You'll probably hate me, but

[Wabbit]

You have to admit for not being in a car for a couple years, Michael did really good to come in third.

And Marco was really good. Even after getting squirlly that one corner, he held onto it and almost won. It will be fun watching him drive in the future and seeing what he can accomplish.

Now, if the announcers would quit calling him Mario. :rofl:

[formulaben]

And Marco was really good. Even after getting squirlly that one corner, he held onto it and almost won. It will be fun watching him drive in the future and seeing what he can accomplish.

I don't know if it was luck or skill, but that was a serious pucker moment. I was pulling for the kid.

[Fio1]

Man, I was pulling for the kid too! I was screaming at the TV, I can't believe he lost it to Pornish of all people. :shakehead

Marco, did a heck of a job at 19 as a rookie. No one can take anything away from him, but he did choke on the last lap, like I think 99.99% of the people would in his position. He went into T3 way too slow and turned in a lot sooner then Hornish, I doubt he was flat as Hornish was. It's a lot easier when you are second in that position, with nothing to lose. Too bad, it would have been great to see another Andretti in victory lane and NOT Michael! :cry:

[cart7]

Hate to admit it, that was a great finish to that race.(except for the winner)

Whiney and Herta could've done a better job slowing Hornish up when they had the opportunity.

[Racing Truth]

Hate to admit it, that was a great finish to that race.(except for the winner)

Whiney and Herta could've done a better job slowing Hornish up when they had the opportunity.

Yep, great stuff from the kid! His father is still a prick, but I have nothing against Marco.

I NEVER thought he'd do THAT! :thumbup:

Politics aside, that was a great finish to an OW race.

Man, I thought Marco had it.

[nissan gtp]

I'd like to have seen Marco take it. He drove one heck of a race.

[Hard Driver]

I was worried there for a second that Michael might actually have somthing after the yellow.

But I have nothing against Marco and was pulling for him.. Where the heck did the speed of Hornish come from. I think Sam does have talant too.

[TKGAngel]

Good show by Marco. I was worried about him at the beginning of the race, when he admitted that he was the most nervous he's ever been. I thought he might have been the one to cause the first wreck, letting nerves get the better of him. Marco looks more like Mario than Mikey does. Maybe he'll get Mario's talent along with his looks.

I still want to know what animal died on top of Herta's head.

[RHR_Fan]

I'd like to have seen Marco take it. He drove one heck of a race.

Ditto. I was soooooo happy when he passed his dad.

~Nicole

[Methanolandbrats]

Gen 3 Andretti can drive, hopefully he will convince Dad to enter him in a proper racing series.

[rabbit]

His last name was already a household name. Now I'm guessing his first name will be as well.

Hell of a drive. :thumbup:

[rabbit]

It should also be noted that Marco finished highest among drivers on the lead fuel strategy. Michael and Hornish were both in the top three only because they gambled on strategy.

[Methanolandbrats]

His last name was already a household name. Now I'm guessing his first name will be as well.

Hell of a drive. :thumbup:Yes it was. If it had'nt been foot to the floor IRL Crapwagon racing, he would have dusted that retard Hornish. Oh for the good ol'days of lifting and driving.

[KLang]

You folks should be ashamed of yourselves for watching. :p Half my garage is now clean. :)

Any sign of KK at the race? He was supposed to be a guest of FTG.

Oh, and congrats to Marco. Can't hold his old man against him.

[dando]

You folks should be ashamed of yourselves for watching. :p Half my garage is now clean. :)

I wouldn't have watched except for this damn cold from hell I have. :( There wasn't any mention of KK being there during the broadcast, but I couldn't stomach the intro garbage.

-Kevin

[FTG]

I don't know how you guys can watch that crap. Monaco was mediocre.

[coolhand]

Sad part is that the guys who kicked marco's ass in star mazda are still in atlantics while marco gets the glory

[rjohnson999]

What fantasy clouds your judgement? This sport is, was and always will be about more than just cockpit speed. It is one of the most equipment driven sports on the planet (second only to the America's Cup.) As such, it's a bottomless money pit. When you solve the problem of paying the bills, then come back with a plan for getting the best pure driving talent in the cars.



