Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Wheldon Wins in Spectacular 2011 Indy 500 Finish



The 100th year of the Indianapolis 500 had existed as a massive celebration ongoing since the conclusion of the 2010 event. Since a yellow Marmon Wasp circulated a brick-paved race track

One of the most prestigious auto races in the entire world, the Indianapolis 500 has risen from a 200 lap torture test around a 2.5 mile oval paved with bricks to a 230-plus mile per hour sprint. First run 100 years ago in 1911, the race instantly became known as a fusion of speed and endurance. Competitors in the inaugural event, and for the races that have followed, knew that the 200 laps around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was a scene where magic can happen.





Earning the pole through a stunning effort on Indy 500 Pole Day eight days prior, Alex Tagliani received the benefit of starting in front of the 33-car field. However, before any racing was set to start, 4-time Indy 500 champion AJ Foyt proudly accepted the honour of driving the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible pace car. Giving the drivers one last moment of relative calm before the start of the 2011 Indianapolis 500, Foyt ducked into pit road just seconds before the timely green flag dropped on the 95th running of the iconic open wheel race.

While Alex Tagliani was on pole position, Target-Chip Ganassi Racing's #9 car of Scott Dixon nailed the race start perfectly taking the lead by the first turn. Falling back to third behind Oriol Servia at the beginning of the 500-mile event, it seemed the magic that carried Tagliani and the #77 Sam Schmidt Racing Dallara-Honda to the front of the time sheet in qualifying had dissipated. However, eight laps later, after letting Dixon get the better of him on the start, Tagliani out-dragged the Target car down the Indianpolis start/finish line taking the lead back. The #77 Bower & Wilkins car in the hands of Alex Tagliani would lead for 20 laps early in the event but encountered complications deeper into the race event. Overheating issues on the Sam Schmidt Racing #77 car drop the Canadian pole sitter from the top-10 after the halfway distance.

On lap 21, the first caution for the 2011 Indianapolis 500 slowed the 220-plus mile per hour field. Takuma Sato hit the wall on the race track destroying his #5 KV Racing Technology car. Fielding three cars in the 2011 edition of the Indy 500, KV Racing Technology's day would become even more expensive on race's first double-file restart when their overaggressive #59 car driven by EJ Viso made contact with the #06 of James Hinchcliffe entering turn 1. In reference to the double-file restarts, fellow competitor Marco Andretti was quoted in post-race saying "I'm going to be very frank about that and say they're trying to kill somebody. I'm glad it's great for the fans, but the risk where we're at is just ridiculous. It's a lottery."





On the second double-file restart on lap 33, the Indy cars accelerated more tamely but still provided a great show. Retaking the lead, the #77 Sam Schmidt Racing car of Alex Tagliani surged around Scott Dixon. A lap later, the #9 Target-Chip Ganassi Racing car weaved back around Tagliani to resume his hold of the top race position. Leading for 26 laps, Dixon turned the 1st place position over to Dario Franchitti a lap prior to caution flying for the #88 car of Jay Howard on lap 62. When the 2011 Indy 500 concluded the Target cars led 124 of the race's 200 laps.

As was proven through previous Indy 500 races, the multi-car team dynamic figured heavily (although this year it was not to an advantage. Though the Target-Chip Ganassi Racing squad claimed supremacy at the Brickyard as the reigning race team, the Penske Racing three-car team encountered a second-straight year of struggles after demonstrating near brilliance at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for many years. The frustration started early when the team's top qualifying driver Will Power pitted during the first caution. Exiting the pit lane after receiving service by the pit crew, his #12 car lost its entire left-rear wheel causing the Australian Power to limp back almost the entire 2.5 mile distance on only three wheels. The incident on the #12 car was similar to the wheel loss that occurred to Jay Howard but Power was moving at a slower speed avoiding a crash. 

Power was able to stay in the race completing the race in 14th place. Crashing out of the Indy 500 at lap 156 when the #99 of Townsend Bell lowered down on the #6 Penske Racing car into turn 1, Ryan Briscoe was the only non-finishing driver in the Roger Penske cam. Relating to that Briscoe wreck, 3-time Indy 500 winner for Penske Racing Helio Castroneves was out of contention for a strong finish after having to make an unscheduled pit stop when his tires were damaged by on-track debris. Castroneves finished 17th, only the 2nd time in 11 starts that the Brazilian finished outside of the top-10.



Photo Credit: Dana Garrett

Following the caution for Howard, the race moved smoothly until just one lap after passing the midway mark in the event. Canadian rookie James Hinchcliffe, who had made it to 13th place in the race driving his Newman/Haas Racing #06 car, lost grip out of turn 3 slamming into the outer wall. On the radio following the accident, Hinchcliffe apologized to his crew. "Bertrand (Baguette) got a good run on me, and I was really just trying to let him go. I backed off early and was giving him the corner but unfortunately got a little bit in the grey. With how worn the tires were, at that stage of the stint I was just a passenger." the Indy 500 rookie of the year contender said. With James Hinchcliffe and Jay Howard out of the race, the only three first-time 2011 Indy 500 competitors remained with JR Hildebrand, Charlie Kimball and Pippa Mann.
Following Hinchcliffe's crash, Newman/Haas Racing teammate Oriol Servia would take the lead for 16 circuits around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway starting on lap 113. Though the 2010 winner Dario Franchitti would surge Chip Ganassi's super team back into the front spot, the presence of Servia's #2 Dallara-Honda firmly leading over highly-funded teams gave a renewed sense of open competition.

After winning the race's pole and showing consistent speed early in the event, Alex Tagliani had fallen down the race's running order past the halfway point. As the Sam Schmidt Racing team sought to fix an overheating issue, the end result was a slower #77 car unable to meet the opening laps' pace. On lap 148, Tagliani's potential dream outcome in the 2011 Indy 500 was dashed when the #77 car lost grip into turn 4 severely damaging the right-front suspension. Rendered unable to finish the event, Tagliani became the second of the three Canadian drivers out of the event. Paul Tracy driving for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing was the last remaining Canadian native still running in the race. Tracy, like Hinchcliffe and Tagliani, made an impact with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway wall early requiring extensive repairs to his vehicle. Finishing 25 laps down in 25th spot, Paul Tracy would be the final driver listed as running in the race results.

The Bell/Briscoe wreck amounted as the 6th caution sending all the teams to the pits with Ethanol to power their Honda engines. With 36 laps remaining in the 2011 Indianapolis 500, the scenario set up a bizarre fuel economy run. Into the late laps of the race, the Andretti Autosport #7 of Danica Patrick and the #30 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing vehicle piloted by Belgium's Bertrand Baguette attempted to go the distance. Patrick was forced to gave up on her effort to with 11 laps remaining while Baguette (driving a one-off effort at the Indy 500) attempted to reach the start/finish line. Regrettably like Patrick, the Belgium driver was unable to completely accomplish this fuel economy move. "It is something unbelievable. We had a good chance to win the race. We were hoping for a yellow, but unfortunately we were two laps too short." Baguette said settling for a still respectable 7th place finish.

