Kansas- Back to reality

Following a week of breathless DanicaMania*, the IndyCar series decided to actually race this weekend in Kansas. Snark aside, it is back to cruel reality for the former Champ Car teams, as the first practice shows:

(C)hassis: D=Dallara, P=Panoz (E)ngine: H=Honda (T)ire: F=Firestone
Kansas Speedway - 1.52 mile(s)
Results of Session (Practice 1) - IndyCar Series
April 26, 2008
Road Runner Turbo Indy 300
18 34 Camara, Jaime D/H/F 00:26.0790 209.824 24 52
19 24 Howard, Jay D/H/F 00:26.0815 209.804 81 86
20 8 Power, Will D/H/F 00:26.0851 209.775 16 58
17 15 Rice, Buddy D/H/F 00:26.0276 210.238 12 46
14 02 Wilson, Justin D/H/F 00:25.9841 210.590 61 64
15 14 Manning, Darren D/H/F 00:25.9934 210.515 38 53
16 2 Foyt IV, AJ D/H/F 00:26.0033 210.435 18 57
25 06 Rahal, Graham D/H/F 00:26.1945 208.899 46 66
26 18 Junqueira, Bruno D/H/F 00:26.2471 208.480 59 64
27 19 Moraes, Mario D/H/F 00:26.7638 204.455 11 13
24 23 Duno, Milka D/H/F 00:26.1925 208.915 38 73
21 36 Bernoldi, Enrique D/H/F 00:26.0933 209.709 35 51
22 5 Servia, Oriol D/H/F 00:26.1189 209.503 30 51
23 26 Andretti, Marco D/H/F 00:26.1879 208.951 14 20
4 4 Meira, Vitor D/H/F 00:25.7882 212.190 19 58
5 7 Patrick, Danica D/H/F 00:25.8159 211.962 18 42
6 6 Briscoe, Ryan D/H/F 00:25.8450 211.724 57 66
1 10 Wheldon, Dan D/H/F 00:25.5989 213.759 8 64
2 9 Dixon, Scott D/H/F 00:25.6180 213.600 47 57
3 27 Mutoh, Hideki D/H/F 00:25.7126 212.814 42 45
7 11 Kanaan, Tony D/H/F 00:25.8638 211.570 8 10
11 17 Hunter-Reay, Ryan D/H/F 00:25.9255 211.066 54 56
12 25 Roth, Marty D/H/F 00:25.9257 211.065 51 55
13 33 Viso, Ernesto D/H/F 00:25.9433 210.922 51 57
8 12 Scheckter, Tomas D/H/F 00:25.8660 211.552 27 54
9 3 Castroneves, Helio D/H/F 00:25.8918 211.341 23 53
10 20 Carpenter, Ed D/H/F 00:25.8966 211.302 39 83
Rank

Yes, somehow the order got screwed up. Here's the full PDF. As you see, EJ Viso is the closest CC competitor, a full 3 MPH off Wheldon, in 13th. Mario Moraes suffered a crash as well, and might not see the green flag tomorrow (due to a lack of parts).

The simple fact is this: The CC teams are well behind on the ovals. For one, the teams haven't run on many ovals in quite some time. Two, with the exception of Oriol Servia, there is virtually NO oval experience among the CC regulars (this will be Rahal's first). Finally, the ICS regulars have worked with these machines since '03. They know every engineering trick available to optimize the car's performance on the high-speed 1.5 mi. ovals. Teams like NHL, KV, etc. have had their cars for about 50 days.

Given time, this will work out. Now, though, its ugly.

*Speaking of DanicaMania, THIS from Jayski:

Danica Patrick talked to Roush Fenway recently: Officials from Roush Fenway Racing "had a conversation" with IndyCar driver Danica Patrick as recently as two weeks ago when the Sprint Cup Series was in Phoenix for the Subway Fresh Fit 500. And while Jack Roush, the founder and co-owner of the organization, said that he was not part of the conversation, he also said Friday from Talladega Superspeedway that he believes Patrick has an interest in eventually pursuing a future that would include at least some stock-car racing. He even offered to lay out a program for her indoctrination into NASCAR. "I think Danica, from what I understand, has got an interest in stock-car racing," Roush said. "Any sponsor, any team owner that felt the need to have more of a diverse situation in their driving lineup would look at Danica very favorably."

Ok, Danica (can I call you Dani? Kidding), can I give you some advice? Have you paid attention to the career arcs of Sam Hornish, Dario Franchitti, and even Juan Montoya? Outside of modest success from JPM, there's a whole bunch of futility goin' on there. And I won't even mention A.J. Allmendinger (though as I type, he's on the front row at Talladega). Going from one discipline to the other, in either direction, is no easy task.

Furthermore, you'd simply be a small fish (of the Freak Show variety- not meant as an insult, just reality) in a large ocean in NASCAR. Staying in IndyCar, improving your craft, and maybe even competing for wins at Indianapolis would have the potential to cement a legacy and being one part of bringing the sport back to respectability.

Most of all, win a bunch in ICS, win a title, and maybe a 500 before you seriously think its time to jump.