FIA drops Canadian GP from F1 calendar for 2009 Oct 8, 2008
The historic track, which hosts both the Indy Racing League's Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR's the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, had the distinction of hosting all three circuits from 2000-2007. But the eight races in Indy were often marred by controversy. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Tracy sues former boss for $2.3 million Oct 4, 2008
Champ Car went out of business in February, with most of its teams absorbed into the rival Indy Racing League's IndyCar Series. Forsythe decided to continue only in the second-tier Atlantic series rather than move his team to the IRL.. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Tiger Woods Tops BusinessWeek's Second Annual 'The Power 100' Ranking of the Most Powerful People in Sports Oct 3, 2008
LeBron James ranks as the top NBA athlete at No. 17, 14-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps debuts on the list at No. 42, and Danica Patrick, Indy Racing League driver, is the highest-ranked female on the list at No. 50 ... "The Power 100" 1 Tiger Woods Golfer 2 Roger Goodell Commissioner, NFL 3 David Stern Commissioner, NBA 4 George Bodenheimer President, ESPN 5 Dick Ebersol Chairman, NBC Sports 6 Phil Knight Chairman, Nike 7 Allan "Bud " Selig Commissioner, MLB 8 Brian France Chairman... (PR Newswire)
Economy, learning curve hurting open-wheel drivers Oct 3, 2008
Former Indy 500 champ Dario Franchitti didn't even make it this far, losing his ride in July, shifting back to the Indy Racing League a month later. advertisement. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Economy hurts transitioning open-wheel drivers Oct 3, 2008
Former Indy 500 champ Dario Franchitti didn't even make it this far, losing his ride in July, shifting back to the Indy Racing League a month later. It's been a difficult run for former open-wheel drivers in NASCAR this year, a sharp learning curve, tough economic times and a win-now mentality leaving some wondering what the future holds. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
NASCAR's appeal to IndyCar drivers may be thing of the past Oct 3, 2008
All the jumpers switched to NASCAR before the Indy Racing League and champ Car World Series merged into one IndyCar series early this season. Although Franchitti is the only driver thus far to return to the IndyCar Series, several others, most notably Allmendinger, has been offered an open-wheel ride. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Auto Racing Oct 3, 2008
INDIANAPOLIS -- Vitor Meira, the Indy Racing League's most experienced non-winner, will drive for A.J. Foyt Racing in the 2009 IndyCar Series ... INDIANAPOLIS -- Formula 3 Euroseries driver Martin Plowman will drive for Panther Racing next season in the Indy Racing League's developmental Firestone Indy Lights series ... INDIANAPOLIS -- IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon was initially shown as the winner of the season's final race because of a faulty transponder on his race car, the Indy Racing... (Herald Sun)
Paul Newman Auto racing a passion Actor raised Portland's Oct 3, 2008
Newman-Haas teams enjoyed huge success in Portland, and especially during the rancorous Champ Car vs. Indy Racing League years, Newman was always willing to sit down with a local writer to sing the praises of Champ Car and help sell tickets to the event. When the IRL was formed, Newman/Haas stuck with CART and Newman tried many times during the 12-year split to broker a deal to get the rival organizations back under one banner. (OregonLive, OR -- Sports)
MOTOR SPORTS Winless Gordon wins Dover pole Sep 20, 2008
Brian Barnhart, the Indy Racing League's president of competition and operations, said there is a consensus on about 70 percent of the package for a new engine that would replace the workhorse Honda Indy V8, used exclusively on the IndyCar Series since 2006, beginning in 2011. Manufacturers need to spec the replacement by the end of the year to allow proper lead time for design/development and manufacturing before full-scale testing in 2010. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
Engines manufacturers get homework Sep 20, 2008
