| November 2015 News |
Rick Mears Wants Change
Nov 2 - Rick Mears believes that the high
downforce levels in IndyCar has made the cars
too easy to drive. This may result in closer
racing, but more dangerous racing. It also
doesn't allow the best drivers to stand out from
lesser drivers.
Cars are being floored all around oval tracks and
the corner speeds are almost the same as the
terminal speeds.
At the suggestion of using tires with less traction,
he says that doesn't address the problem with
turbulence, which is even more of a concern
once the tires start to go off and would result in
no passing in the corners.
He would like to see the removal of the wings
and flaps which are causing the high downforce
and the turbulence. He would want only trim
tabs for altering the handling of the cars.
He also wants tires that go off too because that
makes driver skill more important also.
Nov 2 - Rick Mears believes that the high
downforce levels in IndyCar has made the cars
too easy to drive. This may result in closer
racing, but more dangerous racing. It also
doesn't allow the best drivers to stand out from
lesser drivers.
Cars are being floored all around oval tracks and
the corner speeds are almost the same as the
terminal speeds.
At the suggestion of using tires with less traction,
he says that doesn't address the problem with
turbulence, which is even more of a concern
once the tires start to go off and would result in
no passing in the corners.
He would like to see the removal of the wings
and flaps which are causing the high downforce
and the turbulence. He would want only trim
tabs for altering the handling of the cars.
He also wants tires that go off too because that
makes driver skill more important also.
| RACE NEWS & VIEWS |
| Most recent news is at bottom of page. |
| What would a modern IndyCar look like with no wings? |
| IndyCars did not begin getting wings until the early 70s. |
1967 IndyCar
Jorge Lorenzo Is MotoGP 2015 Champ
Nov 8 - Jorge Lorenzo secured the 2015 MotoGP
World Championship with a win Sunday at the season-
ending Valencia GP.
It is the Spaniard’s fifth MotoGP World Championship,
his third in the premier class.
Coming into the race at a seven-point deficit to team
mate and championship rival Valentino Rossi,
Lorenzo became just the third rider to come from
behind in the final race to win the premiere-class
MotoGP World Championship, as Valentino Rossi
could only salvage a fourth-place finish after starting at
the back of the field.
Lorenzo led the field away for 30 laps on Sunday
around the Circuit Ricardo Tormo while Rossi started
from the back of the field.
However, Rossi was quickly able to pick up spots and
found himself in 15th position on the first lap.
Rossi continued to pick up spots early and was gifted
ninth place when Ducati rider Andrea Iannone
crashed out in the early laps.
By lap 13, Rossi had worked his way up into fourth
position, but was 11 seconds back of the leading trio
of Lorenzo and Repsol Honda riders Marc Marquez
and Dani Pedrosa.
Nov 8 - Jorge Lorenzo secured the 2015 MotoGP
World Championship with a win Sunday at the season-
ending Valencia GP.
It is the Spaniard’s fifth MotoGP World Championship,
his third in the premier class.
Coming into the race at a seven-point deficit to team
mate and championship rival Valentino Rossi,
Lorenzo became just the third rider to come from
behind in the final race to win the premiere-class
MotoGP World Championship, as Valentino Rossi
could only salvage a fourth-place finish after starting at
the back of the field.
Lorenzo led the field away for 30 laps on Sunday
around the Circuit Ricardo Tormo while Rossi started
from the back of the field.
However, Rossi was quickly able to pick up spots and
found himself in 15th position on the first lap.
Rossi continued to pick up spots early and was gifted
ninth place when Ducati rider Andrea Iannone
crashed out in the early laps.
By lap 13, Rossi had worked his way up into fourth
position, but was 11 seconds back of the leading trio
of Lorenzo and Repsol Honda riders Marc Marquez
and Dani Pedrosa.
| Jorge Lorenzo |
Marquez rode behind Lorenzo until the closing laps,
when Lorenzo’s tires started to go off and Pedrosa
started to run both of them down.
The two Honda teammates then switched back and
forth for second position but finished the way they
were before, with Lorenzo leading Marquez, Pedrosa
and Rossi to the line.
Rossi was very angry and blamed Marquez for
sabotaging him in some races and making him lose the
championship.
2015 MotoGP Final Point Standings
when Lorenzo’s tires started to go off and Pedrosa
started to run both of them down.
