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Live Blog: Memorial Day (Weekend) Motorsports Marathon!

10
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by user Thecrookedcap

Juan Pablo Montoya has won both the Monaco Grand Prix and the Indianpolis 500. He'll be racing today in the Coca-Cola 600.
Juan Pablo Montoya has won both the Monaco Grand Prix and the Indianpolis 500. He'll be racing today in the Coca-Cola 600.

It's time for my first ever live blog on one of my favorite days of the year. I get to spend the entire day watching auto racing. But it's not just any old races, as we've got three big stars of the auto racing world. We'll start the day with the Monaco Grand Prix from the famed streets of Monte Carlo. Then I'll be heading over to Indianapolis, where the famed Brickyard of Indianapolis Motor Speedway will hold the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, the Indianapolis 500. The last race of the triple feature is the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway, the longest race on NASCAR's schedule and one of its biggest.

I'll be starting my comments at 7:30 am Eastern, when the cars of Formula One are ready to race. Feel free to join in at any time.


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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
Score 1+-
Crookedcap, I love you for doing this! I would help with Monaco blogging, but I can't both watch the race live and use the computer. Not only is it a house rule, but it they aren't in the same room. However, I wanted someone to blog Indy, so thank goodness for that!

I'll be obviously supporting the Brits today. I hope that Lewis Hamilton wins today, of course (a British driver in a British car). He is reviving British Formula One interest leading the championship and all, so I really hope he wins today. He's never lost a race on the streets of Monaco (in GP2 and F3), so I hope he keeps up his streak today.

I'll be back here about three hours after the race starts, so be prepared to enter some race chat about Monaco inbetween Monaco and Indy.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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Fernando Alonso has the catbird seat for today's Grand Prix. In the last three Grands Prix, the polesitter has emerged victorious. Monte Carlo's streets are notoriously narrow, so you'll have to be in the top 3 or 4 to have any serious chance of winning.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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The top 10 in qualifying order:
  1. Fernando Alonso (McLaren)
  2. Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
  3. Felipe Massa (Ferrari)
  4. Giancarlo Fisichella (Renault)
  5. Nico Rosberg (Williams)
  6. Mark Webber (Red Bull)
  7. Nick Heidfeld (BMW-Sauber)
  8. Robert Kubica (BMW-Sauber)
  9. Rubens Barrichello (Honda)
  10. Jenson Button (Honda)
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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If you're in the US, here's the TV schedule:

Monaco Grand Prix - right now on Speed Indianapolis 500 - noon et on ABC

Coca-Cola 600 - 5 et on FOX
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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While doing the pre-race walk through the grid, they were trying to talk to Jude Law, but got rebuffed. This is unusual for an American fan. Pretty much any celebrity you see at a race is interviewed. Most have are promoting something: an album or movie coming out, or they're on a TV show that network, but still, not something I see everyday.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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We had interviews with him on the grid! And with the legendary Stirling Moss, as well as Bernie Ecclestone, Prince Albert and Felipe Massa. Not so much a "grid walk" as a "grid shove".
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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And there off!
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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Alonso leads lap #1, followed by Hamilton and Massa
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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Hamilton deliberately played in behind Alonso off the start - it was a planned move from the McLaren team.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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First crash of the day. Liuzzi of Toro Russo brings out a local yellow.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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7 laps in, Alonso's up to 3 seconds ahead.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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That was an important lap from Alonso. Hamilton had begun to make inrodes into Alonso's lead. That lap was a statement of intent from Alonso. He signalled to everybody that he had the race under control, and that he could race quicker if he was pushed.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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12 laps in: the top 3 remains the same.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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20 laps:

