Round 3: Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, 15th-17th April.

[rwintle]

Some thoughts:

Graham Rahal also commented in his post-race interview about the downforce and how the original DW12 was a better car to race. Interesting to hear that echoed by Power.

Chip Ganassi was very diplomatic about the penalty, although I'm sure his tongue was firmly in his cheek when he said he was going to talk to the stewards and that he "might learn something".

I'm convinced, based on watching other pit exits, that had Pagenaud gone that extra foot or whatever before turning in, he would have lost the lead. But of course we'll never know. I tend to agree with PT on this one - if there's a rule, enforce it. They could simply have told him to surrender the place to Dixon, which would maybe have seemed cruel, but a lot less so than, say, a drive through.

Otherwise - pretty terrible coverage. No replay or discussion of the contact on lap 1 that sent bodywork flying. Coverage of RHR under pressure, then yapping about something else *while RHR was passed by two cars in the background*. Never discussed. Etc., etc., etc.

So - conclusions? I dunno. It was a race. I do agree with various drivers who all said that it would be better if a bit longer to force a three-stopper and get rid of all the fuel saving. I like Pagenaud but I still don't feel that win should have been his. Ah well. IndyCar will IndyCar, I suppose.