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.