Race fans should feel privileged that other race car drivers from around the world have the respect for this form of racing and want to race this specific event, even if it means missing their sport’s own crown jewel event. Because what’s so special about it if nobody wants to race it?
This is a one race deal. It’s not about running a full season. While yes, this puts Stefan Wilson out of a seat for Indy this year, he is young and will have plenty of other opportunities to get behind the wheel of an IndyCar, including for next year’s 500 with Andretti Autosport.
He is not missing ROP and it is not a marketing ploy. Stefan will race with us next year at the 500. https://t.co/sr7SW2xEyp
— Michael Andretti (@michaelandretti) April 18, 2017
For that matter, I applaud Stefan for giving up his seat for the good of Indy car racing and the publicity that Alonso’s appearance will bring to the 500.
Even if it wasn’t Alonso — say it were Danica Patrick or Tony Stewart in the same seat — Wilson would still be in the same position in the end, likely.
And as far as whether Alonso can be competitive in the race, just look at last year’s shock winner, Alexander Rossi. He was a virtual nobody before last year who struggled to make a name for himself in Formula 1. He came to the United States, partnered with Andretti Autosport and Bryan Herta and won the 100th Indianapolis 500. Since then, he has shown great improvement and is on early pace to best his points finish from last season.
An even more comparable counterpart for Alonso is Nigel Mansell, another Formula One champion who came overseas to give it a go in American open-wheel racing. Look well how it turned out for him.
Mansell went from winning the F1 championship in 1992 to abandoning his post as defending champion in order to race in CART in 1993 (which included ovals). He won the title that year at age 40, five years older than what Alonso is right now.
So let it be shown for the record: it can be done.
Unless you have a crystal ball, nobody knows how Alonso will run in the race until the race actually happens, but past results for first timers at the Brickyard over the last quarter-century are quite promising.
So what that Alonso is running the Indianapolis 500? The fact that he’s running the race is exactly what.
My point is, this isn’t about “selling tickets” or “drawing some eyeballs on race day,” but it’s about a driver wanting to race in the Indianapolis 500.
Alonso is a driver who wants to try something else, explore a new form of motorsport and have fun doing it. As my colleague Jacob Seelman said last week, he’s a racer’s racer who has respect for the competition, respect for the track and respect for the event that he’ll compete in next month.
That’s a respect that should be given in return, no matter who’s on the outside looking in.
The opinions expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Race Chaser Online, the Performance Motorsports Network, Scorpion Radio Group, their sponsors or other contributors.
About the Writer
Rence Brown is Race Chaser Online’s West Coast-based correspondent, who currently resides in California and carries a deep passion for NASCAR, but is a follower of multiple forms of auto racing across multiple disciplines. He will say how he feels and will call it like he sees it and isn’t afraid of criticism.
Email Rence at: [email protected]
Follow on Twitter: @RenceTheFence
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