USF2000 Driver Blog – Portante at the Night Before the 500

The break between St. Pete and the next race at Lucas Oil Raceway has felt like an eternity. However, Lucas Oil was very much worth the wait. I mean we are racing the Night Before the 500! The whole Belardi team looked strong in the official test that took place a couple weeks ago, and we were all looking for a strong result. I was especially excited as our pace was very strong, and I was looking forward to turning my season around and gaining some momentum. Before no time,…

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IndyCar-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…

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IndyLights – Firestone Freedom 100 Preview

As has been the case all season, and really the last couple of seasons, car counts continue to be low. There are only eleven entries for this year’s Firestone IndyLights Freedom 100, but among those eleven entries, there is some serious talent. At the top of the list is series veteran Carlos Muñoz. After a rocky start in the first three events of the 2012 season, he scored a P2 finish on Carburetion Day last year in what was an absolute knife fight of a race. This year, he will…

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IndyCar – Qualifying Weekend in Photos

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…

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Episode 189 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast

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…

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IndyCar-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…

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Episode 188 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast With Justin Wilson

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…

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