Naptown Buzz for April 1, 2016.
Includes: Who’s Yer Con, Bridge and Tunnel at IRT, Guys and Dolls at Beef and Boards, Naptown Roller Girls, NCAA Division I Women’s Final Four and IndyCar.
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INDYCAR
ESPN ‘SportsCenter’ to have major presence at 100th Indy 500
ESPN’s signature news and information program, “SportsCenter,” will have a major and significantly expanded presence at Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the week of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race presented by PennGrade Motor Oil in May.
The epic 100th edition of the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” will get the green flag live on ABC on May 29, marking the 52nd consecutive year for the network to broadcast the race. ESPN will lead up to its sister network’s race telecast with four live “SportsCenter on the Road” programs originating from IMS, as well as reports airing within other editions of the program. This will be “SportsCenter on the Road’s” first visit to IMS since ESPN launched the initiative in 2015 and will mark the first live “SportsCenter” programming from the Indy 500 in more than a decade.
In addition to previewing the premier race of the Verizon IndyCar Series with drivers, team owners and others, “SportsCenter” programs also will pay tribute to the long history of the Indianapolis 500 with guest appearances by past champions and special features.
“We’re thrilled ‘SportsCenter’ will be on hand to bring millions of viewers across the globe an up-close look at the monumental 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500,” said Mark Miles, CEO of Hulman & Company, the parent of INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “The buildup to the ‘Greatest Spectacle in Racing’ will make for compelling television, showcasing the world-class drivers, intense competition and innovative technology that propel the Verizon IndyCar Series forward.”
“I can’t think of a better place to be than the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as we approach race day for the 100th Running of the Indy 500,” said J. Douglas Boles, IMS president. “Our fans are going to love hosting the ‘SportsCenter’ team on site and today’s good news will truly make the month of May even more exciting and unforgettable for everyone.”
The “SportsCenter” presence at the Indianapolis 500 will include two live one-hour programs on race morning, with hosts Matt Barrie and Sara Walsh on a set in the IMS Pagoda Plaza area. The first program will air from 8-9 a.m. ET on ESPN, while the second will air on ESPN from 10 a.m. until ABC’s telecast begins at 11 a.m. Barrie and Walsh will have live reports from IMS during the 9-10 a.m. hour while “SportsCenter” airs on ESPN2.
On May 28, the day before the race, Barrie and Walsh will host a three-hour edition of “SportsCenter on the Road” from IMS beginning at 9 a.m. ET on ESPN. The 6 p.m. ETMay 27 edition of “SportsCenter,” hosted by Lindsay Czarniak, will also air from IMS on ESPN.
In addition to the four live programs, other editions of “SportsCenter” will carry live reports, including segments with Czarniak in the 6 p.m. ET shows on May 25-26. After the race, the winner will have a live interview with “SportsCenter,” and Czarniak will have a “SportsCenter Sunday Conversation” with the winner that will air in the evening editions of the program.
Czarniak also will host the Indianapolis 500 pre-race show on ABC at 11 a.m. ET May 29. “SportsCenter” programming from IMS also will include contributions from ESPN reporters Marty Smith and Ryan McGee and other members of the ABC race coverage team.
“When a sporting event as iconic as the Indianapolis 500 reaches its 100th version, it’s a testament to its appeal, stature and longevity,” said Michael Fountain, ESPN senior coordinating producer, “SportsCenter.” “If there is a major event, ‘SportsCenter’ will be there, and we look forward to bringing the excitement and pageantry of Indy to our viewers.”
ABC’s first Verizon IndyCar Series race broadcast of 2016, the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 13, saw a 52 percent ratings increase and 56 percent viewership from a year ago. The final rating was a 0.97 (up from 0.64 in 2015) with 1.391 million viewers tuned in (up from 891,000). It marked the highest viewership for a Verizon IndyCar Series season opener since 2011 and the third-highest non-Indianapolis 500 broadcast since 2012.
