2013 Itaipava Sao Paulo Indy 300 presented by Nestle – Tweet-By-Tweet

May 5, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Will Ryan Hunter-Reay break into the top five in season championship points lead or will team-mate EJ Viso have his own designs to try and vault into the top ten without knocking RHR out with a crash? Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2013)

2013 Itaipava Sao Paulo Indy 300 presented by Nestle – Tweet-By-Tweet

Round four of the 2013 IZOD IndyCar Series (IICS) sees its fourth in a succession of road/street courses to kick-off the season before going on with the month of May festivities at IndyCar’s home city and the grand-daddy of all left-turn only (do we need to say it – oval) races, the Indy 500.

The Mayor of Sao Paulo, Gilberto Kassab, fought hard to bring the IICS to South America and race here. He even went to the point of declaring Sao Paulo the South American Indianapolis in 2009, or maybe a better characterization might be that they were establishing itself as capital of motor racing in South America – no other city could rival the tradition and race that have defined a city ever since the 2.5 mile track was first laid out in 1909.

Welcome to an internet based exercise that this author/editor calls Tweet-By-Tweet. It is a form of New Media reporting on an event from the perspective of mostly well informed and rabid followers of a particular discipline that happen to be communicating LIVE at the same time, sharing their reactions to the happenings of an important event.

The following “Tweets” (entries from Twitter social media portal) come from those who have an account on Twitter and become followed by people of similar interests plus specific #hashtag searches. Contributors who “Tweet” (create an entry made on Twitter) come from many backgrounds such as racing team communications personnel, writers, drivers from other series, bloggers, and just plain fans.

This excerpted and edited from Twitter with entries added from IndyCar, Race Control, and the author -

To start the race, it is always a good thing to have the initial balance of perspective of how the field will line up to take the Green Flag to start the race.

Sao Paulo Indy 300 – Sao Paulo, Brazil

Qualification Results
Pos. Driver Best Time Round
1 Ryan Hunter-Reay 1:20.4312 Firestone Fast Six
2 EJ Viso 1:20.7380 Firestone Fast Six
3 Dario Franchitti 1:20.8922 Firestone Fast Six
4 Tony Kanaan 1:20.9812 Firestone Fast Six
5 James Hinchcliffe 1:20.9893 Firestone Fast Six
6 Scott Dixon 1:21.1183 Firestone Fast Six
7 Sebastien Bourdais 1:20.8210 Round 2 / Top 12
8 Simona de Silvestro 1:20.9390 Round 2 / Top 12
9 Justin Wilson 1:21.0570 Round 2 / Top 12
10 Marco Andretti 1:21.1716 Round 2 / Top 12
11 JR Hildebrand 1:21.2961 Round 2 / Top 12
12 Takuma Sato 1:21.3618 Round 2 / Top 12
13 Oriol Servia 1:21.7963 Round 1 / Group 1
14 Ed Carpenter 1:24:0203 Round 1 / Group 2
15 Alex Tagliani 1:21.8636 Round 1 / Group 1
16 Ana Beatriz 1:24:8864 Round 1 / Group 2
17 Charlie Kimball 1:22.2482 Round 1 / Group 1
18 Helio Castroneves 1:25:1734 Round 1 / Group 2
19 Graham Rahal 1:22.2998 Round 1 / Group 1
20 Sebastian Saavedra 4:00.2612 Round 1 / Group 2
21 Tristan Vautier 3:20.5417 Round 1 / Group 1
22 Will Power 4:05.5886 Round 1 / Group 2
23 Josef Newgarden No Time Round 1 / Group 1
24 Simon Pagenaud 4:23.1097 Round 1 / Group 2
25 James Jakes No Time Round 1 / Group 2
(ht:indycar)

It’s interesting to note that no Penske Racing team car made it to the Firestone Fast Six. This was because the group Will Power and Helio Castroneves were qualifying in, suffered an interruption from an accident caused by Rahal Letterman Lanigan’s James Jakes and this cut the time short for a clear run. Power will start from P22 and Castroneves from P18.

Also, former Lotus Dragon Racing team-mates, Sebastien Bourdais and Simona de Silvestro, will be starting next to each other in the fourth row … just outside of the Firestone Fast Six.

IndyCar Teammates @RyanHunterReay & @EJVISO start on the front row in the #IndySaoPaulo at 11a ET on @NBCSN! #IndyCar pic.twitter.com/NkEJ9zre1m

– The Official Twitter page of the IZOD IndyCar Series. Keep up w/ the latest from drivers, fans &

– Both KV Racing Technology Drivers Qualify In The Top-Eight

– Only five cars are starting on the Alternate tires today:Franchitti, Kanaan, Dixon, Carpenter and Vautier.

– Talladega and Sao Paolo in the same day, quite a tongue twister for American motorsports fans

– Won’t be able to see live today per other commitments, so gonna have to stay off social media and avoid spoilers!

– Recuerden hoy el vzolano arranca en 1ra fila en lo que será la 4ta fecha de la temporada de la en las calles de Sao Paulo

– “: Two Drivers and are top 10 in every practice session! Go Guys! ” Thanks Teri!

– My prediction for is: 1.Kanaan 2.Hunter-Reay 3.Franchitti… The lovely Brazil: Boa sorte a todos e boa corrida!!!

– The race in Sao Paulo will start soon. Sato should win again.

– Gonna be a long day in front of screens. in 30mins then, hopefully, they’ll get Talladega off the ground i.e. green flag.

– Waiting for the text/call from the wife when she realizes I am recording BOTH races today over her shows. Love the DirecTV app.

– What time does that race start, trying to catch the British GT Quali, but I think it clashes with the :-\

Edmund Jenks @TheEDJE – @jamesf40 – Ahhhhhh! Choices, Choices, Choices …

– @TheEDJE – Lol! I’m not complaining, its been an epic weekend of motorsport so far, even without the :-)

– GAORAでINDY CAR第４戦を見るために風呂ってきまーす(^o^)《明日は早番ですが^^;》

- Weather seems to be clear for this race for the first time – Internet Radio Broadcast begins –

– Interesting tire choices for start of : all but 5 drivers on primaries (black sidewall) Firehawks.

– Hey Nice feature on in pre-race show!

– [News] Statement on the Future of Dreyer & Reinbold Racing after INDY500

Sad to hear that we may lose a team for the balance of the season – Oriol Servia (starting P13) has to be really unhappy between last season’s messed up run with Lotus and now this DRR suspension of race operations.

– Aww “weather isn’t a problem”. What kind of grand prix in São Paulo is this? No rain? No Interlagos?!

GREEN, GREEN, GREEN – the Itaipava Sao Paulo Indy 300 presented by Nestle begins

– Green flag has been shown, 75 laps to be run

– Ready to go in we need a fifth country win this year, Brazil or Switzerland would be nice.

– GREEN! Viso gets passed for P2 by Franchitti. Clean start.

– Have we had a lap 1 at Brazil yet with zero contact? My gut says no. ‘s changes responsible? Thumbs up.

– Power up to three positions in two laps. Now in 19th.

– Tristan moves from P21 to P17 in first 2 laps of

– Clean start and everyone’s running. TK and Simona moved up one place each :-)

YELLOW Flag – 7 of 75 LAPS – Dale Coyne Racing’s Ana  Beatriz – transmission!

– Ana Beatriz has stopped on track, caution is out.

GREEN, GREEN, GREEN -Lap 9 of 10

Great jumps by RHR and TK!! – Crowd goes crazy!

– Alright back to green we go. WHAT A LAUNCH BY KANAAN! Into P2! Now to track down RHR!

– TK goes to 2nd, blows by Franchitti on the Sambadromo!

10 of 75 LAPS – Top 10 – TK, RHR, Franchitti, Hinchtown, EJ Viso, Dixon, TAKU, Wilson, SDS, TAKU, and JR Hildebrand

– Pretty cool to hear the crowd going nuts when took the lead

– Kanaan is flying , despite damaged hand, amazing!

– I’ve never tried Itaipava is it good beer?

– Will Power is not going to finish this race. He’s driving way too aggressively and way over his head, in my opinion. Has no choice.

– Multiple chargers right now. Sato 12th to 7th, Rahal 19th to 11th, Power 22nd to 14th.

TK represents the 9th driver to lead a race – Scott Dixon is not one of them in 2013 at this point.

– Love the shot of gridlocked traffic right next to race track

YELLOW Flag – Will Power’s car is in flames – his day is finished – he will not gain points or become a driver to win four races in a row at a single track – those who were able to complete this feat? AJ Foyt, Mario Andretti, Rick Mears, and Al Unser, Jr..

20 of 75 LAPS – Top 10 – TK, RHR, Franchitti, Hinchtown, Dixon, TAKU, EJ Viso, SDS, Wilson, and JR Hildebrand

PITSTOPS under YELLOW – Lap 21 – TK loses two positions.

– Sato moves up to P4 after cars pit under caution

– Kanaan falls to third after a fuel delivery problem. He gets jumped by Dixon, & RHR takes the lead. Sato P4!

– Is it too early to say that Will Power is out of contention for the title?

– Maybe – 4 road/street races down and the ovals are coming on strong

1m – Pitstop sob bandeira amarela / Pitstop under yellow (by Benito)

– Seb is now leading the race! // Seb est maintenant en tête de la course!

RESTART – LAP 23 of 75 – Team-mates James Jakes and Graham Rahal get together and bring out the YELLOW Flag

– Wow, bummer for . Got screwed by banzai move by his teammate.

At 3rd YELLOW Flag of the day, the order is – Top ten on LAP 26 of 75 – SeaBass, Tags, Newgarden, Kimball, Pagenaud, RHR, Helio, Dixon, TK, and TAKU

– Tough day for , , #25, just squeezed past a major wreck on restart. Fast start now.

GREEN Flag RESTART – Drivers try three-wide – Helio spins and tucks it back in and pits for flatspots – Kimball picks up a couple of spots – not a good day for Penske racing.

- : With his DNF today, has failed to finish a road/street course race for the first time since Toronto 2011.

30 of 75 – Top Ten – SeaBass, Newgarden, RHR, Pagenaud, TAKU, Kimball, TK, Dixon, Franchitti, and Hildebrand

– That doesn’t hurt TK as Kimball is on different strategy

– Remember, Bourdais and Newgarden pitted early. RHR basically has lead, although he’s leaning back on fuel right now.

TK passes RHR for P3 – Pitstop flurry – the field is shuffling

– Even with the curbing removed, turn 1 is still a kicker

TAKU passes RHR for position … due to pitstops was fot the LEAD of the race!

– Wow, Sato’s looking pretty damned racy again this week!

– Takuma foi o primeiro japonês a ganhar uma etapa da Indy e hoje está ganhando boas posições, atualmente em 1º!

-  Sato not intimidated by anybody!! Lap 34/75 takes the lead!!!!

– Great photo by showing at Sao Paulo

– Sato in for service at Lap 38. Stays with the reds, gets fuel.

– Pits are open, full course yellow for debris that fell from No. 15 car of Rahal after contact with the Turn 2 wall.

– That corner where smoked it really needs changing, would’ve been 2 less cautions and more racing

- was that of his own doing? or did he hit / get hit by someone?

40 of 75 – Top Ten – RHR, TK, Franchitti, Servia, Marco, Dixon, Viso, SDS, Hinchtown, and Wilson

– Based on my calculations, only needs to pit one more time this race. ;-)

– Am I the only one who noticed Ethanol is spelled Etanol on engine cover? Is it a brazil thing?

IndyCar Race control: Nos. 77, 3, and 7 must pit next time by for entering a closed pit. #IndySaoPaulo #IndyCar

Matt ‏@MotoM4TT  – Interesting, the international feed immediately showed RED FLAG after the accident….

– Think Taku could be on for decent result if doesn’t need another stop considering how many yellows > 1 yellow/10 laps

Marco Andretti has four less laps on his tank than the cars in front of him – Fuel strategy same a Danica Patrick’s in Japan – same strategist.

GREEN, GREEN, GREEN -Lap 44 of 75

Two-wide restart – Marco up to P4

– Green flag on Lap 44! Top 5: .

OUTSIDE move by TK past RHR for P1 – crowd goes crazy again!! Superb racing side-by-side

Marco up to P3 then to P1 and becomes the 10th driver to lead a race – passing at the front as RHR has car trouble and fades

– Kanaan does the over under on RHR for the lead. Very nice. Now Marco picks up 2nd then gets around TK. Good stuff!

– Drag race down the backstretch goes to Marco Andretti, who takes the lead from Tony Kanaan. 29 to go.

IZOD IndyCar Series ‏@IndyCar  – . moves into the lead on Lap 47! Hunter-Reay has a flat tire.

– This is freaking awesome racing. who needs

Woodsie ‏@WoodsiesGarage  – RHR supposedly has a tyre going down, so he’ll be coming in if he can. Now Marco looks under Kanaan & gets him!

50 of 75 – Top Ten – Marco, Servia, Franchitti, Viso, TK, Hinchcliffe, Wilson, SDS, Vautier, and Dixon

Pit activity – TK may have run out of fuel – WOW!

YELLOW Flag – sixth full course caution – Marco takes advantage and can go the distance

IndyCar – Full course yellow to retrieve Kanaan from the front stretch. Pits are open. #IndySaoPaulo #IndyCar

ForTheLoveofIndy ‏@4TheLoveOfIndy  – Terrible break for Kanaan. At home in his 200 consecutive race.

JR Hildebrand has the lead with the pistops – may have enough fuel to make it to the end – only car at the front that is running on Firestone Blacks

GREEN, GREEN, GREEN -Lap 55 of 75

Two-wide restart – JR Hildebrand was able to get away clean – Graham Rahal cloggs up the restart and gives JR a big break being five laps down

Christopher Estrada ‏@estradawriting  – Sato slams the door on Hinchcliffe out at Turn 11, takes back third…

YELLOW Flag – 7th of the day – James Jakes and Justin Wilson get together and bring out a caution

-This race is FUN but hard to keep up with strategy-glad our ABC can!

Top ten on RESTART – LAP 59 of 75 – TAKU, Hinchtown, Newgarden, Marco, Pagenaud, RHR, Servia, Viso, Franchitti, and Tags

Hinchcliffe drops to fourth as Newgarden and Marco take advantage.

– How the heck did Pagenaud get back up into third?!
TAKU, Pagenaud, and Newgarden as Simon takes P2
–   helluva race going on in Sao Paolo! I’m pissed I didn’t schedule to be down there this week.
– Zero Penske or Ganassi cars in the top 5. The only Andretti is Hinch.
– Pagenaud started 23rd and Newgarden 25th and running 2nd and 3rd
Jon ‏@JFDT33 - really is going down hill having Avis sponsoring how to go round a corner, what next, how to drive straight sponsored by KFC?
65 of 75 LAPS – It’s TAKU, Newgarden, Pagenaud, Hinchcliffe, and Servia in the top 5 positions
– Look how loose that rear bumper is on Pagenaud. That can’t be fun to drive with…
– Newgarden chasing Sato for the lead, hunting Pagenaud for 3rd, this is gonna be a great finish!

Servia off of the pace but the cars in front are racing very hard

– Josef Newgarden is your biggest mover of the day, starting 25th and currently running 2nd.

– Top10 1 Sato 2 Newgarden 3 Pagenaud 4 Hinchcliffe 5 Servia 6 Andretti 7 Franchitti 8 9 Hunter-reay 10 de Silvestro

Hinchcliffe passes Pagenaud and is 2.5 seconds behind Newgarden

Ases del Volante!!! ‏@Ases_DelVolante -  Hinchcliffe pasa a Pagenaud y sube al 3er lugar.

– Hinch to 3rd, Newgarden 2nd and Sato leads, can Sato do it again?

LAP 69 has Newgarden dogging TAKU who is on old Blacks – 1.5 stints

– The margin between 1st and 2nd is .02776 with five laps to go.

Hinchcliffe is pulling back into contention – Newgarden is filling all the mirrors he can find as the GoDaddy car are covered by a blanket

– Battle for the win, Sato VS Newgarden ! 5 laps to go !

Two laps remain and Hinch gets Newgarden and TAKU get a little room – Hinch is pulling in TAKU – WOW, WOW, WOW!

Hinch gets tapped by Sato and may be called for blocking

– NO ACTION from Race Control on Sato for moving in front of Newgarden down the backstretch.

One and a half laps remain and Marco joins the train – Three-Wide for second in the Sambadrome – more WOW!

TAKU remains in the lead through the corners – Hinch is almost a part of TAKU – TAKU blocks Hinch but James is persistent and gets past TAKU

– What a finish to the end of the race!! Great work

Andretti Autosport’s James Hinchcliffe wins the Itaipava Sao Paulo Indy 300 presented by Nestle – TAKU, if there is no penalty, will come away with the season points lead going into the INDY500

– Wow that was a BADASS move by Hinchecliffe!! Very cool!

– WOW!! What a finish at ! Now, THAT, is what racing is all about! It doesn’t get any better in IndyCar, congrats !

 

In four races this season, James Hinchcliffe was P1, P26, P26, and now P1. Hinchcliffe Tweeted from his Mayor of Hinchtown account – @Hinchtown – I don’t always finish races, but when I do, l prefer to win – ala “the most interesting man in the world” commercials. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2013)
 IndyCar The margin of victory for today’s race is .3464, the closest at #IndySaoPaulo and the 13th closest in #IndyCar Road/Street Course history.

It’s FEAST or FAMINE for who has a P1, P26, P26, and now a P1 in four races

IndyCar Takuma Sato is the new #IndyCar points leader. Marco Andretti is in second, just 13 points behind.

At LAP 75 of 75 – Top 10 finishers were Hinchcliffe, Sato, Andretti, Servia, Newgarden, Viso, Franchitti, de Silvestro, Pagenaud, and Kinball!

– Race control says no action to be taken on Sato. Agree?

– Congrats@Hinchtown you rock. Best racing action I’ve ever seen. Final lap final turn FTW; at it’s finest!!!

ENDS

Full Results From IndyCar.com>>

… notes from The EDJE

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Grand Prix of Baltimore Gives Final Set-Up For Championship Showdown

September 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Traffic jam as the IZOD IndyCar teams prepare for the penultimate race of the season in the concrete canyons of the streets around the inner harbor of Baltimore, Maryland. Image Credit: EJ Viso via Instagram

Grand Prix of Baltimore Gives Final Set-Up For Championship Showdown

Will Power’s championship hopes continued to improve during qualifying as the Australian dominated all three rounds of qualifying, turning the fastest lap in each session before claiming pole in the Firestone Fast Six, securing a crucial championship point in the process.

“This track is very physical, there are lots of turns and not many straights, especially now that they have added the chicane, said the season’s IZOD IndyCar Series Championship points leader, now with 37 points. It was important to get the pole in the Verizon Chevy #12 car – on a course like this it is important to start up front and additionally we gained one more point toward the Championship. Starting from the pole it is a lot easier to control your own destiny.”

On the addition of the chacane; “I think it was definitely the right thing to do,” he said. “It fixed the problem over the train tracks. They’ll make a few more adjustments overnight, but all in all, it’s all good.”

Power was backed up by Tony Kanaan (TK), who had acted as a drivers’ representative in working with IndyCar to resolve the problem.

“Last year, it was unanimous among all us drivers that we could take the chicane out,” TK said. “The tracks sit on rubber, so they’re not the same from a year ago. We all thought we could avoid the chicane and have a better passing zone, and obviously we found out that we cannot.

