INDYCAR 2014

Ed Carpenter delivers Reggie Wayne to training camp

July 23, 2014 by Naptown Buzz

Verizon IndyCar Series driver Ed Carpenter had a key role in helping Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne arrive at training camp in style.

The two-time Indianapolis 500 pole sitter and four-time race winner drove an Indy Racing Experience two-seater as the Colts star made his customary grand entrance to training camp at Anderson University.

“I want one of these,” Wayne said after climbing out of the back seat of the car, which typically gives rides at Verizon IndyCar Series racing venues. “I enjoyed every little bit of that. It was fun. I’m a guy that likes speed, which is one way to get that speed in me.”

He and Carpenter got in the car at the exit off I-69 and made the five-mile drive to the college campus.

Carpenter, a Colts season ticket holder, said he didn’t hesitate when asked to take part in the event, which has seen Wayne arrived to camp in a helicopter, dump truck, military convoy and even in a bus that was full of kids.

“I feel privileged and honored to be asked to bring Reggie,” Carpenter said. “At first I was kind of hoping we had a police escort so we didn’t have to stop at lights. It was kind of cool stopping at lights and being parked next to people. I think people figured it out pretty quick. I think (Reggie’s) helmet was a dead giveaway. We had quite a ride.”

Wayne, a six-time Pro Bowler, was wearing a racing helmet painted like his Colts football helmet and blue firesuit during the ride to camp. He hopes to use it again by taking another ride in the two-seater, this time at speed around the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“Ed and his crew are an outstanding group, a first-class organization, like the Colts,” Wayne said. “They did a great job of setting it up for me. I’m truly appreciative. I thanked them infinitely for making this happen. This is by far my favorite.”

Indianapolis 500 Teams Turn Attention to Race Setup

May 19, 2014 by Naptown Buzz

After two days of entertaining but hectic qualifications, the 33 starters for the 98th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race turned their attention to Race Day car set-up during a five-hour session on the 2.5-mile oval.

“I feel good about where our cars are in race trim, (but) you can always use one more solid day of practice just to tune on things, get a little better, make sure both myself and (teammate) JR (Hildebrand) are happy,” said Verizon P1 Award winner Ed Carpenter, who logged 49 laps with a fastest of 224.492 mph in the No. 20 Fuzzy’s Ultra Premium Vodka car.

All 33 starters turned a cumulative total of 2,329. Josef Newgarden, who qualified eighth in the No. 67 Hartman Oil/Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing car, was fastest with a lap of 227.105 mph (39.6292 seconds). Juan Pablo Montoya, who qualified 10th, was second (226.532 mph) in the No. 2 Verizon Team Penske car. Drivers will have a 60-minute race tune-up May 23.

An incident involving Kurt Busch brought out a yellow flag 95 minutes into the session when the No. 26 Suretone car for Andretti Autosport made right-side contact with the Turn 2 SAFER Barrier. Busch was checked at the IU Health Infield Medical Center at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and cleared to drive.

“I was starting to feel comfortable,” said Busch, who had just completed a lap of 223.433 mph (his 56th). “That’s when I made the mistake of just letting my guard down or settling into that long run-type mentality whereas with an Indy car you have to be on edge. I was trying to find that rhythm and pace myself as I would on (Race Day, May 25) and I just got behind on the adjustments on the car.”

Busch, who qualified 12th, will be the fourth driver to attempt the feat of competing in the Indianapolis 500 and a NASCAR race in Concord, N.C., on the same day (and the first since Tony Stewart, who in 2001 completed all 1,100 miles).

SOURCE: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Off-Road Truck Racing Comes to IMS on Carb Day

May 19, 2014 by Naptown Buzz

One of the greatest achievements in the history of off-road racing will occur on Friday, May 23 when the Formula Off-Road Presented by TRAXXAS series competes on the world’s most famous race track – the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The Menards at the Brickyard Formula Off-Road by TRAXXAS race will take place on Coors Light Carb Day in conjunction with Indianapolis 500 Race Weekend. The Stadium Super Trucks will race on a modified course on the front straight of the famed 2.5-mile oval and a portion of the infield road course.

“Coors Light Carb Day is a fan favorite at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway because it combines racing and other entertainment in one afternoon and the addition of the TRAXXAS series to our schedule provides further excitement during the day,” said J. Douglas Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president. “The Stadium Super Trucks race often with the Verizon IndyCar Series and produce an incredibly exciting style of racing everywhere they run and we look forward to seeing them put on a show at IMS.”

