The Wilshaw Project.

As I mentioned in the closing section of my book The Mystique of Indy - The Brickyard, many things were centred around the Project 100 scheme and the redevelopment of the Speedway area not only for the 2016 running of the 100th Indy 500 but also the future of the area and the next 100 years of life at the Speedway.

Here is an update on one of the things I mentioned the Wilshaw project which is coming to Speedway in 2018. 

Momentum toward an April groundbreaking on a $37 million mixed-use development in Speedway could slow, should a group of neighboring business owners on Main Street prevail in seeking a timeout. A pair of Indianapolis developers are planning a 140-key hotel, about 90 apartments and condominiums, and retail space at the north end of Main Street called the Wilshaw project. 

Next month the Town Council and the Speedway Redevelopment Commission will cast final votes on financial incentives, but not before shopkeepers plead for a solution for what they view as a major problem waiting to happen: a parking fiasco.

The project, planned along Main Street and thoroughfare Crawfordsville Road near Indianapolis Motor Speedway, initially excited nearby business owners, said Marie Hall, owner of Three Sisters and A Trunk. Then plans for the development's parking garage changed. “I do not want to stop progress,” Hall said. “I love what they are doing in Speedway. But they need to do it right.”

Three Sisters and A Trunk owner Marie Hall worries about the impact on available parking for her customers once a $37 million development nearby is built.  

An early pitch for the project called for a $10 million parking garage with 500 spaces. The proposal suggested that the garage would be built first, to accommodate both construction workers and shopkeepers' customers during construction of the rest of the project.

But plans changed. The size of the proposed parking garage was reduced by half. "Anything that's pitched is not a deal," said Tim Jensen, a consultant for the Speedway Redevelopment Commission. The town and the developers — Scannell Properties and Loftus Robinson, which is behind the $30 million Switch mixed-use project in Fishers and the J.F. Wild Building in Indianapolis — halved the size of the parking garage to reduce costs, Jensen said.

The town plans to issue bonds to pay for the parking garage. The bonds would be paid back through a tax-increment financing district. Developers now also want to build the garage at the same time as the rest of the project to save money. Both changes have Hall and other business owners on edge. An existing parking lot would be eliminated to make way for the development, and shopkeepers fear construction workers would gobble up other available parking in the area. A petition is circulating that calls for the town to pause on the project until a better resolution to the parking situation is found.

“If they don’t address the parking, then we’ll all just die a slow death,” said Chris Hill, owner of the Dawson’s on Main restaurant, which is just south of the proposed development. The Speedway Redevelopment Commission has formed a parking committee to look for solutions. Hall, a member of the committee, is asking the town to delay construction until the commission has come up with a plan.

“If they don’t address the parking, then we’ll all just die a slow death,” says Chris Hill, owner of the Dawson’s on Main restaurant.  

The town has suggested that employees of affected businesses use a parking lot owned by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on the other side of the roundabout on Crawfordsville Road, which would free up parking spaces near the businesses for customers. Sidewalks around the roundabout provide access to all sides. The town also is looking at additional ways to slow traffic in the area to increase safety for pedestrians crossing Crawfordsville Road. The lot is about a half-mile from most businesses on the north end of Main Street, and Hill remains concerned about safety, inclement weather and convenience. “It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that if you can’t find parking, you aren’t going to come,” Hill said.

Another proposal calls for the Speedway Redevelopment Commission to lease parking spaces from other private lot owners. Jensen and Vince Noblet, president of the Speedway Redevelopment Commission, will discuss possible parking solutions Jan. 17 at the commission's 6 p.m. meeting at Speedway Town Hall, 1450 N. Lynhurst Drive.

Lets just hope there is plans to create a common sense approach here now and keep all this alive and progressing as its amazing to see the area change and yet retain and it would be a crying shame for it to go backward in any direction now thats for sure.

I'll keep you posted on anything I here.

Christmas Reading

Need some Christmas reading then don't forget these two currently available on Amazon.

Travel Tips covers everything a race fan or non race fan needs to know on travelling to Indy for the Worlds Greatest Race, no matter what year or time of the year. Its gives my personal insights in travelling to the event after 15 years of travelling to this great race.

