Random Thoughts- March 28

Random thoughts while waiting for the Formula One Free Practice 3 to start...Welcome to Malaysia.

-Kentucky and Louisville have played another classic.  Kentucky looks like a very dangerous team at this point.  A talented squad of young players playing with tons of confidence right now.  They shook off a slow start tonight to survive and advance.  These guys might be young enough not to recognize the pressure of the NCAA Tournament.  Either that or they want to make their mark quickly so the NBA can pay them.  Or give them a pay cut.  My mistake: it's not SEC Football.

-Two contract signing today of note: Mike Trout signs with the Angels ($144 million) and Miguel Cabrera signs for an incredible $292 million with the Tigers.  The Angels can sustain Trout's contract, and it is a good move to get the young star in the fold for a long period of time.  Hopefully, Jerry DiPoto can build around that kind of number and put a Championship team back in Los Angeles.  Plenty of star power in place, pitching must step up.

Cabrera's contract doesn't excite me.  Cabrera has gained some weight over the past couple of years while sharpening his hitting skills.  It's almost like he has been possessed by the Tiger ghost of Prince Fielder.  Finishing the contract could be difficult in that  kind of physical condition.

I know and respect a few Tiger fans, but one has to wonder how the franchise will support that contract.  Only one franchise has supported a contract near that size: the Yankees.   A-Rod had to go to New York instead of Texas to get his money, so did Miggy just sign to be A-Rod's replacement in pinstripes?

-IndyCar opens it's season in St. Petersburg this weekend.  Last season, ten different winners topped the podium during the season, and all of those drivers are back minus a retired Dario Franchitti.  It will be wide open, with any of the major team drivers having a shot at the championship.

It promises to be a great season of open wheel racing, including TWO races in Indianapolis in May.  The traditional 500 graces Memorial Day weekend, while the second weekend of the month will see the road course in use with the same IndyCars.  The road course was suitable for Formula One, but I hope they've done they homework on tires.  The final F1 race at Indianapolis found all the major teams and stars sitting out because of tire issues.  NASCAR has a history of tire issues at Indy, too.

I love the thought of a new tradition.  I fell in love with racing as a very small child because of Indianapolis.  I welcome a new race to the Brickyard.  I hope there will be some new traditions with the new race.  I suggest John Mellencamp sing "Small Town" instead of "Back Home Again".  Maybe the Hoosier Marching 100 could fill the place usually held down the the Purdue All-American Marching Band.  Since IU doesn't have a School of Engineering, maybe Notre Dame's Band of the Fighting Irish could fill in.

Eddie Rickenbacker is probably turning 10,000 RPM in his grave over those suggestions.  I'm sure something suitable will be found.

So...am I off base?