The Foyt Futility Watch -- The Barber Motorsports Park Edition

[pchall]

This Futility Watch gets an early start to spread the wonderful and exciting news that Baby Booby Rahal has extended his deal to race for Sarah Fisher through Long Beach. Seems like the deal for a full time ride at Hass-Lannigan that Robin Miller wrote up as a mortal lock wasn't. So it goes.

link (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/82756)


Graham Rahal has extended his deal with Sarah Fisher Racing to include Long Beach, with the team securing extra funding from its backers to add the Californian street race to its schedule.

The 21-year-old American had initially been expected to return to former team Newman/Haas/Lanigan from Long Beach onwards, but will now contest a third race with SFR before handing the car back to owner/driver Sarah Fisher from the first oval race of the season at Kansas.

[eiregosod]

does Skip demand that demand that drivers who tear up the grass pay for it?

[opinionated ow]

WTF are they doing down there?

[cameraman]

The IRL rented the track for the weekend. Huge event ensues:rolleyes:

[G.]

WTF are they doing down there?

Grass-roots, Americana oval racing, duh!

You new here?

:tony:

[pchall]

WTF are they doing down there?

They are the support race for the Grand Am event. :tony:

[Steve99]

They are the support race for the Grand Am event. :tony:
I thought they were just going there to get a haircut. Who has to break the news to Wheldon?

[Methanolandbrats]

Peddling Sarah's Tuna Can must be better than bench racing in Booby's Garage.

[Michaelhatesfans]

Peddling Sarah's Tuna Can...

(Beavis and Butthead laugh)

[Indy]

Eeewwwwww... :yuck:

[opinionated ow]

Grass-roots, Americana oval racing, duh!

You new here?

:tony:

My apologies. That new turn 4 is going to be tight, I thought only Cleveland was getting that treatment. :tony:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs411.snc3/24835_397909406400_502726400_4375171_6564922_n.jpg

[grungex]

does Skip demand that demand that drivers who tear up the grass pay for it?

They do for track days...

[NismoZ]

Very fun track to drive in a Carrera S, but even as I was missing apexi, blowing the heel-n-toe thing and dropping 2 off (once) I was wondering WHERE any passing would take place in a genuwhine Indy car meet. Probably need P2P about 5 times a lap. Guessing this support event should've been the Saturday semi-main. Love that little tri-oval, T-1 would be steep downhill and probably offer up the best race of the season!:D

[pchall]

Love that little tri-oval, T-1 would be steep downhill and probably offer up the best race of the season!:D

Looks like the Alabama version of the Brands Hatch "Indy" short course.

[NismoZ]

You scare me... was my thought EXACTLY!:rofl:

[High Sided]

first practice

1 12 Will Power 1:11.7886
2 6 Ryan Briscoe 1:12.0899
3 22 Justin Wilson 1:12.1043
4 10 Dario Franchitti 1:12.1508
5 26 Marco Andretti 1:12.2866
6 9 Scott Dixon 1:12.3061
7 06 Hideki Mutoh 1:12.4637
8 3 Helio Castroneves 1:12.5398
9 11 Tony Kanaan 1:12.7481
10 5 Takuma Sato 1:12.7660
11 19 Alex Lloyd 1:12.7779
12 24 Mike Conway 1:12.8887
13 78 Simona de Silvestro 1:13.0896
14 34 Mario Romancini 1:13.1358
15 8 EJ Viso 1:13.1389
16 14 Vitor Meira 1:13.1757
17 2 Raphael Matos 1:13.2338
18 37 Ryan Hunter-Reay 1:13.2830
19 4 Dan Wheldon 1:13.5407
20 67 Graham 1:13.7309
21 7 Danica Patrick 1:13.7554
22 77 Alex Tagliani 1:13.9016
23 36 Bertrand Baguette 1:14.0456
24 32 Mario Moraes 1:14.0532

2.2917 second gap

25 18 Milka Duno 1:16.3448

the gap from power to moraes is smaller 2.2646

[Methanolandbrats]

Sumthin wrong with Danicle's car again :confused:

[Chief]

Good thing the split's over 'cause it looks like the IRL LOST according to those standings. Call the cods Gill, this leegues gonna need a sturgeon.

