| April 2015 News |
Easter Egg Hunt
Families are invited to enjoy a fun, exciting
spring tradition featuring a special appearance
by the Easter Bunny at the fifth annual
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Easter Egg
Hunt on Saturday, April 4, 2015.
Sarah Fisher will be on hand and driver
Luca Filippi is scheduled to appear.
Youngsters will also have the opportunity to
meet Indianapolis Motor Speedway Kids
Club mascots Axel and Alley, along with
local mascots Boomer from the Indiana
Pacers and Rowdie with the Indianapolis
Indians.
Families are invited to enjoy a fun, exciting
spring tradition featuring a special appearance
by the Easter Bunny at the fifth annual
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Easter Egg
Hunt on Saturday, April 4, 2015.
Sarah Fisher will be on hand and driver
Luca Filippi is scheduled to appear.
Youngsters will also have the opportunity to
meet Indianapolis Motor Speedway Kids
Club mascots Axel and Alley, along with
local mascots Boomer from the Indiana
Pacers and Rowdie with the Indianapolis
Indians.
| RACE NEWS & VIEWS |
| Most recent news is at bottom of page. |
This free event is open to the public and will take place
from 11 a.m.-noon in the N Lot in the middle of the
IMS infield. The general public will enter IMS through
Gate 2 from 16th Street. Parking is free. Children age
12 and younger can participate in the Easter Egg Hunt.
All those wishing to participate are encouraged to
RSVP for the event online by visiting
www.ims.com/Easter. Registration at the event begins at
9 a.m.
The Easter Egg Hunt will be conducted in age-specific
areas with thousands of eggs available to participants.
Youngsters with eggs are encouraged to take them to
the numerous candy redeeming stations to receive
goodies and, for the first time this year, each age group
will have one "checkered egg" and the finder of the egg
will receive a special Easter Basket.
from 11 a.m.-noon in the N Lot in the middle of the
IMS infield. The general public will enter IMS through
Gate 2 from 16th Street. Parking is free. Children age
12 and younger can participate in the Easter Egg Hunt.
All those wishing to participate are encouraged to
RSVP for the event online by visiting
www.ims.com/Easter. Registration at the event begins at
9 a.m.
The Easter Egg Hunt will be conducted in age-specific
areas with thousands of eggs available to participants.
Youngsters with eggs are encouraged to take them to
the numerous candy redeeming stations to receive
goodies and, for the first time this year, each age group
will have one "checkered egg" and the finder of the egg
will receive a special Easter Basket.
Participating youngsters may also enjoy inflatable
bounce houses and face painting. Kona Ice and the
Flying Cupcake will have snacks available for
purchase.
This year, IMS is partnering with Second Helpings,
Inc., a local nonprofit that accepts donated perishable
and overstocked food to prepare nutritious meals for
thousands of hungry children and adults every day,
and distributes them free of charge through local social
service agencies in Greater Indianapolis. While the
event is free to attend, IMS hopes to collect 500
pounds of spice and rice and encourages all attendees
to bring a donation. High-priority items are chili
powder, cumin, curry powder, garlic powder, pepper,
oregano, salt and white rice.
The event will take place rain or shine and Indianapolis
Motor Speedway Kids Club membership information
will be available.
bounce houses and face painting. Kona Ice and the
Flying Cupcake will have snacks available for
purchase.
This year, IMS is partnering with Second Helpings,
Inc., a local nonprofit that accepts donated perishable
and overstocked food to prepare nutritious meals for
thousands of hungry children and adults every day,
and distributes them free of charge through local social
service agencies in Greater Indianapolis. While the
event is free to attend, IMS hopes to collect 500
pounds of spice and rice and encourages all attendees
to bring a donation. High-priority items are chili
powder, cumin, curry powder, garlic powder, pepper,
oregano, salt and white rice.
The event will take place rain or shine and Indianapolis
Motor Speedway Kids Club membership information
will be available.
2015 Indy 500 Festival Car
Apr 2 - The 33 directors of the 500 Festival received
2015 Chevrolet Camaro SS convertibles on the main
straightaway of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
today. The presentation was made as part of a 100
Camaro drive-away where the 500 Festival directors,
officials from Indianapolis Motor Speedway and 50
Indiana Chevrolet dealer representatives took
possession of the cars and experienced a lap on the
famed oval.