The Formula Off-Road Presented by Traxxas series features identically prepared trucks, which are made to resemble their scaled-down TRAXXAS radio-control-car counterparts. Like their TRAXXAS namesake, the trucks are designed to take flight and withstand aggressive driving, however, unlike RC trucks, they produce 600 horsepower generating speeds greater than 130 miles per hour.

The opportunity to race at the Brickyard will also mark the third time in 2014 the TRAXXAS series will race with the Verizon IndyCar Series, and marks the return of series-founder Robby Gordon to competition at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“My first trip to Indy as a competitor was in 1993 driving for A.J. Foyt,” said Gordon, who is a ten-time Indianapolis 500 competitor and a 12-time Brickyard 400 driver in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Indianapolis. “I grew up watching Rick Mears, A.J. and others race at the Speedway and dreamed of driving there, but I never imagined we would race off-road trucks at Indy. I have a lot of great memories from Indianapolis and this will be another one added to the list.”

The Menards at the Brickyard Formula Off-Road by TRAXXAS race on Coors Light Carb Day will be broadcast on NBCSN June 13 at midnight EDT. The schedule for Coors Light Carb Day is:

Friday, May 23 – Coors Light Carb Day

11:00 a.m. Verizon IndyCar Series Practice
12:30 p.m. Indy Lights Freedom 100 Race
2:00 p.m. Tag Heuer Pit Stop Competition
3:15 p.m. Menards at the Brickyard Formula Off-Road by Traxxas Practice
3:30 p.m. Coors Light Carb Day Concert with Sammy Hagar and the Wabos and Sublime With Rome
4:40 p.m. Menards at the Brickyard Formula Off-Road by TRAXXAS Race

The Stadium Super Trucks that will race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will hit man-made ramps at more than 100 mph at multiple locations throughout the circuit hurling drivers nearly 20 feet in the air and 150 feet down course. The series was created to bring the excitement of Baja-style desert racing to large crowds of race fans.

The first rounds of the 2014 Formula Off-Road Presented by TRAXXAS series were held at the St. Petersburg Grand Prix and the Long Beach Grand Prix. Both events have produced incredible racing in front of nearly 100,000 fans at each venue.

The franchise format created for the Stadium Super Trucks makes business sense for drivers and marketers given that they don’t have to outspend other teams to be competitive. Each week the series builds, maintains and delivers race-ready trucks to competitors, which eliminates start-up costs and day-to-day overhead of running a team. A driver’s focus is on winning races and delivering for their sponsors. All of which is ultimately a benefit to fans.

SOURCE: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Ask an IndyCar Driver 2014

May 6, 2014 by Naptown Buzz

It’s that time of year again, where Naptown Buzz heads out to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for The Month of May, and asks IndyCar Drivers your questions, be they serious, or off the wall.

Don’t be shy, let us know what’s on your mind!

[contact-form-7 id=”13419″ title=”Ask An IndyCar Driver”]

IMS Road Course will be racy for Grand Prix of Indianapolis

May 1, 2014 by Naptown Buzz

Reigning Indianapolis 500 winner Tony Kanaan has been immersed in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course reconfiguration project since its inception seven months ago, and even maintains a Downtown Indianapolis apartment for his frequent visits.

But ahead of the Verizon IndyCar Series Open Test on April 30, he took up residence in the motorcoach lot inside the grand stadium in preparation for the inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis on May 8-10 and the 98th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race on May 25.

“The good and bad part about sleeping at the track is that (Indianapolis Motor Speedway President) Doug (Boles) can call me at any time. Obviously, this place has always been very special to me, and I wanted to make sure I woke up May 1 inside the track,” Kanaan said in providing a brief debrief May 1 of the test on the 2.439-mile, 14-turn circuit.

“We knew it was going to be good … it’s like a race car. You know you have a good car but you don’t know if you’re going to win the race. I don’t think I heard from a single driver that did not have fun on this racetrack.”

Multiple drivers, team personnel and manufacturer representatives have had input in the $5 million project, which is part of the initial phase of a long-term infrastructure improvements and enhancements to the facility opened in 1909.

“I raced here in Grand-Am, and that was fun, but that track was very slippery,” said KVSH Racing’s Sebastien Bourdais, who co-drove to victory in the 2012 sports car race on the former road course. “I have to say I had some reservations early on because the corners (of the new racetrack) are very tight, but the grip more than makes up for it. The new asphalt that was laid down is very, very grippy and actually a lot of fun. I don’t think anyone will have much to say about it.

“It’s a challenging racetrack. You have to commit to it and the grip level, so you can challenge yourself in the car. The last section is very enjoyable. The left, right, left and right again, that’s opened up a lot more than it used to be, and they are all third-gear corners. The car digs in and goes side to side as you’re working the tires and pushing yourself. It’s quite fun and I see some passing areas.”