Mystique offers the very personal journey I have had with Indy and a look back at what has made Indy just what it is. It captures ones heart and soul with the sheer magic that it offers and one that very few race tracks can ever offer. 100 races in 2016 marked many milestones and I offer an insight of how the 100 came about and what the next 100 may hold.

Both publications are now on line at Amazon and offer you some great festive reading.

Below are the direct links to Amazon to lead you directly to each of the publications pages.

Travel Tips


Mystique



Enjoy the read.

Selling Out for the 100th Indy 500.

Reserved seating sold out for historic 100th Indianapolis 500 This news in just today says more and more on why this years Indy 500 will be a great event. The following is the official press release from the Speedway with the latest announcements about this years event. The Key facts announced on Friday May 6th. A Major milestone has been reached as officials announce Indy 500 reserved seating is a sellout. IMS working hand-in-hand with community partners to mark 100th Running milestone and elevate the pursuit of progress. Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials celebrated an epic and historic milestone on Friday May 6th by announcing that all reserved seating is officially sold out for the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500. While general admission tickets are still available in the IMS infield, the massive grandstands around the 107-year-old 2.5-mile oval, and all hospitality suites, will be completely filled. The news was shared this afternoon by IMS leadership on the steps of the Indiana Statehouse, with community leaders including Indiana Governor Mike Pence and Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett flanked by the iconic Borg-Warner Trophy. "Every Indianapolis 500 is special, but the buzz surrounding the 100th Running has been building for nearly a year, ever since the checkered flag fell on the 99th," said IMS President J. Douglas Boles. "Our fans are the best in sports and their incredible support of this year's race will make it a truly historic day for 'The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.'" Beyond the grandstands, the new Hulman Terrace Club is also sold out and every IMS suite is full. In fact, several large temporary suites will be erected due to remarkably increased demand. All VIP concert tickets are sold and it is expected that the Indy 500 Snake Pit presented by Coors Light will reach capacity for the first time. Citizens throughout Indiana have embraced the 100th Running for months through community initiatives that have touched all 92 counties. From racing-themed "porch parties" to raising "500" flags to racing-themed artwork placed all around Indianapolis, the spirit of the Indy 500 has been a spectacle in itself. "I've been lucky enough to be a part of major sporting events across the globe," said Allison Melangton, Senior Vice President of Events for Hulman Motorsports. "But this race has a completely unique ability to inspire pride and passion in its fans. This year, our community has tapped into that passion in so many incredible ways, and it's simply inspiring to see all of these volunteer driven efforts working hand in hand with IMS and the 500 Festival to build valuable partnerships that enrich lives and push everyone forward."    Anticipation for the 100th Running has had a positive ripple effect throughout the city, with hotels and restaurants completely booked months earlier than usual due to increased anticipation for Race Weekend. "The Indy 500 is the kind of iconic event that other cities dream of having," said Leonard Hoops, president and CEO of Visit Indy. "And the 100th Running will be the greatest version of 'The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.' But the impact of the race, and of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, go well beyond the massive economic benefits to the city and state in the month of May. Indy's brand is enhanced throughout the year because of the Indy 500 and IMS." With a crowd traveling to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 29 that has not been seen in recent years, longtime fans are encouraged to begin their Race Day routines at least two hours earlier than previous years. All fans will want to arrive early to take advantage of the full 100th Running experience.

Pagenaud makes it two at Barber while Dixon takes a lap record.

Three of the big names at last years Indy 500 

and set to be centre stage again soon. Pagenaud, Power and Dixon.

Check out my new book on line now

Mystique of Indy The Brickyard

Simon Pagenaud's dominance in the IndyCar Grand Prix of Alabama at Barber Motorsport Park was interrupted briefly by a late charge from Graham Rahal, but it didn't last long.That's the story of this round of the 2016 championship.

Rahal stole the lead from Pagenaud with a pass on Lap 82 of the 90-lap event that involved contact between the two IndyCar Series drivers' cars, only to see Pagenaud return the favor four laps later and drive on to victory.

It gave the Team Penske driver his second straight win of 2016 and sixth of his Indy car career, continuing the impressive start to the season that has seen the Frenchman finish in the top two at all four races and extend the championship lead.

From here the teams will focus on the two big events at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indy Grand Prix on the Speedways impressive Road Course on the 14th May and then the big one the 100th running of the Indy 500 on May 29.Looking set to be a sell out for the first time in 20 years this years 500 will raise the bar in true Indy style.

