| June 2009 |
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June 4 - The wives of IndyCar drivers Ed Carpenter and Alex Lloyd have given birth one day apart in the same hospital room and with the
same nursing staff in attendance. Heather Carpenter gave birth to 8-pound, 1-ounce Ryder Everette Carpenter at Clarian North Hospital
in Carmel on Monday. The next day, Samantha Lloyd delivered 6-pound, 12-ounce Amelia Lloyd. The Indy Racing League said Wednesday
both mothers and babies are doing well.The newborns also have siblings who were born four days apart in 2007, Ava Lloyd on Oct. 5 and
Makenna Carpenter on Oct. 9.
same nursing staff in attendance. Heather Carpenter gave birth to 8-pound, 1-ounce Ryder Everette Carpenter at Clarian North Hospital
in Carmel on Monday. The next day, Samantha Lloyd delivered 6-pound, 12-ounce Amelia Lloyd. The Indy Racing League said Wednesday
both mothers and babies are doing well.The newborns also have siblings who were born four days apart in 2007, Ava Lloyd on Oct. 5 and
Makenna Carpenter on Oct. 9.
Button Wins F1 In Turkey
June 7 - What difference does eight additional years make at one's
craft? Ask Sebastian Vettel. His second full season in Formula One
couldn't overcome Jenson Button's decade in the series Sunday.
Brawn GP driver Button took advantage of the younger driver's bobble
at Turn 9 on Lap 1 to take the race lead then motor away to easy
victory in the Grand Prix of Turkey.
Lewis Hamilton of McLaren Mercedes, who again experienced the
ignominy of being lapped as the current World Drivers' Champion
although Button eased -- enough to be counted on the lead lap by
race's end.
Out of the points were Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen in ninth, who faded
early, followed by Renault's Fernando Alonso, who told his team, "I
cannot do that," when advised to stop racing Kubica -- for points -- to
let the R29's engine cool.
June 7 - What difference does eight additional years make at one's
craft? Ask Sebastian Vettel. His second full season in Formula One
couldn't overcome Jenson Button's decade in the series Sunday.
Brawn GP driver Button took advantage of the younger driver's bobble
at Turn 9 on Lap 1 to take the race lead then motor away to easy
victory in the Grand Prix of Turkey.
Lewis Hamilton of McLaren Mercedes, who again experienced the
ignominy of being lapped as the current World Drivers' Champion
although Button eased -- enough to be counted on the lead lap by
race's end.
Out of the points were Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen in ninth, who faded
early, followed by Renault's Fernando Alonso, who told his team, "I
cannot do that," when advised to stop racing Kubica -- for points -- to
let the R29's engine cool.
Rubens Barrichello was at the helm of a monstrous race. The
Brazilian stalled his Brawn GP BGP001 in his third spot on the grid and
dropped 10 places. In a display of the car's superior pace, he stormed
back but connected with KERS-wielding Kovalainen, lost seventh
gear, advanced to make contact with Sutil, which required a new front
wing, and thereafter slogged around at the rear until the gearbox gave
up altogether on Lap 49 of 58. The retirement was Brawn GP's first of
the season and Barrichello's first finish out of the points.
Another 10 points add to the rolling boulder that is Button's lead in the
FIA World Drivers' Championship, now 61 points and 26 ahead of the
next driver, his hapless teammate. Button toiled in F1 for nearly seven
years -- sniggered about as the Anna Kournikova of motorsport:
prettiest competitor never to win -- before he won his first race, the
Hungarian Grand Prix of 2006. Now he has won six of seven races in
2009. Only Jim Clark and Michael Schumacher have made such
storming starts to an F1 season; each ended the year championship in
hand.
Brazilian stalled his Brawn GP BGP001 in his third spot on the grid and
dropped 10 places. In a display of the car's superior pace, he stormed
back but connected with KERS-wielding Kovalainen, lost seventh
gear, advanced to make contact with Sutil, which required a new front
wing, and thereafter slogged around at the rear until the gearbox gave
up altogether on Lap 49 of 58. The retirement was Brawn GP's first of
the season and Barrichello's first finish out of the points.
