So Americans and Canadians have had a few days to recover from their independence parties. Now it is that time of the week for us fantasy racing geeks to make our Toronto picks. The 2011 stop at the beautiful gem of Canada looks to give us great racing as always.
Yet again we find ourselves making decisions for a street race. Yes if you can afford to use some obvious picks, do it. However with the ability to pick drivers for 6 races at IndyCar Nation, you may want to avoid using up some drivers too early.
A driver like Dario Franchetti, or Helio would be wise to hold on to for some of the later oval stops too. Yet some drivers are best saved for events like Toronto. Justin Wilson, and Ryan Briscoe are unlikely to be as useful on the ovals later this season.
The best strategy during this leg is to try and get as many points as you can, while saving your big guns for the last leg at seasons end.
Here are some of my picks for this round of the 2011 fantasy racing season.
Toronto best bets:
Aside from the Argonauts (ask a CFL fan what that means), there is no better pick for a winner than Justin Wilson. He is always a contender for podium if not a win outright when left and right turns are involved. This could be the race Justin will bring home a win for D&R.
Another great pick would be Paul Tracy. As long as he and Helio don’t have a run in like 2009, chances are good he will have extra motivation to finish well before his hometown fans.
Good gambles:
The mayor of nearby Hichtown, Canada is a very good bet for his first INDYCAR Series race in Toronto. Mayor James Hinchcliffe has finishes of P2 and P10 respectively on the streets of Toronto for 2009 & 2010 Firestone Indy Lights races.
Another driver who I doubt will win, but could have his best race of his rookie season this weekend is Sebastian Saavedra. He has a pole and win here in Indy Lights from 2009. He may be a surprise Top-10 driver for this race.
Indy Lights Pick:
As for FIL drivers to pick, I think none could have a better race weekend than Peter Dempsey. Fresh off O2 leaving then being banned by INDYCAR, the Irish sensation has landed a ride in the Andretti Autosport #26 for the FIL race. His new boss; Michael Andretti, has a great history in Toronto. Don’t be shocked to see a podium his first week at the new job. If not a surprise win. Peter is a great kid, I have spoken to him a few times. It is not just my Irish bias, he is an amazing talent who deserves a shot at the big time.
Pick to avoid:
Alex Tagliani. yes the Canadian with two oval poles this year is a very shaky driver to pick. His future is not looking so great considering the amazing month of May he had. I’m honestly not sure his behind the scenes troubles will make him a Milka in this race, but I do suspect he will be very distracted. Not to mention the 77 has not run very well on non-ovals this season.
There you have it folks. Now get picking!
The Indy Hump Day Report will now be a regular column covering fantasy racing before every race for the IZOD INDYCAR season. Spike Rogan will have his Op-Ed columns now every Friday here at OpenPaddock.net . The Op-Ed column’s name is still TBA.
I’d like to agree with you regarding Dempsey, but I have reservations. He was very quick on the road and street circuits at the beginning of the season. Coming to AA so soon before an event, I think a podium might be a bit out of reach. Wouldn’t be surprised at all by a top-5. Hopefully, they can extend the deal past Toronto, and then I think he’d be a real threat for the podium each and every race weekend. So glad to see him find his way back to a car after the Milwaukee mess.