Wrapping up an exciting two weeks of INDYCAR announcements... and forcasting more to come

INDYCAR had a plethora of announcements in the past two weeks ranging from team sponsors to series sponsors, and speculation on driver rides. IndyCar Garage puts a spin on the recent announcements and forecasts the next round of announcements coming within the next couple months.

1. Team Penske announced several new sponsors to their three car line up, including Shell sponsoring Helio at Indy, Briscoe in the IZOD livery, and Meijer, Verizon and Auto Club as associate sponsors. This is not only huge for Penske, but the series in general. For one, it gives IZOD a chance to activate its brand more through one of the top teams in INDYCAR, (yes its sad to see them leave RHR), but for Briscoe, Helio and Will Power, it allows for three of INDYCAR’s biggest stars to be marketed on a national platform, something INDYCAR needs. The shell sponsorship for Helio at Indy is also a big get, as Helio could possibly win his fourth Indy 500 this year and his car could be immortalized forever in the Indy 500 collection.

2. Sarah Fisher stepped up last week and signed an American Driver (Ed Carpenter) to driver her #67 Dollar General IndyCar. Fisher wants to focus more on starting a family and becoming a full time team owner. Sarah will be missed this year, but would be missed even more if she can’t transition her team over to 2012 with the new equipment. Additionally, Ed has stated that he hopes to find more sponsorship to run the full 2011 schedule, HELLO FUZZY’S VODKA, please kick in the additional money to fund ED! I know the sponsorship crossover of Dollar General and FUZZY’S Vodka isn’t the best, but hey… ED needs to run the whole season.

3. Mazda has stepped up and announced that they will sponsor three scholarships as part of the newly named MAZDA Road to Indy program, which is the official INDYCAR Ladder system. Champions in the USF2000 Series, Star Mazda Championship and Firestone Indy Lights now will have the opportunity to graduate into the next series and move up the ladder, which leads to the IZOD IndyCar Series and the Indy 500. Starting in 2011 drivers in those three feeder series will now actually have the confidence to know that they are RACING for a spot to move up and drive at the next level. Many owners and media types have came down hard on the ladder system for not allowing drivers to move up. The Mazda scholarships change everything and now finally allow drivers see a true ROAD TO INDY. Suggestion to INDYCAR, market the heck out of the first guy who makes it all the way through each series. Early possible candidates for that include Zach Veach, Sage Karam, and possibly Conor Daly.

Now for the Silly Season drama announcements that will be coming…

Announcements that WILL HAPPEN:
Las Vegas will be announced as the series finale… it’s just a matter of sponsorship

Edmonton will return to the schedule on the July 24th date, this helps INDYCAR because of the bigger sanctioning fee

Graham Rahal and Charlie Kimball will be announced as Ganassi drivers as part of a Satellite team for Ganassi.

Vitor Meira will be announced as the driver for A.J. Foyt Racing for two more years

Andretti Autosport will start to revive plans for the 2011 lineup, one that includes four cars and a one off entry for the Indy 500 as part of a five car program for Indy

Announcements that SHOULD HAPPEN
Tony Kanaan will announced as the driver for de Ferran Dragon Racing for 2011

J.R. Hildebrand will be announced as the driver for Panther Racing for 2011

Sam Hornish Jr. will announce his one off intention for the 2011 Indy 500

John Andretti will return with Andretti Autosport for the 2011 Indy 500 (fifth entry)

The Start time of the 2011 Indy 500 is moved back to 11 A.M. Eastern which puts it at noon Indiana time because of day light savings.

Announcements that MIGHT HAPPEN
Several NASCAR (Stewart, Kahne, Johnson, Busch brothers, Earnhardt Jr.) drivers have interest in becoming involved with INDYCAR in 2012, some as team owners and some as possible drivers, look for some sort of announcement regarding a stock car driver and their plans for 2012.

Robby Gordon officially announces his entry into the 2011 Indy 500

Milka Duno re-signs with Dale Coyne racing for 2011

IndyCar Garage’s Christmas list for IndyCar in 2011
INDYCAR on NETWORK TV ON NBC

More Sponsorship for American Drivers

Michael Andretti runs a one off for the 2011 Indy 500 only to be out qualified by Mario Andretti

Andretti Autosport and Sarah Fisher Racing relocate to Main Street in Speedway, Indiana as part of Speedway’s Redevelopment plan.

Three aero more aero kits are announced for 2012, giving us six different types of cars on the track powered by three different engines.

