9/17/07

Hello again after a short absence! (Actually, not THAT short.)

Since my last ITG, I’ve been to Monterey and Pebble Beach, California for the world famous Historic Races and Concours D’Elegance where I taped a new series for ESPN2 which will be debuting this fall, shot at the fabulous Russo and Steele Classic Car Auction. But that was only the beginning of my latest junket since immediately following my duties in California; I literally flew directly to Belgium and Holland for two consecutive races in the Champ Car World Series which were seen on ESPN Classic.

And so, I missed Indy. Bummer.

It was an even bigger bummer to learn John had missed the field and that Robert just missed picking up the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals trophy, breaking in the final against Mike Ashley. So it was with great eagerness and anticipation that I traveled to Memphis this past weekend to continue my media training with Ashley and Robert and spend some time catching up with John and Laurie. Unfortunately, it won’t be a weekend that JFR will take many pleasant memories from.

I guess the high point of the weekend was Ashley nearly picking up her first No. 1 qualifying slot until the very last session when Robert stole it away. I saw both Ashley and Robert back in the JFR pits after qualifying had ended and unlike so many other teams in the sport, there were absolutely no hard feelings or resentments between Ashley and Robert following the last-minute flip-flop. And that’s just one more indication of the great operation John has built in an era when finding the proper team chemistry and maintaining it is harder and harder to find.

Of course, everyone was still talking about Ashley’s appearance on The Tonight Show the previous Monday and how relaxed, humorous, and vivacious she was when interviewed by Jay Leno (who grew up not far from my hometown in the Boston area). I’d love to be able to take some credit for Ashley’s incredible composure and poise while appearing on one of America’s most popular TV shows and point to the media skills training I’ve been providing her this year, but in all truth, she’s got an incredible amount of natural presence and personality already. She’s well on her way to the highest levels of success in any field of endeavor she devotes herself to and my media program is only putting a bit more polish on what is clearly the complete package.

Meanwhile, John has got some catching up to do in the Countdown. His second-round loss to Jack Beckman on Sunday really hurt. I spoke to Austin back in the Castrol Technology Center later in the day and he said John’s car dropped a cylinder during the run and that basically gave Beckman all the advantage he needed. John is now 39 points out of the fourth and final spot in the Countdown to Four and 118 points behind Robert who leads the Countdown points.

We’ve already been through the wringer as John fought his way into the Countdown earlier this year when it appeared he might miss it and now, into the Countdown to Four, John has a DNQ and a second-round loss with two races to go before the Countdown to One. Prepare to hold your breath in Dallas in a few days…..

I’ll be on the premises at the Texas Motorplex next week when engines fire and the Countdown continues so as usual, I’ll share my thoughts right here, In the Groove, following the race.

Until then, buckle up, drive safely, and give the other guy a break!