Day off? Forget that…
1. Well, that was anti-climactic
Even a post-race fence climb from Helio Castroneves (and his subsequent humorous embrace with security chief Charles Burns) couldn’t take the stink off an otherwise solid race being decided by fuel strategy. A win’s a win, but still. MINUS 5.
2. Close call for Panther…again…
Ed Carpenter (second) and Dan Wheldon (third) were strong all night but both lost out on fuel mileage at the end. I give them credit for a job well done, but at the same time, moral victories shouldn’t even register when your team hasn’t won a race in five seasons. They’ve gotta break the door down, and soon. EVEN.
3. 200+ mph brainfade
Vitor Meira’s ill-timed attempt at passing Simona de Silvestro results in both of them going into the wall and taking out the defending race champion (Ryan Briscoe) in the aftermath. De Silvestro was likely hosed either way; if she had moved higher to give Meira room, she likely would’ve hit Castroneves on her outside. This wreck should’ve never happened. MINUS 10.
4. Guilty of false advertising?
After a bad qualifying session resulted in a 26th place starting position, Tony Kanaan (fourth) promised his followers on Twitter that he’d pass 11 cars on the opening lap. He passed 10. At least he apologized afterwards. Fan rage…Neutralized. PLUS 10.
5. Cue the Jaws music
Dario Franchitti (fifth) continued to creep up on Will Power (eighth) in the championship. Motegi’s next up on the schedule and last year, Franchitti and Ganassi teammate Scott Dixon were the top dogs. This may not bode well for Power. Dun dun dun dun, indeed. PLUS 6.
6. Bertrand Baguette…in the top 10?
Yep, it happened. To his credit, he’s put his head down and had a quietly decent first year in IndyCar. Still, his run in the top-10 added to a Twilight Zone-feel that Saturday’s race had (up until we knew a Penske car was going to win, of course). PLUS 3.
This week’s tally: +4 beans.
Season tally (after 15 races): +19 beans.
