Jenna Fryer of the Associated Press reports that 2013 Indianapolis 500 Mile Race Winner and 2004 IRL Series Champion Tony Kanaan has signed a deal to drive for Chip Ganassi Racing in 2014. The popular Brazilian has made his free agency aspirations well known in the media since it was discovered that KV Racing Technology was having difficulty financing his 2013 effort. His name had been linked to the Ganassi seat, but also seats at Andretti Autosport, Bryan Herta Autosport, Panther Racing and a possible return to KV Racing Technology.…
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IndyCar-Tuesday Talk
Tuesday Talk is a segment where we discuss news bites from around the world of IndyCar. All opinions expressed within are those of the writer, and should be taken as the exact opinion of absolutely everyone involved with OpenPaddock, because Kevin Neely is an amazing, insightful writer. So it looks like Andretti Autosport has roughly half the funding needed to run Juan Montoya in the 2014 season. Michael is working hard to make the Montoya ride happen. This leads to some questions, though. If Andretti digs up the cash to…
Read MoreIndyCar – Round 10: Iowa Corn Indy 250 Presented by DEKALB preview
WHAT: Iowa Corn Indy 250 Presented by DEKALB WHERE: Iowa Speedway, Newton, IA WHO: Defending Series Champion and Race Winner Ryan Hunter-Reay looks to repeat his performance form 2012 after winning last week’s event in Milwaukee. Points leader Helio Castroneves has never won at Iowa, but he looks to break through this weekend after a 6th place finish at Iowa last season. Marco Andretti has looked poised to take another victory several times in 2013, but has suffered some sort of unfortunate ending every time. Can the former Iowa winner…
Read MoreIndyCar – Round 9: Milwaukee IndyFest Preview
What: Milwaukee IndyFest 2013 Where: The Milwaukee Mile, West Allis, WI Who: Defending IZOD IndyCar Series Champion Ryan Hunter-Reay also happens to be the defending race winner. Helio Castroneves comes to the Mile as the most recent oval winner. Unfortunately, The Mile hasn’t exactly been kind to him; in 11 starts, Castroneves has 2 top 10’s with a best finish of 2nd way back in his first appearance at the track in 1998 with Bettenhausen Racing. When: Saturday, June 15 at 4pm EDT. NBC Sports Network Storylines This was where…
Read MoreIndyCar – Penske Finally Breaks Through: Helio Wins Texas
FORT WORTH (JUNE 8, 2013) — After an unprecedented start to the season with seven different winners (including two first time winners) over the first eight races and no winners from Team Penske or Target Chip Ganassi Racing, Helio Castroneves finally broke through with a win for the “red cars” in the Firestone 550 at Texas Motor Speedway. Defending IZOD IndyCar Series champion Ryan Hunter-Reay finished second, continuing a spectacular season for the Andretti Autosport team. 2013 Indianpolis 500 Champion Tony Kanaan brought the SUNOCO/Turbo ride home in third for…
Read MoreIndyCar – Round 5: Chevrolet Indy Duel in Detroit Preview
What: Chevrolet Indy Duel in Detroit Where: Belle Isle Circuit, Detroit, MI Who: Scott Dixon led flag to flag in 2012, but the track has been changed and Hondas are struggling. Takuma Sato won the last road/street event at the Anhembi Circuit in Sao Paulo, but had a rather lackluster Month of May. Marco Andretti enters the race weekend as points leader, exhibiting his offseason efforts to become more consistent. When: 3:30pm EDT, ABC, both Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2 Storylines Tony Kanaan looks to continue the momentum from…
Read MoreIndyCar-Tony Terrific! Kanaan Takes Indy 500
SPEEDWAY, IN (MAY 27, 2013)- After 12 long years of heartbreak, near misses and flat out bad luck, Tony Kanaan finally broke through to win his first Indianapolis 500, as well as the first IZOD IndyCar Series victory for KV Racing Technology. In a race that featured 68 lead changes among 14 drivers, the 2013 Indy 500 is surely one we’ll talk about for years to come. On a day when rain threatened the speedway, the race managed to go off with no rain delays or any stoppages. Ed Carpenter…
Read MoreOpEd-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 MoreIndyCar – Neely’s Nine: Field Rankings after Toyota GP Long Beach
Three rounds into the 2013 season, and we’re all still scratching our heads. No wins by Ganassi or Penske. Will Power has no podiums. Down is up. Left is right. The world is a flat out nutty place! As always, these rankings are purely subjective. If you disagree with my opinions, then we’ll pray for you. 1. Helio Castroneves #3 AAA/Turbo Team Penske Chevrolet (Previously #1) Helio leaves Long Beach with his points lead intact, which is all he could really ask for anyway. He wasn’t as quick as he’s…
Read MoreIndyCar-Neely’s Nine: Field Rankings After HIGPA
So we’re back! Here’s my field rankings after 2 rounds of the IZOD IndyCar Series Championship. This week we see some new faces as some of the existing players had a rough week. More importantly, who wins the Mario Moraes Parking award? 1. Helio Castroneves #3 AAA/Turbo Team Penske Chevrolet (previously 2nd) A 2nd place finish in St. Pete, followed by a Firestone Fast Six appearance and a 3rd place result at Barber, Helio Castroneves leaves two of his better tracks on a hot streak. Helio also leaves Barber as the…
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