| March 2016 News |
DJ's Announced for Indy 500
Mar 3 - Four famous DJs will be rocking the Snake
Pit on race day, May 29th.
Skrillex has played over 500 shows in 35 countries
since 2010. He was the most-played artist on
SoundCloud and the fourth-most viewed artist on
YouTube. His hit "Scary Monsters & Nice Sprites"
has sold millions.
Dutch superstar Martin Garrix's double platinum
hit "Animals" has garnered 100 million steams on
Spotify and a half billion views on YouTube.
DJ Mustard's debut album "My Krazy Life" hitt #1
on the rap charts. He won Hip-hop songwriter and
producer of the year in 2015.
Zeds Dead is a duo from Canada who seamlessy
mixes different genres while keeping the beat
moving.
Mar 3 - Four famous DJs will be rocking the Snake
Pit on race day, May 29th.
Skrillex has played over 500 shows in 35 countries
since 2010. He was the most-played artist on
SoundCloud and the fourth-most viewed artist on
YouTube. His hit "Scary Monsters & Nice Sprites"
has sold millions.
Dutch superstar Martin Garrix's double platinum
hit "Animals" has garnered 100 million steams on
Spotify and a half billion views on YouTube.
DJ Mustard's debut album "My Krazy Life" hitt #1
on the rap charts. He won Hip-hop songwriter and
producer of the year in 2015.
Zeds Dead is a duo from Canada who seamlessy
mixes different genres while keeping the beat
moving.
| RACE NEWS & VIEWS |
| Most recent news is at bottom of page. |
| 2015 Indy Snake Pit |
Protection for Open Cockpit Racers
Mar 3 - Last month the FIA confirmed that Formula 1
will introduce cockpit protection for next year’s
championship with the ‘halo’ concept the preferred
option.
The designed was seen for the first time at the Circuit de
Catalunya on Thursday after Ferrari attached it to
Raikkonen’s SF16-H.
The halo-shaped hoop connects to the front of the car
with a central strut before surrounding the head before
connecting just behind the helmet on either side of the
car.
“This is a provisional structure made by Ferrari to test
visibility,” revealed a spokesman for the Scuderia.
“We think the final structure would be part of the car
and hopefully will look better. Kimi said it was ‘okay’ in
terms of visibility.”
Mar 3 - Last month the FIA confirmed that Formula 1
will introduce cockpit protection for next year’s
championship with the ‘halo’ concept the preferred
option.
The designed was seen for the first time at the Circuit de
Catalunya on Thursday after Ferrari attached it to
Raikkonen’s SF16-H.
The halo-shaped hoop connects to the front of the car
with a central strut before surrounding the head before
connecting just behind the helmet on either side of the
car.
“This is a provisional structure made by Ferrari to test
visibility,” revealed a spokesman for the Scuderia.
“We think the final structure would be part of the car
and hopefully will look better. Kimi said it was ‘okay’ in
terms of visibility.”
