Ground(ed) Effects

Man Do I Ever Miss This Guy...

2012-01-17T13:26:00.000-05:00

Dick Simon. Good ol' Dick Simon Seems funny to say it out loud since in some ways he was but a blip in the statistics of Indianapolis 500 Mile Sweepstakes compared to the legends whose tales we so frequently regale. A racer who never really threatened to win at Indy, and so much so that he was the subject of a spoof song by radio personalities Bob and Tom back in 1987. The female singer

Racing/Automotive Graphic Embellishments (RAGEs) for your Entertainment, provided without comment, week ending Jan. 7, 2012

2012-01-05T13:18:00.000-05:00

Recent Christmas Presents (Major Awards) from Dallara to Indycar Teams Loki - Bringer of Nightmares... Indycar's newest Zebra - Beaux Hochuli The (other) Donald vs. El Michaelo in Board Room Match Loki - Maker of Awesome...

Looking ahead to 2012...

2011-12-08T09:53:00.001-05:00

It's that time of year my professional line of work (construction) tends to wind down a bit due to weather and, as the snowflakes fall, I want to recall a warmer, more enjoyable time of the year... Late-May. Looking to Mays both past and ahead, just 168 days remain to departure for the 2012 Indy 500 trip. I begin to think about details and planning and improvements to the previous trip which

Indycar Slang Dictionary

2011-11-02T12:23:00.000-04:00

As it has quite possibly been well overdue to become reality, (and since some insist that silly season isn't really in full-swing yet) we here at the Ground(ed) Effects blog hereby provide an open space for Indycar fans to participate in (what I believe to be) the first ever Indycar Slang Dictionary. Your valuable assistance will help reduce the painful embarrassment thousands of newer or

A family I never knew I had.

2011-10-21T11:03:00.000-04:00

It's been a little less than a week since the tragedy of the Wheldon accident and I've been a bit surprised about a few things and the following thoughts have become apparent. The Unexpected Grief: I don't know the Wheldons personally in anyway, yet felt much more grief and loss than I may have expected if and when the day came that an Indycar driver died while racing. Just by using the word '

Am I not a fan anymore?

2011-10-17T13:11:00.000-04:00

edit: As of October 27, 2011 the title of this post was changed from statement; 'I'm Not a Fan Anymore' to question; 'Am I Not a Fan Anymore?'. I felt the need to amend this title to better reflect the intent of the article rather than imbue a tone for the reader. Dan Wheldon's violent end was an unwelcome punch that caught me already reeling from other jarring events recently which only gives

The Missing Character

2011-10-07T15:42:00.000-04:00

In the years of Indycar's decline (which I personally date approximately 1994 to 2009), several extrinsic events (not including the rise of NASCAR as well as other sports options) conspired with cruel timing to hasten its slide. With the myopia of hindsight, we see none of these events could be avoided yet the magnitude of their occurrence may very well have been underestimated. 1. The Law of

Funkiest Cars of Indy, Part I

2011-09-16T11:48:00.000-04:00

Sometimes, I believe we've all been That Kid. The one that seems a bit out of place and time. Did you feel like maybe people didn't understand you fully? Did close friends laugh at something you said while others were left scratching their heads? Deep down you knew you were just as typical and shared common ideals with most everyone else, yet the world and you were a bit out of step. Indycars

They May Be Dumb, But They Ain't Stupid.

2011-09-15T14:34:00.000-04:00

If you were invited to play a somewhat unfamiliar game, for a large prize, on the invitee's 'turf', viewed by a million people, and at risk of besmirching the company that provides your current lucrative living, one of two things might happen, so what would YOU say? "Heh, thanks, but no, thanks". Something like that maybe. So it goes with the few NASCAR drivers who might be qualified

Favorite Engines of Indy - Part I

2011-08-31T16:32:00.000-04:00

Recently the Indycar world seems a bit of a tempest in a teacup and to soothe my angst over the happenings and direction of the sport looking toward 2012, I felt the need to recall things that made me fall in love with the sport. As far back as I can remember, one of the primary modes of interaction with this sport was through intense sound. The visual form and movement was always exciting but

Prediction? Pain.

2011-08-15T11:00:00.002-04:00

*edit* This post, begun on August 5th and not finished until today may appear to be a rough bit of 'piling on' or 'givin' Indycar the bizness', after all the hoopla surrounding Race Control's call at the end of the MoveThatBlock.com 225 yesterday. I assure you the negative tone of this rant was set following the announcement that the all-new 2009 chassis (which became the 2010 ICONIC

"...you come in here with a skull full of mush and, if you survive, will leave thinking like an Indycar fan."

