| August 2013 |
| Latest news is at the bottom |
MotoGP Qualifying Change
As in previous years, there will be three 45-
minute Free Practice sessions, which will be
held Friday morning and afternoon, as well as
Saturday morning. The difference this year will
be that the times set in those sessions will count
towards Qualifying, with the combined results
determining whether a rider will participate in
Q1 or Q2.
Moto2 and Moto3 free practices and qualifying will
remain the same as in previous years.
New Procedure:
As in previous years, there will be three 45-
minute Free Practice sessions, which will be
held Friday morning and afternoon, as well as
Saturday morning. The difference this year will
be that the times set in those sessions will count
towards Qualifying, with the combined results
determining whether a rider will participate in
Q1 or Q2.
Moto2 and Moto3 free practices and qualifying will
remain the same as in previous years.
New Procedure:
| RACE NEWS & VIEWS |
MotoGP Heading To Indy
Aug 12 - The sixth annual MotoGP race at IMS on
Sunday, Aug. 18 once again will feature the world's
best motorcycle racers, including superstars
Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, and Dani
Pedrosa who will race against American standouts
Nicky Hayden, Ben Spies and Colin Edwards
aboard 1000cc prototype motorcycles from Ducati,
Honda and Yamaha on the 16-turn, 2.621-mile IMS
road course.
The RBIGP race weekend will also include
competition in the Moto2 (600cc) and Moto3 (250cc)
World Championship classes featuring riders from
around the world.
The distinctive rumble of American V-Twin thunder
also will be heard and felt for the third consecutive
year on track at IMS, as the AMA Pro Vance & Hines
Harley-Davidson Series returns with races on
Saturday, Aug. 17 and Sunday, Aug. 18.
In addition, electric-powered race motorcycles
capable of reaching speeds of 170 mph will compete
for the first time at IMS in a round of the FIM
eRoadRacing series featuring teams from across
America.
Marc Marquez, 20, is the current MotoGP World
Championship leader. Marquez, from Spain, has
had an incredible rookie season for the Repsol
Honda Team. He has already won three races,
including the last two leading into the Red Bull
Indianapolis GP. Earlier this season, he became
the youngest premier-class race winner in the 64-
year history of Grand Prix motorcycle racing.
He enters Indianapolis with a 16-point lead over
teammate and two-time Red Bull Indianapolis GP
winner Pedrosa and a 26-point lead over reigning
World Champion and 2009 Indianapolis winner
Lorenzo.
Marquez has enjoyed success at IMS, winning the
Moto2 races in 2011 and 2012 before climbing to
the premier MotoGP class this year.
Aug 12 - The sixth annual MotoGP race at IMS on
Sunday, Aug. 18 once again will feature the world's
best motorcycle racers, including superstars
Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, and Dani
Pedrosa who will race against American standouts
Nicky Hayden, Ben Spies and Colin Edwards
aboard 1000cc prototype motorcycles from Ducati,
Honda and Yamaha on the 16-turn, 2.621-mile IMS
road course.
The RBIGP race weekend will also include
competition in the Moto2 (600cc) and Moto3 (250cc)
World Championship classes featuring riders from
around the world.
The distinctive rumble of American V-Twin thunder
also will be heard and felt for the third consecutive
year on track at IMS, as the AMA Pro Vance & Hines
Harley-Davidson Series returns with races on
Saturday, Aug. 17 and Sunday, Aug. 18.
In addition, electric-powered race motorcycles
capable of reaching speeds of 170 mph will compete
for the first time at IMS in a round of the FIM
eRoadRacing series featuring teams from across
America.
Marc Marquez, 20, is the current MotoGP World
Championship leader. Marquez, from Spain, has
had an incredible rookie season for the Repsol
Honda Team. He has already won three races,
including the last two leading into the Red Bull
Indianapolis GP. Earlier this season, he became
the youngest premier-class race winner in the 64-
year history of Grand Prix motorcycle racing.
He enters Indianapolis with a 16-point lead over
teammate and two-time Red Bull Indianapolis GP
winner Pedrosa and a 26-point lead over reigning
World Champion and 2009 Indianapolis winner
Lorenzo.
Marquez has enjoyed success at IMS, winning the
Moto2 races in 2011 and 2012 before climbing to
the premier MotoGP class this year.
| Marc Marquez |
IndyCar at Mid-Ohio
Aug 5 - Charlie Kimball took home the first win of
his IZOD IndyCar Series career in Round 14 in the
Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
In the final practice session on Saturday, Kimball
crashed into the Turn 1 barrier, but the Novo Nordisk
Ganassi team got the car repaired in time for
qualifying. He made it to the Firestone Fast Six for
the second time in his IZOD IndyCar career and tied
his career-best qualifying effort of fifth (Barber, 2013).
