What’s the deal with brown sugar? Why does it get rock-hard after a day or two? Its morning, I am trying to enjoy a cup of coffee, I recently purchased brown sugar, falsely thinking its healthier and I end up stomping and mashing it and basically wrestling with it so that a little chunk comes out which I can put in my coffee! I need an ice pick, except I don’t think it would be strong enough. If anybody wants to repave his or her driveway, I have extra brown sugar, which should do the job just fine!

Anyway, I’m packed; I’m all set for Edmonton. I am feeling a bit better, the cold is disappearing. Although I think it’ll probably stay with me until I decide to turn down the air conditioner. But its 40 degrees outside, so logically it should be –30 in here as a balance! Just don’t get me started on the proper diction when it comes to air conditioning use. I bet marriages have ended in the past because of the miscommunication of the AC lingo. “What do you mean turn it down? I did, Its 5 degrees less then it was 10 minutes ago. Oh, you mean turn it up? As in warmer? Well, am I turning it up or down? Forget it!” so confusing!

So, AJ looks to make it 4 in a row. Can you believe in a series built on a form of parity we are 7 races into the season and have seen only 2 winners? It really demonstrates the powerhouses that are Newman/Haas and Forsythe. Yet, at the same time, it demonstrates how important driver ability is in this series. What AJ has done at Forsythe, clearly Dominguez couldn’t do and while Bourdais dominated the first 4, his teammate only cracked the top 10 twice (two 10 place finishes). So does that make Bourdais and AJ exceptional talents? Definitely! They are in a league of their own; there is no question about it. Sure, you can throw Justin Wilson in there and maybe Paul Tracy. Sure, you have a handful of drivers that are threats every weekend to take the checkered. But until that happens, I don’t think we need to look anywhere else but the #1 and the #7.

Justin Wilson is quickly becoming one of the more popular drivers in the series and with good reason. He’s nice, he’s intelligent and he’s fast. But, suddenly A.J. has more career wins than Justin. Isn’t that odd? Prior to Portland it looked like A.J. wasn’t even in the same class as Jwil. Is there a driver facing more pressure than Jwil this weekend? I’m not sure. Bourdais is still cruising and although they are closing the gap, it would take a couple of more Clevelands for him to feel any real threat from the competition. (And by Cleveland I mean finishing 18th, not having a car roll over his head). A.J. feels no pressure at all anymore. With his whole Agent thing working on deals for him, with his whole three wins, he’s on cloud nine. Eventually he’ll get back to earth, but I don’t think it will be in Edmonton. I suspect at least another podium finish. Then he heads home (or close too) in San Jose. Things just keep getting better and better for Allmendinger.

I kind of wish Servia would step it up. I’m not particularly impressed with him this year and I can’t find the reason. Is it him? Is it PKV? Sure, they are still a young team, but they have the proper resources for a two-car operation. They have the experience in Jimmy Vassar and they have the willingness to make it happen in Kalkoven. Yet, it’s not happening. Legge is a rookie and battling for the ROY title, so she is doing what is expected of her. But Servia should be battling for the championship, no? That one podium aside, he’s only got 3 top 10 finishes this season. Is this acceptable? Didn’t we think he could win a couple of races this year? Its as if the team is in a rut. And have become complacent, setting their goals midstream. Looking for top 10’s, maybe top 5’s. Compare Philippe and Servia. Right off the bat, who do you think is doing better this season? You’d be crazy not to immediately say Nelson. Yet, he’s only got 4 top 10’s and one podium. So why is it perceived that Nelson Philippe is doing so much better than Oriol? Because the bar has been set high for Oriol and he’s not living up to it. Come on Oriol, start challenging for the win. I want to see you on the podium again! We spent a lot of time together there last year. Was it something I said?