| July 2020 News |
07-27 - More IndyCar Doubleheaders
07-24 - F1 Revises 2020 Schedule
07-23 - The Ferrari Challenge Racing at Indy
07-21 - Changes for Indy 500
07-18 - The Iowa 250 - Race 2
07-18 - NBCSN Gold Pass is Worthless
07-17 - The Iowa 250 - Race 1
07-12 - Road America - Race 2
07-11 - Road America - Race 1
07-10 - Alonso Returns to F1
07-10 - F1 Will Race at Mugello for First Time
07-09 - The Indy 500 Festival Car Revealed
07-05 - The Brickyard 400
07-04 - The Pennzoil 150 at the Brickyard
07-04 - The GMR Grand Prix
07-04 - COVID-19 Infects Nascar Star
07-24 - F1 Revises 2020 Schedule
07-23 - The Ferrari Challenge Racing at Indy
07-21 - Changes for Indy 500
07-18 - The Iowa 250 - Race 2
07-18 - NBCSN Gold Pass is Worthless
07-17 - The Iowa 250 - Race 1
07-12 - Road America - Race 2
07-11 - Road America - Race 1
07-10 - Alonso Returns to F1
07-10 - F1 Will Race at Mugello for First Time
07-09 - The Indy 500 Festival Car Revealed
07-05 - The Brickyard 400
07-04 - The Pennzoil 150 at the Brickyard
07-04 - The GMR Grand Prix
07-04 - COVID-19 Infects Nascar Star
| RACE NEWS & VIEWS |
| News Index |
COVID-19 Infects NASCAR Star
July 4 - Jimmie Johnson has tested positive for COVID-
19 and will not race Sunday in the Brickyard 400 at
Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Justin Allgaier will drive the No. 48 Chevrolet for
Hendrick Motorsports, and Johnson will not return to
NASCAR Cup Series competition until cleared by a doctor.
The seven-time series champion has not been experiencing
symptoms but was tested for COVID-19 when wife
Chandra tested positive after she experienced allergy-like
symptoms.
Johnson was to have a test in a Ganassi IndyCar on the
IMS road course this Wednesday.
July 4 - Jimmie Johnson has tested positive for COVID-
19 and will not race Sunday in the Brickyard 400 at
Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Justin Allgaier will drive the No. 48 Chevrolet for
Hendrick Motorsports, and Johnson will not return to
NASCAR Cup Series competition until cleared by a doctor.
The seven-time series champion has not been experiencing
symptoms but was tested for COVID-19 when wife
Chandra tested positive after she experienced allergy-like
symptoms.
Johnson was to have a test in a Ganassi IndyCar on the
IMS road course this Wednesday.
The GMR Grand Prix
July 4 - The IndyCar GMR Grand Prix was finally run
today on Independence Day, after having been postponed
from it’s original May 9th date.
IndyCar joined NASCAR at the Indianapolis Motor
Speedway today, the first time that has ever happened.
The Xfinity Series would race on the same road course as
the IndyCars an hour after the GMR Grand Prix finished.
Unfortunately, no spectators were present to witness the
races thanks to the pandemic.
It was a very hot day with temperatures ranging from 89-
92 degrees during the 80-Lap race. Temperatures in the
cockpit may have been 130 degrees! The drivers have a
hose that fit into the top of their helmets that provide
cooling.
Often there is some contact at the first corner of this race
at the start. While everyone made it through cleanly,
Graham Rahal did clip Jack Harvey’s rear tire on their
way down the front straight. Fortunately, it appeared to
have no effect.
Most drivers planned to make three pit stops, but Rahal,
Santino Ferrucci and Conor Daly only pit twice.
Will Power, who has won this race 3 of the 6 times it has
been held, started from pole and led the first 16 Laps and
then Laps 27-38. Sadly for him, things would not go the
way he wanted.
Oliver Askew started from 7th, dropped to 14th after
pitting and moved up to 5th by Lap 34. On Lap 35, he
lost the back end of his McLaren SP car as he was coming
to the last turn, spun across the grass and backed into the
oval’s outside wall, destroying his car. This brought out
the first and only caution.
Power pit during the caution, which dropped him back to
13th. Meanwhile, Rahal took the lead.
Power got up to 8th before pitting again on Lap 55. The
caution had ruined his strategy and now he was in last
place. He was only able to work his way up to 20th for
the final 7 Laps.
July 4 - The IndyCar GMR Grand Prix was finally run
today on Independence Day, after having been postponed
from it’s original May 9th date.
IndyCar joined NASCAR at the Indianapolis Motor
Speedway today, the first time that has ever happened.
The Xfinity Series would race on the same road course as
the IndyCars an hour after the GMR Grand Prix finished.
Unfortunately, no spectators were present to witness the
races thanks to the pandemic.
It was a very hot day with temperatures ranging from 89-
92 degrees during the 80-Lap race. Temperatures in the
cockpit may have been 130 degrees! The drivers have a
hose that fit into the top of their helmets that provide
cooling.
Often there is some contact at the first corner of this race
at the start. While everyone made it through cleanly,
Graham Rahal did clip Jack Harvey’s rear tire on their
way down the front straight. Fortunately, it appeared to
have no effect.
Most drivers planned to make three pit stops, but Rahal,
Santino Ferrucci and Conor Daly only pit twice.
Will Power, who has won this race 3 of the 6 times it has
been held, started from pole and led the first 16 Laps and
then Laps 27-38. Sadly for him, things would not go the
way he wanted.
Oliver Askew started from 7th, dropped to 14th after
pitting and moved up to 5th by Lap 34. On Lap 35, he
lost the back end of his McLaren SP car as he was coming
to the last turn, spun across the grass and backed into the
oval’s outside wall, destroying his car. This brought out
the first and only caution.
Power pit during the caution, which dropped him back to
13th. Meanwhile, Rahal took the lead.
Power got up to 8th before pitting again on Lap 55. The
caution had ruined his strategy and now he was in last
place. He was only able to work his way up to 20th for
the final 7 Laps.
Scott Dixon, who had pit on Lap 33, moved up into 4th
and worked his way up, taking the lead on Lap 48, passing
Rahal at the end of the front straight. Other than during his
final pit stop, he held a strong lead, gathering a 18-second
lead over Rahal.
Simon Pagenaud also has won this race three times. His
day started poorly, having to start from 20th, but he would
work his way to the podium. Pagenaud got up to 17th
before an early pit stop. He worked his way up to 13th
before pitting again. By the end of the caution, which was
in the middle of the race, he was in 8th. By Lap 63 he
was in 3rd, which is where he finished.
