Category: INDYCAR

The latest news from the IndyCar Series, Indy Lights, Pro Mazda, and USF2000!

IndyLights – Peter Dempsey: Thoughts and Insights from Long Beach

Doug Patterson
Start of the Firestone Indy Lights race on the Streets of Long Beach -- Photo by John Cole, INDYCAR

It’s been a while since my last blog entry for OpenPaddock.net, and a lot has happened since then! Long Beach ended before it started, an amazing four wide finish win in the Freedom 100, and a trip back to Ireland to get my visa extension and to see some family. I am going to fill you in on how I made it through all this crazy stuff over the past few weeks. Let’s start off with the race weekend on April 24th at one of my favorite streets courses, the…

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IndyCar – Former IndyCar/NASCAR Driver Jason Leffler Killed in Sprint Car Crash

John Olsakovsky

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…

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IndyCar – Round 9: Milwaukee IndyFest Preview

John Olsakovsky

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…

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Episode 192 – OpenPaddock.net

Doug Patterson

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadFearless Leader Shaun Pechin returns to the show and brings a new level of sketch to the joint! Shaun lets loose with six months worth of saved up rants and diatribes about …well… everything! Neely, Whitesell, Shaw, and Patterson try to get in word in edgewise as we talk about the IndyCar infomercial from Texas and Team Penske’s penalty, we preview the Mazda Road to Indy action this weekend in Milwaukee, and review the Kansas City Region SCCA Solo Event #6. Whitesell leads us…

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IndyCar – Team Penske Docked $35,000 For Texas Violation

John Olsakovsky

INDIANAPOLIS (June 11, 2013)– Helio Castroneves’ #6 Team Penske entry was docked 15 entrant points and $35,000 today for vioating rules involving the underwing tunnel exits. This is a violation of Rule 14.6.4.11, which states 14.6.4.11 The exit of the underwing height is 7.600 inches with a tolerance of 0.050 inches and minus 0.00 inches. This is actually a pretty serious rules violation. Experts I’ve spoken with say that by raising the underwing exit height, more downforce is generated, allowing the car to stick to the track better. By raising…

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IndyCar – Penske Finally Breaks Through: Helio Wins Texas

John Olsakovsky

FORT WORTH (JUNE 8, 2013) — After an unprecedented start to the season with seven different winners (including two first time winners) over the first eight races and no winners from Team Penske or Target Chip Ganassi Racing, Helio Castroneves finally broke through with a win for the “red cars” in the Firestone 550 at Texas Motor Speedway. Defending IZOD IndyCar Series champion Ryan Hunter-Reay finished second, continuing a spectacular season for the Andretti Autosport team. 2013 Indianpolis 500 Champion Tony Kanaan brought the SUNOCO/Turbo ride home in third for…

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IndyCar – KV Racing adds SUNOCO as sponsor for Tony Kanaan

John Olsakovsky

INDIANAPOLIS (June 5, 2013)- KV Racing Officials announced today that SUNOCO has been added to Tony Kanaan’s sponsorship package for races in the 2013 season in conjunction with the release of the movie Turbo. The sponsorship agreement covers Texas, Iowa, Pocono and Mid-Ohio. Kanaan will drive a car painted to look like the SUNOCO car featured in the movie. This deal rounds out Kanaan’s sponsorship needs for the 2013 season. Kanaan is the 2004 IZOD IndyCar Series Champion, as well as the 2013 Indianapolis 500 Mile Race Champion. He is…

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IndyCar – Pippa Mann in the Coyne #18 for Texas, Oriol Servia in the Panther Racing #4

John Olsakovsky

INDIANAPOLIS (June 5, 2013)- Oriol Servia returns to IZOD IndyCar Series action this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway as the pilot of the #4 National Guard Chevrolet of Panther Racing. Servia previously competed this season with Panther-Dreyer & Reinbold Racing in the #22 entry before a lack of funds caused the car to be parked after the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. Servia finished P11 in this year’s 500 and currently sits 18th in standings, having missed both races of the Duel in Detroit. Following the 500, Servia was 9th in…

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Episode 191 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast

Doug Patterson

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadKevin, Mike, Mike, and Doug review IndyCar’s double-header at Detroit and admit surprise that it didn’t suck. We also offer opinion on the technical plan Walker has for IndyCar, and we discuss the news from Formula 1. Mike Shaw recaps the STPR Rally and the Acropolis Rally, and we collectively fire Shaun for being back in the States and not joining us on the show. A reminder from last week’s show that the Kansas City Region SCCA will be hosting it’s Solo School this…

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IndyCar – Indianapolis Race Weekend in Photos

Doug Patterson

Wow, what a long an exciting week and a half at the World’s Greatest Race Course! Although we didn’t beat the rain to IMS on Fast Friday, we were there for Pole Day, Bump Day, Community Day, Media Day, Carb Day, the Night Before the 500, and of course Race Day. It was great meeting up with old friends and seeing some twitter folk for the first time. Best of all, I got to show off our new baby girl on Carb Day! 😀 I shared the qualifying weekend photos…

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