| October 2010 |
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IndyCar Championship Decided At Last Race
Oct 2 - Coming into Homestead Miami Speedway, Penske's Will Power led the IRL's IndyCar series championship by 11 points over 2009
champion, Dario Franchitti.
While Franchitti was leading most of the race, Power ended up tapping the wall and breaking his car. Once he was out, Franchitti relaxed and fell
Oct 2 - Coming into Homestead Miami Speedway, Penske's Will Power led the IRL's IndyCar series championship by 11 points over 2009
champion, Dario Franchitti.
While Franchitti was leading most of the race, Power ended up tapping the wall and breaking his car. Once he was out, Franchitti relaxed and fell
back to 10th place where he could finish and still win the championship and
the one million dollar prize that went with it.
This was Franchitti's 3rd IndyCar championship, having won last year and in
2007. He also won this year's Indianapolis 500.
the one million dollar prize that went with it.
This was Franchitti's 3rd IndyCar championship, having won last year and in
2007. He also won this year's Indianapolis 500.
| Ashley Judd, Dario Franchitti, Chip Ganassi |
The Miami race was an exciting end to this year's season. During
the last laps, the excitement reached fever pitch as Danica Patrick
chased team-mate Tony Kanaan around the 1.5-mile oval for 2nd
place. She finally managed to pull ahead on the last lap, barely
taking 2nd place. She said it felt like a win. The finish pushed her
into the top 10 in the final point standings.
the last laps, the excitement reached fever pitch as Danica Patrick
chased team-mate Tony Kanaan around the 1.5-mile oval for 2nd
place. She finally managed to pull ahead on the last lap, barely
taking 2nd place. She said it felt like a win. The finish pushed her
into the top 10 in the final point standings.
Alex Lloyd, driving the Boy Scouts of America car for Dale
Coyne Racing, wrapped up the indyCar Rookie of the
Year, beating out Simona De Silvestro, Sebastian
Saavedra, Ana Beatriz, Bertrand Baguette and former F1
driver Takuma Sato.
2010 IndyCar Final Point Standings
Coyne Racing, wrapped up the indyCar Rookie of the
Year, beating out Simona De Silvestro, Sebastian
Saavedra, Ana Beatriz, Bertrand Baguette and former F1
driver Takuma Sato.
2010 IndyCar Final Point Standings
NASCAR Sponsor Moves to Stewart-Haas Racing
Oct 12 - Mobil 1 is dropping Penske Racing after 19 years of
sponsorship in NASCAR, apparently because Penske now has
Pennzoil sponsering Kurt Busch.
Mobil 1 are moving their money to Tony Stewart's team. This
leaves Sam Hornish, Jr. without a main sponsor for next year.
Unlike Stewart, Hornish has had a lackluster career since leaving
IndyCar. He should have been smart like Dario Franchitti and
moved back to IndyCar long ago. Now Penske has its fill of
IndyCar drivers and no room for Hornish. Where will he end up?
Maybe he can get Stewart's old sponsor, Old Spice.
Jeff Gordon is also looking for primary sponsorship for 2011 after
Dupont decided to scale back it's sponsorship.
Oct 12 - Mobil 1 is dropping Penske Racing after 19 years of
sponsorship in NASCAR, apparently because Penske now has
Pennzoil sponsering Kurt Busch.
Mobil 1 are moving their money to Tony Stewart's team. This
leaves Sam Hornish, Jr. without a main sponsor for next year.
Unlike Stewart, Hornish has had a lackluster career since leaving
IndyCar. He should have been smart like Dario Franchitti and
moved back to IndyCar long ago. Now Penske has its fill of
IndyCar drivers and no room for Hornish. Where will he end up?
Maybe he can get Stewart's old sponsor, Old Spice.
Jeff Gordon is also looking for primary sponsorship for 2011 after
Dupont decided to scale back it's sponsorship.
Jorge Lorenzo seals 2010 MotoGP Title
Oct 10 - 23 year-old Jorge Lorenzo has fully asserted his
dominance in the premiere MotoGP class in only his third year
with the Fiat Yamaha team. A previous winner of two 250cc titles
he can now add the 2010 MotoGP Championship to his collection.
In 2008 he was moved into the Fiat Yamaha team to ride
alongside a legend on two wheels, Valentino Rossi. Straight
from the 250cc class championship Lorenzo hit the ground
running in MotoGP.
