Opening Day Thoughts

First day for the whole entry list to take to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as teams start practicing for the Indianapolis 500. After only three days of on track action between the rookie orientation sessions and today, one can not help but wondering about what this month beholds with a new car, new engines and new drivers.

Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing: It is only Opening day, but one has to wonder if the Honda powered team could steal the show. With two rookie drivers Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing was 1st and 3rd. Granted it is only day one and the top teams aren't pushing it but Josef Newgarden was fastest and has shown a lot of promise through the first four races. Bryan Clauson is the real unknown. This is his first time in an IndyCar and held his own in his few Lights races last year. But Clauson has a lot more riding on him. As I've said before, Clauson is the first driver to come to the Speedway, with a unified series, with a USAC or short track background in a long time. Tony Stewart, Davey Hamilton, Billy Boat all got a shot at Indianapolis during the split and in reality, Stewart probably would've been the only one ever to get a shot at CART and I am not sure even he would've gotten a chance (Think About Jeff Gordon). Clauson could get a shot at other oval races this season if he runs well at Indianapolis but Clauson may also open the door for some of the other talented drivers of USAC to get to the Speedway.

Look Who Is Second: It's JR Hildebrand and Panther Racing. Panther has had a four year run of second place finishes in the 500 and they start this year where they ended last year. The road course programs has improved greatly for the Panther Racing team through the first four races and one has to think Hildebrand is ready to prove any naysayers from last year wrong.

Lotus: They seem to always be in the news. They finally got on track and after a slow day for Alesi on Thursday, he passed his first two phases of ROP on Friday afternoon but has yet to get by the third and final phase. Can the Lotus get Alesi passed the final phase? Maybe but time after time we have seen guys on the razor's edge and had their month end in the wall.

More Boost Please: For Fast Friday (May 18), Pole Day (May 19) and Bump Day (May 20) only, the turbocharger boost levels will be raised from 130 kPA to 140 kPA. That isn't going to produce a new track record but it may increase speeds by 4 to 5 miles per hour. In all honesty, this is fine. Speeds may not be Earth shattering but if Pole Day comes down to the gun and the fans are pleased, then it will be deemed a success.