It was fifty years ago today, The Beatles landed in the United States and this country and music has never been the same since. In honor of such a historic day, I have taken a couple dozen Beatles songs and paired them with personalities throughout motorsports from drivers to team managers; Formula One, IndyCar, NASCAR, MotoGP and every series in-between.
Some are these are simple connects, others are more of a stretch but this is all for fun. Enjoy!
"You Know My Name (Look Up the Number)"- Jimmie Johnson
We all know Jimmie Johnson but for a six-time champion, he lacks the respect from most fans. When his career comes to an end, despite all the gripes about the championship format and the amount of times his car failed inspection, all you have to do is look at the numbers and right now they say six-time champion, 66 victories, 182 top-fives, 272 top-tens, 32 pole positions and he has finished in the top-five in points all but one time in his career to date. How about those numbers?
"I Am The Walrus"- Sebastian Vettel
The man has won four consecutive World Drivers' Championships and has been unstoppable, just like a walrus. Many have tried to dethrone the German but have failed. Now, that might all change this year with the recent troubles Red Bull and Renault have been having but until the first race, as they say in German, "Er ist das Wolruss. goo goo g'joob."
"Drive My Car"- Scott Dixon
Scott Dixon is the type of driver where you can put him behind the wheel of any vehicle and he will find a way to the front. Whether it be an IndyCar or sports car, Dixon is quick and it wouldn't surprise me that if in equal equipment with the likes of Vettel, Johnson and the other great drivers around the world, Dixon came up on top. This is why we need IROC to return and it to be taken seriously by all sanctioning bodies.
"Hey Bulldog"- Lewis Hamilton
The 2008 world champion's dog has a Twitter account. Conveniently, Roscoe is a bulldog so that made it easy when pairing.
"The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill"- Will Power
Bill, Will. Another easy pair but it's more than that. The continuing story of Will Power's career has had him on the door step of the title for many years. He is bound to break through and get a title and after ending 2013 on a high note, he seems more motivated than ever to win the title this season.
"You Won't See Me"- Kevin Harvick
How many times have you watched a NASCAR race and the first time you hear Kevin Harvick's name is when he is taking the lead with five laps to go and pull off another victory? It's bound to happen at least three times a season.
"Got To Get You Into My Life"- Kyle Larson
The next big thing is heading to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2014 but in all actuality he is a driver you want to drive anything. Some (Robin Miller) think he could hop into an IndyCar and become the series great hope for the future. He has already won many races on dirt from Eldora to Belleville to Chico not to mention he got his first taste at sports car last month at the Rolex 24. His future is bright. Let's hope Ganassi doesn't ruin it.
"Hey Mister Postman"- Denny Hamlin and Ryan Hunter-Reay
They are sponsored by Fedex and DHL respectively. It makes sense.
"Here, There and Everywhere"- Roger Penske
Whether it be a NASCAR race, IndyCar race or when he was running Porsches in ALMS, Penske is always at the race track. And soon, he may be down in Australia, standing on the pit wall for V8 Supercars events.
"Act Naturally"- James Hinchcliffe
The Canadian is arguably IndyCar's top personality. He doesn't have to try to be fun or engaging. You never hear Hinchcliffe get bad-mouthed. He let's his emotions show when he is frustrated and when he is on top and every fan respects that.
"All Together Now"- Audi Sport Team Joest
The German team has dominated the world of sports car racing for over than a decade and it's one for all, all for one with the four-rings. Everything is done for the team as a whole. You don't see drivers let their self interest get in the way at Audi and that's part of the reason for their success for so long.
"The Ballad of John and Yoko"- Fernando Alonso and Kimi Räikkönen
Keep an eye on Ferrari. When Alonso last had this high profile teammate it was Lewis Hamilton at McLaren in 2007 and we saw how that turned out. Räikkönen didn't return to Ferrari to run number two. But I also think Alonso has matured since 2007. Maybe his ego isn't as large as it was seven years ago but if it isn't, 2014 might become the more interesting season for Ferrari since 1982.
"I Want You (She's So Heavy)- All Those F1 Drivers Watching Their Weight
At the end of last year, drivers' weight limits became a big story. This song goes out to the likes of Jenson Button, Mark Webber (though he isn't in Formula One any more), Nico Hülkenberg, Giedo van der Garde and Paul di Resta, burly men who are held to supermodel expectations.
"Yellow Submarine"- Johnny Rutherford
Lone Star JR won three Indianapolis 500s. But this song is dedicated to him and the machine that dominated the race in 1980.