“I think it was a great response from the drivers, IndyCar, and [track designer] Tony Cotman to be able to change it. I think it was a best solution that we could get.”

Overall, speeds were up on last year’s edition of the Grand Prix of Baltimore with every qualifier breaking Power’s year-old record in their new DW12′s. When the dust settled, Power sat atop the standings with a speed of 111.116 miles per hour around the 2.0-mile, 12-turn street course.

The 2.0-mile, 12-turn concrete canyon temporary street course of the Grand Prix of Baltimore – Twitter HASHTAG #GPoB. Image Credit: Grand Prix of Baltimore

The championship could very well be decided today if Will Power gains the points for most laps led (2) and wins with Hunter-Reay failing to score enough points to maintain station. Power needs only a 54-point clearance over Hunter-Reay to clinch his first series title before the final race at the 2.5 mile super-speedway oval at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California.

Mathematically, there remains seven drivers with a chance at the championship and this assumes that Will Power does not score points from his pole position to start the race. The aforementioned Ryan Hunter-Reay/Andretti Autosport at 37 points – Helio Castroneves/Penske Racing at 42 points – Scott Dixon/Target Chip Ganassi Racing at 55 points – Simon Pagenaud/Schmidt/Hamilton Motorsports at 86 points – Tony Kanaan/KV Racing Technology at 96 points – & finally, James Hinchcliffe/Andretti Autosport at 97 points behind.

Plainly stated, If Will runs the table on points for this race (most laps and wins), Scott Dixon is eliminated – Helio Castroneves needs to finish at no worse than P2 – Ryan Hunter-Reay needs to finish at no worse than P4!

Scott Dixon sports his “Blue Livery” helmet, which he changed to at Mid-Ohio, at the Grand Prix of Baltimore. Image Credit: TCGR

Twitter conversation yesterday after qualifications:

Edmund Jenks @TheEDJE
Hey @IndyCar @BeauxBarfield @RBINDYCAR How about using an F1 rule for qualis? Red Flag = All Stop and Clock Stops! #Fairness #GPoB #IndyCar #!ndyCar2012

Beaux Barfield @BeauxBarfield
.@TheEDJE @IndyCar As stated earlier: There is a risk vs reward element in play in IndyCar qualifying that can be intriguing…

Remi Bernard @RemiBernard
@BeauxBarfield @TheEDJE @IndyCar Watching Qualifying right now. That chicane-to-wall angle is a disaster. You can’t race that way tomorrow.

Beaux Barfield @BeauxBarfield
.@RemiBernard @TheEDJE @IndyCar It has been fixed…

@BeauxBarfield @TheEDJE @IndyCar Phew. Good to hear, man. Thanks for being on the ball for the drivers. Much appreciated.

Sebastien Cotte @french_sebo
@BeauxBarfield @RemiBernard @TheEDJE @IndyCar good or the race would have finished with 2 or 3 drivers only!!

The joys of racin’ the streets of Baltimore’s inner harbor – Crabby Fries from @CrusinCafe #FoodOfGPoB #GPoB @ Grand Prix of Baltimore. Image Credit: Wil C @wheelsee via Twitter

Gina Navarra @fastlifeofgina
Preparing to tweet like crazy during this #GPofB! @GPofBaltimore #IndyCar

We are live with NBCSC on cable, and the TweetDeck twitter feeds fired up so we look to have a great race reporting experience … and YES, we, at The EDJE, are pulling for Will Power to finally close the deal after being a standout in ChampCar World Series and being a bridesmaid for the last two years (sorry Ryan Hunter-Reay and others).

Will Power starts the race on pole for the third race in a row, 5th pole of the season, and 29th pole for his career.

IZOD IndyCar Series officials announced penalties for the following cars for this weekend’s event at Baltimore. All cars will be penalized 10 grid places for unapproved engine changes:

No. 14 ABC Supply car for A.J. Foyt Racing (Mike Conway) — fitting sixth engine

No. 15 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (Takuma Sato) — fitting seventh engine

No. 67 Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing (Bruno Junqueira) — fitting sixth engine

No. 78 Nuclear Clean Air Energy Lotus HVM Racing (Simona de Silvestro) — carry-over for fitting seventh engine at Sonoma

No. 83 Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing (Charlie Kimball) — changing fifth engine before its minimum change-out mileage. Because it’s fitting its sixth engine, it will incur a 10-grid spot penalty at Auto Club Speedway on Sept. 15.

The top ten adjusted spots in the grid Side-By-Side are Power-Dixon, Bourdais-Franchitti, Hinchcliffe-Kanaan, Wilson-Carpenter (yes, Carpenter), lastly, Pagenaud-Hunter-Reay. NOTE: Helio Castroneves is the only top seven in the points not able to grid in the top 10 positions … lines up in P14.

Loved the McClaren anti-stall technology package just run on NBCSC … RHR did not have this $14,000 box at GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma and could have used it.

Andy M @morinap now
Classic grid run from RM today. Even if @jaredhamilton60 doesn’t like it. #IndyCar

Cars roll out off the pit lane … as the fight announcer is fond of saying … Let’s Get Ready To Rxxxxxxxble! (it is a copyrighted phrase so that is why the xx’s).

GloryHunter since’77 @Chris_Wilde
The Baltimore street course looks dangerous this season. Keep safe! #indycar

Push-To-Pass is no delay 90 seconds

GREEN, GREEN, GREEN – the beginning of a scheduled 75 Laps for 14th race … the Grand Prix of Baltimore

Everyone off without incident – RHR moves up two spots on the firsr lap – P8

Simona de Silvestro in for a change of wing … damaged in the first lap

Jenna @jmcc09
.@simdesilvestro & @EJVISO both on pit lane at the same time. I’m not saying anything… #indycar #GPoB

Sports Updated @SportsUpdated
@anderson_xn serio, Baltimore é a prova que a #Indycar esta ladeira abaixo. 2012 foi um ano péssimo, e por culpa de quem organiza.

The action of the cars through the chicane is just mind-boggleing – SeaBass is all over the back of Dixon – pulls off a pass on the end of the big straight … drops Dixon to P3

Brian Groce @naptownbuzz
RT @IndyCar: Sprinkles coming down around the racetrack. #GPoB #indycar2012

Team Chevy @TeamChevy
The @IndyCar race at @GPofBaltimore has started! Tune into @NBCSports and cheer on your favorite @TeamChevy drivers! #indycar2012 #GPoB

Ron Frankl @ronfrankl
RT @IndyCar: Sprinkles coming down around the racetrack. #GPoB #indycar2012

Michael Williamson @michaelw2000
Bourdais around Dixon to P2! #IndyCar #GPoB

Sébastien Bourdais @BourdaisOnTrack
Seb passes Dixon for P2! // Seb passe Dixon pour 2e! #GPoB

Lap 5 of 75 – Top 10 – Power, Seabass, Dixon, Dario, Hinchtown, Kanaan, Pagenaud, Wilson, Briscoe, and RHR

Some cars come in to pit – possible 3 stop strategy – moisture begins to fall on Lap 7 – YELLOW Flag – full course caution

Tia @tial99
Ed Carpenter with issues in the straight after coming thorough the chicane. He’s touched the outside wall…or so it seems. #GPoB

Pit Strategy – Top cars do not take advantage of YELLOW – Restart should be exciting between SeaBass and Power

Allen Wedge @AllenWedge
heck of a run, now time to start a new streak RT: @ECRIndy: This is our first DNF of the year. Proud of the 13 we finished in a row. #GPoB

AJFoytRacing @AJFoytRacing
@Mikeconwayindy reports light rain on whole circuit @GPofBaltimore #IndyCar

Pitlane has Rain Tires up on the wall – big rain drops on pit lane

Troy Appel @tdappel
I wish we could see Power/Bourdais duels more often. Step it up, Jay. #GPoB #indycar

GREEN Flag Restart – Lap 12 of 75 – Top 10 – Power, Seabass, Dixon, Dario, Hinchtown, Kanaan, Pagenaud, Wilson, Briscoe, and RHR

Cal Leferink @caleferink
Looking quite wet in Baltimore…who goes to wet tires first? #GPoB #indycar2012

Christopher Estrada @estradawriting
Power hangs on, but Dixon and Bourdais are in hot pursuit. #IndyCar #GPoB

SpeedFreaks @SpeedFreaks
Awesome restart… goooo @BourdaisOnTrack!!! #IndyCar

YELLOW Flag – Castroneves helps to spin Conway, SeaBass spins on the wet track and doesn’t touch anything – cars are pitting for fuel but no one is taking on rain tires

Junqueira, Viso and one more come in and take on Wets

TAGS’ Bryan Herta Autosport team puts out Rain tires – waived off

Allan McNish @AllanMcNish
getting pretty frustrated with #indycar commentators, full course yellow & now raining = strategy critical, don’t talk over team radio plz!

GREEN Flag Restart – Front straight is wet but now the track section a couple of turns down the track are dry

Castroneves and Viso have a spin together – NO YELLOW

Sébastien Bourdais @BourdaisOnTrack
Seb is now P3 // Seb est maintenant 3e #GPoB

YELLOW Flag – Lap 19 of 75 – Full Course Caution – Marco Andretti into the tires – everyone in except for RHR – inherits the lead … most on WETS

Lap 20 of 75 – RHR, Hinchtown, Wilson, Rubens, TAKU, Rahal, Power, Dixon, Viso, and TAGS

Rain is coming down across the whole track – first six cars are on slicks – Power on back are on WETS

GREEN Flag – Lap 21 – First corner is clean – Dario spins … ON WETS … YELLOW Flag – Full Course – de Silvestro taps Dario

Jeremy Thake @jthake
Retweet if u want @Hinchtown & @ryanhunterraey domination and the rain to blow over! #indycar #gpofBaltimore @GoDaddy

Marcoteers Andretti© @Marcoteers
Rain and Chicane…. #GPoB doesn’t seem to be making friends with the drivers

RHR comes in and gives up the lead to everyone else – confusion ensues as teams try to game the tire strategy

GREEN Flag – Lap 24 of 75 – Amazing – TAKU passes for the lead with Rahal, Hinch, Power, Dixon, TAGS, Viso, – RHR coming on strong with slick strategy

Christopher M. @gochrisuniverse
RHR is marching. Inspired driving right now. #indycar

Lap 26 has a disparity on the track between cars – the most passing in a race this season – Points leader in the pits

Ron Flatter @ronflatter
Enough is enough. @12WillPower pits on green to go from wets to reds they’ve already used. Wow. @IndyCar @BaltimoreGP #GPoB

Tony DiZinno @tonydizinno
I’d imagine if it stays dry everyone will run all-reds to the finish. The rule for reds/blacks both waived due to the rain. #GPoB

Jeff Griffin @BSAMaryland now
RT @JamesJakes: JJ on the move! P7 on L 28! #jakesynation #indycar2012 #GPoB

Justin P. Thomas @Cappereen3 now
#GPoB I can’t believe my eyes! bit.ly/NFx0L2 pic.twitter.com/22YrQeMa

F1 Fanatic Live @f1fanaticlive
Hunter-Reay up to fourth place, passing Hildebrand. #IndyCar

Lap 30 of 75 – Top 10 – TAKU, Rahal, RHR, Hildebrand, Kimball, Jakes, Rubens, SeaBass, Wilson, and Pagenaud

Jakes into a run off – goes back to P11 – 3 wide passing Pagenaud gets by SeaBass

SeaBass in the pits, points to right rear to car … cut tire

YELLOW Flag Full Course Caution Lap 32 – James Jakes into the tires – Rahal dives into the pits and takes on fresh REDS – possible low fuel

SeaBass back into the pits – must have a bigger car problem than a cut tire – Left front suspension … boy he looked great … last race of the season

LaMarquis Martin @LaMarquisMartin
Sebastian Bourdais just can’t catch a break #IndyCar #GPoB

Luis Delgado ;) @luisdelgado_83
#IndyCar #BaltimoreGP. Bourdais a boxes. Los mecánicos están revisando la suspensión trasera.

Dan Brown @19danbrown
Pah!!!! Gutted for James Jakes, he was having a good run and looked good for a decent finish! #IndyCar #GPoB

Mauricio Llano @mauro2029
Está ganando Takuma Sato… no es una carrera normal. #Indycar

Dannie Lyz Asphall @DannieAsphall
I never knew the crash between Bourdais and Newgarden was soo bad! Darn, that was scary! Thank God they’re ok! #Indycar

GREEN Flag Restart – Pagenaud climbs into the lead – passess RHR Hinchcliffe, TAKU … Followed by Kimball – the replay was awesome as Simon looked like superman!

YELLOW Flag – we seem to be making up for lost time in YELLOW due to the lack of them in previous races – Hinchcliffe has a cut tire … looks to be worse. Castroneves changes front wing

Lap 37 (halfway) – Top 10 – Pagenaud, RHR, Kimball, Kanaan, TAKU, Rahal, Hildebrand, Wilson, Rubens, and Briscoe … Power at P13

GREEN Flag Restart – Kimball passes RHR – YELLOW Flag Full Course Caution – Simona de Silvestro slams the wall at the chicane

Lap 40 of 75 – Top 10 – Pagenaud, Kimball, RHR, Kanaan, TAKU, Rahal, Hildebrand, Wilson, Rubens, and Briscoe … Power at P12 … Briscoe in for pit stop

Emma Bracegirdle @EmTheEmu
Awwww, poor Bob Jenkins. Best wishes to him, his wife and the rest of their family and friends #GPoB #IndyCar

Andrew Browne @brownie9999
crashfest #IndyCar

Tzechiu Lei @tzechiulei
LOL RT @tonydizinno: .@simonpagenaud just channeled his inner @TonyKanaan / @tomasscheckter on that restart. Holy amazeballs. #IndyCar #GPoB

Jason Moorehead @RacinION79
This #INDYCAR: race is bad, boring and I have a hard time believing these drivers are pros. I think they get in 1 green lap in at a time

GREEN Flag Restart Lap 42 – Really jumpy at the first corner – looks like Kanaan taps RHR – Rubens and Servia get the best of Hildebrand after he damages his wing with a tap

Amber Cleveland @ambercleveland
Yes:( and greens are super-short! RT @kateshoup: Is it me or are these yellows excruciatingly long? Great racing otherwise! #GPoB #IndyCar

Christopher Estrada @estradawriting
Hildebrand has a damaged front wing. Top-10 day may be done now. #IndyCar #GPoB

Lap 45 of 75 – 30 to go – Power puts a move on Justin Wilson – takes P8 – Power just want to survive this thing

Ron Flatter @ronflatter
@12WillPower has moved up to 9th. @IndyCar @BaltimoreGP #GPoB

TAKU pits as probably the first to be able to make it to the end w/o a pitstop

SpeedFreaks @SpeedFreaks
Excellent ‘Through the Field’ with @KevinLee23 @TownsendBell99 & @heymartysnider – now THAT was good TV reporting! #IndyCar @NBCSN

Christopher Estrada @estradawriting
Rahal doing his drive-thru penalty just now. #IndyCar #GPoB

This drops Rahal from P5 to P14 – just do not need to register a penalty … EVER!

John Oreovicz @IndyOreo 1m
Power currently P7, due to make second stop in next 5-10 laps.

Michael Friedman @mfriedman_63
@GrahamRahal was penalized for jumping last restart :( . #Indycar #GPoB

Hélio Lima @Helio_Lima18
Ui, vai jogar o capacete RT @ricardo_engsoft E Graham bravo com a direção de prova. Cumpriu o drive-through Lap 49/75. #IndyCar #BaltimoreGP

Vivica Westwood @VivicaWestwood
OMG! Stop! Where is Sato??? #IndyCar

Philip Lane @Re1axin_Mood
How the Indycar stands now will Will Power win the Championship? #indycar

Race with Insulin @racewithinsulin
26 laps to go at @GPofBaltimore. CK running 3rd. #IndyCar #GPoB -PLR

Pagenaud Pits … TAKU comes to the pits is having mechanical issues – RHR takes over the lead – Kanaan hits the wall off of chicane – No YELLOW yet

RHR in the pits – Power in P1, Pagenaud coming up behind RHR on warm tires – cars are settled down on Lap 53

Lap 55 – Top 10 – Power, Servia, TAGS, Briscoe, RHR, Pagenaud, Dixon, Dario, Helio, and Kimball – Briscoe is a little slower than RHR but stays in front

TAGS, Briscoe, and RHE form a train in P3, P4, and P5

Will Power pits and gets scuff REDS – out in P8 – TAGS, Briscoe, RHR, Pagenaud, Dixon, Dario, and Castroneves leads Power with 18 laps to go

Amy @AmyAmes99
Best color commentary all day! —> “@tial99: Helio right under Dario’s booty coming into T1. OUCH! #GPoB”

Dannie Lyz Asphall @DannieAsphall
#Top3 Briscoe, RHR, and Pagenaud. 18 laps to go! #Indycar #GPoB

Andy Marquis @amarquis32
Alex Tagliani pits from the lead. #GPoB #IndyCar

Lap 60 of 75 – Broscoe, RHR, Pagenaud, Dixon, Dario, Power (P6), Helio, Kimball, Rubens, and Conway

Power puts the pass on Franchitti for P5 – Dixon is one lap short on fuel – possible fuel issues with Briscoe and Castroneves as well

Andy Marquis @amarquis32
Will Power is a man on a mission right now. #GPoB #IndyCar

Dannie Lyz Asphall @DannieAsphall
TK is out of the car! #Indycar #GPoB

Jack Rice @rico500
Nice. My Fantasy Racing picks are currently running 1-2-3-4-6. #indycar

Amber Cleveland @ambercleveland
13 laps to go @Ryan_Briscoe leads, but will need 1 more stop. @scottdixon9 will need to stop too. #IndyCar #GPoB

Ten laps to go – Top 5 cars are Briscoe, RHR, Simon, Dixon, and Power

YELLOW Flag – Charlie Kimball delivers a full course caution – engine blows up and lays down some oil

Briscoe may not have any P2P left but allows Briscoe to stay in front – Dixon comes in for fuel – RHR needs to kill the restart in order to gain maximum points against Will Power who just needs to finish the race to keep the lead in points going into the last race at Fontana

Amy @OpenWheelMom
Holy shxxwaffles this is going to be one hell of a restart…C’mon @simonpagenaud #GPoB #IndyCar

Dannie Lyz Asphall @DannieAsphall
68/75! #Indycar #GPoB

Andy M @morinap
Shxx is about to get cray in the #IndyCar race.

