John Edwards to Indy Lights?

Last night on the Speed Freaks, albeit some narly static interference for major portions of the show, for the first time ever, they had reigning Atlantics Champion John Edwards as a guest and quizzed him about whether or not there was any controversy regarding his securing of the title at Laguna Seca…

When the former Red Bull American F1 Driver Search recipient, two time Star Mazda and Atlantics Champion was pressed about his 2010 plans, Edwards eluded to the fact that a potential sponsor had fallen by the wayside and Indy Cars in 2010 was most likely not going to happen, although he’d been looking forward to sampling the Dallara/Honda package in a test and now most likely he’ll wind-up competing for Newman Wachs Racing in the Firestone Indy Lights next year, albeit nothing is confirmed and they’re still exploring their options…

John Edwards on Speed Freaks

Paul Tracy Wants You!

Hey all of uze Hosers from Up North Eh? (Besides Meesh & CAM-WOW…) Along with ALL of us CART ‘O Phyles, Err Chump Car Fanatics whose still are Paul Tracy (devotees) supporters…

According to James over at 16th and Georgetown, the Thrill from the West Hill, Err Mr. Chrome Horn (nee Paul Tracy) wants everyone to drop TROW, NO! NOT your pants silly… I meant to say drop his sponsor Monster Energy Drinks a line (or 48) claiming how the Wily ‘Juan, Messer Paul Tracy should indeed be given a 2010 FULL season ride in the Indy Car Series…

Click here and then go to the Shout Out section to leave your positively vociferous comments in support of ‘Ol PT!

(Thanxs ‘DAWG, Err pressdog for pointing ALL of us to the Paul Tracy Athlete link…)

Atlantics Championship Team to IRL?

I spotted this very intriguing tidbit upon The Other Side initially, which claims that according to SPEED’s Marshall Pruett, the 2009 Atlantics Championship winning Newman Wachs Racing Team could potentially be either jumping to the Indy Car Series or GP2 in 2010 with star driver John Edwards…

Although Team Owner Eddie Wachs goes onto say he’d like to possibly join an already established IRL outfit, to (hopefully) minimize the “Growing Pains” of building an operation from the Ground-up, if he makes the leap to the “Big boyz.”

So in true “CAM-WOW” (Matt Chamois) fashion, I’ve attempted to take a crack at the 2010 Indy Car landscape minus the “Big 3” establishments (Mikey Andretti Racing, Penske and TCGR) along with SRF (Sarah Fisher Racing) and Newman Haas Lanigan Racing which seemingly are the only outfits to be fairly stable at this moment in regards to their 2010 plans.

(NOT to say that ANY of the below Teams aren’t… As after all I can only GUESS, Eh?)

Personally I’d like to see NWR merge operations with Dale Coyne, as I think this would be a really good nucleus to build from, as they’ve got an excellent driver, while I suppose the Team’s only shortcoming is their Oval Track program, in which then you’d wanna possibly go with Panther Racing, eh?

Then again another good Team would be HVM, while Meesh’s favourite Team Owner “Boobie RAY-Xes” (Bobby Rahal) RLR Organization could always be resuscitated and Oriel Servia would be a great team leader… While of course the Up ‘N Comer of these potential merger candidates has to be (LCR) Luczo Dragon Racing, not to mention KV Racing Technology.

Meanwhile I’d guess that Dreyer & Reinbold would be a Dark horse selection since they seemingly already have their cadre of drivers in place, while I don’t know what Eric Bachelart’s (Conquest Racing) plans are for next year, while Team 3G seems to be a bit of a stretch.

And I never thought I’d say this… But I’d like to see Tony G. integrate his woeful vision Racing Team with Super Tex’s operation in order to build a sustainable 2010 two car entity… YIKES! (CANNOT believe I said that…) As it seems only logical that there will certainly be more consolidation in the future, while we await to see if Gil De Ferran can get his hoped for ICS team off ‘N running next year… Which I certainly hope will occur!

And then again there’s always an unlikely tie-up with AFS or Sam Schmidt; so who will it be? Will it happen? We’ll See, eh?

IMS for Sale?

Don’t know if Y’all saw this ‘lil tidbit – teaser in the Oct. 14 edition of Ask the Expert, which I believe is Curty “Two Shoes” Cavin…

Question:
Joe Saward writes on his blog about the rumors that IMS is for sale, then goes on to speculate that the France family is the obvious choice, puts the tag at $600 million and cites potential of using it more than three times a year. Is there any smoke, much less fire here? (Frank, Jersey City, N.J.)

Answer:
I just will be shocked if they sell. I hear all the same rumors and the speculation makes sense in a still-strained economy, but I think the family sees this as more than a business; it defines them. It's also something for future generations to own and operate. For those who don't know Joe Saward, he's a Formula One guy who is very well connected in the sport. I consider him a friend, too, so I respect his work.
(source: Indystar.com)

Seems a bit far fetched, eh? Then again you make the call…

Congratulations Dario

Congrats to the 2009 Indy Car Series Champion!

All Hail the Sofa King

Not entirely sure of what exactly Jeffie means by paying homage to the “revered” Kosuke Matsuura as the Sofa King… Who’ll roll off from P16 tonight, with the Stickerless Roger Yasukawa starting alongside in P17, while obviously Hideki Mutoh is dreaming of better results after crashing in qualifying…

So does it really say Lazy Boy on the sidepod of Matsuura’s race car? And no word yet on whether or not Mr. BRUT Arute-Arute ran into any Snakes on the plane… Hooh-Ah! Looks like it’s gonna be a bumpy ride, so Ladies ‘N Germs… Please keep those seatbelts fastened at all times just in case we hit any light turbulence…

Montagny to USF1?

There seems to be a lotta speculation surfacing in regards to “Frank the Tank” (Franck Montagny) potentially being on Peter Winsor’s short list of experienced F1 Drivers to possibly make up one half of the driving strength for the start-up team next year, as Winsor supposedly is somewhat enamored by Montagny’s testing experience, although the recent AFS/AGR Indy Car “Fifth wheel” at Sonoma, CA admits nothing is definitive and “They’re” (All three new 2010 F1 Teams) talking to all of the current Formula 1 Constructors Third Drivers as they seek an experienced hand to help their teams get up to speed quickly.

Montagny is also clamed to be talking with “Mikey” Andretti and Gil De Ferran about possible rides in Indy Car next year, while USF1 has formally applied with FOTA to become part of the Formula One teams Association for 2010, while both Campos Meta and Manor Motorsports are expected to do likewise shortly…

To read more on Team USF1 simply click upon the label USgpe below

Power and Philippe sustain season ending injuries

Just finished listening to the IMS Radio Network broadcast of the Sears Point qualifying session, where Mike “Yippee-Kai-eh” King and Davey Hamilton have recapped all of the action including the vicious practice crash that occurred today prior to qualifying.

Nelson Philippe spun his car on the top of Turn 3A and EJ “What, Me worry?” Viso managed to only give Philippe’s stalled chassis a glancing blow, but unfortunately Will Power was unable to miss Philippe and basically T-boned the stricken Conquest Racing machine upon cresting the blind corner; causing Philippe to suffer a compound fracture of his left foot and right leg, while Power sustained two broken vertebrae and some minor facial lacerations, including some chipped or broken teeth due to his helmet hitting his steering wheel, with both drivers being taken to the Medical centre… As most likely both will be out for the remainder of the ’09 Indy Car season, while HVM Racing was able to repair Viso’s car and return him to qualifying….

Also hats off to ‘Ol “Super Tex,” a.k.a. AJ foyt for giving up his private jet in order for Ryan Hunter-Reay’s mother to be able to fly back home for treatment whilst apparently battling that dreaded “C-Word” Cancer…

AGR preparing for Post-Danica era?

According to Will of Is it May yet? Andretti Green Racing will be running a fifth Dallara/Honda chassis for Frenchman Frank Montagny at this year’s final IRL road course race at Sonoma… Under the auspices of AFS Racing.

AFS/AGR currently campaign cars in the Firestone Indy Lights series for current points leader J.R. Hildebrand and second place Sebastian Saavedra, along with having won the 2008 Indy Lights Championship with Rafael Matos, so its safe to say that team owner Gary Peterson Has an interest in running with the “Big boyz” (Indy Car) in the future, which leads me to ponder if this is possibly a fact finding mission? Or perhaps the next step in Hildebrand’s future? As there certainly seem to be a plethora of drivers available if Princess does indeed decide to leave the team. Yet, I’d suggest that AGR might wish to consider simply concentrating on its current four drivers who’ve had less then stellar results this season…

Mid-Ohio Quote of the weekend

As always, the never shy to speak his mind, Mr. Chrome Horn, a.k.a. Paul Tracy has filed the following on his blog.

Paul Tracy:
“I’ve got to comment on Milka. She’s a disaster out there and it’s beyond even funny. Why do they give her a license? She’s what…seven seconds off me, so eight seconds off of Briscoe. That means Ryan’s gonna be lapping her every nine or ten laps if we’re green all the way! Why do they let her drive? Why does she want to embarrass herself so bad?”
(Source: Indy Trackside)

Hey! Just ask Justin Wilson how it went for him when trying to overtake Milka-licious this weekend at Mid-Ohio while leading…

What does ‘Ol Robin Miller call ‘dat? Oh yeah; I believe it’s known as a “Lucky Milka!” Instead of RASSCAR’s Lucky Dawg, uze gets two laps behind Milka to see if you can get around her cleanly without being taken out!

IndyCar tweaks Race cars

In an effort to improve the show, as a vast majority of the IRL Bloggers have repeatedly commented towards how BORING the past several OVAL races have been… With both TCGR Drivers Scott & Dario becoming constant apologists in victory lane, the league has introduced a following raft of rules changes to be instituted at Kentucky for the remainder of the season.

Various “Aero” bits will be re-introduced; sidepod extensions, tire ramps and rear-wheel backers will be allowed, with teams given the flexibility of using any or all three of these Aerodynamic aids, which Indy Car Claims should provide up to an extra 300lbs of Downforce, along with the mandatory removal of the rear wickerville.

On the engine side, Honda will introduce another Champ Car innovation, *couldn’t resist throwin’ that Champ Car quip in; OOPS!) with the addition of “P2P,” better known as Push-to-Pass; as the Honda “Lumps” will now give an additional 5-20bhp in 12 second spurts, with a 10 second mandatory interval between each of the up to 20 spurts, with a maximum of 10,500RPM’s available for 240 seconds each contest, as the horsepower range will depend upon the current fuel mixture setting being utilized at the time of the Driver’s hitting the “Boost” button, P2P button, Err Excuse me, my mistake its now known as Press to Pass, as we don’t wanna use NO STINKIN’ CHAMP CAR TERMINOLOGY!

Indy Car Fodder

, Just a few quick tidbits here... As some of you may be pondering Tomas “Rockem Sockem” Scheckter’s decision to drive for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing this weekend instead of continuing with Dale Coyne Racing... When arriving back at my Hotel Danny noticed that two gleaming white DCR Semi-haulers were parked discretely at the rear of the parking lot... So of course we sauntered over and one of the Truck Driver’s informed us that one of the four Dallara/Honda chassis was to be returned to the IRL upon their return to Chicago, as it was actually an HVM Racing steed and hence I suspect this is partially responsible for Scheckter seeking employment elsewhere?

Meanwhile, conveniently lost in all of the George-Gate hi-steria... Was the fact that this year’s Indy 500’s television ratings dropped. (And I don’t think you can blame Versus since it was on some other channel, eh?) And although it was claimed that ratings were up in the local market for the tape delayed re-run, I can tell yuh that even though we had the Telescreen turned on, Dave, Rob and I saw nary a lick of it as we sat outside after a tremendous barbeque dinner prepared by Dave discussing other topics including the current plight of Formula 1 and when in the HELL will Max ‘N Bernie be given their walking papers...

Indy 500 TV Ratings decline

Back from Indy

And I tell Yuhs... It ain’t no fun to be back home again... As I had a most enjoyable time hangin’ out in Speedway, Indiana, getting treated like a V.I.P. at the race track... Can I get that door for you Mr. Tomaso? Of course now comes the hard part, where’ I’ve gotta try scribblin’ furiously to put my massive collection of hopefully somewhat legible notes into words of a somewhat entertaining fashion... Uh, you know Tomaso, there’s these high tech gadget thingy’s called tape recorders... Why yes, Jeffrey, I managed to leave mine at home along with my business cards...

Thus after a leisurely brunch prior to Danny taking me to Indianapolis International Airport, which what a massive improvement the new Airport is over the old one, that my Visually Impaired (Blind) Assist at the Airport informed me It was 50 years old and they’d broken ground for the new Airport in 1975... But first had to move Interstate 70!

Thus we dropped by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) Administration building to thank the fine folks who’d been so helpful to me during my first ever INDY 500, as although Krabitz of AM1070’s The Fan has taken to calling them the overly Officious “Yellow Jackets,” I found everyone on the Speedway grounds to be overly courteous to Mwah...

