There have been rumors of A.J. Foyt Racing wanting a second car ... and also rumors from Homestead that Chile native Pablo Donoso was testing Darren Manning's #14 car today.
Now, we find this at www.pablodonoso.com
"Pablo Donoso se convierte en piloto oficial de A.J. Foyt para la temporada 2008."
Translated: Pablo Donoso becomes official pilot for A.J. Foyt during the 2008 season."
Also, on the site, it says Donoso has been confirmed to drive the 41 car.
The site has a photo of Donoso, A.J. and Eliseo Salazar, as well as today's practice report, in which it appears he ran 82 laps.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Silly season update: Feb. 29
The short version
Confirmed/likely IRL FULL-TIME returnees (19 full-time cars)
AGR (4): 7-Danica Patrick, 11-Tony Kanaan, 26-Marco Andretti, 27-Hideki Mutoh
D&R (2): 15-Buddy Rice, 23-Milka Duno/Townsend Bell
Foyt (2): 14-Darren Manning, 41-Pablo Donoso
Ganassi (2): 9-Scott Dixon, 10-Dan Wheldon
Panther (1): 4-Vitor Meira
Penske (2): 3-Helio Castroneves, 6-Ryan Briscoe
RLR (1): 17-Ryan Hunter-Reay
Roth (2): 24-Jay Howard, 25-Marty Roth
Vision (3): 2-A.J. Foyt IV, 20-Ed Carpenter, 22?-Alex Lloyd
Champ Car teams (7 confirmed cars, up to 13 total cars)
*-Confirmed team
*Conquest (2): Franck Perera, TBA (Simon Pagenaud?)
*KV (2): Oriol Servia, TBA (Will Power?)
*Newman/Haas/Lanigan (2): 06-Justin Wilson, 02-Graham Rahal (We'll see if the numbers change)
*Walker (1-2): Will Power (unless he goes to KV)
Coyne (2): Bruno Junqueira, TBA
Minardi USA (1): Robert Dornboos
Pacific Coast (2): Alex Figge, David Martinez?
Part-time/Indy-only (listed in order of likelihood of happening)
*-Confirmed team
*-Fisher (1): 67-Sarah Fisher (Indy/Texas/Kentucky/Chicagoland)
*-Luczo Dragon (1): 12-Tomas Scheckter (Indy/Kansas/Sonoma)
*-Rubicon (1): Max Papis (Indy-only)
Beck (1): Roger Yasukawa (Indy-only)
Playa Del Racing (1-2): Al Unser III?
PDM (1): Usually fields a car for Jimmy Kite at the 500. Plans to field an Indy entry this year. Is attempting to secure sponsorship.
Racing Professionals (1): Jon Herb
Additional cars from major teams for Indy: AGR (1); Vision (1)-possibly Davey Hamilton or John Andretti; Panther (1)-possibly John Andretti if no NASCAR conflicts.
Kingdom (1) (haven't heard anything from them)
D.B. Mann (1) (ditto)
Rumored/possible/potential entries (up to 7)
Ganassi (1): Paul Tracy (if Chip decides to have a third car, highly unlikely)
RLR (1): Second car (#8 car vacated by Scott Sharp)
Samax (1): Mario Dominguez?
Future teams
Cheever Racing ... the Aug. 28 IRL press release quotes Eddie's nephew Richard Antinucci as looking to get into the ICS (and get the team back into the ICS) long-term, if, of course, the $$ comes together.
Future races
The schedule will expand to 20+ races in 2009 most likely. Here are some candidates to be added to the docket.
Michigan International Speedway has mentioned they'd be interested in a return for 2009. We've had speculation on New Hampshire Motor Speedway returning to the IRL for 2009 if it loses a Cup date, coming from NHMS themselves. However, TG said in the unification press conference that the IRL had exhausted all potential ovals, and insinuated that it would likely not be looking to add any more.
Several reports out of Toronto have stated the city's street race at Exhibition Place is a potential go for 2009.
The Mexico City race has been mentioned as a possible addition for either 2008 or 2009
NHL co-owner Mike Lanigan promotes street/airport events in Houston and Cleveland. Lanigan is hoping to get one or both races on the 2009 schedule.
Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama hosted an IRL test in the fall and its owner expressed hope of hosting an IRL race someday. With unification, it's unlikely to happen.
Other North American CC races that are not in the proposed 2008 schedule, but were on the CC docket: Road America (a strong possibility for the future), Mont-Tremblant (a 50/50 shot for '09, perhaps), Portland (goner, almost didn't make it in '08), Laguna Seca (track rental, could make a merged schedule if Infineon ever drops off the list).
Since we have a lot of teams coming over, here's a list of car numbers that are currently in use
1-Reserved for last year's series champion (AGR, could be used on 5th car at Indy)
2-Vision (A.J. Foyt IV)
3-Penske (Helio Castroneves)
4-Panther (Vitor Meira)
6-Penske (Ryan Briscoe)
7-AGR (Danica Patrick)
8-RLR (currently not in use, unless RLR expands team, which is unlikely)
9-Ganassi (Scott Dixon)
10-Ganassi (Dan Wheldon)
11-AGR (Tony Kanaan)
12-Luczo Dragon (Tomas Scheckter)
14-A.J. Foyt (Darren Manning)
15-D&R (Buddy Rice)
17-RLR (RHR)
18-PDM (Indy-only)
19-Racing Professionals (Jon Herb, Indy-only)
20-Vision (Ed Carpenter)
21-Playa del Racing (Indy-only)
22-Vision (Alex Lloyd?)
23-D&R (Milka Duno)
24-Roth (Jay Howard)
25-Roth (Marty Roth)
26-AGR (Marco Andretti)
27-AGR (Hideki Mutoh)
31-Playa del Racing (Indy-only)
39-AGR (5th Indy entry, if they don't use #1 this year)
41-A.J. Foyt (usually used additional Indy entries)
55-Panther (could be used for 2nd Indy entry?)
67-Fisher (Sarah Fisher)
77-Chastain Motorsports (Indy-only, used in 2007)
91-Hemelgarn (Indy-only, if they run)
98-Greg Beck (Indy-only)
99-Sam Schmidt (Indy-only, if they run)
Known vacant numbers: 5, 13, 16, 28, 29, 30, 32-38, 40, 42-54, 56-66, 68-76, 78-90, 92-97
An NHL statement listed Graham Rahal and Justin Wilson's car numbers as 02 and 06. We'll see if those hold.
Confirmed/likely IRL FULL-TIME returnees (19 full-time cars)
AGR (4): 7-Danica Patrick, 11-Tony Kanaan, 26-Marco Andretti, 27-Hideki Mutoh
D&R (2): 15-Buddy Rice, 23-Milka Duno/Townsend Bell
Foyt (2): 14-Darren Manning, 41-Pablo Donoso
Ganassi (2): 9-Scott Dixon, 10-Dan Wheldon
Panther (1): 4-Vitor Meira
Penske (2): 3-Helio Castroneves, 6-Ryan Briscoe
RLR (1): 17-Ryan Hunter-Reay
Roth (2): 24-Jay Howard, 25-Marty Roth
Vision (3): 2-A.J. Foyt IV, 20-Ed Carpenter, 22?-Alex Lloyd
Champ Car teams (7 confirmed cars, up to 13 total cars)
*-Confirmed team
*Conquest (2): Franck Perera, TBA (Simon Pagenaud?)
*KV (2): Oriol Servia, TBA (Will Power?)
*Newman/Haas/Lanigan (2): 06-Justin Wilson, 02-Graham Rahal (We'll see if the numbers change)
*Walker (1-2): Will Power (unless he goes to KV)
Coyne (2): Bruno Junqueira, TBA
Minardi USA (1): Robert Dornboos
Pacific Coast (2): Alex Figge, David Martinez?
Part-time/Indy-only (listed in order of likelihood of happening)
*-Confirmed team
*-Fisher (1): 67-Sarah Fisher (Indy/Texas/Kentucky/Chicagoland)
*-Luczo Dragon (1): 12-Tomas Scheckter (Indy/Kansas/Sonoma)
*-Rubicon (1): Max Papis (Indy-only)
Beck (1): Roger Yasukawa (Indy-only)
Playa Del Racing (1-2): Al Unser III?
PDM (1): Usually fields a car for Jimmy Kite at the 500. Plans to field an Indy entry this year. Is attempting to secure sponsorship.
Racing Professionals (1): Jon Herb
Additional cars from major teams for Indy: AGR (1); Vision (1)-possibly Davey Hamilton or John Andretti; Panther (1)-possibly John Andretti if no NASCAR conflicts.
Kingdom (1) (haven't heard anything from them)
D.B. Mann (1) (ditto)
Rumored/possible/potential entries (up to 7)
Ganassi (1): Paul Tracy (if Chip decides to have a third car, highly unlikely)
RLR (1): Second car (#8 car vacated by Scott Sharp)
Samax (1): Mario Dominguez?
Future teams
Cheever Racing ... the Aug. 28 IRL press release quotes Eddie's nephew Richard Antinucci as looking to get into the ICS (and get the team back into the ICS) long-term, if, of course, the $$ comes together.
Future races
The schedule will expand to 20+ races in 2009 most likely. Here are some candidates to be added to the docket.
Michigan International Speedway has mentioned they'd be interested in a return for 2009. We've had speculation on New Hampshire Motor Speedway returning to the IRL for 2009 if it loses a Cup date, coming from NHMS themselves. However, TG said in the unification press conference that the IRL had exhausted all potential ovals, and insinuated that it would likely not be looking to add any more.
Several reports out of Toronto have stated the city's street race at Exhibition Place is a potential go for 2009.
The Mexico City race has been mentioned as a possible addition for either 2008 or 2009
NHL co-owner Mike Lanigan promotes street/airport events in Houston and Cleveland. Lanigan is hoping to get one or both races on the 2009 schedule.
Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama hosted an IRL test in the fall and its owner expressed hope of hosting an IRL race someday. With unification, it's unlikely to happen.
Other North American CC races that are not in the proposed 2008 schedule, but were on the CC docket: Road America (a strong possibility for the future), Mont-Tremblant (a 50/50 shot for '09, perhaps), Portland (goner, almost didn't make it in '08), Laguna Seca (track rental, could make a merged schedule if Infineon ever drops off the list).
Since we have a lot of teams coming over, here's a list of car numbers that are currently in use
1-Reserved for last year's series champion (AGR, could be used on 5th car at Indy)
2-Vision (A.J. Foyt IV)
3-Penske (Helio Castroneves)
4-Panther (Vitor Meira)
6-Penske (Ryan Briscoe)
7-AGR (Danica Patrick)
8-RLR (currently not in use, unless RLR expands team, which is unlikely)
9-Ganassi (Scott Dixon)
10-Ganassi (Dan Wheldon)
11-AGR (Tony Kanaan)
12-Luczo Dragon (Tomas Scheckter)
14-A.J. Foyt (Darren Manning)
15-D&R (Buddy Rice)
17-RLR (RHR)
18-PDM (Indy-only)
19-Racing Professionals (Jon Herb, Indy-only)
20-Vision (Ed Carpenter)
21-Playa del Racing (Indy-only)
22-Vision (Alex Lloyd?)
23-D&R (Milka Duno)
24-Roth (Jay Howard)
25-Roth (Marty Roth)
26-AGR (Marco Andretti)
27-AGR (Hideki Mutoh)
31-Playa del Racing (Indy-only)
39-AGR (5th Indy entry, if they don't use #1 this year)
41-A.J. Foyt (usually used additional Indy entries)
55-Panther (could be used for 2nd Indy entry?)
67-Fisher (Sarah Fisher)
77-Chastain Motorsports (Indy-only, used in 2007)
91-Hemelgarn (Indy-only, if they run)
98-Greg Beck (Indy-only)
99-Sam Schmidt (Indy-only, if they run)
Known vacant numbers: 5, 13, 16, 28, 29, 30, 32-38, 40, 42-54, 56-66, 68-76, 78-90, 92-97
An NHL statement listed Graham Rahal and Justin Wilson's car numbers as 02 and 06. We'll see if those hold.
Feb. 29 newsstand: PT a free agent & other news
The Forsythe Fallout tops today's news
PT wants to be with Penske or Ganassi
PT has asked Tony George to find him a ride (apparently, one is available at Vision, which PT hasn't wanted to go after). Chip would be more likely than Roger. Paul has also talked with Jimmy Vasser about joining his team, as a teammate to Oriol Servia: "Jimmy didn't say what he is doing with the other car, but it doesn't sound like he'll have one available."
Meanwhile, Michael Andretti tells PT to take the Vision offer.
The Toronto Star says PT has been left high and dry
Says PT: "I had a gut feeling the whole time through the merger talks. When I called the team and asked, `What's going on? When are we going to get the new cars?' nobody knew anything. The answer I'd get was, `We haven't been able to get a hold of Gerry. We have no answer; we're sitting and waiting. ... Now, at the end of the day, he's decided not to play ball. It's a shame because we've assembled such a great team this winter. I felt everyone was on the same page and geared up to go win races.''
Apparently, Forsythe was not completely happy with the terms of the agreement, and reluctantly signed (and then took his ball and went home).
Stories about Forsythe's shutdown: Canada.com, Indianapolis Star, Speed TV
Says PT: "I thought that with that same kind of spirit in the team, we could have challenged for victory at the Indy 500. I believe I'm one of the best oval drivers in the country, and with the strong crew that we had in place, we could have been contenders."
However, my favorite PT quote comes here (from Robin Miller's story): “Neil (Micklewright of FCR) said he’d been trying to get a hold of my manager but he was having a colonoscopy today. That’s ironic ‘cause that’s what I feel like I got.”
Michael Andretti saw Forsythe's exit coming
Says Michael: "I wasn't surprised. I assumed that was going to happen. It was just a gut feel. He's a proud man. There has to be a reason he was doing the things he was doing (in Champ Car), and I just didn't see him caving in to come over here."
Silly season stuff
There's lots of other info in the Indy Star's notebook
*-KV racing might swipe Will Power from Walker for its second car.
*-Chip Ganassi is talking to TG about taking Alex Lloyd for its third car.
Buddy Rice confirmed at D&R
Also, if you look at the Sebring participant list, Townsend Bell is sharing D&R's second car with Milka Duno
Testing, testing
Now healthy, Danica fastest at Homestead
The top five: Danica (213.182), Briscoe, Wheldon, AJIV, Dixon.
IndyCar.com's testing story
Official IRL notes & quotes from Day 2
After Homestead, the testing now heads to Sebring March 3-6
IndyCar.com: Countdown begins to opening weekend
Local markets
TMS' Eddie Gossage advises the new IRL to be humble
Says Eddie: "IndyCar racing needs to take a humble approach in reaching out to fans, to bring them back. Humbly ask them to come to the racetrack. Humbly ask them to tune in their TV sets to watch what is the most thrilling form of racing in America today. If IndyCar racing isn't humble, it won't matter. Humble is the key word."
Toronto Globe & Mail: Toronto remains a priority
Says the IRL's Terry Angstadt: "We want to return there in a big and strong way (even) if we have to take a year off."
Commentaries
The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's Dave Kallman reads into the company line
Says Dave: "What Kalkhoven said was: 'I don't think there was one specific thing (behind settling now). It was just a realization that, quite honestly, open-wheel sport, open-wheel motor racing in the United States, just wasn't going anywhere.' ... What he meant was, 'You were telling us, but we didn't listen until we'd spent too much money first.'"
Dallas Morning News: Merger gives hope for open-wheel revival
Kevin Harvick hopes OW racing can return to its former glory.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Back to future for OW
Says writer Holly Cain: "It's time to talk of the potential for Indy car racing, the brand of sexy machines, high speed and danger that made us embrace and celebrate drivers like Mario Andretti, A.J. Foyt, Rick Mears, Al Unser and Bobby Rahal."
Anderson (IN) Herald-Bulletin: Reality leads to unification
IndyCar.com: Drivers see fans as big winners
Team storiesPT wants to be with Penske or Ganassi
PT has asked Tony George to find him a ride (apparently, one is available at Vision, which PT hasn't wanted to go after). Chip would be more likely than Roger. Paul has also talked with Jimmy Vasser about joining his team, as a teammate to Oriol Servia: "Jimmy didn't say what he is doing with the other car, but it doesn't sound like he'll have one available."
Meanwhile, Michael Andretti tells PT to take the Vision offer.
The Toronto Star says PT has been left high and dry
Says PT: "I had a gut feeling the whole time through the merger talks. When I called the team and asked, `What's going on? When are we going to get the new cars?' nobody knew anything. The answer I'd get was, `We haven't been able to get a hold of Gerry. We have no answer; we're sitting and waiting. ... Now, at the end of the day, he's decided not to play ball. It's a shame because we've assembled such a great team this winter. I felt everyone was on the same page and geared up to go win races.''
Apparently, Forsythe was not completely happy with the terms of the agreement, and reluctantly signed (and then took his ball and went home).