The two Honda teammates then switched back and
forth for second position but finished the way they
were before, with Lorenzo leading Marquez, Pedrosa
and Rossi to the line.
Rossi was very angry and blamed Marquez for
sabotaging him in some races and making him lose the
championship.
2015 MotoGP Final Point Standings
Will Jeff Gordon Go Out With A Bang?
Nov 14 - Jeff Gordon, 44, has 4 NASCAR Cup
championships, but hasn't won one since "The Chase"
was implemented in 2004. Meanwhile, his teammate
Jimmie Johnson has gone on to win five
championships during this period.
Referring to the older system of a season long battle for
the championship, Gordon says, ""There is no doubt in
my mind that it suited my driving style. The reason I
was able to win at so many different tracks was the
consistency that our team had and that I had at all the
different tracks. That paid off when you were trying to
win the championship under a 36-race schedule.
"I didn't want to see it come down to that final 10,
because some of those final 10 were not tracks that
suited me. It actually suited others pretty well and so I
felt like it was not benefiting me. So of course I wish it
hadn't changed."
This year is Gordon's last season running full-time
NASCAR.
With two races left to run this season, Gordon is the
only driver who has a lock for the championship race
at Homestead.
Four drivers will be eliminated today at Phoenix and
Gordon will then have to go against the final three
drivers left in the Chase at Homestead to determine
the new champion.
Good luck Jeff!
Nov 14 - Jeff Gordon, 44, has 4 NASCAR Cup
championships, but hasn't won one since "The Chase"
was implemented in 2004. Meanwhile, his teammate
Jimmie Johnson has gone on to win five
championships during this period.
Referring to the older system of a season long battle for
the championship, Gordon says, ""There is no doubt in
my mind that it suited my driving style. The reason I
was able to win at so many different tracks was the
consistency that our team had and that I had at all the
different tracks. That paid off when you were trying to
win the championship under a 36-race schedule.
"I didn't want to see it come down to that final 10,
because some of those final 10 were not tracks that
suited me. It actually suited others pretty well and so I
felt like it was not benefiting me. So of course I wish it
hadn't changed."
This year is Gordon's last season running full-time
NASCAR.
With two races left to run this season, Gordon is the
only driver who has a lock for the championship race
at Homestead.
Four drivers will be eliminated today at Phoenix and
Gordon will then have to go against the final three
drivers left in the Chase at Homestead to determine
the new champion.
Good luck Jeff!
| Jeff Gordon Won Martinsville two week ago. |
Rain Spoils NASCAR's Phoenix Race
Nov 16 - Rain delayed the Quicken Loans 500 six
hours and then returned causing the race to be
red-flagged on lap 219.
Some of the Chase contenders in the Eliminator Eight
felt they still had a chance of advancing to the
Champion's Round before the rain dashed their hopes.
Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr.
advanced to join Jeff Gordon on the Championship 4.
One of these drivers will win the 2015 Sprint Cup
Championship after next week's race in Homestead.
Nov 16 - Rain delayed the Quicken Loans 500 six
hours and then returned causing the race to be
red-flagged on lap 219.
Some of the Chase contenders in the Eliminator Eight
felt they still had a chance of advancing to the
Champion's Round before the rain dashed their hopes.
Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr.
advanced to join Jeff Gordon on the Championship 4.
One of these drivers will win the 2015 Sprint Cup
Championship after next week's race in Homestead.
Interestingly enough, Kyle Busch gets to vie for the
championship after missing 9 races this year.
Meanwhile, Joey Logano won six races this year!
Here's how the "Champion" 4 did:
Gordon and Truex had 1 win each.
Harvick and Busch had 3 wins each.
championship after missing 9 races this year.
Meanwhile, Joey Logano won six races this year!
Here's how the "Champion" 4 did:
Gordon and Truex had 1 win each.
Harvick and Busch had 3 wins each.
2016 Carb Day Concert
Nov 24 - For many race fans around Indianapolis, we all
look forward to hearing what band will be headlining the
Carb Day concert at the Speedway. Usually we don't
know until a month before the show.
This year though, with all the planning the Speedway
staff has been doing to get ready for the 100th Running
of the race, they have lined up the music early.
The band Journey will be performing - they were popular
in the late 1970s and 80s. They had some classic songs
which are still heard today.
Some of their biggest hits include "Lovin, Touchin',
Squeezin'," "Any Way You Want It," "Wheel In The
Sky," and the seminal "Don't Stop Believin'," which is
the top-selling digital catalog track in history.
