post cleveland

What a race! what a spectacular race. Maybe the most fun I have had at a track for quite some time. It may not have been the prettiest, but it goes to show you that nothing in Champ Car is EVER predictable. That is a lesson that Doornbos already learnt a while ago, but that Neel Jani found out for the first time in his Champ Cat career. I was happy to see him up there with a 3rd place finish and I guarantee that Doornbos is having the time of his life driving a in the Champ Car series. You can tell by his expressions, you can tell by the way he speaks. This is the most fun he has ever had in a race car and I can't say I blame him. I am betting Stoddart is having a pretty darn good time too.

I feel bad for Graham because this was a podium he should have had. It seems odd to me that he didn't and that he pit 5 laps earlier than Tracy on his final stint. You got the feeling it would come back to bite him and at one point they told him that he would have to stop unless they got a yellow. It was at that point that Ronnie Bremer turned and said "we heard that, but so did all the other teams, so you never know if they are telling the truth". Its there I wished they were in fact lying because while I don't think he could have passed him because Tracy knows this track so darn well, but would have at least finished 2nd. Can't help but feel for the kid.

I turned to whomever I was next too as Seabass had his engine failure and said "a lot of people at home just cheered!". Shows that this number 1 team is human after all But what a waste for Power to make up any ground. Frankly I still don't know what happen with his punctured tire, but all I know is that he has to be very upset right now. When Power punctured his Power, Bremer mentioned something about Bourdais having a horseshoe up his... come to think of it, I quite enjoyed watching the race with Ronnie.

This was a great event. There was so many people here today, I actually got annoyed walking through in the morning because it was jammed. I guess that's a good thing and I shouldn't be so selfish. Once again the standing starts provided a thrill for the crowd and for the series. There is a buzz, an energy as the drivers do their parade lap and then set up in their box. I know I have said this before, but I am fully converted and a big fan of standing starts now. At least in person I am. And there will be no better place this year (maybe Edmonton) to have a standing start, what with the the view from these grandstands.

another race, hopefully another lesson for Dan Clarke. He's got the speed, he just needs to channel it the right way.