June 28, 2008--Pre Race Musings

I said I'd have a comment on Casey Mears's departure from Hendrick Motorsports. The genesis of this started in 2001, when he finished in the top 5 at a Champ Car race at Fontana. It was outrageous that no open wheel owner would take a chance on him--and he became yet another of those who got their start in open wheel racing to make the jump over to NASCAR. With the exception of the win at Lowe's Motor Speedway in May 2007, his NASCAR tenure has been less than stellar--equipment does have something to do with this. What would his career have been like if, for instance, he was in a Newman-Haas Champ Car, or a Menard Indy Car of that vintage? That we shall never know. Personally, I hope he lands on his feet at a contending team--Childress Racing comes to mind as an option.

John Andretti (yep, Aldo's son, Michael's cousin and Marco's uncle)--starts mid pack here tonight for Roth Racing. Scott Dixon is likely to finish better than where he starts (4th).

I'm still shaking my head as I read the Grant v. NASCAR complaint. Was that arrogance, stupidity or an overabundance of XY chromosones?

We'll update you with the winner's comments from Richmond later on.

Pre-Race Musings from the Soggy Brickyard

Milka Duno (above) says she's ready to start her first Indianapolis 500. Milka starts 29th. The last starter is rookie Phil Giebler.

Musings:

• Penske Racing can never be counted out. They are masters of showing one facet, and concentrating on another to get one of their drivers up front...see 2006, when Sam Hornish won. By the way, 2 time 500 winner Helio Castroneves starts from the pole.
• Ganassi Racing is another contender, with IndyCar Series point leader Dan Wheldon, and Scott Dixon (who is one of my best Indy Car drivers who haven't won the 500)
• Andretti-Green has two sentimental favorites named Andretti (Michael, who has come so close in past years and says he'll hang up the helmet after Sunday and son Marco, who came so close in 2006). They have a dark horse in Tony Kanaan (another of the best drivers who haven't won Indy).
• My dark horse sentimental picks would be, in order, Sarah Fisher and John Andretti.
• I think, however, that Penske and Helio pick up another "Baby Borg" for winning the 500.

Posted at 11:58 am local time