Overnight T.V. ratings up from 2011 Indy 500

Per AndyHall from ESPN the Indianapolis 500 telecast on ABC overnight T.V. Ratings earned a 4.3 , that is up from the 2010 overnight rating of 4.0

Indianapolis lead all national markets with a 14.5 rating. Note, the race was tape delayed in the Indy market.

No word on final ratings, as those probably won't settle until the end of the week.

For the entire 2011 ratings thread for the IZOD IndyCar Series - click on the link below:

http://www.indycargarage.com/forum/topics/2011-tv-ratings-indy-500-now

Indy 500 Preview & Predictions

Indy 500 Preview & Predictions

IndyCar Garage caught up with several drivers that will compete in the 2011 Indy 500, check out all of the Indy 500 interviews at the Indy 500 Interviews tab or click on the link below:

http://www.indycargarage.com/video

IndyCar Garage also is predicting who win the 2011 Indy 500 and round out the top five:

1st Place : Scott Dixon – Ganassi Racing
2nd Place : Oriol Servia – Newman/Haas Racing
3rd Place : JR Hildebrand – Panther Racing
4th Place : Ryan Briscoe – Team Penske
5th Place : Marco Andretti – Andretti Autosport

Give us your Top five for the race on Sunday and follow IndyCarGarage on twitter for updates throughout the weekend!

A.J. Foyt #41 Car for Ryan Hunter-Reay

IndyCar Garage caught a sneak peak of A.J. Foyt's #41 Car for Ryan Hunter-Reay in the 2011 Indy 500.

Recapping the last 72 hours

(Danica's garage after the second rain shower)

Recapping the last 72 hours of INDYCAR

The IZOD IndyCar Series completed its second most important weekend of May 48 hours ago and a lot transpired, IndyCar Garage recaps it all.

1. Alex Tagliani captures the pole

Tagliani, driving for Sam Schmidt Motorsports captures the pole in dramatic fashion during the fast nine shootout, easily the biggest story of the day correct? Well , kind of of. Still not in the race are four Andretti Autosport cars, led by the ever so interesting #7 of Danica Patrick and the #26 of Marco Andretti.

2. Simona captures a spot after a horrific crash

Simona De Silverstro, who talked with IndyCar Garage last Wednesday, somehow put her 2003 “PORKCHOP” Dallara in the race, after suffering second degree burns on her hands from a Fast Friday accident in turns 3 and 4. Simona, easily one of the most popular drivers in the IZOD IndyCar Series, will compete in her second Indy 500 on Sunday.

3. Good runs for non Penske/Ganassi drivers

Drivers like Jay Howard, Dan Wheldon, Oriol Servia, Bertrand Baguette, Pippa Man and Davey Hamilton all have to happy excited to be involved in the 95th running of the Indy 500. Outside of Servia, these drivers are not full time participates in the IZOD IndyCar Series. Howard , unlucky in his last two attempts to qualify at Indy, will finally get a chance to take the green flag with 32 other cars.

4. Bump Day lives up to the hype

Bump day lived up to the hype that had been building up to it since late April, two rain delays, several big names not in the field, and rumors of Charlie Seen in the garages all were examples of how bump day played out. In the end, Danica was safe, Tracy found a way, Briscoe put the backup in, and four women will start for the second straight year. Drivers like Jakes, Matos, and sebastian Saavedra didn’t surprise many when they couldn’t find the speed, but the entire Dragon program, and the meltdown of Andretti Autosport were hardly forgone conclusions.

5. Bump day spills into Monday

In a business decision, Ryan Hunter-Reay replaces Bruno Junqueira in the #41 A.J. Foyt ABC Supply IndyCar. The decision wasn’t popular with many of the drivers, nor with many fans, but deep down you have to understand the logic behind it. This isn’t the first time it’s happened, nor will it be the last, unless Randy Bernard changes it. Hunter-Reay is an American with big-name sponsors , Junqueira is a one-off driver, but a damn good one for that matter.

