FLASH!!! World Doesn't End - Obama Intends To Blame Bush And Conservatives For The Failure, Yet Indy Continues To Endure
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Whew! We dodged another bullet. Now we can go back to paying attention to important stuff like the debt ceiling; job growth, taxes, a non-existent Federal budget, The Ryan Plan, The Gang of 6,5,4,3..., the Pelosi Healthcare Pole Dance, terrorists operating in the US, oil prices, the alternative energy shell game, the emergence of union thuggery, ethical subversion of the media, the killing of Ronald McDonald, the Panda FUBAR, and making sure that Obama gets a chance to throw another former US ally in the wood-chipper. But, before all of that, the most important issue to be concerned with now is completing the month of May successfully.
Regardless of the neutered nature of the Indianapolis 500 Race itself, The Speedway's annual spring fete' continues to be pure Americana, and it should be. Where else, do we have a chance to see numerous high school bands parade along Indiana's most famous straightaway, or hear Jim Nabors sing "Back Home In Indiana." Corny though they may be, these elements set Indy apart from other motorsports events, and if nothing else, ranks right next to professional baseball as a culturally important component of the American psyche.
In its centennial year, Indy's fans have been treated to a host of events displaying our country's gestalt focused through the lens of the Speedway ranging from its history, tradition, technical innovation, human achievement, and management of risk that ultimately lead to winning something of import, regardless of a participant's scale or economic standing. Given this morning's on-track results, it appears these same cultural events have been translated to the racetrack, as the early qualifying session delivered a host of surprising and impressive performances by drivers and teams that shouldn't have been at the top of the charts.
For example, consider perennial rent-a-rider Sam Schmidt Motorsports taking P1 and P5, whereas Penske Racing was barely able to keep Will Power in the same universe. How about Sarah Fisher Racing's shoestring operation qualifying P6, or Herta Autosport and Dan Weldon qualifying P4. Previously big stories have been marginalized, and small stories have emerged to become big, which just goes to show that Indy is still Indy, and if one is willing to persist in the face of loads of conventional wisdom propped up with deep pockets, one can still win in America on "Any Sunday."
I have been a regular critic of The Speedway, IndyCar and its management since 1996. But I have to admit, that even with the challenges posed by the organization's business retrenchment, along with today's economy, the folks in Indianapolis are exhibiting new energy and commitment to its crown jewel, along with its subordinate open-wheel series. Although the beans haven't been counted, and with a successful Memorial Day event and a long IndyCar season to complete yet, its still good to experience some positive news coming out of an American endeavor for a change.
