1. Despite being complicated, today was great. I think the weather played a big role. Had it not been in the mid-50s all day and been twenty degrees warmers, we wouldn't have seen as much action and there probably would have been a lull during the middle afternoon. But it wasn't in the 70s and we saw a record number of qualifying attempts in one day. I do think the teams should be limited to three attempts a day. It would make teams think twice before going out. Besides, we don't want Roy "Tin Cup" McAvoy moments in qualifying were someone makes a dozen attempts.
As for the "fast line" for cars withdrawing times, I thought it worked however I think to make it simpler either go all in and get rid of withdrawing times or go all in and do it like it was done forever where if you wanted to make another attempt, the time on the board is withdrawn.
2. A lot of talk over the early part of qualifying being shown on ESPN3 and WatchESPN app only. It's the way of the television world. Being on a network is a precious spot and the Internet provides the platform for events to be shown that couldn't make a television network. Realize being on ESPN3/WatchESPN isn't going to grow IndyCar's fan base. It is giving those you are looking for coverage a place to find it and that's ok.
3. But this leads to me to my next point. If you are on ESPN3 only, don't continue to treat the broadcast as something every Tom, Dick and Harry is going to bump in. The audience is highly educated in the field. Stop talking to the audience like they are 5 years old. They are adults.
Oh and Dr. Jerry Punch threw out a gem when interviewing Kurt Busch when said to Busch "explain to the millions watching at home the differences in a stock car and IndyCar." You're on ESPN3, a million people in the World don't even know Indianapolis 500 qualifying is going on let alone watching it. I would be surprised if the ESPN3/WatchESPN only portion drew over a thousand viewers.
4. Going back to the treating the audience like adults comment: Do we have to bring up Charlie Kimball's diabetes every time he is shown. First off, everyone watching on ESPN3/WatchESPN already know. Second, you wouldn't (shouldn't) bring up Micahel Sam's orientation every time he is shown on SportsCenter. It's getting old. I know he is an ambassador and wants to raise awareness but he does that with Novo Nordisk on the side of his car and the countless hours of work away from the race track. He and we don't need to be reminded of it every time he is being interviewed. His diabetes is brought up more than his Mid-Ohio win and that is wrong.
5. One more television nugget. I believe it was after Sebastián Saavedra was interviewed about KV Racing's driver coach Al Unser, Jr. Eddie Cheever took a cheap shot at the Andretti family saying the Unser Family has nine Indianapolis 500 victories and the Andretti has only one. What provoked that jab Eddie? Cheever has a pretty tedious grudge with the Andretti family and has gone on too long. Hey Eddie, how many Formula One Grand Prix victories do you have? Or how many World Driver's Championships are on your résumé? Once again, Allen Bestwick is doing his all but his wingers are holding him back.
What I enjoyed with NBCSN's coverage last year was the passion they had in the broadcast and their own one-offs. Will Buxton was phenomenal, as was Gil de Ferran. The booth of Diffey, Beekhuis and de Ferran was engaging, personal and the type of booth you'd love to go out and have a drink with. ABC's crew doesn't give off that vibe. The ABC crew needs a shot of adrenaline.
6. Twenty-eight of the thirty-three drivers set personal best 4-lap averages in Indianapolis 500 qualifying today. The five that didn't? Castroneves, Kanaan, Dixon, Lazier and Villeneuve and I wouldn't rule out Dixon and Villeneuve from doing it tomorrow. Dixon's personal best is a 230.099 from 2003 and his top 4-lap average today was a 229.283 run. Villeneuve's best is a 228.397 from 1995 and he did a 228.171 today. Castroneves, Kanaan and Lazier's best are all above 231 MPH. I doubt they will get that extra mile an hour tomorrow but for all these complaints about speed, 230 MPH was needed just to make the Fast Nine. What else do you want?
It looks like 226.5 will be the slowest time and if you go back to 1996, when Luyendyk shattered records, the slowest time was 222.185 MPH. The field is close. It isn't the faster field ever but you have 20 former IndyCar winners in the field, six of which are former Indianapolis 500 winners and six are former IndyCar champions. Not to mentioned there is a World Drivers' Champion, NASCAR Cup Series Champion, LMP2 World Champion and Le Mans class winner in the field. Beside asking for Vettel, Hamilton, Alonso, Johnson, Gordon and Stewart, what else could you want from this field?
7. No bumping which is disappointing. Chevrolet, ball is in your court to match Honda's 18 entries next year. Thirty-six cars would be fantastic especially if the right drivers are hired. Let's improve this area in 2015. I'm not so much worried about qualifying speeds, they are in the right area/heading in the right direction. Let's get a couple more teams and talent drivers on the entry list though.
Overall it was a good first day of qualifying. Now we look forward to see who gets pole and how the grid will be set for next week's race.