Fastest in F1 Testing
DATE
Jan 25
Jan 26
Feb 22
Feb 23
Feb 24
Feb 25
Mar 1
Mar 2
Mar 3
Mar 4
Jan 25
Jan 26
Feb 22
Feb 23
Feb 24
Feb 25
Mar 1
Mar 2
Mar 3
Mar 4
LOCATION
Circuit Paul Ricard, France
Circuit Paul Ricard, France
Circuit de Catalunya, Spain
Circuit de Catalunya, Spain
Circuit de Catalunya, Spain
Circuit de Catalunya, Spain
Circuit de Catalunya, Spain
Circuit de Catalunya, Spain
Circuit de Catalunya, Spain
Circuit de Catalunya, Spain
Circuit Paul Ricard, France
Circuit Paul Ricard, France
Circuit de Catalunya, Spain
Circuit de Catalunya, Spain
Circuit de Catalunya, Spain
Circuit de Catalunya, Spain
Circuit de Catalunya, Spain
Circuit de Catalunya, Spain
Circuit de Catalunya, Spain
Circuit de Catalunya, Spain
FASTEST DRIVER
Daniel Ricciardo
Sebastian Vettel
Sebastian Vettel
Sebastian Vettel
Nico Hulkenberg
Kimi Raikkonen
Nico Rosberg
Valtteri Bottas
Kimi Raikkonen
Sebastian Vettel
Daniel Ricciardo
Sebastian Vettel
Sebastian Vettel
Sebastian Vettel
Nico Hulkenberg
Kimi Raikkonen
Nico Rosberg
Valtteri Bottas
Kimi Raikkonen
Sebastian Vettel
| # OF DRIVERS 3 3 11 11 12 12 12 12 12 13 |
TIME
01.08.713
01:06:750
01:24.939
01:22.810
01:23.110
01:23.477
01:23.022
01:23.261
01:22.765
01:22.852
01.08.713
01:06:750
01:24.939
01:22.810
01:23.110
01:23.477
01:23.022
01:23.261
01:22.765
01:22.852
TEAM
Red Bull
Ferrari
Ferrari
Ferrari
Force India
Ferrari
Mercedes
Williams
Ferrari
Ferrari
Red Bull
Ferrari
Ferrari
Ferrari
Force India
Ferrari
Mercedes
Williams
Ferrari
Ferrari
Haas F1 HIres Young American Driver
Mar 10 - Haas F1, the United States' only Formula One
team, has expanded its stable of drivers by hiring a new
development driver. 2016 is their first year.
The team signed Santino Ferrucci, 17, of Woodbury,
Connecticut. He has been racing in Europe since 2014.
This year he will compete in GP3 for new team DAMS.
Ferrucci will attend Formula 1 races and practices that
don't conflict with his GP3 race schedule. He'll be able
to use the Haas's simulators too.
"In Formula One, developing your personnel is as
important as developing your race car. You can't have
one without the other," team principal Guenther Steiner
said. "Santino Ferrucci has done a very good job of
proving himself in each of the racing series he's
competed in, and his maturity outside of the race car is
impressive. We see Santino as a young, American driver
with lots of potential."
Mar 10 - Haas F1, the United States' only Formula One
team, has expanded its stable of drivers by hiring a new
development driver. 2016 is their first year.
The team signed Santino Ferrucci, 17, of Woodbury,
Connecticut. He has been racing in Europe since 2014.
This year he will compete in GP3 for new team DAMS.
Ferrucci will attend Formula 1 races and practices that
don't conflict with his GP3 race schedule. He'll be able
to use the Haas's simulators too.
"In Formula One, developing your personnel is as
important as developing your race car. You can't have
one without the other," team principal Guenther Steiner
said. "Santino Ferrucci has done a very good job of
proving himself in each of the racing series he's
competed in, and his maturity outside of the race car is
impressive. We see Santino as a young, American driver
with lots of potential."
Rossi Participating in both IndyCar and F1
Mar 10 - American Alexander Rossi has been an F1 test
driver for several years, finally getting to compete in 5
races at the end of last season for Manor Marussia.
He was disappointed when Manor did not hire him as a
F1 driver.
Last week, he was hired by Andretti Motorsports to race
in the IndyCar series.
Today, Manor has hired him as their test driver! Rossi
will be the first to commit to full IndyCar and F1 racing
duties during the same year.
"My schedule this year is demanding, but no more than a
full time F1 schedule." Rossi said. "I will attend 11
Grand Prix, only five of which take place during the
IndyCar season, and I am certainly used to the travel
demands of the F1 calendar."
Mar 10 - American Alexander Rossi has been an F1 test
driver for several years, finally getting to compete in 5
races at the end of last season for Manor Marussia.
He was disappointed when Manor did not hire him as a
F1 driver.
Last week, he was hired by Andretti Motorsports to race
in the IndyCar series.
Today, Manor has hired him as their test driver! Rossi
will be the first to commit to full IndyCar and F1 racing
duties during the same year.
"My schedule this year is demanding, but no more than a
full time F1 schedule." Rossi said. "I will attend 11
Grand Prix, only five of which take place during the
IndyCar season, and I am certainly used to the travel
demands of the F1 calendar."
