Category: OP-Ed

Check out the opinions of the guys on the site and you the fans!! Post your own article here!

Spikeday: INDYCAR back to California, could Pocono be next?

Mike Shaw

The INDYCAR Series is “ going, going,…back, back…to Cali”! Yes, I never thought I would love to see the day I referenced the Notorious B.I.G. . Then again, how many INDYCAR fans never thought the series would return to California Speedway?  However we learned earlier in the week the series came to an agreement to race again at the 2 mile oval. For fans of ovals this is a welcome announcement, not only a oval is added to make up for the loss of the Twin Ring from the schedule.…

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Great win to help the series grow, unless you live by Marco

Mike Shaw

So if a tree falls in the woods, will anyone hear it? If a third generation INDYCAR star wins, will his home media market hear of it? Yes and no respectively. Marco Andretti had an impressive win last night in Iowa. INDYCAR fans were thrilled to see a non-“red car” win. Andretti showing he is in the big series not just because of his last name. Marco is America’s first winner in the series for 2011. Yet here in the Philadelphia media market (which myself and Marco call home), you…

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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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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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LeMans – DeltaWing Partners with Gurney and Highcroft for 2012’s 24 Hour

Doug Patterson

Ben Bowlby’s DeltaWing concept has not faded into the past, as much as many IndyCar fans may wish it. The concept lives and will make an appearance in a place where we here at OpenPaddock had thought it was best suited from the beginning, endurance sports car racing. After all, the concept originally produced and displayed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in May 2010 could only very loosely have been called an open-wheel car. It genuinely does resemble a prototype sports car more than a single-seater formula car. However, that…

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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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Part IV:New Direction Needed for IMSA-ALMS

Mike Shaw

The 2011 American Le Mans Series season will (likely) widely be remembered as the one with two very successful events, Sebring and Petit Le Mans, a very questionable television/broadcast package with ABC, ESPN2 and ESPN3.com that fans and some media are very critical of and other than the ALMS serious fan, some other races.   What’s this you say?  Have you lost your mind? The season is only two races old, we’re in the Le Mans break, Lime Rock is but a month away, we got bunch a great races leading…

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Op-Ed: Spike Rogan picks the 2011 Indy 500 winner, and gives credit where it is deserved

Mike Shaw

This is a special night before the 500 Op-Ed, about the 2011 Indianapolis 500.  I sadly will not be at IMS for the race this year, ask any blogger how much the track loved us in 2011. So I like many of you reading this will be forced to watch on ABC. Although I have XM and can listen to IMS radio to avoid Marty Reid making me put a golf wedge into the TV. Here are some thoughts about this year’s race, very unlikely thoughts for some. Women have…

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Indy Hump Day Report: Its the end of the 500 as we know it (and I feel fine)

Mike Shaw

So how have all the fans suddenly become shocked? Is this idea of buying rides new in INDYCAR? Do I really need to go down the list? Milka, Moraes, royalty, doctors, I think the 500 has seen a fair share of ride buying. What about 1995 with Penske? Really I find it more shocking how “shocked” fans are. I seriously find it laughable more anger is aimed at Ryan Hunter-Reay and not the rules. Remember how most of you the INDYCAR fans lobbied to “Dump Trump”? He didn’t pass to…

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