TD's Thoughts

Friday, May 20, 2011

Pole Day Qualifying

As I did last year, and probably failed miserably, I am going to attempt to predict the 33 starters for the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500. I said it last week, and I will stand by it, their are 13-15 legitimate contenders to win this years Indy 500, but drivers still have to run the first race, and that's 4 laps, 10 miles around the worlds greatest race course. So here we go.

I'm going to take Scott Dixon for the pole. It would be Dixon's 2nd pole position at the Brickyard, but really you can take all the Ganassi and Penske Guys, throw them in a hat and pick one. Filling out the front row, ill take Helio Castroneves and Will Power. Lets run through the rest of the 22 starters that will be locked in as of 6pm tomorrow.
Row 2- Ryan Briscoe, Dario Franchitti Townsend Bell
Row 3- Graham Rahal Alex Tagliani Ed Carpenter
Row 4- Dan Wheldon Bertrand Baguette JR Hildebrand
Row 5- Vitor Meira Marco Andretti Davey Hamilton
Row 6- Buddy Rice Oriel Servia Tony Kanaan
Row 7- Takuma Sato James Hinchcliffe Tomas Scheckter
Row 8 Danica Patrick Justin Wilson and Paul Tracy

There is my top 22- this leaves, Ana Beatriz, , , Alex Lloyd, Jay Howard ,Ho Pin Tung, Pippa Mann ,EJ Viso, Bruno Junqueira, Ryan Hunter Reay, John Andretti, Ralphael Matos, Mike Conway, James Jakes, Sebastian Saavedra, Simona De Silvestro and Scott Speed to qualify on Sunday. Who knows if Speed will last, and I hope to see Sarah Fisher Racing turn out the 57 car and get in. Hope everyone enjoys Pole Day as I know I will.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

The 100th Anniversary of the Indianapolis 500. Opening Weekend

Although the rains dampened the afternoon yesterday and all day today, it was a great opening weekend at the worlds greatest race course. Saturday got off to a delayed start, not by rain, but a sprinkler on the backstretch. Hope this isn't a sign of whats to come with the weather, as today was a wash, and the next 6 days have rain in the forecast.

32 drivers logged laps at the Brickyard yesterday with local Ed Carpenter taking the top speed at 224. 786. Ed shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. He has ran well at the speedway, leading laps two years ago at the 500, and making the Top 11 in qualifying last season. The Surprise should be in Sarah Fisher Racing. SFR has made significant strides in the off season, and with an experienced driver in Carpenter, along with long time engineer Nathan O'Rourke. Rumor is Buddy Lazier could be in line for the #57 ride with SFR if Ed makes it safely into the field on Pole Day.

I think this will be one of the most competitive fields in recent history. I feel their are 17 drivers that have a legit shot at winning, I guess I should back, in no particular order. 1. Dan Wheldon 2. Helio Castroneves 3. Will Power 4. Ryan Briscoe 5. Scott Dixon 6. Dario Franchitti 7. Tomas Scheckter 8. Tony Kanaan 9. Graham Rahal 10. Justin Wilson. 11. Marco Andretti 12. Mike Conway 13. Ed Carpenter 14. Paul Tracy 15. Ryan Hunter Reay 16. Townsend Bell 17. Alex Tagliani.

Right after that list there are a few that wouldn't be shocking, such as Danica, Simona Oriel Servia, Buddy Rice, JR Hildebrand, Bertrand Baguette and Alex Lloyd. There should be a good battle for Rookie of the Year as well, with James Hichcliffe, Scott Speed and JR Hildebrand, not to mention a few others. Not that I have crazily said that half the field could contend, Ill be back Friday for my pole day predictions.

It was great to see familiar faces at the speedway all weekend, and hopefully more to come. Ill continue to be that guy that roams around the pits by himself, taking pictures like an Asian in a parking lot, but I'm OK with that, this only comes around once a year, got to soak it up while I can.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Month of May Bucket List

The Month of May is here, well almost. The 2 weeks of May that will make up practice and qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 gets under way Saturday May 14th. This year, outside of the race itself, it should be a fun and exciting as the Speedway celebrates the 100th birthday of the first 500 back in 1911. Talking to a good friend of mine who shares the same passion for the 500 as I, We decided to come up with a bucket list of things to do this month. Here is mine.

1. Spend every time at the speedway that its open for track activity. I accomplished this last season, I'm fortunate to have a Silver badge, and plan to be out there everyday.

2. Tweet. Follow my personal twitter @tonyd6624 and also follow me on @500coverage for up to the minute update from the Speedway.

