The real reason Jimmie Johnson isn't going to run INDYCAR

In last Friday’s Indianapolis Star, Curt Cavin reported in his weekly pit pass column that reigning five time Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson had declared he was no longer interested in running the Indy 500. Johnson had previously told INDYCAR CEO Randy Bernard that he was interested, after Bernard spoke with him at Tony Stewart’s Prelude to the dream race at Eldora Speedway.

After the meeting at Eldora Speedway, rumors floated for sometime that Johnson and Kasey Kahne were interested in running the Indy 500, as early as 2011. Robin Miller floated teasers throughout his weekly mailbag that Johnson and Kahne were VERY INTERESTED, he even went as far to say that Johnson needed approval from Lowes and his wife and it was a done deal. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway even played a part in this, as the start time for the 2011 Indy 500 was TBD during the State of INDYCAR address on January 11th, as rumors had the start time going to 11 A.M. EST if Johnson and Kahne committed.

All of this came to screeching halt last Friday, when Cavin reported Johnsons decision via his pit pass article, which begs the question, why did Johnson decide to back out? Johnson grew up a huge Rick Mears fan, has devoured NASCAR’s top level the past five years, and has said that running the Indy 500 was always a dream of his.

His wife won’t let him? He has a kid? GM wasn’t involved the past eight years? BULLS**T

I don’t buy any of it, and the reason is represented in one acronym called NASCAR.

You're telling me that NASCAR is going to let their five time defending champion go off and run the Indy 500 and pull fans away from their Coke 600 that same day? How many people have seen Jimmie Johnson run the Coke 600? Plenty. How many have seen him run the Indy 500? You get the idea.

You're telling me that NASCAR is going to let their five time champ go run an IndyCar after watching what happened to Mike Conway last year on the lap of the Indy 500? Johnson breaks his back and is out for three months and NASCAR is missing one of their top stars and defending champ. NASCAR wants Johnson to be dethroned on the last lap of the last race of the season, not by wrecking an IndyCar in the middle of the season.

You're telling me NASCAR wants its drivers building up other series and boosting T.V. ratings for events that are direct competitors of NASCAR?

The answer to all three is NO, NO, and NO.

Here is what happened sometime between the time Bernard talked to Johnson at Eldora. NASCAR (Brian France) got word of what was conspiring with Johnson and Kahne, and immediately goes to Rick Hendrick, Johnsons team owner. NASCAR tells Hendrick to intervene on this situation and make it clear to Johnson he isn’t going to run the Indy 500. Hendrick tells Johnson, and Johnson asks the question "How do I say this to the media?" Well who is the easiest person to blame this on without it looking bad on NASCAR/Hendrick/Lowes etc, well his wife of course. You think she cares that she took the fall for this? NOT AT ALL.

So there you go, figure it out in so many words, NASCAR stepped in and said to Hendrick, take care of this situation because its not happening.

Jimmie Johnson won’t run the Indy 500, is it that big of a deal?

Well to him, not really, he’ll win another Sprint Cup Championship this year and collect more money and have more kids, the Indy 500 will fade from his memory.

Kasey Kahne? Well we heard he doesn’t answer to anyone and that he’ll do what he wants. Lets just assume then that NASCAR hasn’t talked to Team Red Bull yet, or just hasn’t set up another meeting with Hendrick to tell him that his driver in 2012 won’t be doing the Indy 500 either.

IndyCar Garage Weekly Podcast up w/guests Zach Veach & Monica Hilton

IndyCar Garage Weekly returned for its weekly show with Tyler Carmichael, moderator of www.IndyCarGarage.com. Tyler talked with guest Monica Hilton, Director of PR for Avocado Motorsports, and known as the_race_gIRL on twitter. Andretti Autosport USF 2000 driver, Zach Veach joined the program and talked about his upcoming season in 2011 and the variety of projects he is involved with. Check out the podcast on www.IndyCarGarage.com . IndyCar Garage Weekly will be back next Wednesday , February 2nd @ 6 p.m. EST

Simona and HVM Racing Sign Entergy Nuclear for a 3 yr deal

Baltimore-

Simona De Silverstro and her HVM Racing team announced their sponorship package for 2011 with a three year agreement with Entery Nuclear. The press release is below:



HVM Racing and Entergy Nuclear announced in Baltimore today that they have entered into a three-year partnership to compete in the IZOD INDYCAR Series. This re-confirms the return of the 2010 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year, Simona De Silvestro as HVM Racing and Entergy team up to promote clean, low-cost and reliable nuclear energy.

Keith Wiggins, team owner of HVM Racing and John Herron, President, CEO and Chief Nuclear Officer at Entergy unveiled the new livery of the #78 Nuclear Clean Air Energy/ Entergy Dallara at the beautiful InterContinetal hotel in downtown Baltimore.

