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More Images of the “NEXT” IndyCar Unveiled

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INDYCAR has released the “NEXT” concept images of the car that will be used by all Verizon IndyCar Series competitors in 2018.

The newest images give more definition to the sleek and bold look of the universal aerodynamic bodywork kit that will fit to the current Dallara IR-12 chassis in 2018. The supplier of the universal kit has yet to be finalized, but it has been reverse-designed to start with a look of past Indy car favorites while also incorporating the latest technological and safety advancements.

INDYCAR, sanctioning body for the premier North American open-wheel racing series, is on target to begin testing the car by mid-summer. Verizon IndyCar Series teams will still choose between Chevrolet and Honda engines for competition in 2018. As with the current aero kits provided by Chevrolet and Honda through the end of this season, the universal car will come in two configurations: one for superspeedway ovals and the other for street courses, road courses and short ovals.

SOURCE: INDYCAR

Foyt Launches Sparkling Wine to Celebrate 50th Anniversary of 24 Hours of Le Mans Victory

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This year marks the 50th anniversary of the only All-American triumph in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the famed international sports car classic which was won by A.J. Foyt and Dan Gurney in the No. 1 Ford GT 40/MkIV. Foyt Family Wines is launching its first sparkling wine No. 1 to commemorate that victory.

The historic triumph also marked the birth of “Champagne Spraying” in the Winner’s Circle thanks to Gurney’s impromptu decision to spray it instead of drink it. Gurney would go on to win his first Formula One race the week after that victory where he was able to repeat his victory lane celebration. Foyt had won his third Indianapolis 500 two weeks before Le Mans.

“It’s exciting to see that A.J. has chosen the beautiful Ford Mark IV to be featured on this special anniversary wine,” said Edsel Ford II. “His victory 50 years ago with Dan Gurney in the 1967 24 Hours of Le Mans was historic, and it’s great to see that All-American win being remembered in such a unique way.”

“We sprayed champagne in celebration of our Le Mans victory in 1967,” said Gurney. “Let’s do it again with this sparkling wine in celebration of the 50th anniversary of that historic motorsports milestone!”

The bottle features the image of the historic race car, which was provided by The Henry Ford, the company’s museum in Dearborn, Michigan. The image is silk screened and wrapped 360 degrees around the bottle.

“I think the bottle design turned out great!” Foyt said. “It brings back a lot of wonderful memories of that race.”

“We wanted to celebrate A.J.’s 1967 accomplishments in the Ford GT40/Mk IV and the historical significance of that feat. We are honored to stamp the legacy of A.J. and Mr. Gurney and Ford on our bottle. It was one of our more complicated offerings to execute so a big thank you to our friends at Weibel Vineyards for their assistance. I am thrilled with the results,” said Chris Perry, managing partner of Foyt Family Wines.

The bottle features the image of the historic race car, which was provided by The Henry Ford, the company’s museum in Dearborn, Michigan. The image is silk screened and wrapped 360 degrees around the bottle.

“I want to thank Dan, my dad and The Henry Ford for collaborating with us on this project,” said Larry Foyt, co-founder of Foyt Family Wines along with A.J. Foyt IV. “Winemakers Tom Meadowcroft and Petar Kirilov exceeded our expectations.”

Only 125 cases of this collectors’ bottle was produced and it is available only at Foytwines.com or at the Foyt Wine Vault in Speedway, Ind.

SOURCE: AJ Foyt Racing

Blaze at 1100 S State Ave Intentionally Set, Tips Sought

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“IFD/IMPD Fire Investigators say blaze at 1100 S State Ave Intentionally Set Arson $40K Damage No injuries Call CrimeStoppers 317-262-TIPS”

Brickyard 400 Moves to September in 2018

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The Brickyard 400 will enter a new era of excitement in 2018, as the annual Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will move to Sunday, Sept. 9.

The 400 will serve as the final race of the regular season, determine the regular season champion and set the field for the NASCAR Playoffs, which begin the following weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

“The Brickyard 400 has been one of NASCAR’s premier events for 25 years, and we’re thrilled the race is moving to one of the most important dates on the NASCAR calendar,” said J. Douglas Boles, IMS president. “Our fans will love the excitement that comes with crowning a regular season champion at The Racing Capital of the World, and the cooler temperatures of early September will make the race more enjoyable for everyone.

“The IMS team is focused this week on delivering a successful 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500, but we’re eager to continue working with our partners to make the Brickyard 400 a great experience for our fans, competitors and community.”

More details about the 2018 Brickyard weekend schedule, including the Lilly Diabetes 250 NASCAR XFINITY Series race, will be released soon.

