2012 Indy 500 Race Thread

**DanicaFan** · 21st May 12, 14:23

**Anubis** · 21st May 12, 15:15

Nice effort from Rubens. Top ten on your first visit is none too shabby. As for Lotus and Alesi, the whole thing is becoming a farce. Looking at that speed differential, I honestly wouldn't blame him for parking it, as he's achieving nothing at all being out there beyond getting in the way. All well and good claiming you have an Indy dream (which I don't buy for a second), but not if it ruins the race for someone who actually has a chance.

**heliocastroneves#3** · 21st May 12, 15:24

Judd never has been competitive in open wheel, just look at the results of WilliamsF1 from 1988 while they were using a Judd engine.... The only good thing Judd has done in the past, was giving the poor March Engineering an engine for the 1988 F1 season, which brought the team to the points regularly and even a podium finish..... As for Alesi: He has had a good career in F1 and has had competitive cars, but it's almost heart breaking to see such a young talent like de Silvestro being stuck with a Lotus engine. Although I think some good results might follow for her on street circuits like Detroit, Toronto, Qingdao and maybe Baltimore... At least not on the tracks where much horse power is needed.... The girl almost brought it to the Firestone Fast Six in 2010, while driving an old chassis and finished 4th last year in St. Petersburg, while driving an old chassis... Give the girl a competitive car please.... And for Hélio: Win your 4th '500 mate!

**DBell** · 21st May 12, 15:45

I'm not saying Judd would have the engine to beat with a similar budget to Chevy or Honda, but I believe he would build a reasonably competitive engine. He has accomplished that in other series. The reason they are so far off the pace and an embarrassment is lack of funds to develop the engine. Hell, they can't even scrap up enough money to go testing.

**garyshell** · 21st May 12, 16:06

Huh? It must be too early this morning. I am not following this.

Gary

**booger** · 21st May 12, 17:56

Anybody have a take on the fines and infractions...in laymen's terms?

**Phoenixent** · 21st May 12, 23:11

Originally Posted by DBell

This isn't on Judd. I'm sure he's done what he has on a sliver of the budget that Illmor and HPD are using. Take Illmor and put them with Lotus and their minuscule budget and you probably wouldn't have much more than what Judd has delivered. Judd can't afford to develop this motor out of his own pocket. A company like Cosworth has said that they would only come back with manufacturer badging because they couldn't be competitive without it. Judd has a badge for his motor, but no money to work with.

I don't buy your argument one bit that Judd sits with their head in the sand while their name is being made in to MUDD. Do you own a company that manufactures special parts? I do and if I have to make a little less on an item to keep my good name then so be it. In the end you name is all you have and that is what everyone has. When Ilmor lost MB they tried for a few races under the name Phoenix and when they saw the damage it was causing to their name they walked away until they could do it better with Honda and now Chevy. Judd should just pull the plug on this venture as they are the one that are going to look like MUDD. It's not Lotus but Judd that will take the hit on making motors that are underpowered. Come now Judd is so under budget that he pulls a v3 worth 90hp out of his rear in a weeks time. Judd should not be in this series ever he failed in the 80's, 90's and now. Late engine deliveries, lack of horsepower, and just obvious to what is needed in the series.

**DavePI2** · 21st May 12, 23:36

all I know I am sitting just comming out of turn 4 this week and oh what a finish I saw last year in the same spot. Add to that grandstand 3 in detroit at the end of the front stretch and I am in heaven.

**Marbles** · 22nd May 12, 01:52

Originally Posted by Phoenixent

Judd should not be in this series ever he failed in the 80's, 90's and now. Late engine deliveries, lack of horsepower, and just obvious to what is needed in the series.

Honda and Chevy drivers are going to think there are 20 Lotus engined cars on the track come Indy because they'll be lapping the two of them quite frequently. They alluded to Lotus being awarded extra boost, not to be competitive, just so they can get out of the faster.

Bottom line: Judd has never nailed it.

**numanoid** · 22nd May 12, 16:53

Well the areo of these cars seem promote good racing on ovals. It sounds like they really punch a hole through the air so cars behind can get a major tow. That's going to make for some interesting racing. Hell, the practice was pretty interesting with some of the "race" moves that were pulled.

**Lousada** · 22nd May 12, 18:30

Originally Posted by heliocastroneves#3

Judd never has been competitive in open wheel, just look at the results of WilliamsF1 from 1988 while they were using a Judd engine.... The only good thing Judd has done in the past, was giving the poor March Engineering an engine for the 1988 F1 season, which brought the team to the points regularly and even a podium finish.....

In 1988 Judd had the best N/A engine in the field, let's not rewrite history here.

**FIAT1** · 23rd May 12, 14:38

Those who are going to the race..... looks like is gonna be little warm on a race day. Protect your children as aluminum can be brutal on hot day like that. Don't forget ...water...a lot of water !!!!

**heliocastroneves#3** · 23rd May 12, 16:17

Originally Posted by Lousada

In 1988 Judd had the best N/A engine in the field, let's not rewrite history here.

Still it wasn't very good as the reliability was awful. Mansell finished twice on a second place, which were his only finishes of the season... You could also say that the BAR 001 of 1999 was a good F1 car, but it wasn't.... It was fast, indeed but not able to finish races regularly....

**FIAT1** · 23rd May 12, 20:01

Indy 500...looking forward to it! Just sayin'...

**Nem14** · 24th May 12, 00:04

Originally Posted by Nem14

The crashes also point out the fact that these cars are being driven at and beyond the limits.

I have a concern about how the cars behaved when they contacted the wall, particularly Carpenters car going up on it's side. Clausons car went up a little too, but much less so because he impacted the wall at a shallower angle to the wall.

Others were also concerned - AutoRacing1.com - Hot News Page

**FIAT1** · 24th May 12, 01:11

Dallara modifies IndyCar DW12 chassis to improve safety - Autoweek

**Marbles** · 24th May 12, 02:29

Wow! Between qualifying and racing at the Indianapolis 500 the car builder cuts 3 holes in the bottom of your car. "Testing shows"... WHAT TESTING? I guess they mean computer simulations... I hope all their 1's and 0's are in the right order.

“Dallara’s response has been immediate to try and make sure all improvements possible could be implemented in time for the race—all credit to them,”

A slight oversight by a car manufacturer that's notoriously inept at providing cars that can keep all four wheels on the ground on ovals in Indy racing when contact is involved.

**TheCountessZ** · 24th May 12, 03:54

Originally Posted by FIAT1

Those who are going to the race..... looks like is gonna be little warm on a race day. Protect your children as aluminum can be brutal on hot day like that. Don't forget ...water...a lot of water !!!!

I second that! It'll be like Brickyard weather. Now that's brutal!

**00steven** · 25th May 12, 22:39

Who else is going? I'll be in three.

**ChicagocrewIRL** · 25th May 12, 23:27

The 500 rated front page coverage on ESPN.COM today . Amazing ESPN/ABC finally gets it that they need to step up coverage if they want the ratings to recover.