And thus as we arrived, Danny noticed a “live” News truck crew on the grounds, which happened to be from WRTV6, the local ABC affiliate. Hmm? What’s going’ on? As on the opposite side of the parking lot was the similar News van from WISH TV 8, to which Danny said; “Something Big is going on here. They don’t send two News crews out for a follow-up story on Race attendance, etc.”

So sarcastically I said; perhaps the league is announcing its new title sponsor? NO! Danny retorted. Thus next I quipped; whale may be the Mayor is presenting Tony George with a key to the city for doing such an outstanding job this year then? Ahh yeah, right?

So we went inside and met our party we’d wished to say Thanks to and Danny asked her what’s going on out there? And she categorically said “I’ve got NOTHING!” (I KNOW NOTHING! I SEE NOTHING! ROUST, ROUST!) So we said our goodbyes and left the building and Danny stopped to ask one of the Cameramen what’s going On? Well we’ve got an UNCONFIRMED report that Tony George has been ousted as the CEO of IMS by the Board in a meeting held Tuesday night... HOLY SHIT BATMAN! Where’d the report come from? It’s from SPEED TV. Oh? Was it written by Robin Miller? Why yes it was but we cannot confirm anything at the moment... We’ve tried contacting (Attorney) Jack Snider but he’s not answering his phone. Nobody’s answering their phone at the moment and we can’t run a story until we’ve confirmed it... So I told the reporter standing by that it was SHOCKING! And I’m probably one of Liddul T’s biggest critic’s... Whale Otay, there’s probably harsher, but I’m NOT exactly a fan of his... So would you like to go on the record and do an interview with us? Uhm, NO Thanks... Yeah I know, I missed my 15 Mine-nutes ‘O Fame... But I’d just had the good fortune of being interviewed on Autosport Radio with Don Kay the night before and really didn’t know what exactly was going on with the whole Tony G. situation, nor have I read Robin Miller’s breaking story which certainly set the town abuzz before I hopped upon that big ‘Ol Jetliner to Seattle as Stevie “Gee-tar” Miller once sang many Moons ago. And thus it was certainly interesting to puruse the Indiana AP Newswire and IndyStar this morning to hear the latest developments...

To read Robin Miller’s breaking story see; Transition coming at IMS

INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY STATEMENT

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

At a regular meeting of the board of directors of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Tuesday, May 26, board members asked Tony George, chief executive officer of the IMS companies, to devise a plan for management of Hulman & Company, the Indy Racing League, Clabber Girl and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway that would allow him to focus on the business which requires the greatest attention. This plan is to be presented to the board at a meeting later this year.

Tony George said: “Contrary to published reports, I continue to serve as CEO of IMS. Our board of directors met yesterday, and we did discuss how to best confront challenges and exploit opportunities facing our businesses. This is nothing new and is something that we continually do as a board. But no changes in leadership or responsibility have been made. We don’t normally comment on board deliberations concerning our family business. However, the widespread, inaccurate reports and rumors caused my mother and me to conclude that it was necessary to set the record straight. If changes are made in the management of the company that are newsworthy, we will announce them when they are made.”
(Source: IMS2009)

For more on Tony George’s response to Miller’s report, see; George: I'm still IMS CEO

Now time to check around the Blogosphere Horn, eh?

Milka, Sarah and Anna

Yeah, Y’all read that correctly... As in Milka Duno, Sarah Fisher and Anna Chatten and NOT Dan-Dan-Danicker Patrick...

As in Anna will potentially be making history this weekend as the first over-the-wall Female? Whale the first in over a decade and first for a Female race driver, when serving as the Air Jacker for Milka’s No. 23 CITGO Special. And Anna’s NO “Newbie,” having previously spent six years working for Derrick Walker’s shoestring Champ Car operation as a Gearbox Specialist, which she’s also doing for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing. So this is a pretty good story worth checking’ out...

Another Woman making Race History

Meanwhile, Sarah Fisher has certainly been making the most of her own media blitz, as she was not only on The Daily Show with John Stewart Monday night, but this past Sunday, Sarah dropped into the Speed Freaks which you can listen to at:

Fisher on Speed Freaks

And also taking the brunt of the FREAKS, was Ryan “the DUDE” Hunter-Reay, who’s interview appears to not be available? Whale at least I didn’t see it on their website…

And now I’ really should get kracking, eh? And what’s up with the weather here? Thunder ‘N Lightning after raining ALL day and mid-50’s… Sheesh! You’d be hard pressed to believe it’s almost summer here, eh?

2009 IMS Shuttle service announced

This is good news, as I’ve just received the following information from Jana of IMS after asking several people about whether or not there would be any Shuttle service to this year’s Indy 500?

ROUNDTRIP SHUTTLE SERVICE TO BE OFFERED FOR INDY 500 FANS
INDIANAPOLIS, Thursday, May 14, 2009 – The Town of Speedway is facilitating roundtrip bus service for Indianapolis 500 fans Sunday, May 24 at three convenient locations, including two in downtown Indianapolis and one at Indianapolis International Airport.

For complete details, see; Roundtrip Service offered for Indy 500 Fans

Fast Friday dominated by “Big Three”

Whale it should hardly be a suh-prize, Err News Flash, eh? As wouldn’t uze know it? Friday’s Top Ten were dominated by... Wait for it... A little longer... Drum Roll please... Tuh-Duh!

Penske Racing, Target/Chip Ganassi and Andretti Green Racing, as there was a two by two “Girrannimal’s” theme goin’ on... And the top ten featured a combined nine spots being taken by these three outfits, with former “Tar jay” interloper Dan “Cammo” Wheldon spoiling the lock-out, since Alex Pink Lloyd is his replacement at TCGR. Interestingly AGR’s Big Schnoz “TK” (Tony Kanaan) was holding back speed for tomorrow as he only mustered up 12th overall, with “Son ‘O Stash” Grahm Rahal lurking in P11.

So can anybody besides “The Usual suspects” win the Pole?

Friday Times
(Pos Driver Best Time Best Speed)
1 Ryan Briscoe 39.8263. 225.981; 2 Helio Castroneves 39.9223. 225.438; 3 Dario Franchitti 40.0029, 224.984; 4 Scott Dixon 40.0317, 224.822; 5 Danica Patrick 40.0436, 224.755; 6 Marco Andretti 40.0492, 224.724; 7 Will Power 40.0733, 224.588; 8 Dan Wheldon 40.1146, 224.357; 9 Hideki Mutoh 40.1388, 224.222; 10 Alex Lloyd 40.1393, 224.219

Sarah Fisher on Twitter bandwagon

Be still my Tweeterin’ Heart!

Yep, Sarah Fisher has now joined the GRUNTER, Err Tweeter Nation, where she’s just informed us that today’s practice has been RAINED OUT! Hmm? Sounds like shades ‘O Seattle Grey? And if you decide to stalk Sarah via Twit-err, you could be in the running for a two seat ride with her! Check out My Name is IRL’s story for more details...

Who wants a Ride?

2009 INDY 500 Entry List revealed

Otay race fans; Y’all may have already read this somewhere else on the Blogosphere, eh? But without further ado, IMS has unveiled the 2009 INDY 500 Entry List with a grand total of 40 entries divided up between 28 Drivers for the moment...

And much of the fanfare has already been dolloped out upon us this past weekend in Long Beach, CA and I don’t think there are really any surprises upon the Entry List, with the exception that Marty “TURTLE” Roth has two entries listed, although many including James of 16th and Georgetown have gone to great pains to note that the Speedy Martin isn’t listed as a Driver for either of these... Hmm? Let’s see, John Andretti and Davey Hamilton have already been snapped up by Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, so perhaps will Jay Howard be making an Indianapolis debut?

Also, there are four previous winners along with four Rookie Drivers at the moment... And while Scotty Sharp may take up the Refresher driving allotment, ‘Ol PT was quick to quip during his press conference that he doesn’t think the Speedway allows former winners to do so...

2009 IMS Entry List

Dragonslayers?

Whale, although new recruit “Rafa” had his baptism under fire upon reportedly taking out Open Wheel’s Diva Princess Danicker on the streets of St Pete, as the irrepressible Darren “Danger Mouse” Manning playfully asked during his Autosport Radio interview Tuesday night: “Did they ever solve whose fault it was?”

Yet, this little nugget has been bouncing around for Mwah ever since I stumbled upon it in an altogether foreign sport to the majority of us Yanks stateside... As it’s known Across the Pond as Foosball... Not to be confused with our ‘lil ‘Ol Pigskin game called Football and thus it’s referred to as Soccer. As the premiere league in the U.S. is the Major League Soccer (MLS) series which has just announced its two newest Franchise members Vancouver, BC and Portland, Oregon for the 2011 Major League Soccer season which will then boast 18 MLS Franchises.

The naming of Vancouver and Portland, of which Seattle Sounders FC co-owner Drew “The Price is Right” Carey has named the “Triangle of Death,” helps resurrect the long ago triumberant and rival sports triangle of Seattle-Portland-Vancouver BC from the glory days of the Sounders, Timbers and Whitecaps during the long forgotten NASL (North American Soccer League) of the 1970’s, of which the Pacific Northwest has a rich tradition in the passion of Soccer... As I’ve for reasons unknown managed to keep a total of seven buttons from the original Sounders team proudly affixed upon my bulletin board all of these years. (What’s that, eh?) As the Sounders FC team has just begun playing in Quest Field, where our Seahawks are wonderin’ if they’ll manage to regain their past glory next season?

And thus I stumbled upon the announcement that:
“Current (Vancouver) Whitecaps owner Greg Kerfoot, a reclusive Vancouver millionaire, heads a power-packed group that paid US$35 million for the (Vancouver MLS) franchise. Joining Kerfoot on the ownership team is NBA star Steve Nash, San Francisco Giants co-owner Jeff Mallett and Boston Celtics co-owner Steve Luczo.”

With particular interest being paid to the final name above; Hmm? That couldn’t be the same Stephen J. Luczo whom is co-owner of an Indy Racing League team with somebody named Jay Penske, could it? You know the latter is the youngest son of somebody known as The Captain, a.k.a. Roger Penske.

This brash duo made its Indy Car debut at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2007 with a “Satellite” third Penske entry for soon to become Penske Racing driver Ryan Briscoe, whom at the time was part of Penske Racing’s ALMS Porsche RS Spyder team, before running a partial six race season with Tomas “Rockem Sockem” Scheckter in 2008 without any assistance from Penske.

As in the Steve Luczo who:
“Is chairman of Seagate Technology, the world’s largest hard-drive manufacturer, and a man who moves in interesting circles. He’s part of a Silicon Valley group that owns about one-third of the Boston Celtics, and he also owns a large chunk of the National Lacrosse League’s San Jose Stealth.”

“Luczo, who was not at the (Whitecaps) announcement, surfs, snowboards and mountain bikes and is a songwriter and co-founder of a music company that develops San Francisco artists.”

You see, the Seattle Sounders (1974-83) once were at the pinnacle of professional soccer, as I fondly recall my ‘Ol Man having season tickets for the NASL Franchise whose home pitch was Memorial Stadium, part of the beleaguered Seattle Center and Key Arena where some other team named the Supersonics once inhabited... Before some Yokel JACK ASS named Clay Bennett drug ‘em off to Oklahoma! And thus it was in 1977, when the Seattle Sounders played against the dreaded “Yankee’s” of N. American Soccer, a.k.a the New York Cosmos whose star studded line-up included such names as Pele and Franz Beckenbauer... As the Cosmos would ultimately defeat the Sounders 1-0 for the Championship; known as Soccer bowl, of which would be the Sounders zenith before the NASL slowly faded into obscurity, but I digress...

So it must be nice to be able to dabble in whatever professional sports categories one is interested in, eh? As I’d suggest that while although a relative newcomer to the Indy Car Series, Luczo Dragon Racing certainly has the financial resources to run a full time two car team if so desired and two fairly astute and savvy financial experts at its helm.

Hence, I’d look for LCR to go places in the future and perhaps you’ll wanna pull over next time Rafa’s coming up fast to overtake you Danica...

Whitecap’s All-star cast of owners seal the deal

Tuskegee Red Tail to race at Indy?

Whale originally I was gonna post a most horrific picture of some buffoon named “Dubbah-U” in front of a Mission Accomplished banner. As after all today is the sixth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq...

But instead I’ll pay homage to some long forgotten Airmen, as in the Tuskegee Airmen who’ll FINALY be honoured this month of May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, along with the possibility of one of the 33 cars taking the grid being dubbed a “Red Tail” racecar in deference to the Tuskegee Airmen’s signature crimson tails of their war birds during World War II...

