Will Power & Oriol Servia are officially in as the drivers for KV Racing, adding two more confirmed cars to the grid.
Official press release and another, with quotes.
Servia's car number will be 32. Power's will be the 8 vacated by Scott Sharp & RLR.
The AP story and another focused on Power from the Melbourne Herald-Sun
Motorsport's Allan Brewer has a wrapup of today's press conference with NHL's Graham Rahal and Justin Wilson and KV co-owner Jimmy Vasser. The transcript.
Minardi in (with a new name)
AP: Former CC teams facing big obstacles
It appears Minardi is in, as they're getting their car today (from Walker Racing). Paul Stoddart is gone, and the team will probably change name (maybe to HVM). The driver is also TBA.
Says owner Keith Wiggins: "I won't deny that it's a struggle, but we're doing our best to get one car on the grid for the first race."
Also, from Wiggins: "We all know it's a tough deal, a lot of scrambling because of timing and the situation. But the bigger picture is where the significance of what happened is pretty dramatic. When you solve any war or situation like that, there's always fallout and some inconvenience. It's difficult in the timing, but it's for a common goal and for the common good after all the things that have happened. I'm sure, come the end of this year, it will almost be forgotten."
IndyCar.com says the team name will be HVM.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
March 11 newsstand: Forsythe back ... sort of
Forsythe Racing is kind of back in the IRL ... helping out Conquest Racing with a "technical partnership."
Read the story from Speed TV.
Franck Perera is slated to drive one of Conquest's cars. Could the other be driven by Paul Tracy?
More on Walker
Derrick Walker addresses his team's situation on its website
Walker is planning to keep the Atlantic program going in 2008, and he plans to be in IndyCar in 2009.
Says Walker: "The Atlantic program will definitely continue, and we are looking at A1GP to possibly help out some other race teams and take that time to work our way back to IndyCar in 2009. It's the best time to be in open wheel racing and we want to get back as soon as we can."
Season preview: Vision
IndyCar.com takes a look at Vision Racing's 2008 season, with Ed Carpenter and AJIV.
Catching up with
... Ryan Briscoe, who will be cheering for Nico Rosberg in the Aussie GP.
Says RB: "Well just have to wait and see, but I'm feeling pretty confident about it all. I will still be learning the ropes on the ovals so that's a bit of an unknown."
... Ryan Hunter-Reay, who threw out the first pitch at today's Twins-Marlins game.
Commentaries
Gordon Kirby tells us IndyCar needs continuity, stability and parrots the CCF line about the "difficulty" of finding "safe" ovals.
RIP
Former IndyCar car builder John Buttera passes away at age 68
Buttera built Dennis Firestone's Eagle in the 1982 Indy 500. He also entered Johnny Rutherford's 11th-place car at Indy in 1987, and won the Clint Brawner Mechanical Excellence Award at the 1987 500.
Read the story from Speed TV.
Franck Perera is slated to drive one of Conquest's cars. Could the other be driven by Paul Tracy?
More on Walker
Derrick Walker addresses his team's situation on its website
Walker is planning to keep the Atlantic program going in 2008, and he plans to be in IndyCar in 2009.
Says Walker: "The Atlantic program will definitely continue, and we are looking at A1GP to possibly help out some other race teams and take that time to work our way back to IndyCar in 2009. It's the best time to be in open wheel racing and we want to get back as soon as we can."
Season preview: Vision
IndyCar.com takes a look at Vision Racing's 2008 season, with Ed Carpenter and AJIV.
Catching up with
... Ryan Briscoe, who will be cheering for Nico Rosberg in the Aussie GP.
Says RB: "Well just have to wait and see, but I'm feeling pretty confident about it all. I will still be learning the ropes on the ovals so that's a bit of an unknown."
... Ryan Hunter-Reay, who threw out the first pitch at today's Twins-Marlins game.
Commentaries
Gordon Kirby tells us IndyCar needs continuity, stability and parrots the CCF line about the "difficulty" of finding "safe" ovals.
RIP
Former IndyCar car builder John Buttera passes away at age 68
Buttera built Dennis Firestone's Eagle in the 1982 Indy 500. He also entered Johnny Rutherford's 11th-place car at Indy in 1987, and won the Clint Brawner Mechanical Excellence Award at the 1987 500.
Monday, March 10, 2008
March 10 newsstand: Walker, PT & other stuff
Mostly old news today, but ...
Silly season news
From Cavin's blog -- 7 to 10 entries from CC
Currently, 5 are at least semi-confirmed (KV-Servia & Power/NHL-Rahal & Wilson/Conquest-Perera). Cavin expects two entries from Dale Coyne for Brazilians Bruno Junqueira and Mario Moraes. Conquest had planned two cars, but a second car is still TBA. Minardi & PCM are still TBA, as well. PCM might team up with an existing IRL team (RLR, perhaps?) to run the road/street courses only (likely for Alex Figge). Minardi would likely bring Robert Doornbos.
More on Walker
He's gone, for now, but he is trying to keep his Atlantics team afloat and hopes to move it up to the IndyCar Series in 2009. He'll run Greg & Leo Mansell (yes, Nigel's kids) in the series.
Tagliani looking for a ride
KV is looking for a ride buyer with a bigger wad of cash than Tags can bring, so he's out right now. Translation: Craig Gore is bring Will Power over for Tags' ride.
What's going on with Atlantics?
AutoWeek tries to explore some of Formula Atlantic's questions
Official IRL news & notes
Today's release has a piece on ethanol, the Vision season preview, a piece on the college students' design project and a piece on Helio & DWTS.
