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Tuesday, March 13
Championship chase wide open
By Robin Miller
Special to ESPN.com
The Indy Racing League opens for business Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway, and, now in its sixth season, Tony George's all-oval series finally has what can be termed a big-league schedule with 13 races at 12 tracks.
It's got title sponsor, Northern Light, returning for a second season, four night races on ESPN, the fastest female racer in the country and a member of the famous Mears Gang joining the show.
It's also got Michael Andretti, Arie Luyendyk, Team Penske and Chip Ganassi's team coming to the Indianapolis 500.
What the IRL doesn't have for 2001 is a clear-cut favorite. Sure, the $1 million championship payoff will be between the few teams with history, money and/or sponsors -- Kelley Racing, Panther Racing, Galles Racing, Team Menard, Hemelgarn Racing or Team Cheever.
But no combination appears to have an edge, which is perfect for Las Vegas and for yours truly to set an odds chart.
Buddy Lazier (4 to 1) -- Defending champ's team remains in tact from 2000 and, until proven otherwise, Lazier still rules.
Sam Hornish (4 to 1) -- How can you make a second-year driver one of the favorites? Because he's fast, smart and hungry.
Eddie Cheever (5 to 1) -- Older, grayer and occasionally wiser, Cheever's hopes ride with one of two Nissan engines on the circuit. And the Infiniti came on strong in 2000.
Al Unser Jr. (5 to 1) -- Junior was downright racy a couple times in 2000. Does he have the drive to do it 13 times?
Greg Ray (6 to 1) -- Nobody drives harder and no team spends more money. Last year was a disaster, so they need some results to keep owner John Menard interested.
Scott Sharp (6 to 1) -- Contract years always have interesting results and Sharp needs some job security.
Airton Dare (7 to 1) -- Had several great runs in 2000 foiled by mechanical failures. If this team is up to speed, this kid can win some races.
Eliseo Salazar (8 to 1) -- The oldest driver (45) in the series has had a rebirth with A.J. Foyt, who is only running one car this year.
Mark Dismore (9 to 1) -- Still gasses it but needs better management. Hiring veteran Tim Bumps as team leader might turn things around.
Robbie Buhl (10 to 1) -- Steady and heady, longer schedule might be a blessing for Buhl, who's powered by the other Nissan.
Sarah Fisher (12 to 1) -- Showed plenty of savvy as a rookie and she's the real deal. Just needs more miles.
Stefan Gregoire (15 to 1) -- Usually quick and luckless, Gregoire just found out his major sponsor has bailed.
Jeff Ward (15 to 1) -- New teams usually struggle, but this group has some history together and Ward is long overdue for his first win.
Buzz Calkins (20 to 1) -- The first co-champ hasn't been back to Victory Lane since the IRL debuted and inconsistency seems to haunt this team.
Davey Hamilton (20 to 1) -- Only driver to start every IRL event, Hamilton hooked up at last minute with Sam Schmidt's new team and they have done no testing.
Indy Lights Grads (25 to 1) -- Casey Mears, Didier Andre and Felipe Giaffone showed their capabilities in CART's feeder series and all three are now IRL rookies. Mears takes after his uncle Rick on ovals but may not have a ride past Indy because of financial reasons, while the other two seem more at home on road courses (which the IRL doesn't run).
Shigeaki Hattori (500 to 1) -- Lost his license in CART for being too slow but adapted nicely to IRL's lower horsepower and big downforce. But let's not get too excited.
The field (1,000,000 to 1) -- Billy Boat, Robby McGehee and Jeret Schroeder have talent, just no guarantee they'll have a ride for more than a few races. Stan Wattles and rookie Brandon Erwin also come with this bet. And the forgotten guys without rides like Jacques Lazier and Donnie Beechler.
Optional action:
A.J. Meltdown (Even money) -- Foyt will either verbally abuse a tire engineer, crew member, motor man or physically harm a computer. Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories
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