Since its formation in 1973 in San Francisco, Journey has
sold 80 million albums worldwide, earning 19 Top 40
singles and 25 gold, platinum and multi-platinum albums
since. The Greatest Hits album is certified 15
times-Platinum, bringing Journey into the elite club of
Diamond-certified holders.
Nov 24 - For many race fans around Indianapolis, we all
look forward to hearing what band will be headlining the
Carb Day concert at the Speedway. Usually we don't
know until a month before the show.
This year though, with all the planning the Speedway
staff has been doing to get ready for the 100th Running
of the race, they have lined up the music early.
The band Journey will be performing - they were popular
in the late 1970s and 80s. They had some classic songs
which are still heard today.
Some of their biggest hits include "Lovin, Touchin',
Squeezin'," "Any Way You Want It," "Wheel In The
Sky," and the seminal "Don't Stop Believin'," which is
the top-selling digital catalog track in history.
Since its formation in 1973 in San Francisco, Journey has
sold 80 million albums worldwide, earning 19 Top 40
singles and 25 gold, platinum and multi-platinum albums
since. The Greatest Hits album is certified 15
times-Platinum, bringing Journey into the elite club of
Diamond-certified holders.
Neal Schon has played lead guitar with Journey since the
start and has continued to ever since. Original bassist
Ross Valory is still in the band. Keyboardist Jonathan
Cain has been with the band since 1980. Drummer
Steve Smith joined Journey in 1978. While Steve Perry
has been gone since 1999, Arnel Pineda has done a good
job of singing since 2007.
start and has continued to ever since. Original bassist
Ross Valory is still in the band. Keyboardist Jonathan
Cain has been with the band since 1980. Drummer
Steve Smith joined Journey in 1978. While Steve Perry
has been gone since 1999, Arnel Pineda has done a good
job of singing since 2007.
IndyCar Implements Safety Improvements
Nov 24 - IndyCar is making some changes for 2016 to
improve safety.
Zylon tethers will be added to key aerodynamic
components to keep them from flying away from the
car. The rear beam wing and rear wheel guards will
be tethered for all IndyCar events and the car's nose
will be tethered on superspeedways. The front wing
will also receive tethers for the three superspeedways
on the 2016 schedule – Indianapolis Motor Speedway,
Texas Motor Speedway and Pocono Raceway.
A domed skid plate on the underside of the chassis,
which improves its yaw/spin characteristics, will
complement rear wing flaps that deploy at 90 degrees if
a car spins and travels backward on a superspeedway.
The package is designed to minimize the chances of an
Indy car becoming airborne.
Nov 24 - IndyCar is making some changes for 2016 to
improve safety.
Zylon tethers will be added to key aerodynamic
components to keep them from flying away from the
car. The rear beam wing and rear wheel guards will
be tethered for all IndyCar events and the car's nose
will be tethered on superspeedways. The front wing
will also receive tethers for the three superspeedways
on the 2016 schedule – Indianapolis Motor Speedway,
Texas Motor Speedway and Pocono Raceway.
A domed skid plate on the underside of the chassis,
which improves its yaw/spin characteristics, will
complement rear wing flaps that deploy at 90 degrees if
a car spins and travels backward on a superspeedway.
The package is designed to minimize the chances of an
Indy car becoming airborne.
Components are scheduled to be available for the April
6 test on the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway
oval.
Following some potentially hazardous pit road
incidents, IndyCar has also updated the engine ECUs
to prevent a car moving forward during a pit stop if
the gearbox is not in neutral while the fuel hose is
attached. The fuel probe activation sensor will now
stop the car from moving forward by returning the
engine to idle and engaging the clutch if the car is not
in neutral when the fuel probe is plugged in.
Another ECU update puts the engine in idle faster if
too much pressure is applied to the throttle or brake
pedal. The throttle pedal failsafe will engage and idle
the engine when pressure applied to either the throttle
or brake pedal exceeds a calibrated threshold.
6 test on the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway
oval.
Following some potentially hazardous pit road
incidents, IndyCar has also updated the engine ECUs
to prevent a car moving forward during a pit stop if
the gearbox is not in neutral while the fuel hose is
attached. The fuel probe activation sensor will now
stop the car from moving forward by returning the
engine to idle and engaging the clutch if the car is not
in neutral when the fuel probe is plugged in.