At the start of the 2009 season it was clear both Yamaha riders
would be competitive, and as the season progressed it was no
surprise the title came down between Lorenzo and teammate
Rossi. The teammates quickly became rivals on the track, with
victory often coming down to who could hold the advantage in that
particular race. At the end of the season Rossi earned 6 wins and
13 podiums over Lorenzo's 4 victories and 12 top three finishes.
The title went to Rossi with Lorenzo in second, 45 points behind.
Enter the 2010 season, where right off the bat the teammates
were at it again. Rossi took the season opener with Lorenzo close
behind in second. In the next two races Lorenzo was the top
Yamaha but Rossi was always close at hand, finishing on the
podium. It looked like this was shaping to be the epic battle for the
season when tragedy struck Rossi.
The Italian had a huge crash in Italy and was forced to miss four
events as he recovered from a broken tibia. That left the door
open for Lorenzo to sweep the next three races with little
pressure. Yet a new rival was beginning to grow stronger and by
Germany Dani Pedrosa was able to beat Lorenzo for the second
time this year.
However, his fellow Spaniard wasn't much of a threat yet, as
Lorenzo would go on to win twice more in America and the Czech
Republic. His victory in Brno would be the last win of the season
thus far for Lorenzo.
With Rossi back on his Yamaha but still struggling with his sore
leg, the title fight heated up between Pedrosa and Lorenzo. Indy
marked the start of a slight slump in Lorenzo's performance and in
Aragon the Spaniard failed to make the podium for the first time in
the season. In all, his podium streak was 12 races, becoming the
fourth person to accomplish the feat in 62 years.
Oct 10 - 23 year-old Jorge Lorenzo has fully asserted his
dominance in the premiere MotoGP class in only his third year
with the Fiat Yamaha team. A previous winner of two 250cc titles
he can now add the 2010 MotoGP Championship to his collection.
In 2008 he was moved into the Fiat Yamaha team to ride
alongside a legend on two wheels, Valentino Rossi. Straight
from the 250cc class championship Lorenzo hit the ground
running in MotoGP.
At the start of the 2009 season it was clear both Yamaha riders
would be competitive, and as the season progressed it was no
surprise the title came down between Lorenzo and teammate
Rossi. The teammates quickly became rivals on the track, with
victory often coming down to who could hold the advantage in that
particular race. At the end of the season Rossi earned 6 wins and
13 podiums over Lorenzo's 4 victories and 12 top three finishes.
The title went to Rossi with Lorenzo in second, 45 points behind.
Enter the 2010 season, where right off the bat the teammates
were at it again. Rossi took the season opener with Lorenzo close
behind in second. In the next two races Lorenzo was the top
Yamaha but Rossi was always close at hand, finishing on the
podium. It looked like this was shaping to be the epic battle for the
season when tragedy struck Rossi.
The Italian had a huge crash in Italy and was forced to miss four
events as he recovered from a broken tibia. That left the door
open for Lorenzo to sweep the next three races with little
pressure. Yet a new rival was beginning to grow stronger and by
Germany Dani Pedrosa was able to beat Lorenzo for the second
time this year.
However, his fellow Spaniard wasn't much of a threat yet, as
Lorenzo would go on to win twice more in America and the Czech
Republic. His victory in Brno would be the last win of the season
thus far for Lorenzo.
With Rossi back on his Yamaha but still struggling with his sore
leg, the title fight heated up between Pedrosa and Lorenzo. Indy
marked the start of a slight slump in Lorenzo's performance and in
Aragon the Spaniard failed to make the podium for the first time in
the season. In all, his podium streak was 12 races, becoming the
fourth person to accomplish the feat in 62 years.
It looked like Pedrosa had a chance to chase Lorenzo down for
the title but one more time Lorenzo's rival fell with misfortune.
Pedrosa crashed in practice at Japan, shattering his shoulder.
The Repsol Honda rider was forced to sit the race out last
weekend but tried to get ready for this week's Malaysia GP.
Unfortunately it was way too soon for Pedrosa to get back on a
bike. With his rival gone, Lorenzo just needed ninth or better this
weekend to clinch the championship.
