Tonight it was 38 laps at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in its 1967 configuration (not really much change in terms of drivable area from today -- changed pit wall and there is an apron).  The Brabham has been a very successful car this season. The first two races were won by Brabhams, and so was this race.  I was the only Brabham driver in this race... so yep, I became the first two-time winner of the season.  It was a perfect race: Pole position, fastest lap, lead every lap.  My average lap time was quicker than anybody else's best single lap.

<lj-cut text="Click here for race report with pictures!">
<img src="http://www.california.com/~keeper/ugplol/New-1.jpg">
Do I really need to show the track map for the temple of speed?

<img src="http://www.california.com/~keeper/ugplol/New-2.jpg">
For the second week in a row, I arrived late to qualifying, trying to eat KFC strips quickly enough to get some laps in. I took a break from eating to put a few laps in, and immediately had the pole position. So I went back to eating so I would be done in time for the race.  And so here we are on th grid.  I'm on the left on pole position.  Allan Cousin in the Eagle is beside me on the front row.  We're followed by Kaspar Kaynakli in the Honda (point leader coming into the race) and Martin Diamond in the Lotus, then row 3 has Mike Voeller's Lotus and Jason Niemczyk's Honda.

<img src="http://www.california.com/~keeper/ugplol/New-3.jpg">
The flag was not held up, but dropped immediately. Everybody but me was caught napping. I've gotten into the habit of shifting into first gear before the flag is even raised, just in case the flagger decides to do a quick start. This shot is behind Kaynakli, who was the second person to react to the flag.  This is one frame before he began moving.  On the right, you can see how much of a jump I've gotten.

<img src="http://www.california.com/~keeper/ugplol/New-4.jpg">
Cousin's panicked late reaction to the flag sends him careening into Kaynakli. The contact is minor and no harm is done.

<img src="http://www.california.com/~keeper/ugplol/New-5.jpg">
Kaynakli ends up crowding Voeller, however, who got a run when Kaynakli lifted in the contact. This contact is more severe.

<img src="http://www.california.com/~keeper/ugplol/New-6.jpg">
Voeller spins in front of the field, and Kaynakli is knocked sideways but will keep it going forward.

<img src="http://www.california.com/~keeper/ugplol/New-7.jpg">
Nobody hits Voeller, who recovers after just one 360. On the left here is Martin Diamond's Lotus. He had the slowest reaction time -- three seconds after the flag dropped -- but will be the third car to enter Turn 1, for Kaynakli has slowed considerably from the accident.

<img src="http://www.california.com/~keeper/ugplol/New-8.jpg">
So here we are onto the back straightaway. That's me leading ahead of Cousin, Diamond, Kaynakli, Niemczyk and Voeller.

<img src="http://www.california.com/~keeper/ugplol/New-9.jpg">
Onto the front straight to finish lap 1, Voeller gets underneath Niemczyk to take over fifth position.

<img src="http://www.california.com/~keeper/ugplol/New-10.jpg">
Entering the first turn on lap 2, Kaynakli dives under Diamond for third place.

<img src="http://www.california.com/~keeper/ugplol/New-11.jpg">
Niemczyk used the draft to get a run on Voeller at the end of the front straight, and here tries to retake fifth position, but would not be successful. Voeller was on the move.

<img src="http://www.california.com/~keeper/ugplol/New-12.jpg">
On lap 4, Voeller overhauls Diamond to take over fourth position.

<img src="http://www.california.com/~keeper/ugplol/New-13.jpg">
Cousin spins out of second place in the first turn on lap 5. He would fall all the way to last place.

<img src="http://www.california.com/~keeper/ugplol/New-14.jpg">
Into Turn 3, he spins again and makes hard contact with the wall. He retires from the race.

<img src="http://www.california.com/~keeper/ugplol/New-15.jpg">
I caught Niemczyk on lap 17, but had already a 10-second lead, so took my time and waited to get onto the front straight before putting him a lap down.

<img src="http://www.california.com/~keeper/ugplol/New-16.jpg">
Lap 24, I put Diamond a lap down. This is in the middle of Turn 4. Diamond never was able to run the bottom of the race track, it seems.

<img src="http://www.california.com/~keeper/ugplol/New-17.jpg">
A lap later, Kaynakli puts a lap on Niemczyk. He catches him at a tricky moment, entering the third turn. Niemczyk stays plenty wide though.

<img src="http://www.california.com/~keeper/ugplol/New-18.jpg">
Down the front straight to finish lap 26, Voeller is catching Kaynakli -- 11 laps to go! That's Niemczyk on the far right.

<img src="http://www.california.com/~keeper/ugplol/New-19.jpg">
With two laps to go, I put Niemczyk a second lap down. With a 30-second lead, I was a bit more brave, and just drove underneath him at the exit of the corner.

<img src="http://www.california.com/~keeper/ugplol/New-20.jpg">
Into Turn 1 for the final lap, Voeller is into Kaynakli's slipstream!

<img src="http://www.california.com/~keeper/ugplol/New-25.jpg">
I cross the bricks for the final time, more than half a lap ahead of the battle for second. Speaking of which, they're onto the back straight at this point.

<img src="http://www.california.com/~keeper/ugplol/New-21.jpg">
Voeller noses ahead as they get to the end of the back straight...

<img src="http://www.california.com/~keeper/ugplol/New-22.jpg">
...but he backs out of it, perhaps afraid that he wouldn't be able to hold the car down low.

<img src="http://www.california.com/~keeper/ugplol/New-23.jpg">
Kaynakli takes a huge chance, slamming the door on Voeller, who loses a bit of time when he gets onto the apron a moment later. He's still close enough to get a draft...

<img src="http://www.california.com/~keeper/ugplol/New-24.jpg">
...but comes up just a little bit short -- less than a tenth of a second short, in fact.

<img src="http://www.california.com/~keeper/ugplol/podium.png">

Average speed of the race: 165.4 mph

Next race: Interlagos, Brazil (1973).

<PRE><BR>
Points awarded to top six finishers: 9, 6, 4, 3, 2, 1 -- plus 1 point for pole position and 1 point
for fastest race lap.
 
Driver    Pts PP FL Wins Ande Mnco Monz Indy

O'Dell     30  1  1  2    2    3    1    1PF
Kaynakli   28  2  2  1    1PF  4    2PF  2
Niemczyk   19  1     1    4    1P   3    5
Voeller    17     1       3    2 F  5    3
Diamond    10             5    5    4    4
Cousin      3             7    6    6    6
Morgan      1             6
Jodoin      0                       7
</PRE>
</lj-cut><br>
<a href="http://www.california.com/~keeper/ugplol/index.html">Click here for statistics and car availability chart.</a>
<hr>