The 2/3 Pole

As unbelievable as it may seem we are just about to the last third of the racing season. Sure NASCAR still has 17 to go so they are really just past halfway. But when F1 heads to Budapest for its next race it will be at the one third to go mark. They have already run 12 races. At the completion of the race Sunday at Michigan there will be but 6 of their 16 races remaining.
On one hand it seems so long ago since Daytona, Melbourne and Homestead, but again, it seems like it was just yesterday that the 500 was run and the real meat of the season was just getting ready. It has been 8 weeks since then. Two months. Since then we have had the USGP, several Tony Stewart meltdowns, Junior trying to kill himself in a Corvette and the FIA president threatening to step down only to change his mind.
Silly season has been underway in F1 for nearly a month now. Frankly, for Ralfie and Toyota it has been longer than that. The IRL has seen two drivers sacked with one of them buying his way back in during the past month and NASCAR just keeps rolling along to their new “shootout”. I guess OWRS has been running but I have only caught some of the first race at Long Beach. Funny, their races are on at the same time every week they race and I still manage to miss them. To be fair they have dropped their plans for Korea and they appear to be ready to bid adieu to Portland. So it’s not like they aren’t trying to make the news.
To be perfectly honest the entire racing season tends to drone on a little long. I would really like to see it end by the end of September. That way I can focus on football. On the other hand the beginning of the football season and the end of the racing season tend to bring an end to the summer and the descent into winter.
With that I bring you the latest news and rumblings from the motorsports world.
F1
Jarno Trulli’s days at Renault are numbered. After winning the race at Monaco, ol’ Top Knot has been seriously lackluster. While his team mate Fernando Alonso continues to push ahead with the still not quite at the top Renault, Trulli has crashed badly and in the ultimate display of disdain, allowed the Sandwich to pass him at the last corner in France. Allegedly this enraged Suave Flav and it seemed to be the beginning of the end. Right now it looks like Trulli will move to the Toyota team giving the Cologne effort two new drivers. Again.
That pretty much leaves Olivier Panis and Christiano out in the cold. I feel bad for Christiano because I don’t think he got a fair shake at Toyota. Instead it looks as though he will probably return to the Newman Haas team in Champ Car next season or, hopefully by me, the IRL. As for Panis he may be out period. I can’t see him stepping down to F3 or F3000, I doubt if he wants to come to America to race and I don’t think he will take a test driver position.
As for Renault it appears now that Giancarlo Fischella will take over the seat opposite Alonso. This would put Fish in a better situation than if he stayed at Sauber or went to Toyota. I like Fish but I didn’t see what he is going to be able to do with the still underdeveloped Toyota. Like I have said here before, teams that change drivers all the time never get it right. Every part of building a winning race car is a compromise. Building something good always is. You always have tradeoffs. Speed versus handling. Engine temperature versus horsepower. There are so many variables to the process it is mind boggling. One of the biggest variables is the driver. These are human beings and as such are subject to the failings of humans. To continually insert different variables into the equation is ludicrous if you want real answers. Toyota has not shown me in 3 years they are ready to be serious. This is not Minardi folks. This is a team with as big of a budget as any team in racing bar none. I know winning takes time, but Toyota is way behind where they should be.
So far this is what I see for next year…
Ferrari: Michael and the Sandwich
BAR: Buttons and Taku
McLaren: JPM and Kimi
Renault: Alonso and Fish
Toyota: Ralfie and Trulli
Williams: Webber
That is 11 out of 20 race day seats filled. I am going to stand by my thoughts that Jeff Gordon will be in the Williams next year. That is 12 and frankly what else is there” Minardi will likely have two new drivers. They always do and from the sound of things Gianmaria Brunni hasnot impressed the sponsors. Baumgartner has been pitiful all year. And don’t look for Christiano to head down the food chain.
Jaguar will lose Webber but they may be keen to keep Klien simply because of the Red Bull money he brings so let’s say he stays and that leaves 7 seats open. Two at Sauber, 2 at Minardi, 1 at Jag and 2 at Jordan. As for Jordan anything can happen. I think Eddie Jordan is a putz and is only in it for the show biz. Peter Sauber I think would like to sell his team to an American and go in as partners, but he has to love the Ferrari technology coming down to him.
Technically I would expect Fellipe Massa to stay at Sauber. That is 14 filled, four that will be up in the air and Jordan. I would expect Nick Heidfeld to stay with the team, but Giorgio Pantano is another story. He missed the Canadian race due to contractual problems and in his absence Timo Glock got a point. Of course when it comes down to it, do Minardi or Jordan even matter.
Finally there are a couple of test drivers who seem to be ready to make the next step. Anthony Davidson is fast every week in the BAR. Pizzonia is as well but I don’t see it after his miserable 2003 season at Jaguar. Davidson will surely get some looks, but with what is remaining he may opt to test another year.
So to recap
Ferrari: Michael and the Sandwich
BAR: Buttons and Taku
McLaren: JPM and Kimi
Renault: Alonso and Fish
Toyota: Ralfie and Trulli
Williams: Webber and Gordon
Jordan: Heidfeld and ??
Minardi: ?? and ??
Jaguar: Klien and ??
Sauber: Massa and ??
And finally, what about Coulthard. He has said he isn’t ready to retire, but it is hard to imagine him taking a backmarker seat. I look for him and Davidson to vie for that last Jaguar seat.
IRL
Rumors abound in the league at this point. It was thought that there would be two road course races next season. One at Watkins Glen and one at Infineon. Now there is talk that the league has entered into negotiations to race at Portland. One Texas race is already gone thanks to the 800 pound gorilla.
Driver rumors have been slow. Like I said earlier some changes were already made. There has been talk of Danica Patrick coming into the league and what is happening with Kenny? And the leagues most popular driver still remains without a ride. Hopefully more will come out as the next couple of weeks unfold. With races at Michigan this week and Kentucky in two weeks the cream should rise to the top.

