Andhesonit Launches “100 by the ‘500’” Campaign

Everyone wants to feel the love, and Andhesonit is certainly no exception.

Since entering the Twittersphere, just a few short weeks ago, we’ve slowly and steadily built a core group of 19 dedicated and hardy followers. To you ladies and gents, I’d like to take this opportunity to extend a great big “thanks!” You were the brave and adventurous souls that were willing to go where no one had ever gone before. Bravo!

That being said, however, we here at Andhesonit think it’s high time to shift this thing into high gear and put the site on the fast track—and you can help.

Now is your opportunity to be a part of something big(ger). We’ve set a lofty goal of reaching 100 Twitter followers by the time the Indy 500 rolls around on May 30th. Thus, the “100 by the ‘500’” campaign has been established.

It’s simple to be a part of, and can even be fun. If you have a certain fondness for this site and are willing to share the love, please re-tweet, bug, cajole, or beg your followers to hop on board, so we can collectively make Andhesonit everything it promises to be.

So what’s in it for you? Something money just can’t buy... satisfaction. The satisfaction of knowing you followed Andhesonit before it was cool to follow, plus, in fact, you helped build it.

You guys are the absolute best. I sincerely appreciate the fact that you take the time to read my tweets and the blog when most of the rest of the planet has no idea it even exists. That’s wicked. And this is an opportunity to take things to the next level and help put something you enjoy on the map.

To make it easy, I’ll be sending out re-tweet opportunities on a regular basis, as we move forward, so look for those, and please re-tweet your a**es off!

Thanks.

—JM

Rahal Speaks with Andhesonit

Unfortunately, nothing like one of Jack Arute’s one-on-one gems that aired this past season on Versus, but in an extremely rare instance of acknowledgement by the outside world, Andhesonit did have a brief, but satisfying, Twitter exchange with The Graham Rahal—and, remarkably, we learned something.

Through Tweets posted by Rahal that indicated he was recently in the company of Chip Ganassi’s partner, Felix Sabates, et al, and on his way yesterday to Minneapolis (home base of Target), I wildly assumed Graham was a lock to partner Franchitti and Dixon at Ganassi’s IZOD IndyCar team... uh, no. Here’s the Twitter trail:

Andhesonit:

Am I the only 1 watching @grahamrahal? First seen with Sabates, now targeting a trip to Minneapolis. Hello @pressdog & @curtcavin?!

GR:

@andhesonit i can assure you Minneapolis isnt for Target. promise you that!

So there it is. Humbling proof I shouldn’t even be allowed to walk past an actual pressroom, but who cares? So I suffered a little Howdy Holmes brain fade and looked foolish in front of the masters, Curt Cavin and Pressdog, and all 12 of my Twitter followers. At least we know—for now—a Ganassi/Target deal is not imminent for Graham.

Stayed tuned to Andhesonit for more random acts of journalism.

—JM

Power Gets “Squashed,” but Apparently 100%

For those pondering the health (or lack there of) of Will Power after his back-breaking crash at Infineon Raceway in August, it appears as if he’ll be back on track in Sao Paulo at full strength—at least if his participation in an afternoon squash match is any indication.

According to a Twitter stream from his fellow IndyCar competitor (and squash opponent), Tomas Scheckter, Power lost the match but put up a good enough fight for Scheckter to remark (after some good-natured trash talking), “will is back in shape… his back seems in good shape.”

Great news for Will, Penske, and the IZOD IndyCar Series; not so good news for his competitors.

—JM

On a Homeless Rahal

No, not in the traditional sense; I don’t think we’ll see Graham pitching a tent in Bobby’s backyard or wheeling an overflowing shopping cart through the streets of Speedway anytime soon. I presume his IndyCar retainer affords him some pretty decadent digs for someone who just recently got his first (legal) taste of Bud (Stella? Blue Moon?). I digress...

It came to light this week that, with roughly 60 days till the green flag drops in Sao Paulo, the Series’ hottest rising star “still doesn’t have a contract for 2010.” (Read Curt Cavin’s article here: http://bit.ly/5kZ5Be.)

So CC’s just winding us up, right? No, any self-respecting devotee of the IZOD IndyCar Series’ foremost authority on substantiated scuttlebutt knows full well Curt DOES NOT kid.

