Indy Car bloggers presdog, Jeff from MyNameIsIRL.com and MoneyCJ of So Damn Indy fame chatted on Feb. 23 about the results of the Homestead test, the new ABC/ESPN pit hotty and whether or not Danica will win in 2007.
pressdog: you boys ready to light this candle?
MyNameIsIRL: I'm locked and loaded.
MyNameIsIRL: will the dog be moderating?
SoDamnIndy: yo!
pressdog: I think I will moderate this one, if you don't mind.
pressdog: So, dudes, what did you think of the Homestead test? IRL?
SoDamnIndy: Made me realize how much I've missed Wheldon in the off-season.
MyNameIsIRL: He wrecked a car, though.
SoDamnIndy: The test reminded me that Danica is a crappy racecar driver...
pressdog: Ha. Wheldon got monster press off rolling it.
SoDamnIndy: Yeah but he was hysterical!
MyNameIsIRL: His hair was still intact.
SoDamnIndy: Did you all read what he said during the top 5 presser?
pressdog: What's $300K among Target/Chippy people?
SoDamnIndy: Yeah --Chip said it was cool.
pressdog: What did he say during the top 5?
SoDamnIndy: It made me laugh out loud -- so the media are talking to Helio and Dixon about their recent engagements...
SoDamnIndy: Then they turned to Danny...
SoDamnIndy: Who leans into the mic and says: "Single and ready to mingle..."
SoDamnIndy: Classic DFW.
pressdog: All the women are swooning, I gotta think.
MyNameIsIRL: Did you see he may have a replacement for Jamie Little this season?
pressdog: I heard some name I wasn't familiar with.
pressdog: ABC/ESPN has to have a pit babe.
pressdog: Like Monday Night Football needs a sideline hotty.
MyNameIsIRL: Brienne Pedigo
SoDamnIndy: Yeah -- I was wondering about that -- she hawt?
pressdog: Oh yeah. Now I remember. Related to the Pedigo race guy.
MyNameIsIRL: http://briennepedigo.com/
SoDamnIndy: thankyouverymuch
MyNameIsIRL: I live to serve.
SoDamnIndy: Whoa YEAH!
SoDamnIndy: Everybody needs to click that link.
pressdog: Money just forgot who Jamie Little is.
SoDamnIndy: Wha?
pressdog: Jamie who?
MyNameIsIRL: I hope that didn't just kill the chat.
SoDamnIndy: I miss my J-Lil' actually.
pressdog: Won't be quite the same without her.
pressdog: So, to moderate, what did you think of the open test?
SoDamnIndy: I think Marco's gonna have a great season.
MyNameIsIRL: I know it's testing, but 16 cars were within a third of a second of each other on top speeds.
MyNameIsIRL: That's VERY encouraging.
pressdog: Marco was spotty on the ovals last year, so it may be a good sign.
SoDamnIndy: good point.
pressdog: You never know with a test if they are testing stuff or going wide open or what, so …
MyNameIsIRL: Right, but you gotta figure at least once they just cut loose.
pressdog: Yeah, I figure they like to be at the top of the charts, so they'll make a "pole" run at some point during the test.
SoDamnIndy: Seemed kinda like Hornish was laying back a bit.
SoDamnIndy: at least on day 1...
pressdog: Roger isn't going to show all his cards at no stinkin' test.
MyNameIsIRL: I don't know if you guys caught this, but Buddy Rice had an interesting quote.
pressdog: Hit me
MyNameIsIRL: He said he figured the Penske and Ganassi teams would "plateau" and everyone else would catch up this year.
SoDamnIndy: That would kick ass.
MyNameIsIRL: Well, the early speedway results would seem to indicate he may be right.
pressdog: Buddy had to be smiling after the test.
pressdog: I was encouraged to see it wasn't solid red cars at the top.
SoDamnIndy: Marty Roth wasn't at the top?
SoDamnIndy: har
MyNameIsIRL: Nice
pressdog: Marty topped 209!
pressdog: Maybe it's the paint job.
MyNameIsIRL: Yes, he wanted to be like the red cars.
SoDamnIndy: Lack of sponsor decals ought to give him a bit more speed you'd think.
pressdog: God love the guy, Marty hangs in there and keeps trying.
MyNameIsIRL: Speaking of paint: I'm going to nominate Scott Sharp for having the best looking car.
pressdog: I hear the Club Patron was in full effect down there.
SoDamnIndy: And the most kick-ass sponsor!
pressdog: I think TSO said they sell major amounts of Patron in Miami and had their big hospitality tent in effect.
SoDamnIndy: Right -- and on that note...
SoDamnIndy: Can I get an Amen on how awesome TSO's coverage was?
SoDamnIndy: (as usual)
pressdog: Fabulous. Everyone should join their site immediately.
MyNameIsIRL: Amen! The updates were excellent.