Sad part is that the guys who kicked marco's ass in star mazda are still in atlantics while marco gets the glory

[SteveH]

Marcomania begun today. Danicamania is sooooo last year.

[coolhand]

What fantasy clouds your judgement? This sport is, was and always will be about more than just cockpit speed. It is one of the most equipment driven sports on the planet (second only to the America's Cup.) As such, it's a bottomless money pit. When you solve the problem of paying the bills, then come back with a plan for getting the best pure driving talent in the cars.


No fantasy here, I know that racing ahs never been a fair sport. I am just pointing out that before you guys call Marco an all time great for driving a car 100% throttle around a track with a IRL type high downforce car remember the handful of guys who outclassed him in Star Mazda and have yet to get their shot at the big time. They don't have the Andretti last name and backing.

[FanofMario]

No fantasy here, I know that racing ahs never been a fair sport. I am just pointing out that before you guys call Marco an all time great for driving a car 100% throttle around a track with a IRL type high downforce car remember the handful of guys who outclassed him in Star Mazda and have yet to get their shot at the big time. They don't have the Andretti last name and backing.


Sorry, but I didn't see anybody on here say Marco was an "all time great." Most of us are just impressed on how poised and fast he was today. The kid has talent Star Mazda aside. :rolleyes:

[nrc]

I think Marco won a couple of Championships so he must have some talent, but the general consensus here seemed to be that Poppa was throwing him in over his head. I don't follow Tony's series, but this is the first I've read here of Marco being a factor in an IRL race. Interesting that nobody finds that sudden turn of speed suspicous.

[Spicoli]

Mikey is still a turd.

[Joelski]

Mikey is still a turd.

Aye, a big, smelly stink pickle that one.

[coolhand]

Sorry, but I didn't see anybody on here say Marco was an "all time great." Most of us are just impressed on how poised and fast he was today. The kid has talent Star Mazda aside. :rolleyes:

Ok fanofmarco

[coolhand]

I think Marco won a couple of Championships so he must have some talent, but the general consensus here seemed to be that Poppa was throwing him in over his head. I don't follow Tony's series, but this is the first I've read here of Marco being a factor in an IRL race. Interesting that nobody finds that sudden turn of speed suspicous.

Piloting an AGR setup car at 212 MPH on the final lap says alot IMO. He made it look like hornish had 60 hp on him at the end. I still think Mikey let him by and then tried to slow hornish down knowing it was an andretti's best shot.

I am not saying that Marco is a wanker by anymeans, but his performance and priase today is similar to danica's. He did a better job then her but he also was lucky.

[Sean O'Gorman]

I only listened to the last 20 laps on XM, I never thought I'd see the day where I'd cheer Hornish on. A win for an Andretti is positive press for the IRL, stealing it at the last second for another Penske win is like the worst thing that could've happened. Well, I guess if Marco and Michael crashed into each other, that would've been worse.

[manic mechanic]

Best option at this point: Read Kirby's summary of the factors at play, THEN comment.

http://www.crash.net/feature_view~cid~3~id~9296~pid~0.htm

Good show of maturity by Marco...Now let's get him in a real racecar and see how he is.

manic

[Tony George]

Hornish must have used his push to pass button. Or maybe Pimpski told him to pull the pin. :gomer:

[SteveH]

Piloting an AGR setup car at 212 MPH on the final lap says alot IMO. He made it look like hornish had 60 hp on him at the end.

Are you inferring he didn't? Under normal circumstances, there is no way Sam catches Marco with as much as Sam fell back going into T3. This is a rev limited series, is it not?

[Ankf00]

shouldn't coolhand still be researching why bridges ice during the winter? :rolleyes:

[FanofMario]

What ever Coolhand. :rolleyes:

Look, I am the first one to say that a fool or a grandmother could drive a crapwagon(at least half of that field demonstrated that), but give Marco the benefit of the doubt here. He made a couple of impressive saves during the race and was in the top 8 most of the day. For a 19 yearold, I was impressed.

