Headlines away from the track: IndyCar

[Retroram52]

Grand Prix of Boston?

 

[IndyAndy]

Grand Prix of Boston?

Haven't heard anything about that happening: how about you?

 

[Retroram52]

No I haven't. Looks out of sorts on that list so that is why I responded in the manner that I did. Just doesn't make any sense because the streets of Boston are very tight and there is no real room. Just mind boggling.

 

[forty_three]

Indycar Racing News | Racer.com - INDYCAR: Fontana out; Phoenix closer to return

Yeah, the last time they went there, it was the most exciting race of the season and had some young American guys finish in the top 4, and had fans of other racing series commenting that if Indy Car racing was like that, they'd watch more.

Can't let something like that continue.

The one guy who had already renewed his seats for next year must be devastated.

 

[IndyAndy]

Yeah; but the drivers hated it, so....

 

[Retroram52]

Yea Indy. There is something funny about Roger's track that the IndyCar driver's hate. I think it is just a bit too flat and not enough banking. I am guessing here. It is a conundrum as to why they dislike the track so much. It is certainly wide enough.

 

[IndyAndy]

TV viewership of IndyCar was up for the 2nd strait year.

racer.com

For some reason, the above link doesn't work: try this one instead:

www.broadwayworld.com

 

[Retroram52]

Racing aficionado's have grown weary of NASCAR and the races are being promoted better.

 

[forty_three]

Racing aficionado's have grown weary of NASCAR and the races are being promoted better.

I used to watch NASCAR, but I got really tired of what felt like manufactured controversy and rivalries.

Indy Car now feels a bit like the old "wild West" days of CART. The cars are crazy fast (albeit a bit fragile) and they have some really great personalities behind the wheel (and a defending champ who is a whiner...). There is a really good mix of events and the number of "WTF is that guy doing out there" drivers is way down.

They've done a lot of really good work in making the races more accessible. Great in car cams and data, good paddock reporting and the LED lights for position and pit time is awesome. Not there yet, but going the right way.

If they could just get out of their own way on things like Fontana being cancelled after everyone loved it and all their drivers crying about how the sport sucks whole new viewers are tuning in...

 

[IndyAndy]

Honda is looking for permission from INDYCAR to do some 'extra' tweaking on their aero kits for next year.

www.racer.com

 

[Forty_Sixand2]

SIAP but this is a pretty interesting and comprehensive article:

Viewpoints - PRUETT: 11 Big Questions for IndyCar

 

[Retroram52]

IndyCar is really looking at their series in light of an increase in attendance and T.V. viewership this past season at the majority of the races. I think they sense they could really grab a nice chunk of market share since NASCAR and F-1 appear to be faltering.

 

[IndyAndy]

I've heard this tale from folks that I've met at IMS over the years myself:

Ganassi's 'secret' test tunnel

 

[Retroram52]

Interesting read. I used to live north of these sites about 7 years hence.

 

[IndyAndy]

2015 Indy Lights champion Spencer Pigot has landed a three race (for now: there may be more to come) deal to drive for RLL in 2016.

foxsports.com

 

[IndyAndy]

And here is the 2016 IndyCar Series schedule:

www.nextgenindy.com

Basically, Louisiana and Fontana are gone, while Phoenix, Road America and Boston are now official.

 

[forty_three]

And here is the 2016 IndyCar Series schedule:

www.nextgenindy.com

Basically, Louisiana and Fontana are gone, while Phoenix, Road America and Boston are now official.

Sad about Fontana, excited about Road America. Couldn't care less about Boston or Phoenix.

 

[Retroram52]

Me too forty_three.

 

[IndyAndy]

INDYCAR names a replacement for Derrick Walker:

espn.go.com

 

[IndyAndy]

Congrats to Graham Rahal & Courtney Force:

Rahal, Force marry.