"We are just on a roll," race winner Pagenaud said. "The car is amazing and I am so comfortable driving that car.  We made it exciting at the end for the fans, which is great. I am happy there was some action." With the win, Pagenaud has accumulated 188 points in the first quarter of the 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series season and now holds a 48-point advantage over Scott Dixon. 

Race winner and the Pole winner, Pagenaud started first and had little issue maintaining a gap until coming upon lapped traffic. Slower cars in front allowed the charging Rahal to close late, similar to what he did a year ago at Barber when he finished second to Josef Newgarden. However on Lap 82, Rahal dove inside Pagenaud in Turn 8, Rahal's left-front tire making contact with Pagenaud's right rear. Pagenaud drifted wide and Rahal took the lead. Newgarden finished third in the No. 21 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet, the same place he started the race. Will Power, a two-time Barber race winner, was fourth in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevy. Juan Pablo Montoya mounted the strongest charge of the day, starting last in the 21-car field and moving all the way to fifth in the No. 2 Verizon Team Penske Chevy, just ahead of James Hinchcliffe in the No. 5 Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda. "At the start of the race, if you would have told me I would have finished fifth, I wouldn't have believed it. I'm pretty happy where we finished and now we look ahead to Indy," said Montoya, the reigning Indianapolis 500 winner.

Dixon, the 2015 Verizon IndyCar Series champion in the No. 9 Coca-Cola Chevrolet from Chip Ganassi Racing, was turned around on Lap 3 by Sebastien Bourdais in the No. 11 Team Europa - KVSH Racing Chevrolet and fell to 20th position. Dixon rebounded to finish 10th, setting a race lap record of 1 minute, 8.4533 seconds (120.958 mph) along the way.

Pagenaud on the streets of Detroit in 2015. 

The Detriot Grand Prix double header is one week after the 100th indy 500 in 2016

Bourdais commented after the race "Obviously not what we wanted today. I feel really sorry for Scott (Dixon). He was collateral damage in something that was not in any way his fault. I was fighting with Graham (Rahal), side-by-side with him, trying to hold position and Scott was probably trying to do the crossover on the inside in Turn 5 on someone. I was boxed in. Scott in front and Graham on the right, there was no escaping from there. It is my fault, so I have to apologize for that. It is a shame because the car had pace. I held the gap with Simon (Pagenaud) despite running into some traffic. I definitely had the car to contend at the front. I just couldn't show it. I am very disappointed for the Europa - KVSH Racing guys. They worked really hard all weekend. This was a wasted opportunity, but there is nothing I can do about that now, so just move on and try not to make a mistake like that again."

The heart rates will soon go up now that's for sure as the teams will draw all their attentions to Indy and  in just over a month now we will have a new Indy 500 Champion and the winner of the 1090th of the great race. The pressure will be very firmly on the teams as well as the drivers and while the field looks set at 33 never count out a few more entries and already there are planned press conferences for this week ahead on driver announcements for the 500 so be expecting the official announcements of Oriel Servia for Sam Schmidt Racing and the entry of Stefan Wilson (brother of the late Justin) to become official and then expect the unexpected as the month of May arrives.

The official results of Sundays Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama Verizon IndyCar Series event on the 2.3-mile Barber Motorsports Park, with order of finish, starting position in parentheses, driver, aero kit-engine, laps completed:

1. (1) Simon Pagenaud, Chevrolet, 90, Running

2. (6) Graham Rahal, Honda, 90, Running

3. (3) Josef Newgarden, Chevrolet, 90, Running

4. (2) Will Power, Chevrolet, 90, Running

5. (21) Juan Pablo Montoya, Chevrolet, 90, Running

6. (8) James Hinchcliffe, Honda, 90, Running

7. (7) Helio Castroneves, Chevrolet, 90, Running

8. (9) Tony Kanaan, Chevrolet, 90, Running

9. (10) Charlie Kimball, Chevrolet, 90, Running

10. (4) Scott Dixon, Chevrolet, 90, Running

11. (18) Ryan Hunter-Reay, Honda, 90, Running

12. (19) Marco Andretti, Honda, 90, Running

13. (16) Takuma Sato, Honda, 90, Running

14. (15) Carlos Munoz, Honda, 90, Running

15. (20) Alexander Rossi, Honda, 90, Running

16. (5) Sebastien Bourdais, Chevrolet, 89, Running

17. (13) Mikhail Aleshin, Honda, 89, Running

18. (12) Luca Filippi, Honda, 89, Running

19. (14) Jack Hawksworth, Honda, 89, Running

20. (17) Conor Daly, Honda, 89, Running

21. (11) Max Chilton, Chevrolet, 89, Running

Race Statistics

Winners average speed:  114.254

Time of Race: 01:48:42.3334

Margin of victory: 13.7476

Cautions: 1 for 1 lap

Lead changes: 4 among 2 drivers

Lap Leaders:

