Take that you fury of flame... (AP photo)

So maybe the Mayans have something going here because in the last two weeks I’ve witnessed and read about more fires in racing than I have in the past twenty years.

And yesterday was no exception…queue IndyCar’s Will Power, please.

The where:  Sebring International Raceway where testing commenced on day one on Monday. 

The who:  none other than our favorite son, Will Power whom we love and respect all for telling IndyCar how he truly felt. 

The what:  his IndyCar caught fire (twice actually, once Monday and Tuesday) during Sebring’s testing sessions.

The why:  Will says he’s very unsure of why his car keeps catching fire (nice) but they’re stemming from a leak in the engine.

Will’s car spontaneously caught fire twice and thankfully he was able to put out the first fire by himself with a fire extinguisher.  Huh?   Yeah, not kidding.

Apparently the track worker who was elder was struggling to reach Will’s car so Will (being the super nice Aussie he is) took it upon himself to run across the track, grab the extinguisher and put out the flames himself:

The safety worker was across the track and he was an older gentleman, kind of struggling to get across, so I ran and grabbed it myself. (Will Power via USA Today)

The second time his car caught fire he was able to make it into the pits to extinguish the minor blaze underneath the hood.

However, the day wouldn’t be a total failure because he was second-fastest in testing.  Way to go, Will.  He says he’s ready for March and I say bring it on, people.

Welcome to race control, Arie. P.S. Your hair still rocks. (photo: IndyStar)

So I’m thrilled today, seriously. Why? 

No, I’m not talking about the Bud Shootout coming up this Saturday although that is one of the reasons.

Today is about IndyCar because President of Competition and Race Director Beaux Barfield added some pretty HUGE names to IndyCar’s race control this week.

Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner and IndyCar legend Arie Luyendyk, IndyCar driver Johnny Unser (of the legendary Unser family of course) and long-time CART director of competition Gary Barnard have joined IndyCar’s race control panel for 2012.

Beaux Barfield also indicated that most of the individuals that assisted with operations in 2011 were also returning in 2012 as well so if anything these names are a huge improvement which I hope they will be indeed.

Anything is an inprovement on last year’s race control.  Need I bring up the double birdies again?  Didn’t think so.

Not see anything in this Baltimore skyline? Yeah, fans won't see IndyCars here anytime in the near future. Get used to it.

Here’s some shocking news in the world of IndyCar racing:  Baltimore has terminated their contract with IndyCar Racing.

This is no suprise whatssoever because Baltimore has no money as do many cities across this great land of ours at the current moment in time.  The reason why the contract was terminated was because of money because it makes the world go ’round.

What happened?  Well, pretty simple:  Baltimore Racing Development and Baltimore Grand Prix organizers owe money in the tune of approximately $1.5 million dollars  for services rendered and about $1.8 million owed to outside parties and people want their money.

With a now cancelled and voided contract with the city it’ll be that much harder to repay their investors if they’re even going to be paid at all.  This could get ugly very quickly.

» Continue reading “IndyCar Not-So-Shocking: Baltimore No More”

Brian Barnhart is out at IndyCar Race Control but the question is...who's in?

It’s official:  Brian Barnhart will no longer have is presence required at IndyCar races effective immediately.  Why?  He’s been fired as director of IndyCar Race Control.

This is most welcome news for drivers Helio Castroneves, Will Power and many IndyCar drivers across the board.  Let’s just say not too many other drivers are sad to see him go and fans alike share that same sentiment.

The annoucement came from IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard after a 2011 IndyCar season littered with inconsistencies and mayhem. 

» Continue reading “IndyCar Breaking: Barnhart Removed From Race Control”

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Dinner followed by A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving? Perfect.

I would like to take a moment to wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving!  I hope that everyone is getting their fill of turkey and pumpkin pie.

We have so many things to be thankful for as race fans.  I wanted to take a moment to discuss a few of mine here.  Please leave a comment below with yours.  Enjoy!

