Mid Ohio

[SarahFan]

Thoughts? Predictions?

[00steven]

Thoughts- Thank you for making a thread discussing the build up to the race instead of making an official race thread that will have 40 posts before the actual race.

Predictions- Will Power and Ryan Hunter-Reay will battle for the win.

[SoCalPVguy]

is this the "official" Mid Ohio thread now ????

[SoCalPVguy]

Thoughts? Predictions?

The "IRL" is dead, technically its the Izod Indycar Series forum

[Chris R]

I am thinking Rahal might be due for a "breakthrough" win on his home turf.....

As much as I like Mid Ohio, I think we are also going to see that a place like Edmonton made for good racing

[dataman1]

Prediction: Do to narrow track the guys up front after quals will win. I think it's Tony Kanaan's turn to shine.

[Anubis]

Can recall Sato being "fast until the mistake" here last year, and given his recent speed, can see another good qualifying. As for the race, who knows. For that's the joy of Sato...

[Dr. Krogshöj]

Predictions? There will be a decent amount of passing yet everyone will moan about the Mid-Ohio circuit just because they're used to it.

[garyshell]

Prediction: It will be hotter than HELL with humidity above 85%. We have been sweltering in this heat for the past two weeks with no break in sight.

Gary

[beachbum]

That is pretty typical for Mid-Ohio in July /August. I have been there when it was in the very high 90's. That spawned the usual afternoon thunderstorm that only made it more steamy.

[garyshell]

That is pretty typical for Mid-Ohio in July /August. I have been there when it was in the very high 90's. That spawned the usual afternoon thunderstorm that only made it more steamy.

I've been going to Mid-Ohio since 1967 and know all too well about the heat, but this year has been much worse. Right now we are at 11 days in a row with temps above 90 and the overnite temps are much higher then typical. Added to that the extended periods of very high humidity that are also above the norm and it is gonna be downright NASTY this year. I am just hoping for a break in the pattern but the weather reports I saw just last night showed a long term forecast (granted only ten days out) of more of the same. Sigh...

Gary

[anthonyvop]

Right now we are at 11 days in a row with temps above 90 and the overnite temps are much higher then typical.

Gary

Macho up Gary. 90 with high Humidity is a nice Sunday afternoon here.......Hehehehehe

[Hoop-98]

Test Times from Mid-Ohio (Takuma Sato's Blog)

http://i54.tinypic.com/2ql8x6x.jpg

[DavePI2]

I'll be there starting with the first cars on track on friday. Can't wait for my favorite weekend of the year. Last week was pretty damn good though, went to valley forge, gettysburg and ran the rocky steps. Can't compare to midohio in august though. Firday is the best.

[Hoop-98]

I think it will be a 66.5 for the Fastest. Q Time.

http://i55.tinypic.com/14uvk1.jpg


http://i53.tinypic.com/sy4bjn.jpg

Some Best Times I could find for a CART Indy Light is a 73.8, 72.8 for an IC Light, LMP1 69.4, Mazda Atlantoc 72.09, Grand AM Proto-turtle 77 something, 09 Trans Am 82ish, 93 IMSA GTP 71s

Source (http://www.ultimateracinghistory.com/racelist3.php?trackid=164)

[DavePI2]

I wonder what one of the buggy's you might pass on 314 will do around the course. I took a ride on one last week in Lancaster Pa, bet it is faster then a tin top.

[DanicaFan]

Im heading out to Mid-Ohio early Friday morning, cant wait.

[DavePI2]

same here, want to be there at 800 am when the imsa lites series takes the track

[dataman1]

I'm driving over today to mark my spot. Worried about rain on Saturday and Sunday.

[heliocastroneves#3]

Hope to see a good race at Mid-Ohio, Go Danica, Go Hélio!

And Takuma.... Please don't drive like a NASCAR driver.. :D


If I'm realistic about who's gonna win I hope for a win for Dixie... That's way too long ago when he won for the last time driving for such a team as Chip Ganassi.