Rights? You Don't Need No Stinkin' Rights!

This morning as I sit here writing this I wonder what direction the USA is going to take in the next few months. Do we go down the path of the neo-conservative which seems to have taken control of the Republican Party? Will the radical liberal mentality that seems to pervade the Democrats be the way of the future? What ever happened to “moderates” and what did that really mean? And will any of the above make Americans safer at home and abroad?

Below are my comments on Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11. A lot has been written about the film and both sides have weighed the validity of Moore 's statements ad nauseam so I won't really comment on the film itself. Much of what Moore tried to express in the film has been discredited, but honestly I don't think he meant it as a cerebral piece. I think he simply and, for its purpose, effective anti-Bush propaganda film. I do feel that 75% of the people who see the film will either believe all of it or believe none of it. 25% will actually take what was said and do their own research. I have tried to do some, but time constraints make it difficult so I am forced to rely on sources I find credible to help. What bothers me more is the 75% of the people who will readily believe completely or disbelieve completely.

Regardless of what side of the fence anyone sits on, and granted, there are many who simply refuse to see it, the film has become quite a flash point. Maybe not the film itself, but rather the polarizing effect it is having.
There is a story circulating today about Linda Ronstadt and her performances at the Aladdin Casino and Resort. Apparently Ronstadt who has always been a Democratic supporter was praising F9/11 and even dedicating a song to Moore . For her efforts Ronstadt was booed off stage, had cocktails tossed at her and had her engagement cancelled by Aladdin management. So what you say. Here is what. First of all I am neither a big fan, nor a protagonist of Ronstadt. I feel her inclusion of the F9/11 material is probably not what I would want to see if I was to take in one of her shows. That being said, how can any American condone the actions of the Aladdin? After all, Ronstadt is demonstrating one of our greatest assets as a country, the freedom of speech.

The Aladdin claimed they had hired her to entertain, not to espouse her political views. This excuse is so completely lame that I probably would not step foot in the Aladdin again. Don't get me wrong, I don't agree with Ronstadts message, but by God I would defend until death her right to say it. Of course the neo-conservatives will praise the Aladdin and say they are doing the right thing. Of course they are wrong. For one thing, the line between entertainment and politics has become so blurred that it is barely distinguishable at all. A company like the Aladdin should know that. They should also know something about who they are hiring. I haven't seen the contract between the two, but if the Aladdin didn't want that kind of message delivered during her shows then that should have been spelled out on the napkin.