We had a couple of good days of meetings with (several engine) manufacturers back in town in a continuation of the process begun in late June with the initial roundtable, said Brian Barnhart, the Indy Racing League's president of competition and operations. Barnhart said there is a consensus on about 70 percent of the package for a new engine that would be used in the IndyCar Series beginning in 2011. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Jody Scheckter, 1979 F1 World Champ... Sep 19, 2008
Tomas has competed for several seasons in American Indy racing and was, at one point, a Jaguar Formula 1 test driver. The copyright of the article Jody Scheckter, 1979 F1 World Champion in is owned by. (Suite101.com)
Trucks brawl brings fines Sep 18, 2008
ENGLISH DRIVER TO JOIN PANTHER RACING: Formula 3 Euroseries driver Martin Plowman, 20, of England will drive for Panther Racing in the Indy Racing League's developmental Firestone Indy Lights series in 2009. Panther recently signed former IRL champion and Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon for the 2009 IndyCar Series. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Diggin' at the Quarry: CORR back in Chula Vista this weekend Sep 11, 2008
Castroneves was awarded the win in the closest finish in Indy Racing League history. IndyCar Series II: Although ABC retains rights to the Indianapolis 500 and four other races a year, the Versus Channel gets a contract to televise at least 13 races a year through 2019. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Drivers give thumbs up to COT Sep 9, 2008
"Hopefully it will because a Cup car can be miserable to drive if you miss it."Faulty transponder blamed: IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon was initially shown as the winner of Sunday's PEAK Indy 300 at Chicagoland Speedway because of a faulty transponder on his car, the Indy Racing League said Monday. Race officials studied photos of the finish of the season's final race and gave the victory to Helio Castroneves. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Rodgers stars for Packers Sep 9, 2008
IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon was initially shown as the winner of the season's final race because of a faulty transponder on his race car, the Indy Racing League said. The electronic timing showed Dixon was the winner of Sunday's PEAK Indy 300 at Chicagoland Speedway, but race officials studied photos of the finish and gave the victory instead to Helio Castroneves. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Is Ethanol Worth Using? Sep 8, 2008
"If you are comparing performance and that kind of stuff, E85 is an extremely high performance fuel, and that's why the Indy Racing League runs exclusively on ethanol," said Hartwig. What Is Future Of Ethanol. (KFOXTV.com, TX)
NASCAR stint leads driver back to IndyCar Sep 4, 2008
Dan Wheldon, who won the Indy 500 and Indy Racing League title in 2005 while driving for Andretti Green Racing, will leave the Ganassi team to drive for Panther Racing's IndyCar Series team. Wheldon, 30, who launched his IndyCar career with Panther Racing in 2002, signed a multiyear contract to return to Panther. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Top Fuel's top dog crew chief headed for land of oil riches Sep 4, 2008
San Diego resident Richard Antinucci will attempt to win the Indy Racing League's Indy Lights championship Saturday in the season finale at Chicagoland Speedway ... Indy Racing League: Removing Helio Castroneves from the lead last week for blocking Justin Wilson was an iffy call, especially with the IndyCar Series title on the line. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Simmons sued for slander and fraud Sep 4, 2008
A suit was filed on Wednesday against Simmons and two business partners by Allan Brown, who claims the star cut him out of a deal with the Indy Racing League ... He also claims Simmons told Indy Racing bosses he was "lazy" and "rich" and was subsequently dumped from the business dealings. (FOX23 News, NY)
Gene Simmons sued over Indycar deal Sep 4, 2008
LOS ANGELES A Los Angeles man claims in a lawsuit that took him for a ride on a marketing deal with the Indy Racing League. Allan Brown on Wednesday sued Simmons and two business partners, claiming the group cut him out of a 2006 deal between the Kiss bassist and the racing league. (KHOU.com, TX)
Franchitti switches back to IRL Sep 3, 2008
- Auto Racing - Chip Ganassi will send Dario Franchitti to his Indy Racing League team next year after the 2007 Indianapolis 500 winner's disastrous first season in NASCAR.. Franchitti will take over Ganassi's No. 10 car in the IRL with backing from Target Corp., Chip Ganassi Racing said in a statement. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Tough nut to crack Aug 27, 2008
