The first event of the season, the Toyota 300, at Homestead-Miami was a very exciting race. Maybe it was because we hadn't seen the IndyCars fly around the track in a few months, but regardless, it was a refreshing change to a dull boring winter. With the IndyCars taking to the track again, spring is only the flutter of a bird's wing away. I just wish that bird's wing would flutter a little faster!
Seeing Dan Wheldon take the win wasn't much of a surprise, he handled his racer with the same professional attitude as he did last season, and started out the 2005 campaign as one of the drivers who would be challenging Tony Kanaan for the championship.
The exciting finish wasn't really a surprise either, we have become accustomed to seeing these photo type finishes in IRL competition. There were mixed feelings (and probably still are) concerning the way Kanaan blocked the field for his teammate, not allowing any cars to pass him in order to challenge the leader. All one can say at this juncture on that subject is "That's Racing." There isn't much one can do about it. If the IRL officials thought Kanaan was doing something wrong during the end of the event, they would have called him on it, and we all know that they didn't.
Following Wheldon across the finish line in the top ten were Sam Hornish Jr., Tony Kanaan, Vitor Meria, Helio Castroneves, Darren Manning, Patrick Carpentier, Alex Barron, A.J. Foyt Jr., and Paul Dana. The top ten drivers of the first race are also the top ten in driver's points. The top ten starters and how they finished:
- Tomas Scheckter -- #4 Chevy -- finished 11th
- Vitor Meria -- #17 Honda -- finished 4th
- Tomas Enge -- #2 Chevy -- finished 19th
- Buddy Rice -- #15 Honda -- finished 18th
- Dario Franchitti -- #27 Honda -- finished 18th
- Scott Sharp -- #8 Honda -- finished 13th
- Helio Castroneves -- #3 Toyota -- finished 5th
- Sam Hornish Jr. -- #6 Toyota -- finished 2nd
- Danica Patrick* -- #16 Honda -- finished 15th
- Roger Yasukawa -- #24 Honda -- finished 17th
The unfortunate wreck that took place a little over two thirds of the way into the event took out eight racers, and sent rookie Danica Patrick to the hospital for evaluation of a concussion. She whacked the wall really hard, which more than likely knocked her unconscious before her crippled burning racecar spun helplessly into the infield area. She was definitely in a daze as she sat in the burning car without making any effort to get out of it. As the Delphi safety personnel led her to the awaiting medical assistance, it was evident from her aimless wandering, that her bell had been rung really hard. It remains to be seen whether the rookie driver will be allowed to compete in the next event after receiving a severe concussion of that magnitude.
Go To Page: 1 2
