751 replies to this topic

[Risil]

Indycar Series Rounds 12+13 of 14 (probably): the Harvest Grand Prix @ the IMS road course

Put down the scythe and sickle and call the reapers from the fields! Pile up your gourds and bushels of wheat till they o’ertop the village cross! Sing praises to the great gods of heaven! Yell your hosannas so loud that they shake the foundations and overturn the very tea trolleys of their celestial palace! For the ancient rites associated with the mellowing of the year have for obscure reasons been mated with the second Indianapolis road course Grand Prix of the year. We already had one of these on 4 July, which was one by that old reaper archetype, Scott Dixon himself. Will the weather be cooler this time? Yes. Will the pleasant odour of fresh-cut wheat hang in the air? Quite possibly. Will the result be any different? I promise nothing.

Last race? The off-and-then-on-again Mid-Ohio double-header took place three weeks previous to this one, and was a relatively quiet event. Will Power won from pole in race 1 and in race 2 Andretti Autosport swept the podium with a 1-2-3 (yeah, from the expected three) headed by Colton Herta. Race 2 had the additional entertainment of Santino Ferrucci skidding across the wet grass on the first lap and taking out Rosenqvist and Coyne teammate Palou, and then somewhat more surprisingly Scott Dixon looped his Dallara round attempting to leave Turn 1, before recovering to tenth. In some ways more interesting than the pair of Mid-Ohio races was the pair of personnel changes: Zach Veach is OUT at Andretti (goodnight sweet prince) and Oliver Askew is ON MEDICAL LEAVE from McLaren. James Hinchcliffe replaces Veach, perhaps forever, whereas local malcontent Helio Castroneves slots into the second McSchmidt car like it was planned all along. But that’s not all! In addition to the regular entries, Sebastien Bourdais is in a third(!) Foyt car alongside (not literally) Kimball and Kellett, Sage Karam is (literally) driving a Dreyer & Reinbold car, and Daly and Chilton continue in their Carpenter and Carlin rides respectively.


So when’s this taking place?
Just like the olden days, it’s a three day event. However, this time it starts on Thursday like some kind of Monaco Grand Prix and gets done by Saturday afternoon. Actually, that’s a lie: there’s a very long IMSA SRO GT Challenge race on the Sunday. Here’s a condensed schedule, anyway. All times US Eastern. Race 2 is being broadcast on Big NBC (expect adverts), Race 1 on something called the USA network (expect... the unexpected?)

Thursday, 1 October
12 noon-12.30pm: GT Challenge practice
2.15-3.40: Indycar practice
6.20: Qualifying for Indycar Race 1

Friday, 2 October
10.20-11.35am: GT practice
1.40-3.10pm: More GT practice
3.30: Indycar race 1

Saturday, 3 October
10.20-10.50am: Qualifying for Indycar Race 2
12.10-1.10pm: GT Challenge qualifying
2.30: Indycar race 2
5.30: GT Challenge pole shootout

(Sunday, 4 October
10am: Indianapolis 8 Hour Race)

The track? It’s the same one it was in July, but different from the one in August. You know how it goes: straight, corner, corner, flicky esses, straight, corner corner corner straight. Bring beer.

What’s going to liven up this event? Why, championship implications, of course! Standings below (three rounds to go, roughly 40 points for a win with no double points at the finale).

1. Scott Dixon (Ganassi) 456 points
2. Josef Newgarden (Penske) -72
3. Pato O’Ward (McSchmidt) -118
4. Colton Herta (Andretti) -129
5. Will Power (Penske) -150

Alright, it’s not that close. In fact Dixie could wrap up the title on Friday. But you know, let’s remember the good times. Is there anything left to say? Loads! Will Andretti continue their buoyant form? Can Graham get a win? Which Penske will be fast this week? Is there time for a banner rookie performance for Veekay or Palou? How fast is Helio these days? Etc. Enjoy it!

[GlenWatkins]

Once again Risil, you hit a home run with your OP!

[loki]

Points for Barleycorn.   

 

Last time I was in Speedway it didn’t look like that. Back then you didn’t have to go to Taco Bell to get robbed.  It could happen anywhere in the area.