Pagenaud 1 - 19

Rahal 20 - 21

Pagenaud 22 - 81

Rahal 82 - 85

Pagenaud 86 - 90

Verizon IndyCar Series point standings: Pagenaud 188, Dixon 140, Montoya 136, Castroneves 118,  Kanaan 106, Rahal 100, Power 94, Newgarden 91, Sato 90, Hunter-Reay 87.

                                          Pagenaud and Power at Indy in 2015.

                               Race day quotes from the IndyCar Series Media Team

                                     Photos are from the David Turner collection.

                                   Learn about the Indy 500 in my latest book out now.

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?
                                       Check out Indy 500 Bound travel tips for fans

                                              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

Indy Car Round 2 at Phoenix is all Dixon.

No one can say that the IndyCar season will not be a ripper in 2016 that's for sure. The first oval race of the season was a great indication to many things that lie ahead this season and while only a 1.5 mile oval and not a Super Speedway of 2 or 2.5 miles it showed that once again to win this championship one must finish races.

Reigning Verizon IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon won the Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix in the series' return to Phoenix International Raceway following an 11-year absence. In the heat of the desert, the "Ice Man"( Dixon)  lived up to his nickname by remaining cool all the way to Victory Lane. In the process, he attached his name to another IndyCar legend.

It is the 39th career win for the New Zealander, tying him with four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser for fourth on the all-time Indy car victories list.

It also gives Dixon, a four-time series champ, a race win in 12 consecutive seasons to set a record all his own and when you stop and think of that it is a simply an amazing stat. A win in every season for 12 years that when you pause and think on it is simply outstanding and clearly shows the talent he has and he's not done yet either. The 35-year-old kiwi was previously tied with wins in 11 straight seasons with Bobby Unser, Emerson Fittipaldi and Helio Castroneves.

"It's mind-boggling, for sure," said Dixon, driver of the No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet. "For me, I feel very privileged to be racing, being an Indy car driver, being part of the Verizon IndyCar Series, and then being part of Team Target. 

"All my wins except for one have been with this team. I hope we can continue to build on it and the numbers are great. It sounds a bit strange when you hear the names that we're amongst them fighting on the wins list."

Dixon was one of three race leaders in the 250-lap event, pacing the field for the final 155 laps. The race ended under caution after rookie Alexander Rossi made contact with the wall two laps from the finish. 

It was the first career win at PIR for Dixon and the first for the Ganassi team at PIR in any race series. It was also Ganassi's 101st Indy car win.

"It was tough, definitely one of the toughest races on these short ovals," Dixon said. "The car was super-fast. I think we had the best car out there on strategies and pit stops." The normally super fit Dixon looked like he had earned it today when he stepped from the car and while not unfit intact very clearly far from it he certainly looked like he had given it heaps on the high G load circuit.

Simon Pagenaud, in the No, 22 DeVilbiss Team Penske Chevrolet, finished second for the second consecutive race and took the lead in the Verizon IndyCar Series points standings for the first time in his career. Pagenaud has 83 points and leads Dixon by four.

"That's good news," Pagenaud said. "That's exactly what we want to do. This is not our strong suit, short ovals, but if we can be strong, that's a good sign."

Of note to me was the overall  performance for the Ganassi squad with the highest-finishing rookie  Max Chilton, who was seventh in his first Verizon IndyCar Series race on an oval in the No. 8 Gallagher Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet. A great start to his IndyCar season and the start of racing on an oval.

"Chip Ganassi gave me a fantastic car," Chilton said. "Obviously, Scott won this event, TK (Kanaan) flew past me with about 10-15 (laps) to go, so maybe I didn't have necessarily the fastest car, but I think as a team we had a very, very strong car."

