2017 IndyCar Driver Reviews: Part 1

Hey ya’ll!

Welcome back to my blog!

For the next four weeks, I’m going to be writing my 2017 IndyCar driver reviews.

As you might recall I wrote mid-season reviews, but I thought some post season reviews that allow me to reflect back on each driver’s entire season were necessary.

So, let’s just get right down to it.

Mikhail Aleshin

The fact that Mikhail Aleshin was no longer driving the #7 car for SPM at the end of the season I think says a lot about how the first half of his season went..

In the 12 starts he did get he only managed to wrangle up three top ten finishes.

And as I’m trying to write this review my mind has gone blank.

So, I did some research to try and refresh my memories of Aleshin this season and I realized why I was blanking: because Aleshin had just that: an unmemorable season.

I can’t think of a great drive, or any aggressive passes.

Last year he showed a lot of potential, I think this season left us wondering where it all went.

I think it’s safe to bet that we will not see Aleshin back in IndyCar in 2018..

Mid term grade: C

Final grade: D

Marco Andretti

With Michael Andretti stepping out of Marco’s pit box this year I think we were all hoping for a change in Marco’s results.

I’d say we got part way there.

This season was defiantly an improvement for Marco from previous years.

He finished 12th in the championship with 1 top 5 and 5 top 10 finishes.

No, Marco didn’t have a stellar season.

There are not bug things from his season that stand out in my mind, but I think he’s finally starting to put it all together again.

He’s been fast in practices and the occasional qualifying session (I mean, he made the fast 9 at Indy, that’s something), but he does seam to still have an Andretti curse that follows him that keeps him from being outstanding.

For his sake, I hope he can break the curse.

I’d really like to see him succeed.

But overall, I think this season was a good season for Marco.

He didn’t crash a lot and he didn’t though a lot of fits.

Midterm grade: D

Final grade: C

Sebastian Bourdais

Sebastian Bourdais had eight starts this season.

And in those eight starts he managed 1 win, 2 top 5, and 5 top 10 finishes.

For someone who was in a serious crash at the beginning of the season and was able to come back and race at the end of the season and do WELL, I’d say that’s pretty freaking impressive.

I mean common.

I don’t really think I need to say much more than good job, Seb.

Midterm grade: B+

Final Grade: A

Ed Carpenter

Man, if there is someone in the paddock that I feel the sorriest for I think it would be Ed Carpenter.

I think he had the absolute worst luck this season.

We all know the guy can race and I think we all have a soft spot for Ed Carpenter (well, at least I do) so it’s hard to see such a hardworking, determined, passionate guy who loves IndyCar get the short end of the stick at every track he went to.

In his six starts he managed only one top ten finish.

Yes, he had some great saves.

When he actually was driving it was pretty great.

He was one of the top running Chevy’s at Indy.

But, he doesn’t have anything for show for it, but one measly 7th place finish at phoenix.

As much as I love Ed, I think he just needs to start running Indy only and run two full time cars (bring back JR).

Midterm grade: C

Final Grade: C+ (he gets the “+” for signing Spencer Pigot full time)

Helio Castroneves

Helio Castroneves is 42 years old and he still races like he’s 26.

If there is one phrase that I think summarizes Helio’s 2017 season it would be just that.

One win, three poles (should be 4), 16 top ten, and 9 top 5 finishes and he finished 4th in the championship.

Besides his one crash at Texas, I’d say he drove a nearly perfect season.

He was competitive as essentially every track he went to, he drove hard, he drove smart, he showed everyone that he was going to give it everything he had because this might be the last chance he has to give it.

He drove his best this season.

Anyone who watched him can see just that.

I hope we get to see it another year.

Mid term grade: A-

Final Grade: A

Gabby Chavez

I have to admit, I’m not really a Gabby Chaves fan. I never have been.

So, I honestly don’t really want to write about him.

However, in the few races he’s raced this season he’s actually done okay.

And, he will probably be back full time next year so I’m trying to just accept the inevitable.

Because I’m not a fan I don’t pay that close of attention to Chavez when he did race this season, but everyone seemed to be pretty impressed.

In his three starts he did mange 2 top 10 and a top 5 so I can see what they are getting at.

I guess we will see how next season turns out and maybe I will have more to say about Gabby Chaves.

Final Grade: C

Well, that’s all for today folks.

I hope you enjoyed this. If not, well, then that’s too bad.

Also, if you didn’t notice already, I’m a pretty easy grader.

Give me a break okay, I love all these drivers and think they deserve good grades and besides, I’m a kindergarten teacher, I’d give a kid a sticker for just writing the first letter of their name.

xxkaitlyn

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