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IndyCar
MILLER: My 2012 IndyCar Season Predictions
In a season that defies predictions, Robin Miller handicaps IndyCar 2012.
Miller thinks the 2012 champion will come from the Target camp... (Photo: LAT)
After way too many years of the same old car and engine, the 2012 IZOD INDYCAR season figures to be intriguing if for no other reasons than the new equipment.
Many are hoping this also equates to some new faces in victory lane, or at least more of a spread-the-wealth mantra like it was in 2007 in Champ Car – the last time open-wheel went with a new chassis.
Since 2006, the teams of Chip Ganassi and Roger Penske have combined for 75 victories in 99 races while Dario Franchitti has won the last three championships (and four of the last five) so they’ll be the favorites until proven otherwise.
The last real free-for-alls were 2001 when 11 different drivers made it into victory lane in the 20-race CART season and 2008 when nine shared the victor’s spoils in the 17-race unification schedule.
And while eight drivers wound up with Ws last year, 12 of the 17 victories were split between the Big Dogs (Will Power (6), Franchitti (4) and Scott Dixon (2).
It would appear the great equalizer or handicap, at least early on, will come from the engine department where Chevrolet and Honda own a decided advantage over the Lotus.
Hard to gauge whether Honda or GM holds the upper hand as both had their share of teething problems in pre-season testing but Lotus definitely lags behind heading to St. Pete.
It should also be pointed out that just about every new Indy car engine has required time to develop it’s just been so long since we had anything new that a lot of people have forgotten.
And the good driver/engineer combos promise to reap instant benefits, as it should be.
Marshall Pruett did the team-by-team preview and I’m going to do a little wishful thinking/predicting on what 2012 might hold for IndyCar fans.
Such as, wouldn’t it be nice to see:
** Brazil’s answer to Lloyd Ruby finally win the Indianapolis 500. Tony Kanaan has led 214 laps and finished second, third, fourth and fifth.
** A Lotus/Judd team finish on the podium in any of the first four races.
** J.R. Hildebrand make a last-lap pass to win an oval race.
** Milwaukee respond to Michael Andretti’s rescue and fan friendly ticket prices by packing the place.
** Rubens Barrichello eating at the Mug ‘N Bun this May.
** Phoenix and Elkhart Lake back on the schedule by 2013.
** Ed Carpenter win as a car owner.
** Ho-Pin Tung in a good ride for the inaugural race in China after getting acclimated to the new car at Mid-Ohio.
** A lot less downforce and a lot more horsepower.
** Marco Andretti, Graham Rahal and Ryan Hunter-Reay battling for the championship going into the last race.
** Simona de Silvestro have a drama-free season.
** Paul Tracy driving for Michael Shank at Indianapolis with a Honda.
** Chip Ganassi on The Apprentice.
** Justin Wilson and Bill Pappas put Dale Coyne back in victory lane.
** Townsend Bell interview himself on NBC Sports Network during qualifying at Indy. Just as he’s coming out of Turn 4 on the last lap.
** Sebastien Bourdais in a good ride.
** Standing starts for road races and The Flying Start return to Indy.
** Scott Roembke back on the scoring stand for Bobby Rahal.
** James Hinchcliffe win Toronto and Hinchtown is immediately re-zoned as a national monument.
** Will Power finally beat his nemesis.
** Charlie Kimball on the podium.
** Dario tie buddy Jimmie Johnson as a Five Timer.
** Josef Newgarden and Sarah Fisher get a sponsor and run the full season.
** The original Last Row Party return for the 40th anniversary.
** Oriol Servia give Dennis Reinbold and Robbie Buhl their first win in the modern era.
** USAC star Bryan Clauson qualify for his first Indy 500.
** More of Bronte Tagliani.
And now for some un-educated guesses based on 44 years of sniffing methanol:
** Nobody is hungrier for a win than Ryan Briscoe.
** Unless its Helio Castroneves.
** That’s why all three Penske drivers will win in 2012.
** Engines will blow like the old Offy days for the first few races.
** Hard to bet against Power or Franchitti but just have a hunch it’s Dixon’s turn to get a little luck and take the championship.
** Rahal will win on a street and an oval.
** Marco will be the oval-track champion.
** Oil dry will be in demand.
** Simon Pagenaud will surprise a lot of people.
** Ilmor will play the largest role in deciding the title.
** Barrichello will score at least one victory.
** Power won eight poles last season. He’ll get 10 this year.
** Dario rhymes with Mario and possesses that same drive to keep pushing and he will still be a bitch to beat.
** There will be true bumping at Indy, provided there are enough engines.
** Hunter-Reay is my sleeper for the title.
** TK wins Indy and gives a longer speech than Graham Hill at victory banquet.
** The champion will still have four DNFs.
** Lotus will need and receive more power from INDYCAR by May, if they’re still around.
** The new Dallara looks a helluva lot better at speed than sitting still and it sounds like an Indy car should.
** There will be 11 different winners in 16 races.
OK, now it's your turn. What are your story lines and predictions for the upcoming season?
Robin Miller brings more than 40 years of experience to his role as SPEED.com's senior open-wheel reporter, and serves as a frequent contributor to SPEED Center and Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain.