2011-06-21T15:41:00.001-04:00

So so SOOOO often I get asked by my friends (who aren't yet Indycar fans) what are seemingly elementary questions about Indycars and the Indy 500. Things like, "Indycar... what exactly is that? Is that like NASCAR?" or, "Whaddya mean by open wheels?" or, "Isn't the Indy 500 just a big party? You go every year right? (implying that I can't pass on a big party which, while fairly accurate, in this

Missed It By THAT Much...

2011-06-02T12:17:00.000-04:00

Missed it by THAT much... As the cloud of excitement and ethanol and rubber and sunburn fades into memory, I can say without question that the 2011 Indy 500 was among the best 10% of races. The last 35 laps were nothing short of classic sporting drama and, as Steph at More Front Wing so eloquently stated, without the information fed by a scanner or TV coverage, one never knew where all the

Qualifying Recap/Race Preview

2011-05-23T13:28:00.001-04:00

THAT was maybe the most topsy-turvy Pole and Bump Day in recent history and maybe of all time. I can say that despite the all the nonsensicalness of who qualified when and where and got bumped and by whom... I correctly predicted the outcome of qualifying... for one driver anyway - Vitor Meira, middle of Row 5. I was within one spot of another 4 drivers - Dixon, Power, Junquiera, and

It's "Gettin' Serious" Time

2011-05-19T11:48:00.001-04:00

The rapidly approaching weekend means one thing and one thing only to me. Gone are concerns for the condition of my lawn or the tidyness of my backyard from kids' toys or the amount of items crossed of my 'to do' list at home... it's qualifying weekend at Indy. Now I DO have some unmovable commitments (not scheduled by me) for Saturday that involve driving (the family to visit some longtime

The Greatest 33

2011-05-16T11:23:00.000-04:00

Being a product of my heritage (analytical Germanic-type), my time (1967-current), my geographical upbringing (Indiana), and my primary hobby (sports appreciation), my Greatest 33 drivers at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is better than yours. OK, I don't really believe the previous statement and a subjective list such as IMS has created will certainly stimulate arguments and debates on not only

Indy Car Parody Lyrics - Jay Penske's Lament

2011-04-13T12:01:00.002-04:00

DZ’s Indycar Parody Lyrics Parody of ‘Lawyers, Guns and Money’ by Warren Zevon ‘Jay Penske’s Lament’ by DZ (aka:@groundedeffects) I went home on the team bus The way I always do How was I to know It was Gil deFerran’s too? I was gambling in Indiana I took a little risk Send lawyers, cars and money Daaad get me out of this, hyeah I'm the innocent car owner Somehow I got stuck Between “Tô

Favorite Cars of Indy part IV

2011-03-21T15:14:00.000-04:00

As is typical in the spring, my business responsibilities took me to Indianapolis this past week and I again made time to hit the IMS Museum and Gift Shop. Also took the bus tour for the first time. The museum was in the process of setting up the new 100th Anniversary Race display of only winning Indycars which includes 67 chassis from (and including) the first race in 1911. Amazing memories

Who do you trust?

2011-03-14T10:01:00.000-04:00

Despite my very slight case of megalomania, I don't envy Randy Bernard one bit. All the "input" he's been getting lately from such divergent sources as TV networks, team owners, sponsors, and the 'almighty' fans, all with legitimate views, he must feel a bit in need of some sorcery to fairly placate these people. The recent hoopla over the proposed changes to the restarts/pitting/lucky doggery,

Missed It By THAT Much...

2011-03-02T12:23:00.000-05:00

Indycar missed it's opportunity last July. NASCAR continually and willfully misses the mark. ALMS has only begun to toy with it, but is far from achieving it. NHRA is the polar opposite of it. All 'too establishment' I'm afraid. The 'it' to which I refer is the basic formula for what I believe would be the next great automotive racing series to happen on this planet. This will be a sport that

It's already decided, my next car will be American-made.