MyNameIsIRL: Especially for those of us jonesing for any speed-related news.
pressdog: I think the RLR cars win the paint job contest, but they had some issues on the track.
MyNameIsIRL: They were sitting at the bottom of the T&S charts for a while, but the seemed to get things going on the second day
pressdog: Yeah, better. 11th and 15th, still, though.
MyNameIsIRL: ... but still within a third of a second. Here's something to note about the close times that has nothing to do with super speedways.
MyNameIsIRL: The early results show the cars are a lot closer in terms of engineering.
SoDamnIndy: I really would love to see RLR have a great year...
pressdog: Me too. Got some sorting to do. That "just switched to Dallaras" excuse is used up.
MyNameIsIRL: Being closer in engineering means that the road races -- of which there are now five -- will be a lot more indicative of driving ability.
MyNameIsIRL: It is not out of realm of possibility for any of those 16 to win on those parades.
pressdog: Five road races. Money, you gotta love that.
SoDamnIndy: Right -- actually, I am less pissed about it than I was before
pressdog: Why?
SoDamnIndy: The obvious: the series needs to be more competitive ...
MyNameIsIRL: Well that's my point - they may be just as exciting because Buddy Rice or Vitor Meira could win on those tracks.
SoDamnIndy: Right.
pressdog: True. It's not all about engineering tweaking on the street courses, fo sho.
pressdog: Qualifying and pit strategy have a lot to do with winning on a road/street race.
pressdog: More than an oval.
MyNameIsIRL: Exactly -- and you qualify all by yourself (on an oval).
SoDamnIndy: So what races are you guys attending this year?
pressdog: So, since we speak for the fans, how is the year looking from the fan's perspective?
SoDamnIndy: oops--go ahead.
MyNameIsIRL: Everyone's a moderator.
SoDamnIndy: It's the beer...
pressdog: We'll come back to the attendance thing in a second.
pressdog: From a fan perspective, more busting up the red-and-white car party the better.
MyNameIsIRL: From a fan's perspective I'd say this (and I said as much last week on my site): if your favorite driver is not a Penske or Ganassi driver then you should have a better year.
SoDamnIndy: Well said.
pressdog: I was happy to see my DRR posse make some strides with Buddy's car.
SoDamnIndy: I think it's going to be a great year with a lot of surprises.
pressdog: Danica win this year?
SoDamnIndy: Nope.
MyNameIsIRL: Are you making any specific predictions?
SoDamnIndy: I'll make a few:
pressdog: Danica may win a street race, like young Marco.
pressdog: Go for it, Jeff.
MyNameIsIRL: I don't know if she wins, but I think she'll manage at least a podium or two this year.
SoDamnIndy: Danica doesn't win. Has basically the same season she had last year -- with lots of brand new excuses.
SoDamnIndy: We'll see Sarah on a podium …
MyNameIsIRL: I would suggest if she wins it's at an oval where her, um, weight advantage would help.
pressdog: If they can get Danica in front at a place like Bell Isle or Snorenoma, with three blockers behind her, Danica may win.
SoDamnIndy: Marco will be competitive for the title...
pressdog: I passed out for a second when Money said Sarah would get on the podium.
MyNameIsIRL: That's a valid point since AGR cars are known for helping their own get wins.
pressdog: Crazy shit can happen on street courses. Well-timed yellow, teammate who forgets how to drive at just the right moment ...
MyNameIsIRL: The title will come down to who avoids crashing out of races.
pressdog: Agreed. Hornish almost blew it with his brain lock at Nashville last year.
MyNameIsIRL: The red-and-white cars can't afford to finish low in any races this year.
pressdog: I predict Money starts stalking the new pit hotty.
MyNameIsIRL: I hate to say it, but Sam will need to win 4 or 5 races to retain the title.
MyNameIsIRL: You know, Ms Pedigo looks a bit like Danica.
SoDamnIndy: Wheldon wins Indy again and ultimately the championship...
MyNameIsIRL: Wheldon should have won Indy last year.
SoDamnIndy: ... and the championship!
SoDamnIndy: correct.
pressdog: If Wheldon wins Indy and the Championship, he's gone to NASCAR or somewhere else.
MyNameIsIRL: Nah - he's not going anywhere
pressdog: The guy is all but handing out flyers at NASCAR races.
SoDamnIndy: hahaha!
SoDamnIndy: He's just following Jamie Little around.
pressdog: Hard to blame him. He's ready to mingle.
pressdog: Any more predictions?
SoDamnIndy: I'll be wasted at Indy!
MyNameIsIRL: Vitor will win a race and possibly the championship.
SoDamnIndy: I like that prediction, Jeff.
MyNameIsIRL: I''ve gone completely batty.
pressdog: I think Vitor will finally break through, yes.
MyNameIsIRL: But Panther looks solid and Vitor can compete on any type of track.
pressdog: I think Buddy Rice gets on the podium.