The radio traffic talkin’ all of the possibilities is just crazy

Lucas Santochi @LucasSantochi
RT @curtcavin: Power has clinched two bonus points for most laps led. Big. #IndyCar

Drew Allen @drewallennews
Here we go… #IndyCar #GPoB

GREEN Flag Restart – Lap 69 – RHR launches and gets the lead and almost is too fast in the corner – Pagenaud pressures RHR – Restart controversy with Ryan Hunter-Reay and Ryan Briscoe explained HERE>>

YELLOW Flag Full Course Caution – Multi-car pile up due to Conway into the tires causes a block on the track

Lap 70 – On replay Pagenaud backs off into the first corner expecting RHR to maybe bounce off of the tires – RHR gets clear – Penske believes RHR jumps restart, leader did not react to the flag – Replay shows legal start

If ends right now – RHR closes to within 19 points of Will Power – what a race – RHR has done everything he has been able to do to keep this championship alive – let’s have at least one more restart – Lights out on safety car

GREEN Flag Restart – Lap 73 – Two laps to go – RHR gets through turn one – Will Power get shuffled backward to P7 – loosing more points

Christopher Estrada @estradawriting
WHITE FLAG! #IndyCar #GPoB

Erin Bonilla @eBON
Final lap! #gpob

Matt White @MattW1986 now
Nice one Rubi #indycar #GPoB

Akemi Mokoto @Otaku2012
FINAL LAP!!! #GPoB #IndyCar

Ash (アシュー) @racingAsh
My goodness Power falls back a few positions?!? #IndyCar #GPoB

Ryan Hunter-Reay wins the race – Michael Andretti interviewed at this moment says that we are going to win this championship

Briscoe out of fuel but gets P2 – doesn’t help teammate Will Power

Power on telecast discussing strategy about WETS – not happy

Kyle Johnson @RaginKJohn
Can’t wait for the cry babying out of Will Power… #indycar

Kev @ElusiveKev
Great race when it was green, but quite a few cautions, so very good race. Been a great day of racing. #Indycar #GPoB

Greg @z0sixxer
What a win by @RyanHunterReay! time to go for the title in 2 weeks in Fontana! #GPoB #indycar

Luis Delgado ;) @luisdelgado_83
#IndyCar #BaltimoreGP No hay campeon!!!! Se define en el super ovalo de Fontana el sábado 14/09.

Gina Navarra @fastlifeofgina
Hang in there @12WillPower… hang in there. #IndyCar #GPofB

Kai @AndersFinn
Happy for Pagenaud, Rubens and Briscoe. #IndyCar

Stuart Richards @stupot94
Well done Hunter-Reay!!!! Title down to the wire. #indycar2012 #GPoB

Neil Hudson @neilhudson
It’s just between those two. Dixon and Castroneves are out of the hunt #IndyCar

RHR did not jump the last restart – Will Power stated that he would have “almost” jumped the restart if he were in that same position

All hats off to Ryan Hunter-Reay for an absolutely awesome, MUST DO drive – gives a prediction just as team boss Michael Andretti gave … we are going to win this thing in Fontana

@IndyCar – There goes the winning car of @ryanhunterreay, off to @ACSupdates! #GPoB #indycar2012 http://t.co/AZC4vSma

One of the toughest races of the season – just spot on
ENDS

… notes from The EDJE

Filed Under: Top Story Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Eleventh Round #EdmontonIndy Tweet-By-Tweet

July 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment

As cars were still in the process of finishing the race, Penske’s Helio Castroneves celebrates his second win of the season … Spiderman-Style. Image Credit: Sportsnet.ca

Eleventh Round #EdmontonIndy Tweet-By-Tweet

Ryan Hunter-Reay’s hot streak continued yesterday during Firestone Fast Six qualifications as the American edged Dario Franchitti by one one-hundredth of a second for pole at the Edmonton City Centre Raceway. However, because the Andretti Autosport driver will incur a 10-spot grid penalty for an engine change, Hunter-Reay will start 11th, with Franchitti leading the field to the green flag.

“It was great we picked up a championship point for the pole, but too bad we will be starting 11th instead of first because of the engine change,” said Ryan Hunter-Reay after qualifications. “[The race] will be really interesting for everyone.”

Ryan Briscoe, Takuma Sato, Alex Tagliani, and Helio Castroneves completed the Firestone Fast Six, while championship contenders Will Power and Scott Dixon were caught by a brief rain storm during round two, which kept them making the Fast Six round. Power will start P17, while Dixon will grid in 18th position after he too incurred a 10-spot grid penalty for changing an engine.

The following entries about the Honda Indy Toronto come from “Tweet Deck” tweet-by-tweet with added comments from the author:

Edmund Jenks @TheEDJE – Pivotal #EdmontonIndy may prove P2P strategy key to winningexaminer.com/article /pivota… via@examinercom #indycar #dw12 #p2p#chevrolet #honda

Dario Franchitti and Ryan Briscoe lead the field into turn one at the start of the Edmonton Indy. Image Credit: INDYCAR/LAT USA

GREEN, GREEN, GREEN – This will be the last color of race control flag being waved the rest of the race!

The action of this 2012 #EdmontonIndy got going quickly as Dario Franchitti led off the initial start while Ryan Briscoe, who shared the front row, began falling back and dropped to fifth. Alex Tagliani, who started fourth, made an aggressive move to second and eventually took the lead from Franchitti as the field completed the first lap.

The first stint ran without incident with the only drama occurring on lap 13 as James Hinchcliffe missed his braking point in the final hairpin when he tried to pass Simon Pagenaud for 10th. He ran wide in the corner and fell to 13th. Will Power broke loose somewhat on corner exit and slightly brushed the wall – no major effect.

LAP20 of 75 – Top Ten – Tagliani, Franchitti, Sato, Castroneves, Briscoe, Rahal, Barrichello, Wilson, Hunter-Reay, and Pagenaud

LAP23 of 75 – Pitstops begin – Will Power overtakes Pagenaud for P10

LAP25 has Rahal, Wilson, Pagenaud, Newgarden, Kimball and more in for fuel and a change of tires – Briscoe and Power stay out – Castroneves, who started the race on black tires, changed to REDS during his first stop

The two Penske Racing drivers come in on LAP26 and Will Power comes out just ahead in contention on Turn #1 of Ryan Hunter-Reay to begin LAP27

LAP30 of 75 – Top Ten – Tagliani, Helio, Dario, TAKU, Briscoe, Rahal, Power, Kanaan, RHR, and Wilson

We pick up the addition of Tweet-By-Tweet commentary on LAP35:

Christopher Estrada @estradawriting
Takuma Sato finally gets past Dario Franchitti! Move him to third place.
#IndyCar #EdmontonIndy

Dominique Gelineau @dgelineau
Sato overtakes Franchitti – Sato now in 3rd. #edmontonindy

Rebecca F. @hermione278
Nice job by Sato! #EdmontonIndy

Meesh Beer @whatimthinking
GO TAKU GO!! #indycar #edmontonindy

Matt Archuleta @indy44
The P2P has definitely improved the racing today. Can’t remember seeing this much passing at Edmonton. #EdmontonIndy

TCGR @TCGRTeams
Lap 38 @dariofranchitti reporting overtake assist is not working #edmontonindy

LAP38 of 75 – Top 10 – Tagliani, Castroneves, Sato, Briscoe, Rahal, Power, Hunter-Reay, Wilson, and Hinchcliffe

Team Barracuda – BHA @BHA
Great to hear so many messages of support from the fans! Tagliani continues to lead at #EdmontonIndy!

The gap between Briscoe and Power is getting smaller … may catch up and gain positions

Matt Archuleta @indy44
Lap 42 and no yellows. I hope I didn’t jinx it by posting that. #EdmontonIndy

Rebecca F. @hermione278
Servia still has all of his P2P left. #EdmontonIndy

Ted Bauer @tedgbauer
Engine wise here how it looks only Ford in the top 5 is 2nd place – rest are Honda Engines. #edmontonindy

WHAT??

James Jakes @JamesJakes
JJ experiencing problems with the left rear. In the pits for the crew to exam. #EdmontonIndy #indycar2012

LAP45 of 75 – Power only .5 sec. behind Briscoe now … passes Briscoe for position to P6 and now set sights on Rahal who is less than 2 seconds ahead

Keyrazy LEDs @KeyrazyLEDs
So Servia is the only driver that has not used ptp yet at the @IndyCar #Edmontonindy race. Pagenaud has almost used his up!

LAP 48 of 75 – Servia is in P21 and Pagenaud is in P11

CogitoErgoBibo @CogitoErgoBibo
Amazing that we’re still caution-free in #edmontonindy Hope that holds. Great racing!

Rebecca F. @hermione278
Sato gaining on Helio. #EdmontonIndy

Final pitstops expected soon as we are on LAP49 of 75

Helio Castroneves is in the pits on LAP50 – REDS on in order to finish out the last stint – Wilson in as well!

LAP51 Taku, Tags, Dario, Briscoe, RHR, and more

Castroneves passes Tagliani on pitstop exchange for the lead

Power comes out in P4 in front of Rahal and more importantly ahead of RHR at P7

LAP55 of 75 – Top 10 – Helio, Tagliani, Sato, Power, Rahal, Dario, Briscoe, Hunter-Reay, Kanaan, and Wilson

Takuma Sato puts a pass on Tagliani for P2

Meesh Beer @whatimthinking
@therossbynum if anyone is insane enough to try it, it’s Taku!! #indycar #edmontonindy

Sébastien Bourdais @BourdaisOnTrack
http://twitvid.com/RDDOK – Second pitstop // Deuxième pitstop #edmontonindy

Joe @WFOJoe
I’d like to see #IndyCar add 150hp for next year, good racing but the cars need to be faster! #Boost

Will Power passes Tagliani for P3 on LAP57 – Tags blocks Rahal but does not get away with it – spins and loses positions to P5

IndyCar al día @indycaraldiaweb
Alex Tagliani perdió hasta el 5to lugar, lo han pasado Power y Rahal. Gran estrategia del australiano #IndyCar

LAP 59 of 75 – Helio pulls away from Taku by 1.2 seconds

LAP 60 of 75 – Top 10 – Helio, Sato, Power, Rahal, Tags, Dario, Briscoe, RHR, Wilson, and Dixon

LAP 61 of 75 – Sato is cutting into the lap times of Helio and looks stronger and wants the lead of the race – He looks to be dropping deeper into the corners than Helio

Dan Brodeur @LumberingD
Good one! RT @SUNdvandiest As long as Helio Castroneves doesn’t block anybody, he should be able to win this race. #edmontonindy

Shane Rogers @shagers
Bobby Rahal: “Helio starts blocking when he picks up his rental car from the airport.” LOL. #indycar #EdmontonIndy

Top 5 DW12′s are running on the REDS

Dominique Gelineau @dgelineau
Sato will have the pass in the next few laps. He’s getting quicker. #edmontonindy

Rebecca F. @hermione278
Newgarden is the last car on the lead lap. #EdmontonIndy

Zachary Houghton @indycaradvocate
Honda vs Chevy. Who’s got this? #edmontonindy

Gina Navarra @fastlifeofgina
I really wanna see Taku win especially after what happened at the #Indy500 #EdmontonIndy #IndyCar

Ten laps to go and it is still Castroneves and Sato for the lead with NO YELLOW Flags!

Rahal in P4 is challenging Power for position at P3 at .6 seconds back

Sarah Quest @leadtheway
I know I’m supposed to be cheering for the Rebel Alliance, but I want to see Helio win…. #EdmontonIndy

Victor Vallee @Victor_Vallee
Sato is hungry, but does he have enough to get by Helio? #IndyCar

Ian Court @iancourtracing
C’mon Taku, nail him #SatoForTheWin #Indycar #edmontonindy

Larry Collester Sr
With just a few laps to go. Castroneves was pushing his Push to not get passed button!

Gina Navarra @fastlifeofgina
Do either Helio or Taku have any P2P left? #EdmontonIndy #IndyCar

The biggest problem with P2P is that there is little way for the fans to know where the drivers are in relation to this tool and its use

LAP70 of 75 – It is still Helio holding off Sato – Power being challenged by Rahal for P3 – and RHR challenging Ryan Briscoe for P7

Racing all over the place on this weird counter-clockwise course – Lapped traffic may come into play

TrackVids.com @TrackVids_com
#IndyCar: Sato having difficulty getting the power down and falls back, then catches up under braking…every lap

LAP71 of 75 – Power has pulled a full second on Rahal – Servia at P24 pulls out of the way of the lead pack traffic – very professional

This may end up good for Helio, good for Power and, of course, Great for Penske

Shane Rogers @shagers
Championship quality drive by Power today. #indycar #EdmontonIndy

Three laps to go – RHR passes Ryan Briscoe for P7
Richard Griffis @RichardGriffis

Is there anything dumber in racing than push to pass used by #indycar at #edmontonindy? Please let the drivers drive without the gimics!

Castroneves has 27 seconds of P2P whereas Sato only has 15 seconds

Tony Stack @TonyStack1
Come on Tacu Sato great racing to the flag #IndyCar

Javi Martin @rubiodj77
2 laps to go, todo sugue igual en el TOP 5 liderando Castroneves #IndyCar

RacingNation Crew @RacingNation
Just think how good this battle would be between @h3lio & Sato if they had 200 more HP? #edmontonindy #IndyCar

Last lap it is all Helio Castroneves and Sato trails 10 car lengths

CHECKERED Flag – Helio Wins #EdmontonIndy and moves up to P2 in the points championship

Final Top Ten – Helio Castroneves, Takuma Sato, Will Power (makes podium after starting in P17), Graham Rahal, Alex Tagliani, Dario Franchitti Ryan Hunter-Reay, Ryan Briscoe, Justin Wilson, and Scott Dixon

Tony DiZinno @tonydizinno
That sound you hear is the collective groan from the #IndyCar fanbase as Taku finishes second.

Emma Buxton @EmBuxton
#edmontonindyy!@h3lioo takes the win,@TakumaSatoRacerr &@12WillPowerr on podium.#indycar20122 WOOOOO HOOOO

Fernando Oliveri @olivierirokao
@h3lio wins! #IndyCar

Gabriel Marinho @marinho_gabriel
elio castroneves vence o gp d edmonton, a 11ª etapa da #formulaindy 2012; sato é o 2º, power 3º, barrichello o 15º e kannan 19º. #indycar

Linda @greenfield7814
Great race for Power and Sato #Indycar

Kassia @KassiaS10
@h3lio is the winner! Woohoo in your face! #indycar

Bruno Santos @_snatos
Parabéns ao @h3lio na #IndyCar

IZOD IndyCar Series @IndyCar
Checkered flag on the #edmontonindy! @h3lio takes the win! @TakumaSatoRacer & @12WillPower on podium. #indycar2012

Jennifer Coomer @jennifercoomer
@h3lio HELIO! HELIO! HELIO! HELIO! HELIO! HELIO! HELIO! HELIO! HELIO! HELIO! HELIO! HELIO! HELIO! #edmontonindy #IndyCar

“Spiderman” Castroneves climbs the fence again as he did at the end of the first race of the season in St. Petersburg after his first win of the season. At the time of this expression of joy for his win, cars were still crossing the finish line to take the Checkered Flag. Image Credit: IICS via Twitter

1 Racing Mind @1RacingMind
Helio Castroneves wins the #INDYCAR series #EdmontonIndy.

Joan Boscà @sentoan
#IndyCar Ganó Castroneves, 2º Sato, 3º Power, Oriol último con problemas #IndyCar

Dan Takyi @D4NT4KY1
Castoneves wins! Sato P2, Power then Rahal, Tagliani, Frnachetti, Hunter-Reay, Briscoe, Wilson, Dixon, Conway Hinchcliffe, Kimball #Indycar

Basementball @basementball
Helio Castroneves wins at #Edmonton. That was a fantastic race with NO CAUTIONS. I wish every race could be like that. #IndyCar

Mazza @GPtee_
#edmontonindy #indycar2012 Great race – thanks for the action @TakumaSatoRacer & @h3lio now for the Spiderman ;-)

Jason Sharpe @jasonsharpe
That @TakumaSatoRacer is an awesome addition to this series…great drive today. #IndyCar #edmonton

SpeedFreaks @SpeedFreaks
Caution free @IndyCar race won by @h3lio… #EdmontonIndy Excellent run by @TakumaSatoRacer too! #IndyCar

Nikki Thompson @nikki_btcc
Great drive @h3lio! #IndyCar #EdmontonIndy

Four Chevy’s (P1, P3, P7, P8) and six Honda’s (P2, P4, P5, P6, P9, P10) in the top ten

SWO @Pudgey_Pete
@shagers Radio broadcast had it covered at least. T&S was great today with the P2P numbers and who was on it. @RBINDYCAR #indycar

Mark Johnson @MarkJ19960
@h3lio wins @ Edmonton and @RyanHunterReay holds onto a 23 pt lead over now P2 Castroneves & 26 over P3 Power. #IndyCar pic.twitter.com/y9QpLNnw

Podium celebration with (L to R) P3 RLL Racing’s Takuma Sato, P1 Penske Racing’s Helio Castroneves, and P3 Penske Racing’s Will Power at Edmonton City Centre Raceway. Image Credit: IICS via Twitter

Official #EdmontonIndy Results

Pos.     Driver             Laps     Running / Reason Out

1     Helio Castroneves     75     Running
2     Takuma Sato         75     Running
3     Will Power         75     Running
4     Graham Rahal         75     Running
5     Alex Tagliani         75     Running

6     Dario Franchitti     75     Running
7     Ryan Hunter-Reay     75     Running
8     Ryan Briscoe         75     Running
9     Justin Wilson         75     Running
10     Scott Dixon         75     Running

11     Mike Conway         75     Running
12     James Hinchcliffe     75     Running
13     Rubens Barrichello     75     Running
14     Marco Andretti         75     Running
15     Sebastien Bourdais     75     Running

16     EJ Viso         75     Running
17     Josef Newgarden     75     Running
18     Tony Kanaan         75     Running
19     Charlie Kimball     75     Running
20     Simon Pagenaud         74     Contact

21     JR Hildebrand         74     Running
22     Ed Carpenter         74     Running
23     Simona de Silvestro     73     Running
24     Oriol Servia         65     Mechanical
25     James Jakes         43     Mechanical

In two weeks, the IZOD IndyCar Series is back in the Midwest
for the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio. The twelfth race of the season will take
place on Sunday, August 5. An estimated green flag for the 85-lap competition is
scheduled to drop at approximately 1 p.m. EDT. Fans can watch the live
broadcast on ABC, or listen live on IMS Radio Network and Sirius (XM 94 and Sirius 212).

… notes from The EDJE

** Article first published as IICS Eleventh Round #EdmontonIndy Tweet-By-Tweet on Technorati **

Filed Under: Top Story Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Detroit GP Tweet-By-Tweet: The Tale Of Two #INDY500′s

June 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Ann-Marie Smihal, 43, of Grosse Pointe displays the piece of the track that launched over the fence and smacked her in the thigh on Sunday. She wasn't hurt. "It was just shocking, and I'm just glad it didn't hit my children," she said. Image Credit: Eric Seals - Detroit Free Press

Detroit GP Tweet-By-Tweet: The Tale Of Two #INDY500′s

The truly dedicated can find joy in an event they follow, even if it devolves into a disaster. The American open wheel race in Belle Isle was just one of those races.

As the title of this posting suggests, the Detroit Grand Prix held on an island park named Belle Isle (beautiful island) was a race that lasted about as long (about four hours) as the race held just the week before in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Detroit Grand Prix was just like the INDY500 but without all of those other cars (33 as opposed to just 25), pesky laps, miles, pitstops, non-stop action, lead changes, passing, and competitiveness … at least until the last 15 laps when the race was restarted with a threat of rain in the sky.

As the race was to play out, it basically became a three act event with the first 38 laps being a spirited, YELLOW Flag free, uncontested romp led by pole-sitter, Scott Dixon. This act featured the comic relief of EJ Viso piloting his P4 holding circus-colored CITGO liveried KV Racing Technology Chevy-powered DW12 just slightly slower than anyone behind him wanted to drive but just fast enough to not be passed.

The second act a RED Flag session for about two hours long where ABC Sports tried to make the best of an impending broadcast disaster … a race without a conclusion. This act had all of the suspense of wondering if the cement road patch material used to fix the track would set-up and dry enough to finish the race. Leaf blowers and pavement torches became implements of wonder and interest.