For the start of the 90-lap race, Kimball immediately
showed strength on the 2.258-mile road course and
battled around Marco Andretti to nab the fourth
spot by the second lap.
While other frontrunners chose a two-stop pit
strategy focused on fuel-conservation for the 90-lap
race, the No. 83 team strategized for a three-stop
approach. Kimball spent the initial stages of the
race holding fourth position until called to pit lane
for his first stop on lap 19 to take another set of
alternate tires and fuel.
With a quick pit stop, the No. 83 car exited pit lane in
sixth and worked its way up to fourth before the
leading cars went to pit lane for their initial stops
where Kimball rotated to first position. Shortly after
taking the lead, the No. 83 team reported to Kimball
that he was posting good lap times as he produced
his fastest run of the race on lap 34.
Nearing the halfway mark of the caution-free race,
the team called Kimball to pit lane for his second of
three stops from first position to take its only set of
primary tires. Exiting pit lane in second, Kimball
would spend only six laps out of the lead before
retaining it following a pit stop from Simon
Pagenaud.
Kimball made his third and final pit stop on lap 65
and took his final set of alternate tires. With 18-laps
remaining, the race-leading Pagenaud, working a
similar race-strategy as Kimball, made his final pit
stop and resumed in first position.
Aug 5 - Charlie Kimball took home the first win of
his IZOD IndyCar Series career in Round 14 in the
Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
In the final practice session on Saturday, Kimball
crashed into the Turn 1 barrier, but the Novo Nordisk
Ganassi team got the car repaired in time for
qualifying. He made it to the Firestone Fast Six for
the second time in his IZOD IndyCar career and tied
his career-best qualifying effort of fifth (Barber, 2013).
For the start of the 90-lap race, Kimball immediately
showed strength on the 2.258-mile road course and
battled around Marco Andretti to nab the fourth
spot by the second lap.
While other frontrunners chose a two-stop pit
strategy focused on fuel-conservation for the 90-lap
race, the No. 83 team strategized for a three-stop
approach. Kimball spent the initial stages of the
race holding fourth position until called to pit lane
for his first stop on lap 19 to take another set of
alternate tires and fuel.
With a quick pit stop, the No. 83 car exited pit lane in
sixth and worked its way up to fourth before the
leading cars went to pit lane for their initial stops
where Kimball rotated to first position. Shortly after
taking the lead, the No. 83 team reported to Kimball
that he was posting good lap times as he produced
his fastest run of the race on lap 34.
Nearing the halfway mark of the caution-free race,
the team called Kimball to pit lane for his second of
three stops from first position to take its only set of
primary tires. Exiting pit lane in second, Kimball
would spend only six laps out of the lead before
retaining it following a pit stop from Simon
Pagenaud.
Kimball made his third and final pit stop on lap 65
and took his final set of alternate tires. With 18-laps
remaining, the race-leading Pagenaud, working a
similar race-strategy as Kimball, made his final pit
stop and resumed in first position.
As the two cars made their way to the end of the
Mid-Ohio back straight, Kimball used push-to-pass
to get around Pagenaud in the entry of turn five for
the lead. Kimball held on to the lead for the
remaining 17 laps until crossing the finish line with
a 5.533-second lead for the first win of his IZOD
IndyCar Series career.
With the win, Kimball moved from 11th into a tie for
seventh in the IZOD IndyCar Series point standings.
With Honda teams posting a one-two-three finish at
Mid-Ohio, they are now tied with Chevrolet in the
manufacturer point standings (105 points).
Mid-Ohio back straight, Kimball used push-to-pass
to get around Pagenaud in the entry of turn five for
the lead. Kimball held on to the lead for the
remaining 17 laps until crossing the finish line with
a 5.533-second lead for the first win of his IZOD
IndyCar Series career.
With the win, Kimball moved from 11th into a tie for
seventh in the IZOD IndyCar Series point standings.
With Honda teams posting a one-two-three finish at
Mid-Ohio, they are now tied with Chevrolet in the
manufacturer point standings (105 points).
| Charlie Kimball Scores his 1st IndyCar Victory |
Tony Stewart's Broken Leg
Aug 12 - Three-time Sprint Cup champion Tony
Stewart has been released from the hospital and is
resting at home.
