The Milwaukee Mile, race number five this IRL season, gives the season lead to race winner Scott Dixon, his second win since Kansas. As ever,Scott dominates ovals and might have taken Indy but for that wheel nut pit problem. Helio Castroneves, wonder boy of May in Indy, pole sitter, pit-change winner and finally, the Prize, 500 Race Champion, started last in Milwaukee and, just a week after Indy, barely finished the race on the lead lap in position 11. Helio even killed his car on his first pit stop. Indy seemed to leave Helio spent. Even with obvious protection from teammate Ryan Briscoe, who gambled his contender status, Helio ended up being lapped first by Ryan then the rest. Though racing sometimes appears very fickled, so far this season the Penske and Gnassi teams have dominated in winnings. So where, amongst all others, is Andretti-Green Racing?


On the pole at Milwaukee sat the ever-smooth Ryan Briscoe, next to Graham Rahal. Two years in a row, Graham has started second at Milwaukee. Two young guns mixing up this season but with the green flag, Rahal took Briscoe but by turn three on this short one mile track, snakes veteran Tony Kanaan, painfully bruised ribs from his Indy wall-smack, to take the lead. After 25 laps, T.K. just couldn’t hold the lead, as fortitude over bruised body couldn’t keep his car from deteriorating. Finally catching fire, Tony’s Seven-Eleven got a most un-Kanaanish DNF. One Andretti-Green out but that left Danica, Marco and Hideki. Proving the most consistent driver for Andretti-Green, Danica secured her fourth top five consecutive finish. She is now fourth in season points, just ahead of Helio. Anger management has been good for Danica. Marco finished seventh and Hideki finished eighth in Milwaukee.
Hideki is running a consistently strong, stealthy season and we expect a win from him this year. He seems to compete in the quiet, competent, understated style of the Seattle Mariner’s batting phenom, Ichiro Suzuki. Speaking of Seattle…


Strdum.com loaded me onto the corporate jet late one night last week for Seattle rather than Milwaukee to interview Mike “Motor Man” Mullan about Tony George’s stewardship of the IRL. You see all Mike “Motor Man” Mullan does is cars. (I’m wary of the “Motor Man” as we do this interview on his 23 foot, 330 hp Calabria Cal-Air cruising Lake Washington wondering if Bill Gates is going to come down to his dock to join us). So, way up here in the land of pine trees, mountains and water, so far from Indy, Mike and his family for generations, every May, every Memorial Day weekend, gather the entire clan to watch the Indianapolis 500. No such gathering for Daytona but Indy. This year, Mike wakes up on Monday, May 25, pondering the custom ground cam he and Nick “Cool Hand” Mullan dropped into Nick’s 07 SRT 8 Super Bee, for a bit more lift and duration, jumping the 425 hp to 550 hp with 479 hp at the rear wheels, and “Motor Man” realizes the 2009 Indianapolis 500 is over as it was the day before. What the??? Mike pleads with me, “Man where’s the advertising? How could I miss the Greatest Spectacle in Racing after decades of a family tradition?” I tell him the only IRL advertising I consistently see is during an IRL race. How weird is that? Just seems Tony George likes to sing to the choir. Tony just doesn’t seem to want to reach out and touch everybody. Never any IRL ads during the NBA playoffs, NASCAR races, Stanley Cup. Tony, we love this sport!


Man you gotta kick it up! Invite the world! Share the thrill!


So, come this Saturday, June 6, check out the Bombardier Lear Jet Race in Dallas, Texas with Grand Marshall Shaquille O’Neal. The Texas Motor Speedway, yet again, demonstrates this greatest of sports spectacles as the neighboring Dallas Cowboys new stadium with a seating capacity of 80,000 could fit, four times, in the in-field of the 138,000 capacity Texas Motor Speedway. See ya at this 1.5 mile super speedway.


Author and mad man: Joe “Cool Breeze” Blanco

From IRS gloom to IRL glory, Helio Castroneves wins his third Indianapolis 500 race in a flood of tears. And not just his own tears but Kati, his sister, his parents, his girlfriend all were on hand to cry. Just a few months ago a torrent of tears of fear and confusion poured from a shackled Helio as a Federal Jury charged him and his sister with tax evasion. Now with all charges dropped, tears of joy and disbelief poured forth from the entire crying Castroneves choir.


It wasn’t the first choke up on victory lane as some may recall Bobby Rahal’s 1986 moment for his buddy Jim Trueman and Al Unser Jr.’s 1992 tears of relief given his onerous existential expectations from four time Indy winner Poppa Unser and winning Uncle Unser. And let’s just throw in Danica’s tears from last year’s Twin Ring Motegi win.


I got it wrong last week calling Tony Kanaan the inevitable 500 winner. Banged up big time on lap 98, Tony’s car just broke – “Ah that Andretti Curse!” Tony was obviously shaken up after being cleared atthe track hospital. C.M. “Sports Genius” Sinn got closer calling it for Dario Franchitti but Dario, ever anxious, tried exiting the pits on lap 134 before the fuel probe had been removed. That cost him eight positions. So, let’s give it to Beth “ Indy Weatherwoman” and T. M. “Telemetry” White as they both called Helio. Grandma Zippy’s Ryan Briscoe finished 15th after starting 2nd. So much for the smooth,
quiet type there Zippy.


