May 14th Race Control will arrive!

Race Control launch is confirmed.

Race Control the all new fan magazine for followers of the IndyCar Series is now officially confirmed to launch on May14th via ZINIO.com

It will publish bi monthly within the first year and look to increase the number of issues should you the fan want it.

The signing with ZINIO the Worlds largest on line magazine store is part of a multi year relationship  and partnership. We are very delighted to be part of the ZINIO family finally.

Links and details for ZINIO will appear in the coming days but hang on tight Indy Car fans as this is going to be a blast.

AJ Foyt and Tony Kanaan.

AJ Foyt, Tony Kanaan and  2018.

Just what a year 2018 maybe for IndyCar , the fans and that magic month of May. There are many great things to look forward to next year in IndyCar. Clearly it provides some of the best racing on the planet and one of the toughest championships for any driver to win. Some may say its not Formula 1 yes thats true its IndyCar and its great. To win in IndyCar you need to know how to drive from a road course to a street course to a small oval to a super speedway and then matin that all year long as well. Points in every race count. 2018 will be no different in that aspect but it will feature a clean sheet of paper in terms of aero kits and the return of a standard kit that really will create one of the best seasons ever. Why? Because every single driver and team really does have a chance in 2018 and then there is this story of Tony Kanaan and that most famous of all tracks the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. As Tony prepared to sign last month with AJ Foyt Racing for the 2018 Verizon IndyCar Series season, the veteran driver did so with goals still to accomplish in mind. Clearly, there was the opportunity to extend a stellar Indy Car racing career that will stretch into a third decade next season. There’s also the desire that continues burning inside for a second Indy 500 victory and to return the team led by racing icon A.J. Foyt to prominence. 

But Kanaan had a couple, more subtle objectives to achieve when he signed on the dotted line. One of those goals was accomplished with the signature next to his on the contract. “I’ve always dreamed in my career to have A.J.’s autograph, which he doesn’t do it very often,” said Kanaan (above). “But I got it on my contract, so that’s plenty good.” 

The other dream Kanaan is eager to see come true next May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is more symbolic in nature. The 42-year-old Brazilian is a huge fan favourite annually at Indy, but he knows his popularity pales in comparison to that of Foyt – the first of just three four-time Indianapolis 500 winners. 

Kanaan said it’s evident from the onset of the first practice session each year, in particular with the royal treatment Foyt receives from the IMS Safety Patrol, more affectionately known as “yellow shirts” for their iconic uniforms. 

“How many times I got in trouble trying to drive my golf cart through Gasoline Alley and actually got stopped by the yellow shirts and got yelled at and got sent out,” Kanaan said, flashing a smile. “And here comes A.J., riding right by (without being stopped), saying hi and all the yellow shirts are (bowing) and like, ‘A.J.! A.J.!’” 

The 2013 Indy 500 winner cannot wait to take in that experience with the legendary Foyt next May. “Opening day (at IMS), the first thing I’m going to do is hop in that golf cart with him,” Kanaan said, the eagerness building in his voice. “I just want to have that experience. After I think I’ve seen it all at the speedway, this is one thing that I am missing and I’m doing it. A.J. – that’s a big name, it’s a legend. If I can gather half of his fan base just to cheer for me at the 500, we’re going to just dominate the place.” 

Kanaan has heard a sampling of Foyt’s legendary stories over the years, but he can’t wait to spend hours in the Foyt garage taking in as many more as he can from the man himself. It’s that connection of two great drivers from different generations that Kanaan is eager to make. “The old man has a lot of stories and a lot of experience,” Kanaan said. “I want to take it and one day I’ll be proud telling the stories that he told me and I’ll be proud to say, ‘When I drove for A.J., this is what we did.’” 

Foyt, whose 67 Indy car wins are the most in history by any driver, admits he sees parallels to his driving style and that of Kanaan. It’s one of the driving reasons why he sought to add the 2004 Verizon IndyCar Series champion for the 2018 season and beyond. “What I’ve liked about Tony is I’ve seen him when he’s been struggling, but he never gives up,” said Foyt, owner of his own team since 1966. “That’s one thing I never did. I know a lot of races I won that I wasn’t capable of winning, but I never gave up and at the end I was still there and I won the race. That’s what I really like about Tony, he never quits. I think it’s going to put AJ Foyt Racing back where it needs to be,” Foyt added. “I think he can move us right back up front where we belong.” 