Will Power will probably drive to the pole, and for the championship it would be better if he finishes ahead of Dario while I support Dario for becoming a champion for the fourth time. :D

[SarahFan]

Im glad so many of you will around this weekend..... It's looking like Danica is officially gone next year ....So keep an eye on Chad

[DavePI2]

hope to meet fellow members this weekend. If you see an old guy that looks like John McCain carrying a camara bag wearing a porsche shirt and a blue sauber petonas massa hat it will be me tomorrow. See you there.

david

[DanicaFan]

hope to meet fellow members this weekend. If you see an old guy that looks like John McCain carrying a camara bag wearing a porsche shirt and a blue sauber petonas massa hat it will be me tomorrow. See you there.

david

I will look for you!

[SoCalPVguy]

First practice results:

Rank Car Driver BL Diff. Gap TL
1 38 Graham Rahal 1:09.6031 0.0000 0.0000 20
2 59 EJ Viso 1:09.6522 0.0491 0.0491 27
3 10 Dario Franchitti 1:09.6936 0.0905 0.0414 17
4 12 Will Power 1:09.7198 0.1167 0.0262 20
5 22 Justin Wilson 1:09.7912 0.1881 0.0714 29
6 06 James Hinchcliffe 1:09.8138 0.2107 0.0226 34
7 9 Scott Dixon 1:09.9713 0.3682 0.1575 16
8 28 Ryan Hunter-Reay 1:10.0505 0.4474 0.0792 19
9 6 Ryan Briscoe 1:10.1394 0.5363 0.0889 17
10 3 Helio Castroneves 1:10.2027 0.5996 0.0633 20
11 78 Simona de Silvestro 1:10.3522 0.7491 0.1495 25
12 14 Vitor Meira 1:10.3599 0.7568 0.0077 30
13 82 Tony Kanaan 1:10.3686 0.7655 0.0087 14
14 77 Alex Tagliani 1:10.3718 0.7687 0.0032 23
15 18 James Jakes 1:10.4045 0.8014 0.0327 27
16 4 JR Hildebrand 1:10.5981 0.9950 0.1936 24
17 19 Sebastien Bourdais 1:10.7947 1.1916 0.1966 31
18 83 Charlie Kimball 1:11.0650 1.4619 0.2703 35
19 17 Martin Plowman 1:11.1767 1.5736 0.1117 24
20 27 Mike Conway 1:11.4336 1.8305 0.2569 17
21 34 Sebastian Saavedra 1:11.5791 1.9760 0.1455 24
22 7 Danica Patrick 1:11.6077 2.0046 0.0286 29
23 2 Oriol Servia 1:11.6317 2.0286 0.0240 13
24 24 Ana Beatriz 1:12.0141 2.4110 0.3824 33
25 67 Ed Carpenter 1:13.4975 3.8944 1.4834 29
26 26 Marco Andretti 1:14.1995 4.5964 0.7020 5
27 5 Takuma Sato 1:15.0390 5.4359 0.8395 4

[Hoop-98]

A lot slower (over a second) than Practice 1 last year. Interestingly the ALMS LMP qualified 2.7 slower than 2010, GT a second or so off.

rh

[DavePI2]

had a great day. I love the imsa lites class, very entertaining. The F2000 cars are nice also. Good to see Graham do well. Saw quite a few of the drivers makeing the rounds in the paddock area. Looking forward to a great saturday, hopefully the gt race in alms will make up a little bit for so few lmp's. You know things are bad in a series when the local team(intersport) is no longer running lmp and only lmpc.

[Hoop-98]

Not to my knowledge

[DBell]

The article at Speed said hot temperatures made the track greasy. Track temps were above the 130 degree mark.

AUTO RACING - INDYCAR: Graham Rahal Leads Friday Practice At Mid-Ohio (http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/indycar-graham-rahal-leads-friday-practice-at-mid-ohio/)

[DavePI2]

It was certainly hot today, but at national trail raceway 2 weeks ago it was a lot worse.

[anthonyvop]

A lot slower (over a second) than Practice 1 last year. Interestingly the ALMS LMP qualified 2.7 slower than 2010, GT a second or so off.

rh

Would be interesting to see how much faster a top LMP1 team like Peugeot or Audi would be than the current IndyCar.

