As unbelieveable as it may seem we are just about to the last third of the racing season. Sure NASCAR still has 17 to go so they are really just past halfway. But when F1 heads to Budapest for its next race it will be at the one third to go mark. They have already run 12 races. At the completion of the race Sunday at Michigan there will be but 6 of their 16 races remaining.

On one hand it seems so long ago since Daytona, Melbourne and Homestead, but again, it seems like it was just yesterday that the 500 was run and the real meat of the season was just getting ready. It has been 8 weeks since then. Two months. Since then we have had the USGP, several Tony Stewart meltdowns, Junior trying to kill himself in a Corvette and the FIA president threatening to step down only to change his mind.

Silly season has been underway in F1 for nearly a month now. Frankly, for Ralfie and Toyota it has been longer than that. The IRL has seen two drivers sacked with one of them buying his way back in during the past month and NASCAR just keeps rolling along to their new “shootout”. I guess OWRS has been running but I have only caught some of the first race at Long Beach. Funny, their races are on at the same time every week they race and I still manage to miss them. To be fair they have dropped their plans for Korea and they appear to be ready to bid adieu to Portland. So it’s not like they aren’t trying to make the news.

To be perfectly honest the entire racing season tends to drone on a little long. I would really like to see it end by the end of September. That way I can focus on football. On the other hand the beginning of the football season and the end of the racing season tend to bring an end to the summer and the descent into winter.

With that I bring you the latest news and rumblings from the motorsports world.

F1

Jarno Trulli’s days at Renault are numbered. After winning the race at Monaco, ol’ Top Knot has been seriously lackluster. While his team mate Fernando Alonso continues to push ahead with the still not quite at the top Renault, Trulli has crashed badly and in the ultimate display of disdain, allowed the Sandwich to pass him at the last corner in France. Allegedly this enraged Suave Flav and it seemed to be the beginning of the end. Right now it looks like Trulli will move to the Toyota team giving the Cologne effort two new drivers. Again.

That pretty much leaves Olivier Panis and Christiano out in the cold. I feel bad for Christiano because I don’t think he got a fair shake at Toyota. Instead it looks as though he will probably return to the Newman Haas team in Champ Car next season or, hopefully by me, the IRL. As for Panis he may be out period. I can’t see him stepping down to F3 or F3000, I doubt if he wants to come to America to race and I don’t think he will take a test driver position.

As for Renault it appears now that Giancarlo Fischella will take over the seat opposite Alonso. This would put Fish in a better situation than if he stayed at Sauber or went to Toyota. I like Fish but I didn’t see what he is going to be able to do with the still underdeveloped Toyota. Like I have said here before, teams that change drivers all the time never get it right. Every part of building a winning race car is a compromise. Building something good always is. You always have tradeoffs. Speed versus handling. Engine temperature versus horsepower. There are so many variables to the process it is mind boggling. One of the biggest variables is the driver. These are human beings and as such are subject to the failings of humans. To continually insert different variables into the equation is ludicrous if you want real answers. Toyota has not shown me in 3 years they are ready to be serious. This is not Minardi folks. This is a team with as big of a budget as any team in racing bar none. I know winning takes time, but Toyota is way behind where they should be.

So far this is what I see for next year…

Ferrari: Michael and the Sandwich

BAR: Buttons and Taku

McLaren: JPM and Kimi

Renault: Alonso and Fish

Toyota: Ralfie and Trulli

Williams: Webber

That is 11 out of 20 race day seats filled. I am going to stand by my thoughts that Jeff Gordon will be in the Williams next year. That is 12 and frankly what else is there” Minardi will likely have two new drivers. They always do and from the sound of things Gianmaria Brunni hasnot impressed the sponsors. Baumgartner has been pitiful all year. And don’t look for Christiano to head down the food chain.

Jaguar will lose Webber but they may be keen to keep Klien simply because of the Red Bull money he brings so let’s say he stays and that leaves 7 seats open. Two at Sauber, 2 at Minardi, 1 at Jag and 2 at Jordan. As for Jordan anything can happen. I think Eddie Jordan is a putz and is only in it for the show biz. Peter Sauber I think would like to sell his team to an American and go in as partners, but he has to love the Ferrari technology coming down to him.

