IndyCar

[Penfold]

Terrible.  What a catalogue of injuries.  Hope the spinal surgery goes/went well.

[Chrill]

Horrible crash. It reminds me much too much of what happened to Kenny Brack some 15 years ago. Luckily, he managed to return to racing if only for a final race. Here's hoping Wickens will soon be fit too.

[Matt]

After surgery, the only real update is that the extent of the spinal injuries are unknown. Based on the other injuries and swelling, especially to his lower legs, they probably cannot tell yet if there is anything that will be long-term. No update has noted if he has feeling or movement in his extremities.

[Matt]

Gateway is an oval and you probably would not see this otherwise, so here is a gif of the save of the year: https://twitter.com/indycar/status/1033535122522472449?s=21

Latest Wickens update is that he is breathing on his own and talking to his family, but that still is not the news that everyone is hoping will come.

[Penfold]

Great catch by Rossi, I'd love to see it at full speed... and an onboard shot as well.  If only I knew roughly what lap it was on so I could jump through the YouTube video.

Some good news about Wickens, but yeah, all waiting to hear how severe his injuries are.

Those Rosenqvist rumours were spot on, the man is off to Ganassi next year: https://www.racefans.net/2018/08/27/formula-e-driver-rosenqvist-joins-ganassi-indycar-team-for-2019/

[Matt]

Full-speed on-board. https://twitter.com/indycar/status/1033533648438480896?s=21

[Penfold]

Nice one.  'Twas a great reaction by Al Rossi.

[Penfold]

This chap called Fernando Alonso is off to Barber today to test the current aero package: https://www.racefans.net/2018/09/05/alonso-to-test-indycar-at-barber-today/

[Penfold]

Phoenix dropped for 2019 after poor attendance, its spot to be filled with a race at COTA: https://www.racefans.net/2018/09/04/2019-indycar-calendar-circuit-of-the-americas-replaces-phoenix-oval/

Takes us down to just five ovals for next year which suits me fine, but what do you think about it?

[Chrill]

Suits Rosenqvist better. Genuine contender on non-ovals, but them round ones are going to be unusual for him.

[Matt]

The ovals have been hit-and-miss this season, while the road courses have all been pretty great. I like road courses, but I like the balance IndyCar has too. Five is fine. Richmond is probably coming back next season, which should be a good oval for them. A short track, which is also fine. Not really interested in any more superspeedways.

[Penfold]

I'm not a huge fan so I haven't watched that much oval racing over the years, but I do prefer the shorter tracks to the superspeedways.  Talking of IndyCar tracks... I see Laguna Seca is back for 2019 in place of cash-strapped Sonoma.

[Matt]

Sonoma is owned by one of the two major race track companies in the U.S., so I?m not sure it is truly cash-strapped. Laguna Seca just would pay more, apparently, and Sonoma did not think two races in the same general region could be successful.

Alonso pleased with Barber test: https://racer.com/2018/09/05/alonso-pleased-with-indycar-barber-test/

Wickens wins ROTY despite missing last four races (including double points at upcoming Sonoma): https://racer.com/2018/09/05/wickens-secures-indycar-rookie-of-the-year-title/

[Matt]

Latest update on Wickens: http://spmindycar.com/2018/09/06/medical-updates-on-robert-wickens/

The spinal injury is still indeterminate. That said, the rest of it seems optimistic, including a focus on rehabilitation and a statement that they will hold the 6 car for him. It seems to me that it is indeterminate because all of his other injuries (the full, massive list is in the link) are preventing them from knowing how much feeling and movement he has everywhere. But I think they would know if he was completely paralyzed by now.

[Penfold]

I would've thought so.  Perhaps it's now a matter of waiting for any swelling around the spinal cord to subside. 

Sonoma is owned by one of the two major race track companies in the U.S., so I'm not sure it is truly cash-strapped. Laguna Seca just would pay more, apparently, and Sonoma did not think two races in the same general region could be successful.

My mistake.  I saw that Sonoma had pulled out/not contested with Laguna Seca for financial reasons and promptly leapt to the wrong conclusion; turns out they've just had enough of losing money when hosting races, plus the issue of proximity to Laguna.