Another ECU update puts the engine in idle faster if
too much pressure is applied to the throttle or brake
pedal. The throttle pedal failsafe will engage and idle
the engine when pressure applied to either the throttle
or brake pedal exceeds a calibrated threshold.
IndyCar Names New President
Nov 12 - Hulman & Company CEO Mark Miles
announced today that widely respected motorsports
industry veteran Jay Frye has been named President
of Competition and Operations for INDYCAR. Frye
previously served as Chief Revenue Officer for
Hulman Motorsports after decades of experience
leading successful NASCAR racing teams and securing
industry first sponsorships.
“Jay Frye’s resume is perfectly aligned with our
organization’s strategic vision,” said Miles. “He has
both series and team experience, having successfully
transformed and led Red Bull Racing and MB2
Motorsports before joining Hulman Motorsports. As
our new President of Competition and Operations, he
is ready to ensure the Verizon IndyCar Series
continues to present great racing.”
Frye will be responsible for all operations, competition
and technical matters for INDYCAR. He will report to
Miles, who as CEO of the parent of INDYCAR and
Indianapolis Motor Speedway, will set strategy and
oversee all aspects of the series. Frye first arrived at
Hulman Motorsports after revamping Red Bull Racing
into a competitive team that earned a berth in the 2009
NASCAR Chase. He also built MB2 Motorsports from
the ground up beginning with just 10 employees and
ultimately reaching 200. He won four NASCAR Cup
races as a team manager.
Nov 12 - Hulman & Company CEO Mark Miles
announced today that widely respected motorsports
industry veteran Jay Frye has been named President
of Competition and Operations for INDYCAR. Frye
previously served as Chief Revenue Officer for
Hulman Motorsports after decades of experience
leading successful NASCAR racing teams and securing
industry first sponsorships.
“Jay Frye’s resume is perfectly aligned with our
organization’s strategic vision,” said Miles. “He has
both series and team experience, having successfully
transformed and led Red Bull Racing and MB2
Motorsports before joining Hulman Motorsports. As
our new President of Competition and Operations, he
is ready to ensure the Verizon IndyCar Series
continues to present great racing.”
Frye will be responsible for all operations, competition
and technical matters for INDYCAR. He will report to
Miles, who as CEO of the parent of INDYCAR and
Indianapolis Motor Speedway, will set strategy and
oversee all aspects of the series. Frye first arrived at
Hulman Motorsports after revamping Red Bull Racing
into a competitive team that earned a berth in the 2009
NASCAR Chase. He also built MB2 Motorsports from
the ground up beginning with just 10 employees and
ultimately reaching 200. He won four NASCAR Cup
races as a team manager.
| Jay Frye |
Taking over Frye’s vacated position will be Rod
Davis, formerly serving in senior executive roles with
the Indiana Sports Corporation, USA Gymnastics,
RCA Championships and USA Swimming.
Throughout his career, Davis has secured nearly $100
million in revenue through sponsorships, broadcast
revenue and event fees while working with top global
brands. After founding Davis Sports Marketing a
decade ago, he has represented leading organizations
such as the NCAA and the University of Notre Dame.
“As our new Chief Revenue Officer, Rod Davis will
successfully execute sponsorship deals already in the
pipeline and find new partnerships to increase revenue
and market share,” said Miles. “His proven ability to
build mutually beneficial relationships with leading
Fortune 500 companies will pay dividends
for both IMS and the Verizon IndyCar Series.”
Davis, formerly serving in senior executive roles with
the Indiana Sports Corporation, USA Gymnastics,
RCA Championships and USA Swimming.
Throughout his career, Davis has secured nearly $100
million in revenue through sponsorships, broadcast
revenue and event fees while working with top global
brands. After founding Davis Sports Marketing a
decade ago, he has represented leading organizations
such as the NCAA and the University of Notre Dame.
“As our new Chief Revenue Officer, Rod Davis will
successfully execute sponsorship deals already in the
pipeline and find new partnerships to increase revenue
and market share,” said Miles. “His proven ability to
build mutually beneficial relationships with leading
Fortune 500 companies will pay dividends
for both IMS and the Verizon IndyCar Series.”
| Rod Davis |
Nov 27 - Santa Claus waves as he arrives at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis in an Indy Racing Experience 2-seater
IndyCar driven by IndyCar driver Ed Carpenter
IndyCar driven by IndyCar driver Ed Carpenter