As for the notion of the IRL getting a better boost with an Andretti win? Sam Cornish has been the IRL darling for the past several years and they will milk this win for all its worth IMO. He had the call all month so I guess we shouldn't have been that surprised with that last lap charge.

[Rocketdoc]

I was pulling for the priks kid.

He has more class than his father and his grandfather.

He's a real Racer.

[Dr. Corkski]

Marco's last lap was 214.643 - quicker than both Franchitti and Kanaan. He was going to finish among the leaders with or without that yellow.

Must have been the East Coast bias. :gomer:

[Fio1]

Marco's last lap was 214.643 - quicker than both Franchitti and Kanaan. He was going to finish among the leaders with or without that yellow.

Must have been the East Coast bias. :gomer:

What was his last 3 last lap speeds compared to Sam Pornish?

[coolhand]

Are you inferring he didn't? Under normal circumstances, there is no way Sam catches Marco with as much as Sam fell back going into T3. This is a rev limited series, is it not?

Somthing happened, like oyu said hornish either found some real speed really quickly or marco was in slow motion.

[coolhand]

Marco's last lap was 214.643 - quicker than both Franchitti and Kanaan. He was going to finish among the leaders with or without that yellow.

Must have been the East Coast bias. :gomer:

Those guys were not in front. What was Sam's lap?

[coolhand]

What ever Coolhand. :rolleyes:

Look, I am the first one to say that a fool or a grandmother could drive a crapwagon(at least half of that field demonstrated that), but give Marco the benefit of the doubt here. He made a couple of impressive saves during the race and was in the top 8 most of the day. For a 19 yearold, I was impressed.


I agree that he is not underqualfied or anything. However, he was in a top sled and was in perfect position to win this race, being in second on a restart with 5 laps to go is good place to be. Props to him for getting it there. In the end though...

[coolhand]

shouldn't coolhand still be researching why bridges ice during the winter? :rolleyes:

shouldn't you be researched more of my past posts? :rolleyes:

[High Sided]

that was the best dam finish since paul tracy won :cool:

[rabbit]

Somthing happened, like oyu said hornish either found some real speed really quickly or marco was in slow motion.
It was the first time since the first stint of the race that Hornish was running full rich on fuel. They had the mixture dialed way back the rest of the time.

[devilmaster]

On the replay down the front straight, from the camera on the pit side, it looked like Marco's first blocking move also caused him to wiggle the back end a bit....

It looked, to me, that he scrubbed off some speed there.... not saying that it guaranteed Sham's win, but I think it helped.

[JohnnyQ]

Sad part is that the guys who kicked marco's ass in star mazda are still in atlantics while marco gets the glory

YEAH..and how about the guys who kicked the Star Mazda drivers asses in club racing before they moved up. As you go higher in the ranks the weaker the talent pool. Money is the best racing agent a driver has. Talent means very little in American openwheel.

[Spicoli]

i'm really glad micro blew it. can you imagine the BS we'd have to endure from mikey the whiner, mario the $$$whore, and little micro? :shakehead

they's be pimping everything from hanes underwear to viagra.

" hey micro - here's what gramps and me use to "git R done" :gomer:

[Spicoli]

the Doogie Howser of racing

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Ankf00]

i'm really glad micro blew it. can you imagine the BS we'd have to endure from mikey the whiner, mario the $$$whore, and little micro? :shakehead

they's be pimping everything from hanes underwear to viagra.

" hey micro - here's what gramps and me use to "git R done" :gomer:
yea, I thought the same thing, but him vs. Hornish straight up, I'd rather him win... and all the while I was thinking "man, the media is going to S-U-C-K if he pulls it out, GO MARCO!!!" :laugh:

[Racing Truth]

You go coolhand! Don't start letting facts and rational arguments get in your way! :gomer:

I loved what Marco said post-race: "Second place means nothing."