1. Alonso 2. Hamilton 3. Massa 4. Fisichella

5. Heidfeld 6. Rosberg 7. Barichello 8. Kubica
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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Teams are starting to pit now, though none of the leaders have done so.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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Alonso is in the pits
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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Hamilton has the lead having stayed out
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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Hamilton pits, putting Alonso back in front.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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That was cruical. Everyone expected Hamilton to have more fuel, and he needed to take advantage there and then while his car was light to make up some of the time to Alonso. He couldn't stay out long enough though to make up the gap.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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We're nearly halfway through, and there's really only two horses in this race: Alonso and Hamilton. The Spaniard is 5 seconds ahead, so the young Brit might need some help and/or luck to catch up.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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The problem for Ferrari was their long wheel base. It's hard to negotiate tight corners with a long car. Also, the traffic was really playing havoc with Massa, the McLaren drivers cleared it easier.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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After 39 laps: 1. Alonso 2. Hamilton 3. Massa 4. Fisichella 5. Kubica 6. Wurz 7. Button 8. Heidfeld
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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There's a few cars trying to eek out one stop for the whole race: Kubica, Wurz, Raikkonen, Speed have yet to stop but are in the top 10
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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The one stop strategy is viable at Monte Carlo. The race is the shortest on the calendar in terms of total distance, so fuelling for one stop isn't as difficult as at other races because they don't need to bloat the car with fuel.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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That's something that won't be happening in the later races. Most cars will have to pit the same number of times. The pits, however, can alter the shape of the race. They're the reason Danica was out in front so late two years ago, and why Hornish and the Andrettis were there at the end last year. Pitting off-sequence can be a gamble, especially if you're on older tires, but it can work out.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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Alonso just hit the fastest lap and is 9 seconds ahead of Hamilton
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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There's only 4 cars on the lead lap now.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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Alonso is in the pits for the second time. He'll be on soft tires for quite a while.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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He was on soft tyres originally, he put even softer ones on. To explain, the rules state you need to use both tyre compounds during the race. The two makes in this race were the soft and the super-soft, the extra grip is needed on a street circuit rather than a grippy custom made race circuit. The super-soft were quicker over a lap, but over long distance they wore off in performance quite badly. The fact Alonso needed them for longer would help Hamilton.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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20 laps to go. McLarens have less than a second between them.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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At this point, McLaren are 1-2. There is no need to do anything rash. This was the end of the race, really. There was no need to bother risking anything, so the team should sensibly call the race. Alonso wins from here barring any mechanical failures.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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10 to go - Alonso staying ahead
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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Scott Speed is one away from the points. If his stays put, it'll match his best finish.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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Scott Speed drove excellently all day. He did the best job out of all of the drivers today.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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Only 3 cars now on the lead lap: Alonso, Hamilton, and Massa
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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2 more to go: all Fernando needs to do is keep in safe
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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Checkered flag waves
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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Top 8:
  1. Alonso
  2. Hamilton
  3. Massa
  4. Fisichella
  5. Kubica
  6. Heidfeld
  7. Wurz
  8. Raikkonen
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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It's 10:00. I'll be taking a ten minute break.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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I've returned. That race was pretty much domination from Alonso. Even though Hamilton was second, he never really threatened his teammate for position, only gaining first when Fernando pitted.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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It was the team game. Hamilton was Alonso's rear gunner. And I don't think Hamilton could beat him though, Alonso was in a different League today. Hamilton lost the race yesterday, pole position was crucial for the race, as they get the least problems with traffic etc.
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I am a cpcpMajor Leaguer
917 days ago
Score 0+-
So these races are today? Memorial day is tomorrow.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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Indy always used to be on the actual Memorial Day. Monaco just coincided with it this year, there are never any plans to host it here. It's always in May, they just fix it in the schedule best they can, and it ends up around this date.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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The same thing happened last year too.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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It's happened quite a few times. In the days when drivers could opt out of F1 races, they often missed them to drive in Indy. Graham Hill, Jim Clark in the 1960s all did that. Usually clashed with Zandvoort though I think... Maybe Monaco once or twice.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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I wanted an alliteration in the title.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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About an hour before Indy 500 coverage starts on the TV. If you'd like some entertainment (and are not easily offended), check out this tribute to this year's 500: [1].
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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Another one (no need for offense levels on this one): [2].
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ChristofMVP
917 days ago
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Great work Crooked. Indy 500, however, may not be raced today. Rain is in the forecast. When it is raced, expect an Andretti to finally win it, again.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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I guess having a rain-free qualifying was bound to catch up to Indy. The track is currently being dried, so they might be able to go as scheduled.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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Come on, Indy doesn't go ahead in the rain?
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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The tires won't hold in wet conditions.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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Aren't there wet specification tyres, like in practically every other motor sport series? Can't they just start on those and then change them as it dries out in a pitstop?
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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Just for some clarification: an oval tire is completely smooth, while tires for road and street courses have grooves in them. An oval tire won't hold a wet track. Tires with grooves would not hold up long enough to make them a practical choice. So when an oval race has rain there is no choice but to delay a race.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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I think rain makes the race more interesting. It throws randomness into it a bit more, and brings chaos into the proceedings. Whether to change the tyres from one type to another can alter the race. I think that they should be able to design a tyre that works on an oval in the rain. They would just need to go slower, like they do in F1.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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The race needs to get to 101 laps - that's the magic number for it to be official. At that point, they might call the race and whoever's in front is the winner. It's happened once in the last 30 years (2004), but if it looks like that is going to happen some of that chaos you'd like is going to happen.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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I added my sort of refelctive colour analysis to Thecrookedcap's comments.