As leaders dropped in for a quick refueling, the race lead in the crucial final laps cycled to the #4 Panther Racing car driven by JR Hildebrand. Leading at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with just 2 laps remaining, the 23-year old American driver for Panther Racing looked as if he could drive on to a rookie triumph at the Brickyard (a feat accomplished by Juan-Pablo Montoya in 2000 and Helio Castroneves in 2001). Pulling away from second place, Hildebrand needed only to maintain focus through the final 7.5 mile distance to bring Panther Racing to victory lane after three-straight runner-up finishes at the annual event. However, on the final corner of the final lap, Hildebrand loses control as he was passing fellow rookie contender Charlie Kimball. Hildebrand's #4 Dallara shot into the wall but his car kept grinding its way to the start/finish lane.





Though possessing a handsome lead, Hildebrand fell victim to the #98 Bryan Herta Autosport-owned car driven by former INDYCAR full-timer Dan Wheldon. Wheldon shot past the crippled #4 car at full speed to take the 2011 Indianapolis 500. Across the line, an ecstatic Dan Wheldon took the checkered flag to claim the unofficial race victory. Wheldon's charge in the final stint was summed up by the driver in post-race ."I was just trying to go as hard as I could. I knew it was the last lap, and I knew some of those guys were struggling with fuel." Celebrating Operating as a single-car team for only the Indy 500, Bryan Herta Autosport is the first such effort to win the big Memorial Day race since the Players Racing team won with Jacques Villeneuve driving in 1995.

Crossing the line under caution, there was a brief dispute on the whether Wheldon's pass was made prior or after the yellow flag flew. Bringing back some memories of the controversial 2002 Indy 500 where Paul Tracy's pass on race leader Helio Castroneves was discounted, the challenge against Dan Wheldon's win came and went with the British driver retaining his honour. "I love Indianapolis. I love the people, I love everything about it. The tradition, the history. I just felt a lot of relief. It's an incredible feeling. I've been runner-up two years before this, but I never gave up.". Wheldon's second Indy 500 win following a 2005 victory with Andretti-Green Racing, his year's success was extra special for many personal reasons. After driving for Panther Racing last year for the full-time IZOD INDYCAR series schedule, Dan Wheldon entered the location of his best 2010 finish as a healthy scratch from the 2011 season. Wheldon;s personal life has also consisted of the high of him and his wife's second son Oliver and the low point being his mother's recent diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease.



 
Mounting a strong run which included 6 laps in the lead, 22-year old Graham Rahal achieved a 3rd place finish. Started deep in the field in 29th place, Rahal and the Chip Ganassi Racing team (a largely autonomous group from the Target-Chip Ganassi Racing organization) fought their way forward in the freshman effort for the 2011 IZOD INDYCAR Series. Rookie teammate Charlie Kimball provided a respectable showing arriving from 28th in qualifying to 13th place in the final Indy 500 results.

Driving #58, KV Racing Technology had Tony Kanaan remaining in the race as the team's last chance at success following the retirements of Takuma Sato and EJ Viso. Fortunately, as the race endured, the Brazilian would not disappoint. Still seeking his first Borg-Warner trophy, Tony Kanaan came home in a quiet 4th place. Congratulating Dan Wheldon after the race, Kanaan identified with the once full-time IZOD INDYCAR driver through his own situation starting the season with KV Racing with only five days before the 2011 tour began. " I am surely happy for Dan (Wheldon). He's been through a lot. He got thrown out the window. A lot of people said that he wasn't good enough. I've been through that at the end of last year." Tony Kanaan said.
 
In order, Scott Dixon, Oriol Servia, Bertrand Baguette, Tomas Scheckter, Mario Andretti and Danica Patrick wrapped up the top-10 for the centennial running of the Indianapolis 500. The final year that Honda engines will be the sole power supplier of the IZOD INDYCAR Series, this his been the 6th consecutive year there were no reported engine failures following the 500-mile distance. Wtih the excitement the 2011 Indy 500 brought, there are high hopes for the 2012 event.
  


2011 Indianapolis 500
Race Results
 
  1. 98 Dan Wheldon/England/ Sam Schmidt Racing
  2. 4 JR Hildebrand/United States/ Panther Racing
  3. 38 Graham Rahal/United States/Chip Ganassi Racing
  4. 82 Tony Kanaan/Brazil/ KV Racing Technology
  5. 9 Scott Dixon/New Zealand/ Target/Chip Ganassi Racing
  6. 2 Oriol Servia/Spanish/ Newman/Haas Racing
  7. 30 Bertrand Baguette/Belgium/Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
  8. 07 Tomas Scheckter/South Africa/KV Racing Technology-SH Racing
  9. 26 Marco Andretti/United States/ Andretti Autosport
  10. 7 Danica Patrick/United States/ Andretti Autosport
  11. 67 Ed Carpenter/United States/Sarah Fisher Racing
  12. 10 Dario Franchitti/Scotland/ Target/Chip Ganassi Racing
  13. 83 Charlie Kimball/United States/ Chip Ganassi Racing
  14. 12 Will Power/Australia/ Penske Racing
  15. 14 Vitor Meira/Brazil/ AJ Foyt Racing Enterprises
  16. 22 Justin Wilson/England/ Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
  17. 3 Helio Castroneves/Brazil/ Penske Racing
  18. 44 Billy Rice/United States/Panther Racing
  19. 19 Alex Lloyd/England/Dale Coyne Racing
  20. 36 Pippa Mann/England/Conquest Racing
  21. 24 Ana Beatriz/Brazil/ Dreyer & Reinbold
  22. 43 John Andretti/ United States/Andretti Autosport
  23. 41 Ryan Hunter-Reay/United States/AJ Foyt Racing Enterprises
  24. 11 Davey Hamilton/United States/Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
  25. 23 Paul Tracy/Canada/Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
  26. 99 Townsend Bell/United States/ Brian Herta Autosport
  27. 6 Ryan Briscoe/Australia/ Penske Racing
  28. 77 Alex Tagliani/Canada/ Sam Schmidt Racing
  29. 06 James Hinchcliffe/Canada/ Newman/Haas Racing
  30. 88 Jay Howard/England/Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
  31. 78 Simona De Silvestro/Switzerland/ HVM Racing
  32. 58 EJ Viso/Venezuela/ KV Racing Technology
  33. 5 Takuma Sato/Japan/ KV Racing Technology

JR Hildebrand Proclaimed 2011 Indy 500 Rookie of the Year

Photo Credit: Chris Jones

In only one start in the Indy 500, JR Hildebrand's first race finish at this monumental event was more thrilling than that of many long-running veterans. Having driven a competitive race for almost the entire 500 miles, Hildebrand and the his #4 Panther Racing team had the race playing into their hands on fuel economy. Possessing the first place position, it actually appeared this 23-year old rookie from California could have won. Facing the likelihood he could equal a result earned by the 2000 Indy 500 rookie Juan Pablo Montoya, Hildebrand would lose his dream when his race-leading Dallara swung into the wall on turn 4 coming to the checkered flag. Skating along the wall, JR Hildebrand's momentum did deliver the Panther Racing car to 2nd place.