INDYCAR’s 16th street offices redo their logo on their building and rebrand it as INDYCAR and get ride of the old IRL Logo.

1 to 3 in one week = fewer D/H/F in 2012

1 to 3 in one week = fewer D/H/F in 2012

INDYCAR has taken major steps in the last week to restore the stepping stones that made it one of the most diverse and popular racing series in the early 1990’s. Last week, American manufacturer GM, announced that Chevrolet would return to INDYCAR for the first time since 2005. Just two days ago Dallara broke ground on a seven million dollar facility that will construct and develop the next generation of IndyCars. And lastly, Lotus will announce that they will be the third engine manufacturer for INDYCAR in 2012, today at the Los Angles auto show. Lotus entry into the engine competition was a walk off home run type release, as they barley made the deadline set by INDYCAR of November 16th Hawaii time.

What does all this mean?

It means that for the first time since 2005, the D/H/F that we see next to every entry at every INDYCAR race, will drastically change in 2012. INDYCAR literally has 16, hopefully 17, more entry sheets of D/H/F lined up and then when 2012 rolls around, we can see the likes of D/C/F, (Dallara/Chevrolet/Firestone), or will the first letter represent the Aero Kit on the car? This would give us a C/C/F (Chevrolet/Chevrolet/Firestone), I guess if we see someone select the Dallara aero kit, stick with Honda, we will still see some D/H/F in 2012, but not the whole field. This friends, is exactly what INDYCAR needs and wants to promote growth in the series and for their sponsors.

So confirming Lotus, Chevy, and Honda as engine manufactures’, and assuming they all build their own Aero kits that gives us three and three. Dallara will produce a standard Aero Kit, that’s three and four, lets just throw in one more bonus Aero Kit producer and we now have the potential for five different looking IndyCar’s powered by three different sources.
From a Baseball standpoint, that’s hitting a triple when your just trying to put the ball in play, from a Football standpoint, that’s completing a sixty yard pass when its third and 20, and from a basketball standpoint that’s like Butler making it all the way to the NCAA Championship, ok maybe that’s a reach on the Basketball standpoint.

All in all, Randy Bernard and ICONIC team (with some help from open wheel vets Penske and Kalkhoven) has secured a very good platform for 2012 and beyond. INDYCAR still has work to do to get back to the level of the early 1990’s, but they are pointed in the right direction.

Speedway Redevelopment Commission breaks ground on the future Dallara plant

The Speedway Redevelopment Commission formally broke ground today on the future home of Italian automobile manufacturer Dallara. Dallara will relocate to Main Street in Speedway’s first redevelopment area, which is located within walking distant of turn one of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“Dallara is an excellent fit for our community, as we share a mutual dedication to the racing industry, innovation and advanced technology,” said Vince Noblet, president of the SRC. “Today’s celebration truly embodies the spirit of Speedway and marks a major milestone in our town’s redevelopment vision. As the home to the greatest spectacle in racing, the Indianapolis 500, we are proud to be a part of the continued success of the motorsports industry in Indiana and the world.”

Dallara is expected to move into the new technology center on Main Street by the winter of 2011. This facility will eventually include an automotive production area, quality control and technical sections, an engineering center, an interactive area, a restaurant and a state of the art driving simulator.

On a cold Indiana day, with overcast skies and temperatures in the high 30’s, the Dallara groundbreaking couldn’t have been better a step for INDYCAR. “As this new Dallara facility positions Speedway for future growth, the cost-effective package that will be produced here will also position the series for growth, and will foster the tradition of innovation in open-wheel racing and the Town of Speedway,” said Randy Bernard, CEO, INDYCAR.

Nearly 200 people turned out for the ground breaking ceremonies at 1201 Main Street, Speedway, Indiana. Among the notables in attendance, current IZOD IndyCar drivers Graham Rahal, Ryan Hunter-Reay, and Davy Hamilton, past Indy 500 Champions Al Unser Jr and Bobby Rahal, current Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, Indiana Lt. Governor Becky Skillman, members of the Hulman-George family, and several representatives from Dallara, including Mr. Gian Paolo Dallara.

Demolition of the former building on the sit will be completed in December and will cost approximately $100,000, funded by the SRC. Construction on the new Dallara and Indy Racing Experience Facility will begin immediately after demolition concludes.

