Mike Conway. Has there ever been.....

[Tree0404]

I'm 29 years old and I've been following IndyCar as long as I can remember and even trying to wrap my head around the events that happened prior to my consciousness.

Has there ever been a really, truly, successful RC/SC only driver? - particularly in the 1980----> onward era? I can't think of one. Obviously there have always been RC/SC drivers that excelled at their game better than their counterparts, but perhaps nomore so than Mike Conway.

From what I can tell, Mike Conway might not only be striving toward it, but he might be achieving it.

I still say if Ed Carpenter can realize the benefit, a Mike Conway RC/SC/////Carpenter oval schedule could contend for the overall manufacturer points.

[Hitokiri]

I still say if Ed Carpenter can realize the benefit, a Mike Conway RC/SC/////Carpenter oval schedule could contend for the overall manufacturer points.

I was about to post something very similar. I think if Conway were to race on only the road/street courses on a quality team he could challenge for the road course trophy. Of course on the other side of the fence you have Ed Carpenter was always seems to do well on most ovals. Even though the idea of a "road course specialist" or an "oval specialist" is a little too NASCAR-ish to me the landscape of Indycar has changed so that it does make sense to do these types of things these days. The fact that smaller teams often have to take paychecks where ever and whoever it's from in order to run and maxing amount in points actually does affect the condition of the team next season makes these specialist a coveted commodity.

[Racing Steward]

Has there ever been a really, truly, successful RC/SC only driver?

Will Power.

[dot350]

Will Power.

Ha!

[Tree0404]

Will Power.

you know, i still think that Power can contend for an oval win moreso than conway could, but man i really thought after Power's TX win, it would open a huge door for him.

I don't think it's a courage element nor do i think its a determination element.....i only think its a matter of time....but that is what i thought about a year ago. It's a confidence element that seems to be COMPLETELY SEPARATE from courage.

if Will can't take down at least 1 more oval win by the end of next year - 2014 - (realistically speaking....he only has 1 more shot this year (2013) so i think because he DOES have 1 oval win there is a little more leeway)..... then maybe some serious talk should happen

He seems to be as good as but no BETTER than other RC/SC "specialists" on the flat oval tracks (see: Wilson) ....and Wilson is gaining......and in an "inferior" Coyne machine no less

I dunno.

I am gaining respect for guys like Pagenaud, Bourdais, and Wilson......guys who seem to be showing more with having less......maybe Will'll snap out of the funk. We shall see.

[jkeener24]

I still say if Ed Carpenter can realize the benefit, a Mike Conway RC/SC/////Carpenter oval schedule could contend for the overall manufacturer points.

Probably so, but since Ed is the team owner and driver, I'm sure his sponsors want him in the car for all events. I don't know why he'd only want to run 5-6 events per year, either. If the schedule expanded to 10 ovals, maybe.

It would be great if Ed could run a second car and put Mike in it for R/S courses and Clauson or someone for the ovals.

[Chris R]

I think the idea of a split ride could make for great advertising..... I can envision commercials and advertisements with banter between the two drivers about ovals vs. road courses..... Some intra- team rivalry of a unique nature....

[00steven]

Will Power.

Oh you mean the guy who led Indy and had a podium in Milwaukee? I think he's won an oval also...

[castronevesfan3]

Oh you mean the guy who led Indy and had a podium in Milwaukee? I think he's won an oval also...

A half distance race after he drew third place on the grid while other oval specialists where at the back and TK had a terrible car... Leading Indy means nothing, even Conway led Indy back in 2010...

[mstove]

A half distance race after he drew third place on the grid while other oval specialists where at the back and TK had a terrible car... Leading Indy means nothing, even Conway led Indy back in 2010...

Leading Indy does not mean nothing. To the rest of the post, no argument.

[castronevesfan3]

Leading Indy does not mean nothing. To the rest of the post, no argument.

You don't get in the books for leading Indy, nor for finishing second in the championship three times in a row.

[mstove]

You don't get in the books for leading Indy, nor for finishing second in the championship three times in a row.

Again, leading Indy does not mean nothing. I have no argument with the rest and I'm not saying it is similar to winning. But, it most definitely is something.

[apollo8fan]

...Leading Indy means nothing, even Conway led Indy back in 2010...

To PSP fans and her swooning media it sure meant something.

[drdisque]

Hector Rebaque was pretty much a RC only driver and won a race.

[apollo8fan]

I just crunched some numbers for the RC/SC races. Counting all races, even those he hasn't competed at, he's ranked 13th in twistie points with 149 (ahead of names like Rahal-14th, Newgarden-15th, Kanaan-17th, and Power-19th). If we count only races at which he competed, he moves to 3rd, but is still quite a ways behind Dixon (188 pts) by 39 and Franchitti (163). Could Conway challenge for the Mario Andretti trophy? Maybe, but he'd have to go through Ganassi to do it.