So, it’s true... How in the name of all things Al Unser could such a thing happen? Say it ain’t so. IndyCar finally gets a legit series sponsor, is building momentum for 2010, and one of the Series’ most valuable properties is relegated to bench racing with Servia and the ex-Indy Lights champions’ club?

Now, don’t go getting your signed Milka Duno boxers in a bunch. GR is smart—wickedly smart, from what I can see—and therefore, one can only assume he’s very assiduously weighing his options. And if his talent has anything to do with it (and there’s truth in a couple of other nuggets dropped by CC in his article), they’re formidable options at that.

Let’s take a closer look. Unlike yours truly, Rahal’s smart enough not to make a lateral move, unless his back’s against the wall. So assuming GR hasn’t told Carl Haas, flat-out, he doesn’t want to be at NHL next year, I just don’t see how he’s not welcomed back with open arms (and all the Cohibas he can chew on).

If he’s going to take a substantial step up, that leaves for a narrow playing field.

First, let’s take the two options Curt mentioned:

• De Ferran—Gil’s apparently proclaimed Rahal as his man, if adequate sponsorship can be found, and De Ferran will likely run a first-class operation, but I’m sure the former employees of Gil’s defunct sports car team are scattering further to the wind with every passing day.
• Ganassi—team officials have gone on record that they’d like Graham, but again... money.

Other possibilities:

• Andretti—Though Tom Anderson mentioned publicly that talk of a fifth car had been bantered about at his shop, that’s stretching things pretty thin, don’t you think? Besides, I would think Graham would want more personal attention than that.
• Penske—Nah, brimming with hot shoes already.
• Last but not least, you knew it was coming... wait for it... get ready... USF1? Okay, okay. I know, the debate over who’s going to drive for USF1 has become about as interesting as knowing which posh European locale Robert Doornbos is currently “training” at. But considering Rahal’s stated interest in F1, you gotta throw it out there. That, despite the fact the IICS seems to be where his heart is.

So there you have it, just a paragraph in Pit Pass, but worthy of further discussion, in my book. I think the notion of Rahal being a free agent is fascinating—savory grist for the silly season rumor mill.

So where does Graham ultimately get down to business? Who knows, but it will most certainly be in IndyCar, and it’s going to be very interesting until we know for sure.

—JM

A Rousing Endorsement for Radicalism

No, nothing like the 1960s, with blazing braziers, street marches, or sit-ins. Given the context of this site, one could safely assume something a bit more sedate, and they would be correct. Fear not; I have only figuratively taken up arms to lawfully defend the future of the sport we love.

Envision 1971: Nixon’s in office, The Partridge Family’s cool, and that’s also the last time an Indy 500-winning car looked measurably different than it does today--for all intents and purposes, the cars have looked the same for nearly forty years. Sure, they carry new technology, are sleeker and faster, but they’re still rear-engine vehicles with a monocoque chassis, four open wheels, a large rear wing, and smaller front wing. Even at that, Al Unser’s winning P.J. Colt from ‘71 fits that same mold, save for the lack of wings.

Almighty rulers of IndyCar, if you’re listening, the future is now.

To borrow terms, be it evolutionary or revolutionary, we will live with whatever car design is introduced for 2012 for YEARS, and the decision on what car to bring forward is the most important crossroads the sport has faced since the split. It’s imperative we choose the right path and, in my mind, “radical” wins out over traditional, hands down.

I’m a traditionalist at heart and, having begun attending races in 1974, I’m as fully indoctrinated with the current car as they come; but even I recognize that fresh thinking moves IndyCar beyond its current boundaries, making it relevant again, whereas a slightly revamped version of the same old, same old just leaves it hopelessly stuck in neutral.

Let’s face it, nobody really knows what designs are under consideration, other than the ICS decision makers, and a comprehensive argument for and against could span volumes, so let’s keep it short. It’s a simple as this: to anyone outside the current fan base, a wickedly cool car means “wow,” the status quo means “whatever.” The sport desperately needs new interest and a great-looking, technologically-relevant car is the easiest way to get it.

Do I want a solar-powered tricycle? An electric dragster? Not particularly and, frankly, I fear what a “futuristic design” might bring, but it’s time to roll the dice. Could IndyCar be any more insignificant than it currently is? I suppose the possibilities are endless, but if the series can roll out anything that looks like this, I say bring it on. http://www.diseno-art.com/encyclopedia/concept_cars/honda_indy_racing_car.html

—JM