Today’s question: Which NTT INDYCAR SERIES driver would you like to give a Christmas present to this Saturday and what is it?
Zach Horrall: My gift under the Christmas tree goes to Romain Grosjean, and inside is a 2022 breakout season that will reinvigorate his racing career. It’s no secret that Grosjean’s Formula 1 career left a lot to be desired: only 10 podiums in almost a decade of racing. But his rookie campaign in the 2021 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season showed signs of greatness: three podiums and one pole from 13 starts. His performance makes us all think that his F1 career was really the result of driving a lagging Haas F1 car, and when given the right opportunity, he can shine. Grosjean has repeatedly expressed how much fun he is having and it is highlighted every weekend by the big smile on his face. His excitement is contagious, affects everyone around him and even opens the eyes of international drivers to INDYCAR. Grosjean deserves to show how high quality he is as a driver and my gift to him is the opportunity to do so in 2022. Given the way he rode the IMS road circuit in 2021, I fully expect him to grab one, if not two, wins at the IMS next season. And if you listen to the audience on race weekends, they are already becoming the fans’ favorites, another well-deserved allusion to the French. All of his successes on the new Andretti Autosport ride is also a gift to us: the chance to see a driver reach their full potential in an exciting way (remember his ride on the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca?). This present has a pretty bow on the top, doesn’t it?
Paul Kelly: A championship-level season for Alexander Rossi in 2022. Every series needs a driver willing to cause trouble, both on and off the track. This guy in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES is the 2016 Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge winner Rossi. He was right in the middle of the title hunt in 2018 and 2019, and it was wonderful. Rossi’s combination of super-aggressive movements on the track and passive-aggressive snark off-track against sharp rivals adds a lot of spice and color to every title race. Last year’s race for the Astor Cup was fantastic, but all the protagonists seemed to get along well. There was almost too much peace on earth, goodwill for everyone – to use a Christmas theme this week! – To me. Can you imagine Rossi being added to this championship race recipe in the 2021 season? Man, the crossfire among drivers would have been so fun as Rossi’s carefree needles and barbs would have angered his rivals to varying degrees. So yes, we all need a lot more Rossi in our title hunt in the 2022 season.