Tuskegee Airmen to be honored at Indy 500

Indy Cars sold in Arizona

Panther IndyRacing League chassis/close-up (PBM)

While the majority of the Indy Car teams are hightailing it back to their respective race shops after having just visited Homestead, and hopefully won’t suffer any Hi-jinx’s on there way back... I thought I’d take a moment and ramble on ‘bout a few Old IRL mounts that recently crossed the block at Barret Jackson this past January. As Miguel and I (mostly me) were rubber neckin’ over the few ‘Ol Timers IRL chassis on the West world grounds, I couldn’t discern any lot numbers or any other identifying features towards the history of these racecars. Since my trek to the Valley of the Sun, I’ve received my ’09 Barrett-Jackson catalog from AZ Bureau Chief Mary Jane, which ironically did NOT shed any clues upon the un-numbered Indy Cars up for sale either... Yet, fortunately she also grabbed a supplementary brochure titled The GM Offering which basically listed all of General Motor’s Heritage Collection offerings up for grabs and finally provided me with the clues towards the unknown Indy Car offerings, which I’ve been pestering Jeff about, since I’m not an Indy Racing League aficionado... Having been a CART/Champ Car guy instead and thus I know very little about the 1996-2007 era of Tony George’s Open Wheel circus...(Other then I’ll always think of that ominous era as the This is your Brain: CART vs. This is your Brain on Ovals: IRL!” as one feverish CART supporter’s T-Shirt proclaimed.)

Racing cars at Barrett Jackson

Lot No. # Team Engine Sponsor Description

1357 4 Panther Racing Chevrolet Pennzoil IRL Show Car*

1586 4 Panther Racing Chevrolet Pennzoil IRL Show Car

1588 - Unknown Oldsmobile Aurora None IRL Cut-away Car

1604 5 Unknown Oldsmobile Aurora None IRL Cut-away Car

1607 8 Cadillac Cadillac Northstar --- ALMS LMP1 Race Car

(* = Post 9/11 w/American Flag on engine cowling)

And here’s what Jeff of My Name is IRL had to say... (Lot#) “1604 Sunday Oldsmobile/Aurora IRL Cut-away car: $38,500. Holy smokes, I think this was Arie Luyendyk's Indy winner from '97. Possibly a different car from that year though.” Thanks for the help Jeff; as “Now its all clear as mud on a rainy day!” As the Chevy-esqe theme makes sense as all of the Chevy race cars were part of the GM Heritage Collection as noted above. And if any of you IRL soothsayers wish to chime in upon the aforementioned Indy Car chassis, please feel free to leave a comment...

Oldsmobile/Aurora IRL Cut-away chassis (PBM)

GM Racing Cars
Lot No. Day Chassis Description Total Price
1357 Saturday Panther/Chevy IRL Show car $53,900
1586 Sunday Panther/Chevy IRL Show car $18,700
1588 Sunday Oldsmobile/Aurora IRL Cut-away car $18,700
1604 Sunday Oldsmobile/Aurora IRL Cut-away car $38,500
1604 Sunday Cadillac ALMS LMP1 Race car $159,500
(Total Price includes 10% Buyer Commission)

Aye Karumba! As I sure don’t know what makes up the difference in prices between two equal looking show cars/cut-away chassis...

Hmm? Wonder if any of these were snapped up by any Indy Racing League teams as spare part mules? Or even better yet, conversion for this years upcoming Spectali? Nah, I doubt it...

Now back to the weather channel, eh? Where I hear it’s a toasty 80 degrees Fahrenheit in the Valley of the Sun, where some dude name Tiger’s hangin’ out this week...

Photographs courtesy of Blogmeister Miguel... Thanxs Dude!

(PBM = Photos By Miguel)

Mirror Mirror on the wall

Whale perhaps it’s just me, but isn’t it ironic? That on two Rally-Rally-Rally Big News Dazes... First being the Princess Danicker show Up North, eh? And then the House ‘O Winsor briefing, there was also some dude by the name of Obama busy holding court. Coincidence? As Peter Winsor even made a soft jab about the President bailing out the USGP...

And while perhaps Y’all are in a lather frettin’ over the latest testing times from Homestead, I for one have been way too DAMN busy in order to write anything overly clever on the matter, as the off season testing in formula 1 is fondly known as the “Winter Olympics,” rarely shedding any light upon whom will be the following seasons winners. So can anyone really take too much meaningful out of the IRL’s very first test day? Besides; YAWN! The Ganassi and Penske cars were atop the time sheets. Thus I suggest you check out the Open Wheel Word Botcherer’s Association instead for a plethora of Homestead coverage...

United Open Wheel Word Butchers Association

Homestead Day One times

Wither Indy Car team owners

By now I’m assuming Y’all have heard bobby Rahal’s terseful words of RLR’s impending withdrawal from running a full season campaign in this year’s Indy Racing League due to the fact that he and side-kick funnyman David Letterman have been unable to locate a title sponsor for Ryan “The Dude” Hunter-reay’s past Ethanol sponsored mount, yet is still hopeful of finding somebody to throw them a bone for a partial season, or at leas the month of May.

Following upon the heals of this announcement come word via Robin Miller that KV Racing Technology has just laid off more of its remaining staff and is currently slated to only field a single entry in 2009, while Eric Bachelart has offered his small outfit a salary pay cut or closing of business, while still seeking sponsorship for either of his two racing cars, as an Indy Car spokesman has acknowledged that there currently appears to only be 18 entries slated for full season competition... But as Bachelart said, we’ll see where things stand, at the upcoming series test Feb. 23-25 at Homestead, where both the Firestone Indy Lights and Indy Cars will participate in open testing upon the Miami Speedway...

IMS Revs up for Centennial

I’ve just received a very cool email from IMS Communications, with a link to their Centennial website, having been given the go-ahead to knock myself out with any video links I’d like to post... (Danny!)

The series features video clips and historical IMS photos including Indianapolis 500 legends A.J. Foyt, Rick Mears, Al Unser, Mario Andretti, Gordon Johncock and many more. New videos and photos will appear daily, Monday through Friday, until the Centennial Era Gala on Friday, Feb. 27 in downtown Indianapolis...

Kudos Paul!

IMS Centennial Era Moments

Conway signs with D & R

Mike Conway has signed to drive for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing in this year’s upcoming Indy Racing League Championship, thus becoming the series third confirmed rookie driver, as the 25yr old “Brit” joins “Rafa,” a.k.a. Raphael Matos and Stanton Barrett.

And like that ‘Ol Sesame Street song; which one of these doesn’t look like the other? The signing of the ex-GP2 contestant puts into doubt the return of either one or two of last year’s Piloto’s, as its unclear whom of last seasons triumberant of Townsend Bell, Milka Duno or Buddy Rice will be Conway’s teammate... Although I’d guess that “Hot Rod” (Rice) may be out of a ride? Yet its worth noting that Conway was originally hopeful of landing a seat as Dan Wheldon’s teammate at Panther Racing...

Princess makes another Boo-Boo

According to multiple sources all over le internets and the Blogosphere... No Fenders most favourite (NOT!) Indy Car star Princess Danicker has once again been caught speeding upon the public roads in Scottsdale, AZ.

As the Roscoe, IL featherweight who was too knackered to take turns alongside AGR’s “Marky Mark” (Marco Andretti) for Team USA’s A1 GP effort this season, has been popped doing 54 in a 35mph zone on Dec. 9th. And before I pile on too much (never) upon Dan-Dan-Danicker, at least she wasn’t caught pulling a Charles Barkley “I REFUSE to take a Breathalyzer” in her 2007 Gold Mercedes Benz. (Nice colour choice, eh?) As the Round Mound ‘O Rebound was caught rolling thru a stop sign in Old Scottsdale, AZ in the wee morning hours of Dec. 31st. And if you think I’m being tough on Sir Charles, well at least it wasn’t his second DUI like ex-Seattle Seahawks Hall of Fame QB & current Seahawks radio commentator Warren Moon, whom was arrested before the beginning of this year’s NFL season. Hey, wait a second, I’m starting to sense a pattern here; Oh Never Mind!

And even if the IRL’s fan darling has to go to driving school to sort out her over usage of the loud pedal... Don’t forget that F1 triple World Champion Nelson Piquet (Senior) has already been there - done that!

kudos to pressdog for his always entertaining spin and heads-up on this wrongdoing:
Daniker is gets a Speed Racer Ticket

And while reflecting upon her need for speed Danica has claimed the following upon her first run-in with the law at the tender age of Sweet 16:

"I was driving a friend home and the cop nailed me going 65 in a 45 in my Mustang."
"I told the cop that I was just using my new car's potential. He didn't think that was too funny."

Already having attended a Defensive Driving class... NO JOKE! But does anybody see any irony there? In order to get out of being nabbed for doing 57 in a 40mph zone this past year, inquiring minds wanna know:

Does she get points deducted for doing her patented stomp? Or does she have to attend extra classes for pulling off her gloves and looking for her instructors head...

Geez! I could go on all day, eh?

Danica Patric feels the need, the need for speed

Guess it’s a good thing she doesn’t own a Ferrari, although Indiana Bureau Chief Danny B has quipped that Dan-Dan-Danicker was likely going faster in Arizona then on her final lap in Motegi... OUCH!

Honda to remain in Indy Car

With the Honda Motor Company having announced the shocking news that it has decided to divest itself of their less than stellar Formula 1 race team last week, many of us Open Wheel fans were probably left pondering whether or not Honda would remain loyal to the IndyCar World Series for 2009? As they are after all the leagues sole engine supplier.

But, according to the Indy Star’s resident Open Wheel Racing Guru Curt Cavin, Honda will indeed continue its association with the IRL for the upcoming season. (and beyond; as their contract runs thru the 2010 season, before we’ll potentially have multiple engine suppliers in 2011?) I mean, after all, they’ve got a monopoly on winning the Indy 500 at the moment, eh?

To read Cavin’s article, see; Honda will stay in IRL

And in this topsy-turvy time of financial gloom ‘N doom, you may wish to ponder Mr. Oreovicz’s question in regards to the now long completed Indy Car season, as after all its a great question, eh? (Even if its a bit dated...)

John Oreovicz:
“How do you quantify what counts as a high or a low for an IndyCar Series season during which Milka Duno led more laps than Danica Patrick?”

2008 Indy Car Season Review

Doornbos returning?

And amidst all of the doom ‘N gloom engulfing the motorsports arena, there does appear to be some hope of better days to come, as perhaps you’ve heard the rumour that “Bad Bobby D,” a.k.a. Robert Doornbos is returning stateside to participate in the 2009 Indy Car World Series... As reportedly the news was leaked in an email sent to the Indy Star’s Curt Cavin, whom claims to have regular conversations with Eddie Carpentier’s best buddy EJ “What, me worry?” Viso, claiming that Doornbos would be his teammate at HVM for the 2009 season; now let’s see, I got the news correct back in September, just guessed the wrong driver, eh? When we were all speculating upon where’s Vitor going, as us merry butcheror’s ‘O wurds were taking oour best shots on the hapless Miera’s future...

“Yet, I'm still guessing Vitor will wind up at HVM in a second chassis?”

(So I guess we can scratch Doornbos off the Penske drivers shopping list, eh?)

Open Wheel notes

this is an oversized (Turkey) stuffing of the latest news tidbits going on in the Open Wheel Racing world, just-in-time for that delectable Turkey-Lurkey holiday. (Pass me a biscuit!)

No more Surfers
Otay, this is a bit dated, but in case you haven’t heard? The Indy Car World Series and the Queensland Government were unable to come up with a resolution to keep the Surfers Paradise event on the Indy Car calendar for next season and beyond... As the Surfers Paradise event has played host to the CART/Champ Cars since 1991, albeit a non-points event in this inaugural season of unification. Thus, the event will now become home of A1 GP which has signed a five year deal to partner the V8-Supercars Down Under, beginning in 2009...

CRIKEYS!

Will KV Racing Technology survive?
And with the loss of the Gold Coast event, will KV Racing Technology also wither? Recall that the running of this event was imperative to KVRT staying on the grid this year as its major funding came from Craig Gore’s Aussie Vineyards. And although speculation suggests that Gore is pondering retirement, nothing has been confirmed to date, although both of KVRT’s drivers Will Power and Oriel Servia are currently free agents.

Miller reports on Driver market
According to a recent article by our beloved Open Wheel curmudgeon Robin Miller, the current Indy Car driver market for 2009 is currently awash with proven “Big Names” talent seeking employment, as Newman Haas Lanagin and Rahal Letterman have not picked up options on Justin Wilson and Ryan Hunter Reay, who both scored their first Indy Car victories this season, while both of the aforementioned KVRT drivers Will Power and Oriel Servia are awaiting their Open Wheel future.

Miller also throws in Paul Tracy, Bruno Junqueira, Tomas Scheckter and Darren Manning as free agents seeking rides... Hmm? I thought this unification thingy was to be the end all to the current plight of Open Wheel Racing in Norte Americano? Now explain to me why it sounds like another episode of; while the Champ Car World Series turns, eh?

No more “Corn-ee” Letterman jokes?
Also according to OWR soothsayer Robin Miller, there appears to be a 98% chance that title sponsor Ethanol will not be returning to Rahal/Letterman Racing in 2009, leaving Ryan “The Dude” Hunter-Reay without a drive next season. (Unless Penske scoops him up?)

Yet now comes word via the Blogosphere that Brazil will be helping to keep corn based Ethanol in the game next season, so why couldn’t this become RLR’s new sponsor? Heck, may be ‘Ol Emmo (Emerson Fittipaldi) will wish to install another Brazilian driver like Tiago Montero as teammate? Or perhaps “Junky” could land a ride here?

