Headlines away from the track: IndyCar

[Retroram52]

I guess IndyCar have had so much success at the course in Alabama they are adding NO. What, still are not adding Road America?

 

[IndyAndy]

While still anemic, NBCSN's IndyCar viewership numbers grew significantly over last year's.

tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com

 

[IndyAndy]

A couple of things to mull over for next season: 2 major changes (?)

1) The much-delayed aero kits are supposedly still on for 2015.

2) According to the author of this article, Driver canopies are getting a good, hard look.

... several recent accidents, including the 2011 fatal crash in Las Vegas involving Dan Wheldon and the 2013 crash in Houston that ended Dario Franchitti’s career accelerated the conversation.

Two crashes involving Mikhail Aleshin this year, one where another car’s tire hit his helmet and a separate incident in Fontana where Aleshin hit a fence and suffered a serious head and other injuries have ratcheted up concerns over driver safety.

IndyCar officials this season have said they are now considering some type of cockpit enclosure. Derrick Walker, who became IndyCar’s president of competition in mid 2013, is talking with the series’ chassis maker, Dallara, about the possibility of at least a partial covering to protect drivers’ heads and upper bodies.

 

[IndyAndy]

Here is an early 'Silly Season' update. Quite a few drivers have already made moves.

nbcsports.com

 

[Retroram52]

I saw that Indy. Very interesting read. I suspect also that these Indy cars will eventually adopt the body style of the R&D prototype cars in the Rolex series that Chip Kanassi is famous for with the discussions of driver canopies. DSR Racing in NHRA has already adopted a driver canopy on their top-fuel cars so it stands to reason Indy Cars are next. The final version may not be totally the same but may look similar to those Rolex cars. I suppose if you want to race out in the breeze, one will have to revert to motorcycle racing.

 

[IndyAndy]

Dallara just shipped out the 1st 10 of the new generation Indy Lights chassis.

www.indycar.com/news

 

[Retroram52]

Yep the Dallara tub.

 

[Retroram52]

Big week-end in NHRA. John Force and Matt Hagan are battling for championship honors in Funny Car. If Force wins, it'll be a record 17 rings. If Hagan takes it, it'll be his second in four years. Eric Enders-Stevens is contention for Pro-Stock honors being the first woman to hold that one if she earns it and Tony Schumacher has all but wrapped up Top Fuel for a record 8 championships. Lots of cool stuff going on in California.

 

[IndyAndy]

Okay, so this really isn't "news", but it's something that they do at IMS every year after the 1st snowfall: Go out & get a pick of the place coated in pristine white.

I always find these pics to be pretty neat.

 

[Retroram52]

Enchanting as well Indy.

 

[IndyAndy]

The 2012 GP2 champ is looking at IndyCar for 2015: Valsecchi to test for SPM

 

[IndyAndy]

Current US/Russia relations issues could derail Aleshin's hopes of returning to IndyCar

www.indystar.com

 

[Dougie McBuckets]

I saw where it's Lindy Thackston's birthday. Best pit reporter ever?

 

[IndyAndy]

Jean-Eric Vergne is testing the waters over on our side of the Pond:

JEV exploring IndyCar options

 

[forty_three]

IndyCar?s Graham Rahal, NHRA?s Courtney Force engaged | MotorSportsTalk

Congrats, Graham and Courtney.

Those children will be FAST

 

[IndyAndy]

No more standing starts come 2015: Also, double points for Sonoma (in addition to the big ovals).

2015 rules changes

Have to admit; I won't miss the standing starts - Any more than the drivers!

 

[IndyAndy]

Looks like Alexander Rossi is throwing in the towel on his F1 aspirations:

Rossi exploring IndyCar options.

 

[IndyAndy]

A nice, brief overview of Roger Penske for those of you unfamiliar with his 'story':

fortune.com

 

[IndyAndy]

Looks like we have another GP2 driver who's willing to explore his IndyCar options:

Coletti to test with SPM

Also reading that Target will no longer be the primary sponsor on the #10 Ganassi car next season:

NNT Data to sponsor Kanaan's car

 

[IndyAndy]

Starting in 2015, Mazda will supply the engines for all three of the Road to Indy developmental series, including Indy Lights:

www.prnnewswire

Mike Conway will be unable to renew his highly productive relationship with CFH Racing for 2015 :

www.indycar.com