TERRE HAUTE —
Who says one of those familiar bright fluorescent-colored Menards race cars can’t find its way to victory lane at Indianapolis?
Paul Menard’s well-executed and popular win Sunday at the Brickyard couldn’t have come at a better time for the 400 or on the strength of a more deserving effort.
Menard’s stunning win will never rank up there with those of Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt or Tony Stewart but it will rate among the most popular with the fans.
Since his arrival on the national racing scene, the 30-year-old Menard has had to deal with a maligned rich-boy image, something that is hard to shake at any level of racing but even more so among a working-class NASCAR fan base.
While it was nice to see Menard revel in his 400 win, among long-time Speedway fans it was even more rewarding to see his father John in victory lane at Indianapolis.
After a countless number of years, man hours and dollars spent trying to win at the Speedway during the month of May, it is rather ironic that John Menard’s first win came in August with a stock car.
Such are the unpredictable and storybook ways of big-league auto racing at Indianapolis.
The younger Menard’s win might be labeled as an upset by some, but those who have followed his career in recent years know the Wisconsin driver has elevated his driving talents.
He is now a legitimate contender to win in the Sprint Cup series.
His move to the highly successful Richard Childress operation over the winter turned his fortunes from also ran to frontrunner status almost out the blocks starting back at Daytona.
The way Menard mastered those pressure-packed closing laps signals that he has indeed earned the right to be called Sprint Cup winner.
The popular win and nail-biting finish couldn’t have come at better time for Speedway officials who worked feverishly to help breathe new life in the sagging fortunes of the 400.
The event still has a way to go to shake its follow-the-leader reputation, but days like last Sunday will keep the fans coming back. After all it is Indy.
• Looking ahead — Now that the Brickyard and surrounding events are in the record books it’s time to look forward and speculate on what lies ahead for Brickyard weekend in 2012.
IMS officials have already announced plans for Super Weekend 2012 featuring the 400, Nationwide series and Grand-Am Road Racing next July.
Sounds great for the Speedway but where does this leave the folks over at Lucas Oil Raceway?
With their critical comments, several high-profile NASCAR car owners did little to diffuse the frustrations or offer any measure of consolation for the those disappointed with the changes.
Several openly welcomed the changes citing how they and their sponsors would benefit from the moves. Little if any of the concerns or wishes of LOR fans ever addressed.
It’s painfully obvious that a weekend of USAC midgets, Silver Crown and ARCA stock car racing will not be close to filling the void left with the departure of the NASCAR Camping World Truck and Nationwide stock events.
Soon after the announcement that NASCAR was moving the Nationwide race to the Speedway and that the trucks would not appear at LOR in 2012 track general manager Wes Collier conceded that the Nite Before the 500 would now be the oval’s main event.
Good news for the midgets but not exactly a vote of confidence for the future of oval-track racing at the 5/8-mile paved oval.
On the plus side, comes the announcement that sports cars would be returning to IMS. That’s welcome news down the road for area road racing buffs who must now travel considerable distance to view their favorite form of racing.
Joe Buckles can be reached at jbuckles4@frontier.com.
Sports
TRACKSIDE: Menard's victory at Brickyard momentous for family, race fans
- Sports
-
Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis Defense: West Vigo second baseman Lucas Fagg fields a ground ball for an out in the Vikings semi-final sectional baseball game with Edgewood.
-
West Vigo advances to sectional championship with walk-off win in ninth
High school baseball sectional games between West Vigo and Edgewood have had a tendency to be unpredictable over the years, but the Vikings and Mustangs outdid themselves in that area Thursday evening — and Thursday night.
-
Wichita State shuts out ISU to force elimination-game rematch
Indiana State starting pitcher Greg Kuhlman did his best.
Actually, he did far better than he ever has previously in an ISU uniform, but while Kuhlman’s gutty pitching effort spoke volumes, ISU’s bats remained ominously silent. -
BOYS TRACK REGIONAL: North gets three winners, South two at Evansville
Terre Haute North had three winners, Terre Haute South two, and the Patriots and Braves finished second and third respectively at the Evansville Regional for boys track on Thursday at Evansville Central.
Hurdlers Cam Stewart and Cole Seward and discus thrower Lee Davis were the winners for North, enabling the Patriots to finish with 60 points to 59 for the Braves. -
Looking for Indy breakthrough, Kanaan enjoying role as team mentor
Ask any IZOD IndyCar series champion and he’d say he would gladly give up that championship to win one Indianapolis 500.
-
South Vermillion pitches team to sectional title, wins for her dad
South Vermillion snapped one streak and extended another Thursday night to win Class 3A Sectional 28 8-5 over Brown County at Edgewood High School.
-
RAMBLIN' RECK: Sunday promises to be big day in Indy
Sunday promises to be a super day in Indianapolis.