Coming Thursday:
Indy 500 Preview and more Indy 500 driver interviews from media day, check it all out at http://www.indycargarage.com/

Live at Bump Day

IndyCar Garage is live at Bump day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Graham Rahal and Ana Beatriz qualified before a quick rain shower passed through. Rahal four lap average was 224.38- and Beatriz speed is 223.879, it will be interesting to see if those speeds hold up

Pippa Man Interview

IndyCar Garage had the chance to talk with Pippa Man of Conquest Racing, check out the interview below

http://www.indycargarage.com/video/pippa-man-interview

Alex Tagliani talks with IndyCar Garage about his new Helment

IndyCar Garage caught up with Sam Schmidt Motorsport driver Alex Tagliani about his new helment design, watch the video below.

Katherine Legge partners with Sam Schmidt Motorsports for possible races in 2011 and in 2012

Katherine Legge partners with Sam Schmidt Motorsports for possible races in 2011 and in preparation for 2012.
IndyCar Garage has the pleasure of talking with Katherine Legge at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and Katherine announced that she has partnered with Sam Schmidt Motorsports for a package of possible races for 2011 and also a program in 2012.

Check out the link below for the full interview with Katherine.

http://indycargarage.blogspot.com/2011/05/katherine-legge-talks-with-indycar.html


The goal for 2011 is to put her in events that showcase her abilities, preferably on a road/street course, because that is primary background from Champ Car. Katherine has been racing DTM sports car in Germany the past three years, prior to DTM she drove in Champ Car for two years, and she also tested a Formula one car in 2005 for Minardi, which is now team Red Bull.

We could possibly see Katherine at Toronto, Edmonton, or maybe Mid-Ohio, no races are official yet though.



Continue to follow IndyCar Garage for more coverage throughout the Month of May

IndyCar Garage Weekly returns tonight w/guest Stefano De Ponti of Dallara

IndyCar Garage Weekly returns for its 30 minute program of INDYCAR Conversation streamed live on http://www.blogtalkradio.com/IndyCarGarage-Weeky-.

Tyler Carmichael, moderator of IndyCarGarage.com will host and welcome special guest Stefano De Ponti. De Ponti is the executive director of Dallara's U.S. operation. Dallara is currently in the process of building the new INDYCAR Chassis for 2012.

Among the topics that will be covered with De Ponti, include:

Why Dallara choose Speedway, Indiana as their new and only U.S. home

The new 2012 designs that Dallara reveled on Tuesday

The features of the new building that is currently being built.

Tyler will also recap the Rookie Orientation Program that took place today at IMS. Eight rookies are scheduled to participate.

Tune in live at 6EST on http://www.blogtalkradio.com/IndyCarGarage-Weekly--

Open the gates and let the Speed start flowing - ROP / Opening Weekend Preview

Open the gates and let the Speed start flowing – ROP / Opening Weekend Preview

The 95th running of the Indianapolis 500 will take place on Sunday, May 29th, and the preparation officially starts Thursday May 12th. Officially opening day is Saturday May 14th, but Thursday May 12th will mark the first day cars take to the track, with eight rookies expected to complete Rookie Orientation Process. IndyCar Garage tells you what to watch for the first weekend of track activity.

1. Eight Rookies highlight a strong crop of newcomers

Eight rookies will try and complete ROP two days before the track officially opens for practice. Jay Howard, James Hinchcliffe, Charlie Kimball, Pippa Man, Scott Speed, James Jakes, Ho-Pin Tung and J.R. Hildebrand all will take laps at the 2.5 mile oval. Only Jay Howard has completed laps in the current IZOD IndyCar, as he failed to qualify for last year’s race with Sarah Fisher Racing. Rookies that struggle during ROP could be an early indicator of drivers on the hot seat to make the field of 33.

2. The search for speed will be immediate

Over 40 driver/car combos are confirmed, and there could possibly be one more if Sarah Fisher Racing decides to run the #57 entry. 40 represents the highest number of car/driver combos entered for the race since 2002, the year before the current car was introduced. Milka Duno, Paul Tracy, Jay Howard, and Jacque Lazier all failed to qualify on bump day, and this year that list will grow to seven, possibly eight drivers. The current car hasn’t changed much over the last year, so finding every second of speed will be very important for all teams.

