"Testing... one-two. Is this thing on?"

IndyCar.com

I could go on, ad nauseam, as to why this space has been silent for the past months but, really, who cares?! Right. Let's move on.

What up, peeps? It's been TOO long. So... the natural question is, what's gotten me off my arse? Simple. Just one of the most epic IndyCar events on the calendar--Kentucky Speedway, 2011, of course.

Continually one of the most competitive venues, conveniently located near casa Montona, and rumored to be a question mark for 2012; all reasons why it's only right we dedicate some semi-well-thought-out keystrokes.

So, I pulled "The Man" into my office (I don't have an office) and advised him not to look for my sad mug till Tuesday, next. That means the next days are just you, me, and the big bowl in the Bluegrass--condolences.

Crackberry in hand, we'll be boots-on-the-ground, all weekend, doing our level best to share all the excitement with those unable to make it to what could be the last go-round for Kentucky on the IZOD IndyCar schedule [insert well-chosen expletive here].  

Herewago! Pending adequate cell coverage, expect copious tweets; vivid, .3 megapixel pics; and as many posts, here, as we can squeeze out [insert low expectations here].

IT'S ON, bitches (I heart you, Monica--in a I'm happily married sort of way). Let's do this...

--JM

The '12 car WILL turn a wheel—posthaste

In round about 20 days, to be exact. Check this tweet from the Car Czar, Tony Cotman, then go below for all the deets.

What: 2012 IndyCar Inaugural Test

Pilot: Dan "Two-time" Wheldon

Team: Bryan Herta "One-shot" Autosport

Where: Reportedly, Mid-Ohio (IndyCar races there the day before)

(IndyCar.com)

I, for one, never seem to be fully satisfied with the present, so this bit of news has yours truly sincerely STOKED.

Stay tuned, peeps.

—JM

You’ll be getting it every night and LOVING it

(1070TheFan.com)

With the month of May comes the running of the greatest race on earth, but it also signals the beginning of something of equal gravitas.

May is when the 1070 The Fan brass loosen the reigns on Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee and allow them to give it the large by going nightly with their epic IndyCar-oriented radio talk show, Trackside.

That’s right. Put your teeth back in, pa-pa, ’cause I’m crappin’ ya’ negative.

Beginning next Monday, May 2nd, Trackside airs every weeknight at 7:00 eastern, through the entire month, followed by the walking encyclopedia of the “Indianapolis 500 Mile Race,” Donald Davidson and “The Talk of Gasoline Alley” at 8:00.

No more agonizing waits until Thursday, I said EVERY NIGHT.

On the precipice of the 100th anniversary of the ‘500,’ they’ll be boatloads to talk about, so be sure to tune in, as well as check Kevin’s blog, regularly, for updates on guests, time changes, etc.

In the words of Shelby Stanga from “Ax Men,” HEREWAGO!

—JM

The "Fab Five" Shouldn't be Invited to Crash the Party

I'm guessing, other IndyCar drivers
have similar sentiments to Will's
Photo: indycar.com

Leave it up to the quiet speedster, Will Power, to be the voice of reason with all the frothing going on over the IndyCar Vegas finale. I had just put the finishing touches on my list of five favorites ("Cha Cha" Muldowney, Alberto Contador, Shaun White, Kenny Roberts, and Joey Chestnut) when William had to get all up and reasonable in this piece by Marshall Pruett.

“You just need to be careful who [is invited]. It has the potential to be pretty dangerous if the wrong people are let out there because you can’t have a guy who doesn’t have a lot of experience running in a top category like this on a fast oval. I know before I ever did ovals, I looked at them and thought how scary they looked. Kind of crazy, really. After a few years of doing them now, you forget about how fast you’re actually going and forget about the stuff that used to scare you. But, for a guy coming over and doing his first proper oval race in an IndyCar, and it doesn’t matter who it is, it’s still a pretty eye opening thing. It’s no joke.”

Yea, no joke. 220, 221... whatevs. Four open wheels and a bunch ballers vying for the season IndyCar crown is no place for Dennis Anderson, or the like.

It's the proverbial double-edged sword: in some ways, you want the drivers with the least experience, for the pub; on the other hand, the ones with the most experience, for safety and to maintain the integrity of the event.

So, Randy, when it comes to the Sin City Shootout, I am ALL IN, bud. But let's keep the sentiments of one Willy P. in mind: sometimes, even in Vegas, you have to play it SAFE.

—JM