[Nikki Katz]

I hope Wilson's ok, didn't see qualifying due to lack of tv coverage here, but sounds like he's out for the weekend and possibly for some while longer :(

[anthonyvop]

I hope Wilson's ok, didn't see qualifying due to lack of tv coverage here, but sounds like he's out for the weekend and possibly for some while longer :(

IndyCar qualifying is Taped delayed in the USA

[DBell]

I hope Wilson's ok, didn't see qualifying due to lack of tv coverage here, but sounds like he's out for the weekend and possibly for some while longer :(

Wilson has back injuries, but no word on how serious. He's being airlifted out to have further examinations on his back. Simon Pagenaud is going to sub for him.

AUTO RACING - INDYCAR: Pagenaud To Sub For Injured Wilson (http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/indycar-pagenaud-to-sub-for-injured-wilson/)

[DBell]

Dixon captures pole over Briscoe, Franchitti, and Power. Ed Carpenter is the caboose, 2 seconds off the next slowest car and 4 seconds slower than Dixon. The guy can wheel the car on an oval, but he's hopeless on road courses.

Scott Dixon takes first pole of 2011 with commanding performance at Mid-Ohio - IndyCar news - AUTOSPORT.com (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/93667)

[downtowndeco]

Yeah. And it was also be interesting to see how much faster a Top Fuel dragster could accelerate than an F1 car. Or how much faster an F1 car would lap than a NASCAR. Or how much faster an LMP1 Audi would be than a DP01. But what would the point be? It would be like comparing apples and oranges.


Would be interesting to see how much faster a top LMP1 team like Peugeot or Audi would be than the current IndyCar.

[Marbles]

It looked like a huge crowd for the ALMS race today. I hope the rain was nice and cooling for you guys. ;)



Would be interesting to see how much faster a top LMP1 team like Peugeot or Audi would be than the current IndyCar.

Around 2007, the ALMS cars (including Audi) were breaking track records left and right before they were slowed down the next year but I still don't think their Mid-Ohio times that year broke 1:06.

[Hoop-98]

Would be interesting to see how much faster a top LMP1 team like Peugeot or Audi would be than the current IndyCar.

Anyone who knows anything about racing knows they would be slower. They do have a huge down force advantage but much worse power to weight. So they are the classic "momentum cars" and are pretty close on long high speed curve type tracks.

Of course, the above statement absolutely does not apply to you Anthony, the only one who is held to be clueless by IndyCar fans and Krapsters alike on the subject of motorsports.

To help you out the Aston was .6 behind the Peugeot's at Sebring and about 4.8 behind the quickest ICS qualifying lap.

[SoCalPVguy]

Second practice times:

Rank Car Driver Time Diff. Gap Laps
1 28 Ryan Hunter-Reay 1:08.8057 0.0000 0.0000 21
2 9 Scott Dixon 1:08.8335 0.0278 0.0278 22
3 5 Takuma Sato 1:08.8747 0.0690 0.0412 29
4 12 Will Power 1:08.9419 0.1362 0.0672 22
5 6 Ryan Briscoe 1:09.0556 0.2499 0.1137 20
6 10 Dario Franchitti 1:09.0683 0.2626 0.0127 16
7 4 JR Hildebrand 1:09.1655 0.3598 0.0972 22
8 77 Alex Tagliani 1:09.3230 0.5173 0.1575 19
9 38 Graham Rahal 1:09.3254 0.5197 0.0024 19
10 82 Tony Kanaan 1:09.3623 0.5566 0.0369 19
11 22 Justin Wilson 1:09.4224 0.6167 0.0601 15
12 06 James Hinchcliffe 1:09.4894 0.6837 0.0670 16
13 3 Helio Castroneves 1:09.5122 0.7065 0.0228 19
14 2 Oriol Servia 1:09.5316 0.7259 0.0194 21
15 26 Marco Andretti 1:09.5492 0.7435 0.0176 21
16 59 EJ Viso 1:09.6156 0.8099 0.0664 17
17 78 Simona de Silvestro 1:09.7271 0.9214 0.1115 19
18 83 Charlie Kimball 1:09.7331 0.9274 0.0060 21
19 34 Sebastian Saavedra 1:09.7433 0.9376 0.0102 25
20 27 Mike Conway 1:09.7506 0.9449 0.0073 24
21 7 Danica Patrick 1:09.7520 0.9463 0.0014 24
22 17 Martin Plowman 1:09.9226 1.1169 0.1706 25
23 14 Vitor Meira 1:10.0676 1.2619 0.1450 21
24 19 Sebastien Bourdais 1:10.0760 1.2703 0.0084 25
25 18 James Jakes 1:10.1987 1.3930 0.1227 22
26 24 Ana Beatriz 1:10.6978 1.8921 0.4991 25
27 67 Ed Carpenter 1:11.7864 2.9807 1.0886 29