America still a dream for F1 - CNN.com. America still a dream for F1. (CNN -- International)
Grapes, flags, umbrellas, jets share stage with race Aug 26, 2008
IRL, of course, stands for Indy Racing League, the newly reunified amalgam of the previously contentious rivalry between the Champ Car World Series and the IRL. After 13 years of playing in different sandboxes the rival racing series are once again one, and open-wheeled racing is trying to recover from the wreckage of its recent past. This is significant to race fans because Indy cars - so named because their design evolved from competition at the Indianapolis 500 - are the pinnacle of American... (Sonoma Index-Tribune, CA)
Indy Grand Prix on Infineon horizon (12) Aug 25, 2008
Tony George, chief executive officer of the Indy Racing League, made the formal announcement on Feb. 27, and it has been a whirlwind campaign ever since. The Indy Racing League and Champ Car reunited after 12 years on that cold, winter day, and drivers like Scott Dixon, Helio Castroneves and Danica Patrick now race alongside Graham Rahal, Will Power and Oriol Servia. (Sonoma Index-Tribune, CA)
Helio's Hot In Sonoma Aug 25, 2008
Castroneves and Team Penske teammate Ryan Briscoe started 1-2 at Infineon Raceway and finished the same way to win the Grand Prix of Sonoma in the Indy Racing League. That's the first win for Castroneves in 30 races on the IRL circuit, although he had seven second-place finishes this year. (Click2Houston, TX)
Castroneves gives IRL undeniable star power Aug 23, 2008
Sure, his engine sputtered on the final lap two weeks ago in Kentucky and championship points leader Scott Dixon raced by, giving Castroneves his seventh second-place finish in a winless Indy Racing League season. Then on Wednesday, his No. 3 car was damaged in a fire en route to Infineon Raceway for this weekend's Peak Antifreeze Oil Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma County. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
INDY GRAND PRIX: 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Infineon Raceway Aug 23, 2008
The 2003 Indy Racing League champion earned his first win at the Indy 500 in May, and is the defending champion and the favorite in Sunday's PEAK Antifreeze Oil Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma County at Infineon Raceway. Images. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Brant JamesINSIDE RACING Aug 22, 2008
A week after SpeedTV.com reported that Indy Racing League team-owner Chip Ganassi had all but replaced him for 2009 with his friend and former teammate, Tony Kanaan, Wheldon, the '05 Indianapolis 500 champ and a 15-race winner, was still sorting through things on Monday as he prepared to begin a critical three-race stretch to end his sixth full season. But with Kanaan spurning Ganassi to return to Andretti Green Racing, Wheldon is still in play at his team. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
Top drivers here this weekend Aug 22, 2008
The so-called Indy Racing League was once fragmented into "Indy Cars" and "Champ" cars and for the past several years the dispute kept teams and drivers apart. This year they're back together and the open-wheeled racers will transport drivers like Danica Patrick, Scott Dixon, Helios Castroneves (of Dancing with the Stars fame), Graham Rahal and Will Power. (Sonoma Index-Tribune, CA)
Sun-Rich International to Sponsor Firestone Indy Lights Race at Chicagoland Speedway Aug 22, 2008
In addition to sponsoring Chicagoland Speedway's Indy Lights race this year, Sun-Rich International also sponsors Mario Moraes and Dale Coyne Racing of the Indy Racing League in addition to Simona De Silvestro and Newman Wachs Racing of the Atlantic Cart Championship Series ... Sun-Rich International also a sponsors Mario Moraes and Dale Coyne Racing of the Indy Racing League in addition to Simona De Silvestro and Newman Wachs Racing of the Atlantic Cart Championship Series. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
IndyCar's Dixon could uncork title-clincher Sunday in wine country Aug 21, 2008
Four drivers, including Dan Wheldon and Tony Kanaan, still have a mathematical shot at the Indy Racing League title. But Dixon is the only driver with a shot at winning the title this week. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
