Denver Saturday

Saturday Denver.

Well, the Miss Grand Prix finals are currently under way, there’s also a VIP party taking place right now and I am here in my hotel room writing a blog entry. I wouldn’t want it any other way!

Alright, the stage is set for Sunday (or this afternoon). Bourdais has really gotten a knack for putting down a flyer (usually the fastest of the session) at the very last minute. He’s been doing it all year and today, though his final lap didn’t matter because he also had the 2nd fastest lap of the qualifying session, it was a near perfect qualifying session for him. He used up all 15 laps and put down the fastest just as the checkered flag was being waved. It was pretty sweet to see actually. He’s going to be tough to beat tomorrow, but as usual, it will depend on turn one after the opening green flag.

He’s got the usual suspects starting around him and that will do anything but put his mind at ease. Next to him is AJ who captured the provisional pole on Friday, but really wasn’t a factor today. He was quick, but wasn’t Bourdais quick. I mean, three tenths is a large number in racing. Justin starts behind the number 1 car and Tracy next to him. So, you have AJ starting right in front of PT. will PT help AJ or attempt too? It would be hugely beneficial for AJ to take the lead from Bourdais on turn one. If Bourdais has a chance to escape clean, he is going to be very very tough to beat. Of course, he’s always tough to beat, that’s why he’s the two time defending champion! But I have a gut feeling, and I hate to even write this, that something will not go right for the Macdonald’s car on Sunday. Maybe it’s because Denver is a tough track where the vets have shined, but the rookies have struggled and could cause havoc when they have the leaders pull up behind them. It’s just a gut feeling.

Good for Alex Tagliani to start P5. The field was very close today from P5 to P10, so that spot could have gone to a handful of driver. Hopefully Tags can keep it clean tomorrow and come home with that podium that he appeared to be heading towards in San Jose.

As for the Atlantics, you might as well add a 4th win to the column next to Graham Rahall because he has been the class of the field this weekend. It is going to be near impossible to beat him if he stays clean for 39 laps. This kid hasn’t just been fast this weekend, he’s been Bourdais fast. Again, with 25 cars on the field on a short track, traffic will be an issue and that might be the only hope that the drivers starting behind him have. Can’t wait for that race, that’s for sure!

We had the fan forum this evening with a great panel that included Derek Walker, Will Power, Nicky Pastorelli and Leo Maia. We had a lot of fun and if you get a chance, ask Derek or Will their opinion of the scrap between Tags and Tracy. Also ask Nicky, he had the line of the night. It won’t translate well on this blog, but the fight happened just as he was pitting and he said something to the likes of almost missing his pitstop because he was watching. Classic!