Kanaan will drive the iconic No. 14 ABC Supply Chevrolet in the 2018 Verizon IndyCar Series season that begins March 11 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

Combine that and the announcement from A.J. Foyt Racing officials that 19-year-old Brazilian, Matheus Leist, will drive the No. 4 ABC Supply Chevrolet in the Verizon INDYCAR Series next year and you have the sense of something very special in the air and something that may only ever happen once as a passionate brazilians driver helps create a path for a new young star from his own native country.

“I wanted a fresh start for 2018. I think the combination of an experienced driver like Tony and a hungry young driver like Matt will work,” said A.J. Foyt. “I watched him in the Indy Lights this year and he won at Indy (Freedom 100 Indy Lights race). I know he’s got a lot to learn but I think he’s going to learn very quickly. I think he’ll be very good in the Indy Cars.”

Leist, currently the youngest full-time driver in the series, will be paired with the series’ most experienced driver in Kanaan, who will enter his 21st season of IndyCar competition. The rookie will benefit immensely from having the 2013 Indianapolis 500 champion and fellow Brazilian as his teammate and he knows it. “This is a special moment in my career and I’m so grateful for the things that are happening,” said Leist. “Sometimes it is hard for me to believe that I’ll be driving for the legend A.J. Foyt. Having Tony Kanaan as my teammate is incredible because he’s been an idol for me since I was a child. Tony and I are from different generations but I can’t wait to be with him at the track and learn as much as I can from him. It will be a pleasure.”

With 17 victories to his credit, the 2004 IndyCar Series champion will be a valuable asset in both developing the teenage driver and moving the team’s ambitious race program forward. “I’m happy to welcome Matheus as a teammate to Foyt and the ABC Racing family,” Kanaan said. “Matheus is an extremely talented driver with a bright future ahead of him. I’m looking forward to working together and help get AJ Foyt Racing to the next level.”

Leist’s mercuric rise to IndyCar was fueled by a championship performance in the British Formula 3 Series where he posted four victories and seven more podium finishes. The championship came down to the wire where Leist’s coolness under pressure served him well as he snatched the title from series leader Ricky Collard in the final race. It was after winning that title in 2016 that he decided to pursue a career in America. “I’ve been racing for eleven years so far, and since I started in 2006, my brother and I always dreamed of getting into a top category,” Leist revealed. “I’m so thankful for the opportunities that I had so far and for the big moments that I lived. Every day I keep telling myself that I couldn’t have made a better decision than to come to the USA at the end of 2016. America is where things happen and where the good drivers have a proper place. series and I can’t wait for this dream to come true.”

“We had to make some tough decisions but we made them with a focus on strengthening the overall program. We are positioning ourselves to be contenders next season,” said Larry Foyt, team president of A.J. Foyt Racing. “The added testing and development we are undergoing, combined with the new aero kit for all of the competition should help our overall competitiveness and consistency. We think Matheus is going to be a really good fit with Tony Kanaan because Matheus has a lot of talent and he is going to learn a lot from Tony.”

Kanaan will be running a manufacturer’s test of the new universal aero kit next month at Sebring International Raceway while Leist is scheduled to test the new car in early January at Sebring. Both Kanaan and Leist will test together there at the end of January.

Will 2018 bring some AJ Foyt magic to the table you'd have to say its kinda in the stars but has a very real sense of passion, pride and all around good vibe to it thats for sure.

Sato takes the 101st Indy 500

Sato becomes first Japanese winner of Indy 500 in thrilling finish.

Sunday, May 28, 2017. Kiwi Team Manger for Sato played a major role in the race win for first time winner Sato. New Zealander Paul (Ziggy) Harcus well known in the IndyCar paddock claimed another 500 victory today and back to back wins as well in his role as team manager at Andretti Autosport and today May 28th 2017 in his season role this season in charge of race tactics for Sato.

Many wondered if an experienced Formula One driver competing for Andretti Autosport could win the 101st Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil. It happened, just not by the one some expected.

Takuma Sato capped off another thrilling Indianapolis 500 that featured a record number of drivers leading the race. The driver of the No. 26 Andretti Autosport Honda edged three-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves to the finish line by 0.2011 of a second to become the first Japanese winner of "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing."

Sato passed Castroneves for the lead on Lap 195 - the last of 35 lead changes in the 200-lap race on the historic 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval and the seventh straight year that the decisive pass for the Indy 500 lead occurred in the last six laps. Sato held off aggressive charges from Castroneves, the driver of the No. 3 Shell Fuel Rewards Team Penske Chevrolet, in the sixth-closest finish in Indy 500 history.

