All-purpose open-wheel (F1, IRL) racing thread

1954 works Mercedes W196R

driver: Juan-Manuel Fangio









sold at auction in 2013

Fangio's Mercedes-Benz W196R sells for record-setting $29,619,826

 

1977 Tyrell P34

 

Along these lines: Have there been any recent updates on Schumacher?

Zanardi released from intensive care after crash

 

Nope. There really haven't even been any non-recent updates about Schumacher. They've been extremely tight-lipped about his condition and the people who have seen him have been very vague in talking about it.

 

Schumacher is one of those cases where anyone deserves privacy, but when you make your life and fortune in the public eye, the family should at least give some sort of generic statement to tell whether he's ever going to be seen in public again, he's in perpetual coma, something. They don't have to give details and specifics, but at least let his fans know something. Heck, they could even lie. Just say something.
"We appreciate everyone's support. Micheal is showing signs of improvement every day, he is able to communicate, and he is comfortable. We just don't think he'll ever be able to be seen in public again because of the effects of his injuries. Thanks for your prayers."

 

If Carb Day at Indianapolis was this odd, I'm having a difficult time imaging the spectacle of the 500 on Sunday without the spectacle. While the cars are at speed, you don't notice as much, but the variety of colors in the grandstands and the general milling about is missing when there's no action. The Kentucky Derby will have the same issue next month.

Still, it is Ma ... August. There was more passing than I expected because the temperatures weren't broiling but this is still going to be a track position race. There may be some moves from the back if the Chevrolets hit the perfect setup Sunday, particularly if the Penskes are as good as they said in race trim, and they gamble on early-race strategy to get track position. Marco had a so-so day. The speed he's had all week deserted him, and I don't know if he can put together a perfect race to win this.

I lucked into some good picks in 2019. Let's try again for Sunday's race, based on what I saw in today's final two-hour practice.

Top five: Dixon, Rossi, Sato, Newgarden, and one of the Arrow kids (maybe Askew?)

Surprises: VeeKay, Kimball, Power

Disappointments: Rahal, Carpenter, Alonso

 

When I was a kid my daddy used to come home from business trips to England and he would bring me Corgi toys, many of which I still have. But I remember he wouldn’t bring me the JPS car because it was sponsored by a cigarette company.

 

Andretti will be a disappointment, as well. He is on the “pole.”

 

Heck, every racing related item I have back in the 70s and 80s had either Winston, Skoal, Miller, or Budweiser on it. And I wore 'em to school.

 

It’s a shame they couldn’t rename it the “Brickyard 500” or something for the year, but sponsors would be angry and I’m sure that would spawn tons of litigation.