El Cajon driver has good reason to think he'll pass some rivals in standings this week Aug 14, 2008
Kanaan, 33, won the Indy Racing League title in 2004 and has 13 wins in 95 career starts. Antinucci pads lead. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Kentucky Speedway could be sold by October Aug 10, 2008
None of the eight former Champ Car drivers managed to finish in the top 10, a problem all season as their respective teams have struggled to play catch-up since Champ Car and the Indy Racing League merged earlier this year. Oriol Servia's 12th-place finish marked the best of the bunch and four former Champ drivers failed to finish the race. (MSNBC -- Sports)
DARIO'S BACK: Franchitti to run limited Nationwide slate Aug 9, 2008
The 2007 Indianapolis 500 and Indy Racing League champion spent much of the past four weeks on vacation in Scotland with wife Ashley Judd, relaxing and re-evaluating his career plans after his rookie season in Cup came to an abrupt halt. "It definitely wasn't ideal," he said. (USA Today -- Sports)
First IndyCar sellout in Kentucky Aug 9, 2008
Earlier in the day Mutoh got a chance to show Matsui what it's like to be behind the wheel, taking Matsui for a spin in the Indy Racing Experience two-seater. Sponsored Links. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Major reasons to watch PGA Aug 8, 2008
The Indianapolis 500 and four other IndyCar Series races will be televised by ABC Sports at least through 2012 in a contract extension announced by the Indy Racing League. Also, Versus will carry at least 13 IndyCar races annually for the next 10 years. (Boston Globe)
GAME CHANGER: Split decisions on road courses are tough Aug 7, 2008
The perspective is completely contrary for Patrick Carpentier, a 36-year-old Sprint Cup rookie whose experience has been on both ovals and street and road courses in Champ Car and the Indy Racing League. "I would say the stock car is a lot tougher on an oval to drive," he said, "because you're so close to each other with 43 cars, and also the car moves around and there are so many tricks you can play on each other with the aero and just by being beside somebody and stuff like that. On a road... (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
Indy cars at Infineon through '11 Aug 6, 2008
2009 schedule: The merging of the Indy Racing League and Champ Car has added more variety to the schedule. The recently released 2009 schedule includes 10 ovals and three permanent road courses, along with five temporary street circuits. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
Auto racing: Open-wheel drivers struggling in NASCAR Aug 6, 2008
Tony Stewart won the Indy Racing League championship in 1997 ... Patrick Carpentier earned the CART Rookie of the Year award in 1997 and also competed in the Champ Car World Series and Indy Racing League ... Then, amid great fanfare, came in a pair of Indy Racing League champions and Indianapolis 500 winners for 2008: Sam Hornish Jr. and Dario Franchitti. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Auto racing notebook: IndyCar announces plan to return to Glen in 2009 Aug 6, 2008
The Glen was part of an 18-race 2009 schedule announced by the Indy Racing League last Wednesday. The Glen's return comes after a strong showing with its IndyCar race earlier this month. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Iowa Speedway keeps Indy race Aug 2, 2008
NEWTON (AP) Iowa is keeping its slot on the Indy Racing League s 2009 schedule. The league released its IndyCar series schedule on Wednesday. (Charles City Press, IO)
Wild action marks Day 2 of Nat'ls Aug 2, 2008
Karting for young racers is often the precursor to success in the high-level open-wheel ranks, including the Indy Racing League, NASCAR and even Formula 1. Five Duffys were issued out on Friday, two going to Joey Licata Jr., who made the track his personal playground. (Santa Maria Times)
Race not in IRL's plans next year Jul 31, 2008
The Indy Racing League announced its 2009 schedule Wednesday, and Cleveland did not make the cut. Including this year's cancellation of the Grand Prix of Cleveland, that makes it two straight seasons without an event after 26 straight years at Burke Lakefront Airport. (Cleveland.com -- Sports)
Long Beach, Toronto added to IndyCar schedule Jul 31, 2008
