2016 Verizon IndyCar SeriesOpen Wheel

[KAMKA-Z]

I think, barring an accident, that Dixon's got it.

So Franchitti's back after failing miserably in NASCRAP. I predict he'll do worse next year than Wheldon did this year.

I read at Autoweek that Ganassi tried to hire Tony Kanaan away from AGR earlier this season. Why he didn't take the shot, I don't know. AGR seems pretty mixed up this year.
It's interesting that Danica seems to be keeping a low profile in the late stages of the season. (Staying out of trouble) She still seems to be outperforming teammates Marco and Mutoh and around 6th -7th in points. I'm pretty sure she is still under contract for a couple of years, but next year will be pivotal, she'll beed to perform stronger to stay in the series.

Wheldon goes to Panther. I did kind of feel like Wheldon was underperforming this year. Panther shows moments of speed. Maybe they just meed a more motivated jockey. Meira really hasn't impressed me much, but maybe Panther was the problem.

I'm hoping to see more muscle out of Newman-Haas-Lanigan next year. Look Out! Wow Carl Haas is getting old, I'd never have recognised him if the TV commentator hadn't introduced him. I understand that Paul Newman is winding down to the end. We'll miss him.

 

[Sharky.]

Wheldon out... Franchitti in. That's how the 2009 story goes.

Should make 09 very interesting indeed.

Either a Brazilian or a New Zealander (Kiwi, right?) will win the 2008 championship.

👍

Dixon or Castroneves?

Dixon, but I'm biased.

From a non-biased POV, I agree with KAMAK-Z - barring any major mishaps, Dixon will get it. (just don't run out of fuel!!)

 

[TS]

Dixon or Castroneves?

Dixon.

I read at Autoweek that Ganassi tried to hire Tony Kanaan away from AGR earlier this season. Why he didn't take the shot, I don't know. AGR seems pretty mixed up this year.

He sure wanted out of AGR, because it certainly seemed like the team wasn't really supporting him and with all the drama surrounding the team after Edmonton really swayed people into thinking that he would surely go, something tells me though that Micheal's wallet is gonna be a lot thinner for the next 5 years.

I'm hoping to see more muscle out of Newman-Haas-Lanigan next year. Look Out! Wow Carl Haas is getting old, I'd never have recognised him if the TV commentator hadn't introduced him. I understand that Paul Newman is winding down to the end. We'll miss him.

If N/H/L racing can figure out their oval program, they're gonna be contenders for the championship, but I'm sure they'll take 2 wins for each of their drivers considering that they barely had cars in March.

From a non-biased POV, I agree with KAMAK-Z - barring any major mishaps, Dixon will get it. (just don't run out of fuel!!)

And make sure you don't make Marty Reid lose his voice after screaming at the top of his lungs:

 

[VNAF Ace]

Wow, it's been a busy week for me and the IndyCar Series!

Welcome back Dario! I hope A.J. Allmendinger, Sam Hornish Jr., Juan Montoya, Tony Stewart, and Paul Tracy return to the IndyCar Series soon too!

I hope Vitor is still racing next year. He did a lot for Panther Racing and the National Guard. And after meeting him (and getting his autograph) at Sears Point Raceway, I can say from experience that he's also great with fans.

Now as for the championship battle, I'd love to see Helio finish off his comeback and score his first IndyCar Series Championship!

 

[RACECAR]

Welcome back Dario! I hope A.J. Allmendinger, Sam Hornish Jr., Juan Montoya, Tony Stewart, and Paul Tracy return to the IndyCar Series soon too!

I hope its not because They don't belong in "nascrap" as the clearly uneducated fans like to say. Also, I thought Paul tracy was gonna be coming seeing as he ran at Edmington.

I hope Vitor is still racing next year. He did a lot for Panther Racing and the National Guard. And after meeting him (and getting his autograph) at Sears Point Raceway, I can say from experience that he's also great with fans.

I hope so too.

Now as for the championship battle, I'd love to see Helio finish off his comeback and score his first IndyCar Series Championship!

I'm caught in the middle of this as I out of feeling sorry for what happened last year that Scott wins, but at the same time, I also feel sorry for Helio as well. I say May the best man win.


Also: Penske had a terrible weekend. They got a penalty in both races with both cars in contention for their respective championships.

 

[Sharky.]

Now as for the championship battle, I'd love to see Helio finish off his comeback and score his first IndyCar Series Championship!

👎 Booooooooooooooooo

Regardless of who wins, 08 has been a right cracker of a season.

 

[TS]

Wow, it's been a busy week for me and the IndyCar Series!

Welcome back Dario! I hope A.J. Allmendinger, Sam Hornish Jr., Juan Montoya, Tony Stewart, and Paul Tracy return to the IndyCar Series soon too!

