Auto Racing 2024
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1812 km in Qatar saw Porsche take the top three spots. Penske's Porsche's finished 1st and 3rd, while the Hertz Porsche team saw Callum Illot on very very very old tires hold Penske off to take second. Penske managed to get a second spot on the podium when the Peugeot team's car had electrical problem in the last couple of laps of a 300+ lap race, that fell them to 7th. Penske's Porsches have taken the Rolex 24 at Daytona and now the first event for the WEC. Not too shabby.
Indycar opens up this weekend with St. Petersburg. Last year was an absolute mess that looked more like NASCAR. Grosjean came close to winning, but was taken out. Pato O'Ward then was close to winning, but a backfire near the very end stole some HP for a few seconds allowing Ericsson (kind of 2 time Indy 500 winner) took the win.
12 Hours are Sebring is the following weekend.
On the lighter side of the news, NASCAR driver who had too much love for his glove was fined $10k and docked 35 points, which I guess is close to a race's worth (?). Glove was safety equipment and not properly vetted. Using it as he was, wasn't the problem. Though, driving at those speeds, one hand on the wheel?
12 Hours are Sebring is the following weekend.
On the lighter side of the news, NASCAR driver who had too much love for his glove was fined $10k and docked 35 points, which I guess is close to a race's worth (?). Glove was safety equipment and not properly vetted. Using it as he was, wasn't the problem. Though, driving at those speeds, one hand on the wheel?
Indycar opens the season with St. Petersburg. The race ended up being a lot cleaner than the season opener last year, but while clean, there was some pretty impressive racing. The race would end up being the Penske Show, with Newgarden leading nearly every lap on his way to victory and Penske's cars finishing 3rd and 4th. Pato O'Ward finished 2nd again this season, but with a lot less drama as no one could challenge Newgarden this season.
Qualifying showed two smaller race teams have good representation in Veekay for Ed Carpenter racing and Grosjean with Juncos Hollinger. Both were doing very well early, well within the top ten. Pitstops shifted them a bit further back, and then a brainfart by Grosjean led to him knocking Lundquist and crashed him, he was assessed a penalty, and ultimately couldn't finish the race. Lundquist would manage to finish however... and in front of Grosjean. Grosjean seems to have an issue getting the deal done. Veekay, however, managed a tenth place finish, generally behind the Penskes and Ganassi teams.
Penske won the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the 1812 in WEC, I think Daytona for NASCAR, and this opening race (probably the least of the list). What an incredible start!
Qualifying showed two smaller race teams have good representation in Veekay for Ed Carpenter racing and Grosjean with Juncos Hollinger. Both were doing very well early, well within the top ten. Pitstops shifted them a bit further back, and then a brainfart by Grosjean led to him knocking Lundquist and crashed him, he was assessed a penalty, and ultimately couldn't finish the race. Lundquist would manage to finish however... and in front of Grosjean. Grosjean seems to have an issue getting the deal done. Veekay, however, managed a tenth place finish, generally behind the Penskes and Ganassi teams.
Penske won the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the 1812 in WEC, I think Daytona for NASCAR, and this opening race (probably the least of the list). What an incredible start!
The 12 Hours at Sebring produced some incredible moments of racing, and some lesser incredible moments. Pipo Derani was well in the lead and accidentally sideswiped a GTD car he was passing, this sent him off the course into the tire barrier in a relatively bad looking crash that sent tires flying and left the car upside down on the barrier. No one was seriously hurt and the tires didn't appear to cross the fence into the spectator area. Jaminet, I believe, was driving the Penske Porsche and clipped Katherine Legge's car which sent her into a hard crash into the wall. Again, she is likely sore today, but no serious injuries. The Porsche would not end up getting away with the clip as the rear left tire was nicked and was eventually blow out, ending the day's chances of the win.
Sebastian Bourdais was leading late, but thanks to a yellow that freed up fuel and hybrid power, the Wayne Taylor - Andretti car driven by Delatraz was able to pull off a 11 hour 50 of so minute pass that would be good enough for the win.
A couple great racing moments (extended moments).
View: https://youtu.be/3eqY97mnyRk?si=a2-5GEr8869M3HkJ&t=890
View: https://youtu.be/3eqY97mnyRk?si=kt2l-08KwnM8q5SN&t=1015
Sebastian Bourdais was leading late, but thanks to a yellow that freed up fuel and hybrid power, the Wayne Taylor - Andretti car driven by Delatraz was able to pull off a 11 hour 50 of so minute pass that would be good enough for the win.
A couple great racing moments (extended moments).
View: https://youtu.be/3eqY97mnyRk?si=a2-5GEr8869M3HkJ&t=890
View: https://youtu.be/3eqY97mnyRk?si=kt2l-08KwnM8q5SN&t=1015
Scary moments at the end of the Australia GP.