One last thing on Monaco - there's hope for Hamilton yet. The Championship heads for North America, with races in Canada in two weeks and at Indy the week after that. Those were bogey tracks for Alonso last year, so if Hamilton can keep up his streak of podiums (he now has 5), then perhaps he has a chance of winning a race.

Driver who got overlooked today - Giancarlo Fisichella. He drove excellently to come fourth, he was way in front of his team-mate, Heikki Kovalainen.

Raikkonen was a let down, he seemed to be behind a car all day long. His error was hitting the wall yesterday in qualifying that put him 16th on the grid. He isn't living up to the expactations.

Well done to Scott Speed though! A US driver in 9th place is a good thing.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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It's pretty amazing that he's tied for first in the series points without a win. Hamilton will win - it's only a matter of time.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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Hamilton's results have been one third followed by four second places. The British commentators son, who's five so doesn't really understand, thought Hamilton was rubbish because he always comes second! Consistency is more important than winning races in this points system, sadly. I think they should ditch the 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 system and go back to the old 10-6-4-3-2-1 one. It would put more focus on winning the race, not just finishing it. British F1 is good at the moment. Hamilton could be our third Grand Prix winning driver on the grid. Also, Honda are likely to bring out a new car after the North American races, which could bring Button back up to the top. If the Red Bull has any decent reliability then it has the potential to put David Coulthard up the grid. We have a strong contingent (Anthony Davidson is in it too for Super Aguri, but they're not that strong).
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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Let's set up the field for the Indy 500: 33 drivers. 6 former winners. 2 rookies. 3 ladies and 30 gentlemen. 20 Americans, 4 Brazilians, 3 Brits, and 1 from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Japan, Venezuela, and Canada.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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Row 1 is Helio Castroneves, Tony Kanaan, and Dario Franchitti. The original Spiderman, Castroneves, is a two-time 500 winner. As he is a Penske driver, he is an obvious favorite. Kanaan is the leading man out of Andretti Green, although his teammate Franchitti has surprised a lot of people with his qualifying run.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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Row 2 is Scott Dixon, Sam Hornish Jr. and Dan Wheldon. The defending champ Hornish is sandwiched between the two Ganassi cars, with all three expected to contend. Dixon is super consistent but unassuming. Wheldon has had two dominating performances this season, but hasn't shown it so far this month. If he is out in front, he'll be tough to beat.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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Row 3 is Ryan Briscoe, Danica Patrick, and Marco Andretti. Briscoe is the highest one-off driver, but he is backed by a satelitte team of Penske. Patrick also gets attention - but if things go right she will be near the top. She's lead the speed chart once this month and been in the top 5 a few times. Marco was thisclose to winning last year. Handling problems has put him in the garage twice this year, so he may just been hoping to finish this time.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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More than likely the winner is one of these 9 drivers. If any other contenders emerge, I'll let you know.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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I hope one of the Brits wins it. I can't see Manning winning, so I hope Wheldon of Franchitti wins. Failing that, Mrs Patrick, just because it'll be the most major motor race a woman has ever won. Having searched the archives... A lot... The only woman to win a Grand Prix was Janine Jennky, in 1928. And that was only because runaway leader Louis Chiron (who would go on to be a legend of motor racing) crashed out.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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And that wasn't even a proper Grand Prix, it was the Grand Prix de Bourgogne, in Dijon, it didn't boast the international field that these races today have.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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No woman has won a major close circuit race. In feeder series though, Katherine Legge won three races in the Toyota Atlantic series (feeder for Champ Car/CART) two years ago. And in drag racing women winning is not uncommon.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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We heard about Legge, she's British. She tested F1 cars for a while too. I think there's less to master in drag racing compared to circuit racing. You don't have to worry about corners, for example. I think Patrick winning today would be the biggest thing news-wise to happen to motorsport since Senna was killed.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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But the start is crucial. A bad start can be made up in circuit racing. A bad start in drag racing is the end of your racing day. Plus you need to keep a car going 300mph going in a relatively straight line. Not an easy task.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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Absolutely. It's a different set of skills though. But I don't think drag racing has the profile, particularly in Europe, to be that prominent. But if Patrick won at Indy, then I'm pretty sure it would be newsworthy. Moreso than if Franchitti or Wheldon won it, even.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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It was more to note that there are some areas of racing where women have been very successful.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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What happens if it does rain? Do they reduce the number of laps, say one every minute that passes? Or do all 200 laps have to be completed? What if say, 20 laps are complete and it rains all day thereafter? Is that counted as race, or is it finished/restarted tomorrow? (It would be so much easier if they could just race...) What happens?
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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After 101, it counts as a race. If it needs to be stopped before that, they would wave the red flag and resume when it's dry.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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Okay, well take a hypothetical situation. Say it rains a lot, and the 500 doesn't start until 5pm. It won't finish until 8pm (ish). Won't it be dark by then? I guess I'm asking, is there a cut off point as to the latest start time if there's inclement weather?
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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They would not start the race today, they would do it tomorrow.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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Thanks! :)
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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Is it going to start on time then?
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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It is scheduled to start in 12 minutes. The commentators haven't mentioned anything about delays, so I believe so.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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The national anthem is being sung, so that means we're good to go.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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6 o'clock by my watch, we underway yet?
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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Still in the cermonies. They just honored the soldiers (tomorrow is a holiday memorializing soldiers), there's a traditional song call "Back Home Again in Indiana" that is sung, they start the engines, then it happens.
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JuTMSY4Legend
917 days ago
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No love for international broadcasts alex? Have you tried sopcast?
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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What's that?
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JuTMSY4Legend
917 days ago
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It is a p2p streaming network which allows you to watch all sorts of programs, but usually only popular sports...

