IndyCar – Shell Pennzoil Grand Prix of Houston Preview

I was “lucky” enough to latch onto tickets to Friday practice at this week’s Verizon IndyCar race at NRG Park (formerly Reliant Park) in Houston. You’d think I’d be excited as blue blazes to go to an IndyCar race in the same city where I live. Yeah, it’s not quite that simple.  As much as they try, the promoters of this event can’t shake one obvious fact: This is a race in a large parking lot. I snuck out of work for a few hours Friday afternoon and head to…

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The Missed Shift – Running a Marathon

I know I’m not the one that reveres the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend as a holy day. It is the single greatest day of racing, encompassing the Monaco Grand Prix, Indianapolis 500 Mile Race and Coke Zero 600. I love all three races for what they are, and each is a challenge that is unique with their genre. Monaco is antiquated and woefully ill-suited for the style of racing that is modern Formula 1.  But it’s history, it’s glamor and the money keep the circus coming back. Indianapolis is… …

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Episode 232 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadDoug returns this week to join the Mikes in discussing the qualifying weekend for the 98th running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. We also preview this weekend’s Road to Indy races on Carb Day and the Night Before the 500. Shaw recaps the news from the GCR, WRC, and Rally America, and we wrap up the show with a preview of the Monaco GP and which Mercedes we think will win. OpenPaddock.net Podcast, Episode 232 – Tuesday, May 20th, 2014 [yop_poll id=”3″] IndyCar…

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IndyCar – Indianapolis 500 Qualifying Recap

Fast Friday This weekend’s qualifying for the 98th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race started with questions, albeit not the usual ones. The new format did away with the traditional Pole Day and Bump Day. And lets not forget the points for qualifying and the Fast 9, making starting position mean far more than pit selection. When IndyCar turned up the boost for practice on Friday, Tony Kanaan and Ryan Hunter-Reay both posted laps in the 231mph range and Marco Andretti laid down a 232.2mph lap.  Of those, only Hunter-Reay’s was truly…

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IndyCar – Road to Indy Well Represented in 500 Field

The Mazda Road to Indy has been a very successful program since it’s inception. We’ve certainly done our best to document that here at OpenPaddock.net and to follow the progress of many of the drivers that have come through the Road to Indy, but admittedly, we’re fans and a bit biased. There is objective evidence of the program’s success, and it can be seen in the list of the 33 drivers who will contest the 98th running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. Although the formal program has only been…

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Episode 228 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadFearless Leader Shaun Pechin returns to the show as we preview this weekend’s IndyCar and Mazda Road to Indy event at Barber Motorsports Park, recap the week’s news in the WRC and Rally America, and review the news in Formula 1 and last weekend’s grand prix in China. OpenPaddock.net Podcast, Episode #228 – Tuesday, April 22, 2014 Misc. Pickett racing pulls out of TUSCAR — Is anyone surprised? IndyCar Saavedra on probation, fined 10k Helio’s new twitter problems Is Will Power getting kid glove…

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Episode 226 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadOpenPaddock.net Podcast, Episode #226 – Tuesday, April 8th, 2014 Rally Dave Henderson – SP – Oregon Trail and Olympus – Cascadia I.R.C. Rally America on NBC Sports review Shaw’s GRC adventure GRC’s Indy Connection Barracuda Racing to GRC Andretti to promote GRC in DC Austin Cindric in GRC Lites Red Bull GRC Announces Sanctioning Agreement With USAC Reinvigorated Rhys Millen backed by Red Bull & Hyundai…again Also supporting new young talent Tyler Benson Ford / OMSE welcomes Red Bull & Bluebeam sponsors for their…

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IndyCar – Relive the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in Photos

Two of our top photographers, Brian McKay of TenPesos.com and Tom Turk of PiraticalPhotography.com, were down in Florida for the season opening races for the Verizon IndyCar Series, Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires, the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires, the Cooper Tires USF2000 National Championship Powered by Mazda, and the SCCA Pro Racing Pirelli World Challenge. Yes, it was a busy weekend and a crowded race track! Brian and Tom did incredible work, and you can enjoy the fantastic racing action all over again through their photos.…

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Episode 225 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadShaun, his co-host Mike, and his other co-host Mike (yeah, that joke never gets old) lead you through our first big open-wheel weekend with IndyCar and the Mazda Road to Indy in St. Petersburg, and Formula 1 in Malaysia. Mr. Shaw reviews the news in rally and previews WRC’s Rally Portugal and looks with excitement to his time this week down in LA with the GRC. OpenPaddock.net Podcast: Episode 225 – Tuesday, April 1st, 2014 Misc. Talk that Formula E could replace F1 in…

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PR – Team Penske and Verizon Take Partnership to New Level

TEAM PENSKE AND VERIZON TAKE PARTNERSHIP TO NEW LEVEL Incorporating More Technology While Reaching Out to New Fans, Multi-Year Agreement Includes Sponsorship of No. 2 IndyCar in 2014 MOORESVILLE, N.C. (February 10, 2014) – Team Penske and Verizon Wireless are growing their partnership beginning in 2014. Utilizing Verizon’s unique technology and communication capabilities to aid performance on the track while helping to bring new fans to the sport of INDYCAR racing, Team Penske proudly unveiled details of the enhanced partnership today. Team Penske is building on a strong bond as…

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