Stewart broke his right leg in two places last Monday
night in a sprint car race in Iowa and is out indefinitely
after two surgeries to repair the damage.
A five-time winner at Watkins Glen International,
Stewart missed race Sunday, snapping his streak of
521 consecutive Cup starts and dropping him six
spots to 17th in the Sprint Cup standings.
Max Papis drove Stewart's No. 14 Chevrolet and
finished 15th. Several drivers had stickers on their
cars honoring Stewart with the message: "Get Well
Smoke 14.''
It is likely he will be replaced by teammate Ryan
Newman in one of the two spots currently eligible for
a Chase wild card.
Aug 12 - Three-time Sprint Cup champion Tony
Stewart has been released from the hospital and is
resting at home.
Stewart broke his right leg in two places last Monday
night in a sprint car race in Iowa and is out indefinitely
after two surgeries to repair the damage.
A five-time winner at Watkins Glen International,
Stewart missed race Sunday, snapping his streak of
521 consecutive Cup starts and dropping him six
spots to 17th in the Sprint Cup standings.
Max Papis drove Stewart's No. 14 Chevrolet and
finished 15th. Several drivers had stickers on their
cars honoring Stewart with the message: "Get Well
Smoke 14.''
It is likely he will be replaced by teammate Ryan
Newman in one of the two spots currently eligible for
a Chase wild card.
Castroneves Injured in Brazil
Aug 12 - IndyCar points leader Helio Castroneves
was racing in a Brazilian stock car race and
experienced a head-on crash at the end of a straight
when the brakes on his car failed.
"I was conscious at all times but I was a bit worried
because of the neck pain,'' the Brazilian driver said.
"But thankfully tests showed no serious injuries. My
ribs are still sore. It would be painful just to buckle the
seat belt.''
Aug 12 - IndyCar points leader Helio Castroneves
was racing in a Brazilian stock car race and
experienced a head-on crash at the end of a straight
when the brakes on his car failed.
"I was conscious at all times but I was a bit worried
because of the neck pain,'' the Brazilian driver said.
"But thankfully tests showed no serious injuries. My
ribs are still sore. It would be painful just to buckle the
seat belt.''
Marquez Has Perfect Weekend
Aug 18 - Marc Marquez of the Repsol Honda Team
won the Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Sunday, Aug. 18
at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the 10th of 18
events in the 2013 MotoGP World Championship.
Rookie Marquez, from Spain, earned his third
consecutive victory and fourth victory of the season on
his Repsol Honda – both tying records for a first-year
rider in the premier class set in 1978 by American
Kenny Roberts, who went on to win the 500cc World
Championship that year.
Marquez led all seven MotoGP on-track sessions
during the weekend – four practices, qualifying, the
warm-up and the race.
“I think we did the best we can in MotoGP,” Marquez
said. “I feel so good this weekend.”
Marquez started from the pole but slipped to third at
the start of the 27-lap race. But after running in a tight
lead pack with leader Jorge Lorenzo and teammate
Dani Pedrosa, Marquez passed Pedrosa for second
on Lap 9. He then began to stalk the Yamaha of
reigning World Champion Lorenzo.
Marquez made his decisive move on Lap 13, diving
under Lorenzo for the lead in Turn 2. Lorenzo stayed
within one second of Marquez for the next five laps
before Marquez pulled away.
Two-time Red Bull Indianapolis GP winner Pedrosa
rallied to pass Lorenzo for second on Lap 25 and
ended up 3.495 seconds behind Marquez at the finish.
Lorenzo completed the podium finishers in third.
Marquez completed a sweep of all three MotoGP
races this season in America and also has won his
last five starts in the United States. He won the Moto2
races in 2011 and 2012 at Indianapolis.
“Yeah, this will be my second country,” Marquez said.
Marquez expanded his lead over Pedrosa in the
MotoGP World Championship standings to 21 points
with the victory. Marquez is trying to become the first
rookie to win the premier-class world title since
Roberts in 1978.
2006 World Champion Nicky Hayden led the
American contingent, finishing ninth on his Ducati
Team machine. Hayden and teammate Andrea
Dovizioso collided and hopped the curb exiting the
final turn on the final lap, opening the door for Bradley
Smith’s Yamaha to pass both of them for eighth.
American Colin Edwards finished 13th on his NGM
Mobile Forward Racing FTR-Kawasaki, while
American wild-card Blake Young crashed out on Lap
1 on his Attack Performance Racing APR.
Spanish riders also won the Moto2 and Moto3 races.
