Randy Bernard on the Vegas season finale

Tyler Carmichael of www.IndyCarGarage.com talked with INDYCAR CEO Randy Bernard during the Texas Motor Speedway twin 275's about the 2011 season ending race at Las Vegas.

Dallara building update part 2

In the second part of our trip down main street in Speedway, Indiana, Tyler Carmichael of www.IndyCarGarage.com gives you more views of the developing Dallara building. Watch below:

Dallara building update part 1

In a two part feature, Tyler Carmichael of www.IndyCarGarage.com gives fans an update on the construction of the Dallara building that will build the next generation of IndyCar's.

Watch below:

Marco Andretti wins the Iowa Corn 250

Marco Andretti wins the Iowa Corn 250

Marco Andretti came from 17th position to capture his second career win at the Iowa Corn 250 at Iowa Motor Speedway. Andretti had late race duel with former teammate Tony Kanaan, but managed to hold for the win. Full results below:

Check www.IndyCarGarage.com tomorrow for a full race recap

1 – Marco Andretti
2 – Tony Kaanan
3 – Scott Dixon
4 – J.R. Hildebrand
5 – Dario Franchitti
6 – Ryan Briscoe
7 – Helio Castroneves
8 – Ryan Hunter-Reay
9 – James Hinchcliffe
10 – Danica Patrick
11 – Ed Carpenter
12 – Justin Wilson
13 – Alex Lloyd
14 – Oriol Servia
15 – Graham Rahal
16 – Alex Tagliani
17 – E.J. Viso
18 – Vitor Meira
19 – Takuma Sato
20 – Sebastian Saavedra
21 – Will Power
22 – Charlie Kimbal
23 – Ana Beatriz
24 – Mike Conway
25 – James Jakes

WOW qualifying at Iowa - Sato on Pole & Danica P2

WOW qualifying at Iowa – Sato on Pole & Danica P2

Qualifying Iowa Corn 250 featured several surprises. Among the biggest, Scott Dixon, Charlie Kimbal, and Graham Rahal of Ganassi.

Takumo Sato of KV Racing captured his first career IZOD IndyCar pole and Danica Patrick’s starting position is the best for her in a long long time.

The top five drivers in the championship are scattered all over the field as Dario (P6) and Power (P5) will start next to each other. Oriol Servia will start 11th, Scott Dixon 23rd , and Graham Rahal 20th. The entire field is below.

Starting Lineup for Iowa Corn 250

Row 1: Takuma Sato, Danica Patrick
Row 2: Tony Kanaan, J.R. Hildebrand
Row 3: Will Power, Dario Franchitti
Row 4: James Hinchcliffe, Ryan Hunter-Reay
Row 5: Mike Conway, Ryan Briscoe
Row 6: Oriol Servia, Justin Wilson
Row 7: Helio Castroneves, Ed Carpenter
Row 8: Alex Tangliani, Vitor Meira
Row 9: Marco Andretti, Ana Beatriz
Row 10: E.J. Viso, Graham Rahal
Row 11: Charlie Kimbal , Alex Lloyd
Row 12: Scott Dixon , James Jakes
Row 13: Sebastian Saavedra (No time)

Iowa Corn 250 Preview

Iowa Corn 250 Preview

INDYCAR will have three of the series on display this weekend at the Iowa Motor Speedway. Star Mazda, Firestone Indy Lights, and the IZOD IndyCar Series will race on the 7/8 tri-oval track in Newton, Iowa. Tyler Carmichael of IndyCar Garage attended the Iowa race last year, when Tony Kanaan, then of Andretti Autosport, took the checkered flag for his only win of the 2010 season. Tyler breaks down the storylines heading into the weekend.

1. The points championship is back to square one

Will Power of Team Penske and Dario Franchitti of Ganassi both have scored 271 points through seven races. Both drivers have three wins, both driver for super teams, and a budding rivalry is starting between the two. Power qualified on pole at Iowa in 2010 and finished 5th. Franchitti qualified 5th, led 68 laps, but suffered a broken gear box and finished 18th, easily his worst result of 2010. Dario lead practice number one and was one tenth faster (181.403) than Power’s pole speed of a year ago. Dario has two twice at Iowa, 2007 and 2009. The next IndyCar driver in the championship is Oriol Servia, followed by Scott Dixon, and Graham Rahal. Anything can happen in the championship, but 2011 is looking like a two horse race between the two hottest drivers in the series.