» Continue reading “Yeah, Thanks…Now Is It February Yet?”

Yes, I get this excited about IndyCar news and not ashamed to admit I have no life outside of racing. Be jealous. Very jealous.

If you’re an IndyCar fanatic (like moi), today is your day.  I’m dedicating this edition of Garage Gossip to our IndyCar fanatics everywhere. 

Well, mainly because there’s no major NASCAR news to report but what the hell, right? 

We have a few headlines gracing the stage this morning including news on Will Power’s return to driving again after his second back injury since 2009.

Sam Hornish, Jr. is in the news with comments on leaving IndyCar and we also have an annoucement of a brand new race for 2012 that’s been added to the schedule overseas.

So sit back and relax and grab that morning cup o’ java and join me with my soda (yes, I’m trying to kick the Starbuck’s habit finally, you may rejoice at any moment) and let’s catch up on some IndyCar news today. 

» Continue reading “Garage Gossip: Aussie Behind The Wheel, Hornish Finally Said It And Chinese, Anybody?”

Fifteen cars were involved in an early lap crash at the Indy World Championships at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Dan Wheldon was airlifted to a local hospital. Pippa Mann, J.R. Hildebrand, and championship contender Will Power were taken to the hospital by ground transport.

We will update on all their conditions as we know more. Please keep Dan Wheldon, his family, and the entire IndyCar racing family in your thoughts and prayers at this time.

NASCAR Nationwide Series- Dollar General 300 Miles of Courage

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Charlotte Motor Speedway- Friday, October 14^th at 7:30pm ET on ESPN2

Ok, Nationwide drivers, we need to have a little talk.

I understand that it is difficult to beat Brad Keselowski, Carl Edwards, and Kyle Busch week after week.  But, there are 40 of you to three of them.  I guess to be more accurate, there are 36 of you when you take away Kasey Kahne, Paul Menard, Brian Vickers, and Joey Logano.

Take back your series!

There, I said it.

There are only four races left to the Nationwide Series season, and I’d love nothing more than to see actual NNS drivers win them all.  Elliot Sadler needs to make a move quickly if he wants to have a chance to take this championship away from Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.  Both drivers are in top notch equipment, more than capable of winning week after week.  The key to Stenhouse leading this championship is his two wins to ESad’s none.

While I’d love for a NNS driver to take this race, I feel like we will be seeing another round of the Keselowski burnout.  Charlotte is a track that plays right into Keselowski’s strengths: speed and, you guessed it, fuel mileage.

I really do hope that an NNS driver can step up and prove me wrong this weekend.  Please?

» Continue reading “Weekend Hot Pass: October 14-16, 2011″

Will Power is on an amazing hot streak in the last 3 races.

There was a time earlier in the season where I felt that no one was going to come close to challenging Dario Franchitti for the championship.  Now, with only 3 races left to determine our champion, we’ve got ourselves a points battle.

Will Power was the winner of the inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix on Sunday.  This should surprise no one.  He was the class of the field all weekend, taking the pole, posting the fastest lap, leading the most laps, and taking the checkers.  Power couldn’t have asked for a better weekend, unless it involves him hoisting the championship trophy.

After this weekend, it seems that Will Power may just get that chance.

» Continue reading “IZOD IndyCar Series- How An Earthquake Could Determine a Champion”

Thankfully, Will Power rememberd the correct fingers to use in Victory Circle today after his victory at the Grand Prix of Sonoma.

I know everybody who’s anybody that’s an IndyCar fan saw what happened with Will Power two weeks ago, right?  Complete.  Total.  Meltdown.  It was ugly.

Today was the complete, total opposite as Will dominated the Grand Prix of Sonoma from Infineon Raceway.  He was stellar and led 71 of 75 laps in a Penske 1-2-3 finish.  Teammates Helio Castroneves and Ryan Briscoe joined Will on the podium in second and third concluding today’s race.

» Continue reading “Will Power dominates Grand Prix of Sonoma in epic Penske podium sweep”