Though the end result had JR Hildebrand feeling the emotions of letting a race win in the biggest INDYCAR event slip away, the runner-up run was still a phenomenal effort for a rookie driver at the grueling Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Realizing that achievement, JR Hildebrand received the coveted Indy 500 Rookie of the Year award. As I stated before in this blog site, drivers can have more than one chance as the Indianapolis 500 victory lance but receive just a single chance to earn the Rookie of the Year award.

Five rookie contenders were eligible for the 2011 Indianapolis 500 award to honour the best efforts for a first-time driving an IZOD INDYCAR around the 2.5 mile Brickyard. With the media grading drivers through practice and qualifying as well as the race, the 2011 award was believed to be a two-way fight between JR Hildebrand and Newman/Haas Racing's Canadian rookie James Hinchcliffe. After Hinchcliffe's crash with the wall just past the halfway distance of 200-laps, Hildebrand appeared to only need to keep his Panther Racing car on track in order to lock up the rookie of the year honours. Apologetic to his race crew after the crash, Hinchcliffe would register 29th in the final race standings.

A rookie finishing one spot worse than James Hinchcliffe, British driver Jay Howard's race was ended due to a faulty installation of a rear wheel attributed to an air gun failure. Once the wheel flew off his Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing #88 car, Howard lost control coming out of the pit lane on lap 60 smashing hard into the inside track wall. Howard was unhurt. "Everyone worked really hard. I had a great car. I was loving every minute of it. We were making our way through the field. I think I got as high as 12th or 13th. The car felt really good." Howard said disappointed with his end result but very satisfied to have finally run his first Indy 500 race.

Experiencing less dramatic days, the remaining rookies Charlie Kimball and Pippa Mann were ultimately not factors for the Indy 500 win in 2011 but it succeed in an important discipline at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway finishing the event. Driving for Chip Ganassi Racing, Kimball came across the line 13th as the first car one lap down. British driver Pippa Mann, piloting one-off effort for Conquest Racing, took her #36 car to 20th place.

At the annual post Indy 500 gala, JR Hildebrand proudly accepted the Chase-sponsored Rookie of the Year trophy. Hildebrand will attempt to follow up the top rookie at the 2011 Indianapolis 500 honours with this year's IZOD INDYCAR Series award. 

Monday, May 30, 2011

Vettel Holds Off Alonso, Button to Win in Monaco

Photo Credit: Charles Coates/ LAT Photographic

 
An enduring engagement on the Formula 1 schedule since 1955, the Monaco Grand Prix is considered by many as the most elite race of the season. Situated around the unapologetically pompous and rich surroundings of a European principality, the race projects an image Formula 1 of greatness the open wheel motorsport series aspires to embody. For 2011, the race welcomes the series being largely dominated by one ruler; Sebastian Vettel. Riding his noble Red Bull-Renault onto the streets of Monte Carlo, winner of four of the past five grand prix events enjoyed continuing success for the Monaco Grand Prix. Qualifying, Vettel received the some mixed luck as a result of a late session crash of Sergio Perez. Though Perez was unable to start the race Sunday, the crash ended the final qualifying session preventing other drivers from mounting a challenge to Sebastian Vettel's time.

With Vettel's Red Bull-Renault starting on the pole beside McLaren F1's Jenson Button, the Monaco Grand Prix started predictably to the chorus of the 2011 Formula 1 season. Sebastian Vettel held the lead through the early stages of the event. However, while the reigning driver champion for Red Bull Racing led the field around the 3.340 kilometer (2.075 mile), this race was never a run away for Vettel. Through pit stop exchanges, Jenson Button led with his McLaren-Mercedes. Having won 15 times on the streets of Monte Carlo, the McLaren team passed the 10,000 laps led milestone in Formula 1 through Button's efforts.

Deeper in the field, Button's McLaren teammate Lewis Hamilton reported to be nudged by Schumacher on the start of the grand prix. Limited to some rear wing damage, Hamilton's car would be a moving epicenter for dramatic in the Monaco Grand Prix. 

As McLaren seeks to reclaim some success in Monaco, the second-most winning team on the famous street course was also mounting hoping to mount a 2011 comeback. Qualifying 4th and 6th the Ferrari team cars were led in their pursuit of their first 2011 victory by Fernando Alonso. Alonso competed against Sebastian Vettel and Jenson Button for the top race positions throughout the Monaco Grand Prix. However, the second Ferrari driven by Felipe Massa would not be joining his teammate Alonso at the front. In the case of Massa, the Brazilian's race ended after the 32nd lap when he lost control in the traitorous tunnel section of the Monte Carlo circuit.

Leaving the 2011 Monaco Grand Prix with the most disappointing team performance was the Mercedes GP organization. Despite presence in the top-7 in qualifying, both Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg struggled. Missing race pace due to a premature wearing of the rear Pirelli tires, Mercedes GP engineers were caught off-guard by the extent to which performance dropped-off. Using a three-stop plan, Nico Rosberg finished the race 11th, two laps down to the leader. More veteran teammate Schumacher was unable to complete the 78-lap distance of the Monaco Grand Prix. Attributed to an air box failure, Schumacher's Mercedes GP retired almost at the same time of Massa.
 

Photo Credit: Mercedes GP

At the front of the field, Sebastian Vettel held the lead but Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button have closed a several second lead into the latter stage of the event. Staging what could be a fantastic three-way fight for the Monaco Grand Prix, the hopes were dashed when a series of events occured. Halting the event, a crash resulting when the McLaren of Lewis Hamilton and the STR-Ferrari of Jaime Alguersauri collided on lap 67. As Alguersauri headed wide into the wall, the Lotus Renault of Vitaly Petrov was collected in the meylay. Following the crash, Petrov required some extension care from the track clean-up crew and medical officials which put the field under a red flag. With a concern for a possible concussion and broken leg, the Russian driver Vitaly Petrov was later examined at Princess Grace Hospital with no indication of serious injury.  

Once the race was restarted, the Williams-Cosworth of Pastor Maldonado ran a very strong sixth place until a lap 73 move by 2008 F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton robbed the 26 year-old Venezuelan of a good finish. Maldonado offered his impression of the how a good race turned badly saying "My pace was strong but after the re-start Hamilton tried a very ambitious manoeuvre at the first corner and that was the end of my race. I’m really disappointed not to come away with any points today." Following the two incidents during the Monaco Grand Prix, Hamilton was penalized 20 seconds by the Formula 1 stewards in post-race but retained a 6th place finish.
 

 
Photo Credit: Glenn Dunbar/ LAT Photographic





Though the final red flag bunched up the remaining race contenders, the restarts did not help the Ferrari or the McLaren-Mercedes race cars. Alonso admitted through that the late race stoppage prevented the Ferrari from launching a final surge against Sebastian Vettel. Crossing the line for his 5th win of the 2011 Formula 1 season, Vettel and Red Bull Racing was victorious over second place Alonso. In third place came Jenson Button who was only 2.3 seconds behind the winning car of Vettel. Mark Webber pulled a last lap pass on the Sauber-Ferrari of Kamui Kobayashi for fourth place. As for Kobayashi, the Japanese driver was the lone Sauber in the field after Sergio Perez's car was withdrawn. Perhaps the entire team was competing with some added focus following the Perez crash, hard driving by Kobayashi and strategy of the Sauber team vaulted the car from 12th at the start to 5th in the final running order. On Sunday, the team updated Perez's medical condition by announcing the driver suffered a concussion and a bruised thigh. Whether the Sauber will be fit to run the next Formula 1 round in Canada will depend on further examinations Monday.