Instead of taking it easy, Lorenzo shot to pole yesterday and
seemed eager to win today. Yet that battle ended up between
Rossi and Andrea Dovizioso while Lorenzo crossed the line
third, earning his 13th podium of the year, along with the title of
course.
Out of 49 career starts in MotoGP, Lorenzo has earned 31
podiums, 15 poles, 12 victories and 8 fastest race laps. Eleven of
the races where he missed the podium came from the 2008
season, his overall performance in the past two years are 25
podiums out of 32 races so far! This figure alone is proof enough
that the title was just a matter of time for Lorenzo, and truly well
deserved.
As for the important decision if the 99 Yamaha will now become
number 1? "I don't know yet if I will use the number one next
season. If I can think of a good design then yes, if not I stick with
99!"
the title but one more time Lorenzo's rival fell with misfortune.
Pedrosa crashed in practice at Japan, shattering his shoulder.
The Repsol Honda rider was forced to sit the race out last
weekend but tried to get ready for this week's Malaysia GP.
Unfortunately it was way too soon for Pedrosa to get back on a
bike. With his rival gone, Lorenzo just needed ninth or better this
weekend to clinch the championship.
Instead of taking it easy, Lorenzo shot to pole yesterday and
seemed eager to win today. Yet that battle ended up between
Rossi and Andrea Dovizioso while Lorenzo crossed the line
third, earning his 13th podium of the year, along with the title of
course.
Out of 49 career starts in MotoGP, Lorenzo has earned 31
podiums, 15 poles, 12 victories and 8 fastest race laps. Eleven of
the races where he missed the podium came from the 2008
season, his overall performance in the past two years are 25
podiums out of 32 races so far! This figure alone is proof enough
that the title was just a matter of time for Lorenzo, and truly well
deserved.
As for the important decision if the 99 Yamaha will now become
number 1? "I don't know yet if I will use the number one next
season. If I can think of a good design then yes, if not I stick with
99!"
Fernandez Honored
Oct 8 - Adrian Fernandez was inducted into the Mexican Auto
Racing Federation Hall of Fame. Fernandez, an offical works
driver for Aston Martin Racing in the 007 Lowe's entry, entered
his first auto race in 1981 -- the 24 Hours of Mexico. His diverse
career has included wins at the top levels of professional
motorsports including Champ Car, IndyCar, Grand-Am and
American Le Mans Series competition as well as eight starts in the
NASCAR Nationwide Series for Team Lowe's Racing. Alongside
teammate Luis Diaz, he mostly recently claimed the 2009
American Le Mans Series LMP2 team and driver championships.
Oct 8 - Adrian Fernandez was inducted into the Mexican Auto
Racing Federation Hall of Fame. Fernandez, an offical works
driver for Aston Martin Racing in the 007 Lowe's entry, entered
his first auto race in 1981 -- the 24 Hours of Mexico. His diverse
career has included wins at the top levels of professional
motorsports including Champ Car, IndyCar, Grand-Am and
American Le Mans Series competition as well as eight starts in the
NASCAR Nationwide Series for Team Lowe's Racing. Alongside
teammate Luis Diaz, he mostly recently claimed the 2009
American Le Mans Series LMP2 team and driver championships.
Fernandez at 2006 Indy 500
Danica Will Run Some NASCAR in 2011
Oct 15 - Danica Patrick will drive the No. 7 GoDaddy.com
Chevrolet in the first four NASCAR Nationwide Series events of
2011 for JR Motorsports. The races beyond that have not been
determined, although Patrick will take on a schedule similar to that
of her 13-race rookie campaign.
The first four races include the season-opening 300 at Daytona
followed by the 200-mile race at Phoenix, the 300-mile race at Las
Vegas, and the 150-mile dash at Bristol. Patrick will then return to
the IndyCar Series to dedicate full-time attention to open-wheel
racing, making sporadic returns to NASCAR throughout the year.
As a side note, Bluewater Productions is making a biography
comic book about Danica called Fame.
Oct 15 - Danica Patrick will drive the No. 7 GoDaddy.com
Chevrolet in the first four NASCAR Nationwide Series events of
2011 for JR Motorsports. The races beyond that have not been
determined, although Patrick will take on a schedule similar to that
of her 13-race rookie campaign.