Spencer Pigot, driving for Ed Carpenter Racing, started
out well, moving from 14th up to 3rd by Lap 18. He was
in 2nd after the caution! However, after pitting on Lap
48, his car began sputtering and he started losing positions,
finally dropping to last place.
Alexander Rossi lost power when the race went green
after the caution and he joined Askew in dropping out of
the race.
Finally, after finishing 2nd in this race the last three years,
Dixon secured the 48th win of his career. It was also the
first time that he’d ever won both of the first two races of the
season.
and worked his way up, taking the lead on Lap 48, passing
Rahal at the end of the front straight. Other than during his
final pit stop, he held a strong lead, gathering a 18-second
lead over Rahal.
Simon Pagenaud also has won this race three times. His
day started poorly, having to start from 20th, but he would
work his way to the podium. Pagenaud got up to 17th
before an early pit stop. He worked his way up to 13th
before pitting again. By the end of the caution, which was
in the middle of the race, he was in 8th. By Lap 63 he
was in 3rd, which is where he finished.
Spencer Pigot, driving for Ed Carpenter Racing, started
out well, moving from 14th up to 3rd by Lap 18. He was
in 2nd after the caution! However, after pitting on Lap
48, his car began sputtering and he started losing positions,
finally dropping to last place.
Alexander Rossi lost power when the race went green
after the caution and he joined Askew in dropping out of
the race.
Finally, after finishing 2nd in this race the last three years,
Dixon secured the 48th win of his career. It was also the
first time that he’d ever won both of the first two races of the
season.
| Scott Dixon - Winner! Chip Ganassi Racing |
| TALE OF THE TAPE CAR COMPARISON |
| An Xfinty Race Followed the IndyCar Race on the IMS Road Course First Time Ever! |
| 3' 3" 1,700 16' 8" 550-700 122.37 |
4' 5"
3,450
16' 6"
650
95.84
3,450
16' 6"
650
95.84
| HEIGHT WEIGHT (LBS) LENGTH HORSEPOWER FASTEST LAP (MPH) |
| INDYCAR |
XFINITY
The Pennzoil 150 at the Brickyard
July 4 - In the days and months leading up to Saturday’s
inaugural Pennzoil 150 at the Brickyard NASCAR Xfinity
Series race on Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s road course,
Indiana’s own, Chase Briscoe left no doubt how important
a victory would be to him.
He sure had to earn this one.
After holding off an aggressive late race charge from the
field, the 25-year old Hoosier took the checkered flag,
maneuvered out of his No. 98 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
and joined team members to climb the frontstretch fencing
just as his team owner, fellow Indiana native Tony Stewart
had famously done after earning Indianapolis victories in
the NASCAR Cup Series.
July 4 - In the days and months leading up to Saturday’s
inaugural Pennzoil 150 at the Brickyard NASCAR Xfinity
Series race on Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s road course,
Indiana’s own, Chase Briscoe left no doubt how important
a victory would be to him.
He sure had to earn this one.
After holding off an aggressive late race charge from the
field, the 25-year old Hoosier took the checkered flag,
maneuvered out of his No. 98 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
and joined team members to climb the frontstretch fencing
just as his team owner, fellow Indiana native Tony Stewart
had famously done after earning Indianapolis victories in
the NASCAR Cup Series.
| Chase Briscoe Climbed the Fence After His Victory “Everybody knows growing up my hero in racing was Tony Stewart and getting to drive for him and watch him win the Brickyard and that was always his signature thing and I just wanted to do it," |
Briscoe had to beat a pair of road racing’s best in AJ
Allmendinger and Austin Cindric to earn the hometown
win. An exciting, action-packed final 7 laps – featuring
four lead changes – forced Briscoe to use every trick he
had. Ultimately, he held off Justin Haley by 1.7-seconds
for the victory as the lead pack cars aggressively traded
positions in the last lap.
Any question on how good of a race stock cars could
have on the road course got answered today!
The event marked the Xfinity Series’ ninth race at
Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but the previous eight were
held on the 2.5-mile oval.
Allmendinger and Austin Cindric to earn the hometown
win. An exciting, action-packed final 7 laps – featuring
four lead changes – forced Briscoe to use every trick he
had. Ultimately, he held off Justin Haley by 1.7-seconds
for the victory as the lead pack cars aggressively traded
positions in the last lap.
Any question on how good of a race stock cars could
have on the road course got answered today!
The event marked the Xfinity Series’ ninth race at
Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but the previous eight were
held on the 2.5-mile oval.
| Jimmie Johnson's streak of consecutive race starts comes to an end at 663 - the 5th longest in NASCAR history. |
The Brickyard 400 Race
July 5 – Kevin Harvick won the Brickyard 400 for the
third time. He won it last year too.
The 2014 Cup Series champion drove away from fellow
veteran Matt Kenseth during a two-lap overtime finish,
winning by .743 of a second in the No. 4 Busch Light
Patriotic Ford with an average speed of 123.162 mph.
Aric Almirola finished third.
The overtime finish was set up when the right front tire of
leader Denny Hamlin’s Toyota went down in Turn 1 on
Lap 154, sending Hamlin’s car hard into the SAFER
Barrier. Hamlin was unhurt.
That incident spoiled a hotly anticipated duel between
Hamlin and Harvick – the two dominant drivers of the day
and of this NASCAR Cup Series season – over the final
seven laps at sunset, as the race started 55 minutes late due
to lightning in the area.
Harvick jumped from second to the lead after Hamlin was
eliminated and motored away from Kenseth’s Chevrolet on
the restart for the two-lap, green-white-checkered overtime
finish.
Hamlin and Harvick were the class of the 40-car field on
the 2.5-mile oval during the second half of the race. They
combined to lead 62 of the last 74 laps, with Harvick
leading a race-high 68 laps overall.
July 5 – Kevin Harvick won the Brickyard 400 for the
third time. He won it last year too.
The 2014 Cup Series champion drove away from fellow
veteran Matt Kenseth during a two-lap overtime finish,
winning by .743 of a second in the No. 4 Busch Light
Patriotic Ford with an average speed of 123.162 mph.
Aric Almirola finished third.
The overtime finish was set up when the right front tire of
leader Denny Hamlin’s Toyota went down in Turn 1 on
Lap 154, sending Hamlin’s car hard into the SAFER
Barrier. Hamlin was unhurt.
That incident spoiled a hotly anticipated duel between
Hamlin and Harvick – the two dominant drivers of the day
and of this NASCAR Cup Series season – over the final
seven laps at sunset, as the race started 55 minutes late due
to lightning in the area.
Harvick jumped from second to the lead after Hamlin was
eliminated and motored away from Kenseth’s Chevrolet on
the restart for the two-lap, green-white-checkered overtime
finish.
