Episode 206 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadKevin Neely and Mike Shaw are joined by special guests John Olsakovsky, regular Op-Ed contributor to OpenPaddock.net, and USF2000 pilot for Belardi Auto Racing and friend of OpenPaddock.net Peter Portante. The boys hash out all the news in IndyCar as everyone including all of the MRTI head to Houston, the details of the Indianapolis GP opening the Month of May, and the driver swaps and additions in Indy Lights. Formula 1 heads to Korea as the WRC heads to France, and Shaw wraps things…

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IndyCar – BREAKING NEWS: Tony Kanaan to Ganassi

Jenna Fryer of the Associated Press reports that 2013 Indianapolis 500 Mile Race Winner and 2004 IRL Series Champion Tony Kanaan has signed a deal to drive for Chip Ganassi Racing in 2014. The popular Brazilian has made his free agency aspirations well known in the media since it was discovered that KV Racing Technology was having difficulty financing his 2013 effort. His name had been linked to the Ganassi seat, but also seats at Andretti Autosport, Bryan Herta Autosport, Panther Racing and a possible return to KV Racing Technology.…

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IndyCar- The business of racing 2.0

Which of these drivers would you hire? Driver A has 104 career IndyCar starts. He has 8 wins, 26 podiums, 37 Top Fives, 13 Poles, 10 Fastest Laps with a lowest full time season placing of 6th. Driver B has 82 career IndyCar starts. he has 1 win, 8 podiums, 16 Top Fives, 2 Poles, zero Fastest Laps with a best full time season placing of 7th. Driver A spent most of those starts at the helm of one of the series’ top seats. He’s been in championship contention, raced well on…

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IndyCar-Tuesday Talk

Tuesday Talk is a segment where we discuss news bites from around the world of IndyCar. All opinions expressed within are those of the writer, and should be taken as the exact opinion of absolutely everyone involved with OpenPaddock, because Kevin Neely is an amazing, insightful writer. So it looks like Andretti Autosport has roughly half the funding needed to run Juan Montoya in the 2014 season. Michael is working hard to make the Montoya ride happen. This leads to some questions, though. If Andretti digs up the cash to…

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IndyCar – Tuesday Talk

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadTuesday Talk is a segment featuring random news and notes from the world of IndyCar. All opinions expressed are mine, meaning they are inherently correct. Disagree? Well, I’ll pray for you. First off, congratulations to Charlie Kimball for his first career win. I don’t think anyone has worked harder for a victory in the last few years than Charlie. He came up from the Euro F3 ranks into Lights with PBIR and Andretti. Back in 2011, Charlie got his break into the IZOD IndyCar Series…

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IndyCar – Tuesday Talk

Tuesday Talk is a new segment featuring random news and notes from the world of IndyCar. All opinions expressed are mine, meaning they are inherently correct. All signs point to Alex Tagliani being out at Bryan Herta Autosport. Even though the entry list for Mid-Ohio hasn’t been released yet, looks for Luca Filippi in the #98 Barracuda Networks ride. Tag started the season with a 10th at St. Pete and 11th at Barber, but has only managed one Top Ten finish over the balance of the season. Over a seven…

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IndyCar – Twin Turbo mandatory for 2014

INDYCAR announced today that all engines supplied to IZOD IndyCar Series teams will utilize only twin turbocharger systems beginning with the 2014 season. The decision, which was confirmed after consultation in an INDYCAR Engine Committee meeting, will further strengthen engine parity. It also dovetails with the manufacturers’ first homologation update cycle for the 2.2-liter, direct-injected V6 engines supplied by Chevrolet and Honda. “In an effort for parity throughout the turbocharger range, mandating only a twin turbo system simplifies our efforts to ensure even closer competition,” said Derrick Walker, president, competition…

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IndyLights – Peter Dempsey: Winning at Indianapolis

The month of May is always special in Indianapolis. All the IndyCar teams are flat-out testing and developing their race cars. I was fortunate to get to attend Pole Day this year for the first time, and what a day that was! Ed Carpenter lit up the field with his impressive pole run, and also to see Carlos Munoz qualify 2nd for the 500 was great. This really was amazing by him to out-qualify his seasoned teammates. Practice and Qualifying The FIL cars weren’t on track until Thursday with one…

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