The Red Bull Indianapolis GP will return in 2014, with
a race date in August to be announced in the future.
Aug 18 - Marc Marquez of the Repsol Honda Team
won the Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Sunday, Aug. 18
at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the 10th of 18
events in the 2013 MotoGP World Championship.
Rookie Marquez, from Spain, earned his third
consecutive victory and fourth victory of the season on
his Repsol Honda – both tying records for a first-year
rider in the premier class set in 1978 by American
Kenny Roberts, who went on to win the 500cc World
Championship that year.
Marquez led all seven MotoGP on-track sessions
during the weekend – four practices, qualifying, the
warm-up and the race.
“I think we did the best we can in MotoGP,” Marquez
said. “I feel so good this weekend.”
Marquez started from the pole but slipped to third at
the start of the 27-lap race. But after running in a tight
lead pack with leader Jorge Lorenzo and teammate
Dani Pedrosa, Marquez passed Pedrosa for second
on Lap 9. He then began to stalk the Yamaha of
reigning World Champion Lorenzo.
Marquez made his decisive move on Lap 13, diving
under Lorenzo for the lead in Turn 2. Lorenzo stayed
within one second of Marquez for the next five laps
before Marquez pulled away.
Two-time Red Bull Indianapolis GP winner Pedrosa
rallied to pass Lorenzo for second on Lap 25 and
ended up 3.495 seconds behind Marquez at the finish.
Lorenzo completed the podium finishers in third.
Marquez completed a sweep of all three MotoGP
races this season in America and also has won his
last five starts in the United States. He won the Moto2
races in 2011 and 2012 at Indianapolis.
“Yeah, this will be my second country,” Marquez said.
Marquez expanded his lead over Pedrosa in the
MotoGP World Championship standings to 21 points
with the victory. Marquez is trying to become the first
rookie to win the premier-class world title since
Roberts in 1978.
2006 World Champion Nicky Hayden led the
American contingent, finishing ninth on his Ducati
Team machine. Hayden and teammate Andrea
Dovizioso collided and hopped the curb exiting the
final turn on the final lap, opening the door for Bradley
Smith’s Yamaha to pass both of them for eighth.
American Colin Edwards finished 13th on his NGM
Mobile Forward Racing FTR-Kawasaki, while
American wild-card Blake Young crashed out on Lap
1 on his Attack Performance Racing APR.
Spanish riders also won the Moto2 and Moto3 races.
The Red Bull Indianapolis GP will return in 2014, with
a race date in August to be announced in the future.
| 2013 MotoGP at Indianapolis RESULTS |
| MotoGP Podium Dani Pedrosa (2nd), Marc Marquez (1st), Jorge Lorenzo (3rd) |
The Other Races...
Esteve Rabat passed Takaaki Nakagami on Lap 23
of the 25-lap Moto2 race to win by .766 of a second on
his Tuenti HP 40 Kalex.
Alex Rins prevailed in a Moto3 race that featured
numerous lead changes over 23 laps, holding off
teammate Alex Marquez – the younger brother of
MotoGP race winner Marc Marquez – by .177 of a
second on his Estrella Galicia 0,0 KTM.
Jeremy McWilliams of Northern Ireland won the first
of two AMA Pro Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson
Series races this weekend at IMS by .039 of a
second over Tyler O'Hara of Petaluma, Calif.
Hafizh Syahrin of Malaysia finished third, .130 of a
second behind McWilliams. Pole sitter Steve Rapp
finished fourth, .188 of a second behind winner
McWilliams after a thrilling race.
Syahrin won the second AMA Pro Vance & Hines
Harley-Davidson Series race by .060 of a second
over Rapp.
Shane Turpin won the FIM eRoadRacing World Cup
race for electric motorcycles by 13.733 seconds over
Icon Brammo teammate Eric Bostrom.
Esteve Rabat passed Takaaki Nakagami on Lap 23
of the 25-lap Moto2 race to win by .766 of a second on
his Tuenti HP 40 Kalex.
Alex Rins prevailed in a Moto3 race that featured
numerous lead changes over 23 laps, holding off
teammate Alex Marquez – the younger brother of
MotoGP race winner Marc Marquez – by .177 of a
second on his Estrella Galicia 0,0 KTM.
Jeremy McWilliams of Northern Ireland won the first
of two AMA Pro Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson
Series races this weekend at IMS by .039 of a
second over Tyler O'Hara of Petaluma, Calif.
