News for the Week of July 20, 2015 – July 26, 2015
LED chassis panels set for Mid-Ohio debut – The new LED position marker panels INDYCAR has been working on this season will make their debut on all Verizon IndyCar Series cars at the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio next weekend. “The panels, which are mounted on both sides of the Dallara DW12 roll hoop faring, will display the field’s running order and change to reflect position changes as they happen.” – RACER – (7/23/2015)
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Rahal and Force “compete” at Sonoma – Graham Rahal and fiancee Courtney Force engaged in a friendly competition in an advance promotion for INDYCAR’s upcoming race weekend at Sonoma Raceway. The couple competed in an RC car drag race, an IndyCar simulator of the Sonoma road course, and a grape stomp. Force won the first and final events and was excited about it. “We’re both really competitive, but we’ve never gotten to do something head-to-head like this,” Force said. “And, of course, I’m very glad I won.” – INDYCAR – (7/23/2015)
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INDYCAR announces post-Iowa penalties – “INDYCAR announced the following post-event infractions and manufacturer championship points updates from the Iowa Corn 300, which was held July 18 at Iowa Speedway: Verizon IndyCar Series driver James Jakes of Schmidt Peterson Motorsports was fined $500 for violating Rule 1.6.5.1.1 (visor not down during pit stop). A crew member from A.J. Foyt Enterprises and Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing were each fined $500 for violating Rule 1.2.7.2 (e) (deadman not wearing headsock). The No. 8 Chip Ganassi Racing entry was fined $500 for violating Rule 7.9.6 (unattended equipment – tire). Chevrolet received a deduction of 20 manufacturer points for an engine that did not attain its life cycle during the Iowa Corn 300 race weekend. According to Rule 10.6.4.3, 20 manufacturer points are deducted for an engine that fails to reach its 2,500-mile life cycle. The Chevrolet engine on the No. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing Teams entry did not reach its life cycle minimum before being changed out. Following the adjustment, Chevrolet has 1,279 manufacturer points for the season and Honda has 1,011. Members may contest the imposition of penalties pursuant to the procedures and timelines detailed in the review and appeal procedures of the Verizon IndyCar Series rulebook.” – INDYCAR – (7/23/2015)
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Chaves to race for Honda in USAC midget Tony Stewart Classic – Gabby Chaves tweeted that he will race a USAC midget for the first time this weekend at the Tony Stewart Midget Classic. The inaugural event will take place on Saturday night, 7/25/15, at the Lincoln Tech Indianapolis Speedrome. – Gabby Chaves – (7/22/2015)
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Trackside podcast 7/21/15 – 1070 The Fan’s popular Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 7/21/15 talks about new INDYCAR Rule 9.3.8 and features an in-studio visit from Sage Karam. – 1070 The Fan – (7/22/2015)
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INDYCAR clarifies Rule 9.3.8 – INDYCAR released a statement on Tuesday night clarifying that new Rule 9.3.8 (see link below) is intended more for drivers disparaging the series (such as some after Fontana) than driver confrontations such as the Karam/Carpenter incident after Iowa. See the release at the link. – INDYCAR – (7/21/2015)
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INDYCAR introduces Rule 9.3.8, Detrimental Competitor Conduct – From RACER’s Marshall Pruett: “A new rule has been produced that could be interpreted as a gag order.
Rule 9.3.8, Detrimental Competitor Conduct, states:
Competitors must be respectful, professional, fair and courteous to others. At all times, Competitors must not, attempt to, or engage in conduct or statements that in the judgment of INDYCAR:
a) Threatens or denigrates any Official, fellow Competitor or the INDYCAR brand;
b) Calls into question the integrity or legitimacy of the Rules or their application, construction or interpretation;
c) Denigrates the IndyCar Series racing schedule or Event(s);
d) Threatens or denigrates any INDYCAR business relationship, including those with sponsors or broadcasters;
e) Otherwise threatens the integrity, reputation or public confidence of the sport, INDYCAR, or IndyCar Series.” No guidelines for penalties have been presented according to Pruett. – RACER – (7/21/2015)
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Carpenter “hopeful” Newgarden returns to CFH – MotorSportsTalk’s Tony DiZinno recaps Ed Carpenter’s interview with an Indianapolis radio show and the highlight is Ed’s comments on the team’s future plans. “I don’t know. I’m hopeful,” Carpenter said Monday on Query & Schultz, on WNDE Radio in Indianapolis. “But with those things you can do, you never know what you can do. Make an offer that works for the team, and Josef will have to decide what he wants to do. I hope he recognizes what the team has done for him. He always has. We’ll see how it shakes out. Hopefully he’ll be with the team for a long time.” More at the link. – NBC Sports – (7/21/2015)
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INDYCAR drivers commit to DW Pro-Am – Scott Dixon, Ed Carpenter, Sarah Fisher, and Sebastian Saavedra have committed to drive in the Dan Wheldon Memorial Pro-Am karting event on September 19th at New Castle Motorsports Park. More will surely follow but these are the first INDYCAR drivers to commit to the popular event. – Arni Sribhen – (7/21/2015)