Hamlin and Harvick were the class of the 40-car field on
the 2.5-mile oval during the second half of the race. They
combined to lead 62 of the last 74 laps, with Harvick
leading a race-high 68 laps overall.
Quick pit work eventually helped Hamlin take the lead on
Lap 135. He made his final pit stop from second place,
trailing Harvick, on Lap 122. Harvick made his final stop
one lap later, handing the lead to Kenseth. But Hamlin’s
Joe Gibbs Racing crew was quicker during his stop, so he
was ahead of Harvick when Harvick returned to the track
following his stop.
Hamlin inherited the lead when Kenseth pitted from the
lead under caution on Lap 134, with Harvick in second.
The pair then sailed around the oval, never separated by
more than six-tenths of a second while leaving rivals in
their exhaust. Only Kenseth could hang close, but he fell
a second behind by Lap 152.
“We knew he was going to be really close on tires, and
Rodney (Childers, crew chief) told me on the radio, ‘Just
make sure you keep the pressure on him,’” Harvick said
of Hamlin. “And that was all the pressure I could give.”
Two laps later, Hamlin was climbing from his crumpled
car, dreams of his first Brickyard victory dashed.
William Byron won the first stage of the race, which
ended on Lap 50, in the No. 24 Chevrolet but ended up
27th. Harvick won the second stage, which ended on
Lap 100.
The race was slowed by nine caution periods for 43 laps.
There also was a red flag for 11 minutes and 17 seconds
after multiple cars collided on pit road on Lap 15. That
incident ended the day for Justin Allgaier, who was
filling in for Jimmie Johnson.
Lap 135. He made his final pit stop from second place,
trailing Harvick, on Lap 122. Harvick made his final stop
one lap later, handing the lead to Kenseth. But Hamlin’s
Joe Gibbs Racing crew was quicker during his stop, so he
was ahead of Harvick when Harvick returned to the track
following his stop.
Hamlin inherited the lead when Kenseth pitted from the
lead under caution on Lap 134, with Harvick in second.
The pair then sailed around the oval, never separated by
more than six-tenths of a second while leaving rivals in
their exhaust. Only Kenseth could hang close, but he fell
a second behind by Lap 152.
“We knew he was going to be really close on tires, and
Rodney (Childers, crew chief) told me on the radio, ‘Just
make sure you keep the pressure on him,’” Harvick said
of Hamlin. “And that was all the pressure I could give.”
Two laps later, Hamlin was climbing from his crumpled
car, dreams of his first Brickyard victory dashed.
William Byron won the first stage of the race, which
ended on Lap 50, in the No. 24 Chevrolet but ended up
27th. Harvick won the second stage, which ended on
Lap 100.
The race was slowed by nine caution periods for 43 laps.
There also was a red flag for 11 minutes and 17 seconds
after multiple cars collided on pit road on Lap 15. That
incident ended the day for Justin Allgaier, who was
filling in for Jimmie Johnson.
| Sadly, No Spectators |
| Pit Lane Not Wide Enough fo NASCAR |
| Kevin Harvick Crosses Finish Line |
| Kevin Harvick - Winner Drives for Stewart Haas Rcing |
The Indy 500 Festival Car
July 9 - Since the 1960s, Festival Event Cars
have reminded local “500” fans of the
upcoming race as they get driven around
town for a month by Indianapolis-areas
business leaders and dignitaries.
This year’s festivalcars are the 2020 Camaro
2SS Red Hot Convertible.
July 9 - Since the 1960s, Festival Event Cars
have reminded local “500” fans of the
upcoming race as they get driven around
town for a month by Indianapolis-areas
business leaders and dignitaries.
This year’s festivalcars are the 2020 Camaro
2SS Red Hot Convertible.
| The Camaro has a 455 hp V8 engine, 10-speed Automatic and 20" wheels. |
F1 Will Race at Mugello for First Time
July 10 - Italy’s Mugello circuit will host a Grand Prix for
the very first time in September, as Formula 1 announced
the Tuscan Grand Prix has been added to the revised 2020
race calendar.
Mugello is owned by Ferrari, and the circuit’s first F1
event – set for September 11-13, the weekend after the
Italian Grand Prix at Monza - is set to be a celebration in
more ways than one, given it will mark the Scuderia’s
1000th race in the world championship.
The present-day closed Mugello circuit was constructed in
1973 and opened in 1974.
A regular on the MotoGP calendar, Mugello will be the
fourth Italian circuit, after Monza, Imola and the fabled
road course at Pescara, used just once in 1957, to host a
world championship race. F1 cars have tested at the circuit
many times, however, with Sebastian Vettel and Charles
Leclerc doing so prior to the season opener.
Vettel said, "It’s an incredible circuit with a lot of high-
speed corners."
July 10 - Italy’s Mugello circuit will host a Grand Prix for
the very first time in September, as Formula 1 announced
the Tuscan Grand Prix has been added to the revised 2020
race calendar.
Mugello is owned by Ferrari, and the circuit’s first F1
event – set for September 11-13, the weekend after the
Italian Grand Prix at Monza - is set to be a celebration in
more ways than one, given it will mark the Scuderia’s
1000th race in the world championship.
The present-day closed Mugello circuit was constructed in
1973 and opened in 1974.
A regular on the MotoGP calendar, Mugello will be the
fourth Italian circuit, after Monza, Imola and the fabled
road course at Pescara, used just once in 1957, to host a
world championship race. F1 cars have tested at the circuit
many times, however, with Sebastian Vettel and Charles
Leclerc doing so prior to the season opener.
Vettel said, "It’s an incredible circuit with a lot of high-
speed corners."
Alonso Returns to Formula 1
July 10 - It's official - Fernando Alonso has signed to
drive for Renault F1 in 2021. He will replace Daniel
Ricciardo who is moving to McLaren. Alonso's new
teammate will be Esteban Ocon. Ocon, a 24-year-old
Frenchman, is a rookie this year.
Alonso won his two driver championships with Renault in
2005 & 2006.
He left Renault and joined Mclaren in 2007 where he was
edge out of the championship by teammate Lewis
Hamilton.
July 10 - It's official - Fernando Alonso has signed to
drive for Renault F1 in 2021. He will replace Daniel
Ricciardo who is moving to McLaren. Alonso's new
teammate will be Esteban Ocon. Ocon, a 24-year-old
Frenchman, is a rookie this year.
Alonso won his two driver championships with Renault in
2005 & 2006.
He left Renault and joined Mclaren in 2007 where he was
edge out of the championship by teammate Lewis
Hamilton.
He left McLaren after that one year and returned to
Renault for two more years. He raced for Ferrari for five
years, then for McLaren for four years before dropping
out of F1 in 2018.