[WonderboyF1]

Completely thrown off that this is a Friday , Saturday race weekend... are there fans in attendance? 

[loki]

It was announced with limited fan access but as of a couple of days ago Indiana lifted restrictions. Event capacity limits have been lifted but there is still a mask requirements and distancing.  With as big as the speedway is they could get 20k plus and it would look like almost no one was there.

 

In FL there is no statewide event closure mandate nor any defacto rules for attendance.  

[H0R]

Our returnees will give it some wheel!  

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by H0R, 01 October 2020 - 06:49.

[Peat]

If the harvest fails, who shall we burn inside our massive, wicker DRACONE?

Edited by Peat, 01 October 2020 - 07:47.

[OvDrone]

Great ode to the old gods there, Risil. My pagan heart appreciates that.

 

I want however to add an addendum if I may. It ain't IMSA, we are sharing this venue with this weekend, it's the Intercontinental GT Challenge series. The same one with the Bathurst 12 Hours of infamy. It's basically Blancpain GT / SRO's big international races. They wanted one for each continent as we have 3 series split over America, Europe and Asia. The American race is at Indianapolis this weekend, the European one will be the Spa 24 Hours later this month and sadly the one for the Asian series at Suzuka was canceled due to the pandemic. Thankfully Bathurst happened before all that and hopefully the last race at Kyalami (!) will go through as schedule in December.

 

I am honestly more thrilled by the GTs than Indy but it's just because I am in a more GT-esque mood this weekend. Ok, see y'all Friday night. May your harvest be plentiful.

[jonpollak]

 

  ( for the OP not the singer lady)

 

Jp

[Ross Stonefeld]

[maximilian]

FINALLY another IndyCar race (or 2)!  Can't wait!! 

 

Really enjoyed the in-season Silly Season, the field will have quite a different look this week.  Average age went up considerably, all of a sudden.  Interested to see how the returnees get on!   

[maximilian]

Spot the guy! 

 

[PayasYouRace]

At this point I genuinely can't tell if Harvest is a company that is title sponsor of the race or if they've just decided to call the race that because it's in the autumn.

[red stick]

[Ross Stonefeld]

At this point I genuinely can't tell if Harvest is a company that is title sponsor of the race or if they've just decided to call the race that because it's in the autumn.

 

Honda makes leaf blowers and they couldn't even find a power tools co-sponsor 

[red stick]

Pruett tries to drum up title race suspense, but his heart really isn't in it.

 

https://racer.com/20...garden-at-indy/

[Anja]

James Hinchcliffe replaces Veach, perhaps forever

 

The year is 2177. Cybernetically enhanced James Hinchcliffe enters the office of Matthew Andretti, the owner of Andretti Autosport and great-great-grandson of Marco Andretti, the legendary 2020 Indy 500 Pole Sitter.

 

- Boss, I want to finally stop racing for you after this season. All the implants, it's not worth it, humans are not supposed to live this long. I just can't do this any longer.

- Too bad, James. You should've read the contract you signed with my great-great-great-grandfather a bit more carefully. It clearly says "forever" right here... 

[Risil]

I begged Hinch not to get my OP notarized, I begged him!

[red stick]

Sure, sure, blame the lawyers. 

That's original.    

[Beri]

Scott "crossed eyes" Dixon..

[rghojai]

Autumnal Indycat is limbering up.

 

 

 

[loki]

At this point I genuinely can't tell if Harvest is a company that is title sponsor of the race or if they've just decided to call the race that because it's in the autumn.

It’s an homage to the Harvest Classic a bit more than 100 years ago. 

[Risil]

It’s an homage to the Harvest Classic a bit more than 100 years ago. 

 

Oh, of course it is! Indianapolis Motor Speedway's (short-lived) "other" race.

 

 

https://en.wikipedia..._Racing_Classic

[jonpollak]

And we thought having bands perform at races was novel...
19 bloody 16 !!!
Jp

[Afterburner]

"Big Band Tournament"–boy was the Snake Pit different in the early 1900s.