Apr 2 - The 33 directors of the 500 Festival received
2015 Chevrolet Camaro SS convertibles on the main
straightaway of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
today. The presentation was made as part of a 100
Camaro drive-away where the 500 Festival directors,
officials from Indianapolis Motor Speedway and 50
Indiana Chevrolet dealer representatives took
possession of the cars and experienced a lap on the
famed oval.
This year's 500 Festival cars are powered by a 400 hp
6.2L V-8 L99 engine with a 6-speed automatic
transmission with tap shift.
The festival car has the same exterior features as the
new Commemorative Edition, which include unique
20-inch wheels; exclusive stripe; body-color front
splitter; ZL1 rear spoiler and Commemorative Edition
fender emblems.
6.2L V-8 L99 engine with a 6-speed automatic
transmission with tap shift.
The festival car has the same exterior features as the
new Commemorative Edition, which include unique
20-inch wheels; exclusive stripe; body-color front
splitter; ZL1 rear spoiler and Commemorative Edition
fender emblems.
The Festival cars feature a Summit White exterior with
a black convertible top and adrenaline red and black
leather interior. A black stripe with a red accent outline
incorporates the 99th Running of the Indianapolis 500
graphic on the doors and includes the iconic IMS wing
and wheel on the quarter panels.
Additionally, the 500 Festival Camaros will receive a
unique array of accessories including a full body-
colored ground effects package, red engine cover, and
special floor mats.
a black convertible top and adrenaline red and black
leather interior. A black stripe with a red accent outline
incorporates the 99th Running of the Indianapolis 500
graphic on the doors and includes the iconic IMS wing
and wheel on the quarter panels.
Additionally, the 500 Festival Camaros will receive a
unique array of accessories including a full body-
colored ground effects package, red engine cover, and
special floor mats.
The "Festival cars" have reminded Indianapolis-area
residents of the upcoming Indianapolis 500 since the
1960s, and this year's fleet of unique Camaros will
certainly turn heads as they are driven around Central
Indiana.
For the first time ever, 50 additional special-edition
Camaros have been provided to dealers across the
state and are available for purchase in Indianapolis,
Fort Wayne and Terre Haute.
residents of the upcoming Indianapolis 500 since the
1960s, and this year's fleet of unique Camaros will
certainly turn heads as they are driven around Central
Indiana.
For the first time ever, 50 additional special-edition
Camaros have been provided to dealers across the
state and are available for purchase in Indianapolis,
Fort Wayne and Terre Haute.
IMS Installs Bigger Brighter TVs
Apr 9 - Twenty new networked high-definition (HD)
LED video display boards from Panasonic have been
installed at the Indy Speedway, the highest-capacity
sports venue in the world.
The digital display network provides clear sight lines
from any viewing angle, with 98 percent of all seat
holders having a clear view of all the new and vibrant
content delivered on these displays. Fans will
immediately notice the new LED video boards are
significantly larger, brighter, have more accurate color
imagery and are capable of broadcasting HD animation,
graphics and video.
In Turns 1 and 4 and above Gasoline Alley, the
displays are more than three and a half times the size of
the previous boards, with the displays at Turns 1 and 4
each exceeding 2,200 total square feet. The boards
positioned above the Media Center and at the south end
of the Gasoline Alley Suites are more than four times
larger, with each having a total display area greater than
600 square feet.
Apr 9 - Twenty new networked high-definition (HD)
LED video display boards from Panasonic have been
installed at the Indy Speedway, the highest-capacity
sports venue in the world.
The digital display network provides clear sight lines
from any viewing angle, with 98 percent of all seat
holders having a clear view of all the new and vibrant
content delivered on these displays. Fans will
immediately notice the new LED video boards are
significantly larger, brighter, have more accurate color
imagery and are capable of broadcasting HD animation,
graphics and video.
In Turns 1 and 4 and above Gasoline Alley, the
displays are more than three and a half times the size of
the previous boards, with the displays at Turns 1 and 4
each exceeding 2,200 total square feet. The boards
positioned above the Media Center and at the south end
of the Gasoline Alley Suites are more than four times
larger, with each having a total display area greater than
600 square feet.
UPDATE
Apr 9 - Last night, a thief broke into an Indianapolis
Chevrolet Dealership and stole one of the Festival Cars.
They drove it straight through the glass windows - with
the top down!
The thief abandoned the car a few miles later after it
would no longer run. The car reportedly retails for
$70,000.
Apr 9 - Last night, a thief broke into an Indianapolis
Chevrolet Dealership and stole one of the Festival Cars.
