NASBRA - What a Race!

The Nazareth Adult Soap Box Racing Association held its 2nd Annual event on Saturday, and what a great event!

In many ways the event was like Dick Dastardly's Wacky Races, but instead of racing around the world, these cars shot down a hill at (literally) break-neck speed, some with control, some without.

I make the comparison based on the diversity and character of the entries. There was a barrel cut out to serve as a car, a shopping cart, coffin, "Colonel Klink Special" with air siren, a belly-down, face first, hold tight machine, a Miller Lite Bottle Car, what appeared to be a John Deere Tractor deck converted to a car, many specially fabricated cars, a few test rockets (some more successful than others - but engines were not allowed), wings, no wings, I think we saw everything but a bed on wheels (this was a competitive lot afterall).

I intended to attend and missed last year's event, so this year I had to be sure not to miss it. I was not dissapointed.

I brought both daughters and we had a great time. We arrived right about noon and the first heat had already gone off.

We took a position near Green Street below the start/finish line, but my daughter's quickly noted it was a good location because we could not only watch them race down the hill, but we could see them attempt to slow down and come back, not as easy as it sounds.

As we watched the heats come down the hill, we took pictures and marveled at the myriad of cars. Then with a whoosh, a car blew by very much out of control and rolled over going up the hill. At about the same time, the rest of his heat was crossing the finish line. That car was moving and it was now a shambles with a broken wheel. It did get back in, but struggled afterward with new, smaller tires, in the rear and more than a fair amount of damage to the rest of the vehicle.

As I looked, I saw that there were several hundred people up and down the street. It was a great turnout and the crowd was very enthusiastic during each run down the hill.

It was a great crowd, and there was even a community group selling hotdogs and grill food from a tent on the north side of Prospect.

What surprised me most, was seeing Mario Andretti, waving the checkered flag for each heat. It added an almost surreal element to the event. If it were a movie and you saw Mario working the finish line for a soap box derby event, you'd think, "no way", yet there he was. Not only working the flags, but genuinely watching the competition, congratulating people and taking pictures with drivers and their teams/family members afterward.

He was there for the duration of the event and got to see Rob Leiser drive a replica of Mario's 1969 Indy 500 Winning number 2 go to victory lane once again. Rob's car was unbelievable, and untouchable.


Ron Beiler finished second and Matt Rinker came in third.
Many thanks to all the people who helped make this such a great success. The ambulance corp (was needed, but everyone was okay), police, community groups, volunteers, and community members who came out in support of the program.

And most of all the drivers. What a great mix of people, who not only created, but drove these vehicles down a hill that seemed to start so slowly and as the cars made their way down the speed climbed and climbed until they hit the finish, peaked, and began the incline toward Main Street to slow themselves down. I'm not sure what the top speed was, but these gravity driven cars probably hit mid 30s or more. And did I mention they didn't all have breaks?

Marco Re-signs with Andretti-Green Racing

The Morning Call reported earlier this week that Marco Andretti resigned with his father's team Andretti-Green Racing in the Indy Racing League. Today there is a feature story on Marco and what he hopes to accomplish in the 2009 season (read it here).

Good Luck Marco!

Each year at this time I start thinking about a parade. Not one in remembrance, like the traditional Memorial Day Parade, but instead one of celebration. The parade is one I didn't see in 1969 when Mario won the Indy500. I did see pictures of that parade and each May I've hoped that either Mario, Michael, or now Marco would win so we could have another.

Two years ago it seemed like it was going to happen when Michael and Marco were 1st and 2nd with a few laps remaining, but Sam Hornish passed Marco in one of the most exciting finishes in history (read about the Andretti Curse here).

This year Marco returns in his father's AGR car with much more experience at his disposal.

Best wishes to Marco and all the drivers for a safe and memorable Indy 500!

Marco Andretti's web site: http://www.marcoandretti.com/

Honda's page on Marco is here: http://racing.honda.com/drivers/marco-andretti/

An article on Marco, Graham Rahal, and AJ Foyt IV regarding the new generation of drivers with rich lineage: read it here.

Marco Recognized for Italian Heritage

According to an article in the Express-Times, Marco Andretti is being recognized by the National Italian American Hall of Fame as its 2007 Athlete of the Year. The award is based on his 2006 IndyCar series accomplishments, which included becoming the youngest series winner and nearly winning the Indy 500 (read the article here).

Rain Turns Indy into Sprint Race

The rain in Indianapolis before the start of the 500 washed away all the rubber that had built up to give the drivers grip and more ability to drive off the main line. The result was a race filled with one car incidents where a driver got out of line into the marbles and then the wall. The yellow flags kept the cars together and the draft provided for regular lead changes amongst more than a half-dozen drivers representing several teams.

As the race neared the half way point (thereby making it an official race) rain moved in again and drivers' strategy became reduced to a single thought - get out front - now.

