Podcast
More Front Wing
Hosted by More Front Wing · EN
Get a grip on INDYCAR news and views!
10episodes
Episodes
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MFW podcast episode 112: The annual balcony podcast
Jul 18, 201402:02:27Tap to summarizeConsider this More Front Wing episode to be surrounded by caution tape. It’s our annual Toronto balcony podcast! We sort of meander through Pocono, and Iowa, and a preview for Toronto, but it’s all very random. This is unedited, unscripted, and unaided for the most part, except for a couple of pre-printed box scores that Paul mostly used as a coaster. The audio quality is probably horrible. It’s two freaking hours long. It needs a language warning. Steph’s husband, Jacob Black of Autos.ca, drops in for a visit after his rugby practice. This is as unplugged as we get, and because we had such great feedback from our podcast in this format last year, we decided to do it again. We’ll probably be hurting a little in the morning, but we do it all for you, IndyCar’s most awesome fans. If you stick around for the whole thing, shoot us an email. You probably deserve a trophy. To listen, use the player below or search for More Front Wing on iTunes.
Transcribe →MFW podcast episode 111: Houston wrap-up
Jul 2, 201401:12:26Tap to summarizeOn this week’s episode of the More Front Wing podcast, Paul and Steph look back at what was a wild and crazy weekend at the Shell and Pennzoil Grand Prix of Houston. Among the topics of discussion are a heated debate on the merits of the penalty and subsequent probation of Marco Andretti following his failure to yield to leader Takuma Sato during Saturday’s race, a discussion about the difficult season that has befallen Tony Kanaan, an analysis of the Takuma Sato/Mikhail Aleshin and Helio Castroneves/Sebatien Bourdais incidents, the resurgent weekend of Juan Pablo Montoya, and much more. To listen, use the player below or search More Front Wing on iTunes. document.createElement('audio'); http://morefrontwing.com/uploads/NoNoShutUp.mp3
Transcribe →MFW podcast episode 110 with James Hinchcliffe and Sebastien Bourdais
Jun 25, 201401:00:30Tap to summarizeOn this week’s More Front Wing podcast, we’re fortunate to hear from two Verizon IndyCar Series drivers who visited Toronto for the Honda Indy Toronto preview event earlier this week, James Hinchcliffe and Sebastien Bourdais. Both spent some time with MFW co-editor Steph Wallcraft reviewing the Verizon IndyCar Series events at Detroit and Texas Motor Speedway — in particular, Hinchcliffe noted that he enjoys tire disparity somewhat like we witnessed at Detroit, and Bourdais indicated that he expects the penalty from his incident with Justin Wilson to be rescinded — and looked ahead to the immense challenges the entire field will face as they take to the streets of NRG Park in Houston. In between, MFW co-editors Steph Wallcraft and Paul Dalbey discuss and summarize some of the key points from the Detroit and TMS events as brought up by those two interviews and offer up a preview of the Shell and Pennzoil Grand Prix of Houston, including a look at the changes to the track setup intended to improve safety and a discussion of the weekend’s position on the Verizon IndyCar Series schedule. To listen, use the player below or search for More Front Wing on iTunes.
Transcribe →MFW podcast episode 109 with guest Townsend Bell
Jun 11, 201401:18:49Tap to summarizeOn this week’s More Front Wing podcast we’re pleased to welcome Townsend Bell, who shares his thoughts on the world of IndyCar from both the perspectives of a driver and an analyst. He catches us up on his very eventful day at the 2014 Indianapolis 500, including being a part of the controversial incident involving James Hinchcliffe and Ed Carpenter as well as some other, less evident moments of note that contributed to his challenging race. He also reviews the Firestone 600 at Texas Motor Speedway having sat in the booth for the NBC Sports Network broadcast and looks at the tire degradation issues, the success of Ed Carpenter, Will Power’s tendency to shoot himself in the foot, and many other insights. On top of that, More Front Wing’s Paul Dalbey, Steph Wallcraft, and John Lingle analyze the Firestone 600 from the perspectives of being both live on site and on the couch at home and get into some very animated debate about the viability of the formula and the style of racing in general as it relates to the rest of IndyCar’s schedule. We cap that off with a discussion of who struggled and who prevailed and the impact that can be expected to have on the championship battle as we approach the halfway point in the 2014 Verizon IndyCar Series season. To listen, use the player below or search for More Front Wing on iTunes.