Hafizh Syahrin of Malaysia finished third, .130 of a
second behind McWilliams. Pole sitter Steve Rapp
finished fourth, .188 of a second behind winner
McWilliams after a thrilling race.
Syahrin won the second AMA Pro Vance & Hines
Harley-Davidson Series race by .060 of a second
over Rapp.
Shane Turpin won the FIM eRoadRacing World Cup
race for electric motorcycles by 13.733 seconds over
Icon Brammo teammate Eric Bostrom.
| Moto 2 Podium Takaaki Nakagami (2nd), Esteve Rabat (1st), Scott Redding (3rd) |
| Moto 3 Podium Alex Marquez (2nd), Alex Rins (1st), Maverick Vinales (3rd) |
| Cal Crutchlow |
| Valentino Rossi battles Crutchlow |
| Marc Marquez |
| Blake Young Crashed on 1st Lap of MotoGP |
Montoya Back to IndyCar?
Aug 20 - Michael Andretti is trying to find a sponsor
to bring Juan Pablo Montoya back to IndyCar with
Andretti Autosport.
"I have talked to Juan about IndyCar and told him
`Hell yeah, let's find a way to put something
together,' " Andretti told The Associated Press on
Monday. "I've driven against him and I think he's one
of the best drivers I've ever driven against. It just
comes down to sponsorship. So we're looking, and
if it's a possibility, we want to do something with
him."
Andretti only had conversations with Montoya last
week after the Colombian learned from Chip
Ganassi that he wouldn't be re-signed to Ganassi's
NASCAR team for an eighth season. Montoya has
been out of open wheel racing since he left Formula
One in 2006 to rejoin Ganassi in NASCAR, and he's
not ruling out any series now that he's looking for work.
He told AP on Monday a return to IndyCar isn't out of
the question, but wouldn't reveal what teams he's
spoken to so far.
Montoya won 11 races in 1999 and 2000 in CART
driving for Ganassi, including the 1999 CART
championship and the 2000 Indianapolis 500.
Montoya and Andretti raced against each other
those two seasons, with Andretti winning three
races in that span. The two waged one of the most
memorable battles in series history, with Montoya
coming out on top as the two nearly banged wheels
racing side-by-side at 230 mph to the finish line at
Michigan International Speedway in 2000.
Andretti believes that Montoya's return to IndyCar
would be a huge lift for the series.
"I think he could bring what he brought the last time -
it seemed like when he raced, half the stands were
full of flags supporting him," Andretti said. "When he
first got to NASCAR, he had a huge effect there. He
brings a huge crowd, a huge support. He's a big
personality, and he could be a good personality for
IndyCar because he definitely has that `don't give a
(crap) attitude.' "
Aug 20 - Michael Andretti is trying to find a sponsor
to bring Juan Pablo Montoya back to IndyCar with
Andretti Autosport.
"I have talked to Juan about IndyCar and told him
`Hell yeah, let's find a way to put something
together,' " Andretti told The Associated Press on
Monday. "I've driven against him and I think he's one
of the best drivers I've ever driven against. It just
comes down to sponsorship. So we're looking, and
if it's a possibility, we want to do something with
him."
Andretti only had conversations with Montoya last
week after the Colombian learned from Chip
Ganassi that he wouldn't be re-signed to Ganassi's
NASCAR team for an eighth season. Montoya has
been out of open wheel racing since he left Formula
One in 2006 to rejoin Ganassi in NASCAR, and he's
not ruling out any series now that he's looking for work.
He told AP on Monday a return to IndyCar isn't out of
the question, but wouldn't reveal what teams he's
spoken to so far.
Montoya won 11 races in 1999 and 2000 in CART
driving for Ganassi, including the 1999 CART
championship and the 2000 Indianapolis 500.
Montoya and Andretti raced against each other
those two seasons, with Andretti winning three
races in that span. The two waged one of the most
memorable battles in series history, with Montoya
coming out on top as the two nearly banged wheels
racing side-by-side at 230 mph to the finish line at
Michigan International Speedway in 2000.
Andretti believes that Montoya's return to IndyCar
would be a huge lift for the series.
"I think he could bring what he brought the last time -
it seemed like when he raced, half the stands were
full of flags supporting him," Andretti said. "When he
first got to NASCAR, he had a huge effect there. He
brings a huge crowd, a huge support. He's a big
personality, and he could be a good personality for
IndyCar because he definitely has that `don't give a
(crap) attitude.' "
Where Montoya fits into the Andretti lineup remains
to be seen because the marketing arm is still
working behind the scenes to finalize the 2014
lineup.
