Category: IndyCar Series

News and commentary on the highest level of American open-wheel racing.

IndyCar – Changes Coming to Technical Inspection Processes

Doug Patterson

The Milwaukee weekend was not a good one for INDYCAR Race Control and the technical inspection process, both of which are shrouded in a cloak of secrecy. The long-standing policy of non-disclosure when it comes to rules infractions and assessed penalties has created an atmosphere of suspicion and mistrust within the Firestone Indy Lights paddock and among the fan-base as well. The lack of disclosure and shrinking technical personnel roster has lead to inconsistencies, misinterpretations, and misunderstandings. While there’s still very little genuine information directly from the league, here are…

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INDYCAR, we can’t pick our fans, but we can pick our officials

Mike Shaw

So another work week is wrapping up, with a Saturday night INDYCAR race waiting for us. Don’t worry; I am not going all Rebecca Black. However, all week the biggest chatter among the INDYCAR fans on-line has been a lack of penalties to Dario Franchitti. While many fans have a very valid point that the series needs rules with consistent enforcement. “Black & White” as many have called for, would mean if you violate there is no exceptions. Well, this is more of a NASCAR like move. Once upon a…

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INDYCAR – Milwaukee Thoughts

Shaun

After a year off the calendar, the Milwaukee Mile made its triumphant return to the schedule yesterday. Only thing is it was not that triumphant. While the on track product was excellent, the promotion and attendance was pathetic for a race that HAD to return to the IICS calendar by many critics opinion. If it HAD to be there, then where were all the fans? A lot of fans that actually were in attendance for the weekend said the track was more like a ghost town with some people at…

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Pole Day Report: Back to Beer City, racing at the Old Milwaukee Mile

Mike Shaw

Well, a week has passed since the Texas races. While many have complained about various aspects: (Dario on how they used random drawings for starting spots in a points race. Fans on Dario’s complaints while sponsored by a diaper brand. Many more on how the two races had rather dull results.) Here is one thing I would like to add, why not do a “Day/Night Doubleheader” like MLB uses? A “Day/Night” means there is a 1PM game and a 7PM game. While in baseball you kick the fans out after…

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INDYCAR – Bernard Takes Hit for Duels

Shaun

In a nice article put together by Racer Magazine, Randy Bernard has taken blame for the ‘gimmick’ that was the Texas Twin 275s. Many were left a bit conflicted on what we saw last weekend and Bernard was quick in the article to point that future duel events will see different formatting. Bravo good sir! Many fans of the IZOD IndyCar Series were critical of Dario Franchitti and his post race comments. Many blamed him for being a sore loser but at the end of the day, Franchitti was 100%…

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INDYCAR – Texas Leaves Many Conflicted

Shaun

So here it is Monday morning and I am still conflicted as many other members of the INDYCAR Nation are with what exactly happened on Saturday night. I tried to sleep on it…then let all the other races finish before writing and I am still as conflicted over it as I was before. The idea was simple and yet has caused much debate about the future formatting of the event. The first round was typical Texas to a point. The cars ran qualifying and the most skilled and best set…

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INDYCAR – Don’t Look to the Olympics

Shaun

Yesterday the Indianapolis Business Journal released an article in their sports section where it was opined that NBC’s recent win for the next few Olympic installments would help INDYCAR/Versus ratings. An assessment that I believe is a little bit of a stretch and probably wishful thinking at best. No disrespect to the author obviously, but I just don’t see how this is going to help anything. The Olympic Games is a massive television draw that is usually spread out over a number of networks. Swimming on one channel and track…

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Indy Hump Day Report: Life after the Indy 500, and the Texas two step

Mike Shaw

Most of us in America are sweating heavily from the weather. (Well most are weather related). Although the weather is not as hot as the INDYCAR Series was at the last round. The 2011 Indy 500 was by far the most exciting in years. The race finish was the most exciting since 1995, with a Pole & Bump Day that were arguably the most exciting in closer to three decades. When the checkered flag fell at the Indy 500 no one was talking about; Ryan Hunter-Reay in the 41 car,…

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INDYCAR – SSM Engineer Leaves for Andretti

Shaun

Curt Cavin reported yesterday that Alex Tagliani’s race engineer Allen McDonald had left his current SSM operation in favor of a return to Andretti Autosport. McDonald has a history with Andretti including winning the Indianapolis 500 in 2007 with Dario Franchitti. It was also reported that both Andretti and McDonald wanted this deal which further prompted Sam Schmidt to make some rather pointed comments at Michael in regards to his Shanghai tactics. The fact of the matter is while I respect the hell out of Sam Schmidt, he does not really have any room…

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