tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62302442445884075572024-03-05T19:01:54.464-05:00RacemindOpen-wheel and sportscar racing opinion & analysis from an outspoken TrackForum.com personality.Racemindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348199004996455495noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230244244588407557.post-48309347517257746072011-06-06T15:39:00.003-04:002011-06-06T16:12:28.904-04:00Fuelgate 2011Feathers are flying on Twitter this afternoon as the link to this article is making the rounds. In short, the article quotes an unnamed team source questioning how J.R. Hildebrand went so many laps before crashing, speculating that the car was outfitted with a larger fuel tank.@GrahamRahal fired the first shot, saying "Now some of you may understand what I was saying the other night. Word is Racemindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348199004996455495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230244244588407557.post-66604278246940708992011-01-05T13:15:00.002-05:002011-01-31T16:36:14.630-05:00Firestone Cuts It CloseThe deadline for Firestone to extend it's agreement as official tire supplier to the Indycar Series beyond 2011 has come... and gone. In all likelihood they'll be back for 2012, but so far negotiations have gone flat.The question that should be getting some traction is this: does it really matter? Fans will enjoy the same level of racing regardless of which white letters appear on the sidewall,Racemindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348199004996455495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230244244588407557.post-87343717073024955352010-12-03T20:09:00.001-05:002011-01-31T16:30:15.089-05:00Pennzoil Returns, This Time With PenskeIt's always great to see a major sponsor come on board to help a struggling, underfunded hardscrabble outfit like Team Penske. Finally, the boys from PA can afford a can of corn to go with their bread and water.I'm not trying to give Penske a hard time... well, OK, I kinda am... but I think we all would have loved to see Pennzoil back on Panther's sidepod, where they found so much success in theRacemindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348199004996455495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230244244588407557.post-87614681131609941222010-11-19T18:11:00.003-05:002011-01-31T15:57:21.301-05:00Indycar Assumes the Lotus PositionConfirming one of the worst-kept secrets in Indycar, Lotus will be joining the Indycar series as both an engine and aero kit manufacturer.Awesome. Just awesome. What else is there to add, really? Lotus has a grand history at the Brickyard, its crowning moment coming with Jim Clark winning the 1965 Indy 500 with the famed green-and-yellow car.The shouldn't be a surprise to anyone who watched Racemindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348199004996455495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230244244588407557.post-58663975193400168182010-11-13T19:22:00.001-05:002011-01-31T15:55:20.782-05:00The Bowtie's BackGeneral Motors has now announced they are returning to Indycar competition with a 2.4L V6 engine. This confirms the info I received back in October.Welcome back, Chebby!Racemindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348199004996455495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230244244588407557.post-91234742133050793432010-10-30T21:44:00.001-04:002011-01-31T15:52:17.231-05:00Hot Tip: Chevy Returning to IndycarAccording to a few whispers, look for GM to officially announce the return of Chevy as an engine manufacturer in the next 7 to 10 days. Not a huge surprise, but still... Chevy at Indy makes all the sense in the world. It just feels right. Fingers crossed!Racemindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348199004996455495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230244244588407557.post-65898664222978502802010-09-20T23:34:00.003-04:002011-01-31T15:39:55.655-05:00Square Peg Wins a Round HoleWhen the first Indycar Oval Championship is won by road-course specialist Dario Franchitti, could a Series Championship be far behind?I love the three separate Indycar Championship titles because it allows a lower-funded team to compete in a single discipline (like oval tracks) and have a chance at winning a title on a shoestring. But there's still the risk that one driver will sweep all three Racemindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348199004996455495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230244244588407557.post-58131500954596921812010-08-22T17:42:00.002-04:002011-01-31T15:34:41.704-05:00Indycar and Wine: It's Not Just AndrettiWhen you think of Wineries with connections to Indycar, Andretti immediately springs to mind. But rough-and-tumble punch-throwing laptop-smashing Texan A.J. Foyt? News to me.The fledgling Foyt Family Wines is mainly run by the legend's grandson A.J. IV and quattro's uncle Larry. No specifics on where they get their grapes, but I suspect that since A.J. doesn't like to finish second to AndrettiRacemindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348199004996455495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230244244588407557.post-76822629211241881172010-07-25T19:12:00.002-04:002011-01-31T15:31:29.101-05:00One