[SoCalPVguy]

DIXON WINS POLE AT MID-OHIO

LEXINGTON, Ohio -- In a season that hasn't been exactly what Scott Dixon expected, what better place than the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course to make some hay in the IZOD IndyCar Series championship standings?


After all, the Target Chip Ganassi Racing driver has won two of the four races on the 2.558-mile, 13-turn circuit under INDYCAR sanction, and he'll have a clear view heading into Turn 1 on the first of 85 laps after earning the PEAK Performance Pole Award presented by AutoZone.
It was Dixon's first pole start of the season, though he's participated in six of the seven Firestone Fast Six sessions. It also was the 16th of his North American open-wheel racing career -- one behind Emerson Fittipaldi for 17th on the all-time list.


http://podcasts.indycar.com/teleconferences/MIDO_Quals.mp3

Dixon is third in the standings -- 106 points behind teammate and front-runner Dario Franchitti and 68 behind Team Penske's Will Power. Though he's had seven top-10 starts entering the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio, the two-time series champion has what he describes as "runner-up luck and worse." Dixon has finished second four times as a season high, and four times he's been out of the top 10 -- all because of contact not his fault.


"It's been a long time since a pole for me (29 races; 2009 Twin Ring Motegi), so it's nice to be back in that situation," said Dixon, who posted a quick lap of 1 minute, 8.1671 seconds in the Firestone Fast Six. "The pole, obviously it's a nice place to start. But I think after the first caution, it could be pretty mixed up with cars off sequence, then it gets messy again.



"Fingers crossed, hopefully have a smooth day and stay out of as much carnage as possible."
Dixon rose to the top of the time sheet with six minutes left in the 10-minute session and no one could top his lap time.
"From my car, Turns 1 and 11, split times we were gaining a little bit on some of the others," said Dixon, who had the unofficial quickest lap time in a 21-car test at the course on July 28.



Ryan Briscoe, driving the No. 6 Penske Truck Rentals car, will start on the front row for the second time this season, and Franchitti (the 2010 race winner) will start third in the No. 10 Target Chip Ganassi Racing car.


Power, who earned five of the six road/street course pole positions coming into race and was the pole sitter here last year, qualified fourth in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske car.


Ryan Hunter-Reay in the No. 28 Team DHL/Circle K/Sun Drop Citrus Soda car for Andretti Autosport and Graham Rahal of Service Central Chip Ganassi Racing will start on Row 3. Both drivers have participated in three Firestone Fast Six sessions this season.


"I felt like if I put a lap together it was going to be good for third, second," Hunter-Reay said. "But I couldn't attack the entry to the corner with the way it is right now. The track feels different this year for some reason. I was just loose on the way in and couldn't put it together.



"But tomorrow, starting fifth, we can absolutely work from there. I love driving around this place. To be able to get through all three qualifying sessions is getting your money's worth. It was fun and hopefully we'll go out and get a win tomorrow."


James Hinchcliffe in the No. 06 Sprott Newman/Haas Racing car will share Row 4 (tying a season high) with Alex Tagliani, driving the No. 77 Bowers & Wilkins entry for Sam Schmidt Motorsports. Takuma Sato, the pole sitter two weeks ago at Edmonton in the No. 5 KV Racing Technology-Lotus car, and Charlie Kimball will be on Row 5. It's the highest start of the season for Kimball, a rookie driving the No. 83 Levemir and NovoLog FlexPen car for Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing.
“I’m really happy for the whole Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing team<' Kimball said. "It was nice to be able to go out and get the lap time in qualifying and end up in the top 10. It was still a little disappointing because a couple of tenths could have put us seventh and we had a lap going and there was some dirt on the track so we lost the time. I know that the car is good and if we can hold a spot in the top 10 during the race we’ll be in good shape.”