As mentioned, the next round for the Formula 1 World Championship is the Candian Grand Prix in Montreal.
 
 
Formula 1
2011 Monaco Grand Prix
Starting Grid


 
Pos # | Car #  | Driver  | Team


  1. 1 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Racing
  2. 5 Fernando Alonso Ferrari
  3. 4 Jenson Button McLaren
  4. 2 Mark Webber Red Bull Racing
  5. 16 Kamui Kobayashi Sauber
  6. 3 Lewis Hamilton McLaren
  7. 14 Adrian Sutil Force India
  8. 9 Nick Heidfeld Lotus Renault GP
  9. 11 Rubens Barrichello Williams F1
  10. 18 Sebastien Buemi Scuderia Toro Rosso
  11. 8 Nico Rosberg Mercedes GP
  12. 13. 15 Paul di Resta Force India
  13. 20 Jarno Trulli Team Lotus
  14. 21 Heikki Kovalainen Team Lotus
  15. 25 Jérôme D’Ambrosio Marussia Virgin Racing
  16. 23 Vitantonio Liuzzi HRT F1
  17. 22 Narain Karthikeyan HRT F1
  18. 8. 12 Pastor Maldonado Williams F1
  19. 10 Vitaly Petrov Lotus Renault GP
  20. 19 Jaime Alguersuari Scuderia Toro Rosso
  21. 6 Felipe Massa Ferrari
  22. 7 Michael Schumacher Mercedes GP
  23. 24 Timo Glock Marussia Virgin Racing





 

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Operation Monte Carlo: Vettel Claims Monaco GP Pole

Photo Credit: Mercedes GP

Continuing a year of absolute superiority in the Formula 1 season, Sebastian Vettel took the top time in qualifying for the 2011 Monaco Grand Prix. Lapping the track with a final time trial speed of 1 minute, 13.556 seconds, Vettel's Red Bull-Renault was more half a second faster than the second-place qualifier Jenson Button. Defending Monaco Grand Prix winner and driver of the second Red Bull Racing car Mark Webber improved three grid positions from in the Q3 session for a third place starting spot.

Within 4th to 7th place, Ferrari and Mercedes GP handled well around the 18-turn temporary street course. Continuing to show improvements through the season, the Fernando Alonso-driven Ferrari took 4th place ahead of Michael Schumacher. For the first time in the 2011 Formula 1 season, Schumacher out-performed his younger Mercedes GP teammate in qualifying with a 5th place grid position for the feature race at Monaco. Behind the second Ferrari of Felipe Massa, Nico Rosberg qualified in the 7th place spot after surviving a final practice crash unhurt just prior to qualifying.

Unlike any another Formula 1 race circuit, the streets of Monte Carlo provides an unique spectacle. Racing within tight roads with a long tunnel and harbour in view, the Monaco Grand Prix offers an unusual scene for Formula 1 fans and competitors. To often pleasing, the unorthodox circuit is also known to present its own dangers. Nico Rosberg was not the only driver who endured the worst of the Monaco street circuit Saturday.

Breaking into the top-10 for the final Q3 qualifying session, Mexico's Sergio Perez piloted his Sauber-Ferrari within the final moments of the time trials for the Monaco Grand Prix when he lost control coming out of the course's tunnel. Hitting the race track's retaining barrier's hard, Perez's Sauber was horrifically demolished. To the relief of everyone, driver Sergio Perez has conscious and suffered no major injures to the crash. Cautious, the Mexican Sauber driver was taken to Princess Grace Hospital for observation where he remained through to the night. Despite a fine qualifying effort, the rookie Formula 1 prospect Sergio Perez will be unable to start the Monaco Grand Prix.  

A total of 23 cars will start the 2011 Monaco Grand Prix Sunday afternoon. While the HRT F1 cars did not record times in qualifying, both have been permitted to race


Formula 1
2011 Monaco Grand Prix
Starting Grid

Pos # |Car # | Driver | Team


1. 1 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Racing
2. 4 Jenson Button McLaren
3. 2 Mark Webber Red Bull Racing
4. 5 Fernando Alonso Ferrari
5. 7 Michael Schumacher Mercedes GP
6. 6 Felipe Massa Ferrari
7. 8 Nico Rosberg Mercedes GP
8. 12 Pastor Maldonado Williams F1
9. 3 Lewis Hamilton McLaren
10. 10 Vitaly Petrov Lotus Renault GP
11. 11 Rubens Barrichello Williams F1
12. 16 Kamui Kobayashi Sauber
13. 15 Paul di Resta Force India
14. 14 Adrian Sutil Force India
15. 9 Nick Heidfeld Lotus Renault GP
16. 18 Sebastien Buemi Scuderia Toro Rosso
17. 21 Heikki Kovalainen Team Lotus
18. 20 Jarno Trulli Team Lotus
19. 19 Jaime Alguersuari Scuderia Toro Rosso
20. 24 Timo Glock Marussia Virgin Racing
21. 25 Jérôme D’Ambrosio Marussia Virgin Racing
22. 22 Narain Karthikeyan HRT F1
23. 23 Vitantonio Liuzzi HRT F1


Not Starting

17 Sergio Pérez Sauber (Qualified 10th but unable to race due to time trial session crash)

Steckly Scores 2011 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Opener at Mosport


Photo Credit: Matthew Manor/NASCAR

Last year, the veteran Canadian stock car racer DJ Kennington took his first national series title. Triumphing after an intense 2010 battle with J.R. Fitzpatrick for the most Northern NASCAR championship, the 2011 season is a complete reset for an all-new season-long battle. While championship rival JR Fitzpatrick has committed to running select races in the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series with Go Canada Racing, DJ Kennington returns in full title defense as competitors such as Scott Steckly and Don Thomson Jr (now teamed with the #8 Dodge owned by Ed Hakonson) quickly want to assert themselves in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. Kicking off the eagerly-awaited 2011 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series on a late May afternoon, the 1/2 oval at Mosport Speedway played host to a field of 19 stock cars for the Dickies 200. 

Competing in the series at least on dates not conflicting with planned runs in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, JR Fitzpatrick got back behind the wheel of the family-owned #84 Chevrolet for the first pole run of the 2011 season. In the #22 Canadian Tire Dodge, Scott Steckly started alongside Fitzpatrick as the field took green at Mosport Speedway.

While JR Fitzpatrick was able to led the race's first 10 laps, a new NASCAR Canadian Tire Series competitor flew around the #84 Chevrolet for an early lead. The #15 Ford driven by freshman Steven Matthews would sprint out front of the Dickies 200 on lap 11 and hold the position for 36 laps. A rookie of the year contender for the 2011 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series tour, 20-year old from New Liskeard, Ontario would be strong earlier but show some inexperience as the race progressed. Making contact with fellow rookie Isabelle Tremblay on lap 45, Steven Matthews would spin his #15 car in turn 1 on lap 119 drawing the race's 2nd caution. Matthews rallied his damaged Ford back to a 10th place finish as the top rookie of the Dickies 200.