Another 10 points add to the rolling boulder that is Button's lead in the
FIA World Drivers' Championship, now 61 points and 26 ahead of the
next driver, his hapless teammate. Button toiled in F1 for nearly seven
years -- sniggered about as the Anna Kournikova of motorsport:
prettiest competitor never to win -- before he won his first race, the
Hungarian Grand Prix of 2006. Now he has won six of seven races in
2009. Only Jim Clark and Michael Schumacher have made such
storming starts to an F1 season; each ended the year championship in
hand.
Sponsorship Problems
June 6 - IndyCar Series drivers Darren Manning, Buddy Rice and Bruno
Junqueira have gravitated to the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series,
at least for a while.
Leading up to the Indianapolis 500, they made it known they were available to
car owners but without sponsorship, they didn't land a ride.
While Manning and Junqueira walked Gasoline Alley in Indianapolis looking
for rides, Rice stayed home fielding occasional call, none of which led to a
ride.
"It is always frustrating for a race driver not to be in a big race, particularly
one I had won in the past," Rice said.
June 6 - IndyCar Series drivers Darren Manning, Buddy Rice and Bruno
Junqueira have gravitated to the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series,
at least for a while.
Leading up to the Indianapolis 500, they made it known they were available to
car owners but without sponsorship, they didn't land a ride.
While Manning and Junqueira walked Gasoline Alley in Indianapolis looking
for rides, Rice stayed home fielding occasional call, none of which led to a
ride.
"It is always frustrating for a race driver not to be in a big race, particularly
one I had won in the past," Rice said.
Flooding At Daytona Speedway
Jun 15 - After months of drought, Daytona Florida was hit by days of
unrelenting rain that quickly flooded streets -- along with some homes
and businesses. Bunnell received the most -- a staggering 28 inches
of rain over five days. Ormond Beach was close behind with more than
25 inches and Daytona Beach received almost more than 19 inches of
rain.
Jun 15 - After months of drought, Daytona Florida was hit by days of
unrelenting rain that quickly flooded streets -- along with some homes
and businesses. Bunnell received the most -- a staggering 28 inches
of rain over five days. Ormond Beach was close behind with more than
25 inches and Daytona Beach received almost more than 19 inches of
rain.
Perhaps it is time for some boat racing?
IndyCar Driver Switches
June 12 - Driver Ryan Hunter-Reay is moving from Vision Racing to
AJ Foyt Enterprises. Hunter-Reay will be driving the No. 14 instead of
his ride in the Vision Racing No. 21. The move by the two teams was
completed yesterday according the the Foyt Racing press release.
The team's driver, Vitor Meira, was injured during the 500 race at
Indianapolis Motor Speedway with a back injury that needs time to heal.
Tony George, co-owner of Vision Racing, recently indicated that his
need to "re-focus his team's resources" per today's press release.
Vision Racing will continue the season with Ed Carpenter has the
primary driver.
"We all feel Ryan will be able to contribute to their program and
provide continuity for the rest of the season while they await Vitor's
return," said George.
The two events after Indy saw Paul Tracy and A.J. Foyt IV in the No.
14 cockpit. Neither fared well for the team at Milwaukee or Texas.
Earlier in the year prior to his crash at Indy, Meira landed the team
their best this season in ninth.
Hunter-Reay's best in 2009 thus far was at St. Petersburg where he
landed the team their best ever finish when he ended the street fight in
second following Team Penske's Ryan Briscoe across the start/finish
line.
Vision Racing will field one car only for rest of season while A.J. FoyT
Enterprises will concentrate for now on the No. 14, but when Meira is
cleared to race, he will return in a second car for the team which at
present time might not happen until the series finale at
Homestead-Miami Speedway.