[dando]

Sumthin wrong with Danicle's car again :confused:

In my line of work, we usually call it a PEBKAC issue. :gomer: In this case the problem is b/w the seat and steering wheel. :D

-Kevin

[Elmo T]

She apparently isn't getting enough seat time in the cabs. We all heard, and repeatedly I might add, that the NASCAB experience was going to make her a better driver.

Milka too - very little time in the cabs and look at her times.

Q.E.D.

;)

[SurfaceUnits]

I was wondering WHERE any passing would take place in a genuwhine Indy car meet.

doesn't matter since the leegs' onliest star has never past anyone on a road course in her life :laugh:

[Don Quixote]

I know. Princess is working on race setups. Yeah, that's it. :gomer:

[SteveH]

DW said during her Daytona race that racing in NASCAR would make her a better racer this year in the IRL. :gomer:

[High Sided]

practice 2

1 12 Will Power 27 1:11.1856
2 11 Tony Kanaan 1:11.3011
3 3 Helio Castroneves 1:11.3697
4 9 Scott Dixon 1:11.4243
5 26 Marco Andretti 1:11.5446
6 5 Takuma Sato 1:11.5818
7 6 Ryan Briscoe 1:11.6080
8 06 Hideki Mutoh 1:11.6658
9 24 Mike Conway 1:11.7169
10 10 Dario Franchitti 1:11.7740
11 37 Ryan Hunter-Reay 1:11.8234
12 22 Justin Wilson 1:11.9248
13 19 Alex Lloyd 1:12.1157
14 77 Alex Tagliani 1:12.1312
15 78 Simona de Silvestro 1:12.1516
16 2 Raphael Matos 1:12.1585
17 4 Dan Wheldon 1:12.3549
18 67 Graham Rahal 1:12.4356
19 7 Danica Patrick 1:12.4720
20 32 Mario Moraes 1:12.5084
21 8 EJ Viso 1:12.5425
22 14 Vitor Meira 1:12.6025
23 34 Mario Romancini 1:12.6651
24 36 Bertrand Baguette 1:12.7445

3.3208 gap

25 18 Milka Duno 1:16.0652

[Easy]

Will Power is in his own world right now. Has he finished more than one timed session anywhere but P1 since winning in Sao Paolo?

And to think he wouldn't even have a ride if Helio had paid his taxes. Thanks Tony!

[Methanolandbrats]

I admit I'm a little out of touch with this ****, but who the hell are Mario Romancini and Bertrand Baguette, they sound like ice dancers.

[Tony George]

I admit I'm a little out of touch with this ****, but who the hell are Mario Romancini and Bertrand Baguette, they sound like ice dancers.

I was thinking the same thing. They must be dirt track hiros from Southern Indiana? :confused::tony:

[Easy]

Baguette is the World Series by Renault champ (FRenault 3.5) and tested for both RenaultF1 and Sauber this off-season. Got reasonably close to a race seat with Renault but Petrov's $15,000,000 took care of that.

Romancini... not so much. No clown but definitely wasn't going to be in an F1 car anytime soon. Even in testing.

[NismoZ]

No, he's really good (Power) but he's in Penske's world. Wilson impresses me even more and I have little doubt where he'd be if he was Power's teammate. That's a front row I'd like to see this season.:thumbup:

[TKGAngel]

I looked at the starting grid and Milka is five seconds and eight mph behind the pole winner. :saywhat:

[pchall]

I was thinking the same thing. They must be dirt track hiros from Southern Indiana? :confused::tony:

Dirt track hiro. It that what gomers call it when they drop their greek sammich on the floor?

[dando]

Caught a bit of it...not a bad track, IMO. I'll watch the entire futility later. Comment by Dixon that race control screwed him is not going to go over very well. :laugh:

-Kevin

[Elmo T]

Caught a bit of it...not a bad track, IMO. I'll watch the entire futility later. Comment by Dixon that race control screwed him is not going to go over very well. :laugh:

-Kevin

According the opening of the broadcast, that is "perhaps the finest road track in all of North America..." :saywhat:

That hyperbole aside, looked a lot like M-O to me.

Milka's dawdling all over the track went unmentioned as did her blistering pace.

[dando]

According the opening of the broadcast, that is "perhaps the finest road track in all of North America..." :saywhat:

That hyperbole aside, looked a lot like M-O to me.