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -The Indy Racing League's IndyCar Series is expanding, and more growth could occur soon ... "However, we are disappointed that the Indy Racing League chose not to add dates for Las Vegas Motor Speedway and New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Those two first-class facilities would have been excellent additions for the league and race fans next year.''Angstadt didn't rule out a move to those locations in the future. Las Vegas hosts the NASCAR Sprint Cup's UAW Dodge 400, while the New... (MSNBC -- Sports)
2 new venues added to 2009 IndyCar schedule Jul 31, 2008
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- The Indy Racing League's IndyCar Series is expanding, and more growth could occur soon ... "However, we are disappointed that the Indy Racing League chose not to add dates for Las Vegas Motor Speedway and New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Those two first-class facilities would have been excellent additions for the league and race fans next year.". (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
IndyCar Series releases '09 schedule Jul 31, 2008
The Indy Racing League's IndyCar Series will begin and end its 2009 season in Florida ... "We are thrilled with the schedule we have developed for 2009," Terry Angstadt, the president of the commercial division for the Indy Racing League, the sanctioning body for the IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights, said in a news release. (Florida Today)
Tigers ship 'Pudge' to Yankees Jul 31, 2008
The Indy Racing League's IndyCar Series will debut in Long Beach and Toronto next season. The Grand Prix of Long Beach will be run on April 19. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
IU's Crean to speak at IPFW fundraiser Jul 31, 2008
The Indy Racing League s IndyCar Series will add events in Long Beach and Toronto next season. BASKETBALL. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
MATCH GAME: Picking trades for annual rite of 'Silly Season' Jul 31, 2008
Ryan Newman acquires a minority share in Tony Stewart's new Sprint Cup team: Thus, Stewart Newman Haas Racing is born, which will be instantly and constantly confused with the Newman Haas Lanigan Indy Racing League team. Perhaps the teams will merge, creating Stewart Newman Haas Lanigan Racing, creating another cross-regimen megateam, allowing Stewart and Newman to play out their Indiana boy open wheel fantasies, and getting 19-year-old prodigy Graham Rahal in a stock car before anyone... (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
Loudon won't host IRL race in '09 Jul 30, 2008
Auto racing Jerry Gappens, executive vice president of New Hampshire Motor Speedway, last night lashed out at the Indy Racing League for omitting his track from the 2009 IndyCar Series schedule, calling the league's decision "a slap in the face to our chairman, Bruton Smith [of Speedway Motorsports Inc.], and to our company who have been very supportive of the Indy Racing League since its inception, and to Bob Bahre, who was the first [track owner] to agree to go with them when they split off."... (Boston Globe)
Indy racing season begins, ends in Florida Jul 30, 2008
The Indy Racing Leagues IndyCar Series will begin and end its 2009 season in Florida. The season opens April 5 on the St. Petersburg street course and closes Oct. 11 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, which had hosted the season-opener since 2002. (Florida Today)
IndyCar racing not returning to NHMS Jul 30, 2008
Following the 1995 season, former owner Bob Bahre decided to go with good friend Tony George and the Indy Racing League following the split with CART. The then-New Hampshire International Speedway hosted its last Indy race in 1998, won by Tony Stewart, who also took the checkered flag in the Sprint Cup race in New Hampshire in 2005 en route to his second Sprint Cup title ... "I think it's a slap in the face to our chairman Bruton Smith and to our company who have been very supportive of the Indy... (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
No more stops in Music City for IRL drivers Jul 29, 2008
The Indy Racing League won't be coming back to Nashville Superspeedway after efforts to negotiate an agreement for a 2009 race failed. Regrettably, the IRL has chosen to structure their sanction fees at such a level that we had no choice but to re-evaluate whether they fit into our plan, Cliff Hawks, the track's vice president and general manager, said Monday. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Stewart is fined $10,000 Jul 29, 2008
