Scott Dixon is the winner of the first unified IndyCar Series race ... although it was almost Tony Kanaan (and likely would've been had Ernesto Viso not popped a tire). A great race, with only two real incidents -- one of which caused by a flat, the other involving Milka Duno -- and a few CC refugees to keep Marty Roth company. Oriol Servia was the best of those guys, finishing 12th.
It gives TCGR three consecutive wins at Homestead -- the last two by Dan Wheldon. Dixon has 11 career IndyCar wins, and now two at Homestead (2003, 2008).
I'll toss my thoughts out tomorrow. Tonight, let's look at the coverage from last night's event ...
First, however, the news
From Cavin's notebook
Carpenter & Foyt had to move to the back of the field. Also, Conquest Racing has some sponsor issues with Opes Prime declaring bankruptcy, there is an Indy Lights recap.
But the big news is at the bottom ... Pacific Coast Motorsports might be in after all. Mario Dominguez is the driver, starting with Indy. DirecTV has signed a "letter of intent" with the IRL about being a presenting sponsor. Tim Cindric says there is a 30 percent chance Penske will field a third car at Indy (last year, they did so with Luczo Dragon ... LDR has spun itself off and is now on its own, fielding a car for Tomas Scheckter for Kansas, Indy & Infineon). I wonder if that 30 percent is the chance Sam Hornish Jr. won't qualify for the Fizzy Pop 600 and will suddenly have Memorial Day weekend free?
Race stories
Indy Star: Dixon wins trouble-free opener
Most of this focuses on the amalgamation of the CC guys into the series.
AP: Dawn of OW's new era gets a strong start
It covers the CC angle, but also some of the race action, including the bizarre finish.
Says TK: "I've been around a long time and the race is not finished until the checkered flag. With 10 laps to go, I was looking around and I was thinking, `This looks too easy.' "
Says Dixon, who almost wiped out himself and Marco Andretti midway through the race: "For a bad day, we still came away with maximum points,. That's what we've got to do. We've got to hit the start hard and gain as many points as possible because I think, last year, that's how we lost it (with a slow start).''
Boston Globe: Dixon off to fast start
A little bit on the race, but this story extensively quotes TG, Joie Chitwood and Roger Penske about the first race.
Says Dixon: "It's good to go in the record books as being the first to win since reunification. But, to be honest, I don't think the other guys [from Champ Car] had a fair shot, because they had so little time to get ready. I think next year will be more of a true championship under reunification."
SpeedTV
Says Scott of TK's accident: "I didn’t even know he’d hit the guy. It would have been really close even if he hadn’t had the incident because we were catching him pretty quickly. It was a shame to see him have such a silly little incident take him out of the race.”
The local stories ...
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Dixon takes opener
Says Scott: "Well, we were catching (TK) quick, and it would have been close at the end. I think Tony and Marco probably had the better cars, but we came through with the win."
Palm Beach Post: Dixon starts season on top
Says Scott: "It was one of those races where we didn't exactly have the speed all the time, or things weren't really going our way, but we still came out on top."
Tampa Tribune
Fort Myers News-Press
St. Petersburg Times
The Sports Network
IndyCar.com
ESPN
Race notebooks & driver stories
Top 3 press conference transcript
Servia, Andretti & Wheldon join Scott Dixon at the press conference.
Race boxscore
Official IRL news & notes
Recaps of both races from last night, look ahead to St. Pete.
This won't be on the official notes ... A.J. Foyt complains about Firestone's tires in the Tampa Tribune. Says A.J.: "We've got junk for tires. They've got one heat cycle, and they screwed us up the other day for qualifying; they fall off two or three tenths." He also says the Japanese-made Bridgestones are better than domestically-made Firestones. Tony Stewart move over.
Bringing it home: IndyCar.com looks at the CC drivers
Says Oriol Servia: "It was a long day in the office, but that means we achieved our first goal, which was to finish the race with no damage to the car. But it was also long because we did not have the speed that we were hoping for. We knew we were going to struggle. It's just tough when you are in the middle of it."
Palm Beach Post: Restart passing infuriates RHR
Ryan Hunter-Reay complains that TK was allowed to lead the field to the last restart on three wheels, which caused everyone to bunch up, which caused RHR to lose momentum, which caused him to lose positions.
St. Pete Times: Rahal's ride could have helped
Penske says it would've helped NHL get parts to put Graham Rahal in the race this weekend.
Says Tim Cindric: "We would have liked to have been able to help with that but nobody asked." RLR, obviously, would have also helped, and Vision Racing had a backup car that could have been used. Also, Helio Castroneves is looking for a place to stay in St. Pete next week. Not only is the Grand Prix going on in St. Petersburg, the Women's Final Four is taking place across the bay in Tampa.
Boston Herald: Open wheel, open season
Dan Wheldon says he's staying: "I’ve been very fortunate in IndyCar to have won a lot of races (and) I hope to continue to win races."
Easton (PA) Express-Times: Andretti not perfect, but still good
A look at the runner-up's performance Saturday night. Says Marco: "We were really working all off-season to get a car that works on this track."
Sydney Morning Herald: Aussies crash out
Briscoe gets collected by Milka Duno. Power's suspension breaks on contact with Justin Wilson.
Commentaries
In his blog, Cavin lists 5 things to like and dislike
Miami Herald: IRL's new era 'smashing'
He describes TK's accident in some detail: "Just sit there and watch Viso's car butterfly-kiss the right front tire assembly, marring it just enough to make it unfit for proper use. Just over seven laps from victory on what counts as his home track, Kanaan became just another part of South Florida's agony parade."
