Team Owners Want 500 Start Time Moved Back

According to Curt Cavin, during yesterdays Indycar Series team owners meeting, moving the Indianapolis 500 start time was at the top of the list of things to discuss. The issue was brought up by Roger Penske's right hand man, Tim Cindric, who had this to say: "It's worth one (ratings) point, at least"Coincidentally I'm sure, if the start time is moved back 2 hours from 1pm...

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Tagliani's 2010 Team Confirmed

Today at Chicagoland Speedway, Canadian Alex Tagliani alongside investor Andre Azzi confirmed there intent to run the entire 2010 Indycar Series schedule under the banner FAZZT Race Team with the #77 Dallara.Jim Freudenberg of Rubicon Sports Agency who negotiated the deal to purchase the assets of Roth Racing will become Chief Operating Officer (COO), while Azzi is Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the newly formed FAZZT Race Team. The new team has also hired 16 year Walker Racing vet, Rob Edwards to run the day to day operations.The team will be...

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Chicagoland Preview

By: Tony DonohueThe final three races of the year are here, and as I look back, wasn't it just yesterday I was walking the garages of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the month of May? After Kentucky, I for one cannot wait to see what takes place at Chicagoland, under the lights for the first time at the 1.5 mile oval.After the dramatic finish at Kentucky almost a month...

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2010 Brazil Race In Question

UPDATE 8-30-09: Jeff Olson is reporting that the race will go on and that it will be held in Salvador, Brazil, home of Tony Kanaan_________________________According to Robin Miller of Speed TV fame, the 2010 Brazil GP is very much in question. Miller says "Rio and Preto proved to be all talk and no money", he than go's on to say the chance of a race is "50/50" in his ey...

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Where Are They Now: Thiago Medeiros

(Photos courtesy of Indycar.com)By: Tony DonohueIn this addition of where are they now? We showcase a driver that made his name in the Lights series. Thiago Medeiros came to America in 2003 to pursue his goal of running in the Indy Car Series. He ran his first season for Genoa Racing, and started from the pole in his first ever race. Medeiros captured his first win in the...

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Lloyd Closing In On Deal

Alex Lloyd, who has been driving for Target Chip Ganassi Racing the last couple seasons, left the Championship winning organization last June in hopes of a 2010 full season ride. With rumors swirling, it appears the 2007 Indy Lights Champ could soon find himself back behind the wheel.The 24 year old British driver says that its "Better than 50/50" that he'll be back in a car for 2009. Although he wouldn't mention the team, it looks like he could be replacing Oriol Servia in the #06 Newman Haas Lanigan Dallara. It's doubtful that Lloyd will be...

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Power/Philippe Update

As I'm sure most of you already know, Penske's Will Power and Conquest's Nelson Philippe were both involved in a horrific incident in yesterdays practice. As seen above.Now, nearly 12 hours after the incident an update has been given courtesy of Sarah, Nelson's Girlfriend: He will be in hospital for the next few days recovering- open fracture to his left foot, broken fibula on his right leg, concussion... He... was operated on and has been put back together (new nickname: humpty dumpty) Power is doing well also.. he is stable and can mo...

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Leilani Munter To Pilot Extenze #57

(Photos courtesy of Extenze)Update: Leilani and team 3G have now cancelled there appearance this weekend, but plan on running in the season finale at Miami-Homestead.______________________________Update: Leilani has finally made it official, she'll be in the #57 Woman Extenze Dallara this weekend at Chicagoland______________________________Update: An official announcement...

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Sonoma Preview

By: Tony DonohueThe Indy Car series rolls into the wine country of Sonoma, California this weekend for the final road course of the 2009 season. This may be the “wild card” if you will that decides the 2009 championship.Infineon Raceway saw Team Penske take the top two spots last year at this race, with Helio Castroneves winning and teammate Ryan Briscoe second. Helio started...

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DirecTV Could Drop VERSUS

As of now, on September 1st DirecTV will no long carry Indycar's TV partner VERSUS.They are currently in negotaions but if a deal can not be struck, it could be a huge blow to both the Indycar Series and VERSUS.If you have DirecTV and would like to voice your opinion you can contact the television provider by phone at 1-800-531-5000, or by ema...