SOURCE: INDYCAR

Sebastian Saavedra Fined $10k, Placed on Probation

April 16, 2014 by Naptown Buzz

INDYCAR officials have fined driver Sebastian Saavedra $10,000 and placed him on probation through the Indianapolis 500 on May 25 for actions during the April 13 Verizon IndyCar Seres race in Long Beach.

Saavedra, driver of the No. 17 AFS KVAFS Racing car, was found to have violated Rule 7.1.3.2.2 (Failure to yield to safety vehicle and personnel).

The member may contest the imposition of the penalty pursuant to the procedures and timelines detailed in the review and appeal procedures of the Verizon IndyCar Series rulebook.

Power Paces Final Day of Verizon IndyCar Series Open Test at Barber

March 18, 2014 by Naptown Buzz

For the second consecutive day, Will Power topped the time chart as Verizon IndyCar Series wrapped up a two-day Open Test at Barber Motorsports Park.

Power, driving the Chevrolet-powered No. 12 Verizon Team Penske car, recorded a lap of 1 minute, 7.0608 seconds. He posted a best lap of 1:07.6492 on March 17. Power recorded 62 laps in the session that was delayed because of cold temperature and an intermittent mist in the morning.

“Coming back to Barber, hopefully we found a happy place,” said Power, who’s won the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama at Barber twice in its four years. “Obviously the temperature will be a lot different, and I think that brings out imbalances in the car. It was so cold today and there was so much grip that I think it was hard to get good reads on changes.

“We’ll see where we go and head to St. Pete. It’s going to be really tight.”

The depth of the field was evident on the time sheet: 17 drivers were less than a second off Power’s pace. Justin Wilson in the No. 19 Dale Coyne Racing entry was .0038 of a second back and the quickest with the new twin-turbocharged Honda engine.

Reigning Verizon IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon and Takuma Sato joined Power among the top five on the time sheet both days. Also for the second consecutive day, Honda and Chevrolet split the top 10 on the time sheet.

Dixon, who has been the runner-up each of the four races at Barber Motorsports Park, had a best lap of 1:07.0791 in the No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing car. Sato, driving the No. 14 ABC Supply car for A.J. Foyt Racing, was fourth at 1:07.3314. Ryan Briscoe, who returns to Chip Ganassi Racing Teams for the first season since 2005, was fifth quick (1:07.3705) in the No. 8 NTT Data car.

Andretti Autosport rookie Carlos Munoz laid down a field-high 121 laps over the two days.

“I learned a lot these two days,” he said. “Also, the team tested out a lot of different things, so we were able to get a lot out of it. I think, personally, I need to work a lot more to get used to the car. The circuit was quite tough; there was a much more downforce than I’m used to having come from Indy Lights. I’m definitely more comfortable at this test than previous ones. I think we’ve made a lot of progress, and today was better than yesterday. Each time I get in the car is better than the last, so I’m just really looking forward to St. Pete.”

The Verizon IndyCar Series start on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., on March 30 (3 p.m. ET, ABC). Barber hosts the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama four weeks later.

Source: INDYCAR

Team Penske Cars Lead Shortened First Day of Barber Open Test

March 17, 2014 by Naptown Buzz

Juan Pablo Montoya’s goals for the two-day Verizon IndyCar Series Open Test at Barber Motorsports were simple: learn, discern and apply.

The scheduled seven hours on the 2.38-mile, 17-turn road course were cut in half because of a chill and mist in the morning of day one, but Montoya and teammates Will Power and Helio Castroneves made the most of their combined 154 laps. The test day was especially effective for the newest member of Team Penske.

Montoya, driving the Chevrolet-powered No. 2 Verizon Team Penske car, was .0678 of a second off the front-running Power’s best lap of 1 minute, 07.6492 seconds. Castroneves was third on the time chart at 1:07.7214.

“I’m trying to learn how to get more out of the car and we’re getting there,” said Montoya, the 1999 CART champion and 2000 Indianapolis 500 Mile Race winner who is returning to Indy car racing after stints in Formula One and stock cars. “It was good today, but there’s a couple of places that I need to do a little better job and be a little cleaner, but we’re getting there.”

Twenty-two drivers, including four who will make their first Verizon IndyCar Series start on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., on March 30 (3 p.m. ET, ABC), participated. Testing continues on March 18 with a full-day of testing.

“I think it will be really good,” added Montoya, noting the more favorable weather forecast. “We’re going to try to get in some long runs and hopefully running in some traffic. I think that is going to be one of the key things (heading into St. Petersburg).”