Stories about Forsythe's shutdown: Canada.com, Indianapolis Star, Speed TV
Says PT: "I thought that with that same kind of spirit in the team, we could have challenged for victory at the Indy 500. I believe I'm one of the best oval drivers in the country, and with the strong crew that we had in place, we could have been contenders."
However, my favorite PT quote comes here (from Robin Miller's story): “Neil (Micklewright of FCR) said he’d been trying to get a hold of my manager but he was having a colonoscopy today. That’s ironic ‘cause that’s what I feel like I got.”
Michael Andretti saw Forsythe's exit coming
Says Michael: "I wasn't surprised. I assumed that was going to happen. It was just a gut feel. He's a proud man. There has to be a reason he was doing the things he was doing (in Champ Car), and I just didn't see him caving in to come over here."
Silly season stuff
There's lots of other info in the Indy Star's notebook
*-KV racing might swipe Will Power from Walker for its second car.
*-Chip Ganassi is talking to TG about taking Alex Lloyd for its third car.
Buddy Rice confirmed at D&R
Also, if you look at the Sebring participant list, Townsend Bell is sharing D&R's second car with Milka Duno
Testing, testing
Now healthy, Danica fastest at Homestead
The top five: Danica (213.182), Briscoe, Wheldon, AJIV, Dixon.
IndyCar.com's testing story
Official IRL notes & quotes from Day 2
After Homestead, the testing now heads to Sebring March 3-6
IndyCar.com: Countdown begins to opening weekend
Local markets
TMS' Eddie Gossage advises the new IRL to be humble
Says Eddie: "IndyCar racing needs to take a humble approach in reaching out to fans, to bring them back. Humbly ask them to come to the racetrack. Humbly ask them to tune in their TV sets to watch what is the most thrilling form of racing in America today. If IndyCar racing isn't humble, it won't matter. Humble is the key word."
Toronto Globe & Mail: Toronto remains a priority
Says the IRL's Terry Angstadt: "We want to return there in a big and strong way (even) if we have to take a year off."
Commentaries
The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's Dave Kallman reads into the company line
Says Dave: "What Kalkhoven said was: 'I don't think there was one specific thing (behind settling now). It was just a realization that, quite honestly, open-wheel sport, open-wheel motor racing in the United States, just wasn't going anywhere.' ... What he meant was, 'You were telling us, but we didn't listen until we'd spent too much money first.'"
Dallas Morning News: Merger gives hope for open-wheel revival
Kevin Harvick hopes OW racing can return to its former glory.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Back to future for OW
Says writer Holly Cain: "It's time to talk of the potential for Indy car racing, the brand of sexy machines, high speed and danger that made us embrace and celebrate drivers like Mario Andretti, A.J. Foyt, Rick Mears, Al Unser and Bobby Rahal."
Anderson (IN) Herald-Bulletin: Reality leads to unification
IndyCar.com: Drivers see fans as big winners
Edmonton Journal: NHL to test itself against the best
Says Justin Wilson: We are certainly not in the same situation, competition-wise, starting the IndyCar Series season ... but Newman-Haas-Lanigan Racing are proven winners and we will all work hard to be as competitive as possible this season."
Inside Bay Area: Vitor hopes to break IRL's troika
Says Panther's driver: "The teams that are coming ... they are very competent. They have very good people and very good drivers. It's going to be tough from the first race on, and it's going to get tougher as they (gain more experience)."
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Silly Season update: Feb. 28
The short version
Confirmed/likely IRL FULL-TIME returnees (18 full-time cars)
AGR (4): 7-Danica Patrick, 11-Tony Kanaan, 26-Marco Andretti, 27-Hideki Mutoh
D&R (2): 15-Buddy Rice, 23-Milka Duno/Townsend Bell
Foyt (1): 14-Darren Manning
Ganassi (2): 9-Scott Dixon, 10-Dan Wheldon
Panther (1): 4-Vitor Meira
Penske (2): 3-Helio Castroneves, 6-Ryan Briscoe
RLR (1): 17-Ryan Hunter-Reay
Roth (2): 24-Jay Howard, 25-Marty Roth
Vision (3): 2-A.J. Foyt IV, 20-Ed Carpenter, 22?-Alex Lloyd
Champ Car teams (7 confirmed cars, up to 13 total cars)
*-Confirmed team
*Conquest (2): Franck Perera, TBA (Simon Pagenaud?)
*KV (2): Alex Tagliani, Oriol Servia
*Newman/Haas/Lanigan (2): 06-Justin Wilson, 02-Graham Rahal (We'll see if the numbers change)
*Walker (1-2): Will Power
Coyne (2): Bruno Junqueira
Minardi USA (1): Robert Doornboos
Pacific Coast (2): Alex Figge, David Martinez?
Part-time/Indy-only (listed in order of likelihood of happening)
*-Confirmed team
*-Fisher (1): 67-Sarah Fisher (Indy/Texas/Kentucky/Chicagoland)
*-Luczo Dragon (1): 12-Tomas Scheckter (Indy/Kansas/Sonoma)
*-Rubicon (1): Max Papis (Indy-only)
Beck (1): Roger Yasukawa (Indy-only)
Playa Del Racing (1-2): Al Unser III?
PDM (1): Usually fields a car for Jimmy Kite at the 500. Plans to field an Indy entry this year. Is attempting to secure sponsorship.
Racing Professionals (1): Jon Herb
Additional cars from major teams for Indy: AGR (1); Vision (1)-possibly Davey Hamilton or John Andretti; Panther (1)-possibly John Andretti if no NASCAR conflicts.
Kingdom (1) (haven't heard anything from them)
D.B. Mann (1) (ditto)
Rumored/possible/potential entries (up to 7)
RLR (1): Second car (#8 car vacated by Scott Sharp)
Samax (1): Mario Dominguez?
Future teams
Cheever Racing ... the Aug. 28 IRL press release quotes Eddie's nephew Richard Antinucci as looking to get into the ICS (and get the team back into the ICS) long-term, if, of course, the $$ comes together.
Future races
The schedule will expand to 20+ races in 2009 most likely. Here are some candidates to be added to the docket.
Michigan International Speedway has mentioned they'd be interested in a return for 2009. We've had speculation on New Hampshire Motor Speedway returning to the IRL for 2009 if it loses a Cup date, coming from NHMS themselves. However, TG said in the unification press conference that the IRL had exhausted all potential ovals, and insinuated that it would likely not be looking to add any more.
Several reports out of Toronto have stated the city's street race at Exhibition Place is a potential go for 2009.
The Mexico City race has been mentioned as a possible addition for either 2008 or 2009
NHL co-owner Mike Lanigan promotes street/airport events in Houston and Cleveland. Lanigan is hoping to get one or both races on the 2009 schedule.
Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama hosted an IRL test in the fall and its owner expressed hope of hosting an IRL race someday. With unification, it's unlikely to happen.
Other North American CC races that are not in the proposed 2008 schedule, but were on the CC docket: Road America (a strong possibility for the future), Mont-Tremblant (a 50/50 shot for '09, perhaps), Portland (goner, almost didn't make it in '08), Laguna Seca (track rental, could make a merged schedule if Infineon ever drops off the list).
Since we have a lot of teams coming over, here's a list of car numbers that are currently in use
1-Reserved for last year's series champion (AGR, could be used on 5th car at Indy)
2-Vision (A.J. Foyt IV)
3-Penske (Helio Castroneves)
4-Panther (Vitor Meira)
6-Penske (Ryan Briscoe)
7-AGR (Danica Patrick)
8-RLR (currently not in use, unless RLR expands team, which is unlikely)
9-Ganassi (Scott Dixon)
10-Ganassi (Dan Wheldon)
11-AGR (Tony Kanaan)
12-Luczo Dragon (Tomas Scheckter)
14-A.J. Foyt (Darren Manning)
15-D&R (Buddy Rice)
17-RLR (RHR)
18-PDM (Indy-only)
19-Racing Professionals (Jon Herb, Indy-only)
20-Vision (Ed Carpenter)
21-Playa del Racing (Indy-only)
22-Vision (Alex Lloyd?)
23-D&R (Milka Duno)
24-Roth (Jay Howard)
25-Roth (Marty Roth)
26-AGR (Marco Andretti)
27-AGR (Hideki Mutoh)
31-Playa del Racing (Indy-only)
39-AGR (5th Indy entry, if they don't use #1 this year)
41-A.J. Foyt (usually used additional Indy entries)
55-Panther (could be used for 2nd Indy entry?)
67-Fisher (Sarah Fisher)
77-Chastain Motorsports (Indy-only, used in 2007)
91-Hemelgarn (Indy-only, if they run)
98-Greg Beck (Indy-only)
99-Sam Schmidt (Indy-only, if they run)
Known vacant numbers: 5, 13, 16, 28, 29, 30, 32-38, 40, 42-54, 56-66, 68-76, 78-90, 92-97
An NHL statement listed Graham Rahal and Justin Wilson's car numbers as 02 and 06. We'll see if those hold.
Confirmed/likely IRL FULL-TIME returnees (18 full-time cars)
AGR (4): 7-Danica Patrick, 11-Tony Kanaan, 26-Marco Andretti, 27-Hideki Mutoh
D&R (2): 15-Buddy Rice, 23-Milka Duno/Townsend Bell
Foyt (1): 14-Darren Manning
Ganassi (2): 9-Scott Dixon, 10-Dan Wheldon
Panther (1): 4-Vitor Meira
Penske (2): 3-Helio Castroneves, 6-Ryan Briscoe
RLR (1): 17-Ryan Hunter-Reay
Roth (2): 24-Jay Howard, 25-Marty Roth
Vision (3): 2-A.J. Foyt IV, 20-Ed Carpenter, 22?-Alex Lloyd
Champ Car teams (7 confirmed cars, up to 13 total cars)
*-Confirmed team
*Conquest (2): Franck Perera, TBA (Simon Pagenaud?)
*KV (2): Alex Tagliani, Oriol Servia
*Newman/Haas/Lanigan (2): 06-Justin Wilson, 02-Graham Rahal (We'll see if the numbers change)
*Walker (1-2): Will Power
Coyne (2): Bruno Junqueira
Minardi USA (1): Robert Doornboos
Pacific Coast (2): Alex Figge, David Martinez?
Part-time/Indy-only (listed in order of likelihood of happening)
*-Confirmed team
*-Fisher (1): 67-Sarah Fisher (Indy/Texas/Kentucky/Chicagoland)
*-Luczo Dragon (1): 12-Tomas Scheckter (Indy/Kansas/Sonoma)
*-Rubicon (1): Max Papis (Indy-only)
Beck (1): Roger Yasukawa (Indy-only)
Playa Del Racing (1-2): Al Unser III?
PDM (1): Usually fields a car for Jimmy Kite at the 500. Plans to field an Indy entry this year. Is attempting to secure sponsorship.
Racing Professionals (1): Jon Herb
Additional cars from major teams for Indy: AGR (1); Vision (1)-possibly Davey Hamilton or John Andretti; Panther (1)-possibly John Andretti if no NASCAR conflicts.
Kingdom (1) (haven't heard anything from them)
D.B. Mann (1) (ditto)
Rumored/possible/potential entries (up to 7)
RLR (1): Second car (#8 car vacated by Scott Sharp)
Samax (1): Mario Dominguez?
Future teams
Cheever Racing ... the Aug. 28 IRL press release quotes Eddie's nephew Richard Antinucci as looking to get into the ICS (and get the team back into the ICS) long-term, if, of course, the $$ comes together.
Future races
The schedule will expand to 20+ races in 2009 most likely. Here are some candidates to be added to the docket.
Michigan International Speedway has mentioned they'd be interested in a return for 2009. We've had speculation on New Hampshire Motor Speedway returning to the IRL for 2009 if it loses a Cup date, coming from NHMS themselves. However, TG said in the unification press conference that the IRL had exhausted all potential ovals, and insinuated that it would likely not be looking to add any more.
Several reports out of Toronto have stated the city's street race at Exhibition Place is a potential go for 2009.
The Mexico City race has been mentioned as a possible addition for either 2008 or 2009
NHL co-owner Mike Lanigan promotes street/airport events in Houston and Cleveland. Lanigan is hoping to get one or both races on the 2009 schedule.
Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama hosted an IRL test in the fall and its owner expressed hope of hosting an IRL race someday. With unification, it's unlikely to happen.
Other North American CC races that are not in the proposed 2008 schedule, but were on the CC docket: Road America (a strong possibility for the future), Mont-Tremblant (a 50/50 shot for '09, perhaps), Portland (goner, almost didn't make it in '08), Laguna Seca (track rental, could make a merged schedule if Infineon ever drops off the list).
Since we have a lot of teams coming over, here's a list of car numbers that are currently in use
1-Reserved for last year's series champion (AGR, could be used on 5th car at Indy)
2-Vision (A.J. Foyt IV)
3-Penske (Helio Castroneves)
4-Panther (Vitor Meira)
6-Penske (Ryan Briscoe)
7-AGR (Danica Patrick)
8-RLR (currently not in use, unless RLR expands team, which is unlikely)
9-Ganassi (Scott Dixon)
10-Ganassi (Dan Wheldon)
11-AGR (Tony Kanaan)
12-Luczo Dragon (Tomas Scheckter)
14-A.J. Foyt (Darren Manning)
15-D&R (Buddy Rice)
17-RLR (RHR)
18-PDM (Indy-only)
19-Racing Professionals (Jon Herb, Indy-only)
20-Vision (Ed Carpenter)
21-Playa del Racing (Indy-only)
22-Vision (Alex Lloyd?)
23-D&R (Milka Duno)
24-Roth (Jay Howard)
25-Roth (Marty Roth)
26-AGR (Marco Andretti)
27-AGR (Hideki Mutoh)
31-Playa del Racing (Indy-only)
39-AGR (5th Indy entry, if they don't use #1 this year)
41-A.J. Foyt (usually used additional Indy entries)
55-Panther (could be used for 2nd Indy entry?)
67-Fisher (Sarah Fisher)
77-Chastain Motorsports (Indy-only, used in 2007)
91-Hemelgarn (Indy-only, if they run)
98-Greg Beck (Indy-only)
99-Sam Schmidt (Indy-only, if they run)
Known vacant numbers: 5, 13, 16, 28, 29, 30, 32-38, 40, 42-54, 56-66, 68-76, 78-90, 92-97
An NHL statement listed Graham Rahal and Justin Wilson's car numbers as 02 and 06. We'll see if those hold.
Feb. 28 newsstand: No Forsythe in 2008
The big news of the day ... Gerry Forsythe's team is closing its doors and will not run in the IRL this season.
Says Forsythe's Neil Micklewright: "After 13 years of competition in CART and the Champ Car World Series, the team has been unable to secure the necessary sponsorship to be able to compete in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series in 2008."
Says driver Paul Tracy: "It kind of leaves me hung out. I just got the information, too. ... Now I have some legal issues to jump through with this. I need to step back with my management and sort through my contract, which has a buyout. ...I want to be part of the new series. I'm a race car driver and I love open-wheel racing. I want to be in a competitive situation, to be able to win races and run for the championship."
Also from PT: "I believe I'm one of the best oval drivers in the country and with the strong crew we had in place, we could have been contenders. I need to quickly regroup, regain my composure and start looking for another ride, and I mean in IndyCar. The team may be done, but I'm ready to go racing."
The stories
Sports Illustrated, Autosport, Indianapolis Star, Speed TV
Lots of stories from Canada. A couple: Vancouver Province, Toronto Star, Canadian Press
Other Silly Season stories
Sarah Fisher Racing was announced yesterday. Here is the press conference.
Justin Wilson has confirmed he's making the switch with NHL.
Potential IRL teams flood test session
Among the Silly Season info:
*-Alex Lloyd is soon to be confirmed at Vision.
*-Scheckter, Fisher (already confirmed), Max Papis at Rubicon and Roger Yasukawa with Beck (likely Indy-only or limited schedule for both) likely to be confirmed soon. NHL, Conquest, KV (already confirmed) and Coyne are CC teams planning two cars. Walker is entering one, but hopes for two.
Testing, testing
Wheldon is fast at Homestead
The five quickest: Wheldon, Dixon, Castroneves, TK, Briscoe. AJIV was sixth.
Jeff Olson's Day 1 notebook
Unification news stories
Indianapolis Star: Unification could be costly
Curt Cavin at Autoweek
AP: Unification not a magic bullet
Miami Herald: Much still to do after merger
Florida Today: OW merger a work in progress
Canoe: CC, IRL teams pair off
Unification commentaries
Florida Today: Castroneves knows changes will take time
Says Helio: "I feel in the future we are going to have new talents, new Sam Hornishes and new Darios, whatever. That's why it's very important for us to keep the way we're going."
Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Unification can't happen fast enough
Says TMS promoter Eddie Gossage: "My bigger concern is how they go about conducting their business and what that business is going forward. To me, IndyCar racing is a cornerstone of our schedule. I would hope that IndyCar racing five years from now is 80-85 percent oval tracks, 80-85 percent American drivers. That was the vision we were told about and the teams and drivers and sponsors and TV networks bought into. At the end of the day, that's the (philosophy) that prevailed."