Technically I would expect Fellipe Massa to stay at Sauber. That is 14 filled, four that will be up in the air and Jordan. I would expect Nick Heidfeld to stay with the team, but Giorgio Pantano is another story. He missed the Canadian race due to contractual problems and in his absence Timo Glock got a point. Of course when it comes down to it, do Minardi or Jordan even matter.

Finally there are a couple of test drivers who seem to be ready to make the next step. Anthony Davidson is fast every week in the BAR. Pizzonia is as well but I don’t see it after his miserable 2003 season at Jaguar. Davidson will surely get some looks, but with what is remaining he may opt to test another year.

So to recap

Ferrari: Michael and the Sandwich

BAR: Buttons and Taku

McLaren: JPM and Kimi

Renault: Alonso and Fish

Toyota: Ralfie and Trulli

Williams: Webber and Gordon

Jordan: Heidfeld and ??

Minardi: ?? and ??

Jaguar: Klien and ??

Sauber: Massa and ??

And finally, what about Coulthard. He has said he isn’t ready to retire, but it is hard to imagine him taking a backmarker seat. I look for him and Davidson to vie for that last Jaguar seat.

IRL

Rumors abound in the league at this point. It was thought that there would be two road course races next season. One at Watkins Glen and one at Infineon. Now there is talk that the league has entered into negotiations to race at Portland. One Texas race is already gone thanks to the 800 pound gorilla.

Driver rumors have been slow. Like I said earlier some changes were already made. There has been talk of Danica Patrick coming into the league and what is happening with Kenny? And the leagues most popular driver still remains without a ride. Hopefully more will come out as the next couple of weeks unfold. With races at Michigan this week and Kentucky in two weeks the cream should rise to the top.

IRL

The IRL put on their annual show in Nashville on Saturday evening. It was a good show on the abrasive, one groove track. TK was the eventual winner, but he should be buying Gentleman Dan a nice gift.

The race was being dominated by the Rahal/Letterman team. Vitor Meira was simply unstoppable. He had a commanding lead and just kept pulling away until his pit crew screwed him. For some reason Meira was waved out of the pits while the fuel hose was still connected. He nearly pulled the reserve tank over. The car then stalled and Meira was at the tail of the lead lap by the time he was back on the circuit.

Buddy Rice took over the lead, but back in the pack Meira was driving all over the track passing cars at will. He had climbed back up to fourth when another round of pits stops occurred during a yellow. This time the front right tire changer screwed up and Meira had to go out and come back in, dropping him back in the pack again.

AGR for some reason decided not to reshod Wheldon’s car. A curious decision based on the grittiness of the track. The decision did allow the Gentleman to come out of the pits first, just ahead of Rice. As soon as the green flag fell it was apparent that Wheldon was no match for Rice. Attempting a pass in three, Rice had the inside line and seemed to have a clear track. Unfortunately Dan Wheldon came down on Rice’s line and the tow cars touched. Rice’s front wing and his race were ruined. Miraculously neither car spun but Rice had to go to the pits for repairs. Wheldon stayed on track but dropped back.

This gave the lead to TK who went on to win despite a strong challenge from both Penske drivers, especially Sammy.

Excellent race. Gil wasn’t in the booth for some reason, and ESPN in their infinite wisdom had to cut to the Great Outdoors Games right after the race so there wasn’t even a winners interview. This is one of the times when the IRL really screws itself. How do they expect to promote their series without promoting the drivers? They really are boobs.

NASCAR

The good ol’ boys had the weekend off, but Jr. tried to kill himself in Sonoma by burning up his Corvette race car. Jr. will be okay, but he probably needs to take a break when the schedule allows.

F1

Now that Max Mosely has decided to stay on as president of the FIA look for all of those changes that were discussed here a couple of months ago to take place. When a suitable replacement for Max couldn’t be found, his position of power increased exponentially.