I missed that comment...I thought of M-O as well...sans elevation changes, of course. Kind of a cross b/w M-O and RA, IMO.

-Kevin

[Methanolandbrats]

THe whole things sounds just peachy. Who wonned?

[TKGAngel]

THe whole things sounds just peachy. Who wonned?

Penske's resident weeping dancing Brazilian.

[Steve99]

That hyperbole aside, looked a lot like M-O to me.


M-O without the long straightaway, but with much better landscaping.

Did anyone tear up the grass this week?

[nrc]

Can I say that all I know about this is that I saw a headline with "Grand Prix of Alabama" and I just find that endlessly amusing?

Plus I had a dream last night and all I remember from it was "new management" unveiling a "new brand" and it was the old IndyCar logo. Ah well.

[cameraman]

Did anyone tear up the grass this week?

Well Tracy Krohn did yesterday but that was to be expected.

[opinionated ow]

Penske's resident weeping dancing Brazilian.

What happened to SimSim?

[cameraman]

Here be the results

1 Helio Castroneves Team Penske 90
2 Scott Dixon Target Chip Ganassi Racing 90
3 Dario Franchitti Target Chip Ganassi Racing 90
4 Will Power Team Penske 90
5 Marco Andretti Andretti Autosport 90
6 Ryan Briscoe Team Penske 90
7 Justin Wilson Dreyer & Reinbold Racing 90
8 Tony Kanaan Andretti Autosport 90
9 Mike Conway Dreyer & Reinbold Racing 90
10 Alex Tagliani FAZZT Race Team 90
11 Dan Wheldon Panther Racing 90
12 Ryan Hunter-Reay Andretti Autosport 90
13 Mario Moraes KV Racing Technology 90
14 Raphael Matos Luczo Dragon/de Ferran 89
15 Hideki Mutoh Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing 89
16 E.J. Viso KV Racing Technology 89
17 Graham Rahal Sarah Fisher Racing 89
18 Vitor Meira A.J. Foyt Enterprises 89
19 Danica Patrick Andretti Autosport 89
20 Bertrand Baguette Conquest Racing 89
21 Simona De Silvestro Team Stargate Worlds/HVM 89
22 Mario Romancini Conquest Racing 89
23 Alex Lloyd Dale Coyne Racing 89
24 Milka Duno Dale Coyne Racing 86
25 Takuma Sato KV Racing Technology 68

Nice to see Danicant is way off her other three teammates and was beaten by the powerhouse teams of Foyt Enterprises & Sarah Fisher Racing.

[dando]

Here be the results

1 Helio Castroneves Team Penske 90
2 Scott Dixon Target Chip Ganassi Racing 90
3 Dario Franchitti Target Chip Ganassi Racing 90
4 Will Power Team Penske 90
5 Marco Andretti Andretti Autosport 90
6 Ryan Briscoe Team Penske 90
7 Justin Wilson Dreyer & Reinbold Racing 90
8 Tony Kanaan Andretti Autosport 90
9 Mike Conway Dreyer & Reinbold Racing 90
10 Alex Tagliani FAZZT Race Team 90
11 Dan Wheldon Panther Racing 90
12 Ryan Hunter-Reay Andretti Autosport 90
13 Mario Moraes KV Racing Technology 90
14 Raphael Matos Luczo Dragon/de Ferran 89
15 Hideki Mutoh Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing 89
16 E.J. Viso KV Racing Technology 89
17 Graham Rahal Sarah Fisher Racing 89
18 Vitor Meira A.J. Foyt Enterprises 89
19 Danica Patrick Andretti Autosport 89
20 Bertrand Baguette Conquest Racing 89
21 Simona De Silvestro Team Stargate Worlds/HVM 89
22 Mario Romancini Conquest Racing 89
23 Alex Lloyd Dale Coyne Racing 89
24 Milka Duno Dale Coyne Racing 86
25 Takuma Sato KV Racing Technology 68

Nice to see Danicant is way off her other three teammates and was beaten by the powerhouse teams of Foyt Enterprises & Sarah Fisher Racing.

Simona was running ahead of Princess most of the race. NOt sure what happened to her, tho. :(

-Kevin

[Hard Driver]

Milka's dawdling all over the track went unmentioned as did her blistering pace.