Also in attendance were INDYCAR CEO, Randy Bernard, and Jay Davidson, President of the Baltimore Grand Prix. Professionals from the nuclear energy industry were side-by-side to witness the announcement while fans were welcome to view a pit stop demonstration performed by De Silvestro and her experienced HVM pit crew at nearby Camden Yards.

"This is great news for HVM and for Simona," said Keith Wiggins, owner of HVM Racing. "It gives Simona a long-term opportunity to develop into a top IndyCar driver while the team will have a stable platform over multiple years to support our championship effort. It is a terrific marketing opportunity with a strong partner who has an important message and role in our world's future. We are going to make an impact on many fronts; within the nuclear energy industry, with Simona as an individual driver and within our sport overall."

Entergy is in its fourth year of the "Nuclear Clean Air Energy" national education campaign and its first full year with HVM Racing in the IZOD INDYCAR Series. Having reached millions of people at the race track, across U.S. college campuses and in community events, the goal of the "Nuclear Clean Air Energy" initiative is to use the highly visible platform of the IZOD INDYCAR Series to spread the message about the benefits of nuclear energy as a source of carbon-free electricity. In addition to the element of education and public awareness, this campaign assists in recruiting quality engineers and professionals to the nuclear energy sector, an exciting job-growth industry.

"It is an important time for our country to hear our nuclear clean air energy story," said John Herron, Entergy chief nuclear officer. "With Simona as a lead spokesperson for our effort, teaming up with HVM and IndyCar brings visibility to the issue of U.S. energy policy, with multiple national opportunities to reach out to families and fans. Education is key to smarter energy consumers and doing so with a young role model like Simona couldn't be better. Having 'nuclear' on the side of a race car is as all-American as racing itself, since nuclear energy generates 20 percent of all U.S. electricity already. Entergy wants everyone to learn more and get excited about our reliable, green source of electricity."

January 24 kicks off "National Nuclear Science Week," the perfect time to unveil this new partnership. This week provides platforms for learning and exploration of nuclear sciences, careers in the nuclear field, energy generation, nuclear safety and nuclear medicine fields with activities happening across the country in various nuclear sectors.

De Silvestro hails from Thun, Switzerland and enters her sophomore season in the IZOD INDYCAR Series well-equipped to compete. In 2010 she turned heads at the season-opener in Sao Paulo, Brazil where she led four laps during her INDYCAR debut and displayed her on-track abilities in front of an International audience. In addition to her Rookie of the Year title at the 2010 Indy 500, she was also awarded with the Tony Renna Firestone Rising Star award at the end of the year, an honor she holds close to her heart. In 2009, Simona dominated in the Atlantic Championship Series, where she became the first woman in series history to have earned the most wins, pole positions, and led the most laps all in a single season. She had nine podium finishes in 12 races.

"It's pretty special to have a sponsor like Entergy and to have such an important campaign as the 'Nuclear Clean Air Energy' initiative," explains De Silvestro. "It's a great message and I am looking forward to creating awareness about the benefits of nuclear electricity throughout the racing season and beyond." She adds, "It's great to be back with HVM. They are a great team and it was amazing last year to spend my rookie season in INDYCAR with them. Now with this sponsorship, I am more confident than ever that we'll have a great year!"

Associate sponsorship of the #78 machine will come from TDS Telecommunications Corp, who will be the team's "Official Communications Partner", BRM Watches- returning for their second consecutive year will be the team's "official timepiece". The team will also be announcing a relationship with the Baltimore Grand Prix and the InterContinental Hotel in Baltimore, Md., who will serve as the "Official Hotel of the Baltimore GP."

Ed Carpenter talks with IndyCar Garage

Ed Carpenter, new driver of the #67 Dollar General Sarah Fisher Racing IndyCar, talked with IndyCar Garage at the State of INDYCAR address and previews his upcoming season with SFR.



Apologies on the video, the IFLIP was just warming up.

Ryan Hunter-Reay talks with IndyCar Garage

Ryan Hunter Reay of Andretti Autosport and driver of the #37 IndyCar was kind enough to talk with IndyCar Garage for a few moments. Ryan talks about the upcoming 2011 season and when they might have a sponorship announcement for his ride this year.

J.R. Hildebrand talks with IndyCar Garage

IndyCar Garage talks with J.R. Hildebrand, new driver of the #4 National Guard Panther Racing IndyCar.



J.R. talks about his excitment with the National Guard, the new 49ers football coach Jim Harbaugh, and when he might get Harbaugh in a two-seater ride.

INDYCAR State of the Union address = a BIG teaser and several newsworthy nuggets

INDYCAR had its annual state of the league address today in downtown Indianapolis and several topics where covered by several different speakers. IndyCar Garage was in attendance had the privilege of talking to a few drivers and seeing INDYCAR start a new era. Read below to find out the break down.