The Brickyard 400 has taken place in late July or early August every year since the inaugural race in August 1994.

SOURCE: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Indianapolis Indians Game #43 Lineup & Notes #RollTribe

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Indianapolis and Lehigh Valley play game one of a three-game series tonight at Coca-Cola Park. The Indians are looking for their ninth straight win overall, which would become the second-longest winning streak by the Tribe since Victory Field opened in 1996.

Location: Coca-Cola Park
First Pitch: 7:05 p.m. ET
Games #43/Road #17: Indianapolis Indians (24-18) at Lehigh Valley IronPigs (29-14)
Probables: RHP Nick Kingham (1-0, 3.18) vs. RHP Nick Pivetta (3-0, 0.95)
Radio: Fox Sports 97.5 and AM 1260
TV: MiLB TV

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS

Indianapolis Indians

Lehigh Valley IronPigs

TRIBE NOTES

EIGHT STRAIGHT: The Indians have won eight consecutive games for the first time since June 27-July 4, 2012. Indy started that streak by winning the final three games of a four-game set against Toledo, then went on to win all four games of a series at Louisville before returning home to win the first game of a two-game set against the Bats. With a win tonight, Indianapolis would have its first nine-game winning streak since July 28-Aug. 9, 1997, when they won a Victory Field era-record 14 consecutive games.

COME WHAT MAY: The Indians are 17-3 in the month of May with 9 games remaining before the calendar flips to June. In 2016, the Indians had one month where they won 17-plus games (June: 17-13). If the Indians can win at least three of their last nine games, the Tribe will reach the 20-win mark in a single month for the seventh time since the beginning of the 1996 campaign. The last time an Indy club won 20 or more games in a single month came in April 2013 when they went 20-7.

NEWER IS BETTER: Lehigh Valley and Indianapolis entered this season with new managers at the helm. Dusty Wathan and Andy Barkett are off to solid starts as managers in their Triple-A careers. Wathan enters tonight’s game 660-579 (.533) for his career, while Barkett is 555-524 (.514). Both new managers are currently leading two of the hottest teams in baseball.

TWO OF THE BEST: Both the Indians and the IronPigs are 17-3 (.850) in the month of May which is good enough for the two best records in all of baseball during that span. The next best record in baseball for the month is the Single-A Dayton Dragons who are 15-5 (.750).

2017 Indy 500 Practice Day 6 Highlights (Video)

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Indy 500 Practice Day 6 Highlights

Nick Yeoman of the Advance Auto Parts INDYCAR Radio Network has the highlights from a full and active day of practice at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Pagenaud, Davison, and Chilton Indy 500 End of Day 6 Practice News Conference

Simon Pagenaud, James Davison, and Max Chilton spoke with the media following day 6 of Indy 500 practice at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Indianapolis 500 Practice – Monday May 22, 2017

  • 12:30pm – 4pm ET – Verizon IndyCar Series Practice
  • 4:30pm – 6pm ET – Indy Lights Testing

Camping World Announced as Primary Sponsor for Scott Dixon

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Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) announced that four-time Verizon IndyCar Series Champion and Indianapolis 500 Winner Scott Dixon will be sporting the colors of the nation’s largest RV and outdoor retailer, Camping World, on May 28 for the Indianapolis 500.

Upon the announcement, Scott Dixion said, “The Indianapolis 500 is the biggest motor race and the largest spectator sporting event in the world, and I’m very much looking forward to representing a new partner in Camping World this weekend and starting from the pole makes it even more special. I also know the show The Profit very well and am excited to work with Marcus and his team.”

Team Owner Chip Ganassi went on to say,  “After weeks of discussions, we’re proud to partner with Camping World, a brand that is the leader in its industry, and introduce them to our team’s Indy car operation. They have a tremendous sports marketing portfolio, which includes some common ground for us in NASCAR. Having Marcus and Camping World on board with us on the No. 9 car at Indianapolis is very exciting for everyone involved.”

The No. 9 Camping World Honda will roll out in full livery next Friday, May 26 for Carb Day at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS).

SOURCE: Chip Ganassi Racing

Hoosier Native Angela Brown To Sing ‘God Bless America’ at 2017 Indy 500

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World-renowned opera singer and Indianapolis native Angela Brown will sing “God Bless America” during pre-race ceremonies for the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil on Sunday, May 28, a beloved patriotic tradition of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

“Excited doesn’t begin to describe how I feel about singing ‘God Bless America’ at the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500,” Brown said. “Ever since I was a young girl, growing up in Indianapolis, I have dreamed of being a part of this time-honored tradition. I am proud to be able to salute the men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country. This is truly a dream come true!”

