I arrived at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Fast Friday just in time for the rains to come. Bummer. It did mean that I was set and ready to go for Pole Day and Bump Day last Saturday and Sunday as the IZOD IndyCar Series drivers attempted to qualify for the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. I know I was tardy for getting these posted. Bad time for a hardware failure! Tomorrow, the Firestone Indy Lights teams and drivers come to the World’s Greatest Race Course, so…
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OpEd-Alabamians; Making the Indy 500 Better Since 1972
Yeah, maybe that’s an egotistical title, but I get to finally make an appearance at Uncle Tony’s House this weekend. Like fellow Alabamians Jim Nabors, Donny Allison, Bobby Allison and Jim Guthrie before me, I shall grace the hallowed intersection of 16th and Georgetown with my presence. I’d just like to take a second and thank all the great people at Open Paddock for allowing it to happen. I promise I’ll do all of you proud, and I won’t completely embarrass Doug while I’m there. Yes, my fellow Alabamians have…
Read MoreEpisode 189 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast
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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadThe whole gang preview the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race as Doug gets sauced on Fuzzy’s Vodka, Mr. Shaw goes on a rant about the epic failure of Global Rallycross to deal with a bit of rain, Mr. Patterson finally has Mazda Road to Indy news as we look forward to the Firestone Freedom 100 and the Night Before the 500, and Mr. Whitesell and Mr. Neely preview the Monaco Grand Prix. Show Notes for Episode 189 – May 20th, 2013 Preview Indy qualifying, 500…
Read MoreIndyCar-The Month of May; Getting Up to Speed
Here’s some quick notes about IndyCar Indianapolis 500 practice so far…. Day 1 A.J. Allmendinger, Carlos Munoz and Tristan Vautier all completed Rookie Orientation in roughly 90 minutes. Temperatures were low, so many teams elected to stay off track. Ed Carpenter ended Day 1 at the top of the speed charts at 220.970 mph. 298 laps were completed by 13 drivers in 16 entries. Day 2 No need for ROP today, since Conor Daly didn’t arrive until Monday. Andretti Autosport rookie driver Carlos Munoz topped the speed charts at 223.023…
Read MoreEpisode 188 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast With Justin Wilson
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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadThe boys are proud to welcome Justin Wilson, driver of the #19 Boy Scouts of America car for Dale Coyne Racing, to this week’s show! Mr. Neely shares his observations from the opening weekend of practice at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Mr. Whitesell reviews the Spanish Grand Prix which surprisingly didn’t suck, and Mr. Shaw takes a look at the proposed revamping of the power stage and contemplates the future of stage rally. Show Notes for Episode 188 Preview IndyCar – Justin Wilson on…
Read MoreIndyCar-Highlights from Kurt Busch Press Conference
Here are some of the more pertinent quotes from today’s press conference with Kurt Busch, who tested an IndyCar at Indianapolis Motor Speedway today and completed all three phases of the Rookie Orientation Program. Quotes courtesy Indycar PR/Amy Konrath. MODERATOR: Kurt, first impressions? You spent two days here last week in a Cup car and today was a completely different feel. What are your thoughts? KURT BUSCH: Just an incredible feeling to be able to drive at Indianapolis in May in and IndyCar and have the name Andretti on it. …
Read MoreEpisode 187 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast
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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadKevin has the plague this week, so Mike, Doug, and Mike are given free reign of the controls! Whitesell and Patterson debate Sato’s driving and Barfield’s non-call, we recap Indy Lights testing at IMS, BRIEFLY preview F1’s return to Europe, and Shaw brings us all the gory details of the Oregon Trail Rally and Loebs return and dominance at Rally Argentina. Show Notes Preview IndyCar – Sao Paulo has a new Mayor, despite incumbent’s attempts to block his election, and yes Virginia, it’s May!…
Read MoreIndyCar – Sato: Blocking or Fair Play?
I don’t think you’ll find anyone who watched today’s Itaipava Sao Paulo Indy 300 that didn’t think it was one of the best IndyCar races in a very long time. What you will find is a lot of controversy over A.J. Foyt Racing’s Takuma Sato and his driving style in the final laps of the race. While defending his position first against Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing’s Josef Newgarden and finally Andretti Autosport’s James Hinchcliffe, it appeared to many that he actively blocked and chopped in front of his competitors. To…
Read MoreEpisode 186 – OpenPaddock.net
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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadMr. Shaw gets ready for his weekend of rally goodness as Rally America visits his stomping grounds for the Oregon Trail Rally. Doug recaps the first SCCA Midwest Division Solo event of the year, and Kevin and Mike Whitesell preview the Sao Paulo IndyCar race, and recap all the news from IndyCar and Formula 1. Show Notes Preview Weekend of Rally goodness – Rally America Oregon Trail, WRC Argentina IndyCar building up to the 500 (It’s almost MAY!!!!), but first Sao Paulo Why F1…
Read MoreIndyCar – Round 4: Itaipava Sao Paulo Indy 300 preview
What: 4th Annual Itaipava Sao Paulo Indy 300 Where: Anhembi Sambadromo Circuit, Sao Paulo, Brazil Who: Will Power. In three races at the circuit, Power has three poles and three wins. Granted Power’s not having quite the start of the season he’s used to, you have to put him at the top of the list here simply because of his domination. Teammate Helio Castroneves enters the event as points leader, so being in front of the home crowd is sure to energize. Takuma Sato has been quick all season, but…
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