News for the Week of May 21 – May 27, 2018

The Open Wheel’s Indy 500 photo gallery – The Open Wheel’s photo gallery of race day for the 102nd Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is available at the link. – The Open Wheel – (5/27/2018)

Power earns the win in 102nd Indy 500 – Team Penske’s Will Power won the 102nd Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in a dominant performance over the second half of the race. The rest of the Top 5 was Carpenter, Dixon, Rossi, and Hunter-Reay. Stefan Wilson was forced to pit for fuel from the lead with four laps to go, giving Power the lead. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (5/27/2018)

The Open Wheel’s Indy 500 starting grid photo gallery – The Open Wheel’s photo gallery of the starting grid for the 102nd Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is available at the link. – The Open Wheel – (5/27/2018)

The Open Wheel’s Freedom 100 livery page – The Open Wheel’s livery photo gallery of all the Indy Lights cars from the 2018 Freedom 100 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is available at the link. – The Open Wheel – (5/27/2018)

The Open Wheel’s Month of May garage sign photo gallery – The Open Wheel’s photo gallery of all the Verizon IndyCar Series teams’ sign boards above their garages at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is available at the link. – The Open Wheel – (5/25/2018)

The Open Wheel’s Indy 500 livery page – The Open Wheel’s livery photo gallery of all the Verizon IndyCar Series cars for the 102nd Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is available at the link. – The Open Wheel – (5/25/2018)

Dixon and Ganassi win pit stop challenge – “Chip Ganassi Racing and Scott Dixon will look to buck recent history after winning the Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge on Friday during Miller Lite Carb Day at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The last team and driver to win the annual pit stop competition and then capture the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil two days later were Team Penske and Helio Castroneves in 2009. Ganassi’s crew earned $50,000 from the $100,000 purse for its victory in the best-of-three final against James Hinchcliffe and the Schmidt Peterson Motorsports crew. The Ganassi team won the first and third rounds in the best-of-three finale to clinch the third victory in the Pit Stop Challenge for the team, adding to its wins in 2012 and 2014, both with Dixon.” Full story at the link. – INDYCAR – (5/25/2018)

Herta wins wild Freedom 100 – Andretti Steinbrenner Racing’s Colton Herta won an exciting Indy Lights Freedom 100 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway by just 0.0281 seconds over O’Ward. The full Top 5 was Herta, O’Ward, Kellett, Urrutia, and Norman. Full results here. – Indy Lights – (5/25/2018)

Kanaan tops Carb Day Indy 500 Practice – AJ Foyt Racing’s Tony Kanaan was fastest in Carb Day practice for the 102nd Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race with a lap at 227.791mph. The rest of the Top 5 was Dixon, Andretti, Bourdais, and Kimball. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (5/25/2018)

IMS unveils ’19 Indy 500 logo – “The logo for the 103rd Indianapolis 500 includes bold, dynamic features that will form the core of future logos for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” as part of a new system. The hallmark of the new logo system, which creates a visual platform worthy of one of the world’s premier sporting events, is the type lock-up. This wordmark is athletic, prestigious and confident and includes a rich navy blue that contrasts with gold, the color of the iconic Wing and Wheel logo of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.” See the logo and the full release at the link. – IMS – (5/25/2018)

The Open Wheel’s Indy 500 and Freedom 100 preview – The Open Wheel’s Dylan Reynolds’ preview of the 102nd Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race and the Freedom 100 is available at the link. – The Open Wheel – (5/24/2018)

Kellett takes pole for Freedom 100 – Andretti Autosport’s Dalton Kellett won the pole for the Indy Lights Freedom 100 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with a two-lap average speed of 195.027mph. The rest of the Top 5 was O’Ward, Norman, Franzoni, and Urrutia. Full results here. – Indy Lights – (5/24/2018)

O’Ward fastest Freedom 100 Practice 2 – Andretti Autosport’s Patricio O’Ward was fastest in Practice 2 for the Indy Lights Freedom 100 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with a lap at 196.510mph. The rest of the Top 5 was Urrutia, Herta, Kellett, and Norman. Full results here. – Indy Lights – (5/24/2018)

De Ferran back with McLaren as IndyCar rumors swirl – Adam Cooper reports for Motorsport.com that Gil De Ferran has rejoined the staff at McLaren as rumors continue to swirl that the team is moving towards adding a full-time Verizon IndyCar Series program. Full story at the link. – Motorsport.com – (5/24/2018)

