OP-Ed – Page 26 – OpenPaddock.net

IndyCar – Thoughts on the 2012 Dallara Aerodynamics

September 21, 2011 Doug Patterson

We’ve now seen the new 2012 car in both its road course trim and its oval trim. The road course package was tested at Mid-Ohio last month the Monday after the race there. This past Tuesday, test driver Dan Wheldon shook the car down in its oval trim at the Iowa Speedway. Perhaps it would be better to call it its short oval trim, as the car was still fitted with a multi-element front and rear wing and looks very much like the road course package used at Mid-Ohio. Regardless,…

Spike Day: IndyCar race in China–Awful idea, Mexico City–Awesome idea

September 10, 2011September 10, 2011 Mike Shaw

So as we have recently learned, there is a 90% likelihood the IZOD IndyCar Series will be racing in China during the 2012 season. The upcoming race at Motegi will be the final time the IZOD IndyCar Series will visit Japan for some time. While I will be the first to admit, Twin Ring Motegi was not a very good oval track layout—Japan is a fan base who deserve more respect. From the early days of the “IRL” to today, Japanese makes have supplied engines for teams in the IZOD…

IndyCar – Some Perspective On Motegi Risks

September 9, 2011 Doug Patterson

There’s be a LOT of comments and worry about the radiation levels and the health risks that drivers and team personnel will be facing as they compete at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit in Motegi, Japan which is located 78 miles from the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant which catastrophically failed during the Honshu earthquake and subsequent tsunami. I thought it might be advisable to bring some perspective as to just what the level of risk is compared to activities we take for granted and don’t even think about in…

Spike Day: Free Simona!

August 27, 2011August 28, 2011 Mike Shaw

Apologies for the quiet week, our semester started Monday. As always the school was totally disorganized, and the bookstore was inept as usual causing me to have many things to deal with. I give a quick summary of fantasy picks at the bottom of the column. There is some more pressing news to discuss first. Don’t let that Simona back in, she is keeping Americans from having a job… Is this the logical fallacy the United States government has with Simona de Silvestro? She is not alone either, this problem…

Indy Car Returns to NASCAR Country

August 19, 2011August 19, 2011 Doug Patterson

Written by Jim Shepka: Let’s face it, New England is the home of the Tour Modifieds. It was born here back in the 40’s and the sound can be heard running on the bullrings every Friday and Saturday night all around the region. It wasn’t until the expansion of the old road course in Loudon into the current version of the ‘Magic Mile’ that the ‘Cup’ tour was eventually brought to the masses in New England. It’s also been nearly 20 years since Indy Cars (pick your version) have run…

Will Power, flips out, and flips off, Barnhart jumps over shark infested waters

August 16, 2011August 16, 2011 Mike Shaw

Sunday I found myself working as a pit road spotter for Jake Query of IMS Radio. This was my first time ever doing this, what a wild race to start out. What seemed like another dull Dario run away, all went out the window on lap 118. On the TV broadcast Sato took full blame for the crash. However on pit road it seemed like the 10 also came down a little to initiate contact. “What the hell just happened?” was all Dario said on the radio after. Chip Ganassi…

Spike Day: Live Free and Blog (Arrival at New Hampshire)

August 12, 2011August 12, 2011 Mike Shaw

So after a five and a half hour long non-stop drive, I find myself here at New Hampshire Motorspeedway. Sporting my Phillies cap in the heart of Red Sox Nation. No INDYCAR activity on track today. It is just the American-Canadian Tour, and the NASCAR Modified Series today. If you wander the paddock you can find a few random drivers just hanging out. The stands have less than a 1,000 people in the seats. The crews out number spectators. The road leading to the main entrance has about a…

Indy Hump Day Report: ABC/ESPN future exclusive broadcast home thoughts, and NH picks

August 10, 2011August 10, 2011 Mike Shaw

So another race weekend at Mid-Ohio; large turnout, loads of anticipation, no passing, no drama, no excitement. Sounds about right for a professional formula type series on a club racing course. Mid-Ohio is too narrow in its current set-up for cars as fast as the IZOD INDYCAR Series. It might produce great passing for a Honda Civic Si in Show Room Stock C, but it’s a cure for insomnia when really fast cars run there. Also it needs upgrades beyond the race course, most notably wooden garages. Did everyone miss…

Indy Humpday Report: Fantasy picks for Mid-O

August 3, 2011August 4, 2011 Mike Shaw

The Mid-Ohio edition of the Indy Hump Day report will be shorter than normal. Stay tuned Friday night for the Spikeday Report, not only for a colorful op-ed but possibly some big news may be breaking. Drivers to pick this week: Penske, Penske, Penske. While George Costanza might not be “Penske material”, Mid-Ohio is. The INDYCAR Empire has over 7 victories at Mid-Ohio from 1992 through present day. Two of those seven comes from Helio Castroneves (who is winless for 2011 still), but Penske’s last win at Mid-Ohio was…

Indy Hump Day Report: Things get rough in Canada,eh?

July 20, 2011July 20, 2011 Mike Shaw

BREAKING NEWS: First I would like to inform everyone, A.J. Foyt’s team will be powered by Honda in 2012. So Ganassi and Foyt are the only 2012 Honda teams confirmed. A.J. says he would like a second car for 2012, but there is no deal at this time. Foyt also said he will be officially retired when they “…lower my casket into the grave.” Not sure what A.J. will still have to do for the first few days after the Coroner declares him deceased. But, we know A.J., he may…