IRL gets sucker-punched

Penske’s New Year plans
And while The Captain, a.k.a. Roger Penske is still trying to decide what to do over his current Indy Car “Star” Hulio’s pending legal troubles... Hmm? Wonder if Penske will scoop up another Aussie as Ryan Briscoe’s teammate? (Can you say Will Power?) But I digress, as it was announced recently on The Speed Report that Penske will field a two car effort of Porsche powered Riley Daytona Prototype chassis in the upcoming 2009 Rolex 24 at Daytona. Is The Captain mulling a change of venue for his Sports Car operation?

Tracy legal woes continue
And while the majority of us thought that only Hulio had legal issues to wrangle with, according to crack Indy Car word butcher Will, Paul Tracy may have run into some more funny legal shenanigans’ of his own, as apparently there seems to be some sort of contention over his 2006 contract extension with Jerry “Go F-Yourself” Forsythe NEVER having been signed.

Was Tracy running without a contract?

Sully does Baja
During one of the final Wind Tunnel shows; Ye ‘Ol Windbag (Dave Despain) had Danny Sullivan as his “Last Call” of the evening, which was pretty entertaining... As “Sully” was calling in to talk about his Trophy Truck program and why he was running the Baja 1000. “Because it’s the only thing I can still race in competitively at my age!” Sully quipped.

And while I don’t know the whole story about Sully’s Baja 1000 trek, I can tell you from the results that he finished an admirable 5th place overall, which is better than Robby Gordon can say.

5. Dan Friedkin, Houston, Danny Sullivan, Vista, Calif./Steve Hengeveld, Oak Hills, Calif., Toyota Tundra, 14:34:55. (2nd highest finishing Tundra)

Baja 1000 results

Marky Mark podiums
Although it appears that Princess Danicker has decided to sit out the current A1 GP season, as she reportedly wished to be paid for her troubles...

Meanwhile, “Marky Mark,” a.k.a... Marco andretti, whom some word butcherer named Jeff is hoping to see installed as Hulio’s replacement at Team Penske, has just scored his first podium in this seasons A1 GP race held at Sepang. And although young Marco didn’t get off to a very good start, flipping and crashing out of the Sprint race, Marco atoned for his first race melee by reaching the podium in the Feature race, albeit with a little assistance from Team Malaysia's “Home-boy” Fairuz Fauzy. With Fauzy running in third place and Andretti behind him in fourth, Fairuz made a most unusual mistake, when his radio inadvertently picked up a ghost call to pit, as Fauzy heard Team GBR’s call; Box-Box-Box in his radio headset... And thus pitting behind Great Britain’s car, lost 40 seconds when he showed up in his vacant pit stall! This never seen gaff dropped Fairuz to a disappointing 10th place finish, while Marco grabbed the third step on the podium.

Marco Andretti, Andretti Green A1, A1 Team USA:
(ON THE SPRINT RACE INCIDENT) "You can say its unavoidable but at the time I thought everyone was going and I could only see two rows ahead of me. I couldn't see ahead of the whole field. I was about to grab fourth gear, and as soon as rear tires were hooking up, that was needed to stop the car. There was no hope. In the States you either go or you don't. Here, they went and then stopped. No one was to blame, it was just racing. But ultimately I crashed out two cars ."
.
Hmm? What’s that about not wishing to get in some much needed road racing experience Princess...

Doin’ the “Hulio” two-step
Ah, what better way to help digest that “Super-sized” Turkey-lurkey dinner, eh? And instead of unbuckling your belt, taking your shoes off and settling down for a little cat-nap whilst seated in the nearest Lazy Boy recliner, while some smash mouth football drones on in the background...

Why not do the Hulio two-step $heister shuffle instead? Just put your foot to the left...

And I won’t try to recap every nuance of the Helio Castroneves embezzlement shumozzle here; Castroneves indicted Hulio tear jerker, Castro-nervous bail modified, Trial date delay denied, blah-blah-blah... Nope, I’ll leave all of this hullabaloo up to the eagle-eyed Will and his crack reporting at; Is it May yet instead... And you may wish to check out his latest report; Quick Helio update, not to mention his wacky Pin-the-tail on Hulio board game.

Hulio board game

And make sure uze don’t’s steps onz ‘dem Hushpuppies, Yuh hearzs!

New Open Wheel Racing teams

This past Tuesday evening’s Autosport Radio Show was fairly entertaining, as it featured key members of the latest two Open Wheel Racing teams to be announced.

First up, was guest Greg Beck, current owner of Beck Motorsports and now part owner of the newly formed Indy Car operation, Team 3G; which stands for: 3 Guys. As many may already know, Beck has inked stuntman and Nationwide series competitor Stanton Barrett as his full time Indy Car driver for the 2009 season, with hopes of a possible second car to be added. Beck is also hopeful of running an Firestone Indy Lights team, being close to having at least a partial season deal for an initial car and further hopes of a second car, which could see Greg ultimately fielding four race cars after struggling to just run a lone Indy Car previously.

When asked how much it takes to run a single Indy Car effort for a full season and does the $1.3 million incentive doled out by Tony George factor in? Greg said yes, we definitely factor the money in and I’d say you can probably get away with a NO Frills, bare bones single car entry for $3.5 million for an entire season, although $5.5-6.0m would probably be more realistic a number in order to do the season correctly.

Stanton Barrett did all of the stunt work for the three Spiderman films and has a long list of credits, along with being the son of Stan Barrett, who was part of the original stunt team for Burt Reynolds Smokey and the Bandit along with Hal Needham. And I believe that Stan also did multiple work as Paul Newman’s stunt-double.

Interestingly, Greg threw out the tidbit that Stan had also been the pilot behind the controls of the Budweiser Rocket car, that controversially tried to become the first vehicle to break the sound barrier nearly three decades ago, while its top speed of 739mph was never officially recognized!

Next up, was Louis “Butch” Meyer III, who’s decided to leave his post as Firestone Indy Lights technical director after six years and form an alliance with Jim Guthrie, as the new co-owner of Guthrie/Meyer Racing. This Indy Lights team has been raiding the workforce of current champions Sam Schmidt Motorsports and features an impressive line-up of its four cars chief mechanics, which includes Mike “Groovy Baby” Meyer, son of Butch; while Butch is the grandson of the late, legendary Louis Meyer, the first driver to win the Indy 500 three times...

Rahal Tribute Helmet

Graham Rahal’s special Paul Newman tribute helmet has just been auctioned off on eBay for the cool sum of $40,900.00 with the proceeds benefiting the Flying Horse Farms foundation...

For the full story, see; Rahal helmet auction raises $40,900

Rubino coming to America?

According to current speculation, Honda F1 piloto Rubens Barrichello could be inline for an Indy Car ride in 2009 and is set to test for Penske Racing on Homestead, Miami’s road course in November.

This is apparently due to current Penske hot-shoe Helio Castroneves current legal woes, having been indicted on tax evasion and fraud charges, although Castroneves $10m bail has been modified to allow the Brazilian to take part in the upcoming Surfers Paradise event in late October, as reportedly the test has been set-up in large part by Honda’s request.

Yet, I’m not quite so sure why Roger Penske would wish to take on such a “Senior” driver like Rubino, as surely the Open Wheel Racing talent pool isn’t that devoid of rising stars? And it will be interesting to see how Helio’s court case proceeds, eh? And even stranger yet, is the comment from the “Dancin’ Fool” himself, claiming he doesn’t expect his court case to go to trial until after the 2009 Indy Car season is over...

IndyCar Gossip

While listening last night to Speed Freaks, Crash Gladys asked Stanton Barrett, Godson of Paul Newman, when Greg Beck was going to announce Darren Manning as the team’s second driver? As apparently Beck Motorsports plans to campaign two cars in the Indy Car World Series next season...

Pop goes the Driver

Danny B just informed me that “Super Tex,” a.k.a. AJ Foyt has hired the recently departed Vitor Meira of Panther Racing to replace current ABC Supply funny man and Golfer extraordinaire Darren Manning for the 2009 season, with an option to stay on thru 2010.

Thus, will see three new Driver/Team pairings at the upcoming non-points Indy Car finale at Surfers Paradise, in order to get a jump upon the 2009 season, with Dan Wheldon in Meira’s Panther ride. Dario Franchitti in Wheldon’s Target/Ganassi mount and Vitor warming up Manning’s vacated seat, as I guess it didn’t pay for the Brit to get “Too Knackered” during an earlier Oval race this season, eh?

IndyCar notes

Just a few quick tidbits from around the Blogosphere, as we’re set to see the finale of the 2008 Indy Car Championship at Chicagoland resplendent with 28 entries... With the additions of Scheckter and “Frankenstein,” Pacific Coast Motorsports back on the beach, “Milka-licious” and Mr. Gerritol ready to rain on Scotty “Got Milk”” Dixon’s parade...

Fisher returns
OOPS! I almost forgot about Sarah Fisher, who’s making her team’s final appearance of the season at Chicagoland this weekend. Although Sarah wasn’t fastest, as always, she did a fantastic job qualifying up front and hopefully will go wheel to wheel with the Princess once again tomorrow...

Tagliani set at Conquest
Venerable Canadian driver Alex Tagliani, who filled in for the injured Enrique Bernoldi at Detroit, has now been confirmed to pilot the #36 Conquest Racing entry in the Indy Car’s final two events; Chicagoland and Surfers Paradise.

TAG also brings a new infusion of dinero to Eric Bachelart’s squad with personal sponsors Ubisoft and Sennheiser, as Ubisoft will adorn the sidepod and Sennheiser will be on the engine cowling, as speculation suggests that this could lead to Tagliani driving full time for Conquest in 2009? Which makes sense as there will be two Canadian rounds on the Indy Car calendar next year with currently no word on Mr. Chrome Horn’s (Paul Tracy) plans for next year.

Perera to return
Franck Perera, or “Frankenstein” as My Name is IRL enjoys calling him, will drive the #41 AJ Foyt entry at Chicagoland season finale, alongside Darren “Danger Mouse” Manning, in what appears to be a possible addition for a ride with Super Tex’s team in ’09?

Hmm? I thought that ‘Ol Super Tex didn’t like “Frog’s?”

Where’s Vitor going?
According to Indy Racing Revolution, there’s rumours of “Boobie Ruble,” a.k.a. Bobby Rahal’s team expanding to a two car effort for 2009 and that perhaps this would be the best fit for Vitor Meira, who’s previously driven for the team... Yet, as Indiana Bureau Chief Danny B has been quick to point out, there’s probably a lack of sponsorship currently at RLR, since it appears Bobby and Dave (Letterman) a la The Cheepster (Chip Ganassi( don’t wish to put out any more of their personal finances then possible...

(Yet, I'm still guessing Vitor will wind up at HVM in a second chassis?)

Yet it’s interesting how the number of minnow’s, a.k.a. Single Car entities are looking to double their efforts for 2009. Perhaps it’s the lure ‘O a Really-Really-Really Big series sponsor and unlimited quantities ‘O Franks Energy Drinks to wash down ‘dem Subway foot longs, eh?

Squeeze Job?
And with all of the potential team expansions, not to mention how TCGR has Alex Lloyd on retainer... It’s entertaining to ponder if this is simply the nature of the beast? Or is it a clever way of forcing Marty “Gerritol” Roth to finally hang up his crash bucket? As it seems only a matter of time any ways, eh? So Marty, for God’s sake... Let Jay Howard have a proper chance next year!

WILSON WINS!

WAY TO GO JUSTIN!

Justin “Big Unit” Wilson BEATS Helio “CRY BABY” Castroneves... As one of the leagues two BIGGEST WHINERS! Correctly gets called for BLOCKING... And Scotty “Got Milk”” Dixon’s post race comments were priceless... Saying to the media-monger’s;” I DON’T know what they’re MOANING about!” So, Helio, consider that you finally got called for blocking after getting away with it the entire season...

CONGRATS JUSTIN!

Hot Air?

Upon hearing the news that the Indy Car World Series has announced the plans to return to forced induction (turbocharger’s) for the 2011 season, I scoured the newswires to see exactly what the pundits were saying; as apparently the switch from the 3.5 liter normally aspirated Honda V-8’s is between the choice of four or six cylinders... Which I cannot say I’m overly crazy about, but I guess I should have seen this coming, since Formula 1 lopped off two cylinders two years ago in attempts to reduce horsepower... But, the IRL is actually seeking to add an extra 100bhp to today’s reputed 650bhp output... Hmm? Can you say “Power to Pass?” A la Champ Car...

And although a second manufacturer’s round table will be double top secret and held behind closed doors, Brian “Braveheart” hopes to have 3-4 interested parties on hand including Honda, which if memory serves me correctly, had some fairly stout Formula 1 six cylinder winning turbo lumps a few decades ago...

And I’d suppose it shouldn’t be to difficult to extract the amount of horsepower outta a V-6 power plant, since I’ve just learned that those beautiful 1979-81 BMW M1 Procar’s 3.5 liter twin cam straight six’s unleashed 470bhp without forced induction, before developing a beastly 3.2 liter 850bhp fire breathing twin turbocharged unit...