2011-02-07T12:07:00.001-05:00

"This is the Motor City, and this is what we do." The Chrysler ad featured during the Super Bowl was inspiring. Just not in a way the producers of the ad may have been thinking. Instead of pimping a distinctly mediocre Chrysler 200 (formerly Sebring) sedan that was unconvincingly shown as the ride of choice for rapper Eminem (a car that NO rapper would be caught looking at, let alone even

The Singlemost Factor in Appreciating INDYCAR over NASCAR

2011-01-27T10:18:00.000-05:00

NASCAR's revision of its points system, and the reaction to it, has returned me, like the swallows to Capistrano, to my very core base of appreciation for INDYCAR. Screaming typographics aside, the debate of on-track action between INDYCAR and NASCAR for this writer has always boiled down to one very simple inherent element - open wheels. In reaction to the points system changes in NASCAR,

The Curious Case of Sam Hornish

2011-01-14T09:32:00.000-05:00

Much ado will probably be made over the next several days and weeks regarding one Mr. Sam Hornish, Jr. and his future in racing. Much more will likely be made again about a return to Indycars and specifically, the Indy 500. I'm not going to pretend that just because we're both from the humble, rural midwest that this writer has any particular insight into his current state of mind, BUT,

Time to Hit Refresh

2011-01-05T13:53:00.000-05:00

A much need design overhaul occurred today and I will be eager to hear your feedback. As much as I love clean an simple design, I wanted to add graphical tie-ins which I hope will add and not detract from the experience. I'm by no means a graphic artist and my livelihood isn't tied to whether there's traffic here or not, so please feel free to comment pro or con. This space is mainly for my

Kibbles and Bits...

2011-01-03T17:39:00.000-05:00

End of another year and, as many do, I pause to look both back at the previous year and ahead at what may come. I looked back in my blog entries to find some unfinished drafts and decent thoughts within which I now unabashedly review and present this day as blog-filler (or 'clearing the mental-leftovers' if you will). - There were no less than three posts which contained only a title and no body

Math Homework for Thanksgiving Break...

2010-11-22T15:29:00.000-05:00

OK, ok, everyone please take your seats, Indycar math is in session. We've taken a bit of a break so there's a fair bit of ground to cover... Indycar 2012 >= sliced bread. Indycar 2012 > NASCAR 2012 (cubed) Indycar 2012 Chassis solution > NASCAR CoT + 5 years. Chevy (Ilmor) + Lotus (Cosworth) + Honda (HPD) > Doom + Gloomers. Randy Bernard > Pessimism. Pessimism <= colo-rectal screenings. Month

dammitdammitDAMMIIIIIIIIIIIIIT!

2010-11-17T12:21:00.000-05:00

So it's a Wednesday in the middle of November and I'm forced to reneg on a promise I made to myself LESS THAN A MONTH AGO, that was supposed to last until March 2011. Steph (@99forever) over at More Front Wing (a very well-organized and well-done Indycar blog) illuminated and challenged we Indycar slobs to not succumb to the all too frequent curse of obsessive fandom: off-season withdrawal.

End of Season Thoughts, Part 2

2010-10-08T16:04:00.000-04:00

3. Indycar is a niche sport. We fans may not like the sound of that statement but it alas, is true and until the people who run it understand this, it will continue to flail about until exhaustion and ultimately drown. Indycar has always had a small (relative to the stick and ball sports) legion of devotees but the total size of the crowd (literally until TV coverage), was based on this legion

End of Season Thoughts, Part 1.

2010-10-03T13:06:00.000-04:00

Following the conclusion of the IZOD Indycar Championship celebration, as viewed on Versus last night, I was left with several lingering thoughts, some positive, some negative, but all with the future of Indycar in mind: 1. Dario Franchitti has left no question on his status as Indycar legend. His two Indy 500 wins and three Indycar Championships are just the starting point. He has proven over

Bringing Back the Mystique (rambling alert)

2010-09-10T12:34:00.001-04:00

I sense the mystique and allure of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (and progeny racing form) is all but gone - victim of the erosion of time. I associate the Speedway's allure and mystique with its relative greatness; a greatness which, at its best provided generations with a powerful symbol of optimism and confidence, at its worst reminded us of our own mortality, but always seemed to give an

D(ecision)-Day: July 14, 2010

2010-07-13T16:55:00.000-04:00

Taken from a comment posted by yours truly on another blog owned by the one and only Jack Arute, in response to the impending ICONIC decision regarding the 2012 IndyCar chassis regulations: "It would seem, on what could be the very precipice of the most critical decision in OW history, that what the fan wants has not changed one iota over the last 30 years – a symbol of progress and glimpses of

