It was recently announced that the IndyCar series will offer $5 million to any qualified, non-IndyCar driver who might qualify for, drive in and win their season’s finale race at Las
Vegas on October 16. The offer is to be limited to no more than 5 non-IndyCar drivers.
The challenge designed by IndyCar portrays what CEO Randy Bernard hopes to prove; the best auto racing drivers in the world drive for IndyCar. The challenge was issued to showcase that contention.
There was some immediate speculation about a couple of former open-wheel stars who currently race in NASCAR possibly putting together an effort to participate in IndyCar’s challenge. The problem is that although there is no Cup race on Sunday, October 16th, there is one the night of the 15th in Charlotte North Carolina (approximately 2,200 miles away). On top of that, qualifying in Las Vegas will be held on Friday, October 14th, while “Pole Night” in Charlotte will be on Thursday night, October 13th.
Both Tony Stewart and Juan Pablo Montoya have been asked about the possibility
of honoring their NASCAR commitment and then jumping on overnight flights to run back and forth between practice sessions, qualifying and finally the races, all the while trying for the big payday in Vegas. Both drivers, in so many words, have begged off saying there’s no way anyone can just switch from a NASCAR ride to IndyCar without even practicing (Stewart went so far as to say to be competitive he felt a non-IndyCar driver would have to run in at least three to four IndyCar races).I did hear that another NASCAR driver might be willing to give it a go, also a former open-wheel driver, young A.J. Allmendinger.
Unfortunately (or maybe not so unfortunately as I'm sure IndyCar thoroughly thought this through) Formula 1 is scheduled to be in Yeongam Korea for the Korean Grand Prix on October 16th so that pretty much leaves any of those drivers in a lurch as well. Can you think of anyone else that might be willing to give it a go?
Seems to me as it stands for October 16th, IndyCar's 5 million dollars is pretty safe… Maybe we need another IROC (International Race of Champions) series if they really want to find out who the best driver of the best drivers really is.
I would not expect anyone in the Chase to take the time to do this. So, AJ and JPM could probably be involved at Vegas.
ReplyDeleteSam Hornish, currently without a full time NASCAR ride, would be the man to swoop in and take the 5 mil.
Scott Speed, Scott Pruet, Boris Said, and some F-1 drivers could attempt it, but I think Hornish is the only one with a shot to win it.
I believe Montoya's teammate, Jamie McMurray would make an excellent open wheel driver. He was a multiple time national go kart champ. And, his team owner has top Indy cars available.
Hornish would be a good one to give it a shot and you're right, Scott Speed fits the bill. If either of those guys showed well it might go a long way to resurrecting their career. The problem as I see it is for the driver to obtain a top ride. Would Penske put Hornish in a top car? Who might work with Speed?
ReplyDeleteWho knows... Maybe one of Ganassi's Cup drivers would be so far out of the Chase that Chip would give it a go with a replacement driver in the Cup car... Then I have to wonder what Target or Bass Pro Shop would say...
I'm sure the money gives some of those team owners pause to consider it.
Thanks Gene!
I think Stewart's right--a nonIndy Car driver would need a few races under his belt to be competitive. I could see Scott Speed trying his hand at it--he was a test driver for Red Bull in F1 a few years back.
ReplyDeleteHi jon!
ReplyDeleteDid you see the news this week about Jamie McMurray? He's gonna switch over and drive an IndyCar test session at Barber Motorsports Park here in a few days while Scott Dixon will drive Jamie's cup car at Talledega. Is Ganassi exploring his options for a run at the $5 million?
This could get interesting. Something like this challenge being answered by a NASCAR driver would do nothing but good for both racing series.
Nico Hulkenburg might give it a shot. He's a world class driver that, for reasons solely to do with money, was let go by Williams for this year so he's the test driver for Mercedes. Means he wouldn't miss any racing if he was to give it a crack....
ReplyDeletetez, it would be great to see an experienced Formula driver take the challenge... Again, the key would be hooking up with a competitive IndyCar owner. Maybe Ganassi? Andretti? Would one of those owners sit a regular driver down and allow Nico or some other qualified non-IndyCar driver take a shot?
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it would be great to see an experienced Formula driver take the challenge... Again, the key would be hooking up with a competitive IndyCar owner. Maybe Ganassi?
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