The biggest piece of the puzzle is James
Hinchcliffe, a three-time IndyCar winner this season
and breakthrough star in the final year of his two-
year deal. Andretti Autosport much wants Hinchcliffe
back, but an offer is contingent on a commitment
from sponsor GoDaddy.
While Andretti waits, Hinchcliffe is currently free to
negotiate with other teams in the paddock.
"It's all going to come down to GoDaddy and if they
are going to play or not. They love Hinch, we love
Hinch, but GoDaddy needs to decide if the return on
their investment is there or not," Andretti said. "So
we're just waiting and Hinch is allowed to be talking
to other teams. He's not said that he wants to leave,
but it's only fair for him to be allowed to see what's
out there because we don't want him to be left with
nothing. That's not fair to him, that's not fair to the
series."
Hinchcliffe's deal is not tied to Andretti working out a
deal with Montoya, he said.
"There's still a possibility of running five cars,"
Andretti said. "I think we can do it no problem, so
long as we have a properly funded deal."
The organization is also still trying to put together a
deal for next season with Carlos Munoz, the
Colombian who grew up a Montoya fan and finished
second in the Indianapolis 500 in his IndyCar debut.
He doesn't have a deal yet in place for 2014 with
E.J. Viso.
to be seen because the marketing arm is still
working behind the scenes to finalize the 2014
lineup.
The biggest piece of the puzzle is James
Hinchcliffe, a three-time IndyCar winner this season
and breakthrough star in the final year of his two-
year deal. Andretti Autosport much wants Hinchcliffe
back, but an offer is contingent on a commitment
from sponsor GoDaddy.
While Andretti waits, Hinchcliffe is currently free to
negotiate with other teams in the paddock.
"It's all going to come down to GoDaddy and if they
are going to play or not. They love Hinch, we love
Hinch, but GoDaddy needs to decide if the return on
their investment is there or not," Andretti said. "So
we're just waiting and Hinch is allowed to be talking
to other teams. He's not said that he wants to leave,
but it's only fair for him to be allowed to see what's
out there because we don't want him to be left with
nothing. That's not fair to him, that's not fair to the
series."
Hinchcliffe's deal is not tied to Andretti working out a
deal with Montoya, he said.
"There's still a possibility of running five cars,"
Andretti said. "I think we can do it no problem, so
long as we have a properly funded deal."
The organization is also still trying to put together a
deal for next season with Carlos Munoz, the
Colombian who grew up a Montoya fan and finished
second in the Indianapolis 500 in his IndyCar debut.
He doesn't have a deal yet in place for 2014 with
E.J. Viso.
Panther Racing Sponsorship
Aug 26 - Mecum Auctions has extended their
sponsorship of Panther Racing DDR and Oriol Servia
for another two years after experiencing their first year
of involvement. Servia finished 4th in this year's Indy
500.
Mecum holds a huge car auction at the Indiana State
Fairgrounds in Indianapolis toward the end of May.
Aug 26 - Mecum Auctions has extended their
sponsorship of Panther Racing DDR and Oriol Servia
for another two years after experiencing their first year
of involvement. Servia finished 4th in this year's Indy
500.
Mecum holds a huge car auction at the Indiana State
Fairgrounds in Indianapolis toward the end of May.
Exciting Sonoma IndyCar Race
Aug 26 - The Target Chip Ganassi cars started the
hilly road course race from the front row. Scott Dixon
soon took the lead from Dario Franchitti.
This exciting race track saw 7 cautions throughout the
race.
Toward the end of the race, Dixon pulled into his pit for
his last stop, with 2nd place Will Power following up
immediately in the pit stall directly in front of Dixon.
The race would likely be decided right here. Could the
Penske boys get their car out before the Ganassi team?
No. However, as Dixon pulled out, his rear slid a little
wide and his back tire clipped Power's old left rear that
was being carried away by the left rear tire changer.
This sent him flying and flipping upside down and into
his teammate, who fell forward into the space that a
moment ago was occupied by Power as he was
leaving his pit box. Three Penske crew were slightly
injured.
Some people blamed the tire changer, saying he was
not paying attention as well as not moving closer to his
teammate and holding the old tire out horizontally.
Scott Dixon would later say it was a "dick" move and
wonders if the guy did it on purpose.
Race control disagreed and gave Dixon a penalty that
made him come back into the pits, dropping him from
first place to the back of the pack, handing the victory
to Power. Their reasoning was risk versus reward - is
it worth the chance of injuring the pit crew in order to
gain a split second? Also, Dixon's car slightly crossed
the lines into Power's pit box.