It’s the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500 followed by Indiana vs. Miami in the third game of the National Basketball Association playoffs. -
Luck having fun with his first OTAs
A year ago, quarterback Andrew Luck was unable to attend the Indianapolis Colts’ organized team activity practices due to school commitments at Stanford.
Luck, though, went on to have a stellar year for the Colts despite the lack of summer work with the team. Still, in a sense, he is a rookie during this year’s OTA workouts.
“These are my first OTAs. I missed these last year, so I think it’s great. It’s great to get on the field with the defense and trouble-shoot some stuff. Obviously, some of us ran some of this stuff [offense] at Stanford [under new offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton]. But to get out there with the defense and trouble-shoot some stuff is good,” Luck said Wednesday as the team wrapped up its first week of on-field voluntary practice sessions. -
North baseball pulls away from South in sectional opener
In high school baseball little things mean a lot, and the crack in the door doesn’t have to be open very wide.
Terre Haute North burst through that crack in the bottom of the second inning Wednesday evening at Terre Haute South, scoring seven two-out runs and going on to a surprisingly easy 12-2 victory over the host Braves. -
Blank, Mundy named McMillan Award winners
Posing side-by-side for photos following Terre Haute North High School’s Senior Awards ceremony, seniors Calvin Blank and Chanli Mundy couldn’t look more different.
-
Indiana State baseball now one win from MVC Championship
Indiana State’s Wednesday morning wish list probably read something like this: a dominant complete game effort from starting pitcher Devin Moore, near-immaculate defense to support him, and a steady diet of clutch situational hitting from lineup spots one to nine.
-
West Vigo advances to sectional championship with walk-off win in ninth
- Local Interest
-
-
METRO ROUNDUP: Rose-Hulman's Evans honored as Great Lakes' top athlete
Rose-Hulman senior Liz Evans earned her fifth career NCAA Division III Great Lakes Region Field Athlete of the Year honor, according to results released Wednesday by the U.S. Cross Country and Track and Field Coaches Association.
-
Terry enjoys strong year with Wildcats, and still enjoying suiting up to play
South Vermillion’s Tim Terry is the longest tenured coach in Wabash Valley high school baseball as his Wildcats are set to begin sectional play Thursday against Owen Valley.
But on the Yankees, a 35-and-over team in the Terre Haute Men’s Senior Baseball League, Terry is “just a youngster” if you ask Larry Roesch, his 68-year-old teammate on the Volkers Group Yankees. -
Softball sectionals up for grabs
All three Vigo County high schools and Northview appear to have a realistic chance of winning sectional championships in softball this week.
-
Indiana State baseball series canceled
Heavy rain from Thursday through Saturday has forced Indiana State and Tennessee Martin to cancel their three-game weekend baseball series in northwest Tennessee.
-
METRO ROUNDUP: Rose-Hulman baseball to play DePauw on Thursday after Tuesday's rain
The Rose-Hulman baseball team has rescheduled its non-conference game with DePauw to Thursday night.
The start time remains 7 p.m. for the single nine-inning game that was originally scheduled for today. Tuesday’s scheduled Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference game at Anderson was moved to Sunday because of rain.
-
METRO ROUNDUP: Rose-Hulman's Evans honored as Great Lakes' top athlete
- High School
-
-
West Vigo advances to sectional championship with walk-off win in ninth
High school baseball sectional games between West Vigo and Edgewood have had a tendency to be unpredictable over the years, but the Vikings and Mustangs outdid themselves in that area Thursday evening — and Thursday night.
- BOYS TRACK REGIONAL: North gets three winners, South two at Evansville
- PREP ROUNDUP: Martinsville adavances in Class 4A THS Sectional
- South Vermillion pitches team to sectional title, wins for her dad
- Green's grand slam helps Shakamak to sectional win
-
- College
-
-
Wichita State shuts out ISU to force elimination-game rematch
Indiana State starting pitcher Greg Kuhlman did his best.
Actually, he did far better than he ever has previously in an ISU uniform, but while Kuhlman’s gutty pitching effort spoke volumes, ISU’s bats remained ominously silent. -
Indiana State baseball now one win from MVC Championship
Indiana State’s Wednesday morning wish list probably read something like this: a dominant complete game effort from starting pitcher Devin Moore, near-immaculate defense to support him, and a steady diet of clutch situational hitting from lineup spots one to nine.
-
Terre Haute's Mascari running 10,000 meters for chance to get to Hayward Field
Indiana State freshman and Terre Haute North graduate John Mascari is among the enormous group of Sycamores competing this weekend at the NCAA East Preliminary. The top 48 NCAA track and field competitors in each event on this half of the United States are narrowed down to 12 who will compete at the NCAA meet at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.
-
Manaea's shoulder causing him latest pain
Indiana State pitcher Sean Manaea has battled through so many aches and pains during the 2013 season that it can be hard to discern the serious pain from the pain he pitches through.
