Spicoli
07-19-04, 08:34 AM
Miller Issues IRL Mid-season Report Cards
Written by: Robin Miller
7/18/2004
Whenever you grade a race team or driver, more often than not you grate on them because they feel you don't understand the nuances of their particular situation. Or that you're unfairly picking on them.
Many years ago when I began this practice at a newspaper whose name escapes me, Roger Penske was aghast after I'd given Team Penske a C-minus. I found it pretty humorous that one of the richest, most powerful and successful people in this country would be the least bit bothered by one person's opinion but I was subsequently dropped from The Captain's Christmas card list.
With that thought in mind, it's time for the Indy Racing League's mid-season report cards and, trust me, it's never been easier to grade a class.
There are a few As, a mass of mediocrity and a couple of major underaCHEEVERS.
If you disagree with any, or all, of these observations then please feel free to either email Dave Despain, Floyd Ganassi's son, the president of the Paul Page Fan Club or call Tony George collect.
GRADE A
ANDRETTI/GREEN: This four-headed monster and factory Honda team has won five of eight races and sits 1-2 in the point standings with Tony Kanaan and Dan Wheldon. With three victories, T.K. is driving smart and fast while Wheldon gave Honda it's biggest win ever at Motegi before his crew gave him a strategic win at Richmond.
RAHAL/LETTERMAN: After being shunned by Champ Car owners (including his current employer) and fired by Eddie Cheever, the unflappable Buddy Rice has finally found a home and a rhythm. His aggressive win at Indy was impressive and nobody has been consistenly quicker all season. Teammate Vitor Meira has also shined and had Nashville in the bag before a bad pit stop that wasn't his fault. He'll win one soon. Engineers Todd Bowland (Rice) and Ray Leto (Meira), plus tech director Tim Reiter also deserve high marks for this success story. As does the G-Force chassis.
HPD: Honda Performance Development has tipped the IRL's supposed level playing field into a one-sided rout. After losing the opener, Honda powered drivers have won seven staight races, seven poles and led an astounding 1,280 out of the last 1,430 laps of competition.
GRADE B-minus
TEAM PENSKE: Yes, Sam Hornish Jr. captured the season opener by a few feet over teammate Helio Castroneves, they were the class of the field at Richmond and they ran 2-3 at Nashville. And, yes, they are strapped with Toyota's out-classed engine, but for a team of this depth, stature and wealth, those results are still pretty pathetic.
GRADE C
SUPER AGURI/FERNANDEZ: Considering his late start and lack of IRL experience, Adrian Fernandez has been respectable. Teammate Kosuke Matsuura shows flashes of promise but looks like a rookie most of the time.
DRYER/REINBOLD: A one-car team with a small budget and a Chevrolet. Nuff said.
FOYT ENTERPRISES: A one-car team with a small budget, big owner, no engineer and a Toyota. Nuff said.
PATRICK RACING: A one-car team with a late start, no sponsor, three drivers and a Chevy. Nuff said.
MO NUNN RACING: A one-car team with a driver who can't speak much English, no chemistry and a Toyota. Nuff said.
KELLEY RACING: A one-car team with a driver who says all the right things after he crashes or finishes 15th, an owner who may not be around next year and a Toyota. Nuff said.
ACCESS MOTORSPORTS: A one-car team with no money, an owner who used to be a driver, a driver who might be better as an owner and a Honda. Nuff said.
GRADE D
RED BULL/CHEEVER: Alex Barron is much better than his team at the moment while rookie Ed Carpenter has crashed out of half the races. But I bet Eddie Cheever doesn't fire him.
PENNZOIL PANTHER: This once-dominant squad is down on power with a Chevworth but has been passed by with all the new CART blood in this series. Tomas Scheckter has been decent in qualifying but a fifth place is the lone result. Mark Taylor hit everything but the Queen Mother before being fired.
GENERAL MOTORS: After being saved by Cosworth in 2003, the Chevrolet is back at the back most days. Do they give their teams rebates?
ABC: Between Paul Page's shameless cheerleading and pandering, Jack The Root's inane observations and lack of anything approaching entertainment, it remains Always Bad Coverage.
GRADE F
TARGET/GANASSI: Incredibly, defending IRL champ Scott Dixon is nowhere in 2004, leading only three laps in the season opener, and is usually out-performed by teammate Darren Manning. If the rookie isn't hitting somebody, he's been pretty fast. But Chip Ganassi's experienced team lacks more than horsepower at the moment. The only good news? Very few interviews with the Chipster from his pit box.
TRD: Toyota Racing Development cleaned house in 2003 but is being swept under the door like so much dirt this year by arch rival Honda. Word is there's a fix on its way but it better come with a turbocharger. TRD swears NASCAR isn't taking away its focus, maybe just its development budget.
IRL: Failed to secure a full-time ride for Sarah Fisher, robbed the Leaders Circle Club to pay for the final few spots at the Indy 500 and allowed Honda to gain an unfair advantage, which may cost the League a few teams before it's all said and done.