Bruce Martin at SI
TG tells us: "I felt like this was perhaps going to be the best year of my 48 to have a chance to do something that's very important to me and very close to me, and that is to help bring about the unification of open-wheel racing."
John Oreovicz at ESPN
Says Oreo: "(TG & KK) weren't the only ones smiling in Homestead's packed media room. In fact, it was difficult to find anyone on the grounds of the Florida oval who wasn't sporting an ear-to-ear grin."
ESPN: Unification FAQ
Oreo also has an FAQ, with the final question: "Did Tony George win the war?" Click to find out.
Sonoma News
Monterey Herald
Pete Pistone at CBS Sportsline
National Post: Indy racers realize deal was due
Gary (IN) Post-Tribune: Hallelujah
Hartford Courant: OW racing on a new track
Detroit Free Press: OW closes two-circuit era
San Diego Union-Tribune: OW merger may open door to changes
Local market stories
Surfer's Paradise bosses are off to Indianapolis
Says this Aussie story: "Negotiations will centre on whether the Surfers Paradise race is a championship round or non-championship round this year, because of contractual difficulties with Chicago."
Edmonton: GP organizers expect final date soon
And they expect that date to be July 27.
Long Beach: Merger elements revealed and No date change for LB
Including the LB-Motegi double-weekend on April 19-20.
Road America: Could be in IRL's plans
Says RA's George Bruggenthies: "Do I expect to have a race? No. I guess they've been so busy with those challenges that they haven't had time to worry about wrapping up their legal details. ... I'm waiting for confirmation about 2008, and I'd like to be on the schedule for '09."
Toronto: Toronto race highly unlikely
Says the IRL's Fred Nation: "A Toronto race is highly unlikely for this year. But Toronto is high on the list for next year."
Cleveland: Burke race officially gone
Says Cleveland GP GM Chuck Kosich: "We never had any official notification from anybody that Cleveland was off the schedule, from Champ Car or IRL, until today."
St. Pete: Grand Prix remains coveted course and a cornerstone
Says Brian Barnhart: "That's clearly one of the cornerstone events in the IndyCar series that's been on the IndyCar series since 2005. (It) was the very first non-oval event we ever ran and we have been extremely pleased. ... Clearly, it's one of the best events on the schedule, no doubt."
Utah: Miller Motorsports Park likes merger
MMP is not in line for a race, but they're happy with the merger. Says the track's Alan Wilson: "The emphasis on road-course racing is going to return. Because we're a road course, we view that as a very positive thing."
I like Eddie Gossage's comments better, but that's just me.
Says Forsythe's Neil Micklewright: "After 13 years of competition in CART and the Champ Car World Series, the team has been unable to secure the necessary sponsorship to be able to compete in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series in 2008."
Says driver Paul Tracy: "It kind of leaves me hung out. I just got the information, too. ... Now I have some legal issues to jump through with this. I need to step back with my management and sort through my contract, which has a buyout. ...I want to be part of the new series. I'm a race car driver and I love open-wheel racing. I want to be in a competitive situation, to be able to win races and run for the championship."
Also from PT: "I believe I'm one of the best oval drivers in the country and with the strong crew we had in place, we could have been contenders. I need to quickly regroup, regain my composure and start looking for another ride, and I mean in IndyCar. The team may be done, but I'm ready to go racing."
The stories
Sports Illustrated, Autosport, Indianapolis Star, Speed TV
Lots of stories from Canada. A couple: Vancouver Province, Toronto Star, Canadian Press
Other Silly Season stories
Sarah Fisher Racing was announced yesterday. Here is the press conference.
Justin Wilson has confirmed he's making the switch with NHL.
Potential IRL teams flood test session
Among the Silly Season info:
*-Alex Lloyd is soon to be confirmed at Vision.
*-Scheckter, Fisher (already confirmed), Max Papis at Rubicon and Roger Yasukawa with Beck (likely Indy-only or limited schedule for both) likely to be confirmed soon. NHL, Conquest, KV (already confirmed) and Coyne are CC teams planning two cars. Walker is entering one, but hopes for two.
Testing, testing
Wheldon is fast at Homestead
The five quickest: Wheldon, Dixon, Castroneves, TK, Briscoe. AJIV was sixth.
Jeff Olson's Day 1 notebook
Unification news stories
Indianapolis Star: Unification could be costly
Curt Cavin at Autoweek
AP: Unification not a magic bullet
Miami Herald: Much still to do after merger
Florida Today: OW merger a work in progress
Canoe: CC, IRL teams pair off
Unification commentaries
Florida Today: Castroneves knows changes will take time
Says Helio: "I feel in the future we are going to have new talents, new Sam Hornishes and new Darios, whatever. That's why it's very important for us to keep the way we're going."
Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Unification can't happen fast enough
Says TMS promoter Eddie Gossage: "My bigger concern is how they go about conducting their business and what that business is going forward. To me, IndyCar racing is a cornerstone of our schedule. I would hope that IndyCar racing five years from now is 80-85 percent oval tracks, 80-85 percent American drivers. That was the vision we were told about and the teams and drivers and sponsors and TV networks bought into. At the end of the day, that's the (philosophy) that prevailed."
Bruce Martin at SI
TG tells us: "I felt like this was perhaps going to be the best year of my 48 to have a chance to do something that's very important to me and very close to me, and that is to help bring about the unification of open-wheel racing."
John Oreovicz at ESPN
Says Oreo: "(TG & KK) weren't the only ones smiling in Homestead's packed media room. In fact, it was difficult to find anyone on the grounds of the Florida oval who wasn't sporting an ear-to-ear grin."
ESPN: Unification FAQ
Oreo also has an FAQ, with the final question: "Did Tony George win the war?" Click to find out.
Sonoma News
Monterey Herald
Pete Pistone at CBS Sportsline
National Post: Indy racers realize deal was due
Gary (IN) Post-Tribune: Hallelujah
Hartford Courant: OW racing on a new track
Detroit Free Press: OW closes two-circuit era
San Diego Union-Tribune: OW merger may open door to changes
Local market stories
Surfer's Paradise bosses are off to Indianapolis
Says this Aussie story: "Negotiations will centre on whether the Surfers Paradise race is a championship round or non-championship round this year, because of contractual difficulties with Chicago."
Edmonton: GP organizers expect final date soon
And they expect that date to be July 27.
Long Beach: Merger elements revealed and No date change for LB
Including the LB-Motegi double-weekend on April 19-20.
Road America: Could be in IRL's plans
Says RA's George Bruggenthies: "Do I expect to have a race? No. I guess they've been so busy with those challenges that they haven't had time to worry about wrapping up their legal details. ... I'm waiting for confirmation about 2008, and I'd like to be on the schedule for '09."
Toronto: Toronto race highly unlikely
Says the IRL's Fred Nation: "A Toronto race is highly unlikely for this year. But Toronto is high on the list for next year."
Cleveland: Burke race officially gone
Says Cleveland GP GM Chuck Kosich: "We never had any official notification from anybody that Cleveland was off the schedule, from Champ Car or IRL, until today."
St. Pete: Grand Prix remains coveted course and a cornerstone
Says Brian Barnhart: "That's clearly one of the cornerstone events in the IndyCar series that's been on the IndyCar series since 2005. (It) was the very first non-oval event we ever ran and we have been extremely pleased. ... Clearly, it's one of the best events on the schedule, no doubt."
Utah: Miller Motorsports Park likes merger
MMP is not in line for a race, but they're happy with the merger. Says the track's Alan Wilson: "The emphasis on road-course racing is going to return. Because we're a road course, we view that as a very positive thing."
I like Eddie Gossage's comments better, but that's just me.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Silly Season update: Feb. 27
The short version
Confirmed IRL FULL-TIME returnees (16 full-time cars)
AGR (4): 7-Danica Patrick, 11-Tony Kanaan, 26-Marco Andretti, 27-Hideki Mutoh
D&R (1): 15-Buddy Rice
Foyt (1): 14-Darren Manning
Ganassi (2): 9-Scott Dixon, 10-Dan Wheldon.
Panther (1): 4-Vitor Meira
Penske (2): 3-Helio Castroneves, 6-Ryan Briscoe
RLR (1): 17-Ryan Hunter-Reay
Roth (2): 24-Jay Howard, 25-Marty Roth
Vision (2): 2-A.J. Foyt IV, 20-Ed Carpenter
Champ Car teams (up to 14 full-time cars)
*-Confirmed team (currently 7 cars)
*Conquest (2): Franck Perera, TBA (Simon Pagenaud?)
*KV (2): Alex Tagliani?, Oriol Servia
*Newman/Haas/Lanigan (2): 06-Justin Wilson, 02-Graham Rahal (We'll see if the numbers change)
*Walker (1): Will Power?
Forsythe (2): Paul Tracy, TBA (Franck Montagny?)Pacific Coast (2): Alex Figge, David Martinez?
Coyne (2): Bruno Junqueira?
Minardi USA (1): Robert Doornboos?
Rumored/possible/potential entries (up to 7)
Ganassi (1): Alex Lloyd (may be farmed out to another team, Vision perhaps? Could be full-season)
RLR (1): Second car (#8 car vacated by Scott Sharp)
Samax (1): Mario Dominguez?
Part-time/Indy-only (listed in order of likelihood of happening)
*-Confirmed team
*-Fisher (1): 67-Sarah Fisher (Indy/Texas/Kentucky/Chicagoland)
*-Luczo Dragon (1): 12-Tomas Scheckter (Indy/Kansas/Sonoma)
*-Rubicon (1): Max Papis? (Indy-only)
Playa Del Racing (1-2): Al Unser III?
PDM (1): Usually fields a car for Jimmy Kite at the 500. Plans to field an Indy entry this year. Is attempting to secure sponsorship.
Racing Professionals (1): Jon Herb
Greg Beck (1)
Additional cars from major teams for Indy: AGR (1); Vision (1)-possibly Davey Hamilton or John Andretti; Panther (1)-possibly John Andretti if no NASCAR conflicts.
Kingdom (1) (haven't heard anything from them)
D.B. Mann (1) (ditto)
Future teams
Cheever Racing ... the Aug. 28 IRL press release quotes Eddie's nephew Richard Antinucci as looking to get into the ICS (and get the team back into the ICS) long-term, if, of course, the $$ comes together.
Future races
The schedule will expand to 20+ races in 2009 most likely. Here are some candidates to be added to the docket.
Michigan International Speedway has mentioned they'd be interested in a return for 2009. We've had speculation on New Hampshire Motor Speedway returning to the IRL for 2009 if it loses a Cup date, coming from NHMS themselves. However, TG said in the unification press conference that the IRL had exhausted all potential ovals, and insinuated that it would likely not be looking to add any more.
Several reports out of Toronto have stated the city's street race at Exhibition Place is a potential go for 2009.
The Mexico City race has been mentioned as a possible addition for either 2008 or 2009
NHL co-owner Mike Lanigan promotes street/airport events in Houston and Cleveland. Lanigan is hoping to get one or both races on the 2009 schedule.
Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama hosted an IRL test in the fall and its owner expressed hope of hosting an IRL race someday. With unification, it's unlikely to happen.
Other North American CC races that are not in the proposed 2008 schedule, but were on the CC docket: Mont-Tremblant (a 50/50 shot for '09, perhaps), Portland (goner, almost didn't make it in '08), Road America (track rental, but they seem to be interested in having another event), Laguna Seca (track rental, could make a merged schedule if Infineon ever drops off the list).
Since we have a lot of teams coming over, here's a list of car numbers that are currently in use
1-Reserved for last year's series champion (AGR, could be used on 5th car at Indy)
2-Vision (A.J. Foyt IV)
3-Penske (Helio Castroneves)
4-Panther (Vitor Meira)
6-Penske (Ryan Briscoe)
7-AGR (Danica Patrick)
8-RLR (currently not in use, unless RLR expands team, which is unlikely)
9-Ganassi (Scott Dixon)
10-Ganassi (Dan Wheldon)
11-AGR (Tony Kanaan)
12-Luczo Dragon (Tomas Scheckter)
14-A.J. Foyt (Darren Manning)
15-D&R (Buddy Rice)
17-RLR (RHR)
18-PDM (Indy-only)
19-Racing Professionals (Jon Herb, Indy-only)
20-Vision (Ed Carpenter)
21-Playa del Racing (Indy-only)
22-Vision (Indy-only 3rd entry?)
23-D&R (Milka Duno)
24-Roth (Jay Howard)
25-Roth (Marty Roth)
26-AGR (Marco Andretti)
27-AGR (Hideki Mutoh)
31-Playa del Racing (Indy-only)
39-AGR (5th Indy entry)
41-A.J. Foyt (for additional Indy entries)
55-Panther (could be used for 2nd Indy entry?)
67-Fisher (Sarah Fisher)
77-Chastain Motorsports (Indy-only, used in 2007)
91-Hemelgarn (Indy-only, if they run)
98-Greg Beck (Indy-only, if they run)
99-Sam Schmidt (Indy-only, if they run)
Known vacant numbers: 5, 13, 16, 28, 29, 30, 32-38, 40, 42-54, 56-66, 68-76, 78-90, 92-97
An NHL statement listed Graham Rahal and Justin Wilson's car numbers as 02 and 06. We'll see if those hold.
Confirmed IRL FULL-TIME returnees (16 full-time cars)
AGR (4): 7-Danica Patrick, 11-Tony Kanaan, 26-Marco Andretti, 27-Hideki Mutoh
D&R (1): 15-Buddy Rice
Foyt (1): 14-Darren Manning
Ganassi (2): 9-Scott Dixon, 10-Dan Wheldon.
Panther (1): 4-Vitor Meira
Penske (2): 3-Helio Castroneves, 6-Ryan Briscoe
RLR (1): 17-Ryan Hunter-Reay
Roth (2): 24-Jay Howard, 25-Marty Roth
Vision (2): 2-A.J. Foyt IV, 20-Ed Carpenter
Champ Car teams (up to 14 full-time cars)
*-Confirmed team (currently 7 cars)
*Conquest (2): Franck Perera, TBA (Simon Pagenaud?)
*KV (2): Alex Tagliani?, Oriol Servia
*Newman/Haas/Lanigan (2): 06-Justin Wilson, 02-Graham Rahal (We'll see if the numbers change)
*Walker (1): Will Power?
Forsythe (2): Paul Tracy, TBA (Franck Montagny?)Pacific Coast (2): Alex Figge, David Martinez?
Coyne (2): Bruno Junqueira?
Minardi USA (1): Robert Doornboos?
Rumored/possible/potential entries (up to 7)
Ganassi (1): Alex Lloyd (may be farmed out to another team, Vision perhaps? Could be full-season)
RLR (1): Second car (#8 car vacated by Scott Sharp)
Samax (1): Mario Dominguez?
Part-time/Indy-only (listed in order of likelihood of happening)
*-Confirmed team
*-Fisher (1): 67-Sarah Fisher (Indy/Texas/Kentucky/Chicagoland)
*-Luczo Dragon (1): 12-Tomas Scheckter (Indy/Kansas/Sonoma)
*-Rubicon (1): Max Papis? (Indy-only)
Playa Del Racing (1-2): Al Unser III?
PDM (1): Usually fields a car for Jimmy Kite at the 500. Plans to field an Indy entry this year. Is attempting to secure sponsorship.
Racing Professionals (1): Jon Herb
Greg Beck (1)
Additional cars from major teams for Indy: AGR (1); Vision (1)-possibly Davey Hamilton or John Andretti; Panther (1)-possibly John Andretti if no NASCAR conflicts.
Kingdom (1) (haven't heard anything from them)
D.B. Mann (1) (ditto)
Future teams
Cheever Racing ... the Aug. 28 IRL press release quotes Eddie's nephew Richard Antinucci as looking to get into the ICS (and get the team back into the ICS) long-term, if, of course, the $$ comes together.
Future races
The schedule will expand to 20+ races in 2009 most likely. Here are some candidates to be added to the docket.
Michigan International Speedway has mentioned they'd be interested in a return for 2009. We've had speculation on New Hampshire Motor Speedway returning to the IRL for 2009 if it loses a Cup date, coming from NHMS themselves. However, TG said in the unification press conference that the IRL had exhausted all potential ovals, and insinuated that it would likely not be looking to add any more.
Several reports out of Toronto have stated the city's street race at Exhibition Place is a potential go for 2009.
The Mexico City race has been mentioned as a possible addition for either 2008 or 2009
NHL co-owner Mike Lanigan promotes street/airport events in Houston and Cleveland. Lanigan is hoping to get one or both races on the 2009 schedule.
Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama hosted an IRL test in the fall and its owner expressed hope of hosting an IRL race someday. With unification, it's unlikely to happen.
Other North American CC races that are not in the proposed 2008 schedule, but were on the CC docket: Mont-Tremblant (a 50/50 shot for '09, perhaps), Portland (goner, almost didn't make it in '08), Road America (track rental, but they seem to be interested in having another event), Laguna Seca (track rental, could make a merged schedule if Infineon ever drops off the list).