The third act being the last 15 laps of very hotly contested action with YELLOW Flags, passing, and cat and mouse strategy through to a shortened 60 lap conclusion to a scheduled 90 lap event.

The race was carried on national network, general broadcast television by ABC Sports. This was welcomed by most who follow the sport of automobile racing due to the fact, that more often than not, races are broadcast on the special sports channels that have become part of the exclusive inclusion of a premium cable/satellite delivery package. Not everyone has access, or choose to afford the additional luxury of more than 80 channels provided with a standard package.

Sadly, as this race played out, a broadcast on a special channel would have been the only uninterrupted live delivery of the event besides streaming on the internet. The race never had its proper broadcast conclusion because depending upon one’s timezone, ABC was forced to cut away and pass off to the ESPN News channel … not carried by most standard cable packages.

The track at Belle Isle just outside Detroit. Inage Credit: @DetroitGP

The following entries come from “Tweet Deck” tweet-by-tweet with added comments from the author:

Edmund Jenks @TheEDJE
Do not forget to use the official IZOD #IndyCar Series HASHTAG for today’s race #DetroitGP #DetroitGP #DetroitGP – #iics #indycar2012 #dw12

Edmund Jenks @TheEDJE
RT @kiki85: They seriously don’t have a camera onboard the last winner here? @justin_wilson #IndyCar #detroitgp

Edmund Jenks @TheEDJE
RT @aRacingfan: IndyCar should have standing starts. #IndyCar #detroitgp @detroitgp

Edmund Jenks @TheEDJE
RT @CrazyDog984: GREEN GREEN GREEN!! #Indycar #Detroitgp #skyport2

Edmund Jenks @TheEDJE
TAGS is out of the race #indycar #detroitgp

Peter Leung @BaronVonClutch
.@scottdixon9 builds a lead over @12WillPower. @justin_wilson says it’s a right rear puncture. Damaged upper wishbone. #IndyCar

Steve @dannycatsteve
That was the first bad start this year #IndyCar

Tony DiZinno @tonydizinno
Wow, fugly start. #IndyCar #DetroitGP

Eva Chan @echan50
Justin Wilson out with damaged wish bone. There goes my 1st fantasy pick :( #detroitgp #Indycar

Andy @Gabbahey122475
Awful look start. Not one of @BeauxBarfield best. We know u can do better. #IndyCar

Emma Bracegirdle @EmTheEmu
Dario Franchitti on David Letterman? I NEED to watch that! #IndyCar

Edmund Jenks @TheEDJE
Pagenaud up to P3 #indycar #detroitgp

Mandy Valentine @Indy_Mode
I wonder if Justin Wilson is the first causality of the bumpy circuit? #IndyCar #DetroitGP

Tyler Johnson @tylerjohnsonosu
@LouisSuddaby23 Glad to here there are people watching across the pond! #IndyCar

TJ @Tjamily
Dixon running away from Power very impressive. #indycar

Ron Frankl @ronfrankl
Watching the #IndyCar race from Belle Isle near Detroit. Would love to see #NASCAR racing on this beautiful lakeside track.

Eric Hamme @NegativeVORP
Goodyear started talking about fuel on lap 1, and on lap 6 Marty mentioned lockstop. This is going to be a looooong day. #indycar #detroitgp

Rodrigo Vicente @_RoVicente
P1 Dixon P2 Power P3 Pagenaud P4 Viso P5 Hunter-Reay #indycar

Edmund Jenks @TheEDJE
RT @tonydizinno: Only lap 7 and the #snark is out in full force on Twitter this race. Might be more entertaining I fear. #IndyCar #DetroitGP

Peter Leung @BaronVonClutch
Wilson: ‘with all the melee I got really sideways. I tapped the wall but really light hit… bent the suspension.’ #IndyCar #DetroitGP

Heather B. @nonnalita
I love summer! Watching the #IndyCar #DetroitGP. Go @scottdixon9!

Chris Munn @Funntastic
I had no idea Jamie Little was pregnant! She looks pretty funny in a fire suit #IndyCar

Colin Z. @WxTurtle
Ryan Hunter Reay just threw a huge block party. #indycar #gpdetroit

Don Mitchell @DonMedia
Whoa there EJ, these ain’t dirt cars. #IndyCar #DetroitGP

Matt Porter @ontheeastmke26
road courses are stupid… – #indycar live on livestream.com/indycar

Filip Cleeren @FilipCleeren
Wish they would revert to the old layout next time. Straight after S/F has overtaking potential. upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/comm… #detroitgp #indycar

E.M.H @elmondohummus
RHR was blocking so hard that Suh bull-rushed him to sack the QB. #indycar #detroitgp

Jenna @jmcc09
@martinpinnau I wouldn’t want to be anywhere near Viso. The guy is such a liability. #IndyCar

Lisa @lmkenny
“Play the fuel game” and no passing?Sounds like a nap coming on soon. #IndyCar

Filip Cleeren @FilipCleeren
Hunter-Reay officially warned for his block party on Briscoe. #detroitgp #indycar

Ross Nunamaker @RossNunamaker
Dixon in front, fuel strategy race, going to be tough to beat. @detroitgp #indycar

Eric Hamme @NegativeVORP
We’ve seen the DW12 race well at tracks like Barber and Long Beach, but Belle Isle is just a different animal. #indycar #detroitgp

Edmund Jenks @TheEDJE
RT @Mattzel89: Rubens having engine problems? I thought his F1 career was over… #IndyCar #detroitgp

AJFoytRacing @AJFoytRacing
@Mikeconwayindy radioes in ‘I’m he’s starting to lose a lil rear grip’ @detroitgp #indycar2012 #indycar

Chris Burk @burk992
Race Control: “Oi Ryan quit dropping it like it’s hot on the track. We told you to leave that in the garage” #IndyCar

DZ @HalfShaftBlues
“SQUIRRELY” That counts as a squirrel encounter: drink. #IndyCar

brant james @brantjames
No truth to the rumor that Ndamukong Suh cheap-shotted the #indycar safety truck under yellow. @detroitgp

IndyCar Insider @IndyCarInsider
F.Y.I. Even this race is more exciting than ANY OVAL RACE #IndyCar #DetroitGP

Dannie Lyz Asphall @DannieAsphall
Rahal is p14. #Indycar #DetroitGP

Dave Furst @DaveFurst
I’m not saying there’s a lot of cars backed up behind Viso, but pretty sure he’s in the left lane w his blinker on. #detroitgp #IndyCar

Edmund Jenks @TheEDJE
RT @f1fanaticlive: James Jakes is in the run-off at turn eight on lap 16. #IndyCar

Peter Leung @BaronVonClutch
.@JamesJakes in the run-off area at Turn 8. #IndyCar #DetroitGP

Curt Cavin @curtcavin
Most of the field is stuck behind Viso in fourth. #indycar #detroitgp

AJFoytRacing @AJFoytRacing
Alternate fuel strategies starting w Andretti & Kansan pitting early. @Mikeconwayindy saving fuel #indycar2012 #detroitgp #indycar

James Jakes @JamesJakes
JJ off the runoff in turn 8. By radio communication he told us he has braking issues. Headed to pits now. PR. #IndyCar

Domingo Riego @filipinosince75
.@Ryan_Briscoe and @RyanHunterReay mixing it up again… Is RHR always trying a collect a bounty on Briscoe? @RB_Mrs #INDYCAR #DetroitGP

Kev @NonElusiveKev
Watching the Viso train makes me think Indycar should put horns on the cars. #detroitgp #indycar

Taylor Peyton @imtaylorpeyton
Jakes lost his brakes. Hey! That rhymes! #Indycar

Heather Rule @hlrule
Scott Goodyear, I love ya, but you gotta stop with “EXcape” and “EXspecially.” Thanks. #indycar

Marius Berghuijs @srcompetition
Standings top 6 after 20 laps. 1-Dixon,2-Power,3-Pagenaud,4-Viso,5-Hunter-Ray,6-Castroneves! #Izod #indycar #Izodindycar

Eric Hamme @NegativeVORP
Helio and Bourdais get by Briscoe…during a commercial of course. #indycar #detroitgp

Jason Larson @larsoni27
Update, the plain white t-shirts are holding off the socks during the spin cycle much like Viso and just about everyone behind him #indycar

TJ @Tjamily
I LOVE street course but this one needs some more passing zones, Viso is ruining the race for all but the top 3. #indycar

Martin Pinnau @martinpinnau
If Belle Isle is on the #indycar schedule next year, they really need to look at reconfiguring the track. Sucky race so far.

Kris Kleinbub @Bub1515
“@Fieldof33: It’s a good thing Michigan Speedway is sitting empty 40 miles away from this barn-burner at Belle Isle today.” #indycar

JuanPablo Muñoz @juanpa_mv
Que le paso a Rubinho Barrichello? #IndyCar

Heather Rule @hlrule
Folks complaining about lack of passing at #detroitgp. You know where there *is* passing? @roadamerica. #bringbackRA #indycar

Emma Bracegirdle @EmTheEmu
Awwww, Rubinho’s out :( #IndyCar #DetroitGP

Edmund Jenks @TheEDJE
LAP22 TAKU pulls out of line for a pitstop #indycar #detroitgp

Randy Bernard @RBINDYCAR
@IndyCar #INDYCAR it’s official Belle isle grand prix sold out today. Congrats Roger Penske and Bud Denker

Sal Granillo @DustballerSal
@EJVISO your pullin a Danica! Holding up traffic! #muevete #IndyCar

Brian Karczewski @LVI56
Dario gets wing damage trying to make a pass #Indycar

Dannie Lyz Asphall @DannieAsphall
That was an excellent move from Bourdais and then Briscoe let him have it. #Indycar #DetroitGP

Mandy Valentine @Indy_Mode
Viso needs to GTFO of the way #IndyCar #DetroitGP

Forget what I said earlier, it's the entire field stuck behind Viso! #IndyCar. Image Credit: Mattzel89

AJ @ajslideways
No doubt Dario will blame that on Bourdais, Chevy, the track, the Pope, and everyone and everything other than himself. #IndyCar

Ross Lancaster @rosslancaster
Ironic that a Dragon Racing car has an engine problem after the switch to Chevy. #IndyCar

Edmund Jenks @TheEDJE
RT @chickenpilot: ahh the fun of listening to #IndyCar on the internet and watching the tweets but missing #pippamann comments

Peter Leung @BaronVonClutch
Good news. @justin_wilson’s car is mended. He’s back out on track. #IndyCar #DetroitGP

Edmund Jenks @TheEDJE
With VISO holding up so many cars … where’s Push-To-Pass when we need it? #indycar #detroitgp

And its not like Viso is going slow, he's pushing hard! #IndyCar. Image Credit: Mattzel89

Heather Rule @hlrule
I can’t see that citgo car without thinking milka duno is behind the wheel. Anyone else? #indycar #baddrivers

Shane Rogers @shagers
Sato has committed to the three stop strategy, but he doesn’t have to be 3 seconds a faster a lap for long to come out in front. #indycar

F1 Fanatic Live @f1fanaticlive
Viso pits and uncorks the bottle. #IndyCar

James Jakes @JamesJakes
1.89 sec currently stand between P1 @scottdixon9 and P2 @12WillPower PR. #IndyCar

Edmund Jenks @TheEDJE
LAP 30 of 90 – Dixon, Power, Helio, Kanaan, RHR, Pagenaud, Marco, TAGS, and Briscoe #indycar #detroitgp

E.M.H @elmondohummus
Squirrels reported trying to “Occupy” Bourdais’s pit stall, but scattered when they saw him coming. ;) #indycar #detroitgp

Andretti Autosport @FollowAndretti
.@RyanHunterReay comes in for a pit stop at @detroitgp! 58 laps to go. #detroitgp #indycar2012 pic.twitter.com/gJcvb3BO

F1 Fanatic Live @f1fanaticlive
LAP33 Leader Dixon pits, Power takes over first. #IndyCar

Dannie Lyz Asphall @DannieAsphall
I don’t think people realise how amazing Graham Rahal is. He is a good driver, I must admit. #Indycar #DetroitGP

Dave Furst @DaveFurst
Hearing the #detroitgp will go back to 2.3 mile layout (ran in late 90′s) next year…incl more passing zones. #good #IndyCar

Jason Larson @larsoni27
Everyone has completed one pit stop, I’ve completed a load of laundry, right on schedule #indycar

Ronald Lanjouw @rlanjouw
@RobertDoornboss #indycar is great and would like @RTLGP to trade their F1 license with Indycar and MotoGP :-)

Filip Cleeren @FilipCleeren
Power not matching Dixon so far. The Kiwi makes it look easy. #indycar #detroitgp

Colin Warnock @justin_wilsonPR
@justin_wilson no longer a contender @detroitgp but just set fastest lap – on primary tyres – after @DaleCoyneRacing make repairs #indycar

Ian Lewis Moore @IanLewisMoore
Looks like everybody & their mama is going to need a new front wing at some point today. #IndyCar #DetroitGP

Peter Leung @BaronVonClutch
Bourdais cannot catch a break. His day is done. #Desolee #IndyCar #DetroitGP

Edmund Jenks @TheEDJE
No YELLOW Flag laps so far – LAP 37 of 90 #indycar #detroitgp

The field at race start fot the Detroit Grand Prix. Image Credit: IICS

Jon Easter @johnnystir
E.J. Viso=Moving chicane #detroitgp #IndyCar

Brian Lewis @LewisUnderscore
Who are these idiots who don’t likd the #Dallara DW12? I think it makes for an absolutely stunning machine. #indycar

Curt Cavin @curtcavin
This race needs some squirrels or some rain. #indycar #detroitgp

F1 Fanatic Live @f1fanaticlive
Wilson has rejoined the track in his repaired car but his day just gets worse – he gets a penalty for speeding in the pits. #IndyCar

Rodrigo Vicente @_RoVicente
Kanaan chegando no Power, mas foi pro box… #IndyCar

Gina Navarra @fastlifeofgina
Nooooo Hinch :( #DetroitGP #IndyCar

Peter Leung @BaronVonClutch
.@Hinchtown into the Tire Wall at Turn 6. #IndyCar #DetroitGP

Gina Navarra @fastlifeofgina
And nooooooo Taku :( #DetroitGP #IndyCar

Lewis Franck @LewisFranck
Sato wasn’t trying to pass Dario when he went off. #IndyCAR they are both okay.

A Racing Fan @aRacingfan
Big hit for Hinch, in the tyres at turn 6, and Sat in the wall elsewhere on track. #IndyCar

Maraschino Events @MaraschinoEvent
Sad for two #IndyCar faves @Hinchtown & @TakumaSatoRacer who are now out of the #DetriotGP after both hitting the wall.

YELLOW Flag

Thomas Kruytzer @ThomasKruytzer
Full course yellow door die spleetoog en goDaddy #rtlgp #indycar

Chris Daly @TheChrisD
Wow, Belle Isle is seriously coming apart :O #indycar

A Racing Fan @aRacingfan
A huge chunk of the track came up and that’s what took out Hinch! #IndyCar

Joe Ortiz @LeoJTravis10
Looks like Detroit is having a Daytona moment there. #Indycar #detroitgp

Jason Larson @larsoni27
Song of the race… youtu.be/Maz6jFdvn2Q #indycar – Dog’s Eye View – Everything Falls Apart

Jacob Black @JacobBlackSPEED
Wow, @Hinchtown going all “@MarcoAndretti” on the radio, and rightly so. Track is busted up. #IndyCar

E.M.H @elmondohummus
Holy crap… and I thought *my* city’s roads were bad. #indycar #detroitgp

Riemberg Barros @riemberg
Kanaan P4 #IndyCar

Mac Morrison @Mac_Morrison
The #DetroitGP track surface is coming up in some places and flying into chalets. Caught this piece! #IndyCar yfrog.com/h4n8txdj

_chrisUK @_chrisUK
Watching #indycar on @SkyIndyCar – cars crashing and bits of the track falling apart! @Hinchtown isn’t going to be happy!

Lindsey Chavers @LAChavers
signs of the economic times: Not even racing sports can afford to keep equipment up! #indycar #daytonahole

Crash Gladys @CrashGladys
@SpeedFreaks I think a red flag is necessary considering how deep those divets are now. #Ouch #indycar #detroitgp

Edmund Jenks @TheEDJE
We need to stick a 2×4 in it! RT @CrashGladys: Red flag is necessary considering how deep those divets are now. #Ouch #indycar #detroitgp

Mattzel89 @Mattzel89
This is going to be a problem #IndyCar twitpic.com/9siy2l

John Wertz @jwertz77
This is extremely embarrassing for the @detroitgp promoters/RP. Not good. #IndyCar

Curt Cavin @curtcavin
Red flag apparently coming. #indycar #detroitgp

Edmund Jenks @TheEDJE
Political Question: Public Union workers responsible for road patches at Belle Isle? Jus’ askin’ #indycar #detroitgp

Safety crew pulls poorly patched road material out of large cracks in the road surface after James Hinchcliffe get derailed and crashes into the tires lining the track. Image Credit: IICS

Remi Bernard @RemiBernard
They’re gonna run under yellow til halfway, then call it a race and go home. Next year, go to Milwaukee. This is embarrassing. #Indycar

Fake Charlie Whiting @charlie_whiting
Maybe they should just put @TheOrangeCone on the massive canyon in the track. #IndyCar

RED Flag

Chris Daly @TheChrisD
@Mattzel89 Thought it was 50% + 1 lap? They’ve stopped after only 45 laps, they need 46 laps? #indycar

Mattzel89 @Mattzel89
From another turn #Indycar twitpic.com/9siz95

Matt White @MattW1986
Daytona pothole anyone #IndyCar

Jenna Fryer @JennaFryer
RT @AP: #IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard: `I felt like dead man walking’: apne.ws/K6l3rm @RBINDYCAR

Sini Salminen @SiniF1
I guess the race won’t be restarted? #IndyCar

SPEED Channel, Inc. @SPEED
And in @IndyCar land, the track is literally coming apart. Race currently red flagged. #IndyCar

Curt Cavin @curtcavin
Red flag. #indycar

Alex Coates @AlexCoatesy
Bob the builder, can he fix it? #IndyCar @SkyIndyCar

Ash (アシュー) @racingAsh
Tough situation. Can’t repatch it. IndyCar ground effect would just pull it up. Like Goodyear said, it’s like a vacuum. #DetroitGP #IndyCar

Steve Dreiseszun @SteveDreiseszun
Photo: Wow. #DetroitGP track at Belle Isle is causing unexpected problems. #IndyCar pic.twitter.com/jiLOuD5p

LAP45 of 90 – RED Flag in play

Beaux Barfield hopeful to restart the race – going to inspect on-site #indycar #detroitgp

Curt Cavin @curtcavin
Says @Hinchtown “(The track) is a mess.” giant pieces of track sealant coming up. #indycar #detroitgp

Mattzel89 @Mattzel89
Video of the #IndyCar incidents caused by the track breaking up youtube.com/watch?v=Z0x9WK…

Ross Bynum @therossbynum
Isn’t Detroit a wonderful place! Just as lovely as I always heard. No infrastructure issues at all! #IndyCar

Fake Charlie Whiting @charlie_whiting
I feel for @BeauxBarfield. Perhaps running twice in Toronto makes sense. #HintHint #IndyCar

Dustin Long @dustinlong
#IndyCar fans suffering through issues with track coming apart & stopping event _ #NASCAR fans can relate to that from a couple of years ago

chris adkisson @CAcoach53
im going to school because i want to do this for a living! #IndyCar @FollowAndretti @MarcoAndretti pic.twitter.com/cy8qw0z4

Autoweek Racing @AutoweekRacing
Just in: Officials at @detroitgp say the #IndyCar race will be ready to start again in 30 minutes.