2. Iowa Motor Speedway

Iowa Motor Speedway, located in Newton Iowa, is arguably one of the best tracks on the INDYCAR schedule. Iowa Motor Speedway is also the home track of the famous IndyCar blogger Pressdog, and loyal ICG member Linda W.

A short oval with high banking, Iowa provides lots of side by side action and a packed house. Attendance for Saturday’s night IZOD IndyCar race is expected to be a sellout, a far cry from the 13,000 that showed at Milwaukee last weekend. Iowa’s faculity is top notch, with hardly a bad seat in the house. INDYCAR will display the Star Mazda Series, and Firestone Indy Light Series prior to the IZOD IndyCar Series taking the track. 2011 will be the fifth race at Iowa for INDYCAR and with attendance, great racing, and a great facility; Iowa should be a mainstay on the schedule for years to come.

3. Danica’s last chance

Danica Patrick made it very clear at Texas Motor Speedway that she prefers oval racing, not the road and street courses that demand much more driver skill. Danica has finished in the top 10 , three out of the last four races and is coming off her best finish of the season (5th) at Milwaukee. If Danica fans plan to see her victory lane, Iowa offers the best chance. Danica was 4th quickest in practice one.

4. Simona De Silvestro ruled out for this weekend’s race

HVM’s Simona De Silvestro, who has several interviews with IndyCar Garage under the driver interview tab, has been ruled out of Saturday’s race due to concession like symptoms. Simona who suffered through a nasty crash at Indy, and wrecked again in qualifying at Milwaukee started experiencing the symptoms mid-week according to various reports from different media outlets. In Simona’s defense, her team is stuck in neutral with the 2003 chassis nicknamed PorkChop. HVM bought a brand new chassis for this year and it was destroyed at Indy in the turn four crash. Simona is one of the nicest drivers in the paddock, the girl needs a break.

5. Many Decisions coming

INDYCAR wants to make headway with their racing during the season, but many decisions are coming that will impact the series long term and short term. Among the decisions that we can expect INDYCAR CEO Randy Bernard to announce within the next month:

The Aero Kit rules for 2012 – will they be allowed or held back for 2013?
The five drivers for the IZOD World Championship race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

6. Predications for the IZOD IndyCar Race at Iowa Motor Speedway.

I am making predications before qualifications (they start in about an hour) this weekend, as to help better my chances. Note: I was spot on with the top three at lap 196 of 225 last week at Milwaukee.

Race Winner: Scott Dixon
Runner up: Ryan Briscoe
Third: Danica Patrick

Note: I don’t know how I am leaving Dario and Power out of the top three, but call it a hunch.
Tune in later tonight for qualification results and tomorrow for your race day coverage.
http://www.indycargarage.com/
Twitter: @IndyCarGarage
Facebook: facebook.com/IndyCarGarage

Milwaukee 225 Race Recap - Live from the Mile

Milwaukee 225 post race recap
INDYCAR had a weekend full of racing at the Milwaukee Mile and Tyler Carmichael of www.IndyCarGarage.com was there to cover all the action.

1. INDYCAR racing at Milwaukee should be a mainstay

After a year off from racing, INDYCAR was the first form of racing to return to the Milwaukee Mile since its financial problems with the promoters. The racing featured over 250 race cars and lots of side by side action. Sunday’s crowd didn’t represent the true Milwaukee race community, as previous racing has shown that The Mile can be a jammed packed place to be for INDYCAR racing. Give some of the blame to the promotions company, give some more to INDYCAR who took on the promotion task, but don’t blame the racing one bit. The racing was outstanding in the IZOD IndyCar Series and Milwaukee should be a mainstay on the schedule for years to come.

2. Dario wins and pulls even with the championship

Dario Franchitti had a dominating race car on Sunday and it showed. Dario led the most laps, and clearly was hooked up throughout the race. Dario captured the two bonus points for leading the most laps and pulled even with Will Power for the IZOD IndyCar Championship. Sunday’s victory for Dario was his third of the 2011 season, moving him into a tie for 9th all-time in the IndyCar record books with IndyCar legend Rick Mears. The win was Dario’s 29th win of IndyCar style racing.