ESPN: IndyCar newbies get schooled
Terry Blount looks at life from the CC refugees: "Welcome to hair-raising, high-speed ovals, boys. Get out of the way and we'll show you how it's done. ... The new guys were schooled from start to finish in the Gainsco Auto Insurance 300 Saturday night. They never had a chance. Don't blame the Champ Car drivers for their lack of success in this one. You might as well have asked them to land a 757 on South Beach."
Robin Miller: IRL's Big Three reign on
The more things change ... the more they stay the same. Robin says: "But, aside from the fact Saturday night’s IRL season opener looked more like Saturday afternoon’s Grand Am show between prototypes and GT cars, there were no major surprises other than the lack of caution flags." But he spends most of the time talking with the ex-CC guys.
SpeedTV: OW's Appomattox
Writer Thomas O'Keefe says: "From the details we have heard so far, Tony George has chosen to follow Lincoln and General Grant in allowing the owners and sponsors of Champ Car to save face and diminish the financial impact of closing down Champ Car."
Driver stories
The Miami Herald has a big piece on Helio and his house
Helio gives the secret to decorating: "The answer is trophies. If you have enough of them you don't need to come up with too much artwork or shiny things to decorate your house.''
Indy Lights
Battistini wins at Homestead
Showing posts with label Champ Car. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Champ Car. Show all posts
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Saturday, March 29, 2008
March 29 newsstand: It's opening day!
Scott Dixon and Ed Carpenter will lead the newly-merged 25-car IndyCar Series field to the green flag in what is the most anticipated race in IRL history since that first event at the Mickyard, or the 2002 finale at Texas (save, of course, those held at 16th and Georgetown).
The green flag drops at 8 p.m. on ESPN2
Here's the lineup
Before we get started, could Sam and/or Dario be back?
St. Petersburg Times: As Sam & Dario struggle, IRL begins anew
Read Roger Penske's quote below ...
TK says of Dario: "The way open wheel was going at the time, it was the right choice. If you ask him right now if he thinks he made the right choice, he's probably wondering. … I don't see Dario regrets anything. He's very committed about the decisions he makes and he always presents himself well in anything he did. So … I can make fun of him now."
Meanwhile, is there a chance Sam could come back if his struggles continue? Says Roger Penske: "There's no set plan on that front, but we operate with a lot of options. But I would be very surprised if the reason he came back (to the IRL) is because it didn't work out there. I know how determined he is. I'd be surprised, but you never know."
Also ... a title sponsor on the way?
DirecTV is all set to become the presenting sponsor of the IndyCar Series (possibly as soon as today), with Coca-Cola and Frank's Energy Drink likely to be announced as category sponsors soon. Scroll down in the Indianapolis Business Journal's blog to read about it.
Race previews
Indy Star: Historic IRL race one to remember
Says Scott Dixon: ""I definitely want to TiVo the first lap so I can watch it at home. And who knows what happens after that."
St. Petersburg Times: Danger lurks in first unified race
Says Tony Kanaan: "Running in traffic with three cars in front and two in cars in the back, they don't know what to expect. So they're washing up the track and you're right beside them. But they've never experienced that; so we can't expect them to anticipate something they haven't gone through. We were giving each other a lot of room, which I know is not going happen in the race."
Meanwhile, Danica Patrick tosses in this whopper: "Foreign drivers tend to have some interesting habits. Sometimes they block; on an oval they might feel like a road course and put up a bigger fight when you go by. These are things I experienced in England when I lived there."
AP: Mix of veterans, Champ Car drivers proves for interesting opener
Says TK: "The huge impression was when I came into the pits and I saw that the pit lane was full from the first box coming in to the last box coming out. I'm the third pit out, so I had to drive through all the teams and I was just smiling big-time inside my helmet."
Season previews
Boston Globe: Debut for reunited IRL
Says Tony George: "It has been about 30 days since we were last here to officially announce reunification and since that time it's been going pretty well, I think. Everybody's been working really hard to try and help manage the traffic and the logistics involved and trying to get the equipment to the Champ Car teams coming aboard."
Fort Worth Star-Telegram: New talent brings fresh IndyCar expectations
This notebook also has some storylines, et al, plus quotes from Eddie Gossage, where he again lobbies for race-after-Indy status (but 2 weeks after Indy).
Says Dan Wheldon: "From a driving standpoint, I can't wait to get to Homestead and be racing against 25 other cars. And not just 25 (cars). There are some great names and it's going to be really fun to be racing against them. It's going to be good to hopefully get back to having household-name IndyCar drivers, and to be a part of that for me is very special."
Miami Herald: IndyCar Series begins anew
A good analysis of unification. Quoth Michael Andretti: "'The black cloud has been lifted and now we can start focusing on all the positives."
Kansas City Star: OW series gets back on track
Says Oriol Servia: "Now, when you have kids that have divorced parents and after 12 years of separation they get together. No matter how you look at it, it’s good news.”
TSN: TG looking forward to season opener
Says the czar of open-wheel racing: "Champ Car did a lot of things creative, out of the box and had an exciting product for their fans (but) we weren't giving everybody what they wanted, which was unification. There's going to be some blemishes this week but it won't take everyone long to get acclimated and get really competitive."
