Oop that brake pedal...

[mark123]

I think that if any of us try to drive a 650hp indy car on a go-kart track with walls, we may have a small understanding of how good these guys are, but when you are sideways and out of control - there aren't too much you can do about it.

You can slow the tape down and watch replays all you like, but this all happened in a split second - and I for on simply don't believe that dixon deliberately backed his $500,000 race car into the wall to block Dairo.

and as for AGR - of all the teams in the series, they can not complain about other team's driving habits.

[45 Below]

I don't like the AGR team tactics either, or the way one of their drivers openly stated their aim for the weekend was to make sure Franchitti got ahead of Dixon. It smacks of four ganging up on one.

BUT I don't see it as any sort of justification or kharmic pay-back for what happened, be it accidental or otherwise.

In an ideal world I would like to see everybody out there racing for themselves - no team orders.

[ZzZzZz]

I don't think he turned the wheel, that's the position it was in. He just got off the brakes. And you can see he was facing Dario. He knew Dario was coming, he knew where his car would go if he got off the brakes.

Drivers know the effect of getting off the brakes in a spin, as well as getting on the gas (remember CART at Fontana?). You especially see it in NASCAR, but I've seen it in many other series.

Danica was way off Dario's pace, so it wouldn't make much sense to impede his pursuit of his championship contender. I think a lot on non-teammates would've also let him by. Why make an ass out of yourself, delay the inevitable and invite a desparate bonzai move? Sheckter moved over for a faster car and Helio expected him to do the same for him, right?

[Komahawk]

Maybe Helio just attempted the pass in the wrong corner.

And I don't think ANY non-temmates would've let Dario by, especially not towards the end. Imagine you're in a low budget team (like Rice for instance), and all of a sudden you're leading the race with like 10 laps to go and not having to pit anymore? Who would give up a win just like that? If Dario (or Dixon for that matter) wants by he'll have to pass me, banzei-move or not. And if a potential banzei-move results in a crash it's probably going to be his fault, and BTW second place will extend his points lead all the same.

[Civic]

I think Dixon may have attempted a reverse snap turn. When going backwards at a somewhat high speed you quickly turn the steering wheel to the side without using the brakes.

In most situations after a snap oversteer situation (early throttle application, too much trail braking, getting hit, etc) you steer into the skid until your rear end is pointing to where you want to go. Then you turn your steering wheel the other way and hopefully snap a 180 so that you're now facing where you originally were headed.

Another technique is to just mash the throttle and tap the brakes to pivot the car around the front wheels. However, this usually is suited to situations where early/too much throttle breaks the rear wheels loose.

Was Dixon anticipating Dario to go to the inside of the turn and he did what he did to give him room? No matter what, only Dixon really knows what happened.

[Komahawk]

That's a nice illustration of a "reverse snap turn". Thanx. But if it was that what Scott attempted, it was poorly executed to say the least. He just MUST HAVE KNOWN there was a wall! Reverse snap turn or whatever, no technique demands crashing your rear end into the wall. It's the last thing you want to happen.
And BTW, when they do these "reversed snap turns", don't they usually make sure they have plenty of room and especially NO TRAFFIC? I mean if their name isn't Paul Tracy? You can't just make these "correction spins" in the middle of traffic, that's next to intenional collecting oponents.

Agreed, only Dixon knows what he did and why. He should explain it to the stewards, and to Dario. Bottom line it's inacceptable. It was either inept driving (which is bad enough and a reason for being suspended), or it was a deliberate move (which is even worse).

[Hoss Ghoul]

I don't know how anyone could believe that its not possible to have made that move....

Intentional or not, it is certainly possible he could have. The argument that he didn't have enough time, thought, etc, etc, is BS.

Great championship this year.

[mark123]

i watched it again last night at race pace and am convinced that there was no intent on Dixons part. it all happened in a split second and was totally an accident. The owners at AGR just keep proving what everyone already knows.

[bravefish]

Either way its going to be a great race at Chicago ! May the best man (this year) win !!!

[mark123]

Bravefish - you have just become my best friend. the ABs will win and so will Dixon!!!!