The pace setters from qualifying and early in the race Team Penske drivers Hello Castroneves and Juan Pablo Montoya both had to pit from the lead with flat right-front tires and something that made one wonder if it was a team related set up but there was nothing that clearly showed this.

Is it a form guide to the 100th indy 500 maybe but in many ways its a guide to the season and the main players have all said we are ready and fighting and the rookies are saying don't count us out either.

Next stop for the IndyCar series is the down town streets of Long Beach a track that Dixon has had highs and lows at but 2015 provided the high. The big one too is the planned open test at the Indy Motor Speedway in the coming week but remember that the track has not been used since last year so it will be very green after the snow of the winter in the Midwest so its very hard to read too much into the times that will come out of the test. i will have them all for you right here as they happen however.

The official results from the Saturday Night in the US Phoenix Grand Prix event on the 1.022-mile Phoenix International Raceway, with order of finish, starting position in parentheses, driver, aero kit-engine, laps completed and reason out (if any):

1. (6) Scott Dixon, Chevrolet, 250, Running
2. (10) Simon Pagenaud, Chevrolet, 250, Running
3. (9) Will Power, Chevrolet, 250, Running
4. (2) Tony Kanaan, Chevrolet, 250, Running
5. (19) Graham Rahal, Honda, 250, Running
6. (7) Josef Newgarden, Chevrolet, 250, Running
7. (8) Max Chilton, Chevrolet, 250, Running
8. (15) Sebastien Bourdais, Chevrolet, 250, Running 
9. (3) Juan Pablo Montoya, Chevrolet, 250, Running
10. (12) Ryan Hunter-Reay, Honda, 250, Running
11. (1) Helio Castroneves, Chevrolet, 250, Running
12. (4) Charlie Kimball, Chevrolet, 250, Running
13. (11) Marco Andretti, Honda, 250, Running
14. (14) Alexander Rossi, Honda, 250, Running
15. (20) Takuma Sato, Honda, 249, Running
16. (18) Conor Daly, Honda, 249, Running
17. (13) Mikhail Aleshin, Honda, 248, Running
18. (22) James Hinchcliffe, Honda, 248, Running
19. (17) Jack Hawksworth, Honda, 246, Running
20. (16) Luca Filippi, Honda, 243, Running
21. (5) Ed Carpenter, Chevrolet, 195, Contact 
22. (21) Carlos Munoz, Honda, 116, Contact                      

Race Statistics
Winners average speed: 139.822
Time of Race: 1:49:38.3855
Margin of victory: Under caution
Cautions: 6 for 55 laps
Lead changes: 2 among 3 drivers

Lap Leaders:
Castroneves 1 - 39 
Montoya 40 - 95
Dixon 96 - 250

Verizon IndyCar Series point standings: Pagenaud 83, Dixon 79, Montoya 74, Hunter-Reay 56, Kanaan 54, Castroneves 53, Rahal 44, Aleshin 43, Sato 43, Chilton 39.

                                       Quotes and stat information provided by the IndyCar Series.

Progress at IMS. The 100th keeps getting closer.

The countdown is on that's for sure and its almost April as well then the month of May and the 100th running of the Indy 500.

Round two of the IndyCar Series kicks off this weekend on the West Coast in Phoenix but work is at a real rapid pace now in the mid west at the Speedway.

From my friends at IMS I am able to bring you these latest photos of the progress work that's taking place and for those of you that know the Speedway you will clearly see the changes that's for sure.

The details on Project 100 are now as follows. 

The main straightaway area is about 80% finished and construction is now moving into the final install and clean up stages. The new seats are due any day now.

The new Hullman Terrace Club structure is almost complete now as well and the concession area upgrades are well underway. 

Gate one construction is equally in full flight and man there are changes there at the corner of 16th and Georgetown that's for sure and what a grand new entrance way.

Enjoy the photos.

Construction at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is underway and ahead of schedule! Very noticeable changes in the grandstands now thats for sure and looking very impressive indeed.

Hulman Terrace Club structure, it's going to be a great viewing area that's for certain.

New penthouse seating and roof structure. Not long and these will be full. Good sun protection as well.

Gate 1 construction and what was once the intersection of 16th and Georgetown Road. Perhaps the biggest change to the eye straight away thats for sure and an impressive new entrance way.

                                              Photos are from IMS with thanks.


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