After three races, I think we have enough of a data set to create a comparison between Buddy Rice, the midseason addition to RBTC, and Tomas, the "rookie sensation." Here are the stats from each driver's first three races in the IRL, showing start, finish, laps completed, money won, and points.
Sheckter:
Miami - start 3, finish 6, laps 198/200, $51,100, 28 points - stuffed boss in the wall.
Phoenix - start 5, finish 24, laps 40/200, $32,800, 6 points, engine failure.
Fontana - start 3, finish 24, laps 163/200, $32,200, 6 points, accident - engine tightened, stayed in groove for 1/2 lap, plowed by Noda.
Rice:
MIS - start 2, finish 2, laps 200/200, $60,450, 40 points.
Kentucky - start 6, finish 12, laps 200/200, $18,500, 18 points.
Gateway - start 15, finish 4, laps 200/200, $57,800, 32 points.
Composite:
Sheckter - avg. start 3.67, avg. finish 18, laps 401/600 (67%), money $116,100, 40 points, 2 crashed cars (his and Eddie's).
Rice - avg. start 7.67, avg. finish 6, laps 600/600, $136,750, 90 points, 0 crashed cars.
Of course, giving Tomas the benefit of the facts, the Phoenix DNF wasn't his fault. He also would have DNF'd at Fontana, too, but hanging out in the groove with a bum motor cost the team an engine AND a car, instead of just an engine.
HOWEVER - in his first three races, Tomas never had a clean run to the finish. In fact, it wasn't until MIS that he turned in a race as good as Rice's debut. It appears that Tomas was able to make a fast car go fast, but not to control it. Rice, on the other hand, has been a complete pro (with the exception of the harmless restart spin at KY) behind the wheel. Is it any wonder that many here aren't so high on Tomas? I think Rice's debut has been remarkable, with Tomas' season as a backdrop for perspective.
As a side note, I was surprised to find that Rice only won $18,750 for 12th at Kentucky. I thought $20K was the minimum start money. Anyone got any insight on that?
Sheckter:
Miami - start 3, finish 6, laps 198/200, $51,100, 28 points - stuffed boss in the wall.
Phoenix - start 5, finish 24, laps 40/200, $32,800, 6 points, engine failure.
Fontana - start 3, finish 24, laps 163/200, $32,200, 6 points, accident - engine tightened, stayed in groove for 1/2 lap, plowed by Noda.
Rice:
MIS - start 2, finish 2, laps 200/200, $60,450, 40 points.
Kentucky - start 6, finish 12, laps 200/200, $18,500, 18 points.
Gateway - start 15, finish 4, laps 200/200, $57,800, 32 points.
Composite:
Sheckter - avg. start 3.67, avg. finish 18, laps 401/600 (67%), money $116,100, 40 points, 2 crashed cars (his and Eddie's).
Rice - avg. start 7.67, avg. finish 6, laps 600/600, $136,750, 90 points, 0 crashed cars.
Of course, giving Tomas the benefit of the facts, the Phoenix DNF wasn't his fault. He also would have DNF'd at Fontana, too, but hanging out in the groove with a bum motor cost the team an engine AND a car, instead of just an engine.
HOWEVER - in his first three races, Tomas never had a clean run to the finish. In fact, it wasn't until MIS that he turned in a race as good as Rice's debut. It appears that Tomas was able to make a fast car go fast, but not to control it. Rice, on the other hand, has been a complete pro (with the exception of the harmless restart spin at KY) behind the wheel. Is it any wonder that many here aren't so high on Tomas? I think Rice's debut has been remarkable, with Tomas' season as a backdrop for perspective.
As a side note, I was surprised to find that Rice only won $18,750 for 12th at Kentucky. I thought $20K was the minimum start money. Anyone got any insight on that?
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