Since his exit from F1 he has won the 24 Hours of Le
Mans twice and the overall WEC championship.
Alonso will get one more crack at the Indy 500 and the
"Triple Crown" next month. Only Graham Hill has won
the Indy 500, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Monaco.
Renault for two more years. He raced for Ferrari for five
years, then for McLaren for four years before dropping
out of F1 in 2018.
Since his exit from F1 he has won the 24 Hours of Le
Mans twice and the overall WEC championship.
Alonso will get one more crack at the Indy 500 and the
"Triple Crown" next month. Only Graham Hill has won
the Indy 500, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Monaco.
Road America - Race 1
July 11 - It was an exciting opening lap for the first road
race of the weekend at Road America. Jack Harvey
started in second, but was quickly passed by Ryan
Hunter-Reay, Graham Rahal and Santino Ferrucci.
Alex Rossi went off into the grass, collecting a banner,
while Marco Andretti got a huge piece of signage stuck to
the front of his car. Both had to pit. Then Marco got a pit
speed violation. Poor Marco. It’s always something.
Later, on Lap 38, he got stopped on the track by a big
piece that had fallen off the track blower. A few laps from
the end, he would set the fastest lap, but from last place.
Recently, Michael Andretti said Marco is probably better
than he or Mario, but just has terrible luck. Rossi's bad
luck continued into this race. He spent the race at the back
of the field all day, then 3 Laps from the end, Max
Chilton hit him, breaking his car’s steering arm and
sending him off track and out of the race.
Josef Newgarden started from pole and led the first half
of the 55-lap race, pulling nearly a 10-second lead over
2nd-place Santino Ferrucci. Unfortunately for
Newgarden, he stalled his car in the pits on Lap 27 and
dropped down to 10th. A later stop for tires moved him
further back and he finished the race in 14th. Will Power
moved from 3rd to the lead during this pit stop. Scott
Dixon challenged him hard!
On Lap 38, Harvey went off into the gravel in Turn 3,
bringing out the first caution. (This was the first caution
for an IndyCar race at Road America in three years.)
Everyone pit and the Chip Ganassi Racing team got Dixon
out in front of Power.
July 11 - It was an exciting opening lap for the first road
race of the weekend at Road America. Jack Harvey
started in second, but was quickly passed by Ryan
Hunter-Reay, Graham Rahal and Santino Ferrucci.
Alex Rossi went off into the grass, collecting a banner,
while Marco Andretti got a huge piece of signage stuck to
the front of his car. Both had to pit. Then Marco got a pit
speed violation. Poor Marco. It’s always something.
Later, on Lap 38, he got stopped on the track by a big
piece that had fallen off the track blower. A few laps from
the end, he would set the fastest lap, but from last place.
Recently, Michael Andretti said Marco is probably better
than he or Mario, but just has terrible luck. Rossi's bad
luck continued into this race. He spent the race at the back
of the field all day, then 3 Laps from the end, Max
Chilton hit him, breaking his car’s steering arm and
sending him off track and out of the race.
Josef Newgarden started from pole and led the first half
of the 55-lap race, pulling nearly a 10-second lead over
2nd-place Santino Ferrucci. Unfortunately for
Newgarden, he stalled his car in the pits on Lap 27 and
dropped down to 10th. A later stop for tires moved him
further back and he finished the race in 14th. Will Power
moved from 3rd to the lead during this pit stop. Scott
Dixon challenged him hard!
On Lap 38, Harvey went off into the gravel in Turn 3,
bringing out the first caution. (This was the first caution
for an IndyCar race at Road America in three years.)
Everyone pit and the Chip Ganassi Racing team got Dixon
out in front of Power.
On the restart, As rookie Alex Palou passed Hunter-Reay
for 3rd, Rookie Dalton Kellett ended up in the gravel.
On Lap 49, right before the leaders made a final pit stop,
O’Ward bumped Simon Pagenaud off track as he passed
him for 9th, putting Pagenaud in 12th. On the last lap,
O’Ward got by Takuma Sato for 8th.
Dixon won his 3rd race in a row. Power finished 2nd and
Palou 3rd.
for 3rd, Rookie Dalton Kellett ended up in the gravel.
On Lap 49, right before the leaders made a final pit stop,
O’Ward bumped Simon Pagenaud off track as he passed
him for 9th, putting Pagenaud in 12th. On the last lap,
O’Ward got by Takuma Sato for 8th.
Dixon won his 3rd race in a row. Power finished 2nd and
Palou 3rd.
| Rookie Alex Palou finished a strong 3rd |
Dixon held the lead until the end, despite two more
cautions.
First, Conor Daly hit the wall after tangling with Pato
O’Ward. Daly dislocated his shoulder and left his team
with a lot of repairs to make to be ready for the next day’s
race.
cautions.
First, Conor Daly hit the wall after tangling with Pato
O’Ward. Daly dislocated his shoulder and left his team
with a lot of repairs to make to be ready for the next day’s
race.
| END |
| START |
Road America - Race 1
July 12 - A slow start by pole sitter Pato O’Ward in the
second race at Road America caused cars to bunch up and
accidents to occur at the first turn. As Ryan Hunter-Reay
checked up to avoid Scott Dixon, Will Power punted
Hunter-Reay into the wall and out of the race. Then Power
went on to push his way past Graham Rahal which then
caused Felix Rosenqvist to hit Rahal, sending him off into
the wall and out of the race. Jack Harvey, Conor Daly
and Dalton Kellett all ended up with damage and had to
pit.
The caution flag flew for the first 3 laps, then again on Lap
6 as Wildman Power flew off the course, skipping across
the grass and back across the track right in front of on-
coming traffic, barely avoiding a collision. Power managed
to get out of the gravel trap, but needed a restart. He got
back to the pits and was soon back out on the track. On the
restart, Power was now down to 19th.
On Lap 40, Dixon who had started the race from P4,
stalled his car in the pits, which dropped him from P8 to
P14.
Throughout the race rookie O’Ward led all the laps with
Felix Rosenqvist leading a couple laps four times during
the race, and for the most important – the last two laps.
This was Rosenqvist’s first win.
Alex Rossi finished in 3rd, rookie Marcus Ericsson 4th
and Colton Herta rounded out the top 5.
By the end Power had worked his way up to 11th. Dixon,
who had won the first three races of the year, finished in
12th.
July 12 - A slow start by pole sitter Pato O’Ward in the
second race at Road America caused cars to bunch up and
accidents to occur at the first turn. As Ryan Hunter-Reay
checked up to avoid Scott Dixon, Will Power punted
Hunter-Reay into the wall and out of the race. Then Power
went on to push his way past Graham Rahal which then
caused Felix Rosenqvist to hit Rahal, sending him off into
the wall and out of the race. Jack Harvey, Conor Daly
and Dalton Kellett all ended up with damage and had to
pit.