They drove it straight through the glass windows - with
the top down!
The thief abandoned the car a few miles later after it
would no longer run. The car reportedly retails for
$70,000.
F1 Cancels German Grand Prix
Apr 10 - With new race tracks in exotic locations, often
with government funding for an F1 race with no intention
of making money, Europe is losing another race.
Germany used to have two grand prix every year, one in
Hockenheim and one in Nurburg. Eventually neither
location were making a profit and it was decided that the
two tracks would alternate hosting the F1 race.
Well they can no longer afford the hosting fees and
Germany follows France in losing their grand prix.
This year will be the first time since 1960 that Germany
has not had a F1 race.
Bernie Ecclestone stated that the Italian race may be
next on the chopping block.
Apr 10 - With new race tracks in exotic locations, often
with government funding for an F1 race with no intention
of making money, Europe is losing another race.
Germany used to have two grand prix every year, one in
Hockenheim and one in Nurburg. Eventually neither
location were making a profit and it was decided that the
two tracks would alternate hosting the F1 race.
Well they can no longer afford the hosting fees and
Germany follows France in losing their grand prix.
This year will be the first time since 1960 that Germany
has not had a F1 race.
Bernie Ecclestone stated that the Italian race may be
next on the chopping block.
Saavedra Back in IndyCar
Apr 14 - Columbian Sebastian Saavedra lost his ride
with KV racing this year.
He was picked up today by Ganassi. He will be sharing
the #8 ride with rookie Sage Karam.
For now, Saavedra is scheduled to race Long Beach,
Birmingham, the Grand Prix of Indianapolis, the Indy
500 and Sonoma.
Karam is scheduled to race Birmingham and the Indy
500 so far.
Apr 14 - Columbian Sebastian Saavedra lost his ride
with KV racing this year.
He was picked up today by Ganassi. He will be sharing
the #8 ride with rookie Sage Karam.
For now, Saavedra is scheduled to race Long Beach,
Birmingham, the Grand Prix of Indianapolis, the Indy
500 and Sonoma.
Karam is scheduled to race Birmingham and the Indy
500 so far.
Pippa Mann Back At Indy
Apr 16 - British racing driver Pippa Mann will contest
the Indianapolis 500 this May, joining forces with Dale
Coyne Racing for the third year in succession. She will
once again adorne a pink livery and firesuit in support of
the Susan G. Komen breast cancer organization.
Apr 16 - British racing driver Pippa Mann will contest
the Indianapolis 500 this May, joining forces with Dale
Coyne Racing for the third year in succession. She will
once again adorne a pink livery and firesuit in support of
the Susan G. Komen breast cancer organization.
IndyCar Driver Nola Penalties
Apr 16 - Toward the end of Sunday's Grand Prix of
New Orleans, Simon Pagenaud was pushed off the
track into the wet grass. He slid into the two cars he
had been dueling with at the next corner. He took out
both drivers - Ryan Hunter-Reay and Sebastien
Bourdais.
IndyCar officials decided it was caused by Hunter-Reay
and he has had 3 championship points taken away and
has been placed on probation for 3 races for avoidable
contact.
Also penalized was rookie Francesco Dracone who lost
control of his car entering pitlane and making heavy
contact with one of his crew members.
The crewman would require six stitches and will likely
have a period of recuperation. Contact with a crew
member brought down a $10,000 bill on the Dale
Coyne driver.
Apr 16 - Toward the end of Sunday's Grand Prix of
New Orleans, Simon Pagenaud was pushed off the
track into the wet grass. He slid into the two cars he
had been dueling with at the next corner. He took out
both drivers - Ryan Hunter-Reay and Sebastien
Bourdais.
IndyCar officials decided it was caused by Hunter-Reay
and he has had 3 championship points taken away and
has been placed on probation for 3 races for avoidable
contact.
Also penalized was rookie Francesco Dracone who lost
control of his car entering pitlane and making heavy
contact with one of his crew members.
The crewman would require six stitches and will likely
have a period of recuperation. Contact with a crew
member brought down a $10,000 bill on the Dale
Coyne driver.
Conor Daly Races at Long Beach
Apr 19 - A broken thumb has led to an IndyCar Series
opportunity for Indianapolis' Conor Daly.
