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INDYCAR: Miller’s Mid-Season Report Card
It's time for Robin Miller's annual tradition--one that usually stings and bruises a few egos along the way, and also praises those who are on the right path.
Robin Miller  |  Posted June 26, 2012  
Not every driver in this 2012 class portrait will agree with Miller's report card. (Photo: LAT)
This year’s mid-season analysis is littered with Bs (not the kind that attacked A.J. Foyt a few years ago) because the driving and racing in the 2012 IZOD IndyCar season has been damn good.

There are six drivers separated by only 40 points for the championship with six races remaining and there have been six different winners in nine starts.

So, for the first time in the 30 years of handing out grades, this is a report card you’d want to show your parents, post on your website or tweet to your loyal followers.

Unless, of course, you’re Lotus or ABC.

And, if you’re a multi-car team, your grade is averaged out so quit bitching already.

GRADE A

Schmidt Hamilton Motorsports is the only team worthy of an A because it’s excelled in everywhere with a small budget, only one car and a driver who had never raced on an oval before last May. But Simon Pagenaud’s precision, pace and poise have already led to a pair of podiums and sixth in the point standings. He charged from last to fifth at Iowa and has great rapport with engineer Ben Bretzman. Will Power says it’s a good thing for everyone that the friendly Frog isn’t driving one of those red cars.

GRADE B PLUS

We’ve all thrown down on Dallara during the past few years and the criticism was merited when the DW12’s oval package needed emergency surgery from Dr. Weight Distribution. But give the Italians their props: this new chassis has been equally racy on road courses and ovals. Firestone and the drivers share the credit but it’s hard to remember a more entertaining nine-race stretch and this car is part of the reason.

General Motors and Honda didn’t have much time to develop the new turbocharged engines but both have delivered a good product that is about as equal as any racing series could hope for nowadays. Chevy owns a 6-3 edge so far but Honda captured Indianapolis in stunning form after being trounced in qualifying so it’s a good battle.

Firestone builds some of the safest, most consistent and reliable tires on the planet but they’ve become ultimate team players this season. Developing a tire that starts out great before falling off and making the driver a huge part of the equation, it’s helped make the racing much more exciting.

GRADE B

Andretti Autosport was a bully in the old IRL, got its eye blackened after unification and now it’s back flexing its muscles. Flunking Chemistry 101 the past few years, the addition of James Hinchcliffe with Ryan Hunter-Reay and Marco Andretti looks to have molded this trio into a team of the truest sense. RHR is driving with confidence and is only three points out of the lead following back-to-back victories while Hinch continues to step up his game and looks like a teacher instead of a sophomore as he’s fifth in the standings. Marco was strong at Indy and Iowa but still struggles in qualifying on roads and streets – where they spend five of the last six races. Michael Andretti also gets high marks for rescuing Milwaukee and making it fan friendly, and also stepping in to keep Baltimore on the schedule.

Team Penske swept the first four races and after three wins in a row it appeared Power might have the title clinched by July. But those pesky ovals bit WP and now he’s in a dogfight for that elusive No. 1. There’s no doubt he’s still the guy to beat with five road/street circuits left but it’s not a given. Helio Castroneves took the opener at St. Pete and has been steady (fourth in the points) while Ryan Briscoe’s luck remains non-existent (last Saturday night being the perfect example).

Stats can be deceiving: Scott Dixon has led a season-high 405 laps but only has one victory and sits third in the points while teammate Dario Franchitti has been out in front for 92 laps yet claimed his third Indy 500. The Target/Ganassi duo figures to have a lot of say about the championship and it’s going to be tough for Franchitti to make it four straight (he trails Power by 70 points) but NEVER count him out – especially since it looks like he’s starting to figure out the new Dallara. If Dixie doesn’t get a horrible call at Milwaukee, he’s leading the standings so that’s even more motivation.
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