And doesn’t Ford have a new line of V-6 “Eco-tec” blown thumpers coming’ down the pipeline? Or perhaps these could be passed off as Mazda’s with a little badge engineering, eh?

Yet, Inquiring minds wanna know if Formula 1 Engine Manufacturers will join the fold?

Portland in 2010?
Yet, even better and MORE important to me then the announcement of the return to turbo’s, was this tiny little blurb I found in Kurt Cabin’s IndyStar article last Saturday;

Etc.
“Angstadt led a group of IRL officials on a visit to Portland International Raceway this week. If a deal can be reached, the circuit would be added to the 2010 schedule, he said. . . .”

While I’ll continue holding my breath; Its encouraging to think that perhaps my biased bashing over Portland being left out of the mix and the copy of my story regarding this that I mailed to the IMS may have been worth the effort after all?

Penske roasted

Thanks to My Name is IRL, I’ve just learned about the latest Racing Transporter to go up in smoke... As the Penske Racing hauler was burnt to the ground early Wednesday morning in Wyoming enroute to this weekend’s Sears Point road course event, as apparently the truck drivers didn’t have any cellular coverage and by the time somebody noticed the fireball, it was too late! “As the Team Penske drivers could do little more then unhook the semi while tryin’ to get ‘dem marshmallows golden brown... But, like Jeff says; Isn’t it ironic? As in isn’t one ‘O ‘dem Penske South Stock Cars sponsored by some cellular provider?

Yet recall that Wayne Taylor’s Suntrust Racing Grand American Sports Car transporter experienced the exact same thing earlier this season, while the team was helped largely by fellow competitor Chip Ganassi in order to compete in the following event. Hmm? Somehow I DON’T think The Cheepster’s gonna help out his foe, The Captain, eh?

You can read more in Robin Miller’s SPEED TV story; IndyCar Transporter Fire

Kanaan staying at AGR

Contrary to prior Blogosphere reports fueled by Robin Miller’s report that TK, a.k.a. Tony “Follow your Schnauz” Kanaan being poised to sign a contract with The Cheepster, a.k.a. Chip Ganassi as Dan “SPIKE” Wheldon’s replacement for 2009, Indystar.com is reporting that Kanaan has just inked a five year contract extension to continue with Andretti Green Racing. To read more, see; Andretti keeps Kanaan

DON’T Squeeze the Charmin!

Perhaps it’s just me... But I smell somme-thun’ STINKY!!! And it’s called the 2009 Indy Car calendar... Which has been be-labored the past few months as the second coming of Open Wheel Racing as they’d be given a “Clean sheet ‘O paper” (and two ply NO less!) towards reshaping the face of Indy Car racing in the great Norte Americano’s.

And last time I checked, the clean sheet of paper moniker refers to starting over from scratch and SIGNIFICANTLY improving whatever less then stellar design you’ve been dealing with in the past... But TE And Company certainly did NOT use their blank slates very well, as we’ve been given almost a carbon copy of the 2008 calendar with the exception of Nashville being replaced by Toronto...

And I’m so PISSED OFF right now ‘bout Portland getting the SHAFT! That I’m NOT sure if I wanna continue following ‘lil Napoleon’s circus... Although I suppose the Princess Danicker vs. Milka-Licious Poodle-fest is worth the price ‘O admission, eh? Anyone seen my Chiwawa lately? Her name’s FLUFFY, she’s black ‘N white and wearin’ a flea collar...

2009 IndyCar Series schedule:
Sunday, April 5, Streets of St. Petersburg, 1.8-mile street course
Sunday, April 19 Streets of Long Beach, 1.968-mile street course
Sunday, April 26, Kansas Speedway, 1.5-mile oval
Sunday, May 24, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 2.5-mile oval
Sunday, May 31, The Milwaukee Mile, 1.0-mile oval
Saturday, June 6 *, Texas Motor Speedway, 1.5-mile oval
Sunday, June 21, Iowa Speedway, .875-mile oval
Saturday, June 27 *, Richmond International Raceway, .75-mile oval
Sunday, July 5, Watkins Glen International, 3.4-mile road course
Sunday, July 12, Streets of Toronto, 1.721-mile street course
Sunday, July 26, Edmonton City Centre Airport, 1.973-mile airport course
Saturday, Aug. 1 *, Kentucky Speedway, 1.5-mile oval
Sunday, Aug. 9, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, 2.258-mile road course
Sunday, Aug. 23, Infineon Raceway, 2.245-mile road course
Saturday, Aug. 29*, Chicagoland Speedway, 1.5-mile oval
Sunday, Sept. 6, The Raceway at Belle Isle Park, 2.906-mile street course
Saturday, Sept. 19, Twin Ring Motegi, 1.5-mile oval
Sunday, Oct. 11, Homestead-Miami Speedway, 1.5-mile oval* - night race
Schedule subject to change.
(Source: Speedtv.com)

Edmonton Thriller

Although I’m still way behind on my Indy Car racing news, I’m glad to have read that “The Thrill from West Hill,” a.k.a. Paul “Chrome Horn” Tracy will indeed saddle up with the cobbled together Walker Racing Subway Sand-whiches “one-off” race this Saturday in Edmonton, Canada… As surely this was a Vision of Tony George’s to ensure a packed crowd of fellow “Kuh-nucks, eh?” As Paul Tracy will be piloting the #22 Black and hopefully NOT Blue Subway Dallara… Which was previously the third Vision Racing HP sponsored entry driven by Davey Hamilton at Indy… As I hear that Tracy’s personal Subway sandwich favourite is the Meatball Sub!

Meanwhile, I’m pleased to hear that Bob Jenkins will fill-in for Marty Nationwide” Reid who’s on N-Car Lite duty this weekend, while my favourite pit lane reporter Jon Beekhuis will make a cameo performance and is long overdue a return role to full time Indy Car reporting duty… And although I’m told that “Jenks” (Bob Jenkins) and Scott “The Kuh-naid-iun Nerd” Goodyear may be “Sommanex” inducing, hopefully I’ll be able to refrain from the “No Dough’s,” as I believe that my “Jet Rag” is indeed overtaking me, as I’m still wide awake 24 hours later! Just sittin’ hear listening to the “Tweedy Birds” chirpin’ away at Breakfast time…

Meanwhile, the funniest quip I’ve noticed yet over the Princess Danicker vs. Milka-Licious poodle fight was Jeff’s comments about Milka Yip-yip-yiping away in the pit lane… Careful Gwil’s even Chihwowa’s can BITE! And why did my “Sand-whiches” swipe make me think of The Witches of East wick?” As all we need is for Sarah Fisher to join the frame, although I’m not gonna try picking “Whose Who” from our three Indy Car Felines!

Howard in, Franchitti out, Tracy who knows?

For this weekend’s Watkins Glen road course, noted Brit and part time Autosport Radio co-host and Funny Man Jay Howard will finally return to his Day job as the pilot of the #24 Roth Racing Indy Car… To which I can only say about FREAKIN’ time… Except he’s getting’ back in the WRONG car, as he should be haulin’ the freight aboard the #25 Marty “GERITOL” Roth machine… But perhaps “Gentleman” John Andretti has a previous engagement at some ‘lil ‘Ol track named Daytona this weekend?

And speakin’ of Day-toner, Dario “Where’s my pants” Franchitti has lost his Sprint Cup ride at Chip Ganassi/Felix Sabates after a lackluster Rookie season, in which the Cheepster’s team has been fraught with performance issues, having previously fired MAC Montoya’s crew chief and will now slim down to a two car operation… And thus, now there’s just two Open Wheel warriors left from this year’s vaunted Rookie crop of Pat the Carpenter (Patrick Carpentier) Dario Franchitti, Sam “I AM” Hornish Jr. and Jackie V. (Jacques Villeneuve)

As for PT, (Paul Tracy) on Wind Tunnel last weekend, Robin Miller noted how Tony George himself was tryin’ (sorta) to get the Kuh-nuck aboard a third Vision Racing entry for possibly four races this season, beginning at Watkins Glen, which will NOT happen… As I’m sure that Tony is desperate to have a Canadian racing driver OTHER then Mr. Roth as their sole representative prior to Edmonton… And that this is all speculation, but perhaps if adequate sponsorship can be found, Derrick Walker’s gang could fill in as the team’s nucleus, since Vision Racing doesn’t have the extra manpower…

Straight line testing

This is an interesting article about the secretive straight line “Aero” testing the “Big Three” have been doing to potentially gain “The Unfair Advantage” in IndyCars… As reportedly AGR, Ganassi and Penske have been carrying out straight line testing, which has been done in Formula 1 for several years now.

As most recently I recall McLaren doing this on some tiny little Island last year, while the majority of the F1 Constructors have used this laborious practice to evaluate potential aerodynamic gains. Could this be one small reason why the Big Three have won the last 43 of 44 Indy Car races?

For more, see; Straight line testing

SFR update

In regards to the recent query about whether or not Sarah Fisher was still taking donations? (See; Is Sarah Fisher still out there, below) I’ve just received the following reply from SFR…

Donations can be sent to the below address. thanks for the support!!

Best,
Klint

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Klint Briney
Executive Brand Manager
Sarah Fisher Racing, LLC.
4701 Rockville Rd, Suite D
Indianapolis, IN 46222

Thus, if anybody is still willing to part with a portion of their $timulus check, I’d assume you can just send to Sarah Fisher Racing…

Thanxs for the reply Klint, hopefully we’ll see Sarah racing at Kentucky!

ROCK ON!

Is Sarah Fisher still out there?

Recently a comment was left in regards to whether or not Sarah Fisher Racing was still taking donations? As apparently this info has been deleted from her website… Thus I’m unaware of whether or not SFR is still seeking donations, but since I recently saw a story claiming that Sarah Fisher was seeking $635+ dollars from Hillary Clinton’s campaign for the photo-op Sarah did with her in Indiana… I’d assume that SFR is still in the RED?

Also, I believe that Sarah is still planning on attempting to race next at Kentucky Speedway, so keep your fingers crossed!

Wonder what Sarah thinks about Princesses latest calling out for blocking by Scott “Got Milk?” Dixon and Eddie Carpentier callin’ her the new Scott Sharp of the IRL,OUCH!!!

Guess some drivers NEVER forget anything, eh? Like Ryan “The Dude” Hunter Reay getting in a swipe at Marky Mark Andretti about not getting’ the Chrome Horn from passing him in Cornland…

Paul Newman

I still don’t know if this story has been confirmed, but it was disappointing to read My Name is IRL’s story about PL Newman possibly having been diagnosed with terminal cancer. And although I’m certain The Split had a lot to do with Newman staying away from the Brickyard all these years, I swear I heard Jack “BRUT” Arute tell a story about the wily pool hustler being denied entry into Gasoline Alley with a golf kart load of non-Speedway food for his crew as possibly a motive for the legendary actor spuring the Brickyard all these years?

While I certainly hope it isn’t true, perhaps this is what ‘Ol Newman was referring to when they ran the piece where he said he may be watching from above when one of his cars finally wins the Indy 500…

Paul Newman has had better days

Will Princess get her wish?

On Tuesday, I received the following teaser from AZ Bureau Chief M.J. with the subject line reading; “Your Favourite Driver.” To which I can say EFFATICALLY, NOT!!!

Thus, according to early reports by Crash.Net, (Still a very catchy name for the IRL don’t uze think?) Princess Danicker would get her wish and test a Honda F1 racecar in the near future… To which I immediately thought; Oh My God! Does this mean Danica is headed to Formula 1 to replace Rubino? Talk ‘bout your earth Dreams, eh? Or as another potent lyric from the Grand Master, a la the GOD of the Skins, a.k.a. Neil Pert; Did I have the Dream, or did the Dream have me? Or as Larry would say; “Nightmares, Freakin’ Nightmares!”

Which is apparently what the Press GOONS at Honda HQ may be having as Honda F1 Boss Nick Fry has now retracted his “misleading” statements… Yeah, that’s the ticket, I was misquoted by the Australian press who also think their countryman Scott Dixon won this year’s Indy 500…

So, will Princess get her way? Of course I believe it’s all a publicity STUNT, as I’m hard pressed to think of any of the current Formula 1 teams looking to take that large of a gamble on drivers… Besides Honda and perhaps Force India? NAH! NO WAY…

So, with great irony the following Racer magazine appeared in my mailbox… (Photo especially for “Juan ‘O” her biggest supporters… Danny B) Yet, I think that powers to be at RASSCAR are missin’ a phenomenal marketing opportunity, when they could have the Asian giants go head to head when Kyle “Faux Intimidator Shrubb” Busch hopes to test a Toyota F1 chassis in Japan by pitting him against Princess Danicker… Nah, it’ll NEVER happen!

