IndyCar's New Hampshire Screw Up 

That double birdflip isn't a meltdown, it's a traditional Australian greeting. It's how we say hello to our friends and family

I must say I’m very thankful that this race was such a disaster. Will Power flipping off the tower is such a brilliant meme that I’ve used so many times

Will Power's double bird will live on forever in IndyCar history.

a silhouette of will power's iconic double bird pose should be the indycar series logo.

It was only 12 years later that Will Power would pull off the epic double bird at Road America

I wouldn't apologize if I was in Power's position. What he said about the official's decision was completely justified. Jamie Little saying "These are the officials who hand out penalties and fines, are you worried about possible repercussions?" I would've told Jamie "I don't care". But that's just me.

That double bird was my first introduction to Will Power. Been my dude in Indycar ever since.

I live in New Hampshire and was so bummed that this failed to continue. They did a miserable job promoting it. But I remember they chose the same weekend as the Portsmouth Air Show. Most people in the state went to that instead. Then the rain debacle… it was a mess. I wish they would give it another shot with a good promoter. I’d go in a heartbeat.

Will isn’t afraid to speak his mind, I met him on pit road this year, and he signed my IndyCar from 2018, second closest person to the late Dan Wheldon, such an amazing personality and character

The rare "Double Bird", often reported but seldom seen!

I enjoyed this 19 minute video of context explaining Will Power's double bird that I've seen in some motorsport compilations xD

Knowing Will Power for many years, it took a lot to get him this pissed. Dude has seen a lot and rarely overreacts.

I remember watching this one. Besides the stupid call to go green in the wet I was kinda amazed there was so much carnage in this race. I know they wernt racing at Phoenix at this point either but Phoenix had ran Indy for 30 years. Flat small track kinda like NH. People had their doubts. I guess they were right though cause they havent been back since. Phoenix has been run a few times though since.

I have lived in NH my whole 25 years on Earth. Racing has been in my blood since i was born. I HATE seeing the town folk and track owners ruining what could be a great facility. This place used to be packed every event no matter what. Now you see so many open camping spots and seats obviously even after tearing down all of 3&4 seating. Dirt track was a cool addition but it was for AFT more than anything so bigger dirt series wont ever be there. Roadcourse could easily have work. Track could easily be rebuilt to have something more enjoyable. Then have ability to bring more in as time goes on. Lights is the biggest topic. Its nearly always 90+ degrees race weekend its miserable. If we had our September race and not July youd see a huge difference too. September can be hot but rarely as hot as July. Hurts seeing a track i loved so much as a kid and still do falling down a spiral towards the outcome of Kentucky. NHMS will never completly die as local divisions will always race here but just sucks i could go on and on all day and night about things this track use to do, Should do but wont do.

As a New Hampshire native, I would like to see this series come back. Maybe on the road course but I think New Hampshire deserves more than one cup race a year whether imsa, indycar, nascar. Just frustrating that we get left with this.

My friend Billy and I were there. We walked back to the car before the willpower middle finger moment but when we both looked over at the screen that you could see from the back stretch parking lot it was will power giving us the finger and I thought that that was hilarious.. While bill and I admitted man that was really cool those cars were fast they sounded cool it was the craziest race we'd ever been to and I have video from our point of view of that Porta-Potty flipping over. We went home totally confused and with me quoting the bill France thing where hey you don't change the race that just happened in front of the people. We didn't know at all cuz they don't talk about it on any radio station like NASCAR so we get home and they had completely changed the results Just confusing and I haven't seen another Indy race since in person. Another notable thing was they were playing the same song they play for those dog shelters, in the hour of the Angels or something and just the absolute most terrible music, the Nascar race immediately after that had them throwing the green flag to Master of puppets so you be the judge no comparison LOL Indy seemed very lightweight, bougie didn't care about the fans and just insisted on itself something that really when you're going home not even knowing who the winner was was hilarious is all I can say because how great can that be how great a race? Imagine if all of this Hocus pocus crap happened at the Indy 500 but instead they took our $75 for a race called the move the block or whatever it was called this everything stupid and did not care a crap about the fans comfort or entertainment or anything And I'm glad I've got to share this manifesto with somebody who at least saw it on tape cuz it was a shitshow from beginning to end. No one to help us even Park we will park in the VIP zone for the for the entire time and realize well we don't even want to be around these bougie asses!, We walked in and walked around the track before they even set up their damn ticket booth which they set up their ticket booth like an hour before the race which leave the door open for the entire day like they did I don't know? Disrespectful people walking around wearing orange not doing their job literally letting people get in for free. They're friends, other teenagers LOL It was a mess is all I can say I could walk through every moment of the 6-hour experience of being at the track that day and every single thing that happened was insanely obvious they didn't care about the fans the racers or anything it seemed.. Again all of this print about it I've held inside since the day it happened LOL thank you for making this video And by God imagine being in that God damn Porta-Potty!