"Baby You're a Rich Man"- Marc Márquez
The Spaniard is the youngest world riders' champion and became the first rookie to win the title since 1978. He still isn't 21 and after his recent three days of testing is making it appear as if a second consecutive title is a formality.
"Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)"- Mads Østberg, Andreas Mikkelsen, Petter and Henning Solberg.
This goes out to the great Norwegians in World Rally. Petter Solberg won the title in 2003, a year before Sébastien Loeb went on his nine-year reign. His brother Henning has had a respectable World Rally career while Mads Østberg has a World Rally victory on his résumé. Andreas Mikkelsen's career is just beginning in World Rally and he is having a really good Rally Sweden. A win wouldn't be out of the question this year to go along with his two Intercontinental Rally Championships.
"When I'm Sixty-Four"- John Force
The face of drag racing in the United States if not the World is 64-years-old. He is coming off winning his sixteenth NHRA Funny Car title. No one would rule him out for a seventeenth.
"Ticket to Ride"- Tony Kanaan
After touring around the United States and Brazil looking for sponsors to keep his IndyCar career going for the last few years, the 2013 Indianapolis 500 winner finally has his "Ticket to Ride" if you will. No more worrying on bated breath going to midseason boardroom meetings hoping he can persuade someone things are going great this year and they should continue for another. Kanaan has one focus in 2014 and that is racing. Finally!
"Kansas City/ Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey!"- Rick Mears
The four-time Indianapolis 500 winner hails from Wichita but he is arguably the top driver from Kansas (Johnny Rutherford and Rodger Ward have a case). It's a fitting coincidence there are four "heys."
"Taxman"- Gene Haas
The man who shares a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team and is looking to Formula One served a 24-month prison sentence after filling false tax returns among other charges. Anyone find it ironic Quickens Loans sponsored Ryan Newman when he was at Stewart-Haas Racing.
"Being For The Benefit of Mr. Kite!"- Jimmy Kite
He might not have been the greatest driver to show up at 16th and Georgetown but he did finish eleventh in his Indianapolis 500 debut. He did pick up four career top tens during the heart of the CART-IRL split but they are top tens nonetheless and his final top ten was a tenth at Kentucky in 2005 where he finished ahead of Scott Dixon (electrical), Tony Kanaan (suspension), Dario Franchitti (wheel bearing), Bryan Herta (gearbox), Danica Patrick (many laps down), Buddy Rice (one lap down) and Ryan Briscoe (on the lead lap).
"Savoy Truffle"- Dario Franchitti
The retired Scotsman was treated nicely when he was in hospital. Chocolate croissants (a kryptonite of mine) and country fried steak were a staple of his diet. The good news is he doesn't have to go to great lengths to keep his weight down. A chocolate croissant here-and-there won't be bad but every day will put the pounds on. That is coming from experience. Delicious but self-deprecating experience.
"Michelle"- Simon Pagenaud
The only Beatles' song with French lyrics. In honor it goes to a Frenchman. I could of paired this song with any French driver. Sébastien Bourdais. Sébastien Loeb. Sébastien Ogier. Tristan Vautier. Jules Bianchi. But I am giving Pagenaud his due. In equal equipment against the field of Frenchmen, I would put money on Pagenaud.
"She's Leaving Home"- Simona de Silvestro
INDYCAR FANS READ THIS CAREFULLY!: There is a good chance Simona de Silvestro does not return to IndyCar in 2014. Things aren't looking bright. There are fewer and fewer seats remaining and there are close to a dozen drivers looking for rides and quality drivers are going to be on the outside whether we like it or not. De Silvestro very well could end up on the sideline. Prepare yourselves. It's going to be difficult to accept but it's just part of motorsports. Some drivers gets squeezed out too soon.
"Any Time At All"- Ryan Briscoe
Briscoe gets a lot of flack, especially around IndyCar circles but his résumé is one of the deepest on the grid. Along with his IndyCar escapades he has been a Formula One test driver, drove a ChampCar, LMP2 in ALMS at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Daytona Prototypes, V8 Supercars, A1GP and most recently drove a factory Corvette at the 24 Hours of Daytona.
"If I Needed Someone"- Justin Wilson
Justin Wilson has arguably been the most disrespected driver in motorsports who has competed in the same series for more than five consecutive years. I am not sure what he has to do get a big breakthrough but he is taking matters into his own hands turning Dale Coyne Racing into one of the top teams in 2013. If I had a billion dollars fall into my lap, Wilson would be one of the first drivers I would call.