Dan Brunell @Dan_Brunell
The potholes and crumbling asphault for the #Indycar #DetriotGP was planned to give the drivers an authentic Detroit driving experience.

nascarcasm @nascarcasm
All #IndyCar has to do is put some blacktop in the grooves and have Ndamukong Suh stomp it firmly into place. #DetroitGP

Dannie Lyz Asphall @DannieAsphall
If we didn’t have this red flag, would we have seen all these mini documentaries? #Indycar #DetroitGP

Curt Cavin @curtcavin
People reporting chunks of sealant landing in (and flying over) the chalets along the track. #detroitgp #indycar #dangerous

Mattzel89 @Mattzel89
#IndyCar patching progress, errr… twitpic.com/9sjayz

Allen Wedge @AllenWedge
even during a stoppage ABC can’t be bothered to interview/show non-top drivers/teams or give us any kind of relevant information #IndyCar

Jenna Fryer @JennaFryer
Actually, surprised no #IndyCar drivers are pulling a @keselowski right now. They could totally be tweeting their thumbs off.

E.M.H @elmondohummus
This last 30 minutes is the only time all year Lotus has kept pace, right? ;) #redflagjokes #indycar #detroitgp

matkeeling @keelingover
Come on they’re concreting the race track and then expecting to run again? Ridiculous, cowboy builders! #Indycar @SkyIndyCar

TB @Brewtdb
“@paultracy3: There isn’t a road in the whole state without a pothole … Lol” #INDYCAR #DetrioitGP

Dave Ellis @daveellis0808
Some guys with a wheel barrow are going to fix an entire race track. #indycar

wendy kroon @blokkypirate
Er wordt op zn Amerikaans geasfalteerd. Awesome!! Bell Isle #indycar #Detroit pic.twitter.com/IXk7dCCM

Gord Smith  @elgordo99
What’s gonna happen with TV? #IndyCar #DetroitGP RT @hinchontrack Race to resume @ 6:30

Concrete Patching Continues

A Racing Fan @aRacingfan
BADMAN #IndyCar pic.twitter.com/WJECjcex

Raindrops detected … not raining yet but this is now causing additional concern

nascarcasm @nascarcasm
Now would be ideal time for Kid Rock to grab his guitar and entertain the crowd with a rendition of “Beauxwitdaba.” @BeauxBarfield #IndyCar

Dave Furst @DaveFurst
Roger Penske update from #detroitgp: Repairs are going well…looks like we’ll re-start. Going full distance is a question tho… #IndyCar

JMV1070 @JMV1070
Anybody else believe there is no way this stuff will stay sealed? #indycar

Autoweek Racing @AutoweekRacing
Well, so much for 30 minutes. They’re shooting now for 6:30p ET. Rainclouds threaten. #IndyCar #DetroitGP yfrog.com/kfd69xaj

Filip Cleeren @FilipCleeren
Track officials not ready to commit to a restart time yet. We are watching paint (quick fix) dry. #indycar #detroitgp

Edmund Jenks @TheEDJE
RT @brian_wiggins: To ESPNEWS we go! #IndyCar

Edmund Jenks @TheEDJE
RT @rosslancaster: Figured they’d move the race to ESPNEWS. ESPN2 has NHRA and ESPN has SportsCenter and NBA pre-game. #IndyCar

Dustin Long @dustinlong
#IndyCar … ABC announces that those watching on East Coast will have to switch to ESPNews at 6 pm EASTERN for continued coverage of event

Time: 6:48 local time – Cars are getting ready to take to the track and must do so with the color code tires they came in on.

The idea is to restart the race and have it run for 15 more laps to LAP 60

Shaun Pechin @Shaunpaddock
now everyone was trying to cheat…guess if your not trying to cheat…your not trying. #IndyCar

Ken and Lydda @AbuelosDeTrece
“@indycaradvocate: Cross your fingers, all. Let’s see if we can keep this sucker together by sheer will for 15 laps. #INDYCAR” You said Will

1hr. 59min. into the RED Flag condition – Engines fire and warm-up

Ash (アシュー) @racingAsh
Great to hear motors running. Oh boy. Please hold patch work, hold. Kudos to the fans in Detroit! Godspeed drivers. #DetroitGP #IndyCar

TheMiniChad @TheMiniChad
Watching #IndyCar – thinking we might see a return of Will Power’s famous fingers if these patches don’t hold up.

Graham Rahal will not move – he believes the clutch has failed – Electronics

SpeedFreaks @SpeedFreaks
WHAT?? Now rain is an issue before the green restart?? Holy crap… come in for rain tires and it’s anyone’s race! #DetroitGP #IndyCar

Restart – GREEN GREEN GREEN

Brian Karczewski @LVI56
Wait, they are gonna go green and it;s RAINING??? #Indycar

Mr. Wise Guy @DoctorGooFee
#indycar kudos for ABC for keeping this on TV…

Power gets jumped by Dixon and this allowed Pagenaud to pass Power placing him at P3

Michael Henson @ChasingBristol
New favorite #Indycar chat quote: “Bad, meet Worse.”

TV coverage jumps to ESPN NEWS …

F1 Fanatic Live @f1fanaticlive
Castroneves spins into the wall, Carpenter also spins at turn seven. #IndyCar

YELLOW Flag – Debris quickly cleaned up

Restart – GREEN GREEN GREEN

Peter Leung @BaronVonClutch
.@dariofranchitti jumps 2 P’s @simonpagenaud and moves up to 2nd, Power 3rd @scottdixon9 still leads. #IndyCar #DetroitGP

Peter Leung @BaronVonClutch
.@EJVISO stals and spins at Turn 5. #IndyCar #DetroitGP

LAP53 YELLOW Flag

Franchitti is able from P4 pass Power, then Pagenaud to have TCGR in place for a repeat one two finish as was the case the week before at the INDY500.

Funny thing – the red-colored DW12 of Dixon’s was riding on Black code tires and was pulling away from the black-colored DW12 of Franchitti’s that was riding on Red code, softer compound tires

Target Chip Ganassi now sitting P1 and P2 with only six laps to go

Restart – GREEN GREEN GREEN

Zachary Houghton @indycaradvocate
Founded in 1867, the DetroitGP is the longest-running continuous single race in history… #INDYCAR

F1 Fanatic Live @f1fanaticlive
No change in the top four at the latest restart, Servia now up to fifth, six laps to go. #IndyCar

Dixon has almost a full second led on teammate Franchitti

Peter Leung @BaronVonClutch
Dixon,Franchitti, Pagenaud, Power, Servia. #IndyCar #DetroitGP

Mr. Wise Guy @DoctorGooFee
#indycar I think the black tires are made out of the same stuff they patched the track with before the race.

F1 Fanatic Live @f1fanaticlive
Tagliani takes Andretti who has front wing damage, Newgarden follows him a few corners later. #IndyCar

Peter Leung @BaronVonClutch
Lap 57 Now. Dixon still leads with Franchitti following. Pagenaud P3, Power P4. Servia P5. #IndyCar #DetroitGP

Mandy Valentine @Indy_Mode
We’ve actually got some good racing going on here! With 2 laps left. #Indycar #DetroitGP

Rodrigo Vicente @_RoVicente
2 LAPS TO GO! #IndyCar

Final Lap … everyone is behaving themselves!

CHECKERED Flag

Scott Dixon wins. Franchitti 2nd, Pagenaud 3rd, Power 4th, Servia 5th, Kanaan 6th, Hunter-Reay 7th, Kimball 8th, Conway 9th, and Tagliani at 10th #IndyCar – Full field finish HERE>>

Larry Lage @LarryLage
#IndyCar didn’t keep the feel-good buzz from the Indy 500 in part because the track in Detroit was awful. Check out pix goo.gl/aH6F7

ENDS

This final event opinion excerpted and edited from More Front Wing –

It’s hard to imagine a much bigger letdown after a thrilling Indianapolis 500 than the show witnessed today. If INDYCAR must return to Belle Isle — and I don’t think anyone would really be sad if they didn’t except Roger Penske and Scott Dixon — then please don’t make it happen immediately after Indianapolis. Perhaps this would be a good race to put in the fall when competing against opening weekend of the NFL season but not immediately following the event with more eyeballs than the rest of the season combined.

… notes from The EDJE

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Opinion: IndyCar’s CEO Randy Bernard Battling Mutiny

May 31, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The new DW12 was a brilliant competitor in this years Indy 500

Alcoholics have a sentiment about life and the bottle: ‘Taking another drink happens more often when you succeed than when you fail’. If you think about that statement in the context of CART vs. the IRL, it begins to makes sense. Awash with IPO money, the CART owners couldn’t resist taking another drink while running the series into the ground. What makes precious little sense is that when IndyCar is beginning to see daylight, a team owner, who is lobbying recruits in the mutiny, want to wrap their hands around that bottle, get rid of CEO Randy Bernard, and with shaking hands, slowly take another drink. It’s always someone else’s fault, right?

IndyCar had nearly experienced a mass extinction event when Tony George and the CART team owners of the day decided that hating each other wasn’t enough, they all ran to the cliffs of mutual destruction like Lemmings on acid. Funny thing about the ultra rich, they can prop up a dying horse for quite some time whether it’s the right thing to do or not.

Seeing Bernard tweet that ‘certain’ team owners were trying to oust him was a brilliant strategic move on his part. A new car that races well, the best television ratings in years for this past Indy 500, participation from different auto manufacturers and a competent, well run management team in place have everyone looking at IndyCar as a Phoenix while the fans are crossing every appendage available hoping it continues. It isn’t luck. Bernard has had a positive impact on the series and that cannot be denied. Bringing a posse of fans in with the fight thru Social Media is military strategy at it’s finest. Hearts and minds won without a single shot fired.

Now watching this little drama play out are the core fans, the casual fans and those on Twitter who love a good drama. Bernard’s tweet set off a firestorm of denials, most notably Andretti himself proclaiming on Twitter that he denies any role in the potential coup. Bernard knew that he could access the hundreds of thousands of fans and potential fans through Twitter and it’s a move that his detractors didn’t expect. He knows who the opposing team owners are and he knows that the best defense is a good offense. There will be a point where the insurgents will have no choice but to out themselves, if Robin Miller doesn’t get to them first, and be forced to defend their point of view. Bernard knows this as well. Niccolo Machiavelli would be proud.

In the case of Randy Bernard I watched carefully when they brought this soft-spoken man out of the bull-riding arena and into the modern day equivalent of the Roman Senate, auto racing. I didn’t have high hopes seeing someone outside the racing business trying to resuscitate a dying segment of the sport.

However, my concerns were ill conceived. He stabilized the sport in a time where the competitors were financially forced to race old Dallara’s to the point where people couldn’t stand the sight of them. The fans demanded that mule change and the DW12 was born. That’s one of the big gripes from what I’m hearing, the cost of the cars and spares packages. Yes, they’re higher than first thought. OK. Invoke the 3/2 rule here, which every single one of the team owners should know: “Everything costs twice as much as you think, is twice as hard as you think and takes twice as long as you think”.The team owners didn’t think. They and they alone have the burden of due diligence if they’re going to play in this sandbox.

The old Dallara chassis, in the end, did nothing for the fans imagination

Bernard inherited a television deal that was one step above infomercial status. Fortunately the media companies are in turmoil as well which has given IndyCar the potential for a better television package to negotiate. Time will tell if the mix of road courses and ovals will work to attract fans as planned. Filling the stands isn’t as important as filling the television sets, evidence this by looking at Formula One.

In Formula One this type of behind the scenes back stabbing is common and is life as usual. Treachery, Faustian pacts with the Devil, AKA Bernie Ecclestone, is all in a days work. One major difference exists in operating Formula One and IndyCar. The team owners, including giant manufacturers haven’t been able to oust Eccelstone. He knew early on that grabbing the television rights to the sport were key in retaining power. Bernard, however, knows that his stock is high with the fans and that is who ultimately counts in racing, whether on television or in the stands. The fans.

It was only after he took over as CEO did the talent pool begin to grow deeper. Competition does that. Brazil is now as much an IndyCar nation as the United States and all the while more American potentials have arrived on the scene to join the British, French and Samurai Sato. How can this be anything except a positive direction?

The owners, post USAC, have always thrown their weight around to get what they want. That strategy is natural unless you have a firewall in place to keep them from having too much power. Power grabs haven’t worked in NASCAR, just ask Roger Penske or Chip Ganassi. If anything, Bernard gave them too much say, too much power and the added burden of dealing with the auto manufacturers.

What’s next for Bernard? No one can accurately predict a battlefield situation, should it become one, but one things for sure, in his tenure at IndyCar he has improved a racing series that had one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel.

Everyone needs to take a long hard look at the global political/economic situation as it stands. It’s going to be a long hard slog getting back to, or anywhere near, what we as Americans would consider normal. In fact, we’re looking at the new normal for the foreseeable future. Would you rather have a puppet in place that cannot make their own decisions or someone who recognizes where it all stands and can operate in that environment?

NASCAR took every advantage of the spilt, what could they be devising in Charlotte to grab more at IndyCar’s expense. Bernard should stay right where he is.

Maybe that team owner should think about another series, Chump Car comes to mind.

 

 

 

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96th #INDY500 Tweet-By-Tweet – A Live Blog Effort

May 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The famous control tower IMS pagoda at dawn the day of the 96th Indianapolis 500. Image Credit: Jeff Gluck via instagram

96th #INDY500 Tweet-By-Tweet – A Live Blog Effort

This edition of the “Greatest Spectacle In Racing” will be unique due to one major overriding issue, the new Dallara DW12 is racing in its first oval race and it happens to be the biggest, most historic venue one could choose for this maiden outing.

Fans and drivers are excited to see how this platform will perform in traffic because these cars are much kinder to the cars that trail behind them due to the aerodynamic effect known as Mushroom Busting incorporated into the design of the body work. What this means is that the disturbed airflow behind the car has been directed above the racing surface much more quickly than previous designs and this allows a car riding behind another car to be more stable and be able to get a “TOW” from the car in front.

Multiple car teams like Andretti Autosport with five cars entered may have an advantage if the team drivers work together as roller-derby teammates would work together to “sling-shot” each of their drivers forward.

The additional subtext to this 500 mile race would be the durability of the new racing engine formula. Three engine manufacturers have been authorized to produce these engines and it would seem that the weakest link resides with the DW12′s powered by the Lotus/Judd turbo-charged engines. How many laps will they go before they are 1) Black-Flagged for being too slow or 2) if they will be able to complete the 500 miles still running without a failure.

Of course the final outcome will be watched by the Chevrolet and Honda engine team for their own ability to be able to complete the 500 miles still running without a failure as well.

Predictions are that either KVRT’s Tony Kanaan or defending championship team of Bryan Herta Autosport’s #98 Alex Tagliani would be the winner at the end of 500 miles. If the race is won by a multiple car team that would go to Andretti Autosport with Ryan Hunter-Raey. Fastest female now that Danica Patrick isn’t sucking the PR air out of the room goes to Andretti Autosport’s Ana Beatrix. Top former F1 driver goes to KVRT’s Takuma Sato. Highest placing former INDY500 champion would be Helio Castroneves – Motorsports Unplugged Radio.

The following entries come from “Tweet Deck” tweet-by-tweet with added comments from the author:

Matt Archuleta @indy44
What a great intro on ABC. Spotlighted Dan Wheldon on Borg-Warner trophy. “That’s what it takes to ride with Legends.” #Lionheart #Indy500

Jeff Gluck @jeff_gluck
Cool pic. RT @penskeracing: Minutes before the walk out to #Indy500 @h3lio & @12WillPower collect their thoughts. twitpic.com/9pxgn8

Indy Motor Speedway @IMS
Cars are lining up on the front stretch! Head over to get a chance to see the new DW12 cars up close and personal. #Indy500

Chris Siegle @chrissiegle
You’d think with every Dan Wheldon tribute that is shown on TV, they’d get easier to watch. But they haven’t for me. #Lionheart #Indy500

Sam Schmidt Mtsprts @SSMIndy
@simonpagenaud talks with Honda guests. Thanks to @HondaRacing_HPD for all they do. #Indy500 @IndyCar pic.twitter.com/IneJrVaz

Indy Motor Speedway @IMS
Driver introductions and pre-race ceremonies are about to begin! What’s your favorite #Indy500 tradition?

Dave Walker @reklawed
Turned on the #Indy500 only to discover that #IndyCar hasn’t honoured Greg Moore and kept his number retired. That is beyond disappointing

Craig Terrill @TerrillMusic
“When I dream about the moonlight on the Wabash, then I long for my Indiana home” #indy500

The recorded version channeling Jim Nabors seems grand and appropriate for this first race of the DW12

on Frankl @ronfrankl
In-cars on ESPN3.com just went live. #IndyCar

Brad Plummer @PlummerBrad
why do i not have the video only sound? – #indycar live on livestream.com/indycar

Mike Saverko @Msave69
Like to thank all our veterans for giving us a chance to enjoy #Indy500 and #Coke600 today!! This wknd for you!! Thanks!! #NASCAR #IndyCar

GREEN, GREEN, GREEN!

IZOD IndyCar Series @IndyCar
GREEN FLAG FOR THE 96TH RUNNING OF THE #INDY500! #indycar2012

All cars safely around for a full lap – James Hinchcliffe takes the first lap

Two laps two lead changes as Briscoe takes the position back

Steph@MoreFrontWing @99forever
Okay, guys. The only lap you need to lead is the 200th. Relax, please. #indy500

Graham Rahal’s fuel light alarm is flashing on lap 8 of 200

Wayne Willis @WayneWillisJr
These cars are racing really nice. Looks good so far. #Indy500 @JamieLittleESPN

Jay Howard @JayHowardRacing
[PIC] Seeing #dannyboy car circle @IMS is not only emotional bt special 4 all his many fans, me included #indy500 @IMS lockerz.com/s/212340109

Peter Leung @BaronVonClutch
Race Control has black-flagged Jean Alesi and Simona de Silvestro. Both cars were lapping about 10mph slower than rest of field. #Indy500

Lap 15 of 200 – Lotus/Judd cars are out of the race as predicted yesterday on Motorsports Unplugged Radio – “Wouldn’t last 25 Laps”

YELLOW Flag – Clauson spins and saves the car and doesn’t hit the wall – Pits Open

EJ Viso punts Dario Franchitti in pit lane and turns the #50 car around – nose cone change ordered by Chip Ganassi

Patti Rodisch @nascar_lugnuts
that was a frantic set of pit stops…#indycar

LAP 17 of 200 – Restart – GREEN, GREEN, GREEN!