This incident may have a disastorous effect on Dixon's
championship hopes. If he had won this race, he
would have taken the points lead over Helio
Castroneves. Instead, he went from 8 points behind
Helio to 39.
This was Power's first win of the year.
There was also another bit of controversy with Team
Penske. At one point wildman Power comes flying into
a corner on the inside of Marco Andretti, shoving him
right toward a wall. Andretti instead clipped the rear
end of Power's car. After the race, Roger Penske
came out to Andretti's pits and started shaking his
finger at him. I think THAT would have been pretty
intimidating! I don't remember ever seeing "The
General" do that before.
Aug 26 - The Target Chip Ganassi cars started the
hilly road course race from the front row. Scott Dixon
soon took the lead from Dario Franchitti.
This exciting race track saw 7 cautions throughout the
race.
Toward the end of the race, Dixon pulled into his pit for
his last stop, with 2nd place Will Power following up
immediately in the pit stall directly in front of Dixon.
The race would likely be decided right here. Could the
Penske boys get their car out before the Ganassi team?
No. However, as Dixon pulled out, his rear slid a little
wide and his back tire clipped Power's old left rear that
was being carried away by the left rear tire changer.
This sent him flying and flipping upside down and into
his teammate, who fell forward into the space that a
moment ago was occupied by Power as he was
leaving his pit box. Three Penske crew were slightly
injured.
Some people blamed the tire changer, saying he was
not paying attention as well as not moving closer to his
teammate and holding the old tire out horizontally.
Scott Dixon would later say it was a "dick" move and
wonders if the guy did it on purpose.
Race control disagreed and gave Dixon a penalty that
made him come back into the pits, dropping him from
first place to the back of the pack, handing the victory
to Power. Their reasoning was risk versus reward - is
it worth the chance of injuring the pit crew in order to
gain a split second? Also, Dixon's car slightly crossed
the lines into Power's pit box.
This incident may have a disastorous effect on Dixon's
championship hopes. If he had won this race, he
would have taken the points lead over Helio
Castroneves. Instead, he went from 8 points behind
Helio to 39.
This was Power's first win of the year.
There was also another bit of controversy with Team
Penske. At one point wildman Power comes flying into
a corner on the inside of Marco Andretti, shoving him
right toward a wall. Andretti instead clipped the rear
end of Power's car. After the race, Roger Penske
came out to Andretti's pits and started shaking his
finger at him. I think THAT would have been pretty
intimidating! I don't remember ever seeing "The
General" do that before.
| Justin Wilson (2nd), Will Power (1st), Dario Franchitti (3rd) |
| Will Power Won Sonoma |
IndyCar Tests at IMS
Aug 29 - For only the second time in the track's history,
an IZOD IndyCar Series car will turn laps on the infield
road course of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway when
driver Graham Rahal puts his Rahal Letterman
Lanigan Racing car through a series of test runs on
Wednesday, Sept. 4.
The test is being organized by IMS and INDYCAR
officials to gather information about the current course
layout as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway considers
changes and upgrades to the track. Speedway officials
plan to invest nearly $100 million in the facility as part
of a long term master plan that could include
modifications to the road course to allow it to
accommodate INDYCAR testing or racing in the future.
"We are looking forward to seeing an INDYCAR run on
the IMS road course and using the information to help
refine the investment we are planning to make to the
track portion of our overall facility planning," said J.
Douglas Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway
president. "As we look to the future of the Indianapolis
Motor Speedway, the goal is to make changes to the
road course that provide the most flexibility for its
potential use and create a layout that is entertaining for
our fans and enjoyable for our drivers - whether it is for
INDYCAR testing or racing, sports cars, MotoGP or
other uses."
Boles noted that no decision has been made about a
future INDYCAR race on the road course.
Rahal, who competed on the IMS road course in
Formula BMW and Indy Lights, is looking forward to
the opportunity to test.
Aug 29 - For only the second time in the track's history,
an IZOD IndyCar Series car will turn laps on the infield
road course of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway when
driver Graham Rahal puts his Rahal Letterman
Lanigan Racing car through a series of test runs on
Wednesday, Sept. 4.
The test is being organized by IMS and INDYCAR
officials to gather information about the current course
layout as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway considers
changes and upgrades to the track. Speedway officials
plan to invest nearly $100 million in the facility as part
of a long term master plan that could include
modifications to the road course to allow it to
accommodate INDYCAR testing or racing in the future.