3. Check out the Museum. With most of all the past 500 winners cars, defiantly worth the time to check out.

4. Take a minimum of 200 pictures. This may be the easiest, plenty of things to capture and keep for years to come, especially with family and friends coming down for the race.

5. Meet someone new everyday. These days, it is about who you know, and there is nothing such thing as knowing too many people.

6. Watch a practice session from the top deck in turn 1. A great view looking straight down the front stretch, I could probably take 200 pictures up their alone.

7. Survive Carb Day. Pretty self explanatory.

8. Continue some traditions that have been set. Spending race morning with friends and family. Walk Georgetown Road at 1am race morning, buy a cheap 5 dollar T-shirt after the race.

9. Meet every driver that will start the 500. This shouldn't be too hard, just need to meet maybe 5.

10. Take in the month, the advantages and opportunities I have and hope it does not end too soon.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Thats a Wrap

37-45. Not the best of records, but enough to get into the NBA Playoffs for the Pacers, that's the good news, the bad news, the Bulls, the #1 overall seed would await them. The Bulls are a hell of a team, Derrick Rose takes your breath away, Bulls lover or hater, any fan of the game would pay money just to see him. The sure MVP of the league, is one of the NBA's new born stars, and he is only 22.

The Pacers are young, and came into the playoffs with a nothing to lose mind set. They took the Bulls to the brink in the first three games, but inexperience, the lack of a closer, and no post presence let the Bulls take the first 3 games right from under the Blue and Gold. These Pacers remind you a little bit of the 8 seeded Bulls of a year ago, unfortunately, a #1 draft pick is not in the Pacers future any time soon.

It doesn't matter if your a die hard Pacer fan, or a casual follower of the NBA, you knew the Pacers would not win this series. The meaning of a best of seven series is to have the best team win. Anyone can beat anyone once, but to do it four out of seven tries is hard. The Pacers gained valuable experience, grew as a young team, played physical, and earned the respect of the NBA.

The off season brings some unknowns to the table. Who will return? Who will be brought in? One thing is for sure, the Pacers have cap room, and they need a Power Forward. Danny Granger needs to become more of a vocal leader, work on his defense, and practicing driving to the cup. This could be the first of many years we see the Pacers in the playoffs.

As for the Bulls, Luol Deng and Derrick Rose played outstanding. Carlos Boozer was disappointing to say the least, especially for a 90 million dollar man with tons of playoff experience. Kyle Korver earned his paycheck this entire series and the role players did what is expected. I'm not sure this is the year the Bulls win it all, but I do know they are built for the future, a future that is bright for both the Pacers and Bulls. A new emergence of contenders have arrived, The Bulls, Thunder, Sixers and Pacers all have bright futures ahead.

Thursday, March 31, 2011

My Thoughts on Butler's Run

No. I am not a Butler grad, but neither are alot of the fans that will pull for Butler this weekend, and thats ok. How could you not fall in love with the story, the team, the coach, and the Butler way. I feel I have been adopted into the Butler family, working for the flag ship station of Butler, 1070 The Fan, and meeting many Butler grads, their isn't a better team to be pulling for in the Final Four.

What separates Butler from most of the teams in this tournament? They do things the right way, for example, some players on the day of last year's national championship game attended class on campus, and then headed downtown to Lucas Oil Stadium for the National Championship. The problem with the NCAA today is, most basketball players are athletes before students, as for Butler, they are the perfect example of the student athlete. These players are committed to getting an education, as well as a Championship banner in Hinkle. While in Houston, some players even knocked out some homework in the locker room before practice.

     It also helps to have one of the smartest, up beat and passionate coaches in the country. The silent assassin has taken down some of the top coaches in the nation over the past two tournament runs, all while staying true and loyal to Butler, signing a twelve year extension through the 2022 season. Butler has won all of this years tournament games by seven points or less, include last minute wins over Old Dominion, Pitt and Florida.

    This is another magical run for Butler. They are no longer the cinderella, they are now a contendor and one of the top programs in the country. The key to Butlers success is playing as a team. Lead by Shelvin Mack Matt Howard and Shawn Vanzant, The Dawgs go nine deep and can beat you in so many ways. Ronald Nored, Andrew Smith, Kyhle Marshall and Zach Hahn are key players to the success of Butler, along with a very famous mascot cheering them on in Blue II.

     To all the fans, in Indy and nation wide. Enjoy the Final Four. For the second straight season a mid major will play of the national title. Take a minute before tip, and think about how Butler has got to this point, how hard it is to make one Final Four, let alone two, and the way they get it done on and off the court, The Butler Way.