Oilpressure Heads to the Pits
We are now roughly ten days into the IndyCar offseason, and to my knowledge we have heard nothing about any of the open seats still in question for the 2027 NTT IndyCar Series season. I was hoping we would know something by now, since my time to write is somewhat limited right now.
Last week, just a few days after the season finale at Laguna Seca; I flew out to Idaho to visit my son and his family – including my four rear-old grandson. Susan had to work so I went by myself. It was a very nice time, especially with my grandson. It’s amazing how quickly they grow. I am doing my best to stir an interest in racing in him. One day, he wore an IMS T-shirt and kept making race car sounds, so that was encouraging. The weather was also a nice break. While Nashville is still stuck in triple-digit temperatures almost daily, highs out there were in the 60s. In fact, when I flew out on Sunday – it was drizzling and a cold 51°. The sweatshirt I was wearing when I left, looked pretty stupid when I landed in balmy Nashville that night.
Another thing eating up my time is work. If you recall, I retired in January – only to be brought back starting in July, while my replacement recuperated from surgery. The fill-in stint was to last through the end of August. They extended that one more week until the week after Labor Day. Then at the end of that week, they asked me if I would stay on through the end of September. I have reluctantly agreed, even though I had a busy September planned that we would have to work around. One of those was the trip to Idaho. The other is a “medical procedure” this Friday that was planned months ago, back in April. I wanted to wait until after racing season, long before I even knew I would be called back to work.
Without going into detail, this is nothing serious. There is no cancer or heart issues involved, and there is nothing life-threatening about it. It’s just a procedure that will alleviate some typical old man symptoms. I will be knocked out for it (fortunately), and I will be in some discomfort for a few days following Friday’s procedure. Not knowing what to expect, I plan to go ahead and take all of next week off from this site, as well as work.
With today stuck in between my Idaho trip, my procedure and work, this is about the only time I had to write. I was hoping to be able to comment on some IndyCar signings or announcements that I figure would take place shortly after Laguna Seca. All we had was two days of running of the new IR-28 on the IMS oval, with Alexander Rossi going one day and Alex Palou going the next. While it was nice seeing it on the historic oval, I’m not sure there was anything significant revealed from the two days.
It is Tuesday night as I write this. I am pretty certain that after this post drops in early Wednesday morning, we will learn of a significant and unexpected signing that I’ll have to wait until my target date to return here – Monday Sep 28 – before weighing in on whatever happens. By then it will be very old news. If it is something major and I’m feeling good, I might chime in early. But don’t expect to hear from me on here until Monday Sep 28.
Again, I stress – my procedure is nothing serious. It is just a minor inconvenience now, to prevent a much more serious condition down the road. If you are male and in your mid-sixties, you can probably guess what it involves. If you are still in your forties or fifties – cherish these days, before the nagging things start happening to your body as old age creeps in.
Please remember to check back on Mon Sep 28.
George Phillips
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