Going?

Watchin'?

Let us know your weekend racing plans and maybe you'll inspire a few of us to join in!

I missed out going to a track in person last weekend due to a family event, but plan on going to probably Wall this Saturday. 

My wife got me Flo Racing for my birthday a few weeks back, so I've developed a pretty solid watch list now for a lot of new tracks that I watch the full replay version (less warm ups/down time) throughout the weekend and beyond. 

Bridgeport, best weekly show in the area

Gonna take the grandson to the Monster Trucks at New Egypt for the Friday showing, then will catch some racing on Flo and Dirtvision.

It's been a while since I've been able to hit the road...wedding, grandchild, life, rainouts, increased prices for flights, rental cars and gas...

Work has me in IL next week so why not get a head start!

Gateway Friday night - Champ Cars
Springfield Saturday afternoon - Champ Cars
Macon Saturday night - Midgets

Dirtvision tonight Land of Legends Super Dirt.  Maybe a trip to Utica Saturday for $4k to win Mods, but probably just Flo.

Indycars are on an oval for the last time this season, racing at the 1.25 mile World Wide Technology Raceway (Gateway Raceway) in Madison IL. On Friday Peacock has practice at 1:00, qualifying at 4:15 and final practice at 7:00.  Saturday evening's race coverage begins at 6:00 on the USA Network and Peacock.

Greg (and others who were watching Nashville two weekends ago): Wondering what your thoughts were on Newgarden's move on Romain Grosjean in the closing laps at Nashville.

I like Josef Newgarden, rarely puts a wheel wrong, and Grosjean has been a little bit of a pinball through much of the season, but I thought a penalty should have been called on Newgarden.  He made a very late move and carried the momentum all the way to the outside of the track (wall)... only problem was that Grosjean was still there so Grosjean got body slammed into the wall, and Newgarden continued on in front of his cheering hometown fans.

I also think that commentator Townsend Bell was doing everything he could to sweeten what had happened to maintain his good standing within the Newgarden Fan Club.  Thought Hinchliffe was more honest in his description of the incident.  (It seemed obvious that Bell had his mind made up before even seeing the replay, and then reluctantly backed down a little after 3 or 4 watches of it.)

I also think that Newgarden had convinced himself it wasn't his fault, and then while watching the replay for the first time with the pit reporter, he kind of went from thinking that he had given Grosjean room, to "Welcome to Indycar".... to "It gets tight..."and "You’re going to want to be ahead of this guy at this type of moment, but yep, it’s tight street course racing."....  Then as if maybe realizing that nobody was buying what he was selling, he added, “Let me tell you what: I about got taken out six times myself. I probably need to have some discussion with some of the younger guys, but they’re aggressive."  

That last line sounded to me like he was changing his mind on the spot, from it wasn't his fault to, Grosjean had it coming to him... to that's just how you have to race in IndyCar. (But still no admission to him (Josef) being at fault.) 

If that's true, and that is really how you have to race now in Indycar, and the IndyCar officials are not going to call that "avoidable contact", then I'll probably end up a less frequent watcher as I'm just not interested in another smash'em up/wreck each other and blame it on _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (fill in the blank with anything) product like we're being offered currently from NASCAR (Cup, XFinity, Truck, ARCA). 

On the positive side, the Nasville event is just that... an "Event", and seems like a good thing for Indycar.  I thought Dixon was really a surprise winner, but if I think about it, I probably shouldn't be that surprised.  Thought the rookies were doing well, but all need to figure out how to finish.  There were a lot of yellow laps again so hopefully that is something they can look to improve for next year, but overall, I enjoyed watching it.

I love watching the Indycars, but cringe whenever they're on temporary street courses which in my opinion are "event venues" and not true "racing venues" such as ovals and natural road courses. The Nashville event is now being identified as "Crashville" due to two years of chaos. Josef's move and subsequent comments were completely out of character for him. In my opinion he (and several other drivers in that event) should have been penalized for avoidable contact. I realize that Grosjean has become a bit of a lightening rod to established series regulars but using a race car ontrack to send a message isn't the way to go. I wouldn't expect such antics on a high speed oval but these tight, low speed corners on these temporary street courses provide an opportunity for attempted bump and run antics. I saw a pic posted after the Nashville event of a flatbed carrying 7-8 nose pieces. There's always talk of drivers policing themselves but following the Crashville chaos Indycar officials need to step in and administer (in a consistent manner) in-race and post-race penalties in order to restore and maintain order. Just my opinion.

Thanks for your thoughts Greg.

I guess I expected more out of Newgarden when behind the wheel, and then when being interviewed and seeing the replay, but I understand that decisions are made in milliseconds, and it is what it is.

I hate the idea of IndyCar having to "over police" things, but whether oval, street course or road course, the time is now to get a handle on things before it becomes a bunch of ill advised or intentional take out moves, followed by a half azz confusing explanation everytime somebody takes somebody out, like we got from Newgarden in Nashville.

Kutztown Sunday for 410 sprints, as long as my flooring project goes smoothly on Saturday.

NASCAR - cup at the glen--

not a real fan of road racing with stock cars, but watkins glen is better than most-

be safe if traveling , bros.-

blessings !!

bill--------

Wall Saturday night probably watch parts of the Cup Race

Wall according to the schedule - COUNTRY WESTERN NIGHT

Saturday, August 20, 2022

Modifieds 40 laps | Sportsman 2 x 20 laps | Factory Stocks 100 laps $1,000 to win | INEX Legends 

Note -  From what I understand the 100 lapper depends on Tire availabilty. 

Had plans for Friday and Saturday till the weather forcast came out Thursday. I didn't even start to get ready, and it was the right choice as everything was washed out around here.