Since we have a lot of teams coming over, here's a list of car numbers that are currently in use
1-Reserved for last year's series champion (AGR, could be used on 5th car at Indy)
2-Vision (A.J. Foyt IV)
3-Penske (Helio Castroneves)
4-Panther (Vitor Meira)
6-Penske (Ryan Briscoe)
7-AGR (Danica Patrick)
8-RLR (currently not in use, unless RLR expands team, which is unlikely)
9-Ganassi (Scott Dixon)
10-Ganassi (Dan Wheldon)
11-AGR (Tony Kanaan)
12-Luczo Dragon (Tomas Scheckter)
14-A.J. Foyt (Darren Manning)
15-D&R (Buddy Rice)
17-RLR (RHR)
18-PDM (Indy-only)
19-Racing Professionals (Jon Herb, Indy-only)
20-Vision (Ed Carpenter)
21-Playa del Racing (Indy-only)
22-Vision (Indy-only 3rd entry?)
23-D&R (Milka Duno)
24-Roth (Jay Howard)
25-Roth (Marty Roth)
26-AGR (Marco Andretti)
27-AGR (Hideki Mutoh)
31-Playa del Racing (Indy-only)
39-AGR (5th Indy entry)
41-A.J. Foyt (for additional Indy entries)
55-Panther (could be used for 2nd Indy entry?)
67-Fisher (Sarah Fisher)
77-Chastain Motorsports (Indy-only, used in 2007)
91-Hemelgarn (Indy-only, if they run)
98-Greg Beck (Indy-only, if they run)
99-Sam Schmidt (Indy-only, if they run)
Known vacant numbers: 5, 13, 16, 28, 29, 30, 32-38, 40, 42-54, 56-66, 68-76, 78-90, 92-97
An NHL statement listed Graham Rahal and Justin Wilson's car numbers as 02 and 06. We'll see if those hold.
Feb. 27 newsstand: The announcement
Today's stuff centers on the announcement ... and some Silly Season news that came out of Homestead today.
First, announcement stuff
Things we've learned:
*-Dual weekend on April 19-20 -- IRL at Motegi, former CC teams running DP01s at Long Beach.
*-Edmonton & Surfer's are likely additions to the schedule.
*-Possible schedule changes from TG: "It’s important to me to have a variety of ovals on the schedule," George said. "But international opportunities are out there. We need to look at building a schedule that makes sense from every perspective."
*-The IRL has purchased CC's non-tangible assets, including the records, and has also purchased CC's medical transporter.
*-Conquest, Coyne, NHL and KV (formerly PKV) are all expected to bring two cars each. Walker is expected to bring one. Forsythe is also considering two cars, while Minardi was present and hopes to field one car. Rocketsports and PCM were also at Monday's orientation.
*-CC teams are getting two cars, a $1 million engine lease for one year and the $1.2 million TEAM benefit.
*-Preliminary discussions are underway with ABC/ESPN to televise the additional races.
Indy Star: After merger, IRL is crammed with competitors
If every team that is considering fielding a car for 2008 shows up, there could be *37* cars on the grid.
Says Brian Barnhart: "I just realized that myself. I think I’d be more comfortable with something more along the lines of 28 to 30.”
Autosport: IRL officially confirms unification
IRL press release
Those present from the CC side: Owners Kevin Kalkhoven (KV), Eric Bachelart (Conquest), Dale Coyne (Coyne), Keith Wiggins & Paul Stoddart (Minardi), Derrick Walker (Walker). Drivers Franck Perera, Bruno Junqueira, Graham Rahal, Alex Tagliani, Oriol Servia, Nelson Phillippe, Robert Doornbos, Will Power. Justin Wilson was in Chicago getting fitted for a seat.
Perspectives
Speed TV: Unification the focus as testing begins
Autosport: Drivers embrace unified series
Says Darren Manning: "Finally I might be in the right place at the right time. Now we have a single-seater series that's second only to Formula One. It's where a driver wants to be. There are only 18 spots on a Formula One grid, and they aren't giving any of them up. This is going to be another place where the best drivers in the world can compete."
Says RHR: "You've got to have some name continuity; it can't be musical chairs for drivers. You have to show personalities. That's the thing NASCAR does so well. I'm not saying we copy NASCAR, but people need to know what our drivers are like. I don't even watch NASCAR that much, but I know the personalities of their drivers."
Gordon Kirby: The first step
Says GK: "Will this desperate, eleventh-hour patchwork of a deal save Indy car racing and mark the beginning of a long road to a successful rebirth? Or will the damage done prove too difficult to repair?"
In their words
Press conference transcript
TG does not rule out more road courses, turbocharged engines or other major changes in the future.
NHL statement
Helio Castroneves press conference
Milwaukee Mile statement
Belle Isle GP statement
The effect on local markets
Press release: Toronto GP president on the loss of that race
Toronto Star: Toronto race officially lost
AP: Long Beach race will have familiar look
LB will be run with CC cars, but will pay IRL points.
Says TG: "I think the efforts of some very capable people and the scenario that allows Champ Car to showcase for one final time the (Panoz) DP-01s, the drivers and teams that are familiar with that equipment, to go out and put on a great show, really make Long Beach a great event."
L.A. Times: No date change for Long Beach race
Silly Season stuff
With the unification comes lots of announcements
Among them ...
Sarah Fisher Racing to run a part-time schedule
Indy, Texas, Chicago and Kentucky are likely on the docket for the new driver-owner's team. She will use car No. 67, which was her number in USAC Midgets.
Panther has a new sponsor
The National Guard joins Delphi as the primary sponsor of Vitor Meira's car.
Milka Duno is back running part-time for D&R. Buddy Rice was also spotted at the test today (on the front page of IndyCar.com).
Cavin's story lists other potential teams: Alex Lloyd in a possible third Vision car, Buddy Rice in D&R's primary car and the aforementioned CCWS teams moving over.
Development series
Cavin's blog and the press conference transcript both mention the Formula Atlantic Series will continue going, run 12 races this season, and needs a new sanctioning body to hook up with. The IPS is, obviously, the IRL's top developmental series.
First, announcement stuff
Things we've learned:
*-Dual weekend on April 19-20 -- IRL at Motegi, former CC teams running DP01s at Long Beach.
*-Edmonton & Surfer's are likely additions to the schedule.
*-Possible schedule changes from TG: "It’s important to me to have a variety of ovals on the schedule," George said. "But international opportunities are out there. We need to look at building a schedule that makes sense from every perspective."
*-The IRL has purchased CC's non-tangible assets, including the records, and has also purchased CC's medical transporter.
*-Conquest, Coyne, NHL and KV (formerly PKV) are all expected to bring two cars each. Walker is expected to bring one. Forsythe is also considering two cars, while Minardi was present and hopes to field one car. Rocketsports and PCM were also at Monday's orientation.
*-CC teams are getting two cars, a $1 million engine lease for one year and the $1.2 million TEAM benefit.
*-Preliminary discussions are underway with ABC/ESPN to televise the additional races.
Indy Star: After merger, IRL is crammed with competitors
If every team that is considering fielding a car for 2008 shows up, there could be *37* cars on the grid.
Says Brian Barnhart: "I just realized that myself. I think I’d be more comfortable with something more along the lines of 28 to 30.”
Autosport: IRL officially confirms unification
Says Tony George: "This is about looking forward. It really has been 30 years since the sport of open-wheel racing has been unified. There were periods of years where we worked closely together and better together, but by and large there were periods of years where we weren't so good at that."
IndyCar.com: One
Says TG: "I have received hundreds of congratulatory e-mails from fans, drivers, sponsors and others who love our sport. All agree that the future is bright for IndyCar racing and the time to unify our sport is now. Our whole racing community is excited and energized about unification and everybody is working hard toward the season opener at Homestead-Miami Speedway March 29."IndyCar.com: One
IRL press release
Those present from the CC side: Owners Kevin Kalkhoven (KV), Eric Bachelart (Conquest), Dale Coyne (Coyne), Keith Wiggins & Paul Stoddart (Minardi), Derrick Walker (Walker). Drivers Franck Perera, Bruno Junqueira, Graham Rahal, Alex Tagliani, Oriol Servia, Nelson Phillippe, Robert Doornbos, Will Power. Justin Wilson was in Chicago getting fitted for a seat.
A couple of details: "IndyCar Series officials expect several teams from Champ Car to join the series this season, some as early as the first race, while others should join by the time practice starts for the 92nd running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race on May 4."
Speed TV: George, Kalkhoven lay out unification plans
Motorsport.com: Collaboration spirit sets tone for unified seasonMilwaukee Journal-Sentinel: Unification details shared
Perspectives
Speed TV: Unification the focus as testing begins
Autosport: Drivers embrace unified series
Says Darren Manning: "Finally I might be in the right place at the right time. Now we have a single-seater series that's second only to Formula One. It's where a driver wants to be. There are only 18 spots on a Formula One grid, and they aren't giving any of them up. This is going to be another place where the best drivers in the world can compete."
Says RHR: "You've got to have some name continuity; it can't be musical chairs for drivers. You have to show personalities. That's the thing NASCAR does so well. I'm not saying we copy NASCAR, but people need to know what our drivers are like. I don't even watch NASCAR that much, but I know the personalities of their drivers."
Gordon Kirby: The first step
Says GK: "Will this desperate, eleventh-hour patchwork of a deal save Indy car racing and mark the beginning of a long road to a successful rebirth? Or will the damage done prove too difficult to repair?"
In their words
Press conference transcript
TG does not rule out more road courses, turbocharged engines or other major changes in the future.
NHL statement
Helio Castroneves press conference
Milwaukee Mile statement
Belle Isle GP statement
The effect on local markets
Press release: Toronto GP president on the loss of that race
Toronto Star: Toronto race officially lost
AP: Long Beach race will have familiar look
LB will be run with CC cars, but will pay IRL points.
Says TG: "I think the efforts of some very capable people and the scenario that allows Champ Car to showcase for one final time the (Panoz) DP-01s, the drivers and teams that are familiar with that equipment, to go out and put on a great show, really make Long Beach a great event."
L.A. Times: No date change for Long Beach race
Silly Season stuff
With the unification comes lots of announcements
Among them ...
Sarah Fisher Racing to run a part-time schedule
Indy, Texas, Chicago and Kentucky are likely on the docket for the new driver-owner's team. She will use car No. 67, which was her number in USAC Midgets.
Panther has a new sponsor
The National Guard joins Delphi as the primary sponsor of Vitor Meira's car.
Milka Duno is back running part-time for D&R. Buddy Rice was also spotted at the test today (on the front page of IndyCar.com).
Cavin's story lists other potential teams: Alex Lloyd in a possible third Vision car, Buddy Rice in D&R's primary car and the aforementioned CCWS teams moving over.
Development series
Cavin's blog and the press conference transcript both mention the Formula Atlantic Series will continue going, run 12 races this season, and needs a new sanctioning body to hook up with. The IPS is, obviously, the IRL's top developmental series.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Feb. 26 newsstand: Y'all come?
As of 12:30 p.m. EST Wednesday, open-wheel racing will be unified and we'll know some of how the loose ends tied together.
The announcement will be televised at SpeedTV and IndyCar.com
Some updates ...
Indy Star: All 9 CC teams at IRL orientation
IndyCar.com: The IRL will help the migrating CC teams
IndyCar teams are pairing with CC teams to help them with technical assistance (but not race strategy). Interestingly, NHL is being paired with RLR, so Graham & Bobby will be together again.
IndyCar.com: Test at Homestead begins busy period
AP: Open-wheel merger faces time crunch
Says Derrick Walker: "It'll be long and tedious and expensive and a lot of work. But everybody on both sides of the aisle are 100 percent behind the merger."
Driver/team news
3 new CC teams are official
Conquest, Newman-Haas-Lanigan and Walker Racing have officially filed paperwork to join the league. More are expected.
AJIV, Carpenter confirmed at Vision
Says AJIV: "Last season was really good for me in that I was able to prove to myself that I can be successful in these cars. After a taste of what the team and I can do together, I am excited about getting back out there this season and working together to be even better."
Panther to unveil new livery at 1:30
Possible others?
Cavin says in this story that D&R plans to field two cars (one is fielded by Milka Duno part-time), Alex Lloyd could drive a "proposed" third Vision car (although he wasn't part of today's Vision announcement) and Sarah Fisher & Tomas Scheckter are confirmed for part-time drives. Scheckter's has been announced (Kansas, Infineon & Indy for Luczo Dragon), while Fisher's has not yet been announced.
Perspectives & commentary
From Vitor Meira: IndyCar's edge won't last
Says Vitor: "As a driver, team and competitor, you want to have the best field, and the best quality of drivers around you … NASCAR has been growing and growing all the time, and with the unification it’s our turn (to grow). Everyone is looking at IndyCar now.”
Jeff Olson: Open-wheel fantasy
Says Olson: "What we have in 2008 is almost exactly what we had in 1995. The only differences are a new leader, naturally aspirated engines and more ovals. Oh, yeah, lest we forget: We also have a much smaller audience," before he goes into a history of the split.
David Phillips: At least one good answer
Says DP: "At a family gathering my niece introduced me to her new boyfriend, saying 'Uncle David writes about . . . which is it? I can never tell the difference between Indy Cars and Champ Cars.' I started to go into my well-practiced spiel about the split between Champ Car vs. IRL, then checked myself, broke into a grin and said, 'Hold on. There is no difference. Not anymore.'"
Florida Today: IRL debates difficult turns
Enid (OK) News: Ugliest feud in sports is over
Local markets
In Edmonton: Will IRL make a pit stop in Edmonton?
The Edmonton race will be addressed in the news conference.
Infineon: At 40, it's never looked better
Says ex-track publicist & NASCAR exec Ken Clapp: "It's a really good thing for track operators. This country needs to have a strong IndyCar presence, as it did years ago. NASCAR is very supportive of this move in that direction."
Merger goes Infineon's way
Says Infineon president Steve Page: "It can only be positive. We had a promotion (for the Aug. 22-24 weekend) when the news came out. We sent out an e-mail blast with a special offer, and our phones lit up."
The announcement will be televised at SpeedTV and IndyCar.com
Some updates ...
Indy Star: All 9 CC teams at IRL orientation
Says Brian Barnhart: "That's absolutely a good sign. This was just an information meeting, but the interest is clearly high."
IndyCar.com: The IRL will help the migrating CC teams
IndyCar teams are pairing with CC teams to help them with technical assistance (but not race strategy). Interestingly, NHL is being paired with RLR, so Graham & Bobby will be together again.
IndyCar.com: Test at Homestead begins busy period
AP: Open-wheel merger faces time crunch
Says Derrick Walker: "It'll be long and tedious and expensive and a lot of work. But everybody on both sides of the aisle are 100 percent behind the merger."
Driver/team news
3 new CC teams are official
Conquest, Newman-Haas-Lanigan and Walker Racing have officially filed paperwork to join the league. More are expected.
AJIV, Carpenter confirmed at Vision
Says AJIV: "Last season was really good for me in that I was able to prove to myself that I can be successful in these cars. After a taste of what the team and I can do together, I am excited about getting back out there this season and working together to be even better."
Panther to unveil new livery at 1:30
Possible others?
Cavin says in this story that D&R plans to field two cars (one is fielded by Milka Duno part-time), Alex Lloyd could drive a "proposed" third Vision car (although he wasn't part of today's Vision announcement) and Sarah Fisher & Tomas Scheckter are confirmed for part-time drives. Scheckter's has been announced (Kansas, Infineon & Indy for Luczo Dragon), while Fisher's has not yet been announced.
Perspectives & commentary
From Vitor Meira: IndyCar's edge won't last
Says Vitor: "As a driver, team and competitor, you want to have the best field, and the best quality of drivers around you … NASCAR has been growing and growing all the time, and with the unification it’s our turn (to grow). Everyone is looking at IndyCar now.”
Jeff Olson: Open-wheel fantasy
Says Olson: "What we have in 2008 is almost exactly what we had in 1995. The only differences are a new leader, naturally aspirated engines and more ovals. Oh, yeah, lest we forget: We also have a much smaller audience," before he goes into a history of the split.
David Phillips: At least one good answer
Says DP: "At a family gathering my niece introduced me to her new boyfriend, saying 'Uncle David writes about . . . which is it? I can never tell the difference between Indy Cars and Champ Cars.' I started to go into my well-practiced spiel about the split between Champ Car vs. IRL, then checked myself, broke into a grin and said, 'Hold on. There is no difference. Not anymore.'"
Florida Today: IRL debates difficult turns
Enid (OK) News: Ugliest feud in sports is over
Local markets
In Edmonton: Will IRL make a pit stop in Edmonton?
The Edmonton race will be addressed in the news conference.
Infineon: At 40, it's never looked better
Says ex-track publicist & NASCAR exec Ken Clapp: "It's a really good thing for track operators. This country needs to have a strong IndyCar presence, as it did years ago. NASCAR is very supportive of this move in that direction."
Merger goes Infineon's way
Says Infineon president Steve Page: "It can only be positive. We had a promotion (for the Aug. 22-24 weekend) when the news came out. We sent out an e-mail blast with a special offer, and our phones lit up."
