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So it's safe to say that Baltimore was a success. It had the highest TV ratings for an IndyCar race on Versus ever and drew a massive crowd. Oh yea, and the point fight is dangerously close now. Also the positive momentum continues with the Lotus/Judd engine program isn't quite as "vaporware" as some internet trolls think it is and now the 5 million dollar Vegas challenge (that had no takers) is now a 5 million dollar bet on Indy 500 champ Dan Wheldon and a fan can go 50/50 on the winnings with him.
So, how can IndyCar keep up the momentum? A road-course race halfway across the world that starts late and ends in the middle of the night. Doh.
Positive waves, guys! Positive waves! Maybe none of the top drivers can figure out the course? Maybe we can see a first-time winner? Who knows. What I do know is that the Power Rankings has a new leader heading into Motegi (well, he hasn't been up top in a while).
THE GRID
(Cue the grid music....and Murray Walker, I guess)
1. Will Power
Previous Ranking: #2 (+1)
Since the bird incident he's been unstoppable. The key to success is being pissed off, apparently. Graduate of the Mike Ditka school of Racing?
2. Dario Franchitti
Previous Ranking: #1 (-1)
He might lose the title due to either the draw in Texas and/or the earthquake in Japan forcing the use of a road course.
3. Scott Dixon
Previous Ranking: #3 (no change)
His wife just gave birth, also Sarah, and within the past year or so a few bloggers have had children as well...which begs the question WHAT IS IN THE ETHANOL?
4. Oriol Servia
Previous Ranking: #4 (no change)
5. Tony Kanaan
Previous Ranking: #6 (+1)
6. Ryan Hunter-Reay
Previous Ranking: #7 (+1)
Just think of the year he would be having had not for the bad luck of the first half. He would be fighting for the Best-of-the-Rest title with Servia/TK.
7. Ryan Briscoe
Previous Ranking: #5 (-2)
The Golden Bowling Ball Award goes to...the man who caused a 15-car pileup.
8. Graham Rahal
Previous Ranking: #9 (+1)
Some strategy. Went from fighting with Will Power for the race win to irrelevant and anonymous Top-10.
9. Marco Andretti
Previous Ranking: #8 (-1)
Every primer-colored car I've ever known has been slow and broken down. Appropriate choice, Dr. Pepper.
10. Vitor Meira
Previous Ranking: #10 (no change)
His season has been pretty uneventful and decent. For Foyt Racing, that's equivalent to a Top-5 season finish.
11. Danica Patrick
Previous Ranking: #12 (+1)
Danica vs. Brazil....WHO YA GOT?!?!?
12. Alex Tagliani
Previous Ranking: #13 (+1)
If the rumors are true he's driving for his next ride. If he can find one.
13. James Hinchcliffe
Previous Ranking: #11 (-2)
Like Simona De Silvestro did last year he's giving up way too many points on the road courses for the Rookie of the Year title. Like Simona, it's not entirely his fault.
14. Simona De Silvestro
Previous Ranking: unranked
PORKCHOP LEADS...IndyCar racing as a concept is over.
15. Takuma Sato
Previous Ranking: #14 (-1)
All the homecomings this year for the drivers have been disasterous in luck and results. Just being at Motegi should be enough for him.
DNQ (Bumped from the field)
Helio Castroneves
Previous Ranking: #15
Another anvil drops from the sky. In this case, it was Tony Kanaan.
JR Hildebrand
Previous Ranking: unranked
He's incredibly lucky Mayor Hinch hasn't put a significant dent in his Rookie of the Year lead.
Ana Beatriz
Previous Ranking: unranked
Having part-timer teammates outperforming her can't be good for her 2012 prospects, unless the checkbook is big enough.
Mike Conway
Previous Ranking: unranked
With this being the last road course race he has one more time to shine.
EJ Viso
Previous Ranking: unranked
Clutch performance of the Baltimore Grand Prix: on the final laps he remembered he was indeed EJ Viso and DNF'ed.