So, what's everyone's thoughts on the Fontan Race?

[stuboyle]

So, what's everyone's thoughts on the Fontana Race?

They have got to do something about the track. I don't recall an oval where they ever had an issue differential grip in the seems.

Also, the setting sun was murder. Obviously, they wanted to start the race under prime-time. Maybe they start it an hour later, but then with a 500 mile race it would end way too late at night.

Personally, I think I would add just a touch more grip to this and the Texas' setups.

[harveythedog2]

I agree Stu but it made fro some squirlley action.
Poor Sato. It seems everytime he pushes the limit on the last or closing laps, he crashes.

Stu

[stuboyle]

Sept 18, 2012 13:11:57 GMT -5 harveythedog2 said:

I agree Stu but it made fro some squirlley action.
Poor Sato. It seems everytime he pushes the limit on the last or closing laps, he crashes.

Stu

I hate to say it, but Sato now is "damaged goods". Just too many wrecks.

[mjjracer]

I was there (attended all 3 west coast races) and had a blast. As in blast furnace - amazingly hot!

But it really was one of the most enjoyable races I have been to. Complete uncertainty over who will win, following RHRs progress after Will crashed: oh he's up to fifth, now down to eighth, also completely uncertain about how it will play out until the checkered flag. Some boring parts in the middle, as in all long races, but mostly action all over the track. Many, many passes and no pack racing. Excellent.

Haven't watched the DVR of the race yet, so not sure how it played out on TV. It seemed at the race that the fans were totally involved and knew exactly what was happening.

I was also at the last (IRL) race there, and to me, looking at the stands and the cars in the lot, it was a lot more crowded than it was in 2005.

Some tweaks are needed, and the track needs to be repaved, but I hope they come back. If so, I'll be there for sure.

Also, I sprung for the Indycar Nation membership (mostly for the Racer subscription) and it has been fantastic. At Sonoma I got a scary hot lap, a garage tour with Stephen Wilson, and on the track for drivers intros. At Fontana there was a Q&A for members only with Hinch, Dixon and Dario. All were funny, gracious and accessible. Not a big autograph fan, but I had to get Dario's. I will re-up next year for sure.

Great time at the track. Even when it's 108 degrees, it's still better being at the track than watching at home.
MJ

[robh]

I was there also. My wife and stepson went too. Neither had ever been to any race. They were both hugely impressed. I thought it was one of the best races that I can recall seeing. As already stated, the heat was brutal. I wonder what the attendance was. It looked to me that about 2/3rds of the seats were filled. Some people sitting behind me got up and left when WP crashed out. Congrats to EC and RHR.

[indy]

Full race was uploaded to YouTube earlier today




youtube.com/wHVG0XL2EV4

Audio on my laptop is jacked up right now - I'll watch it on the iPhone as soon as I'm done with '99 Long Beach ;D

Jordan

[raceparke]

I just finished watching the DVR, not having looked at news, so it was like watching it live but FF through the ads. All I can say is PHEW!!! What a story, what a race. RHR must truly have nerves of steel to sit through that re flag time and just go back to racing. I was impressed w/ WP's comments for the most part- had to be difficult to face the questions both after the crash and after the race. Oh, and Ed Carpenter won- very cool.

[clm1545]

That sun could have been a real issue. Because of that and the heat, the race should have started an hour later. If they were worried about it running too long, shorten the distance to 400 miles. I thought the changing track conditions made the race a little more interesting. I still don't understand why the team told Power to try to pass RHR that early in the going, when all he had to do was keep him in sight. It seems that Sato just can't help getting "brain fade" when he is in contention at the end of a race. It was great to see Carpenter win, he is as good as anyone on the ovals.
Take Care
Craig

[mjjracer]

Sept 18, 2012 15:15:40 GMT -5 clm1545 said:

I still don't understand why the team told Power to try to pass RHR that early in the going, when all he had to do was keep him in sight.

After I heard that I was trying to remember who calls the shots for WP. I know the Captain calls the race for Briscoe, and I think Cindric calls for HCN, but I can't recall who calls it for Power. I was watching RHR and WP and just before Will crashed I was thinking "just follow him Will, that's all you need to do". DOH! I mean, if I knew that, then....

MJ

[clm1545]

I think that Cindric calls the race for Power. That's what is so strange about that call. All Power really had to do was finish the race. The Penske "magic" is fading fast.
Take Care
Craig

[racerbrown]

in general i thought it was a great race.
a good story line with decent action on the track.
i'd like to see them go to a shorter race as i think it would increase the intensity of the action. it might effect my usual mid-race nap though!
duane

ps i bet it was quite an interesting meeting for power's group after the race!

[methanol]

I am of the opinion that a 500 mile race is a pretty good way to finish a season. So much can happen during a long race as witnessed during this broadcast. If the crash happened on a street course there would have been almost no chance to repair the car and run some more laps to gain points. And 500 mile races are Indy heritage. I prefer street races but now that the asinine pack racing is gone ovals are actually interesting from racing perspective instead of holding breath until the big wreck.

[bocadiecast]

I would like to see the season end in Homestead again... I loved the racing and the drivers loved the track and the fact that many of them were close to home.