The caution flag flew for the first 3 laps, then again on Lap
6 as Wildman Power flew off the course, skipping across
the grass and back across the track right in front of on-
coming traffic, barely avoiding a collision. Power managed
to get out of the gravel trap, but needed a restart. He got
back to the pits and was soon back out on the track. On the
restart, Power was now down to 19th.
On Lap 40, Dixon who had started the race from P4,
stalled his car in the pits, which dropped him from P8 to
P14.
Throughout the race rookie O’Ward led all the laps with
Felix Rosenqvist leading a couple laps four times during
the race, and for the most important – the last two laps.
This was Rosenqvist’s first win.
Alex Rossi finished in 3rd, rookie Marcus Ericsson 4th
and Colton Herta rounded out the top 5.
By the end Power had worked his way up to 11th. Dixon,
who had won the first three races of the year, finished in
12th.
| "WILDMAN" Will Power Stalled |
| Pato O'Ward Leads the Field |
| Pato O'Ward Led the Most Laps |
| Felix Rosenqvist Led the Last 2 Laps |
NBCSN GOLD Pass is Worthless
Jul 18 - First off, let's see what you get without the $55
subscription to NBCSN GOLD INDYCAR PASS (NGIP).
Anyone who receives NBC gets to watch some IndyCar
races and qualifying Live.
Every cable subscriber who gets NBCSN gets to watch:
IndyCar Qualifying (Usually Live & always On Demand)
IndyCar Race (Live & On Demand)
People who do NOT subscribe to a cable service would
benefit the most from NGIP. Unfortunately, they can only
watch on their computer. To watch on a TV, you must
login to NBCSN first through your streaming device, which
require you to be a cable subscriber!
What the NGIP gets you:
IndyCar Practice (Live, but NOT On-Demand)
IndyCar Race (NOT Live, but On-Demand with
“No Commercial Interruptions”)
Last year, during commercial breaks, “No Commercial
Interruptions” meant we would see the track cameras
working as usual and only hear the sounds from the track,
with no announcers. It was the best part of the broadcast.
This year, “No Commercial Interruptions” means
When NBCSN goes to a full-screen commercial, which is
rare, you get a blank screen telling you that NBCSN will
be back.
When NBCSN goes to a picture-in-picture commercial time
(half the screen a blaring commercial and a small box
showing the race), that is what NGIP subscribers see and
hear - all the commercials,just like everyone else.
If you subscribe to cable tv, you should have a DVR. If you
are willing to watch races after they've started, then you can
record the races on your DVR and fast forward through the
commercials.
I have communicated with NBCSN both last year and this
year when problems arose. Their customer service was not
satisfactory.
Last year when this service was introduced, they carefully
worded their advertising so that you thought you would get
to watch the races Live without commercial interruption.
When they did not even show the race live, I questioned
them. The reply I received was condescending and rude.
Jul 18 - First off, let's see what you get without the $55
subscription to NBCSN GOLD INDYCAR PASS (NGIP).
Anyone who receives NBC gets to watch some IndyCar
races and qualifying Live.
Every cable subscriber who gets NBCSN gets to watch:
IndyCar Qualifying (Usually Live & always On Demand)
IndyCar Race (Live & On Demand)
People who do NOT subscribe to a cable service would
benefit the most from NGIP. Unfortunately, they can only
watch on their computer. To watch on a TV, you must
login to NBCSN first through your streaming device, which
require you to be a cable subscriber!
What the NGIP gets you:
IndyCar Practice (Live, but NOT On-Demand)
IndyCar Race (NOT Live, but On-Demand with
“No Commercial Interruptions”)
Last year, during commercial breaks, “No Commercial
Interruptions” meant we would see the track cameras
working as usual and only hear the sounds from the track,
with no announcers. It was the best part of the broadcast.
This year, “No Commercial Interruptions” means
When NBCSN goes to a full-screen commercial, which is
rare, you get a blank screen telling you that NBCSN will
be back.
When NBCSN goes to a picture-in-picture commercial time
(half the screen a blaring commercial and a small box
showing the race), that is what NGIP subscribers see and
hear - all the commercials,just like everyone else.
If you subscribe to cable tv, you should have a DVR. If you
are willing to watch races after they've started, then you can
record the races on your DVR and fast forward through the
commercials.
I have communicated with NBCSN both last year and this
year when problems arose. Their customer service was not
satisfactory.
Last year when this service was introduced, they carefully
worded their advertising so that you thought you would get
to watch the races Live without commercial interruption.
When they did not even show the race live, I questioned
them. The reply I received was condescending and rude.
This year, after paying in February for the reduced early-
bird rate of $50, my service wasn’t working for the first
couple races. I came to find out they had not processed
my payment.
I sent them a message explaining that and offering to show
them proof my Paypal account was working fine for
everyone else during that period. I requested a
membership at $50 and suggested I even get a reduced
pro-rated cost since they'd made me miss the first six
practices. Their reply was pay $55 or shove off.
I paid. But when I went to re-watch the Iowa race today
and all those commercials were still there, I called and
cancelled my subscription and asked for a refund. Luckily
only a few days had transpired, so they gave me a refund.
The only thing you actually get is practice sessions -
assuming you are available to watch it Live, because the
practices are NOT On-Demand.
You can see the full results from every practice, qualifier
and race here on this Web Site's Race Results - just
choose the year under "IndyCar - Detailed Race Results"
and then choose the specific race.
You can also listen to the races, including pratices, at
Mixlr and IndyCar Radio
NBCSN and INDYCAR could learn a lot from ESPN and
FORMULA 1.
ESPN broadcasts a pre-race show, every practice, qualifying,
and race Live and On Demand. Not only that, ESPN
broadcasts the races live with ZERO COMMERCIALS!!!
In addtion, Formula 1 offers a pay subscription service
(F1 TV ) that provides amazing live-time data screens and
differing video views that are LIVE and ON-DEMAND.
bird rate of $50, my service wasn’t working for the first
couple races. I came to find out they had not processed
my payment.
I sent them a message explaining that and offering to show
them proof my Paypal account was working fine for
everyone else during that period. I requested a
membership at $50 and suggested I even get a reduced
pro-rated cost since they'd made me miss the first six
practices. Their reply was pay $55 or shove off.
I paid. But when I went to re-watch the Iowa race today
and all those commercials were still there, I called and
cancelled my subscription and asked for a refund. Luckily
only a few days had transpired, so they gave me a refund.
