Kim Kardashian Cheers On Graham Rahal

Still no sign of Kim at the Indy 500 yet, but she's weighing-in on Graham's P7 qualification result over at celebuzz.com:

"225.6 mph!! WOW! That means we are starting 7th in the Indianapolis 500 (inside 3rd row) and I’m going to be there at the race next weekend to watch Graham win!"

OK guys, quick show of hands -- and just the guys, we're not concerned about where the gals' hands are right now: Who doesn't want to have Kim Kardashian gushing over how fast and impressive they are in a race car?

I mean, it's got to be distracting. Every time Graham gets out of the car he has to slide over Kim's body on the sidepod. When he checks his mirrors, there's Kim's face in his peripheral vision. At least she's facing forward, I guess.

But once again, Graham's girlfriend Katie Osborne has nothing to worry about. All Kim's got is world-wide market appeal, her traffic-stopping figure, a saucy attitude that just makes... um... sorry, I wandered off there again.

Kim Kardashian Indy Watch

Score one for Graham Rahal. Make that two, actually: he secured a fast ride for the Indy 500 and he landed sponsorship from Quick Trim and their sultry promoter, Kim Kardashian.

Not that we're star struck or anything. I mean sure, she's got a mane of flowing onyx hair, curvy hips like Saharan sand dunes, eyes like a summer's tempest, and huge... hmmmm... wait, sorry, was I saying something?

And now that Sports Illustrated has confirmed that Kim will be at the track this month, the only question remaining is "when"? (Oh, and "what will she be wearing?" So I guess that's two questions.)

Now wait -- what about Graham's current girlfriend, you ask? Don't worry, Katie Osborne... If Kim's too old for Justin Beiber, she's too old for Graham Rahal. Besides, Katie's a Hoosier, and you don't mess with karma during the Month of May.

Anyway, this whole Kardashian conversation is pointless without pictures. So I'm throwing the gauntlet down (or laying it down, or whatever you do with a gaunlet): I want Kim Sightings, Indy 500 bloggers, and I want them immediately.

The clock has started.

Window Over Terre Haute

How's this for a classic "Window Over Terre Haute" satellite image? :)

It's Time to Shorten The Month of May

Yes, I know. I've committed Indy 500 heresy. Summon the ghost of Hulman and purify me with ethanol.

But as we all sit around with no activity on the track on this gorgeous 70-degree Tuesday, we owe it to ourselves to ask: do we really need 20 days to run the Indy 500?

Just take a look at the track schedule, which is empty for yesterday, today, and tomorrow. We have two days off next week too. Couldn't we focus the attention of the racing world a little better if the action went for, say, 15 days without abatement?

Here's my proposed schedule for the 2010 Indianapolis 500 that cuts out the empty days and adds more days of practice to boot:

• Fri May 14: Centennial Era Balloon Festival.
• Sat May 15: Centennial Era Balloon Festival.
• Sun May 16: Rookie Orientation.
• Mon May 17: Track opens for practice.
• Tue May 18: Practice.
• Wed May 19: Practice.
• Thu May 20: Practice.
• Fri May 21: Fast Friday.
• Sat May 22: Pole Day Qualifying.
• Sun May 23: 2nd Day Qualifying / Coke Zero Music Festival.
• Mon May 24: Bump Day Qualifying / Armed Forces Day.
• Tue May 25: Indy Lights Practice (Rain Day Indycar Qualifying).
• Wed May 26: Festival Community Day / Indy Lights Practice.
• Thu May 27: Indy Lights Qualifying.
• Fri May 28: Indy Lights Freedom 100 / Miller Lite Carb Day
• Sat May 29: Festival Parade, Public Drivers Meeting, Autograph Session
• Sun May 30: Indy 500

It's just a first draft, and I'm sure I left something off. I'm sure those living in Indianapolis would love for the festivities to draw on as long as possible, but packing all the fun into two weeks just might entice some visitors to stay for a week. Or two.

(Photo Credit: Humane Society of Indianapolis)

Conquest Expected to Tap Alex Tagliani

Breaking News: After the today's post about Indy TBA's and Conquest Racing, I've received word now that Conquest will name Alex Tagliani for the Indy 500.

After I speculated about Tomas Scheckter and Alex Tagliani, I was told "You are correct about one of those two, and it isn't Scheckter." Sly, huh?

Nevertheless, this isn't a shock as Tagliani was the presumptive driver if Conquest answered the bell. But it's one more piece of the TBA puzzle.

Buddy Rice May Reunite with Rahal for Indy 500

Breaking News: The word this morning is that Buddy Rice is working with Rahal-Letterman on an Indy 500 reunion. This would put the 2004 Indy 500 Champion into one of the better TBA rides out there. What's not yet known is the financial end; Buddy brings some money but probably not enough for the month, and Rahal seems to be holding out for a fully-funded shoe.

No word yet from Curt Cavin or Robin Miller on this pairing.

UPDATE: We're discussing this over on TrackForum here.

John Andretti In, Jay Howard Out

Lots of Trackforum teeth-gnashing at Marty Roth for putting John Andretti in Jay Howard's car for the Indy 500 time trials next weekend, with the assumption that Marty sat Howard in favor of Andretti and a fat check. However, the fact is the team was struggling to find speed, and neither driver was able to post a time that was anywhere near good enough to get in the show -- and in just 3 laps John Andretti topped 220mph, faster than both Jay Howard and team boss Marty Roth.