(Not) Too Much Time on My Hands

2010-05-25T14:43:00.000-04:00

As I am currently scurrying about finding this and packing that, I leave a brief post following my qualie predictions and a 'sayonara' until after the race. One bit of perfection. One perfect pick out of 33 plus. If you read my previous post you'll find I had Alex Lloyd pegged into the 26th spot. Nailed it. The rest of the field? Ahhhh... not so much. Missed the pole sitter, missed 4 of the

I'm better than ESPN

2010-05-18T15:43:00.003-04:00

I'm better than ESPN. I'm better than ESPN or ABC or Speed or any other mainstream media outlet because I'm willing to stick my neck out and make grand predictions regarding qualifications for the 2010 Indianapolis 500 with nothing to gain and everything to lose regarding my intelligence and credibility. In the odd case that I get that one thing in eleven correct, I will tout my brilliant

May means Indy

2010-05-11T12:14:00.000-04:00

The annual running of the Kentucky Derby signals me that May has risen, giving warmth and sun to the midwest (at times at least), and May will set with the Indy 500 weekend. Most you already know how that first indelible Indy experience has set me on this path of fandom, but for those who haven't heard the tale, it resides here as the second of a two-part post in this journal and also a more

Quick Perspective Check and More IndyCar Simple Math

2010-04-28T01:54:00.001-04:00

Right up front, I must say that it just hit me today. I hadn't actually noticed the fact that nearly everyday since the first race in Sao Paulo, IZOD IndyCar news is plentiful. Plentiful AND good news. I had just been so eagerly soaking it up with building anticipation to the Greatest Spectacle In Racing, that I needed to just take a moment to think about how we've come so far so quickly. I

Simple IndyCar Math and The Race to the Party

2010-04-16T02:11:00.000-04:00

I tend to try to make things simple. For some reason, this often leads to unnecessary elaboration/obfuscation. Any regular reader would likely agree or possibly even be astounded that anyone could think otherwise. (to use an oft-abused non-word) Irregardless, I will disobfuscate all over your screen here with something that I like to call Simple IndyCar Math. No need to explain really unless

Living With Disparity.

2010-04-09T15:34:00.000-04:00

I blame the NFL for ruining IndyCar. The NFL has produced a model of professional major-sport competition so successful at being even-handed, it dares all other sports to match it. Baseball can't touch it, Basketball's popularity has fallen immensely, Hockey all but disappeared after their lockout season. LOCKOUT SEASON? Anyone remember a cancelled World Series? Even one of the mightiest

2010 Carb-Day Band (non) Announcement

2010-03-22T16:10:00.002-04:00

I have the skills of a master detective. Actually more like approximately 65% of the average skills found with the average TV detective from the 1970s... less the cool car. What I do have that resembles a 1970s TV detective, besides the penchant for bars with dark wall paneling and 11 mpg sport sedans, is a friend who survives below the radar that provides me with helpful information from

Race One, Race Won

2010-03-15T12:24:00.004-04:00

Sao Paulo is in the books and despite the myriad many obstacles conspiring to obfuscate, the race itself was quite enjoyable to watch. I will summarize my fave part of the race and issue yellow flags (issues of concern), red flags (lowlights), and green flags (highlights) for other points of note. It's no secret that I am an oval fan primarily, but I was particularly impressed with the amount of

Fortune Favors the Bold

2010-03-07T23:49:00.004-05:00

Times are changing and, with regard to the IndyCar world, it is no less apparent than on the cusp of this new 2010 season, with new League Title Sponsor IZOD fully activating itself all over the IndyCar landscape. This momentous season will begin on another continent, in another hemisphere (Brazil) and with an other-worldly story playing out concurrently with the racing: this season will see the

100 days

2010-02-16T17:05:00.002-05:00

Despite the ever-increasing depth of snow outside my window today, chassis-related events coupled with our first planning meeting last week have stirred the spirit to more firmly focus on 'the trip'. 100 days sounds like a big number but, in truth, isn't. It's just barely enough time to coordinate the elements necessary for a proper trip. This being the 7th trip with this group, the planning

Just Tryin' To Be Helpful...

