Wow. Now I know how Robin Miller or Mark C feel. Drop a little hint, make no specific confirmation and BAM, people are on your tail.
Totally pointless? As a comment? I love it! its a good point. My blog entry was a little pointless, but fun nonetheless. Like I said, it’s the hardest part of my job, being on the “inside” for certain things, yet being a fan first and foremost and someone who wants to share my experiences with you guys. Sorry if yesterday’s blog upset some of you guys, I couldn’t help it. I am crazy excited about what I heard and had to share it with someone. Stay tuned, we’ll all know real soon anyway and then I can continue writing my usual blogs, which can also be classified as totally pointless, but in a different way. :)

I didn’t mention much of the Atlantic race because I wanted my kids to have their own entry. Man oh man, was that a good show they put on! Think about it, 28 cars going around turn one, doubled up and NOTHING happens. Yes, I know, there were a few hits off turn one later in the race, but the start was very significant and proved to me that these drivers are smart. That’s the bottom line, they are smart. Getting out of the first corner clean is key. They all did. Good job boys!

But the biggest winner was Mazda, Swift and Yokohama. The cars not only held up nicely during the race, but it produced some very exciting moments and now everybody can breathe a little easier, knowing that the new formula passed with flying colors under race conditions. Not to mention how GOOD the car looked. I haven’t seen a sharp looking racecar like that in a long time. Definitely the class of the line-up, I thought.

I did some shooting at the Atlantic meet and greet on Thursday. Unfortunately, the footage didn’t turn out, but let me tell you, these kids are great. They are funny, energetic and roaring to go. The comparison to College basketball versus Pro-basketball is very applicable. Watching the NCAA tournament in March is unbelievable because the kids are playing with passion that’s only seen at that level. You can become a little complacent once you hit the pros and have reached the pinnacle. The same thing with the Atlantics. They are hungry, they want to make it to the next level and they know that they have a very short window. It’s a 12 race season. We are already down one. Not a lot of time to impress some bosses from ChampCar.

The greatest thing for the series is how organized the Atlantics were and how much interest was shown once they announced the new formula, as well as the prize money. I have a feeling that ChampCars will mirror the Atlantics next season when they bring out the new formula. A lot of outside teams and owners are taking a close look at the Atlantics right now and its going to be the measuring stick as to whether or not they decide to join ChampCars next season. Boy we are in for something special in 2007 and we will have the 2006 Atlantic series to take us there!

oh boy. I've got about a minute and a half to write before I am off to explore Denver. But let me tell you, the piece of news I recieved yesterday is shocking. Well, I guess its not shocking, but its BIG! here's the problem: as a trustworthy employee of champcar (yes, just freelance, but nonetheless trustworthy), I don't think I can tell you guys what it is. I don't want to get in more trouble than I usually get myself into. I am torn, but must do the right thing. But, let me just say this: you heard it from me. and I like to think I have pretty good connections within this racing world. I am not some two-bit reporter who throws crap on the wall and sees what sticks. I think we all know what 'topic' this revolves around, as there is basically just one topic that makes open-wheel racing in america go round. this is big....

Long beach 2007 is a long, long ways away.

What a weekend it was in Long Beach! I had so much fun talking to so many different people. Thank you to all the great people who came up to me and offered kind words, whether it was for Overheard (2006 Long Beach edition coming soon) or for this blog. We’re just one happy family in my opinion and we’re all in this together!

My understanding is that attendance was through the roof and although this is hardly scientific, I can vouch for it just from walking through the crowds during the weekend and seeing the stands packed from my vantage point. The event, in my humble opinion, was the best I have seen it in 6 years that I have been attending it. I know my history doesn’t go back too far, but this was the best in 6 years. I think Champ Car owning the race had a lot to do with it. There was this feeling of confidence in the air. Last year, it seemed everybody was on pins and needles. This year, we own the joint baby! I think that had a lot to do with it.

One thing’s for sure, the on-track competition was great. When you consider than Jan Heylen was the top rookie finisher, you know something’s right with the series. I know that the crashes had a lot to do with it, and it became a race of attrition to a certain extent, but nonetheless, the ontrack product is there. Its better than I have seen it for a while. The rookies are the story. Pizzonia is fast. Darn fast I assure you. Will Power is taking his two-race experience from 2005 and using it to his advantage. Speedy Dan Clarke is got a solid team behind him and that’s going to help. Katherine, well, let’s not kid ourselves, she struggled this weekend. I am certain that she’s not happy with her 8th place result. And she probably shouldn’t be. She struggled this weekend, but in her defence, her teammates didn’t do much better (i’m talking overall weekend performance in terms of car power and whatnot, not just race results). All in all, PKV had a tough weekend.
Trust me my friends, it would be very hypocrite of me to criticize the IRL for Danicamania and turn around and do it myself. I promise you that I will treat Katherine like a regular rookie in the series, just like she wants to be treated. The story this weekend in terms of rookies was Will Power and Jan Heylen and, quite frankly, that’s a great surprise to a lot of people!

I know I have said this before my friends, but how good is Sebastien Bourdais?? Champ car is so lucky to have him! We get to witness a true phenom every weekend. Something that only comes around…heck I don’t even know how often someone like that comes around. Not to toot my own horn, but I think I said it best during the race “there is nothing he isn’t very good at”. He just does everything exceptionally well and the good news for Newman/Haas after this weekend is that it appears that Mr. Bourdais has not lost ANY motivation, despite being the back to back champion. Much to the chagrin of the other teams, I’m sure. We talk about Tiger Woods, we talk about Lebron James. Players that come around once or twice in a lifetime. Sebastien is in that category, no question about it.

My favorite part of the weekend had to be the steep learning curve I had to endure figuring out 29 Atlantic drivers! It was so much fun and I think I did okay, although I know I made a few mistakes here and there. Congratulations to Andreas Wirth and Team Forsythe. I think I will be saying that a lot this season.

Here’s the most interesting thing of the weekend: about half the IRL field was there, hanging out. From Dixon to Andretti to Danica. All there, just chillin’. You probably know by now Kalkoven’s press conference speech: walking to the podium and saying “yes, we are still talking” and then stepping down. I tell you folks, and I know a lot of people don’t want to hear this, but we are close to a merger. Its not a question of if, it’s a question of when. Suddenly, we are friends with the IRL. We went from bitter enemies to a love-in. Personally, I don’t care because I look at their field and I know we would blow ‘em out of the water. We have better drivers, plain and simple. I know Hornish and Wheldon are solid and a handful of others are decent, but we are much, much better. No question about it! Robin Miller will finally be happy. He won’t have to be reminded every weekend where he is and which series he needs to preach on that particular weekend.

I am off to Denver for a couple of days and when I get back, I should have a couple of days to get an OHATT off to you guys. I also did an interview with the Broadcast team about their predictions on the upcoming season. It’s a 7 minute interview and I just looked at it and its so much fun, these guys get along so great that I might just leave it as is, uncut. We shall see!

Houston, May 13th.