IRL

After a one race break Mark Taylor will return to the IRL in the Access Motorsports G-Force Honda at Saturday’s race in Nashville. Taylor, who hit everything in sight, was released by Panther Racing two weeks ago. This is a curious move to be sure.

Access Motorsports raced in the first five races of the season. However, at Indianapolis it was apparent that team owner and at the time, driver, Greg Ray had no money. He didn’t get on the track until the last day of qualifying. Unfortunately for Ray his day ended when Darren Manning knocked him and Sammy into the wall. That left Ray with a badly damaged car, little money and only tow weeks before the Texas race.

Somehow Ray made the show at Texas and managed a very respectable 7th place finish. However, Ray did not make the trip to Richmond and the word is that he took the car to Kansas, went through tech and then put the car back in the hauler and went home.

So now we get word that Mark Taylor will become the driver for the balance of the season. Of course there is all kind of speculation that Taylor’s dad bought the ride for him. I don’t know how valid that is, but Taylor is, like I said, a curious choice.

Taylor has only made it through the Phoenix race without crashing. For a team that has little money it would seem that Greg Ray would want someone with a little better track record. Of course his crashing could be an inherent part of life as the second driver at Panther Racing. Taylor won the IPS championship last year and was a good solid racer.

For Greg Ray, Taylor’s and Access Motorsport I hope he is able to return to those roots!


F1

Silly season is in full swing in F1. A couple of weeks ago I said that I thought Jeff Gordon would end up in the second Williams car alongside Mark Webber. On Sunday, Peter Windsor reported that Giancarlo Fisichella would end up in that ride. That would leave the Sauber seat open for Jacques Villeneuve. Although I just don’t see that happening.

With the improved performance of the Mercedes McLaren this past weekend, JPM has to be feeling better about his upcoming move to the Woking team.

Christiano demanded Toyota tell him what their plans for 2005 were. Right now it looks like it will probably be Ralfie and Olivier Panis in the Toys. Look for Christiano to be back in OWRS next season unless he takes a spot at Jordan or Minardi.

The teams are off this weekend before the German Grand Prix. Rumors will continue to swirl, especially regarding the Toyota and Williams teams as they will probably get theirs before the rest of the picture comes into focus.


NASCAR

I don’t defend that asshole Tony Stewart very often but I am today. Sunday, Stewart got behind Kasey Kahne on a restart. For some reason Kahne did not come up to speed as quick as Stewart. Now we can split hairs and say Tony has to be in control of his car, but it was just a tap and in my eyes nothing more than a racing incident.

For the first time this season, or so it would seem, NASCAR saw it the right way. Of course Kahnes team didn’t see it that way. Half of his crew went to Stewarts pit after the incident and a shoving match ensued. Team owner Ray Evernham said Stewart needed to be suspended. He’s right of course, but not over this incident. In this case Kahne’s pit boys need to be fined.

Is Stewart a menace? Of course. He’s shitty driver who can only win by pushing you out of the way, but in this case he could hardly be held responsible.

NASCAR

The good ole boys have now completed half of their season. For what it’s worth Jimmy Johnson has a 105 point lead over Junior in the chase for the championship. Of course, it doesn’t really matter if he has a million point lead. Just make sure you get to the top 10 in the next 8 races so you can be involved in the big trophy dash to finish the season.

This whole thing is the biggest freaking joke I have ever heard. By the time they get through 8 more races the top spot and number 10 will be separated by almost 1000 points. Hardly fair to a team that has been consistently good all season. But this is what I have come to expect from NASCAR. Ever since Dale got killed it has been one knee jerk reaction after another. From safety to points and everything in between. It is nothing but a glorified IROC race.

NASCAR is wildly popular, but for me I have just about had enough. I bitch enough on here about the way FTRG stomps on tradition at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but NASCAR is really doing their level best to alienate those of us who liked what made it such a great series.


F1

Another race another win for Schummi. The only difference this week is that that chick Kimi actually had a fast car and the Mercedes engine got to the end.