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AGR Officially Splits

At the end of this season in October, Andretti Green Racing will officially become Andretti Racing. Andretti Green promotions which promote both the St. Pete and Toronto races, will split from the racing devision.While Michael Andretti will wholly own and operate the racing side, Kevin Savoree and Kim Green will wholly own and operate the promotions side."Since becoming partners in 2002, we have been fortunate to see our companies expand and diversify quickly and successfully. All of us believe that this decision will maximize the potential of...

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Q&A With Lindy Thackston

(Photos courtesy of LindyThackston.com)16th And Georgetown: Spending 3 weeks in Indy, including 30+ hours of LIVE coverage, what are some of your favorite moments from the Month of May?
Lindy Thackson: Wow… this is a hard one to answer because there were so many… but here are some that come to the top of my head:The last 45 minutes of each qualifying day when teams are rushing...

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Fisher Presented With 2009 Dallara

(Photo courtesy of Indycar.com)Sarah Fisher Racing announced today the addition of what they said was a 2nd Dallara. The Chassis was graciously given to SFR by one of there biggest sponsors, Hartman Oil.The much lighter new chassis will serve as Fishers backup for her next race at Chicagoland in 2 weeks, but should be race ready as her primary for the season finale in Miami....

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Tagliani To Become Owner/Driver In '10

After multiple reports that Alex Tagliani and Jim Freudenberg of Rubicon Racing fame will get together for a 2010 IRL entry, Racer.com goes into even more detail.Apparently Alex has found a Canadian investor to help with the purchase of equipment. What equipment might you ask? Tags has bought out all equipment including 4 Dallaras off of Indycar vet Marty Roth. Although he purchased 4 chassis it appears they'll just be a one car team, at least to start out with the possibility of a 2nd for the 94th Indianapolis 500. Tags then hopes to bring...

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AGR In '09 Could Be APR In '10

There were rumors about this time last season that AGR co-owners Michael Andretti, Kim Green and Kevin Savoree could be splitting up for the 2009 season. As you know it didn't happen, AGR is still standing strong, well at least there standing.New rumors have now surfaced in the form of a Robin Miller SPEED T.V. article. RM reports that Gary Peterson of AFS/AGR's Indy Lights team could be moving up to the big time as a co-owner with Michael Andretti.Maybe theres more to AFS/AGR running Frank Montagny at Infenion than was originally thoug...

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Q&A With Al Unser Jr.

By: Tony DonohueRecently, I had the privilege to conduct a phone interview with two time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser Jr. I was fortunate enough that Al took time out of his busy lifestyle, and job with the Indy Car Series to answer some questions for 16th And Georgetown . Al as thirty four career wins, including his first Indy Racing League win in 2000 at Las Vegas....

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Montagny Confirmed With AGR For Sonoma

After a few days of speculation that AGR would run a 5th car at Infenion for Franck Montagny, today they made it official. Montagny will run an AFS sponsored #25 Dallara in next weekends Sonoma GP.Montagny ran several races last season for AGR's now defunct ALMS team, and has been rumored for a possible 2010 Indycar ride."I am certainly looking forward to my IndyCar debut in Sonoma with AFS and Andretti Green Racing. I was able to test one of the team's Indy cars last year and very much enjoyed driving it. Being able to test the track this week...

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The Great Port-O-Let Mystery Solved

Remember the Season opener, when Danica and Rapha got together nearly tipping over a Port-O-Let? Well, the great mystery of "who was in it?" has finally been solved. The smelly box was occupied by no other than the President of IZOD!!When asked about the situation, Danica's Dad, T.J. told this story:We where at dinner after the race in Toronto, and in walks Ryan Hunter-Reay...