Genreally, although that one broadcaster made a couple indirect comments, including a "Milka Sandwich" when she was being passed on both sides simultaneously and the one I laughed at "you usually don't see someone passing on a left hand corner going around on the right", or something like that.

Seriously, Milka was so slow that if it was any other car, the broadcasters would be pondering what kind of mechanical problem the car was having. But instead they just basically ignore her.

I mean if I was CITGO, I would drop her out of embarassment to have my company logo going so slow.

[Hard Driver]

Another comment, those broadcasters seem like they barely follow the race. I don't think I heard a lap time once. They talked about the red tires fading but never mentioned or compared a lap time. Seem to have no concept that lighter cars might go faster before a pit stop than a heavier car afterwards, etc. The level and depth of understanding between an F1 broadcast on Speed and the indycar broadcast is enormous.

[Elmo T]

I mean if I was CITGO, I would drop her out of embarassment to have my company logo going so slow.

OR if the car is so slow, the leaders will be passing so many times we will get more air time. :rolleyes:

@Dando on Simona - spin.

[Sean Malone]

THe whole things sounds just peachy. Who wonned?

In a real racing series Power would have won.

The track was pretty...but I think it was a bit under classed for IndyCars. One place to pass...unless you're passing Milka.

[Don Quixote]

I can't imagine that Coyne is loving life much these days.

[Sean Malone]

Another comment, those broadcasters seem like they barely follow the race. I don't think I heard a lap time once. They talked about the red tires fading but never mentioned or compared a lap time. Seem to have no concept that lighter cars might go faster before a pit stop than a heavier car afterwards, etc. The level and depth of understanding between an F1 broadcast on Speed and the indycar broadcast is enormous.

Bhuel is the biggest shmuck this side of Eddie Cheever Jr.

For the first time ever (I swear!) I fast forwarded through qualifying on Sat. Absolutely the most anti-climatic qualifying of any racing series in the world.

IndyCar has come a long way from the crapwagon, fireballs seen from space era but they still have a way to go.

4 road courses to start the season...I can just imagine how miserable the TF gomers are! I love it!!!

[opinionated ow]

What happened to SimSim?

She said on facebook that when she went to downchange nothing happened so she got impatient and ended up in first and subsequently spun. Was SimSim actually running fifth? :thumbup:

[dando]

Was SimSim actually running fifth? :thumbup:

I only caught bits and pieces, but I did see her in the top ten ~7th @ some point early in the race.

-Kevin

[Methanolandbrats]

In a real racing series Power would have won.

The track was pretty...but I think it was a bit under classed for IndyCars. One place to pass...unless you're passing Milka.

I've seen the track, it's nice. With 1000 hp pushing a decent car, fewer ride buyers and tools, no Arutey and no Jenkins, I might turn on the TV.

[Don Quixote]

I've seen the track, it's nice. With 1000 hp pushing a decent car, fewer ride buyers and tools, no Arutey and no Jenkins, I might turn on the TV. So in other words, you are not too optimistic about ever turning the TV on again? :D

[Methanolandbrats]

So in other words, you are not too optimistic about ever turning the TV on again? :D

No, a pack of 300 hp Delta Wangs will not do the job. :yuck:

[TKGAngel]

Re: Milka - It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye. One of these days, her twidding around out there is going to cause a massive wreck and someone is going to get hurt. As Nicole Briscoe of ESPN pointed out, at least the start-and-parkers in NASCAR don't pretend they know how to drive.

Also, why did they feel the need to show Power's wreck from last season? Sure, it's great that he recovered from a broken back, but no need to keep showing the violent crash.

[dando]

Also, why did they feel the need to show Power's wreck from last season? Sure, it's great that he recovered from a broken back, but no need to keep showing the violent crash.

Violence, sex and scandal sell. :irked:

-Kevin

[Chief]

The new TF denizens LOVED it....clamoring for RA to be added ASAP. Kellner wants standing starts too! :rofl:

nrc, that dream is is closer to reality than you think...:yuck:

[Don Quixote]

Violence, sex and scandal sell. :irked:

-KevinYep. I bet the scripters are working on the next "cat fight in the pits" scenario. You saw it here first. :gomer:

[oddlycalm]

I've seen the track, it's nice. With 1000 hp pushing a decent car, fewer ride buyers and tools, no Arutey and no Jenkins, I might turn on the TV.
What, the monster 9 horsepower / 200 Rpm boost button doesn't leave you all awed and quivery...? :laugh:


oc

[cameraman]

What, the monster 9 horsepower / 200 Rpm boost button

Are those number real?