Following Steven Matthews' time at the front, reigning 2010 champion DJ Kennington surged to the lead on lap 47 in his #17 Castro-sponsored Dodge Challenger. The #22 Dodge Challenger of Scott Steckly followed Kennington by the #15 car of Matthews as the two Chrysler products fought for the Dickies 200 lead at Mosport Speedway. Spending 11 laps out front, Kennington was overhauled by Steckly. 

With only one caution in the first half of the Dickies 200 for fluid on the race track, the yellow flag slowed the field four times at Mosport in the second-half race stage. Many of the front running cars including Kennington and the #02 Ford of Kerry Micks were involved in the late race calamity.




Photo Credit: Matthew Manor/NASCAR


In the final circuits of the 200-lap event, Scott Steckly held off a last year's Kawartha Speedway winner Pete Shepherd for victory at the Dickies 200. Shepherd once narrowly able to beat the #8 Dodge of Don Thomson Jr to the line for the runner-up position. With Brad Graham collecting 4th, DJ Kennington coming home 5th and the #3 of Jason Hathaway 6th in the event, the new-for-2011 Dodge Challenger body in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series debut concluded with a sweep of the top-six positions at Mosport.  
Leading 112 of the race's 200 laps, Scott Steckly overcame pit problems in the latter half of the Dickies 200 at Mosport Speedway to collect an 8th series victory. The second time Scott Steckly won a season-opening event in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, his last time in 2008 was the stepping stone to the year's driver championship.


2011 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series
Dickies 200
Mosport Speedway
Pos # | Car #| Driver  | Sponsor | Car Make 
  1. 22 Scott Steckly Canadian Tire Dodge
  2. 7 Pete Shepherd, III National Exhaust/HY-Tech Dodge
  3. 8 Don Thomson, Jr. Farmers Feed Families Dodge
  4. 19 Brad Graham Holmar Plumbing Dodge
  5. 17 DJ Kennington Castrol Edge Dodge
  6. 3 Jason Hathaway Snap-on Tools/Vortex Brake Pads Dodge
  7. 84 JR Fitzpatrick Equipment Express Chevrolet
  8. 23 Jeff Lapcevich Tim Hortons Dodge
  9. 60 Ron Beauchamp, Jr. Mopar/Mobil 1 Dodge
  10. 15 Steven Mathews Bill Mathews Motors Ford
  11. 5 Pete Vanderwyst EMCO Dodge
  12. 99 Derek White Mohawk Market Chevrolet
  13. 2 Kerry Micks Dickies/Beyond Digital Imaging Ford
  14. 7 Isabelle Tremblay Groupe Beton Brunet/ADF Diesel Ford
  15. 21 Jason White A&W Dodge
  16. 55 Dexter Stacey WJS Motorsports Dodge
  17. 82 Dave Connelly Schneider's Dodge
  18. 9 Mark Dilley Rheem/PartSource Dodge
  19. 97 Hugo Vannini Vannini Motorsports Ford

Saturday, May 28, 2011

2011 Indy 500 Rookie Class

For first-time drivers of the Indianapolis 500, an award exists that comes just short of the overall victory after 200 laps. Officially created in 1952, the Indy 500 Rookie of the Year Award recognizes the best achievements of drivers making their freshman run on the 2.5-mile oval. While many drivers have the chance the claim several Indianapolis 500 victories, rookie drivers have only one opportunity to contend for race honour. Jim Clark, Mario Andretti, Jackie Stewart and Parnelli Jones are former winners of the top rookie commendation in motorsports.

Since Art Cross was recognized in 1952, the Rookie of the Year title has been a hotly contested honour at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. For 61 years, there has been only one time in the 1979 Indy 500 where there was not a fight for the award for the best freshman driver. In fact, between 1991 and this year's planned running of the Indy 500, there have been only 2 years where fewer than 5 fielded competitors were eligible for the Rookie of the Year award.

Voted by press throughout the month of May activity at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway before and during the Indy 500, the highest-finishing driver is not guaranteed the Rookie of the Year award. Last year, Brazilian driver Mario Romanchini finished 13th as the top rookie but the 2010 honours were given to popular Swiss rookie Simona de Silvestro.

Though considered a barometer for future racing talent, the Rookie of the Year honours bestowed on a driver does not guarantee overall victory in the major race later in their career. Only 9 drivers winning the Indy 500 Rookie of the Year award would become Indy 500 champions. Nonetheless, rookie drivers would deeply crave the pleasure of joining names like Mario Andretti, Rick Mears, Juan-Pablo Montoya and Helio Castroneves who completed the feat.

For 2011, five drivers are fielded within the 100th annual Indianapolis 500 in pursuit of the proud commendation.



JR Hildebrand




Photo Credit: INDYCAR

Birth Date: January 3, 1988
Country of Origin: United States
2011 Indy 500 Team: Panther Racing
2011 Indy 500 Qualifying Position: 12th
Past Racing Experience: Cooper Tires Championship Series, AlGP, Firestone Indy Lights, American Le Mans Series
Career Highlight: 2009 Firestone Indy Light Champion with 4 race victory in season

2011 Indy 500 Prospect: Despite winning the Firestone Indy Lights title in 2009, JR Hildebrand was missed by INDYCAR teams for almost the entire 2010 season. Out of the 2011 Indy 500 rookie class, JR Hildebrand has the advantage of being one of only two drivers having raced in the full IZOD INDYCAR Series so far this season. Hildebrand's Panther Racing team has also finished 2nd in the previous two Indianapolis 500 events. JR Hildebrand has a personal 2nd place finish at the track in 2009 after the Freedom 100.







James Hinchcliffe


Photo Credit: INDYCAR

Birth Date: December 5, 1986
Country of Origin: Canada
2011 Indy 500 Team: Newman/Haas Racing
2011 Indy 500 Qualifying Position: 13th
Past Racing Experience: Formula BMW, Star Mazda, Atlantic Championship, Firestone Indy Lights
Career Highlight: 2010 Firestone Indy Lights Series Overall Runner-up winning 3 races.

2011 Indy 500 Prospect: Missing the opening round of the 2011 IZOD INDYCAR Series his sponsorship with Newman/Haas Racing was being finalized, James Hinchcliffe has demonstrated hunger and determination. Joining the IZOD INDYCAR Series at the Barber Motorsports Park, Hinchcliffe went on to post the best rookie finish in the 2011 season so far with a 4th at the Grand Prix of Long Beach. Running twice in the Freedom 100 Firestone Indy Lights race at the Indianpolis Motor Speedway, Hinchcliffe recorded a highest finish of 3rd place.





Jay Howard

Photo Credit: INDYCAR

Birth Date: February 16, 1981
Country of Origin: England
2011 Indy 500 Team: Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
2011 Indy 500 Qualifying Position: 20th
Past Racing Experience: British Formula Ford Championship, Formula Renault 2000 UK, U.S. F2000 National Championship, Indy Pro Series/Firestone Indy Lights
Career Highlight: 2005 U.S. F2000 National Championship title, 2006 Indy Pro Series (now Firestone Indy Lights) Champion

2011 Indy 500 Prospect: Making his first Indianapolis 500 start in 2011, Jay Howard is the most experienced driver of all rookie contenders fielded in this year's Indy 500 on virtue of 9 IZOD INDYCAR Series starts. However, Howard's best finishes came in 2008 with a pair of 13th place efforts at Kansas Speedway and the Twin-Ring Motegi circuit in Japan. Howard drives for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, a part-time team with winning history at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In previous competition at the Indianapolis Motor Speed, Jay Howard finished 4th in a 2009 Freedom 100 race.

