Where in the world is Tomas Scheckter?

Over the last week or so, there has been much talk about Tomas Scheckter and where he will end up this season.  With every conversation of how “exciting” he is, and how “fearless” he is.  Then the typical conversation starts.

“Tomas is nothing but a problem child.” ” Tomas wrecks too many cars, we don’t need him screwing up the new DW12″ “Tomas burned too many bridges in the paddock, we all know that”

I just want to throw some statistics up here.

South African Karting Champion – 1995

Formula Vauxhal Junior Series – 3rd place in championship standings (beat Takuma Sato)

Formula Opel Euroseries Champion – 1999 – Broke all previous records held by Barrichello, Hakkinen, and Coulthard

Formula Nissan – two races, 2 poles, a 1st place, and a 2nd place – 1999

Formula 3 Series – Runner up in championship points, two wins, two poles – 2000

Signed as Formula 1 test driver for Jaguar (team manager Bobby Rahal, who was fired shortly after for “reportedly” trying to “sell” a driver)

Of those racing in the current IndyCar series, many of them have a similar background, not necessarily the success.

Ok, I digress, so when people say these things about Tomas, I ask them, “Tell me what you mean?”

Typical responses are “He just wrecked alot” ” He almost killed Kenny Brack” yadda yadda yadda

Here is what I see.

He finished in the top ten in IICS points in 4 of his first 6 seasons in the league

He won once in his rookie campaign, with a backup pit crew, and the backup car (Michigan)

Indianapolis 500 Co-Rookie of the year at the Indianapolis 500 in after leading 85 laps.

2004-2005 campaign was the only competitive Chevy driver (considered by many to be the weakest engine in the series) with Panther racing.

All of these statistics happened during the “wreckter” phase of Tomas career.  Since then he has been consistently quick, exciting to watch, but forced to work with less  sponsorship that other drivers with lower caliber teams.  Until the 2011 Indianapolis 500.  Tomas was THE most exciting car on the track with SH/KV Racing and Team Redline.  Consistently passing on the high side throughout the race, he owned the track.  He finished a pleasant 8th position.

But that isn’t enough.  Tomas has said many times he wants to win at Indy, and every team on the grid knows that if they put Tomas in the car at Indy, he will be competitive.  In ten starts he is ranked as the 37th most laps led at Indy.

Now, most of you reading this will probably know that I call Tomas a friend.  So when I ask for people who complain about him and his “background” to tell me more, I really want to hear this.  The Tomas that I know eats, sleeps, and breathes racing.  He loves to compete, and that drives him to sometimes be more reserved at races and especially at Indy.  I was at Indy with him last year, and didn’t speak one word with him.  He is just that “in the zone” when it is race weekend.

I also have been with Tomas outside of the racetrack.  At his birthday party this past year, he sat in the VIP room at Bartinis, and was quiet most of the night while I was there.  I asked him if he was ok, and he said “Sometimes I just hate all of this stuff” indicating the club and party.  ”I’d rather be racing,” he said.

So I ask each of you who read this.  If Tomas doesn’t race full time in the IICS this season, why is that?

If you give me a reason, you better back it up.