ABC will also broadcast the Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis from the IMS road course on May 14, Indianapolis 500 qualifying May 21-22 and both races of the Chevrolet Dual in Detroit on June 4-5.
SOURCE: INDYCAR
Naptown Buzz for March 17, 2016
Naptown Buzz for March 17, 2016.
Includes: NCAA Tourney, Indy Fuel, Star Trek: The Ultimate Voyage, Allie Burbrink & Frank Lee and an IndyCar Update.
Naptown Buzz for March 11, 2016
Naptown Buzz for March 11, 2016.
Includes: IRT: Fences, Big Ten Men’s Tournament, Indy Fuel, IndyCar Season Kickoff & DST
James Hinchcliffe Blood Drive February 4th at IMS
Verizon IndyCar Series driver James Hinchcliffe will be at the IU Health Emergency Medical Center at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway today, February 4, 2016, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. for a blood drive.
Please enter through Main Gate off 16th Street.
Borg-Warner Trophy and Stanley Cup Meet at Yard of Bricks
Two of the most iconic symbols of victory in sports – the Borg-Warner Trophy and the Stanley Cup – appeared together Thursday night for a photo session on the world famous Yard of Bricks at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Stanley Cup appeared at IMS courtesy of the Indy Fuel, the ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks.
The oldest professional sports trophy in North America, the Stanley Cup is presented annually to the National Hockey League champion. Beginning in 1893, the Stanley Cup became the ultimate prize for various amateur and professional hockey organizations. Since 1910, when the National Hockey Association took possession of the Stanley Cup, the trophy has been symbolic of professional hockey supremacy. Beginning in 1926, only NHL teams have competed for the Stanley Cup, which is the only professional sports trophy where the name of every member of the winning team is inscribed.
The most prestigious symbol of excellence in worldwide motorsports, the Borg-Warner Trophy, made its debut in 1936 when it was presented to Indianapolis 500 race winner Louis Meyer.
The Borg-Warner Trophy features the three-dimensional sterling silver image of every Indianapolis 500 winner dating to Ray Harroun in 1911. Among the 101 bas-relief images adorning the Borg-Warner Trophy, all are drivers except for one. In tribute to his rejuvenation of the track and Indianapolis 500 following World War II, a 24-karat gold likeness of late Speedway owner and President Anton “Tony” Hulman was added in 1988.
The Borg-Warner Trophy is on permanent display at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum.
SOURCE: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Josef Newgarden Returning to CFH Racing for Fifth Season
Josef Newgarden views the 2015 Verizon IndyCar Series season as a launching pad. Two victories, two additional podium finishes and his first pole start are the fuel, and part of the impetus for 2016 is the personnel at CFH Racing.
The team announced Oct. 1 that Newgarden would return to the No. 67 CFH Racing Chevrolet for the 2016 season. Newgarden has 67 Verizon IndyCar Series starts – all with the team he joined following his 2011 Indy Lights championship season.
“I have a lot of respect for every individual within this group. I get to see first-hand the level that this team operates at and there is a tremendous amount of dedicated and smart people,” Newgarden said. “They’ve given me all of the tools I could ask for to drive a race car and to be successful. That gives me confidence to come back and try to deliver my best and help the team be the best at what it does.
“I think we have a lot of capabilities and we proved some of that this year and we just want to go out and prove more. That’s what our goal is going to be in ’16.”
The 24-year-old native of Hendersonville, Tenn., earned his maiden Verizon IndyCar Series victory in April with a dominating performance at Barber Motorsports Park. Seven weeks later, he led teammate Luca Filippi across the finish line on the streets of Toronto for a 1-2 CFH result.
In the final five races, Newgarden added runner-up finishes at Iowa Speedway and Pocono Raceway, plus a fifth place at The Milwaukee Mile after registering his first pole position. He led 345 laps for the season, the most of any driver, and finished a career-best seventh in the point standings.