Star Rises While Another SetsAs Simona De Silvestro takes seventh in qualifying at Edmonton, Milka Duno gets a finger-wagging rebuke from the league.The cynical take: The series *needs* a female driver, preferably a good one. Prior to 2010, Milka Duno was the "backup gal" in case Danica bolted for NASCAR. Now that Simona looks like a solid female competitor who's here to stay, Milka is yesterday's fish wrapped in Racemindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348199004996455495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230244244588407557.post-40579668024223748122010-07-14T18:17:00.002-04:002011-01-31T15:23:37.464-05:00...But Will It Be a Classy Chassis?After much speculation -- probably too much, and most of it far too silly -- the Indycar movers 'n' shakers have announced the 2012 Indycar chassis "strategy".It's about time for a change. And bonus: it's not the Delta Wing.Racemindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348199004996455495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230244244588407557.post-48805650866410343862010-06-15T12:01:00.004-04:002010-06-15T12:15:29.729-04:00Ryan Hunter Reay Is A Go For IowaIt's a match made in heaven. A beautiful little slice of heaven, where a top American driver finds support from the American ethanol industry to race at the track where the corn is grown. It's the intersection of Americana and Rightness, a mid-season kismet for the Indycar world.Andretti Autosport has announced that Ryan Hunter Reay, winner of the Long Beach Grand Prix, will drive the Racemindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348199004996455495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230244244588407557.post-91892631673333824942010-05-27T10:37:00.008-04:002010-05-27T11:35:56.070-04:00Kim Kardashian Cheers On Graham RahalStill no sign of Kim at the Indy 500 yet, but she's weighing-in on Graham's P7 qualification result over at celebuzz.com:"225.6 mph!! WOW! That means we are starting 7th in the Indianapolis 500 (inside 3rd row) and I’m going to be there at the race next weekend to watch Graham win!"OK guys, quick show of hands -- and just the guys, we're not concerned about where the gals' hands are right now: Racemindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348199004996455495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230244244588407557.post-69033618200614874452010-05-26T14:32:00.003-04:002010-05-26T14:35:40.579-04:00F1 in Austin? Someone Might Tell the MayorSo much bluster about Bernie's announced 2012 F1 race in Austin, Texas, and so little actual information. SpeedTV is reporting that the "City of Austin and Austin Chamber of Commerce officials were unfamiliar with race organizers’ plans".Odd. Seems that you'd want to let these folks in on the secret if you actually wanted construction permits.With just a handful of Texas dollars know to be Racemindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348199004996455495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230244244588407557.post-61698920853139124742010-05-20T10:47:00.004-04:002010-05-20T11:31:30.547-04:00Kim Kardashian Indy WatchScore one for Graham Rahal. Make that two, actually: he secured a fast ride for the Indy 500 and he landed sponsorship from Quick Trim and their sultry promoter, Kim Kardashian.Not that we're star struck or anything. I mean sure, she's got a mane of flowing onyx hair, curvy hips like Saharan sand dunes, eyes like a summer's tempest, and huge... hmmmm... wait, sorry, was I saying something?And Racemindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348199004996455495noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230244244588407557.post-51126850195338546732010-05-17T11:14:00.006-04:002010-05-17T11:19:49.338-04:00Window Over Terre HauteHow's this for a classic "Window Over Terre Haute" satellite image? :)Racemindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348199004996455495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230244244588407557.post-18144864130121611122010-05-14T12:33:00.000-04:002010-05-14T12:34:37.613-04:00Why Not Go Back To Charlotte?Who's up for an evening Indycar race in Charlotte? I think it's time to return.With Indycar cowboy Randy Bernard's creation of a separate Oval Championship, there's reason to hope for a 50/50 split between oval tracks and road/street courses on the 2011 schedule. If we end up 1 or 2 ovals short of that, then I ask you all to close your eyes for a moment and remember those IRL races at CharlotteRacemindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348199004996455495noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230244244588407557.post-605878559675980912010-04-21T10:28:00.002-04:002010-04-21T11:11:55.818-04:00We Were Warned...At this moment, www.trackforum.com is down.They warned us. They told us this was coming. They said that this update package was necessary and the time was very soon. It's for our own good.But 'fess up now: how many of you TF'ers are staring wide-eyed at the blank browser window, hands trembling just a little, that nervous vein on your neck