Our friends over at trackside online took this image of a Penske #12 hauler painted up with Verizon logos this morning at Long Beach. Two weeks ago during the St. Petersburg weekend Roger Penske and Tim Cindric both made comments to the effect that Helio would have a car waiting for him as soon as his trial was over, and by implication it would be a third car for Penske. So presumably, the hauler contains all the necessary trappings for a third Penske entry. This seems to go against a…
Read MoreAuthor: mike
IndyCar – Long Beach Preview
A crown jewel of American open wheel racing will be showing its luster and sparkle this weekend as the IndyCar series makes its first full visit to the streets of Long Beach. Unification happened too late last year for there to be any chance of a real combination of the CCWS and IndyCar calendars. The most unfortunate victim of this incident was the Long Beach Grand Prix which was scheduled on the same weekend as Motegi, both of which were understandably unwilling to give up their dates. So Long Beach…
Read MoreIndyCar – Helio Verdicts Trickling In
We here at open paddock have yet to really comment about the ongoing tax evasion trial of Helio Castroneves. Taxes are a boring subject and one that I am loathe to comment on this time of year since I just sent my check in to the government this week. But now that the trial is over and jury deliberations have been taking place since last Friday, it is time for us to break our silence. Jury deliberations are over for the day, but the jury has returned verdicts an several…
Read MoreF1 – WMSC Rulings to Overshadow GP’s
Shanghai is the next stop on the world circus, and yet with only two flyaway races left before the European leg begins, the entire F1 world is overshadowed by imminent decisions from the World Motorsport Council. First up is the diffuser row to be settled by the WMSC tomorrow. Brawn, Toyota and Williams are running a double decker diffuser design which meets the letter of the regulations, but they somewhat defy the intent. While the other teams charge that these diffusers are illegal, Max Mosely rendered his opinion on the…
Read MoreIndyCar – Sharp Returns to Indy
Panther Racing announced today that Scott Sharp will be driving a second car for them at Indy this year in the #16 Tequila Patrón Panther Racing Honda Dallara. If you recall, Scott has had some success at Indy, sitting on the pole in 2001. Don’t investigate that one too much though because you will uncover the fact that he wrecked on the first lap going into turn 1. His best result at Indy came in 2007 driving for Rahal when he finished 6th overall. Scott has started 146 IndyCar races…
Read MoreIndyCar – Counting to 33
It has become a tradition over the last decade or so. After the dust has settled from the first race of the IndyCar season, we all start to do complex math in our heads to try and get a sum that is greater than or equal to 33. In past years, we have started the with 18 or 19 full time cars but yet still managed to keep the numeric reputation of the world’s most famous oval untarnished. While this year we have a shorter hop to the magic sum,…
Read MoreIndyCar – St. Pete Wrap Up
All in all, a fantastic end to the 6 month drought of IndyCar action. And for Ryan Briscoe, it was an all out confirmation that Chip Ganassi’s “superteam” will have stiff competition from Penske. Granted, Ryan received some help when he pitted right before a full course yellow, but he was able to fend off multiple attempts from Justin Wilson in the Coyne car and then later Ryan Hunter-Reay. And while Briscoe took home the top honors (and the 50 points), Ryan Hunter-Reay’s first race with Vision was truly remarkable.…
Read MoreWRC – Latvala’s Career Rolls Down The Hill?
IndyCar – St. Pete Highlights
BTCC – Amazing Save By Plato