Sunoco Rookie of the Year points leader JR Hildebrand posted a season-high road/street course qualifying effort (13th) in the No. 4 National Guard Panther Racing car.

[SoCalPVguy]

1. (9) Scott Dixon, Dallara-Honda, 01:08.0776 (119.405)
2. (6) Ryan Briscoe, Dallara-Honda, 01:08.3359 (118.954)
3. (10) Dario Franchitti, Dallara-Honda, 01:08.4016 (118.839)
4. (12) Will Power, Dallara-Honda, 01:08.4212 (118.805)
5. (28) Ryan Hunter-Reay, Dallara-Honda, 01:08.5796 (118.531)
6. (38) Graham Rahal, Dallara-Honda, 01:08.7423 (118.250)
7. (06) James Hinchcliffe, Dallara-Honda, 01:08.7701 (118.203)
8. (77) Alex Tagliani, Dallara-Honda, 01:08.8412 (118.080)
9. (5) Takuma Sato, Dallara-Honda, 01:08.8653 (118.039)
10. (83) Charlie Kimball, Dallara-Honda, 01:08.8665 (118.037)
11. (19) Sebastien Bourdais, Dallara-Honda, 01:08.9115 (117.960)
12. (59) EJ Viso, Dallara-Honda, 01:08.9427 (117.907)
13. (4) JR Hildebrand, Dallara-Honda, 01:09.4161 (117.103)
14. (78) Simona de Silvestro, Dallara-Honda, 01:09.3009 (117.297)
15. (3) Helio Castroneves, Dallara-Honda, 01:09.4369 (117.067)
16. (82) Tony Kanaan, Dallara-Honda, 01:09.3013 (117.297)
17. (27) Mike Conway, Dallara-Honda, 01:09.4904 (116.977)
18. (22) Simon Pagenaud, Dallara-Honda, 01:09.3851 (117.155)
19. (26) Marco Andretti, Dallara-Honda, 01:09.6059 (116.783)
20. (2) Oriol Servia, Dallara-Honda, 01:09.4935 (116.972)
21. (14) Vitor Meira, Dallara-Honda, 01:09.6061 (116.783)
22. (34) Sebastian Saavedra, Dallara-Honda, 01:09.7105 (116.608)
23. (7) Danica Patrick, Dallara-Honda, 01:10.2166 (115.767)
24. (18) James Jakes, Dallara-Honda, 01:09.8061 (116.448)
25. (24) Ana Beatriz, Dallara-Honda, 01:10.4537 (115.378)
26. (17) Martin Plowman, Dallara-Honda, 01:10.2533 (115.707)
27. (67) Ed Carpenter, Dallara-Honda, 01:12.3720 (112.320)

[DanicaFan]

Having a great time. Got to hang out with danica a couple times and got more pictures and got things signed. Unfortunately danica hasnt found any speed and did not qualify well. According to the team mgotegi race still up in the air. Looking forward to a good race.

[elan 02]

It is great to see Bourdais and Pagenaud ( I'm an old CC guy) doing so well. I think you could put Pagenaud in just about anything and he would be fast. This really looks good for next year. It seems like Randy picks up on what the fans a squacking about. So I hope we see the new car from race 1 next year. If there is any truth to the rumor that the new car will not be unveiled until Indy I think fans should rise HELL.

[anthonyvop]

Yeah. And it was also be interesting to see how much faster a Top Fuel dragster could accelerate than an F1 car. Or how much faster an F1 car would lap than a NASCAR. Or how much faster an LMP1 Audi would be than a DP01. But what would the point be? It would be like comparing apples and oranges.

Your right...Much better to compare a Spec series with nothing else and still wonder why the series is wallowing in obscurity

[anthonyvop]

To help you out the Aston was .6 behind the Peugeot's at Sebring and about 4.8 behind the quickest ICS qualifying lap.

I'll help you out and correct your glaring mistake

The Pole sitting Factory Peugeot turned a 1:46.571 at Sebring. The fastest non-Peugeot or Audi was the Aston which posted a 1:49.679 which isn't a difference than .6 like you MISTAKENLY stated but 3.1. OK? Just wanted to clear that up.


