Episode 17 – Open Paddock Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadJoin Shaun, Mike, Doug, and Andy (aka Frantic) as we talk the IZOD IndyCar series and Danica Patrick. We also talk about RHR to Andretti Autosport. We offer our thoughts on Kimi to Citroen if the deal goes through and we also try and hammer the Formula 1 news out including a stupid entry list and Andy offers his opinion on Bernie and the British GP.

Read More

Media – NBC-Comcast Deal Nearly Complete

News came out today that a price for the Vivendi-owned portion of NBC has been agreed upon with GE. This was an important hurtle to the much rumored purchase of NBC-Universal by Comcast. Why are we, a motorsports blog, talking about television media industry news? Comcast is the parent company of the Versus network which airs the IZOD IndyCar Series along with ABC. For 2010, ABC will air five races, but the other twelve races will be broadcast on Versus. Here’s an excerpt from the article Vivendi, GE Agree on…

Read More

IndyCar – IZOD IndyCar Broadcast Schedule

Now that the deal for the Brazil race is finally complete, the broadcast schedule for the IZOD IndyCar Series has been finalized and published. …sorta. The network allocations have been made, and the race dates have been finalized, but the race times are still being debated. Many things remain the same as last year’s schedule including ABC showing the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. Most of the races will be on Versus, with only five races, including the 500, being picked up by ABC. There are some notable changes from 2009,…

Read More

IndyCar – Danica’s New Ride

Not that its a big surprise, but Danica confirmed the three-year deal everyone knew she had with Andretti Autosport. The mild surprise is her change in primary sponsorship. Motorola is out and no where to be seen on the new car. GoDaddy.com is now featured prominently adding yet another green car to the grid. I guess Andretti Autosport either isn’t superstitious, or has never heard that green is an unlucky colour for race cars. Either way, as anticipated, Danica is back with the IZOD IndyCar Series for no less than…

Read More

IndyCar – Olá!, Brasil!

Well, its finally official. The IZOD IndyCar Series will in fact open the 2010 season in Brazil, but not in Rio as many originally thought, but in São Paulo. Here’s what Terry Angstadt had to say in an article posted at IndyCar.com: “While our primary focus continues to be building the IZOD IndyCar Series domestically, the race in Brazil affords us a unique opportunity to visit a country that has a huge passion for open-wheel racing. With strong support from our major partner Apex-Brasil, a significant television package from TV…

Read More

IndyCar – Andretti Autosport Announced

Michael Andretti has completed dealings with former team co-owners Kevin Savoree and Kim Green. As was announced previously, Michael Andretti is now the sole owner of Andretti Autosport, while Green and Savoree have taken over ownership of what was previously Andretti Green Promotions which promotes the Toronto and St. Petersburg IndyCar races. Andretti says that they will stick with a four driver lineup next year, but we await official announcements of who all of those drivers will be. Tony Kanaan and Marco Andretti are locked in with the newly named…

Read More

IndyCar – PR VP John Griffin Resigns

John Griffin, Vice President of Public Relations for the Indy Racing League for the past seven years, announced his resignation from the league today effective on December 18th. Here’s the official release: “John has been a valued part of our organization and he will be missed,” said Terry Angstadt, president of the commercial division of the Indy Racing League. “His creativity and passion for the sport brought publicity for the IZOD IndyCar Series to a whole new level. We wish him the best of luck.” Griffin joined the Indy Racing…

Read More

IndyCar – A Motorcycle Sportscar?

So on Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee last night and in today’s Pit Pass column in the Indianapolis Star, the topic of the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series chassis was discussed. There are two different options currently being considered, an evolution of the current configuration and a completely revolutionary design. The revolutionary design track is been described as a radical departure from past designs, and while I’m all for cool new designs and out-of-box thinking, I’m leary of a final product that simply does not scream IndyCar. Yes, I…

Read More

Episode 16 – Open Paddock Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadJoin us this week as we talk about Jenson to McLaren, Mercedes GP as well as a whole host of F1 news topics. Will Power goes full time in the IndyCar series and Ford tells the IRC to get lost. As always we try to solve IndyCar’s problems because they obviously cannot do it themselves. **NOTE: I broke my headset 30 seconds before recording the show, so the sound may not be up to par…thats what happens when you try and act like Kimi.

Read More

IndyCar – Will Power Gets a Full-Time Seat

This is a move that we’ve all been expecting ever since Long Beach last April. The acquittal of Helio and his return to IndyCar racing was celebrated by all (ok, almost all), and collectively we were happy to have him back. At the same, though, we were sad for Will Power who has shown himself to be an amazing driver over the past few seasons, and especially this season. What is even more impressive, and what will keep Will in a competitive seat for the remainder of his career is…

Read More