View: https://www.threads.net/@mercedesamgf1motorsport/post/C45HU0ZNEfk
View: https://www.threads.net/@aoife_duggan/post/C45RGVCNyxo
View: https://www.threads.net/@mercedesamgf1motorsport/post/C45HU0ZNEfk
View: https://www.threads.net/@aoife_duggan/post/C45RGVCNyxo
Wow, definitely precarious!
Indy did their prize money event, The Thermal. It was interesting. Scott Dixon goofed and took out Grosjean who took out Veekay before completing turn one in thr first heat. Rosenquist easily held onto the first heat.
Palou and McLaughlin ruled the second heat.
Then the prize race, two 10 laps segments with a red in between. I don't think they'll do that again as yes some were driving fast but in general, once they figured their positions, everyone stood pat and it was boring as heck. The strategy worked for Herta who managed to get from 10th to 4th in the second half. Palou just cruised using some sort of cheat code. Fitapaldi was DQ'd, they forgot to give him enough fuel, he was driving slow to just finish ten laps.
Indy did their prize money event, The Thermal. It was interesting. Scott Dixon goofed and took out Grosjean who took out Veekay before completing turn one in thr first heat. Rosenquist easily held onto the first heat.
Palou and McLaughlin ruled the second heat.
Then the prize race, two 10 laps segments with a red in between. I don't think they'll do that again as yes some were driving fast but in general, once they figured their positions, everyone stood pat and it was boring as heck. The strategy worked for Herta who managed to get from 10th to 4th in the second half. Palou just cruised using some sort of cheat code. Fitapaldi was DQ'd, they forgot to give him enough fuel, he was driving slow to just finish ten laps.
I gave up on ESPN/ABC and went with F1 TV. They also do a “Race in 30” that does a good job of condensing the action into a half-hour since even with the cars getting closer in performance, there is still a lack of passing once the race settles down after the start and the DRS trains form.
LONG BEACH!
IMSA on Saturday, IndyCar on Sunday.
For IMSA, Bourdais et al made a pass and that was about it. A fun race overall, but not too much happening up front.
Indycar, Rasmussen crashed on lap 17, half the field pitted, half didn't. And the yellows were happening, so the pit stop plan was set in stone. The likes of Scott Dixon needed to hold on, with little left in the tank against the Newgardens, Herta, and Palous. Newgarden made up a ton of time, with all the fuel he could burn. And was knocking on the door, then Colton Herta clipped Newgarden's rear, car went into anti-stall and that lost time was effectively what allowed Scott Dixon to pull a Sea of Galilee (car fuel version) and win a race for the 20th consecutive season of his career. He is insane! None of the drivers could figure out how he was able to be up front for that long and still have fuel left. He really is the master of fuel conservation while trying to win. Herta came in second and Palou third. Newgarden finished fourth not knowing what could have been.
Grosjean is settling into his new ride at Junco Hollinger pretty well, finished 8th. The finish of the day was Theo Pouchaire (11th) who drove in a baptism by fire for 3rd as Callum Ilott was out racing in Imola, I believe and they are waiting for Malukas to come back from an injury. Sting Ray Robb finished 18th, which is actually good for him. He had a very bad last season.
IMSA on Saturday, IndyCar on Sunday.
For IMSA, Bourdais et al made a pass and that was about it. A fun race overall, but not too much happening up front.
Indycar, Rasmussen crashed on lap 17, half the field pitted, half didn't. And the yellows were happening, so the pit stop plan was set in stone. The likes of Scott Dixon needed to hold on, with little left in the tank against the Newgardens, Herta, and Palous. Newgarden made up a ton of time, with all the fuel he could burn. And was knocking on the door, then Colton Herta clipped Newgarden's rear, car went into anti-stall and that lost time was effectively what allowed Scott Dixon to pull a Sea of Galilee (car fuel version) and win a race for the 20th consecutive season of his career. He is insane! None of the drivers could figure out how he was able to be up front for that long and still have fuel left. He really is the master of fuel conservation while trying to win. Herta came in second and Palou third. Newgarden finished fourth not knowing what could have been.
Grosjean is settling into his new ride at Junco Hollinger pretty well, finished 8th. The finish of the day was Theo Pouchaire (11th) who drove in a baptism by fire for 3rd as Callum Ilott was out racing in Imola, I believe and they are waiting for Malukas to come back from an injury. Sting Ray Robb finished 18th, which is actually good for him. He had a very bad last season.
Usually the scandals stick with NASCAR for this and that in cheating with the tech. But Indycar just got slammed, as Penske's cars were punished for manipulating the Push to Pass system on their cars. Push to Pass is a gimmick that provides bonus horsepower for about a total of 180 seconds for the duration of the race, and it isn't allowed on restarts. It helps in passing opponents. It does help make things more competitive.
Newgarden's win was erased and Pato O'Ward was given the victory is the most unfortunate fashion. Scott McLaughlin was also punished. Will Power was fined but not punished as it appears he did not take any advantage.
Newgarden's win was erased and Pato O'Ward was given the victory is the most unfortunate fashion. Scott McLaughlin was also punished. Will Power was fined but not punished as it appears he did not take any advantage.
article said:
Bodies falling from the sky at the Barber road course during the race this past weekend. Well, a body... of a mannequin, but it was side swiped by one car.
