Three rounds into the 2013 season, and we’re all still scratching our heads. No wins by Ganassi or Penske. Will Power has no podiums. Down is up. Left is right. The world is a flat out nutty place! As always, these rankings are purely subjective. If you disagree with my opinions, then we’ll pray for you. 1. Helio Castroneves #3 AAA/Turbo Team Penske Chevrolet (Previously #1) Helio leaves Long Beach with his points lead intact, which is all he could really ask for anyway. He wasn’t as quick as he’s…
Read MoreTag: Wilson
IndyCar-Turning Laps With Ease: Sato Takes Long Beach
After many near misses, Takuma Sato finally took his maiden victory in the IZOD IndyCar Series on the Streets of Long Beach this past Sunday, holding off Graham Rahal in his best result to date for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. Justin Wilson captured his first podium of the season in Third Position for Dale Coyne Racing. The win is AJ Foyt Enterprises’ first win since Airton Dare finished first at Kansas Speedway on July 7, 2002. The last Road/Street course victory for the team came at the Silverstone Circuit in…
Read MoreIndyCar-Neely’s Nine: Field Rankings After HIGPA
So we’re back! Here’s my field rankings after 2 rounds of the IZOD IndyCar Series Championship. This week we see some new faces as some of the existing players had a rough week. More importantly, who wins the Mario Moraes Parking award? 1. Helio Castroneves #3 AAA/Turbo Team Penske Chevrolet (previously 2nd) A 2nd place finish in St. Pete, followed by a Firestone Fast Six appearance and a 3rd place result at Barber, Helio Castroneves leaves two of his better tracks on a hot streak. Helio also leaves Barber as the…
Read MoreIndyCar-Preseason Test Day 2: Driver Talk
Sebastien Bourdais, driver of the #7 McAfee Dragon Racing Chevrolet Open Paddock: Sebastien, how’s the car feeling to you today? Sebastien Bourdais: We’re slowly starting to get some direction, but it’s been a challenging test so far. It’s a really different animal than last year. The track is about three seconds faster. Whether it’s the track, the tires or the combination, I really don’t know what’s going on. It really is a different game and we’re struggling. I’ve never experienced high levels of grip like that, ever! OP: Actually everybody…
Read MoreOpEd – What’s the Cost for Victory
So how much does it cost in addition to the normal operating expenses associated with running a team and fielding equipment to win an IZOD IndyCar Series race? Apparently, only a mere $7500 and five entrants points. There should be a giant bonanza of feel-good stories after the great racing at the Texas Motor Speedway, first 1.5-mile high-banked oval the series has run since last year’s race in Las Vegas, and race which culminated in victory for the small operation of Dale Coyne Racing and fan-favorite driver Justin Wilson. Wilson…
Read MoreWRC – Ford Extends World Rally Championship Participation
COLOGNE, Dec. 15, 2011 – Ford of Europe announced today it is extending its participation in the FIA World Rally Championship into 2012 and 2013. Long-term partner M-Sport, the British-based preparation company, which has successfully operated Ford’s WRC activities since 1997, will continue to operate the programme from its state-of-the-art facilities at Dovenby Hall in north-west England. The Fiesta RS World Rally Car will continue as Ford’s WRC flagship in 2012 and 2013. The car, based on the successful Fiesta road car, claimed a clean sweep of the podium in…
Read MoreWRC – 2011 Ford Season Review
Rally – Malcolm Talks About Mikko’s Departure
IndyLights – Las Vegas Preview
The final round of the 2011 Firestone Indy Lights Series takes place this Sunday at the Las Vegas Motorspeedway, but the calamity from Kentucky has left a few cars and one driver on the sidelines. David Ostella, primary driver for Jensen MotorSport, is out. The team was not able to repair his car in time for the transport out to Las Vegas leaving the team with only one entry, newcomer Oliver Webb. This is a pretty brutal situation for Ostella who has scrapped and fought well for Jensen MotorSport all…
Read MoreINDYCAR – Scheckter to Fly at New Hampshire
Tomas Scheckter will be back in the IZOD IndyCar series this weekend as it was announced he will sub for the injured Justin Wilson at Dreyer & Reinbold Racing. This past weekend at Mid-Ohio, Wilson suffered a fracture in his spine after catching air coming out of turn one. The subsequent landing impact would cause serious damage to his back and see him out for an expected three months. Scheckter, who has 14 starts with DRR, last competed at the Indianapolis 500 with S&H/KV Racing in the Redline Extreme Energy…
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