“...and he’s on it” gets its head out of its a**

There was a time—not so long ago—when I felt if I was going to add a fellow blog brother to my sidebar that they had to be worthy of some sort of inherent “stamp of approval”—an unspoken “I recommend this person, I like what they do.”

Well, now that I’ve had an opportunity to reflect on what that, indeed, means, I’ve come to one conclusion: what an arrogant PRICK I am. [stabs self in thigh with Bic]

Just exactly, who the hell am I?! Who gave me the right to pass judgment on what you may or may not like to read? [furiously bangs head on table]

After all, we’re in this together, right? The totality of readers and writers alike—we’re just passionate about American open-wheel racing and like to share in each other’s opinions.

When one blogger succeeds, we all succeed. We feed off each other’s prosperity.

So... what’s this all mean? This: my acute attack of rectal-cranial inversion is OVER. Some of you may have already noticed that I have opened up the ...and he’s on it sidebar to include a plethora of sites that focus on IndyCar.

Brilliant idea? Yes! But not mine. IndyCar blogging pioneer, Jeff Iannucci over at mynameisirl.com (and more recently onelapdown.com), is where I stole this little gem of a concept from, and I know there are others out there that boast an equally stout blog roll.

And let’s be absolutely clear: this is NOT an indictment of others who choose to do differently. Everyone has their preferences and, as far as I’m concerned, individuality is what makes the world go round, so you’re encouraged to patronize whatever sites peg your tach.

Bottom line? Want to find out where the latest in IndyCar opinion/editorial, news, and humor is hidden? Swing by ...and he’s on it (or the site of your choosing) daily and GET READING. And don’t forget to comment—your thoughts are always welcome and encouraged.

Lastly, I’d like to take this opportunity, on behalf of all IndyCar bloggers, to say thank you for your patronage. We appreciate it.

63 days, my friends...

—JM

The Skinny on Soucek: A Brief Bio

Andy Soucek is under consideration for
a ride with Andretti Autosport

It came to light, yesterday, via Curt Cavin’s Q&A that Andretti Autosport is considering a 2011 IndyCar program for Spain’s Andy Soucek.

I thought it might be nice to know a bit more about him before he joins our little party.

Here's the Cliffs Notes version of his bio:

Nationality: Spanish

Age: 25

Racing Career:

• 2010 Superleague Formula (partial season); Test Driver, Virgin Racing F1 Team 
• 2009 F2 Champion
• 2008 GP2 Series, (14th in Championship); Superleague Formula (partial season)
• 2007 GP2 Series (16th in Championship)
• 2006 Test Driver, Toyota F1; World Series by Renault (4th in Championship)
• 2003–2005 Spanish F3
• 2002 Junior Spanish F3 

Want to know more? Cool. If you’re fluent in Spanish, you’ll LOVE Mr. Soucek’s official site.

BTW: Andy's on Twitter, so give him a follow, if you so choose.

—JM

A Backstage Conversation from the “State of IndyCar” Address

FILS Dude #1: [casually] “So, you called Conor’s rep, right?”

FILS Dude #2: “Uh... no, I thought you called him?”

FILS Dude #1: [agitated] “No. I didn’t call him. I’m on confetti, remember?”

FILS Dude #2: [confused] “I thought I was on confetti.”

FILS Dude #1: [angry] “No. DUDE. You are NOT on confetti. And if you didn’t call his rep and I didn’t call him that means they have no fu**ing clue about what is... [stops abruptly]

LOOK. Forget it. He’s about to make the announcement, and we’re completely fu**ed. Get back! I’m doing the confetti.”

[Moments later (in a biblical downpour of diced paper) Roger Bailey, Executive Director of the Firestone Indy Lights Series, announces that 2010 Star Mazda Champ, Conor Daly, will be stepping up to FIL, sharing driving duties for next season with USAC scholarship winner, Bryan Clauson—participating in the road/street races that Clauson does not take part in.]

[Daly’s thought bubble] “WTF?!?”

**************************************************************************************************

Okay. So the conversation may be something I conjured up, but the announcement of Daly’s ride, and the fact that he didn’t know a thing about it, was NOT [insert favorite farcically-induced acronym here; ROFLMAO]. Here’s the proof:

Now, you might think this would be stellar news for Conor but, ruh-roh, PROBLEM. It’s no secret that Daly has his eyes set on Formula One, which means the next logical step for him is Europe’s GP3 Series.

Did Conor already have a GP3 deal done when the announcement came? Was he set to do some FILS races with a team other than the one associated with Clauson’s scholarship? Who knows... since the above tweet, Conor’s been pretty quiet on the subject, so we’ll have to see how this one plays out.

Regardless, this is one wickedly funny episode in the life of a race car driver.

Stay tuned...

—JM

Randy’s listening... No, REALLY, he’s listening.

Tweeting? Maybe...
Photo: Paul Dalbey, morefrontwing.com 

[1/15/11: 4:54 pm] Editor's Note: Since this update was originally posted, Arni Sribhen has clarified that Randy Bernard is "...not on twitter yet...but he's nearly there." In addition, Sribhen indicated that, when Bernard is active on Twitter, it has yet to be determined whether his account will be "open," or whether his identity will be concealed. Stay tuned, peeps...