Try the link, and I think you have to download a program, but that's also on the webpage

See other sports for indy
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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It keeps crashing my computer (I tried twice and had to Ctrl+Alt+Delete it to get anywhere). So I'll rely on Crookedcap's live blog!
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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Here's a good way to follow. Go to ESPN.com, and on the front there's a link to "RaceCast". It's very fast and gives a lot of information.
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JuTMSY4Legend
917 days ago
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Sorry alex...yeah racecast might work...there are other sopcasts out there besides the one i sent though, just google it...
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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It's not video, but it's very current.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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And we're off!
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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Tony Kanaan will lead the first lap.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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How're the Brits doing?
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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Franchitti's 3rd, Wheldon's 5th, and Manning's 15th.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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Excellent! Good start for Wheldon there.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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We've got caution for debris
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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Who crashed?
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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A mirror came off John Andretti's car. Everyone has taken advantage of this caution to pit. Castroneves got out before Kanaan, so he's back in the lead, but no other major news to report.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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I'm watching on Racecast, it works in Java, whereas I have to download about 10 programmes for the other thing to work. It's stupid, I can watch the World Snooker Championship on Windows Media Player, I wish IRL did the same with Indy!
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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* programs
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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There's audio available here [3]. Click on Webcast to open.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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Excellent! Thanks!
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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Top 8 are breaking away.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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A caution will close the field again. If we see a lot of green, I wouldn't be surprised to see some of those cars in the 6-12 range play with pit strategy.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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The leaders are meeting lapped traffic
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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Hornish and Marco Andretti just passed Tony Kanaan. Marco is now in 2nd.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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Caution! Roberto Moreno just met with the wall.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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The cars between 9th and 15th now have a chance to close in and get into the higher positions. Sarah Fisher, the last car on the lead lap, is now safely on for at least 20-30 laps.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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Pitstops!
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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Marco Andretti leads.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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Castroneves last! No fuel went in the car for three quarters of a minute!
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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Helio is in trouble. His car is not taking fuel.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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Helio's now in 29th. He'll be working hard for a while.
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JuTMSY4Legend
917 days ago
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Well for those of you not watching...andrew jones just robbed greg dobbs of an HR...nice catch...
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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Scott Dixon leads!
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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Another caution - crash by Jon Herb in Turn 2
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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Caution! John Herb is out.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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Danica Patrick is up into 8th place before the caution.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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Andretti pits from the lead!
