IndyCar – 2016 Indianapolis 500 Galleries

It’s taken far too long to get photos resized and watermarked and uploaded into galleries. At long last, they are uploaded.  These are hardly professional shots like you’d see form Brian or Doug. I’m just a race fan w/ a cellphone that takes pretty good pictures.  I hope you enjoy the photos as much as I had taking them! Carb Day   Legends Day   Race Day

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IndyCar – How To Be Successful at Indianapolis as A Rookie

I’ve started, erased and rewritten this piece three times now. Three weeks after the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race, countless articles have been written about Alexander Rossi’s incredible win and the history he has made. That is a phenomenal story, no doubt.  However, there’s a deeper tale that has parallels with my own rookie experience at The Brickyard. Much like the 2016 Indianapolis 500 Champion, I had an ace in the hole going into the month of May to insure not only a fun race weekend, but…

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2016 Indy 500 Preview – Live from Indianapolis!

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadFor the first time the latest edition of the OpenPaddock band has come together in person at the most famous racing venue in the world.  After having a splendid Cajun dinner at Yats on Mass in downtown Indianapolis, Mike Shaw, John Olsakovski, Doug Patterson, and the long lost Mike Whitesell give some impromptu predictions (if you can call it that) for tomorrows 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race.  Enjoy!

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Episode 295 UMMM-Cast – OpenPaddock.net

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadThis is likely the last UMMM Cast until after Indy. Tom and I share morning beverages (for once!) as we discuss the great Red Bull driver swap going into the the Spanish Grand Prix. The Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis was a great race, but it’s overshadowed by our excitement about the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. Tickets are in hand, hotel is reserved and Bronze Badges are waiting at the IMS credential office. Marshall Pruett speculates about the end…

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Episode 294 UMMM-Cast – OpenPaddock.net

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadThe “better late than never” UMMM-Cast! It’s May and we’re all agog about our collective trip to Indianapolis! That’s not going to stop John, Tom and Mike from probing the end of Formula 1’s Asian swing and Vettel/Kvyat feud, IndyCar in both Long Beach and Barber (guess which one was exciting…) and Tom’s first-hand account of the WEC opener from Silverstone. Oh yeah.  IT’S MAY!

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Episode 293 UMMM-Cast – OpenPaddock.net

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadJohn, Doug and Tom wander the deserts of the world seeking exciting open-wheel racing. Was there any to be found in the oil-rich sands of Bahrain where the sheiks and the Eccelstones play? Perhaps thrills were afoot amidst the rocky crags around Phoenix International Raceway where IndyCar returned after over a decade! Come along on our nomadic journey of all things UMMM…. Don’t forget your canteen!

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IndyCar – ABC and mostly “WHY?!”

If you tuned into ABC’s broadcast of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, you saw a race.  A good race. A case could be made for a great race. Regardless of where it ranks on anyone’s personal excitement scale, the point is that you saw a race. Granted, this was on ABC, which may as well stand for Always Bad Commentating. The delivery and timing of Scott Goodyear and Eddie Cheever certainly lived down to expectation.  Fortunately, Allen Bestwick and Dr. Jerry Punch were able to elevate the race…

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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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Justin Wilson – The Big Man of IndyCar

It is always with a heavy heart whenever we have to write about the tragic loss of a racing driver.  I think our friend and colleague Doug Patterson said it best “I love this sport for the greatness and awesomeness it can bring out in competitors and fans. I hate this sport for the unbearable price it on occasion demands.”  That pretty much sums it up.   Justin Wilson was truly one of the great ones, both in skill and stature.  At a commanding 6’4″ he was a tight fit in most…

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Video – Conor’s battle at Long Beach

Friend of the show Conor Daly got a short-notice seat in Dale Coyne’ssecond car when Rocky Moran Jr. injured his thumb.  Conor made a great showing and even got a hard battle with James Jakes caught during a commercial break when they ran side-by-side. [youtube_sc url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRQ5oXRaY-c”] You almost had him going into the fountain, Conor.  

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