Dixon Comments on Phoenix Track
Mar 10 - Although Scott Dixon said he was happy to be
racing in Phoenix once more, he admitted he preferred
the pre-2011 format.
“It’s changed a lot,” said the 35-year-old who is entering
his 15th season with Target Chip Ganassi Racing. “It’s
been NASCAR-ified! More banking, smoother.
“This track used to be quite fun because Turn 2 really
closed in on itself and that made it hard. Now, once you
get through the middle of the turn, you’ve got an easy
exit. I’m sure for Cup cars it makes it much easier, but
for us… you don’t have to finish the rest of the corner.
“In its previous form, if you had a really good car, you
still had to help it finish the rest of the corner but [if you
got it right] you could get a really good run on someone
down the back straight.
“It’s still a good track – 190mph on a one-mile track is
pretty fast! But I prefer the old-school ovals like
Milwaukee. The very banked tracks have proven they’re
not suited to our cars.”
Mar 10 - Although Scott Dixon said he was happy to be
racing in Phoenix once more, he admitted he preferred
the pre-2011 format.
“It’s changed a lot,” said the 35-year-old who is entering
his 15th season with Target Chip Ganassi Racing. “It’s
been NASCAR-ified! More banking, smoother.
“This track used to be quite fun because Turn 2 really
closed in on itself and that made it hard. Now, once you
get through the middle of the turn, you’ve got an easy
exit. I’m sure for Cup cars it makes it much easier, but
for us… you don’t have to finish the rest of the corner.
“In its previous form, if you had a really good car, you
still had to help it finish the rest of the corner but [if you
got it right] you could get a really good run on someone
down the back straight.
“It’s still a good track – 190mph on a one-mile track is
pretty fast! But I prefer the old-school ovals like
Milwaukee. The very banked tracks have proven they’re
not suited to our cars.”
Penske's 50th Anniversary
Mar 10 - The Indy Speedway Museum is celebrating Roger
Penske's 50 years in racing by displaying 22 of his
organization's cars.
It features Indy 500-winning cars run by all 11 Penske
drivers who have visited victory lane there. Penske has
won 16 Indy 500 races so far.
Mar 10 - The Indy Speedway Museum is celebrating Roger
Penske's 50 years in racing by displaying 22 of his
organization's cars.
It features Indy 500-winning cars run by all 11 Penske
drivers who have visited victory lane there. Penske has
won 16 Indy 500 races so far.
Among the cars present are the McLaren M16B which
took Mark Donohue to Penske's first Indy 500 triumph
more than 40 years ago, the March 85C that Danny
Sullivan kept off the wall while spinning as he dueled for
the lead in 1985; and the PC22 that took Emerson
Fittipaldi to his second victory in the race in 1993.
In addition, Helio Castroneves' car for this year's 100th
Indy 500 will be painted in the same Pennzoil livery that
was on Rick Mears 1984 winning car.
took Mark Donohue to Penske's first Indy 500 triumph
more than 40 years ago, the March 85C that Danny
Sullivan kept off the wall while spinning as he dueled for
the lead in 1985; and the PC22 that took Emerson
Fittipaldi to his second victory in the race in 1993.
In addition, Helio Castroneves' car for this year's 100th
Indy 500 will be painted in the same Pennzoil livery that
was on Rick Mears 1984 winning car.
World's Largest Milk Toast
Mar 16 - Winners of the Indy 500 have been drinking
milk in victory circle for 80 years, a tradition started by
three-time champion Louis Meyer, who drank butter
milk. Since Meyer in 1936 (it wasn’t offered between
1947 and 1955), every winner drinks an ice-cold milk
during the victory celebrations. Nowadays drivers are
polled before the race for their milk preference, in the
event they are the winner. Instead of buttermilk they
have a choice between whole milk, two-percent milk
and skimmed milk (the majority prefers whole milk).
The milk is provided from a lucky Indiana dairy farmer
who is selected to be the person who hands over the
bottle of ice-cold milk to the winning driver.