Vitor looking ahead
He hopes Henri Durand will get him some Ws, according to IndyCar.com
Says Vitor: "We went to the first test and changed a lot of things on the car, which were all for the good, and it was the best test we had all year."
Houston gone ... completely
ALMS is gone, too, and the GP of Houston is completely kaput
Says promoter (and NHL co-owner) Mike Lanigan: “We are saddened and disappointed to have to make this decision, but we remain optimistic that we will have the opportunity to bring the American Le Mans Series and the Indy Racing League to Houston in 2009.”
Our boys down there
First, USA Today has a piece on how the new OW defectors -- Sam & Dario -- are struggling in stock cars. It's not just IRL headliners, either. Villeneuve is out of a ride, Carpentier isn't doing too hot, Allmendinger has DNQed himself into having Mike Skinner drive his car. Of course, they never mention Tony Stewart as a former IRL champion, either.
Speaking of Tony, he had some tire issues with Goodyear after yesterday's cab race.
Smoke gives a great comment for the IRL's official tire supplier: "I'm going home and taking everything that has Goodyears off and put Firestones on and feel a lot safer. It's a shame these teams that work so hard are being dictated by a company incapable of building tires fit for a street car."
This ESPN story quotes TS as saying "I guess that's why they got run out of Formula One, the IRL, CART and USAC, you name it. They couldn't keep up and provide a quality product."
Yikes. Goodyear, obviously, responds. "Goodyear decided to leave other racing series only because of the escalating costs of competition ... " (I'll let you provide your own translation).
And finally
If you've got a wad of cash, you can have a Dallara simulator
Silly season news
From Cavin's blog -- 7 to 10 entries from CC
Currently, 5 are at least semi-confirmed (KV-Servia & Power/NHL-Rahal & Wilson/Conquest-Perera). Cavin expects two entries from Dale Coyne for Brazilians Bruno Junqueira and Mario Moraes. Conquest had planned two cars, but a second car is still TBA. Minardi & PCM are still TBA, as well. PCM might team up with an existing IRL team (RLR, perhaps?) to run the road/street courses only (likely for Alex Figge). Minardi would likely bring Robert Doornbos.
More on Walker
He's gone, for now, but he is trying to keep his Atlantics team afloat and hopes to move it up to the IndyCar Series in 2009. He'll run Greg & Leo Mansell (yes, Nigel's kids) in the series.
Tagliani looking for a ride
KV is looking for a ride buyer with a bigger wad of cash than Tags can bring, so he's out right now. Translation: Craig Gore is bring Will Power over for Tags' ride.
What's going on with Atlantics?
AutoWeek tries to explore some of Formula Atlantic's questions
Official IRL news & notes
Today's release has a piece on ethanol, the Vision season preview, a piece on the college students' design project and a piece on Helio & DWTS.
Vitor looking ahead
He hopes Henri Durand will get him some Ws, according to IndyCar.com
Says Vitor: "We went to the first test and changed a lot of things on the car, which were all for the good, and it was the best test we had all year."
Houston gone ... completely
ALMS is gone, too, and the GP of Houston is completely kaput
Says promoter (and NHL co-owner) Mike Lanigan: “We are saddened and disappointed to have to make this decision, but we remain optimistic that we will have the opportunity to bring the American Le Mans Series and the Indy Racing League to Houston in 2009.”
Our boys down there
First, USA Today has a piece on how the new OW defectors -- Sam & Dario -- are struggling in stock cars. It's not just IRL headliners, either. Villeneuve is out of a ride, Carpentier isn't doing too hot, Allmendinger has DNQed himself into having Mike Skinner drive his car. Of course, they never mention Tony Stewart as a former IRL champion, either.
Speaking of Tony, he had some tire issues with Goodyear after yesterday's cab race.
Smoke gives a great comment for the IRL's official tire supplier: "I'm going home and taking everything that has Goodyears off and put Firestones on and feel a lot safer. It's a shame these teams that work so hard are being dictated by a company incapable of building tires fit for a street car."
This ESPN story quotes TS as saying "I guess that's why they got run out of Formula One, the IRL, CART and USAC, you name it. They couldn't keep up and provide a quality product."
Yikes. Goodyear, obviously, responds. "Goodyear decided to leave other racing series only because of the escalating costs of competition ... " (I'll let you provide your own translation).
And finally
If you've got a wad of cash, you can have a Dallara simulator
Sunday, March 9, 2008
March 9 update: Walker out
Thanks to Craig Gore & the Aussie Vineyards sponsorship jumping ship (presumably to KV), Derrick Walker will not field an IRL team in 2008.
Will Power is rumored to be taking KV's second ride. Simon Pagenaud is out of a ride.
Currently, 6 former CC cars are confirmed on the grid ... 2 from KV (Seriva, Power?), 2 from NHL (Wilson, Rahal) and 2 from Conquest (Perera, TBA). Expect that number to jump to 8 when Dale Coyne announces a two-car effort.
That leaves Minardi (1 car seems likely), Rocketsports & PCM (the latter two, I don't see putting any interest in) left ... so the field of CC refugees will be somewhere between 8 and 11 cars, with 9 likely.
Will Power is rumored to be taking KV's second ride. Simon Pagenaud is out of a ride.
Currently, 6 former CC cars are confirmed on the grid ... 2 from KV (Seriva, Power?), 2 from NHL (Wilson, Rahal) and 2 from Conquest (Perera, TBA). Expect that number to jump to 8 when Dale Coyne announces a two-car effort.
That leaves Minardi (1 car seems likely), Rocketsports & PCM (the latter two, I don't see putting any interest in) left ... so the field of CC refugees will be somewhere between 8 and 11 cars, with 9 likely.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
March 8 newsstand: Saturday reading
Nothing much, but a few interesting odds and ends on a Saturday ...