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Kimball writes about his diabetes diagnosis – Charlie Kimball wrote an excellent piece on The Players’ Tribune on his diagnosis and fight against diabetes. Too good to shorten. Check it out at the link. – The Players’ Tribune – (7/21/2015)
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Trackside podcast 7/20/15 – 1070 The Fan’s popular Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 7/20/15 recaps and eventful Iowa Corn 300. A great listen as always. – 1070 The Fan – (7/21/2015)
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Karam responds to Iowa drama on Indy sports radio – Sage Karam spoke to Indianapolis sports talk duo Query and Schultz on Monday and responded to the drama resulting from this drive to the podium at Iowa Speedway. It’s a very entertaining listen as Karam explains his view of the specific racing incidents, conversations with Carpenter and Rahal after the race, called Rahal the more reckless driver of the race, and his thoughts on “reckless versus courageous” in racing. – FOX Sports 975 – (7/20/2015)
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Iowa Speedway president wants INDYCAR back for ’16 and beyond – According to MotorSportsTalk Iowa Speedway president Jimmy Small told the Iowa Gazette he wants INDYCAR to return to the track in the future. “IndyCar is, hands down, the best race here. We want to keep it here. It’s a part of our vision to raise the overall profile of motorsports. I can’t imagine it not being here,” Small told the Gazette. “This race, this series is really important to have here for a number of reasons.” – NBC Sports – (7/20/2015)
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JPM’s Iowa crash caused by broken push rod – From Brandt James of USA Today: “RogerPenske: JPM crash at Iowa result of broken push rod suspension piece. “When he went over the bump in Turn one, snapped it.”” – Brandt James – (7/20/2015)
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NBCSN Iowa TV rating is 0.40 – NBCSN’s telecast of the Iowa Corn 300 earned a 0.4 TV rating, up 30% from last year. Another strong TV rating on an oval. – RACER – (7/20/2015)
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Many drivers upset with Karam after his surge to Iowa podium – Many drivers, Graham Rahal and Ed Carpenter included, were not happy with Sage Karam’s aggressive driving towards the end of the Iowa Corn 300. Karam had a very close battle with Ed Carpenter as he moved through the field to earn his first Verizon IndyCar Series podium. The post-race confrontation between Karam and Carpenter can be seen here. – FOX Sports – (7/20/2015)
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RHR takes first win of the season at Iowa – Ryan Hunter-Reay continued Andretti Autosport’s dominance at Iowa by winning the Indy Corn 300 for the second consecutive year. Josef Newgarden finished P2 for the second straight year. The rest of the Top 5 was Karam, Rahal, and Munoz. Montoya, Kanaan, and Dixon all suffered incidents placing them at the back of the field. Full results at the link. Relive the race with our live blog here. – INDYCAR – (7/18/2015)
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Emotional Chilton grabs first Lights win at Iowa – Carlin’s Max Chilton won the Indy Lights Iowa 115 for his first win in the series on Saturday a day after his former F1 teammate Jules Bianchi passed away. Carlin teammate Ed Jones completed the team sweep in P2. Enerson, Kaiser, and Harvey completed the Top 5. Harvey extended his championship lead as Pigot finished in P8. Full results at the link. – Indy Lights – (7/18/2015)
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Helio wins Verizon P1 award at Iowa – Team Penske’s Helio Castroneves won the pole for Saturday’s Iowa Corn 300. Tony Kanaan was fastest in each practice session on Friday but had to settle for P2 to start the race tonight. Milwaukee winner Sebastien Bourdais spun in qualifying and will start last on the grid. Full results at the link. – INDYCAR – (7/18/2015)
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Former “Bachelor” star rides two-seater at Iowa – Former “The Bachelor” star Chris Soules rode the INDYCAR Experience two-seater at Iowa Speedway with Conor Daly at the controls on Saturday afternoon. “That was awesome,” Soules exclaimed after stepping out of the race car. “The G forces in those turns is intense. I’m hooked, I want to do it again. Maybe I’ve found a new hobby.” – INDYCAR – (7/18/2015)
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Chilton wins the Lights pole at Iowa – Carlin’s Max Chilton won the pole for the Indy Lights race at Iowa Speedway on Saturday over his teammate Ed Jones with a 2 lap average speed of 162.293mph. The Schmidt Peterson Motorsports cars were heavy favorites after dominating practice on Friday but their lead driver Jack Harvey had to settle for P3. Ringel and Anderson complete the Top 5. Spencer Pigot will start in P9. Full results at the link. – Indy Lights – (7/18/2015)
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Firestone announces new rain tire – Firestone unveiled and announced a new rain tire for the Verizon IndyCar Series on Saturday. The new tire features a softer compound, new construction, and a gray sidewall. It will be available for the first time at Mid-Ohio. – Firestone Racing – (7/18/2015)
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