767 (Offline)
#42
4/22/09 3:56 PM
for all of you guys whining :crying: about non american drivers, show me 1 USAC guy in the last five years that were outwardly saying their goal was to race an indy car. All i ever hear or see in usac anymore is nascar nascar nascar. Why would a sponsor want to give these kids money for Indy if they are constantly talking about charlotte. It would be refreshing to see a driver step up and say there goal is to race an indy car. O wait what am I thinking none of these guys are from Indiana anymore. They learn about Indy off of TV and word of mouth.
IndyBound (Offline)
#49
4/23/09 3:10 AM
Unlike most of you I have never been to Indy for the 500, it has always been a dream of mine. In the 1970's & 1980's I would have the Indianapolis Star newspaper sent to Central N. Y. during the month of May and always catch the race either on the radio or TV, even when we were racing ourselves. I still watch every year, however the excitement isn't the same for me as when the Mears, Unsers, Rutherford, Foyt, Johncock and Janet Guthrie raced.
Back on page three David/Ovalmeister had a list of open wheel stars that have made it to Indy. The most famous supermodified driver he forgot to mention is Bentley Warren, Chet Fillip also raced supers at Oswego just before his attempt at Indy. An if my memory hasn't failed me I believe Chuck Chiprich and Doug Heveron made an attempt at Indy as well. Heveron for sure I know has run in the Little 500, I think he made a try at the 500, a historian I am not. You can also throw the Daytona 500 in there for Heveron. When people start talking about having to buy a ride to race an Indy car and they make it sound like it is this new requirement I think back to the days when Joe Gosek made his runs at Indy. He had to bring money then.
It is my personal belief very few of todays supermodified drivers have the talent, skills, drive, desire and determination that took Gordie Johncock, Bentley Warren, Joe Gosek and Doug Didero to Indy. Davey Hamilton is in a class of his own and I would like nothing better than to see him in victory lane at the end of this years 500. Chris Perley and D. J. Schullick are two of todays supermodified stars that I think have the talent to go to Indy, if they have the desire to go I am not aware of it.
As for USAC stars I would love to see Dave Darland, JJ Yeley, and Jerry Coons Jr in an Indy car. An Chad Boat when he has a few more years of experience under his belt.
Someone posted earlier that the desire to go to NASCAR is the chance to make $10 million dollars versus $1 million in Indy cars. With sponsorship money becoming harder to find for NASCAR Teams, let's hope the trickle down effect is that openwheel stars get the desire to go Indy car racing and the determination to find the money to be able to do it with.
Back to right now, I also hope Buddy Rice finds a ride for this years 500.
Pattti
Midwest Connection (Offline)
#50
4/23/09 8:00 AM
Patti - I agree with you on this post. Indy to me is America's auto racing historical "Grid Iron." I would like nothing more than to see race drivers from the open wheel ranks get a shot at the "Big One"- the Indy 500. Being from Oswego originally like you, we both have seen some of America's best open wheelers at Syracuse on the One Mile. Past Champ Car Syracuse winners just from the 50's, 60's and 70's alone - Ward, Bettenhausen, Parsons, McGrath, Unser, Carter, Kinser, Sweikert, Dickson, George, Sachs, Thomson, Grim, etc. To me, just this short list of Syracuse winners exemplified those great hey days of open wheel racing. And, watching the supermodifieds at Oswego of Gordy Johncock, Bentley Warren, Sam Sessions, etc., who all became Indy vets, made it a very special time.
I will be at Indy May 8 and 9, mainly to take photos, but I also make a tour of the Indy 500 Museum every time I am at Indy - a must for me. Lets just say, the Indy 500 Museum brings back great historical racing memories in America's prestigious auto racing history - for me anyway. And for good ole' down home dirt sprint car racing I will be at Bloomington that nite on May 8 - which I am looking forward to.
Have a good day...see you at the races
Rich - Arnold, Missouri