3. Big finishes by different drivers

Graham Rahal 2nd, Oriol Servia 3rd, Danica Patrick 5th, James Hinchcliff 6th, and Justin Wilson at 10th. Those five drivers made up a diverse top ten, and created drama throughout the final laps. Although Dario , Tony Kanaan, and Helio Castroneves led laps, finishes by the drivers listed above gave their teams something to ride home about. Graham continues to move up in the Championship , and media darling Danica Patrick had a good showing on a network TV race.

4. The Indy Lights controversial race

Firestone Indy Lights contested their second oval of the 2011 season, but under a cloud of controversy. On Friday, appartleny Sam Schmidt Motorsports cars #7 & #11 failed tech after qualifying. 15 minutes later, they didn’t fail tech and were allowed to retain their starting positions of 1st and 2nd. Esteban Guerrieri went on to lead every lap of the Indy Lights race, but not before Peter Dempsey pulled into road right before the green flag in protest. According to sources, both Schmidt Lights cars failed tech after the Freedom 100. The word around the Lights paddock this weekend was frustration and confusing as Schmidt cars have failed tech in the past but received no penalties. Look for this story to develop as the word starts to circulate.
5. Predication follow up

In the race preview , I had Helio as the race winner, Tony Kanaan in second and Dario finishing third. As of lap 195 I was in great shape as Helio led, TK was 2nd and Dario was third. TK spun in turn four and my predications were shot. Dario went on to win, Graham Rahal 2nd and Oriol Servia 3rd. Better luck next time.
Coming tomorrow and throughout the week: Driver post race interviews, Andretti Autosport Road To Indy driver interviews and more Randy Bernard interviews from Texas. Check out www.IndyCarGarage.com for all your INDYCAR news and notes.

Milwaukee 225 Preview

Milwaukee 225 Preview
IndyCar Garage is live at the Milwaukee Mile for qualifications and all the action on Sunday. Tyler Carmichael, moderator of www.IndyCarGarage.com breaks down the story lines to watch for this weekend.


1. Ovals get shorter at Milwaukee
INDYCAR had just one oval last year less than one mile, this year they will have three, and it starts this weekend at the Milwaukee Mile. Milwaukee took a one year break from the INDYCAR Schedule, due to financial issues with the promoter. This year, it will feature over 250 race cars and seven races in two days. Milwaukee is a very flat track and as some have described it, a road course type that requires driver skill and not flat out type racing. Marco Andretti about the Milwaukee Mile "The Venom car will start ninth tomorrow and I think we can get the job done from there. This is always a fun race but the track is really tough on equipment because there's no banking. If you get the balance off even a little bit it can hurt you. You really want to start mid-pack or better and make sure you don't go a lap down - the leaders are going to be fast. We're in the ballgame so hopefully we get it right tomorrow and have a strong finish."

2. Dario and Helio take the front row

Superpowers Ganassi and Penske will be represented on the front row with defending series champion Dario Franchitti and Team Penske veteran Helio Castroneves. Franchitti has won twice this year (St.Pete and Texas #1), while Castroneves has struggled to post a solid finish in any of the six INDYCAR races. See the full starting field below

3. Simona De Silverstro crashes in qualifying and is transported to the local hospital.

Fan favorite Simona De Silvestro of HVM Racing crashed in turn four during her two lap qualifying effort. Simona hit the outer portion of the wall and slide into the inside part of the strong straightway. Her car, AKA: Porkchop, is the team’s only car this weekend and is a 2003 Dallara, one of the oldest in the series. The team is trying to repair it for the race tomorrow, but it’s unclear on the status of the car and Simona herself. Simona had a nasty crash at Texas in 2010, Indy in 2011, and has been very mentally challenged since her wreck at Indy. With tomorrow’s race on ABC, and sponsor dollars probably big on the network TV races, don’t be surprised if Simona gets cleared, for her to participate in some form
tomorrow.

4. The third of five races will be televised live on ABC – Prerace at 3:30 EST – Green Flag 4EST
INDYCAR drew an overnight T.V. rating of 1.4 for the opener at St. Pete , and it settled at 1.2. INDYCAR drew an overnight T.V. rating of 4.3 for the Indy 500, and it settled at 4.0. The two races have ABC network T.V. in common. Versus ratings for INDYCAR this year have been down from 2010, but ABC races are up. INDYCAR needs another solid rating of over 1.0 for ROI in sponsors, and creditability as well. INDYCAR CEO Randy Bernard is in the middle of contract talks for a new TV deal for 2013 and beyond, and if he wants any leverage, he needs high ratings this season. Bernard was recently quoted in the IndyStar as saying he would like to see at least eight INDYCAR races on network TV in 2013.