Brown personifies the ideal soprano: sheer vocal power; luxurious finesse and shimmering, high pianissimos. With a charming personality larger than life, she unites opera, pops and gospel in one sensational voice. A featured artist on the two-time Grammy Award-winning recording “Ask Your Mama,” Brown’s international reputation continues to grow.

Her highly successful Metropolitan Opera debut in the title role of “Aida” captured instant attention from international print and broadcast media and catapulted Brown onto the world’s prestigious opera and symphonic stages. Headlines from The New York Times read, “At last an Aida,” and “CBS Weekend News” proclaimed, “The future of opera has arrived!” followed by features on the front page of The New York Times, on CNN, in Oprah Magazine, Essence Magazine, Ebony Magazine, Classical Singer, Reader’s Digest and Psychology Today.

While opera is the main catalyst for her career, Brown’s performance experience includes everything from star hostess on stage to producer and creator of “Opera…from a Sistah’s Point of View,” an inspired show that has gained notoriety for bringing opera to the masses in the form of an edgy, yet educational, concert presentation.

“Angela is a tremendous talent and will sing a fantastic rendition of ‘God Bless America’ for our fans,” Indianapolis Motor Speedway President J. Douglas Boles said. “As a Hoosier, she knows just how much the Indy 500 means to all of us, and this performance will be extra special for her.”

SOURCE: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Indy 500 drivers visiting 21 cities in Tuesday Media Tour

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In what has become an annual Indianapolis 500 tradition, the 33 participating drivers will fan out across North America on Tuesday of race week to spread the word about “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

This year, the field for the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil is scheduled to visit 21 cities in less than 24 hours. Drivers will meet with local media to discuss the race and partake in activities to increase the already-surging interest in the Indy 500, the world’s largest single-day sporting event set for May 28 race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

2008 Indianapolis 500 winner Scott Dixon, who captured the pole position Sunday with an average speed of 232.164 mph in Fast Nine Shootout qualifying, will visit Toronto, where he has won twice in his Indy car career on the streets around Exhibition Place. The Verizon IndyCar Series visits the Canadian city again for the Honda Indy Toronto in July.

Starting on the outside of the front row is reigning Indianapolis 500 champion Alexander Rossi, who will travel to New York City. Joining Rossi will be heralded Indy 500 rookie and two-time Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso, Rossi’s Andretti Autosport teammate and fifth-position Indy 500 qualifier, as well as AJ Foyt Racing driver Conor Daly.

Wrestling legend Ric Flair will join the three drivers in New York City as the official celebrity emcee of the Indy 500 Snake Pit presented by Coors Light, which will feature EDM artists Zedd and Marshmello, along with support by RL Grime, Action Bronson, Adventure Club and The Trap House in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway infield on race day.

Pennsylvania natives Marco Andretti and Sage Karam will throw out the first pitch at Citizens Bank Park in front of their home crowd as the Philadelphia Phillies meet the Colorado Rockies in a National League baseball game. Helio Castroneves will bring the INDYCAR Experience street-legal two-seat Indy car to NRG Park to surprise members of the NFL’s Houston Texans with a thrill ride.

Sports fans can catch “Dancing with the Stars” sensation James Hinchcliffe on “SportsCenter” at 9:40 a.m. and 7 p.m. ET Tuesday, as the Schmidt Peterson Motorsports driver visits ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut.

The full list of the markets to be visited and drivers attending is below:

  • Bristol, Connecticut/ESPN: James Hinchcliffe
  • Buffalo: Graham Rahal
  • Charlotte: Will Power
  • Chicago: Juan Pablo Montoya
  • Columbus: Mikhail Aleshin
  • Dallas-Fort Worth: Tony Kanaan
  • Dayton: Jack Harvey, Zach Veach
  • Denver: Buddy Lazier
  • Detroit: Carlos Munoz, Simon Pagenaud, Spencer Pigot
  • Fort Wayne: Jay Howard, James Davison
  • Houston: Helio Castroneves
  • Louisville: Pippa Mann, Ed Jones
  • Miami-Fort Lauderdale: Oriol Servia, Gabby Chaves, Sebastian Saavedra
  • Milwaukee: Max Chilton, Charlie Kimball
  • New York: Alexander Rossi, Conor Daly, Fernando Alonso
  • Philadelphia: Marco Andretti, Sage Karam
  • St. Louis: Ed Carpenter, Takuma Sato
  • San Francisco: JR Hildebrand
  • Tampa-St. Petersburg: Ryan Hunter-Reay
  • Toronto: Scott Dixon
  • Washington: Josef Newgarden

SOURCE: INDYCAR