is anyone at all interested in indycar? the barber race (first of the season) just concluded, and was a pretty good one. for any fans of f1 or motorsport in general, please give indycar a try. the oz/nz people have mcglaughlin now, the NASCAR fans have JJ (although he wont do anything this year), a Spaniard won a race for the first time in ages. cmon world, jump aboard!

good race at alabama, and another ok one in st pete.

post race st pete:
Winners
Simon Pagenaud: its the second time he has had a make or break season. he needed this podium and form badly. roger kept him on last time after he dominated indy month. he needs to be in the top ten every week, but better yet the top 5, and needs a win or two this year to stay on. even then, it might be on to a different team next season.

Colton Herta/Andretti autosport: this isnt f1, a win is huge (and tough) every time. looked dominating. the guy was very average to my eyes in indy lights, but he has come alive in the top category. could he challenge for the title? i think its too early, but races like this show whats to come.

Jack Harvey: a massive result for this team, which just keeps looking better and better.

Will Power: coming from the back to put up this result in the early part of the season, and whats more near the top of the championship, is a relief for him. new multi-year contract.

Sato/Ericsson/Bourdais/Mclaughlin

Losers
Alexander Rossi/andretti autosport: my easy choice here. publicly stated its "championship or nothing" this year. overdriving. its my belief that andretti could lose this guy if this continues.

Ed Jones: two absolutely bonehead looking moves on the same lap. was there damage to the car? a strange pick for this seat this year.

Pato O’Ward: how the mighty have fallen (since last race). out to lunch during the race, and it bubbled up in frustration on the radio.

Felix Rosenqvist: considering his class, which i rate sky high, he has looked below average so far this season. cant come to grips with the path pato has taken the team in apparently.

Johnson/Kellett: jimmy sees now what this series is all about. too many spins though, still.

Watch out when a Dutchman wins anything. Not before long, a lot of people who know **** about the sports, will start watching it, just because "we're good at it"

i like the dutch racing fan's passion, and its good for the sport. i cannot stand max fwiw. rinus vk surprised us all last year (at least imo); he was only so so in lights, but he punched above his weight often in 2020, considering the team. he and palou were sensations for sure last year, and the latter was rewarded with a plumb seat, which i think could have gone vk's way just as easily. i personally thought both of them were a step down compared to rosenqvist, who i rate mightily (mostly due to his record at macau, f3, and indy lights, plus his general adaptability to various types of cars), but palou is proving me wrong possibly this season.

thanks for the first reply here; i was considering just letting the thread die!

Great to see fans back at Indy this year. Even 50% makes a huge difference.

I've got Hunter-Reay tid.

It's still my favorite day of the year. It really is a special place for a Hoosier and a race fan.

Yep, Indy born here. Have been to three races (including Sullivan's 'spin and win' in '85).

Great coverage by NBC btw. I watched some of the pre- pre- race on NBCSN and it was well done.

Oh my, Dixon in trouble.

I dont live in Indy any more, but one of my favorite memories was being in a suite over gasoline alley right by the S/F line and watching Hornish bitchmake Marco live. Was amazing.

Dixon looks strong today but looks like this caution just wrecked him.

Rossi and Dixon might end up being a fun story line here. Able to run a little extra power and both great drivers anyway.

Doesn't look like Hunter-Reay has the car today.

This has been ***** awesome since the restart.

Helio has been solid all day. Def has a car to win. Would be hilarious to get #4 after Penske buys Indy and cuts him

Lol Herta takes the lead just to pit. Nice

Daly had a good car with too much downforce. Now that they've reduced the front areo, he's going to be strong.

It's hard to remember a race this clean over the first half.

Man that tire that was hit off Rahal's car could've gone over the fencing where spectators were walking. Dangerous stuff. I hate to say this, but one year I went a tire flew into the crowd and decapitated a spectator.

Daly hit that ****ing tire. No way

Crazy odds of that happening. Tough break for the local driver.

edit: Dixon on the lead lap now.

Brutal for Rahal.

Some pit crew member just turned in his screwdriver and wrench.

We've got some racing now. Things are HEATING up.

Dixon up to #17.

Power up to 13. Not sure he has the car to mess with the leaders but he's driving the wheels off of it

Aaaand it's gone. Pit road has been a graveyard today

Would be nice if NBC could stay with the action for longer than 3 minutes.