Dan Weldon came from 18th to finish second and Danica Patrick completed the podium with a finish of third after starting in 10th. Her previous best Indy finish was fourth. Time is on your side Danica. From lap 163 to the end, Helio led after having started from the pole but losing that early lead on lap 7 to Dario Franchitti. Though Scott Dixon led the most laps, it was all Helio the last 59 laps, doing 220 m.p.h. till the end. Neither Weldon nor Patrick had the stuff to catch him as Dixon and Franchitti faded.


Tenacity and fortitude go out to Mr. Vitor Meira. You must You Tube Vitor’s moments in laps 134 and 174. Racing for A.J. Foyt in the ABC car, Vitor had a major fueling malfunction on lap 134 when he and his car became engulfed in flames. Fire everywhere and Vitor slowly sinking down in his car unable to escape, it was a horrific moment. Instantly, safety crews flooded him and his car with gallons of water. The ethanol was extinguished immediately. Raising his hand, Vitor signaled he was ready to go, so they sent him out to race. Fans were amazed.


Absolutely stunning, he raced out of the pits as speculation mounted whether his car’s electronics would hold after the drenching. Then on lap 174, Vitor and fellow Brazilian, Raphael Matos, locked wheels going into turn one, in a pack of cars. Getting the worst of it, Vitor’s car flipped and locked onto the retaining wall, its right side tires on the track and left side over the rail, Vitor sailed backward down the track throwing sparks until the car flipped again, miraculously landing right side up on the track. After a lengthy extraction, Vitor was placed on a stretcher and taken to the Field Hospital. He was diagnosed with two broken vertebrae. Matos had a bruised right knee.


Both Graham Rahal and Marco Andretti left as a result of crashes and that’s a piece of the 09 Indy 500. Now comes the Milwaukee Mile, Sunday, May 31. Helio has never won Milwaukee though he’s started on the pole twice. Ten other Indy 500 winners have gone on to win in Milwaukee. See ya Sunday on the Lake.


Joe “Cool Breeze” Blanco

Do you feel the motion? As I write this, 400,000 people are making their way to the small town of Speedway, Indiana – population 12,000 usually. Now it’s the motor head hajj. This Sunday, 5/24/09, is the running of the Indianapolis 500. What is equivalent to well-over half the entire population of the city of Indianapolis will converge at The Track, to see who is the fastest driver in the world in a race of 500 miles


Remember the last time you drove 300 miles? Wears you out! Now consider driving 500 miles at 200 + m.p.h with 32 other people relentlessly trying to get around you. Welcome to Indy.


It was a tough Qualification this year. So many accidents: Ryan Hunter-Reay, old tires onto the gray and SMACK!!! Graham Rahal twice SMACK!! Dan Weldon, lost out on that critical Pole qualification run, SMACK!! Nelson Philippe, car stepped out, totally unexpected, SMACK, played in his head for six days. Mike Conway SMACK and a four day headache. Alex Tagliani SMACK but fortunately at just under 200 m.p.h. John Andretti BIG SMACK and almost took out Graham Rahal, who’s spotter yelled just as Graham entered the debris field, saw John go down then suddenly back up the track. Graham pulled just enough to his left to not roll but save his last car. The kid’s a great driver. Reminds me of Danny Sullivan. Damn, I’m worn out from Qualifications.


So who’s going to win on Sunday, Race Day? C. M. “Sports Genius” Sinn predicts from the Glorious Cape Cod Dario Franchitti. Grandma Zippy, Penske fan from antiquity, tells me its all Ryan Briscoe. “He’s been so smooth all month. He’s quiet and dangerous, like Roger Penske,” Grandma Zippy muses. T. M. “Telemetry” White predicts Helio Castroneves but T.M. may be biased by the Halo Effect. Beth “Indy Weatherwoman,” who can read a Midwest tornado, also sees Helio drinking milk. I’m sorry to my elite cabinet of IRL connoisseurs but something tells me it’s gonna be Tony Kannan. Tony’s never won the Indy 500, - oh, the Andretti Curse- but he’s presently this season’s points leader and it just seems to be in the stars. But who are my HOPE Choices? Two: Danica Patrick and Vitor Meira.


May’s horse racing might be a predictor. Rachel Alexandra wins the Preakness this past weekend. It’s been 85 years since the filly Nellie Morse won in 1924. So this may be the season of the filly with Danica Patrick winning the 500. It just seems much too long of a shot for either Sarah Fisher or Milka Duno. Tell me a Danica win wouldn’t be absolutely great to watch? That would be singularly huge for the IRL and for Michael Andretti, oh, the Andretti Curse . Back to the horses, Mine That Bird comes from absolutely nowhere at 50 to 1 to win the Kentucky Derby, this may be the season for 50 to 1 Vitor Meira. For the longest winless streak, Vitor would taste the sweetest of wins.


