News for the Week of August 8, 2016 – August 14, 2016
INDYCAR announces partnership with TEN – “INDYCAR announced today a partnership with TEN: The Enthusiast Network’s Motor Trend OnDemand that adds archival INDYCAR video to the extensive catalog of motorsports programming available on the subscription video on demand (SVOD) service. The INDYCAR content available includes historic videos, archived Indianapolis 500 broadcasts, current race footage and more. INDYCAR and Motor Trend OnDemand are offering 20 percent off new subscriptions exclusively for INDYCAR fans.” More at the link. – INDYCAR – (8/12/2016)
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Cooper Tires Indy Lights IMS test nearly confirms ’17 tire – After a test on the oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway this week Cooper Tires director of motorsport Chris Pantani says his company is close to settling on their specifications for the 2017 Freedom 100. “We were one (dry track) window shy of running a full race simulation,” said Pantani. “We still feel comfortable that we found something that we will certify (as the race tire spec) for next year.” Pantani went on to say they’d like to help produce 200+ mph laps in racing conditions. – RACER – (8/12/2016)
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WGI test recap with times – RACER’s Marshall Pruett reports on the Verizon IndyCar Series test at Watkins Glen International. Will Power had the fastest overall time at 1:25.36 and Conor Daly was the fastest Honda with a 1:25.89. Much more at the link. – RACER – (8/12/2016)
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WGI test recap – NBC Sports’ Luke Smith put together a nice recap of the Verizon IndyCar Series test at Watkins Glen International on Thursday. Check it out at the link. – NBC Sports – (8/11/2016)
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Senna interested in INDYCAR – Bruno Senna told David Malsher of Motorsport.com that he would be interested in racing in the Verizon IndyCar Series if he didn’t have to race on the ovals. “I always think about IndyCar, it is something I would love to race but I would not race ovals in a single-seater because the risk is high,” Senna told Motorsport.com. “It’s not a personal thing only, but also [for] my family. I cannot put my family through that sort of stress again of having a big crash that would damage me or kill me. I think it’s agreed with my family that I am not supposed to race that.” Full story at the link. – Motorsport.com – (8/11/2016)
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Marco trying to work through “miserable” season – Marco Andretti sits 18th in the Verizon IndyCar Series championship standings and spoke to INDYCAR about his season thus far. “I’m not going to hide it. It’s been miserable. It’s been one thing after another,” Andretti said. “To be honest, it’s extremely trying, man. It’s hard to go home. I don’t relax. My poor fiancée has to deal with that. I’ll try to sit at the pool by her, I’m physically there but I’m not mentally there. I’m on the phone with my engineers. I’m training harder than ever, I’m in the best shape of my life.” More at the link. – INDYCAR – (8/11/2016)
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Pocono Raceway announces extension with INDYCAR through 2018 – “Pocono Raceway President & CEO Brandon Igdalsky today announced that the Verizon IndyCar Series will visit ‘The Tricky Triangle’ in both 2017 and 2018. Exact race dates will be announced in the near future.” “We are thrilled to share this great news that we will host the Verizon IndyCar Series through 2018,” said Igdalsky. “Our track was originally designed for open-wheel cars and our fans really enjoy the action on the track. When you see these cars going six- and seven-wide it is incredible. We also received positive feedback from teams and drivers and worked together with IndyCar to make sure Pocono Raceway stays on the schedule.” – Pocono Raceway – (8/10/2016)
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OEM ease of entry a factor for move towards homogenized aero kit – RACER’s Marshall Pruett reports that INDYCAR’s imminent move to freeze aero kit development for 2017 and move to one standardized kit in 2018 has more to it than simply cost savings and performance equality. “We think that we can make it easier for a third OEM, and hopefully more OEMs, to join us by taking away obstacles for their involvement,” IndyCar CEO Mark Miles told RACER. Full story at the link. – RACER – (8/10/2016)
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Felix da Costa and Frijns named as Andretti Formula E lineup – Portuguese driver Antonio Felix da Costa was named as Andretti Autosport’s second Formula E driver for the 2016/2017 season and joins the previously announced Robin Frijns. Each are well-established open wheel drivers that Andretti will enjoy having in their stable for any future Indy Lights or Verizon IndyCar Series opportunities. – Andretti Autosport – (8/10/2016)
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Miller’s Mailbag 8/10/16 – RACER’s Robin Miller’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (8/10/2016)