The Verizon IndyCar Series returns in five weeks for the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama. Reigning series champion Scott Dixon, who has been the runner-up in each of the four races at Barber, was fourth on the time sheet (1:07.8225). Like Montoya, he favored what could be gained and applied at St. Petersburg and in the future at Barber.

“This early in the season to get miles is the important thing,” he said. “Everybody has their first new engine spec of the four for the season so there’s a lot to be learned on drivability, there are some brake options that are being circulated that we need to get through, and really it’s just about getting ready for that first race that is less than two weeks away. There’s a lot to be achieved.”

Takuma Sato, entering his second season in the No. 14 ABC Supply car for A.J. Foyt Racing, was fifth quick (1:07.8691), and Ryan Briscoe was sixth (1:07.8834) was sixth in the No. 8 NTT Data Chip Ganassi Racing car.

Five Chevrolet-powered cars and five with the new Honda 2.2-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 split the top 10. Every driver but Oriol Servia (No. 16 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing) had tested at least once during the offseason. Still, the looming season opener carried weight into these sessions.

“Every mile we do in testing goes a long way,” said James Hinchcliffe of Andretti Autosport. “We only have two days left (of testing) until we head to the first race at St. Pete and we’ll be making sure all the software and calibrations are as good as we can get them.”

Source: INDYCAR

Verizon Named Entitlement Sponsor of IndyCar Series

March 14, 2014 by Naptown Buzz

INDYCAR announced today a multi-year entitlement agreement with Verizon that will see North America’s premier open-wheel racing championship named the Verizon IndyCar Series.

The partnership aligns INDYCAR – the fastest, most versatile motorsports series with a heritage of innovation – with Verizon, whose technical expertise will be utilized to activate programs that will benefit fans, the series, teams, commercial partners and race venues.

Verizon will also continue its sponsorship of the Verizon P1 Award presented to the Verizon IndyCar Series pole winner at each race.

“Verizon is delighted to become the title sponsor of the Verizon IndyCar Series and to bring even more of our innovative technology to the fans, to the teams and to the entire motorsports community,” said Dan Mead, president and CEO of Verizon Wireless. “The intersection of racing and technology has never been more relevant, and our expanded partnership with INDYCAR provides a unique opportunity to demonstrate that synergy, integrate new services like LTE Multicast and help propel the sport forward.”

INDYCAR and Verizon will engage in a multi-dimensional partnership linking sports, entertainment and technology beginning at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, which kicks off the 18-race season March 30 (3 p.m. ET on ABC).

“Verizon is the perfect partner for us to showcase the high level of innovation and technology that is inherent in our sport,” said Mark Miles, CEO, Hulman & Co., the parent of INDYCAR and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “INDYCAR will provide a large audience of tech-savvy consumers who are eager for the latest technology to further enhance their experience.”

“Verizon’s commitment to INDYCAR demonstrates its belief in the direction of our sport and further corroborates our long-term goals.”

The collaboration includes significant network coverage upgrades to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as part of its Project 100; short- and long-term technology enhancements to INDYCAR Race Control; the addition of pit lane monitors and enhancing connectivity for spectators at each domestic race venue.

Verizon will also deploy its LTE Multicast solution at racetracks in the future, complementing the Verizon INDYCAR 14 app and indycar.com, the official website of INDYCAR. This emerging technology delivers rich multi-faceted multimedia content to multiple devices at once rather than sending it in a separate stream to each user.

Verizon has been an Official Partner of INDYCAR the past four years and the primary sponsor of the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske car driven by Will Power. The relationship with the team owned by Roger Penske will expand for the 2014 season as Verizon also will be the primary sponsor of the No. 2 entry driven by 1999 CART champion and 2000 Indianapolis 500 winner Juan Pablo Montoya for at least eight races.

The Verizon IndyCar Series season opens on March 30 (3 p.m. ET, ABC) in St. Petersburg where James Hinchcliffe, driving for Andretti Autosport, returns to defend his title on the scenic but challenging 1.8-mile temporary street course, while reigning series champion Scott Dixon of Target Chip Ganassi Racing seeks a fast start to earn his record-tying fourth title.

The schedule features a total of 18 races: 12 on road and street courses, including three sets of doubleheaders, with standing and rolling starts; and six races on a variety of short ovals and superspeedways, highlighted by the 98th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. The “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” will be held on May 25 (12 pm ET, ABC) on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s historic 2.5-mile oval.

In each of the past eight consecutive seasons the Verizon IndyCar Series championship hasn’t been decided until the season finale. The 2014 Verizon IndyCar Series season concludes with the MAVTV 500 on the two-mile Auto Club Speedway oval Aug. 30 (9 p.m. ET, NBCSN).