Can they really be that lame?

[Indy]

Can they really be that lame?

Is it really necessary to ask that question?

[grungex]

I think the P2P button turns on a green light somewhere, too... :p

[opinionated ow]

I only caught bits and pieces, but I did see her in the top ten ~7th @ some point early in the race.

-Kevin

Goodo. Idiots and rednecks can't grasp that she has talent so I can't wait until it all falls into line for her and they have to eat their words. Seems some I've encounted on another forum want her to lose because she's a girl, some because she's Swiss and others because she's not Danica.

[Elmo T]

Are those number real?

Can they really be that lame?

I thought they said it was 5HP and that was a big deal because the cars are so evenly matched. But maybe that was when I was dozing.

[dando]

But maybe that was when I was dozing.

We've got a dozer! </Cars> :gomer: :D

I'm pretty sure they said 9hp boost, but I was explaining to a certain 3 yo why we couldn't finish watching the 'cars' @ the time. ;)

-Kevin

[Steve99]

We've got a dozer! :gomer: :D

Don't let Foyt drive it, or it will end up in a lake surrounded by killer bees.

[Sean Malone]

We've got a dozer! :gomer: :D

I'm pretty sure they said 9hp boost, but I was explaining to a certain 3 yo why we couldn't finish watching the 'cars' @ the time. ;)

-Kevin

Yeah, they said 9hp, but also quickly mentioned that the button simply raises the rev limit which equates to a 9hp gain. But that would insinuate that you are only gaining when bouncing on the rev limiter such as on a straight. Does this help coming out of a corner when your only hitting the rev limit for a second per gear change? Think this hard about the IRL makes my head hurt.:)

Jon also mentioned that the reason they call it 'overtake assist' instead of 'push to pass' is because of the 41hp difference. Funny that the little andretti kid called it push to pass...he must have been a big Champ Car fan. I noticed Bhuel mentioned Champ Cars while talking about how sturdy the Dallara are.

[Elmo T]

I noticed Bhuel mentioned Champ Cars

Uh oh...


http://i42.tinypic.com/20kzjg6.jpg

OT - That scene in the movie still scares the crap out of me.

[TravelGal]

She said on facebook that when she went to downchange nothing happened so she got impatient and ended up in first and subsequently spun. Was SimSim actually running fifth? :thumbup:

Yes, she was up in the top 10 for most of the race. Rookie mistake. Best she won't do that again. :gomer:

[BarillaGirl]

I think the P2P button turns on a green light somewhere, too... :p

This made me smile today. Thank you! :thumbup:

Though it does make me think of the old Steven Wright joke: "In my old apartment there was a switch that didn't seem to be connected to anything. I used to flip it on and off as I went by. After a few months I got a letter from a woman in Germany, saying CUT IT OUT."

[dando]

Though it does make me think of the old Steven Wright joke: "In my old apartment there was a switch that didn't seem to be connected to anything. I used to flip it on and off as I went by. After a few months I got a letter from a woman in Germany, saying CUT IT OUT."

Damn. Steven Wright. Where the heck has he gone? :(

-Kevin

[cameraman]

Damn. Steven Wright. Where the heck has he gone? :(

-Kevin

NJ & NY it seems...

Apr 23 2010 | THE STATE THEATRE | New Brunswick NJ
Jun 03 2010 | COMMUNITY THEATRE | Morristown NJ
Jun 04 2010 | THE COUNT BASIE THEATRE | Red Bank NJ
Jun 06 2010 | PENN'S PEAK | Jim Thorpe PA
Jun 09 2010 | AMERICAN MUSIC THEATRE | Lancaster PA
Jun 10 2010 | PARAMOUNT CENTER FOR THE ARTS | Peekskill NY
Jun 11 2010 | WESTHAMPTON BEACH P.A.C. | Westhampton Beach, NY

[NismoZ]

Gee, he really gets around!(:p)

[Wheel-Nut]

Nice to see Danicant is way off her other three teammates and was beaten by the powerhouse teams of Foyt Enterprises & Sarah Fisher Racing.


But ole DW says racing nascar will make her a top indycar driver.