Nazareth's Marco Andretti did just that and as the clouds approached the field was under yellow and he was sitting first ahead of teammate Tony Kanaan. On the restart Kanaan used the draft to get by Marco and take the lead just as the rain began and the red flag came out. It seemed as though Marco may have been passed on the last lap for a second year in a row to finish 2nd in the Indy 500. As a matter of fact, Andretti-Green Racing (AGR) was running 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8, with principal Michael Andretti in 8th. It would have been heart-breaking for Marco, but an amazing finish by the team.

When the rain stopped, track drying began and behind the scenes lobbying was being done to call the race and to continue it. Later Tony Kanaan asked if it had been any race other than Indy would they have worked 3 hours to race an extra handful of laps only to call the race again before its completion? There is a 'ground rule' at Indy that they can't race past 8:00 p.m. because of a lack of lighting in the stands and around the track and it was known by all that more rain was on the way.

Racing did resume and each lap was a sprint as another rain storm closed on the Speedway. Andretti's teammate Dario Franchitti made a pit due to a cut tire that ultimately put him out front when other's pit cycles came around just before a downpour, but not before Andretti's machine took a wild ride down the front straight.

In mid-pack due to pit stops both Kanaan and Andretti were working back to the front, but in traffic with a mirror gone, Andretti cut infront of Dan Wheldon clipping tires and Andretti was launched first toward the wall and catch fence then upside down on the front-stretch before catching the infield grass and flipping him back onto all four wheels. A scary ride and one that demonstrated how well safety is considered in the series, for Marco got out and was able to walk away, but finished in the mid-20s.

While the cars circled during the clean-up of Andretti's car the rain came and it was unquestioned that this was the end of a long day at Indy. AGR's Dario Franchitti became only the second Scotsman to ever win the event and the team won its second 500 in three years.

It was a tough end for Marco, but at least he got his chance at victory after the rain delay. For Michael, it seemed he couldn't quite get to the front and strategy to do so was constantly marred by yellows and rain.

Marco will have many more races ahead of him, and so too will Michael, but in the role of team owner and father. The past two Indy 500s have been some of the most exciting in recent years and Marco has proven that he is a tough competitor at the world's best known Speedway. I look forward to watching many more events with Marco in them and can only thank Michael for all the enjoyment and excitement he has provided through the years.

Express-Times Trophies to a few Nazareth Residents

The Express-Times weekly round up of Trophies and Turkeys recognizes a few Nazareth residents on the Trophy side (read it here).

Les Walters received one for his participation in Memorial Day services at Nazareth High School where he recounted his experience as a U.S. Marine at Iwo Jima during World War II.

The Andrettis for Michael's team's qualifying performance and the local representation in the 91st running of the Indianapolis 500 with Marco, Michael, and John (son of Aldo who moved from the area many years ago).

Andretti the Artist

According to an article in the Morning Call (read it here), Mario Andretti has drawn a picture of his Daytona 500 winning car for NASCAR's celebration of the 50th 500 next year.

There will be a fan contest (visit this link to vote beginning Tuesday) to select a celebrity entry to be used on the ticket to the 2008 Daytona 500 and all other entries will be auctioned off to benefit the Jeff Gordon Foundation, which supports children with life threatening illness.

Michael and Marco Entered in Indy 500

The Morning Call reports (read it here) that both Michael and Marco are entered to run in this year's Indy 500.

Given last year's near victory, the pair were 1,2 and 2,1 in the closing laps until Sam Hornish, Jr. in his Penske machine was able to make the last moment pass on Marco for victory, it doesn't come as much of a surprise that Michael is having at it one more time.

Also, in light of the success Marco has had and tests in Formula 1, it would be great to see him be able to win one at Indy before heading over seas (as I hope he has the opportunity to do so).

Marco Readies for Next IRL Season & Future in F1?

Jay Hart of the Morning Call in an article yesterday speculated on Marco's future (read the article here). In it he quotes Mario who said he thought it was in Marco's future, but it is really Marco's place to say not his own.

I previously wrote about Marco receiving a second test this winter in F1 (read it here).

Also yesterday, there was an interview with Marco on Auto Racing Daily (read it here) in which Marco discussed the upcoming season and Andretti-Green's prospects compared to Penske and Ganassi who dominated most of last season.

Several other articles were on the site about Marco, unfortunately 2 of the 3 had broken links, but this one worked: Marco and Danica a Race Promoters Dream in the Detroit Free Press.

Open wheel racing in the United States today is not what it once was in the eyes of the public, but people know the name Andretti and Marco's performance at Indy coupled with his victory at Sonoma, has made him a star in a single season.

His talent seems to be best suited to road and street circuits, F1 has been seeking a good, young American to drive in its series, and if Marco has a good season this year, I hope he is able to get a deal in F1.

It would be good for Marco, F1, and open-wheel racing in the States.