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F1 shuffle gives Rosenqvist DTM opportunity – Esteban Ocon’s promotion to the open Manor F1 seat means that Belardi Auto Racing’s Indy Lights star Felix Rosenqvist will step into his Mercedes DTM seat in Moscow next weekend. Rosenqvist was the team’s reserve driver before this promotion. There is not a direct DTM date conflict for the next Lights race at Watkins Glen but there is a DTM round at the Nurburgring during the Lights series finale at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. – Motorsport.com – (8/10/2016)
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Trackside podcast 8/9/16 – 1070 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 8/9/16 is a great listen as always. The pair pay tribute to the late Bryan Clauson and talk to Graham Rahal. – 1070 The Fan – (8/10/2016)
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Big Watkins Glen test set for Thursday – 20 full-time Verizon IndyCar Series entries are set to test at Watkins Glen International on Thursday in advance of the series’ race at the track on Labor Day Weekend. AJ Foyt Racing is the only team not scheduled to test. Andretti Autosport will test their Indy Lights drivers in the Verizon IndyCar Series cars for a portion of the test. Carlin Indy Lights driver Ed Jones will drive Graham Rahal’s car for part of the test. More at the link. – Star Gazette – (8/9/2016)
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IMS tire test welcome relief for grieving drivers – A Firestone tire test on the oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway was welcome relief for many Verizon IndyCar Series drivers after the news of Bryan Clauson’s passing. “It’s something you can never get used to and you never become accustomed to it,” 2014 Indianapolis 500 champion Ryan Hunter-Reay said of losing one of his peers. “The good thing is I’m behind the wheel of a race car today, which is definitely the best place to be at a time like this.” Hunter-Reay was happy with the test as well: “It’s just great testing Firestone tires because I always have 100 percent confidence in them. There’s not going to be any big surprises out there. It’s just constant development, going faster and faster.” More at the link. – INDYCAR – (8/9/2016)
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Newgarden interested in Memorial Day double – Josef Newgarden attended the NASCAR race at Watkins Glen over the weekend to promote the upcoming Verizon IndyCar Series race at the track on Labor Day weekend. While there, he expressed a desire to run a NASCAR race somewhere down the line. “I have a huge interest (in driving a NASCAR car),” Newgarden said. “Open wheel was always my interest as a kid. That always has a special place for me. I want to win Indy 500s. But I’d love to see guys cross over more. I know a lot of (stock car) guys who want to run the Indy 500.” – NASCAR – (8/9/2016)
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Clauson passes away after injuries sustained in Belleville midget race – Three-time Indianapolis 500 Mile Race competitor Bryan Clauson passed away on Sunday after injuries sustained in an incident during a midget race. From USAC: “Bryan Clauson, 27, one of the most decorated and accomplished drivers in the history of the United States Auto Club, succumbed to injuries sustained in a crash while leading Saturday night’s “Belleville Midget Nationals.”” Full release at the link. – USAC – (8/8/2016)
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Pocono testing update – INDYCAR posted a nice update on the Verizon IndyCar Series test at Pocono Raceway on Thursday, August 6th. Max Chilton was appreciative of getting a chance to test at Pocono. “It’s hugely important,” said Chilton. “You’ve got to leave this being comfortable in what you’ve got for the race. We’re trying to get that, so I’m confident to come back here in a fortnight.” – INDYCAR – (8/5/2016)
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Carlin evaluating 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series entry – Motorsport.com’s David Malsher reports Carlin owner Trevor Carlin would like his team to join the Verizon IndyCar Series in 2017 but they have a long way to go to be ready. “I’d say the chances of being on the grid next year are the best they’ve ever been, but there’s a long way to go before we’re confident of putting our entries in,” Carlin told Motorsport.com. Full story at the link. – Motorsport.com – (8/5/2016)
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Rossi has no definite plans beyond finishing ’16 Verizon IndyCar Series season – Motorsport.com’s David Malsher reports that Alexander Rossi has no imminent plans for his racing career following the conclusion of the 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series season at Sonoma Raceway. Rossi denies the speculation that he’s immediately heading to Formula 1 to potentially race for Manor after serving as a reserve driver again. Rossi also drops this line regarding 2017: “You’re always talking to other teams, for sure. There have been discussions with other F1 teams besides Manor and there have been some discussions with teams other than Andretti within IndyCar.” Full story at the link. – Motorsport.com – (8/4/2016)
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