Hey everyone, welcome back to my blog and part three of my IndyCar mid season reviews!
So, as I was writing this blog, my computer, the stupid computer it is decided to die on me.
It likes to do this thing where it will be at 50% battery and just die. Real useful right?
Well, I was on such a roll writing that I didn't ever stop to save what I was writing so I lost my entire blog that was 3/4 of the way done.
Yeah, I'm only a little pissed. It was a freaking amazing blog.
So as I write this I am really annoyed and I really don't want to have to be rewriting this, but I need to so I apologize if this blog sucks and it sounds angry, I can't help it.
Well, lets try this again.
Ed Carpenter Racing
I've always had a soft spot in my heart for ECR, so its really hard for me to be objective when it comes to them
That being said, I wish I could just be singing their praises, but I can't.
I was sure that with Spencer Pigot having a full ride this season they were really going to have some great results.
But it really hasn't turned out that way.
They had an outstanding month of May, but besides that their season thus far has been pretty underwhelming.
Ed Carpenter
Ed had a great month of May, there's no denying that.
He may not have won the race, but he started on the pole for the fourth time and finished second. And considering how and race day has gone for him over the past few years, I think that was exactly what Ed needed.
He finished 7th at Phoenix and made a mistake and crashed at Texas. There really isn't much else to say about Ed.
That being said, his mid season grade is largely based on his performance at Indy. Whether you like it or not Indy has a lot of pull here. Don't argue with me.
Mid season grade: B
Spencer Pigot
Part of my soft spot for the ECR team comes from my continued love and support of the #21 entry over the years.
I was sure that having a full time ride this season that Pigot would have the breakout performance we've all been anxiously awaiting.
Unfortunately that hasn't happened yet.
I didn't think he'd show up and be a star on ovals considering that he hasn't raced on one in two years, but I still expected him to have major successes on the road and street courses.
But lets talk about his oval performances for a second, they've actually surprised me.
I mean I'm not ready to pick him in my fantasy line up on a oval just yet, but he's doing bette than I expected him to.
I mean he could have had a top ten finish at Indy of it wern't for a drive through penalty for a pit speed violation that killed him.
But there is one thing Pigot has showcased this season: consistency.
Pigot has finished 15th four times and 14th once this season.
He's finished every race but one, which was because of no fault of his own.
In the past few races, Pigot's been finishing higher and higher, his highest finish coming this past weekend at Road America.
At this rate I'm willing to bet money that we will see him on a podium any day now.
My prediction is Mid Ohio. Just putting that out there.
Okay, I think I've talked too much about Pigot. I'll stop now.
Mid season grade: C+ (you need to understand that it seriously hurts to give him this grade)
Jordan King
When ECR announced that they had signed Jordan King to drive the #20 on road and street courses I think we all has the same reaction: "who?"
Well, when he showed up at St. Pete, Jordan King made sure we all knew who he was. He brought speed and determination that impressed us all, and it's impressed us all season so far.
Unfortunately, his results fail to reflect his talent and successes (much like Pigot last season).
He's certainly impressed me thats for sure.
Mid season grade: C+
Harding Racing
So far this season, Harding racing has done little to impress me. However, I do find the fact that they have come this far in the season and still are without a title sponsor on their car shocking. But, I think it just goes to show how much Harding wants to be in IndyCar and how much he believes in Gabby Chavez. That is impressive.
Gabby Chavez
I've never really been a Gabby Chavez fan therefore I don't really have much to say about him.
I mean, off the top of my head I can't think of a single thing he's done to impress me this season so..
Mid season grade: D
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
When RLL announced last season that they would be adding a second car to their team I thought they were going to be a force to be reckoned with this season. Especially considering the speed they showed in preseason testing.
Unfortunately, they've done just the opposite. They've just kind of fell into the background, which is rather disappointing.
I mean you'd think putting Graham Rahal and Takuma Sato together would be a winning combination, but now I'm not so sure.
Takuma Sato
I've never been a Sato fan and I never will be. But since he won the Indy 500, I've learned to respect him. So none of what I'm going to say is being said of of distaste for him.
Sato just simply hasn't been preforming this season.
He's been inconsistent.
I mean at Detroit he finished 5th in race one and then 17th in race two.
His best finish came only this weekend at Road America with 4th.
But besides that what has Sato done this season?
He's not preforming like an Indy 500 champion should be.
He better step up his game if he wants to be back with RLL next year..
Mid season grade: C-
Graham Rahal
Okay, so here's the thing: I wouldn't call myself a Graham Rahal fan, but he was my #1 pick to win the championship this season.
I picked him over Rossi and Newgarden and he's letting me down!
No, Rahal hasn't had a bad season per say, but it hasn't been outstanding.
We're halfway through the season and he has yet to score a win.
I think what's really been holding him back is his inability this season to qualify well.
Okay Graham, we know you can slice and dice your way through the feild, but you don't need to do it every race!
Just imagine what he could have been able to accomplish if he wasn't always coming from the back.
His finishes have been consistent, and early in the season I thought he still had championship potential, but halfway thought the season I don't think its going to happen any more.
The competition for the championship is tougher this year than ever.
Unless Graham can score a handful of wins in the reminder of the season, I don't think he's going to be wining that championship this year.
Mid season grade: B-
Well, thats all I've got for you today!
Come back next time for part four!
xxkaitlyn
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