"We are looking forward to seeing an INDYCAR run on
the IMS road course and using the information to help
refine the investment we are planning to make to the
track portion of our overall facility planning," said J.
Douglas Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway
president. "As we look to the future of the Indianapolis
Motor Speedway, the goal is to make changes to the
road course that provide the most flexibility for its
potential use and create a layout that is entertaining for
our fans and enjoyable for our drivers - whether it is for
INDYCAR testing or racing, sports cars, MotoGP or
other uses."
Boles noted that no decision has been made about a
future INDYCAR race on the road course.
Rahal, who competed on the IMS road course in
Formula BMW and Indy Lights, is looking forward to
the opportunity to test.
"Anytime a driver can take laps at Indianapolis, even
on the road course, it is a special day and I am happy
to have been asked to be part of this test and to
provide some input on how an INDYCAR might
perform at IMS," said Rahal, who earned the pole and
finished 2nd in the 2006 Indy Lights race on the IMS
road course. "I have raced on the road course at IMS
so I already have a good idea of what to expect in an
INDYCAR over most of the track. It will be particularly
interesting to run the car on different portions of the
track, including the turn one road course section."
IZOD IndyCar Series President of Competition Derrick
Walker said he expects to have Rahal test several
configurations of the road course, which will include
utilizing Turn 1of the famed IMS 2.5-mile oval, and the
existing Turn 1 of the road course.
"It is important to look at all possibilities that we have
in the existing layout to gain as much information as
we can about how the car will perform and what
changes we can offer to make it more competitive,"
said Walker. "In addition to considering a potential
race on the IMS road course at some point in the
future, one of the advantages of maximizing the
current road course layout could be a future testing
opportunity for INDYCAR teams, especially since so
many are based in Indianapolis."
The only other time an IndyCar was tested on the IMS
road course was in the fall of 2011 when two-time
Indianapolis 500 champion Dan Wheldon tested the
current IZOD IndyCar Series Dallara chassis that
debuted in 2012. Wheldon ran the 13-corner layout in
clockwise direction only during the test session which
was used to develop the car, not for track information
purposes.
The IMS road course has hosted several racing series
including Formula One race from 2000-2007, the
annual MotoGP event that debuted in 2008, and the
GRAND-AM Rolex Series that first competed at IMS in
2012.
on the road course, it is a special day and I am happy
to have been asked to be part of this test and to
provide some input on how an INDYCAR might
perform at IMS," said Rahal, who earned the pole and
finished 2nd in the 2006 Indy Lights race on the IMS
road course. "I have raced on the road course at IMS
so I already have a good idea of what to expect in an
INDYCAR over most of the track. It will be particularly
interesting to run the car on different portions of the
track, including the turn one road course section."
IZOD IndyCar Series President of Competition Derrick
Walker said he expects to have Rahal test several
configurations of the road course, which will include
utilizing Turn 1of the famed IMS 2.5-mile oval, and the
existing Turn 1 of the road course.
"It is important to look at all possibilities that we have
in the existing layout to gain as much information as
we can about how the car will perform and what
changes we can offer to make it more competitive,"
said Walker. "In addition to considering a potential
race on the IMS road course at some point in the
future, one of the advantages of maximizing the
current road course layout could be a future testing
opportunity for INDYCAR teams, especially since so
many are based in Indianapolis."
The only other time an IndyCar was tested on the IMS
road course was in the fall of 2011 when two-time
Indianapolis 500 champion Dan Wheldon tested the
current IZOD IndyCar Series Dallara chassis that
debuted in 2012. Wheldon ran the 13-corner layout in
clockwise direction only during the test session which
was used to develop the car, not for track information
purposes.
The IMS road course has hosted several racing series
including Formula One race from 2000-2007, the
annual MotoGP event that debuted in 2008, and the
GRAND-AM Rolex Series that first competed at IMS in
2012.
• The combined times from practice sessions will determine participation in the final qualifying session.
• The ten fastest riders will be seeded through to QP2.
• All other riders will take part in QP1.
• The fastest two riders in QP1 will progress to QP2, making a total of 12 riders competing for the first 12
grid positions.
• The riders not in the fastest two places in QP1 will take grid positions 13 and above according to their
times in QP1.
• The ten fastest riders will be seeded through to QP2.
• All other riders will take part in QP1.
• The fastest two riders in QP1 will progress to QP2, making a total of 12 riders competing for the first 12
grid positions.
• The riders not in the fastest two places in QP1 will take grid positions 13 and above according to their
times in QP1.
