The Pocono IndyCar 500 mile race had all the elements needed to make it one of the best races of the 2015 season: Hard driving, lots of lead changes and some strong performances from some new drivers that had everybody talking. But then, late in the race with 21 laps to go, rookie Sage Karam was charging toward his first IndyCar victory in front of his hometown fans from nearby Nazareth Pennsylvania, when the most tragic event that could happen occurred. Karam lost control of his Dallara Chevy on lap 179 and slammed into the outside retaining wall. His car disintegrated and pieces of debris went flying all over the track. One large piece struck driver Justin Wilson in the head as he came out of the turn. His car rammed the inside wall causing extensive damage, but it was the the flying debris that caused the critical brain trauma that took his life. Wilson was one of the “good guys’ in IndyCar. Wilson was born in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England on July 31, 1978. The 37-year-driver was married to Julia and was the father of two daughters whom he doted on. Wilson started in the Champ Car Series in 2004 and joined IndyCar in 2008. In all, he had seven total victories in American open wheeled racing. His best finish in the Indianapolis 500 was a fifth in 2013. He also won the 2006, 24 hours of Daytona endurance race. When Justin Wilson signed with Andretti Autosports for the last third of the IndyCar season after driving for them at Indianapolis, I was really excited. Justin’s presence was needed in the competition. He was too skilled a driver not to be racing and his winning personality was needed to help bring a positive image to motor racing.
The race was won by Ryan Hunter-Reay with a strong late charge. Hunter-Reay has been on fire the last three races after being a non-factor for most of the season. Rookie Gabby Chavez inherited the lead after Karam’s crash and held it under the caution light. When the green flag came out again on lap 197 Chavez came down hard on his gas pedal and blew his engine, bringing the yellow out once again. The race finished under yellow.
One of the issues to be decided at Pocono was the race for championship points. Juan Pablo Montoya held a slim seven point lead over Graham Rahal. With the way Rahal has been driving of late, he had every expectation of overtaking Montoya and emerging as the points leader going into the final race of the season. Fate had a different plan for the Steak & Shake driver, however. On Lap 92 Rahal was driving hard through the pack trying to get back into contention after a pit stop error by his refueling crew set him back in the pack. French driver Tristan Vautier touched wheels with Rahal, sending both into the outside retaining wall and damaging both cars to end their respective days. A furious Rahal ran to confront Vautier, but was restrained by safety personnel, although Vautier certainly got the message. Josef Newgarden finished second and Juan Pablo Montoya’s third place finish put him 35 points ahead of Rahal with one race to go, an almost insurmountable lead. With what had transpired with Justin Wilson, the post-race victory celebration was more than a little subdued. Sunday is the final race of the season on the road course at Sonoma, California.
Where is the Colt’s Offensive Line?
The Colts took another one on the chin last Sunday at home against the Chicago Bears 23-11.The Colts haven’t won in preseason in two years so that isn’t really a big deal. What has some experts shaking their heads is the continued mediocre play of the Colts offensive line. This was the same trouble spot that plagued the Big Blue last season. Oddly, the Colts did little in the off season to upgrade the offensive line other than sign guard Todd Herremans from the Eagles. Second year tackle Jack Mewhort has taken over the right tackle spot and is still learning the position. He is not acclimating to the position as fast as the Colts had hoped. The center job is still up in the air with neither second year player Jonathan Harrison nor third year man Khaled Holmes playing well enough to claim the starting job. Journeyman Lance Louis is starting at left guard. It was hoped that third year man Hugh Thornton would jump in and take hold of that left guard spot but injuries are once again keeping him on the sidelines.
There is still a great deal of criticism of General Manager Ryan Grigson for ignoring the offensive line and the draft and not addressing it in free agency. The problems in the offensive line could hold back the Colts and keep them from progressing deep into the post season. The Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans seem to have made enough strides that they cannot be considered the pushovers they have been in the past three years. With left tackle Anthony Castonzo as the top performing lineman, the Horseshoe offensive line has a long way to go. Castonzo is considered, at best, an average offensive tackle in the NFL. Andrew Luck is too valuable a commodity to have a Swiss cheese offensive line in front of him. The running game would improve as well.
As to the running game, rookie Josh Robinson is definitely showing to advantage in the Colts backfield. The 5’ 8” 221 pounder from Mississippi was really impressive with his strength and quickness.
Another area of concern is the backup quarterback. Matt Hasselbeck is really showing his age and rookie Bryan Bennett doesn’t seem to be the answer. Finding a competent backup quarterback isn’t as easy as it sounds; most teams want to keep a good one if they have one.
As always, preseason is not the best indicator of a team’s regular season success. Coaches are looking at individual players, and no coach wants to put one of his stars at risk. Hopefully the problems we are seeing now will be overcome when the regular season starts.