Oh..And the difference between the ALMS pole winner and the ICS winner was 4.65 and it wasn't the Aston.

[Hoop-98]

I'll help you out and correct your glaring mistake

The Pole sitting Factory Peugeot turned a 1:46.571 at Sebring. The fastest non-Peugeot or Audi was the Aston which posted a 1:49.679 which isn't a difference than .6 like you MISTAKENLY stated but 3.1. OK? Just wanted to clear that up.


Oh..And the difference between the ALMS pole winner and the ICS winner was 4.65 and it wasn't the Aston.


Whoops I used the 2010, so let's get accurate and look at percentage of lap times. :)

And I said the fastest lap not the pole which makes the difference from Aston to Peugeot 102.9 pct versus the difference between the ALMS Pole and the fastest lap in Qualifying ICS a 107.45 PCT.

Now why do you think a ALMS factory car would beat the Indy Car?


Thanks for playing.

[Will Rogers]

Has she looked everywhere? Has she asked her teammates where they look for speed? Did she forget to stop at the speed shop on the way to the track to pick up a party pak of speed? Is this like the old Target commercial when JPM joined Vasser as the team's drivers and as a hazing ritual they sent him around the track to look for snipe?

It's just so pathetic that Danic's problems get externalized so quickly by those in her fan base--they have the absolute certainty of the utterly clueless.

[Mark in Oshawa]

Has she looked everywhere? Has she asked her teammates where they look for speed? Did she forget to stop at the speed shop on the way to the track to pick up a party pak of speed? Is this like the old Target commercial when JPM joined Vasser as the team's drivers and as a hazing ritual they sent him around the track to look for snipe?

It's just so pathetic that Danic's problems get externalized so quickly by those in her fan base--they have the absolute certainty of the utterly clueless.

She would find herself better off if she put the effort in....but alas, that takes time away from things she would rather be doing, like modelling sessions, shopping and her other pursuits.

What said it all for me was at the start of qualfying in Toronto, most of the guys were either in their cars ready to go, or in pit lane, and as I was walking to corner 3, Danica scoots buy from the motorhome lot on her scooter in street clothes.

Gotta put in the effort Danica....

[Hoop-98]

Warmup;

http://i53.tinypic.com/2cen577.jpg

[anthonyvop]

Now why do you think a ALMS factory car would beat the Indy Car?



I never said that.

But why shouldn't I expect that from you the queen of using statistics.

What is that old expression about statistics and lies?

[Hoop-98]

I never said that.

But why shouldn't I expect that from you the queen of using statistics.

What is that old expression about statistics and lies?

"Would be interesting to see how much faster a top LMP1 team like Peugeot or Audi would be than the current IndyCar."

Now I think how much faster does imply some degree of faster right? So whom just told a lie?

Queen, lol, guess that's an insult among people unsure of their sexual identity?

rh

[Chris R]

I never said that.

But why shouldn't I expect that from you the queen of using statistics.

What is that old expression about statistics and lies?

uh, yeah ya did...... :eek:

and those aren't statistics - they are simple differences in speed expressed as a percentage..... it is most likely the speed differences expressed as a percentage of difference between the two would be similar from track to track.....

[Chris R]

so does Danica deserve a penalty for the thing with Rahal?? Seems pretty similar to some of the incidents at Edmonton that got some drivers on probation.....

[Hoop-98]

Dixon runs away!

http://i51.tinypic.com/e9b580.jpg

[beachgirl]

Having a great time. Got to hang out with danica a couple times and got more pictures and got things signed. Unfortunately danica hasnt found any speed and did not qualify well. According to the team mgotegi race still up in the air. Looking forward to a good race.

Why is Motegi up in the air? Isn't she contracted to race the entire season?

[banshee74]

so does Danica deserve a penalty for the thing with Rahal?? Seems pretty similar to some of the incidents at Edmonton that got some drivers on probation.....

They would have spanked Rahal with a penalty if he even touched her going by. It's time for this Princess circus to end.....good luck in Nascar's second series. Notice not much attention to Simona's 12th place finish....actually passing cars to "move up"...what a concept. Great race by Dixon!!

[Andrewmcm]

Why is Motegi up in the air? Isn't she contracted to race the entire season?


