TRACK: The chicanes were changed again which allowed for a new lap speed record, but it still may not be the proper solution.

RACE: It is said the true measure of how well a team is doing is not during practice and qualifying, but how fast they run in the race day morning warm up session. The top three times Sunday morning in order were Bourdais, Wilson, and Junqueira. The exact same order as the podium.

EVENT: 300,000 over four days. Truly the event everyone else can learn from.

THE BIG PICTURE: A merger or a partnership or just a closer working relationship with V8 Supercars has got to be a good thing for Champ Car.

START: Once again, standing starts prove to be the way to solve a lot of the first turn problems. However, you sure hold your breath when someone stalls...

BOURDAIS: Sebastien's performance on laps 44-47 epitomizes his dominance in Champ Car during his career. Whenever he absolutely, positively had to go fast, he was able to. And it always led to the difference between winning and everyone else.

NEWMAN/HAAS/LANIGAN: Did not miss a beat adding a new owner.

WILSON: One step behind the strategy of NHL and speed of Bourdais. The story of Justin's Champ Car career. Next year, he may not have to worry about that anymore.

RuSPORT: It's been nice knowing ya.

JUNQUEIRA: Once again, Bruno comes through the field after a problem at the start.

DALE COYNE RACING: Three straight podiums. That's two more than they have ever had prior to this year.

DOORNBOS: A problematic engine hurt his chances, but he still gained points for the Rookie of the Year title.

PAGENAUD: Simon gave Team Australia one finish.

PHILIPPE: Nice to see Nelson back, but we hate to see it at the expense of a driver the fans were getting to know.

RAHAL: Graham is one person who is not all that happy seeing Philippe back...

TAGLIANI: Different colors. Not so different results.

JANI: Outdone by a new teammate.

TRACY: So, now that Servia is not your teammate, you thought you could intimidate him at the start? Or, perhaps it's just following tradition between you and Servia at Surfers. In any case, Paul, you threw away a weekend where you were finally fast again.

MARTINEZ: David did not embarrass himself, but he was no Servia.

DOMINGUEZ: Very impressive at times for his new team.

FIGGE: Maintaining his spin quota.

SERVIA: Threw away his great weekend.

PKV RACING: Think you should have hired Servia from the start?

LEGGE: It wasn't Kat's fault, but the last thing you want is to tangle with the hometown hero.

POWER: Another opportunity to win in front of his home fans blown by his own team's error.

CLARKE: Gee, overaggressiveness cost Dan again. What a surprise. Not!

GOMMENDY: We hardly knew you, Tristan...

F1: Perhaps karma wins out for both Ferrari and Kimi. In any case, it was certainly one of the most intriguing -- and closest -- seasons in history.

TROUBLE LAUNCHING: Junqueira. Literally.

NEVER A FACTOR: Legge. Again.

SHOULD REMAINED PARKED: Will Power's lollypop man.

WORD OF THE WEEKEND: Repeat.

STAT OF THE WEEKEND: 4.

HISTORICAL STAT OF THE WEEKEND: The Indianapolis 500 took less time to get a repeat winner (11 races, 13 years) than Surfers Paradise did -- 17 years.

QUOTE OF THE WEEKEND: Sebastien Bourdais savoring his time in Champ Car, "What a fun five years it's been. I'm surely not going to forget about it any time soon."

QUOTE OF THE WEEKEND RUNNERUP: Oriol Servia on his surprise provisional pole, "It couldn't have more drama. There's a lot of things to write about: me changing teams, more drama. Coming here and having pole, starting to look like NASCAR!"

SCHEDULE: Two more ... ah ... one more race to go. It's called Champ Car math.

Copyright © 2007 by Deep Throttle. All Rights Reserved.