Editor’s note: This is the first in a new series of articles from Tyler Charmichael, Owner and Moderator of the IndyCar Garage. He will be providing weekly updates for us on the latest topics being discussed at IndyCar Garage, OpenPaddock’s recommended fan interaction site. IndyCar Garage Forum – A place for ALL opinions on INDYCAR One of the unique features of www.IndyCarGarage.com (ICG) is the forum tab on the main page and the top discussion threads that are featured as soon as you pull up the site. In order to…
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The latest news from the IndyCar Series, Indy Lights, Pro Mazda, and USF2000!
Indy Hump Day Report: Do they want another Pace Car crash 40 years later? Plus when are aero-kits coming?
How much of a “buzz” is a bad thing?: While having a buzz generating for the Indianapolis 500 could be a good thing. The current situation with Donald Trump has quickly become a “bad buzz” not seen in the series since the days of Scott Harrington. Even Harrington’s three DUI arrests in eight months did not cause as much outrage as the current choice for driving the pace car. Trump, since being named has quickly become a highly polarizing figure. I honestly found it in poor choice to pick a…
Read MoreVirtual 500 – Vote for Openpaddock.net!
INDYCAR has afforded motorsport writers with a unique chance to compete against their peers. The Virtual 500 is used via iRacing and will see the top 10 writers as voted on you the fans, compete with a shot at racing IZOD IndyCar drivers. Openpaddock has been submitted as a possible entrant into this amazing event. Along with the entry, INDYCAR will work with each blog/website to bring unique coverage to its fans and readers! Head on over to the link posted below and give a Facebook “like” or post a…
Read MoreINDYCAR – Rice and Panther Team for Indy
Good news this evening as Panther Racing has announced that Buddy Rice will drive the #44 machine at the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500. He will team with J.R. Hildebrand for the month of May and maybe more according to Speed.com. That adds yet another defending race champ to the equation. Rice won the race in 2004 with Rahal/Letterman Racing. After two years of sports car racing in the GRAND-AM series, Rice will jump in an IndyCar for the first time since 2008. This is really a great deal…
Read MoreIndy Humpday Report: Que up some Adoniran Barbosa*
Short column this week since I am about to start finals week, and the overwhelming subject still dominating discussions is Helio. (Will he punt someone yet again?) I would just like to point out that Helio has plenty of eyes on him this week. Not only are the fans in America and the Series officials watching Helio closely—the fans in Brazil are really watching. Should Helio do anything to Tony Kanaan, be ready for a borderline riot in the streets of Brazil. Also should Will Power be “shafted” due to…
Read MoreOP-Ed – Pennywise and Pound Foolish: Why delaying the aero kits is a bad idea
There’s been a significant rumbling from the owners, most notably from Jimmy Vasser, co-owner of KV Racing Technologies. What they see is the $75k price tag on new aero kits and rate that as a cost they’d rather not pay. Truth is, they DON’T have to pay it. The Dallara chassis that they’ll need to buy in order to compete in the IZOD IndyCar Series in 2012 come with the Dallara aero kit. If they have a relationship with another engine manufacture such as Chevrolet or Lotus, they’ll of course…
Read MoreOP-Ed – David Uhl’s “In The Beginning”
Artist David Uhl should be a name familiar to attendees of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race, or at least his work should be. His piece “Glorious Failure” was selected for the cover of the official 2008 Indianapolis 500 program. This year, he was one of the three artist chosen to create cover art for this year’s 100th Anniversary Edition program. The piece he submitted is called “In The Beginning” and is a tribute to that very first epic Indianapolis 500 Mile Race held back in 1911. “After viewing hundreds of…
Read MoreIndy Hump Day Report: Race Control, we make things up as we go
Where are the rules and procedures written?: Ah yes consistency, an act the men of INDYCAR Race Control seem to be lacking of late. One has to wonder if the reason rule books are so hard to find, is they write every seasons rules on an “Etch A Sketch”. Only to find parts missing when ever Helio has committed a violation. What really gets me is the excuses they have been giving today on why Helio did not get the same treatment as Tracy. According to Al Jr.; Helio was…
Read MoreOpenPaddock Joins Forces with the IndyCar Garage
As some of you have pointed out to us, we don’t have a forum any longer. As you further pointed out to us, you want us to have one! Instead of us trying to reinvent the wheel, we’ve joined forces with one of the more innovative IndyCar fan sites on the web, the IndyCar Garage. We have always claimed and have striven to be “Motorsports commentary for the fans, by the fans” and I believe we have succeeded in that, and our new partnership with the IndyCar Garage will only…
Read MoreINDYCAR – Pippa 500 is On!!
A great news story has finally been made official today as Pippa Mann was announced at Conquest Racing for the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500. Pippa is no stranger to the 2.5 mile oval and claimed pole position for the FIL Freedom 100 race last year. Her run to pole position marked the first time a female has ever held first starting spot at the yard of bricks. She will be driving the #36 car alongside Sebastian Saavedra. “Having the chance to compete in the Indy 500 is something…
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