5. Attendance for Milwaukee

INDYCAR didn’t race the Milwaukee Mile in 2010 and it will probably show in tomorrow’s attendance. Expect race attendance to anywhere between 20,000 to 25,000. A nice re-start to regaining traction at Milwaukee but not close to the peak of 50,000 back in the early 1990’s. The sad thing is, that the racing is still outstanding at Milwaukee, but the fan base isn’t what it used to be.

6. Starting Grid for tomorrow’s Milwaukee 225
Row 1 – Dario Franchitti , Helio Castroneves
Row 2 – Scott Dixon , Tony Kanaan
Row 3 – Takuma Sato, E.J. Viso
Row 4 – Ryan Hunter-Reay, Ryan Briscoe
Row 5 – Marco Andretti, Oriol Servia
Row 6 – Ana Beatriz, Graham Rahal
Row 7 – Justin Wilson , Alex Lloyd
Row 8 – Danica Patrick, James Hinchcliffe
Row 9 – Will Power , J.R. Hildebrand
Row 10 – Alex Tagliani , Mike Conway
Row 11 – Charlie Kimball , Vitor Meira
Row 12 – James Jakes , Sebastian Saavedra
Row 13 – Ed Carpenter , Simona De Silvestro

7. Predications for the IZOD IndyCar Series race
1st – Helio Castroneves
2nd – Tony Kanaan
3rd – Dario Franchitti

Coming Tomorrow: Driver interviews and complete race day coverage of all four races

Live coverage at the Milwaukee Mile

IndyCar Garage will have live coverage from Milwaukee Mile this weekend.

Tyler Carmichael of www.IndyCarGarage.com will be on site for IZOD IndyCar Series Qualifications and throughout the day on Sunday for coverage of all four races. Tyler will also team with Doug Patterson of www.Openpaddock.net for additional coverage.

Coverage to watch for www.IndyCarGarage.com

Interviews from Andretti Autosport Mazda Road to Indy drivers: Spencer Pigot, Sage Karam, Zach Veach, and Stefan Wilson.

2004 Milwaukee Mile winner Ryan Hunter-Reay is scheduled to give us a race day preview on Sunday.

Coverage and results from the USF2000 , Star Mazda, Firestone Indy Lights and IZOD IndyCar Series.

Follow us on Twitter @IndyCarGarage and on Facebook - Facebook.com/IndyCarGarage

Simona De Silvestro previews the Texas twin 275s

Simona De Silvestro talks with IndyCar Garage in the Texas Motor Speedway Club about what the twin 275s will be like and her thoughts on racing at Texas.

Simona De Silvestro Texas Interview part 2

Simona De Silvestro talked with IndyCar Garage at the Texas Motor Speedway prior to the twin 275's in the second part of the interview Simona talks about the future of INDYCAR and the expectations of being a young superstar in the IZOD IndyCar Series

Simona De Silvestro Texas Interview part 1

IndyCar Garage talked with Simona De Silvestro at the Texas Motor Speedway Club about road racing vs oval racing.

Randy Bernard Texas Interview Part 2

INDYCAR CEO Randy Bernard talks about who gave him the idea for the Texas Twin format and about keeping a balanced schedule between ovals and road/street courses

Randy Bernard Texas Interview Part 1

INDYCAR CEO Randy Bernard talked with IndyCar Garage prior to the Twin 275's. In part one of the interview Randy talks Momentum after the Indy 500 and how IndyCar can turn the page on T.V. Ratings.

Texas INDYCAR Preview

Texas INDYCAR Preview

The IZOD IndyCar Series will saddle up for two 114 lap races at Texas Motor Speedway on Saturday Night. IndyCar Garage is live at Texas with coverage throughout the weekend.
Five stories to watch at Texas Motor Speedway

1. Twin races return

The last time INDYCAR had twin races, it was 1981 at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Rick Mears swept both. The format of two races in the same night returns to arguably the most exciting track to watch INDYCAR racing. The first 114 lap race will start at 7:45 Central time follow by a one hour half time. During the halftime, a victory lane celebration will be for race winner #1 and then the pre-race stage will be brought back onto the front stretch for the random draw of the starting positions for the second race. Starting with the last-place finisher of race 1 and closing with the race 1 winner, each driver will walk onto stage and spin one of the 30 Firestone tires to reveal their starting position for race #2.