TG also addresses Paul Tracy: "I've had conversations with people that are close to Paul and I've had a conversation with Paul," said George. "He has a contract (with Forsythe Championship Racing) and he wants to honor that contract. I don't know where it's at today; it may be getting uglier, it may be becoming clearer. I'm sure he probably wants to race (but) I don't know if he'll race at all this year. We certainly would like to see him."
IndyCar.com: You can feel it
Commentary
Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette: New IRL, but not new contenders
Columnist Ben Smith -- one of the best around -- looks at the Brave New World of the IRL.
Says Ben: "So this is what the Brave New World looks like. Or the Brave Reconstituted World. Or the Brave World Once Removed. Or the Brave World as it looks now that Tony George has finally reunited American open-wheel racing, in much the way Genghis Khan united Asia. Which is to say: Champ Car is dead at last, hammered to shards by the iron fist in the mild-mannered George’s velvet glove. Open-wheel has one address again. Who knows what happens next. "
ESPN.com's Terry Blount: It's time to recapture the good old days
Says Blount: "Home for IndyCar racing won't be the same as it was 13 years ago, but it sure is nice to finally start down that path and see what we've missed."
Joliet Herald-News: More cars, fewer stories
Dan Wheldon gets defensive when asked about defecting drivers: "If you're referring to Sam and Dario going to NASCAR, I think if you look at the teams where they have moved on from, it's not like Michael Andretti or Roger Penske is going to replace them with people that are not up to par."
Jeff Olson shares his unification mailbag
Says Jeff: "It won’t be pretty at first, and there will be growing pains, and it might take five to 10 years to see tangible results, but this is the foundation for taking the sport forward. Had the two series continued apart for another decade—if they could have lasted another decade—it would have destroyed open-wheel, single-seat, open-cockpit racing in the U.S."
Miami Herald: Cross your fingers, IRL has added risks
Qualifying stories
Florida Today: Dixon on pole at Homestead
Says Scott Dixon: "It's going to be a very interesting race for a lot of people. I'd like to think our cars were pretty decent and we were struggling a lot too. There's going to be a lot of cars out there with their hands full, probably my teammate especially starting from the back, so those two laps and watching Dan is going to be pretty exciting."
AP: Crash puts Wheldon's string of Homestead victories in jeopardy
Says Dan: "It's a long race. We'll just have to try to be real patient and try to stay out of trouble until we can get where we need to be.''
UPI: Dixon wins pole
Speed TV: Dixon wins Homestead pole
Says Scott: "What a crazy qualifying session. Two big crashes and a new format. It was pretty interesting.”
ESPN.com: Crashses on 1st day of qualifying
Autosport: Naturally, Vision is happy with its performance
Carpenter & AJIV are P2 & P3 tonight.
Says Carpenter: "As the run was going on, I was thinking that I couldn't remember exactly what Scott ran, but I know that we've got to be close or even ahead of him and I think we just missed it on the last lap."
Autosport: Wheldon confident he can recover
Things weren't as good for the 3-time defending Homestead champ.
Says Dan: "I simply got loose in Turns 3 and 4. It's unfortunate because the car was incredibly quick."
Easton (PA) Express-Times: Marco tries to turn his fortunes
A qualifying story that focuses on their local driver.
Driver stories
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Briscoe not second fiddle to Helio
Says Ryan: "For me, it's going to be real important to have good, solid races. Especially the first race out."
Palm Beach Post: Hunter-Reay's IRL dream begins in South Florida
Says RHR: "It's like a Christmas present in March. It's everything I've wanted for many years now."
Notebooks & other stuff
Indy Star: Sometimes, it's wise to skip race
Curt Cavin looks at Graham Rahal's decision to skip Homestead.
Also, a couple of other notes -- the fields will be fixed at 33 at Indy, 28 at all other races except Milwaukee, Iowa and Richmond, which will have 26 starters due to pit lane restrictions.
AP notebook: TG excited about results so far
Says TG: "I know it will be more popular and a happier time in many people's memories than 1994 or 1996. But, beyond those two reference points, I don't know."
The notebook also lists the rookies and has a piece on the weight rule.
Danica complains about the new weight rule
Read about it in Hollywood Today (with lots of runway photos) | South Bend Tribune |
It's officially over
CC-IRL merger completed
The bankruptcy hearing has been completed, CC will cease to exist after Long Beach, and we're all one happy family again. Well, all of us except these people.
If you're in Indy
Drop by IMS tonight and watch the race on the big screen
Lights news
Matos on the pole (IndyCar.com story)
Official season preview
And finally, Shorty's back (but not for an IRL ride)
This is great to see ... Cristiano da Matta was nearly fatally injured at Road America a couple of years ago. He was at Homestead yesterday.
Says da Matta: "I was worried that there would have to be another career for me. But the happy part was I got back in the car and 3-4 laps … it was like riding a bicycle. Once you do it, you never forget. … And there was relief. Big, big relief."
The green flag drops at 8 p.m. on ESPN2
Here's the lineup
Before we get started, could Sam and/or Dario be back?
St. Petersburg Times: As Sam & Dario struggle, IRL begins anew
Read Roger Penske's quote below ...
TK says of Dario: "The way open wheel was going at the time, it was the right choice. If you ask him right now if he thinks he made the right choice, he's probably wondering. … I don't see Dario regrets anything. He's very committed about the decisions he makes and he always presents himself well in anything he did. So … I can make fun of him now."
