The Firestone Indy Lights race on Saturday was just as chaotic and messy as the Star Mazda race on Sunday, even though there were only eleven drivers this past weekend. Four of the eleven would end up parked with broken equipment, on Lap 1 and the other two late in the race on Lap 30. A driver that we mentioned at the beginning of the season would be coming into strong form this season, Victor Carbone, put his #3 Sam Schmidt Motorsports machine on pole during a qualifying session where…
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Mazda Road to Indy – Iowa Star Mazda and Indy Lights Photos
What a long weekend! Friday was brutal hot, and Saturday was stormy and wet. Unfortunately, we were not able to stay for the Firestone Indy Lights race which was delayed due to the afternoon thunderstorms. It started after the IZOD IndyCar Series race around midnight. Since we had to be back in Kansas City by 8am for another photo gig, the FIL race was a write-off. It’s a shame, since it sounds like it was a great race that few actually got to see. The Star Mazda race ended just…
Read MoreIndy Lights – Same-Day Airing of Iowa Sukup 100 This Saturday
That’s right SAME-DAY COVERAGE! NBC Sports has done a good job giving the Firestone Indy Lights air time this season by broadcasting every event, whether the IZOD IndyCar Series race was on NBCSN or ABC. Sure, the races were tape-delayed and usually shown on the following Thursday at a less-than-convenient time, but that’s what DVRs are for. However, those of us who are really thirsty for our Mazda Road to Indy action are loathe to wait so long and have been longing for the return of live, or at least…
Read MoreIndy Lights – A Follow-the-Leader Affair at MKE
While the Firestone Indy Lights cars and drivers put on a fantastic show at some venues with some outstanding racing action, that doesn’t seem to carry over to the Milwaukee Mile. Historically, there has been very little action at the world’s oldest racing circuit, and this year’s Firestone Indy Lights 100 at the Milwaukee IndyFest with practice, qualifying, and the race all held on single day, this past Friday, was no exception. The race was by and large a follow-the-leader affair with Sam Schmidt Motorsport with Curb-Agajanian’s driver of their…
Read MoreIndyLights – Photos from the 2012 Milwaukee IndyFest
Andretti Sports Marketing helped bring INDYCAR back to the oldest motor racing circuit in the world, The Milwaukee Mile. The schedule was VERY condensed so we only saw the Firestone Indy Lights and IZOD IndyCar Series compete as opposed to the full Mazda Road to Indy program and USAC that we saw last year, but the organization, promotion, and execution of the event was far more effective than last year’s event. What a great two days of racing! Here are the photos from the Firestone Indy Lights practice, qualifying, and…
Read MoreEpisode 142 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast
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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadJoin Shaun and Doug as they discuss the IZOD IndyCar race from Texas Motor Speedway. We also talk about rulings and penalties for Justin Wilson and teams going forward from the Texas post race inspection. This weekend the series heads to Milwaukee and Doug is on station to talk IndyCar and Mazda Road to Indy. Sit back and enjoy the show, and as always, thank you for listening!
Read MoreIndy Lights – Belle Isle Recap
Who says you can’t pass at Belle Isle? No one told the Firestone Indy Lights drivers that! On a weekend that ended on a sour note as the aging circuit began to disintegrate half-way through the IZOD IndyCar Series race, the Firestone Indy Lights series proved that Belle Isle could provide good, exciting racing. Qualifying: The car-count woes continue to plague the Firestone Indy Lights series as only 14 entries signed up for the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix at Raceway at Belle Isle Park. Of those fourteen, only…
Read MoreEpisode 140 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast
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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadShaun returns after a two week break to talk all about the 96th Indianapolis 500. Join Shaun and Mike as they talk all about the happenings this past weekend and break down what has been called one of the best Indy 500s ever. The show uses the new format with a primary focus on the IZOD IndyCar Series and Mazda Road to Indy. We do briefly cover a couple F1 and rally topics at the end. Given the new format, you may be disappointed…
Read MoreIndyLights – 2012 Firestone Freedom 100 Recap
As usual, the Firestone Freedom 100, held on Carburetion “Carb” Day, featured some of the closest and most exciting racing you’re ever going to see! The cars have enough downforce that the drivers can put them nearly anywhere on the 2.5-mile oval of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway that they like. The result is crazy, insane, four-wide racing down the front stretch and two- or even three-wide racing around the turns! …ok, usually the three-wide in the turns stuff doesn’t always work out so well. This year’s race went a little…
Read MoreEpisode 139 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast
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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadMike and Doug run amuck as Shaun enjoys time off and discuss all the silliness surrounding the IZOD IndyCar Series, the Lotus (Slowtus?) engines, and preview the Indianapolis 500, the Mazda Road to Indy races, WRC Rally Acropolis, and the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix.
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