IZOD IndyCar Series @IndyCar
Incident between Viso and Franchitti on pit lane was investigated. No action taken. #Indy500 #indycar2012

Fuel consumption may be down from expected due to the temperatures on the track

9 lead changes between three drivers by Lap 24 of 200

ABC replays the “single-file” restart and there were as many as five-wide at one point

IZOD IndyCar Series @IndyCar
Pic: The start of the 96th Running of the #Indy500. #indycar2012 pic.twitter.com/8x0Wyi8C

Ryan Brothers @renegade_3
RT @INDYracereview: . @MarcoAndretti is back in the lead. #IndyCar #Indy500

Tom Meyer Klipsch @TOMMYKlipsch
Lets go @Andretti26 #TeamRCcola #Andretti Leading the #Indy500! instagr.am/p/LIyFPuTENu/

LAP 34 of 200 - Top five – Andretti, Hinchtown, Briscoe, Tagliani, and Kanaan

GREEN Flag ptistops begin

F1 Fanatic Live @f1fanaticlive
L43 Hinchcliffe pits. #IndyCar

Doug Demmons @dougdemmons
Jean Alesi says he’ll be back next year and he won’t be driving a Yugo … I mean, Lotus #Indy500

Ron Frankl @ronfrankl
Hinchcliffe told by team they’re beating everyone on fuel mileage. Not concerned to be first to come in. #IndyCar

James Jakes @JamesJakes
4 more #Firestone tires and fuel! Fast work by the crew today! Indy500 #IndyCar

LAP 49 – Newgarden car stalls in the pits – hand pushed and restarted

Dragon Racing’s Katherine Legge two laps down in P28 – Teammate Sebastien Bourdais in P23 one lap down

LAP 50 of 200 Top 10 – Andretti, Dixon, Hinchcliffe, Briscoe, Sato, Power, Kanaan, Franchitti, Rahal, and Conway

Graham Rahal is just not up to speed – complains of too much downforce

Tagliani must have had a terrible pitstop – he’s dropped to P24 on lap 64 of 200 after running in the top 5at lap 34

Marco Andretti is showing great strength on lap 68 with a lead, running alone at .6689 ahead of Scott Dixon – lapping at 217mph

Bruno Tarulli @BrunoTarulli34
Kanaan paro otra vez en boxes. Sato es tercero. Sigue adelante Marco Andretti, nieto de Mario. #IndyCar #Indy500

Jenna Fryer @JennaFryer
Marco Andretti has now led more laps than he’d led in all his previous combined #Indy500 (31 laps led) #IndyCar

Anthony Stuart @Anthony_Stuart
#INDY500 came back into my room… definitely awake now! Some absolutely amazing driving on display @imsupdates

Dario Franchitti has worked his way up to P5 since dropping to P28 with the first pitlane incident

LAP 74 - Andretti in the pits, Hinchcliffe in the pits, RHR in the pits, 29 laps on a tank of gas

LAP 75 - all three Penske Racing cars in for fuel and tires

Dixon and Franchitti P1 and P2 before their pitstops – two Honda-powered lead the race

14 different lead changes as Charlie Kimball takes the lead on transition

YELLOW Flag – Mike Conway and Will Power in a big crash after Mike Conway pulss out of the pits. Conway on the pitstop ran into three of his crew members and was assesed a drive through penalty which he was going to serve on the next lap.

Conway’s ABC Supply AJ Foyt Racing car just spun in front of Will Power as it looked like a front wing problem that caused instability

Four cars out of the race – the two Lotus cars and now Mike Conway and Will Power – Slow motion of the accident showed the safety of the systems built-in to the cars and the track

Andretti Autosport @FollowAndretti
After dropping back with push condition, @RyanHunterReay climbing back into fray. P7. #Indy500

Tony @PopOffValve
Looks like more folks are seeking out the misting stations @IMS – worst heat of the day right now.

Allen Wedge @AllenWedge
@tonydizinno everyone ok, Conway hit wall alone Power couldn’t avoid and got under him

Bill Zahren @pressdog
As Conway gets airborne he’s all like “fabulous. this again” heart rate climbs to 49 bpm

LAP 88 0f 200 – GREEN Flag Restart of second caution period of the race

Top ten – Andretti, Dixon, Sato, Kanaan, Franchitti, Hinchtown, RHR, Briscoe, Rahal, and Kimball

LAP 89 of 200 – YELLOW Flag - Ana Beatrix hits the wall alone – backend got loose and barely brushes the wall

Pits Open with many takers – RHR decides at last moment to not go in – Hinchcliffe has a pit problem – Dixon and Franchitti stay out as well

Jim @RacingBluejay
What the hell is it with rear tires today at #IMS? #Indy500 #IndyCar

Ryan Brothers @renegade_3
Sad to see my man @12WillPower have to end his day early #Indy500 . A little momentum lost from his amazing start to this #IndyCar season.

Stephanie Flint @stephmflint
Listening to the #500 on the radio as I drive home isn’t quite the same after experiencing it as a @PrincessIndy500 last year… #indycar

Formula 1 @F1grid
PHOTO: A lot of empty seats at the Indianapolis 500 #Indy500 #IndyCar twitpic.com/9pzaod

On pit out, Ana Beatrix pulls out slowly and causes a traffic jam on the out lane

LAP 95 0f 200 – GREEN Flag Restart of third caution period of the race

All cars safely through in very tight racing quarters – this Mushroom Busting design delivers a quality racing product!

Conwezys @Conwezys
Lap 98 #lionheartforever #LIONHEART #indy500

White sunglasses placed on the faces of everyone in the stands

James Foreman @James__Foreman
#indy500 #indycar2012 #hondaindy @girlracercouk – Dan Wheldon’s wife Susie watching the race from the pits, must be a very tough day for her

Halfway – LAP 100 of 200 - Top 10 drivers are TCGR’s Dixon & Franchitti, Andretti Autosport’s Ryan Hunter-Raey, CGR’s Graham Rahal, Dale Coyne Racing’s Justin Wilson, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Takuma Sato, CGR’s Charlie Kimball, Panther Racing’s JR Hildebrand, Dale Coyne Racing’s James Jakes, and Sam Schmidt Motorsport’sTownsend Bell

The field has settled down nose to tail in order to save fuel

LAP 112 – Pitstop by RHR after not taking fuel after the last yellow flag

Top six positions are Honda-powered DW12s

Jeff Gluck @jeff_gluck
Will Power on crash: “(Conway) said the team sent him out w/a broken wing. I don’t understand why they would do that.” #IndyCar

Taylor J. Ness @tness88
Many drivers, including seasoned veterans, seem to be having trouble with getting going out of the pit box. #INDY500

Robby Howard @robbyhoward1
Charlie Kimball, the first driver credited with racing with diabetes, has moved into the fifth position. #indy500

Dario Franchitti in and out of the pits on Lap 118 – Dixon gets one more lap after leading 34 laps – in and out

LAP 121 - Takuma Sato leads all drivers with the 18th lead change in the race and the first time in IMS history that a Japanese-born driver has led an INDY500 race

Ryan Hunter-Raey’s car is giving him troubles and comes into the pits – may be terminal – right rear upright giving way

Rubens Barrichello leads a lap at INDY500 after 33 laps between fuel stops

LAP 125 – top five are Sato, followed very closely by Franchitti, Dixon, Andretti, and Hildebrand … oops, passed by Rahal

Four Chip Ganassi managed cars in the top 10 – P2 Franchitti, P4 Dixon, P5 Rahal, P7 Kimball

Indy Star Sports @IndyStarSports
RT @indystar_hutch: Top five at Indy thru 131 (13 on lead lap): Sato, Franchitti, Dixon, Andretti and Rahal. #Indy500

Filip Cleeren @FilipCleeren
Marco still looking good to win this. #indy500

Allen Wedge @AllenWedge
Just watched Marco pick off Dixon on ESPN3, I wish they offered this to everyone

Team Chevy @TeamChevy
Total of 20 lead changes today. Most ever at #Indy500 – 29. @IMS #ChevyIndy500

Crash Gladys @CrashGladys
Turn 2 is never the hardest turn, but drivers r reporting that due to the tailwind it is increasingly difficult 2 turn there #Indy500

Mandy Valentine @Indy_Mode
Come on @TonyKanaan & @Hinchtown – U guys can do it! (well, not both of U, obviously, but U can be 1st & 2nd!) Drive boys, drive #Indy500

Vibration troubles with Marco Andretti’s car which may be the same problem with the CV Joint as Ryan Hunter-Raey’s car Marco in pitlane … and out

YELLOW Flag – LAP 145 of 200 fourth of the race – Andretti Autosport’s Saavedra stalled on pit in lane

Almost everyone in the pits – very hectic – now 12 cars on the lead lap – should be cycled forward for the restart

After pitstops by the field the top ten positions are Sato, Franchitti, Dixon, Hinchcliffe, Wilson, Kimball, Briscoe, Kanaan, Castroneves, and Barrichello

LAP 152 of 200 – GREEN Flag Restart of fourth caution period of the race

IZOD IndyCar Series @IndyCar Green green green! Sato leads on Lap 152. #Indy500 #indycar2012

Single file restart with a log jam – Franchitti takes the position away from Sato – then Dixon TCGR in P1 and P2

Hinchtown now targeting TAKU! – Everyone needs to make one more pitstop so fuel strategy is out the window

Kanaan just eclipsed Hinchcliffe – after one lap, Hinchcliffe takes the position back

LAP 159 – Dixon passes Franchitti for the lead with TAKU right behind – oops, Franchitti passes Dixon right back

Jeff Gluck @jeff_gluck
It’s official: The temperature has reached 93 degrees, making the hottest #Indy500 in the 96-year history of the event.

Hasby Díaz Colina @dernierslayer
#INDY500 VUELTA 145 1.Sato 2.Franchitti 3.Andretti 4.Dixon 5.Wilson 6.Hildebrand 7.Kimball 8.Hinchcliffe 9.Bell 10.Castroneves 24.VISO

YELLOW Flag – LAP 164 – Josef Newgarden’s car lets loose and pulls to the infield of the track – Pits Closed

Pits now open with 35 laps to go – al little long to stretch to the end – WOW all leaders in – Hinchcliffe runs over a hose and delays at getting out of pits – lost positions way down the order

Ron Frankl @ronfrankl
Hinchcliffe being told repeatedly by cc to save fuel; James acknowledges but says he” doesn’t want to lose the field.” #IndyCar

Oakley @oakley
RT @OakleyRacing1 The #Indy500 – @scottdixon9 leading followed by fellow O driver @dariofranchitti – will they hold on? #indycar2012 Lap 168

Speculation is that with leaning down, all of the leaders my be able to make it to the end – possible penalties to Rahal and Hinchcliffe

LAP 171 of 200 – 30 LAPS To Go – GREEN Flag Restart of fifth caution period of the race

Three wide and Justin Wilson gets by Sato – Franchitti takes the lead – Wilson set sights on Dixon

Kanaan in the mix with Franchitti, Dixon, Wilson, Sato and Kaanaan

Wilson slips up near the wall and losses places back to P7 – now top five is Dixon, Franchitti, Sato, Carpenter, and Kanaan

YELLOW Flag LAP 181 - Ed Carpenter spins and is in OK shape – no crash or damage, may have kissed the wall – actually no touch – white line sends the car skidding

LaMarquis Martin @LaMarquisMartin
100% skill, 200% luck there by @edcarpenter20 #indy500 #indycar

Tony @PopOffValve
Holy cow. Screw green/white/checkers, this is going to be a GOBSMACKING finish to the #Indy500.

Kendra McKinley @dance_kenny
another new record! most lead changes in a single race. 31. #Indy500

Max Papis @maxpapis
Hats off to the class act of @CLTMotorSpdwy to show #Indy500 on the giant screen #classact

LAP 176 – Franchitti back in the lead with radio commands to manage fuel at “4.3 on the dash”

Dixon sets a new lead change record ant the INDY500 with 30 lead changes for this Mushroom Buster DW12

LAP 184 of 200 – 16 LAPS To Go – GREEN Flag Restart of sixth caution period of the race

Kanaan streaks to the lead from P6 – Franchitti passes TK back – Franchitti tries to bunch the field – Kanaan takes the lead again

YELLOW Flag - up to P8 Marco Andretti hits the wall and the tires on the right side of the car are bent – inside wheels hit the white line and spins

Gregory D. Howe ‏@wood_brothers21
Oh No, Marco! Get ready for some great radio! #IndyCar #Indy500

Marco fails in his bid for his best #INDY500 finish … and possible win

Declan Brennan @TheRaceTool
Has anyone noticed how FECKING AWESOME the Indy 500 is? :) #IndyCar

Curt Cavin @curtcavin
Pretty sure @TonyKanaan wishes he hadn’t taken the lead just before that crash. He’s going to be second (or maybe fifth) by Turn 4. #indy500

T.Marc Jones @TMarcJones
Ok ladies and gentlemen; 7 lap shootout! Is this an exciting race or what! #INDY500 #indycar2012 Let’s go @TonyKanaan

Angelique @Angeliquecr
This next restart is gonna test the sphincters of every soul at the @IMS #RaceDay #indy500 #Indy500SnakePit #indycar2012

Top five before restart are Kanaan, Franchitti, Dixon, Briscoe, and Wilson

LAP 194 of 200 – 6 LAPS To Go – GREEN Flag Restart of seventh caution period of the race

Franchitti passes on restart – Oriol Servia maks a charge to the front and is in P6

Two laps to go Sato holds on to Franchitti’s tail and is in P2 – Sato tries to pass on the inside, touches the whiteline and spins – YELLOW Flag

CHECKERED Flag – Franchitti becomes a three-time winner under a YELLOW Flag. WOW!

Final top ten – Dario Franchitti (from P33 to P3 on one fuel stint), Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan, Oriol Servia (former Lotus Legion-driver), Ryan Briscoe, James Hinchcliffe, Justin Wilson, Charlie Kimball, Toensend Bell, and Helio Castroneves

This is the first race of the season not won by a Penske Racing driver, but it still is a race win by either a Penske Racing or a Chip Ganassi Racing driver!

Ashley Judd Franchitti is absolutely beside herself as well she should be – Dario Franchitti becomes a Three-Time INDY500 Winner – dedicates the race to Dan Wheldon in post race interview (paraphrased).

“To be placed on the trophy besides Dan means the world to me.”

Dario gets an Igloo cooler full of icy water dumped on him ala winning Football Coach/Super Bowl style.

Post race interview has Takuma Sato complaining that he had taken the position but Dario pinched him down so hard that it caused him to have to be below the whiteline causing his DW12 to spin and hit the wall.

The 96th Indianapolis 500 is in the books and should be renamed the “Mushroom Buster 500″ in honor of the technology that brought together a great, competitive, and record 35 lead change race.

… notes from The EDJE

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INDY500 DW12 #poleday And #bumpday Weekend Trials

May 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Ryan Briscoe, No. 2 IZOD Team Penske Chevrolet, will lead the 33-car field to the green flag for the 96th running of the Indianapolis 500. With a four-lap average speed of 226.484 MPH and a time of 2:38.9514, Briscoe captured his career-first pole position for the Indy 500 and the 17th for Team Penske by the closest margin in the history of the race. Image Credit: IZOD IndyCar Series

INDY500 DW12 #poleday And #bumpday Weekend Trials

What is a racing series without its unplanned moments of friction? Short answer? … not interesting at all and this last weekend in the IZOD IndyCar Series at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) had its share of unplanned moments of friction.

During 2011 and many of the previous years at IMS during the qualifications process known as Pole Day and the following day known as Bump Day (new media Twitter communications hashtags #poleday and #bumpday), the unplanned friction centered around Series Management and Team relations. This year, the weekend was spiced up with the addition of integrating the nuances of a new racing platform formula that has the choice of three turbo-charged 2.2L engine power-plants – Chevrolet | Honda | Lotus .

View slideshow: INDY500 DW12 #poleday and #bumpday weekend trials

One of the biggest concerns, in fact, centered itself around the perceived lack of competitiveness and power developed by the Lotus engine. The cracks of this controversy began to show themselves amongst the four teams (HVM Racing/Dreyer & Reinblod Racing/Bryan Herta Autosport/Dragon Racing) and five drivers that had run the first three races of the season with mild moments of success. This mild success was not the result of having inexperienced and unsuccessful drivers piloting the new DW12 Dallara chassis with the Lotus engine (HVM’s Simona de Silvestro – P3 in Atlantic Championship 2009 – DRR’s Oriol Servia – P4 2011/11 top-10 finishes, BHA’s Alex Tagliani – P11/6 top-10 finishes/2 poles, DR’s Sebastien Bourdais – P1 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and DR’s Katherine Legge – P3 in Atlantic Championship standings 2005  – the most winning driver being four-time Champ Car World Series champion Sebastien Bourdais).

Before the traditional activities that surround the month of May at IMS in the lead up to the INDY500, two teams (Dreyer & Reinblod Racing/Bryan Herta Autosport) lobbied series management and won release from their obligation to use the Lotus engine in their DW12′s, in fact one team, Bryan Herta Autosport did not travel to the fourth race of the season at Sao Paulo, Brazil to prepare for the transition to the Honda engine. After Sao Paulo, Dreyer & Reinbold racing negotiated an alliance with Panther Racing to be supplied and supported with a Chevrolet engine which had them change their logo for the rest of the season to reflect the alliance.

During the first chance at getting practice at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Lotus had trouble delivering engines for Dragon Racing (while Dragon Racing launched a lawsuit to seek about 4.6 million dollars in damages due to the breach in their contract). The team missed out on six practice sessions and sought permission from the series to change to a different engine supplier. With permission granted, Dragon Racing was able to get Sebastien Bourdais and Kathrien Legge through Rookie Orientation on Thursday with Chevrolet engines.

In the meantime, in order to save some face, Lotus put their support behind a one-time team effort, Fan Force Racing to place 47 year-old Lotus driver/ambassador and former Formula 1 driver Jean Alesi on the track to qualify along side of the one remaining team of HVM Racing and Simona de Silvestro.

During the activities over the week-end to fill the traditional 33 places allowed for the INDY500 field, many speculated that their may not actually be 33 cars that could qualify for the field. If this were to happen, it would be the first time since 1947 and result in an embarrassment to the new formula of the IZOD IndyCar Series.

Other unplanned moments of friction came primarily through the process known as Bump Day. After the field of 33 cars is filled with qualifying runs, anyone who wishes to challenge to get into the field could present a car and post a time faster than the slowest qualified car and “Bump” the slowest car out of the field … hence Bump Day.

Briscoe bested fellow Chevrolet IndyCar V-6 driver, James Hinchcliffe, No. 27 Team Go.Daddy.com Andretti Autosport Chevrolet, by .0023 of a second. Hinchcliffe’s qualifying run was 2:38.9537/226.481 mph. The difference is the equivalent of 9.168 inches. Here, James Hinchcliffe displays the gloves he wore for his inspired run - these driving gloves were worn by fellow Canadian and legendary IndyCar driver, Greg Moore. Image Credit: @hinchtown via Twitter

This on-site experience excerpted and edited from AP -

In The Pits: Drama _ of course! _ in IndyCar again
By: JENNA FRYER

One can’t help but wonder, though, if there’s been too much back-room politicking going on since Indianapolis Motor Speedway opened its gates May 10 to begin preparations for Sunday’s race. Almost every day since has had some sort of controversy – many bordering on comical – and rumors have run rampant about everything from an alleged owner-led charge to oust CEO Randy Bernard and IndyCar supposedly blocking two teams from fielding cars on Sunday’s bump-less Bump Day.

Then came the long list of penalties announced Sunday night, about 30 minutes after practice had concluded for a four-day off period.

IndyCar found 18 different infractions among 13 teams in pre-qualifying inspection, and track historian Donald Davidson believes the numbers were a one-day record for the series, though fines have never been consistently announced.

Few teams were immune and the entire front row was docked a total of $70,000 for five penalties split between pole-sitter Ryan Briscoe of Penske Racing, and Andretti Autosport teammates James Hinchcliffe and Ryan Hunter-Reay.

