A little racing, hockey and baseball

Lots of sports stuff going on lately. So, let's touch base on a few items.

IndyCar is back
The IZOD IndyCar Series returned to action March 24 to kick off the 2013 season. It was James Hinchcliffe who got his first career win on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla. It was a pretty good race.

I was impressed with Simona de Silvestro. She started a career-best third and finished sixth. Her car gave out on her in the final few laps, otherwise she was well on her way to a podium finish. Who needs Danica Patrick for a female racing influence? IndyCar has Simona, and also Ana Beatriz. Then there's former driver and now team owner Sarah Fisher.

It was nice to see someone other than the Penske or Target guys come out victorious. I also liked watching Marco Andretti. He was talked about quite a bit during the broadcast; apparently he really worked hard on his driving in the off season. He's a racer that I don't think has lived up to his potential or famous last name yet, but this might be the season.

I was really quite envious watching the race. St. Pete is a race I'd like to get to someday. I was down in that area a few years ago, about a week before the race, so I snapped a few photos of the tires and barriers that were ready for the track.

Minnesota Wild hit a win streak
The Wild have turned things around and are playing some solid hockey as of late. The team just came off a seven-game winning streak before a loss to Dallas the other night. But, they bounced right back Saturday for a home, comeback win in a shootout over the defending Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings.

Earlier in this shortened season, it seemed like the Wild had some of the same old problems of not scoring enough goals. It didn't look too promising for a playoff run, dashing the hopes of the key signings of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter last summer.

Tides have changed though and the Wild have found ways to win. They're scoring more goals and just playing better overall. A couple of the wins during the streak weren't their best games, but as good teams do, they found a way to come from behind and ultimately get the "W."

Baseball season already?
I don't know about you, but baseball season really snuck up on me this year. Maybe it's the NHL's lockout and then starting mid-winter. Maybe it's the fact that there's still snow on the ground and the temperatures are still colder than our refrigerators. Whatever it is, I'm not prepared for the Minnesota Twins to start their 2013 season.

They'll open the season at Target Field. Big mistake. I really don't know why the Twins don't have two or three series on the road to start the season. Then again, the schedule this year doesn't really favor the Twins too much. They have lots of home games in April and September, when the weather may be the most suspect, and only nine home games in July, when some of the nicest summer days and nights should make appearances.

I'll have to do some more reading up on this year's squad, though I'm not sure there's a lot of promise for a trip back to the postseason. All I know is, I must get some of my Austin friends to Target Field this year for their inaugural visits to the outdoor ballpark.

I just know we will not be going Opening Day, when temps are supposed to barely hit the 30s and wind and flurries will be in abundance.