Planet-IRL

The Year No Americans Won

   The title says it all.  We may very likely be at the point where not a single American driver wins a race all year.  The closest American driver to winning has been, surprisingly, Ed Carpenter, but, only for one race.  None of the others have been near the front when it counts. 

  Of course, it’s not all the drivers fault.  Team wise, none are on teams running for championships this year.  Penske and Ganassi have won every race but one, Wakens Glen.  Side note, maybe that doesn’t help the ratings. Having a dominate team is fun, only if they’re beatable, so that people tune in to see a David Vs. Goliath thing.  Think Hendrick Motorsports, they’re really good, but, Red Bull and RPM and others can still take wins from them.  Back on topic, since none are on the dominate team; it’s not all their fault.  BUT, last year they weren’t either, and yet Danica, Graham, and Ryan all won.  The issue was really that all of them won on luck, and they just haven’t had that this year. 

  Talent wise, I think Danica is pretty good.  I would say top ten talents wise in the league.  She’s held back by her team a lot.  If they were the “Big Three” this year, I think she might have two oval wins.  But, they’re not, and road courses, where smaller teams win, are not her strength.  Really, Graham and Ryan, and Marco all are better on road courses, but, since they didn’t get it done this summer, they’ve got only two ovals left.  

  Graham had a good run last race, so maybe he’ll carry it over.  At the start of the year he looked really good, getting pole at Kansas.  Something didn’t click at that team, and they’ve struggled a lot.  I think they need either Paul Tracy, Orial Servia, or someone with oval knowledge on the team to get Graham truly up to speed.  If they sign a good oval driver in the off season, Graham can fix this problem next year, and maybe win multiple times.

  I’m not that fond of Ed, to be honest.  He’s truly lost on when he turns right.  Ryan Hunter Rays been pathetic, as well, although equipment hasn’t been good.  Marco, he’s still Marco.  And Sarah Fisher,  she’s a part time owner driver who only is good on ovals, so that might give you an idea about her chances for winning. 

  Can an American win in the last two races?  Yes, one could.  If I were to pick one, I’d pick Danica, I think she’s the best oval racing American, and, her team used to know ovals well.  However, I’ve always thought a Danica breakthrough was right around the corner, and yet, it’s never happened.  Personally, I hope she wins Homestead, over Montegi, but, beggars can’t be choosers…

  Otherwise, I’d say Graham, and then Marco and Ed tied for third.  I can’t see Sarah or Ryan winning, in any circumstance. 

  If no American driver wins, it’s not the end of the world, but, it’s not good.  I think it’s the third worse problem, behind the two team domination and horrible ratings.  I think two more years though, and it might turn Indy cars into a niche only sport, with no hope of becoming mainstream again.

  Really, the biggest problem is that most of the really good American drivers have gone to NASCAR.  Imagine if Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Kyle Bush, AJ Allmindinger, Sam Hornish, and Scott Speed all ran on good Indy car teams, or even okay teams.  I believe probably we’d see an American running for the championship if this were the case.  Sadly, none of the American drivers seem to be championship caliber, although Danica, Marco, and Graham have shown flashes of it, they’ve just never maintained it through the long haul. 

  Really, I don’t know the solution to this problem.  There’s nothing the league can really do about it.  They really just need to make Indy car appeal to drivers over NASCAR.   This really is a problem, though, and I hope next year one of the American’s can compete for the championship, I’d take Danica or Graham for that.