the Official Long Beach Race (weekend) thread

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Originally Posted by harvick#1

hmm same could be said from Dixon, he knocked EJ out of the race early in the race ;)

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That was a shocker from EJ. He dived up the outside without anywhere to go, he should have been a little more patient. Dive bombing isnt passing.

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Originally Posted by hornet

Whilst I'm hesitant to get drawn in to yet another Danica debate, I'm struggling to see why there's quite so much hostility regarding her race performance? Whilst accepting she didn't exactly blaze through the pack, neither did anybody else. I'd have thought bringing it home in a solid fourth and staying out of trouble when many others were bouncing off each other and/or the wall would merit a mention, even a grudging one? She may have benefitted from cautions, but you play the hand you are dealt. I can't see how gaining position from yellows caused by someone ELSE parking it in the fence can be used to belittle what was a pretty solid drive? Not exactly a thrilling race, but plenty of people managed to bin it, she didn't and gained as a result. That strikes me as a pretty decent strategy in a street race, to be honest.

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I agree. I am not a Danica fan, but she drove a great race and I give her credit for that.

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Originally Posted by underpowered

That was a shocker from EJ. He dived up the outside without anywhere to go, he should have been a little more patient. Dive bombing isnt passing.

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Diving up or dive bombing are inside moves. EJ was at the wrong place at the wrong time. Dixon got wheel spin out of the corner, found himself in a bad place and didn't see his spot was occupied by another driver, Viso.

EJ got hit, Dixon crossed into his lane.

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Originally Posted by underpowered

That was a shocker from EJ. He dived up the outside without anywhere to go, he should have been a little more patient. Dive bombing isnt passing.

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Come on man...Dixon is a great champion and racer but he was totally at fault there. You can't try to pass, give up on it, then change your line in the middle of the turn. He was obviously looking ahead and didn't see Viso but he's totally at fault there. He also caused the chain reaction 5 cars pile up in the hairpin. Add to that his dive bomb on Mutoh at St. Pete and It looks to have the makings of a case he now has a faster teammate he's pressing to catch. He'll be back but right now, he is struggling.

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Originally Posted by TURN3

As far as Dixon, what was his deal today? He single handedly took 6 cars out of the race or contention.

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What a load of rubbish! Explain the 6 cars. I have watched the video again and every one of the three incidents I could find was caused by the other driver.....including that weird brain explosion by Briscoe.

The only way a fast driver can stay out of trouble in this new IRL is by winning a place in the top 4. It is Demo Derby at the back of the pack.

Regarding the Viso incident. I think there was a lot going on at that moment because they had all suddenly bunched up. For those few moments I think Dixon was more occupied with what was going on head of him and to his left, rather than what was coming from behind and his right. I thought it was just one of those racing incidents.

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Originally Posted by underpowered

What a load of rubbish! Explain the 6 cars. I have watched the video again and every one of the three incidents I could find was caused by the other driver.....including that weird brain explosion by Briscoe.

The only way a fast driver can stay out of trouble in this new IRL is by winning a place in the top 4. It is Demo Derby at the back of the pack.

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First off, I'm not trying to dog Dixon but, every driver has their day and so far this year he's had 2 that weren't his. The 6 cars I was referring to are Viso obviously, and the 5 cars piled up in the hair pin after he clocked the back of Rahal.

I have no issues with contact in racing. I sort of feel like if you never have any, you're probably not fast enough (could make a point of a certain popular driver here). I agree he was occupied with passing car in front on the Viso incident but you're not allowed to change your line and he clearly did that. For a guy like him to pull that in a jumbled up mess there, I think he has to be "at fault". Clearly though, it is racing and not supposed to be a parade like the vast majority of today's race.

Apparently there is another way to move to the front too...just qualify at that back and pit early. Then you don't have to pass a single car and you'll work your way to the front of the parade. We need a new formula fast...engine, chassis, and tires. Mix up the combos each team chooses and you'll get back to where passing on these courses is possibile.

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Originally Posted by TURN3

Come on man...Dixon is a great champion and racer but he was totally at fault there. You can't try to pass, give up on it, then change your line in the middle of the turn. He was obviously looking ahead and didn't see Viso but he's totally at fault there. He also caused the chain reaction 5 cars pile up in the hairpin. Add to that his dive bomb on Mutoh at St. Pete and It looks to have the makings of a case he now has a faster teammate he's pressing to catch. He'll be back but right now, he is struggling.

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Rubbish, EJ dive bombed up the outside three wide, EJ has to know that it may go wrong. I have re-watched it a couple of times now.

The chain reaction started three cars ahead of Dixon.

I accept that Dixon caused the contact with Mutoh, for the same reason I think EJ caused the contact with Dixon. It is very hard to pass on street courses, sometimes it is best to not try.

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Originally Posted by TURN3

First off, I'm not trying to dog Dixon but, every driver has their day and so far this year he's had 2 that weren't his. The 6 cars I was referring to are Viso obviously, and the 5 cars piled up in the hair pin after he clocked the back of Rahal.

I have no issues with contact in racing. I sort of feel like if you never have any, you're probably not fast enough (could make a point of a certain popular driver here). I agree he was occupied with passing car in front on the Viso incident but you're not allowed to change your line and he clearly did that. For a guy like him to pull that in a jumbled up mess there, I think he has to be "at fault". Clearly though, it is racing and not supposed to be a parade like the vast majority of today's race.

Apparently there is another way to move to the front too...just qualify at that back and pit early. Then you don't have to pass a single car and you'll work your way to the front of the parade. We need a new formula fast...engine, chassis, and tires. Mix up the combos each team chooses and you'll get back to where passing on these courses is possibile.

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I agree, the luck involved in the pits was frustrating, but I guess thats racing also.

I can't wait to get back to the ovals! at least there is room to pass slower cars and less accidents. I was never a big oval fan a few years back but I am finding myself waiting anxiously for the action to start when we get to the ovals.

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Originally Posted by bblocker68

Diving up or dive bombing are inside moves. EJ was at the wrong place at the wrong time. Dixon got wheel spin out of the corner, found himself in a bad place and didn't see his spot was occupied by another driver, Viso.

EJ got hit, Dixon crossed into his lane.

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Dixon was inches away from the car in front. I dont buy EJ's excuse that Scott was slow out of the previous corner. If that was the case he wouldnt have been all over the car in front.

EJ just needs to "man up" and say it was a 50/50 pass that didnt work out.

Like Scott said about his contact with Mutoh last race.