 


Charlie Kimball

Photo Credit: INDYCAR

Birth Date: February 20, 1985
Country of Origin: England/United States
2011 Indy 500 Team: Chip Ganassi Racing
2011 Indy 500 Qualifying Position: 28th
Past Racing Experience: Formula Dodge, British Formula Three, A1 GP, Firestone Indy Lights
Career Highlight: 4th in 2010 Firestone Indy Lights championship

2011 Indy 500 Prospect: A rookie driver with a relatively rookie full-time IZOD INDYCAR Series team, Charlie Kimball earned a 10th place finish in only his second career race. Both entries of Kimball and Graham Rahal from the newly-established second Chip Ganassi Racing team have been struggling to find speed during practice and qualifying at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In last year's Firestone Freedom 100, Kimball achieved a runner-up spot after a hard-fought effort with race winner Wade Cunningham.



Pippa Mann

Photo Credit: INDYCAR

Birth Date:
Country of Origin: England
2011 Indy 500 Team: Conquest Racing
2011 Indy 500 Qualifying Position: 31st
Past Racing Experience: French and British Formula Renault, Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain, Firestone Indy Lights
Career Highlight: Won 2010 Kentucky race in Firestone Indy Lights

2011 Indy 500 Prospect: Pippa Mann became a definite force on oval race tracks last year on the Firestone Indy Lights tour winning at Kentucky Speedway and coming in a razor-thin 0.0159 seconds behind the victorious James Hinchcliffe at Chicagoland. In the 2009 and 2010 Indy 500, Mann's Conquest Racing team fielded rookie drivers resulting in the highest finishing position for first time drivers at the Brickyard. In most recent years at the Indy 500, female drivers have been very successful fighting for the race's Rookie of the Year title. Danica Patrick won in 2005 and Simona de Silvestro was the past Indy 500 Rookie of the year winner.

NASCAR Canada Set to Roll for 2011

Photo Credit: Matthew Murnaghan/NASCAR

Entry List for Dickies 200 at Mosport Speedway (19 Cars)

02 Kerry Micks Dickie's/Beyond Digital Imaging
07 Isabelle Tremblay Group Beton Brunet/ADF Diesel
3 Jason Hathaway Snap On Tools/Vortex Brake Pads
5 Pete Vanderwyst EMCO/White Mudd Mechanical
7 Peter Shepherd National Exhaust/Hy-Tech
8 Don Thomson, Jr. Farmers Feed Families
9 Mark Dilley Rheem/PartSource
15 Steven Mathews Mathews Motorsports
17 D.J. Kennington Castrol Edge/Mahindra Tractors
19 Brad Graham Holmar Plumbing
21 Jason White A & W
22 Scott Steckly Canadian Tire
23 Jeff Lapcevich Tim Hortons
55 Dexter Stacey Bully's Truck Stop
60 Ron Beauchamp, Jr. Mopar / Mobil 1
82 Dave Connelly Schneider's/Metro Hot Rod
84 J.R. Fitzpatrick Equipment Express
97 Hugo Vannini Vannini Motorsports
99 Derek White OCR Gaz Bar



2011 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Tour

Saturday, May 28
Dickies 200
Mosport Speedway (Bowmanville, Ont.)
Race Time: 7:00 pm Eastern time

Track Type: Oval
Track Distance: 0.50 mile
Race Distance: 200 laps (100 miles)
2010 Race Winner: Don Thomson Jr
Track Website: http://www.mosport.com/


Sunday, June 5
Grand Prix iCAR Presented by Continental Tire
Circuit ICAR (Montreal, Que.)
Race Time: TBA

Track Type: Permanent Road Course
Track Distance: 3 km (1.86 mile)
Race Distance: 35 laps (65.1 miles)
2010 Race Winner: New track to series
Track Website: http://www.circuiticar.com/home.html


Saturday, June 11
Keystone Light 200
Delaware Speedway (London, Ont.)
Race Time: 8:00 pm Eastern time

Track Type: Oval
Track Distance: 0.50 mile
Race Distance: 200 Laps (100 Mile)
2010 Race Winner: DJ Kennington
Track Website: http://www.delawarespeedway.com/


Sunday, June 26
Vortex Brake Pads 200
Mosport Int'l Raceway (Bowmanville, Ont.)
Race Time: TBA

Track Type: Permanent Road Course
Track Distance: 3.96 km (2.46 mile)
Race Distance: 51 Laps (125.41 miles)
2010 Race Winner: JR Fitzpatrick
Track Website: http://www.mosport.com/




Saturday, July 9
TBA
Toronto Exhibition Place (Toronto, Ont.)
Race Time: TBA

Track Type: Street Course
Track Distance: 2.84 km (1.76 mile)
Race Distance: 35 laps (61.43 miles)
2010 Race Winner: Andrew Ranger
Track Website: http://hondaindytoronto.com/




Saturday, July 23
A&W Cruisin' The Dub 300
Motoplex Speedway (Vernon, B.C.)
Race Time: 8 pm Pacific time (5 pm Eastern time)

Track Type: Oval
Track Distance: 0.50 mile
Race Distance: 300 laps (150 miles)
2010 Race Winner: Scott Steckly
Track Website: http://www.motoplexspeedway.com/




Wednesday, July 27
Velocity Prairie Thunder 250
Auto Clearing Motor Speedway (Saskatoon, Sask.)
Race Time: 7:00 pm Central time (5:00 pm Eastern time)

Track Type: Oval
Track Distance: 0.375 mile
Race Distance: 250 Laps (93.75 mile)
2010 Race Winner: DJ Kennington
Track Website: http://www.autoclearingmotorspeedway.ca/




Sunday, Aug. 7
Grand Prix Trois Rivieres
Circuit de Trois-Rivieres (Trois-Rivieres, Que.)
Race Time: TBA

Track Type:
Street Course
Track Distance: 2.57 km (1.6 mile)
Race Distance: 42 Laps (67.2 mile)
2010 Race Winner: Andrew Ranger
Track Website: http://www.gp3r.com/en.html




Saturday, Aug. 20
NAPA Auto Parts 100
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve (Montreal, Que.)
Race time: TBA

Track Type: Street Course
Track Distance: 4.36 km (2.709 mile)
Race Distance: 23 Laps (100.3 miles)
2010 Race Winner: Andrew Ranger
Track Website: http://www.napa200.ca/montreal-nascar.html




Saturday, Sept. 10
NASCAR WILD WING 300
Barrie Speedway (Barrie, Ont.)
Race Time: 8:00 pm Eastern Time

Track Type:
Oval
Track Distance: 0.333 mile
Race Distance: 300 laps (100 miles)
2010 Race Winner: DJ Kennington
Track Website: http://www.barriespeedway.com/