I agree with everything you said, except for Stewart and Montoya, they're in NASCAR for the long haul. It wouldn't surprise me though if Stewart expanded his team ownership into the IndyCar Series one day though. And maybe JPM might try the Indy 500/Coke 600 double sometime in the future.

I hope Vitor is still racing next year. He did a lot for Panther Racing and the National Guard. And after meeting him (and getting his autograph) at Sears Point Raceway, I can say from experience that he's also great with fans.

I'm sure every team wouldn't turn down having a driver like Vitor, he's a seasoned veteran whose able to show pace of the rookies, he knows what it takes to contend for wins (unfortunately things haven't turned out perfectly) and he's quite a personality.

Whoever picks him up will certainly won't let him go for a while.

 

[VNAF Ace]

I hope its not because They don't belong in "nascrap" as the clearly uneducated fans like to say.

I'm also a NASCAR fan so I wouldn't say open wheel drivers don't belong in NASCAR. I'd just rather have A.J., Sam, Juan, and Tony back in IndyCars. They're all exciting racers to watch, and they can do a lot to help American open wheel racing regain its former prestige and popularity.

Also, I thought Paul tracy was gonna be coming seeing as he ran at Edmington.

Paul will most likely be back full time next year. Unfortunately, Paul and Vision Racing/Walker Racing couldn't find sponsorship for the remaining races. It should be easier for them to find sponsorship next year when companies set aside their budgets for sponsorships.

 

[RACECAR]

I'm also a NASCAR fan so I wouldn't say open wheel drivers don't belong in NASCAR. I'd just rather have A.J., Sam, Juan, and Tony back in IndyCars. They're all exciting racers to watch, and they can do a lot to help American open wheel racing regain its former prestige and popularity.

I see what you mean. Now that I think about(should the MWR merger never happen). I like to see Ganassi & Penske leave Nascar as it seems Indycar and Sports cars is their much stronger suit.

Paul will most likely be back full time next year. Unfortunately, Paul and Vision Racing/Walker Racing couldn't find sponsorship for the remaining races. It should be easier for them to find sponsorship next year when companies set aside their budgets for sponsorships.

Should the Economy stabilize, it should be much easier. I've already seen shops close and sponsors go due to money issues.

 

[VNAF Ace]

2008 Chicagoland 300 Starting Lineup
The 2008 Chicagoland 300 airs tomorrow at 3:30 PM EDT on ABC!

Helio Castroneves will start last after his qualifying run was disqualified by IRL chief steward Brian Barnhart for driving below the white line numerous times. I have no idea why Helio and Team Penske did that.

 

[Sharky.]

Brilliant.

Guess Helio caved under the pressure before Scott did (will).

 

[TS]

Helio Castroneves will start last after his qualifying run was disqualified by IRL chief steward Brian Barnhart for driving below the white line numerous times. I have no idea why Helio and Team Penske did that.

To improve lap time by shortening the distance he has to run around the track.

 

[VNAF Ace]

But Helio and Team Penske knew the rules. The drivers are not allowed to go below the white line during qualifying. I don't see the point in shortcutting the track if you'll start last after getting penalized for it.

 

[RACECAR]

But Helio and Team Penske knew the rules. The drivers are not allowed to go below the white line during qualifying. I don't see the point in shortcutting the track if you'll start last after getting penalized for it.

What big team like Penske allows a driver like Helio to do that knowing full well the consequences? Maybe I',m slightly overeacting, but something doesn't sound, smell, or look right.

 

[TS]

I don't see the point in shortcutting the track if you'll start last after getting penalized for it.

When your racing for a championship and you're the guy in 2nd, you'll try to do anything to get an advantage over the leader.

Nothing's illegal unless if you get caught.

 

[RACECAR]

Holy crap, three laps of three-wide racing! I'm loving it!

 

[RACECAR]

Well guys, No matter what Helio does at this point, if Dixon finishes 8th or better, he's champion.



Helio Castroneaves wins the Peak Antifreeze 200! Scott breaks the record for most laps lead and he is the 2008 Indycar champion!

 

[Lee]

That was close at the line..

 

[RACECAR]

If I'm not mistaken, it was by 0.001

 

[VNAF Ace]

2008 Chicagoland 300 Race Results
Helio Castroneves goes from last to first to win the 2008 Chicagoland 300! Helio beat Scott Dixon to the line for the win by only 0.0033 second! Great race Helio! And congratulations to Scott Dixon for winning the 2008 IndyCar Series Championship!

 

[RACECAR]

Dixon.

You guessed it.

