IndyCar – My Two Cents on Global Expansion

So IndyCar is toying with the idea of taking the traveling circus abroad during the off season in an attempt to spread influence and maybe even earn the teams some extra cash. Obviously this is nothing more than an idea and I don’t want people to think the negative Nancy police are here, but I find the idea to be ridiculous on a few different levels. While I would love to see IndyCar race overseas, the justification for doing so seems weak at the moment. I am also a firm…

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From the Cockpit – Michael Epps at the Allied Building Products USF2000 Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio

Editor’s Note: In our continuing From the Cockpit series, Belardi Auto Racing’s Michael Epps offers the following recap of his race weekend on the rolling hills of the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. We thank Belardi Auto Racing and their drivers for their support and the excellent insights their drivers have offered us through this series of articles. At the end of the article, you’ll find links to Belardi Auto Racing’s and Michael’s social media connections. Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Twitter. Well, since I’ve not written on…

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Episode 200 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIt’s our 200th episode!!! …and in true OpenPaddock style, I’m late getting the show posted. Big thanks to Kevin for taking care of the editing process for me this week. Classes start on Monday, so this week has been chaotic to say the least. Sadly, Pechin was absent from this week’s show. He was off being a responsible dad or something. The OPEN PADDOCK 200th episode EXTRAVAGANZA! (or something like that) for Tuesday, August 13th, 2013 Presented this evening without Shaun interruption, for your…

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MRTI – MidOhio in Photos

WHEW! Finally done editing and posting the photos from the Mid-Ohio weekend. The day job can really get in the way sometimes. With the entire Mazda Road to Indy racing last weekend, it was a busy three days. I’ll have a recap of the action and a look at how the championships are shaping up soon. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the photos. Cooper Tires Presents the USF2000 National Championship Powered by Mazda Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires Firestone Indy Lights Series

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Episode 199 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadWe are joined this evening by Mid-Ohio race winner and driver of the #83 Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing DW12 in the IZOD IndyCar Series Charlie Kimball! Shaun, Kevin, Mike, and Mike talk with Charlie about his first win and about the photo he has of him standing on the podium a step above Vettel in his early days of racing. The crew offers condolences and best wishes to Smoke, looks at the politics of IndyCar racing at COTA, and the implications of USCR’s…

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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 – 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…

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Episode 198 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadThis week, Doug and Shaun recap their duel at the Kansas City Region SCCA Solo Event #8, Neely shares news and rumors from around the IndyCar Paddock as we all look forward to Mid-Ohio, Doug gives us the latest from the Mazda Road to Indy, Shaw reviews the New England Forest Rally and previews Rally Finland, and Whitesell leads us through the sad circus of Formula One as we head into the summer break. Show Notes: OpenPaddock.net Podcast – Episode 198, July 30th 2013…

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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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