MyNameIsIRL: I'll make another prediction: Scott Dixon is more likely to leave for F1 than Wheldon is for NASCAR.
pressdog: Dixon will win a couple of street races, maybe three.
SoDamnIndy: Say Marco wins at Indy -- he stick around or bolt?
pressdog: Gone.
SoDamnIndy: Yeah? Wins Indy but not the championship?
pressdog: They practically have a Honda F1 car idling for him.
MyNameIsIRL: Here's the key: depending on how the season pans out (mechanical failure, wrecks, pit silliness, etc.) I think Marco and Dixon specifically will be completely focused on proving themsleves on the road courses
pressdog: Good call.
MyNameIsIRL: They are so blatantly begging for F1 jobs.
pressdog: Sounds like F1 is in love with Marco.
pressdog: Jonesing for that Andretti name, and the kid has skills.
SoDamnIndy: MAD skillz.
MyNameIsIRL: Although, unless either one of them totally dominates those courses then I don't think they go anywhere.
SoDamnIndy: And Simmons tells me Marco loves to party and love chicks -- just like me!
pressdog: Dixon is the guy to beat on the streets.
MyNameIsIRL: Don't forget Kanaan.
pressdog: Tone. It will be interesting to see how the entire AGR posse fares this year.
MyNameIsIRL: All three Brazilians are solid on all courses
pressdog: Danica feels more pressure to win this year? Will she crack and lose it?
MyNameIsIRL: I don't think the pressure is there as long as she is competitive.
MyNameIsIRL: No offense, but she's gone without winning for a while
pressdog: I agree, but I think she feels the pressure to win. I think people will continue to put pressure on her to win and prove she's not just a hotty.
SoDamnIndy: I agree, dog.
pressdog: She kind of did it to herself by trading a bit on her hotness. Now people say, "Are you Anna Kournikova?" Unfairly, but she opened the door.
pressdog: More pressure on her to win than Sarah, and Sarah has gone years without the W.
pressdog: Any more predictions, or are we talking about races we are going to?
MyNameIsIRL: How about I predict I will be at Indy.
MyNameIsIRL: Possibly Infineon.
pressdog: I'll be at: Kansas, Iowa, Chicagoland and maybe Indy.
SoDamnIndy: Indy and Richmond for sure...
SoDamnIndy: Gonna try to get to Nashville.
pressdog: Gotta come up with the cash for Indy, so if people want to email me some money ...
MyNameIsIRL: How about some "Free Pressdog" t-shirts at cafe press?
pressdog: I’m working on some merchandise.
pressdog: I'm also going to a race in the OTHER open-wheel series, but I don't want to bring you guys down.
SoDamnIndy: Fag.
MyNameIsIRL: It's OK, if it actually happens I'm sure I'll try to check out the (Champ Car) race here in Phoenix.
pressdog: Sorry to upset you.
MyNameIsIRL: But ONLY if the Unbreakable Legge is there.
SoDamnIndy: hahaha
pressdog: K. Legge is going to run for Dale Coyne.
MyNameIsIRL: I have not opinion on that.
pressdog: But, we digress into Champ Car.
pressdog: OK, dudes, time is up.
SoDamnIndy: S'been fun!
pressdog: Thanks large for chatting.
MyNameIsIRL: Anytime.
SoDamnIndy: Out.
pressdog: We'll maybe do it again before or after the Homestead race.
MyNameIsIRL: BEFORE!
pressdog: OK, before.
SoDamnIndy: Yeah.
MyNameIsIRL: I can't go another month.
pressdog: Keep it real.
SoDamnIndy: just let me know and I'm there--bye.
MyNameIsIRL: Be safe. Out.
Maybe I should go to his own site to debate this, but why would mynameisIRL argue the inevitable departure of Wheldon to NASCAR? His F1 chances appear done for, why not take a shot at the big money? And I bet the Frances would sweeten the deal (behind the scenes of course) to get a shot at the UK market.
Posted by: Johnny | February 26, 2007 at 01:41 PM
No sooner had I said this than I read that Chip Ganassi is seeking a fourth Cup car. This is why I usually try to avoid predictions.
FWIW, I don't think it's a case of Wheldon losing interest, but rather that unless Montoya and Hornish show demonstrable gains in 2007 I can't see a whole lot of NASCAR owners lining up for another open-wheel guy.
But you only need one owner, and if Chip is on board then Dan may be gone.
Posted by: My Name Is IRL | February 27, 2007 at 03:57 PM
True, they're not going to be giving Cup rides to just anybody, but I would think Wheldon represents some markets a NASCAR team would like to hit. Plus, like Robin Miller wrote about a while back, even if he just went to Trucks/Busch, Difficult Dan could still likely make more money.
Posted by: Johnny | February 27, 2007 at 05:33 PM