tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24497896170259839192024-03-13T06:40:29.349-07:00Flat Into OneRacing Opinions and Commentary!
Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307168328455954352noreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2449789617025983919.post-89708350557613779282015-08-30T12:26:00.000-07:002015-08-30T12:26:29.183-07:00Justin Wilson
Justin Wilson Leaves the Pits on Carb Day, 2014
The great thing about the Indycar series is that it's not just racing. It's not just technology and competition and strategy, it's stories. Every driver has his or her own story that gives depth, makes him interesting, and provides a reason to cheer. Justin Wilson had one of the best stories. One of the very top talents in the series, he Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307168328455954352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2449789617025983919.post-11947993576686832642015-04-03T12:29:00.002-07:002015-04-03T12:29:28.518-07:00How Juan Pablo Montoya Won St. PetersburgThe 2015 season opener is in the books, and Juan Pablo Montoya has reminded us all that he's a rare talent. After Will Power dominated the first two thirds of the race, he came out in front after the final round of pit stops and took the win. Power made a mighty effort to catch and pass the Colombian, but wound up with nothing but 2nd place and a broken eyestalk wing. The ABC broadcast didn't Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307168328455954352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2449789617025983919.post-72278897726023999192015-03-25T19:34:00.001-07:002015-03-26T09:50:49.238-07:00IndyCar Answers its FansThe following is a transcript of an imaginary press conference, where IndyCar answers a bunch of questions it shouldn't have to:
(Please note that I don't actually speak for IndyCar, IMS, Verizon, or anybody else. I just wanted to write something you'd enjoy reading.)
IndyCar: Welcome to 2015! This season marks the fulfillment of a promise we made to fans and manufacturers in 2010-the arrivalRickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307168328455954352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2449789617025983919.post-3643721967984996272014-11-14T19:40:00.001-08:002014-11-14T19:40:38.294-08:00Championship FinalesI have a couple of things to say about NASCAR's upcoming championship weekend. I'm sure my opinions aren't unique, but I'd like to think I have something useful to say about the situation...
The purpose of a championship in racing (or other sports) is to reward performance over an entire season. It's one level of accomplishment to win a single race, it's another entirely to sustain that Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307168328455954352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2449789617025983919.post-46192573120232526032014-09-11T19:26:00.002-07:002014-09-11T19:26:48.946-07:002014: A Disorganized, Rambling ReviewAnd just like that, it's over. The 2014 Indycar season is in the history books. It's a little depressing to think that we're done racing for the year. On the other hand, since I wasn't indoors watching a race, I did get the garage cleaned out last weekend.
Congratulations to Will Power. The guy is Superman behind the wheel. Not to mention he led the league in penalties this year, yet still took Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307168328455954352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2449789617025983919.post-32844505022322987812014-08-27T19:36:00.001-07:002014-08-27T19:36:37.294-07:00Looking Back on 2014Wow... It's so... Sudden. At this time on Saturday night, We'll be settling in for the final race of the 2014 Indycar season. I guess I understand not going up against football, but this sure seems harsh... On the bright side, this will give me more time to pin Indycar posters to my garage wall and design new T-shirts. Speaking of which, please notice the link above to order Flat Into One Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307168328455954352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2449789617025983919.post-63627026864550657452014-08-19T19:35:00.003-07:002014-08-19T19:38:02.175-07:00Milwaukee Indyfest Photo PostI realized today that I told all my loyal readers about my time at the Milwaukee Indycar race, but didn't share any of the photos I took. Here are a few. More to follow later:
The RLL Team and a Honda Engineer Prepare Graham Rahal's car for the race.
Both Ryan Briscoe and Josef Newgarden had good days. Unfortunately for them, Will Power had a better day.
Simon Pagenaud was the first Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307168328455954352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2449789617025983919.post-87433677849793707702014-08-18T19:55:00.001-07:002014-08-18T19:55:52.237-07:00Milwaukee Indyfest in ReviewAnother Indycar race at the Milwaukee Mile is in the books. Another great weekend with friends and Indycar fans!