June 12 - Driver Ryan Hunter-Reay is moving from Vision Racing to
AJ Foyt Enterprises. Hunter-Reay will be driving the No. 14 instead of
his ride in the Vision Racing No. 21. The move by the two teams was
completed yesterday according the the Foyt Racing press release.
The team's driver, Vitor Meira, was injured during the 500 race at
Indianapolis Motor Speedway with a back injury that needs time to heal.
Tony George, co-owner of Vision Racing, recently indicated that his
need to "re-focus his team's resources" per today's press release.
Vision Racing will continue the season with Ed Carpenter has the
primary driver.
"We all feel Ryan will be able to contribute to their program and
provide continuity for the rest of the season while they await Vitor's
return," said George.
The two events after Indy saw Paul Tracy and A.J. Foyt IV in the No.
14 cockpit. Neither fared well for the team at Milwaukee or Texas.
Earlier in the year prior to his crash at Indy, Meira landed the team
their best this season in ninth.
Hunter-Reay's best in 2009 thus far was at St. Petersburg where he
landed the team their best ever finish when he ended the street fight in
second following Team Penske's Ryan Briscoe across the start/finish
line.
Vision Racing will field one car only for rest of season while A.J. FoyT
Enterprises will concentrate for now on the No. 14, but when Meira is
cleared to race, he will return in a second car for the team which at
present time might not happen until the series finale at
Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Richard Antinucci appears to have the ride in the
CURB/Agajanian/Team 3G No. 98 Dallara Honda starting on the road
course in Watkins Glen, NY.
The American-Italian racer has been competitive in the Indy Lights
Series, both for his Uncle Eddie Cheever and Sam Schmidt
Motorsports. In 2007, he only ran nine events -- street and road
circuits -- for his Cheever Racing, taking two wins. Switching gears to
SSM, Antinucci landed two more victories running both ovals and
road/street courses. It was a good year and had it not been for the
dominant drive by Raphael Matos, Antinucci would have taken the
championship, instead he ended second.
Antinucci looks forward to his first attempt as the newest rookie in
IndyCar this season. He recently tested the car at the same track he
will make his debut on the July 4th weekend.
CURB/Agajanian/Team 3G No. 98 Dallara Honda starting on the road
course in Watkins Glen, NY.
The American-Italian racer has been competitive in the Indy Lights
Series, both for his Uncle Eddie Cheever and Sam Schmidt
Motorsports. In 2007, he only ran nine events -- street and road
circuits -- for his Cheever Racing, taking two wins. Switching gears to
SSM, Antinucci landed two more victories running both ovals and
road/street courses. It was a good year and had it not been for the
dominant drive by Raphael Matos, Antinucci would have taken the
championship, instead he ended second.
Antinucci looks forward to his first attempt as the newest rookie in
IndyCar this season. He recently tested the car at the same track he
will make his debut on the July 4th weekend.
| Richard Antinucci |
Team Penske confirmed Monday that Will Power will run five more races for the team with which he started this season. The team has not
said which races Power will run. Power opened the season with Penske’s team as a temporary replacement for Helio Castroneves. When
Castroneves was acquitted of tax evasion charges in April, Power’s job was in jeopardy. But Penske kept Power on the team for two more
races. Power finished second at Long Beach and fifth at Indianapolis after opening the season with a sixth-place finish in St. Petersburg.
Despite missing one of the first four races, Power was eighth in points. The 28-year-old Australian has not driven since Indy.
said which races Power will run. Power opened the season with Penske’s team as a temporary replacement for Helio Castroneves. When
Castroneves was acquitted of tax evasion charges in April, Power’s job was in jeopardy. But Penske kept Power on the team for two more
races. Power finished second at Long Beach and fifth at Indianapolis after opening the season with a sixth-place finish in St. Petersburg.
Despite missing one of the first four races, Power was eighth in points. The 28-year-old Australian has not driven since Indy.
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