FBC indi Episode 28 — Stay tuned for the Greatest Spectacle in Racing

After dodging the raindrops on Saturday, the Fast Nine for Pole Day was set.  We look at who succeeded and who underperformed, and what the Honda engine failures during Sunday’s and Monday’s practice sessions mean for Race Day.  Monday’s practice session was all about race setup, and although we hesitate to read too much into the times, Honda still seems to lead the charge.  In spite of the strength of the Ed Carpenter Racing team’s qualifying performance, are we looking at a Honda-dominated race this Sunday?  Lastly, we have Carburetion Day coming up and while that means final practice for the big cars, it also means the Indy Lights drivers will contest the Freedom 100.  We make our picks and prognostications for both races coming up this weekend.

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Show Notes and Links

IndyCar

• Todd Does the Double
• Qualifying – Official Results
  • Saturday – Officially Unofficial Results
    • Rain, rain, and more rain
    • Everybody gets one.
    • Sebastien’s wreck. Could he have won pole?
    • Fast Nine
  • Sunday – Officially Unofficial Results
    • Positions 10-33
      • What’s the deal with Team Penske?
      • Ed Jones — Impressive, Sebastien has taught you well.
      • Lazier not the slowest!
    • Fast Nine
      • Fernando is faster than you.
      • Fernando’s Bobble.  Did you notice? He did.
        “The car was on the limit, but I don’t know if it was possible to be on pole position, but definitely very close. I had an overboost problem in lap 2 out of the last corner, and it was like hitting the brakes. I went one gear down and started again picking up the speed, and I crossed the line and it was 30.7 or something like that. When I thought it was 225 or something, I nearly came to the pit lane because this qualifying run is over with this problem. Still running, still putting the laps together, and then I was happily surprised with the total time. Very good job from the team changing the engine in record time this morning. Guys from all six cars were working together on my car, it was great. I feel good, I feel great. Obviously, this is the biggest race in the world, and it felt that way from the very beginning here but now with the weekend and you pick up the speed the and you feel even more and more with the fan coming for qualifying now. This is a very special event.”
      • Could this be Ed Carpenter’s year?
      • Andretti Autosport’s qualifying game is strong.
      • Dixon takes Pole.
• Monday Practice – Results
  • Honda dominance.
  • Max Chilton at the top?
  • Honda reliability, or is it just a Spaniard thing?
  • Can the Chevrolets keep pace?
  • James Davison to replace SeaBas. Why not Stefan Wilson?
• Prognostications