“It was great to finalize a deal with Josef to keep him with CFH Racing for 2016,” team co-owner/driver Ed Carpenter said. “Just as he was a priority to sign before this past season, he was a priority for us again this year. We are focused on becoming a force in the Verizon IndyCar Series and we see Josef being a large part of that. It is our intention to have him in a CFH car for a long time.”
Carpenter drives the companion No. 20 Chevrolet on ovals, while Filippi was in the seat for road/street course races this past season. CFH Racing completed its first season after the merger of Ed Carpenter Racing and Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing.
“I’m certainly encouraged to see the energy, enthusiasm and dedication that Ed and our partners have given to the 67 car program to make this happen,” team co-owner and former Indy car driver Sarah Fisher said. “I am looking forward to a second year of racing at a championship level.”
SOURCE: INDYCAR • PHOTO: Brian Groce
INDYCAR Rescinds Iowa Infraction Against James Jakes
INDYCAR announced a rescinded infraction from the Iowa Corn 300 on July 18 at Iowa Speedway:
• Driver James Jakes of Schmidt Peterson Motorsports had his $500 fine rescinded for violating Rule 1.2.7.1.2 of the Verizon IndyCar Series rulebook (Personal Safety Equipment, visor up during pit stop fueling) after further review of the incident determined the violation did not occur.
SOURCE: INDYCAR • PHOTO: Brian Groce
INDYCAR: Iowa Corn 300 Post-Event Infractions
INDYCAR announced the following post-event infractions and manufacturer championship points updates from the Iowa Corn 300, which was held July 18 at Iowa Speedway:
• Verizon IndyCar Series driver James Jakes of Schmidt Peterson Motorsports was fined $500 for violating Rule 1.6.5.1.1 of the Verizon IndyCar Series rule book (visor not down during pit stop).
• A crew member from A.J. Foyt Enterprises and Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing were each fined $500 for violating Rule 1.2.7.2 (e) (deadman not wearing headsock).
• The No. 8 Chip Ganassi Racing entry was fined $500 for violating Rule 7.9.6 (unattended equipment – tire).
• Chevrolet received a deduction of 20 manufacturer points for an engine that did not attain its life cycle during the Iowa Corn 300 race weekend. According to Rule 10.6.4.3, 20 manufacturer points are deducted for an engine that fails to reach its 2,500-mile life cycle. The Chevrolet engine on the No. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing Teams entry did not reach its life cycle minimum before being changed out.
Following the adjustment, Chevrolet has 1,279 manufacturer points for the season and Honda has 1,011.
Members may contest the imposition of penalties pursuant to the procedures and timelines detailed in the review and appeal procedures of the Verizon IndyCar Series rulebook.
SOURCE: INDYCAR
Americans Sweep Podium at Iowa Speedway, Hunter-Reay Win
American drivers swept the top four positions – and six of the top seven – as Andretti Autosport driver Ryan Hunter-Reay captured his first victory of the Verizon IndyCar Series season Saturday night in the Iowa Corn 300. Hunter-Reay prevailed by .5046 of a second over Josef Newgarden to become the ninth different winner in 13 Verizon IndyCar Series races this season.
Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate Sage Karam finished a career-high third. Graham Rahal placed fourth for his third consecutive top-five finish, and Carlos Munoz, who won at Detroit in May, was fifth.
The last time Americans swept the podium in a Verizon IndyCar Series event was the 2006 Indianapolis 500 Mile Race, when Michael Andretti followed winner Sam Hornish Jr. and Marco Andretti across the finish line in one of the most historic finishes at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
It was the sixth consecutive victory for Andretti Autosport at Iowa Speedway and the third victory at the track for Hunter-Reay, who was also battling Newgarden for the win one year ago, when he beat the CFH Racing driver to the finish line by .5814 of a second.
“The No. 28 DHL Honda was on rails at the end,” said Hunter-Reay, who had only one top-five finish this season entering the race. “This one we really had to work for. After a tough season, this one is really nice.”