3. The Weather can’t be an issue

The weather forecast looks spotty for next week, but there should be enough track time for everyone to figure out the nine year old Dallara. With the condensed, but action packed schedule in year two, (one weekend of qualifications) a big weather front that moves in could drastically impact the rookies and the hype of Pole Day/Bump Day weekend.

4. Pole Speed?

Helio hit 227 during the fast 9 shootout last year, could we see 228 or higher this year? It would be cool to see 230, but I just don’t think we’ll see much past 227 or tops 228. I am sure some of the cars will pull some high numbers in ideal temperatures and with a toe, we could possibly see 229, but for pole speed.,Expect about what we saw last year.

5. Several new livery’s will debut

With the expanded entry list of 40 car/driver combos, several cars will be sporting different looking rides. Helio Castroneves will the Shell designed car, Ryan Briscoe will be back with the IZOD car, Bruno Junqueira will carry the orange coyote colors from A.J. Foyt’s 1977 winning car, Tomas Sheckter will show off the Redline Extreme colors, Scott Speed will bring back Fuzzys Vodka on his Dragon Racing car, and Ed Carpenter will show off Dollar General for the first time in 2011. Find a spotter guide when you get to the track!

VOTE for IndyCar Garage to participate in the VIRTUAL INDY 500

VOTE for IndyCar Garage to participate in the VIRTUAL INDY 500

IndyCar Garage is now featured on http://www.indycar.com/ as part of their official blog series in preparing motorsport writers for the Virtual Indy 500. IndyCar Garage wants your vote to participate was one of the ten motorsport writers who will participate in a Virtual Indy 500 on Carb day, May 27th.

All you have to do is go to the link below and check out the information on the site.

http://blog.indycar.com/2011/05/09/should-indycar-garage-rep-for-fans-at-the-virtual-indy-500/

Scott Speed comes to INDYCAR for Indy 500

Scott Speed is ready to make his INDYCAR debut next week at rookie testing for the 2011 Indy 500.

Read the link below from Speedtv.com

http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/indycar-scott-speed-set-for-indy-debut-with-dragon/

Then go ahead and read the Blog that IndyCar Garage wrote back in the summer of 2009 about the top ten drivers not in IndyCar racing.

Posted: June 11th, 2009

IndyCar Garage breaks down ten drivers that aren’t driving in the IndyCar Series and what their impact would have done or could do to the IndyCar series. This includes drivers that have raced partial schedules in years past or in the present season.

IndyCar Garage continues it’s countdown of the top ten drivers not currently driving full-time in the IndyCar Series with driver # 7
SCOTT SPEED – AMERICAN – AGE 26 – Chances of Joining the ICS = 25%

Scott Speed began karting at the age of 10 in 1993 and remained in that role until his 18th birthday in 2001. At the age of 18 he began a four year journey toward Formula 1 by moving up through their development series. At just the age of 22, Scott Speed became the first American driver since Michael Andretti to drive a F1 car as a test driver for Red Bull Racing. In 2006 Toro Rosso was created through Red Bull Racing and gave Speed a full time ride in the Formula 1 series. Speed would have a less than spectator two years in F1 as he would struggle to find the top ten in any capacity. Speed’s best finish was ninth at the Monaco Grand Prix in 2007. After his departure from F1 in mid 2007, he immetidaley started driving in the ARCA RE/MAX series for Eddie Sharp Racing. His success for Eddie Sharp Racing lead to ride with Bill Davis Racing in the 2008 Craftsman Truck Series. He now competes full time as a Sprint Cup Driver and has found moderate success as a full-time rookie.

Speed is the type of driver that should have joined the IndyCar series developmental series in 2001 after he turned 18 and been a full time driver by his early 20’s, similar to the route of Marco Andretti. Instead, in 2001 the split was in full-force and allowed Speed to progress through the F1 minor leagues and eventually have an unsuccessful attempt in F1. It should be noted that in 2004 he tested for the Red Bull Cheever Racing team in the Indy Racing League, but nothing else came of it.

