The Paddock Pulse: April 27 Edition

Maybe it's the off week, but MAN am I ready for more Pulse action today. I just can't get enough of my fellow bloggers' thoughts and opinions on the things going on in racing right now. Sheesh - I could probably do a Paddock Pulse every day of the week if I wanted to, there's so much great stuff going on!

(ATTENTION. THIS IS YOUR SBNATION OVERLORD SPEAKING. YOU CANNOT GET OUT OF WRITING SOMETHING ORIGINAL THIS WEEK NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU TRY. JUST GIVE IT UP ALREADY, YOU BUMPTIOUS BUFFOON. WE KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE, TOO. CARRY ON.)

Ahem.

Soooooooooooooo... anyway, here are this week's links. Enjoy!

• Formula INDYCAR schedule Pt. 1 [anotherindycarblog]
  Some might enjoy this first-of-two-parts musing on a "Formula INDYCAR" schedule for its theory about the series being an international championship, but I like it most for the typo of "Long Beech." ME JOHN, BIG TREE. Nothing like an inadvertent phallic pun to put a smile on your face. (Ed. note: That's what she said.)

• More parity so far in 2011? [Indy Racing Revolution]
  I apologize to Ponch for his absence from the last few Pulse editions. The problem, of course, is that Ponch writes all journalist-y, with facts, research, etc., which are all the antithesis of what we look for in the Pulse (e.g., blowhard opinions, questionable theories, and even outright incompetence). YOU AND YOUR "STANDARDS." *shakes head*

• Six Quick Questions With Nick Andries [IndyCar Advocate]
  Why is it that one of the "Six Quick Questions..." has never been, "If you could send your race purses to Tony, why haven't you done it yet?" I know of at least one person who would really like an answer to that question as soon as humanly possible. Not saying who. (Me.)

• Penske: Harry Reynolds, Parts Manager/Airjack [More Front Wing]
  This article has Steph's byline, which is good because WE NEED TO MAINTAIN THE COMPETITIVE BALANCE. But really Harry did all of the writing, which means that next week we'll have to find something with Paul's name on it where he expended minimal effort. THAT, FRIENDS, IS CALLED A SOFTBALL DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE STRIKE ZONE.

• Lending A Helping Hand [Oilpressure]
  Ready to get meta? With this link, I'm promoting Oilpressure's George Phillips, who is promoting the new Another IndyCar Blog written by Eric Hall, which was promoted earlier in this links list by me! BOOM!!!! Mind officially blown. Next thing you know, portals will open in the sky and it will rain donuts. You can thank me later.

• Unbridled Optimism For Versus [Open Wheel America]
  Unbridled? Simba, I happen to know that Optimism enjoys being bridled. She also is partial to Milano cookies, long walks in the park, symbolism, and ball gags. She is a Renaissance woman, by which I mean she inspires a Great Awakening. If you know what I mean.

• Ratings, Hockey, Driver Insurrection and "Favoritism" Grand Mal Froth [pressdog.com]
  Call it a "cornucopia post." It's P-Dog sounding off on four (actually connected) different topics. The great ones tie four disparate subjects together using complimentary themes - the GREATER ones tie them together with an overarching SUPERTHEME - in this instance, "Things That Are NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS" (a perfect $25,000 Pyramid topic if I ever heard one).

• The story of Sam Schmidt's foundation [Versus/Olson]
  No snark here. Just click and read.

Driver Tweet of the Week

@WadeCunningham: @JustHelens Your goat casually sleeping with three choco labs, on a sofa. Where's the ticklish penguin?

Last But Not Least

The world needs a wake up call, gentlemen. We're gonna phone it in.