Briscoe, in Charlotte on Monday to promote the Indy 500, wasn’t sure his Penske team had actually violated the brake rule that brought a $15,000 fine. Penske team president Tim Cindric confirmed on Twitter that Will Power’s car indeed had unapproved brake pads, but claimed the team never would have sent Briscoe out with the same pads once Power’s had been flagged.

Either way, Briscoe believed IndyCar – behind new race director Beaux Barfield and vice president of technology Will Phillips – had taken a huge step in levying so many fines.

“It’s surprising because we haven’t seen much of that in the past,” Briscoe said. “But I think we are seeing a new guy in charge of the rules now, and maybe in the past, some things have been let past, and I think it’s good that teams are being penalized for not abiding by the rules 100 percent. Rules are there to be followed, rules are made to be enforced and they should be.”

That strong stance from the sanctioning body likely came as a shock to team owners – and it came during yet another stretch of off-track drama.
—-
It left only two Lotus-powered cars in the field, and they’ve been so far off the pace that many are openly wondering if they should even be allowed in the race. It didn’t help that 47-year-old former Formula One driver Jean Alesi, who has never before raced an oval, said he felt “unsafe” in the car and was “concerned” for his fellow competitors because it is so slow.

Rubens Barrichello, who spent 19 years in F1 before moving to IndyCar this season, believes Alesi is handicapped by his Lotus engine.

“It’s been very unfortunate that the Lotus power is not up to the speed,” Barrichello said. “If we do end up racing with that 10- or 15-mile (speed) difference, it could be a problem for both of the (Lotus drivers). I hope just that he has a safe race.”

IndyCar needs Alesi and Simona de Silvestro in the race to avoid not having a full 33-car field for the first time since 1947, but it’s possible that the two cars will be black-flagged for failing to maintain a reasonable speed.

There was disappointment Sunday when no team owner threw together a last-minute entry to try to bump one of the Lotus cars out of the field. Both Jay Howard and Pippa Mann indicated they were close to putting together deals, but couldn’t get Chevrolet or Honda to give them an engine. That led to rumors it was IndyCar who halted the engines to protect Lotus – an allegation series officials vehemently denied.

Let’s not forget the TurboGate saga, either, with Chevrolet losing two appeals trying to prevent Honda from using a new compressor cover on its turbocharger. The defeat has supposedly left powerhouse owner Roger Penske so infuriated he’s refusing to speak to Bernard, but yet it’s Penske who has a driver on the pole and two more starting on the second row.

Penske, who at least publicly has preached a message of unity and support of IndyCar leaders, goes into the 500 perfect on the season with five poles and four victories. Honda, meanwhile, had only one driver qualify inside the top 10.

So from the outside, it sure looks like a mess for IndyCar. But Bernard is fond of claiming “all press is good press,” and if drama gets fans to tune into Sunday’s race, then maybe IndyCar knows exactly what it is doing.
[Reference Here]

Here is how the field is set for the 98th running of the INDY500:

Pos  Driver               Team/Car                      Speed

1.  Ryan Briscoe         Penske DW12-Chevy             226.484
2.  James Hinchcliffe    Andretti DW12-Chevy           226.481
3.  Ryan Hunter-Reay     Andretti DW12-Chevy           226.240

4.  Marco Andretti       Andretti DW12-Chevy           225.456
5.  Will Power           Penske DW12-Chevy             225.422
6.  Helio Castroneves    Penske DW12-Chevy             225.172

7.  Josef Newgarden      Fisher DW12-Honda             224.037
8.  Tony Kanaan          KV DW12-Chevy                 224.751
9.  EJ Viso              KV DW12-Chevy                 224.422

10.  Rubens Barrichello   KV DW12-Chevy                 224.264
11.  Alex Tagliani        Herta DW12-Honda              224.000
12.  Graham Rahal         Ganassi DW12-Honda            223.959

13.  Ana Beatriz          Andretti/Conquest DW12-Chevy  223.920
14.  Charlie Kimball      Ganassi DW12-Honda            223.868
15.  Scott Dixon          Ganassi DW12-Honda            223.684

16.  Dario Franchitti     Ganassi DW12-Honda            223.582
17.  James Jakes          Dale Coyne DW12-Honda         223.482
18.  JR Hildebrand        Panther DW12-Chevy            223.422

19.  Takuma Sato          Rahal DW12-Honda              223.392
20.  Townsend Bell        Schmidt DW12-Honda            223.134
21.  Justin Wilson        Dale Coyne DW12-Honda         222.929

22.  Michel Jourdain Jr   Rahal DW12-Honda              222.893
23.  Simon Pagenaud       Schmidt DW12-Honda            222.891
24.  Sebastian Saavedra   AFS/Andretti DW12-Chevy       222.811

25.  Sebastien Bourdais   Dragon DW12-Chevy             223.760
26.  Wade Cunningham      Foyt DW12-Honda               223.258
27.  Oriol Servia         Panther/DRR DW12-Chevy        222.393

28.  Ed Carpenter         Carpenter DW12-Chevy          222.324
29.  Mike Conway          Foyt DW12-Honda               222.319
30.  Katherine Legge      Dragon DW12-Chevy             221.624

31.  Bryan Clauson        Fisher DW12-Chevy             214.455
32.  Simona de Silvestro  HVM DW12-Lotus                214.393
33.  Jean Alesi           Fan Force DW12-Lotus          210.094
(ht: autosport)

Please be aware that the rule book has a provision that if cars do not maintain an adequate speed for safety reasons, they will be Black Flagged and removed from racing on the track. This rule is known as the 105% Rule.

@TheEDJE TWEETS from Bump Day:

If officials were to enforce the 105% rule 33rd qualifier today would need 215.1598mph avg or better, Clausen in at AVG: 214.455 #indycar #indy500

de Silvestro HVM Racing – 214.393 | Alesi Fan Force United – 210.094 Mak Field | 105% rule, 215.1598mph avg not in play on #bumpday #indycar #lotus #chevy #honda

AS for the former Lotus drivers – Bryan Herta Autosport benefited the best from the change by having Alex Tagliani qualify at P11.

Another @TheEDJE TWEET:

@BourdaisOnTrack safely in at P25 – 223.760 #bumpday would have been good enough for P15 on #poleday #indycar #indy500

… notes from The EDJE

 


** Article first seen as INDY500 DW12 #poleday And #bumpday Weekend Trials at Technorati **

Filed Under: Top Story Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Dragon Racing Set To Abandon Lotus For Indy500 – Developing On Twitter

May 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Sebastien Bourdais takes the True Car sponsored #6 of Katherine Legge outfitted with the new Chevrolet turbo engine (and Logo) out for a spin during rookie orientation day at IMS. Image Credit: James Black via Twitter

 

Over the last couple of days during practice at IMS, Dragon Racing, with their drivers … four-time CCWS champion Sebastien Bourdais and Katherine Legge,  began to seek an alternative to being saddled with the lack of power, lack of engines, and the potential of shaky sponsorship wrapped up with the choice of the Lotus/Judd engine effort.

IndyCar Garage @IndyCarGarage
Per Cavin, Dragon has a 2nd Chevy engine … would appear that Legge and Bourdais (assuming everything goes well) should be in the race

 
Lotus probably began to see the writing on the wall early on because they brought their driving/brand embassador, noted Formula 1 driver Jean Alesi, over from Europe to add an additional car to the frey along with primary Lotus partner, HVM Racing.

Colin Z. @WxTurtle
So assuming Alesi/Simona end up finding 211-212, we’ll have same speed diff from 1-33 as ’06. Not good, but not a 30 mph gap. #indycar

Additional Tweet thoughts on the plight of the Lotus/Judd effort for the INDY500:

Andy Miller @TheSpeedgeek
@PopOffValve If Lotuses are that slow in Race, they’ll get black flagged before they get lapped a 2nd time. Done and done. No issue.

Paul Hensby @Paul11F1
@tonydizinno Its sad that Simona is stuck with Lotus. She (& Alesi) are far better than their times suggest. HVM should ditch Lotus #Indycar

True Car Dragon Racing driver, Katherine Legge, fields questions as to the future of Chevy-power being in the DW12′s of Dragon Racing. Image Credit: IMS Radio via Twitter

 
This excerpted and edited from from INDYSTAR.com -

Indy 500: Dragon Racing finally hits the track at IMS
Written by Curt Cavin 9:12 AM CT, May. 17, 2012

Dragon Racing has finally made its season debut at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The No. 6 car driven by Sebastien Bourdais turned its first lap shortly after 8 a.m. this morning. Bourdais turned 21 laps in the first hour, a fastest lap of 205.116 mph.

The team has been mired in a legal dispute with Lotus, but it is transitioning to Chevrolet, the engine that powered today’s laps.

Dragon also plans to field Katherine Legge in her Rookie Orientation Program effort. Bourdais drove her car.

As of 9 a.m., IndyCar had not released a statement saying Dragon had been permitted to switch engine manufacturers.
Permission is required by series rules.

Bourdais is taking a refresher course since he hasn’t competed at IMS since the 2005 Indianapolis 500. That was his only 500. Legge is a true rookie at IMS, and her only oval-track race came in the 2006 Champ Car World Series season. She finished sixth at the race in Milwaukee.
[Reference Here]

Oriol Servia sits in his Panther Dreyer & Reinblod Honda-powered DW12 waiting for his turn to get out on the 2.5 mile rectangle shaped oval of the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Lotus/Judd engine relationship is a long way back in the rear-view mirror. Image Credit: Panther DRR via Twitter

 
This just in:

Dustin Long @dustinlong
#IndyCar approves engine change for Dragon Racing. Sebastian Bourdais & Katherine Legge will switch from Lotus to Chevrolet power.

Maybe the 2012 effort by Lotus and its original four-team partnership known here (at “… notes from The EDJE”/”Motorsports Unplugged”) as the “Lotus Legion” needs to be changed to “Lotus Lesion”!

… notes from The EDJE

 

** Article first published as Dragon Racing Set To Abandon Lotus For Indy500 – Developing On Twitter on Technorati **

Filed Under: TECHNOLOGY HIGHLIGHT, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A Rough And Tumble Round 4 Itaipava Sao Paulo Indy 300 Presented By Nestle

April 29, 2012 By Leave a Comment

 

Three in a row at Sao Paulo! Congrats @12WillPower! #saopauloindy twitpic.com/9fau1g - Image Credit Penske Racing via TWEET

A Rough And Tumble Round 4 Itaipava Sao Paulo Indy 300 Presented By Nestle 

The morning of the fourth round in the IZOD IndyCar Series in Sao Paulo, Brazil started in having the DW12 IndyCars warm-up in light showers with the drivers finding dryer areas of the track to run and post the best times. When this happens in Sao Paulo, people begin to understand why this part of Brazil is known as the “Land Of Drizzle”.

The start time was moved up about 15 minutes in order to account for the weather on the Anhembi temporary street circuit (the fourth street/road race course of the 2012 season), which has turned sunny, with the starting grid of the 26 car field to reflect this starting order:

Event: Itaipava Sao Paulo Indy 300 – Round 4

Track: Sao Paulo Street Circuit 2.536 mile(s)

Report: Starting Line Up IZOD IndyCar Series – Tire Designation for Race April 29, 2012


SP — Car — Driver — Name — C/E/T — Start Tire

1 12 Power, Will D/C/F Alternate

2 10 Franchitti, Dario D/H/F Alternate

3 9 Dixon, Scott D/H/F Alternate

4 27 Hinchcliffe, James D/C/F Alternate

5 28 Hunter-Reay, Ryan D/C/F Primary

6 38 Rahal, Graham D/H/F Alternate

 

7 14 Conway, Mike D/H/F Alternate

8 67 Newgarden, Josef (R) D/H/F Alternate

9 2 Briscoe, Ryan D/C/F Alternate

10 26 Andretti, Marco D/C/F Primary

11 11 Kanaan, Tony D/C/F Alternate

12 8 Barrichello, Rubens D/C/F Alternate

 

13 5 Viso, EJ D/C/F Alternate

14 4 Hildebrand, JR D/C/F Primary

15 83 Kimball, Charlie D/H/F Alternate

16 77 Pagenaud, Simon (R) D/H/F Primary

17 19 Jakes, James D/H/F Primary

18 3 Castroneves, Helio D/C/F Primary

19 25 Beatriz, Ana D/C/F Primary

20 20 Carpenter, Ed D/C/F Alternate

 

21 78 de Silvestro, Simona D/L/F Primary

22 7 Bourdais, Sebastien D/L/F Primary

23 22 Servia, Oriol D/L/F Primary

24 6 Legge, Katherine (R) D/L/F Primary

25 15 Sato, Takuma D/H/F Primary

26 18 Wilson, Justin D/H/F Primary

(R) Rookie

 

Pursuant to Rule 14.14.6.4.1, Cars 4, 6, 7, 18 & 19 will start on Primary Tires.

(ht: IICS PDF Report)

NOTES: Qualifying lap times for the No. 18 Sonny’s BBQ car have been voided by INDYCAR following post-race technical inspection. Pursuant to Rule 14.4.13.3 of the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series rulebook: As requested by INDYCAR each Car must run either the cameras or dummy equipment as supplied by BSI/INDYCAR.

Justin Wilson, who had qualified sixth in the Dale Coyne Racing car, will start from the rear.

Not exactly what you want to see between warmup and race, 2nd engine change in 12 hours! Ayayay! Our guys working hard. Image Credit: Oriol Servia via TWEET

Unapproved engine changes, which incur 10-grid spot penalties, were made to the No. 15 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing car of Takuma Sato (did not participate in qualifying), the No. 7 Dragon Racing car of Sebastien Bourdais (qualified 19th), the No. 22 Lotus DRR car of Oriol Servia (qualified 24th) and the No. 6 TrueCar Dragon Racing car of Katherine Legge (carried over from Long Beach; qualified 25th).

 

GREEN Flag starts the Itaipava Sao Paulo Indy 300 -

Everyone gets off to a great start with Will Power maintaining the first position. On the first lap, Newgarden and Hinchcliffe battle hard with Newgarden taking the position.

End of the first lap saw Conway taking the position from Hinchcliffe and Dario Franchitti staying tight on Will Power’s wing.

The long, nearly one-mile straight-away featured on this circuit really lets these new DW12′s stretch their legs, so much so that during qualifications, Will Power, who won the two previous races here, set a new track record with a lap of 1 minute, 21.4045 seconds at about 3 minutes left in the Firestone Fast Six qualifications round.

At Lap 4 of 75 – The engine wars have been invigorated with the change to the turbo design on the Honda engines – the top six positions are Power-Chevy, Franchitti-Honda, Dixon-Honda, Newgarden-Honda, Rahal-Honda, and Conway-Honda!

Lap 7 of 75 – AJ Foyt’s Mike Conway is all over Sarah Fisher Racing’s Josef Newgarden to try at taking away the spot as KVRT’s Tony Kanaan passes team-mate Rubens Barrichello.

Announcement Note: Bryan Herta Autosport stayed behind from the race in order to prepare for the INDY500. The team has left the Lotus Legion and will be running the Honda engine the rest of the season.

Pit Stops begin on Lap 10 of 75. Pagenaud is in early and has an adjustment to his front wing for more downforce.

Takuma Sato came into the pits too hot and incurs a drive through penalty … needs a third wing replacement for the weekend.

Lap 13 of 75 – Justin Wilson is one of the big movers starting at the back of the field at P26 up to P18 – Drizzles are beginning to fall so those who waited may be able to have one less stop for rain tires.

Marco Andretti in the pits from P14 and takes on Firestone Reds – drops to P25.

TWEET – The EDJE @theedje -18 laps. 3 commercial breaks. 1 pre-taped segment. Missed passing and pits tops. Awful.

Lap 20 of 75 has Power leading the field by 3.2 seconds ahead of Franchitti, Rahal, Conway, Hunter-Reay, Briscoe, Viso, Barrichello, Carpenter, and the Lotus Dragon Racing of Bourdais.

The Lotus and team-mate to Bourdais at Dragon Racing, Katherine Legge, slaps the wall and damages the right rear of the car.

A wet spot has Ryan Briscoe bringing out the Yellow Flag while under pressure from Rahal.

Full Course Yellow Lap 23 of 75 – Castroneves at P8 is listed as the biggest mover up 10 positions from his start.

TWEET – Formula 1 @F1grid – Sonny’s BBQ car has a gearbox clogged with cornbread problem. #IndyCar

TWEET – F1 Fanatic Live @f1fanaticlive – Under caution it’s Power, Franchitti, Hunter-Reay, Dixon, Conway, Rahal, Pagenaud, Castroneves, Newgarden and Barrichello. #IndyCar

Lap 25 of 75 – Ryan Briscoe’s DW12 is on the flatbed truck and is out of the race – storm clouds are gathering with the winds stepping up a notch.

A two stop strategy seems out of the question given the potential of rain and the timing mix of yellows the race is having.

GREEN Flag – Lap 26 of 75 Side-By-Side – Franchitti spins in turn #1 as he was tapped by Mike Conway – Franchitti’s car is dead – Full Course Caution!

Andretti Autosport's Ryan Hunter-Reay was strong again (as he was in Round 3 in Long Beach) and kept toward to top of the running order all day during this very entertaining race. Image Credit: Marshall Pruett via SPEED

The shake-out has Power leading RHR, Dixon, Castroneves, Barrichello, Kanaan, Viso, Hildebrand, Hinchcliffe, and Sato round out the top 10. The cheers are going up around the track as the three favorite sons in the race are Helio-P4, Rubens-P5, and TK-P6 in the top 10.

Franchitti is able to get restarted, gets checked out in the pits, and rejoins the field.

Side-By-Side restart Lap 29 of 75 – Everyone gets through Turn 1 but several cars 4-6 collect themselves in Turn 3.de Silvestro taps Newgarden and causes a blockage – two cars are damaged and in the pits – Newgarden and Jakes.

Newgarden rejoins the race – the DW12 is a much stronger and resilient chassis and aero-package. Simona de Silvestro stalled on track.

Top six positions are Power, RHR, Dixon, Kanaan, Barrichello, and Viso. A favorite daughter Ana Beatriz occupies P7.

GREEN Flag on Lap 33 of 75. Everyone through Turn 1, 2, and 3. RHR is all over the back of Power but the string of cars seems stable.

TWEET – Donna Lingley @MissLingley – Finally, we’re racing again. Double file restarts on street circuits don’t work. #IndyCar

TWEET – Brian J. Wiggins @brian_wiggins – Aussie, American, New Zealander, Brazilian, Brazilian. #Diverse #IndyCar

Lap 37 – SeaBass goes off in the run-off area and needs assistance – a rough day for Lotus Dragon Racing.

Lap 38 – Crossed Flags signify that this race is official … no matter what happens from now on, if the race is stopped, it counts.

Franchitti is on a charge as Franchitti passed Castroneves for P8. KVRT cars are P4, P5 and P6 (TK, Rubens, and Viso).

Lap 40 of 75 – Top 10 are Power (leading all laps) by 1.6 seconds over Ryan Hunter-Reay, Dixon, Kanaan, Rubens, Viso, Beatriz, Franchitti, Helio, and Sato with the biggest move of the day up 15 positions!

Tony Kanaan goes to the pits (last stop) so everyone moves up one. Franchitti giving fits to Beatriz and loosess a couple of positions. Castroneves has damage to his front wing but continues on after passing fellow country-person, Beatriz.

