Episode 297 UMMM-Cast – OpenPaddock.net

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadAfter a month of life interfering, Doug, John & Tom are back to recap the astounding finish at Le Mans that had us all gobsmacked, not to mention the Formula One soap opera from Toronto to Baku. The Verzon IndyCar Series gets more than a nod with four races that resulted in two solid hits, one strikeout and an out-of-the-park home run! (Sorry for the American baseball references, Tom!)

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IndyCar – 2016 Schedule Drops

After my soggy trip to the United States Grand Prix (write-up forthcoming), I’m taking a sick day.  It’s legitimate, as I was fighting a sinus infection going into the weekend.  Slogging around in cold rain and wind didn’t help, I’m sure. So what happens on my sick day? Verizon IndyCar Series announces their 2016 schedule! About friggin’ time! Although, I think they did it for Robin Miller’s birthday, which happens to be today.  (Happy birthday, fellow curmudgeon!) The #INDYCAR2016 schedule is here! 5 ovals, 5 street courses and 5 road…

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SCCA – Heartbreak in Texas

Today, we were reminded of the dangers and risks inherent in all forms of motorsport, even autocross, in the most heartbreaking way. The Texas Region of the SCCA was holding a Solo Event in one of the parking lots at the Texas Motor Speedway just north of Fort Worth, TX. Kierstin Eaddy, a 14 year-old girl racing her Formula Junior kart suffered a fatal accident after finishing one of her runs. Speculation now is that it was a stuck throttle, but regardless, it is a reminder that the sport we…

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GRC – Event 2 Review: Texas

Another excellent contribution from rally fan and fan of OpenPaddock.net, Mike Shaw (@oregonwings). Do you love motorsports as much as us? Why not contribute your thoughts and opinions? We’d love to post and share them! Round 2 of the GRC takes place at Texas motor speedway in conjunction with the IndyCar event. A little bit longer course is laid out this time vs. the one in Charlotte. It is still 100% tarmac, but the one thing everyone is talking about is the return of the large jump. This time it…

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OpEd – What’s the Cost for Victory

So how much does it cost in addition to the normal operating expenses associated with running a team and fielding equipment to win an IZOD IndyCar Series race? Apparently, only a mere $7500 and five entrants points. There should be a giant bonanza of feel-good stories after the great racing at the Texas Motor Speedway, first 1.5-mile high-banked oval the series has run since last year’s race in Las Vegas, and race which culminated in victory for the small operation of Dale Coyne Racing and fan-favorite driver Justin Wilson. Wilson…

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IndyCar – Firestone 550 Had it All, and Then Some

On Saturday we were treated to the second of our five ovals on the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series schedule, and man was it awesome! This was truly a race that had it all! We had great racing that did not require cars to be all over each other for the full race, and we had mechanical failures, meaningful passes, and some drivers a little hot under the collar when it was all said and done. INDYCAR was able to do something though that I have been preaching for the last…

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IndyCar – Powering Towards the Championship

The IZOD IndyCar Series starts a stretch of three ovals this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway and with it, the prospect of a championship shift. Will Power currently leads the championship by 36 points over Target Chip Ganassi driver Scott Dixon. One could look at this stretch of three races as the point in the season where Dixon really takes the fight to his Penske rival. However, the number and type of ovals on the schedule this year will really benefit Power and may see him take the lead back…

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INDYCAR – Bernard Takes Hit for Duels

In a nice article put together by Racer Magazine, Randy Bernard has taken blame for the ‘gimmick’ that was the Texas Twin 275s. Many were left a bit conflicted on what we saw last weekend and Bernard was quick in the article to point that future duel events will see different formatting. Bravo good sir! Many fans of the IZOD IndyCar Series were critical of Dario Franchitti and his post race comments. Many blamed him for being a sore loser but at the end of the day, Franchitti was 100%…

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IndyCar – The Texas Two-Step: Cool, Gimmick, or Both?

Last night, sandwiched between two lengthy NASCAR announcements, Texas Motor Speedway President and promoter extraordinaire Eddie Gossage announced plans for the 2011 IndyCar event at his facility in Dent County, TX. The good news is that Texas will again be the first event after the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race but with a week break between them. This is a much needed break for both the teams and the fans as the Month of May as exciting and enjoyable as it is, is also very exhausting. The questionable aspect of the…

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