After spending seven years in Formula One, Sato came to the Verizon IndyCar Series in 2010. His only previous Indy car victory was in 2013 with AJ Foyt Racing on the streets of Long Beach, California. Sato joined Andretti Autosport this season, and his first oval win today is the fifth for Andretti Autosport in the Indianapolis 500 - including three in the last four years.

"It's such a privilege to win here," said Sato, who crashed while battling eventual winner Dario Franchitti for the lead on the final lap of the 2012 Indy 500. "So whether it was the first attempt or eighth attempt or you had a drama in the past, it doesn't really matter. Winning today, it's just superb.

"But, yes, I do feel after 2012 I really needed to correct something I left over. Today, I was so happy that I made it and won in a good move."

Sato is the 71st driver to win an Indianapolis 500 in its 101 runnings. The best previous finish by a Japanese driver was fifth by Tora Takagi in 2003.

Castroneves overcame a black-flag penalty for jumping a restart and dodged mayhem in two race incidents to finish second at Indy for the third time - making him one of seven drivers with three Indianapolis 500 runner-up finishes. It is the 41st second-place finish of the Brazilian's 20-year Indy car career, which ranks second all time.

"The Shell Fuel Rewards Chevy team almost got it done today," said Castroneves, attempting for the eighth straight year to join A.J. Foyt, Al Unser and Rick Mears as four-time Indy 500 winners. "It was so close. 

"I say, 'great job' to my guys," added Castroneves, who recovered from his worst Indy 500 start (19th) and the pit drive-through penalty to finish runner-up. "They worked their tails off, we saw it all today. We were in the back and we led some laps. We avoided disaster and we almost got (win) No. 4."

Dale Coyne Racing rookie Ed Jones finished a career-best third. Like Castroneves, Jones had to climb from the rear of the field after having the rear wing assembly on his No. 19 Boy Scouts of America Honda replaced during a pit stop.

"We kept pushing on, kept making up positions," the 23-year-old from Dubai said. "I had a great Dale Coyne Racing car underneath me the whole way that got me to make those passes. ... Congrats to Sato. I didn't really have the pace for him and Helio at the end, but we did the best we could."

Fernando Alonso was the most heralded rookie coming into the race. The two-time Formula One champion, who bypassed today's F1 Monaco Grand Prix to fulfill a dream to drive in the Indy 500, started fifth, ran up front most of the day and led 27 laps in the No. 29 McLaren-Honda-Andretti Honda. Alonso's race came to a premature conclusion 24th place with a mechanical issue after 179 laps.

"Obviously disappointed not to finish the race because every race you compete, you want to be at the checkered flag," Alonso said. "Today, (it) was not possible. Anyway, (it) was a great experience, the last two weeks. I came here basically to prove myself, to challenge myself. I know that I can be as quick as anyone in an F1 car. I didn't know if I can be as quick as anyone in an Indy car.

"Thanks to IndyCar, an amazing experience," the 35-year-old Spaniard added. "Thanks to Indianapolis, thanks to the fans. I felt at home. I'm not American, but I felt really proud to race here."

Despite going a lap down early with handling issues, Chip Ganassi Racing's Max Chilton led the most laps (50) before finishing fourth. It was the best showing of the 26-year-old Brit's two-year Verizon IndyCar Series career.

"I don't think anyone has ever won this race without a little bit of luck," said Chilton, driver of the No. 8 Gallagher Honda. "When we did end up getting out front, the car was really quick and you can see why this place is so special and so electric in that moment. ... To come from a lap down to lead and have a chance to win here at Indy is a massive accomplishment for the whole team."  

A total of 15 drivers led the event, breaking the record of 14 set in 2013. The race was slowed by 11 cautions periods for a total of 50 laps. A red flag stopped action for 19 minutes to repair the SAFER Barrier and catch fencing in the short chute between Turns 1 and 2. It was the result of a Lap 53 collision between Jay Howard and pole sitter Scott Dixon that vaulted Dixon's car into the safety materials on the inside of the track. Neither driver was injured.

"I'm just a little beaten up," said Dixon, driver of the No. 9 Camping World Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing. "It was definitely a bit of a rough ride.

"I was hoping that Jay was going to stay against the wall, but obviously, there was the impact. I had already picked that way to go and there was nowhere else to go to avoid him. It was definitely a wild ride. Big thanks to the Holmatro Safety Team, INDYCAR and Dallara and everyone for the safety standards we have on these cars."