"Don't Let Me Down"- Second Generation Drivers
You can't be envious of the likes of Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Marco Andretti, Graham Rahal and now Chase Elliott and John Hunter Nemechek due to the pressure to emulate their fathers. It is never fair for fans to expect a driver to carry on the legacy of their fathers both in success and mannerism. Let them be their own personalities. If they surpassing their fathers in terms of wins, championships and than some, good for them. If they have moderate success and only ever have one or two legitimate seasons where they were championship contenders than that is fine as well. I feel at times we at fans are asking for too much from these drivers and should relax.
"Paperback Writer"- Alex Lloyd
Once the future of IndyCar at Chip Ganassi Racing, Alex Lloyd has been a forgotten driver. He found success in IndyCar despite running for Dale Coyne Racing when they were a midpack team with the previous Dallara chassis. Lloyd has found a second career writing for Yahoo Autos. I wish he got more opportunities behind the wheel of the car and who is to say he couldn't make a comeback in a few years? I also think Lloyd could make a great commentator and if he doesn't have a ride, maybe ABC should give him the seat next to Allen Bestwick in the booth. He has recent experience in IndyCar and, if you follow him on Twitter, he isn't afraid to let his opinion be known.
"Doctor Robert"- Robert Kubica
Unfortunately Robert Kubica's career has been known more for the accidents that have kept him on the sidelines. The good news he is racing in the World Rally Championship. He may never get behind a Formula One car again but at least he is back to competing full-time.
"What Goes On"- Brian France and John Barnes
What goes on in their minds? With all the changes with the Chase-format, I have to believe his wife does all the shopping because Brian France can't make up his mind. As for John Barnes, he had one of the largest budgets in all of IndyCar with the National Guard sponsorship but won zero races. Four straight runner-up finishes in the Indianapolis 500 is an accomplishment but other than that, the team has done next to nothing.
"I Should Have Known Better"- Takuma Sato
You know Takuma Sato is a fast driver but he is an accident waiting to happen. He can get a win for you but then string together seven consecutive race outside the top twenty. Is he worth the hire?
"Two of Us"- Ed Carpenter and Mike Conway
These two are pairing up with Carpenter doing ovals and Conway doing road and street courses. Not only will each be a threat in their own disciplines but who knows? They could string together results good enough to win the owners' championship, for whatever that is worth.
"Getting Better"- Caterham and Marussia
It couldn't get much worse for them though.
"Get Back"- Sam Hornish, Jr. and AJ Allmendinger
Hornish especially. What are you doing? You know you deserve better than seven Nationwide Series races. I know the money in NASCAR is fantastic and it's a challenge but where are you going? Are those seven races really going to get you anything more than a Nationwide ride? Look at Elliott Sadler. Do you really think he thought he would be in the Nationwide Series for three seasons and still not have gotten another full-time Cup ride?
I know you say you have accomplished everything there is in IndyCar but what would really be better for your career, one win in a Nationwide race filling in for Kyle Busch or winning a second Indianapolis 500? Yes I know it isn't a given you will be handed an IndyCar ride and the fact you will have to bring money for a ride is a turn off for you but I am sure there is a good car out their for you to make a comeback and by the end of that first season back you will probably be on the doorstep of where you were when you left.
As for Allmendinger, you have had better success in NASCAR than Hornish but you showed promise when driving for Penske. It was as if you had never left. You nearly won the Indianapolis 500. JTG Daugherty Racing isn't a bad team but where are you going?
"Don't Pass Me By"- Oriol Servià
Oriol Servià is one of those drivers who are always quick but never gets the full recognition he deserves. Now that Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing has the National Guard sponsorship, maybe he gets a full-time ride.
"In My Life"- To all those we have lost
Many drivers have passed on. Sometimes their presences is missed more than others but we should be at least proud of the time we got to share with them on this Earth and hopefully we will join them one day at The Great Racetrack in the Sky.
"Money (That's What I Want)"- Every single driver, from the mountain top of Formula One to the six-year old that is starting karting
Every driver wants money. They want it to keep their careers going, dreams alive and to keep them from having to get an everyday job like me. It doesn't matter what series you are aiming at. Formula One, IndyCar, NASCAR, WTCC, Le Mans Prototypes, the top of GT racing, sprint cars, late models, rally, every driver needs to find that paycheck to keep going. And there is no such thing as enough in motorsports.
And one that note, I will wrap up this post. I'd like to thank you for reading and I hope I've passed the audition.
Covering All Motorsports. From Indianapolis to Le Mans, Daytona to Monaco.
