INDYCAR Fast Six: What's Trending in @INDYCAR
APR 18, 2018
INDYCAR's #FastSix is a report that borrows from all things found online about Verizon IndyCar Series racing, its drivers and people. We find pics, quips and the occasional GIF as INDYCAR drivers live their extraordinary lives and put the evidence on Twitter, Instagram and more. Check back regularly for the latest.
INDYCAR drivers or NHL fans?
The first round of the National Hockey League playoff has begun and a few Verizon IndyCar Series drivers are a lot more than just casual fans. You’ll find Graham Rahal’s feed full of tweets like this:
GO JACKETS!!!!!!!!!!! @BlueJacketsNHL
— Graham Rahal (@GrahamRahal) April 16, 2018
Ardent hockey fan, Charlie Kimball was rewarded by his wife Kathleen for bringing home Carlin’s first top-10 finish in Long Beach with tickets to his beloved L.A.Kings.
Well, I was going to watch the @LAKings on @NBCSN tonight, but my wife said on Friday morning if I got a #Top10 she’d buy me tickets! @STAPLESCenter here I come!!! #GoKingsGo #StanleyCupPlayoffs
— Charlie Kimball (@charliekimball) April 15, 2018
It’s nearly midnight here in Indy and I can’t stop watching my @LAKings on @NHLonNBCSports @nbcsports. #GoKingsGo Cool to see #HIGPA @indycar race previewed!!! Cc:@BaileyLAKings pic.twitter.com/aTadU3Qrj5
— Charlie Kimball (@charliekimball) April 18, 2018
Josef Newgarden is also showing love for his hometown team, the Nashville Predators, by challenging fellow INDYCAR driver and Toronto Maple Leafs fan James Hinchcliffe to a friendly playoff bet.
Hey @Hinchtown up for a @NHL playoffs bet?
— Josef Newgarden (@josefnewgarden) April 13, 2018
I got the @PredsNHL and you take the @MapleLeafs? pic.twitter.com/JLEfDJclR9
Challenge accepted!!!! pic.twitter.com/NMVuozD1TB
— James Hinchcliffe (@Hinchtown) April 13, 2018
Underwater Wha?
While Hinchcliffe accepted that wager, he also took on the challenge of making a prerace weekend news conference a bit more “splashy” heading into the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach race weekend. He held INDYCAR’s very first UNDERWATER news conference at the trackside Aquarium of the Pacific.
The Mayor of @Hinchtown is in the tank @AquariumPacific! We think #ScubaHinch has a nice ring to it!#TGPLB #IndyCar #LongBeach #AquariumofthePacific pic.twitter.com/Icx4FCuSsE
— ToyotaGPLongBeach (@ToyotaGPLB) April 11, 2018
When regular press conferences get too boring... https://t.co/39fV4fIZE2
— For The Win (@ForTheWin) April 13, 2018
There was even a tease of what ScubaHinch may have been wearing under his wet suit. It was a gift from Swimming Canada.
.@hinchtown 🇨🇦@AquariumPacific 🐠
— IndyCar Series (@IndyCar) April 11, 2018
First. Underwater. IndyCar. Presser. Ever.👀
WATCH NOW ➡️ https://t.co/iB6Osh9qgC #INDYCAR // #TGPLB pic.twitter.com/paLyx3GjMw
Celebrities take in INDYCAR action at Long Beach
There was a HUGE crowd at Long Beach this weekend, lots of racing and plenty of celebrity spotting. Among the notables sharing their INDYCAR experience via social media was actor and comedian Rob Riggle, who took a ride with Mario Andretti on Sunday in Honda’s Fastest Seat in Sports.
So did former NFL San Diego Chargers player Shawne Merriman, TV’s “Code Black” actor Ben Hollingsworth and “Lucifer’s” Tricia Helfer.
.@shawnemerriman & @MarioAndretti at the @IndyCar #ToyotaGPLB 🏁🏎 pic.twitter.com/TQuxt0HgHw
— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) April 13, 2018
Mario Andretti gave Mario Savetti a lift to work today at 180mph 😉 That @MarioAndretti guy can really drive. We should have him on #Codeblack heard he can act too! What do you think? @IndyCar Thanks for having me. https://t.co/0xHiSSmeAd
— Ben Hollingsworth (@hollingsworthb) April 14, 2018
Such a nice day. Thank you, @simonpagenaud Krysten and @Team_Penske Have a great race today!!! https://t.co/HqqYfW59EB
— Tricia Helfer (@trutriciahelfer) April 15, 2018
Even the self-proclaimed “other Danica” (Danica McKellar of “Wonder Years” fame) enjoyed the new-look Indy cars on the grid at Long Beach.
Lick the stamp and send it
A collective “wow” emerged from social media in reaction to Dale Coyne Racing with Vasser-Sullivan driver Sebastien Bourdais’s pass on Scott Dixon at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday.
Move of the year? #Bourdais #IndyCar #TGPLB pic.twitter.com/C9MIMYfs13
— Mattzel89 (@Mattzel89) April 15, 2018
Going for this absurdly small gap without hitting anything has to be the best pass of 2018: https://t.co/5K5PllpjVr pic.twitter.com/X6HmLM6IuH
— Jalopnik (@Jalopnik) April 17, 2018
While a penalty was issued to put Bourdais back behind Dixon, it wasn’t long before he took his spot back. Social media also took notice:
Bourdais just twice passed Dixon like it wasn’t even Scott Dixon.
— Jenna Fryer (@JennaFryer) April 15, 2018
ICYMI, Daniel Ricciardo said this morning after his bold F1 pass: "Sometimes you've just got to lick the stamp and send it." https://t.co/OMfgR5RZ3P
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) April 15, 2018
Off-track battle
The #IndyCarAutographBattle between Team Penske’s Simon Pagenaud and Josef Newgarden went a step further this past week. First, it was merchandise. Then, it was race cars and firesuits. And then houses. The latest? Pagenaud signed Newgarden’s mother. You read that right. He SIGNED his teammate’s mom.
💩 Really crap day on track, but time to make a win with a laugh. Thanks to @josefnewgarden’s mom for making this possible (even if she only agreed after). #IndyCarAutographBattle pic.twitter.com/N33UbFZfti
— Simon Pagenaud (@simonpagenaud) April 16, 2018
Rematch?
Robert Wickens and Alexander Rossi appeared to have made amends following their collision in the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg while battling for the lead. Or did they?
Wickens posted this video Tuesday of their latest “tussle,” albeit off track.
When you’re still salty about St. Pete @AlexanderRossi @IndyCar pic.twitter.com/Fc8ixzqUDK
— Robert Wickens (@robertwickens) April 18, 2018