Buddy Lazier was involved in a single-car incident on Lap 122. The 1996 Indy 500 winner spun and contacted the Turn 2 SAFER Barrier in the No. 44 Lazier Racing-StalkIt-Tivoli Lodge Chevrolet. Complaining of chest discomfort, Lazier was transported to IU Health Methodist Hospital, where he was treated and released.

The final caution flag waved on Lap 184 when the cars of James Davison and Oriol Servia touched in Turn 2, sparking a five-car incident that also collected James Hinchcliffe, Josef Newgarden and Will Power. None of the drivers was injured.

Sato becomes the sixth different winner in as many Verizon IndyCar Series races this season and jumps to third place in the standings. Castroneves leads with 245 points while reigning series champion Simon Pagenaud, Sato and Dixon each has 234. Alexander Rossi is fifth in points with 190 after finishing seventh today.

Photo of Paul Harcus at IMS 2016 David Turner Collection

Media quotes ex IndyCar Media

New Kids on the Block.

Could be the ones to watch in 2017.

Big changes in the driver line ups at A.J.Foyt Racing this week and this news via the IndyCar Insider really warrants some attention. A.J. has always spotted talent and these two could very well be the next best thing on the block.

Having watched Carlos Munoz since he arrived on the scene this guy has a certain magic to him and twice has been unlucky not to pull off a 500 win. He was in tears this year after the race wondering how it got away from him. The thing I take from this is he wants it and wants it bad and A.J. just might be the one to ensure it happens and what a story that would be. I think I would certainly look for some surprises from these guys in 2017 and Munoz,a Chevy and A.J. well its good a great vibe.

So I share with you this release from the IndyCar Media team.

Carlos Munoz and Conor Daly are convinced it’s time for the next generation of young racers to be contenders in the Verizon IndyCar Series.

The 24-year-old drivers will look to assert themselves with AJ Foyt Racing in 2017 in a deal announced late November that has both signed to drive for the winningest driver in Indy car history. Munoz will drive the No. 14 entry based out of the team’s shop in suburban Houston. Daly will drive the No. 4 car based at the team’s second shop in Speedway, Indiana. Both cars will continue to be sponsored by ABC Supply Co.

“It’s a new chapter in my life. I’m really honored to be on this team,” Munoz said. “There were a lot of options and I know a lot of drivers called (team president) Larry Foyt. I think the best teammate is Conor. First, he’s American. Fans really like him and he’s a really good driver. He has experience. INDYCAR needs a change in generations and it’s starting right now. We are both young and we are both really fast drivers, so I think it’s a great combination for the team.”

A.J. and Larry Foyt promised major changes after a disappointing 2016 season with drivers Takuma Sato and Jack Hawksworth for the full year and Alex Tagliani for two races. Sato had the best finishes with a pair of fifths. He finished 17th in the points and Hawksworth placed 20th. Sato’s 2013 victory at Long Beach is Foyt Racing’s only win since 2003.

Carlos Munoz finished 10th in the 2016 championship, the highest points position for an Andretti Autosport driver. The Colombian has one career win at Belle Isle in 2015 and is a two-time Indianapolis 500 runner-up, including his series debut in 2013, when Daly also made his first start in the same race for Foyt and finished 22nd. “He was hard to beat there in his Andretti machine, when he started on the front row as a rookie,” Daly said of Munoz. “That was pretty impressive. We know he’s really good at Indy and really good on the ovals, for sure. He’s very brave. I have a lot of respect for him. We know he’s got a lot of experience, although we’re both young. We’re both the same age. It’s just two good, young drivers ready to continue our IndyCar careers.”

Daly, from Noblesville, Indiana., is coming off his first fulltime Verizon IndyCar Series season in which he had five top-six finishes, including a career-best second at Belle Isle for Dale Coyne Racing. He finished 18th in the points. Daly said he always kept in touch with Foyt after that first Indy 500 three years ago. “They gave me such an opportunity to get into the Verizon IndyCar Series,” Daly said. “They took a chance on me when Takuma couldn’t get into the country for a test, they tested me. After that, they hired me to drive in the Indy 500. They paid me to drive when I was 21 and coming out of Indy Lights. It was a really cool program to be a part of. They gave me my first taste and ever since then, I’ve had a really good relationship with them. I’m certainly a very, very different driver compared to 2013. I’m certainly much more ready to jump in and deliver. Thankfully, Dale Coyne gave me an opportunity to get my foot in the door and here we are. We make the progression to another team. Hopefully we can be here for a good amount of time. I’d like to be with this team for more than a year. You have to take it as it comes day by day, but I’m excited to at least get back to work and have a deal done sooner rather than later.”