That, my friends, is something special. :thumbup:

[coolhand]

You go coolhand! Don't start letting facts and rational arguments get in your way! :gomer:


They didn't, Sam vs. Marco's lap times demonstrate my point

[Racing Truth]

They didn't, Sam vs. Marco's lap times demonstrate my point

Attaboy coolhand! :gomer:

Absolutlely right. I mean, gee, it almost looked as if he was 19 in his first 500. What a wanker!

:shakehead :gomer:

[Fio1]

They didn't, Sam vs. Marco's lap times demonstrate my point

It must be snowing outside! For once I aggree with me coolhand. What were the lap time differences between Marco & Hornish the last 3-4 laps? We know Marco did a 214 on lap 199 and Sam did a 219.9 on lap 200, but what did Marco do on the final lap?

I hate to say it, but Marco's last lap going into T3, reminded me of Herta going up the corkscrew in 98 when Zanardi pulled that move on him. Herta braked so early for the corkscrew that Zanardi had no idea what was going on. He choked, and I think maybe Marco was so overwhelmed that he went into T3 so much slower then he did in the past. In his position, at 19, I don't blame him at all, I think 99% of the population would have done the same thing.

[Racing Truth]

I mean, that wanker Marco was so bad you'd have thought that Penske had dominated the month in speed.

Oh....

[coolhand]

Absolutlely right. I mean, gee, it almost looked as if he was 19 in his first 500. What a wanker!


You are one to talk about being rational, you cannot seem to be rational and put personal differences aside here. The lap times speak for themselves. Also don't misrepresent my statments, i never called marco a wanker, if you truly read my posts you will see I said the contrary. Try to have a point next time.

[Fio1]

I think the kid did a great job, much better then Danica did last year. I would love to see Marco in F1 in 3 years, after he's done with this IRL oval racing B.S. I think he has a lot of talent, and with a good 10,000 miles of testing under his belt during the off-season, I think he would do OK in F1. I do hope he wins Indy in the next few years.

But, like I said in my previous posts, I'd love to see the lap times or speeds the last few laps to see what happened. I'd also like to see Wheldon's and Dixon's lap speeds, because they were as fast as Hornish all race, and I am wondering what happened to then the last 5 laps.

Why was Hornish so fast these last 5 laps?
Why was Marco so slow?
And, what happened to everyone else?

At the end of the day, I think Marco gets an A+ for his first Indy 500, a race I thought he wasn't ready for. :thumbup:

[Dr. Corkski]

Those guys were not in front. What was Sam's lap?So Farnchitti and Kanaan weren't in AGR setup cars? What does it say about those two that they were slower than Marco?

Hornish and the two Gonadsi cars were the fastest all month long. Maybe Hornish was faster because he actually had a faster car?

[Racing Truth]

You are one to talk about being rational, you cannot seem to be rational and put personal differences aside here. The lap times speak for themselves. Also don't misrepresent my statments, i never called marco a wanker, if you truly read my posts you will see I said the contrary. Try to have a point next time.

Fine, but you've said he "lucked into it", is mediocre, etc. As for lap times, well, no kidding, Penske was faster than AGR all month. Not to mention Marco IS 19 for cryin' out loud. I'm sure pressure came into play here, as it would for 99.9% of 19 yr. olds.

[Racing Truth]

So Farnchitti and Kanaan weren't in AGR setup cars? What does it say about those two that they were slower than Marco?

Hornish and the two Gonadsi cars were the fastest all month long. Maybe Hornish was faster because he actually had a faster car?

Stop making sense.

[coolhand]

So Farnchitti and Kanaan weren't in AGR setup cars? What does it say about those two that they were slower than Marco?

Hornish and the two Gonadsi cars were the fastest all month long. Maybe Hornish was faster because he actually had a faster car?

read my post again, they were not infront in those last few laps, generally your lap times are slower when you are stuck behind slower cars ;)

[Dr. Corkski]

Last Lap:
Hornish 219.935
Wheldon 219.714
Dixon 217.568
Mi Andretti 216.063
Danicle 215.088
Ma Andretti 214.643

[coolhand]

Fine, but you've said he "lucked into it", is mediocre, etc. As for lap times, well, no kidding, Penske was faster than AGR all month. Not to mention Marco IS 19 for cryin' out loud. I'm sure pressure came into play here, as it would for 99.9% of 19 yr. olds.