The only thing you actually get is practice sessions -
assuming you are available to watch it Live, because the
practices are NOT On-Demand.
You can see the full results from every practice, qualifier
and race here on this Web Site's Race Results - just
choose the year under "IndyCar - Detailed Race Results"
and then choose the specific race.
You can also listen to the races, including pratices, at
Mixlr and IndyCar Radio
NBCSN and INDYCAR could learn a lot from ESPN and
FORMULA 1.
ESPN broadcasts a pre-race show, every practice, qualifying,
and race Live and On Demand. Not only that, ESPN
broadcasts the races live with ZERO COMMERCIALS!!!
In addtion, Formula 1 offers a pay subscription service
(F1 TV ) that provides amazing live-time data screens and
differing video views that are LIVE and ON-DEMAND.
The Iowa 250 - Race 1
July 17 – The laps fly by fast at the Iowa Speedway. A
green-light pit stop easily puts a driver two laps down.
Teams begin with a fuel and pit strategy, but caution periods
disrupt both and luck becomes as important as a fast car.
Then there is tire wear to consider. Is it better to run a
2-stop or 3-stop strategy?
Conor Daly, driving for Carlin Racing, got his first pole.
The qualifying format was new this weekend. In order to try
and save the teams some time over these new double-header
weekends, qualifying consisted of two laps for each driver.
The times of their first lap was used to place them in order
for the first race. The times of their second lap was used to
create the qualifying order for the second race.
He was followed by the Penske cars of Josef Newgarden
and Will Power. They were followed by the Andretti cars of
Colton Herta and Alex Rossi. Simon Pagenaud had a fuel
pressure issue and did not get to qualify, forcing him to start
from the back for both races.
Tony Kanaan gave the command to start engines from his
cockpit as he prepared to race in the second race of his
farewell tour. He would only make it to Lap 94, when he
brushed the wall and broke his suspension, ending his day.
Newgarden passed Daly for the lead on Lap 14. He led most
of the laps during the first half of the race.
Will Power got by Daly for P2 on Lap 50.
After the first round of pit stops, Daly dropped to to 10th
while Takuma Sato took the lead. He held it until the half
point. Behind him were Power & Newgarden.
The two rookie McLaren drivers, Pato O’Ward and Oliver
Askew, followed in 4th & 5th. They would remain in the top
ten throughout the race and finish 3-4, with Askew making
the podium.
On Lap 143, the first caution flew after Power hit the wall.
His left front wheel was loose after a pit stop, and came
off as he hit the wall. There were many mistakes made
this night by the pit crews.
On lap 156, as the field came around for the restart, the green
light was switched back to yellow. At the back of the field,
as cars checked up, Herta was on the tail of Rinus VeeKay
and still flooring it. He hit VeeKay, drove up over his car and
flew into the air. The car landed on top of the wall. The
catch fence there is set back from the wall. That was lucky
for him, as he bounced off it and back onto the track,
whereas otherwise, he would have likely been thrown into a
spin against it and been at risk of a more serious crash. As it
was, both drivers were ok, but their cars were ruined.
Herta had been running in 4th until the first caution, when he
came out in 15th. By Lap 138, Herta had worked his way up
to 3rd, when this second caution came out.
After that caution, Pagenaud had worked his way up from
last and took over the lead on lap 178. Despite fears of
running out of fuel, he hung on to win the race.
It was often hard to follow the race as drivers with fresh tires,
who were laps down, passed leaders.
In the end, there were nine out of 17 cars on the lead lap.
Dixon finished 2nd and Newgarden finished 5th, behind the
two McLarens. Rossi finished 6th.
July 17 – The laps fly by fast at the Iowa Speedway. A
green-light pit stop easily puts a driver two laps down.
Teams begin with a fuel and pit strategy, but caution periods
disrupt both and luck becomes as important as a fast car.
Then there is tire wear to consider. Is it better to run a
2-stop or 3-stop strategy?
Conor Daly, driving for Carlin Racing, got his first pole.
The qualifying format was new this weekend. In order to try
and save the teams some time over these new double-header
weekends, qualifying consisted of two laps for each driver.
The times of their first lap was used to place them in order
for the first race. The times of their second lap was used to
create the qualifying order for the second race.
He was followed by the Penske cars of Josef Newgarden
and Will Power. They were followed by the Andretti cars of
Colton Herta and Alex Rossi. Simon Pagenaud had a fuel
pressure issue and did not get to qualify, forcing him to start
from the back for both races.
Tony Kanaan gave the command to start engines from his
cockpit as he prepared to race in the second race of his
farewell tour. He would only make it to Lap 94, when he
brushed the wall and broke his suspension, ending his day.
Newgarden passed Daly for the lead on Lap 14. He led most
of the laps during the first half of the race.
Will Power got by Daly for P2 on Lap 50.
After the first round of pit stops, Daly dropped to to 10th
while Takuma Sato took the lead. He held it until the half
point. Behind him were Power & Newgarden.
The two rookie McLaren drivers, Pato O’Ward and Oliver
Askew, followed in 4th & 5th. They would remain in the top
ten throughout the race and finish 3-4, with Askew making
the podium.
On Lap 143, the first caution flew after Power hit the wall.
His left front wheel was loose after a pit stop, and came
off as he hit the wall. There were many mistakes made
this night by the pit crews.
On lap 156, as the field came around for the restart, the green
light was switched back to yellow. At the back of the field,
as cars checked up, Herta was on the tail of Rinus VeeKay
and still flooring it. He hit VeeKay, drove up over his car and
flew into the air. The car landed on top of the wall. The
catch fence there is set back from the wall. That was lucky
for him, as he bounced off it and back onto the track,
whereas otherwise, he would have likely been thrown into a
spin against it and been at risk of a more serious crash. As it
was, both drivers were ok, but their cars were ruined.
Herta had been running in 4th until the first caution, when he
came out in 15th. By Lap 138, Herta had worked his way up
to 3rd, when this second caution came out.
After that caution, Pagenaud had worked his way up from
last and took over the lead on lap 178. Despite fears of
running out of fuel, he hung on to win the race.
It was often hard to follow the race as drivers with fresh tires,
who were laps down, passed leaders.
In the end, there were nine out of 17 cars on the lead lap.
Dixon finished 2nd and Newgarden finished 5th, behind the
two McLarens. Rossi finished 6th.
| Colton Herta Ran Into Rinus VK on a Restart and got Airborn. |
| The Arrow McLaren SP cars ran together all night, finishing 3-4 with rookies Pato O'Ward and Oliver Askew |
| From Last Place to the Win, Simon Pagenaud brought Team Penske their First Victory of the Year. |
| Conor Daly Won His First Pole |
The Iowa 250 - Race 2
July 18 - The second race at Iowa was the first time a pole-
sitter won the race. Josef Newgarden led every lap, except
for three short periods after he had pitted.