[jonpollak]

As Donald told us last night..
Johnny Aitken was the man of the non 500 race at IMS.
He ran away with all 3 of them.

Then died of the.... wait for it.
Spanish Flu Pandemic!!!!

https://www.racing-r...howblog?id=3628
Jp

Edited by jonpollak, 01 October 2020 - 15:33.

[loki]

And we thought having bands perform at races was novel...
19 bloody 16 !!!
Jp

I heard Journey won that year...

[Afterburner]

More importantly how the hell do you have an elimination tournament with 21 entrants? There are going to be some byes issued there...

[Risil]

You start by eliminating the ones entered by Prof Harold Hill of the Gary Conservatory of Music. Then if there are any left -- on to the final.

[OvDrone]

 

  ( for the OP not the singer lady)

 

Jp

I don't know if anyone knows what 'black metal' is on here but speaking of this particular singer lady, here's the cover of her latest record:

 

[Risil]

Mrs Risil is the black metal expert in our household. I mostly do jokes about 1960s folkies.

[OvDrone]

Mrs Risil is the black metal expert in our household. I mostly do jokes about 1960s folkies.

Maybe this is more to your liking then:

 

[jonpollak]

You start by eliminating the ones entered by Prof Harold Hill of the Gary Conservatory of Music. Then if there are any left -- on to the final.

 

Indinnapolis ?..

I though this train was bound for Iowa?

 

Jp

[jonpollak]

 I mostly do jokes about 1960s folkies.

Careful pal...

This dulcimer has a high capacity magazine in it .

 

Jp

[FLB]

[red stick]

The year is 2177. Cybernetically enhanced James Hinchcliffe enters the office of Matthew Andretti, the owner of Andretti Autosport and great-great-grandson of Marco Andretti, the legendary 2020 Indy 500 Pole Sitter.

 

- Boss, I want to finally stop racing for you after this season. All the implants, it's not worth it, humans are not supposed to live this long. I just can't do this any longer.

- Too bad, James. You should've read the contract you signed with my great-great-great-grandfather a bit more carefully. It clearly says "forever" right here... 

And in true, Bedazzled fashion, not only is his contract annually renewed like he's a pre-Curt Flood ballplayer, but for 150 years he's been fated to consistently finish last in the points among full-time drivers.  Tradition!

[OvDrone]

Careful pal...

This dulcimer has a high capacity magazine in it .

 

Jp

I actually know of a real good black metal project with hammered dulcimer.

[jonpollak]

I think the tower is broken....
It’s had Reigate in P1 for over 40 mins.
???
Jp

[loki]

Satan has no money to buy RHR’s ride.  DHL could bail.  Rossi and Marco have sponsors.

[BRG]

Maybe this is more to your liking then:

 

 

 

Now you're talking.  

 

Saw them at the Toby Jug Blues Club back in 1916.

[jonpollak]

Tower fixed - magenta cars to the top.
Jp

[maximilian]

Not sure whether "Back-Door Angels" refers to what I think it does.  Probably just my own dirty mind.

[PayasYouRace]

Not sure whether "Back-Door Angels" refers to what I think it does. Probably just my own dirty mind.

Sounds like you’ve been in PT’s DVD collection.

[DS27]

Have to love Indycar threads. My other half just asked why I was looking at pictures of naked men online. I was kinda stumped for what to say  

[maximilian]

Have to love Indycar threads. My other half just asked why I was looking at pictures of naked men online. I was kinda stumped for what to say  

 

Seems like a missed opportunity to get HER interested in IndyCar, too!

[maximilian]

It's a bit windy!

 

Not sure why they did away with the Fast-12 Fast 6 format... 

[Anja]

Not sure why they did away with the Fast-12 Fast 6 format... 

 

It's one of the ever-present mysteries: what quali format will IndyCar use on this particular weekend? 

[GlenWatkins]

Indinnapolis ?..

I though this train was bound for Iowa?

 

Jp

 

Just noticed this, thought it was appropriate JP 

[ArchieTech]

I like that low camera shot they have skimming the grass

[Anja]

SAAAAATOOOOOO