As an IndyCar fan, you understand that it's most definitely not a top-tier sport. You understand that most people still don't even know what it is, until you mention the Indianapolis 500 (and maybe not even then). You also get used to some of the television coverage issues that pop up, like cutting it short because it's over time.
This isn't too much of an issue as it was many 10 or 20 years ago, but I think my most recent example takes the cake. The IndyCar Series was at Pocono for the first time since 1989 a couple weeks ago. My dad told me the day before that TV coverage was from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
So imagine my surprise when I came back from church to find a local church service (yes, that's right) on the Fargo ABC affiliate from 11 a.m. to noon. They joined the race in progress, about 57 laps in. I missed the start of the race, which my dad told me was different than usual and was three-wide, and I basically missed about one-third of the race.
Not cool.
Return to Pocono
Anyway, now that I have that off my chest, let's talk about some racing. Marco Andretti started from the pole (or so I read) and he had high hopes for a win at what he considers a home track. Though he's had a long winless streak, he's raced well this season and has contended for the championship points lead.
He led a lot of laps at Pocono, but I think it was some fuel strategy that did him in. It's been no secret that the powerhouse teams of Penske and Target have struggled this year. The Target boys hadn't won a race at all, which seems just unheard of.
They turned it around in a big way at Pocono, with a Target sweep of the podium. It was Scott Dixon with the win, followed by teammates Dario Franchitti and Charlie Kimball. With such an entertaining season, I guess it was OK to give Target one day in the sun.
Bumper cars on pit lane
One of the funniest moments of the race happened on pit lane. Well, maybe it wasn't really funny. I suppose you could say it was a head-shaker. Ryan Hunter-Reay, still in the hunt for the championship, was headed down pit lane. The next thing he knew, Takuma Sato came flying into the scene and hit Hunter-Reay's car. Seriously.
By the way, there is a speed limit for drivers when they're on pit lane.
I personally loved the cut to Hunter-Reay's radio with his team owner Michael Andretti, who said he "saw it with his own two eyes." (Inside joke with my dad.) Hunter-Reay was able to get his car on the track again, but he was a few laps down and took a hit in the points.
I'll tell you what I did like though. It was the interview with Sato where he took full responsibility for the collision. He said it was his fault, he made a mistake and he just came into the pits too fast (obviously). I really liked that. So often drivers tend to blame others for racing incidents, rather than take responsibility or use the appropriate phrase: "that's racing." So, kudos to Mr. Sato.
Team Target. It's like the New York Yankees
It's no secret that Team Penske and Team Target are IndyCar's top teams. At least, it's been that way for years. But they've struggled this season, which is unlike them. Underdog teams and first-time winners have found the spotlight, and Andretti Autosport has really started hitting victory lane hard.
I finally realized however, that Team Target, with its owner Chip Ganassi, is just like the New York Yankees ball club. See, the Yankees often have some early season struggles where they tumble in the standings. Everyone seems to get all hot and bothered and worried they won't make the postseason. So what happens? October baseball in New York.
With Team Target, not only did it fail to win races earlier this year, it just plain struggled. Then Dixon wins the last three races in a row, including the two in Toronto. He moved into seventh place on the all-time win list behind the legendary A.J. Foyt and guys with the last names of Unser and Andretti. Basically, Dixon has become a game-changer and is making a charge for the championship.
Dario's luck
His teammate Franchitti also has lady luck on his side. Take the 2012 Indianapolis 500, where he and Sato touched wheels in turn one on the final lap. I thought for sure it would send them both into the wall. Nope. Just Sato and Franchitti went on to the checkered flag.
Then in Toronto, he and rival Penske driver Will Power made contact. Power was knocked out of the race, but Franchitti finished on the podium. Race officials later decided to penalize Franchitti 10 spots, but that was later overturned. (Get it together, IndyCar.)
Anyway, it just seems like Team Target can really make a comeback. Just as easily as the Bronx Bombers.
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