TG is spending some big $$ to make unification happen
According to the Indy Star, it's upwards of $20 milllion, in this story about CC's bankruptcy.
Bell is back
San Luis Obispo's newspaper has a piece on hometown driver Townsend Bell, who has a seven-race deal with D&R to share a car with Milka Duno.
Says Townsend: “Having raced at Indy once makes this even more exciting because I know what a great event it is. My excitement, however, is tempered by a high degree of focus to catch up, if you will. I’m jumping right back in the heat of the action, so there isn’t a lot of time to cherish the moment. I still have a lot of work to do to get ready for my first race.”
Race or Rays?
The St. Pete race could be in jeopardy, with a proposed new ballpark for the Tampa Bay Rays going through the middle of the IRL's street course
Says Brian Barnhart: "Yes, we're concerned. I think we all consider St. Pete one of the marquee events on the schedule. ... It's something we're going to keep our eye on."
The race is contracted through 2009.
This notebook also includes items on Milka Duno's movie, Speed Racer, which debuts May 9; Ryan Briscoe reading the owner's manual on the paddle shifters; and TK wanting to crash Dan Wheldon's wedding.
News from the south
You have to scroll down to get to it, but recently-temporarily-replaced NASCAR driver A.J. Allmendinger has no plans to leave taxicabs and return to IndyCars.
Says the other A.J.: "I want to be here ... I know if we are in the top 35, we are never going to fall out because I'm going to race a lot better than I qualify."
Mike Skinner has temporarily replaced 'Dinger so he can try to get the team in the Top 35 in points so it can get the qualifying mulligan.
Maybe Robby Gordon isn't going to have to follow through on his "threat" to leave NASCAR for the IRL. His 100-point penalty was rescinded (but a $100,000 fine was increased by $50K).
And finally ...
IndyCar.com has a piece on the art student project
TG is spending some big $$ to make unification happen
According to the Indy Star, it's upwards of $20 milllion, in this story about CC's bankruptcy.
Bell is back
San Luis Obispo's newspaper has a piece on hometown driver Townsend Bell, who has a seven-race deal with D&R to share a car with Milka Duno.
Says Townsend: “Having raced at Indy once makes this even more exciting because I know what a great event it is. My excitement, however, is tempered by a high degree of focus to catch up, if you will. I’m jumping right back in the heat of the action, so there isn’t a lot of time to cherish the moment. I still have a lot of work to do to get ready for my first race.”
Race or Rays?
The St. Pete race could be in jeopardy, with a proposed new ballpark for the Tampa Bay Rays going through the middle of the IRL's street course
Says Brian Barnhart: "Yes, we're concerned. I think we all consider St. Pete one of the marquee events on the schedule. ... It's something we're going to keep our eye on."
The race is contracted through 2009.
This notebook also includes items on Milka Duno's movie, Speed Racer, which debuts May 9; Ryan Briscoe reading the owner's manual on the paddle shifters; and TK wanting to crash Dan Wheldon's wedding.
News from the south
You have to scroll down to get to it, but recently-temporarily-replaced NASCAR driver A.J. Allmendinger has no plans to leave taxicabs and return to IndyCars.
Says the other A.J.: "I want to be here ... I know if we are in the top 35, we are never going to fall out because I'm going to race a lot better than I qualify."
Mike Skinner has temporarily replaced 'Dinger so he can try to get the team in the Top 35 in points so it can get the qualifying mulligan.
Maybe Robby Gordon isn't going to have to follow through on his "threat" to leave NASCAR for the IRL. His 100-point penalty was rescinded (but a $100,000 fine was increased by $50K).
And finally ...
IndyCar.com has a piece on the art student project
Friday, March 7, 2008
Silly Season update: March 7
The short version
Confirmed/likely IRL FULL-TIME returnees (17-18 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 (6 confirmed cars, 9 likely cars, up to 11 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
Coyne (2): Bruno Junqueira, TBA
Minardi USA (1): Robert Dornboos
Pacific Coast (2): Alex Figge, David Martinez? (this is starting to look more unlikely)
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 (Motegi, possibly Indy)
Playa Del Racing (1-2): Al Unser III, Al Unser Jr. in 2nd car if it materializes
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 or P.J. Chesson; Foyt (1)-41-Pablo Donoso
Kingdom (1) (haven't heard anything from them)
D.B. Mann (1) (ditto)
Rumored/possible/potential entries (up to 2)
A.J. Foyt (1): Pablo Donoso, could begin at Indy and continue
Ganassi (1): Paul Tracy (if Chip decides to have a third car, highly unlikely)
RLR (1): Second car (#8 car vacated by Scott Sharp). Cavin said that Rahal is still working diligently on trying to field this car.
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.
A preseason Grand Prix (possibly non-points) in the Caribbean islands of Turks & Caicos has been discussed.
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 if sponsorship can be found.
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 (unlikely), Portland (goner, almost didn't make it in '08), Laguna Seca (could make a merged schedule if Infineon ever drops off the list).
Races confirmed for the future: Indianapolis (forever), Texas (through 2009), Iowa (through 2009), Milwaukee (through 2009), St. Petersburg (through 2009), Detroit (through 2011), Surfer's Paradise (through 2013)
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 (17-18 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 (6 confirmed cars, 9 likely cars, up to 11 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
Coyne (2): Bruno Junqueira, TBA
Minardi USA (1): Robert Dornboos
Pacific Coast (2): Alex Figge, David Martinez? (this is starting to look more unlikely)
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 (Motegi, possibly Indy)
Playa Del Racing (1-2): Al Unser III, Al Unser Jr. in 2nd car if it materializes
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 or P.J. Chesson; Foyt (1)-41-Pablo Donoso
Kingdom (1) (haven't heard anything from them)
D.B. Mann (1) (ditto)
Rumored/possible/potential entries (up to 2)
A.J. Foyt (1): Pablo Donoso, could begin at Indy and continue
Ganassi (1): Paul Tracy (if Chip decides to have a third car, highly unlikely)
RLR (1): Second car (#8 car vacated by Scott Sharp). Cavin said that Rahal is still working diligently on trying to field this car.
