IndyCar Series: Extra Points From Infineon

Nothing too groundbreaking to discuss at the moment, but there are a few random thoughts from the weekend at Sonoma.

That's race winner Will Power receiving his award for the Pole Position, along with the congratulations of a lovely representative from Fluid Film.

Fluid Film is a product of the Eureka Chemical Company based in San Francisco. This year marked the first of a two-year deal to sponsor the IndyCar pole award at Infineon Raceway. Their product is a "unique solvent-free rust preventative and lubricant", and I recently saw it available at a mid-western auto parts store.

The big shot journalists bring you news about the high-end sponsorships in the sport, but I didn't see a word about Fluid Film's participation. Perhaps we can all show our appreciation—join me in buying a can, won't you?

As for other IndyCar journalists, the only one worth reading is Pressdog. I bet he doesn't score any free swag either. Pressdog's work is always entertaining and insightful, and is written from the uncomplicated perspective of a true auto racing fan.

Reviewing the race broadcast from Infineon, he raised a notion that many of us may disagree with. That's OK, we're allowed to be wrong once in a while.

Pressdog pointed out that Danica Patrick gets almost no airtime on the Versus broadcasts anymore. We can all scoff at the over-hyped coverage Patrick has received in the past, but she has fans. Real fans, in real numbers.

We should all hope that the Danica fans are still tuning in to watch IndyCar races, and they should get at least a little of what they are hoping for. With a little less help from Taku next time.

Same for the Boy Scouts, who might have tuned in to follow the fortunes of Alex Lloyd. A tenth place finish in this competitive field is not a small achievement, particularly when you start 22nd on the grid. It was another good piece of work this weekend at Infineon`by Alex Lloyd and Dale Coyne Racing.

Lloyd is locked in a close battle with his nearest rival for Rookie of the Year, Simona De Silvestro. Simona gets all the coverage she deserves; she is a great talent, a wonderful person, and a rising star. IndyCar will be fortunate to keep her now that the rumors of interest from Formula One have surfaced.

For the remainder of 2010, we can hope that Dario has enough for Will Power to make the championship fight a good one. Back in the pack, the battles will be no less entertaining.

Maybe some of the good stuff doesn't make it onto Versus. I've been watching the races on IndyCar.com. Give it a try if you haven't checked it out yet; there is no fee, and only a brief registration form to complete. The selective in-car camera shots are great feature, particularly when action at the front becomes predictable. 

I'm not big on guessing games, so I'll leave predictions to others while we wait for some significant pictures to develop. The 2011 schedule is due to be announced at the end of August, or at least the majority of it. That's about the same time that full engine and chassis specifications for 2012 should be published, and for Randy Bernard to visit European auto manufacturers to show them his papers.

Following that, Mr. Bernard has promised to lay out his marketing plan for the future of Indycar on September 15th. So there is a lot going on, even though some of the best stories aren't being covered by the lead pack or showing up on camera.

And far from here, on a desolate patch of ground, there is a workshop. A narrow band of light escapes from beneath the locked door, along with the occasional rumble of a new heart as it begins to beat. What's he building in there?

Hopefully, that story will give us something else to talk about. It's the kind of story I'd love to help write, and would gladly leave this keyboard and everything else to join in. With a wrench in one hand, and a fresh can of Fluid Film in the other.