The race weekend really started for me after work on Friday when I was able to meet my buddy Dave Dusick (in town for the race). We had a great time catching up. Saturday I had to be content watching Twitter for updates as I had obligations around the house. Sunday morning I met my Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307168328455954352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2449789617025983919.post-73760988588588024662014-08-13T20:10:00.000-07:002014-08-13T20:10:02.482-07:00Welcome to Milwaukee!This weekend, Indycar returns to my home race! That means I'll be attending my second race of the year and meeting up with more friends I see far too seldom. Got a disjointed, rambling post here. If you get bored reading, just skip to the next paragraph:
What a race at Mid-Ohio! I loved going to races there when I lived within driving distance. Even if you don't think the races are entertaining Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307168328455954352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2449789617025983919.post-6576542610284040622014-07-21T21:13:00.000-07:002014-07-21T21:13:55.588-07:00Late-Season Driver CommentsAm I the only one who gets the feeling that James Hinchcliffe might do better at another team? I can't point to anything specific, it just seems to me that all might not be well in that relationship.
No one thinks that Helio Castroneves can win a championship... Yet, there he is, leading the points with 4 races to go. I'll still be surprised if he pulls it off.
Will Power might be the most Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307168328455954352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2449789617025983919.post-17330946404089607892014-07-21T20:04:00.000-07:002014-07-21T20:04:32.095-07:00Red Flag ReduxWow... Has it been almost 2 months since my last post??? I need to work on that...
In my last post, I mentioned that I am against red flagging a race to improve the chances of a green-flag finish. I noted even then that my attitude might be headed for history's dustbin, but I've given the idea some thought. The impetus for my altered opinion was the first three quarters of this year's 500Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307168328455954352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2449789617025983919.post-35983406681736258132014-05-26T19:40:00.001-07:002014-05-26T19:40:22.683-07:00Indy 500 Post-Race2014 marked my 10th Indy 500 since 2000. Somehow, they get better every year! Not just in terms of on-track action, but in the experiences and activities surrounding the race. I've already expressed my feelings on Twitter, but I enjoy the people I meet at the 500 as much as the race. It's fun to meet others so unironically enthusiastic about something!
About the race: I don't think anyone could Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307168328455954352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2449789617025983919.post-54643708560268743372014-05-24T19:45:00.000-07:002014-05-24T19:45:06.491-07:00Live From Indianapolis...Having a great weekend here in the Racing Capital of the World! Not much time to blog, but I figured it was time to break out the chisel and etch my race picks in stone.
1. Will Power - If his car is working good on Sunday, never count Will Power out. More importantly, the Will Power I saw win the 500 miler at Fontana last fall is ready to win another one. The big one.
2. Simon Pagenaud - SmartRickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307168328455954352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2449789617025983919.post-37924080435132589872014-05-20T23:15:00.002-07:002014-05-20T23:15:52.990-07:00The Month of May is UnderwayIt's May!
Yes, I'm a little late. 500 travel preparations are in full swing at the Flat Into One house, and they unfortunately coincide with family visits, nice-weather projects, and other obligations so, sadly, sometimes the blog gets shuffled down the priority list.
I did watch the Grand Prix of Indianapolis: Great race!
(Yes, a 2-word review is a cop-out. This is going to be a short post)
I Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307168328455954352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2449789617025983919.post-29648225827794577172014-05-07T17:13:00.005-07:002014-05-07T17:13:52.042-07:00The Grand Prix of IndianapolisThe early phase of the Indycar season is complete. If the three races run so far are any indication of the rest of the year, this will be another great season! Three different pole winners, three different race winners, old favorites on top, and validation of some tough choices.
Next up is the Grand Prix of Indianapolis, when Indycar will run on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. AtRickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307168328455954352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2449789617025983919.post-5444651944378966222014-04-07T19:25:00.002-07:002014-04-07T19:25:37.425-07:002014 is Underway!I hope everyone enjoyed the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg; I thought it was a good, interesting race. The winner was no surprise, but it was fun watching him do it.