standing out, wondering exactly how you are supposed Racemindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348199004996455495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230244244588407557.post-81282807671787993112010-04-20T09:41:00.006-04:002010-04-20T11:24:24.162-04:00Simona Wristwatch, Anyone?If you're a bit weary of the typical Indycar merch, like T-shirts, hats, and bum bags, then get a gander at this bit of bling from Team Stargate Worlds: a BRM watch themed for the Simona de Silvestro fan.It'll set you back a cool $6,995.00, but hey... they take Visa. Now if I was a 24-year-old fan, I'd only drop that kind of cash if it came with a smooch on the cheek from the driver herself, butRacemindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348199004996455495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230244244588407557.post-69046841561127178212010-04-12T13:11:00.003-04:002010-04-12T13:33:45.496-04:00Barber By-The-Numbers: 53,555Another successful inaugural Indycar race is in the books, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that the usual game of "guess the attendance" -- where one blogger announces that there were 142,000 paid racefans in attendance while another says that there was only 46 including himself -- was completely unnecessary. The Birmingham News is reporting 53,555 in attendance, a very solid number."Racemindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348199004996455495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230244244588407557.post-82086629217907402702010-04-02T13:23:00.004-04:002010-04-02T13:29:17.714-04:00Wild Idea for an Indy Lights Venue: Cooper Park ComplexHere's a proposed new oval speedway that's getting lots of buzz here in Central Ohio: the Cooper Park Complex. With it's easy access to the interstate and state-of-the-art facilities, wouldn't this be a great (if not downright wild) venue for Indy Lights?When the Columbus Clippers baseball team moved downtown into their tony new ballpark, it opened the door for the Cooper Park concept on the Racemindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348199004996455495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230244244588407557.post-87760839867880251012010-03-31T16:58:00.006-04:002010-03-31T17:22:10.103-04:00Positive Vibes Around The LeagueThere must be pixie dust in the air, because the Indycar world's in a good mood today.First Kevin Lee teased us all that a big announcement was in the air, saying "R Bernard said presser Monday and if what I hear is correct, its pretty big..." Apparently our new cowboy-turned-Indycar-Tzar is cooking with gas.Still-dormant Vision Racing tweeted, "Positive vibes from our #IZODIndyCar tweeps has Racemindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348199004996455495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230244244588407557.post-73601734994980137292010-03-30T09:45:00.008-04:002010-03-30T18:20:08.291-04:00Simona and Helio: Separated At Birth?The more I see from new Indycar rookie sensation Simona de Silvestro, the more I like -- both on and off the track.Check out Simona's VBlog from St. Pete: Helio Castroneves' little sister, I say. She has the same natural charm and easy-going speaking manner. The way she says "crazy race", she's almost impossible to dislike.My favorite part is when she said (about the race in Sao Paulo), "I did Racemindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348199004996455495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230244244588407557.post-3742815622840790132009-12-23T18:07:00.003-05:002010-04-02T15:48:55.557-04:00A Future Lotus Indycar?1965 Lotus IndycarThere's a buzz going around about Lotus expanding their racing exposure by getting involved in the Indycar series. Would they actually put their name on a Dallara? Or are they gearing up for a chassis bid for 2012?Racemindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348199004996455495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230244244588407557.post-40624402283433919452009-10-01T13:55:00.002-04:002010-04-02T14:04:54.992-04:00Saturn Leaves Penske Orbit, Heads for SunSad news today: the Penske-Saturn deal is off, and GM is killing the brand. Read more at CNN.I, for one, was excited about the possibility of keeping the fresh American brand alive. At one point, they were making the best domestic cars you could buy, but I think the decision to simply re-badge GMC vehicles killed Saturn's loyal following.Racemindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348199004996455495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230244244588407557.post-32627249867011072682009-07-13T17:45:00.002-04:002010-03-30T17:36:30.552-04:00FranchittigateFirst off, I whole-heartedly support freezing track positions on a yellow. It's utterly essential for safety and good sportsmanship, laying rest to the preposterous practice of "racin' back to the line". Here's the way the rule should work. Upon a yellow, a "snapshot" of all field positions is taken, just it has for the past 5 seasons. If a car has committed to a pit stop at this point (i.e. Racemindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348199004996455495noreply@blogger.com0