We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more ›
So Alexander Rossi, who stole the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 – and we mean “stole” in a good way – may still be “America’s Next Great Racing Hero,” as another plucky little website proclaimed, but he’ll have to win races that don’t involve fuel mileage to make that come true.
At the first of two races Saturday – the Chevrolet Dual At Detroit – Rossi drove a nice little race, finished 10th, which would have made him very happy like eight days ago.
But we can’t forget he has to go up against guys like Sebastien Bourdais, who won the race, and Juan Montoya, who got third, and Helio Castroneves who got fourth.
Second went to another rookie, Conor Daly, in a Dale Coyne Honda, which could make Daly America’s Next, Next Great Racing Hero. But it probably won’t.
Simon Pagenaud was on the pole and led much of the race, but faded to 13th. The race was run under very good conditions for the first two-thirds, when light rain began to fall. The second race, scheduled for Sunday at 3:30 p.m., could be run under even wetter conditions, considering the forecast.
Pagenaud retains the points lead, with Rossi a close, uh, seventh. Pagenaud, by the way, was driving a Chevy-powered car, making the Chevrolet people very happy since this is a Chevrolet-sponsored weekend.