This year, Prairie Farms is going to be distributing
100,000 special commemorative 16-oz bottles of milk to
the fans along the front straight. They are hoping they
will all toast the winner as he drinks his milk.
The pints of milk will be specially branded for the 100th
Running and will be available at retailers leading up to the
race.
Mar 16 - Winners of the Indy 500 have been drinking
milk in victory circle for 80 years, a tradition started by
three-time champion Louis Meyer, who drank butter
milk. Since Meyer in 1936 (it wasn’t offered between
1947 and 1955), every winner drinks an ice-cold milk
during the victory celebrations. Nowadays drivers are
polled before the race for their milk preference, in the
event they are the winner. Instead of buttermilk they
have a choice between whole milk, two-percent milk
and skimmed milk (the majority prefers whole milk).
The milk is provided from a lucky Indiana dairy farmer
who is selected to be the person who hands over the
bottle of ice-cold milk to the winning driver.
This year, Prairie Farms is going to be distributing
100,000 special commemorative 16-oz bottles of milk to
the fans along the front straight. They are hoping they
will all toast the winner as he drinks his milk.
The pints of milk will be specially branded for the 100th
Running and will be available at retailers leading up to the
race.
| 1936 Winner Wilbur Shaw |
F1 Tries New Qualifying Procedures
Mar 19 - For the first event of the year, Formula 1 tried
out a new set of rules for qualifying.
While there are still three rounds, the new method was
basically to begin eliminating the slowest driver every 90
seconds.
Bizarrely, under the new system, it was down to a two-
way fight with over five minutes of Q3 remaining, with
the slowest four drivers already eliminated, and with
Ferrari choosing not to run further, having decided that
Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen would be
unable to improve on their times.
At that point those times put them second and fourth
respectively and it needed a late second run from Nico
Rosberg to dislodge Vettel,
Lewis Hamilton won his 50th pole.
Formula 1 looks set to abandon the controversial new
elimination qualifying system in the wake of heavy
criticism after its introduction at the season-opening
Australian Grand Prix.
F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone admitted it had not worked,
but said he was reluctant to revert to the old system.
The 85-year-old wants to introduce an element of
uncertainty in the hope it will hinder Mercedes'
domination.
Teams are expected to meet in Melbourne on Sunday to
discuss what to do next.
Mar 19 - For the first event of the year, Formula 1 tried
out a new set of rules for qualifying.
While there are still three rounds, the new method was
basically to begin eliminating the slowest driver every 90
seconds.
Bizarrely, under the new system, it was down to a two-
way fight with over five minutes of Q3 remaining, with
the slowest four drivers already eliminated, and with
Ferrari choosing not to run further, having decided that
Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen would be
unable to improve on their times.
At that point those times put them second and fourth
respectively and it needed a late second run from Nico
Rosberg to dislodge Vettel,
Lewis Hamilton won his 50th pole.
Formula 1 looks set to abandon the controversial new
elimination qualifying system in the wake of heavy
criticism after its introduction at the season-opening
Australian Grand Prix.
F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone admitted it had not worked,
but said he was reluctant to revert to the old system.
The 85-year-old wants to introduce an element of
uncertainty in the hope it will hinder Mercedes'
domination.
Teams are expected to meet in Melbourne on Sunday to
discuss what to do next.
| Qualifying at Albert Park in Melbourne Australia |
Sebastian Vettel said the new qualifying was shit.
Jimmie Johnson Better Than Earnhardt?
Mar 20 - Nascar's Sprint Cup series visited Auto Club
Speedway in Fontana California.
Kevin Harvick, who led 142 of 200 laps, appeared to be
riding off into the California sunset until Kyle Busch hit
the wall in between Turns 3 and 4 to bring out the sixth
and final caution.
Denny Hamlin came out of the pits first followed by
Harvick and Jimmie Johnson.
When the race went green on Lap 203, Johnson pushed
Harvick to the lead then took the bottom lane. Johnson
held off Harvick coming to the white flag and extended
his lead by 0.772-seconds at the finish.
