BC @ Indy
 

I'm sure that is a big paycheck for qualifying for the 500. But, is it possible to be successful in the race when he only drives the car one week a year?

Re: BC @ Indy
 

If you qualify youve succeded

The 500 is the pinnacle of open wheel racing in the US. Making the field is success, I'm sure completing 500 miles would be icing on the cake.

Re: BC @ Indy
 

Tell that to Vogler, Bettenhausen... Back in the day!!!

Re: BC @ Indy
 

BC to me is as competitive as Kinser, Vogler, Gaines etc in my mind as He's always coming and if he doesn't win, You worked your ass off to beat him. BC also finished top five at Daytona in a Xfinity car. Something that used to be common among top tier racers.

Yeah I bet it's hard to go out there and run 227 especially when 25 of them have been doing it for years and multiple races a year.

Let them come to BC's Playground, Doesn't matter, NW, Wing, Sprint, Midget, Champ, 600 If two of them could finish on the same lap in a 25 lapper, I'd be surprised.

Go BC! I sure wish they'd let you run more and get more feel in traffic both being passed and passing, But Congrats on being in the 100th Indy 500

Re: BC @ Indy
 

It's possible. Townsend Bell is a good example. This is usually one of the only Indy races he runs, he's on the second row and has to be one of the favorites to win. Bryan Clauson could be like Townsend. The biggest thing he needs is LAPS. The more the better. I thought it was very cool what Eddie Cheever said during BC's qualification attempt. He talked about how he is already a big star at dirt tracks around the country and how he reminds him of Tony, when Tony first came to the track. He went on to say that the race would be a lot better off, if there were more guys like Bryan Clauson in the field.

Jerry

I appreciate the legitimate answer! Didn't know that Townsend wasn't a full-timer.

Re: BC @ Indy
 

I don't think BC does anything for a participation ribbon. All good drivers are after the blue ribbon.

Re: BC @ Indy
 

I wish BC could at least be running all of the oval races. He needs the seat time. That said, Townsend does a great job! C'mon sponsors, pony up!!!! Heck, send him to Skippy's and get him on the road courses too. Jeff and Tony became great road racers, BC could too!

Re: BC @ Indy
 

James Hinchcliffe,
Should be talked about also,
Near death to the pole. Talk about guts.
I don't like pavement races but have to say theres nothing in the world like the 500. The only thing I would change would be to hire more American drivers.

Re: BC @ Indy
 

There are a lot more American drivers in this years race than there has been in a long time. And Yes a lot of the drivers in this race are the best in their particular trade in the world! :22:

Re: BC @ Indy
 

You want more American drivers yet you talk about the Canadian Hinchcliffe.

There are 14 USA drivers in the field this year.

.

"USAC Racing" would look pretty good down the side of a full-time BC ride. Bet that never happens.

Re: BC @ Indy
 

Full time ride? Probably 20 million plus????? Half them teams including Penske, Andretti don't have a full ticket sponsor.


I never claim to know all the facts but USAC is what got him his shot in the first place with its road to indy overal champion. I think I remember a check picture with BC of at least 300k not once, But twice.. The first time they used it to get some Indy Lights races, The second to get a ride with Fisher Hartman for the 500, Jonathan Byrds, American Cancer Centers and BC's other sponsors have helped with last year and this and Byrds is committed to giving future shots with the Midget challenge this year.

I for one am glad Byrds and others come forward. This is a time where sponsoring has to have meaning behind it and not just some millionaires with extra money to spend.

Thanks Sponsors!
I take it back, BC and family earned his shot, USAC and others provided the path.

Re: BC @ Indy
 

Last I heard for full-time season sponsorship was $5 million. So maybe six nowadays. Greg Beck the last year he ran full-time was doing it for $3 million and that was bare bones. $20 million is outrageous. Even when CART was insane money the insane money was something like $12 million.

To be frank and honest, if USAC had $5 million it'd be better spent on their own series.

Good luck to Clauson, hope he sees the checkered flag.

Re: BC @ Indy
 

I'M not arguing, just discussing. . , Tires? If Napcar is 20K+ a weekend Whats it for two weeks with tires twice the size? Half Million dollar hauler, 50k pit box. A engineer, couple mechanics and a pit crew. Travel expenses

I just read a USA today article on Lazier's last year attempt and it was close to one mill for INDY ALONE.by the time they got all the support equipment crew and stuff together and he was the one car that didn't make the race.

Yeah, I remember some old Cart numbers as being 12 to 15 million. I also had a former sprint driver tell me that he could have mortgaged his house and got a 500 ride when IRL started. At that time Open Wheel Mag was quoting WoO schedule to be over a million to run.

Just numbers I can't fathom, But doing the whole series. WOW

Re: BC @ Indy
 

:22:B.C. for president !!!!!!...

By the way, does Bryan have a " nickname" as other greats have tags ?

Re: BC @ Indy
 

Didn't say I didn't like the international flavor. I get grandfathered in however, I'm pretty old and I remember when all most all the drivers were American.
I'm from the good ole USA and I like when American companies hire American workers.

"The Bullet" has been Bryan's nickname for as long as I can remember

Re: BC @ Indy
 

Scott Harrington did mortgage his house to run the 500.

Also, comparing NASCAR to Indycar. NASCAR has double the races, with the exception of the Indy and Pocono 500s they're longer races, and maybe double to triple the number of individual chassis per entry. In Indycar they're not allowed to have a backup car with an engine installed in the garage area to cut down costs.

Re: BC @ Indy
 

it ain't 20 million for a full season in IndyCar

Re: BC @ Indy
 

If you don't think this kid can't be successful at the Indy 500. Well I guess you don't know him very well. BC has a chance to win every time he straps himself in a racecar. I for one will be rooting for him to win this Sunday. He's a great racecar driver and has the goods to pull it off. :):6::32:

Thanks for all of the clichés scottyCbus. I gotta wonder what the he// is wrong with people. I never said he didn't have a chance. I never said he needed 20 million. For the love of God people can't you just engage in a friendly chat about a driver that we are all cheering for? Next time I will just ask my 15 year old kid. Then I won't be surprised by the wise ass answers.

Re: BC @ Indy
 

it's a difficult undertaking to be sure. and yes, it's difficult but not impossible to be successful running just the Indy 500.

the challenge has been 3 Indy 500's, 3 teams, 3 aerokits. continuity would be a very good thing, and we hope to achieve it.

Re: BC @ Indy
 

This place is just like any other place you're going to go. Or like the World in general. There's a lot of good out there, but you have to filter out a lot of BS to get to the good.:)

Jerry