Have you thought about a video on The Great Brian Barnhart? This race, the 2003 Indy 500 where Paul Tracy "lost" the race because of his screwup, 2010 Edmonton where Castroneves had his win stolen because he took the apex of a corner ahead of Scott Dixon, and almost the whole commentary from Motegi 2011 where the announcers spend most of the race ragging on Barnhart is a good start.

Such an incredibly stupid bit of officiating. I was indifferent to Will Power before but this was the moment I became a fan for life. His exasperation in that moment summed up so much of what I felt about the whole Brian Barnhart era of indycar racing.

I love how so many drivers were talking through the radios about the track being unsuitable but dude in the booth said he heard nothing. That’s highly unlikely. More likely he heard it all and gave the go ahead anyway because ending on a rain delay doesn’t make as much money as ending on a green flag. Just another example of how racing has become a business and entertainment first and a SAFE competition second.

“Danica Patrick spins” NASCAR fans have heard that a lot

Loudon is one of those tracks where the racing absolutely blows but the atmosphere with the fans is absolutely amazing.

Do you remember Will Power's double middle finger to Bryan Barnhart?

This channel is a hidden gem!! I’ve learned a lot about Indy car from your channel keep up the good work

Also, to think this would only be the second dumbest officiating decision of this season.

Very well made video and was an excellent watch, I'm an F1 fan but have been watching IndyCar for a few years now so videos such as these are perfect in giving an idea of the recent history of the series

I’ll never forget Power doing the double bird as long as I live 😂😂😂

I just found your channel I'm gonna watch more videos of it but this one I really liked it. Hope your channel grows more and keep doing good videos. Cheers!!

Greet video as ever, keep them coming. Been a massive Indy car fan since about 14 so seeing earlier videos are always fascinating 👍🏼

I’ve raced F2000 cars on this track. F2000 look like small Indycars but only have 150 hp. This track is so small and tight even we cannot run wide open. We’re sliding all over through the turns on the first lap. I can’t imagine running a big 750 hp Indycar at this place-that’s just crazy. And in the rain? Impossible.

dont change up the format, loving the last three Indy vids

Regardless that it was wet, of course it was Danica who got on the power while still turning.

Loudon and Milwaukee Mile were always great races packed with action before they screwed everything ..

Ironic, nascar in 2021 had the same problem at NH when they started a race in similar conditions. History does repeat itself.

I was there that day, when the caution came out for rain on lap 19 I decided to leave as there was no way they were going to restart with the weather, I had gotten to the tunnel when I heard them go green followed by the crash. The race was decent up to that point.

Thanks for this history lesson. Well done and appreciated.

Both an utterly superb and unbelievably tragic season of Indycar! Wheldon winning the Indy 500 and then losing his life in Las Vegas.

You sound young but you make some good videos! Great to see more people take a interest in motor sport. Good work man keep it up!

The Porta poty when Tony hit the wall and flipped

Same year the insane choice to race on the Vegas track. RIP Dan Weldon.

This is a very very enjoyable video. I have watched most Indycar races live and i most certainly remember this absolute shit show. Anyone who ever questions why theres no running in the wet on ovals just needs to watch that restart

Great video. I really enjoyed it and I honestly didn’t know about this race. Like and subscribed for sure 👍

forgot the race, but have never forgot Will Powers friendly gesture to the officials! great video man. 👍👍👍👍✌️

Great Video I remember watching this race and laughing my ass off when Will Power flipped off the officials. One of the worst Indycar Races ever

Didn't think Indy raced at my home state track. Kinda interesting to see this now. Great content

Should have made Barnhardt pay for all the cars he wrecked with that putz call.

No safer barrier but great use of the tire/porta-potty barrier...

I was at that race. At the caution we all walked backed to our car knowing that race would be called. In the parking lot, I was stunned to hear them attempt a restart. Michael was right, it was wetter at the restart than when they threw the caution!

I was at the track that day.. that last restart their was tire tracks from the tires and almost every one was on the rev limiter when they went green

Well like you said I forgot all about that one but yeah I'm glad you brought it back up

A lot of folks mentioning adding lights for nighttime races, but if I remember right, there's already lots of issues with surrounding neighbors about noise. If that doesn't get resolved I don't see night racing happening. Haven't been to the track in years, but hope it's still functioning (and in good shape) when I get the chance for track days again...

It is important to look at this race in context.. of what came down the road in Los Vegas, the questionable decisions, lack of regard to safety.. how close the cars all ran since everyone had the same stuff... They had their wakeup call, and ignored it.. and someone died.

Great video! enjoying the content.

New drinking game. Drink every time someone says "Will Power" Dead.

I like Formula 1 racing because they actually know how to drive. And they go through tight turns and chicanes and they race on city streets sometimes and man, this Indy style racing is more like NASCAR and that's boring as hell.

I remember being at this race in person. I was disappointed with now Indy handled this whole ordeal. I'm still sad they didn't give New Hampshire another chance though.

I was there for that race. Never knew going into this how much of a weird day it was going to be.

