Bump Day 2018

[indy]

Wow, just wow....

Jordan

[2lapsdown]

While I feel for Hinch and SPM I thought the drama brought a lot of the old Indy mystique back. And I'm with Jordan, Wow, just wow.

John

[racermagic]

Hinch joins the "reality of Indy" club. Bringing back bumping is good i feel. And i felt for Pippa crying as ABC was getting ready to leave the track, i also felt good for Conor and Servia who didn't have an easy road.
Survival of the fittest, this is a rule of nature for a reason.
I don't know if i like having the fast 9 a day later. See what happens.

[Michael Chriss]

Bump day was one of my favorite things to watch in racing. The high emotion going both ways is enthralling. I feel bad for Hinch and Pippa, but it has to be someone. If not them, then it's someone else. The last time it really mattered to me was in 95, and that was high drama. I didn't want Penske to not make the race, but it was so entertaining watching it. I am glad it's back.

This is the last time we have to see this on ABC. I thought the coverage was atrocious. In the last eleven minutes there were six minutes of commercials. Then they cut away right after it's over. Remember how it use to be a countdown to six o'clock, and they would show the guy sick the pistol out of the window and fire it at six? For some reason they changed the time to 5:50, Hinch said he didn't know this and thought it was at six. The graphic they showed during bumping was useless. They need to show the speeds of the last three or so, the average speed of the car on the track and how much time is left. It's not like they have never done this before. Hopefully, next year there will be more cars involved in bumping and NBC will do a better job with their broadcast.

[indycals]

With fields THIS competitive bumping, means this will be the norm and will eventually cause sponsors to balk. Historically bumping was about filling the field with the fastest uncompetitive cars. I don't want to see solid teams suffer and have their year seriously jeopardized for 30 minutes of entertainment out of the year that is forgotten one week from tomorrow (except for those wondering why Hinch isn't in the race).

[gwstexas]

I see in the paper this morning that the powers that be at Indy are looking for ways to get Hinch and Pippa in the 500. I'm not sure what I think about that. If there is one thing that's a constant at Indy, it tradition. Thirty-three cars (with a very few rare exceptions) has been the rule forever. But lately tradition seems to have taken a back seat to the financial realities of running the IMS. Stock-cars, the Indy Lights series, the road race and the "fast nine" are all breaks with long standing Speedway traditions.
With the cost of fielding cars for the 500 and the scarcity of sponsor money, I have to agree with Michael. It's awful for solid teams to go home after spending that much time and money and I expect the possibility may well discourage potential entrants and sponsors in the future. That can't be good.
So here's a proposal: Allow all of the entrants to compete in the 500 as long as they are able to complete a qualifying run within a designated speed range. Maybe within a certain percentage of the pole speed or the field average or maybe a percentage of one or the other of those. We should remember that, originally, the thirty-three car limit was established as a safety measure, because the race organizers thought that was the maximum number of cars that could race safely. Maybe there is a maximum number of cars that should come into play, but I don't think that's a call that anyone will need to make for a good while yet.
Just a thought, but it makes sense to me.
Best,
Gary

[2lapsdown]

I'm all for tradition on this. I don't want to see someone cry their way in or buy their way in. I understand the economics involved, but either you have rules or you don't. Let's not turn this into NASCAR where we modify or change rules to continually level the playing field. If we're worried about sponsor expense then get rid of the second day of qualifications and the fast 9. There's a lot of risk involved in that second day show, and also a lot of additional expense just entertain the few fans that show up. I think most traditional fans don't like it, and most casual fans don't understand it. Just my 2 cents worth.

John

[pje]

My 2 cents for what it’s worth. I don’t mind the concept of bump day and having more than 33 cars trying to make the field. Hopefully there are more than 35 cars trying to make the field next year.
That said, I don’t like the concept of this two day event for qualifying. Going for the pole should happen on the first day and cars should be able to have two days to get into the field. If you get bumped late in the afternoon of the second day of qualifying, then so be it.
To me the present qualifying concept is too staged and contrived.

Paul Erlendson

[indydog]

You plays the game, you rolls the dice and takes your chances. I feel bad for Hitch and Pippa, but they had their chance and didn't make it. I wish they had 50 cars trying. Although, that 5:50 time is crap.

I'm with Paul, the current way they do things is stupid. I loved the way it used to be, with quals every weekend. But I understand it comes at a cost. Have quals on 1 weekend, but set the poll on day 1 and forget the fast 9 crap.