Munoz and Daly were actually teammates once before for a karting race a decade ago. Munoz doesn’t remember the experience, but Daly recalled his teammate being quick and helpful. Both were in a similar situation as free agents in need of sponsorship this offseason. That won’t be a problem now because Foyt has a long-term deal with ABC Supply.

“As we celebrate our 35th anniversary at ABC Supply, we are very happy to be continuing our relationship with AJ Foyt Racing,” Keith Rozolis, ABC Supply Co. Inc. president and chief executive officer, said in a released statement. “They’ve been part of the ABC team since 2005 and our associates and customers look forward to watching Carlos and Conor compete and win in 2017.”

Munoz said he understands how the business side of racing led to him not being retained by Andretti. While some drivers might be upset about not getting a new contract after being the team’s highest points finisher, Munoz expressed gratitude to his former employer of six years, the first two in Indy Lights. “I’m always thankful to them,” he said. “They gave me my career back in auto racing from the first year I came here to the United States from Europe. That last year in Europe was really tough, so it was my last chance in America or retire. They gave me a great shot here in America to race in my first Indy 500 and I did well. I’m always going to be respectful to them. Just nowadays, you have to find a sponsor. We were bringing a little sponsor from Colombia, and this year was the limit for everything. But I’m not disappointed with them. On the contrary, I’ll always be grateful to them, with Michael and everybody who works at Andretti. We have to be realistic in motorsports right now. It’s really tough to find the sponsor that we need, we didn’t have the whole budget to be 100 percent on the grid next year. This was the best for us. I wish them the best.”

As the stepson of Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Doug Boles, Daly was raised with an appreciation for that track’s racing history. That inevitably meant Daly respected and admired A.J. Foyt, the first four-time Indy 500 winner. “I love A.J.,” Daly said. “I have a lot of respect for him and I do love the way he is. There’s no messing around with A.J. He’ll give it to you straight. A lot of people won’t do that these days. It’s cool to be working with him again. I really, really, really want to bring those guys a race win and some success because they deserve it after the last couple of years, it’s been rough (for them). If we just keep on building a team and building on my experience level, there’s no telling what we’ll be able to achieve this year.”

Because he’s come so close to winning the Indy 500, Munoz is excited about another run in May. “I love that race,” Munoz said. “I’ve raced in it four times and I know how big the race is. I know what it means to win that race. I’ve been really close twice, if I can be honest. I have two seconds, one fourth and another one I had a penalty when I was running fifth. I’ve had really good races there. I’m not putting my main objective on winning the Indy 500. Of course, everyone wants to win it. But I think what we needed to do first is put in good work with the engineers and with the mechanics and everybody who comes on board this year. We need to do a good job and do our best each race. But for sure one of the goals of the team is to do really good in the Indy 500.”

I really reckon this is one heck of a line up for A.J.Foyt Racing for 2017 and look forward to seeing these cars up and amongst it a lot next season as I feel these two young drivers with the talent they have and the depth the team has makes them not only one to watch but one of the strongest teams outside of the big three.

Photo and release ex IndyCar Media.

A.J.Foyt sees off 500 grid.

Legendary A.J. Foyt to salute the field of the 100th Indianapolis 500

Annouceed today Saturday, May 28, 2016 - As the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil has approached, the history of the race has been celebrated by countless numbers of fans and media.

That history cannot be told without a salute to A.J. Foyt. 

On Race Day, the first four-time winner of "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" will offer a salute of his own to the 33 drivers who will compete in the 100th Running. Foyt will be stationed at the front of the grid and instruct the Pace Car and Row 1 to pull away for the Parade Laps, and as those drivers pull away followed by 30 more, Foyt will salute each one.

"A.J. Foyt has always been my favorite driver and I know so many of our fans hold him in the same regard," Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Doug Boles said. "The 100th Running is all about honoring our history and A.J. is such a significant part of that, we couldn't have this race without him being part of it for our fans and for each of our drivers! We're excited to have him salute the men and woman who will write our next chapter."

Foyt, born in 1935 in Houston, Texas, started his professional racing career in USAC midget car competition before racing in the Indianapolis 500 for the first time in 1958. In 1961, he won his first Indy 500 in the No. 1 Bowes Seal Fast/Bignotti Trevis/Offy. Three years later, in 1964, he was a champion again.

