Indy Pro Series Observation

Gosh... let's see.... Access to some of the greatest mentors / teachers any driver could want and a virtually unlimited bank account. Yep... I'd say that would give any driver with a modicum of talent an advantage. To make it in professional racing today, it sure DOES help to be a legacy.

Mike

 

Bankable name recognition + Access + media hoopla = Cubic Dollars

Cubic Dollars + well organized team = Winning race before first corner

Front 3 rows of Indy 07 Andretti, Rahal, Scheckter, progeny to go

 

It's the lack of talent in that series that you witnessed. Marco and Graham are both very talented and agressive drivers that have the benefit of having fathers (and grandfathers) that were champions and have a future in pro racing. Look at the grid. Any talented Atlantic driver could waltz into the IPS and clean up.

Spang

 

I may be totally wrong but...

I thought I heard over the USGP PA system that due to his age (17), it's the only series that allow him to race such cars.

I guess you have to be 18 in other series.

His team and driving was a cut above the rest imo. (well except his brain fart on the restart)

 

Colin Braun won the Daytona Prototype Grand Am race in Daytona, aged 17 years, 9 months, this past weekend.

Marco Andretti, Graham Rahal = MAJOR seat time, their WHOLE lives!

You should have seen Marco in the Barber series, Graham in a Formula Atlantic winning the RunOffs last year. Both these guys are the real deal.

No question, the talent is not deep in IPS, but both these guys are genetically programmed, funded well and have the best mentors available. Look at Nico...

-Peter

 

Gosh, the IMS PA annoucner totally ignoring the ChampCar-owned Atlantics series, imagine that. (/sarcasm)

 

He is correct about it being one of the only series he can run. The rest are sponsored or run the weekend of a race being sponsored by a tobacco company. Drivers under 18 cannot compete during those weekends.

 

Huh? The GA DP race was held on a Cup weekend and Braun won the race. Take a look here: http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/grandam/27825/

-Peter (Hey Seth, how's that E90 doing?)

 

I was at the Houston GP a few months back where the Champ Car Atlantics were running in addition to the other series.

I was up in the stands near Turn 8 taking pictures next to a man in tartan cap and Rahal Racing gear who was keenly watching the cars go thru the turns and seeing how they handled. He was a spotter for Graham. No other driver in the series had this level of professional team supporting them.

A guy I know who sells diecasts and other automobilia in Sonoma told me that he raced in Indy Lights along with Michael Andretti 20 years back. Michael had the best prepared car and team.

So I guess guys like Marco have the right combo of talent and professional support to see them rise to the top. It must be a really special feeling for an ordinary Joe to beat these blue chip guys.

 

Colin Braun?
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