"lucked into it" was refering to how the yellow played into the final pit rotations. Marco had the "lucky" stradegy and was in perfect position in that restart. Penske was fast but so much faster to make up that ground in one lap. Marco did a good job but the end there was not perfect. thanks for being rational

[Ankf00]

read my post again, they were not infront in those last few laps, generally your lap times are slower when you are stuck behind slower cars ;)
we did read your posts, they're full of nonsense and atrocious grammar, as always.

marco didn't spin and take out 2 other cars, marco didn't stall in the pits, marco didn't get the lead by pitting out of sequence, marco stayed on the lead lap the entire race and had the same splash n go strategy at the end as many others did, he drove his way to the lead fairly and without the help of fuel strategy luck

so, again, explain to us how he's danicle II because he was beaten by the fastest car all month?

[Dr. Corkski]

read my post again, they were not infront in those last few laps, generally your lap times are slower when you are stuck behind slower cars ;)Which would be strange because the two of them were "stuck" behind those two Gonadsi slugs. :gomer:

[racer2c]

Prediction: Micro doesn't finish on the podium for the remainder of the season.

[coolhand]

we did read your posts, they're full of nonsense and atrocious grammar, as always.

You are one to talk.


marco didn't spin and take out 2 other cars, marco didn't stall in the pits, marco didn't get the lead by pitting out of sequence, marco stayed on the lead lap the entire race and had the same splash n go strategy at the end as many others did, he drove his way to the lead fairly and without the help of fuel strategy luck

so, again, explain to us how he's danicle II because he was beaten by the fastest car all month?

He got his ride in the big league's due to factors other then his results in junior formula. Danica got it because she was marketalbe and Marco because of his last name which makes him marketable. Both had alot of hype preceeding Indy and had top notch rides. both were lucky with how the pitstops played out and were in or near the front at the last restart. both did not get it done. If it was Thiago Mederios or whatever that got beat like that I think more people would be all over him.

Another fact is the John Fogerty's, Ryan Daziel's, Grham Rahal's, and Rahpael Matos' have proven to be better then the said two.

[coolhand]

Which would be strange because the two of them were "stuck" behind those two Gonadsi slugs. :gomer:

I know they finished behind them but where were they at the restart?
I cannot find the PDF that has the last few laps speeds, only the end of the race overall times.
I did find Franchitti has been slower then Marco most of the month.

[nrc]

we did read your posts, they're full of nonsense and atrocious grammar, as always.

Pot - kettle. Stick to the point.

[Fio1]

Last Lap:
Hornish 219.935
Wheldon 219.714
Dixon 217.568
Mi Andretti 216.063
Danicle 215.088
Ma Andretti 214.643

5 mile an hour? That is huge!

[formulaben]

Pot - kettle. Stick to the point.

Shouldn't kettle be capitalized?! :ducks:

[TKGAngel]

Marcomania begun today. Danicamania is sooooo last year.

Exhibit A in the waning of Danicamania: her new "autobiography" is already on the 50% off table at Barnes & Noble.

[nissan gtp]

5 mile an hour? That is huge!

if my math is right, 5 mph average amounts to about 300 feet for a lap @ INdy.

[cart7]

I'll bet if Marco was a CCWS driver and went over to do a one-off the entire tone of this thread, especially by some, would be completely different.

[formulaben]

I'll bet if Marco was a CCWS driver and went over to do a one-off the entire tone of this thread, especially by some, would be completely different.

+1...and I still hate his dad, but Gramps is the best, IMHO.

[nrc]

I'll bet if Marco was a CCWS driver and went over to do a one-off the entire tone of this thread, especially by some, would be completely different.