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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Kanaan's not pitting - he'll take the lead
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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Danica Patrick gained 3 spots, and Dan Wheldon lost 3 in the pits
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
Score 0+-
Her stop was the fastest in the field for that go-round.
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JuTMSY4Legend
917 days ago
Score 0+-
Do you think its odd for Patrick's crew...seeing that she is a woman and all...Its gotta be different...(And i'm not beign sexist, just look at the facts)...
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
Score 0+-
Her crew are all men, so I don't see any difference. At least it's not like at the last race in Kansas, where they sent her early and straight into Tony Kanaan's car.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
Score 0+-
After 56 laps, the top 10: Kanaan, Simmons, Rice, Dixon, Marco Andretti, Hornish, Patrick, Franchitti, Wheldon, Meira
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
Score 0+-
A bit of trivia: the steering wheel for an IndyCar is $48,000
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
Score 0+-
Kanaan stayed out for strategic purposes: he's trying for the weather to finish the race. I looked at the radar, and I see a system heading for the Speedway.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
Score 0+-
Milka Duno is in the wall
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
Score 0+-
Kanaan is pitting
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
Score 0+-
Having seen Indy for the first time, it seems to me that they only ever pit under caution flags.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
Score 0+-
The cautions have just been well-timed for this to happen.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
Score 0+-
Green flag racing with Scott Dixon leading.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
Score 0+-
But he's down to third.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
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Dario Franchitti is in first
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
Score 0+-
A Brit leads! Franchitti leads the Indy500! :)
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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer
917 days ago
Score 1+-
Nice job, CC. Great idea +++
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
Score 0+-
Danica is having serious handling problems - she's done to 19th. She needs a pit stop really bad to make some adjustments that she can't make.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
Score 0+-
She stopped didn't she? There are a dozen that will stop in the next 10 laps. Patrick used the caution to stop. That's why Wheldon is down in 14th. Patrick is now 18th, but cannot get through the traffic as easily.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
Score 0+-
According to Penske officials, rain is 40 minutes away.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
Score 0+-
By which time, we'll have done 100 laps, and have a race.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
Score 0+-
Hornish pits! Big lead for Franchitti. Scheckter hit the wall. His Dad was an F1 driver, who famously ditched the car a lot.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
Score 0+-
Hornish down to 27th.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
Score 0+-
In his early days, Tomas was very crash prone. He led 86 laps in his first 500 before crashing out. He's gotten a lot better about it though.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
Score 0+-
Like father, like son. :)
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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Michael Andretti is 3rd, Marco 5th. Patrick lies 12th - she's making her way through the field.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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Franchitti pits. Down to P17. Andretti 1-2. Michael leads Marco.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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And Patrick lies P6.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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Michael pits, Kanaan leads the race. Patrick up to 5th. Scott Dixon with a bad pit stop.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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Rain is coming. 5 laps to go for a race.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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Patrick in 4th.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
Score 0+-
John Andretti crashes into the backstretch.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
Score 0+-
This is big for the people up front.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
Score 0+-
Caution, John Andretti out. Leaders will pit - it's in their strategy and it's time for them to pit. Coming up to halfway.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
Score 0+-
Tony Kanaan will be doing a rain dance in his car at the moment. Rain is on the horizon and we're almost at half distance.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
Score 0+-
Jeff Simmons is the only one of the leaders not to pit. He leads on lap 100.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
Score 0+-
Simmons pits on lap 101. Rain ends the race.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
Score 0+-
We're at 101. The race is now official.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
Score 0+-
Top 5: Marco, Kanaan, Danica, Meira, and Franchitti. The regular AGR cars are kicking doing great right now.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