They probably have the MotoGP riders' disease. Misinformation about radiation. (only a guess on my part)

[SoCalPVguy]

Results

Pos Car Driver Diff. Gap Best Lap Start Comment
1 9 Scott Dixon 0.0000 0.0000 1:09.1271 1 Running
2 19 Dario Franchitti 7.6508 7.6508 1:09.5674 3 Running
3 28 Ryan Hunter-Reay 9.0784 1.4276 1:09.6707 5 Running
4 5 Takuma Sato 12.3062 3.2278 1:09.6611 9 Running
5 82 Tony Kanaan 19.9748 7.6686 1:10.2227 16 Running
6 77 Alex Tagliani 20.6267 0.6519 1:10.1199 8 Running
7 26 Marco Andretti 20.9094 0.2827 1:10.1805 19 Running
8 2 Oriol Servia 23.0252 2.1158 1:10.0524 20 Running
9 19 Sebastien Bourdais 23.6411 0.6159 1:09.9415 11 Running
10 14 Vitor Meira 26.2582 2.6171 1:10.1514 21 Running
11 83 Charlie Kimball 27.4550 1.1968 1:09.6998 10
12 78 Simona de Silvestro 29.0438 1.5888 1:10.0816 14 Running
13 22 Simon Pagenaud 29.7880 0.7442 1:09.9332 18 Running
14 12 Will Power 42.5675 12.7795 1:09.2376 4 Running
15 59 EJ Viso 45.3255 2.7580 1:10.2770 12 Running
16 6 Ryan Briscoe 45.7141 0.3886 1:09.5698 2 Running
17 24 Ana Beatriz 47.0943 1.3802 1:10.7254 25 Running
18 17 Martin Plowman 48.3700 1.2757 1:10.3911 26 Running
19 3 Helio Castroneves 48.8679 0.4979 1:10.2975 15 Running
20 06 James Hinchcliffe 49.4093 0.5414 1:09.7784 7 Running
21 7 Danica Patrick 59.9851 10.5758 1:10.4478 23 Running
22 67 Ed Carpenter 69.2913 9.3062 1:10.8268 27 Running
23 18 James Jakes 69.5303 0.2390 1:10.3859 24 Running
24 Graham Rahal 2 LAPS 2 LAPS 1:09.7219 6 Running
25 4 JR Hildebrand 4 LAPS 2 LAPS 1:09.7994 13 Running
26 27 Mike Conway 22 LAPS 17 LAPS 1:09.8897 17 Mechanical
27 34 Sebastian Saavedra 65 LAPS 43 LAPS 1:11.1876 22 Contact

[Nikki Katz]

The safety car rules on road courses still annoy me. Would it be that hard to implement a rule that keeps the pits open but makes sure the drivers don't hare to the pits due to the accident, like there is in F1? All the same, Penske are well aware of the rules as they are, and Power was never going to make up two and a half seconds in one lap, so why on Earth didn't they just pit when Franchitti did???

Stupid move from Viso today, how did he get away from the probation? Was he even punished this race? Patrick didn't cover herself in glory either, but at least she's been fairly clean (though slow) the rest of the season. I hope that interest in the series doesn't nosedive when she leaves, as she really hasn't made much of an impact in the last few years.

I hope they sort out the car for next year too - I've seen Wilson's accident now and there's no way someone should be sidelined for half a year from that.

And what the flip was that tractor doing on the racing line???

[NickFalzone]

And what the flip was that tractor doing on the racing line???

Lol, I came home from work and flipped on VS to see the cars navigating around the tractor at high speed (think it was like lap 50-something). A minute later Bob explained the tractor was there to clean debris, but it was pretty strange to see a huge John Deere right in the middle of the race track with cars going around it. Honestly at the time I thought something had gone severely wrong :)

As far as Wilson, does anyone have a good video of the crash? The one on IndyCar's youtube doesn't even look like a hit, all I saw was his front wing damaged as he went through the grass.

[00steven]

Great job by Dixie out there. It will be interesting to see which clowns (Viso) get a penalty after this week. Because I highly doubt Mrs. Patrick will.