Meanwhile, is there a chance Sam could come back if his struggles continue? Says Roger Penske: "There's no set plan on that front, but we operate with a lot of options. But I would be very surprised if the reason he came back (to the IRL) is because it didn't work out there. I know how determined he is. I'd be surprised, but you never know."
Also ... a title sponsor on the way?
DirecTV is all set to become the presenting sponsor of the IndyCar Series (possibly as soon as today), with Coca-Cola and Frank's Energy Drink likely to be announced as category sponsors soon. Scroll down in the Indianapolis Business Journal's blog to read about it.
Race previews
Indy Star: Historic IRL race one to remember
Says Scott Dixon: ""I definitely want to TiVo the first lap so I can watch it at home. And who knows what happens after that."
St. Petersburg Times: Danger lurks in first unified race
Says Tony Kanaan: "Running in traffic with three cars in front and two in cars in the back, they don't know what to expect. So they're washing up the track and you're right beside them. But they've never experienced that; so we can't expect them to anticipate something they haven't gone through. We were giving each other a lot of room, which I know is not going happen in the race."
Meanwhile, Danica Patrick tosses in this whopper: "Foreign drivers tend to have some interesting habits. Sometimes they block; on an oval they might feel like a road course and put up a bigger fight when you go by. These are things I experienced in England when I lived there."
AP: Mix of veterans, Champ Car drivers proves for interesting opener
Says TK: "The huge impression was when I came into the pits and I saw that the pit lane was full from the first box coming in to the last box coming out. I'm the third pit out, so I had to drive through all the teams and I was just smiling big-time inside my helmet."
Season previews
Boston Globe: Debut for reunited IRL
Says Tony George: "It has been about 30 days since we were last here to officially announce reunification and since that time it's been going pretty well, I think. Everybody's been working really hard to try and help manage the traffic and the logistics involved and trying to get the equipment to the Champ Car teams coming aboard."
Fort Worth Star-Telegram: New talent brings fresh IndyCar expectations
This notebook also has some storylines, et al, plus quotes from Eddie Gossage, where he again lobbies for race-after-Indy status (but 2 weeks after Indy).
Says Dan Wheldon: "From a driving standpoint, I can't wait to get to Homestead and be racing against 25 other cars. And not just 25 (cars). There are some great names and it's going to be really fun to be racing against them. It's going to be good to hopefully get back to having household-name IndyCar drivers, and to be a part of that for me is very special."
Miami Herald: IndyCar Series begins anew
A good analysis of unification. Quoth Michael Andretti: "'The black cloud has been lifted and now we can start focusing on all the positives."
Kansas City Star: OW series gets back on track
Says Oriol Servia: "Now, when you have kids that have divorced parents and after 12 years of separation they get together. No matter how you look at it, it’s good news.”
TSN: TG looking forward to season opener
Says the czar of open-wheel racing: "Champ Car did a lot of things creative, out of the box and had an exciting product for their fans (but) we weren't giving everybody what they wanted, which was unification. There's going to be some blemishes this week but it won't take everyone long to get acclimated and get really competitive."
TG also addresses Paul Tracy: "I've had conversations with people that are close to Paul and I've had a conversation with Paul," said George. "He has a contract (with Forsythe Championship Racing) and he wants to honor that contract. I don't know where it's at today; it may be getting uglier, it may be becoming clearer. I'm sure he probably wants to race (but) I don't know if he'll race at all this year. We certainly would like to see him."
IndyCar.com: You can feel it
Commentary
Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette: New IRL, but not new contenders
Columnist Ben Smith -- one of the best around -- looks at the Brave New World of the IRL.
Says Ben: "So this is what the Brave New World looks like. Or the Brave Reconstituted World. Or the Brave World Once Removed. Or the Brave World as it looks now that Tony George has finally reunited American open-wheel racing, in much the way Genghis Khan united Asia. Which is to say: Champ Car is dead at last, hammered to shards by the iron fist in the mild-mannered George’s velvet glove. Open-wheel has one address again. Who knows what happens next. "
ESPN.com's Terry Blount: It's time to recapture the good old days
Says Blount: "Home for IndyCar racing won't be the same as it was 13 years ago, but it sure is nice to finally start down that path and see what we've missed."
Joliet Herald-News: More cars, fewer stories
Dan Wheldon gets defensive when asked about defecting drivers: "If you're referring to Sam and Dario going to NASCAR, I think if you look at the teams where they have moved on from, it's not like Michael Andretti or Roger Penske is going to replace them with people that are not up to par."
Jeff Olson shares his unification mailbag
Says Jeff: "It won’t be pretty at first, and there will be growing pains, and it might take five to 10 years to see tangible results, but this is the foundation for taking the sport forward. Had the two series continued apart for another decade—if they could have lasted another decade—it would have destroyed open-wheel, single-seat, open-cockpit racing in the U.S."
Miami Herald: Cross your fingers, IRL has added risks
Qualifying stories
Florida Today: Dixon on pole at Homestead
Says Scott Dixon: "It's going to be a very interesting race for a lot of people. I'd like to think our cars were pretty decent and we were struggling a lot too. There's going to be a lot of cars out there with their hands full, probably my teammate especially starting from the back, so those two laps and watching Dan is going to be pretty exciting."
AP: Crash puts Wheldon's string of Homestead victories in jeopardy
Says Dan: "It's a long race. We'll just have to try to be real patient and try to stay out of trouble until we can get where we need to be.''