Saturday, Sept. 17
TBA
Riverside Int’l Speedway (Antigonish, N.S.)
Race Time: TBA

Track Type: Oval
Track Distance: 0.333 mile
Race Distance: 300 Laps (100 Mile)
2010 Race Winner: DJ Kennington
Track Website: http://www.riversidespeedway.ca/




Saturday, Sept. 24
TBA
Kawartha Speedway (Peterborough, Ont.)
Race Time: TBA

Track Type: Oval
Track Distance: 0.375 mile
Race Distance: 250 Laps (93.75 miles)
2010 Race Winner: Pete Shepherd
Track Website: http://www.kawarthadowns.com/

Dixon Fastest After Busy Indy 500 Carb Day Practice

Photo Credit: INDYCAR


A historic event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the month of May, Carburetion Day is the final day tune-up for drivers and teams readying to run Sunday’s Indianapolis 500. In the modern era at the Brickyard, the day is simply known as Carb Day (not to be confused with some event rebel dieticians organized against Atkins). For 2011, the all-so important Miller Lite Carb Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway offers only a tight one-hour track time session for 33 IZOD INDYCAR Series Honda-powered Dallaras.

On the 104-year old 2.5-mile track Friday, every driver made an effort to break in their racing setups for the big 500-miler. Unlike practice leading up to qualifying where only 4-laps of speed was needed, IZOD INDYCAR teams were intent on zeroing in on finding consistency for a 200-lap race distance on Miller Lite Carb Day. Nonetheless, track times through the practice session would continue to demonstrate what car would be the force to be reckoned with for the 100th annual Indy 500. The last time to send a message to other teams ahead of the 2011 Indy 500, some veterans at the Brickyard took advantage of Carb Day practice to assert some strength against newer comers wanting to drink the milk of Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s victory lane.

Fastest on Friday, the Target-Chip Ganassi Racing pairing has revealed to defending Indy 500-winning squad will likely be a threat again in 2011. New Zealand’s Scott Dixon, front row qualifier and 2008 Indy 500 champion, stormed to the fastest time around the 2.5-mile track. Lapping at a fastest time of 225.474 miles per hour, Dixon and the #9 Target car served up some retribution against the Sam Schmidt Racing team’s #77 car that prevailed over Chip Ganassi Racing on last Saturday’s Pole Day qualifying. Second fastest but prepared to translate qualifying success into race day speed, 2011 Indy 500 polesitter Alex Tagliani clocked a time about 13/100th slower than Dixon. Giving favourable odds to Alex Tagliani, 20 times the Indianapolis 500 race has been won by a driver capturing the pole position. The 2010 Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti was third in the Car Day session just 14/1000th of a second slower than Tagliani’s #77 Sam Schmidt Racing car.

Rounding out the top-5 in Miller Lite Carb Day practice is Vitor Meira driving for AJ Foyt Racing and Dan Wheldon piloting a one-off entry for Brian Herta Autosport at Indy. Meira and Wheldon were the runner-up finishers of the last two Indianapolis 500 races when they drove for Panther Racing in their respective years.

With three Canadian drivers making the grid for the 2011 Indy 500, Quebec’s Alex Tagliani experienced the most publicity on virtue of scoring the pole for Sunday’s major race. Also fielded in the Indy 500 is West Hill, Ontario native Paul Tracy starting 25th in car provided by Dreyer & Reinbold Racing. Completing 47 laps on Carb Day practice, Tracy’s fastest time ranked 17th on the overall ranking. The third racing Canada, Indianapolis 500 rookie of the year candidate James Hinchcliffe from Toronto, Ontario, will start 13th on Sunday at the Brickyard but encountered troubles finding speed Friday finishing the session 25th fastest. In the rookie bunch that includes 5 drivers making their first start at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s historic 500 mile race, the Panther Racing driver JR Hildebrand posted the fastest time in 11th place on the speed chart.

Following the results of Bump Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, one story of the early week was the angling Andretti Autosport performed in entering one of their two drivers who failed to qualify for the 2011 Indy 500. American Ryan Hunter-Reay was initially set to sit out the race until a deal was made with AJ Foyt Racing. Described as a business decision with the #41 AJ Foyt Racing car, Brazilian Bruno Junquiera was relieved in favour of the full-time IZOD INDYCAR Series driver Hunter-Reay. On the race track Friday, Ryan Hunter-Reay performed the 7th fastest time in the session as the American will have to charge from the 33rd starting spot on Sunday to become a factor in the Indy 500.

Proving how important track time in preparation for Sunday’s Indianapolis 500 is to teams, all but three INDYCAR teams circulated the track for more than 30 laps within the one hour period. Between the 33 cars running for Carb Day practice, 1,406 laps were recorded.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Race Weekend Weather Forecast: May 26th to May 29th, 2011

Photo Credit: Steve Shunck


Monaco Grand Prix
Monte Carlo, Monaco
Formula 1

Eastern time is in brackets ()

Thursday:

10 am (4 am)- Formula 1 Practice 1
Temperature: 26 degrees Celsius (79 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Sunny but partly cloudy
Chance of Precipitation: 20%

2 pm (8 am)- Formula 1 Practice 2
Temperature: 28 degrees Celsius (82 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Sunny but partly cloudy
Chance of Precipitation: 0%



Friday:

No Formula 1 race activity



Saturday:

11 am (5 am)- Formula 1 Practice 3
Temperature: 26 degrees Celsius (79 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Sunny
Chance of Precipitation: 0%

2 pm (8 pm)- Formula 1 Qualifying
Temperature: 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Sunny
Chance of Precipitation: 0%


Sunday:

2 pm (8 am)-Formula 1 Race
Temperature: 25 degrees Celsius (79 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Sunny
Chance of Precipitation: 0%



Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
IZOD INDYCAR Series/ Firestone Indy Lights Series

Thursday:

9:45 am Firestone Indy Lights Practice
Temperature: 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Overcast with clouds
Chance of Precipitation: 40%

11 am Firestone Indy Lights Practice
Temperature: 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Rain with clouds
Chance of Precipitation: 100%

3 pm Firestone Indy Lights Qualifying
Temperature: 21 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Rain with clouds
Chance of Precipitation: 80%



Friday:

11 am IZOD INDYCAR Series Carb Day Practice
Temperature: 15 degrees Celsius (60 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Clouds with chance of rain
Chance of Precipitation: 40%

12:30 pm Firestone Indy Lights Series Race- Freedom 100
Temperature: 16 degrees Celsius (61 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Rain with clouds
Chance of Precipitation: 0%

1:30 pm IZOD INDYCAR Series
Temperature: 18 degrees Celsius (64 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Cloudy
Chance of Precipitation: 0%



Saturday:

No Track Activity


Sunday:
IZOD INDYCAR Series Race- Indianapolis 500
Temperature: 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Sunny with Clouds
Chance of Precipitation: 0%


Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte Motor Speedway
NASCAR Sprint Cup/Nationwide Series


Thursday:

2 pm NASCAR Nationwide Series Practice
Temperature: 31 degrees Celsius (88 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Sunny
Chance of Precipitation: 20%

3:30 pm NASCAR Sprint Cup Practice
Temperature: 31 degrees Celsius (88 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Sunny
Chance of Precipitation: 20%