Indiana Fever

Just a few final thoughts towards this year’s 92nd running of the Indianapolis 500, with IMS claiming the “BUZZ” is back in INDY!!! Whale there’s certainly been a buzzin’ over Danicker’s theatrics on Pit lane… Somme-thung ‘bout a Bee in a Bonnet? But I’ll refrain from any further digs towards the Princess for at least the rest of this story…

So you wanna be an Indy Car mechanic? Well it’s NOT all glitz “N glory while your driver potentially pours the milk over his head in victory lane… As one article in the USA Today noted that the KV Racing Technology crew members had been doing 14 hour days straight for several weeks since the unexpected merger became official in late February. As their shop manager said they spent 5,400+ man hours preparing their first two Dallara chassis, as the strain has apparently gotten to some of the crew as three employees have now left the organization. But, all of this hard work seems to have paid off, as I’ve noted previously, KVRT was the highest finishing Champ Car Refugee squad at Indy with Servia 11th and Power 13th.

And not to be outdone, Honda Performance Development in Santa Clarita, CA has also been running non-stop the past five months, working employees up to 14 hours a day to build-up enough of their vaunted Fire Breathin’ Eithanol consumin’ Lumps for this years Unified Indy Car World Series… With HPD producing around 93 engines alone for the Memorial Day classic.

HPD started off with 80 engines produced prior to Homestead and is projecting to build a total of 365 engines for the season… As part of the Unification talks incentives was the offer of free $250,000 Honda lumps…

Also, said Open Wheel curmudgeon Robin Miller has noted that with the dyer scarcity of completed Dallara chassis… As several of the Transitioning teams don’t even have spares… We’ll most likely see a dip in the number of entries for this weeks upcoming ‘Ol Milwaukee speedfest on the Milwaukee Mile…

And amazingly USA Today had a total of nine articles printed in their sports section on the Friday before the greatest Spectali in racin,’ which seems pretty impressive to me… While according to the Indy Star, which I believe is a Pro-IMS news rag… The Nielsen Brothers (Inside Joke; As I believe there’s an outfit by that name that sells carpet up here…) Err, Nielsen ratings claim an overnight rating of 5.1 for this year’s Indy 500 vs. the Charlotte 600’s 4.4 rating, with the final tallies being a 4.5 rating for Indy and a 4.7 for Charlotte… While I believe that IMs’s number for last years overnight rating was a 4.8? And although initial reports claimed that the ratings were up this year nationally, they’ve now gone silent on the part about the local Indiana results being down… But, hey, like Danny B always tells me… Nielsen ratings DON’T mean CRAP!

Another Unser competing

NO! This ain’t no story ‘bout “Lil Al making a further comeback at the Speedway. Nor one of the other countless Unser’s like Johnny or Robby… Or ah shucks… Alfonse “Just Al” Unser III, who’s currently trying to re-invigorate his Open Wheel career by contesting the Indy Pro, Err, Firestone Indy Lights series…

No, its just my clever tie-in for the very enlightening story; Al Jr.'s daughter champions her own causes, Which is about Cody Unser, the daughter of Al Junior and Shelly, who at age 12 was diagnosed with transverse myelitis, a rare degenerative spinal cord disease, yet still has the Unser’s need for speed in her blood, albeit she has a lead hand instead of lead foot!

Fisher announces new sponsor

First of all, for everybody who’s donated to Operation Support Sarah… KUDOS! To Y’all, as SFR has divulged that approximately $30,000 has been given by admiring fans across the nation… As Sarah Fisher stated; “It gives me goose bumps,”

SFR announced on Thursday that Text 4 Cars.com will be its new primary sponsor for this Sunday’s race and you can read more about Sarah’s trials as a owner/driver in the following NY Times article: “When Driver’s Sponsor Disappears, Her Resolve Doesn’t”

Countdown to Speedy Saturday

At the tone, in one minute we’ll begin the next IMS Radio Network Broadcast… Get ready to roll tapes, at the next tome will equal 45 seconds…

We’re countin’ down the hours ‘til “Speedy Saturday,” a la “Fast Friday.” And there’s actually been a FULL day of practice this weekend, with 35 cars taking to the track yesterday and another full day of practice expected today, but did I mention that the forecast for Saturday is now THUNDERSTORMS with Sunshine & Showers for Sunday…

Indy live
Last night I listened to Indy Live for the very first time, which was somewhat amusing as it featured five drivers competing in this years Indy 500. First up were the Target Chip Ganassi boyzs and this was a fairly straightforward interview, albeit Scott Dixon got a hearty chuckle out of the audience upon saying that EVERYBODY KNOWS who Danny “SPIKE” Wheldon is… As HE tells everybody and I had him figured out in about one minute…

Next up were the Vision Racing trio and I enjoyed the question of what’s it like driving for AJ Foyt? AJ Foyt IV deferred to Davey Hamilton since he’d driven first for ‘Ol Super Tex back in 1996, before Foyt IV said reluctantly that things had gone pretty sour for him, while Davey could be heard laughing in the background… What do you mean by this, asked the show’s host Mike King? Well, let’s just say it didn’t go too good and fortunately Tony George had the “Vision” to hire me and now my relationship with AJ is much better… Now what do you mean exactly by souring? To which Ed Carpenter broke in saying; What time did you go to bed last night Anthony in a high pitched nagging voice, while Davey sat laughing some more…

And Davey must have supreme faith that his Kingdom Racing deal will lead to something next year as he continued to vocally put down the current qualifying procedure… From no less the Brickyard Crossing’s restaurant; Doesn’t he know that Tony doesn’t like being criticized, eh?

Kicking Barron to the CURB
As previously mentioned, the CURB/Agajanian/Beck Motorsports ride was up for grabs between Alex Barron and Roger_Yasukawa, with Greg Beck saying it was down to whoever’s money showed up first… As Yasukawa managed to get his Yen wire transferred in time to climb aboard the #98 Dallara when practice finally commenced at 5:19PM Wednesday…

Fisher lands new sponsor
Sarah Fisher got some much deserved good news in her never ending quest for sponsorship, by announcing Wednesday that she had just obtained associate sponsorship from IUPUI. (Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis)

“The sponsorship of Sarah Fisher Racing and her No. 67 Honda-powered Dallara is a collaborative effort between the Indiana University School of Liberal Arts, the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology, and the IUPUI campus administration.”

Fisher is still hopeful of finding the necessary budget to compete in further races this season and ultimately a full schedule in 2009, while ironically, my latest Speedgear catalog features a picture of the Sarah Fisher model, part of the 2008 Greenlight diecast release with the #67 sporting ResQ on the sidepods… Which obviously is INCORRECT!

And with all of the Energy Drinks companies failing to hold up their end of the bargain, makes you wonder if Tony George is second guessing having Frank’s Energy Drink as the “Offical” Drinks sponsor of Indy…

Cutting it close
As usual, the second week programs are scrambling to get their drivers on track in the nick of time in order to possibly practice before having to hold their breaths for four laps, as Buddy Lazier and Phil Giebler had still NOT been on track at the end of practice Thursday.

As Lazier said earlier to the IndyStar’s intrepid reporters; Cabin & Ballard; (Although I’m still NOT sure Who’s who? As in who’s Batman and who’s the Boy Wonderer?)

“The guys have put a nice car together considering six days ago it was just a pile of pieces."

This makes me wonder just exactly what the gang at “Johnson ‘N Johnson” (Hemelgarn Johnson) have been doing? Or is this just one more example of how thinly stretched the supply of Dallara chassis is?

Toronto gets race
Michael Andretti has added a second race to his portfolio of race promotions with the announcement that Andretti Green Toronto, a newly formed subsidiary of his burgeoning empire has landed the rights to promote the Toronto street race beginning in 2009.

Andretti Green currently promotes the St Petersburg street race. Now all Mikey needs to do is start his own wine company, eh? Nah, he’s busy running two racing teams in the American Le Mans Series along with his four car IRL stable, but then again he’s got the perfect spokes-model…

(Quotes from IndyStar.com)

Rainy Days

Whale, I must say that Speedway, Indiana is beginning to resemble Seattle’s notoriously WET weather patterns a little too much lately… As there has now been a total of 3.5 days WASHED OUT at the Speedway, including Day 2 of qualifying…

Yet, I decided to tune into the IMS Radio Network’s “Happy Hour” Sunday afternoon coverage just to see what they’d have to say, while filling in an hour of air time, as it was nice having interviews with drivers Davey Hamilton and John Andretti,

Davey mentioned that he thought there’d be possibly 37 Drivers ultimately competing for the 33 starting positions come next weekend and it would be tough for him along with the others trying to make the show, since they’d have to split whatever track time they got during this week’s practice (Wed-Fri; 6hrs each day) between Qualifying simulations and Race Day set-ups… And Oh Yeah, it’s likely gonna rain again on Wednesday…

Mike King playfully poked fun at John, who took it all very good naturedly… Saying it was hard to imagine it was his 20th Anniversary of first coming to the Speedway in 1988, since he was ONLY 24yr’s OLD! As he’d started at a very young age and while wrapping up his interview John playfully said he’d try to get his ‘Ol Bod’ outta the way with his walker, as King said take your time getting to the elevator, we’ll have a golf kart waiting for you at the bottom…

But seriously, as John said; “He’s NOT trying to steal anybody’s ride.” As he’d given up contesting Darlington and the All Star shoot-out for a chance at running once again at Indy and had gone to bed Friday night with his tail between his legs so to speak as he felt totally out of place with NO ride… As the Roth deal came together early Saturday morning…


Injury Update
Good News for both Alex Lloyd and Chuck Buckman, as both have been released from Methodist Hospital. Lloyd is expected to return to the wheel of his #16 Ganassi-Rahal/Letterman entry for practice on Wednesday, while Buckman is expected to return to work as Mario Moraes’s Crew Chief…


Pop goes the Driver’s?
While being interviewed, Davey Hamilton mentioned that Phil Giebler and Jeff Simmons had landed rides along with John Andretti for the upcoming Indy 500 race.

Giebler has apparently landed the Playa Del Racing seat, with comments being made to the team having been sold, while Simmons takes over Larry Foyt’s spot in the (#41) second AJ Foyt entry.

Meanwhile Jimmy Kite and Roberto Moreno have been seen sauntering about Gasoline Alley in search of any potential rides, while the #98 Beck Motorsports ride is rumoured to be a toss-up between Alex Barron and Roger Yasukawa. Other possible race car pilots looking for employment are Jacques Lazier, while I’d guess that Stefan Gregoire must be on the grounds? Yet, NO mention of the PJ Bro’s… As in PJ Jones and PJ Chesson, while there’s still NO word on whether or not Derrick Walker will pull an AJ Foyt last minute surprise attempt with left out in the wilderness “Kuh-nuck” Paul Tracy?

Of course my math seems to NOT be matching up with Davey’s as I’ve managed to come up with a total of 38 possible Car/Driver combinations. (Minus Derrick Walker’s LONG SHOT) Yet, perhaps it is indeed only 37 cars as the PDM Racing entry seems to be a complete mystery…


James speaks
IMS Radio Network’s Mark James has gone out on a ledge, predicting that the following four drivers are on the outside looking in towards making this year’s field… Well, actually I DON’T think he’s gone that far out on a ledge… Since James has concluded that Marty Roth, Milka Duno Jaime Camara and Mario Moraes are his picks to most likely NOT make the Big Show… But hey Mr. James, didn’t Marty “Turtle” Roth out qualify both of the Penske Racing cars at Kansas? (Yet Johnny Parsons Jr thinks you’ll need a 222.5mph average to feel comfortable about making the race)


Miller Time
According to SPEED’s Robin Miller, who didn’t seem overly impressed by this weekends lack of action, claiming Pole Day is reserved for the Big Three; Andretti-Green, Ganassi and Penske, nor was he bemused by the need for the multiple qualifying chances to lock-in a paltry eleven cars per day…

Miller noted during The Speed Report that with the current lack of spare Dallara chassis, drivers such as Jacques Lazier, Roberto Moreno, PJ Jones and Paul Tracy may be on the outside looking in during the final weekend of Indianapolis Qualifying as there may simply NOT be enough chassis to go around for desiring competitors…

Obviously we’ll know which 33 cars have made the field by the end of “BOOMP Day,” 6PM this coming Sunday. (Weather permitting, eh?)

Open Wheel notes

Sign of the Times?
I find it hugely embarrassing that in this world ‘O Unification, Sarah Fisher and Paul Tracy are struggling to attract the necessary sponsorship needed to fund quality programs in the Indy Car World Series, while back markers such as Milka Duno and Marty Roth continue to plod along… And not to harp about the IRL bias that still permeates the media, as Sarah Fisher got a nice article about her teams struggles published in the USA Today, but how come NO mention about Mr. Chrome Horn’s travails, eh?