Daly was pressed into service with Dale Coyne Racing
due to the injury to Rocky Moran Jr., who was
filling in for Carlos Huertas for this race. But Moran
broke his thumb in a crash late in Friday's final
practice. The incident occurred in Turn 1 when Moran
turned into Carlos Munoz.
Daly has been eager to get back into IndyCar since
making his debut in the 2013 Indianapolis 500. He
finished 22nd for A.J. Foyt Racing.
"It's a shame to see Rocky break his (thumb) like he
did, but this is why I bring my stuff to the track every
week and this is why I'm here and this is why I'm
ready," he said.
Daly, who was at the track to drive the Indy Racing
Experience two-seater, borrowed a seat from Marco
Andretti.
Apr 19 - A broken thumb has led to an IndyCar Series
opportunity for Indianapolis' Conor Daly.
Daly was pressed into service with Dale Coyne Racing
due to the injury to Rocky Moran Jr., who was
filling in for Carlos Huertas for this race. But Moran
broke his thumb in a crash late in Friday's final
practice. The incident occurred in Turn 1 when Moran
turned into Carlos Munoz.
Daly has been eager to get back into IndyCar since
making his debut in the 2013 Indianapolis 500. He
finished 22nd for A.J. Foyt Racing.
"It's a shame to see Rocky break his (thumb) like he
did, but this is why I bring my stuff to the track every
week and this is why I'm here and this is why I'm
ready," he said.
Daly, who was at the track to drive the Indy Racing
Experience two-seater, borrowed a seat from Marco
Andretti.
| Conor Daly |
Daly got on the track for the first time with Coyne's
No. 18 Honda-powered car in the morning practice.
Dale Coyne's team has had the two slowest cars in the
season's first two races.
Daly finished the race in 17th on the lead lap, while his
team-mate Fracesco Dracone was just in the way and
finished two laps down.
No. 18 Honda-powered car in the morning practice.
Dale Coyne's team has had the two slowest cars in the
season's first two races.
Daly finished the race in 17th on the lead lap, while his
team-mate Fracesco Dracone was just in the way and
finished two laps down.
| Sebasten Bourdais #11 taken out by Ryan Hunter-Reay |
Jeff Gordon to drive Corvette Z06 pace car
Apr 29 - Indiana racing legend and five-time Brickyard
champion Jeff Gordon will drive a Corvette Z06 pace
car to kick off the 99th Running of the Indianapolis 500,
on May 24 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Gordon, who grew up in nearby Pittsboro, Indiana, is no
stranger to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He won
the first NASCAR race in the history of the famed 2.5-
mile oval – the 1994 Brickyard 400 – and has won four
more times, including last year. His 2014 victory made
him the first five-time Brickyard champion and the only
five-time winner of a major race on the IMS oval.
Apr 29 - Indiana racing legend and five-time Brickyard
champion Jeff Gordon will drive a Corvette Z06 pace
car to kick off the 99th Running of the Indianapolis 500,
on May 24 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Gordon, who grew up in nearby Pittsboro, Indiana, is no
stranger to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He won
the first NASCAR race in the history of the famed 2.5-
mile oval – the 1994 Brickyard 400 – and has won four
more times, including last year. His 2014 victory made
him the first five-time Brickyard champion and the only
five-time winner of a major race on the IMS oval.
With 650 supercharged horsepower, a seven-speed
manual transmission and a track-capable chassis system,
Gordon will have no trouble keeping in front of the race
field in the production-spec Corvette Z06. Featuring an
Arctic White exterior and Adrenaline Red interior, only
its unique Indy graphics package and safety strobe lights
distinguish it from other production models.
manual transmission and a track-capable chassis system,
Gordon will have no trouble keeping in front of the race
field in the production-spec Corvette Z06. Featuring an
Arctic White exterior and Adrenaline Red interior, only
its unique Indy graphics package and safety strobe lights
distinguish it from other production models.
Josef Newgarden Won G.P. of Alabama
Apr 26 - Amidst a field of veterans and previous
multiple-winners, 24-year-old Tennessean Josef
Newgarden took control early and then held on for dear
life to win the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama on
Sunday.
It was his first career IndyCar Series win. Rounding out
the top five behind him were Graham Rahal, Scott
Dixon, two-time Barber winner Will Power and last
year's winner Ryan Hunter-Reay.
After the race, which saw Newgarden start in fifth in
Row 3 and make a move in the early laps, the winner
said that despite his jubilation he was just glad to have it
done.
"I'm so relieved it's over with," he said. "Normally, I'm
very cool, but today was very stressful.
