After a couple of weeks over Christmas and New Year’s, it was good to take a step back and recharge the old batteries. I hesitate to mention the Music City Bowl we attended. Purdue played a good game and deserved the win, but the game was marred by horrible officiating on both sides. That’s all I’m going to say about that. But with all of the festivities of the holidays now behind us and the hope that a new year brings in front of us, it’s good to get back here to focus on IndyCar racing.
Things Have Changed Over a Dozen Years
Posted in IndyCar on January 5, 2022 by OilpressureA Year to Remember
Posted in IndyCar on December 22, 2021 by Oilpressure
Here in the Oilpressure household, we have reached that point in the year, where I will push away from the keyboard for a couple of weeks. I’ve always enjoyed the Christmas season my entire life, partly because it offers a break from reality – whether that be school, work or blogging – and gives me a time to reflect on all of the good Christmases I had growing up, and then getting to watch my kids make their own memories.
A Surprise Pairing at Dreyer & Reinbold
Posted in IndyCar on December 20, 2021 by Oilpressure
Lost last week among the news items of Paul Tracy being let go by NBC, and later learning that James Hinchcliffe will be replacing him, along with the passing of Al Unser, was the little nugget that Dreyer & Reinbold Racing (DRR) has announced their driver lineup for next May’s Indianapolis 500.
Jimmie Goes Fulltime Next Season
Posted in IndyCar on December 17, 2021 by Oilpressure
Earlier this week, Jimmie Johnson confirmed what had long been suspected – he will run the Indianapolis 500 in 2022 as a 46 year-old rookie. We learned earlier in the week that an announcement was forthcoming. The only real suspense was whether or not Johnson would run the full season, which meant including the other ovals on the schedule – since he only ran non-ovals this past season.
Bad Timing Has Followed James Hinchcliffe
Posted in IndyCar on December 15, 2021 by Oilpressure
Yesterday, James Hinchcliffe announced on social media that he is stepping back from being a fulltime driver in the NTT IndyCar Series. He stressed that this is not a retirement, but simply stepping away from being a fulltime driver. He said this was a professional and personal decision, but we also know that he had pretty well run out of fulltime IndyCar options for 2022.
Remembering Al Unser
Posted in IndyCar on December 13, 2021 by Oilpressure
We all woke up to the sad news on Friday morning that Al Unser passed away at his home in Chama, New Mexico at the age of 82. Since then, we have all been treated to an avalanche of personal remembrances of the great four-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, throughout the weekend. I hope you will indulge me and take in one more, since this is my first opportunity to offer my thoughts on the life and career of Al Unser.
Paul Tracy Will be Missed in the NBC Booth
Posted in IndyCar on December 10, 2021 by Oilpressure
NBC has made a move that will please some and infuriate others. Put me in the camp with the latter. We learned on Wednesday that after eight years in the IndyCar booth, Paul Tracy will not be back for a ninth season.
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