March 2nd, 2006

We are TWO NASCAR races into the season already! Long Beach is just around the corner and before you know it, we’ll be cheering our favorites and booing are foes! Its going to be an interesting 2006 and it is certainly shaping up nicely. I just got word of this turbo tour that ChampCar is taking with some drivers and whatnot, flying all across the States in one of KK’s Gulfstream. That’s a pretty good idea for a marketing and promotion! Of course, I didn’t get the invite, but hey, Miss ChampCar did!
(to those reading: I am always going to make some jokes when it comes to Miss ChampCar doing all these exotic things with the series while I sit at home practicing my voice).
It’s the first of its kind and I am sure it’s going to be a huge success.

Naturally, Katherine is going to be part of the trip. But who else is driving at PKV? And what about HVM, aside from Ronnie? I don’t expect to hear from DCR until the first practice session at LB, but what about Mi-Jack? The talent pool that is available this year is scary and I can just imagine what is going to happen in 2007 when there are chassis and engines available per demand. That is going to make some interesting teams and driver combination. Let’s face it and I have brought this up before, but 2006 is a transitional year for the series. It’s a year where history must be celebrated all the while looking into the future. It’s the last of a generation and with drivers like Katherine taking part in the series, its also the beginning of the next generation. We must look past while looking forward. This is in part why I would like Jimmy to lace ‘em up one more year. There could be no better swan song for him than to partake in the series in 2006. he could ride into the sunset with the rest of what is ending this year. He would be part of the celebration of the history of this sport.

And of course, with the start of a new season comes the inevitable re-unification talks. These should last until just after the Indy 500. from my vantage point, its like this every year. During the pre-season and the month of May, lots of talk of getting back together. Then after May, the IRL rides what little momentum they have and talks seemingly end. So, expect these talks to continue for a while. But…

Is it just me, or do these talks seem a little more serious. In the past, all these talks came from dubious sources and could hardly be taken seriously. Now, I read that KK and TG are skiing in the Alps and dining atop of the Eiffel Tower, or something like that. That they enjoy each other’s company! Its hard to dismiss these talks when the two owners are complimenting each other. And let’s face it, 2007 is the perfect time to do it. With the new generation of cars and with the new beginning momentum, what better way to start a new era by having only one series? I’m still not going to hold my breath…

Champ Car baby! Champ Car for life!