Honda Performance slide in Indycar is not for lack of talent or engineering [Video]

For years Honda was the official engine provider to the Indycar race circuit. Today Chevrolet and Honda split the field, with Honda powered competitors too often viewed in Chevy’s rear view mirror.

Indycar’s a fascinating venue where in theory the competing field is driving like-for-like 4-wheeled technology -- leaving the winning technique up to luck, the driver’s skill, and team-draft and blocking tactics on the track. Races running 200 miles or more, are often won by fractions of a minute, seconds, actually.

Last year, Chevrolet powered Dallaras with arguably some of the best team drivers in the circuit dominated Indycar -- not for a lack of talent or horsepower found on the Honda power side of the track. Again, a combination of untimely cautionary restarts, an unintentional kiss off the wall resulting in a crash, or component bump at speeds often approaching 200 mph,can push a contender out of the top 5.

It's happened a bit too often for Team Honda in the past season or two, they've been dominated by Chevrolet power. Last weekend in Phoenix, Arizona was not the exception to this sad tale for Honda fans.

Once again, Chevrolet power dominated Indycar with Scott Dixon of Chip Ganassi Racing taking first place, with an average track speed of 139.882 mph -- as several Honda powered driver’s drove what they considered to be the best run of the young season. It appeared that they simply couldn’t find the burst-speed required to pass in the field of Chevrolet powered Dallaras. As Rahal stated, his loud pedal was 100% to the metal.

Graham Rahal of “Rahal Letterman Lanigan” took Honda power to 5th place from a 19th poll starting position. Pretty darn impressive. This was his best effort of the year with, “Andretti Autosport's” Ryan Hunter Reay bringing up the Honda field in 10th position.

Some will look to Indy regulations, or the less than driver satisfaction rated H.P.D designed Aero kit Hey, I love the look!

It’s not the mechanically bulletproof H.P.D. provided and maintained Honda Engine causing the deficiency, they don’t break. It’s simply racing at its highest and fastest level. In racing, as we who have competed in it know -- anything can happen, and often does.

I’ll personally default to the rather stellar Honda Racing recap of last weekend’s Desert Diamond West event tell the story. Take a look. See you in Long Beach.

Photo and Video attribution Honda Performance Development 2016