Tuck in to these (very) random thoughts and observations:
- Could the weather over the weekend have been any different within a span of 24 hours? Welcome to the Tri-state...
- Newman Haas (P4 and P6): Overachievers. Period.
- Charlie Kimball stepped out of his car after the race, took a very animated deep breath, then grinned. Mile-and-a-halves are killers. Respect to all the drivers.
- With two second-place finishes in two years, Kentucky is Eddie Carpenter's best track. With it on the bubble for '12, Ed was, essentially, running out of chances to seal the deal for his first win--but he did.
- The award for most impressive entourage goes to rookie and part-timer, Wade Cunningham. Post-race found him swallowed up in a scrum of tats and long hair you simply couldn't ignore. BTW: P7 in his third start and besting his mile-and-a-half master teammate, Wheldon, by seven spots? Are you kidding me?!
- Post-race presser saw Dario being interviewed for his P2 finish while Willy P's ubiquitous Verizon advert played on the monitors above. Irony...
- When you encounter the Sarah Fisher Racing organization, it looks more like a family reunion than a race team. Makes the win even more miraculous.
- During the Indy Lights broadcast, Michael Andretti said he would like to see other IndyCar owners step up and support the Road to Indy program--I would too.
- Our .3 megapixel pics from race tracks have GOT TO GO (don't hold your breath).
- Simona in Switzerland County, Indiana: a little awkward for me.
- Buddy Rice getting some fresh looks for '12 because of his development background--kool.
- For the ladies: Dan Wheldon's driver suit is obscenely tight. You're welcome.
- On Will Power: What do you say? He's not out of it, but DAYUM.
- Townsend Bell goes from 26th to 11th for DRR. Underrated?
- Tag steps out of the car and into the booth: team player.
- Note to Versus: Please don't play radio chatter on air without, somehow, identifying the source.
- Mrs. Power's team sends their driver rocketing into the side of Mr. Power, possibly screwing him, royally, with regard to the championship. Awkward?
- Tag says he thinks "Vegas will be a fantastic race." I like the sound of that.
- Graham Rahal, not outwardly angry, but very emotional in his post-race interview. Tells you what a competitor he is, and I don't blame him--this was supposed to be "the year."
To those injured, yesterday, a big AHOI get well soon!
To Kentucky Speedway: Thanks for the great hospitality and for putting on another stellar show. May not be next year, but we WILL be back.
Lastly, to you folks. Thanks for reading our tweets, viewing our hideously poor-quality pics, and hitting up our posts, this weekend. Truly one of the greatest experiences I've had in racing, and without an audience, it's just me, if you know what I'm sayin'?
--JM