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.
A preseason Grand Prix (possibly non-points) in the Caribbean islands of Turks & Caicos has been discussed.
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 if sponsorship can be found.
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 (unlikely), Portland (goner, almost didn't make it in '08), Laguna Seca (could make a merged schedule if Infineon ever drops off the list).
Races confirmed for the future: Indianapolis (forever), Texas (through 2009), Iowa (through 2009), Milwaukee (through 2009), St. Petersburg (through 2009), Detroit (through 2011), Surfer's Paradise (through 2013)
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.
March 7 newsstand: Catching up
A little bit of news this week ...
Champ Car is bankrupt
Not a big surprise, but CC files Chapter 11
According to the AP: "The filing in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis states that Champ Car has spent tens of millions of dollars since 2004 to maintain the series and that its takeover by the IRL is in the best interest of the sport."
John Oreovicz has a little bit more
Forsythe and Kalkhoven are going to be on the IRL payroll for $2 million, which mostly involves promoting Long Beach and "commitment and support of the IRL." If that's true, GF's share could be withheld pretty quickly. They also signed a non-compete. The IRL also paid $6 million for CC's medical trailer.
Driver updates
Paul Tracy is still looking for a ride
He has talked to Gerry Forsythe and Tony George, but nothing has materialized yet. Monster Energy Drink could step up its sponsorship, but that takes time, says PT: "They have the capability ... but they're a public company that's not going to throw $5 million around willy nilly. They need to be presented a program with a marketing strategy, and then they'd have to take it to their board. That takes time."
Pablo Donoso is going to start in the IPS
According to Cavin's blog. He is hoping to run Indy and turn it into a full-year gig from Indy forward with A.J. Foyt's team.
Townsend Bell will share Milka Duno's ride in D&R's second car
Bell will drive seven races, while Milka Duno will try to stay out of everybody's way in the other 11.
Says Townsend: "It's going to be super-competitive and fun. For me, my first open-wheel race on the Champ Car side was with 28 cars. I think I was the 28th guy starting dead last with zero points. I remember how competitive that was, and you're going to have the usual suspects at the front. But that mid-pack from eighth to 20th is going to be just as fiercely competitive and hopefully we're going to keep working up the pecking order."
Beck is back, with Yasukawa
Roger Yasukawa is driving Beck Motorsports' car at Motegi.
Says Greg Beck: "When the opportunity presented itself to work with Roger, we jumped at the chance. Roger has proven himself to be a very capable driver and we look forward to giving him the best results possible."
No word on whether or not this will extend to Indianapolis, but one would expect a Beck car to be running at the Brickyard.
You have to scroll down to see it, but Max Papis will run with Rubicon at Indy
And, while this isn't about specific teams, IndyCar.com has a story about the transitional program to help the CC teams get up to speed.
Says Brian Barnhart: "I think the beauty of the whole thing is we don't get to fully optimize unification in 2008. It's a great foundation, but as Tony mentioned we don't have a lot of flexibility. You can start optimizing unification on a much cleaner sheet of paper in 2009."
Races that are migrating to the IRL
Edmonton appears on, and is OK with moving its date to July 27
Surfer's Paradise is on for 6 years
This year's race will be Oct. 26 in Australia, which is Oct. 25 here.
Gold Coast: De-tuned Indy a goer for Coast
This race apparently is going to be part of an "International Cup" that includes all of the non-U.S. races. Says race chair Terry Mackenroth: "There'll be plenty on the line We're working on this with the Indy officials and expect to have it resolved within a month."
Scott Goodyear is a fan of the Gold Coast event
Says Scott: "“For me, the highlight of the season would be returning to Surfers Paradise. Even though I had a couple of adventures there, this is a very cool track and a great event. Sure it's a long haul to get over there, but as the final event of the season everyone will want to take some time to hang out and enjoy one of the prettiest places on Earth."
Races that aren't migrating
Laguna Seca replaces CC race with IMSA historics
This race was supposed to be opposite Indy's Bump Day. Instead, Grand Am, Formula Atlantic, Formula BMW and IMSA historics will run.
Toronto GP officially canceled
Says GP CEO Charlie Johnstone: "Unfortunately, we ran out of options and time for 2008. That doesn't mean the future is bleak, but we'll need concrete actions from our partners to solidify the event's foundation and status as a marquee event in North American open-wheel racing." So now, the race is on to find sponsors.
Testing, testing
On the track: Ryan Briscoe led Days 3 & 4 at Sebring, after leading a Penske 1-2 on Day 3. TK was the quickest on Day 2, and also on Day 1.
Driver stuff
Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Danica drawing the line with SI layout
Danica talks about racing and posing: "I've always looked at the swimsuit issue as being something that is so classy and so beautiful. If I wasn't comfortable doing that, then I would be susceptible to criticism and people not looking upon it as being a great thing. But I don't. I don't feel like that. I'm comfortable. I like what I did. I had a great time doing it."
The St. Pete Times catches up with Dan Wheldon
I don't recognize the guy in the picture, though. Maybe it's the smile.
