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2 Dec 2004, 18:25 (Ref:1170096)
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#1 | ||
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Veteran
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 7,263
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Wheldon '05 champion?
Dan Wheldon is confident he can win the Indy Racing League title next season after coming close this year.
The Englishman was a serious challenger all year but finished runner-up to his Andretti Green team-mate Tony Kanaan. "I would have liked to have won the championship and that's something I'm going to work very hard next year. "For my first full season in the IRL, I think it's been pretty productive. I feel I've perfomed very well". (taken from BBC) I really hope Dan wins the championship, but this championship is so competetive that it could be anyone. Last edited by luke; 2 Dec 2004 at 18:27. |
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The thrill from west hill |
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2 Dec 2004, 21:09 (Ref:1170233)
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Veteran
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 8,125
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What kind of an engine contract does Team Penske have?
He's been known to switch manufacturers at the drop of a hat. Given the right powerplant, the team can be tough to beat. |
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__________________
Don't make a fuss, just get on the bus! |
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2 Dec 2004, 21:13 (Ref:1170242)
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#3 | |
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Registered User
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,661
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Penske will be with Toyota again.
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4 Dec 2004, 14:50 (Ref:1170623)
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,376
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If Toyota can get their engines back-up to the speed of the Honda's, then next year should be very interesting.
The Honda side has a very strong line-up of drivers, where all of the AGR guys will be competitive, and Rice and Fernandez will be in the hunt, and if Meira gets better on the short tracks, he could be there to. On the Toyota side, Helio and Sam will again lead the way. Does Dixon still have it? I think Manning will beat him. I think the Cheever boys will be much improved, and a team to be reckoned with in 05. With an improved Toyota, they could be in the hunt to. So, as much as I like Wheldon, if Toyota gets competitive, he will have his hands full! |
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"I don't feel insecure about 'being girlie'. I do as much media as I can because I want this IRL series to be so kick-butt that NASCAR goes, 'Huh?'" Danica Patrick |
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4 Dec 2004, 15:07 (Ref:1170643)
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#5 | |
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If we can get to the final round with several drivers in the title hunt, that would be mouth-watering.
I think 2004 was the best season of the IRL IndyCars to date, but 2005 has SO MUCH promise. |
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4 Dec 2004, 15:52 (Ref:1170685)
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Veteran
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 7,263
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Indeed, 2004 was a great season, 2005 has a lot of promise, I wonder how Dario and Manning will do, I hope Hornish wins the title though.
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__________________
The thrill from west hill |
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4 Dec 2004, 17:48 (Ref:1170768)
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#7 | ||
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Veteran
Join Date: Sep 2001
Posts: 13,000
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I think Toyota theoretically had a stronger line-up of drivers in 2004, so it was something of a shame that Honda dominated in terms of engiens. Although the racing was excellent, i think it all made Rice, Wheldon and Fernandez look better than they are. If the engiens are more equal, I'd expect Penske and Ganassi to be up there with AGR and Rahal. Although Dan is improving, I think he's teamed with one of the world's best oval drivers in Kanaan, and it'd be tough to beat him outright.
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5 Dec 2004, 01:07 (Ref:1170963)
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Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 693
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So Luke, which one do you hope wins the title, Hornish or Weldon? Personally I'd like to see Patrick Carpentier win the championship, but I don't believe that'll happen unless Cheever's team improves dramatically.
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When asked facetiously if he knew he’d ruined a good story line by beating Patrick, Wheldon responded bluntly, “Don’t care one bit.” |
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8 Dec 2004, 19:38 (Ref:1174625)
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20KPINAL
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 29,853
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Can't see past Kanaan for the 2005 title. He's just so damn reliable and rakes in big points all the time.
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8 Dec 2004, 20:21 (Ref:1174686)
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Veteran
Join Date: Aug 2004
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Quote:
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__________________
The thrill from west hill |
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8 Dec 2004, 22:49 (Ref:1174817)
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Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,677
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Hornish looks like a reject rockstar .... but a good driver though .....
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10 Dec 2004, 13:36 (Ref:1176164)
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Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,512
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Hornish is the best IMO, but without a competitiver engine ,...
If Toyota confirm the late 2004 progress, well, my money on him. |
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You got to learn how to fall, before you learn to fly P.Simon |
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10 Dec 2004, 14:50 (Ref:1176222)
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#13 | |
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,550
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I'd say Hornish, Castroneves, Rice, Fernandez and Kanaan all have a better chance than Dan, but if Honda still have the best engine he should take a few wins and a top 5 championship placing. As he's a Brit, a promising young talent, and a great spokesman and supporter of the IRL (he's not simply there because he can't get an F1 drive), he'd be a great champion, but it's tough to beat someone like Tony as team-mate
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__________________
"Stacy's mom has got it going on, she's all I want, and I've waited so long. Stacy can't you see, you're just not the girl for me, I know it might be wrong but I'm in love with Stacy's mom" |
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10 Dec 2004, 15:55 (Ref:1176274)
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#14 | ||
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Veteran
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 7,263
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Don't get me wrong Tony was a worthy champion, but he was lucky reliability wise, else Dan and Buddy would still have been in the title chase.
Hornish and Castroneves would also have been up there if it wasn't for Toyota's lack of horses, but this was 2004, I expect Ferandez and Franchitti to shine. |
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__________________
The thrill from west hill |
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10 Dec 2004, 19:55 (Ref:1176482)
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#15 | |
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Registered User
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Buddy had a few crashes, which was nothing to do with luck.
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