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…
Read MoreAuthor: John Olsakovsky
@JohnTheRaceFan
IndyCar- Just Juan driver added to Penske lineup for 2014
Team Penske announced in a press release today that 1999 CART FedEx Series champion, 2000 Indianapolis 500 Mile Race Winner, 2003 Monaco Grand Prix Winner and 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Rookie of the Year Juan Pablo Montoya is returning to American Open Wheel racing in 2014. Terms have been agreed to between Montoya and Penske for the 37 year old Columbian to drive the #2 entry for the Mooresville, NC based operation. “I am really excited to join this legendary team beginning next year,” said Montoya. “I have had…
Read MoreIndyCar-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…
Read MoreIndyCar – Tuesday Talk
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
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…
Read MoreIndyCar – Updates to the 2013 Rulebook
INDYCAR has made the following updates to the 2013 rulebook, effective immediately. 7.6.1.2–Restarts On restarts within 15 laps of the finish of a race, all lapped cars will be moved to the back of the field. 9.2.2–Race Procedure Penalties If circumstances do not permit a penalty to be served during a race, the Race Director shall declare the results provisional and officials shall review the penalty. The review is independent of technical inspection. (Basically, time penalties can be issued.) 14.14.6.6.5–Tires If a car receives tire damage during a race, the…
Read MoreIndyCar – 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…
Read MoreIndyCar – 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…
Read MoreIndyCar – Round 10: Iowa Corn Indy 250 Presented by DEKALB preview
WHAT: Iowa Corn Indy 250 Presented by DEKALB WHERE: Iowa Speedway, Newton, IA WHO: Defending Series Champion and Race Winner Ryan Hunter-Reay looks to repeat his performance form 2012 after winning last week’s event in Milwaukee. Points leader Helio Castroneves has never won at Iowa, but he looks to break through this weekend after a 6th place finish at Iowa last season. Marco Andretti has looked poised to take another victory several times in 2013, but has suffered some sort of unfortunate ending every time. Can the former Iowa winner…
Read MoreIndyCar – Former IndyCar/NASCAR Driver Jason Leffler Killed in Sprint Car Crash
BRIDGEPORT, NJ (June 12, 2013)– Former IndyCar and NASCAR driver Jason Leffler was killed at Bridgeport Speedway in New Jersey when his Sprint Car flipped during a 412 Sprint race. Leffler was transported from the scene via helicopter, where he was later pronounced dead. Leffler’s upper level racing career began in USAC, where he was a three time National Midget Champion and the 1998 Silver Crown Champion. He made 4 Nationwide Series starts for Roger Penske in 1999 while also pursuing an IRL career. He made his first IRL start…
Read MoreIndyCar – Round 9: Milwaukee IndyFest Preview
What: Milwaukee IndyFest 2013 Where: The Milwaukee Mile, West Allis, WI Who: Defending IZOD IndyCar Series Champion Ryan Hunter-Reay also happens to be the defending race winner. Helio Castroneves comes to the Mile as the most recent oval winner. Unfortunately, The Mile hasn’t exactly been kind to him; in 11 starts, Castroneves has 2 top 10’s with a best finish of 2nd way back in his first appearance at the track in 1998 with Bettenhausen Racing. When: Saturday, June 15 at 4pm EDT. NBC Sports Network Storylines This was where…
Read More