Houston

[airshifter]

Has anyone else watched round 1?

Lots of action, lots of twists, and a result that nobody could have expected. The changing weather really mixed things up, as well as taking out some really good drives.

I'm not going to say much just in case some are still planning on watching, but one of the best street races I've seen in a while.

[zako85]

I feel very disappointed with how Takuma Sato's race ended. To summarize for others, he moved from sixth to first position in just a couple of laps in a heavy rain with lots of standing water. After passing the leader, Takuma started building an impressive lead, until he run into the lap car. The lap car happened to be another Andretti car, just like the car driven by Hinchcliffe, the 2nd. Andretti Jr Jr slowed Sato, and was blue flagged. He still lingered for a few laps, and then got black flagged. At that point Sato's lead was erased. A full course caution made everyone pit, and Hinchcliffe won the race in pits by a few ft. I don't think this was a huge problem for Sato, but then he collided with the lap car of Aleshin, who was trying to overtake Sato in the weirdest spot, diving on the _outside_ before a turn. Anyways, this was certainly a very frustrating race for Sato. Hopefully today will be better.

[Starter]

Missed the race, the wife and I were on a day trip to Richmond. I'll be watching this afternoon though.

[Starter]

Very interesting race. I thought Helio's post race comments were a little out of line. He moved into the space where the other car was. Marco needs a little sit down. Several instances of contact due to him. Great drives by some rookies. Power's bad luck at the wrong time continues. Pretty entertaining day.

[jimispeed]

Everyone involved in the TV/pit reporting crew crew were great! The races using those other guys are so uninspiring. Get rid of them.

[airshifter]

I thought that overall both days had some really good racing. Helio was more at fault IMO, but it could have been easily avoided by Sebastian as well. Quite a few banzai passes over the weekend that were really hard passes but somehow made to look easy. And I also agree about the rookies, some of them raced like they had been around for a while. At the same time, in some cases they were all over the track and lucky to not take out (more) cars.

Also agree on the reporting crew. I really liked having people that know what they are talking about reporting rather than the dufus crew. It was strange having Steve Matchett as part of the race coverage, as I'm so used to hearing him covering the F1 races.

[Starter]

I thought that overall both days had some really good racing. Helio was more at fault IMO, but it could have been easily avoided by Sebastian as well. Quite a few banzai passes over the weekend that were really hard passes but somehow made to look easy. And I also agree about the rookies, some of them raced like they had been around for a while. At the same time, in some cases they were all over the track and lucky to not take out (more) cars.

Also agree on the reporting crew. I really liked having people that know what they are talking about reporting rather than the dufus crew. It was strange having Steve Matchett as part of the race coverage, as I'm so used to hearing him covering the F1 races.
I completely disagree on Helio. He went all the way from driver's left to driver's right, a move that could be construed as outrageous blocking, to get in front of another car that was already deep in the braking zone. Totally his fault.

Completely agree on the TV crew. Sorry I missed the Saturday race, looked like it was fun.

[zako85]

Overall, a pretty good race weekend. The race track configuration is definitely very good. In fact, I think it's become a kind of a gem in the IndyCar schedule.

[mike15]

I completely disagree on Helio. He went all the way from driver's left to driver's right, a move that could be construed as outrageous blocking, to get in front of another car that was already deep in the braking zone. Totally his fault.

Completely agree on the TV crew. Sorry I missed the Saturday race, looked like it was fun.

Helio must think he is still on DWTS and has the whole track to himself.
Racing is 99% instinct, if you think, your toast.
When Helio went down. Other drivers who saw Helio's move would go up and fill that space he left.
Helio deserved to be knocked out.

[airshifter]

I completely disagree on Helio. He went all the way from driver's left to driver's right, a move that could be construed as outrageous blocking, to get in front of another car that was already deep in the braking zone. Totally his fault.

Completely agree on the TV crew. Sorry I missed the Saturday race, looked like it was fun.

Don't get me wrong, as overall the contact was Helio's fault IMO. I just think he was under the assumption he still had room to move back over. Sebastian didn't have much time to react, and probably thought Helio was just trying to squeeze the line for corner entry. In either case it didn't end well.

Did you ever watch the Saturday coverage?

[airshifter]

Overall, a pretty good race weekend. The race track configuration is definitely very good. In fact, I think it's become a kind of a gem in the IndyCar schedule.

It's a shame it's so rough, otherwise it is interesting overall. I think if the track was smoother we would see more competitive racing, as it seems everyone is chasing setups dealing with the bumps.

JPM's comment on the bumps was comical. I forget the exacts but he was taking the attitude of shut up and drive.

And did anyone catch where the language censors obviously missed some of A.J.'s comments? :laugh:

[Starter]

Did you ever watch the Saturday coverage?
Haven't had time to chase it down. Got a link?

[airshifter]

Haven't had time to chase it down. Got a link?

I don't see anything popping up. I always DVR the races.

But if you liked the second race, the first was just as good. I'll avoid any spoilers but the podium was a shocker. Some great moves in changing conditions, and some bonehead moves as well. Worth trying to find.

[Starter]

I don't see anything popping up. I always DVR the races.

But if you liked the second race, the first was just as good. I'll avoid any spoilers but the podium was a shocker. Some great moves in changing conditions, and some bonehead moves as well. Worth trying to find.
Those parts I know because I saw the pre race on Sunday.

[Doc Austin]

It's a shame it's so rough, otherwise it is interesting overall. I think if the track was smoother we would see more competitive racing, as it seems everyone is chasing setups dealing with the bumps.
There was a lot of dam good racing going on both days. Admittedly the rain always makes things more interesting, but Sunday was dry and that was really good too.

The circuit, though is absolutely horrible, though they reported spend over a million dollars smoothing out some of the paving and improving the fencing. I think they are throwing good money after bad because the place is so rough it even broke the factory Audis when they were here during the champcar era. This place makes Sebring look like a billiard table. Last year helio broke the car in half over one of the bumps, though thankfully they fixed that for this year's race.

However, Shell wants Indycar there and you gotta accommodate a company that wants to put that kind of money into the series.

Houston, Toronto and Detroit have historically been awful venues that produce terrible races, but since they started the double header format every race has been a barn burner. I don't think it is the format so much that provides the great racing, but the DW12 chassis. That is one tough, racy car. If it was a little more attractive I could even love it.

This weekend is the Pocono 500, and if Indianapolis is anything to go by, this should be really good race too.