For the first time I was able to watch live timing and scoring during the race. (Sometimes I'm a little behind the times...) What a fantastic addition to the race-watching experience! It added almost as much depth and detail as being Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307168328455954352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2449789617025983919.post-39722175775670562602014-03-27T21:26:00.000-07:002014-03-27T21:26:00.540-07:00Indycar 2014-the PeopleWith the season opener at St. Petersburg this weekend, I'd like to share some comments on the 2014 Indycar personnel lineup. It was going to be just drivers, but I have something to say about Derrick Walker's comments in a recent Racer.com article. In no particular order (other than what's on the Indycar website):
Derrick Walker
Walker talked about a lot of rule changes for the 2014 season, manyRickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307168328455954352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2449789617025983919.post-39631799089365329462014-03-23T20:53:00.003-07:002014-03-23T20:53:41.912-07:00The Indycar Winter: Some commentsIt's March here in Wisconsin, and we're still frozen in the middle of a winter that just won't end. The Indycar season is a few weeks away yet, but I thought I'd run down some of the stories that have come up during the off-season:
Ryan Briscoe to Ganassi; Tony Kanaan fills Dario Franchitti's old Target seat:
Briscoe may not have been the flashiest or the fan-favorite driver to fill this seat (IRickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307168328455954352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2449789617025983919.post-76592520331992581062014-03-13T21:54:00.001-07:002014-03-13T21:54:28.901-07:00There's No Need to Mourn Bump Day. At Least Not This Year.Indycar announced last Friday a revised qualifying procedure for the
Indianapolis 500: All cars run on Saturday to get in the race. For
Sunday, times are scrapped and the fastest 9 run in a shootout to
determine the pole sitter. Each car in the rest of the field makes another 4-lap run
to set the starting order. This procedure, obviously designed to
showcase the race for the pole on TV, is Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307168328455954352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2449789617025983919.post-11502666015847565562013-12-03T20:43:00.003-08:002013-12-03T20:43:36.034-08:00Thank YouCyber Monday has come and gone, and now it's time to thank every one who placed an order for one of my T-shirts during the sale. Your business is greatly appreciated.
Didn't place an order, but still want a T-shirt? All of the shirts will be available for order again very, very soon. The bad news is that quantities will be limited. The good news is that immediate shipping will be available!
If Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307168328455954352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2449789617025983919.post-55161528646808379522013-12-01T18:56:00.001-08:002013-12-01T18:56:29.402-08:00Cyber Monday Special!Thanks for visiting! I hope you noticed the t-shirts I have for sale above.
A couple of years back I realized that most of the racing t-shirts out there were uninspired, overpriced, or both. There was very little out there I wanted to drop my own money on. I started thinking about what would make cool shirts-for Indy cars and other things I like. Then it hit me-I should just make the shirts I Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307168328455954352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2449789617025983919.post-70667989606672809942013-11-26T20:39:00.000-08:002013-11-26T20:39:03.806-08:00An Indycar ThanksgivingIn the spirit of positivity and the holidays and love for the Indycar series, I thought I'd share what about the series and the 500 I am thankful for. In the spirit of Hanukkah, which begins Thursday night, this list has 8 things to be thankful for:
Sebastian Bourdais, Tony Kanaan, and Juan Pablo Montoya. At one point or another, it looked like one or more of these guys wouldn't be racing Indy Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307168328455954352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2449789617025983919.post-39675025448010938182013-11-24T19:32:00.001-08:002013-11-24T19:32:20.251-08:00An Embarrassment of RichesWith Dario Franchitti's retirement, the talk of the off-season has quickly shifted to "Who will replace him" in the coveted Ganassi/Target #10. If talk stays with 'available' drivers, there's a pretty good list going: Justin Wilson, Josef Newgarden, Oriol Servia, Ryan Briscoe, Alex Tagliani, and Simona de Silvestro. Any one of those would be a great story, but talk has expanded to Formula 1 Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307168328455954352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2449789617025983919.post-22417124912693356492013-11-14T22:00:00.001-08:002013-11-14T22:00:27.401-08:00Farewell and Thank You, Dario FranchittiWe've started to see, and will certainly see more, tributes to Dario Franchitti and his career-but I'm going to add mine, anyway. It's no secret that Dario is probably my favorite driver, but I do have something to get off my chest. Dario betrayed me. I thought he was one of us. I thought I could stand in solidarity with him, that I could be like him when I ran the clippers through my hair. I Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307168328455954352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2449789617025983919.post-16607956416702301852013-11-07T21:29:00.002-08:002013-11-07T21:29:41.823-08:002014 Championship PredictionI've been doing some thinking lately, and I've come to a conclusion: Will Power will win the 2014 Indycar championship. He came close three years running, and spent most of those dominating the street- and road-course races. At this point in time, all the remaining elements are falling into place. His victory in the 2013 finale was unusual for him-it was on an oval in a 500 mile race-and it was Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307168328455954352noreply@blogger.com0