If Hitch and Pippa buy their way in (which it would be), then Indycar is no better (or worse) the Nascar OR Formula 1.

[harveythedog2]

I think Roger Penske and even Bobby Rahal would have something to say if Hinch and Pippa are allowed back to run. Yes, the sponsorship aspect weighs huge but even the sponsors knew the risk going in. I am sad to say it but Hinch and Pippa should sit this one out.

As for Hinch getting to drive another car that was qualified, that is up to the team. Yes, bummer for the driver he replaced that made the show for sure.

[mjjracer]

Man, I am conflicted. I love the fact bumping is back, and it certainly made the show more interesting. And it is the rule, though it's not chiseled in stone. More than 33 cars have been allowed in the past. In the early days, 33 was not some magic number.

I'm leaning toward letting them in. And it's not just that I'm a fan of both The Mayor and Pippa. I love Pippa is keeping Bryan Clauson's memory alive, supporting organ donation. Indycar is just now gaining momentum, and I'm not sure if this might cause some potential sponsor or even new engine manufacturer to shy away.

MJ

[indycals]

For those who don't want Hinch's way bought back into the race, I remind you that the closest finish in Indy history was made possible because Scott Goodyear had his way bought in after he failed to qualify.

[Michael Chriss]

I would have no problem with if they decide to let Hinch and Pippa run. Why not?

[flashman]

Here's my 2 cents:

Yes, I have missed drama of bumping, and I can't deny that drama was definitely back on Saturday.

But, this new qualifying scheme of setting the field of 33 on Saturday, and then having another day of qualifying the next day is confusing and contrived. Nailing down which cars make it into the field on the first of two days of qualifying just doesn't make sense to me.

In my opinion:

1. The size of the field should be larger if the number of entries warrant it, if only because IndyCar can no longer afford to give potential sponsors a reason to balk at supporting a team. I'm not saying anyone that enters should be allowed to run in the race no matter how slow. Gary's suggestion of setting a minimum percentage of the polesitter's speed could work, or an established minimum qualifying speed, as a safety measure.

2. Qualifying should stay at two days, but all entrants should have those two days to try to qualify. Bumping on the first day just turns the second day of qualifying into a contrived attempt of creating multiple "dramas". How is that better than NASCAR's "stage wins"? "Why just have one winner in a race? Now we can have four winners in each race! Oh boy! Fans will feel they're getting more for their money!".

Hopefully, IndyCar won't be too proud to learn from this and change next year. Or do something to fix it THIS year, even.

Again, just my 2 cents worth.

Cameron

[indycals]

I think a fair compromise would be guaranteed spots for full time entries (min speed contingency, but I don't see that being an issue) and let the one offs bump amongst themselves. The reality is that even though someone with funding would go home, they would honestly get more exposure being bumped than making the race and being ignored in the broadcast. While I know this sounds like 25-8 (probably be more like 24-9 to 22-11), the issue most had with 25-8 was that it was perceived as an effort to lock out CART teams - CART no longer exists - there is nobody to 'lock out'. The stakes are too high - the reality is that if you look at this year's field and compare it to say 1980 - you have more solid sponsorship throughout the field. If Arrow withdraws, or if we see an Arrow Penske or Andretti car - you can point squarely to this year's bump-day as the reason why. Arrow has a huge temporary suite in turn one and the are bringing in 500 guests - they are paying $75,000 just to transport the guests from the hotel to the track on race day.

Conversely, while I don't have a problem if SPM bumped Howard for Hinch (not gonna happen, but really they bumped themselves by adding him) I don't want to see Hinch and Pippa 'added' because I don't want to hear the bitching that would ensue from those who couldn't deal with it after years of crying about lack of bumping.

[joe]

Don't  blame the Speedway if Arrow changes teams or pulls out. The only ones to blame  is SPM or Hinch for not making the race. They had plenty of opportunities to get in. Maybe in the end after all the complaining  Tony George's idea was  a good one

[mjjracer]

May 22, 2018 21:07:46 GMT -5 joe said:

Don't  blame the Speedway if Arrow changes teams or pulls out. The only ones to blame  is SPM or Hinch for not making the race. They had plenty of opportunities to get in. Maybe in the end after all the complaining  Tony George's idea was  a good one

I read this morning that Arrow is not in favor of buying Hinch's way in. There will most likely be increased signage for Arrow on the other SPM cars. Class act on their part.

MJ

[indycals]

They may be taking the high road, but you know they are PISSED.