Will Power was also consistent. He stayed in the top 4 the
entire race; finishing in 2nd.
There was a total of two caution periods. The first was
caused by Ed Carpenter getting up too high, losing grip and
hitting the wall. The second was brought out by Ryan
Hunter-Reay exiting the pits. The back end came around as
he shifted to 2nd gear, causing him to brush the inside wall
damaging his suspension. Both drivers were out of the race,
but ok.
Graham Rahal again had a poor starting position. He’d
reached P10, but his first pit stop dropped him back to the
end of the field again. But fortune would soon smile on him.
By the time of the first caution on Lap 114, everyone had
just pitted but he. He pit under the caution and ended up in
4th place, ahead of Power. He finished the race in 3rd.
Simon Pagenaud had another amazing night, starting from
the back row and finishing 4th.
Other drivers who made up a lot of spots include Scott
Dixon, Marco Andretti and Alex Rossi.
Pato O’Ward, was having a good race, running in 2nd from
Lap 67- 171. But on his 3rd pit stop, 8 laps before a caution,
he fell to 13th and finished in 12th, a lap down.
Conor Daly finished right behind O’Ward and had pitted
before the caution as well, but made it up to P3 until, on Lap
216, he had to pit for a fourth time and lost 12 positions.
Dixon and Pagenaud continue to lead the points
championship and Newgarden moved into 3rd.
July 18 - The second race at Iowa was the first time a pole-
sitter won the race. Josef Newgarden led every lap, except
for three short periods after he had pitted.
Will Power was also consistent. He stayed in the top 4 the
entire race; finishing in 2nd.
There was a total of two caution periods. The first was
caused by Ed Carpenter getting up too high, losing grip and
hitting the wall. The second was brought out by Ryan
Hunter-Reay exiting the pits. The back end came around as
he shifted to 2nd gear, causing him to brush the inside wall
damaging his suspension. Both drivers were out of the race,
but ok.
Graham Rahal again had a poor starting position. He’d
reached P10, but his first pit stop dropped him back to the
end of the field again. But fortune would soon smile on him.
By the time of the first caution on Lap 114, everyone had
just pitted but he. He pit under the caution and ended up in
4th place, ahead of Power. He finished the race in 3rd.
Simon Pagenaud had another amazing night, starting from
the back row and finishing 4th.
Other drivers who made up a lot of spots include Scott
Dixon, Marco Andretti and Alex Rossi.
Pato O’Ward, was having a good race, running in 2nd from
Lap 67- 171. But on his 3rd pit stop, 8 laps before a caution,
he fell to 13th and finished in 12th, a lap down.
Conor Daly finished right behind O’Ward and had pitted
before the caution as well, but made it up to P3 until, on Lap
216, he had to pit for a fourth time and lost 12 positions.
Dixon and Pagenaud continue to lead the points
championship and Newgarden moved into 3rd.
| Drivers Who Have Won From Last Place: |
1978
2000
2008
2014
2017
2020
2000
2008
2014
2017
2020
Danny Ongais
Buddy Lazier
Helio Castroneves
Scott DixonMid-Ohio
Sebastien Bourdais
Simon Pagenaud
Buddy Lazier
Helio Castroneves
Scott DixonMid-Ohio
Sebastien Bourdais
Simon Pagenaud
Michigan Speedway
Phoenix Raceway
Chicagoland
Mid-Ohio Road Course
St. Pete Street Race
Iowa Speedway #1
Phoenix Raceway
Chicagoland
Mid-Ohio Road Course
St. Pete Street Race
Iowa Speedway #1
| Graham Rahal's New Livery for Iowa |
| What Social Distancing Looked Like at Iowa Speedway |
IndyCar's new Aeroscreen has caused overheating for
drivers. A new device has been mandated for all cars.
It sits at the top front of the Aeroscreen, captures air and
blows it onto the driver.
drivers. A new device has been mandated for all cars.
It sits at the top front of the Aeroscreen, captures air and
blows it onto the driver.
Changes for Indy 500:
Crowd size limited to 25%. capacity - Approximately 87,500.
Face masks will be manditory.
Concessions will sell pre-packaged food.
All guests must have their temperature taken before entry is allowed.
There will be hourly cleaning of bathrooms, etc.
Crowd size limited to 25%. capacity - Approximately 87,500.
Face masks will be manditory.
Concessions will sell pre-packaged food.
All guests must have their temperature taken before entry is allowed.
There will be hourly cleaning of bathrooms, etc.
| My Guess What Social Distancing Will Look Like at Indy |
INDY 500 SAFETY PLAN
July 23 - Officials from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
today released a detailed 88-page plan they have put in place
to welcome the estimated 25 percent of capacity crowd
expected to attend the 104th Indianapolis 500 on Sunday,
Aug. 23.
Mark Miles, Penske Entertainment Corp. president & CEO,
also announced that the television blackout of the race in
Central Indiana has been lifted. Now Hoosiers can stay safe
at home and still see the race in real-time.
I expect the race to be rebroadcast locally that night too.
July 23 - Officials from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
today released a detailed 88-page plan they have put in place
to welcome the estimated 25 percent of capacity crowd
expected to attend the 104th Indianapolis 500 on Sunday,
Aug. 23.
Mark Miles, Penske Entertainment Corp. president & CEO,
also announced that the television blackout of the race in
Central Indiana has been lifted. Now Hoosiers can stay safe
at home and still see the race in real-time.
I expect the race to be rebroadcast locally that night too.
Friday July 24 - 08:30 am - 02:55 pm - Practice
Saturday, July 25 - 10:35 am - 11:50 am - Qualifying 1
Saturday July 25 - 01:45 pm - 02:15 pm - Race 1 - S/S-AM
Saturday July 25 - 02:30 pm - 03:00 pm - Race 1 - P/P-AM
Sunday July 26 - 09:05 am - 10:20 am - Qualifying 2
Sunday July 26 - 12:00 pm - 12;30 pm - Race 2 - P/P-AM
Sunday July 26 - 12:45 pm - 01:15 pm - Race 2 - S/S-AM
Saturday, July 25 - 10:35 am - 11:50 am - Qualifying 1
Saturday July 25 - 01:45 pm - 02:15 pm - Race 1 - S/S-AM
Saturday July 25 - 02:30 pm - 03:00 pm - Race 1 - P/P-AM
Sunday July 26 - 09:05 am - 10:20 am - Qualifying 2
Sunday July 26 - 12:00 pm - 12;30 pm - Race 2 - P/P-AM
Sunday July 26 - 12:45 pm - 01:15 pm - Race 2 - S/S-AM
| FERRARI CHALLENGE SCHEDULE |
Ferrari Challenge Races at Indy
July 23 - Ferrari Challenge North America completed two
doubleheader weekends prior to the suspension of racing
activities, the first being at Daytona International Speedway
in January during the Rolex 24 At Daytona weekend and the
second at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta in early March.