Following a Lap 278 restart, Hunter-Reay held off multiple challenges by Newgarden in the No. 67 Wichita State University/CFH Racing Chevrolet.
“To finish second was bittersweet,” said Newgarden, who qualified seventh. “We had a winning car, but it’s a credit to the team to finish second.”
Juan Pablo Montoya’s championship points lead appeared to take a hit when the No. 2 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet made right-side contact with the Turn 2 SAFER Barrier on Lap 10 of the 300-lap race. It was his first DNF of the season and the first in 18 races since the 2014 race at Iowa Speedway.
“We had a good car. It was a little loose the first couple of laps, so I was just really taking it easy, biding my time,” said Montoya, who qualified third. “Something broke.”
A mechanical issue in the final third of the race plagued the No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet of Scott Dixon, who entered the race 54 points behind, and an 11th-place finish by pole sitter Helio Castroneves, allowed Montoya to enter the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio on Aug. 2 relatively unscathed.
Rahal moved to second in the standings — 42 points behind — while Dixon, who finished 18th, is 48 points back and Castroneves is 54 points out of the lead.
Iowa Corn 300 Results
Results Saturday of the Iowa Corn 300 Verizon IndyCar Series event on the 0.894 mile Iowa Speedway, with order of finish, starting position in parentheses, driver, aero kit-engine, laps completed and reason out (if any):
1. (9) Ryan Hunter-Reay, Honda, 300, Running
2. (7) Josef Newgarden, Chevrolet, 300, Running
3. (10) Sage Karam, Chevrolet, 300, Running
4. (17) Graham Rahal, Honda, 300, Running
5. (12) Carlos Munoz, Honda, 300, Running
6. (11) Ed Carpenter, Chevrolet, 300, Running
7. (8) Marco Andretti, Honda, 300, Running
8. (19) Ryan Briscoe, Honda, 300, Running
9. (24) Sebastien Bourdais, Chevrolet, 300, Running
10. (6) Will Power, Chevrolet, 300, Running
11. (1) Helio Castroneves, Chevrolet, 300, Running
12. (20) Tristan Vautier, Honda, 299, Running
13. (21) Jack Hawksworth, Honda, 299, Running
14. (5) Simon Pagenaud, Chevrolet, 299, Running
15. (14) James Jakes, Honda, 299, Running
16. (23) Gabby Chaves, Honda, 299, Running
17. (18) Justin Wilson, Honda, 297, Running
18. (4) Scott Dixon, Chevrolet, 263, Running
19. (15) Takuma Sato, Honda, 260, Contact
20. (13) Stefano Coletti, Chevrolet, 191, Contact
21. (2) Tony Kanaan, Chevrolet, 189, Mechanical
22. (16) Charlie Kimball, Chevrolet, 170, Contact
23. (22) Pippa Mann, Honda, 136, Handling
24. (3) Juan Pablo Montoya, Chevrolet, 9, Contact
Race Statistics
Winners average speed: 129.943
Time of Race: 02:03:50.3315
Margin of victory: 0.5046 of a second
Cautions: 6 for 73 laps
Lead changes: 14 among 10 drivers
Lap Leaders:
Castroneves 1
Kanaan 2 – 68
Castroneves 69 – 77
Kanaan 78 – 80
Power 81 – 82
Jakes 83 – 85
Bourdais 86 -91
Kimball 92 – 98
Castroneves 99 – 105
Newgarden 106 – 125
Castroneves 126 – 158
Newgarden 159 – 249
Hawksworth 250 – 256
Rahal 257 – 263
Hunter-Reay 264 – 300
Verizon IndyCar Series Point Standings: Montoya 445, Rahal 403, Dixon 397, Castroneves 391, Power 390, Bourdais 366, Andretti 358, Newgarden 352, Kanaan 324, Pagenaud 294.
SOURCE: INDYCAR