Photos: Karen Vance

Dallara ground breaking set for Tuesday, November 16th

The picture above is the home of the future Dallara plant that will produce the next generation of IndyCars

Italian chassis manufacturer Dallara will formally break ground on their new United States factory, in the heart of IndyCar country, Speedway Indiana. Dallara, which was named the 2012 chassis manufacture of the IZOD IndyCar Series, has been involved with IndyCar since 1997, in the early years of the Indy Racing League.

Mr. Gian Paolo Dallara birthday is November 16th, and he will be celebrating it at the groundbreaking ceremonies, along with several other representatives from Dallara. The Dallara factory, which will be built on Main Street in Speedway, will also have the Indy Racing Experience attached to it, and representatives from the IRE should be in attendance as well.

The announcement will also be a big boost to the Speedway Redevelopment plan. The factory is expected to produce over 70 new jobs in Speedway, and also pave the way for more companies to relocate to Speedway, Indiana as part of their master redevelopment plan. Indianapolis mayor Greg Ballard and Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels are also expected to be in attendance.

Randy Bernard has invited several drivers to attend the ground breaking, and Sergio Marchionne, the CEO of Fiat Automobiles, is expected to attend as well. Fiat Group is the largest automobile manufacturer in Italy.

Tune in to IndyCar Garage for more details and look for a special edition of IndyCar Garage Weekly the day of the ground breaking.

Major Sponorship announcement coming toward IndyCar.... Verizon?

In light of the IBJ (Indiana Business Journal) foreshadowing a major IndyCar announcement in the next two weeks, IndyCar Garage would like to go out and predict it will be Verizon Wireless.

http://www.ibj.com/indy-racing-league-signs-deal-with-brazilian-coffee-maker/PARAMS/article/22561

The link above quotes commercial division president Terry Angstadt, as saying:
“It will be a category-exclusive deal with mega activation,” said Terry Angstadt, president of IRL’s commercial division. “It will rival the [promotion] done by our series title sponsor, Izod. So it’s very exciting.”

Angstadt said he couldn’t say what category the new sponsor will fill because “that would give away who it is.” He expects the as-yet-announced sponsor to be at full speed with the open-wheel race series for the 2011 season.

Further more, Just Marketing’s Zak Brown was quoted as saying
“Izod has been extremely active in taking the IndyCar brand to the mainstream public,” said Zak Brown, president of Just Marketing International, a Zionsville-based motorsports marketing consultancy. “They’ve put millions of dollars into marketing IndyCar, which is just what the series needs.”

“I’ve not heard anything about an impending deal myself, but if it's on par with Izod, that’s certainly good news, especially in this economic environment,” Brown said.

Why does Verizon make sense?

1. They are shifting their sponsorship program away from NASCAR due to the Sprint deal

2. They will increase their involvement with Team Penske and be the primary sponsor for Team Penske next year

3. Angstadt was quoted as saying major activation, not many companies come to mind right away when you talk about major activation within IndyCar, except that Verizon has already been active with IndyCar this year, designing a mobile application for its users and putting championship points leader Will Power in commercials with Justin Alliager, who is left ride less in the Nationwide series now that Verizon is moving out of NASCAR.

Let’s hope in two weeks that IndyCar Garage is correct in their predication

The Indianapolis Buisness Journal contributed to this post

Lotus, Verizon, and Tix all look to IndyCar for Sponorship rolls

Lotus, Verizon, and Tix all look to IndyCar for Sponsorship rolls

In Sponsorship news around IndyCar, Lotus, Verizon and Tix appear set to increase or continue their roll as contributing sponsors of IndyCar.

LOTUS:
Lotus has released a statement saying that they will continue their sponsorships of KV Racing in 2011 with at least 2 full time cars, they also have confirmed they will build an Aero kit for the new 2012 IndyCar. "The 2011 IndyCar season will see Lotus continue to work with KV Racing Technology providing further technical and engineering support, fielding a minimum of two cars on the grid," said a Lotus statement.

Verizon:
It has been confirmed through Penske Racing that Verizon will end its sponsorship of Justin Allgaier in the Nationwide Series and increase their sponsorship toward Penske’s IndyCar Program. This could open t he door for all three Penske drivers , Helio Castroneves, Ryan Briscoe, and Championship leader Will Power, to remain in the Penske stable. Tix
Tix has announced the will be a sponsor of the popular Long Beach Grand Prix in 2011. Tix is a provider of integrated box office software and online ticket sales and services for arts, entertainment and sporting events. “Tix is proud to have been selected as the official ticketing provider for the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach,” said Robert Edmison, president and CEO of Tix, Inc. “It's an honor to be associated with one of the premier motorsports events in the world and an organization that shares our dedication to providing the best possible experience for ticket buyers.