An interesting race. Still a good deal of discussion regarding the cheating scandal. Newgarden and McLaughlin took it on the chin (and pretended they thought the rules changed... which apparently didn't get to Will Power?). Regardless, the Penske drivers want to prove they were the best still, even without cheating.
The inexplicable thing that happened was Rasmussen spun and stalled with 35 laps remaining. 30 laps is the max you can competitively race (unless you are Scott Dixon and likely can finish in first with just a thimble of fuel at the start) all green. The two stop drivers pitted at the yellow. While this helps save distance on the track, it was a huge ask to go 35 laps, even with a yellow. This effectively ended Palou's shot. But it was good for the three stop teams (including Penske) who's front row starters were able to take advantage and finish as they started McLaughlin (1st), Power (2nd). Linus Lundqvist got his first podium. He won the NXT title in '22 and then disappeared into IMSA, as Indycar didn't call him up. Crashes and injuries helped open a seat for him and he is now driving with Ganassi. Really odd when someone thinks that Sting Ray Robb is still driving in Indycar and Lundqvist couldn't get a seat. Suppose Robb was able to find money. Rosenquist finished fourth, as he is enjoying a great season so far with the Meyer Shank team after being nudged out of Arrow McLaren.
Rinus Veekay, had the fastest car in Practice 2, but the car lost straight speed in qualifying and qualified last. Still, they managed it, and was able to fight up to 6th place at one point in the off sequence pit strategies, but faded late.
This race was more akin to Bristol than Indycar. There was a lot of tire to side cell contact, relatively speaking. All said, though, mostly not too much in the way of spins, but a good deal of cars into the grass.
An interesting race. Still a good deal of discussion regarding the cheating scandal. Newgarden and McLaughlin took it on the chin (and pretended they thought the rules changed... which apparently didn't get to Will Power?). Regardless, the Penske drivers want to prove they were the best still, even without cheating.
The inexplicable thing that happened was Rasmussen spun and stalled with 35 laps remaining. 30 laps is the max you can competitively race (unless you are Scott Dixon and likely can finish in first with just a thimble of fuel at the start) all green. The two stop drivers pitted at the yellow. While this helps save distance on the track, it was a huge ask to go 35 laps, even with a yellow. This effectively ended Palou's shot. But it was good for the three stop teams (including Penske) who's front row starters were able to take advantage and finish as they started McLaughlin (1st), Power (2nd). Linus Lundqvist got his first podium. He won the NXT title in '22 and then disappeared into IMSA, as Indycar didn't call him up. Crashes and injuries helped open a seat for him and he is now driving with Ganassi. Really odd when someone thinks that Sting Ray Robb is still driving in Indycar and Lundqvist couldn't get a seat. Suppose Robb was able to find money. Rosenquist finished fourth, as he is enjoying a great season so far with the Meyer Shank team after being nudged out of Arrow McLaren.
Rinus Veekay, had the fastest car in Practice 2, but the car lost straight speed in qualifying and qualified last. Still, they managed it, and was able to fight up to 6th place at one point in the off sequence pit strategies, but faded late.
This race was more akin to Bristol than Indycar. There was a lot of tire to side cell contact, relatively speaking. All said, though, mostly not too much in the way of spins, but a good deal of cars into the grass.
That is quite something. Personally F1 is boring as all heck, but it is carrying better than Indycar ever does, except probably the Indy 500.
This weekend:
WEC is in Spa
IMSA are in Laguna Seca
Indycar are Grand Prixing it at Indy.
Kyle Larson's tests at Indy for the 500 have reportedly been going well. NASCAR has a long tradition of a few drivers trying their luck at the speedway. I completely forgot that Kurt Busch finished 6th, the highest ever, tied with Donnie Alison, for a NASCAR driver. Indy is unlike most tracks, and performing well requires equal portions of skill, tech, and luck. Unless you are Alex Palou, get screwed, fall back to near last, and then just casually work their way back up to fourth.
This weekend:
WEC is in Spa
IMSA are in Laguna Seca
Indycar are Grand Prixing it at Indy.
Kyle Larson's tests at Indy for the 500 have reportedly been going well. NASCAR has a long tradition of a few drivers trying their luck at the speedway. I completely forgot that Kurt Busch finished 6th, the highest ever, tied with Donnie Alison, for a NASCAR driver. Indy is unlike most tracks, and performing well requires equal portions of skill, tech, and luck. Unless you are Alex Palou, get screwed, fall back to near last, and then just casually work their way back up to fourth.
- Nov 29, 2003
- 15,929
- 20,441
That is not a great or good rating.
3.1 million divided by 2.6 (average size of a Household) is 1.2 Million Households ( out of 131 Million in the United States.
That is less then 1% of all Households here.
It is an incredible rating for race car driving for an F1 race of little consequence. Daytona and Indy beat it, but that is probably it.
