Dario won one for Danny Boy today on a blistering Sunday afternoon in Indianapolis, Indiana.

It’s the coolest place to race four wheels on Earth and it’s the most respected.

Today IMS was the hottest and it’s where history was made not once but twice on this very hot day in Indianapolis.

Did I mention a last lap wreck?

Oh yes, today’s race had it all:  heat, tons of lead changes, tradition seething in the air, memories and most important a champion  joining the ranks of legends at Indianapolis.

» Continue reading ““Everybody up there was a friend of Dan’s…””

IndyCar and TMS's Eddie Gossage are at it again but the drivers have put the drama to rest this week...hopefully.

Good morning, race fans.  It’s a b-e-a-utiful Tuesday morning and it’s time for some news.

There’s not much in the way of “new stuff” this week in NASCAR and IndyCar but a couple of updates and follow-ups on stories we’ve already reported about.

We’ll talk about the EFI system that seems to be plaguing NASCAR as of late, the announcement of a new DreamWorks film that revolves around the Indianapolis 500 (staring my man-crush Ryan Reynolds by the way) and of course the ongoing drama between IndyCar drivers and Texas Motor Speedway.

So let’s dive in that way everybody can spend more time outside in the gorgeous weather today.  Oh yeah, nevermind I have a day job.  Everybody else have fun outdoors while I wallow in jealousy and sorrow.

» Continue reading “Garage Gossip: Snails With Magical Powers Anybody?”

There is not a more fitting image for this year's Indy 500 race day ticket.

Want to know why I’ve been crying most of this morning? 

Yep, been crying on and off since I pretty much woke up when I found out the race ticket for the 2012 Indianapolis 500 would be revealed today.

And was it ever…in the most appropriate fashion imaginable by remembering 2005 and 2011 winner Dan Wheldon.

This year the unveiling was done a little bit differently as opposed to years past by IMS officials traveling to Avon Middle School. 

They presented guidance counselor, Paul Quirke, with a five-foot tall replica ticket.  Quirke was also the first person to receive his 2012 Indianapolis 500 race day tickets as well.

What makes Paul Quirke so special?  Because he wrote on IMS’s Facebook page why his Indianapolis 500 seats were the best in the house. 

His story won and his seat and section number were the numbers featured on the unveiled ticket.

I’m thrilled because that means in the next week or so I will have my 2012 Indy 500 tickets in-hand. 

I can’t wait and I’m sure I’ll cry all over again just like I’ve been doing all day today.

Not solo Glenn Frey but he was hot in the day and Iowa Speedway is having heat races, so it's on! (photo: Bling Cheese)

It’s the dead of winter (or so the calendar says) and we have some pretty big IndyCar news to hand out to fans this morning.

And Happy Valentine’s Day to all the lovers out there. 

What’s going on today?  According to ESPN, Iowa Speedway is adopting the “race heat” format for qualifying in 2012 for their IndyCar race which is very cool.

What more IndyCar news?  Want to know how the “heat format” will go down at Iowa?  Sure you do.

Keep reading.  It’s what Glenn Frey would want you to do.

» Continue reading “IndyCar: The Heat Is On…At Iowa Speedway”

Pardon the Clash reference but will Rubens stay or will he go? I hope he stays.

I’ve been keeping my trap relatively shut regarding the testing being conducted in the IndyCar series by F1 veteran driver Rubens Barrichello this week.

Why?  Because it’s testing.  Anything can happen in testing.  Drivers are happy, drivers are mad but nothing is official.

Barrichello hasn’t confirmed nor denied anything about his future driving plans…yet.

He’s been testing this week for KV Racing as reported originally by our Aerys’s very own Amanda Diegel over at Practice Makes P1.  Please check out the site if you haven’t already. 

Barrichello’s original schedule dictated that Monday and Tuesday were his testing days.  However, Rubens decided to stay a third day and was completely his decision.

Don’t forget though:  nobody made Barrichello test the new IndyCar.  Everything has been his decision so far because KV already has Tony Kanaan and EJ Viso at the helm.

All of the testing and staying an extra day is mere speculation but it sure does add fuel to the fires that are already burning with curiosity in IndyCar.

My thoughts?  Though he may not drive full-time in IndyCar in 2012, definitely look for Rubens to be very interested in running the 2012 Indianapolis 500.

Danica Patrick says "thanks, but no thanks" to the 2012 Indianapolis 500. Oh well, I won't miss her. (photo credit: Fox Tampa Bay)

Danica Patrick’s boss is clearing the air today by letting the entire world know that the decision for her to NOT run in this year’s 2012 Indianapolis 500 was completely hers.

It’s been confirmed today through various sources that instead of running the Indianapolis 500, Danica Patrick has opted to add the 2012 Coca-Cola 600 to her schedule instead.

This is actually a little bit surprising because it was initially said that Danica was running ten Sprint Cup races in 2012.

Eight races had already been confirmed and today’s announcement seals the deal for number nine.   Queue Beatles music.

Her boss, you ask?  None other than my racing husband, Tony Stewart:

We didn’t tell her she couldn’t run the 500. It was left up to her…It shows how dedicated she is to making this transition. (Tony Stewart via AP)

She didn’t site a a specific reason as to why she’s not doing double duty on Memorial Day weekend but distance was definitely a factor in her decision.  Both races will be ran on May 27th this year.

Three drivers have ran both races in the past which include bossman Tony Stewart, Robby Gordon and John Andretti.

Um, I hope this makes you want to watch racing. If not, you must have no pulse. (photo courtesy of www.indycar.com)

Okay, so I’m not going to lie:  I’ve been very excited about writing on Marco Andretti’s career.  He’s an amazing, young driver with so much talent and racing background that it’s only fitting we feature him this week coming fresh off his win at Iowa Speedway on June 25, 2011.  I’ll also be honest and tell you it’s so hard NOT to stare at him when you see him as well. 

Not only does he come from a long line of racing family tradition, he’s got the goods to back it up.  So many times you see children of drivers trying to make it big in racing only to fall short in utter failure.  I won’t name names but there are a few out there and Marco is NOT one of them.

Just for giggles, here are some of his famous, overly talented racing family members:  Mario Andretti (Marco’s grandfather), Michael Andretti (Marco’s dad), John Andretti (Marco’s cousin), Aldo Andretti (Marco’s great uncle), Adam Andretti (Marco’s cousin) and Jeff Andretti (Marco’s uncle). 

So as you can see, racing has ALWAYS ran deep in the Andretti family and Marco is carrying the torch through to the next generation in style.  But most of all, he’s doing it successfully.  Let’s take a look and get to know Marco a little bit more, find out how this young gun got his start in racing and how he’s done so well so quickly.

» Continue reading “In the Spotlight: IndyCar driver (and hottie) Marco Andretti”

The Indianapolis 500 is the ONLY reason to get up this early on a Sunday.

Who will drink the milk today in Victory Circle?  Will we have our first female winner?  Will Helio make the short list of 4-time Indy winners?   Talk about it here during the race!