Score 0+-
Marco Andretti leads, Tony Kanaan second, Danica Patrick in third. Only 7 cars on the lead lap.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
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Why do sponsors sponsor the half way standings, and the bleedin' pit stop summary!?
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
Score 0+-
Because it can be done.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
Score 0+-
We're about to go green for what seems like the last few laps.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
Score 0+-
They will not just call the race - they'll see if a weather delay is feasible first.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
Score 0+-
Who needs the weather forecast? Just listen to the IRL racecast!
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
Score 0+-
Caution!
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
Score 0+-
Kanaan leads! Car in the wall in Turn 1... It's Giebler. Caution again.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
Score 1+-
Trivia Update: If Danica stays put or gains position, this will be her best finish in IndyCars. She has finished fourth four times, including the '05 500.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
Score 0+-
Michael Andretti pitting under yellow.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
Score 0+-
The rain is really close.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
Score 0+-
Marco has one really good shot of taking Kanaan on the restart.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
Score 0+-
The leaders need to stay out as long as they can. They can't risk pitting and it starting to rain.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
Score 0+-
And it's raining!
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
Score 0+-
Red Flag
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
Score 0+-
Red flag. Race stopped. Let's hope the rain stops.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
Score 0+-
This reminds me of cricket in this country. If you've ever wondered what it's like over here when it rains or gets a big dark, that's what we have to put up with.
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Pnatt IIJV Squad
917 days ago
Score -1+-
Damn F1 nuts, worse than my dad...
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
Score 0+-
Newsflash on the IRL Racecast! Can you believe it! Cars are entering the pitlane! That's the problem with computers...
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
Score 1+-
That's usually where they go during a rain delay.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
Score 0+-
Precisely my point. The thing shows the time difference changing too...
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
Score 0+-
I'm going to be headed out now for a while. If I don't get back before the race is called, I'm going to congratulate Tony Kanaan on his win. TK is one of the best out there and deserves a win. Hopefully I'll be back in time to see the end.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
Score 0+-
If the race does restart, I don't think I'll be here to see it. It'll be two or more hours yet, which is too late.
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JuTMSY4Legend
917 days ago
Score 0+-
aren't you only 5 hours ahead of us?
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
Score 0+-
6 ahead of Indy though. So the race is likely to restart, if it does, in about two and a half hours. That's about 11pm my time. The race will then go on for another hour to 90 minutes... That's half past midnight... It'd be fine on the TV, but the computer isn't in my room, so I need to vacate it at about 10-11ish. The race won't even have started by then.
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JuTMSY4Legend
917 days ago
Score 0+-
fair enough...
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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer
917 days ago
Score 3+-
6 hours ahead of us? YOU ALREADY KNOW WHO WON??? Why won't you tell us, future time traveller?
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
Score 0+-
No, I'm 5 hours ahead of you. 6 hours ahead of Indy... 8 or 9 hours ahead of you... That said, I boldly predict that Tony Kanaan will win.
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ChristofMVP
917 days ago
Score 1+-
I had Marco Andretti winning this thing, but the Andretti curse strikes again. A potential Fryer nomination this week?
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
Score 0+-
Absolutely. He was winning, and as it went green, Kanaan overtook him off the restart. Seconds later, Giebler stuck it in the wall and they were back under yellow. And then it rained.
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
Score 0+-
I'm back. I disagree here. It's much easier to be in second than first on a restart, and Tony's car was better throughout the day.
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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer
917 days ago
Score 0+-
Time to depart now, sadly. Indy will restart (if at all) in two hours from now, so there's no chance of me seeing the winner. So make sure this blog is good for when I read it in the morning!
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ThecrookedcapAll-Star
917 days ago
Score 0+-
For anyone who hasn't already seen, Dario Franchitti won the Indianapolis 500 when a second batch of rain was too much. He is the sixth man from the UK and the second from Scotland to drink the milk.

Top 10

  1. Dario Franchitti
  2. Scott Dixon
  3. Helio Castroneves
  4. Sam Hornish Jr.
  5. Ryan Briscoe
  6. Scott Sharp
  7. Tomas Scheckter
  8. Danica Patrick
  9. Davey Hamilton
  10. Vitor Meira
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