Here we are, less than four months from what will probably be one of the closest elections in our nation's history and both sides are polarizing even more. I find myself basically without a political party that represents ME. The Republicans under W have become the party of Hitler. God forbid you speak out against the President you un-American asshole. God help you if you think the war in Iraq was a complete waste of military resources and of human lives. The conservatives will tell you you don't know shit if you don't believe every word W says.

And on the other side, we have the liberals. All the peace, love and pay the bill crap in the world won't cure what is wrong. But what really galls me is the absolute lack of any decorum these boneheads have. It seems like these goofball celebrities can go see a film like F9/11 and since it came from their milieu then it must be true. Nevermind the fact that Michael Moore has plenty of contempt for Hollywood . Sure Whoopi Goldberg is practicing her right of freedom of speech, but if her contract is up, and the other party doesn't like her message then it is their right to fire her. I really have to question these foreigners who want to weigh in on the issue. Who the fuck cares what you think Bono?

This country is headed in a dangerous direction and the threat is not limited to one side. I will vote for W in the fall, but only because I do not believe the alternative offers any improvement. Maybe Whoopi Goldberg or Linda Ronstadt can afford socialism, but I can't and I don't intend to let it happen. But the thought of W running the country for four more isn't much better. As a person I think he is doing what he feels is the right thing to do, as a President I think he is a buffoon.

July Racing 2004

IRL After a one race break Mark Taylor will return to the IRL in the Access Motorsports G-Force Honda at Saturday’s race in Nashville. Taylor, who hit everything in sight, was released by Panther Racing two weeks ago. This is a curious move to be sure. Access Motorsports raced in the first five races of the season. However, at Indianapolis it was apparent that team owner and at the time, driver, Greg Ray had no money. He didn’t get on the track until the last day of qualifying. Unfortunately for Ray his day ended when Darren Manning knocked him and Sammy into the wall. That left Ray with a badly damaged car, little money and only tow weeks before the Texas race. Somehow Ray made the show at Texas and managed a very respectable 7th place finish. However, Ray did not make the trip to Richmond and the word is that he took the car to Kansas, went through tech and then put the car back in the hauler and went home. So now we get word that Mark Taylor will become the driver for the balance of the season. Of course there is all kind of speculation that Taylor’s dad bought the ride for him. I don’t know how valid that is, but Taylor is, like I said, a curious choice. Taylor has only made it through the Phoenix race without crashing. For a team that has little money it would seem that Greg Ray would want someone with a little better track record. Of course his crashing could be an inherent part of life as the second driver at Panther Racing. Taylor won the IPS championship last year and was a good solid racer. For Greg Ray, Taylor’s and Access Motorsport I hope he is able to return to those roots! F1 Silly season is in full swing in F1. A couple of weeks ago I said that I thought Jeff Gordon would end up in the second Williams car alongside Mark Webber. On Sunday, Peter Windsor reported that Giancarlo Fisichella would end up in that ride. That would leave the Sauber seat open for Jacques Villeneuve. Although I just don’t see that happening. With the improved performance of the Mercedes McLaren this past weekend, JPM has to be feeling better about his upcoming move to the Woking team. Christiano demanded Toyota tell him what their plans for 2005 were. Right now it looks like it will probably be Ralfie and Olivier Panis in the Toys. Look for Christiano to be back in OWRS next season unless he takes a spot at Jordan or Minardi. The teams are off this weekend before the German Grand Prix. Rumors will continue to swirl, especially regarding the Toyota and Williams teams as they will probably get theirs before the rest of the picture comes into focus. NASCAR I don’t defend that asshole Tony Stewart very often but I am today. Sunday, Stewart got behind Kasey Kahne on a restart. For some reason Kahne did not come up to speed as quick as Stewart. Now we can split hairs and say Tony has to be in control of his car, but it was just a tap and in my eyes nothing more than a racing incident. For the first time this season, or so it would seem, NASCAR saw it the right way. Of course Kahnes team didn’t see it that way. Half of his crew went to Stewarts pit after the incident and a shoving match ensued. Team owner Ray Evernham said Stewart needed to be suspended. He’s right of course, but not over this incident. In this case Kahne’s pit boys need to be fined. Is Stewart a menace? Of course. He’s shitty driver who can only win by pushing you out of the way, but in this case he could hardly be held responsible.

