Sunday, November 18, 2007

Nov. 18 newsstand: A new (old) track?

A new (old) track for the IRL?
According to the new New Hampshire Motor Speedway owners, talks may begin with the IRL to return the open-wheel circuit to the New England track for the first time since 1998, when the Bahres kicked the IRL out due to dismal attendance.

From the Boston Herald, "(NHMS VP/GM Jerry) Gappens also said talks could be in the works to bring the Indy Racing League back to NHMS as soon as 2009."

From the Concord Monitor: "Honestly, I've got a wide open mind," Gappens said. "I think it's prudent on my part to try to explore what would and wouldn't work. Obviously Bob brought CART there, and then he brought IRL in, and he saw a fall-off in ticket sales when the groups split. The other concern with that form of racing right now is that it seems a lot of their marquee names are coming to NASCAR, so the ticket-buying public needs to be able to recognize (the drivers.)" ... With Danica Patrick and Dan Wheldon at the fore, there remain some famous names on an IRL entry sheet, and with New England's tradition in modified racing, Gappens believes there could be interest. Though he's not going to put the track in a position to take a hit.

Gappens is a former Indy 500 pit reporter and a native of Windfall, IN (I'm surprised to find that *anybody* is a native of Windfall ... it's one of those towns where the "welcome to" and "now leaving" signs are on the same post).

NHMS would be a great venue for the IRL to return to, even though the support for traditional open-cockpit OW racing isn't very strong in the northeast (Modified racing, however, is HUGE in that part of the world).

Clarke sounds off
Gordon Kirby has a sit-down with outgoing Honda racing director Robert Clarke.
Clarke wants a new, unique IndyCar for 2011 (but not necessarily what the art students came up with).

Says Clarke about staying in the IRL (and having difficulty getting competition because Honda is so strong): "I'm reminded on a frequent basis by owners and drivers, and those in the sanctioning body, that they appreciate what we did and what we've contributed. They're all hopeful that Honda will stay beyond '09 and I've been talking internally about it in recent discussions with our management. Back in 2005 we said we don't want to be a sole supplier. We want competition, but we also want this series to be strong and a place we want to stay longterm. ... I think Honda itself may be a problem because I hear from other manufacturers that Honda is too serious about its racing and they question whether they could be competitive against us."

Clarke also addresses his futile attempts to bring together a merger, what he thinks the IRL needs to do to move forward (including some more "green" steps) and a few other issues. A good read.

Penske's new driver
Ryan Briscoe talks with the media after joining Penske Racing.
Says Ryan: "You know, it's sort of a dream position for a driver, and you know, to get the chance to come back full-time in the IndyCar Series, I'm extremely excited. You know, I hope I can live up to the expectations, do a great job, and I can't wait to get it all started."

More love for Helio
The Sacramento Bee says Helio has really benefited the IRL from his appearance on DWTS. Meanwhile, Helio is the "sexiest speed demon." IndyCar.com also has the "sexy Helio" story.

If you're going to Milwaukee
Next year's Milwaukee race weekend will have an added show. The ICS and IPS races will be held on Sunday, but Saturday's action will also include a Hooters Cup race, according to Dave Kallman of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

Drivers running elsewhere
Tony Kanaan and Vitor Meira are going to be busy next weekend, running in the International Challenge of Go-Kart Champs.

Meanwhile, Milka Duno and Eddie Cheever are part of the field for the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona.

Former drivers running elsewhere
As I type this, Sam Hornish has a date with the SAFER Barrier at Homestead in a cab. Motorsport.com has stories on Dario and Sam, while Rusty Wallace welcomes the OW drivers. Sam says there are no plans to run Indy in 2008, but he may (and will likely) return in the future.

Dario has a lot of good things to say about his time as an IndyCar driver on IndyCar.com.
Says the reigning champ: "There is a misconception that I left the IndyCar Series because there was something wrong with it and there really is not. It was time for that new challenge. It was time to start a new adventure. I was looking for that but there is nothing wrong with the IndyCar Series. In fact, it's one of the greatest series in racing."

Meanwhile, Sam's departure has hit many in the IndyCar family rather hard, according to Jeff Olson.

If you think we whine too much
Check out the moans of NASCAR fans. Xenophobia, jingoism and "Dale Jr. is a crybaby" at its finest. Oh, and Indy 500 winner/IRL champ Dario Franchitti isn't qualified to drive a stock car.

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