When Speed’s F1 career hit the rocks, where else would you take your sponsorship, well of course NASCAR. The bottom line with Speed is that he is a young American driver with talent, and he really never had a good opportunity to join the IndyCar series. Don’t count out Speed to be in the IndyCar series at some point. Speed’s career is still very young and if the NASCAR thing doesn’t pan out, you possibly could see him back in a IndyCar

Power wins at Brazil, re-takes championship lead by 14 points

Power wins at Brazil, re-takes championship lead by 14 points

Team Penske Road Course ace Will Power captured his second win of the 2011 season and repeated his feat from the inaugural Sao Paolo race in 2010. The race was shortened due to weather and postponed from it’s original time on Sunday May 1st. Graham Rahal captured his first podium of the 2011 season with a second place finish, and Ryan Briscoe was third. Rahal currently sits 9th in the championship standings while Briscoe is 5th.

The race was televised live on VERSUS at 8:05 EST and featured a wet track that produced lots of spin offs and passing. Takuma Sato of KV Racing overtook Power on the second restart, and led several laps. When a caution from a Dario Franchitti spin, brought several leaders into the pits, Sato, along with Marco Andretti, and E.J. Viso choose not to pits. Viso quickly got around Andretti and gave KV Racing their first 1-2 combo of the entire year, but it was short lived. Viso was penalized by INDYCAR blocking and received a black flag, forcing him to the tail end of the lead lap. Sato would eventually pit for fuel and Andretti would suffer electrical issues that would force him to pit as well. Power took the lead and held on to win in the time shortened race. Graham Rahal was second, easily his best finish since winning at St. Pete in 2008. Ryan Briscoe backed up his second place effort at Long Beach, with a third place finish.
Full results are below:

1. (1) Will Power, Dallara-Honda, 55, Running
2. (5) Graham Rahal, Dallara-Honda, 55, Running
3. (4) Ryan Briscoe, Dallara-Honda, 55, Running
4. (6) Dario Franchitti, Dallara-Honda, 55, Running
5. (16) Oriol Servia, Dallara-Honda, 55, Running
6. (9) Mike Conway, Dallara-Honda, 55, Running
7. (8) Justin Wilson, Dallara-Honda, 55, Running
8. (10) Takuma Sato, Dallara-Honda, 55, Running
9. (11) James Hinchcliffe, Dallara-Honda, 55, Running
10. (22) JR Hildebrand, Dallara-Honda, 55, Running
11. (23) Sebastian Saavedra, Dallara-Honda, 55, Running
12. (3) Scott Dixon, Dallara-Honda, 55, Running
13. (26) EJ Viso, Dallara-Honda, 55, Running
4. (15) Marco Andretti, Dallara-Honda, 55, Running
15. (24) James Jakes, Dallara-Honda, 55, Running
16. (18) Charlie Kimball, Dallara-Honda, 54, Running
17. (14) Vitor Meira, Dallara-Honda, 53, Running
18. (2) Ryan Hunter-Reay, Dallara-Honda, 50, Running
19. (20) Alex Tagliani, Dallara-Honda, 48, Running
20. (13) Simona de Silvestro, Dallara-Honda, 46, Running
21. (7) Helio Castroneves, Dallara-Honda, 46, Running
22. (21) Tony Kanaan, Dallara-Honda, 46, Running
23. (17) Danica Patrick, Dallara-Honda, 46, Running
24. (25) Ana Beatriz, Dallara-Honda, 31, Mechanical
25. (19) Raphael Matos, Dallara-Honda, 28, Contact
26. (12) Sebastien Bourdais, Dallara-Honda, 20, Contact

Race Statistics
Winners average speed: 67.442
Time of Race: 02:04:05.2964
Margin of victory: 4.6723 seconds
Cautions: 6 for 21 laps
Lead changes: 2 among 3 drivers
Lap Leaders: Power 1 - 25, Sato 26-48, Power 49-55
Point Standings: Power 168, Franchitti 154, Servia 110, Conway 102, Briscoe 101, Kanaan 99, Tagliani 85, Dixon 84, Rahal 82, Sato 80.