Sunday

Ahhh, another race at the Mile in the books and wouldn’t you know it, the flying Frenchman has done it again! And wouldn’t you know it, the jovial Englishman has once again finished second. Those two were in a class of their own today, especially Bourdais. We were joking on the way back to the hotel that maybe Bourdais didn’t actually have a punctured tire or anything, but just wanted to make things a little fairer for everybody so he decided to go a lap down. Boy can that kid drive and boy is Newman/Haas a good team to back him. Remember, on ovals its 65/35 car/driver-skill, so while Bourdais can take most of the credit for winning the first three races of the season, this win goes directly to his hard working team. Same can be said for the #9 squad. Those two will continue to battle it out and I have a feeling its going to be closer in the race points than some people might think. Justin will not give Bourdais any breathing room and you can expect Bourdais to encounter some misfortunes this year, right? Right?

But, the man of the hour is the other Frenchman in the series, Nelson Philippe. He put on the drive of his life. We know the HVM team has the right set up at the Mile, considering what RHR did two years ago. But the way Nelson was driving today, you just couldn’t keep your eyes off him. At one point he was toe-to-toe with Bourdais for about 2 or 3 laps, side by side and later was the same with Justin Wilson. But more importantly in my opinion was when he decided to hold up a little, lift the throttle and make sure he took the car home on the podium instead of needlessly risking taking himself and Justin out of the race. He had an opportunity to pass him, made the attempt, didn’t quite happen and instead of making some banzai move, he held off and gladly took his Lola to a top 3. he, in my mind he was the driver of the day.

I was reading online about the supposed NASCAR yellow being called late in the race to get them bunched up. I admit, the yellow was timely, as Justin was about to be overtaken by Bourdais and fall a lap down. The yellow prevented that from happening and bunch ‘em back together. However, that yellow (for debris) lasted an awful long time and much clean up was being done during the caution, so I really have to believe that it was a legit yellow. In fact, I know it was. Why? Because I know ChampCar would rather complete as many of the 225 laps as possible rather than cutting the race short like they had too today. Given the opportunity, they would rather run all 225 laps within the time limit even if it meant a driver winning by 6 laps over the field. Throwing that caution pretty much guaranteed a shorten race and by that time, the race was likely already going to be shorter than normal, so that yellow put them in an even more compromising position. Its one thing to finish just a few laps shy of the expected number, but the more yellows, the less laps you are going to get in. That’s why I know that yellow was legit, because ChampCar was putting themselves in a compromising position by throwing it out there. Safety first, and I guarantee there was debris on the track.

Regardless, you can’t help but be in awe of Bourdais. I have to be honest with you, this is likely the number one reason I would like re-unification; to see Bourdais beat their guys and officially be the number one open-wheel driver in America. With two series, the question will always be raised as to who is the best. One series would eliminate that question and I firmly believe that Bourdais is the best racer in America today, and very likely the world.

Well, this past weekend was the first ever Unofficial Voice of ChampCar pageant. Stay tuned for the video which I will be posting in the next few days, but essentially, I took the camera, I took my lovely cameraperson Kelly (who helped me out sooo freakin’ much this weekend I am forever in her debt) and decided that since not all can enter the Face of ChampCar pageant, well, maybe some people would be interested in entering the Voice of ChampCar pageant! (I have to throw in unofficial because I don’t want to get sued). I want to thank all the participants, I know everybody had a good time and I certainly want and hope to do it at a few more events this year, post the winners and have you vote for your favorite in what I hope becomes the first EVER Unofficial Voice of ChampCar Pageant!

oh, and the funniest moment came on the podium after the race, right after I introduce the National Anthem of France, Justin Wilson turns to me and says "how does that go again?". what a great guy he is! taking it all in stride!