The first four races include the season-opening 300 at Daytona
followed by the 200-mile race at Phoenix, the 300-mile race at Las
Vegas, and the 150-mile dash at Bristol. Patrick will then return to
the IndyCar Series to dedicate full-time attention to open-wheel
racing, making sporadic returns to NASCAR throughout the year.
As a side note, Bluewater Productions is making a biography
comic book about Danica called Fame.
Korean GP a Wet Mess
Oct 24 - The FIA ok'd the new circuit at Yeongam in Korea just 12
days prior to the scheduled race.
The circuit is built on a swamp, by the ocean and only a few feet
above sea level. Reports indicated swarming mosquitos and
photographers spread around the circuit were scared by all the
snakes that showed up.
Heavy rain fell during the race. The track never dried and the
water didn't want to run off. This caused a very slippery track and
8 drivers crashed. There were even spins while the drivers tried
to line up for the start.
Oct 24 - The FIA ok'd the new circuit at Yeongam in Korea just 12
days prior to the scheduled race.
The circuit is built on a swamp, by the ocean and only a few feet
above sea level. Reports indicated swarming mosquitos and
photographers spread around the circuit were scared by all the
snakes that showed up.
Heavy rain fell during the race. The track never dried and the
water didn't want to run off. This caused a very slippery track and
8 drivers crashed. There were even spins while the drivers tried
to line up for the start.
Danica Patrick Comic Book
The rain caused a delay to the start. When they finally did start it,
it was ran under caution behind the safety car.
The entrance to pit lane is around a blind curve and sharply to
the right of the track, creating a very dangerous situation for
drivers needing to pit.
There were problems with the facility location too. There were no
decent hotels and teams and media had to stay in "love motels".
They also encountered problems with electricial utilities. Also, the
roads in were not up to the task and some fans were left parking
in soggy bogs, not getting in in time for the start, or finding that
their stands were not yet completed.
Both Red Bull cars crashed which enabled race winner Fernando
Alonso to move into first place in the driver point standings.
it was ran under caution behind the safety car.
The entrance to pit lane is around a blind curve and sharply to
the right of the track, creating a very dangerous situation for
drivers needing to pit.
There were problems with the facility location too. There were no
decent hotels and teams and media had to stay in "love motels".
They also encountered problems with electricial utilities. Also, the
roads in were not up to the task and some fans were left parking
in soggy bogs, not getting in in time for the start, or finding that
their stands were not yet completed.
Both Red Bull cars crashed which enabled race winner Fernando
Alonso to move into first place in the driver point standings.
Stewart can go back
to wearing Chanel #5
to wearing Chanel #5
Superleague Formula Crowns Davide Rigon
Oct-26 - Italian Davide Rigon has won the 2010 Superleague
Formula championship.
The Superleague Formula is an open wheel series that races in
Europe and China. The 3-year-old series names their teams after
soccer teams, mainly European ones.
I haven't seen one of their races yet. I was looking over their Web
Site and while I found a list of driver points and a list of team
finishing orders, but no way to tie the two together. Strange.
Instead of qualifying for a race, they invert the finishing order from
the previous race, so for instance the winner has to start from last
place.
It also appears they run several races and then have a finale with
just a handful of drivers.
I did notice that Sebastian Bourdais has raced in the series this
year.
I'm not sure what the soccer teams have to do with it. I am
guessing that since soccer is so popular over there, they are
trying to use that fan base to attract fans to their sport.
Oh yes! The cars have 750 h.p. V-12 enginess. I bet they sound
good!
Oct-26 - Italian Davide Rigon has won the 2010 Superleague
Formula championship.
The Superleague Formula is an open wheel series that races in
Europe and China. The 3-year-old series names their teams after
soccer teams, mainly European ones.
I haven't seen one of their races yet. I was looking over their Web
Site and while I found a list of driver points and a list of team
finishing orders, but no way to tie the two together. Strange.
Instead of qualifying for a race, they invert the finishing order from
the previous race, so for instance the winner has to start from last
place.
It also appears they run several races and then have a finale with
just a handful of drivers.
I did notice that Sebastian Bourdais has raced in the series this
year.
I'm not sure what the soccer teams have to do with it. I am
guessing that since soccer is so popular over there, they are
trying to use that fan base to attract fans to their sport.
Oh yes! The cars have 750 h.p. V-12 enginess. I bet they sound
good!
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