Says Dan: "From a personal standpoint, I haven't had a lot of stability in my life. "It's like I was always bouncing from one place to the other, following the action. Now I have that, and it's helped me as far as fitness, as far as diet, as far as ... maturity level."
Easton Express-Times: Marco takes another big step
The youngest Andretti is going to follow in his predecessors' footsteps and run the 12 Hours of Sebring with Bryan Herta and Christian Fittipaldi.
Tony Kanaan and Raphael Matos meet with the media
Says TK: "I think you're going to see a lot less guys trying to leave (for NASCAR) now, and especially where it was in the past and you know, we're probably still going to get a couple of people with the desire to go, but not just of the money or because the series is not competitive, it's just like some people are up for new challenges."
IndyCar.com: Jay Howard learning quickly
Says Howard: "Definitely it is a little quicker and things are happening a little faster than in the Pro car, but it was really good how much I could relay what I learned in the Pro car I could put into practice in the big car. That was beneficial to me. We're really happy with the times we race, and now it's forward, forward, forward for us."
Al Unser Jr. is now a driver coach, but he may still run Indy with PDR
Says Al: "To me, it was an opportunity to give back to the sport that has given me so much and it will keep me involved. It is a win-win situation for everybody and I just hope I'm able to help some drivers. Especially since unification, I can point out some things to drivers that haven't run the IRL cars on the ovals or two- three abreast."
Three's a crowd
The IRL is going to use top-3 podiums instead of Victory Lanes this year, with the exception of Indy. Eddie Gossage is also anti-podium, and Texas will have a Victory Lane, too.
Says Eddie: "It's perfectly fine for road-course racing or street-course racing, but you don't do that in oval-track racing ... It's like youth soccer where everybody gets a prize. What's next? Does everybody get a certificate of participation?"
Commentaries
The Indianapolis Star's Bob Kravitz says unification is step 1
Mike Brundell in the Detroit Free Press says the IRL is revving up
The column turns into a Paul Newman love-fest.
San Diego Union-Tribune: IndyCar merger's ripple effect
It's mostly a laundry list of complaints about the CC races that have been lost and drivers that don't have rides yet.
If you're going to the Glen
Kids get in free for general admission, if they're 12 or under. Buy tickets early.
And finally
Former Indy 500 legend Jim McElreath is being inducted into the Texas Motor Sports Hall of Fame. Arie Luyendyk (TMS Legends Award) and Sam Hornish Jr. (TMS Sportsmanship Award) are also being honored by Texas Motor Speedway.
Says McElreath: "It's a real good group and a real honor to be in that group. I've done a lot in my career and was hoping for it."
Champ Car is bankrupt
Not a big surprise, but CC files Chapter 11
According to the AP: "The filing in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis states that Champ Car has spent tens of millions of dollars since 2004 to maintain the series and that its takeover by the IRL is in the best interest of the sport."
John Oreovicz has a little bit more
Forsythe and Kalkhoven are going to be on the IRL payroll for $2 million, which mostly involves promoting Long Beach and "commitment and support of the IRL." If that's true, GF's share could be withheld pretty quickly. They also signed a non-compete. The IRL also paid $6 million for CC's medical trailer.
Driver updates
Paul Tracy is still looking for a ride
He has talked to Gerry Forsythe and Tony George, but nothing has materialized yet. Monster Energy Drink could step up its sponsorship, but that takes time, says PT: "They have the capability ... but they're a public company that's not going to throw $5 million around willy nilly. They need to be presented a program with a marketing strategy, and then they'd have to take it to their board. That takes time."
Pablo Donoso is going to start in the IPS
According to Cavin's blog. He is hoping to run Indy and turn it into a full-year gig from Indy forward with A.J. Foyt's team.
Townsend Bell will share Milka Duno's ride in D&R's second car
Bell will drive seven races, while Milka Duno will try to stay out of everybody's way in the other 11.
Says Townsend: "It's going to be super-competitive and fun. For me, my first open-wheel race on the Champ Car side was with 28 cars. I think I was the 28th guy starting dead last with zero points. I remember how competitive that was, and you're going to have the usual suspects at the front. But that mid-pack from eighth to 20th is going to be just as fiercely competitive and hopefully we're going to keep working up the pecking order."
Beck is back, with Yasukawa
Roger Yasukawa is driving Beck Motorsports' car at Motegi.
Says Greg Beck: "When the opportunity presented itself to work with Roger, we jumped at the chance. Roger has proven himself to be a very capable driver and we look forward to giving him the best results possible."
No word on whether or not this will extend to Indianapolis, but one would expect a Beck car to be running at the Brickyard.
You have to scroll down to see it, but Max Papis will run with Rubicon at Indy
And, while this isn't about specific teams, IndyCar.com has a story about the transitional program to help the CC teams get up to speed.
Says Brian Barnhart: "I think the beauty of the whole thing is we don't get to fully optimize unification in 2008. It's a great foundation, but as Tony mentioned we don't have a lot of flexibility. You can start optimizing unification on a much cleaner sheet of paper in 2009."
Races that are migrating to the IRL
Edmonton appears on, and is OK with moving its date to July 27
Surfer's Paradise is on for 6 years
This year's race will be Oct. 26 in Australia, which is Oct. 25 here.
Gold Coast: De-tuned Indy a goer for Coast
This race apparently is going to be part of an "International Cup" that includes all of the non-U.S. races. Says race chair Terry Mackenroth: "There'll be plenty on the line We're working on this with the Indy officials and expect to have it resolved within a month."
Scott Goodyear is a fan of the Gold Coast event
Says Scott: "“For me, the highlight of the season would be returning to Surfers Paradise. Even though I had a couple of adventures there, this is a very cool track and a great event. Sure it's a long haul to get over there, but as the final event of the season everyone will want to take some time to hang out and enjoy one of the prettiest places on Earth."