Monday, February 25, 2008
Silly season update: Feb. 25
Lots of movement today, so we update
The short version
Confirmed/likely IRL returnees (16 full-time cars)
AGR (4): 7-Danica Patrick, 11-Tony Kanaan, 26-Marco Andretti, 27-Hideki Mutoh
D&R (1-2): 15-TBA, although Buddy Rice is the likely entry; 23-Milka Duno (she will be part-time. No word on whether the car is part-time or not).
Foyt (1): 14-Darren Manning
Ganassi (2): 9-Scott Dixon, 10-Dan Wheldon.
Panther (1): 4-Vitor Meira
Penske (2): 3-Helio Castroneves, 6-Ryan Briscoe
RLR (1): 17-Ryan Hunter-Reay
Roth (2): 24-Jay Howard, 25-Marty Roth
Vision (2): 2-A.J. Foyt IV, 20-Ed Carpenter
Champ Car teams (11 full-time cars)
Conquest (2): Franck Perera, TBA (Simon Pagenaud?)
Forsythe (2): Paul Tracy, TBA (Franck Montagny?)
Newman/Haas/Lanigan (2): Justin Wilson, Graham Rahal
Pacific Coast (2): Alex Figge, David Martinez?
PKV (2): Alex Tagliani?, Oriol Servia
Walker (1): Will Power?
Rumored/possible/potential entries (up to 7)
RLR (1): Second car (#8 car vacated by Scott Sharp)
Samax (1): 23-Mario Dominguez?
Coyne (1): Bruno Junqueira?
Minardi USA (1): Robert Doornboos?
Part-time/Indy-only (listed in order of likelihood of happening)
Fisher (1): Sarah Fisher (officially trying to put sponsorship together, but at this late date, appears likely to be Indy-only or part-time)
Ganassi (1): Alex Lloyd (may be farmed out to another team)
Luczo Dragon (1): Tomas Scheckter (Indy/Kansas/Sonoma)
Rubicon (1): Max Papis?
Playa Del Racing (1-2): Al Unser III?
PDM (1): Usually fields a car for Jimmy Kite at the 500. Plans to field an Indy entry this year. Is attempting to secure sponsorship.
Racing Professionals (1): Jon Herb
Greg Beck (1)
Additional cars from major teams for Indy: AGR (1); Vision (1)-possibly Davey Hamilton or John Andretti; Panther (1)-possibly John Andretti if no NASCAR conflicts.
Kingdom (1) (haven't heard anything from them)
D.B. Mann (1) (ditto)
Future teams
Cheever Racing ... the Aug. 28 IRL press release quotes Eddie's nephew Richard Antinucci as looking to get into the ICS (and get the team back into the ICS) long-term, if, of course, the $$ comes together.
Future races
The schedule will expand to 20+ races in 2009 most likely. Here are some candidates to be added to the docket.
Michigan International Speedway has mentioned they'd be interested in a return for 2009.
We've had speculation on New Hampshire Motor Speedway returning to the IRL for 2009 if it loses a Cup date, coming from NHMS themselves.
Several reports out of Toronto have stated the city's street race at Exhibition Place is a potential go for 2009.
The Mexico City race has been mentioned as a possible addition for either 2008 or 2009
NHL co-owner Mike Lanigan promotes street/airport events in Houston and Cleveland. Lanigan is hoping to get one or both races on the 2009 schedule.
Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama hosted an IRL test in the fall and its owner expressed hope of hosting an IRL race someday. With unification, it's unlikely to happen.
Other North American CC races that are not in the proposed 2008 schedule, but were on the CC docket: Mont-Tremblant (a 50/50 shot for '09, perhaps), Portland (goner, almost didn't make it in '08), Road America (track rental, but they seem to be interested in having another event), Laguna Seca (track rental, could make a merged schedule if Infineon ever drops off the list).
The short version
Confirmed/likely IRL returnees (16 full-time cars)
AGR (4): 7-Danica Patrick, 11-Tony Kanaan, 26-Marco Andretti, 27-Hideki Mutoh
D&R (1-2): 15-TBA, although Buddy Rice is the likely entry; 23-Milka Duno (she will be part-time. No word on whether the car is part-time or not).
Foyt (1): 14-Darren Manning
Ganassi (2): 9-Scott Dixon, 10-Dan Wheldon.
Panther (1): 4-Vitor Meira
Penske (2): 3-Helio Castroneves, 6-Ryan Briscoe
RLR (1): 17-Ryan Hunter-Reay
Roth (2): 24-Jay Howard, 25-Marty Roth
Vision (2): 2-A.J. Foyt IV, 20-Ed Carpenter
Champ Car teams (11 full-time cars)
Conquest (2): Franck Perera, TBA (Simon Pagenaud?)
Forsythe (2): Paul Tracy, TBA (Franck Montagny?)
Newman/Haas/Lanigan (2): Justin Wilson, Graham Rahal
Pacific Coast (2): Alex Figge, David Martinez?
PKV (2): Alex Tagliani?, Oriol Servia
Walker (1): Will Power?
Rumored/possible/potential entries (up to 7)
RLR (1): Second car (#8 car vacated by Scott Sharp)
Samax (1): 23-Mario Dominguez?
Coyne (1): Bruno Junqueira?
Minardi USA (1): Robert Doornboos?
Part-time/Indy-only (listed in order of likelihood of happening)
Fisher (1): Sarah Fisher (officially trying to put sponsorship together, but at this late date, appears likely to be Indy-only or part-time)
Ganassi (1): Alex Lloyd (may be farmed out to another team)
Luczo Dragon (1): Tomas Scheckter (Indy/Kansas/Sonoma)
Rubicon (1): Max Papis?
Playa Del Racing (1-2): Al Unser III?
PDM (1): Usually fields a car for Jimmy Kite at the 500. Plans to field an Indy entry this year. Is attempting to secure sponsorship.
Racing Professionals (1): Jon Herb
Greg Beck (1)
Additional cars from major teams for Indy: AGR (1); Vision (1)-possibly Davey Hamilton or John Andretti; Panther (1)-possibly John Andretti if no NASCAR conflicts.
Kingdom (1) (haven't heard anything from them)
D.B. Mann (1) (ditto)
Future teams
Cheever Racing ... the Aug. 28 IRL press release quotes Eddie's nephew Richard Antinucci as looking to get into the ICS (and get the team back into the ICS) long-term, if, of course, the $$ comes together.
Future races
The schedule will expand to 20+ races in 2009 most likely. Here are some candidates to be added to the docket.
Michigan International Speedway has mentioned they'd be interested in a return for 2009.
We've had speculation on New Hampshire Motor Speedway returning to the IRL for 2009 if it loses a Cup date, coming from NHMS themselves.
Several reports out of Toronto have stated the city's street race at Exhibition Place is a potential go for 2009.
The Mexico City race has been mentioned as a possible addition for either 2008 or 2009
NHL co-owner Mike Lanigan promotes street/airport events in Houston and Cleveland. Lanigan is hoping to get one or both races on the 2009 schedule.
Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama hosted an IRL test in the fall and its owner expressed hope of hosting an IRL race someday. With unification, it's unlikely to happen.
Other North American CC races that are not in the proposed 2008 schedule, but were on the CC docket: Mont-Tremblant (a 50/50 shot for '09, perhaps), Portland (goner, almost didn't make it in '08), Road America (track rental, but they seem to be interested in having another event), Laguna Seca (track rental, could make a merged schedule if Infineon ever drops off the list).
Feb. 25 newsstand: Looking forward
The transition begins
AP: IndyCars begin transition with Champ Car
Says Derrick Walker: "It'll be long and tedious and expensive and a lot of work to put it all together."
Says Brian Barnhart: "We've assigned an existing IndyCar team as the point relation to a potential Champ Car team that is joining, and they're going to be the liaison with regards to chassis builds, to cornering loads, gear ratios, baseline setups, to try and help facilitate the transition of equipment as easily as possible."
Drivers expected to move:
*-NHL with Rahal & Wilson
*-PKV with Servia
*-Paul Tracy (Forsythe), Bruno Junqueira, Alex Tagliani, Robert Dornboos, Will Power (Walker), Simon Pagenaud.
Indy Star: IRL gets orientation process moving
A meeting today was held in Indy to orient CC teams to the IRL.
Expected teams: NHL (2), PKV (2), Forsythe (2), Conquest (2). Walker & Minardi (1 each). PCM has expressed interest, but wasn't at the meeting.
*-Tests for CC teams will be March 19-20 at Sebring and March 24-25 at Homestead.
USA Today: Merger likely to feel bumps
Says Tony George: "Really, everything may not come together until Indy. Once we start the season, I think we will be able to answer some questions. But it may not be until May before things start to feel right."
Indy Star: Merger is only 1st step forward
Curt Cavin also gives an update in AutoWeek
Honda welcomes unification
Cars & drivers
Today was a big day for car/driver combos to be confirmed
Conquest Racing plans to run Franck Perera and a TBA driver.
RHR is back at RLR. No mention made of a second RLR car to replace Sharp.
Derrick Walker: Costs could be a concern
Milka Duno will run a limited schedule for D&R. No word on who will be in the primary car.
Meanwhile, the returning IRL teams are running at Homestead this week. The entry list is here
The big news ... A.J. Foyt IV is in with Vision (he was dropped from the driver list on the team website) as Ed Carpenter's teammate.
15 cars will be there: AGR-4, Ganassi-2, Penske-2, Roth-2, Vision-2, Foyt-1, Panther-1, RLR-1. 2008 teams missing are Dreyer & Reinbold (which has at least one car competing in 2008) and Samax (who we haven't heard anything from).
A lot of this is also rounded up in the official IRL news & notes, as well as a course change at Infineon.
Local markets & races
Australia leaders headed to U.S.
We'll find out more about the Surfer's Paradise race.
Long Beach: Still some wrinkles in plan
Miller Motorsports Park in the future?
The Utah track was apparently talking to both the IRL & CC before the unification. It's at the end of a long story about potential NASCAR future dates (but it's a pretty good update on ISC's plans).
Commentaries
AutoWeek: Eleven things to watch for
Curt Cavin & Steven Cole Smith give a primer on the season.
Detroit Free Press: IRL must promote drivers to succeed
Mike Brundell is one of the top open-wheel writers in the country. Says Mike: "Drivers will be the key, however, and the new series must promote personalities and rivalries.With young Graham Rahal, son of Bobby, coming across from Champ Car, we will have another Rahal-Andretti showdown, with Marco Andretti. Helio Castroneves is now hotter than ever after his "Dancing with the Stars" victory, and Danica Patrick spiced things up with her Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue appearance. She will go up against another female driver, Katherine Legge of England, this season. (OK, maybe not). Champ Car's Paul Tracy, who lost a controversial finish to Castroneves in the 2002 Indy 500, will get another crack at the race and Helio. Australians Will Power and Ryan Briscoe are great talents."
ESPN: Celebrate, then get to work
John Oreovicz looks ahead at the long road to fixing this: "First, try to put aside any resentment that might still be lingering from the split and its aftermath. This is a time to celebrate. For the good of the sport, unification is something that needed to happen a long time ago. Then we roll up our sleeves. As difficult and protracted as the process to merge the sport was, the hard work is just beginning."
Autosport: A long road to success
Yahoo!: Open-wheel merger to rival NASCAR?
Says writer Bob Margolis: "As for whether anyone will care about the newly amalgamated series, I bet American race fans will be more interested at present about how Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart rebound from their disappointments in Sunday's Daytona 500."
Circle Track: Open wheel thoughts
Says the writer from America's favorite short-track magazine: "Funny, it took these guys almost a decade to wake up and smell the coffee. Hopefully they understand that it will take another decade to repair the damage they have done to Indy Car racing."
Dutch Mandel: Reunited
The AutoWeek writer is begging us to beg him back into the IndyCar fold, after a scathing column last week.
Edmonton: Race schedule one of many details
This race is likely to be on the schedule, but its planned date is already taken. This looks at the schedule that may come out, and what tracks might be dropped (from a Canadian perspective, of course)
Galveston County Daily News: Open-wheel racing gets back its heart & soul
One minor error that must be pointed out: "The other concession was, apparently, the furnishing of a free car to each team in Champ Car to move to the IRL, which will be called, the IRL-Champ Car series." Uh, no, it will be called the IRL IndyCar Series, like it always has.
This is laughable ... but Champ Car Fanatics lives at the Long Beach Press-Telegram
Says writer Bob Keisser: "The Terminator of Indy Cars found and disposed of Sarah and John Connor. The Milosevic of the ovals won the Balkans War. The Lord Moldevort of a once-thriving sport killed Harry Potter."
AP: IndyCars begin transition with Champ Car
Says Derrick Walker: "It'll be long and tedious and expensive and a lot of work to put it all together."
Says Brian Barnhart: "We've assigned an existing IndyCar team as the point relation to a potential Champ Car team that is joining, and they're going to be the liaison with regards to chassis builds, to cornering loads, gear ratios, baseline setups, to try and help facilitate the transition of equipment as easily as possible."
Drivers expected to move:
*-NHL with Rahal & Wilson
*-PKV with Servia
*-Paul Tracy (Forsythe), Bruno Junqueira, Alex Tagliani, Robert Dornboos, Will Power (Walker), Simon Pagenaud.
Indy Star: IRL gets orientation process moving
A meeting today was held in Indy to orient CC teams to the IRL.
Expected teams: NHL (2), PKV (2), Forsythe (2), Conquest (2). Walker & Minardi (1 each). PCM has expressed interest, but wasn't at the meeting.
*-Tests for CC teams will be March 19-20 at Sebring and March 24-25 at Homestead.
USA Today: Merger likely to feel bumps
Says Tony George: "Really, everything may not come together until Indy. Once we start the season, I think we will be able to answer some questions. But it may not be until May before things start to feel right."
Indy Star: Merger is only 1st step forward
Curt Cavin also gives an update in AutoWeek
Honda welcomes unification
Cars & drivers
Today was a big day for car/driver combos to be confirmed
Conquest Racing plans to run Franck Perera and a TBA driver.
RHR is back at RLR. No mention made of a second RLR car to replace Sharp.
Derrick Walker: Costs could be a concern
Milka Duno will run a limited schedule for D&R. No word on who will be in the primary car.
Meanwhile, the returning IRL teams are running at Homestead this week. The entry list is here
The big news ... A.J. Foyt IV is in with Vision (he was dropped from the driver list on the team website) as Ed Carpenter's teammate.
15 cars will be there: AGR-4, Ganassi-2, Penske-2, Roth-2, Vision-2, Foyt-1, Panther-1, RLR-1. 2008 teams missing are Dreyer & Reinbold (which has at least one car competing in 2008) and Samax (who we haven't heard anything from).
A lot of this is also rounded up in the official IRL news & notes, as well as a course change at Infineon.
Local markets & races
Australia leaders headed to U.S.
We'll find out more about the Surfer's Paradise race.
Long Beach: Still some wrinkles in plan
Miller Motorsports Park in the future?
The Utah track was apparently talking to both the IRL & CC before the unification. It's at the end of a long story about potential NASCAR future dates (but it's a pretty good update on ISC's plans).
Commentaries
AutoWeek: Eleven things to watch for
Curt Cavin & Steven Cole Smith give a primer on the season.
Detroit Free Press: IRL must promote drivers to succeed
Mike Brundell is one of the top open-wheel writers in the country. Says Mike: "Drivers will be the key, however, and the new series must promote personalities and rivalries.With young Graham Rahal, son of Bobby, coming across from Champ Car, we will have another Rahal-Andretti showdown, with Marco Andretti. Helio Castroneves is now hotter than ever after his "Dancing with the Stars" victory, and Danica Patrick spiced things up with her Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue appearance. She will go up against another female driver, Katherine Legge of England, this season. (OK, maybe not). Champ Car's Paul Tracy, who lost a controversial finish to Castroneves in the 2002 Indy 500, will get another crack at the race and Helio. Australians Will Power and Ryan Briscoe are great talents."
ESPN: Celebrate, then get to work
John Oreovicz looks ahead at the long road to fixing this: "First, try to put aside any resentment that might still be lingering from the split and its aftermath. This is a time to celebrate. For the good of the sport, unification is something that needed to happen a long time ago. Then we roll up our sleeves. As difficult and protracted as the process to merge the sport was, the hard work is just beginning."
Autosport: A long road to success
Yahoo!: Open-wheel merger to rival NASCAR?
Says writer Bob Margolis: "As for whether anyone will care about the newly amalgamated series, I bet American race fans will be more interested at present about how Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart rebound from their disappointments in Sunday's Daytona 500."
Circle Track: Open wheel thoughts
Says the writer from America's favorite short-track magazine: "Funny, it took these guys almost a decade to wake up and smell the coffee. Hopefully they understand that it will take another decade to repair the damage they have done to Indy Car racing."
Dutch Mandel: Reunited
The AutoWeek writer is begging us to beg him back into the IndyCar fold, after a scathing column last week.
