157 replies to this topic

[amerikalei]

The last stint, had it stayed green, might have been dodgy.  At the beginning of that green you had about 6-8 of the faster cars moving up to lead but running guarded pace (according to the announcers) which seemed to be backing things up in a difficult way.  Had that run gone green to the finish I think it would have spread out due to tire deg.

 

After the last restart, it certainly became go-time but it also seemed to stretch things out a little. 

 

Grosjean's accident, as T-Bell noted, seemed to have been triggered by having to lift going into 1 with Palou slowing a few car lengths ahead, sliding up the banking entering 2, and nearly touching Malukas on exit.  Without Malukas there I wonder if he would have been able to catch it, as Malukas' aero wake seemed to exacerbate the rotation of his car.

[Stephane]

He touched Malukas, I think

[eibyyz]

Halo seems vaguely sacreligious to me, but anyway...

 

Seen from above, it looks like a turret.  

[YamahaV10]

Before the race, Conor Daly had some interesting views on it: https://youtu.be/wQ4nYUffH6E?t=171

 

Later in that interview, Veekay and Santucci were broadly supportive of pack racing too, but they've never been in one....

I think Texas yesterday was perfect. It had elements of both kinds of great oval racing, wheel to wheel remind-yourself-to-breath style mini packs* and over the long runs the best cars romping away and putting people 2 laps down. I couldn't have asked for more. 

*whilst we had something you could describe as a pack race at the front, it was very selective. Only those with the best car all day could be in it. It's nothing like the old days when literally everyone could run up front if they got lucky. 

 

It was pretty good. I thought there could have been a little more 3 wide action. But the field didn't spread out too much so that was good. 

 

Conor makes some good points.

Edited by YamahaV10, 03 April 2023 - 16:42.

[Risil]

I don't like three-wide action as a rule. To manoeuvre safely the two cars on the outside need to know what each other are doing, which is impossible because each can only see the car next to them. Racing is about risk (hopefully calculated risk) but drivers are riding their luck in that scenario IMO.

[djparky]

I dont think they'll go back to full bore pack racing again- the current spec cars are immeasurably safer than the IRL cars of a decade ago and it wasnt lap after lap for 200 laps at Texas either. Yes it was breathless at times, but the drivers skill kept it clean

There seems to be no middle ground at a place like Texas- it wont be like that at IMS

[jonpollak]

Thought the balance was just right at TMS.
Drivers were more respectful and took their opportunities at the correct moment (Sato notwithstanding).

IMS can be kind of similar in 1 & 3 if done with patience.
The downforce they are throwing on these chassis is creating side by side possibilities, not 3 wide in the corners at Indy obviously but as gimmicks go this is a very good one.

Jp

Edited by jonpollak, 04 April 2023 - 17:21.

[LolaB0860]

I think Texas yesterday was perfect. It had elements of both kinds of great oval racing, wheel to wheel remind-yourself-to-breath style mini packs* and over the long runs the best cars romping away and putting people 2 laps down. I couldn't have asked for more.

 

Agree... I would say that this and Iowa double of last year have been the best oval races in the last few years