Races that aren't migrating
Laguna Seca replaces CC race with IMSA historics
This race was supposed to be opposite Indy's Bump Day. Instead, Grand Am, Formula Atlantic, Formula BMW and IMSA historics will run.
Toronto GP officially canceled
Says GP CEO Charlie Johnstone: "Unfortunately, we ran out of options and time for 2008. That doesn't mean the future is bleak, but we'll need concrete actions from our partners to solidify the event's foundation and status as a marquee event in North American open-wheel racing." So now, the race is on to find sponsors.
Testing, testing
On the track: Ryan Briscoe led Days 3 & 4 at Sebring, after leading a Penske 1-2 on Day 3. TK was the quickest on Day 2, and also on Day 1.
Driver stuff
Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Danica drawing the line with SI layout
Danica talks about racing and posing: "I've always looked at the swimsuit issue as being something that is so classy and so beautiful. If I wasn't comfortable doing that, then I would be susceptible to criticism and people not looking upon it as being a great thing. But I don't. I don't feel like that. I'm comfortable. I like what I did. I had a great time doing it."
The St. Pete Times catches up with Dan Wheldon
I don't recognize the guy in the picture, though. Maybe it's the smile.
Says Dan: "From a personal standpoint, I haven't had a lot of stability in my life. "It's like I was always bouncing from one place to the other, following the action. Now I have that, and it's helped me as far as fitness, as far as diet, as far as ... maturity level."
Easton Express-Times: Marco takes another big step
The youngest Andretti is going to follow in his predecessors' footsteps and run the 12 Hours of Sebring with Bryan Herta and Christian Fittipaldi.
Tony Kanaan and Raphael Matos meet with the media
Says TK: "I think you're going to see a lot less guys trying to leave (for NASCAR) now, and especially where it was in the past and you know, we're probably still going to get a couple of people with the desire to go, but not just of the money or because the series is not competitive, it's just like some people are up for new challenges."
IndyCar.com: Jay Howard learning quickly
Says Howard: "Definitely it is a little quicker and things are happening a little faster than in the Pro car, but it was really good how much I could relay what I learned in the Pro car I could put into practice in the big car. That was beneficial to me. We're really happy with the times we race, and now it's forward, forward, forward for us."
Al Unser Jr. is now a driver coach, but he may still run Indy with PDR
Says Al: "To me, it was an opportunity to give back to the sport that has given me so much and it will keep me involved. It is a win-win situation for everybody and I just hope I'm able to help some drivers. Especially since unification, I can point out some things to drivers that haven't run the IRL cars on the ovals or two- three abreast."
Three's a crowd
The IRL is going to use top-3 podiums instead of Victory Lanes this year, with the exception of Indy. Eddie Gossage is also anti-podium, and Texas will have a Victory Lane, too.
Says Eddie: "It's perfectly fine for road-course racing or street-course racing, but you don't do that in oval-track racing ... It's like youth soccer where everybody gets a prize. What's next? Does everybody get a certificate of participation?"
Commentaries
The Indianapolis Star's Bob Kravitz says unification is step 1
Says TG on Kravitz's radio show: "We've got a long, long list, and right now, we're trying to get some (CC) guys down here for some testing ... The good news is, we're finally all together and we're going to work together to get the best positive result."
Terre Haute Tribune-Star: Long road ahead for IndyCar
Says Indiana State professor Guy Faulkner: “This merger will create a series which is going to be more attractive to the industry, more attractive to the drivers and more attractive to the fans, and all of that leads to more money flowing into Indiana and increased numbers of jobs."
Robin Miller asks if TG is America's Bernie Ecclestone
Says Robin: "Being a car owner seems to have given him a new appreciation for the whole process. He was either smart enough or desperate enough to copy CART’s formula for diversity and that says something. Now he must figure out how to get American manufacturers and drivers back in the qualifying pictures at Indianapolis. He must get costs under control. He must do what is best for ALL of open wheel and for its future. "
Speed TV: Dave Despain tells us what he thinks
Says Dave: "America loves oval racing. The local short tracks. dirt or paved...the sprints and midgets, once the pathway to Indy Cars...and of course the 800-pound gorilla of NASCAR that now dominates American racing...all run in circles. No surprise, then, that for most of its nearly 100-year history, Indy Car racing meant oval racing."
Gordon Kirby offers his thoughts, with the help of some engineers
Says Toyota engineer Pete Spence: "We learned in the CART series that the horsepower and drag and downforce all need to stay in balance. Downforce changes the character of the racing. Early on when I was in the CART series, I thought the way forward was to take downforce away because that would bring skill back into it and then we would see more interesting racing. But the thing we learned is, that's not the case."
SI: After 12 years, Tony George makes tough decision
Mostly a recap of unification.Terre Haute Tribune-Star: Long road ahead for IndyCar
Says Indiana State professor Guy Faulkner: “This merger will create a series which is going to be more attractive to the industry, more attractive to the drivers and more attractive to the fans, and all of that leads to more money flowing into Indiana and increased numbers of jobs."
Robin Miller asks if TG is America's Bernie Ecclestone
Says Robin: "Being a car owner seems to have given him a new appreciation for the whole process. He was either smart enough or desperate enough to copy CART’s formula for diversity and that says something. Now he must figure out how to get American manufacturers and drivers back in the qualifying pictures at Indianapolis. He must get costs under control. He must do what is best for ALL of open wheel and for its future. "
Speed TV: Dave Despain tells us what he thinks
Says Dave: "America loves oval racing. The local short tracks. dirt or paved...the sprints and midgets, once the pathway to Indy Cars...and of course the 800-pound gorilla of NASCAR that now dominates American racing...all run in circles. No surprise, then, that for most of its nearly 100-year history, Indy Car racing meant oval racing."