Edmonton: Race schedule one of many details
This race is likely to be on the schedule, but its planned date is already taken. This looks at the schedule that may come out, and what tracks might be dropped (from a Canadian perspective, of course)
Galveston County Daily News: Open-wheel racing gets back its heart & soul
One minor error that must be pointed out: "The other concession was, apparently, the furnishing of a free car to each team in Champ Car to move to the IRL, which will be called, the IRL-Champ Car series." Uh, no, it will be called the IRL IndyCar Series, like it always has.
This is laughable ... but Champ Car Fanatics lives at the Long Beach Press-Telegram
Says writer Bob Keisser: "The Terminator of Indy Cars found and disposed of Sarah and John Connor. The Milosevic of the ovals won the Balkans War. The Lord Moldevort of a once-thriving sport killed Harry Potter."
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Silly Season update: Feb. 23
The short version
Confirmed/likely IRL returnees (16 full-time cars)
AGR (4): 7-Danica Patrick, 11-Tony Kanaan, 26-Marco Andretti, 27-Hideki Mutoh
D&R (1): 15-TBA, although Buddy Rice is the likely entry
Foyt (1): 14-Darren Manning
Ganassi (2): 9-Scott Dixon, 10-Dan Wheldon.
Panther (1): 4-Vitor Meira
Penske (2): 3-Helio Castroneves, 6-Ryan Briscoe
RLR (1): 17-Ryan Hunter-Reay
Roth (2): 25-Marty Roth, 76?-Jay Howard
Vision (2): 20-Ed Carpenter, 22-A.J. Foyt IV?
Champ Car teams (9 full-time cars)
Conquest (2): Franck Perera/Simon Pagenaud?
Newman/Haas/Lanigan (2): Justin Wilson, Graham Rahal
Pacific Coast (2): Alex Figge, David Martinez?
PKV (2): Alex Tagliani?, Oriol Servia?
Walker (1): Will Power?
Rumored/possible/potential entries (up to 7)
D&R (1): Second car
RLR (1): Second car (#8 car vacated by Scott Sharp)
Samax (1): 23-Mario Dominguez?
Coyne (1): Bruno Junqueira?
Forsythe (2): Paul Tracy, Franck Montagny?
Minardi USA (1): Robert Doornboos?
Part-time/Indy-only (listed in order of likelihood of happening)
Fisher (1): Sarah Fisher (officially trying to put sponsorship together, but at this late date, appears likely to be Indy-only or part-time)
Ganassi (1): Alex Lloyd (may be farmed out to another team)
Luczo Dragon (1): Tomas Scheckter (Indy/Kansas/Sonoma)
Rubicon (1): Max Papis?
Playa Del Racing (1-2): Al Unser III?
PDM Racing (1): Usually fields a car for Jimmy Kite at the 500. Plans to field an Indy entry this year. Is attempting to secure sponsorship.
Racing Professionals (1): Jon Herb
Greg Beck (1)
Additional cars from major teams for Indy: AGR (1); Vision (1)-possibly Davey Hamilton or John Andretti; Panther (1)-possibly John Andretti if no NASCAR conflicts.
Kingdom (1) (haven't heard anything from them)
D.B. Mann (1) (ditto)
Future teams
Cheever Racing ... the Aug. 28 IRL press release quotes Eddie's nephew Richard Antinucci as looking to get into the ICS (and get the team back into the ICS) long-term, if, of course, the $$ comes together.
Future races
The schedule will expand to 20+ races in 2009 most likely. Here are some candidates to be added to the docket.
Michigan International Speedway has mentioned they'd be interested in a return for 2009.
We've had speculation on New Hampshire Motor Speedway returning to the IRL for 2009 if it loses a Cup date, coming from NHMS themselves.
Several reports out of Toronto have stated the city's street race at Exhibition Place is a potential go for 2009.
The Mexico City race has been mentioned as a possible addition for either 2008 or 2009
NHL co-owner Mike Lanigan promotes street/airport events in Houston and Cleveland. Lanigan is hoping to get one or both races on the 2009 schedule.
Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama hosted an IRL test in the fall and its owner expressed hope of hosting an IRL race someday. With unification, it's unlikely to happen.
Other North American CC races that are not in the proposed 2008 schedule, but were on the CC docket: Mont-Tremblant (a 50/50 shot for '09, perhaps), Portland (goner, almost didn't make it in '08), Road America (track rental, but they seem to be interested in having another event), Laguna Seca (track rental, could make a merged schedule if Infineon ever drops off the list).
Confirmed/likely IRL returnees (16 full-time cars)
AGR (4): 7-Danica Patrick, 11-Tony Kanaan, 26-Marco Andretti, 27-Hideki Mutoh
D&R (1): 15-TBA, although Buddy Rice is the likely entry
Foyt (1): 14-Darren Manning
Ganassi (2): 9-Scott Dixon, 10-Dan Wheldon.
Panther (1): 4-Vitor Meira
Penske (2): 3-Helio Castroneves, 6-Ryan Briscoe
RLR (1): 17-Ryan Hunter-Reay
Roth (2): 25-Marty Roth, 76?-Jay Howard
Vision (2): 20-Ed Carpenter, 22-A.J. Foyt IV?
Champ Car teams (9 full-time cars)
Conquest (2): Franck Perera/Simon Pagenaud?
Newman/Haas/Lanigan (2): Justin Wilson, Graham Rahal
Pacific Coast (2): Alex Figge, David Martinez?
PKV (2): Alex Tagliani?, Oriol Servia?
Walker (1): Will Power?
Rumored/possible/potential entries (up to 7)
D&R (1): Second car
RLR (1): Second car (#8 car vacated by Scott Sharp)
Samax (1): 23-Mario Dominguez?
Coyne (1): Bruno Junqueira?
Forsythe (2): Paul Tracy, Franck Montagny?
Minardi USA (1): Robert Doornboos?
Part-time/Indy-only (listed in order of likelihood of happening)
Fisher (1): Sarah Fisher (officially trying to put sponsorship together, but at this late date, appears likely to be Indy-only or part-time)
Ganassi (1): Alex Lloyd (may be farmed out to another team)
Luczo Dragon (1): Tomas Scheckter (Indy/Kansas/Sonoma)
Rubicon (1): Max Papis?
Playa Del Racing (1-2): Al Unser III?
PDM Racing (1): Usually fields a car for Jimmy Kite at the 500. Plans to field an Indy entry this year. Is attempting to secure sponsorship.
Racing Professionals (1): Jon Herb
Greg Beck (1)
Additional cars from major teams for Indy: AGR (1); Vision (1)-possibly Davey Hamilton or John Andretti; Panther (1)-possibly John Andretti if no NASCAR conflicts.
Kingdom (1) (haven't heard anything from them)
D.B. Mann (1) (ditto)
Future teams
Cheever Racing ... the Aug. 28 IRL press release quotes Eddie's nephew Richard Antinucci as looking to get into the ICS (and get the team back into the ICS) long-term, if, of course, the $$ comes together.
Future races
The schedule will expand to 20+ races in 2009 most likely. Here are some candidates to be added to the docket.
Michigan International Speedway has mentioned they'd be interested in a return for 2009.
We've had speculation on New Hampshire Motor Speedway returning to the IRL for 2009 if it loses a Cup date, coming from NHMS themselves.
Several reports out of Toronto have stated the city's street race at Exhibition Place is a potential go for 2009.
The Mexico City race has been mentioned as a possible addition for either 2008 or 2009
NHL co-owner Mike Lanigan promotes street/airport events in Houston and Cleveland. Lanigan is hoping to get one or both races on the 2009 schedule.
Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama hosted an IRL test in the fall and its owner expressed hope of hosting an IRL race someday. With unification, it's unlikely to happen.
Other North American CC races that are not in the proposed 2008 schedule, but were on the CC docket: Mont-Tremblant (a 50/50 shot for '09, perhaps), Portland (goner, almost didn't make it in '08), Road America (track rental, but they seem to be interested in having another event), Laguna Seca (track rental, could make a merged schedule if Infineon ever drops off the list).
Feb. 23 newsstand: Reaction to the marriage
Lots of reaction ... we try to get it all in one place.
Indianapolis Star: U.S. open-wheel racing will have one series
Says Tony George: "There are a lot of people trying to tie all the loose ends together."
Says Kevin Kalkhoven:"Look, neither side was succeeding and nobody was winning. It was a tough, emotional, gut-wrenching decision, but somebody had to put their ego aside and do this," he said. "I'm also proud of Tony for extending the olive branch to Gerry (Forsythe)."
Just Marketing's Zak Brown promises a title sponsor for 2009, from a "blue chip" company.
*-NHL is expected to bring its two cars.
*-PKV is expected to bring two cars, according to KK.
*-Forsythe is planning to race somewhere this year, but its team GM didn't say where.
*-Conquest is expected to bring two cars if Surfer's Paradise stays on the schedule.
*-Walker will run one car if it can find a sponsor.
Indy Star: Questions to be answered
The reaction was positive
... but Paul Tracy isn't sure what to do: "As of right now, I don't know if I'm competing. The team has given us no indication we're going to the IRL. It's a great thing and I hope I can be a part of it."
Says Mario Andretti: “I think we can finally begin to move forward. I'm no longer going to have to do interviews where the first question I get asked is, 'Why is this thing broken?' It's not going to be easy, but we finally have something to look forward to.”
Says Jimmy Vasser: "The guys on the IRL side went beyond fair. It would have been easy for either side to back out, but this time they wouldn't take 'no' for an answer.“
The big sticking point was Long Beach, which might be run as the Champ Car swan song
Says LBGP's Jim Michaelian: "It came from very authoritative sources that we will be hosting the one and only, and in fact, the final Champ Car race for 2008, which we are prepared to do. And we are delighted that the series are now united."
IndyCar.com also has a story and reaction
*-None of the new teams are expected to be at the Homestead test, but several are expected to particpate at the Sebring test in two weeks.
Nothing about this is posted anywhere at Champ Car's website
Other stories
Speed TV: They've buried the hatchet
Says Tony George: “I’m happy for open-wheel racing, its fans, sponsors and teams. Everyone has wanted this for a long time and they deserve it. I had about 100 emails when I landed, so obviously a lot of people are excited. There’s no reason for anybody to gloat or to feel down because, in the end, we’ve all come together.”
Sports illustrated: Sunny forecast
Says Tony George: "We just made it to the starting line, we didn't cross the finish line. It is the beginning, now all the hard work starts. There is a lot of opportunity. We won't realize everything all at once by simply announcing this. But I know that everybody has been awaiting this day for a long time."
The Sacramento Bee has a lot of reaction from Californians involved in IndyCar, both past and present
Says Scott Pruett: "It was long, long, long overdue – by about 10 years. It's basically going to take us back to the mid-1990s when everybody stood together. There's going to be some growing pains, but it's a great way to start the new year."
St. Petersburg Times: Deal finalized
Says St. Pete resident Dan Wheldon: "It's great. As a competitor, you want to know that all of the best in the world are in one place."
Los Angeles Times
Says Chip Ganassi: "This is a very good day for American open-wheel racing. We have a lot of work to do, but I can tell you that I am thrilled to get working."
Orlando Sentinel
Says Bobby Rahal: "This is a great day for open-wheel racing, and one that I and my Rahal Letterman Racing team have looked forward to for a long time. I applaud all of those that made this possible but want to especially recognize all of those that made sacrifices and concessions to secure the future of open-wheel racing. I truly believe that this is the first step toward restoring open-wheel racing and the Indianapolis 500 to not only where it once was, but beyond."
New York Times
Says Chip Ganassi: "Praise the Lord if that’s the truth."
Local market reactions
Edmonton Sun: Deal done, work starts
Says the Edmonton GP's Jim Haskins: "We believe that Edmonton is an exceptional venue and believe that the IRL will want to be part of an event in Edmonton. We welcome the opportunity to partner with the unified circuit under the IRL, just as we did with Champ Car."
Milwaukee is likely on; Road America is off, but is hoping to return
Says Road America president George Bruggenthies: "I'm prepared for a little bit of pain this year to ultimately host the next generation of open-wheel racing that would be better than what we have today."
Says Milwaukee leader Craig Stoehr: "Already this week - this probably had to do with people keeping abreast of the discussions - we've had quite an uptick in calls about our IndyCar weekend. This adds a lot now with only one open-wheel series. It brings fans together and makes a more interesting event with a stronger group of teams and drivers."
Edmonton Sun: It's a done deal
Edmonton's date will likely have to move to July 27 or Aug. 3 to work. Columnist Terry Jones says this might be an issue: "The (July 20) race date allows fans to attend the final weekend of the Calgary Stampede, visit the Canadian Rockies, head to Edmonton for the event and for the Ex. It wouldn't be the end of the world to have it on the following weekend. But the other open date, the first weekend of August, would be brutal because it's a long weekend in Canada and is only days before the start of the Beijing Olympics."
Dropped tracks & future tracks
San Diego Union-Tribune
The author looks ahead to future races: "The combined series could also bid to add two oval races for 2009 – possibly at Auto Club Speedway (formerly California Speedway) in Fontana and Michigan International Speedway – to re-form the sport's once-popular Triple Crown with the Indianapolis 500."
Michigan open to IndyCar return
Says MIS' Roger Curtis: "Though we are focused on our NASCAR events for this season, we are always looking for viable business options for the future at Michigan International Speedway and the state of Michigan. We would certainly talk to any race sanctioning body that is interested in us hosting an event at our speedway if the date and racing series are viable business options for us."
Lots of stuff from Toronto
First, a main story, with quotes from Toronto GP leader Charlie Johnstone
Says Johnstone: "I've been told not to give up on 2008. We are looking at some flexibility to move our date up or back. We will hear from Exhibition Place early next week and try to see what's possible. But at the end of the day, this is great for open-wheel racing. Our marketing campaign will now have Andretti, Rahal, Tracy, Penske and other great names."
Meanwhile, the loss of its race could cost Toronto $50 million CDN
Says Toronto deputy mayor Steve Patalone: "It would be a hit if we lost the race, but not a fatal hit. It would mean less tourism and less international exposure for the city. People see the city's skyline and the CN Tower and the waterfront on TV and it makes Toronto look pretty good."
This commentary from the Toronto Star's Roger Woolsey says the unification "sideswipes" local race fans
Says Woolsey: "For the past two decades the race week was, in its way, the biggest and best annual sporting event on the Toronto calendar. Now it's gone, at least temporarily, at least for this season, the drive-by victim of warring millionaire racing moguls. That it should be so well supported by the public and so shoddily thrown aside by the screwed-up sport is a shame. Exactly who is to blame? Hard to say – bring in the clowns and the forensic accountants, someone check the oil."
Surfer's Paradise: Gold coast will return to Indy
Cleveland, Houston aiming for 2009
Mike Lanigan's two races aren't on the docket for 2008.
Says Lanigan, co-owner of the top migrating Champ Car team: "However, I had a very encouraging conversation with Tony George today and we are excited about the prospect of bringing this new series to Cleveland in 2009."
Cleveland: Indy cars won't race at Burke this year
My favorite CC race, too ...
Says Mike Lanigan: "I'm happy for the unification. The problem is when you have 30 races there are going to be some casualties. Unfortunately, we're part of the carnage."
Interesting quote from ML: "Tony told me a lot more than the (Champ Car owners) did. He called me to make sure I understood about the conflicts, and said we would be sure to talk in the near future."
Laguna Seca loses race in merger
However, the Bay Area will still get the IndyCars at Infineon. Says Infineon leader Steve Page: "We're still waiting to learn all the details of the agreement, but certainly we're looking forward to a full grid of drivers and teams, with the chance to see all of the top stars like Paul Tracy, Helio Castroneves and Danica Patrick squaring off on our road course."
Portland losing its Champ Car race
Of course, this almost happened the last couple of years, too.
Says the IRL's Fred Nation: "We haven't finalized the adjusted schedule for 2008 yet. It's highly unlikely that Portland will be on that schedule. But for 2009, our intention is to use a clean sheet of paper, evaluate all of the current Champ Car races and put the best schedule together we can. . . . We will consider geographical distribution, financial responsibility, sponsorship and fan interest."
Meanwhile, John Oreovicz takes a stab at a dream 2009 schedule
The summary of a 20-race schedule with 10 ovals and 10 roadies
2008 tracks dropped: Homestead, Watkins Glen, Iowa, Nashville, Infineon, Surfers' Paradise
Non-2008 tracks added: Phoenix, Las Vegas, Mexico City, Portland, Cleveland, Toronto, Road America
Who's coming
While it appeared Pacific Coast Motorsports was initially going to go to the sports car world, now it is talking about bringing its team to the IRL.
Alex Figge will be one of the drivers. Ryan Dalziel, David Martinez and Mario Dominguez have driven the other car, with Martinez recently testing it.
Says PCM's Tyler Tadevic: "We are thrilled to have a unified series, without a doubt this. provides the strongest platform for our partners going forward It is our intention for Pacific Coast Motorsports to continue its open-wheel endeavours. Our goal is to be on the IRL grid at the GAINSCO Grand Prix in Miami with two IndyCars. We are working diligently on this programme and welcome all opportunities."
Might want to tell Tadevic that the Homestead race is not a "grand prix," though.