Three years after that, in 1967, Foyt won again and this time in a rear-engined car, becoming the first and only man to win at Indy in both front- and rear-engine race cars. A decade later, in 1977, he became the first four-time winner, in the iconic No. 14 Coyote that he owned.

During his driving career, "Super Tex" also won the Daytona 500, the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a resume claimed by no other driver. He was named co-driver of the 20th century by the Associated Press, one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers and he has been inducted into every major motorsports Hall of Fame.

Foyt also won the Indy 500 as a car owner in 1999 with Kenny Brack. This year, AJ Foyt Enterprises has three entries in the race, driven by Takuma Sato, Jack Hawksworth and Alex Tagliani.

The legend has always said that the Indianapolis 500 made A.J. Foyt, not the other way around. On Sunday, he'll salute the person who will become the next legend of the Indianapolis 500 - the winner of the 100th Running.

IndyCar Champs thoughts on eve of Qualifying for the 500

Race day draws closer.

Its about to go up a notch as the countdown to the 100th running of the Indy gets closer. After a week of practice on the famed oval with a day totally washed out with rain today saw the last pre qualifying practice runs to bring this phase of the pre race build up pretty much to an end. Saturday morning marks a final practice and then it's firmly game time.

Qualifying phase one starts Saturday local time and marks one of the two days in qualifying but a big day for everyone and a real chance to see what everyone has been working on this past week.

Today saw the Honda powered teams take 10 of the top 12 spots for the day but it was Chevy power Penske driver Will Power that was quickest today as dark skies hung around the speedway.

Current IndyCar series champ summed up his day with these words "We're fairly comfortable with where we are. The Target car feels decent, but the speed we're looking for maybe isn't really there right now. To be honest, out of the Chevys, (Will) Power is really the only one in his own league right now. I think out of the top 10 in no-tow speeds, there are only three Chevys. Hopefully things change before qualifying tomorrow but right now our race is for the top nine."

Catch all the events from the 100th Indy 500 here each day.

Wheels turn for the first time at IMS in 2016

The drivers view towards Indy's turn 1.

April 6th 2016 marked yet another step closer to this years running of the 100th Indy 500. The Speedway was again alive to the sound of engines at over 200mph and the feeling of the 500 getting that much closer became a real fact.

The Verizon IndyCar Series held an official test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to assess the various configurations of both the Chevrolet and Honda superspeedway aerodynamic bodywork kits. this was the first time this year that teams had returned to the famed Speedway and the first real laps of the new year. 

With more than 500 laps turned on the 2.5-mile oval by 15 drivers while dodging intermittent rain on a blustery day, reams of valuable data were gathered in preparation for the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 next month. 

The track not used since 2015 was very green and combined with the weather patterns cannot as such be used as a form guide to May but every lap at Indy is a lap that counts and how teams use these findings will be reflected come May thats for sure.

Marco Andretti, in the No. 27 Andretti Autosport Honda, posted the fastest lap of the day at 223.427 mph. "We ran through quite a bit of different combinations as part of the aero kit configuration test," said Bill Pappas, INDYCAR vice president of competition, race engineering. "The conditions weren't ideal, but we did get a lot of information to go over and look through over the next couple of days to get ready for the month of May." 

All the cars testing were fitted with new domed skid plates for the undercarriage of the Dallara IR-12 chassis, a safety initiative mandated on superspeedways this year by INDYCAR. The domed skid plates add approximately six times the amount of downforce (as compared to the 2015 configuration) when a car spins, which slows the car prior to any potential contact. The domed skids also raise the speed at which a car would have to be traveling to become airborne.

"On the safety standpoint of the domed skid, it's a big improvement, especially in the 90-degree yaw," said reigning Verizon IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon, who ran just 30 laps in the morning session in the No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet. "We've got to look at safety before anything. Yes, it's going to make the car maybe a little more difficult (to drive), but every car has a pedal and we have more downforce to put on to compensate for the loss."

Andretti's overall fast lap was set in the morning session. His Andretti Autosport teammate, Ryan Hunter-Reay, in the No. 28 Honda, was fastest in the afternoon and second quick for the day at 222.047 mph. Simon Pagenaud, in the No. 22 Team Penske Chevrolet, was third fastest at 221.293 mph. 

Chevrolet conducted a private test at IMS for its teams on April 5, so the Ganassi and Penske teams opted not to run in today's windy afternoon session halted several times for light rain. Honda teams used as much track time as they could.

