Just in case you were either in a coma or kidnapped by aliens on Sunday I will let you in on the big sports news. Danica Patrick hit the wall on lap 67 after something broke in her car and she finished 30th. Oh, and by the way, some Australian guy was leading on the 200th lap and was declared the race winner. For as much as the media made such a big deal about every thing Danica did here during the month, it being her last race before retirement and all, she milked a whole bunch of personal publicity for herself. Well now her racing career belongs to the ages, so to speak. She went farther on less talent than anyone I’ve ever heard of. She does look great in a bikini and was always willing to display that particular talent to her advantage.
But I digress. The real story was Will Power, who in his 11th start, finally grabbed the brass ring. The 37-year-old Aussie has been close before, including a second place finish in 2015, but until last Sunday, no cigar. This month, however he finally lived up to his name and won both the Indy Grand Prix and then racing’s “Big Tamale.” He will now be enshrined among the racing immortals. You know… guys like Kelley Petillo, L. L. Corum, and Floyd Davis. Okay, winning the race doesn’t ensure lasting fame, but in Mr. Power’s case it was the crowning achievement in a Hall of Fame career. It was Power’s 35th career IndyCar victory which puts him one ahead of Al Unser Jr. as Team Penske’s winningest driver. Oh yeah, it was Captain Roger’s 17th IndyCar win as a car owner. There ain’t nobody even close to that record.
The story of the race was THE HEAT! It was the second hottest day ever in the 500’s history. Over 200 fans went to the infield hospital with heat-related problems. But on the track, Mr. Power drove what I call a “Rick Mears” style race. Mears, a 4 time winner, drove cautiously for 2/3rds of the race. Then in the last 3rd he would turn it on. Power adopted that strategy and it paid off. His pit crew was just as important with possibly the best pit work of any team in the race. A bad pit stop can cost you a chance at a win, and Will’s was really on Sunday! Will lead 59 total laps.
In the victory circle, Power was like a kid on Christmas morning. The normally stoic Aussie was jubilant as he celebrated with his crew and equally jubilant wife Liz. Even 500 Festival Queen Natalie Murdock got in on the fun as Power splashed milk on her as he anointed himself with the cold bottle of moo juice. It was a popular win, long overdue.
Pole sitter Ed Carpenter held on for a second place finish — by far his best career finish at Indy. He also led the most laps of the race with 65. It was a very solid performance for the Butler grad. Robert Wickens led 2 laps and finished 9th and won Rookie of the Year honors.
Ironically, James Hinchcliffe’s pit crew won the pit stop competition on Saturday after his car was bumped out of the race the week before. So you can’t blame them for Hinch not being in the starting field.
So it’s on to Belle Isle next weekend for the Detroit Grand Prix double header.
snicewanger@gmail.com