Reaction & commentary
Crash.net has a summary of statements from teams & other personnel
Dallas Morning News: Deal good for all in open-wheel racing
Says Richard Durrett: "The leagues can work together as one, unified front to grow interest in open-wheel racing again. I know this: It will be fun to see one series racing at the Indy 500 in May and, a few weeks later, at Texas Motor Speedway."
Oreovicz: So, what now?
Says Oreo: "First, try to put aside any resentment that might still be lingering from the split and its aftermath. This is a time to celebrate. For the good of the sport, unification is something that needed to happen a long time ago. Then we roll up our sleeves. As difficult and protracted as the process to merge the sport was, the hard work is now just beginning."
ESPN: Did 12-year split cause irreparable damage?
Says writer Ryan McGee: "A decade ago, the idea of such a meeting would have created international headlines. The world's biggest race, the Indianapolis 500, would have been celebrated for finally shelving the egos, restoring the glory, and returning to its rightful place atop the racing world. America's best and brightest young stars would once again go to bed at night dreaming of their profile soldered to the side of the Borg-Warner Trophy. But on this night, the news was met with one stinging reaction. So what?"
Robin Miller: The only way forward
Says RM: "Get that nice mix of ovals, street circuits and road courses that made CART big in the ’90s and then promote the hell out of the young Americans. Maybe go back to Michigan and Fontana and have a Triple Crown, but get off the cookie-cutter NASCAR tracks because they don’t draw. Find a place for Cleveland and Elkhart Lake."
Racer's David Malsher: Starting over
Says the author: "Maybe the Indy car racing will never quite recover the glory in which it reveled in the mid-1990s. But maybe it will - and at least now it’s a possibility, and one worth striving for. As the saying goes, it’s never too late to do the right thing."
Aussie Craig Gore applauds the merger
Says Gore: "Not only will we get to see a couple of young Australians of the calibre of Will Power and Ryan Briscoe going head to head on the streets of Surfers Paradise, we also get the chance to win the Indy 500."
Says Will Power: "Having one series will put all the best open-wheel drivers in the United States in one series and it's going to be a really tough and exciting file."
Yahoo: On the right road
Says writer Jonathan Baum: "We all know NASCAR is king. We all know drag racing, sports cars, bikes, etc., have challenged and/or surpassed – deservedly or not – open wheel in terms of prominence in the American racing world. It would be naive to believe that a merger will erase all that. But it’s a start."
Quad City Times: Open-wheel boost? Too late
Says writer Nate Bloomquist: "Merger? Hardly. This was Tony George’s boat, the IndyCar Series, taking on less water than Champ Car. And the only reason the IRL was floating was because of the Indy 500. Unless Danica Patrick wins a race wearing only her swimsuit, the whole works will sink, too."
Canadian Press: IndyCar owners realize what everybody else knew
Says the author: "Indeed, IndyCar racing will essentially be starting from scratch. There are obvious technical and logistical hurdles to work out, but those will be minor compared to the big-picture barriers. IndyCar racing will have to win back its old fans and make new ones, groom new drivers, and prove to sponsors that a single open-wheel series can still be relevant in the age of NASCAR dominance."
The suburban Chicago Daily Herald says it's too late for this fan
Says writer Mike Spellman: "Name the top five drivers in the new combined series. I couldn't either, now that the open-wheel ranks are missing former Indy 500 champs such as Sam Hornish Jr., Dario Franchitti, Juan Montoya and Jacques Villeneuve, all of whom have jumped to NASCAR. That leaves the likes of Marco Andretti, Tony Kanaan, Paul Tracy and Danica Patrick for open-wheel fans to root for. Woo frickin' hoo."
You have to scroll down, but former IndyCar driver John Andretti is pleased, and says NASCAR provides a model for the IRL to follow.
"You want to see Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and Bobby Labonte, all of them go head-to-head every week. You don't want to see them once a year or at the end of the season. That's the difference."
Edmonton Sun: Finally, we all get back together
Says Crash Cameron: "Done deal? If it is, it's a great thing for open-wheel racing. Just what the doctor ordered. Just don't mistake it for a cure."
What about Frankie (or would that be Malcolm)?
... asks the Palm Beach Post about Atlantic driver Frankie Muniz
Other stuff
What kind of tires?
OK, we know who will supply them, and what they'll be like. But will they be badged Bridgestones or Firestones?
IPS news
Logan Gomez lost his ride with SSM, but will join Guthrie Motorsports
Gomez was replaced at SSM by 54-year-old Jim Brownson.
Indianapolis Star: U.S. open-wheel racing will have one series
Says Tony George: "There are a lot of people trying to tie all the loose ends together."
Says Kevin Kalkhoven:"Look, neither side was succeeding and nobody was winning. It was a tough, emotional, gut-wrenching decision, but somebody had to put their ego aside and do this," he said. "I'm also proud of Tony for extending the olive branch to Gerry (Forsythe)."
Just Marketing's Zak Brown promises a title sponsor for 2009, from a "blue chip" company.
*-NHL is expected to bring its two cars.
*-PKV is expected to bring two cars, according to KK.
*-Forsythe is planning to race somewhere this year, but its team GM didn't say where.
*-Conquest is expected to bring two cars if Surfer's Paradise stays on the schedule.
*-Walker will run one car if it can find a sponsor.
Indy Star: Questions to be answered
The reaction was positive
... but Paul Tracy isn't sure what to do: "As of right now, I don't know if I'm competing. The team has given us no indication we're going to the IRL. It's a great thing and I hope I can be a part of it."
Says Mario Andretti: “I think we can finally begin to move forward. I'm no longer going to have to do interviews where the first question I get asked is, 'Why is this thing broken?' It's not going to be easy, but we finally have something to look forward to.”
Says Jimmy Vasser: "The guys on the IRL side went beyond fair. It would have been easy for either side to back out, but this time they wouldn't take 'no' for an answer.“
The big sticking point was Long Beach, which might be run as the Champ Car swan song
Says LBGP's Jim Michaelian: "It came from very authoritative sources that we will be hosting the one and only, and in fact, the final Champ Car race for 2008, which we are prepared to do. And we are delighted that the series are now united."
IndyCar.com also has a story and reaction
*-None of the new teams are expected to be at the Homestead test, but several are expected to particpate at the Sebring test in two weeks.
Nothing about this is posted anywhere at Champ Car's website
Other stories
Speed TV: They've buried the hatchet
Says Tony George: “I’m happy for open-wheel racing, its fans, sponsors and teams. Everyone has wanted this for a long time and they deserve it. I had about 100 emails when I landed, so obviously a lot of people are excited. There’s no reason for anybody to gloat or to feel down because, in the end, we’ve all come together.”
Sports illustrated: Sunny forecast
Says Tony George: "We just made it to the starting line, we didn't cross the finish line. It is the beginning, now all the hard work starts. There is a lot of opportunity. We won't realize everything all at once by simply announcing this. But I know that everybody has been awaiting this day for a long time."
The Sacramento Bee has a lot of reaction from Californians involved in IndyCar, both past and present
Says Scott Pruett: "It was long, long, long overdue – by about 10 years. It's basically going to take us back to the mid-1990s when everybody stood together. There's going to be some growing pains, but it's a great way to start the new year."
St. Petersburg Times: Deal finalized
Says St. Pete resident Dan Wheldon: "It's great. As a competitor, you want to know that all of the best in the world are in one place."
Los Angeles Times
Says Chip Ganassi: "This is a very good day for American open-wheel racing. We have a lot of work to do, but I can tell you that I am thrilled to get working."
Orlando Sentinel
Says Bobby Rahal: "This is a great day for open-wheel racing, and one that I and my Rahal Letterman Racing team have looked forward to for a long time. I applaud all of those that made this possible but want to especially recognize all of those that made sacrifices and concessions to secure the future of open-wheel racing. I truly believe that this is the first step toward restoring open-wheel racing and the Indianapolis 500 to not only where it once was, but beyond."
New York Times
Says Chip Ganassi: "Praise the Lord if that’s the truth."
Local market reactions
Edmonton Sun: Deal done, work starts
Says the Edmonton GP's Jim Haskins: "We believe that Edmonton is an exceptional venue and believe that the IRL will want to be part of an event in Edmonton. We welcome the opportunity to partner with the unified circuit under the IRL, just as we did with Champ Car."
Milwaukee is likely on; Road America is off, but is hoping to return
Says Road America president George Bruggenthies: "I'm prepared for a little bit of pain this year to ultimately host the next generation of open-wheel racing that would be better than what we have today."
Says Milwaukee leader Craig Stoehr: "Already this week - this probably had to do with people keeping abreast of the discussions - we've had quite an uptick in calls about our IndyCar weekend. This adds a lot now with only one open-wheel series. It brings fans together and makes a more interesting event with a stronger group of teams and drivers."
Edmonton Sun: It's a done deal
Edmonton's date will likely have to move to July 27 or Aug. 3 to work. Columnist Terry Jones says this might be an issue: "The (July 20) race date allows fans to attend the final weekend of the Calgary Stampede, visit the Canadian Rockies, head to Edmonton for the event and for the Ex. It wouldn't be the end of the world to have it on the following weekend. But the other open date, the first weekend of August, would be brutal because it's a long weekend in Canada and is only days before the start of the Beijing Olympics."
Dropped tracks & future tracks
San Diego Union-Tribune
The author looks ahead to future races: "The combined series could also bid to add two oval races for 2009 – possibly at Auto Club Speedway (formerly California Speedway) in Fontana and Michigan International Speedway – to re-form the sport's once-popular Triple Crown with the Indianapolis 500."
Michigan open to IndyCar return
Says MIS' Roger Curtis: "Though we are focused on our NASCAR events for this season, we are always looking for viable business options for the future at Michigan International Speedway and the state of Michigan. We would certainly talk to any race sanctioning body that is interested in us hosting an event at our speedway if the date and racing series are viable business options for us."
Lots of stuff from Toronto
First, a main story, with quotes from Toronto GP leader Charlie Johnstone
Says Johnstone: "I've been told not to give up on 2008. We are looking at some flexibility to move our date up or back. We will hear from Exhibition Place early next week and try to see what's possible. But at the end of the day, this is great for open-wheel racing. Our marketing campaign will now have Andretti, Rahal, Tracy, Penske and other great names."
Meanwhile, the loss of its race could cost Toronto $50 million CDN
Says Toronto deputy mayor Steve Patalone: "It would be a hit if we lost the race, but not a fatal hit. It would mean less tourism and less international exposure for the city. People see the city's skyline and the CN Tower and the waterfront on TV and it makes Toronto look pretty good."
This commentary from the Toronto Star's Roger Woolsey says the unification "sideswipes" local race fans
Says Woolsey: "For the past two decades the race week was, in its way, the biggest and best annual sporting event on the Toronto calendar. Now it's gone, at least temporarily, at least for this season, the drive-by victim of warring millionaire racing moguls. That it should be so well supported by the public and so shoddily thrown aside by the screwed-up sport is a shame. Exactly who is to blame? Hard to say – bring in the clowns and the forensic accountants, someone check the oil."
Surfer's Paradise: Gold coast will return to Indy
Cleveland, Houston aiming for 2009
Mike Lanigan's two races aren't on the docket for 2008.
Says Lanigan, co-owner of the top migrating Champ Car team: "However, I had a very encouraging conversation with Tony George today and we are excited about the prospect of bringing this new series to Cleveland in 2009."
Cleveland: Indy cars won't race at Burke this year
My favorite CC race, too ...
Says Mike Lanigan: "I'm happy for the unification. The problem is when you have 30 races there are going to be some casualties. Unfortunately, we're part of the carnage."
Interesting quote from ML: "Tony told me a lot more than the (Champ Car owners) did. He called me to make sure I understood about the conflicts, and said we would be sure to talk in the near future."
Laguna Seca loses race in merger
However, the Bay Area will still get the IndyCars at Infineon. Says Infineon leader Steve Page: "We're still waiting to learn all the details of the agreement, but certainly we're looking forward to a full grid of drivers and teams, with the chance to see all of the top stars like Paul Tracy, Helio Castroneves and Danica Patrick squaring off on our road course."
Portland losing its Champ Car race
Of course, this almost happened the last couple of years, too.
Says the IRL's Fred Nation: "We haven't finalized the adjusted schedule for 2008 yet. It's highly unlikely that Portland will be on that schedule. But for 2009, our intention is to use a clean sheet of paper, evaluate all of the current Champ Car races and put the best schedule together we can. . . . We will consider geographical distribution, financial responsibility, sponsorship and fan interest."
Meanwhile, John Oreovicz takes a stab at a dream 2009 schedule
The summary of a 20-race schedule with 10 ovals and 10 roadies
2008 tracks dropped: Homestead, Watkins Glen, Iowa, Nashville, Infineon, Surfers' Paradise
Non-2008 tracks added: Phoenix, Las Vegas, Mexico City, Portland, Cleveland, Toronto, Road America
Who's coming
While it appeared Pacific Coast Motorsports was initially going to go to the sports car world, now it is talking about bringing its team to the IRL.
Alex Figge will be one of the drivers. Ryan Dalziel, David Martinez and Mario Dominguez have driven the other car, with Martinez recently testing it.
Says PCM's Tyler Tadevic: "We are thrilled to have a unified series, without a doubt this. provides the strongest platform for our partners going forward It is our intention for Pacific Coast Motorsports to continue its open-wheel endeavours. Our goal is to be on the IRL grid at the GAINSCO Grand Prix in Miami with two IndyCars. We are working diligently on this programme and welcome all opportunities."
Might want to tell Tadevic that the Homestead race is not a "grand prix," though.
Reaction & commentary
Crash.net has a summary of statements from teams & other personnel
Dallas Morning News: Deal good for all in open-wheel racing
Says Richard Durrett: "The leagues can work together as one, unified front to grow interest in open-wheel racing again. I know this: It will be fun to see one series racing at the Indy 500 in May and, a few weeks later, at Texas Motor Speedway."
Oreovicz: So, what now?
Says Oreo: "First, try to put aside any resentment that might still be lingering from the split and its aftermath. This is a time to celebrate. For the good of the sport, unification is something that needed to happen a long time ago. Then we roll up our sleeves. As difficult and protracted as the process to merge the sport was, the hard work is now just beginning."
ESPN: Did 12-year split cause irreparable damage?
Says writer Ryan McGee: "A decade ago, the idea of such a meeting would have created international headlines. The world's biggest race, the Indianapolis 500, would have been celebrated for finally shelving the egos, restoring the glory, and returning to its rightful place atop the racing world. America's best and brightest young stars would once again go to bed at night dreaming of their profile soldered to the side of the Borg-Warner Trophy. But on this night, the news was met with one stinging reaction. So what?"
Robin Miller: The only way forward
Says RM: "Get that nice mix of ovals, street circuits and road courses that made CART big in the ’90s and then promote the hell out of the young Americans. Maybe go back to Michigan and Fontana and have a Triple Crown, but get off the cookie-cutter NASCAR tracks because they don’t draw. Find a place for Cleveland and Elkhart Lake."
Racer's David Malsher: Starting over
Says the author: "Maybe the Indy car racing will never quite recover the glory in which it reveled in the mid-1990s. But maybe it will - and at least now it’s a possibility, and one worth striving for. As the saying goes, it’s never too late to do the right thing."
Aussie Craig Gore applauds the merger
Says Gore: "Not only will we get to see a couple of young Australians of the calibre of Will Power and Ryan Briscoe going head to head on the streets of Surfers Paradise, we also get the chance to win the Indy 500."
Says Will Power: "Having one series will put all the best open-wheel drivers in the United States in one series and it's going to be a really tough and exciting file."
Yahoo: On the right road
Says writer Jonathan Baum: "We all know NASCAR is king. We all know drag racing, sports cars, bikes, etc., have challenged and/or surpassed – deservedly or not – open wheel in terms of prominence in the American racing world. It would be naive to believe that a merger will erase all that. But it’s a start."
Quad City Times: Open-wheel boost? Too late
Says writer Nate Bloomquist: "Merger? Hardly. This was Tony George’s boat, the IndyCar Series, taking on less water than Champ Car. And the only reason the IRL was floating was because of the Indy 500. Unless Danica Patrick wins a race wearing only her swimsuit, the whole works will sink, too."
Canadian Press: IndyCar owners realize what everybody else knew
Says the author: "Indeed, IndyCar racing will essentially be starting from scratch. There are obvious technical and logistical hurdles to work out, but those will be minor compared to the big-picture barriers. IndyCar racing will have to win back its old fans and make new ones, groom new drivers, and prove to sponsors that a single open-wheel series can still be relevant in the age of NASCAR dominance."
The suburban Chicago Daily Herald says it's too late for this fan
Says writer Mike Spellman: "Name the top five drivers in the new combined series. I couldn't either, now that the open-wheel ranks are missing former Indy 500 champs such as Sam Hornish Jr., Dario Franchitti, Juan Montoya and Jacques Villeneuve, all of whom have jumped to NASCAR. That leaves the likes of Marco Andretti, Tony Kanaan, Paul Tracy and Danica Patrick for open-wheel fans to root for. Woo frickin' hoo."