Harvick posted his 20th second-place finish since joining
Stewart-Haas Racing in 2014.
Johnson won his sixth race at his hometown track and his
second of 2016. He passed Earnhardt for seventh on the
all-time win list with his 77th career Sprint Cup victory.
Mar 20 - Nascar's Sprint Cup series visited Auto Club
Speedway in Fontana California.
Kevin Harvick, who led 142 of 200 laps, appeared to be
riding off into the California sunset until Kyle Busch hit
the wall in between Turns 3 and 4 to bring out the sixth
and final caution.
Denny Hamlin came out of the pits first followed by
Harvick and Jimmie Johnson.
When the race went green on Lap 203, Johnson pushed
Harvick to the lead then took the bottom lane. Johnson
held off Harvick coming to the white flag and extended
his lead by 0.772-seconds at the finish.
Harvick posted his 20th second-place finish since joining
Stewart-Haas Racing in 2014.
Johnson won his sixth race at his hometown track and his
second of 2016. He passed Earnhardt for seventh on the
all-time win list with his 77th career Sprint Cup victory.
| Jimmie Johnson Sponsored by new Superman movie |
F1 Australian GP
Mar 20 - Ferrari seized control at the start of Sunday’s
2016 Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix, but a mid-
race stoppage after a huge accident involving Fernando
Alonso turned the race on its head.
Following a 20-minute break to clear the debris from the
crash, the race restarted with Ferrari still on an aggressive
two-stop strategy of using supersoft tires. Mercedes
though had gone conservative and selected the mediums,
meaning Ferrari would need to pit again and Mercedes
wouldn't. Game on.
It was soon clear that Vettel was not going to open up the
24s gap that he needed for a final stop, and when that
came - from supersofts to softs - on the 35th lap, Nico
Rosberg, Lewis Hamilton and a feisty Daniel Ricciardo
overtook the Ferrari. Hamilton closed in on the Red Bull
and overtook for second place on the 42nd lap, but
couldn't make serious inroads into Rosberg's 10s lead.
Vettel ended up settling for third.
BAD WRECK
The 2016 Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix was
red flagged on lap 19 of 57 after a frightening looking
accident involving McLaren’s Fernando Alonso and
Haas’s Esteban Gutierrez.
Alonso was running immediately behind Gutierrez as the
pair approached Turn 3 at speed, but made contact with
the rear of the Mexican’s car as they entered the braking
zone, sending the Spaniard into the left-hand wall.
As Gutierriez spun to a stop, Alonso was pitched into a
barrel roll as he went side-on into the gravel. His car was
then launched into the air, with its tub eventually coming
to rest against the tire wall at the rear of the gravel trap.
Despite the obvious severity of the accident, Alonso was
able to clamber unaided from the wreckage, with
Gutierrez also climbing from his car seemingly unharmed
as the safety car was deployed.
AMERICA'S TEAM
Romain Grosjean has described finishing sixth for Haas
on their maiden F1 outing as like “a win” for the
American team.
Grosjean delivered a composed drive from 19th on the
grid in Australia, taking advantage of other driver’s pit
stops to move up the order ahead of the red-flag stoppage
before calmly absorbing pressure from Force India’s
Nico Hulkenberg and Williams’ Valtteri Bottas in the
second half of the race.
“Guys listen to me: this is a win for us, this is a win,” an
emotional Grosjean said moments after taking the
checkered flag. “Welcome to Formula One, Gene [Haas,
team owner]. This is the day - this is history guys!”
Haas are the first brand-new team to score points on their
Grand Prix debut since 2002 when Mika Salo finished
sixth at Albert Park for Toyota.
“It feels like standing on the top step of podium,” said
Grosjean.
Grosjean also hailed the influence of the red flag – brought
about when team mate Esteban Gutierrez clashed
violently with Fernando Alonso – as being crucial to his
result, as it enabled him to effectively make a 'free' pit
stop and attempt a one-stopper.
Mar 20 - Ferrari seized control at the start of Sunday’s
2016 Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix, but a mid-
race stoppage after a huge accident involving Fernando
Alonso turned the race on its head.
