First Impressions: Texas 2014

1. This race was different. It wasn't bad. It was different. A decade of pack racing grew on us and now we aren't sure what we will see on 1.5-mile ovals or if we will like it. What we have seen in the third visit for the DW12 chassis to Texas are results that aren't instant, rather they develop over the course of each a stint. The tire wear is greater than we have seen in many years as aerodynamics are being fine-tuned to find the equilibrium of oval racing. But we don't know what that equilibrium is or when to stop adjusting bits and piece leading to three years and three different races from Texas. This year, a team couldn't afford to stay out on a stint 5 laps longer than anyone else because the time they lost was much greater as those on fresh tires were running nearly 10 MPH faster each lap. Drivers have to muscle the cars around now. Flat out is no longer an option and a car that is great on lap one won't necessarily drive the same on lap 75, lap 155 or lap 205. To be honest, I hope they can add at least one more of these races.

2. Ed Carpenter kind of came out of nowhere. Will Power was dominating but Carpenter's car got better and was able to contend with Power as the race went along. Carpenter makes up for the misfortune of Indianapolis tonight. These are the races we expect from Carpenter. With four ovals to go, he is a contender for each one as he and his little team that does picks fights with the dynasties of Penske, Ganassi and Andretti. Seeing Carpenter succeed makes me wonder why don't more USAC guys get a shot at IndyCar ovals? If Carpenter is doing this, imagine what Bryan Clauson, Tracy Hines, Darren Hagen and company could do if given the time and opportunity. It wouldn't be a bad thing at all.

2b. Think about this: Ed Carpenter Racing has more victories than Ganassi.

3. Will Power has things going his way. Last week, he overcame a drive-through penalty to finish second. Tonight, he had a late pit lane speeding penalty when in second but only feel to sixth do to the amount of cars a lap down. A late caution gave Power the opportunity to pit for tires and he blew by everyone to end up second and, had there been one more lap, he would have probably ended the night a winner for the third time in 2014.

Going to chew out Power for a moment. After the race, he got out of his car and complains about getting penalized all the time. Well Will, don't speed on the pit lane, run over an air gun or cause accidents and then you won't have these problems. Race control isn't calling you on bogus stuff such as a crew member having their shoe laces untied during a pit stop and it's a safety violation. You are committing legitimate violations that call for punishment and the officials must keep their integrity by calling when need be. Don't point fingers, just do better next time.

4. Juan Pablo Montoya's ability to go 5-8 laps longer on a stint on an oval is impressive. For a driver who has been out of open-wheel racing since 2006, Montoya is on top of his game. He can turn an average oval race into one where he is in contention. He still needs a little work getting consistent finishes up front on the road and street courses.

5. Simon Pagenaud was the top Honda in fourth. This was Chevrolet's night. Unlike Indianapolis where Honda could go toe-to-toe with Chevrolet, three Hondas ended with mechanical failures. Heat definitely played a factor and with the Houston doubleheader up next, it could be a long summer for the Japanese manufacture.

6. Ganassi cars finished 5th (Scott Dixon), 6th (Tony Kanaan), 9th (Ryan Briscoe) and 10th (Charlie Kimball). Not a bad night for them but for the second straight year they have yet to win after eight races. They've looked much better than 2013 though and Dixon went on to win the championship. Let's not rule them out just yet in 2014.

7. Mikhail Aleshin came home in seventh just ahead of Hélio Castroneves. A great night for the rookie. At the start of the season I said he had the right teammate to help him get up to speed on ovals and it looks like it has paid off.

8. Josef Newgarden fell to eleventh after starting second. Graham Rahal had a terrible start, losing time right as the green flag fell but recovered to finish 12th.

9. Carlos Muñoz was the top Andretti Autosport driver in 13th. The team coming off the Indianapolis 500 victory has had two weekends from hell. James Hinchcliffe was 15th with Ryan Hunter-Reay 19th and Marco Andretti 22nd after mechanical failures. Hunter-Reay was running solidly in the top ten at the time. These mechanical problems have plagued him since the start of the DW12-era. In 2012, gremlins bit him at Indianapolis, Texas and Mid-Ohio but he held on for the title. Last year it was in both Toronto races, Sonoma and both Houston races. Since the team switched from Chevrolet to Honda you have to wonder if the problem aren't from the supplier but rather the customer. Andretti was off to flying start, gaining eight positions from 17th to 9th on lap one on the high side. If only he had the chance to go all 248 laps, rather than three.

10. The broadcast was a little rusty as NBCSN takes over the reigns for the remainder of the 2014 Verizon IndyCar Series championship. It was their first race since Barber and they were without their lead commentator. I give them a break. Brian Till was shaky at times. I don't recall him calling an oval race before (I could be wrong) and maybe he needs a little more practice. Till did settle in as the race when on and Townsend Bell and Paul Tracy helped carry the conversation nicely. I am sure they will be on their A-game when Leigh Diffey returns to the booth.

11. IndyCar takes a much needed two weeks off before the Houston doubleheader June 28th and 29th. We are pretty much at the halfway point, the ninth race of eighteen is race one at Houston. Look for thoughts about the first half of 2014 in the coming weeks. Not to forget mentioning previews for next week's 24 Hours of Le Mans and thoughts on many other motorsport series that will be in action.