"(Jim Utter)NASHVILLE LOSES IRL DATE: The Indy Racing League won't be going back to Nashville Superspeedway after efforts to negotiate an agreement for a 2009 race failed.The IndyCar Series had raced at the superspeedway the past eight years, including July 12 when Scott Dixon won a rain-shortened race.The Edmonton Sun reported Sunday that Toronto would replace the Nashville race in an 18-race schedule in 2009.(The Associated Press) All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be... (News & Observer -- Sports)
Indiana adds 2 years to Crean's contract Jul 29, 2008
The Indy Racing League won t be coming back to Nashville Superspeedway after efforts to negotiate an agreement for a 2009 race failed. BASEBALL. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Grand Prix gives fans a plateful of racing Jul 28, 2008
After being absorbed into the Indy Racing League, gone are the days of Champ Car at PIR. In its place is the first Grand Prix, a four-day event that featured -- among other things -- a cruise-in and brew fest. "We're trying to see if we can put on a fun racing weekend without a big name," said Mark Wigginton, PIR track manager. (OregonLive, OR -- Sports)
Johnson earns second Cup win at the Brickyard Jul 28, 2008
Johnson survives caution-filled Indy - Racing - SI.com. Posted: Sunday July 27, 2008 6:11PM; Updated: Sunday July 27, 2008 8:21PM. (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
Brickyard doesn't disappoint Jul 28, 2008
Lots of people know Foyt from his unmatched Indy racing career, but did you know that he also has won the Daytona 500 and the 24 Hours of LeMans. That ornery Texan could drive anything with wheels. (Bainbridge Post Searchlight, GA)
Indy league loves the women Jul 25, 2008
It would be harder to accuse the Indy Racing League (more on that later) of that because its ratings have shown a significant spike since the beginning of the season, after the two "open-wheel" racing series morphed back into one ... The result was the formation of the Indy Racing League and Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART, later to become ChampCar). (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Hornish hoping for bounce back Jul 25, 2008
The fairy-tale finish hasnt necessarily led to happily ever after for the three-time Indy Racing League champion during his rookie season in NASCARs Sprint Cup. The winningest driver in IRL history returns to familiar territory for Sundays Allstate 400 At The Brickyard in an unfamiliar position: struggling to find the magic that seemed to flow so easily during Hornishs dominant open-wheel career for team owner Roger Penske. (Altus Times, OK)
Game On! blog: On-court scrap hits WNBA Jul 23, 2008
This comes after the equally-ignored Indy Racing League lit up the Internet when its golden goose, Danica Patrick, got on the verge of baring claws on pit row. The brawl erupted with less than five seconds remaining. (USA Today -- Sports)
Briscoe claims second Indycar win Jul 22, 2008
"I think he's validated himself now as one of the top drivers in the Indy Racing League," Penske said. Briscoe said: "It just feels so good to get this win. It's been a rough couple of weeks in the lead-up and this one's sweet for sure. What a comeback.". (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Briscoe gives Penske victory Jul 21, 2008
"What a great drive for Briscoe. I think he's validated himself now as one of the top drivers in the Indy Racing League. And, to finish 1-2, I couldn't believe when I saw what happened here a few minutes ago.". It's the eighth 1-2 finish and first since 2005 at Phoenix for Penske, whose team has now won seven times at Mid-Ohio, including six in the old CART series that later became Champ Car and was absorbed into the IndyCar Series in February. (MSNBC -- Sports)
RESULTS: Honda Indy 200 Jul 21, 2008
LEXINGTON, Ohio Results Sunday for the Honda Indy 200 race for the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, listing starting position in parentheses, driver and laps completed with reason out if not running at the finish (all cars Dallara chassis with Honda engines). 1. (USA Today -- Sports)
Briscoe plays it safe, leads Team Penske's 1-2 Ohio finish Jul 21, 2008
"He's validated himself as one of the top drivers in the Indy Racing League.". Briscoe moves into the top five in the standings, and he hopes to become a regular there. (USA Today -- Sports)