Lap 45 of 75 … 30 laps to go:

TWEET – Allen Wedge @AllenWedge – ALmost all of the field is throwing down their fastest laps of the race right now #indycar

Franchitti has moved up plus 16 after restarting from the back of the field. Dario now running at P8. Team-mate Scott Dixon in the pits for his assumed last stop.

Dreyer and Reinblod’s Lotus driven by Servia in for final pit-stop, comes out at P17 … will be running Chevy for the rest of the season.

TWEET – AJFoytRacing @AJFoytRacing – How come Franchitti can improve 10 spots under yellow by ducking into pits before green & no one notices? #saopauloindy #indycar

Sounds like … sour grapes?

TWEET – F1 Paddock @Formula1Paddock – Rubens Barrichello up to 5th now! #IndyCar

TWEET – Bruno Tarulli @BrunoTarulli34 – 50 vueltas cumplidas en Brasil! #IndyCar

Twenty Laps to go – Power by 2.6 seconds over RHR, Franchitti (oh, yes), Castroneves, and Sato. Pit-stops by leaders and Power has a great stop – Power on cold tires as Dixon takes the position away from Power in Turn 11.

Franchitti – good stop … does Dixon need to come in?

Hichcliffe and Hildebrand battle with Manica taking the position. Ed Carpenter is running strong in P5 – very good.

Everyone is waiting on Dixon to see if he needs to come in.

15 laps to go and Castroneves goes off into runoff area and drops from lead to P7. The pit-stops continue as the order continues to change.

TWEET – Donna Lingley @MissLingley – Hmmmm, Brazilian tv director cuts away from Helio making a mistake. Helio is Brazilian. Useless! #IndyCar

TWEET – Magnificent Geoffrey @MagnificentGeof – Credit to the TV director, the coverage of this race has been outstanding(ly questionable) #IndyCar

TWEET – Christopher Estrada @estradawriting – Less than 20 laps to go here at #SaoPauloIndy. 9-Dixon leads 12-Power, 28-HunterReay, 5-Viso and 10-Franchitti. #IndyCar #SaoPauloIndy

Viso in the Pits – Good stop. Dixon has a 2.8 second lead but … needs a splash of fuel?!

Great track action all race long – just great racing all around. Rahal takes P12 away from the Fuzzy’s car of Ed Carpenter – big difference between Reds and Primary compound tires.

Josef Newgarden was racy throughout the event but his day came to an end when he got mixed up in a late race multi-car incident. Pictured here, he is followed by Brazilians Helio Castroneves and Tony Kanaan. Image Credit: Marshall Pruett via SPEED

TWEET – Ross Bynum @therossbynum – Newgarden with fastest lap in race so far…wow. #IndyCar #SaoPauloIndy @SFHRindy @SarahFisher

Lap 60 of 75 has Dixon by 3.1 seconds over Power, RHR, Dario, Helio, Rubens, Sato, Manica, Conway, and JR Hildebrand.

Carpenter spins – Full course caution – Pits currently closed – All cars on Lap 63 track behind caution car – Pits OPEN!

TWEET – Danielle Asphall @DannieAsphall – Man, I’m a ball of nerves right now. #IndyCar #saopauloindy

Scott Dixon in … fuel … and out in P13 which sets up a RESTART with Power, RHR, Dario Franchitti, and Helio Castroneves on the front two rows – WOW!!!!!

TWEET – F1 Fanatic Live @f1fanaticlive – Looks like a disaster for Dixon – he gambled on staying out but his lead has been destroyed now. #IndyCar

TWEET – IndyCar Mom @IndyCarMom – I have to say how bad I want @rubarrichello to win so we can gain some #F1 fans. #callmedesparate #willbegforfans #iloveindycar #IndyCar

TWEET – Tim Moran @golic_2004 – Another car hits the wall. Looks like Newgarden… Caution #Indycar

This is the 12th consecutive race that Power has led. Newgarden pulls into the pits – broken, out of the race.

TWEET  – Ivan Renko @Ivan_Renko – Is the IZOD #IndyCar Series called “Formula Indy” in Brazil? I kinda like it.

Lap 67 of 75 RESTART – GREEN  Flag – Side-By-Side – A bunch of cars get balled up in turn 2 – a ton of chassis are just a mess – Full Course Caution!!!

Eight cars involved – Conway hits the wall in Turn 2 as he runs out of room – A call for all of the flatbeds in Sao Paulo to come to the track is put out – RED ALERT In Red Corner!

TWEET  – Tom Rowell @senorsoupe – That restart is why we love banzai Takuma Sato! He seemed to use the force just to get his car slow enough to get through turn 1 #indycar

New top 10 are Power, Hunter-Reay, Sato, Franchitti, Castroneves, Hinchcliffe, Hildebrand, Kimball, Viso, and Barrichello.

The "Formula IndyCars" get all piled up when Mike Conway runs out of room running on the outside of turn 2 and crunches the wall. One car after another had their nose cones collect under the car in front of them until eight cars were stopped and unable to continue. Image Credit: Sini Salminen via TWEET

TWEET – Sini Salminen @SiniF1 – RT @lightmasf1: ooooops! #IndyCar twitpic.com/9fagpq

Lap 71 of 75 – TWEET – Chris Tansley @ChrisTansley – Does the safety car have enough fuel? #Indycar

TWEET  – Austin Brauser @austinbrauser – What are the odds? An 8 car pile up and EJ Viso is not involved! #indycar #saopauloindy

Lap 72 RESTART – GREEN Flag Side-By-Side – Sambadrome turn 1 everyone safely through – Power out positions RHR!

Sato in the mix – tracking RHR – Castroneves being chased by Dario Franchitti. Chevy, Chevy, Honda, Chevy, Honda in top five!

2 Laps to go – Will Power looks strong and may only be beaten if he makes a mistake – no drizzles, clear track, Paul Blevin waves the White Flag!

TWEET – Dan Takyi @D4NT4KY1 – Final lap now! Sato will be third! Sadly Rubens is only 10th after being 3rd at one stage #IndyCar

Helio Castroneves was the highest placing driver of the hometown contingent at P4. He was able to hold off Dario Franchitti and survive a practice crash and a couple of on-track incidents to come back to P2 in season championship points. Image Credit: Marshall Pruett via SPEED

Checkered Flag – Will Power Three-Peats the Sambadrome!!! Wins third race on the season – Dixon, nearest in points, drops positions.

TWEET – IZOD IndyCar Series @IndyCar – It’s @12WillPower again! AAR’s Hunter-Reay and RLR’s Sato finish on podium, Sato’s first one! #saopauloindy #indycar2012

TWEET – Matt White @MattW1986 – Good recovery from @dariofranchitti to 5th #indycar

TWEET  – Dave Furst @DaveFurst – If it’s a non-oval, its Will Power. It’ll be interesting to see how the #IndyCar dynamic changes during the month of May. #Indy500

TWEET – lookingspiffy @lookingspiffy – Good stuff from the #BrazilianMafia today. Most vexed by that last restart, though. #IndyCar

Will Power jumps off of the front nose of his Verizon Team Penske #12 – in interview says he is happy that it did not really rain on the race all day.

Ryan Hunter-Reay – “Will runs such a clean race. I tried to jump him but he was able to keep the position on the restart.”

TAKU – “We had a nice race, really – I’m really excited for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing – Fantastic. We finally got a good result going into Indianapolis.”

Helio Castroneves started in P20 and ends up P4 as the highest placing Brazilian! “In the end, Takuma made a kamikaze move and was able to hold until the end.

The Twitter, the people were supporting me saying nice things.”

Oriol Servia (#22 – for the last time – Lotus DRR): “We almost didn’t make the start of the race. The guys did an amazing job. They were working until the last second putting the engine together and we didn’t think that we were going to make it. Somehow we picked up the best result of the year and we’ll take it.”

Sebastien Bourdais (#7 – Lotus Dragon Racing): “You just need to look at the splits from the race: We have three fastest sectors (corners only : Turns 1 & 2, then T5 and T6) but it is not enough when we get in a pack of cars for a restart or a straight fight. We could have finished in the top 10 if we had not been collected in a multi-car incident that put us a lap down, but that’s racing.”

TWEET – NBC Sports @NBCSports – Will Power earns his third consecutive #indycar win, taking the Sao Paolo 300. See the stats here: scores.nbcsports.msnbc.com/nascar/leaderb… @IndyCar

IZOD IndyCar Series YouTube Race Highlights>>

Engine Wars Update: Chevy, Chevy, Honda, Chevy, Honda, Chevy, Chevy, Honda Chevy, and Chevy … Lotus just misses out of a top 10 finish with Wix Filter Dreyer and Reibold Racing’s Oriol Srevia posting up at P11 in this team’s last race for Lotus this season (will be using Chevrolet-power in their DW12 for the balance of the season). The next closest running Lotus-powered DW12 was McAfee Dragon Racing’s Sebastien Bourdais at P18.

It is now on to the season’s first oval race at the “Greatest Spectacle In Racing” with the month of May’s INDY500!

… notes from The EDJE


** Article first published as “A Rough And Tumble Round 4 Itaipava Sao Paulo Indy 300 Presented By Nestle” at Technorati **

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Sao Paulo Indy 300 Round 4 Qualifications Notes

April 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The 2.536-mile, 11-turn street circuit for the Itaipava São Paulo Indy 300 presented by Nestle is challenging for drivers and teams. It features the longest straightaway on the IZOD IndyCar Series schedule at nearly a mile, which is a prime overtaking zone. Image Credit: IICS

Sao Paulo Indy 300 Round 4 Qualifications Notes

[ALERT: @curtcavin: Word to all #indycar Sunday Broadcast TV watchers: Start time is being moved up 30 minutes. Green flag now about 11:10 a.m. EDT.]

Why does IICS management insist on placing the most competitive drivers in the same group (1 or 2) during the initial rounds of “Knock-Out” qualifications?

Group 1 Qualifications – Event: Sao Paulo Indy 300

Rank        Car    Driver    Engine    Diff.    BL    LL    Gap    TL    BL#
1    25 Ana Beatriz    Chevy Logo    0    1:26.0364    1:26.0364    0    1    1
2    12 Will Power    Chevy Logo    0.0000    0    0    0    0    0
3    9 Scott Dixon    Honda Logo    0    0    0    0    0    0
4    27 James Hinchcliffe    Chevy Logo    0    0    0    0    0    0
5    18 Justin Wilson    Honda Logo    0    0    0    0    0    0
6    77 Simon Pagenaud    Honda Logo    0    0    0    0    0    0
7    26 Marco Andretti    Chevy Logo    0    0    0    0    0    0
8    8 Rubens Barrichello    Chevy Logo    0    0    0    0    0    0
9    4 JR Hildebrand    Chevy Logo    0    0    0    0    0    0
10    11 Tony Kanaan    Chevy Logo    0    0    0    0    0    0
11    78 Simona de Silvestro    Lotus Logo    0    0    0    0    0    0
12    7 Sebastien Bourdais    Lotus Logo    0    0    0    0    0    0
13    6 Katherine Legge    Lotus Logo    0    0    0    0    0    0

This situation happens more often than not and in Sao Paulo … Group 1 has the drivers that graced the podium at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach (Power, Pagenaud, and Hinchcliffe), Dixon, and Barrichello – but also all three of the last remaining Lotus Legion cars of Bourdais, Legge, and de Silvestro.

Group 1 Qualifications – Event: Sao Paulo Indy 300 – Top 6 Transfer Drivers To Round 2

Power, Dixon, Hinchcliffe, Wilson, Kanaan, Andretti advance to next round. Pagenaud, Barrichello, and all Lotus Legion – OUT.

Group 2 Qualifications – Event: Sao Paulo Indy 300

Rank        Car    Driver    Engine    Diff.    BL    LL    Gap    TL    BL#
1        10 Dario Franchitti    Honda Logo    0    0    0    0    0    0
2        28 Ryan Hunter-Reay    Chevy Logo    0    0    0    0    0    0
3        2 Ryan Briscoe    Chevy Logo    0    0    0    0    0    0
4        14 Mike Conway    Honda Logo    0    0    0    0    0    0
5        67 Josef Newgarden    Honda Logo    0    0    0    0    0    0
6        5 EJ Viso    Chevy Logo    0    0    0    0    0    0
7        3 Helio Castroneves    Chevy Logo    0    0    0    0    0    0
8        38 Graham Rahal    Honda Logo    0    0    0    0    0    0
9        19 James Jakes    Honda Logo    0    0    0    0    0    0
10        83 Charlie Kimball    Honda Logo    0    0    0    0    0    0
11        15 Takuma Sato    Honda Logo    0    0    0    0    0    0
12        22 Oriol Servia    Lotus Logo    0    0    0    0    0    0
13        20 Ed Carpenter    Chevy Logo    0    0    0    0    0    0

With Group 2 it shows Oriol Servia still running a Lotus engine but this is a dead-man walking since they will run a different yet to be determined engine for the rest of the season. Takuma Sato is late to show up on the track having to penalized 10 places on an engine change. Newgarden may be the biggest news if he transfers – either that or it maybe those of the most established drivers not being able to join the Top 6 out of this Group 2.

Group 2 Qualifications – Event: Sao Paulo Indy 300 – Top 6 Transfer Drivers To Round 2

Castroneves OUT / Taku never takes a lap – Franchitti, Hunter-Reay, Newgarden, Conway, Briscoe and Rahal advance to Round 2.

Round 2 – 12 cars are able to post times with the top 6 able to compete for the Firestone Fast 6.

Qualifying – Round 2 for the Sao Paulo Indy 300 at the Sao Paulo Street Circuit

Rank        Car    Driver    Engine    Diff.    BL    LL    Gap    TL    BL#
1        2 Ryan Briscoe    Chevy Logo    0    0    0    0    0    0
2        9 Scott Dixon    Honda Logo    0    0    0    0    0    0
3        10 Dario Franchitti    Honda Logo    0    0    0    0    0    0
4        11 Tony Kanaan    Chevy Logo    0    0    0    0    0    0
5        12 Will Power    Chevy Logo    0    0    0    0    0    0
6        14 Mike Conway    Honda Logo    0    0    0    0    0    0
7        26 Marco Andretti    Chevy Logo    0    0    0    0    0    0
8        27 James Hinchcliffe    Chevy Logo    0    0    0    0    0    0
9        28 Ryan Hunter-Reay    Chevy Logo    0    0    0    0    0    0
10        18 Justin Wilson    Honda Logo    0    0    0    0    0    0
11        38 Graham Rahal    Honda Logo    0    0    0    0    0    0
12        67 Josef Newgarden    Honda Logo    0    0    0    0    0    0

The engine wars for Round 2 show that 6 Hona and 6 Chevy are able to take the Checkered Flag. The tires seem to have reduced inflation as the cars are showing a lot of sidewall flex through the corners. With less than 2 minutes left Power sits at P7 – oops, P2, Hinchcliffe catches P1 knocking Power to P3, 40 seconds remain … RHR gets to P6. Kanaan at P12, seconds remain and Checkered Flag flies – Power finishes at P1, Hinch at P2, Dixon, Franchitti, Wilson, and Ryan Hunter-Reay.

Kanaan, Rahal, Conway, Briscoe, Andretti … and Newgarden OUT.

The Firestone Fast 6 starts – Power, Hinchcliffe, Dixon, Franchitti, Wilson, Hunter-Reay. TWEET – IndyCarPR | Power’s lap of 1:21.2718 is fastest lap recorded at #SaoPauloIndy. #ItsANewTrackRecord – GREEN Flag!

Three Chevy and three Honda engines represent the FF6 so no real news except the Lotus is still nowhere to be found.

Team Penske – Power, Andretti Autosport – RHR & Manica, Target Chip Ganassi – Dario & Dixon, and breaking the template … Dale Coyne Racing – Justin Wilson are the teams represented in the FF6.

Scott Dixon does not turn in a time and runs off the track causing a local Yellow Flag.

2 minutes remain: Power, Franchitti, Hinchcliffe, Hunter-Reay (RHR), Wilson, and Dixon. Dixon and RHR improve dropping Wilson.

Checkered Flag – Will Power, Dario Franchitti, Scott Dixon, James Hinchcliffe, Ryan Hunter-Reay, and Justin Wilson finish off the Firestone Fast Six.

Tweet - IndyCar .@12WillPower with the check! Will he win his 3rd race? Find out at 11 a.m. ET on @NBCSN! #saopauloindy #indycar2012 pic.twitter.com/gQMePmgq

Chevy, Honda, Honda Chevy, Chevy, and Honda for the Firestone Fast Six.

Pos — Driver — Team/Car — Time — Gap

1. Will Power Penske DW12-Chevy 1m21.4045s
2. Dario Franchitti Ganassi DW12-Honda 1m21.4485s + 0.0440s
3. Scott Dixon Ganassi DW12-Honda 1m21.8545s + 0.4500s
4. James Hinchcliffe Andretti DW12-Chevy 1m21.9956s + 0.5911s
5. Ryan Hunter-Reay Andretti DW12-Chevy 1m22.2408s + 0.8363s
6. Justin Wilson Dale Coyne DW12-Honda 1m22.2681s + 0.8636s

7. Graham Rahal Ganassi DW12-Honda 1m23.0972s Round 2
8. Mike Conway Foyt DW12-Honda 1m22.7082s Round 2
9. Josef Newgarden Fisher DW12-Honda 1m22.7301s Round 2
10. Ryan Briscoe Penske DW12-Chevy 1m22.4404s Round 2
11. Marco Andretti Andretti DW12-Chevy 1m22.8320s Round 2
12. Tony Kanaan KV DW12-Chevy 1m23.1766s Round 2

13. EJ Viso KV DW12-Chevy 1m22.1404s Group 2
14. Charlie Kimball Ganassi DW12-Honda 1m22.1973s Group 2
15. James Jakes Dale Coyne DW12-Honda 1m22.3840s Group 2
16. Rubens Barrichello KV DW12-Chevy 1m22.3939s Group 1
17. Helio Castroneves Penske DW12-Chevy 1m22.4143s Group 2
18. JR Hildebrand Panther DW12-Chevy 1m22.4321s Group 1
19. Simon Pagenaud Schmidt DW12-Honda 1m22.4354s Group 1
20. Ed Carpenter Carpenter DW12-Chevy 1m22.9424s Group 2

21. Sebastien Bourdais Dragon DW12-Lotus 1m23.1331s Group 1
22. Ana Beatriz Andretti DW12-Chevy 1m23.2692s Group 1
23. Oriol Servia Dreyer & Reinbold DW12-Lotus 1m23.4509s Group 2
24. Simona de Silvestro HVM DW12-Lotus 1m23.6762s Group 1
25. Katherine Legge Dragon DW12-Lotus 1m24.6042s Group 1
26. Takuma Sato Rahal DW12-Honda Group 2
(final grid ht: autosport.com)

Photo Caption In Home Page Display Banner: A hard hit for Helio Castroneves on the exit of turn 2 after jumping across the kerbing into a concrete wall put paid to the Brazilian racer’s participation just 20 minutes into the the hour-long second practice session in Brazil ahead of the Sao Paulo Indy 300. Castroneves managed to do heavy damage to his front wing and suspension, and it took the race officials some ten minutes to collect up the pieces before running could resume. The incident was the second red flag stoppage of the session, after an early brief pause following Castroneves’ Penske team mate Ryan Briscoe going for a spin on the exit of turn 11. Image Credit: Marshall Pruett

… notes from The EDJE

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