Gordon Kirby offers his thoughts, with the help of some engineers
Says Toyota engineer Pete Spence: "We learned in the CART series that the horsepower and drag and downforce all need to stay in balance. Downforce changes the character of the racing. Early on when I was in the CART series, I thought the way forward was to take downforce away because that would bring skill back into it and then we would see more interesting racing. But the thing we learned is, that's not the case."
SI: After 12 years, Tony George makes tough decision
Mike Brundell in the Detroit Free Press says the IRL is revving up
The column turns into a Paul Newman love-fest.
San Diego Union-Tribune: IndyCar merger's ripple effect
It's mostly a laundry list of complaints about the CC races that have been lost and drivers that don't have rides yet.
If you're going to the Glen
Kids get in free for general admission, if they're 12 or under. Buy tickets early.
And finally
Former Indy 500 legend Jim McElreath is being inducted into the Texas Motor Sports Hall of Fame. Arie Luyendyk (TMS Legends Award) and Sam Hornish Jr. (TMS Sportsmanship Award) are also being honored by Texas Motor Speedway.
Says McElreath: "It's a real good group and a real honor to be in that group. I've done a lot in my career and was hoping for it."
Sunday, March 2, 2008
March 2 newsstand: Donoso in? & Unification commentary
Sunday is the day for the columnists to show up, so we have a few commentaries on the unification.
But first, does A.J. have a new driver?
It appears Pablo Donoso has signed a $100,000 deal with A.J. Foyt Racing, according to the Chilean newspaper El Mercurio. A lot of this story is about the purses awarded in the IRL.
The Babelfish translation of the lead paragraph says: "The Chilean will receive 100 thousand dollars annual to run for A. J. Foyt."
Now, the commentaries
Toronto Star: Open-wheel facing bumpy road to recovery
Patrick Carpentier does a lot of whining: "They used their egos and destroyed the sport. Now they have a whole lot of nothing to try to put together ... When you look at those series, you see how little coverage they get and because of that it gets even harder to get sponsors. The kids from around the world who are filthy rich get the seats. The guy who brings the most money is the one who's going to drive."
Scott Goodyear: It's the beginning of a revival
No word on how "in lockstep" the teams are as they look ahead.
Says Scott: "The IndyCar Series of the future will bring all the best open-wheel drivers together in the same series, on the same tracks, driving the same cars, making it easy for fans to understand what they are watching. ... For the casual fan, now there is no confusion about what series they are watching. I believe this will make it easier to build their interest level. The next segment we need to continue to cultivate is the once-a-year fan, the Indy 500-only fan."
St. Pete Times: St. Pete mayor says merger is exciting
Says St. Pete Mayor Rick Baker: "The success of St. Pete's race is tied to the success of IndyCar Racing. This is a move we have been hoping for since IndyCar came to St. Petersburg."
Lorain County (OH) Chronicle-Telegram: Don't call it a merger
Writer Dan Coughlin waxes poetic about the Cleveland race and states his love for road racing: "Cleveland doesn’t fit the IRL format, which is going in circles and bouncing off walls. After all, the Indy Racing League’s name is derived from Indianapolis 500. ... Champ Car specialized in twisting road races, such as the Cleveland Grand Prix at Burke Lakefront Airport. Other races were held on city streets, much like Formula I, and ultimately the concept failed in this country."
From Richmond: Merger could affect series events at RIR
Says the IRL's John Griffin: "From that standpoint, Richmond is in a good position with us."
Says RIR's Aimee Turner: "We do not have a contract (for 2009). We go year-to-year with all of our contracts. By our race this year, we should know about next year."
Seabass' view from Europe
4-time CC champ Sebastien Bourdais complains about how CC waved the white flag.
Says Bourdais: "It is not a merger, it is the death of Champ Car and the IRL taking over, the schedules, cars, everything. ... It is a disaster for Champ Car teams."
Also, from Seabass: "Formula One was the right thing for me to do. I would not have been a contender in any way this year (in the IRL)." Of course, he probably won't be a contender in F1, either.
Stories: Melbourne Herald-Sun, Reuters, Speed TV
Kevin Harvick's view
Would he ever drive an IndyCar? Maybe if the Infineon date changes
Says Harvick: "I'd like to try."
And finally
This is semi-IRL related, but "Voice of the IRL" Mike King and driver Davey Hamilton are trying to revive the Terre Haute Action Track, one of the great dirt half-miles in America.
But first, does A.J. have a new driver?
It appears Pablo Donoso has signed a $100,000 deal with A.J. Foyt Racing, according to the Chilean newspaper El Mercurio. A lot of this story is about the purses awarded in the IRL.
The Babelfish translation of the lead paragraph says: "The Chilean will receive 100 thousand dollars annual to run for A. J. Foyt."
Now, the commentaries
Toronto Star: Open-wheel facing bumpy road to recovery
Patrick Carpentier does a lot of whining: "They used their egos and destroyed the sport. Now they have a whole lot of nothing to try to put together ... When you look at those series, you see how little coverage they get and because of that it gets even harder to get sponsors. The kids from around the world who are filthy rich get the seats. The guy who brings the most money is the one who's going to drive."
Scott Goodyear: It's the beginning of a revival
No word on how "in lockstep" the teams are as they look ahead.