If Marco was a CCWS driver I'd have said that he moved up too soon, just as I did when he moved up to the IRL. If he were a CCWS driver there would not be the spectre of whether someone was putting a thumb on the scale. One of my objections to Tony George running a racing series is that I don't believe that he or his cronies are above making a call if it's to their benefit.

[RaceGrrl]

Prediction: Micro doesn't finish on the podium for the remainder of the season.

Werd.

They'll pimp him next year just like Danica has been pimped.

[Ankf00]

Werd.

They'll pimp him next year just like Danica has been pimped.
I'm sure it'll start as soon as tomorrow once everyone's back from vacation

[Fio1]

Racing is a funny business. If you ask anybody in the U.K, they'll tell you that Legge getting a Champcar ride is the biggest joke around. Her biggest claim to fame in while racing in the UK was flipping an F3 at the British oval track Cart ran a few years ago (the name escapes me). We all know Legge, would not have been as competitive as she was last year in Atlantics this season for various obvious reasons, so moving her up was the only choice. Marco jumping into the IRL is the same thing. The car owner had a driver picked based on other factors rather then purely on race results. There are a bunch of experienced guys around that can do a better job. The thing is, I believe Marco will develop a lot more then both Danica and Legge. Marco will be a legit contender like Sam Hornish is after a few years in the IRL. Danica on the other hand was purely a marketing scheme and it worked brilliantly. The return on investment for that sponsor is second to sponsoring Jeff Gordon or Dale Earnhardt jr at a fraction of the cost!

The way I see it, results in the junior or feeder series doesn't really mean anything anymore. Even in F1, the GP2 champion doesn’t automatically make it to F1 like they used to in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s with F2 and F3000. With an Atlantic or F.Mazda title you are still required to bring the same amount of money for the next level as the guy who finished 12th in points. Same with FFords & Barber series when it comes to racing in Atlantics. The results in the feeder series' really depend on which team you are driving for. A few years ago, if you were driving for Dorricott you were battling for the title with your teammates, if you weren't you weren't a contender. The junior or feeder series' are schools in my opinion. As long as you get the most out of that season, it doesn't really matter where you end up. If you win every race from pole, you might not learn as much as the guy battling for 3rd all season. If you have 30 hp more then everyone else, or the trick shocks, what did you learn by winning every race? You don't necessarily have to win to move up to the next level. When it comes to the last race of the season and you feel you have nothing more to learn or aren't going to improve as a driver anymore, then move up next year. That is if you can find the money….

I think Marco would have gained a lot of experience in GP2 or Atlantics, but since his father runs 3 cars in IRL, what is the difference cost wise to adding another car to the program? Minimal. Especially if you throw in the Andretti name in the deal. His season in IRL would cost a lot less then a season in Atlantics or GP2.

But, at the end of the day I was super impressed with Marco at the Indy 500. The kid stayed on the lead lap all day and found his way to the lead with 3 laps to go. With 3 seasons under his belt he will be the man in those cars like Hornish is now. No matter what his previous experience is...

[rabbit]

Racing is a funny business. If you ask anybody in the U.K, they'll tell you that Legge getting a Champcar ride is the biggest joke around. Her biggest claim to fame in while racing in the UK was flipping an F3 at the British oval track Cart ran a few years ago (the name escapes me). We all know Legge, would not have been as competitive as she was last year in Atlantics this season for various obvious reasons, so moving her up was the only choice. Marco jumping into the IRL is the same thing. The car owner had a driver picked based on other factors rather then purely on race results. There are a bunch of experienced guys around that can do a better job. The thing is, I believe Marco will develop a lot more then both Danica and Legge. Marco will be a legit contender like Sam Hornish is after a few years in the IRL. Danica on the other hand was purely a marketing scheme and it worked brilliantly. The return on investment for that sponsor is second to sponsoring Jeff Gordon or Dale Earnhardt jr at a fraction of the cost!