Following a 20-minute break to clear the debris from the
crash, the race restarted with Ferrari still on an aggressive
two-stop strategy of using supersoft tires. Mercedes
though had gone conservative and selected the mediums,
meaning Ferrari would need to pit again and Mercedes
wouldn't. Game on.
It was soon clear that Vettel was not going to open up the
24s gap that he needed for a final stop, and when that
came - from supersofts to softs - on the 35th lap, Nico
Rosberg, Lewis Hamilton and a feisty Daniel Ricciardo
overtook the Ferrari. Hamilton closed in on the Red Bull
and overtook for second place on the 42nd lap, but
couldn't make serious inroads into Rosberg's 10s lead.
Vettel ended up settling for third.
BAD WRECK
The 2016 Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix was
red flagged on lap 19 of 57 after a frightening looking
accident involving McLaren’s Fernando Alonso and
Haas’s Esteban Gutierrez.
Alonso was running immediately behind Gutierrez as the
pair approached Turn 3 at speed, but made contact with
the rear of the Mexican’s car as they entered the braking
zone, sending the Spaniard into the left-hand wall.
As Gutierriez spun to a stop, Alonso was pitched into a
barrel roll as he went side-on into the gravel. His car was
then launched into the air, with its tub eventually coming
to rest against the tire wall at the rear of the gravel trap.
Despite the obvious severity of the accident, Alonso was
able to clamber unaided from the wreckage, with
Gutierrez also climbing from his car seemingly unharmed
as the safety car was deployed.
AMERICA'S TEAM
Romain Grosjean has described finishing sixth for Haas
on their maiden F1 outing as like “a win” for the
American team.
Grosjean delivered a composed drive from 19th on the
grid in Australia, taking advantage of other driver’s pit
stops to move up the order ahead of the red-flag stoppage
before calmly absorbing pressure from Force India’s
Nico Hulkenberg and Williams’ Valtteri Bottas in the
second half of the race.
“Guys listen to me: this is a win for us, this is a win,” an
emotional Grosjean said moments after taking the
checkered flag. “Welcome to Formula One, Gene [Haas,
team owner]. This is the day - this is history guys!”
Haas are the first brand-new team to score points on their
Grand Prix debut since 2002 when Mika Salo finished
sixth at Albert Park for Toyota.
“It feels like standing on the top step of podium,” said
Grosjean.
Grosjean also hailed the influence of the red flag – brought
about when team mate Esteban Gutierrez clashed
violently with Fernando Alonso – as being crucial to his
result, as it enabled him to effectively make a 'free' pit
stop and attempt a one-stopper.
| Alonso Escapes Bad Looking Wreck |
| Romain Grosjean finishes 6th in Haas F1's first race. |
IndyCar St Pete Race
Mar 13 - Simon Pagenaud brought the field to the green
and easily held the lead.
Helio Castroneves very quickly appeared to hit tire
issues until on lap 10, Juan Montoya passed his ailing
teammate, now five seconds behind Pagenaud.
Thereafter the lead stayed static, while Castroneves
continued to fall down the order, and Dale Coyne hit
upon a bold pit stop strategy for both Conor Daly and
Luca Filippi, stopping his drivers between laps 13 and
16.
Pagenaud retained the lead but by a reduced margin
following the first round of stops and all seemed in
control until he hit traffic.
The true turning point of the race came on lap 45,
however, when Marco Andretti tried to follow Ryan
Hunter-Reay past off-strategy Filippi, collided with the
DCR car, and spun, bringing out the first caution of the
day.
As most pitted under the yellow, it left Daly and another
off-strategy car, the Ganassi machine of Tony Kanaan,
in front of the dueling Penskes. After a false start
following more Andretti grief as he stopped at the final
turn, the green flew once more and although Daly held
off Kanaan, Montoya chose that moment to dive past
Pagenaud as Castroneves also passed Hunter-Reay.