[numanoid]

We need less races like this going forward. Other than the pits and the restarts, it was boring as hell. You know you're not watching an exciting race when pit strategy is the most talked about thing by the commentators.

It was nice to see Dixie run a good race. Dario is the luckiest driver in the series!

No legit passing zones makes for a very boring race.

[Hoop-98]

Chris, watch a replay and get back to us, I just did and it is pretty self explanatory.

[numanoid]

Having a great time. Got to hang out with danica a couple times and got more pictures and got things signed. Unfortunately danica hasnt found any speed and did not qualify well. According to the team mgotegi race still up in the air. Looking forward to a good race.

Post up pics. How did you find Danica? She is usually a ghost when she is not doing well.

[numanoid]

Also, Power's attempt at spinning Dario is bush league. Dario got away with something in Toronto but he did NOT do it on purpose. Not so sure with Will. Just when I started to like the guy he pulls a stunt like that.

[Chris R]

Chris, watch a replay and get back to us, I just did and it is pretty self explanatory.

I didn't record it - what do you think after the replay?? She seemed pretty far up the inside from what I recall - so perhaps Graham came down on her...

[Hoop-98]

She had 2 wheels way on the curbs trying to get out of the way and Rahal turned in. She was on Bourdais's gearbox and I don't think Rahal saw her and tried to turn in behind Bourdais.

rh

[elan 02]

Just checked the dvr Hoop is right Rahal was a little quik to turn in on her, his fault straight up.

[DanicaFan]

Why is Motegi up in the air? Isn't she contracted to race the entire season?

Not just Danica, the whole series, nothing 100% about going there this year.

[DanicaFan]

Some pics from this weekend..

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee236/DanicaRules/danicaindy2011004.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee236/DanicaRules/danicaindy2011003.jpg
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee236/DanicaRules/danicaindy2011007.jpg
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee236/DanicaRules/danicaindy2011006.jpg
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee236/DanicaRules/danicaindy2011008.jpg

[Sateryn76]

What a boring race. I know Mid-Ohio is a classic track, but it's not that great.

Robin Miller made a nice comment at the end of the race, pointing out that there were no crazy hits or controversial moments - but was this race as good as Edmonton or Toronto?

He's right.

Either way, happy for Dixon, sad for Will Power, hated the blue/purple of Dario, and was happy to see Simona get a better finish. But mostly, blah....

[SarahFan]

ChampiOnship decided by a pit lane closure....

[DavePI2]

had a great time this weekend at midohio. It has turned into my yearly vacation. Always a great time. Good to meet you and your wife Chad, hope you had a safe trip home, took me 2 hours to get out of lot, I guess it was about the same for you. If you ever get the chance of midohio it is worth it, friday and saturday there is racing from 8a-7p. Can't beat it, the support races were all great also. Only bummer was the end of the alms race, haven't been that wet in a long time. Oh I will get those pics to you as soon as possible Chad.

[Marbles]

I LOVE A PARADE... but not this kind... there was no Santa Clause. I expected more from this track so it was a bit of a let down. Impressive, and fortunate, run by Hinchcliffe at the front. Tough cheese for him to throw a good finish away but hopefully he'll have many more chances with NH. I'm still trying to figure out the avoidance manoeuvre by Tagliani that ran Hinch off the track unless they are talking about Tags avoiding running into the back of the car in front of him? Help me with this, visual aids would be good.

Patrick\Rahal was a race incident. Equal blame. Rahal should have been watching his mirrors and Patrick should know the "Freight Train" doesn't work in an Indycar hairpin like it does on a NASCAR oval.

Tough teets for Power but I think he should just suck it up this time instead of trying to pull some Tony Stewart garbage... warning coming???

The biggest problems with these cars today is that the corners are too strong. In years past, simply looking at the front end the wrong way would bend the suspension.

Mid-Ohio has to do something about that infield. Ironically, Pagenaud had the same ride that Wilson (the man he replaced) had. I recall Zanardi having a similar adventure but back in his championship days but I think it probably ended up making his car faster.

And the pit reporters giving out wrong info and talking over pit\driver communication is getting annoying. Hinchcliffe could have put on Reds OR Blacks! It was his choice and it was the wrong one!

[DanicaFan]

Thanks again Dave, I appreciate it!