N/H/L crew member killed
How horrible for 63yr old Davey Evans, long time mechanic of Newman Haas Racing to have been STUPIDLY killed in a SENSELESS Bar-room brawl…

Evans, who specialized in engine work, had been a member of the team for the past 23 years and his association with Carl Haas goes back four decades to Lola Cars and the Can Am era. Evans and a few of his mates had gone to the Kazablanca bar for a late evening dinner before being involved in this horrific confrontation in which Evans died from a stroke which was most likely caused by senseless fisticuffs…

Feeling the Heat?
Apparently Ryan “Inferno” Briscoe is feeling a little pressure to perform this Month of May as the Captain seeks to extend his record strangle-hold on the Speedway, as Briscoe claims that almost every discussion he’s had with Roger always has some connotation about the Speedway’s importance interwoven into it… While Helio Castroneves has apparently left his blue suede shoes at home in the closet for the time being… As he forgoes participating in the Dancing with FOOLS 100th Episode extravaganza, telling his ex-dancing partners he was focusing upon his day-job at Indy…

Pearly Vision
As Y’all know, I’ve just returned from the Great White North and having read about Pat Caporali being announced as the new Public Relations guru for the Kingdom Racing team… The thought struck me that I’d just returned from the other Great White North, eh? Not to be cornfuzed with that place with the white fluffy clouds and some sort ‘O mystical entry gates…

This leads me to ASSUME that Davey Hamilton’s Visionary Racing-mobile will obviously be painted white, since after all, white is the preferred Holy colour, eh? As Y’all know ‘dem Good Guys always wear white? As “Juan ‘O” Kingdom (Come) Racing’s goals is to pass along some sort of divinity, claiming they just want to spread the word of Jesus…

The Gecko-man
Italian racing driver Max Papis, whom has previously been touted as Indy’s newest Lizard King… Has claimed how ecstatic he is to be back aboard a really fast race car after having spent the past two years in Sports Cars, proclaiming;

“It was an adrenaline rush.”

"It's fun to be going so fast after a long time away," the son-in-law of two-time Indy winner Emerson Fittipaldi said. "When you haven't done it for a while, you can't believe how these cars stick in the corner. It's like a video game."

Papis expects to solidly place his Rubicon Racing entry in the 92nd running of Indy, making his third start at the Speedway…

When “Super Tex” speaks
Som-thun ‘bout an ‘Ol EF Hutton joke here? As apparently ‘Ol Super Tex has announced that Larry Foyt will NOT be driving his second race car at Indy, although he’s listed as the driver of the #41 AJ Foyt Enterprises entry.

Yet, AJ Foyt claims that Larry “DOESN’T Have that KILLER Instinct!” And that Larry is more important to him as the Team’s manager then getting injured racing once again…

Apparently Larry Foyt who’s broken his back once before has other ideas, as he’s still hopeful of finding the necessary sponsorship to get himself behind the wheel, while AJ claims that if they run a second entry, it’ll be somebody else… And judging by car count they’ll need to run that second entry… Although I certainly hope Al Unser Jr will stay away from another languid run at Indy…

One less seat?
Team owner John Barnes has announced that there will be NO second Panther entry this Month of May, as the team wishes to focus solely upon the struggling Vitor Meira’s chassis. The team has also lured past engineer David Cripps back into the fold after somebody named “Curly” took over his role at Roth Racing…

Run for the Border?
It has been announced that officials from the Mexico City Tourism Board will meet this weekend with Tony George to discuss the possibility of enticing him into adding their city to the 2009 Indy Car World Series…

First Wall Smack
Of course Y’all knew it was gonna happen… As Rookie “Josie Carnuba” (Jaime Camara) was the first driver to sample the Safer Barrier at the Brickyard, upon hitting the wall during practice.

To which apparently Bryan “High Speed Hurdles” Herta text messaged him something about having now earned his Rookie stripe at the Brickyard…

Curry’s new gig
Why do I find this humorous… As the recently ousted Vision Racing Team Manager Larry Curry has landed a new job as Chief Engineer for Roth Racing. Now could Larry please tell Marty to stay the HELL off the track!

Now its time to tune into Fast Fridy, if the weather decides to cooperate, eh?

Visions of Grandeur

I find this announcement a bit ironic, as originally Danny B informed me about Larry “MOE” Curry’s (Where’s Curly, eh?) embezzling of dinero from Edward Carpenter’s title sponsor, who’s just been released from his post, as according to Indystar’s intrepid reporter Kurt Cabin;

“Curry's hiring was controversial given that he went to prison for defrauding Team Menard, a former IndyCar Series team, of $1.5 million from 1994 to 1998.
"Larry has been an asset to the growth and building of Vision Racing," Tony George said in a statement released Friday. "However, after full review of the facts surrounding the disallowance of the team's qualifying runs at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Larry and I agreed that a breach of what amounts to the team's code of conduct had occurred and as team manager he was expected to uphold a very high standard, but in this instance fell short."

Now as we cue-up that ever popular tune ‘O Alanis Morissette; “ISN’T IT IRONIC?” Me thinks Tony has just found himself a convenient way to throw Curry UNDER THE BUS… I mean with Davey Hamilton bringing sponsors of the cloth, was George feeling the heat… (To atone for Larry’s sins?) Or did John Menard have a vision of NOT wanting MOE anywhere’s near his equipment?

And speaking of Davey Hamilton, it has now been confirmed that he will indeed pilot the third Vision Racing entry, as the #22 will carry backing from Hewlett Packard and a ghost of others, while I’ll leave it to you to decide who’s who in the current Vision line-up…

Will the next Driver please step up

C’mon down, you’re the next contestant brave enough to try on the Majic Rings at the Speedway!

Looks like Davey Hamilton’s seat grab for this year’s running of the Indy 500 will most likely hinge upon Tony George’s pallet for running his third racing car with Visionary backing… As the number of remaining open seats just shrank by one with Ron Hemelgarn having signed long time driver Buddy Lazier to pilot the “Johnson ‘N Johnson” mobile…

Lazier, who made his rookie debut in 1991, would become the first IRL driver to taste the milk at Indy in 1996. Last year he drove for Sam Schmidt Motorsports.

“I love the Indianapolis 500 and everything about the IndyCar Series,” said Lazier, who finished second in the 500 in 1998 and 2000 and fifth in 2005. “I lie awake at night because I want to be part of it. Ron has given me an opportunity to be part of it. We’ve struggled and we’ve had success together in the past. The two of us have experienced what it’s like to finish 33rd and have a horrible day, and we’ve experienced winning.”
(Source: Speed TV.com)


2008 Indy 500 Open seats
(Car No. /Driver/Entrant)
21 TBA Playa Del Racing
22 (TBA/(D. Hamilton?) Vision Racing
77 TBA Team Penske
83 TBA Panther Racing
91 B. Lazier, Hemelgarn Johnson
98 (TBA/R. Yasukawa?) CURB/Agajanian/Beck Motorsports
TBA TBA PDM Racing

Hamilton’s vision?

With the next Comedy stop on the Indy Car calendar being the Brickyard… IMS Radio Broadcast member Davey Hamilton teased us further by Eluding that he hopes to have his Indy deal signed, sealed & delivered sometime this week as Hewlett Packard will once again be a sponsor along with the Holy Spirt ‘O Kingdom-come Racing.

And although Davey didn’t mention any teams, it sounds like from Kurt Cabin’s latest Colum that Hamilton is closing in on a deal to drive Tony George’s third Indy 500 entry as both Marty Roth and Andretti Green Racing have NO plans to field additional entries for the 92nd running of the Indianapolis 500.

With Hamilton in the #22 Vision Racing entry(?) will George dust off a fourth chassis to run Paul Tracy? Or will the Kanuck land somewhere else…

Chip ‘N Roger

Perhaps you’ve already heard Sam “I think I can, I think I can stay in the Top 35” Hornish Jr has publicly stated that he will NOT attend this years Indy 500, as he’s a RASSCAR driver now… While the Cheepster recently told the inquiring minds of ESPN that dare ain’t nose ways Dario “Where’s my pants” Franchitti will be stepping into an Indy Car this May.

Thus, if Roger Penske does indeed decide to run his third entry, the #77 car, it’ll have to be somebody else behind the controls… Hmm? Would The Captain help Tony out by letting PT drive for him this May?

And yet, still NO word on where Davey Hamilton will end up, although I’d think Vision Racing would be a logical bet, unless Mikey’s planning to dust off that fifth Dallara chassis…

Marty Motegi

Inquiring Minds want to know if Davey Hamilton will replace team owner Marty Roth at Indy this May…

Kurt Cabin:
“Former IRL regular Davey Hamilton signed Kingdom Racing as his sponsor for next month's Indianapolis 500 but still is looking for a race team.”

UPDATE:
Although I’m still unaware to when the cut-off date is for entries being accepted to the Official IMS Entry list for this year’s running of The Greatest Spectacle in Racing… Currently there’s 39 chassis entered, with 32 drivers nominated, which therefore leaves seven seats available…

(Car No. /Entrant)
21 TBA Playa Del Racing
22 TBA Vision Racing
77 TBA Team Penske 83 TBA Panther Racing 91 TBA Hemelgarn Johnson 98 TBA CURB/Agajanian/Beck Motorsports
TBA TBA PDM Racing


SPECULATION:
Although logic would most certainly rule out the number 77 third entry of Team Penske and with Roger Yasukawa contesting Motegi for CURB/Agajanian/Beck Motorsports, I’d assume that he’d get the nod for their Indy entry? Thus this would leave five possibilities available, unless there are to be further last minute additions?

And although I’d still guess that Mr. Chrome Horn will occupy the #22 Vision Racing entry, Danny B has thrown out the suggestion that perhaps Mr. Tracy could end up in the #77? (Could a Monster Panther ride be attractive?)

Thus if the seat remains open, it would seem that one of Davey’s best hopes for a ride would be none other than with Tony George once again, since the Del Pee-Luh car will probably go to one of the Lazier brothers… Although Stefan Gregoire, a.k.a. Stevie George is probably on the short list, while I have no idea who’ll land the “Johnson ‘N Johnson” (Hemelgarn Johnson) and PDM seats…

Yet, I’d guess there are more drivers looking to lock-up seats than chassis currently available… As I’ve noted that Roberto Guerrero; Woah! where in the HELL did that come from? I meant Roberto Moreno is seeking a drive and the PJ Bro’s (PJ Jones, PJ Chesson) whereabouts are currently unknown, likewise, last’ year’s feel good story, Phil Geebler…

While Danny B has also been quick to point out that Derrick Walker had Kent Baker’s last year Whoosh-mobile parked in his workshops prior to the big Open Wheel Unification…

Yet, I’m guessing that 39 cars is the cut-off, since supposedly that’s what Tony George told Honda to ramp-up for as I’m certain there’s only so many 3.5 liter fire breathin’ Ethanol lumps to go around… And you just know that somebody’s gonna wreck there car before the big show! While I’m a wanderin’ who ‘Ol Super Tex will call on his cell phone to come and tease us during “Boomp-Day…”

Open Wheel notes

Otay, while some of this may be old news to Y’all, here’s a little of the latest OWR tidbits I’ve noticed circulating the electronic airwaves…

As previously mentioned, KV Racing Technology has confirmed that Jimmy Vasser will indeed come out of his semi-retirement and race a third KVRT entry in the Champ Car series finale at Long Beach.

Vasser will pilot the #12 with primary sponsorship from Plantronics, who’s joined KVRT for the current season. Ironically the #12 has been Top Jimmy’s long time CART/CCWS car number. Thus, I suppose it’s a good thing it was already taken in the IRL by Tomas Scheckter and therefore NOT available to adorn either Buckshot Wilson or Darrel Rahal Jr’s chassis, eh? Can you imagine Vasser running the #012, Jeff?

And according to Indy Racing Revolution, with the announcement of David Martinez at Forsythe Championship Racing for the CCWS blow-out, plus Vasser’s announcement there’s now a total of eleven confirmed drivers for the event, assuming Paul Tracy will partner Martinez? YIKES!!! That DON’T sound like a very good farewell party to me, but then again perhaps there’ll be a few more Really-Really-Really Big surprise announcements?

And for any of you wondering where Kevin “Boss Hawg” Kalkhoven was during the inaugural Indy Car World Series race at Homestead, according to Robin Miller’s Open Wheel notebook on Speed TV.com;

“Kevin Kalkhoven missed the opening race of the series he helped put together because he’s in a Colorado hospital recovering from a nasty fall on the ski slopes.
The co-owner of Champ Car whose two-car KV Racing entry finished 12th (Oriol Servia) and 25th (Will Power) at Homestead last Saturday night, suffered four broken ribs, a punctured lung and a concussion after taking a tumble in Aspen.
“Kevin is an excellent skier, he’s been doing it for 35 years, and this is the second nasty fall he’s had in the last couple years,” said Dick Eidswick, the former president of Champ Car and a life-long friend of Kalkhoven’s who was skiing with the 63-year-old Aussie.
“He’s hurting pretty good right now but he should be back for Long Beach.”

(Perhaps he should stick to the Bunny slopes, eh?)

Although Zach Brown appearing on Wind Tunnel confirmed Dave Despain’s comment towards Direct TV becoming a major sponsor of the IRL, which was supposedly being announced this past Monday, it’s now official, as Direct TV has become a Premiere sponsor of Indy Car. Thus, Direct TV will join Coca Cola in the bevy of Really Really Really Big sponsorship announcements being made in regards to the groundswell of support for Open Wheel Racing’s unification… HMM? With Coke becoming the official beverage of the IRL, does this mean that Frank’s Energy Drink is off the table?