A multi-car shunt further around the lap, triggered by
Carlos Munoz spearing into Graham Rahal, required a
long yellow again, and bottled the field once more. Also
halted by the crash were Oriol Servia, Sebastien
Bourdais, Charlie Kimball, James Hinchcliffe and
Filippi.
Munoz was assessed a stop go penalty but would
eventually climb back to eighth.
Alexander Rossi amazingly managed to miss the carnage
by picking the inside line, while Mikhail Aleshin was
also able to pick his way through.
When the green was waved again, Montoya dived down
the inside of Daly into Turn 1. Daly however, on a lighter
fuel load and red tires, remained within 1.5s of the #2
Penske and crucially ahead of Pagenaud’s #22 and until
he finally pitted with 30 laps to go.
Unfortunately, a collision with Munoz as he left pit lane
broke a wing which then fouled the radiator and sent the
engine temperatures soaring, necessitating an extra stop
for a new wing, dropping him down to 13th at the
checkered flag.
As the other front-runners followed Daly's lead a couple
laps later and hit pitlane, Pagenaud emerged 2.5 seconds
behind Montoya and although the lead sank as low as
1.5 seconds at times, the Colombian controlled the gap to
the flag, despite a steering issue in the final laps.
It is the 15th Indy car victory of Montoya’s career, and
Penske’s eighth in 12 races here at St. Petersburg.
Mar 13 - Simon Pagenaud brought the field to the green
and easily held the lead.
Helio Castroneves very quickly appeared to hit tire
issues until on lap 10, Juan Montoya passed his ailing
teammate, now five seconds behind Pagenaud.
Thereafter the lead stayed static, while Castroneves
continued to fall down the order, and Dale Coyne hit
upon a bold pit stop strategy for both Conor Daly and
Luca Filippi, stopping his drivers between laps 13 and
16.
Pagenaud retained the lead but by a reduced margin
following the first round of stops and all seemed in
control until he hit traffic.
The true turning point of the race came on lap 45,
however, when Marco Andretti tried to follow Ryan
Hunter-Reay past off-strategy Filippi, collided with the
DCR car, and spun, bringing out the first caution of the
day.
As most pitted under the yellow, it left Daly and another
off-strategy car, the Ganassi machine of Tony Kanaan,
in front of the dueling Penskes. After a false start
following more Andretti grief as he stopped at the final
turn, the green flew once more and although Daly held
off Kanaan, Montoya chose that moment to dive past
Pagenaud as Castroneves also passed Hunter-Reay.
A multi-car shunt further around the lap, triggered by
Carlos Munoz spearing into Graham Rahal, required a
long yellow again, and bottled the field once more. Also
halted by the crash were Oriol Servia, Sebastien
Bourdais, Charlie Kimball, James Hinchcliffe and
Filippi.
Munoz was assessed a stop go penalty but would
eventually climb back to eighth.
Alexander Rossi amazingly managed to miss the carnage
by picking the inside line, while Mikhail Aleshin was
also able to pick his way through.
When the green was waved again, Montoya dived down
the inside of Daly into Turn 1. Daly however, on a lighter
fuel load and red tires, remained within 1.5s of the #2
Penske and crucially ahead of Pagenaud’s #22 and until
he finally pitted with 30 laps to go.
Unfortunately, a collision with Munoz as he left pit lane
broke a wing which then fouled the radiator and sent the
engine temperatures soaring, necessitating an extra stop
for a new wing, dropping him down to 13th at the
checkered flag.
As the other front-runners followed Daly's lead a couple
laps later and hit pitlane, Pagenaud emerged 2.5 seconds
behind Montoya and although the lead sank as low as
1.5 seconds at times, the Colombian controlled the gap to
the flag, despite a steering issue in the final laps.
It is the 15th Indy car victory of Montoya’s career, and
Penske’s eighth in 12 races here at St. Petersburg.
WILL POWER CONCUSSION
Will Power crashed heavily in practice Friday. On
Saturday he won the pole. He began feeling sick so
IndyCar's medical staff checked him and decided he had
suffered a minor concussion. It was decided two hours
before the race that he would be unable to race. This
was the first race Power has missed since 2009.