Transcribe →MFW podcast episode 108: Indianapolis 500 wrap-up
May 29, 201400:59:20Tap to summarizeThis week’s More Front Wing podcast, Paul and John look back on an incredible 98th running of the Indianapolis 500 with flag-to-flag analysis of the biggest stories from the race. We cover the long green flag run to open the races, the controversial incident between Ed Carpenter and James Hinchcliffe, the decision by Race Control to red flag the event with nine laps to go, and the legendary shoot-out to the checkers between Ryan Hunter-Reay and Helio Castronves. We also discuss the Rookie of the Years battle and much, much more! Finally, we catch up some INDYCAR news and notes and look forward to this weekends Chevrolet Duels in Detroit, where site co-editor Steph Wallcraft will be on site for all the action throughout the weekend! To listen, use the player below or search for More Front Wing on iTunes. (We apologize for the slight technical glitches we experienced while recording the podcast and hope that you are still able to enjoy all of John’s valuable commentary throughout the entire show.)
Transcribe →Bobby Unser: IMS needs to stop tinkering with tradition
May 24, 201400:36:36Tap to summarizeIn the seven decades the Unser family has been represented at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, few people have been as outspoken on as many topics as Bobby Unser. Uncle Bobby, a three-time winner of the 500 in three different decades, has never been one to mince words or shy away from telling his side of the story without reservation. Recently, Bobby sat down with More Front Wing to discuss myriad topics regarding the Indianapolis 500 and Indy car racing in general. Immediately, his disappointment with the current state of the Indianapolis 500 became apparent. Starting with the new qualification procedures, Bobby opines, “I can’t imagine how they could have made it any worse. What is [INDYCAR President of Competition and Operations] Derrick [Walker] doing? It can’t come from [Hulman & Company CEO] Mark Miles. It damn sure doesn’t come from [IMS President] Doug [Boles]. There’s only one guy next. And [INDYCAR VP of Competition] Brian Barnhart. There’s the two guys that are an issue. Both of them should be smarter than this. “I am so disappointed in [Derrick Walker] right now I cannot believe it. He’s the one – and he may have had someone come from above him that really forced him into this stuff – but he’s getting the blame for it regardless.” In Unser’s mind, the qualifying changes are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the problems INDYCAR is facing. Most painful for the long-time racing veteran is the loss of many of the most cherished traditions of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “You’ve got to stop changing the traditions,” says Unser. “It’s all they have anymore.” As to why Indy car racing has been on the decline, Unser shares a belief held by many long-time race fans and laments the era of spec-car racing. “They did their studies,” he says. “They found out the fans don’t like spec cars. They want a car to be different. And NASCAR did studies and they found out the same thing. They don’t like spec cars in NASCAR, and they don’t like spec cars here. But [Indy Racing League Founder and former IMS President] Tony George did, so he did contracts and did it for some ungodly amount of years. Unser also had some pointed words about where Danica Patrick may have found her open-wheel racing success. “Brian Barnhart says, ‘I’m gonna make it to where everybody runs the same speed, and I’m going to put the cars close together,’” he says. “It’s a suicide deal and not fun for the spectators. I mean, a pretty girl became famous because she could draft in the pack. I’m not knocking her or trying to raise her up. She can’t hack it. She ain’t gonna win in NASCAR. She wouldn’t win over here if you got rid of the pack racing and the spec cars.” However, in spite of the current issues troubling Indy car racing today, Bobby still believes the ship can be turned around. To his mind, the key is allowing open specifications and requiring drivers to be more involved in actually driving the car. “Every computer ought to be gone,” he says. “Get the computers out of here. Get them out of the pits. No more guys standing around looking at a computer, talking to the engine. I mean, get them gone! Let’s go back and do racing. Take the automatic shifts out. Take the automatic clutches out. Get rid of all that stuff.” Furthermore, Unser believes opening the specifications to all manufacturers will bring money and credibility back to the IndyCar Series. “Any engine manufacturer, if it’s 158 cubic inches, it’s the rules. Not that you have to have six cylinders, or two, or eight, or twelve. None of that. It’s open. Chevy wants to run. Toyota, Honda, whoever wants to run. Bring them over from England. I don’t care where you’re from. It’s an open deal. It creates money. It creates sponsors. It creates a reason to be again.” Bobby Unser spoke to More Front Wing on many more topics ranging from the drivers of his era to Kurt Busch to USAC’s current position of national relevance. For the full audio of the interview, click on the player below.