UPI: Dixon wins pole
Speed TV: Dixon wins Homestead pole
Says Scott: "What a crazy qualifying session. Two big crashes and a new format. It was pretty interesting.”
ESPN.com: Crashses on 1st day of qualifying
Autosport: Naturally, Vision is happy with its performance
Carpenter & AJIV are P2 & P3 tonight.
Says Carpenter: "As the run was going on, I was thinking that I couldn't remember exactly what Scott ran, but I know that we've got to be close or even ahead of him and I think we just missed it on the last lap."
Autosport: Wheldon confident he can recover
Things weren't as good for the 3-time defending Homestead champ.
Says Dan: "I simply got loose in Turns 3 and 4. It's unfortunate because the car was incredibly quick."
Easton (PA) Express-Times: Marco tries to turn his fortunes
A qualifying story that focuses on their local driver.
Driver stories
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Briscoe not second fiddle to Helio
Says Ryan: "For me, it's going to be real important to have good, solid races. Especially the first race out."
Palm Beach Post: Hunter-Reay's IRL dream begins in South Florida
Says RHR: "It's like a Christmas present in March. It's everything I've wanted for many years now."
Notebooks & other stuff
Indy Star: Sometimes, it's wise to skip race
Curt Cavin looks at Graham Rahal's decision to skip Homestead.
Also, a couple of other notes -- the fields will be fixed at 33 at Indy, 28 at all other races except Milwaukee, Iowa and Richmond, which will have 26 starters due to pit lane restrictions.
AP notebook: TG excited about results so far
Says TG: "I know it will be more popular and a happier time in many people's memories than 1994 or 1996. But, beyond those two reference points, I don't know."
The notebook also lists the rookies and has a piece on the weight rule.
Danica complains about the new weight rule
Read about it in Hollywood Today (with lots of runway photos) | South Bend Tribune |
It's officially over
CC-IRL merger completed
The bankruptcy hearing has been completed, CC will cease to exist after Long Beach, and we're all one happy family again. Well, all of us except these people.
If you're in Indy
Drop by IMS tonight and watch the race on the big screen
Lights news
Matos on the pole (IndyCar.com story)
Official season preview
And finally, Shorty's back (but not for an IRL ride)
This is great to see ... Cristiano da Matta was nearly fatally injured at Road America a couple of years ago. He was at Homestead yesterday.
Says da Matta: "I was worried that there would have to be another career for me. But the happy part was I got back in the car and 3-4 laps … it was like riding a bicycle. Once you do it, you never forget. … And there was relief. Big, big relief."
Friday, March 28, 2008
March 28 newsstand: We're back
We had to take a self-imposed two-week break due to a simple lack of time on my part, thanks to some really busy stuff going on at work.
Now that the season is starting, we'll be back on a more regular basis.
First off, the stuff for Saturday's race:
Gainsco Insurance Indy 300 @ Homestead-Miami Speedway (1.5 oval)
Time: 8 p.m. EDT
Broadcast: ESPN2/IMS Radio Network
Entry list | Schedule | Driver performance (all links from IndyCar.com)
Season previews & commentaries
Indy Star: TG eager for season to begin
A couple of notes: TG wants to use the Vanderbilt Cup as the series championship trophy (rather than the IRL's championship hardware, which I always thought was a pretty cool trophy itself). Also, the name "IRL" might be changed if there is ever a title sponsor.
SI: So happy together
Bruce Martin has a comprehensive must-read season preview. Races to watch, drivers to watch, intriguing storylines. Martin mentions Coca-Cola and DirecTV are both showing interest in series sponsorship.
Speed TV: Robin Miller's season preview
It's usually a good read, full of facts, opinions and analysis.
Says Robin: "While 24-26 cars figure to be the norm on the rest of the IRL’s 19-race schedule, another set of numbers isn’t likely to change for quite a while. Since 2005, three teams have won 45 of the 47 races. Andretti Green, Target-Ganassi and Penske Racing have also combined to claim the last five IRL titles and seven of the last eight Indy 500s."
AP: New teams, new equipment, same old names likely in title chase
Says Vitor Meira: "I think it will be very competitive but, realistically, we won't find out till Homestead, and not only in Homestead, because a lot of people will still be adjusting. I can only predict it will be very good and very hard for our teams, but fans will get the best of it. If I was a fan, I'd definitely be watching the first race."
ESPN: From Dan to Danica, 2008 campaign won't be lacking in drama
John Oreovicz picks eight drivers to watch.
Cincinnati Enquirer: Open wheels ready to roll
Five storylines, five drivers to watch for 2008.
Cincinnati Enquirer: Big changes in store
A primer on the changes in the IndyCar Series this year.
Detroit Free Press: New IndyCar Series debuts
The Freep's Mike Brundell previews the season, focusing mostly on unification.
"I'm extremely excited about having one series again. I've always been outspoken about that. One strong open-wheel series is going to be the best for everyone, not only the drivers, not only for the teams, not only for the press, but especially for all the fans."
ESPN: From contenders to pretenders, 2008 packed with drama
John Oreovicz handicaps the 2008 field.
ESPN: Q&A with Oreo: Could the ICS be on the verge of great things?
Says Oreo: "From a competition standpoint, it means there will be 26 cars on the grid for Saturday's season opener, the most since 2001 and a similar number to what many people consider IndyCar racing's most successful era, the mid-1980s to the mid-'90s. Several other teams have announced part-time programs that could occasionally swell the field to 28 or even 30 cars, and there should be enough meaningful bumping to restore drama to Indianapolis 500 qualifying."