Norman tops Freedom 100 Practice 1 – Andretti Autosport’s Ryan Norman was fastest in Practice 1 for the Indy Lights Freedom 100 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with a lap at 197.458mph. The rest of the Top 5 was Kellett, Hamilton Jr, Franzoni, and Urrutia. Full results here. – Indy Lights – (5/24/2018)

Gade and SPM split after just five races – David Malsher reports for Motorsport.com that Schmidt Peterson Motorsports and James Hinchcliffe’s race engineer Lena Gade have parted ways after just five Verizon IndyCar Series races together. This comes just after Hinchcliffe failed to qualify for the 102nd Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. From SPM: “After many ongoing conversations and the decision that the relationship was not conducive for either party, the agreement was made to part ways with one of our lead race engineers, Leena Gade. Everyone at Schmidt Peterson Motorsports wishes nothing but the absolute best for Leena.” Full story at the link. – Motorsport.com – (5/24/2018)

Trackside podcast 5/23/18 – 1070 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 5/23/18 is a great listen as always. – 1070 The Fan – (5/24/2018)

Arie Jr. to wave the green flag for Freedom 100 – “The star of this season’s “The Bachelor” television reality show, Arie Luyendyk Jr., will give the command to fire the Mazda engines in the crown jewel of the Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires schedule – the Freedom 100 – on Friday, May 25, as part of Carb Day activities surrounding the 102nd Running of the Indianapolis 500.” Full release at the link. – Indy Lights – (5/23/2018)

Hinch releases statement confirming he won’t race in Indy 500 – James Hinchcliffe has released a statement confirming “the decision was made to stop perusing options to get us into the race” and “barring unforeseen circumstances” he won’t be driving in the 102nd Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. Check it out at the link. – James Hinchcliffe – (5/23/2018)

Indy 500 driver milk choices – American Dairy Association Indiana has listed each driver’s milk preference should he or she win this weekend’s 102nd Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. Check it out at the link. – American Dairy Association Indiana – (5/23/2018)

Miller’s Mailbag 5/23/18 – RACER’s Robin Miller’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (5/23/2018)

Trackside podcast 5/22/18 – 1070 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 5/22/18 is a great listen as always. Tony Kanaan and David Hobbs are guests on the show. – 1070 The Fan – (5/23/2018)

“The Blueprint – Takuma Sato Explains How To Win The Indy 500” – Mobil 1 The Grid’s “The Blueprint – Takuma Sato Explains How To Win The Indy 500” video is a great watch as they interview Takuma Sato about how he prepares for the biggest race of the season and what it took to win last year. – Mobil 1 The Grid – (5/22/2018)

Trackside podcast 5/21/18 – 1070 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 5/21/18 is a great listen as always. – 1070 The Fan – (5/22/2018)

INDYCAR details Indy 500 driver media tour – Each year INDYCAR sends all 33 drivers competing in the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race on a nationwide tour and this year is no different. Check out where each driver is heading this year at the link. – INDYCAR – (5/22/2018)

Belardi announces Windom out of Freedom 100 after testing crash – From Belardi Auto Racing: “It is unfortunate, but following the incident this morning involving @WindomChris , he will not be able to participate in the Freedom 100 due to the damage on his No. 33 car. We hate to see it for Chris, but know he will bounce back! @IndyLights” – Belardi Auto Racing – (5/21/2018)

Karam tops Monday Indy 500 practice as Wickens crashes – Dreyer & Reinbold Racing’s Sage Karam was fastest in Practice 8 for the 102nd Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race on Monday with a lap at 228.461mph. The rest of the Top 5 was Kanaan, Hunter-Reay, Kimball, and Rossi. Wickens crashed on the backstretch shortly after making contact in Turn 2 but was checked, released, and cleared to drive following the incident. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (5/21/2018)

Wickens crashes in Monday Indy 500 practice – Schmidt Peterson Motorsports’ rookie Robert Wickens crashed in Monday’s Practice 8 for the 102nd Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. He was checked, released, and cleared from the infield hospital following the incident. Watch the video at the link. – INDYCAR – (5/21/2018)

Kellett fastest in Lights Test 1 at IMS – Andretti Autosport’s Dalton Kellett was fastest in Indy Lights test session 1 on Monday with a lap at 198.005mph. The rest of the Top 5 was O’Ward, Franzoni, Norman, and Windom. Windom and Urrutia were involved in spins in Turn 2 and each has been checked, cleared, and released to drive. Full results here. – The Open Wheel – (5/21/2018)