The Lbpost.com and autosport.com contributed to the information in this post.

Beatriz back in for Miami, could mark the second time IndyCar will have five women competing in one race

Beatriz back in for Miami , could mark the second time IndyCar will have five women competing in one race.

Ana Beatriz will make her fourth IZOD IndyCar Series start of the season for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing in the Cafes do Brasil Indy 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
She will drive the No. 24 Roll Coater entry for the 200-lap season finale on the 1.5-mile oval. It will be her third start on an oval.
"With it being the final race of the season, we felt that Ana was the perfect choice," team co-owner Dennis Reinbold said. "We are excited about having her back with the team. She did a great job for us in Brazil, Indianapolis, and Chicago. Ana has really shown us her talent and motivation."
The Brazilian driver made her IZOD IndyCar debut at her home race in Sao Paulo in mid-March, advancing nine positions to finish 13th on the street course. She finished 21st in the Indy 500 and 24th at Chicagoland Speedway.
Along with Beatriz, females Danica Patrick, Milke Duno, Sarah Fisher, and hopefully Simona De Silverstro will be entered into the seasons last race.

Part of this article originally appeared on www.IndyCar.com

Dario Vs. Will - You decide

Dario Vs. Will ..............
Franchitti Vs. Power ..........
Oval Vs. Road Course ............
Ganassi Vs. Penske ............
Scott Vs. Aussie ............
Red Vs. Black .............

The list goes on…and on…. But the 2010 IZOD IndyCar Championship comes to one race between two drivers, those drivers, Will Power and Dario Franchitti are separated by about everything except the 12 points in the standings. Franchitti, a classic IndyCar veteran has witnessed just about everything to witness in one IndyCar career. The rise and fall of CART, transitioning into the IRL, a 2007 Championship with AGR, a failed trip into stock car land, and a revival of sorts with Ganassi, as the 2009 championship winner and 2010 Indy 500 winner. Power is the young hot shot newcomer that has rose up the ranks of Champ Car, but struggled to gain traction on ovals once the merger was complete in 2008. The former KV Racing driver, and now current series points leader, can be considered as the new captain of Roger Penske’s open wheel program. Power has captured a season high five wins this year, and also the inaugural Marion Andretti Road Course Champion, all while running his first full time season with Team Penske.

Franchitti and Power will battle it out on the 1.5 mile oval of Homestead Miami-Speedway, the site of Franchitti’s 2009 championship. History and common sense to the die hard IndyCar fan would suggest that the odds favor Franchitti, who has more experience on ovals and also the benefit of a strong team in Chip Ganassi Racing, would take the championship, but don’t count out Power. Power has run well on ovals and captured the pole at one oval this year, Iowa Speedway.

IndyCar Garage wants to know who you think will win the 2010 IZOD IndyCar Championship and why. Leave your comments on the forum section and vote under the new tab on IndyCar Garage – labeled ICG Polls.

Who will remember the Café’s do Brasil Indy?

Who will remember the Café’s do Brasil Indy?

The IZOD IndyCar Series will crown their 2010 champion on the 1.5 mile oval at Homestead, Miami Speedway. The series crowned their 2009 champion at Homestead, but prior to 2009, Homestead was usually the season opener.

The unique aspect of the 2010 race is that it will be the last one at Homestead, and it will be called the Café do Brasil Indy, after one of IndyCar’s sponsors from Brazil stepped up.

A very interesting name to call a race and a very interesting way to leave a race track.

Ron Artest drives an IndyCar

The LAPD stopped Lakers Forward Ron Artest in Los Angeles while driving this Indy Car-inspired open-cockpit car. Surprisingly, he wasn't pulled over for speeding but for an expired registration. But what is it he's driving, exactly?

The vehicle in question is an Eagle Roadster, which is essentially a street-legal Indy-style kit car, featuring a 235-hp Chrysler V6 mounted behind a two-person cockpit. The company who builds it says the 1,960-lb car will do 0-to-60 mph in 4.2 seconds and hit a top speed of 152 mph.

The $200K price is steep for something powered by a Chrysler V6, but it's so much cooler than anything Andrew Bynum drives.

This article originally appeared on TMZ