Part of the stress, Newgarden said, came from the sense
early on that this was a race he could win--after so many
starts without a victory.
"It feels like we've been working forever for the win,"
he said. "I told my Dad after the race, now I can say
that I've won one Indy race. Of course, we want to
push harder and go after more wins now, but I'm just so
happy right now for everyone to get this."
Newgarden, from Nashville and driving the No. 67
Hartman Oil CFH Racing Chevrolet, credited his team
and its philosophy with the win.
"We tried to be aggressive today," he said. "You have
to be when you're going up against guys like Helio
Castroneves and Scott Dixon."
Castroneves, the winner of Saturday's pole, had to pit
on the white flag lap and finished 15th. Current point
standings leader Juan Montoya finished 14th.
Newgarden began tackling those veterans and the early
leaders from the race's get-go.
"If you're not aggressive, you can get swallowed up by
these guys," he said. "I wanted to get up as many spots
as possible, pass as many as I could."
When his team had to make decisions on fuel and tires,
Newgarden said it made the right decisions too.
Apr 26 - Amidst a field of veterans and previous
multiple-winners, 24-year-old Tennessean Josef
Newgarden took control early and then held on for dear
life to win the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama on
Sunday.
It was his first career IndyCar Series win. Rounding out
the top five behind him were Graham Rahal, Scott
Dixon, two-time Barber winner Will Power and last
year's winner Ryan Hunter-Reay.
After the race, which saw Newgarden start in fifth in
Row 3 and make a move in the early laps, the winner
said that despite his jubilation he was just glad to have it
done.
"I'm so relieved it's over with," he said. "Normally, I'm
very cool, but today was very stressful.
Part of the stress, Newgarden said, came from the sense
early on that this was a race he could win--after so many
starts without a victory.
"It feels like we've been working forever for the win,"
he said. "I told my Dad after the race, now I can say
that I've won one Indy race. Of course, we want to
push harder and go after more wins now, but I'm just so
happy right now for everyone to get this."
Newgarden, from Nashville and driving the No. 67
Hartman Oil CFH Racing Chevrolet, credited his team
and its philosophy with the win.
"We tried to be aggressive today," he said. "You have
to be when you're going up against guys like Helio
Castroneves and Scott Dixon."
Castroneves, the winner of Saturday's pole, had to pit
on the white flag lap and finished 15th. Current point
standings leader Juan Montoya finished 14th.
Newgarden began tackling those veterans and the early
leaders from the race's get-go.
"If you're not aggressive, you can get swallowed up by
these guys," he said. "I wanted to get up as many spots
as possible, pass as many as I could."
When his team had to make decisions on fuel and tires,
Newgarden said it made the right decisions too.
Josef Newgarden in Victory Lane with his girlfriend
and proud parents.
and proud parents.
"The car, the team made it easy on me. They deserve the
victory. I knew that one of these days it was going
to happen with this team because they are so solid," he
said. "Let's go to the next one and try to do it again."
Newgarden took the lead for good on lap 70 of the
90-lap race when Rahal pitted for the final time;
Newgarden beat Rahal by 2.201 seconds.
Newgarden's previous best finishes were both second
(2013 Baltimore street circuit, 2014 Iowa oval); his best
finish at Barber was last year in eighth.
He said he was proud to get his first win in Alabama.
"People here in Birmingham may like that someone
from Nashville won today," he said.
Now, the youngster can take a deep breath and revel in
the fact that he got his first big win.
And get ready for the next big race.
"Man, I'm so excited about Indy," he said. "Ultimately,
we want to win the Indy 500. I feel really confident in
this team's chances."
victory. I knew that one of these days it was going
to happen with this team because they are so solid," he
said. "Let's go to the next one and try to do it again."
Newgarden took the lead for good on lap 70 of the
90-lap race when Rahal pitted for the final time;
Newgarden beat Rahal by 2.201 seconds.
Newgarden's previous best finishes were both second
(2013 Baltimore street circuit, 2014 Iowa oval); his best
finish at Barber was last year in eighth.
He said he was proud to get his first win in Alabama.
"People here in Birmingham may like that someone
from Nashville won today," he said.
Now, the youngster can take a deep breath and revel in
the fact that he got his first big win.
And get ready for the next big race.
"Man, I'm so excited about Indy," he said. "Ultimately,
we want to win the Indy 500. I feel really confident in
this team's chances."