"It's going to be interesting with these skids, for sure," said Graham Rahal, who turned 48 laps in the No. 15 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda with a best lap of 218.619 mph. "It's going to take some work to get them to where we need them to be to be raceable."

Schmidt Peterson Motorsports driver James Hinchcliffe applauded the efforts of the two manufacturers and INDYCAR working together at the test to develop a car that checks all the boxes when Indianapolis 500 practice begins May 16.

"The good news is we all seem to be working toward the same thing," Hinchcliffe, driver of the No. 5 Honda, said. "We are all genuinely trying to make a safer car but a car that still races well. I think there is a way to appease both sides of that argument  "Hopefully by the time we show up here for practice week, we've found that compromise and everybody can be relatively happy."

The test also provided Hinchcliffe his first opportunity to run a lap at speed on the track where he was seriously injured in a crash during Indianapolis 500 practice last year. He missed the remainder of the 2015 Verizon IndyCar Series season recovering, and couldn't wait to put the mishap completely in his rear view mirror. "Everyone was going to be thinking about it until we got out here and ran some laps," Hinchcliffe said. "It's always nice to be back at the Speedway; we all say that all the time and it's extra nice to be able to go around at pace today.

Photos are of James from 2013 and in 2014 at IMS

"Sitting out last year was tough," Hinchcliffe admitted. "Getting to watch all my friends and colleagues go do the greatest race on earth and have to be watching from the sidelines is a big blow, for sure. This is our Super Bowl, this is what we really put as much attention on as anything else. Of all the ones to miss, it's the hardest.

"To get the opportunity now to come back, it definitely feels a little more rewarding."

Turing attentions towards the magic day in May came in the form of an escort from third-generation Indy car driver Matthew Brabham, a truck delivering special 8-ounce commemorative Coca-Cola bottles, emblazoned with the Indianapolis 500 logo and they arrived at the famed yard of bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

In honor of the historic 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500, Coca-Cola is selling limited-edition six-packs of the bottles expected to fly off Central Indiana store shelves as fast as Verizon IndyCar Series machines circle the 2.5-mile oval. Think I might have to get myself a few of those to collect thats for sure.

Race day crowd 2015

The break down of combined times from the two day test is as follows below but again the weather, the green track and the teams focus are only a slight form guide at this stage. The vibe and the feeling however is the 100th is not far away and the race will go down in history as perhaps the greatest race yet in the history of the speedway.

More news from IMS this week also came in the form of perhaps one of the most famous pieces of music associated with the speedway that welcomes race fans with the traditional singing of "(Back Home Again in) Indiana," a distinct Indianapolis flavor will mark the occasion.

Josh Kaufman, Indianapolis native and winner of the sixth season of television's "The Voice," in the U.S. will perform the beloved song at Indianapolis Motor Speedway during prerace ceremonies May 29, with accompaniment by the Indianapolis Children's Choir, a fixture of the Central Indiana community for 30 years.

Jim Nabors at IMS 2014

"The singing of '(Back Home Again in) Indiana' is a signature of the Indianapolis 500 and one that our fans cherish as a distinctly 'Hoosier' moment," said J. Douglas Boles, IMS president. "Since Jim Nabors' final performance in 2014, our goal is to select performers who have an understanding of the song's meaning and significant importance to the Indianapolis 500 experience and the race's fans. Josh Kaufman's impressive voice and local ties, along with support from the Indianapolis Children's Choir, will deliver just that." 

"(Back Home Again in) Indiana" - the song originally was just called "Indiana" - was written in 1917 by lyricist Ballard MacDonald and composer James Hanley, incorporating many lyrics and musical themes from the 1897-written "On the Banks of the Wabash," the state's official song.

According to IMS historian Donald Davidson, the song may have been heard at the race as early as 1919 (played by a trackside brass band) and was first sung in 1946, about an hour before the green flag by New York Metropolitan Opera performer James Melton. Around 1949 it was moved to closer to the start of the race, where it remains today.

Fan favorite Jim Nabors retired after the 2014 race, having performed the song live 35 times starting in 1972. The group Straight No Chaser performed the song prior to the 2015 Indianapolis 500.

May 29th is creeping up very fast and the IndyCar season is now well under way with round 3 at Long Beach set for April 17th.