Written by: Robin Miller
7/18/2004
Whenever you grade a race team or driver, more often than not you grate on them because they feel you don't understand the nuances of their particular situation. Or that you're unfairly picking on them.
Many years ago when I began this practice at a newspaper whose name escapes me, Roger Penske was aghast after I'd given Team Penske a C-minus. I found it pretty humorous that one of the richest, most powerful and successful people in this country would be the least bit bothered by one person's opinion but I was subsequently dropped from The Captain's Christmas card list.
With that thought in mind, it's time for the Indy Racing League's mid-season report cards and, trust me, it's never been easier to grade a class.
There are a few As, a mass of mediocrity and a couple of major underaCHEEVERS.
If you disagree with any, or all, of these observations then please feel free to either email Dave Despain, Floyd Ganassi's son, the president of the Paul Page Fan Club or call Tony George collect.
GRADE A
ANDRETTI/GREEN: This four-headed monster and factory Honda team has won five of eight races and sits 1-2 in the point standings with Tony Kanaan and Dan Wheldon. With three victories, T.K. is driving smart and fast while Wheldon gave Honda it's biggest win ever at Motegi before his crew gave him a strategic win at Richmond.
RAHAL/LETTERMAN: After being shunned by Champ Car owners (including his current employer) and fired by Eddie Cheever, the unflappable Buddy Rice has finally found a home and a rhythm. His aggressive win at Indy was impressive and nobody has been consistenly quicker all season. Teammate Vitor Meira has also shined and had Nashville in the bag before a bad pit stop that wasn't his fault. He'll win one soon. Engineers Todd Bowland (Rice) and Ray Leto (Meira), plus tech director Tim Reiter also deserve high marks for this success story. As does the G-Force chassis.
HPD: Honda Performance Development has tipped the IRL's supposed level playing field into a one-sided rout. After losing the opener, Honda powered drivers have won seven staight races, seven poles and led an astounding 1,280 out of the last 1,430 laps of competition.
GRADE B-minus
TEAM PENSKE: Yes, Sam Hornish Jr. captured the season opener by a few feet over teammate Helio Castroneves, they were the class of the field at Richmond and they ran 2-3 at Nashville. And, yes, they are strapped with Toyota's out-classed engine, but for a team of this depth, stature and wealth, those results are still pretty pathetic.
GRADE C
SUPER AGURI/FERNANDEZ: Considering his late start and lack of IRL experience, Adrian Fernandez has been respectable. Teammate Kosuke Matsuura shows flashes of promise but looks like a rookie most of the time.
DRYER/REINBOLD: A one-car team with a small budget and a Chevrolet. Nuff said.
FOYT ENTERPRISES: A one-car team with a small budget, big owner, no engineer and a Toyota. Nuff said.
PATRICK RACING: A one-car team with a late start, no sponsor, three drivers and a Chevy. Nuff said.
MO NUNN RACING: A one-car team with a driver who can't speak much English, no chemistry and a Toyota. Nuff said.
KELLEY RACING: A one-car team with a driver who says all the right things after he crashes or finishes 15th, an owner who may not be around next year and a Toyota. Nuff said.
ACCESS MOTORSPORTS: A one-car team with no money, an owner who used to be a driver, a driver who might be better as an owner and a Honda. Nuff said.
GRADE D
RED BULL/CHEEVER: Alex Barron is much better than his team at the moment while rookie Ed Carpenter has crashed out of half the races. But I bet Eddie Cheever doesn't fire him.
PENNZOIL PANTHER: This once-dominant squad is down on power with a Chevworth but has been passed by with all the new CART blood in this series. Tomas Scheckter has been decent in qualifying but a fifth place is the lone result. Mark Taylor hit everything but the Queen Mother before being fired.
GENERAL MOTORS: After being saved by Cosworth in 2003, the Chevrolet is back at the back most days. Do they give their teams rebates?
ABC: Between Paul Page's shameless cheerleading and pandering, Jack The Root's inane observations and lack of anything approaching entertainment, it remains Always Bad Coverage.
GRADE F
TARGET/GANASSI: Incredibly, defending IRL champ Scott Dixon is nowhere in 2004, leading only three laps in the season opener, and is usually out-performed by teammate Darren Manning. If the rookie isn't hitting somebody, he's been pretty fast. But Chip Ganassi's experienced team lacks more than horsepower at the moment. The only good news? Very few interviews with the Chipster from his pit box.
TRD: Toyota Racing Development cleaned house in 2003 but is being swept under the door like so much dirt this year by arch rival Honda. Word is there's a fix on its way but it better come with a turbocharger. TRD swears NASCAR isn't taking away its focus, maybe just its development budget.
IRL: Failed to secure a full-time ride for Sarah Fisher, robbed the Leaders Circle Club to pay for the final few spots at the Indy 500 and allowed Honda to gain an unfair advantage, which may cost the League a few teams before it's all said and done.