5:10 pm NASCAR Nationwide Series Practice
Temperature: 31 degrees Celsius (87 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Sunny
Chance of Precipitation: 20%

7:10 pm NASCAR Sprint Cup Qualifying
Temperature: 28 degrees Celsius (82 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Cloudy with Chance of rain later in the night
Chance of Precipitation: 20%


Saturday:
10:10 am- NASCAR Nationwide Series Qualifying
Temperature: 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Cloudy with chance of rain
Chance of Precipitation: 10%
12:50 pm- NASCAR Sprint Cup Practice
Temperature: 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Cloudy with chance of rain and thunderstorms
Chance of Precipitation: 80%

2:30 pm- NASCAR Nationwide Series Race- Top Gear 300
Temperature: 29 degrees Celsius (84 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Sun/clouds with chance of rain later in the afternoon
Chance of Precipitation: 0%


Sunday:

6:00 pm- NASCAR Sprint Cup Race- Coca-Cola 600
Temperature: 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sky Conditions: Clear skies with some clouds
Chance of Precipitation: 0%



Sources: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Weather Underground

Monday, May 23, 2011

The 2011 Indianapolis 500 Starting Grid

Photo Credit: Jim Haines

 Starting Lineup
  1.  77 Alex Tagliani/Canada/ Sam Schmidt Racing
  2.  9 Scott Dixon/New Zealand/ Target/Chip Ganassi Racing
  3.  2 Oriol Servia/Spanish/ Newman/Haas Racing
  4.  99 Townsend Bell/United States/ Brian Herta Autosport
  5.  12 Will Power/Australia/ Penske Racing
  6.  98 Dan Wheldon/England/ Sam Schmidt Racing
  7.  44 Billy Rice/United States/Panther Racing
  8.  67 Ed Carpenter/United States/Sarah Fisher Racing
  9.  10 Dario Franchitti/Scotland/ Target/Chip Ganassi Racing
  10.  5 Takuma Sato/Japan/ KV Racing Technology
  11.  14 Vitor Meira/Brazil/ AJ Foyt Racing Enterprises
  12.  4 JR Hildebrand/United States/ Panther Racing
  13.  06 James Hinchcliffe/Canada/ Newman/Haas Racing
  14.  30 Bertrand Baguette/Belgium/Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
  15.  11 Davey Hamilton/United States/Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
  16.  3 Helio Castroneves/Brazil/ Penske Racing
  17.  43 John Andretti/ United States/Andretti Autosport
  18.  58 EJ Viso/Venezuela/ KV Racing Technology
  19.  41 Bruno Junqueira/Brazil/AJ Foyt Racing Enterprises
  20.  22 Justin Wilson/England/ Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
  21.  88 Jay Howard/England/Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
  22.  07 Tomas Scheckter/South Africa/KV Racing Technology-SH Racing
  23.  82 Tony Kanaan/Brazil/ KV Racing Technology
  24.  78 Simona De Silvestro/Switzerland/ HVM Racing
  25.  23 Paul Tracy/Canada/Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
  26.  7 Danica Patrick/United States/ Andretti Autosport
  27.  6 Ryan Briscoe/Australia/ Penske Racing
  28.  26 Marco Andretti/United States/ Andretti Autosport
  29.  83 Charlie Kimball/United States/ Chip Ganassi Racing
  30.  38 Graham Rahal/United States/Chip Ganassi Racing
  31.  19 Alex Lloyd/England/Dale Coyne Racing
  32.  36 Pippa Mann/England/Conquest Racing
  33.  24 Ana Beatriz/Brazil/ Dreyer & Reinbold


Did Not Qualify
 
8 Ho-Pin Tung/China/Dragon Racing
17 Raphael Matos/Brazil/AFS Racing
18 James Jakes/British/Dale Coyne Racing
20 Scott Speed/United States/Dragon Racing
27 Mike Conway/England/Andretti Autosport
34 Sebastien Saavedra/Columbia/Conquest Racing
37 Ryan Hunter-Reay/United States/Andretti Autosport

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Carpentier Hits Hard at Indy; Dragon Racing Packs Up

Photo Credit: LAT Photo USA via Indianapolis Motor Speedway

On Saturday's Indy 500 Pole Day, a historic moment for Canadian motorsports transpired as Quebec native Alex Tagliani wheeled his #77 Sam Schmidt Racing car to the top spot in qualifying. Considered an underdog effort by some, the Sam Schmidt Racing team did demonstrate a determined effort can be successful even in direct competition with Penske Racing and Target-Chip Ganassi Racing. One of the team's at Indianapolis Motor Speedway who was hoping to be motivated by the efforts of Sam Schmidt Racing was Dragon Racing.

Like the #77 car, the Dragon Racing team campaigned as a single-car team full-time on the 2010 IZOD INDYCAR Series schedule. Unfortunately for 2011, the than de Ferran-Dragon Racing team was originally folded when an attempt to field 2004 INDYCAR Series champion Tony Kanaan fell through due to lack of sponsorship. Reactivating the team, owner Jay Penske has fielded popular Canadian Paul Tracy at Long Beach with several more race scheduled for the 2011 IZOD INDYCAR tour. For the Indianapolis 500, Dragon Racing has signed former NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Scott Speed along with Chinese driver Ho-Pin Tung. In preparations for the Indy 500, both drivers struggled for speed on the 2.5-mile oval track and qualifying would not signify a turnaround for the team.

On Saturday, Ho-Pin Tung crashed his #8 car suffering a mild concussion in the impact. Being a smaller race team operation, Dragon Racing arrived at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with no race cars to spare. With only a single car remaining in their efforts to qualify for the Indy 500, the #20 car driven through the week's practice sessions by Scott Speed entered Sunday's Bump Day of qualifying without even a single time trial attempt on Saturday. Dealing with a slow car, the Dragon Racing team were also dealing with the added obstacle of a rookie IZOD INDYCAR driver. Though Speed drove a Formula 1 car for Scuderia Toro Rosso, his past several years of racing experience was based on stock car racing. In order to overcome the driver curb, Dragon Racing opted to hand the car over to Canadian Patrick Carpentier.

Having made just one Indy 500 start in 2005 where he finished 21st are mechanical failure, Patrick Carpentier was notably a teammate to 2011 Indy 500 pole sitter Alex Tagliani from 2000 to 2002 seasons in the now-disbanded CART World Series. Set to qualify for #20 car, Carpentier took to the track only to come face-to-face with the handling difficulties Scott Speed was experiencing.


Photo Credit: Mike Young


As Carpentier entered turn 1, the #20 Dragon Racing car snapped loose and slammed the Indianapolis Motor Speedway outer wall. The impact occurring along the left hand side of the Dallara chassis destroyed the suspension arms as well as much of the bodywork as it spun down the track.

Photo Credit: Mike Young


Escaping injury, Patrick Carpentier's crash ended the plans for the Dragon Racing team to stage at least one car within the 33-car Indy 500 grid in 2011. Having to pack up their equipment, the Dragon Racing

team leaves a track where a 2007 effort by current Penske Racing driver Ryan Briscoe netted a 5th place finish.




Photo Credit: Mike Young


As Sunday's Bump Day continues at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 8 remaining positions remain up for grabs.