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Notes from the 2009 F1 Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi

Notes taken during the SPEED TV broadcast of the F1 Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, Nov. 1, 2009.

pressdog beer of the race is a pint of Bass Ale.

Welcome to Yaz Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi, a brand new track which fits in well with F1 in that average fans have no remote possible conceivable shot of actually attending the race, barring the discovery of oil in their backyards and/or hitting the lotto.

Kevin and Cavin Mount Spirited Defense of IndyCar Finale

Trackside with Kevin Lee and Curt Cavin mounted a spirited 70-minute defense of the IndyCar finale on their Trackside show last night. Check the podcast via iTunes or from 1070thefan.com HERE for crystal clarity on why the finale was at least semi-gripping. I'm of a different opinion on the finale for reason's I've whined too much about already, but adults can disagree.

Insert obligatory Danica discussion here, and some semi-critical remarks on the delay of Brazil. You can also hear Scott Roembke agree that we should RIP THE FUEL KNOB OUT. YEAH, Scott. Speak it.

Notes from the 2009 IndyCar Race at Homestead-Miami

Notes taken during the VERSUS broadcast of the Firestone Indy 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Oct. 10, 2009.

So on Saturday, I got a call from a confidential informant who said, "if you're not watching, turn on the qualification show right now." So I did and I saw:

pressdog is in the whiskey. WORD to my homezillas in the B-unit! Manly tears. Breathing into a bag. The whole deal. It's a festival of copious weeping. Kids, this is what happens when you drink and create graphics.

Notes from the 2009 F1 Grand Prix in Japan

Notes taken during the SPEED TV coverage of the F1 Grand Prix in Sazuka, Japan Oct. 3/4, 2009.

Pressed for time, kids so I skipped the pre-race on the DVR. You can replicate it by having many drivers tell Peter Windsor some version of "good qualifying, hope for a better race." The big news is that qualifying and practice was a festival of carbon fiber at Sazuka with the Degner curve consuming many cars. Sebastien Buemi, I think crashed something like 21 times in two days.

Also, the All-Seeing Stewards handed down some grid penalties because various drivers streaked through a local yellow during qualifying without lifting. No-no.

pressdog beer of the race is the Spaaten Optimator. 10.5% alcohol, and I'll probably need it for this race.

Notes from the 2009 F1 Grand Prix in Singapore

Notes taken during the SPEED broadcast of the 2009 Formula 1 Singtel Singapore Grand Prix, Sept. 27, 2009.

pressdog beer of the race is Tiger beer, which made it from Singapore to West Des Moines, Iowa.

Before the race, a commercial for Prilosec OTC stomach acid blocker comes on and the first line of the commercial is, I swear, "For NASCAR drivers, blocking is a way to stay ahead, lap after lap." 

Insert me spewing beer of the race all over the big-screened wonder here. N-word blocking is such a way of life, it's the basis for a TV ad.

Notes from the 2009 IndyCar Race in Japan

Notes taken during the VERSUS broadcast of the Indy Japan 300 at Twin Ring Motegi Saturday, September 19, 2009.

Welcome to Japan where we are contractually obligated to bring you this race that virtually no one beyond my fellow hard-core, Twittering #IndyCar heads will see/care about. Confession: I fell asleep early on the night of the race due to a cold and did not enjoy this spectacle of excitement live. I did drink a beer of the race before the race earlier, so ...

Notes From the 2009 F1 Italian Grand Prix

Notes taken during the SPEED TV broadcast of FORMULA 1 Gran Premio Santander D'Italia (Grand Prix of of Italy) 2009, Autodromo Nazionale MONZA, Sept. 13, 2009

Welcome to MONZA, which I almost have to write in all caps for some reason. MONZA is the home of the freakish speeds of F1, and in the shadow of the old, decaying oval with it's Freak Show banking.

Deluxe Notes from the 2009 IndyCar Race at Chicagoland Speedway

Notes taken at the track and from the VERSUS broadcast of the Peak Antifreeze and Motor Oil Indy 300 at Chicagoland Speedway, Joliet, IL 8/29/09.

Welcome to Joliet where it's colder than crap at race time. Temps hovering just under 60 and we got wind chill. We got blankets in the grandstand. Freakish weather for Aug. 28 in Chicagoland.

Notes from the 2009 F1 Grand Prix of Europe

Notes taken during the SPEED broadcast of the 2009 FORMULA 1 TELEFONICA GRAND PRIX OF EUROPE, Valencia, Spain, Aug. 24, 2009.

Welcome to Valencia, Spain, known for its oranges and its very hot conditions today. pressdog beer of the race is Spaten Premium Lager, brewed in Munich and tracing roots back SIX HUNDRED YEARS. One of my fav brands. Give me Spaten, Goose Island, Sam Adams and Shiner and I'm good.

Notes From the 2009 IndyCar Race at Sonoma

Notes taken during the VERSUS broadcast of Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma at Infineon Raceway at Sonoma, CA on August 23, 2009.

pressdog beer of the race is Liberty Ale, made by Anchor Brewing Co. in San Francisco.

I missed most of the pregame, kids, tending to some youth soccer details, but I did see Lindy Thackston (@lindythackston) at a winery. The main reason IndyCar goes to Sonoma is so sponsors can hit the wineries. I have heard from a very reliable source that Sonoma is the second-most attended race by sponsors next to Indy. So the league goes there no matter how crappy the racing is. Who needs TV numbers, really? Kevin Kalkhoven and Jimmy Vasser have wineries, so there you go.