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Mid-Ohio Preview

By: Tony DonohueAfter and exciting race at Kentucky, the Indy Car Series heads to the road course at Mid Ohio. With the Push to pass still enabled for the race, it will be exciting to see how it leaves its mark on a road course, as it left every Indy Car fan thrilled after Saturday nights Kentucky Indy 300 won by Ryan Briscoe. Some shake ups have taken place since the cars left the track in Kentucky. Robert Doornbos is out at Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing and will be replaced by Oriol Servia for at least one race. Bobby D is now in the #33 HVM...

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Indycar Series Closing In On Tittle Sponsor

According to the Indiana Buisness Journal, the Indycar Series is finally closing in on a tittle sponsor."We are talking to a company that is in the third stage of consideration. We’re darn close to being able to get that [title sponsor deal] done. The company we’re talking to is a big consumer brand, and it would be very good for the series.” -Terry AngstadtAll of this comes just a couple weeks after SpeedTV's Robin Miller reported that the IRL has turned down tittle sponsorship offers from Menards. Miller said that Menards was offering much less...

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Doornbos Officially Signs With HVM

After days of speculation, Robert Doornbos has finally signed with HVM racing. Doornbos will take his new teamate, E.J. Viso's old number (#33) for the remainder of 2009 season and through 2010.“I am very happy to rejoin Keith Wiggins, Michael Cannon (engineer) and HVM Racing. I was very successful with this team in 2007. My mission is to become Rookie of the Year again with this young and eager team. I like to thank Keith for his confidence in my driver skills and look forward to the first race for HVM next weekend.” -Robert Doornbos“We are...

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REPORT: Moraes Out For Mid-Ohio

UPDATE 8:04pm: There are now reports that Moraes' dad has lost his battle with cancer...According to brazilion news, KV Racing driver Mario Moraes will be absent from the starting lineup of this weekends Mid-Ohio GP.Moraes will miss the race do to "family problems". If you fallow Mario on twitter, then you probably know that his father has been having health problems over...

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Q&A With Jon Beekhuis

16th And Georgetown: (asked before KY) As the "technical" voice of the VERSUS T.V. trio, what do you believe is the cause for recent passing problems and how would you fix it?Jon Beekhuis: (answered before KY) Wow, way to lead off with the $64,000 question! Even series officials have admitted to scratching their heads on this one. When it comes to ovals, two lanes of racing...

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Doornbos Out At NHL

According to Robin Miller, Robert Doornbos has decided to part ways with Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing. Now that the original 12 race deal is over, NHL reportedly approached Bobby D. about extending the contract, but he declined."We had the option to leave the team after 12 races which I made use of. I want to stay in IndyCar Series and I will announce my future plans very soon....

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Help A Racer

I found this thread over at TrackForum, and thought I'd try to help spread the word.The good folks over at TF are trying to scrape up enough cash to buy the ring, then give it back to Tim.I know times are tough, but this is a great opportunity to pitch in anything you can to help out a true rac...

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Q&A With Bob Jenkins

(Photos courtesy of BobJenkinsRacing.com)16th And Georgetown: How does it feel to finally be back in the T.V. booth?Bob Jenkins: I can't even begin to put into words how thrilled I am to be back in TV. And not just in TV...working in the series that has been my favorite since I was a child. Growing up in Eastern Indiana and after becoming an Indy 500 fan, my goal was to...

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Matsuura & Philippe In At Conquest

According to Racer Magazine, with the loss of Alex Tagliani Conquest Racing will compete in at least 3 more Indycar races this season.Racer reports that IRL vet Kosuke Matsuura will pilot the #34 Conquest ride in his homeland of Motegi, Japan. Nelson Philippe will then jump in the ride for both Infineon and the season finale at Homestead-Mia...

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A Great Race

What started off to be a horrible weekend was saved after a great Saturday night of racing.First off, thank you IRL!! I think you fixed the passing problem. Sure the middle 100 laps or so were a tad bit boring, but the last 25 were some of the best I've seen. Secondly, congrats to Ed Carpenter and the entire Vision Racing team who kept the #20 car in contention with a solid late pit stop. One of these days Ed's gonna get a win. You could hear the disappointment in Carpenter's voice as they entered turn 1 and 2 of the 201st lap. He said something...

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