Freedom 100 entry list – The entry list for the Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires Freedom 100 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is available at the link. – The Open Wheel – (5/21/2018)

The Open Wheel’s Indy 500 qualifying photo gallery – The Open Wheel’s photo gallery from qualifying for the 2018 Verizon IndyCar Series 102nd Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is available at the link. – The Open Wheel – (5/20/2018)

Carpenter wins Indy 500 pole for third time in his career – Ed Carpenter Racing’s Ed Carpenter won the pole for the 102nd Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race with a four-lap average of 229.618mph. It’s the third Indy 500 pole of his career. The starting grid in the first three rows will be Carpenter, Pagenaud, Power, Pagenaud, Bourdais, Pigot, Patrick, Castroneves, and Dixon. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (5/20/2018)

Castroneves fastest in Saturday Indy 500 qualifying, Hinch and Mann fail to qualify – Team Penske’s Helio Castroneves was fastest in Saturday qualifying for the 102nd Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race with a four-lap average of 228.919mph. However, the news of the day was Schmidt Peterson Motorsports’ James Hinchcliffe failing to qualify for the race along with Dale Coyne Racing’s Pippa Mann. The full fast nine that will compete for the pole on Sunday are Castroneves, Carpenter, Pagenaud, Power, Bourdais, Pigot, Pagenaud, Dixon, and Patrick. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (5/19/2018)

INDYCAR announces new engine regulations in place for 2021 – “Beginning in 2021, INDYCAR engines will produce more power due to a new configuration, the sanctioning body announced today. The 2.4-liter, twin-turbocharged V-6 engines are projected to generate at least 100 more horsepower than the current 2.2-liter platform, with more than 900 horsepower achieved in the 2.4-liter formula when using push-to-pass overtake activation. Providing stability for the Verizon IndyCar Series and its competitors, the engine regulations will be in place for six years, through the 2026 season. INDYCAR has utilized the 2.2-liter, turbocharged V-6 formula since 2012, with exclusive use of twin turbos since 2014. Engines will continue to turn at a maximum of 12,000 RPM.” Full release at the link. – INDYCAR – (5/19/2018)

DCR officially names Ferrucci to drive No. 19 at Belle Isle – “Dale Coyne Racing and Paysafe are pleased to announce that 19 year-old American racer Santino Ferrucci will be making his Verizon IndyCar Series debut with the team in June as he takes over the wheel of the #19 Paysafe car for the Dual in Detroit doubleheader weekend at The Raceway at Belle Isle Park June 2 and 3. Due to the injuries suffered by Pietro Fittipaldi in a World Endurance Championship event earlier in May, the Dale Coyne Racing team has had to do some reshuffling of its driver line up and have turned to the young American from Connecticut to fill the seat for the race weekend in Detroit.” Full release at the link. – Dale Coyne Racing – (5/18/2018)

INDYCAR announces use of I-PAS “goggles test” for concussion evaluation protocol – “INDYCAR drivers are now required to undergo a clinical eye-tracking computer test recently cleared by the Food and Drug Administration. It has been implemented as part of the sanctioning body’s concussion evaluation protocol, it was announced today. Drivers competing in this month’s Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil – plus drivers in the Mazda Road to Indy development ladder program – have been tested by the innovative system known as I-PAS and created by Pittsburgh-based Neuro Kinetics, Inc. The I-Portal Portable Assessment System, commonly referred to as the “goggles test,” runs high-quality diagnostic tests to evaluate patients with symptoms of dizziness and/or balance disorders, especially those associated with medical conditions such as concussions, migraines or BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo).” Full story at the link. – INDYCAR – (5/17/2018)

Oladipo named pace car driver for Indy 500 – “Victor Oladipo, who blossomed into an NBA All-Star in his first season with the Indiana Pacers, will drive the 2019 Corvette ZR1 Pace Car and lead the field of 33 drivers to the start of the 102nd Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil on Sunday, May 27 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Oladipo averaged 23.1 points per game in the 2017-18 NBA season with the Pacers after being traded from Oklahoma City. That outstanding performance elevated him to become the leading candidate for the 2017-18 NBA Most Improved Player Award, which will be announced at the end of June.” Full release at the link. – IMS – (5/17/2018)

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