You have to scroll down, but former IndyCar driver John Andretti is pleased, and says NASCAR provides a model for the IRL to follow.
"You want to see Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and Bobby Labonte, all of them go head-to-head every week. You don't want to see them once a year or at the end of the season. That's the difference."
Edmonton Sun: Finally, we all get back together
Says Crash Cameron: "Done deal? If it is, it's a great thing for open-wheel racing. Just what the doctor ordered. Just don't mistake it for a cure."
What about Frankie (or would that be Malcolm)?
... asks the Palm Beach Post about Atlantic driver Frankie Muniz
Other stuff
What kind of tires?
OK, we know who will supply them, and what they'll be like. But will they be badged Bridgestones or Firestones?
IPS news
Logan Gomez lost his ride with SSM, but will join Guthrie Motorsports
Gomez was replaced at SSM by 54-year-old Jim Brownson.
Friday, February 22, 2008
It's official
IndyCar is announcing the unification on its website.
The 12-year war is over!
KK left Indy at 11:41 a.m. today, apparently headed for California. However, the deal still needed to be signed by Gerry Forsythe in Chicago. Once GF signed the agreement, the deal was done.
A news conference is forthcoming.
TG is now saying it is done
It's likely the announcement will be next week, possibly at the Homestead test.
Says TG: “We want to have as positive of a press conference as possible when we do have one. We don’t want to have questions without answers.”
IRL VP of Public Relations John Griffin tells Cavin to stay close to his phone, and then the call comes to tell him "we are unified."
Nothing yet listed on Champ Car's site.
This Associated Press story says TG flew to Chicago to get Forsythe's John Hancock on the deal.
A.J. Foyt is happy with unification
The 12-year war is over!
KK left Indy at 11:41 a.m. today, apparently headed for California. However, the deal still needed to be signed by Gerry Forsythe in Chicago. Once GF signed the agreement, the deal was done.
A news conference is forthcoming.
TG is now saying it is done
It's likely the announcement will be next week, possibly at the Homestead test.
Says TG: “We want to have as positive of a press conference as possible when we do have one. We don’t want to have questions without answers.”
IRL VP of Public Relations John Griffin tells Cavin to stay close to his phone, and then the call comes to tell him "we are unified."
Nothing yet listed on Champ Car's site.
This Associated Press story says TG flew to Chicago to get Forsythe's John Hancock on the deal.
A.J. Foyt is happy with unification
Feb. 22 newsstand: UPDATE -- It's imminent
UPDATE: Cavin's blog says KK says an announcement is imminent, as of 3:55 p.m. EST Friday.
OK ... KK & TG met last night, and apparently, did so again this morning. No deal has been reached, no announcement has been made. In fact, the tentatively scheduled press conference for today has been pushed back.
The series have released a joint statement:
“The ongoing talks between the Indy Racing League and Champ Car World Series will continue into at least Friday in regards to the unification of open-wheel racing. Any confirmation of unification will be made once an agreement is in place. There are no plans for a news conference at this time. Much progress has been made toward unifying the sport”
(this may also be a case of good timing. Today, Indiana University is making a decision on Kelvin Sampson's future and presidential hopeful John McCain was in Indy. The IRL-CC unification would've been buried in the news. Announce it at Homestead next week, and it'll be front-page news on sports pages).
However, things are still on track, according to Curt Cavin's story
Danica: No dancing for me
One IndyCar driver who won't be following in Helio Castroneves' footsteps is Danica Patrick.
OK ... KK & TG met last night, and apparently, did so again this morning. No deal has been reached, no announcement has been made. In fact, the tentatively scheduled press conference for today has been pushed back.
The series have released a joint statement:
“The ongoing talks between the Indy Racing League and Champ Car World Series will continue into at least Friday in regards to the unification of open-wheel racing. Any confirmation of unification will be made once an agreement is in place. There are no plans for a news conference at this time. Much progress has been made toward unifying the sport”
(this may also be a case of good timing. Today, Indiana University is making a decision on Kelvin Sampson's future and presidential hopeful John McCain was in Indy. The IRL-CC unification would've been buried in the news. Announce it at Homestead next week, and it'll be front-page news on sports pages).
However, things are still on track, according to Curt Cavin's story
TG is quoted as being "anxious" that a deal isn't done.
Says TG: "We're still working just because he's not here."
TG tells the AP in this ESPN story that things are still moving forward.
"I see tremendous commitment being displayed by everyone involved in trying to put this together. It would be a mistake to asume that because we are not always all together that we are not still working hard to get this to the starting line."
Other stories
The Sports Network
Speed TV
Detroit Free Press
Associated Press
Commentaries
The Orlando Sentinel catches up with Sam & Smoke and get their opinion on the unification.
Says Sam: "It's a confusing thing for new fans. They don't understand what the differences are. ... It's not easy to follow. Having one series that you can turn on and see the same drivers, same teams without all the difference between Champ Car and IndyCar will boost them forward. But for al that went wrong over the last 10 years, it's going to take time. It's not going to be something that happens in a year or two years."
Eurosport: Why is this happening now?
Says the author: "Champ Car has become a questionably viable racing series that essentially no one in North America cares about. It features a field of drivers that may be quite talented in their own right, but no one in North America cares about them, either."
Says TG: "We're still working just because he's not here."
TG tells the AP in this ESPN story that things are still moving forward.
"I see tremendous commitment being displayed by everyone involved in trying to put this together. It would be a mistake to asume that because we are not always all together that we are not still working hard to get this to the starting line."
Other stories
The Sports Network
Speed TV
Detroit Free Press
Associated Press
Commentaries
The Orlando Sentinel catches up with Sam & Smoke and get their opinion on the unification.
Says Sam: "It's a confusing thing for new fans. They don't understand what the differences are. ... It's not easy to follow. Having one series that you can turn on and see the same drivers, same teams without all the difference between Champ Car and IndyCar will boost them forward. But for al that went wrong over the last 10 years, it's going to take time. It's not going to be something that happens in a year or two years."
Eurosport: Why is this happening now?
Says the author: "Champ Car has become a questionably viable racing series that essentially no one in North America cares about. It features a field of drivers that may be quite talented in their own right, but no one in North America cares about them, either."
Danica: No dancing for me
One IndyCar driver who won't be following in Helio Castroneves' footsteps is Danica Patrick.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Feb. 21 update: Meeting tonight
According to the Indy Star, Friday could be "unification day"
*-Potential press conference at 11:45 a.m. Friday.
*-Edmonton date could change to July 27 (opposite the Brickyard) or Aug. 3, both of which are open.
*-Surfer's Paradise is Oct. 26, although an exemption would have to come from Chicago or it would have to be a non-points race.
*-Possibly, LB & Motegi will be held the same weekend.
Says Danica: "I'm probably speaking for many people when we say it's about time. You know, it's been a tough process for everybody; it's been disappointing for a lot of people."
An update comes from the AP
Not much new, but an evening update with KK having arrived in town to meet with TG.
Driver news
Florida Today says Danica is hungry for a victory
Says Danica: "I just want to get it done ... I feel like there's times when I came close, there's times when I've been maybe more preoccupied being a team player and I think I really feel it's time (to win)."
It's possible Simon Pagenaud will go to the European LeMans Series
Pagenaud raced for Walker Racing last year.
*-Potential press conference at 11:45 a.m. Friday.
*-Edmonton date could change to July 27 (opposite the Brickyard) or Aug. 3, both of which are open.
*-Surfer's Paradise is Oct. 26, although an exemption would have to come from Chicago or it would have to be a non-points race.
*-Possibly, LB & Motegi will be held the same weekend.
Says Danica: "I'm probably speaking for many people when we say it's about time. You know, it's been a tough process for everybody; it's been disappointing for a lot of people."
An update comes from the AP
Not much new, but an evening update with KK having arrived in town to meet with TG.
Driver news
Florida Today says Danica is hungry for a victory
Says Danica: "I just want to get it done ... I feel like there's times when I came close, there's times when I've been maybe more preoccupied being a team player and I think I really feel it's time (to win)."
It's possible Simon Pagenaud will go to the European LeMans Series
Pagenaud raced for Walker Racing last year.
Feb. 21 newsstand: News & reaction
Signs, signs ...
IndyCar.com has slowly been adding CC drivers to the stats page. Will Power, Justin Wilson & Graham Rahal are listed in the IndyCar drivers A-to-Z page as of mid-afternoon Thursday.
First, the news
The AP says the deal is closer
Fred Nation says there are four issues to be hammered out.
Says CC's David Higdon: "We're closer than we've ever been. Many of us remain hopeful that it will be completed today and we will be talking about a unified open wheel series tomorrow."
Cavin's blog says KK is expected to arrive in town at 5 p.m. and hammer things out in an after-dinner meeting with TG.
Speed TV's Robin Miller notes some of the issues in the final settlement
One of the biggest is the potential of overlapping the Motegi/Long Beach weekend. The old IRL teams might run Motegi in Dallaras, while the old CC teams will run Long Beach in Panozes, with both paying IRL points. Motegi can't move due to FIA regulations (due to the Suzuka race), and the LBGP date is locked in.
Says Derrick Walker: "This is why it would be nice if the people in charge would have little discussions with the people who have to live with these decisions. I mean, it’s a nice way to say goodbye to the cars and to Champ Car, but I think somebody is going to have to place some big money on the table.”
USA Today echoes much of the same things, saying TG & KK are meeting this afternoon.
Indy Star: IRL, CCWS execs plan to meet
This came early in the day, but it catches up on the news to date.
Says TG: "It's just grinding out the details."
But Paul Tracy says things might be on hold
PT says his trip to Indy to be fitted for a Dallara seat has been canceled.
Says the 2002 Indy runner-up: "I don't know what the hell is going on. It seems to change from hour to hour. You hear from one person that a merger is done and the next person tells you it's not."
Local market perspectives
From Long Beach: Merger would get everybody revved up
Says the LBGP's Jim Michaelian: "No doubt a merger would bring to us clarity and an end to the confusion. I'm very supportive of it, and no doubt down the road we're all going to benefit from it."
From Edmonton: Merger would end confusion in the marketplace
Says Edmonton GP president Jim Haskins: "If there is a merger and you can combine those teams, because they're still around, Penske, the Ganassi, with the Newman-Haas-Lanigans of the world, and PKV and Forsythe ... and then you have the well-known Champ Car drivers and the IRL drivers ... you're now back in the position you were in 1993-94. You have a lot of star power, you have a 25-plus car grid and the more cars you have on the track, the more racing the fans are going to see, more passing, more bumping, more excitement."
From Toronto: GP faces fallout from merger
This story states Toronto & Mexico City are slated to be added to the schedule in 2009.
Says Toronto GP CEO Charlie Johnstone: "I have trouble understanding that if you want to rebuild a series, under whatever banner, you can't give up on the fifth largest market in North America. Especially one with a strong racing background."
Commentaries & remarks
Edmonton Journal: Unified race groups have a chance
Says writer John MacKinnon: "A unified IRL could better market the tradition embodied in young racers Marco Andretti and A.J. Foyt IV, and develop a coherent vision that was impossible with the two series duking it out for the same demographic."
Elmira Star-Gazette: Unification long overdue
Says columnist Ron Levanduski: "All of this will take time to build back up, if it ever does. It wasn't going to happen, however, without a unified series. The likely merger will be a step in the right direction. However, with the Indy Racing League assuming control of open-wheel racing, many Champ Car fans still won't be satisfied because they will view this as more of a takeover than a merger.
AutoWeek's Dutch Mandel asks what reunification means, and should we care?
Says Dutch: "What does it all mean? Fans now can cheer for one open-wheel series in America; they won't have to try to explain to their casual-observer friends the differences between the cars. Perhaps even the talent pool for drivers will get better, which happens with increased competition. But will it mean that I will drop everything I've been doing for the past decade-plus to rush back to a grandstand seat? Sadly, I don't think so."
The New York Times asks "Can two wrongs make a successful series?"
You have to scroll down, but former IndyCar Series champ Tony Stewart gives his take on unification
Says Smoke: "If it goes back to the way it was, where a driver has to bring a sponsor to get a ride, then it doesn’t do any good. It seems like the IRL is kind of getting to that stage anyway, and if that’s the case, that’s not what the IRL was designed for. What it does is make somebody like me lucky, like hitting the lottery-type lucky ... If it’s going to make the racing better, than it is what it is. For me, the first thing is young American drivers getting the opportunity to race in the Indy 500. And if that’s not going to happen, then it’ll at least add to the quality of the show."
Honda's plans
Check them out in this press release, outlining Honda's motorsports strategy for 2008
Driver news
The Terre Haute Trib-Star catches up with Danica
IndyCar.com has slowly been adding CC drivers to the stats page. Will Power, Justin Wilson & Graham Rahal are listed in the IndyCar drivers A-to-Z page as of mid-afternoon Thursday.
First, the news
The AP says the deal is closer
Fred Nation says there are four issues to be hammered out.
Says CC's David Higdon: "We're closer than we've ever been. Many of us remain hopeful that it will be completed today and we will be talking about a unified open wheel series tomorrow."
Cavin's blog says KK is expected to arrive in town at 5 p.m. and hammer things out in an after-dinner meeting with TG.
Speed TV's Robin Miller notes some of the issues in the final settlement
One of the biggest is the potential of overlapping the Motegi/Long Beach weekend. The old IRL teams might run Motegi in Dallaras, while the old CC teams will run Long Beach in Panozes, with both paying IRL points. Motegi can't move due to FIA regulations (due to the Suzuka race), and the LBGP date is locked in.
Says Derrick Walker: "This is why it would be nice if the people in charge would have little discussions with the people who have to live with these decisions. I mean, it’s a nice way to say goodbye to the cars and to Champ Car, but I think somebody is going to have to place some big money on the table.”
USA Today echoes much of the same things, saying TG & KK are meeting this afternoon.
Indy Star: IRL, CCWS execs plan to meet
This came early in the day, but it catches up on the news to date.
Says TG: "It's just grinding out the details."
But Paul Tracy says things might be on hold
PT says his trip to Indy to be fitted for a Dallara seat has been canceled.
Says the 2002 Indy runner-up: "I don't know what the hell is going on. It seems to change from hour to hour. You hear from one person that a merger is done and the next person tells you it's not."
Local market perspectives
From Long Beach: Merger would get everybody revved up
Says the LBGP's Jim Michaelian: "No doubt a merger would bring to us clarity and an end to the confusion. I'm very supportive of it, and no doubt down the road we're all going to benefit from it."
From Edmonton: Merger would end confusion in the marketplace
Says Edmonton GP president Jim Haskins: "If there is a merger and you can combine those teams, because they're still around, Penske, the Ganassi, with the Newman-Haas-Lanigans of the world, and PKV and Forsythe ... and then you have the well-known Champ Car drivers and the IRL drivers ... you're now back in the position you were in 1993-94. You have a lot of star power, you have a 25-plus car grid and the more cars you have on the track, the more racing the fans are going to see, more passing, more bumping, more excitement."
From Toronto: GP faces fallout from merger
This story states Toronto & Mexico City are slated to be added to the schedule in 2009.
Says Toronto GP CEO Charlie Johnstone: "I have trouble understanding that if you want to rebuild a series, under whatever banner, you can't give up on the fifth largest market in North America. Especially one with a strong racing background."
Commentaries & remarks
Edmonton Journal: Unified race groups have a chance
Says writer John MacKinnon: "A unified IRL could better market the tradition embodied in young racers Marco Andretti and A.J. Foyt IV, and develop a coherent vision that was impossible with the two series duking it out for the same demographic."
Elmira Star-Gazette: Unification long overdue
Says columnist Ron Levanduski: "All of this will take time to build back up, if it ever does. It wasn't going to happen, however, without a unified series. The likely merger will be a step in the right direction. However, with the Indy Racing League assuming control of open-wheel racing, many Champ Car fans still won't be satisfied because they will view this as more of a takeover than a merger.
AutoWeek's Dutch Mandel asks what reunification means, and should we care?
Says Dutch: "What does it all mean? Fans now can cheer for one open-wheel series in America; they won't have to try to explain to their casual-observer friends the differences between the cars. Perhaps even the talent pool for drivers will get better, which happens with increased competition. But will it mean that I will drop everything I've been doing for the past decade-plus to rush back to a grandstand seat? Sadly, I don't think so."
The New York Times asks "Can two wrongs make a successful series?"
You have to scroll down, but former IndyCar Series champ Tony Stewart gives his take on unification
Says Smoke: "If it goes back to the way it was, where a driver has to bring a sponsor to get a ride, then it doesn’t do any good. It seems like the IRL is kind of getting to that stage anyway, and if that’s the case, that’s not what the IRL was designed for. What it does is make somebody like me lucky, like hitting the lottery-type lucky ... If it’s going to make the racing better, than it is what it is. For me, the first thing is young American drivers getting the opportunity to race in the Indy 500. And if that’s not going to happen, then it’ll at least add to the quality of the show."
Honda's plans
Check them out in this press release, outlining Honda's motorsports strategy for 2008
Driver news
The Terre Haute Trib-Star catches up with Danica
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