The opinions reflected herein are solely those of the above commentator and are not necessarily those of SPEED.com, FOX, NewsCorp, or SPEED
Many are hoping this also equates to some new faces in victory lane, or at least more of a spread-the-wealth mantra like it was in 2007 in Champ Car – the last time open-wheel went with a new chassis.
Since 2006, the teams of Chip Ganassi and Roger Penske have combined for 75 victories in 99 races while Dario Franchitti has won the last three championships (and four of the last five) so they’ll be the favorites until proven otherwise.
The last real free-for-alls were 2001 when 11 different drivers made it into victory lane in the 20-race CART season and 2008 when nine shared the victor’s spoils in the 17-race unification schedule.
And while eight drivers wound up with Ws last year, 12 of the 17 victories were split between the Big Dogs (Will Power (6), Franchitti (4) and Scott Dixon (2).
It would appear the great equalizer or handicap, at least early on, will come from the engine department where Chevrolet and Honda own a decided advantage over the Lotus.
Hard to gauge whether Honda or GM holds the upper hand as both had their share of teething problems in pre-season testing but Lotus definitely lags behind heading to St. Pete.
It should also be pointed out that just about every new Indy car engine has required time to develop it’s just been so long since we had anything new that a lot of people have forgotten.
And the good driver/engineer combos promise to reap instant benefits, as it should be.
Marshall Pruett did the team-by-team preview and I’m going to do a little wishful thinking/predicting on what 2012 might hold for IndyCar fans.
Such as, wouldn’t it be nice to see:
** Brazil’s answer to Lloyd Ruby finally win the Indianapolis 500. Tony Kanaan has led 214 laps and finished second, third, fourth and fifth.
** A Lotus/Judd team finish on the podium in any of the first four races.
** J.R. Hildebrand make a last-lap pass to win an oval race.
** Milwaukee respond to Michael Andretti’s rescue and fan friendly ticket prices by packing the place.
** Rubens Barrichello eating at the Mug ‘N Bun this May.
** Phoenix and Elkhart Lake back on the schedule by 2013.
** Ed Carpenter win as a car owner.
** Ho-Pin Tung in a good ride for the inaugural race in China after getting acclimated to the new car at Mid-Ohio.
** A lot less downforce and a lot more horsepower.
** Marco Andretti, Graham Rahal and Ryan Hunter-Reay battling for the championship going into the last race.
** Simona de Silvestro have a drama-free season.
** Paul Tracy driving for Michael Shank at Indianapolis with a Honda.
** Chip Ganassi on The Apprentice.
** Justin Wilson and Bill Pappas put Dale Coyne back in victory lane.
** Townsend Bell interview himself on NBC Sports Network during qualifying at Indy. Just as he’s coming out of Turn 4 on the last lap.
** Sebastien Bourdais in a good ride.
** Standing starts for road races and The Flying Start return to Indy.
** Scott Roembke back on the scoring stand for Bobby Rahal.
** James Hinchcliffe win Toronto and Hinchtown is immediately re-zoned as a national monument.
** Will Power finally beat his nemesis.
** Charlie Kimball on the podium.
** Dario tie buddy Jimmie Johnson as a Five Timer.
** Josef Newgarden and Sarah Fisher get a sponsor and run the full season.
** The original Last Row Party return for the 40th anniversary.
** Oriol Servia give Dennis Reinbold and Robbie Buhl their first win in the modern era.
** USAC star Bryan Clauson qualify for his first Indy 500.
** More of Bronte Tagliani.
And now for some un-educated guesses based on 44 years of sniffing methanol:
** Nobody is hungrier for a win than Ryan Briscoe.
** Unless its Helio Castroneves.
** That’s why all three Penske drivers will win in 2012.
** Engines will blow like the old Offy days for the first few races.
** Hard to bet against Power or Franchitti but just have a hunch it’s Dixon’s turn to get a little luck and take the championship.
** Rahal will win on a street and an oval.
** Marco will be the oval-track champion.
** Oil dry will be in demand.
** Simon Pagenaud will surprise a lot of people.
** Ilmor will play the largest role in deciding the title.
** Barrichello will score at least one victory.
** Power won eight poles last season. He’ll get 10 this year.
** Dario rhymes with Mario and possesses that same drive to keep pushing and he will still be a bitch to beat.
** There will be true bumping at Indy, provided there are enough engines.
** Hunter-Reay is my sleeper for the title.
** TK wins Indy and gives a longer speech than Graham Hill at victory banquet.
** The champion will still have four DNFs.
** Lotus will need and receive more power from INDYCAR by May, if they’re still around.
** The new Dallara looks a helluva lot better at speed than sitting still and it sounds like an Indy car should.
** There will be 11 different winners in 16 races.
OK, now it's your turn. What are your story lines and predictions for the upcoming season?
Robin Miller brings more than 40 years of experience to his role as SPEED.com's senior open-wheel reporter, and serves as a frequent contributor to SPEED Center and Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain.
The opinions reflected herein are solely those of the above commentator and are not necessarily those of SPEED.com, FOX, NewsCorp, or SPEED
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