2010-02-10T11:50:00.003-05:00

It's becoming clear to me that one of two things is happening regarding the Carb Day concert announcement: One, it is SOOO awesome that to avoid a raucous and potentially dangerous stampede of people overrunning the ticketing office, they just can't release the band name until proper security and safety preparations have been set; orrrr, Two, they haven't found a 'suitable' act yet. Being in a

The Hallowed Grounds

2010-02-03T09:08:00.000-05:00

Winter provides an unusual opportunity to see the speedway in its dormancy. Part of a work-related responsibility is to travel to Indy four times a year and at least three of those trips will involve a waypoint through the Museum and gift shop. In typical fashion yesterday, I had stopped through on my way out of town and, despite missing the museum closing time, visited the recently remodeled (

An Open Letter to the Ownership and Executive Adminstration of Hulman and Company

2010-01-20T09:55:00.002-05:00

Dear Board of Directors - Hulman and Company: As a native Hoosier and lifetime Indy 500 fan (primarily and Indycar Series supporter second despite them being close relatives), I track with great passion the sport's changes as how they may affect the Indy 500 first, and the remainder of the sport next. Mr. Tony George's resignation from the board is the final shovel of "not good" that has tipped

One small suggestion to those that run the Indy 500

2009-12-09T11:18:00.000-05:00

I've been going to the Indianapolis 500 for many, many years now and almost nothing about Indy and it's changes have caused me any angst. Nothing except for one seemingly small but ignominious detail, which I humbly submit for reversion back to its previous form, for your review... There are precious few truly outstanding and hallowed moments in all of sports and the 30 minutes preceding the

Favorite Indy cars III

2009-12-03T16:31:00.005-05:00

1970 - PJ (Parnelli Jones) Colt - Johnny Lightning Special Perhaps the most styled and colorful of all modern eras at Indy, 1970 saw varied chassis designs and bright colors like never before. Of those designs, one stands out for me which is also the race winner that year: Al Unser's #2. The last of the non-winged cars to win at Indy, this car repeated it's feat in 1971 with Unser at the

For just a dollar a day...

2009-12-02T10:12:00.008-05:00

...you too could be going to the Race of all races - THE Greatest Spectacle in Racing - the one and only 2010 Indianapolis 500 , if you start today! Don't you think you owe it to yourself to, at least once, go to this esteemed American sporting event? I do. With only 175 or so days left until that glorious weekend, don't put off until spring what you can begin today. There can never be

Favorite Cars of Indy Part II

2009-11-17T09:50:00.004-05:00

1965 Lotus (photo courtesy of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway) What a gorgeous car and what a terrific driver Jim Clark was. What a revolution took place at Indy when the Lotus (and Cooper Climax before it) came to the Speedway. Change and innovation were not exactly hallmarks of Indy at the time and but none so rapidly ushered change as when the little Lotus was driven to victory lane in

Random Indycar Thoughts

2009-11-10T17:13:00.002-05:00

Random Indycar Stream-of-Consciousness-of-the-Day: 1. Sarah Fisher has officially won me over as favorite Indycar team owner. Oddly, had she not gone through all the sponsor crap and race misfortune from May 2008, I doubt she would have reached the level she is today. 2. Relatedly, I have a recurring thought/dream that keeps nagging - Tony Kanaan, sick of the Andretti Team drama leaves

Favorite Cars of my Indy days...

2009-10-21T09:50:00.003-04:00

1979 - Pennzoil Chaparral (c) IMS - Ron McQueeney The very car from which this blog derives its name and first I saw live in an Indy 500. While reading about this car in Sports Illustrated (I think it was), I realized this car was the 'next wave' of Indy cars which was the beginning of the ground effect era. Sleek and fast and in the brightest yellow than I'd ever seen, this chassis still

Synopsis, Part Deux - The End of the Beginning

2009-10-19T12:09:00.002-04:00

My second (and fate-sealing) interaction with the Speedway was to see the race in person in 1979. I anticipated that day much like most any Christian kid did with the coming of Christmas morning. The wait for that day was nearly interminable, but the day arrives and our journey begins. Sparing the day's travel details, We found our seats in the first row of L-South stand bleachers. L-South (

Grounded Effects - Not so brief synopsis, Part I

2009-09-30T10:51:00.003-04:00

This blog's title in no subtle way references the racing car feature known as 'ground effects', whose significant debut at Indy coincides with my first attended race (1979), but I must back up a notch or two to the beginning of my love affair with Indy. My first appearance at the old Speedway was not at a race, but in the spring of 1977 on a school field trip to Indianapolis. In addition to

Opening Day/News Flash

2009-09-25T12:59:00.002-04:00

This blog opens on a day with a news flash which should cause many Indycar fans relief, Danica Patrick has allegedly signed a new three-year contract to drive for Andretti-Green Racing carrying through 2012, according to Curt Cavin of the Indy Star. Fine and dandy. Now it's my turn to announce something. 'Yours truly' is proud to announce the opening of this "Ground(ed) Effects" blog whose