|
|
Post by indy on Mar 17, 2016 20:21:10 GMT -5
Did Jon ever attempt to make a 500 start? He was an Indy Lights champ with 14 ChampCar starts. Interesting that the first 11 starts were on road or street courses then 2 of the final 3 were MIS.
Jordan
|
|
|
|
Post by harveythedog2 on Mar 18, 2016 7:24:12 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by indy on Mar 18, 2016 10:13:20 GMT -5
I was actually on his Wiki page when I came up with my question, Stu. You look at his record and wonder why such a sporadic history of starts, why doesn't it show him attempting Indy, etc., etc. I thought this group might have some pearls of insight....
Jordan
|
|
|
|
Post by harveythedog2 on Mar 18, 2016 15:16:46 GMT -5
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2016 10:06:08 GMT -5
His lack of money could not overcome his lack of talent.
He came into the sport right at the height of super expense. Guys like Brian Till, Bryan Herta, etc. The Canadians had the Players money, this was a huge boost to guys like Eppringham, Carpantier, Goodyear, John Jones (man, that guys was er, short on talent)
IIRC Jon was hooked up with Norm Turley, who eeked Ted Prappas into the show at the Speedway one year. (I just remember his wing flying off coming off turn 4, car got, uh, kind of light)
|
|
|
|
Post by alterrenner on Mar 20, 2016 4:36:01 GMT -5
Sad, that even WITH all the talent in the world, you can't race Indy without money.
That truth starts at the lower levels of racing, and goes all the way up.
--Frank
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2016 10:33:31 GMT -5
Yes, and it's one of the reasons I never bought into that crap they are selling at 16th and Georgetown.
Even in today's USAC Sprint Car Series, ride buying is the rule of thumb. Who in their right mind would not hire Dave Darland or Jon Stanbrough? Most of the entries are financed by the driver. That does not mean they don't have talent (some are quite good) but it is just another way that racing has morphed into the entertainment business.
|
|
|
|
Post by joe on Mar 20, 2016 15:38:07 GMT -5
It has always been that way in some respect Jim Rathman's win was financed by a couple of his buddies. Foyt was financed by Greer. Jim Gilmore helped or financed drivers that were his freinds. Heck if Indy car is so bad look at F1 and now NASCAR it helps if you have money behind you . Lauda had money behind him and helped him get into F1. Look how much talent he brought to the table. Always remember racing is entrainment in some respect if not then why is tv market share so important. Fans in seats help keep racing going . It is a sport fueled by money even in its lowest forms. As Gerry Forsythe told me a way to make a small fortune in racing is to start with a big one.
|
|
|
|
Post by indy on Mar 21, 2016 20:58:03 GMT -5
Doesn't seem like Jon really had a fair shot at IndyCars. Most starts were in old equipment and he never had a regular ride to get something really going. Really surprised he was never a factor for a seat at Indy....
Jordan
|
|