F1/IRL/NASCAR

It was an interesting weekend of racing here in America and one that may have a bearing on what happens in Formula 1 next season. As I wrote yesterday, Scott Dixon is having problems at Target Chip Ganassi Racing. Yes the Toyota is underpowered, but his performances this year have been abysmal. Yesterday I pointed out some of those reasons.

Jeff Gordon on the other hand had another great weekend. He won both the pole and the race at Daytona Beach. Gordon continued his string of excellent performances as he seems to be at the very top of his game. Sure the Dupont/Pepsi team is great, but at the end of the day it is Gordon who has to get the car to the end.

So what does Jeff Gordon’s performance have to do with F1? Well last week I predicted he would be in the Williams next season. With his performance Saturday I think the deal is sealed.

Scotty D. got the test and apparently failed to impress. He seems to have lost his edge because of it. F1 wants an American and Jeff Gordon has expressed interest especially when it was suggested he was too old to start an F1 career. He is confident and that confidence will ultimately land him that seat.


IRL

Congrats to Buddy Rice who won the race at Kansas yesterday. His victory over Vitor Meira was the second closest 1-2 finish in IRL history. The last 15 laps were a trophy dash between the two. Rice took the inside line and held it for the entire time. Meira managed to lead at the stripe a couple of times just barely lost out at the end. It was an exciting finish to say the least.

Unfortunately only 21 took the green flag. Greg Ray allegedly took his car through tech, then loaded it back on the hauler and took it home. I wish things would turn around for Ray. The IRL needs him.


F1

Schumacher! What can you say? Yesterday he won the French Grand Prix for this 8th win in 9 races this year and he did it using an almost unheard of 4 pit stop strategy. Fernando Alonso started the race from the pole and lead the first 12 laps before pitting. Normally this season Schummi has been the last of the leaders to pit, clicking off fast laps while the leader is in the pits. Didn’t happen that way yesterday.

What did happen was this. Schumacher, leading by just over 10 seconds knew he needed a splash and go to get to the finish. He also knew he needed to be in the lead by 20 second to be able to pit and come back out in the lead as there would not be enough time to make a pass if he was in second. What did he do? Well in the course of 6 laps he increased his lead to 22 seconds. When he pitted he came out a full 7 seconds ahead of Alonso.

Say what you will about Schumacher, and if you can’t tell by reading this blog, I don’t like him, he is simply the best. His performance in France yesterday certainly proved that to me!

IRL

Congrats to Buddy Rice who will start today’s race at Kansas from the pole. To me, the real story has to be Scott Dixon. Or more accurate, what has happened to Scotty D?

Dixon starts today’s race 16th. He is only the fourth fastest Toyota and even starts behind AJIV. Given the struggles Toyota has had this season it is not surprising that Scotty is not in the front of the pack, but 16th?

In my opinion there is one major reason for the defending IRL champion’s demise. His not getting the ride in the Williams next year. Scotty did two tests in March and April at Paul Ricard and Catalunya respectively. From all indications the test in France went well. At that point it appeared he may have had a real shot at it. Then three weeks later in Spain, he was hamstrung by a balky gearbox, but the test reportedly went fairly well.

Since then though any talk of Scotty D being in that car in 2005 seems to have died. Unfortunately, I believe Scotty D was so focused on getting the ride that when it became increasingly clear that he wouldn’t, he has lost his focus in the IRL. It would appear that not getting the F1 ride has had a devastating mental effect on Scotty. It’s a damn shame too.

Scott’s a helluva driver and one can only speculate why the talk of his F1 ride has diminished so much. Maybe Frank Williams saw something he didn’t like in Scott or his driving. Maybe Scott’s test on the tricky Barcelona circuit wasn’t as good as reported. It’s hard to say.

Of course the possibility remains that Scott will get the Williams ride and he knows it and Sir Frank is just staying mum about it. If that is the case then it would appear that Scott is already gone. Whichever the case, Scotty D’s miserable season continues today in Kansas. I hope he gets it together.