We have reached the point of the year where I normally say I am putting away my keyboard for a couple of weeks, as I take some time off for Christmas. Since last February, taking two weeks off is nothing new at all. Just because my postings have been few and far between, does not mean you will be hearing less and less from me as time goes on. It just means there is really not a whole lot to write about.
Looking back, I don’t know how I came up with three topics a week in the offseason over the years. There is to be some testing around mid-January. That will begin the news cycle and wake up the IndyCar fans our of a long winter’s nap. Don’t forget, Dale Coyne still says he will name his second driver by Christmas. The clock s winding down on that one, but I suspect he may give us some news before New Year’s to distract us from countless pre- New Year’s Bowls that have been rendered totally pointless since the College Football Playoffs expanded to twelve teams.
But I did want to take some time on a rather warm Christmas Eve morning to put down a few thoughts. My daughter will be here later today, so that’s always a good thing. Susan’s health is currently good and we are hoping for a much healthier 2026, than she had in 2025 when she went to the ER on New Year’s Day that began two and a half months in and out of the hospitals. We don’t want that again.
I began packing up my IndyCar paraphernalia at work in preparation for my retirement on Jan 9. After New Year’s Day, I will start the big move, which includes a big bookshelf. Where it’s going to go in this house that is way too full, I’m not sure. The big purge is to begin the week after a retire, and Susan is not happy about that at all.
But that’s for in a couple of weeks. In the meantime, we are looking forward to our Christmas Day family dinner, then our usual New Year’s Eve prime-rib dinner that just involves Susan and me. After my retirement, I’ll probably find myself back here a little more frequently – but not back to the regular three times a week grind.
Susan and I want to take this time to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I would also like to thank everyone for sticking with the site as we transitioned into more sporadic posting.
Here’s to a very enjoyable racing season in 2026!
Susan and George Phillips
Oilpressure 