Do you think the Indy Lights winner last week?

Question

Ana Beatriz, will be heading to the IRL circuit next yr, she seems to have talent, what do you all think??

Answer 1

Good equipment = good results. Hopefully. Man, what a year! Danica winning, a unified series, Beatriz winning, Dixion dominating, man..

Answer 2

Ana has been at or near the front at nearly every venue this year, so on the face of I don't see why she couldn't be competitive as an IndyCar driver.  I do think she needs another year in FILC, and frankly I would advise her to wait for the right opportunity, but if things work out right for her I think she'd have as good a chance as any of the current Indy Lights front runners (Matos, Battistini, Antonucci, etc.) of making it long-term in the ICS.

Answer 3

If she gets on the right team she will be competative withina year or so

could we have another lady as Rookie of the Year at Indy again?

Answer 4

If shes anything like Danica Patrick she can stay away from IRL FOREVER!

Answer 5

This is an interesting connundrum the IRL now has.  If you look at the top 5-10 current drivers in the FIL Series, one should unquestionably put Bia in that list.  Sam Schmidt has regularly found great talent, and he nabbed another one in her.

The connundrum is promoting these drivers to the next level, the IndyCar Series.  As you know, there are now a regular 26 to almost 30 cars for each race, with some races now maxxed out regarding the number of cars that can safely be on the track at any one time.  This is a good problem to have, though it does potentially squeeze those that do want to move up.  The current open seats aren't available, although at year's end, there could be seats open.

Sam Schmidt also doesn't show much interest in moving up to the IndyCar Series, although I think he's got the team that could make the jump easily.  I think Sam really wants to be the equivalent of Roger Penske in the FIL Series, and in honesty, he's doing that.

Now, in my opinion, I do not see Bea moving up to the IndyCar Series next year.  Yes, she has a win at Nashville, is in the top-5 in points, and knows how to keep herself toward the front.  But, even with the win, I think she has some more "seasoning" to do on the ovals, since she'd never driven them before coming to America.  She's had two bad weekends on ovals, and hasn't quite gotten comfortable on them (though she's gaining comfort quickly).  2010 may be more realistic, so long as there's a team that would like her to move up, and has the car and/or sponsorship dollars to do so.

I think Bea's doing it the way Milka Duno *should* have started her career.  She, too, can drive, but her lack of experience in these cars is just killing her IRL career.  She needed to start in the feeder program and build herself up.  Bea's doing that, and I do think we'll see her in the IndyCar Series in time, and be able to run strong.

2-cents, plus interest

Answer 6

'Bia' ( as she's called in Brazil)  is AWESOME!!!

She has a real feel for going fast....She takes time to sign autographs at childrens hospitals...She has a TRUE grasp on REALITY.... she always " charges" towards the front....she qualifies high and holds her spot........She recently said she would like to run Indy Lights one more year....just to win a championship...She really impresses me as a fan and I'm as unbiased by gender as they come......then she said she  wants to dominate the IRL even before she tries F1..... I say give her some time and she will become a "World Class"  act.

My mom noticed TK leaning into her car just before her last start..............I wonder what TK was was telling her?......they are both from Brazil.........Bia kicks a$$!!

Oh Yeah......she's also a SouthPaw.......WOW!!

Answer 7

Hard to say.  Indy Lights/IPS grads haven't had much success moving up to the ICS and staying there, unless they are related to someone (Foyt IV, Marco Andretti, Ed Carpenter).  There are also other drivers there who have more history behind them (Matos, Antinucci).  My guess is she is a longshot unless her team makes the move.