sunday. Maybe, just maybe.

I'm sure I'm forgetting someone, so I'll add to this list as I remember others. Racing is dangerous. We sometimes forget that fact until something traumatic occurs. But racing is also thrilling, exciting, unpredictable, and dramatic. That's why we watch it. That's why we won't stop watching it. Thank you to those who will never quit, and who will continue to pursue their passions. All for the love of racing.