After dominating the month of May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Penske driver Simon Pagenaud has returned to being the third driver on the team. However, his wins and pole positions have cemented his place on the team after rumors had circulated that he would not be with the Captain in 2020.
The Dual in Detroit was the tale of two different kind of races. A wet rainy Saturday saw the cars slip and slide their way along the Belle Isle road course with the banging and crashing you would expect during such conditions. Top contenders Scott Dixon and Will Power were quickly eliminated which left Josef Newgarden to hold off pole winner Alexander Rossi for the victory. Power lost his right front tire after being sent out from his pit stop before his crewman could secure it. Takuma Sato was 3rd, rookie Felix Rosenqvist was 4th and Ryan Hunter-Reay finished 5th. Pagenaud was 6th and Graham Rahal finished 7th.
Sunday saw clear skies, a bright sun, and dry track. Newgarden won the pole but when the green flag dropped Scott Dixon quickly took control. The New Zealander had found out that he was to be made a member of the order of the British Empire for his service to New Zealand and the Commonwealth. He drove with a special zeal and left the rest of the field in his dust. Dixon picked up his first win of 2019. Rookie Marcus Ericsson drove to a very credible 2nd. Will Power was 3rd. Ryan Hunter-Reay was 4th. Alexander Rossi was 5th. Marco Andretti was 6th. Rahal finished 7th for the second race in a row and Zach Veach was 8th for the 2nd race in a row.
Josef Newgarden has regained sole possession of 1st place in the point standings with Alexander Rossi in 2nd. Simon Pagenaud was dropped to 3rd place. Now it’s on to the Texas Motor Speedway Oval in Fort Worth for the DCX Technology 600, on Saturday, June 8th.
The Warriors vs. The Raptors
This is for my beautiful sister-in-law Gail Collins who is an architect living in Oakland, California and is in town for her high school reunion with her Tech Class of ‘69 school mates. Like many Bay Area residents she is a big fan of the Golden State Warriors and is very proud of their historic accomplishments. For the last 5 seasons Golden State has been the NBA’s “elite” team. Their rivalry with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the NBA crown this last season is history making and the stuff of legends. The Warrior’s rise has coincided with the emergence of point guard Stephen Curry as an MVP player, and undisputed team leader. Curry is regarded by many to the NBA’s greatest all-time shooter and his 3 point shot is a lethal weapon. The Warriors of the last 5 NBA seasons rank among the greatest sports dynasties of all time and are deserving of all sports fans attention and admiration. Right now the Warriors are engaged in a history making Championship series with the Toronto Raptors. No Canadian team has ever reached the NBA Championship and no Canadian city has ever hosted an NBA Championship game before. Once again, the Warriors are engaged in a history-making NBA final match. It is a fitting way to say good bye the Oakland Oracle Center.
After 48 years, the Warriors will be moving back to San Francisco from Oakland to play in the Chase Center for the 2019-20 season and beyond. While we commiserate with Oakland fans who are losing both the Warriors and Raiders we at the Weekly View wish the Warrior continued success in the new home across the Bay — except when they play the Pacers, of course.
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