Yahoo: Re-starting open-wheel's engines
Bob Margolis gives us the storylines for the 2008 season.
Grand Rapids Press: IRL season opener worth watching
Steve Kaminski predicts his Top 10 for 2008.
San Diego Union-Tribune: IndyCar restarts engines, but will fans notice?
A season preview with a capsule look at every team.
The AP has a capsule look at each team
Toronto Sun: IRL smoke clears
It's a look at the future of racing in Canada -- Edmonton is on the schedule for this year, while Toronto is a possibility for 2009.
CC defector stories
Indy Star: New faces of the IRL
A program will be necessary. Says TK: "Part of me makes me say, 'Who are these guys?' We definitely have to learn about each other if we're going to race this close together."
Indy Star: Ex-CC drivers search for speed
Marty Roth beat them all at the Homestead test. Yes, you read that right.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: CC drivers face uphill climb
One thing that will be interesting is how the CC guys handle the ovals.
Says Will Power: "It is evident after two days of testing here that we are lacking quite a bit of speed in comparison to the IRL guys."
CBS Sportsline: CC defectors hope to get up to speed
Says Will Power: "We've got to judge the competition when we get there, but it's going to be a tough road because we have no time in these cars, let alone the fact that most of us have very little experience on ovals. We've got to be realistic and these first few races are going to be very difficult."
St. Petersburg Times: NHL struggles to adjust
Says NHL GM Brian Lisles: "You reset your goals. We'll be happy if we finish on the lead lap at Homestead."
Fort Myers News-Press: Danica cautious about new IRL drivers
Says DP: "You're going to have to be really careful, especially until we get to know the tendencies of these drivers. I think it's going to be a tip-toe game at the beginning a little bit if you want to stay in the race."
PCM won't be there
Obviously, given they're not on the entry list. There have been rumblings about Pacific Coast Motorsports joining with RLR for some road course races later in the year.
Salinas Californian: A preview of Long Beach
Homestead preview
Palm Beach Post: Will IRL have a bang-up opener?
Says Oriol Servia: “Hopefully, we’ll finish the race and add more miles to our testing, because this is the way it is for all of us here - the first few races are actually testing, learning the cars."
ESPN: If it's Homestead, the favorite has to be Wheldon
John Oreovicz previews the season opener.
Says Wheldon: "It's one of those racetracks you race as little downforce as possible; we practice mostly in the daytime, the race is at night and that makes it exciting because it changes how the car handles and you have to judge it correctly. But for whatever reason, it just works for me and I'm not going to try and jinx that by saying anything different. I just love the place."
Driver stories
Miami Herald: Helio's star burns bright
The Herald catches up with Helio Castroneves in the wake of his DWTS victory.
Says Tim Cindric: "'In the past, he's always tried to figure out how can he become mainstream because he has a personality that is addictive. Now he has a connection as a winner on and off the track -- and when he does win, and people see his name go across the SportsCenter ticker, they will know him. Before, it was just another driver who won a race. It gives the IRL a celebrity who's a winner, which is something they haven't had.''
Easton (PA) Express-Times: Optimism abounds for Marco Andretti
Says Marco: "I was pretty beat up about last year. But I couldn't wait to get going again this year, basically to redeem myself. I know we can turn things around."
USA Today: Gifted Wheldon looks to extend Homestead streak
Says the newly-married Brit: "I have always been gifted with great race cars there. I certainly am not afraid to run wheel to wheel with anybody, and I have a good feel for what you need to be quick on that style of track, but you've got to have competitive equipment." Dan also has some advice for Dario Franchitti for when Chip "goes postal" on his Cup team's failures so far -- don't be around when it happens.
IndyCar.com: Unfinished business for Dixon
The 2007 runner-up has a little bit more to do.
Says Dixon of the final lap of 2007: "It was one of those surreal instances where you don't really want to believe it, though I was definitely angry for a few days after. A couple days later you're still thinking about it, but then you just tend to forget about it and understand what a great year you had. At least you were fighting at the end."
USA Today: Kanaan's family expands, as does IRL's, for 2008
Says TK: "I have four kids, three on the team and one at home."
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel: RHR in right place at right time
Says RHR: "I know we've got a lot of work to do on the 1 1/2-mile ovals. We're a 12th-place car right now and we're better than that. We're better than that on the road courses. That said, I want to consistently finish in the top seven ... to be there in the end for a championship. I'd like to get a race win and a couple of podiums. And I believe we can."
Autosport: Viso confident in mid-season progress
Says HVM's Keith Wiggins: "Ernesto showed maturity and professionalism well beyond his years, and not only was he quick in the car, he was a very useful tool for the engineering staff."
Rahal out
One of the potential warts of unification has come to roost already: Graham Rahal will miss the Homestead race because he wadded his car up in testing and enough spare parts aren't yet available.
Says Rahal: "Our team wasn't in position to rush things, and it wasn't worth the risk. Our guys has been working very hard just to get to the point, and they need some rest. We'll focus on getting a good start on next week because we ought to have a good shot at finishing on the podium there."
Other notes from the story: The TEAM incentive is now $1.3 million, and there are lots of Brazilians in the ICS.
GR tells the Tampa Tribune that searching for someone else's backup was initially a possibility, but NHL was worried about not getting it up to their standards.
