I hope I didn't jinx Brad and Taylor

[Lucky161]

Very disappointing to see both of them drop out so early. The race was pretty good, had a scary wreck with Arie flipping on top of Mark Taylor. I would have to agree with what was said in the interviews on another thread here. They could use about 10-15 more mph and another 10 cars sure wouldn't hurt. But of those that finished, all but one were in the lead draft and that one wasn't all that far back.

[Lucky161]

I forgot to add that the crowd was MUCH bigger than last year. Of course last year was a stand alone event that cost $15 and this year it was held 45 minutes after the truck race for free.

[rrrr]

Re: I hope I didn't jinx Brad and Taylor

Originally posted by Lucky161
Very disappointing to see both of them drop out so early. The race was pretty good, had a scary wreck with Arie flipping on top of Mark Taylor. I would have to agree with what was said in the interviews on another thread here. They could use about 10-15 more mph and another 10 cars sure wouldn't hurt. But of those that finished, all but one were in the lead draft and that one wasn't all that far back.

I dunno, Lucky. It was darn good racing from what I saw. Lots of racing for position behind Arie when he was leading. The Genoa car was three wide a bunch of times, Thiago showed me some stuff today.

I was bummed when Aaron got kicked out in the draft, I was hoping he would win.

I talked to Arie Jr. after the race, he wasn't impressed by his ride. Oh, to be young and invincible again. All in all the best IPS race I have seen by a mile. You all need to watch it when the tape is shown!!

[Justin]

It seemed to me that about half the fans left after the truck race. A shame, as I thought the IPS race was very good, better than the trucks. The lead didn't change all that much, but there was a bunch of passing from second on back. Glad the race ended when it did, by the time I got to my car I needed the windshield wipers.

That was a scary wreck, but fortunately both drivers got out ok. Looked to me like Luyendyk just about got completely upside down before rolling off of Taylor's car coming off the banking in Turn 3.

This was my first IPS race and I enjoyed it, hope they continue next year (and get a few more cars!). Now for the IndyCars tomorrow!!!!

[Lucky161]

Actually rrrr, I didn't intend for my post to be a complaint. It was a better race than last year, the only other one I've seen.

In addition to the idiot sitting behind me that I posted about on the other forum, there was a group of "fans" sitting on the front row in front of me. I am not sure they even knew there was a race going on. I am sure they had all had plenty of adult refreshment, but to sit on the front row and never look at the track the whole race?

[jrandrew00]

All Aaron had to say to us was that he did not know what happen as they passed him and he could not get a draft to get back around (we knew that!). And I talked to Arie Jr as well. Mom would not believe me that he was okay until I handed him the phone so she would believe me when she talked to him. He said it's all his fault, as he thought he had room. I felt bad for Taylor when I saw him walking around during the race. Sorry you did not get that much luck Taylor. Would like to hear Brad's side on the accident so I will not blame the wrong person. I talked to Matt and I will probably talk to Brad tomorrow. I did ask Brad (and he will agree) if he enjoyed running at Texas and he said he did. I would too!

[Taxpayer]

Well, for myself this was the best IPS evnt yet. Admittedly I have only witnessed the events at KS and TMS, but once the race proceeded beyond the difficult start, the racing immedialtely behind the leader was really enjoyable.

Did anyone else over hear AJ's version of blame for the altercation between Taylor and Luyendyk on their scanner?

[B/Mark]

I didn't hear anything over the scanner, but Arie apologised to Mark after the race saying he didn't know he was along side.
His spotter said " looking outside " so Arie moved up which in itself is a risky move. Spotter should have called " outside " but what can you do with inexperienced spotters - it was of course 2 time INDY 500 winner Arie Sr.
A great race marred by an unnecessary accident where fortunately no one was hurt and the Championship unaffected.
The best thing that came out of it was a win finally for Thiago, nice guys do come first - eventually.

[B/Mark]

Oh by the way this is a MUST watch - the in-car footage from Mark's car is amazing and the camera keeps rolling throughout, but the voicetape from Mark will need to be bleeped!!!!:mad:

[GranatelliFan]

I enjoyed a great weekend with Brad and the Pollards at Texas. It was an up and down weekend for Brad. He made several important contacts for next season and he expanded his networking. He has also arranged a couple of offseason tests in both IPS and Indycar.