Filling in for Power at Penske was 41 y/o Servia, who
had prepared to fill in if needed. He too was feeling sick,
as well as tired, but he raced anyway. He started in the
last position (22nd) and worked his way up to 11th by
half distance, when he got caught up in the multi-car
shunt at Turn 4. Servia said racing for Penske was a
great experience that he would never forget. He also
said, "The downforce with the aero kits is about 500 lbs.
more than last year…. And it was already ridiculous last
year! I thought it would be my breathing that would be
the problem from the G-forces, but it was actually my
arms."
Will Power crashed heavily in practice Friday. On
Saturday he won the pole. He began feeling sick so
IndyCar's medical staff checked him and decided he had
suffered a minor concussion. It was decided two hours
before the race that he would be unable to race. This
was the first race Power has missed since 2009.
Filling in for Power at Penske was 41 y/o Servia, who
had prepared to fill in if needed. He too was feeling sick,
as well as tired, but he raced anyway. He started in the
last position (22nd) and worked his way up to 11th by
half distance, when he got caught up in the multi-car
shunt at Turn 4. Servia said racing for Penske was a
great experience that he would never forget. He also
said, "The downforce with the aero kits is about 500 lbs.
more than last year…. And it was already ridiculous last
year! I thought it would be my breathing that would be
the problem from the G-forces, but it was actually my
arms."
Brittany Force gets 1st Top Fuel win
Mar 20 - An hour after her first NHRA Top Fuel victory,
Brittany Force was clutching the trophy as tightly as she
does her steering wheel.
She wasn't about to let go, either. The trophy was that
special, even for a member of drag racing's first family.
Force earned her first Top Fuel win Sunday by beating
Terry McMillen in the final at the prestigious
Gatornationals.
"I've been chasing this for quite a few years," the
29-year-old Force said. "I've been wanting it since day
one. It took a lot of work and a lot of time to get here.
It's definitely not as easy as you think it is. ... This
weekend was just it for us."
One of 16-time world champion John Force's three
racing daughters, Brittany was winless in her previous
seven Top Fuel finals. She ended that skid at one of the
NHRA's premier events by putting down the fastest run
of each elimination round against what might have been
considered favorable matchups.
This was Force's second straight final and her 75th event.
Coincidentally, John Force's first win came in his 75th
event.
Brittany Force surely felt pressure to win. After all,
Courtney has seven career wins in Funny Car. Their
other sister, Ashley, had four before she stepped away
from racing.
Mar 20 - An hour after her first NHRA Top Fuel victory,
Brittany Force was clutching the trophy as tightly as she
does her steering wheel.
She wasn't about to let go, either. The trophy was that
special, even for a member of drag racing's first family.
Force earned her first Top Fuel win Sunday by beating
Terry McMillen in the final at the prestigious
Gatornationals.
"I've been chasing this for quite a few years," the
29-year-old Force said. "I've been wanting it since day
one. It took a lot of work and a lot of time to get here.
It's definitely not as easy as you think it is. ... This
weekend was just it for us."
One of 16-time world champion John Force's three
racing daughters, Brittany was winless in her previous
seven Top Fuel finals. She ended that skid at one of the
NHRA's premier events by putting down the fastest run
of each elimination round against what might have been
considered favorable matchups.
This was Force's second straight final and her 75th event.
Coincidentally, John Force's first win came in his 75th
event.
Brittany Force surely felt pressure to win. After all,
Courtney has seven career wins in Funny Car. Their
other sister, Ashley, had four before she stepped away
from racing.
Now, Brittany is on the board. She trails her dad by 142.
JFR added its 242nd and 243rd victories to an illustrious
resume. But the team's first trophy in Top Fuel went to
Brittany, and she had no plans to add it to dad's
collection.
"I'm taking this home with me," she said.
JFR added its 242nd and 243rd victories to an illustrious
resume. But the team's first trophy in Top Fuel went to
Brittany, and she had no plans to add it to dad's
collection.
"I'm taking this home with me," she said.
| Connie, Paulina, Juan Montoya and Manuela |