The way I see it, results in the junior or feeder series doesn't really mean anything anymore. Even in F1, the GP2 champion doesn’t automatically make it to F1 like they used to in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s with F2 and F3000. With an Atlantic or F.Mazda title you are still required to bring the same amount of money for the next level as the guy who finished 12th in points. Same with FFords & Barber series when it comes to racing in Atlantics. The results in the feeder series' really depend on which team you are driving for. A few years ago, if you were driving for Dorricott you were battling for the title with your teammates, if you weren't you weren't a contender. The junior or feeder series' are schools in my opinion. As long as you get the most out of that season, it doesn't really matter where you end up. If you win every race from pole, you might not learn as much as the guy battling for 3rd all season. If you have 30 hp more then everyone else, or the trick shocks, what did you learn by winning every race? You don't necessarily have to win to move up to the next level. When it comes to the last race of the season and you feel you have nothing more to learn or aren't going to improve as a driver anymore, then move up next year. That is if you can find the money….

I think Marco would have gained a lot of experience in GP2 or Atlantics, but since his father runs 3 cars in IRL, what is the difference cost wise to adding another car to the program? Minimal. Especially if you throw in the Andretti name in the deal. His season in IRL would cost a lot less then a season in Atlantics or GP2.

But, at the end of the day I was super impressed with Marco at the Indy 500. The kid stayed on the lead lap all day and found his way to the lead with 3 laps to go. With 3 seasons under his belt he will be the man in those cars like Hornish is now. No matter what his previous experience is...Good post. :thumbup:

[FanofMario]

Ditto Fio! :thumbup:

[cart7]

Good post. :thumbup:

Yep,, Fio got it right.

[cart7]

If Marco was a CCWS driver I'd have said that he moved up too soon, just as I did when he moved up to the IRL. If he were a CCWS driver there would not be the spectre of whether someone was putting a thumb on the scale. One of my objections to Tony George running a racing series is that I don't believe that he or his cronies are above making a call if it's to their benefit.

And Legge's call isn't to KK's benefit. C'mon.

I was in the group with virtually everyone else thinking the old man was throwing Marco to the wolves by pushing him into the big car to soon. I mean, he'd run an oval or two in MIPS and he didn't seem to confident in himself.

I was wrong, I admit it. The kid showed poise and skills he either inherited or learned in what little practice time they had at the brickyard this month. This was no Danicle here, he was racing the minute the green dropped. He kept himself on the lead lap and in position to win the entire race. The one mistake he made, he recovered from by keeping his car off the T4 wall with some outstanding wheel control. All this in a car that would not be considered class of the field. Even Robin Miller was able to admit he had to eat some crow.

[Andrew Longman]

It should also be noted that Marco finished highest among drivers on the lead fuel strategy. Michael and Hornish were both in the top three only because they gambled on strategy.

Helped by the fact he was in the pits when the last caution came out so when the others did their splash under yellow he found himself in front of them.

Marco ran a solid race, showed some risk taking and car control and almost stole the win. He wouldn't have been the first and I'll admit to rooting for him.

Not mentioned (or at least I didn't see it), without that last caution there was almost no way Michael could lose. All the cars in front of him had to pit and Sam was more than a mile behind him. He was not going to catch Michael in 8 laps without help from the caution.

I guess all their breathlessness about Danica not wanting a caution so she won't lose two positions, Scott and Rusty forgot Michael would be the real beneficiary.

[Dr. Corkski]

If Marco was a CCWS driver I'd have said that he moved up too soon, just as I did when he moved up to the IRL. If he were a CCWS driver there would not be the spectre of whether someone was putting a thumb on the scale. One of my objections to Tony George running a racing series is that I don't believe that he or his cronies are above making a call if it's to their benefit.Pot, meet Kettle. (http://www.offcamber.net/forums/showpost.php?p=139821&postcount=35)

[RacinM3]

YEAH..and how about the guys who kicked the Star Mazda drivers asses in club racing before they moved up. As you go higher in the ranks the weaker the talent pool. Money is the best racing agent a driver has. Talent means very little in American openwheel.

This point is SO good I thought it could bear repeating.

[Racing Truth]

Well said, Fio!