And don’t forget the brand new F1-style Knock out qualifying format announced just-in-time for St. Pete…

Meanwhile, you may call me a sucker for anything motorsports related, as I continue to painfully suffer thru episode after episode of KRAPY internets broadcasts of Speed Freaks ‘N Autosport Radio… As for reasons unknown, well then again they are being piped thru win-DOUGh’s media player, (Which I guess is ‘Nuff said, eh?) Yet, the myriad of technical difficulties is really becoming overbearing…

Thus I suffered thru the multiple dead space skipping portions of broadcast to listen to Donald Kay live from St. Petersburg, since he had a smorgasbord of personalities stopping by his ‘lil Ol radio broadcast, with such luminaries as; The Mayor of St. Petersburg and some TV News anchor getting first billing with Just Al #43 (Al Unser III) Jay Howard, Luyendyk 2.0 (Arie Luyendyk Jr) Scott Jasek and Davey Hamilton all waiting in the wings.

Jay Howard, who’s the hired gun at Roth Racing is a bit of a quirky interview, as this Englishman seems to not be wishing to suffer FOOLS easily and thus his responses to Don’s questions always seem to have a bit of an edge to them, like uh, DUH! But it was interesting to hear Jay mention that he believes the team is looking good sponsorship-wise from Indy onwards, with a 90%+ certainty that he’ll actually have a primary sponsor adorning the Marty Roth owned chassis sidepods.

And thee guest I was most interested in listening to was Davey Hamilton, who’d previously had to drop his interview while attending to other business dealings when he’d been scheduled to be part of the Terre Haute Trio interview.

Davey talked very briefly about his 23 surgeries to rebuild his feet and how Scott Jasek and Sinden Racing had been most supportive in his comeback, although everybody said you must be KRAZY to want to go racing once again…

And perhaps I either missed the memo, or it was during one of the OVERLY numerous dead spaces during the interview, but I only heard Davey say that he would indeed be back once again at the Speedway this May in a “One-off” effort, upon being asked if he’d try to run Kansas in preparations for the upcoming Indy 500?

No, with the unification and the great premium being currently placed upon the scarcity of Dallara chassis and Honda engines, there’s just NO way we’ll be able to pull it off, so I’m just concentrating on a single race at Indy this May.

But who will he be driving for? Will it be a fourth Vision Racing entry a la last year when he had the highest finish for Tony George, crossing the yard of bricks in ninth place. Yeah, a fourth chassis alongside Paul Tracy perhaps? Naw, I’ve been told that Davey will be driving a third Marty Roth entry… GASP!!! I’m actually gonna have duh root for Roth Racing!

Somebody send Princess a Snickers

So many stories, so little time…

As the majority of the blogosphere seems to be tripping’ over itself in deference to the Princesses latest pity-poo in the USA Today over the IRL’s newly mandated minimum weight limit, thus I’d like to point out the following to Danica as the green flag is set to unfurl in just over 72 hours in Homestead…

As the majority of us Gearhead’s already know, modern Formula 1 racing cars are mid-engine, open cockpit, open wheel single-seaters being primarily constructed out of carbon fibre composites, with the ENTIRE Racing Car, INCLUDING: Engine, Fluids and DRIVER; Weighing ONLY 605kg. (1,334.025lbs) In fact this is the MINIMUM WEIGHT mandated by the FIA.

The majority of today’s Constructor’s chassis are purposely designed underweight in order to allow designers the greatest flexibility of positioning ballast at their discretion to maximize the Centre of Gravity *CG( as low as physically possible inside the chassis’s structure.

And although I don’t feel like hunting for the exact year this design theorem first began in Formula 1, suffice it to say, it has ALWAYS been a key aspect of Grand Prix chassis design, with the practice of lead weight ballasting having occurred for decades.

Careful Danica, have you noticed how ALL of the F1 drivers must be weighed immediately after the conclusion of every Grand Prix and thus we could have those clever IRL marketing goons start publishing driver’s weight’s a la Formula 1 and adding them to the television screens? YIKE’S!!! What’s next in the wurld ‘O Danica mania… The Princess has gained 4lbs… And now she’s doing those dreaded Slim Fast commercials?

And is it fair that Justin “Buckshot” *HMM? Buckshot = lead pellets = weight; PUN intended?) Wilson should be penalized for being the tallest driver on the grid? As I recall last season writing about Justin claiming his lap times were off by three tenth’s of a second vs. arch nemesis Sebastain Bourdais due to his 6’+ frame’s extra weight. And trust me; having met Justin personally a few years ago, he was fit as an Ox with zero body fat!

At 6’ 3 ½” and 185lbs, Justin is at a sizeable disadvantage against the Princess, but in his typical British “Stiff upper lip” fashion, has said nary a word about this subject. NO, I believe it was Robby “Dirtmann” Gourdoun who was the first to cry Mommy about the weight disparity…

Yet, Gourdoun knows a thing or four ‘bout shedding weight, having caused yellow flags by discarding various parts of his racing car’s interior, while tossing your helmet has to be good for at least five pounds… And one may argue that if the Princess kept her undergarments on she may not have to add so much ballast to her Andretti Green mount, eh?

Yet, one of the funniest things I’ve seen in the past was when Scott “Juicyfruit” Pruett was sandwiched in-between Jaguar F1 teammates Mark Webber and Justin Wilson, as Pruett was definitely NOT like the others… Both Jag pilots being in the over six feet tall club… Yet Mark “Dundee” Webber seems to get on just fine in Formula 1, albeit on the largish side of Grand Prix jockeys…

So, as Don Henley sang long ago; GET OVER IT!” PRINCESS! As I personally believe like most out there, this is a GOOD thing, NOT a bad thing! Besides, Paul Tracy will need all the help he can get when he show’s up at the Speedway this May!

And DON’T even get me started on Marty “BACK 40” Roth… Now; “Somebody give me a Cheeseburger!” Err, Justin, send Danica some Quarter Pounders with cheese…

Source;
Justin Wilson’s “Sir-name” glummed from My Name is IRL and you may wish to partake in his nicknaming of ex-CCWS Driver’s?

Stop the presses

SPEED TV and IndyCar. Com will cover the press conference live tomorrow at 12:30PM Eastern Time to officially announce the unification of Open Wheel Racing from Homestead, Florida prior to the IndyCar World Series first 2008 season test…

Some Heads are gonna Roll

With the consolidation of Open Wheel Racing finally underway, just who are the winners (whiner’s) and losers in this horrendously long wasting of ego’s ‘N greenbacks…

As usual, the larger fish tend to eat the minnows in the aquarium, as reports suggest that all of the remaining “Heavy Hitters” (Knuckle Draggers?) in Champ Car will be joining the Indy Racing League, as Brian Barnhart will begin the festivities with an IRL Orientation meeting today at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

According to Kurt Cabin, representatives from Conquest Racing, Forsythe Pettit Racing, Newman Haas Lanigan Racing, PKV Racing, Team Minardi USA and Walker Motorsports should hopefully be attending the meeting. Pacific Coast Motorsports, located in California is expected to miss the meeting due to the short notice, but Team Manager Tyler Tadevic of PCM has stated that they intend to be on the Homestead grid (“With bells on”) with a two car entry.

Barnhart is expecting Conquest, Forsythe Pettit, Newman Haas Lanigan and PKV to field two car teams, while Kieth Wiggins And Derrick Walker are set to run one car operations. This leaves just Dale Coyne and Paul Gentlozzi left out of the mix, with a total of seven of the nine CCWS teams making the jump with an estimated 12 cars joining the IRL circus.

While initial reports speculated that PCM would seek refuge in the American Le Mans Series, Tadevic is claiming that Tony George is sweetening the pot for former Champ Car teams to not only join the series, but contest the Long Beach Grand Prix as the CCWS’s farewell party by offering two Dallara tubs for every Panoz entered. Oh, crap! Why is that song Tiny bubbles coming to mind here? Can you say Sayonara Champ Car…

Meanwhile Paul Gentilozzi has apparently thrown in the towel, (HURRAH!) saying he can’t make the numbers work; which he’s also been unable to do with the Trans Am series and the various guises of his Champ Car operation. Let me be the first to wish Gentilozzi Good Ridance!

Yet unfortunately it looks like Dale Coyne, a longtime and staunch supporter of CART/PPG and CCWS is being left out in the cold? While consistently running a shoestring effort, Coyne has never lacked for enthusiasm, along with offering a truckload of talented drivers a place to shine. It would be nice to see Coyne potentially merge, err, join forces with one of the “floundering” single car teams on the IRL side of the ledger, i.e.; Citgo/SAMAX, Dreyer & Reinbold, Sarah Fisher or Panther.

Originally I was going to suggest that AJ Foyt merge operations with Wiggins, who always runs a first rate organization and took two wins last season on its way to winning Rookie of the Year with Robert Doornbos. As the Dutch ex-Formula 1 driver is seriously talented, but I was afraid I’d get decked by Super Tex! And hopefully “Bad Bobby D” (Doornbos) will indeed be the pilot of Team Minardi USA’s single car effort.

And if Dale Coyne doesn’t answer the bell, does this mean Bruno “Whiney Bags” Junqueira will land the second seat at Forsythe Petitt which previously looked set to hire ex-Formula 1 ace Frank Montagny. Psst, hey Booby Ruble, don’t you need a second car to keep up with Ganassi, Penske and N/H/L?

On the plus side, we’ll at last once again have a decent Television package, as we’ll get to dump that atrocious third rate deal CCWS was paying for, while I assume the sport will prosper as we’ll have a single direction for Open Wheel Racing, including quality fields at the Indianapolis 500.

Yet, the losers in this deal seem quite significant. I mean for starters what about all of the race promoters and tracks who’ve lost events: Houston; Laguna Seca; Zolder, Belgium; Jerez, Spain; Cleveland; Mont-Tremblant, Quebec; Toronto, Ontario; Portland; Elkhart Lake; Assen, Holland and Mexico City.

While I can understand the dropping of the European events, I’m sure that Spain is really glad that they decided to join Champ Car this season, eh? And from David Phillips reports last year, the Zolder and Assen tracks are wonderful, proper. Permanent Road Courses which would put many of our vaunted North Americana tracks to shame…

And how can you skip Road America? Or decide to cut ‘N run from major markets such as Cleveland, Houston and Portland? Okay, I know that Portland’s been being lambasted by CCWS over it’s poor attendance figures the last few years, but then again, look at the SORRY show they’ve been forcing us to partake the last five years. Yet, how can Indy Car skip the Pacific Northwest! Guess I’ll need to look into Sears Point, although it’s a real BUGGER for me to access…

And then, what about the Champ Car Atlantics championship, as well as the employees who stayed loyal to CCWS and reported for work everyday at Champ Car HQ in Indianapolis only to receive pink slips for the start of their weekend, not to mention the work forces at Cosworth and Elan Motorsports.

In case you were unaware, the Atlantics is an excellent feeder series and I find it much more palatable then the Indy Pro Series, which is essentially Indy Lights, as in they’ve hired ex-Indy Lights boss Roger Bailey to run it.

Last year the Atlantics regularly showed up with 27 entries featuring some great talent such as James Hinchcliffe, Robert Wichens, John Edwards, Kevin Lacroix, Frank Perera and Rafael Matos just to name a few. Thus, what happens to these teams, who many ironically are also run by Champ Car owners, i.e.; Eric Bachelart, Gerald Forsythe and Derrick Walker. (Hinchcliffe, Lacroix and Wickens are rising Canadian talent, while Edwards is from Little Rock, Arkansas)

Perhaps, although I doubt it’ll happen? Why not have a new and improved Indy Pro Series east and West divisions, which would double the amount of upcoming talent to race in the Indycar World Series, although I’ve seen a story claiming that the Atlantics will indeed continue,just under a different sanctioning body.

Well, at least Paul “Chrome Horn” Tracy will get another shot at winning the Indy 500!

Wind Tunnel

This weekend’s episode of Wind tunnel with Dave Despain will be co-hosted by Robin Miller and feature interviews with Mario andretti and Jacques Villeneuve, focusing upon Friday’s Open Wheel Unification. Check it out this Sunday @ 9PM Eastern…

EMMO, Corvette and Orange juice?

Perhaps you’ve heard the announcement (NO! Not that OWR announcement) that Chevrolet’s Corvette will once again be the official pace car of this year’s Indianapolis 500 for the umpteenth time.

And this year’s pace car pilot will be none other than two time Speedway victor Emerson Fittipaldi, whom perhaps you’ll recall refused to take the ceremonious swig ‘O milk in victory lane. As Emmo who’s hugely involved in Orange juice decided to forgo the $5,000 gratuity check from the Dairy Farmer’s association in order to promote his Brazilian Orange Julius connection.

Adding a twist to this year’s pacing of the field by Chebbie; GM will have not one but two Corvette Z06’s at the head of the field, as Emmo will drive a lime green Corvette modified to run on E85 Ethanol for pace car duties, while a second black ‘N silver Z06 will join in for pre-race festivities to honour the 30th Anniversary of Chebbie’s 1978 pace car…