A cool perk
Not only are the races going to be in HD this year, you can have access to six HD views yourself.
Says IMS Productions' Charlie Morgan: "The clarity from those cameras is so amazing you can actually read the telemetry lights on the steering wheel. That sense of being in the cockpit has never been so real. And with the 360-degree capability, the (on-track) passes are even more dramatic. It's really cool in the pits. You can show all four corners of the car in a continuous sweep."
Other stuff
Palm Beach Post: Heavy IndyCar racers get even field
A piece on the cars being weighed with driver this year. Robby Gordon was not available for comment.
IndyCar.com rounds up the changes on ovals for 2008
Four-lap qualifying, back to multiple fuel mixture settings, paddle shifting are all on the docket for this year.
Official IRL news & notes
Press conference with Dan Wheldon, Donoso to IPS, stuff on TV.
Menards back in IRL with Vision Racing
Indy Lights stuff
The IPS is now Firestone Indy Lights
The Gary (IN) Post-Tribune has a piece on Logan Gomez
Says Gomez: "Teams like to say they want to win races, but they want championships with consistent top 5, top 10 finishes. Overall I want to be winning races by the end while in contention for a championship. ... With all the drivers coming over (in the merger), I see some seats opening up next year or maybe halfway through this year."
And finally ...
This isn't IRL related, but it is awesome to see Cristiano da Matta getting back into a racecar
Now that the season is starting, we'll be back on a more regular basis.
First off, the stuff for Saturday's race:
Gainsco Insurance Indy 300 @ Homestead-Miami Speedway (1.5 oval)
Time: 8 p.m. EDT
Broadcast: ESPN2/IMS Radio Network
Entry list | Schedule | Driver performance (all links from IndyCar.com)
Season previews & commentaries
Indy Star: TG eager for season to begin
A couple of notes: TG wants to use the Vanderbilt Cup as the series championship trophy (rather than the IRL's championship hardware, which I always thought was a pretty cool trophy itself). Also, the name "IRL" might be changed if there is ever a title sponsor.
SI: So happy together
Bruce Martin has a comprehensive must-read season preview. Races to watch, drivers to watch, intriguing storylines. Martin mentions Coca-Cola and DirecTV are both showing interest in series sponsorship.
Speed TV: Robin Miller's season preview
It's usually a good read, full of facts, opinions and analysis.
Says Robin: "While 24-26 cars figure to be the norm on the rest of the IRL’s 19-race schedule, another set of numbers isn’t likely to change for quite a while. Since 2005, three teams have won 45 of the 47 races. Andretti Green, Target-Ganassi and Penske Racing have also combined to claim the last five IRL titles and seven of the last eight Indy 500s."
AP: New teams, new equipment, same old names likely in title chase
Says Vitor Meira: "I think it will be very competitive but, realistically, we won't find out till Homestead, and not only in Homestead, because a lot of people will still be adjusting. I can only predict it will be very good and very hard for our teams, but fans will get the best of it. If I was a fan, I'd definitely be watching the first race."
ESPN: From Dan to Danica, 2008 campaign won't be lacking in drama
John Oreovicz picks eight drivers to watch.
Cincinnati Enquirer: Open wheels ready to roll
Five storylines, five drivers to watch for 2008.
Cincinnati Enquirer: Big changes in store
A primer on the changes in the IndyCar Series this year.
Detroit Free Press: New IndyCar Series debuts
The Freep's Mike Brundell previews the season, focusing mostly on unification.
"I'm extremely excited about having one series again. I've always been outspoken about that. One strong open-wheel series is going to be the best for everyone, not only the drivers, not only for the teams, not only for the press, but especially for all the fans."
ESPN: From contenders to pretenders, 2008 packed with drama
John Oreovicz handicaps the 2008 field.
ESPN: Q&A with Oreo: Could the ICS be on the verge of great things?
Says Oreo: "From a competition standpoint, it means there will be 26 cars on the grid for Saturday's season opener, the most since 2001 and a similar number to what many people consider IndyCar racing's most successful era, the mid-1980s to the mid-'90s. Several other teams have announced part-time programs that could occasionally swell the field to 28 or even 30 cars, and there should be enough meaningful bumping to restore drama to Indianapolis 500 qualifying."
Yahoo: Re-starting open-wheel's engines
Bob Margolis gives us the storylines for the 2008 season.
Grand Rapids Press: IRL season opener worth watching
Steve Kaminski predicts his Top 10 for 2008.
San Diego Union-Tribune: IndyCar restarts engines, but will fans notice?
A season preview with a capsule look at every team.
The AP has a capsule look at each team
Toronto Sun: IRL smoke clears
It's a look at the future of racing in Canada -- Edmonton is on the schedule for this year, while Toronto is a possibility for 2009.
CC defector stories
Indy Star: New faces of the IRL
A program will be necessary. Says TK: "Part of me makes me say, 'Who are these guys?' We definitely have to learn about each other if we're going to race this close together."
Indy Star: Ex-CC drivers search for speed
Marty Roth beat them all at the Homestead test. Yes, you read that right.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: CC drivers face uphill climb
One thing that will be interesting is how the CC guys handle the ovals.
Says Will Power: "It is evident after two days of testing here that we are lacking quite a bit of speed in comparison to the IRL guys."
CBS Sportsline: CC defectors hope to get up to speed
Says Will Power: "We've got to judge the competition when we get there, but it's going to be a tough road because we have no time in these cars, let alone the fact that most of us have very little experience on ovals. We've got to be realistic and these first few races are going to be very difficult."
