Change is good but this seems over the top and will be rather time consuming. It's almost as though the new committee running Indy is making rules on, "Lets throw it against the wall and see if it sticks"... http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/82865 RM
I think it actually sounds like it could be interesting. Change is good and if this adds a little spice, great! I can't imagine the teams are thrilled though. The thought of putting a car out for another 4 laps on the edge sounds expensive!
I have really enjoyed Pole Day in the past. This should make it more interesting to watch. I do worry about the Fast 9 stuffing it into a wall though as they try to trim out for any possible advatnage. I hate to see cars destroyed or drivers hurt.
As a driver I wouldn't like it........you prove your time in the morning then have to do it all over from scratch at Happy Hour??? Sounds like some video game BS to me, I agree I hope no one dies over it...... Qualifying trim is indeed quite different from anything you'd want to drive with for very long.....
+1. this smacks of NASCAR's green/white/checker, which is just another excuse to create an accident for bloodthirsty fans and ESPN highlight reels. besides, when there is actually a sold 33+ car field, there's plenty of late drama anyway. or at least, there used to be....
Perhaps IMS consults with the network about this stuff as it's definately made for TV drama, who knows? Whatever, as we see at Indy, the best times are usually set during optimum conditions with a little wind or temperature change accounting for tenths of a second. I'd hate the be the driver/team which goes out and nails the perfect four laps in the morning only to have it all wiped out in the afternoon as the sun goes down, it's going to be a real lottery. RM
That's what I am saying.... Maybe they'll name it the "Scott Brayton Pole Award", and kick his widow a few bucks....... "Scott Brayton was the 40th person to be killed in practice or qualifying for the Indy 500"....then there was one more, since then, the AutoWeek intern..... It's not like this is a video game.....I'll ask Mr. Foyt what he thinks....
Paul Dana was the writer guy who died. His driver coach, John Paul Jr , said he didn't belong in the car. Didn't lift for the whole straight after the yellow came out.
that was at Homestead, not Indy, so not totally relevat to the conversation at hand. Paul was a STL kid, had some mutual family friends, met him a few times at various functions. Good kid, tons of enthusiasm/passion for racing, got in too deep. RIP.
Agreed. I'm not against change, but for the past 15 years Tony George and the powers of Indy/IRL have willingly shat on tradition in their feeble attempts at infusing pizzazz into the league. The reason they need to jazz up qualifying is merely an extended result of declining interest in open wheel racing in general and the Indy 500 specifically because of the mess they helped create. If you get a chance to talk to AJ, I'd be interested in his off-the-record thoughts. With all due respect to Mr. Foyt, he's been a bit too much of an IRL mouthpiece over the years while serving as their elder statesman. He's at his best when speaking his mind, not propping up the company line. If they need to go this route, perhaps they should consider this: On May 1st, all drivers arrive at the Speedway for a weigh-in. The drivers will then be blindfolded and air-lifted to an unknown destination (actually the infield golf course) where they will have to survive on local fare by foraging for food at the concession stands and competing in a series of physical challenges, including a dance competition. Contestants, er, Drivers will accumulate points by matching wits against 5th-graders from Speedway Ind. The top 10 will then engage in an Amazing Race into downtown Indianapolis where they'll apprentice under Donald Trump, each attempting to create the best marketing plan for the IRL. Or a lemonade stand--their call. The 9 losers, after being fired, will be forced to return to the Speedway in shame aboard Bret Michael's Rock of Love bus where, on board, they will contend with such dangers as skanks, herpes and Bret's bandana-covered hair weave. The winning submission will enjoy a ride back in a cab while The Donald whisks himself away in his helicopter, vowing to "never again set loafer in this god-forsaken barren wasteland." Back at the Speedway, all Drivers will again weigh in. The driver who scored the most will then receive a rose from Tony George, and with it, the coveted Pole (Note: scoring on the Bus of Love results in deductions).
Matching wits with the fifth graders must be how Milia Duno sticks around. My money is on Milka to win pole position; what with her dozen master's degrees and all... RM
Jack, I'll run that by A.J.......ROTFLMAO! I have not dropped in at the Shop in quite some time, I'll see 'what's up' over there..... When they start spraying paint 'out back' it means they are gearing up.......we should get them up on Google Earth or something.....LOL!
Do you know if coverage of this will be carried on FOX or MTV? I think they need to have a Breaded Pork Tenderloin and a JUMBO St Elmo's Shrimp Cocktail eatting contest in there somewhere to make this a real Indiana competition.