                                                Heading to the 100th Indy 500?
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                                              Photos are from the David Turner collection

                                     Media data and quotes are from IMS / IndyCar Media

Rank Car Driver Name C/A/E/T Session Time Speed Total Laps

1 27 Andretti, Marco D/H/H/F Practice 1 00:40.2816 223.427 48

2 28 Hunter-Reay, Ryan D/H/H/F Practice 2 00:40.5319 222.047 30

3 22 Pagenaud, Simon D/C/C/F Practice 1 00:40.6701 221.293 45

4 21 Newgarden, Josef D/C/C/F Practice 2 00:40.7012 221.124 44

5 26 Munoz, Carlos D/H/H/F Practice 1 00:40.7558 220.827 25

6 10 Kanaan, Tony D/C/C/F Practice 1 00:40.8527 220.304 16

7 3 Castroneves, Helio D/C/C/F Practice 1 00:40.8812 220.150 20

8 20 Carpenter, Ed D/C/C/F Practice 2 00:40.8891 220.108 51

9 12 Power, Will D/C/C/F Practice 1 00:40.8896 220.105 33

10 9 Dixon, Scott D/C/C/F Practice 1 00:40.9668 219.690 30

11 2 Montoya, Juan Pablo D/C/C/F Practice 1 00:41.0768 219.102 40

12 15 Rahal, Graham D/H/H/F Practice 2 00:41.1676 218.619 48

13 83 Kimball, Charlie D/C/C/F Practice 1 00:41.3271 217.775 12

14 5 Hinchcliffe, James D/H/H/F Practice 2 00:41.7899 215.363 46

15 14 Sato, Takuma D/H/H/F Practice 2 00:42.9601 209.497 13

(R) Rookie

Total Laps for Combined Sessions: 501

(C)hassis: D=Dallara | (A)erokit: C=Chevy, H=Honda | (E)ngine: C=Chevy, H=Honda | (T)ire: F=Firestone 

The Speedway from the air 2015

Tags is back and Race Details

Really pleased to hear yesterday that my good friend Alex Tagliani is back for Indy again in 2016. He will again team up for the second year in a row with A.J.Foyt racing and what better team to be with at Indy for number 100. The thought of a Foyt driver wining the 100 is amazing and even more so in the context of the man (A.J) himself and his personal history at Indy.

Here is a really cool thing the car number Alex will use is the number. 35 and this is based on team owner A.J. Foyt's starting of 35 Indy 500s in his career and AJ was also was born in 1935.

Tagliani, is a seven-time 500 starter and he will get two races out of the arrangement he has with the team this May.

He also will compete in the Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis for the first time on May 14 on the infield road course at the Speedway. The car, sponsored by Wabash-based Alfe Heat Treating, will carry the classic black-and-orange Copenhagen-style livery used by Foyt in the late part of his career and the colours that Alex drove in last year for A.J.
.

Tagliani won the pole for the 2011 500 as a then member of Sam Schmidt Motorsports team, which shared in Dan Wheldon’s victory that year with Bryan Herta Autosport.

Tagliani has led each of the past five 500s, finishing 17th in last year’s race. 

With this announcement it brings the number of confirmed 500 entries to 29.

That includes the 22 cars participating in last weekend’s IndyCar Series opener in St. Petersburg, plus the already known and confirmed rides for oval ace Ed Carpenter (Ed Carpenter Racing), the returning new star Sage Karam (Dreyer & Reinbold/Kingdom Racing), rookie Matthew Brabham (KVSH/Team Murray), back for the 500 again with her familiar team Pippa Mann (Dale Coyne Racing), speedway dirt rack ace Bryan Clauson (Dale Coyne/Jonathan Byrd Racing) and the veteran Buddy Lazier (Lazier Partners Racing).

There is no fear of the field not reaching its traditional 33, although many more beyond that seems unlikely, but then again it is early days yet and the rumour of 37 or 38 is very possible still with both engine suppliers keen to assist.

The full break down of days leading towards May 29 is now confirmed from IMS and is as follows

May 16 – 19		Indy 500 Practice
Fri. May 20		Fast Friday
Sat. May 21		Indy 500 Qualifications
Sun. May 22		Armed Forces Pole Day
Mon. May 23		Indy 500 Practice
Thurs. May 26		Indy Lights Practice & Qualifying
Fri. May 27		Miller Lite Carb Day
		Final Indy 500 Practice
		Indy Lights Freedom 100 Race
		TAG Heuer Pit Stop Challenge
		Journey Concert
Sat. May 28		Legends Day presented by Firestone
		Blake Shelton Concert
Sun. May 29		Indy 500 Race Day
		Snake Pit presented by Coors Light

           

               Header photo above is of Alex Tagliani at the 99th Indy 500 May 2015
during the driver introductions.

From the David Turner collection

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