-
ISU's Negele answers call in big way in wake of Manaea injury
When Indiana State starting pitcher Sean Manaea slumped on the mound in obvious pain after he took his warm-up pitches, red flags raised for ISU’s Missouri Valley Conference tournament hopes.
-
Wichita State shuts out ISU to force elimination-game rematch
- Sports Columns
-
-
RAMBLIN' RECK: Sunday promises to be big day in Indy
Sunday promises to be a super day in Indianapolis.
It’s the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500 followed by Indiana vs. Miami in the third game of the National Basketball Association playoffs. - TRACKSIDE: Local drivers, owners looking to have strong night at Tony Hulman Classic
- Shooters compete to fight cancer
- TILL IT'S OVER: Terre Haute Triathlon's new race director seeks more events for his hometown
- TODD GOLDEN: Don't give up on ISU baseball just yet
-
RAMBLIN' RECK: Sunday promises to be big day in Indy
- Pro Sports
-
-
Luck having fun with his first OTAs
A year ago, quarterback Andrew Luck was unable to attend the Indianapolis Colts’ organized team activity practices due to school commitments at Stanford.
Luck, though, went on to have a stellar year for the Colts despite the lack of summer work with the team. Still, in a sense, he is a rookie during this year’s OTA workouts.
“These are my first OTAs. I missed these last year, so I think it’s great. It’s great to get on the field with the defense and trouble-shoot some stuff. Obviously, some of us ran some of this stuff [offense] at Stanford [under new offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton]. But to get out there with the defense and trouble-shoot some stuff is good,” Luck said Wednesday as the team wrapped up its first week of on-field voluntary practice sessions. - Colts hoping for more high marks on draft picks
- Colts in wait-and-see mode for tonight’s NFL draft
- Colts sign Matt Hasselbeck to back up Luck
- Colts introduce free-agent signees
-
Luck having fun with his first OTAs
- Terre Haute Rex
-
Consultation: Rex manager Brian Dorsett talks with his pitcher and players during a time-out Sunday, July 15, at Sycamore Field. (Tribune-Star file/Bob Poynter)
-
2012 an up, down season for Rex
The Terre Haute Rex went through plenty of trials and tribulations during the summer of 2012.
The team got off to a sluggish start to settle for third place during the first half of the Prospect League race, but manager Brian Dorsett rallied the troops to a second-half title. - Metro Roundup: Dorsett, Rex players honored in Prospect League postseason awards
- Rex out of playoffs
- Rex mix, match their way to win
- Rex turn eye to Prospect playoffs
-
2012 an up, down season for Rex
- Colts
-
-
Luck having fun with his first OTAs
A year ago, quarterback Andrew Luck was unable to attend the Indianapolis Colts’ organized team activity practices due to school commitments at Stanford.
Luck, though, went on to have a stellar year for the Colts despite the lack of summer work with the team. Still, in a sense, he is a rookie during this year’s OTA workouts.
“These are my first OTAs. I missed these last year, so I think it’s great. It’s great to get on the field with the defense and trouble-shoot some stuff. Obviously, some of us ran some of this stuff [offense] at Stanford [under new offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton]. But to get out there with the defense and trouble-shoot some stuff is good,” Luck said Wednesday as the team wrapped up its first week of on-field voluntary practice sessions. - Colts' coordinators enjoying getting rookies acclimated
- Werner, 36 others open Colts’ mini camp
- Colts hoping for more high marks on draft picks
- Werner at top of game
-
Luck having fun with his first OTAs
- Auto Racing
-
-
Looking for Indy breakthrough, Kanaan enjoying role as team mentor
Ask any IZOD IndyCar series champion and he’d say he would gladly give up that championship to win one Indianapolis 500.
- TRACKSIDE: Local drivers, owners looking to have strong night at Tony Hulman Classic
- Carpenter arrives as Indy 500 threat
- Carpenter wins Indy 500 pole
- TRACKSIDE: Rain still a pain for Wabash Valley racing organizers
-
Looking for Indy breakthrough, Kanaan enjoying role as team mentor
Howard on Gordie Howe visit
Kindl nets first career playoff goal in win
Pacers putting Game 1 heartbreak behind them
Wade, LeBron ready for Pacers in Game 2
BASE jumper rides snowmobile off cliff to honor dead friend
George: I slipped up
LeBron, Wade on OT win
Hill responds after Game 1 loss to Heat
Vogel: We've got to play better
Spoelstra: Welcome to the Eastern Conference Finals
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Coach's quick call saves Moore football team
Sergio Garcia issues an apology to Tiger Woods
Sergio Garcia makes insensitive remark about Tiger Woods
Athletes come to aid of Oklahoma tornado victims
Tiger Woods on his relationship with Sergio Garcia
NBA Draft: Top 5 Prospects
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