2. Oval Racing is exciting
INDYCAR arguably offers the most excitement and drama when they race on ovals. Texas Motor Speedway offers INDYCAR at 215 mph and allows for two and three wide pack racing. Danica Patrick is a huge fan of ovals, was quoted as “This is IndyCar racing at its best “ when asked about the racing at Texas. Oval racing at Texas also can be very dangerous, just ask Davey Hamilton of Dryer and Reinbold Racing. 10 years ago at Texas, Hamilton was involved in a scary backstretch crash that nearly paralyzed him. Hamilton was scheduled to race last year at Texas, but was unable to participate because of the lack of cars for Dragon Racing. Hamilton will get his chance tomorrow night as he prepares for his second race of the 2011 season and first at Texas since 2001.

3. Dan Wheldon is in Texas but…..

Two time Indy 500 Champion and reigning Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon will be at Texas Motor Speedway for the race on Saturday night but will be in the broadcast booth for VERSUS and not the cockpit. Wheldon, drove for Bryan Herta Autosport in a one off effort for the Indy 500, won on a last lap pass of J.R. Hildebrand, who hit the wall in turn four. Wheldon’s winning car actually is being driven by Wade Cunningham of Sam Schmidt Motorsports for this race, and it’s a 2003 model. Bottom line is that INDYCAR needs its Indy 500 champ in a full-time ride, not in the broadcast booth two weeks after he won the season’s biggest race. Wheldon turned down a one off ride at Texas with KV Racing, and also has offers from NASCAR as well. It’s likely it could be 2012 before fans see Wheldon in an INDYCAR Ride.

4. Alex Tagliani makes it two for two

Alex Tagliani of Sam Schmidt Motorsports captured his second pole of the 2011 season, and his second in a row. Tagliani was the feel good story of the Indy 500 when he started on the pole at Indy for the first time in his career. Tagliani was the only driver over 215 mph, and his teammate Wade Cunningham will start 8th, driving the same car Dan Wheldon took to victory lane two weeks ago at the Indy 500. Hopefully Tagliani can translate his qualifying good luck into a trip into victory lane.

5. Predication's for the race

Texas will have two winners, I get two chances make predication's on who will win the race. Let’s not forget that I predicated Ryan Briscoe would win last year at Texas and he took home his only victory of the 2010 season at Texas last year.

Race one
Winner: Dario Franchitti
Second: Will Power
Third: Marco Andretti

Race Two
Winner: Tony Kanaan
Second: Danica Patrick
Third: Dario Franchitti

Tune in tomorrow for more live coverage from Texas Motor Speedway. IndyCar Garage will have a pre-race interview with Simona De Silverstro and another live IndyCar Garage Weekly at 5 p.m. Central Standard Time.

Check it out and tune in!

Mike Conway previews the Texas twin 275s

Mike Conway of Andretti Autosport talks about the Texas twin 275s

IndyCar Garage talks with Mike Conway about Indy & Oval racing

Mike Conway of Andretti Autosport talked with Tyler Carmichael of IndyCar Garage about the Indy 500 and his return to oval racing.

IndyCar Garage live coverage from Texas Motor Speedway

IndyCar Garage live coverage from Texas Motor Speedway

Tyler Carmichael, moderator of http://www.indycargarage.com/ will have live coverage of the IZOD IndyCar Series at Texas Motor Speedway this coming weekend.
Check out live radio shows of IndyCar Garage Weekly on Friday and Saturday
Interviews are scheduled with Andretti Autosport driver Mike Conway and HVM Racing Simona De Silverstro.
Follow IndyCar Garage on Twitter - @IndyCarGarage and on Facebook at IndyCarGarage

We will also have a live in race chat throughout both 114 lap races and will be your source for all INDYCAR news this weekend.

TUNE IN!

IZOD Hot Wheels Stunt - Pre-race Indy 500

The video below is the Hot Wheels stunt performed in the pre-race activities of the Indy 500. The secret driver of the stunt truck was Tanner Foust. The jump was varfied at 332 feet, smashing the previous jump of 301 feet.