Lap 80 of yesterdays Indianapolis 500 brought back some very stark fears rooted in an incident that took the life of Dan Wheldon last October.
As Will Power and Mike Conway collided in the short chute between turns 1 and 2, I couldn't help but cringe as Conway's vehicle became airborne and Power's vehicle slid underneath the now sailing Conway.
Conway's vehicle climbed the catch fence, driver side to the fence, and my heart nearly stopped; Oh no, was this going to get ugly? It was very reminiscent of Wheldon's fatal event to me and I feared the worst. Thankfully the worst did not happen despite the fact that Conway's vehicle traveled past at least 2 or 3 of those head smashing posts holding that catch fence in place.
I've heard a lot of "purists" pooh-poohing" the redesigned body, chassis, and engine of the Indycar vehicles for oval tracks, but to my observations the redesigns helped deliver not only one of the most nail biting races in recent history at Indianapolis, but among the safest despite the collisions.
On the last lap as Dario Franchitti and Sato jockeyed for position into the turn and made contact down low in the corner, I cringed again. In previous races I have seen that exact scenario result in airborne disasters as the wheels climbed onto one another and allowed the airflow to get beneath the vehicles. But thankfully it did not happen. Instead Sato lost grip and spun off into the wall; more as a result of his getting off the track surface across the white line as well as a poorly chosen tactic due to inexperience.
Sato, Conway, and Powers all survived their incidents and likely woke up no more sore than one of us after a day of schlepping 25 yards of mulch onto our homes landscaping.
It is far too early in the Indycar season to declare failure or victory surrounding the redesign of the oval track cars. But from a laymen's view I saw a lot of good things come out of that redesign yesterday afternoon in Indianapolis. A day in which the city and racing fans and drivers alike recognized Dan Wheldon and his family. A day in which tribute was duly paid. And in true Wheldon fashion he once again delivered in a subtle yet unique way, though it may have been hardly noticed by the average racing fan. Wheldon participated in the redesign effort prior to his passing and the design acknowledges that fact within the prefix of its number: "DW-"
I'd say Dan saved a life or two yesterday. And a review of the photos 84 through 93 at the following link show it. . . http://www.indystar.com/article/20120527/SPORTS0101/205270385/-b-Bob-Kravitz-b-Takuma-Sato-s-move-brave-stupid-courageous-irresponsible (http://www.indystar.com/article/20120527/SPORTS0101/205270385/-b-Bob-Kravitz-b-Takuma-Sato-s-move-brave-stupid-courageous-irresponsible)