Unfortunately, for reasons of scheduling, work, other commitments, and financial, (mainly financial) neither Shaun, Mike, nor I could make it to Watkins Glen International this past weekend for the Camping World Grand Prix. Fortunately for us, and for you, a fellow Indy Downforce member and brilliant photographer Joe Ferrall was able to attend, and in a moment of irrationality he has agreed to join us here at OpenPaddock expanding our on-site coverage of IZOD IndyCar Series events. Please join us in welcoming Joe to the site and enjoy his photos…
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IndyCar – It’s the fans, stupid!
Randy Bernard gets what no one else is the sport has for decades. To paraphrase James Carvalhal’s famous 1992 campaign slogan, “Its the fans, stupid!” For so long, the league participants and its leadership have been focused so much on pleasing sponsors and team owners, that fans and the on-track product has suffered. One great thing about having new blood in the leadership of the league is the lack of respect for how things have been done in the past. Seriously, let’s look at where the way things have been…
Read MoreIndyCar – Penske Power too Much
Roger Penske has taken his first IZOD IndyCar victory at Watkins Glen. Not often you here that phrase, Penske’s first win at a facility. It was on this Independence Day that the legendary car owner saw his drivers Will Power and Ryan Briscoe take a rather convincing 1,2 and reassert their dominance on the series. The three Penske drivers would occupy the first three spots at the start of the race with Will Power never looking back. The first incident of the day would see Scott Dixon and Helio get…
Read MoreIndyCar – Hello Loudon, Goodbye NASCAR
With the news that the IZOD IndyCar Series (IICS) will be returning to Loudon next year, the dreaded NASCAR track disease that we here at Open Paddock said was a series debilitating syndrome may finally be going away. It is true that we here at the site have been very critical of the IICS and their schedule that consists mainly of the cookie cutter NASCAR tracks. For one, they show next to no attendance figures, and they also do not promote “drivers” racing but instead a true test of engineering…
Read MoreIndyCar – Saturday Wrap-up from Iowa
Saturday was a busy day at the Iowa Speedway. The qualifying session and races for the US F2000 National Championship presented by Cooper Tires powered by Mazda, the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear, and the Firestone Indy Lights were all held on Saturday, which made for a packed schedule of on-track activity. I would report on the qualifying sessions for the US F2000 and the Star Mazda, but I didn’t see them. I COULDN’T see them! The track didn’t open its gates until 1:00pm, and since I was tardy…
Read MoreIndyCar – Drivers Preview Iowa
Episode 43 – Open Paddock Podcast
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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadJoin Mike and I as we discuss the weekend that was the Canadian GP. We also cover a little Le Mans as there was the greatest sports car in the world last weekend. We talk a little Rally and a little IndyCar as well. So as is standard operating procedure, sit back with your favorite beverage and enjoy the random gripes and complaints that make up this weeks show!
Read MoreIndyCar – RHR Extends for Iowa
While Ryan Hunter Reay’s future still remains unclear for the long term, the American has secured enough sponsorship to run at least this weekend in Iowa. The U.S. Ethanol industry has made it possible for Hunter Reay to compete in this weekends race. If you remember back when Ryan was with Rahal Letterman Racing in ’07 and ’08, he also had the ethanol sponsorship. While he is in this weekend, their are still questions for the rest of the rounds. Hunter Reay is currently sixth in the championship and is…
Read MoreStar Mazda – Iowa Preview: Return of the Daly Show
This weekend, the Star Mazda Championship Presented by Goodyear contests the fifth round, the second on an oval, of their season at the Iowa Speedway. They will be there along with every other part of the Road2Indy program and the IZOD IndyCar Series. It should make for a fantastic weekend of open-wheel racing. The last race for Star Mazda was at the O’Reilly Raceway Park where they shared the Night Before the 500 with the US F2000 National Championship and the USAC Midgets. Like with US F2000, car count is…
Read MoreUSF2000 – Iowa Preview: Round 4 and the 2nd Oval of the Season
This weekend, the US F2000 National Championship Presented by Cooper Tires contests the fourth round of their season at the Iowa Speedway. They will be there along with every other part of the Road2Indy program and the IZOD IndyCar Series. It should make for a fantastic weekend of open-wheel racing. The last round for the US F2000 competitors was at the O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis on Saturday night prior to the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. Although the car count for US F2000 in this rebirth season is not as…
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