Ferrari Challenge North America resumes its season at the
historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 24-26. This
stop on the calendar had previously been planned for late
April.
The weekend will feature two, 30-minute races with all cars
converted to the new Ferrari 488 Evo package that was rolled
out after the two rounds at Daytona. Additionally, the series
has allocated two test days the day before on-track activity
begins.
While there will be no spectators, you can live stream the
racing action at http://live.ferrari.com/
July 23 - Ferrari Challenge North America completed two
doubleheader weekends prior to the suspension of racing
activities, the first being at Daytona International Speedway
in January during the Rolex 24 At Daytona weekend and the
second at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta in early March.
Ferrari Challenge North America resumes its season at the
historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 24-26. This
stop on the calendar had previously been planned for late
April.
The weekend will feature two, 30-minute races with all cars
converted to the new Ferrari 488 Evo package that was rolled
out after the two rounds at Daytona. Additionally, the series
has allocated two test days the day before on-track activity
begins.
While there will be no spectators, you can live stream the
racing action at http://live.ferrari.com/
The S-AM field is forecast to be the largest class of
competition at Indianapolis with 21 cars taking part.
competition at Indianapolis with 21 cars taking part.
F1 Revises 2020 Schedule
July 24 - Formula 1 announced that it would not be possible
to race in Brazil, USA or Mexico in 2020. Montreal Canada
had already been removed from their calendar months ago.
So, no Formula 1 on this side of the Atlantic this year.
On the positive side, they announced some new races for
this year.
First, they will race at the Nurburgring in Germany on
October 11.
July 24 - Formula 1 announced that it would not be possible
to race in Brazil, USA or Mexico in 2020. Montreal Canada
had already been removed from their calendar months ago.
So, no Formula 1 on this side of the Atlantic this year.
On the positive side, they announced some new races for
this year.
First, they will race at the Nurburgring in Germany on
October 11.
Next they will race for the first time at Portimao in Portugual
on October 25.
On November 1st, they will race at Imola Italy.
The announcement brings the number of races on the 2020
schedule to 13. As stated previously, Formula 1 expects the
revised 2020 season to have between 15 to 18 races, ending
in the Gulf region in mid-December.
on October 25.
On November 1st, they will race at Imola Italy.
The announcement brings the number of races on the 2020
schedule to 13. As stated previously, Formula 1 expects the
revised 2020 season to have between 15 to 18 races, ending
in the Gulf region in mid-December.
More IndyCar Doubleheaders
July 27 - The new Harvest Grand Prix that will be ran on
the road course at the Indy Motor Speedway has become
a doubleheader. IndyCar will race on the track Friday,
Oct. 2 and Saturday, Oct. 3.
Two other events already scheduled on the series calendar
will now become doubleheader weekends.
Mid-Ohio will host races on Saturday, Aug. 8 and Sunday,
Aug. 9.
There will also be two races on the Gateway oval -
Saturday, Aug. 29 and Sunday, Aug. 30.
Unfortunately, races planned at Portland and Laguna Seca
have been canceled due to the pandemic. The IndyCar
series looks forward to returning to both venues in 2021.
July 27 - The new Harvest Grand Prix that will be ran on
the road course at the Indy Motor Speedway has become
a doubleheader. IndyCar will race on the track Friday,
Oct. 2 and Saturday, Oct. 3.
Two other events already scheduled on the series calendar
will now become doubleheader weekends.
Mid-Ohio will host races on Saturday, Aug. 8 and Sunday,
Aug. 9.
There will also be two races on the Gateway oval -
Saturday, Aug. 29 and Sunday, Aug. 30.
Unfortunately, races planned at Portland and Laguna Seca
have been canceled due to the pandemic. The IndyCar
series looks forward to returning to both venues in 2021.
This is especially bad news for Sebastien Bourdais who
planned to split the season at AJ Foyt Racing with Dalton
Kellett and Tony Kanaan.
Except for St Peteresburg, which has been rescheduled to
the end of the season, every race Bourdais was supposed to
race has now been cancelled with the elimination of
Portland.
Bourdais is keeping busy racing in the top tier DPi class in
IMSA Sportscars. Some previous IndyCar drivers also are
racing in that class, including Juan Montoya, Helio
Castroneves, Ryan Briscoe and Mike Conway.
Meanwhile, Kanaan, who is only racing ovals in his final
year of IndyCar competition, picks up another race with the
addition of the second race at Gateway. (Iowa also gifted
him another race when it became a doubleheader.)
I haven't heard who will race the #14 at the new Harvest
Grand Prix at Indianapolis. I assume it will be Kellett
who probably has the K-Line sponsorship.
IndyCar remains on track to run 14 races in the 2020
season.
planned to split the season at AJ Foyt Racing with Dalton
Kellett and Tony Kanaan.
Except for St Peteresburg, which has been rescheduled to
the end of the season, every race Bourdais was supposed to
race has now been cancelled with the elimination of
Portland.
Bourdais is keeping busy racing in the top tier DPi class in
IMSA Sportscars. Some previous IndyCar drivers also are
racing in that class, including Juan Montoya, Helio
Castroneves, Ryan Briscoe and Mike Conway.
Meanwhile, Kanaan, who is only racing ovals in his final
year of IndyCar competition, picks up another race with the
addition of the second race at Gateway. (Iowa also gifted
him another race when it became a doubleheader.)
I haven't heard who will race the #14 at the new Harvest
Grand Prix at Indianapolis. I assume it will be Kellett
who probably has the K-Line sponsorship.
IndyCar remains on track to run 14 races in the 2020
season.
| Mid-Ohio |
| Gateway |
| So long Portland and Laguna Seca |
July 8 - Jimmie Johnson has been cleared to return to competition. After testing positive for COVID-19 Friday afternoon,
Johnson did not compete at Indianapolis on Sunday, marking the first time he has missed a race in his Cup Series career. He
tested negative twice this week – on Monday and Tuesday – and was cleared by his physician Tuesday evening in accordance
with NASCAR guidelines. The driver never experienced symptoms.
Johnson did not compete at Indianapolis on Sunday, marking the first time he has missed a race in his Cup Series career. He
tested negative twice this week – on Monday and Tuesday – and was cleared by his physician Tuesday evening in accordance
with NASCAR guidelines. The driver never experienced symptoms.