Says Scott: "The IndyCar Series of the future will bring all the best open-wheel drivers together in the same series, on the same tracks, driving the same cars, making it easy for fans to understand what they are watching. ... For the casual fan, now there is no confusion about what series they are watching. I believe this will make it easier to build their interest level. The next segment we need to continue to cultivate is the once-a-year fan, the Indy 500-only fan."
St. Pete Times: St. Pete mayor says merger is exciting
Says St. Pete Mayor Rick Baker: "The success of St. Pete's race is tied to the success of IndyCar Racing. This is a move we have been hoping for since IndyCar came to St. Petersburg."
Lorain County (OH) Chronicle-Telegram: Don't call it a merger
Writer Dan Coughlin waxes poetic about the Cleveland race and states his love for road racing: "Cleveland doesn’t fit the IRL format, which is going in circles and bouncing off walls. After all, the Indy Racing League’s name is derived from Indianapolis 500. ... Champ Car specialized in twisting road races, such as the Cleveland Grand Prix at Burke Lakefront Airport. Other races were held on city streets, much like Formula I, and ultimately the concept failed in this country."
From Richmond: Merger could affect series events at RIR
Says the IRL's John Griffin: "From that standpoint, Richmond is in a good position with us."
Says RIR's Aimee Turner: "We do not have a contract (for 2009). We go year-to-year with all of our contracts. By our race this year, we should know about next year."
Seabass' view from Europe
4-time CC champ Sebastien Bourdais complains about how CC waved the white flag.
Says Bourdais: "It is not a merger, it is the death of Champ Car and the IRL taking over, the schedules, cars, everything. ... It is a disaster for Champ Car teams."
Also, from Seabass: "Formula One was the right thing for me to do. I would not have been a contender in any way this year (in the IRL)." Of course, he probably won't be a contender in F1, either.
Stories: Melbourne Herald-Sun, Reuters, Speed TV
Kevin Harvick's view
Would he ever drive an IndyCar? Maybe if the Infineon date changes
Says Harvick: "I'd like to try."
And finally
This is semi-IRL related, but "Voice of the IRL" Mike King and driver Davey Hamilton are trying to revive the Terre Haute Action Track, one of the great dirt half-miles in America.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
March 1 newsstand: Wrapping up, and Robby back?
Today, we tie up some loose ends from one of the most eventful weeks in open-wheel racing history
Unification news
Tampa Tribune: Chitwood's centennial gift
The unification gives Joie Chitwood quite a series to market at the Indianapolis 500's centennial celebrations coming up
Says Chitwod, the leader of IMS: "What would happen is, every year this time of year there would be a unification story. When it didn't happen, there was a negative taint again, because they couldn't get it done. Now it's nice to have that great, positive momentum heading into the season."
Also has some perspectives from Michael Andretti: "CART as a product was good, but the way it was run was all wrong. You just cannot have it where the competitors are running the series, because everybody has their own interest at heart. With Tony, all he cares about is a successful series."
Boston Globe: Drive to unify was strong
Joliet Herald-News: Open-wheelers meet media in Miami
Edmonton Sun: He started the engine
A story about Terry Dierksen, who helped the Edmonton GP get off the ground and become what is, right now, the only Canadian event on the calendar.
PT's saga
You have to read down to the bottom to get to this, but PT was in Las Vegas yesterday to meet with Chip Ganassi about an IndyCar ride.
Oreo wraps up the PT/Forsythe fallout
Another NASCAR returnee?
We've already seen Brent Sherman leave the taxicabs to run an IPS car for Panther. Now, Robby Gordon is considering running the Indy 500 if he loses his appeal with NASCAR and isn't in Chase contention.
Gordon's appeal will be heard March 5. He was dinged 100 points and $100K for using an uncertified part in the Daytona 500. He isn't sure if he's going to run with his own team, or someone else.
The women
In Mark DeCotis' Florida Today column, Lyn St. James gives advice to the female drivers: "Be Authentic."
And finally
The Indianapolis Star editorial board lauds TG and the Hulman family for putting up the cash to make the sport work.
Unification news
Tampa Tribune: Chitwood's centennial gift
The unification gives Joie Chitwood quite a series to market at the Indianapolis 500's centennial celebrations coming up
Says Chitwod, the leader of IMS: "What would happen is, every year this time of year there would be a unification story. When it didn't happen, there was a negative taint again, because they couldn't get it done. Now it's nice to have that great, positive momentum heading into the season."
Also has some perspectives from Michael Andretti: "CART as a product was good, but the way it was run was all wrong. You just cannot have it where the competitors are running the series, because everybody has their own interest at heart. With Tony, all he cares about is a successful series."
Boston Globe: Drive to unify was strong
Joliet Herald-News: Open-wheelers meet media in Miami
Edmonton Sun: He started the engine
A story about Terry Dierksen, who helped the Edmonton GP get off the ground and become what is, right now, the only Canadian event on the calendar.
PT's saga
You have to read down to the bottom to get to this, but PT was in Las Vegas yesterday to meet with Chip Ganassi about an IndyCar ride.
Oreo wraps up the PT/Forsythe fallout
Another NASCAR returnee?
We've already seen Brent Sherman leave the taxicabs to run an IPS car for Panther. Now, Robby Gordon is considering running the Indy 500 if he loses his appeal with NASCAR and isn't in Chase contention.
Gordon's appeal will be heard March 5. He was dinged 100 points and $100K for using an uncertified part in the Daytona 500. He isn't sure if he's going to run with his own team, or someone else.
The women
In Mark DeCotis' Florida Today column, Lyn St. James gives advice to the female drivers: "Be Authentic."
And finally
The Indianapolis Star editorial board lauds TG and the Hulman family for putting up the cash to make the sport work.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Feb. 29 update: New team?
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.
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.
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."
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