St. Petersburg Times: NHL struggles to adjust
Says NHL GM Brian Lisles: "You reset your goals. We'll be happy if we finish on the lead lap at Homestead."
Fort Myers News-Press: Danica cautious about new IRL drivers
Says DP: "You're going to have to be really careful, especially until we get to know the tendencies of these drivers. I think it's going to be a tip-toe game at the beginning a little bit if you want to stay in the race."
PCM won't be there
Obviously, given they're not on the entry list. There have been rumblings about Pacific Coast Motorsports joining with RLR for some road course races later in the year.
Salinas Californian: A preview of Long Beach
Homestead preview
Palm Beach Post: Will IRL have a bang-up opener?
Says Oriol Servia: “Hopefully, we’ll finish the race and add more miles to our testing, because this is the way it is for all of us here - the first few races are actually testing, learning the cars."
ESPN: If it's Homestead, the favorite has to be Wheldon
John Oreovicz previews the season opener.
Says Wheldon: "It's one of those racetracks you race as little downforce as possible; we practice mostly in the daytime, the race is at night and that makes it exciting because it changes how the car handles and you have to judge it correctly. But for whatever reason, it just works for me and I'm not going to try and jinx that by saying anything different. I just love the place."
Driver stories
Miami Herald: Helio's star burns bright
The Herald catches up with Helio Castroneves in the wake of his DWTS victory.
Says Tim Cindric: "'In the past, he's always tried to figure out how can he become mainstream because he has a personality that is addictive. Now he has a connection as a winner on and off the track -- and when he does win, and people see his name go across the SportsCenter ticker, they will know him. Before, it was just another driver who won a race. It gives the IRL a celebrity who's a winner, which is something they haven't had.''
Easton (PA) Express-Times: Optimism abounds for Marco Andretti
Says Marco: "I was pretty beat up about last year. But I couldn't wait to get going again this year, basically to redeem myself. I know we can turn things around."
USA Today: Gifted Wheldon looks to extend Homestead streak
Says the newly-married Brit: "I have always been gifted with great race cars there. I certainly am not afraid to run wheel to wheel with anybody, and I have a good feel for what you need to be quick on that style of track, but you've got to have competitive equipment." Dan also has some advice for Dario Franchitti for when Chip "goes postal" on his Cup team's failures so far -- don't be around when it happens.
IndyCar.com: Unfinished business for Dixon
The 2007 runner-up has a little bit more to do.
Says Dixon of the final lap of 2007: "It was one of those surreal instances where you don't really want to believe it, though I was definitely angry for a few days after. A couple days later you're still thinking about it, but then you just tend to forget about it and understand what a great year you had. At least you were fighting at the end."
USA Today: Kanaan's family expands, as does IRL's, for 2008
Says TK: "I have four kids, three on the team and one at home."
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel: RHR in right place at right time
Says RHR: "I know we've got a lot of work to do on the 1 1/2-mile ovals. We're a 12th-place car right now and we're better than that. We're better than that on the road courses. That said, I want to consistently finish in the top seven ... to be there in the end for a championship. I'd like to get a race win and a couple of podiums. And I believe we can."
Autosport: Viso confident in mid-season progress
Says HVM's Keith Wiggins: "Ernesto showed maturity and professionalism well beyond his years, and not only was he quick in the car, he was a very useful tool for the engineering staff."
Rahal out
One of the potential warts of unification has come to roost already: Graham Rahal will miss the Homestead race because he wadded his car up in testing and enough spare parts aren't yet available.
Says Rahal: "Our team wasn't in position to rush things, and it wasn't worth the risk. Our guys has been working very hard just to get to the point, and they need some rest. We'll focus on getting a good start on next week because we ought to have a good shot at finishing on the podium there."
Other notes from the story: The TEAM incentive is now $1.3 million, and there are lots of Brazilians in the ICS.
GR tells the Tampa Tribune that searching for someone else's backup was initially a possibility, but NHL was worried about not getting it up to their standards.
A cool perk
Not only are the races going to be in HD this year, you can have access to six HD views yourself.
Says IMS Productions' Charlie Morgan: "The clarity from those cameras is so amazing you can actually read the telemetry lights on the steering wheel. That sense of being in the cockpit has never been so real. And with the 360-degree capability, the (on-track) passes are even more dramatic. It's really cool in the pits. You can show all four corners of the car in a continuous sweep."
Other stuff
Palm Beach Post: Heavy IndyCar racers get even field
A piece on the cars being weighed with driver this year. Robby Gordon was not available for comment.
IndyCar.com rounds up the changes on ovals for 2008
Four-lap qualifying, back to multiple fuel mixture settings, paddle shifting are all on the docket for this year.
Official IRL news & notes
Press conference with Dan Wheldon, Donoso to IPS, stuff on TV.
Menards back in IRL with Vision Racing
Indy Lights stuff
The IPS is now Firestone Indy Lights
The Gary (IN) Post-Tribune has a piece on Logan Gomez
Says Gomez: "Teams like to say they want to win races, but they want championships with consistent top 5, top 10 finishes. Overall I want to be winning races by the end while in contention for a championship. ... With all the drivers coming over (in the merger), I see some seats opening up next year or maybe halfway through this year."
And finally ...
This isn't IRL related, but it is awesome to see Cristiano da Matta getting back into a racecar
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.
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.
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
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
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."
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