Transcribe →MFW podcast episode 107 featuring Simon Pagenaud and Jacques Villeneuve
May 21, 201401:04:23Tap to summarizeThis week’s More Front Wing podcast is jam-packed from start to finish! MFW co-editors Steph Wallcraft and Paul Dalbey are joined by George Phillips of OilPressure.com to compare impressions of qualifying weekend for the Indianapolis 500 (which George begins with a rant about that most hot-button of topics: tenderloins!). We also hear some great insights from two of the drivers who will start in the 98th running of the Indianapolis 500. Simon Pagenaud spoke on the revised qualifying format, how things are going within Schmidt Peterson Motorsports and with his new teammate, Mikhail Aleshin, and shared a deeply personal glimpse into the connection he feels with the legendary Ayrton Senna and how it compelled him to honor Senna by wearing a commemorative helmet this weekend that will allow him to carry Ayrton to one more checkered flag. Jacques Villeneuve offered some very frank insight into how much things have changed and have stayed the same since he last visited the Brickyard 19 years ago, including sharing some upsides and downsides to the differences in the cars from then and now. He shared some of the teams strategy in their approach to the month, addressed whether his age will be a factor in his success on Sunday, and talked about having a sense of coming home to open-wheel racing. And, finally, we pit Paul and George head to head in the annual MFW Indy 500 trivia showdown and find out who will get to claim the title of 2014 champion and hold it over the other’s head for the coming year! To listen, use the player below or search for More Front Wing on iTunes.
Transcribe →MFW episode 106 with Pippa Mann
May 16, 201400:53:25Tap to summarizeOn this week’s More Front Wing podcast, we’re very pleased to be joined by Pippa Mann as she discusses her Indianapolis 500 program with Dale Coyne Racing in partnership with Susan G. Komen. Pippa shares the details of how the program came about, what its goals are, how people can donate to the cause, and how her Month of May has gone to this point. Be sure to visit RaceWithPippa.com to learn more and use the #PippaGoesPink hashtag to join the social media conversation. In addition, Paul and Steph review several aspects of the inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis, an event each attended live but saw from very different perspectives. The subject of Ford’s apparent lack of interest in returning to IndyCar racing also came up, as did the performance of Kurt Busch at IMS thus far in the month and a preview of some of the events fan can look forward to as we prepare for the 98th running of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. To listen, use the player below or search for More Front Wing on iTunes.
Transcribe →MFW podcast episode 105 with Zach Veach
May 1, 201400:58:31Tap to summarizeOn this week’s More Front Wing podcast we catch up with Zach Veach of Andretti Autosport, who has won two races so far in his 2014 Indy Lights campaign and looks set to be a full-season title contender. Zach gave us his very candid opinions on a number of topics, including: A budding rivalry with his friend Gabby Chaves of Belardi Auto Racing His thoughts on teammate Matthew Brabham, who dominated in last year’s Pro Mazda season, not yet being in the mix at the front in Indy Lights Seeing 2013 Indy Lights champion Sage Karam partnering with Chip Ganassi Racing Teams and what it means for the Road to Indy What the Dallara IL-15 needs to accomplish to best serve aspiring IndyCar racers How he feels about the Indy Lights double-headers on road courses Also this week, MFW Co-editors Steph Wallcraft and Paul Dalbey and Contributor John Lingle review the major talking points from the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama — such as Will Power’s error and Ryan Hunter-Reay’s redemption, what the key may have been to Marco Andretti’s podium performance, the severity of the penalty served by Helio Castroneves for pitting in the wrong box, the ongoing concerns on the consistency of the officiating, and much more — before looking at the results of the all-skate road course test to prepare for the inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis and taking a further glimpse down the road into the oval portion of the Month of May and what might be in store for the 2014 Indianapolis 500. To listen, use the player below or search for More Front Wing on iTunes.
Transcribe →MFW podcast episode 104: Long Beach review
Apr 24, 201401:06:47Tap to summarizeIn this week’s More Front Wing podcast, Co-editors Steph Wallcraft and Paul Dalbey take a deep dive into the 2014 edition of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. We look at Mike Conway’s impressive win in only his second outing with Ed Carpenter Racing (and with a broken front wing to boot!), the fallout from the incident between Ryan Hunter-Reay and Josef Newgarden (and several other drivers), the confusion around the new hands-off approach in Race Control, the impressive performances by this season’s rookies, and much more. We also look ahead and make some predictions going into this weekend’s Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama. (Not Indiana. We promise.) To listen, use the player below or search for More Front Wing on iTunes.
Transcribe →