The action in the car wasn't as successful. A tired motor led to slow practice and qualifying speeds. During the last practice, his first lap was his fastest and the engine really began to lay down. A Menard's engineer estimated that it had lost 20 HP and the team decided to make a motor change just prior to the race. Sam Schmidt's crew did a fantastic 70 minute motor change and Brad was really looking forward to the race. On the start he quickly moved from 15th to 8th. The start went yellow when Beardsley pinched Brad's teammate, Taylor Fletcher, into the front straight wall. Taylor retired with suspension damage. Beardsley's crew called him into the pits to check for damage but he said the car felt fine. On the restart, Beardsley spun directly in front of Brad (may have been a cut tire from the contact with Fletcher). Brad took evasive action but struck Beardsley and sustained RF damage.

[jrandrew00]

Originally posted by GranatelliFan
I enjoyed a great weekend with Brad and the Pollards at Texas. It was an up and down weekend for Brad. He made several important contacts for next season and he expanded his networking. He has also arranged a couple of offseason tests in both IPS and Indycar.

The action in the car wasn't as successful. A tired motor led to slow practice and qualifying speeds. During the last practice, his first lap was his fastest and the engine really began to lay down. A Menard's engineer estimated that it had lost 20 HP and the team decided to make a motor change just prior to the race. Sam Schmidt's crew did a fantastic 70 minute motor change and Brad was really looking forward to the race. On the start he quickly moved from 15th to 8th. The start went yellow when Beardsley pinched Brad's teammate, Taylor Fletcher, into the front straight wall. Taylor retired with suspension damage. Beardsley's crew called him into the pits to check for damage but he said the car felt fine. On the restart, Beardsley spun directly in front of Brad (may have been a cut tire from the contact with Fletcher). Brad took evasive action but struck Beardsley and sustained RF damage.

Thanks on how Brad was involved as Matt was saying it was all Brad's fault.

[mec]

"The start went yellow when Beardsley pinched Brad's teammate, Taylor Fletcher, into the front straight wall."


The starter thru the green then thru the yellow because the front row took off early. The yellow was already out before the contact.

The starter didnt help this deal because both flaggs where waving at the same time..

[beyondnascar]

Is that normal practice to wave both flags on an aborted start? I thought they were to turn on the yellow light after the cars all crossed the start line for a restart?
Guess I will have to wait to see the coverage....... if they cover it, and by that I don't mean if it is on TV.

[TaylorFletcher]

"The start went yellow when Beardsley pinched Brad's teammate, Taylor Fletcher, into the front straight wall."

"The starter didnt help this deal because both flaggs where waving at the same time.."

Question: "Is that normal practice to wave both flags on an aborted start? I thought they were to turn on the yellow light after the cars all crossed the start line for a restart?
Guess I will have to wait to see the coverage....... if they cover it, and by that I don't mean if it is on TV."

ANSWER ??
I HAVE NEVER SEEN BOTH FLAGS DISPLAYED AT A START BEFORE.
MAYBE IT IS JUST MY IGNORANCE, BUT IT CERTAINLY CONFUSED DRIVERS AND SPOTTERS. DRIVERS RELY HEAVILY ON SPOTTERS IN SITUATIONS LIKE THIS, AND THE SPOTTERS RELY HEAVILY ON THE IRL RADIO CHANNEL THAT THEY ALSO MONITOR WHEN SPOTTING. I WAS ADVISED THAT THE IRL CHANNEL DID NOT ANNOUNCE THE YELLOW UNTIL THE LEAD CARS WERE GOING INTO T-2. SEEMS LIKE THE GREEN SHOULDN'T WAIVE AT ALL IF THE FIELD IS NOT FORMED UP PROPERLY...
DOUBT IF IT WILL MAKE IT TO TV.
IF ANYONE IN INTERESTED, SEND ME YOUR EMAIL AND I WILL EMAIL YOU SOME PHOTOS OF THE START.

[BlueStang]

Originally posted by jrandrew00
Thanks on how Brad was involved as Matt was saying it was all Brad's fault.

Version I read on TSO (I think!) sounded a lot like how GF told it here. Sounded like Brad got collected in Matt's spin.

Good to hear he at least made some good contacts this weekend. Hated reading that he'd gone out in the TSO spoiler.