IndyCar needs comeback to New Hampshire

Weirdly I've only ever seen the gif of Power's double salute and not really known the full story. Great video.

You make great videos!

This race happened to be my first, and to this point only Indy car race I attended. It was an absolute show tho and I hope some day they bring it back! Aside from the controversies 12 year old me still had a blast

Brain Barnhardt is the Micheal Masi of Indycar

Say what you will, but at least the executive admitted his mistake on camera. Such a direct polar opposite to NASCAR where people like Brian France, and now Jim France refuse to admit their mistakes and instead of learning from them, generally compounding them and making them worse.

In 2021 same problem with NASCAR. Restart on wet track and some cars came around. Kyle Busch was also very frustrated about this. Back luck for the races on this track. I like NHMS and hope it comes back to IndyCar in at least 2024.

I so miiiiisssss this type of close racing.

Bruh Danica be looking like me on iracing

"We didn't have a single pit tech call and say we couldn't go." Well, drivers were complaining, owners were complaining, crew chiefs were complaining. Michael and Tim indicated that they were communicating with officials saying they shouldn't start. So why the breakdown in communication? Where are the pit techs located and who do they talk to? Seems like a major flaw in the system that I hope has been corrected.

5:13 I hope no one was in that Porta Potty

While my home truck seen a lot of races there unfortunately didn't see this race but did get to see Danica run in the NASCAR series

I remember watching this and thinking I don't envy the person that might have been in that Porta potty. He had a pretty shitty day.

I was there thoroughly enjoyed it, wish they’d come back

Broach was like F this I’m gone. Lol

I remember going to this race as a kid!

That final restart looked like the start at this track last year in NASCAR. It was raining pretty bad and the drives said not to start since it was raining. They even had the president of NASCAR go in live TV and explain the reason to start. It seems like all kinds of racing should look at the past of other races and not in their own fields to learn from mistakes of others.

Tomas Schekter at 0:44 and 1:20 Passed over 5 cars in turn 1 both times

i notice everybody else but Danica was handling the wet ... huh.

In Australia it’s a greeting, in America it means a “talk” will take place in the near future.

Will Powers flipping off the control tower is one of the funniest thing's I've ever seen at a racetrack, both at the track & on TV! He literally look's like a middle school student throwing a hissy fit, just hilarious! 🤣💨💥

when Bob Bear owned the track it was so much better i have been going to NHMS since 1996 and we had 2 cup weekends, Indy, the trucks, and it was awesome it would sell out both race weekends but when SMI bought it its all gone down hill big time. its sad that we only have a cup weekend now and that will never go away because its the only track in the northeast for cup, the only reason this race was so crazy was because of the rain so they were in a hurry and it was the 1st time they had come back since 98 so they were not used to the track. back when they ran every year it was never like this. it wasn't the tracks fault it was Indy's fault for this

Rest in Peace to the portapotty that got knocked over Tony's car.

We we told in SCCA driving School ... There is absolutely no single digit communication allowed! Fines will be mandatory!

I was never really for or against will power before this race but ive been a big fan ever since lol

Now NASCAR has far eclipsed Indycar with officiating dumbassery. I will say that at least the Indycar director admitted it. NASCAR never does.

My wife and I attended this race and would have attended every year had this race not been screwed up. The sound of these engines is unlike anything I've ever heard.

lmao i was there, unfortunately not looking in the direction when Will flipped everyone off 😆

that's history right there

Who knew that 10 years later, NASCAR would do the same thing at the start

Damn rmember this. Didn't remember Dario's fuckup. It's amazing the guy won so much, he has so many bone head moves in his career. I also wouldn't call Power's reaction a meltdown. Okay, maybe a little. That was the only justifieable reaction to that debacle. racing with rain coming down.

2011 was a crazy year for indycar

This may be only me, but Scott Goodyear seems to be looking at Brian Barnhart with the expression saying "You putz. You complete putz." As a former driver, he would know.

Enjoyed video ! Thank you for posting.

Sometimes you just don't have enough willpower to make a change

Of course Danica patrick set that crash in motion, of course.

I remember watching this race during the original broadcast. I knew it was a bad idea for the green and was shocked that professionals had zero clue about what would happen with that level of moisture.

one of many classic danika patrick crashes lol

this is what happens when you have a series with half the field and officials are ''The fish that John West rejects''

I still have a copy of the meme image that followed Will's double birdie -- the red-white-and-blue IndyCar logo of the time, except with Power's tilted silhouette offering his opinion instead of a tilted frontal view of an IndyCar. One of the best joke designs ever, for me.

So I'm not an Indy car guy, I'm a motorcycle racing guy. If motorcycles with 2 wheels can put on rain tires, go slower, and race in the rain, why can't Indy car?

And THAT ladies and gentlemen is how everyone became a Will Power fan. 12:25

Michael; this is the worst officiating I've ever seen. NASCAR for the past fifteen years; HOLD MY BEER

While the track was wet, leave it to Danica to fuck up the whole thing. She should have never been given a ride in those cars.