And make sure you don't make Marty Reid lose his voice after screaming at the top of his lungs:

Wonder if he even has lungs anymore after that race. three laps of three-wide racing and a finish like that will wear you out, even while your not the one behind the wheel.

 

[Syxx_Killer]

I actually forgot the race was on. I can't believe it! Dang it!

 

[TS]

The interesting thing about this race is that when Dario Franchitti was in the booth he said that when he and Scott spoke earlier in the week after it was announced that Dario would be his teammate for '09 he told him the strategy he used to beat Dixon in the race last year.

Push to the front early to see how the car will do, then go back into the pack to save fuel, then at the end when you have enough fuel, go to the front and win.

 

[RACECAR]

Thats what may have gotten Dixon there. Talk about helping your teammate.

 

[KAMKA-Z]

Excellent race! What a finish! Helio was awesome in that first section when he came up through the back.
I was a little puzzled that Danica didn't benefit from having pitted just before that last caution. Unless she pitted again with the field under the yellow flag. Or did she loose a lap pitting during the green flag? At any rate she was shown at about 18th place during the last caution but made her way back up to 10th by the finish. She looked to be having one of her best performances of the year until that last stop.

 

[JohnBM01]

Helio Castroneves won the race, but Dixon still finished 8th or better (2nd). So I got Kiwi love for Scott Dixon. Well done, mate! Here's the dream racing scenario I've envisioned:

"Helio Castroneves wins the race while Scott Dixon is in a battle for eighth place. Seperated by thousandths, 9th for Dixon means Castroneves wins it all. 8th for Dixon means that Castroneves' best wasn't good enough against Scott Dixon."

Congratulations to Mr. Scott Dixon. Next year will be VERY interesting with some drivers either out of rides or looking for rides. It should be fun. I may come back to this thread in the future to discuss my season-long winners and losers.

 

[TS]

The 2008 season is still not over, there's a little race on a little street course in Southern Australia that's coming up in late October.

 

[JohnBM01]

Yeah, it's a non-points race. I still think it's too damn early to end the season as far as championship races go. I'd still want to see the series go into late October or maybe early November (just to contend with NASCAR).

I have to make a little shout-out to Milka Duno for leading her first IndyCar laps at Chicagoland this past weekend. Who are your winners and losers for this season of IndyCar competition?

 

[TS]

I have to make a little shout-out to Milka Duno for leading her first IndyCar laps at Chicagoland this past weekend. Who are your winners and losers for this season of IndyCar competition?

The interesting thing about Duno, she led more laps under yellow than Danica Patrick did when she won at Motegi.

My winners and losers for the 2008 IndyCar Series season.

Winners:

• Fans - The IRL/Champ Car merger was the best thing that could ever happen to open wheel racing.
• Target Chip Ganassi Racing w/Felix Sabates - Everything that could go right with that team did, except for Dan Wheldon leaving.
• Ryan Briscoe - What a comeback story! After nearly having his racing career and life end in a vicious crash at Chicago, he joins up with the most successful team in IndyCar history and shows his true colors. Bravo!
• Danica Patrick - She became the first woman to win an IndyCar race. Do I need to say more?
• Champ Car transition teams - Poor guys barely had cars in time for the opener at Homestead and were able to at least run competitively, the fact that 2 drivers (Graham Rahal & Justin Wilson) were able to win races is amazing. 👍

Losers:

• Andretti-Green Racing - God, everything that could go wrong with this team did, I still find it very surprising that Tony Kanaan will spend 5 more years in that soap opera. And considering all the success that AGR has had in the past, only being able to win a couple of races is down right disappointing.
• Marty Roth - Should probably run Indy Lights races, considering he's barely able to run speeds that those cars run.
• Fans - The new TV deal on Versus will probably cut ratings by as much as 33%. (about 70 million households have ESPN/ABC while only 20 million have Versus, better call your cable or satellite provider before St. Pete!)
• Paul Tracy - He must be pissed off at Gerry Forsythe for flat lying to him when he told him after the merger that his team wouldn't move to IndyCar and PT was granted his release. Shorty after that, Forsythe racing announced to start a campaign in the Indy Lights series and may move into the IndyCars in the future.
• Vitor Meira - How disgusted must he feel getting fired by email? Remember when he first signed with Panther racing and the owners said that Vitor would be their guy, not just a guy, but their guy. And they didn't even have the cojones to go and tell their guy that while the times were good, but they felt that they should go their separate ways face-to-face. Disgusting, absolutely disgusting.

That's it for now, I'll probably update it later.

 

[Sharky.]

And congratulations to Scott Dixon for winning the 2008 IndyCar Series Championship!

Ahh, been a long time since I've heard that.

Party time! <- party hat!


Bring on Surfers and 09!