2004 Laguna Seca Thoughts
RACE: Broke the unfortunate pattern of the pole sitter leading the whole race with little or no passing. A classic road race in the best sense of those words.
TRACK: Promotions seemed thin, but the track itself remains in great shape with last year’s improvements providing an upscale alternative.
CARPENTIER: First it was Rahal, then Herta, and now Patrick is the King of the Corkscrew. Or, is that King of the 'Screw?
JUNQUEIRA: Luck comes and goes. The Lady is loving Bruno lately, and you have to wonder how long it’s going to last. But, this was a solid drive and not an undeserved second.
SERVIA: Try to find another driver who has done more with less of everything. A well deserved podium.
COYNE: Dale, that's called a podium. That's where drivers stand when they finish in the top three. Yes, that's why your driver is up there spraying champagne.
JOURDAIN: A great finish to a day that could have been disappointing for the team, rescued by a savvy veteran and a little luck.
TAGLIANI: A surprisingly quiet weekend for Tag.
HABERFELD: Finished more laps than just about anyone – it’s hard not to respect someone who’s so diligent.
BOURDAIS: No come from behind win this week, but a much better finish than expected. His luck has gone bad lately, but this is something that will absolutely change. How soon is the question?
SMITH: That's better, Guy, but would prefer Memo. Sorry.
TRACY: Should have been a surgeon...
LAVIN: If you can't beat them, drive through them. If you can't drive through them, shove them off the track.
MAZZACANE: Someone please tell us that Gaston at least drove a Big Wheel when he was kid. Someone. Please.
ALLMENDINGER: Complete honesty from a racecar driver. How refreshing!
PHILIPPE: "I've earned my spot in the Champ Car World Series." Wrecking that Lola Daddy bought him. Every week.
VASSER: Bet that pipe and slippers are looking mighty good now.
WILSON: A real driver's track, and this former F1 driver didn't do so hot.
START: By far the worse of the year.
WORD OF THE WEEKEND: Cuts.
STAT OF THE WEEKEND: Call Sebastien Bourdais the pole man. The first since Juan Montoya in 2000 to claim four poles in a row, the first since Cristiano da Matta to win seven poles in a year, and is in a position to break Danny Sullivan's 1988 CART/OWRS record of nine in a season.
HISTORICAL STAT OF THE WEEKEND: This was the second shortest race at Laguna Seca. The 2001 event ran 76 laps, shortened from its original 83 laps due to a time limit. Max Papis won.
QUOTE OF THE WEEKEND: Ryan Hunter-Reay on the IRL’s takeover of the St. Pete street race, "Oh, it’s a mistake to let those cars turn right."
QUOTE OF THE WEEKEND RUNNERUP: Tommy Kendall on Justin Wilson getting knocked out on the first lap, "You might want to call that euthanasia."
SCHEDULE: Las Vegas. There is so much running through our heads, we don't know what to make of this event. For once, we're not going to say anything, and just wait two weeks.
Copyright © 2004 by Deep Throttle. All Rights Reserved.
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