The Champ Is Here...Again

Never count out the Iceman.

If anyone could come from behind and win a championship, it's Scott Dixon. The Target Chip Ganassi driver now has four IndyCar series titles to go with his 2008 Indy 500 win. Dixon was 47 points behind leader Juan Pablo Montoya. He wasn't even in second place--he sat behind Graham Rahal in third place. But I'm not surprised he pulled it off. He is an IndyCar legend.

I had my doubts about having the finale at Sonoma, but IndyCar put on a good show. Sonoma is a tough track, and not one where you can expect a lot of passing. So I felt for sure there would be no drama. Boy was I wrong! A series of events conspired to make this a highly entertaining, intense race that went down to the final lap. First JPM punted his teammate Will Power, causing damage to both cars. Various cautions bunched up the field. Sebastien Bourdais got into the back of Graham Rahal, effectively ending his season. But when Bourdais was rightfully given a drive-through penalty, JPM needed only to pass Ryan Briscoe to claim the championship. He never got close enough. I am a Ryan Briscoe fan as you know but I don't think I've ever cheered louder for a driver to finish fifth than I did in those closing laps. I stood up and rooted for Briscoe, getting nervous when it seemed JPM had closed the gap. I did NOT want Montoya to win, and his comments in the post-race press conference further confirmed why so many people find it hard to like him.

Montoya said Dixon had a--pardon the language--"shit season" and only had "one good race." He also blamed the double points for handing Dixon the Astor Cup. Seriously, Juan Pablo? First of all, YOU got double points for winning the Indy 500, so you can't say you hate double points but still want to keep them from a previous race. And did you know that you and Dixon actually tied for the championship, but Dixon won because he won more races? That doesn't sound like a "shit season" to me. It sounds like a terrific year by a terrific driver. Show some class and respect, geez.

His teammate Will Power wasn't any better. Will's comment was "we need to decide if we're running a sport or a casino," because only a handful of races had been won on merit rather than luck. True, I think a few races came down to luck. But Dixon won this race and this title. Dixon is the best driver of his generation, and is certainly in the conversation for best IndyCar drivers of all-time. And luck is part of racing. Power has gotten lucky in his career, too. Sometimes it happens, but that doesn't discount what Dixon has accomplished. He is a true champion, and he earned it this year.

Graham Rahal can hold his head high. He had a great year, and he will be a serious title contender next year. Sonoma runner-up Ryan Hunter-Reay also ended the year strong, and I expect he'll be back in contention next year as well.

The race began with some touching tributes to Justin Wilson, and it ended with a spirited drive by Oriol Servia. You have to think JW was riding along with Servia on Sunday, pushing him to a good 12th place finish. For someone who hadn't worked out and hadn't been in an IndyCar since May, his result was admirable. I am glad the race went on, and I think JW enjoyed it from above. The IndyCar community came together for each other before dispersing into the off-season. This finale was just what we all needed.

RIP Justin Wilson

This is a blog I was hoping I'd never have to write. Yet deep down I've always known this day would come again.

I started this blog in 2012 after Dan Wheldon's passing, because it affected me so tremendously and I needed an outlet for my sadness. I'm glad I did, because I've been introduced to a community, a family, that I never expected. And right now that family is mourning once again and leaning on one another for support.

We lost another good one, and it's both saddening and maddening. By all accounts Justin Wilson was a genuine, likable, selfless gentleman. He fought to bring awareness and education about dyslexia, which he had himself. While with Dale Coyne Racing, he was an avid supporter of the Boy Scouts. He frequently visited with sick children in hospitals. The "gentle giant" seemed to always have a smile on his face, and was one of the most liked drivers in the paddock--and in an era of #IndyRivals, that's saying something. Why did we have to lose such a good person? Why??

I see too many similarities between Wilson's death and Wheldon's. They were both popular, charismatic drivers who were inexplicably only racing part-time. They both suffered head injuries while driving on a fast oval. And the saddest similarity of all--they both left behind two young children. If you believe in fate or God's will, then you might see some more parallels. God allowed Dan Wheldon to have one final victory--the Indy 500. He also allowed Justin Wilson to stand on the podium one final time--at Mid-Ohio mere weeks ago. Now, I'm sure they are racing together once more.

Because of all these similarities, and the fact that we have experienced another IndyCar tragedy only four years after the last one, the mainstream media will call for change. They have already begun discussing closed cockpits, a conversation that began after that fateful day in Las Vegas, but soon quieted down. And yes, part of me wonders if we didn't do enough to improve safety. Those conversations will continue, but now is not the time to get into that. Right now it is time to reflect on a life well-lived and a family left behind.

My heart aches for the Wilson family. Yes, racers say they know the risks and that death is always a possibility. Wilson himself even admitted discussing this very grave situation with his wife. But the speculation never matches the cold harsh reality when it finally happens. Those two girls need to know what a courageous, kindhearted person their father was. I hope all of us in the IndyCar family constantly remind them of that.

Rest in peace, Justin, and may your family find strength and comfort in this difficult time.