Sunday, the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. For people who get bored watching youth go as fast as they can and turn left, just DON’T GET IT!! For those who do, see ya in Indy!!!


Joe “Cool Breeze” Blanco

I’m sure if you are a fan of fights, both in and out of the cage, you have at one time or another seen backyard brawl video’s online. With the recent popularity of MMA and all the hype the UFC has been receving over the last few years. It was only a matter of time till the backyard brawling and Ultimate Fighting would be linked together. That’s exactly what happened on a recent episode of Dr. Phil entitled, Dangerous Teenage Trends.


Mr. UFC himself Dana White graced the stage along with Forrest Griffin and Kenny Florian, or as Dr. Phil likes to call him Kenny Florini. They all came on the show to talk to two boy’s who garnered some popularity online after they posted a video of them going at it Fight Club style in a classroom.


I’m assuming the point for them coming on was to shy the kids away from a life of fighting, but It’s just seemed like the best they could come up with was “Just be careful“. On top of that Forrest added that he appreciated their spirit. I’m no psychologist but if I was an impressionable young lad aspiring to becoming a cage fighter and Forrest Griffin said he appreciated my spirit, I would probably go film another fight that same night. So it’s probably not exactly what Dr. Phil was expecting.


Oh and Dana White, I think the subject matter of the day just flew straight over his head because all he was really talking about was the comparison he makes between boxing and MMA. Here check it out for yourself.




EMBED-UFCs Dana White, Forrest Griffin and Kenny Florian on Dr. Phil - Watch more free videos

In the main event of what will be a sensational event, undefeated lightweight Billy Evangelista (9-0) will fight hard-hitting “Iron” Mike Aina (11-6-1) in the inaugural, newly titled mixed martial arts series from leading MMA promoter Strikeforce and premium television network SHOWTIME. The five-fight telecasts airs at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).


Strikeforce Challengers is a proving ground for up-and-coming MMA fighters. The series is designed to provide today’s top prospects with the opportunity to step-up their level of competition and demonstrate their ability in a nationally televised event.


Tickets for the Strikeforce Challengers event are on sale at the Save Mart Center box office and select Save Mart Supermarkets as well as at all Ticketmaster locations (800-745-3000), Ticketmaster online (www.ticketmaster.com ) and Strikeforce’s official website (www.strikeforce.com ). Doors open at 5:15 p.m. PT. The first live, non-televised, preliminary bout is 6:15 p.m.


In other SHOWTIME fights: Sarah Kaufman (8-0) of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, faces Miesha Tate (6-1) of Olympia, Wash., in a terrific women’s match at 135 pounds; Lavar Johnson (11-3) of Fresno throws down with Carl Seumanutafa (4-2), a Samoan based in San Francisco, in a heavyweight fight; Anthony “A Train” Ruiz (21-12) of Coarsegold, Calif., takes on San Antonio’s Aaron Rosa (11-2) in a light heavyweight bout and Bao Quach (15-9-1) of Huntington Beach, Calif., takes on Tito Jones (6-2) of Sacramento, Calif., in a featherweight scrap.


Non-televised fights: Ben Holscher (1-0) of Fresno vs. Cody Cantebury (1-3-1) of Sacramento at 160 pounds; Zoila Frausto (1-0) of Fresno vs. Avery Vilche (1-0-1) of Redbluff, Calif., at 125 pounds; Ousmane Thomas Diagne (debut) of San Jose, Calif., vs. Kaleo Kwan (7-9) of Kailua, Hawaii, in a lightweight fight; Fabricio “Morango” Camoes (9-4) of Brazil vs. Torrance Taylor (7-5-1) of Cleveland, Ohio and Chad Sutton (2-1) of Fresno vs. Spencer Herns (debut) of San Jose at 185 pounds.

If you’re an MMA fan and this is Vegas, I’d bet the house that you watch The Ultimate Fighter on Spike TV. If you don’t, I don’t lose that bet because you’re obviously no MMA fan to begin with. For those of you following season 9 of TUF: US vs. UK, it’s pretty obvious that the US team acts like a bunch of babies without a tit to suck on. They’re lazy, immature, and have no clue what it means to be part of a TEAM and utilize TEAMWORK. Maybe that’s why the only thing the US team can win is a tennis match that coach Dan Henderson has to win for them. Maybe now they have some confidence to win a few MMA matches.


Since the first episode of the show, one fighter in particular has shown me what it doesn’t take to be a champion. Jason Pierce’s display this week, walking out of a training session and essentially calling out the legends that are there only by Gods good graces to train pathetic wannabees such as himself, was just insulting. Everyone in that house knows that to be the best it takes whatever it takes; whether you agree or not. As a former athlete myself, I understand that people approach their sport with a certain dedication and mentality if they are serious about they’re doing. It appears that Jason Pierce lacks all three qualities.


If the US team wants to get their crap together, they’re going to need to work together. Whether they like it or not, they live together, eat together, train together, and fight together. If they’re going to win, they’re going to have to win TOGETHER.