1. The NBC merger….

The bombshell that might drop in a couple weeks , was teased today when Robby Green of IMS Productions announced that CEO Randy Bernard was told this past weekend that the merger between NBC and Comcast should be complete by the end of the month, and possibly within one or two days of the merger being complete, an announcement could be made. Questions come to mind right away… INDYCAR on NBC in 2011? Versus becomes NBC Sports? All 17 events could be on network T.V.? Holy cow this could be huge if NBC transitions Versus into NBC Sports and all 17 INDYCAR races are on network T.V. This would help ease the pain of the fresh Firestone wound that is looming over INDYCAR right now.

2. The five ABC broadcasts were announced during the IMS Productions portion, they include the season opener at St. Pete, and then four of the eight ovals, which include Indianapolis, Loudon, Milwaukee, and the season finale, Las Vegas, which hasn’t been announced yet… hmmm…

3. Edmonton is back on the schedule , due in part because the city of Edmonton and Octane Motorsports Events Inc reached an agreement on providing facility upgrades.

4. The Indy Racing League is no more, its INDYCAR as the sanctioning body for the IZOD IndyCar Series, Firestone Indy Lights, and the Mazda Road to Indy.

5. Engine specifications for the 2012 IndyCar was changed from 2.4 liters to 2.2, so it fell in line with the smaller, lighter, and more efficient direction.

6. Minors now have access to the garage area, if your nine years of age or older, you will access to all garage areas, except for Texas Motor Speedway (there is a story inside that). This builds your young fan base up and allows them to build relationships with their favorite drivers.

7. Firestone Indy Lights will have a T.V. package this year on at least the Versus telecasts, the broadcasts are scheduled for Wednesday nights at 6 p.m., apparently after the rebroadcast of the previous race.

8. All IndyCar events, outside of the Indy 500 (which I am assuming) will have a new pre-race stage and introduction package. Bernard has been quoted as saying he bought portable scoring pylons for road/street course races.

9. A host of events leading up to the 2011 Indy 500, including former Indy 500 vets coming back, most of the previous winning cars on display at the IMS Museum, and several more events tied to the month of May.

10. A new and improved marketing strategy that includes 70% of crossover fans that like NASCAR and INDYCAR.

11. A new INDYCAR office in Los Angles to help tap into Hollywood and more mainstream media

12. Double file re-starts for all ovals in 2011 , which should be very exciting for the fans, lapped cars will not be moved back though

13. The green flag will not be given on restarts on ovals until right before the start/finish line to help improve the excitement

14. Pit stalls will be based off the previous events qualifications results , except for the Indy 500, St. Pete in 2011 will be based off 2010 entrant points

15. More track time during race weekends depending on if you’re a rookie and cars outside the top ten.

16. One set of tires for qualification on road/street courses, red or black, whatever you start with is what you finish with.

17. IZOD had a 350% return on investment this year, which is huge for INDYCAR.

18. INDYCAR ratings on Versus rose over 40%......which still doesn’t mean much if you look at the numbers…. We need NBC!

That about wraps it up… check www.IndyCarGarage.com over the next couple days for driver interviews with Ryan Hunter-Reay, Ed Carpenter, and J.R. Hildebrand.

Double File restarts are coming...

Double File restarts are coming….

INDYCAR has adopted two file restarts for all of its oval races during the 2011 season. The announcement is expected to be formally discussed at the State of the Union address, today at 4 p.m. EST. Curt Cavin of the Indianapolis Star broke the story last night, Helio Castroneves had this to say.

Helio Castroneves:

“This is not like NASCAR, where we can rub wheels and doors and get away with it,”

“It will be a very stressful moment.”

“I feel it’s creating more of an issue, but I have to give compliments to the officials for trying something. It will be great excitement for the fans, no question.”

More coverage on this later tonight.

The new INDYCAR logo

Apparently we don’t have to wait for the new INDYCAR corporate logo at tomorrow’s press conference.
@Kevinlee23 tweeted this picture about 1 p.m. eastern time.

The State of INDYCAR Presentation looms....

INDYCAR will give a state of the union type address January 11th at 4 p.m. in downtown Indianapolis. INDYCAR CEO Rand Bernard will speak on a variety of subjects, among the topics that IndyCar fans should expect to hear:

The new logo for the sanctioning body of the IZOD IndyCar Series, Firestone Indy Lights, and USF 2000.

An update on the Edmonton and Las Vegas races

The momentum that INDYCAR is carrying heading into 2011

Technique regulations for the 2012 INDYCAR package in the IZOD IndyCar Series

The start time of the 2011 Indy 500 being moved back to noon and possibly 11 A.M. if the Jimmie Johnson and Kasey Kahne decide to run. (Kahne wants to run a Penske car, surprise surprise)

Some tweaks to the competition side of IndyCar racing.

The INDYCAR Presentation starts at 4 p.m. and there is no word yet, if the announcement will be streamed live on http://www.indycar.com/

Check IndyCarGarage.com later Tuesday evening for coverage and updates, and be sure to follow us for on twitter @IndyCarGarage