Knowing Randy Bernard’s kooky philosophy of actually wanting to hear what fans have to say about the state of the IZOD IndyCar Series, I’ve often wondered if, maybe, he was covertly monitoring Twitter as a way of gauging fan feelings. After all, Twitter’s where it all goes down, right?

Well, we now have confirmation he does, indeed, walk among us.

After Tony Kanaan met with Mr. Bernard, yesterday, he tweeted this:

Shortly thereafter, Arni Sribhen, Media Relations Coordinator for IndyCar, responded with this:

BAM.

The point? The leader of the IndyCar Series is a fan-friendly STUD (until proven otherwise) and he is listening to what you have to say.

So, all the more reason to (respectfully) tweet your concerns, or votes of confidence, about the greatest racing series on the planet, because who knows what the Series’ response might be?

Tzit...

...and, Mr. Bernard, if you’re in earshot, I heart you, man.

—JM

Standing “O” for the Supporting Cast

Randy Bernard is the front man,

but he’s not accomplishing the Series’ goals alone

Photo: Ron McQueeney, IndyCar.com

There’s been a virtual tsunami of epic IndyCar news over the past several months, with the latest wave coming via Tuesday’s “State of IndyCar” address in Indianapolis.

Much of the credit has been thrown Lord Randall’s way and, for the record, I AM ALL ABOUT THAT—you’ll find no bigger supporter of Randy Bernard than I. But... as the saying goes [it either really is a saying, or I’m just making it up... whatevs], “no great leader goes it alone.”

The plans laid out by the Series are ambitious, at a minimum—and there’s a shizzle-load of work that’s already been accomplished and that still lays ahead. That requires an entire TEAM of very talented, hardworking, and motivated people. Randy has that and, in my mind, they need to be recognized.   


I won’t begin to try and name all those involved because, frankly, I have no clue as to who they all are. Let’s just assume it’s pretty much everyone at IndyCar, plus peeps at IMS and, I’m sure, a whole lot of other folks. A big round of applause to you all, plus I’d like to throw in some special recognition for the car czar, Tony Cotman.

I’m fairly certain my schilling of Tony’s brand only runs second to Robin Miller’s, but that’s neither here nor there. The fact is this 2012 car thing is HARD. T.C. has a new safety cell to worry about, four-ish body kits and three engine manufacturers to get all dancing in a 230-mph ballet, and it all has to be accomplished in an insanely short amount of time. 

Despite all that, Tony just quietly goes about his business GIT'N R DONE. For that, Mr. Cotman, I say good on ya’, sir. 

I think we’re done here... just 72 short more days, peeps. ;)

—JM 

Grand Finale: Part V of Pressdog’s Twitter Opus

Bill saves the best for last. Today’s installment—the final in his epic series—is all about YOU: the soon-to-be Twitter follower/followee.

WARNING: Read with extreme caution. @andhesonit receives MAD PUB in this post (very small type, buried waaaaay at the bottom amongst 341 other tweets) that may aggravate some heart conditions.

Thanks, peeps, this week’s been fun. Props to the almighty Pressdog!

—JM 

“Resistance to Twitter is futile.” —Pressdog

WORD, Bill. You WILL succumb, sooner or later, so why not now? Carpe tweetem, peeps!

Today, Part IV of Pressdog’s epic Twitter tome focuses on the all-important driver presence. Many IZOD IndyCar pilots are on Twitter, which gives followers an unparalleled peek into their private lives.

Plus, when the mood strikes, drivers aren’t shy about communicating directly with fans via tweets, so jump on Twitter, NOW, and your own personal brush with greatness may be in the offing.

Time to hit that LINK, and savor the P-dog prose…

—JM

Day 3: @Pressdog Digs Deep

IndyCar public relations experts Michael Kaltenmark, Pat Caporali, Kim Jackson, and Amy Konrath comment, in detail, on Twitter as a powerful new PR tool.

I think you know the routine by now... hit that LINK.

—JM

Pressdog's The Rise of Twitter in IndyCar, Part Deux

Yes, Twitter is that important. It’s an incredibly easy (and fun) way to become an IndyCar “insider” and really feel a part of the sport.

Hit the link for the second installment in Bill’s awesome five-part series, then swing by here, again, tomorrow, or just run straight to Pressdog.com.

Get your tweet on! Have I ever been wrong? Never mind…

—JM

Pressdog Helps You Get a Handle on Twitter

You found this post by some means other than Twitter? RUH-ROH. PROBLEM. If you’re an IZOD IndyCar enthusiast, you have to be on Twitter. Period.

Great minds think alike—or so they say. And, in fact, I had plans to do a post on how utterly awesome Twitter is when it comes to being a fan of IndyCar, myself, but the honorable Bill Zahren of Pressdog.com beat me to it.

Am I disappointed? Not a smidge. Here’s why: based on “Part 1” of Bill’s five-part series, he’s doing, oh, maybe, a 10,000-times better job than I would do.

So, without further ado, get your non-tweeting (or currently-tweeting) butt over to Pressdog.com and dive into Bill’s killer Twitter primer.

—JM