Listen HERE
Warm Up the Tires
- News and Discussion
- Le Mans – 30:50
- Shit We Didn’t Make Up: Licensure for Drivers – 36:52
- Women of the Week: Ladies in 2019 Le Mans – 48:25
- Rev Group Grand Prix Preview – 52:04
News and Discussion
Our first non-race recap since before May and we run down some of the stories we never got to cover. There are already 2020 Season race rumors including Pocono might be gone and Richmond is in. Despite the recent emotions surrounding Pocono, we’d love to see it stay on the calendar. We’d also love to see Richmond on the calendar. Also, it’s time the series goes outside of North America. Our wish? Surfers Paradise. Our reality, Brazil.
Max Chilton recently decided to stop racing on the oval tracks in the INDYCAR series. It’s an interesting decision. He is well within his right to do so. But what about those drivers who want to race but can’t put together sponsorship? And in a series that is known for oval racing, should he perhaps look to another series then?
The Internet has been abuzz with the discussion of an INDYCAR and NASCAR doubleheader. We’re here for it. A good oval track where you can have camping is the ideal situation. Let’s move this from internet discussion and have real engagement!
Le Mans 30:50
As we record, but after this drops, the 2019 Le Mans is in the process of running. It’s the 87th running of the most famous 24-hour endurance race. One of the triple crown of motorsports (read more about that HERE). Most individuals apply, but there are automatic invites for those who won their class in prior Le Mans, won other endurance championships, or one of the two cars from WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
The active INDYCAR drivers in the race:
- Fernando Alonso (LMP1 with Toyota Gazoo Racing)
- Ben Hanley (LMP1 with DragonSpeed Racing)
- Jordan King (LMP2 with Jackie Chan DC Racing)
- Sebastian Bourdais (LMGTE with Ford Chip Ganassi Team USA)
- Scott Dixon (LMGTE with Ford Chip Ganassi Team USA)
SWDMU: Licenses 36:52
We discuss the different motorsports disciplines and how to get licenses. Basically, INDYCAR and Formula 1 rely on experience and achievements in other series. NHRA is pretty tough with multiple passes being judged and a blindfold cockpit test.
Just remember, if you get a license that doesn’t mean you have a car, team, and sponsorship.
WotW – Ladies in 2019 Le Mans 48:25
We were sad that the Caterpillar ladies did not make it into Le Mans. However, the European Le Mans all-female line up did! The line up includes Rahel Frey (read a full write up on her HERE); Michelle Gatting (the youngest member of the team and a regular in Danish Thundersport and Supertourisme); and Manuela Gostner (European GT4 and Ferrari Challenge Coppa).
Rev Group Grand Prix Preview 52:04
It’s the National Park of Speed! Up in Wisconsin (where last year the sun was up much earlier than it should have been) the INDYCAR drivers take on the 4.084-mile track of Road America. The track is a test of tire endurance and driver endurance. The long straightaway where the drivers stream uphill back towards the start/finish line is the longest front straight on the calendar. The track may be long, but the area is picturesque. Times between track activity can be spent wondering around campsites and woodlands and of course getting some great fried cheese and corn.
It’s hard to pick a favorite place to watch the race. We camped in the Carousel which features a fast and graceful turn. If you have the opportunity to sit near Turn 5 or Turn 12 you’ll have a good opportunity for observing passes as they are both a heavy braking zone. Last year I watched the race and quals from high atop Turn 12. You have a great view of the drivers set up for the hill and that final race up to the start/finish line. Plus it is near corn and cheese…
In 2018, the race featured no cautions and only one car not finishing the race. Will Power’s race ended with retirement because of an engine issue. Despite a low level of lead changes, within the first twenty-seven laps, the race had featured one hundred passes. There were moments of races and chases off of pit lane. It was completely Josef Newgarden’s race, he led fifty-three of fifty-five laps. The 2018 race was Josef Newgarden’s tenth win, but it was also the sight of his very first win in the INDYCAR series.
Picks for this weekend:
The all-important drinking game:
We hope to see you everyone heading to Road America on Saturday evening at 6pm at campsite #37 for the first FCFG Unplugged. A low-key casual gathering of INDYCAR fans just chatting about quals, the race tomorrow, and everything else. We’ve got some fun people dropping by, but it’s low key and not an autograph session. We’re all INDYCAR fans!
Fast Cars Fast Girls 