Edmonton: First Impressions

I downloaded the race radio broadcast last night and finished it this morning. Even though I have yet to see the race, I know most of what happened yesterday. 1. Championship picture gets even more interesting. Should be a good battle between Hunter-Reay, Castroneves, Power and maybe Dixon. 2. Nice to see Tagliani get a great run on home soil. 3. With the runs by Sato and Tagliani this week and Kimball and Conway at Toronto, one can not rule out a surprise winner in one of the final four events. 4. While he did not finish well at all, Josef Newgarden did pick up another fastest lap at Edmonton, something he accomplished at Sao Paulo and Toronto. Results aren't adding up for him but he has been showing what he can do with a single-car operation. 5. Radio broadcast was ok. Mike King isn't the greatest but Davey Hamilton makes up for it. 6. Impressive the race went caution-free after last year's race. 7. I am not sure I understand why Firestone makes a street course tire compound and a road course compound. Wouldn't it be cheaper to just make one tire meant for both disciplines? 8. Hearing Lotus might not be back for 2013. That leaves many questions that can't all be addressed now. More on that later. 9. Looking forward to Mid-Ohio.