Jeffy to F1?

F1/IRL/NASCAR It was an interesting weekend of racing here in America and one that may have a bearing on what happens in Formula 1 next season. As I wrote yesterday, Scott Dixon is having problems at Target Chip Ganassi Racing. Yes the Toyota is underpowered, but his performances this year have been abysmal. Yesterday I pointed out some of those reasons. Jeff Gordon on the other hand had another great weekend. He won both the pole and the race at Daytona Beach. Gordon continued his string of excellent performances as he seems to be at the very top of his game. Sure the Dupont/Pepsi team is great, but at the end of the day it is Gordon who has to get the car to the end. So what does Jeff Gordon’s performance have to do with F1? Well last week I predicted he would be in the Williams next season. With his performance Saturday I think the deal is sealed. Scotty D. got the test and apparently failed to impress. He seems to have lost his edge because of it. F1 wants an American and Jeff Gordon has expressed interest especially when it was suggested he was too old to start an F1 career. He is confident and that confidence will ultimately land him that seat. IRL Congrats to Buddy Rice who won the race at Kansas yesterday. His victory over Vitor Meira was the second closest 1-2 finish in IRL history. The last 15 laps were a trophy dash between the two. Rice took the inside line and held it for the entire time. Meira managed to lead at the stripe a couple of times just barely lost out at the end. It was an exciting finish to say the least. Unfortunately only 21 took the green flag. Greg Ray allegedly took his car through tech, then loaded it back on the hauler and took it home. I wish things would turn around for Ray. The IRL needs him. F1 Schumacher! What can you say? Yesterday he won the French Grand Prix for this 8th win in 9 races this year and he did it using an almost unheard of 4 pit stop strategy. Fernando Alonso started the race from the pole and lead the first 12 laps before pitting. Normally this season Schummi has been the last of the leaders to pit, clicking off fast laps while the leader is in the pits. Didn’t happen that way yesterday. What did happen was this. Schumacher, leading by just over 10 seconds knew he needed a splash and go to get to the finish. He also knew he needed to be in the lead by 20 second to be able to pit and come back out in the lead as there would not be enough time to make a pass if he was in second. What did he do? Well in the course of 6 laps he increased his lead to 22 seconds. When he pitted he came out a full 7 seconds ahead of Alonso. Say what you will about Schumacher, and if you can’t tell by reading this blog, I don’t like him, he is simply the best. His performance in France yesterday certainly proved that to me!

War In Iraq

A new poll is out today saying that 54% of Americans think that we should have never sent troops to Iraq. In a CNN-USA Today Gallup poll of 1005 people taken between June 21-23 also says that more than half surveyed feel the US is less safe now from terrorism than before. This has me scratching my head.

If you have been following my articles you know I am against this war. I felt the ouster of Saddam Hussein could have been handled covertly with minimal expense of life and assets. It certainly does not mean that I feel Iraq was no threat at all. While I have my misgivings about their WMD's I can't help but feel that as much as Hussein stonewalled inspectors, he did have something to hide. What bothers me is that we just don't seem to be "winning" the war.

It is obvious that there are as many people over there who want us out as want us in. But that is another story. First of all, I believe in my heart that the President acted in a way he felt was appropriate. I do not think for one second that he did this as a "follow-up" to his fathers Iraqi foray 10 years prior. Second, how can respondents to the poll feel less secure now than before? We haven't had another terror attack on our soil since 9-11. So why do they feel so much more threatened now? It really makes me wonder who is getting polled by these companies. I know I have never been polled for a political opinion. I don't know of anyone who has.

Again, I don't agree with the war, and have been downright against it for months. I support our President, I support our troops and if asked I would serve. You see in this country, you can disagree with one side or the other. That is America! But watch as the news of these polls hit the national media today and see how they get spun. Listen to liberals and conservatives and see how much hatred there is on both sides. This poll smacks of nothing more than a liberal side attack of the President. Next week his approval rating will be up and it will sound just like a conservative attack. Me, I have my own opinion which is not hidden from anyone, and I will choose accordingly.