Carlos Munoz secures full-time IndyCar drive with Andretti Autosport
Colombian driver Carlos Munoz has secured a full-time drive with Andretti Autosport for the 2014 IndyCar Series season, which will begin in late March around the streets of St. Petersburg. The 21-year-old driver made his debut at the Indianapolis 500 earlier in the year, qualifying and finishing an impressive 2nd for Andretti Autosport.
Since making his debut in the Firestone Indy Lights support series, Carlos Munoz has impressed many within the IndyCar paddock. This allowed the Colombian ace to make his IndyCar debut at the legendary Indianapolis 500 in a fifth Andretti Autosport entry, where he stunned the opposition and the entire motor sport community by qualifying 2nd alongside former Series Champion Tony Kanaan. Carlos Munoz managed to lead 12 laps throughout the race, before eventually finishing a strong 2nd only just behind Tony Kanaan.
Along with another competitive season in the Firestone Indy Lights category, Carlos Munoz returned for two more races towards the end of the IndyCar season at Toronto and Fontana for Panther Racing and the Team Venezuela/Andretti Autosport/HVM outfit respectively. Although the Bogota-born sensation failed to repeat his successes of the Indianapolis 500, his four victories in the Firestone Indy Lights Series at both Barber, Long Beach, Pocono and Fontana was a clear indication of his aptitude on both ovals and circuits.
“I don’t have the words to express right now how I feel.” Explained Carlos Munoz, who becomes the fourth driver from Colombia to compete in IndyCar. “I have to thank Andretti Autosport, and especially Michael Andretti, for this opportunity. To be a part of this team, they believe a lot in me, and to pay them back would be to bring them great results. With that, I have to work hard in all aspects – mentally and physically. I’m really happy and I’m looking forward to start practicing and testing. I also have to thank my family for all of their support all these years. Finally my dream has come true. Also to my fans for being here and believing in me; this is just the beginning.”
Carlos Munoz will join former IndyCar Champion Ryan Hunter-Reay, James Hinchcliffe and Marco Andretti at the outfit, which will boast four full-time drivers for the first time since 2011. Sponsorship for Carlos Munoz’s entry has yet to be confirmed, with the Colombian being sponsored by Electric Energy Straws and Dialy-Ser at the Indianapolis 500 earlier in the year. Carlos Munoz will undoubtedly be aiming for success once the season gets underway, with Andretti Autosport eager to snatch the Championship crown from Target Chip Ganassi and Scott Dixon.
Picture Copyright © Chris Owens/IndyCar Media
Hinchcliffe Snatches Victory From Sato In Brazilian Thriller
James Hinchcliffe has secured his second IZOD IndyCar Series victory, after snatching the lead away from Takuma Sato at the final corner of the final lap in a thrilling 75-lap lap Sao Paulo Indy 300. The leading duo were followed home by Marco Andretti, who only just managed to defend his position from Josef Newgarden in the closing laps.
After storming to a sensational pole position by smashing the lap record, reigning Series Champion Ryan Hunter-Reay led the field into the tight Turn 1 at the start ahead of Dario Franchitti who managed to overtake E.J. Viso for 2nd position. As the opening lap progressed, the Venezuelan driver continued to fall through the order as local hero Tony Kanaan rose into 3rd position for KV Racing Technology.
Whilst one Brazilian driver battled at the front of the order, another caused the first of many full course cautions as Ana Beatriz stopped on the circuit at Turn 7 with a gearbox issue. During the yellow flag intervention, many drivers decided to pit for fresh tyres including Josef Newgarden who also elected for a new nose cone. After only two laps under caution, Ryan Hunter-Reay once again led the pack into Turn 1 as the race was resumed. A lap later saw Tony Kanaan overtake former team-mate Dario Franchitti for 2nd position, before then storming into the lead of the race after a superlative overtaking maneuver at Turn 11.
This naturally sent the many Brazilian fans into a state of euphoria as Tony Kanaan led his first laps around the streets of Sao Paulo, and his first overall since last season’s finale at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana. On Lap 19, the second full course caution was caused when Will Power’s highly uncompetitive race was brought to a premature conclusion. After qualifying a lowly 22nd, the Australian driver was forced into a retirement after a fire broke out on his #12 Penske machine. This was the his first retirement on a street course since Toronto in 2011.
During the ensuring yellow flag period, the top 12 cars all elected to pit. After remaining out on track, Sebastien Bourdais and Alex Tagliani rose to the top, allowing the Frenchman to lead his first lap since Mexico City in 2007. The race was eventually resumed on Lap 24, as Bourdais led the field through the ever-tricky Turns 1 and 2. Local driver Helio Castroneves ran wide at Turn 1, as James Jakes hit the retaining tyre barrier at Turn 1. Whilst utter mayhem ensued, Ed Carpenter slammed into the wall at Turn 1 and Graham Rahal stopped on the track.
The safety car led 19 laps in what was an incident-filled race.
This naturally saw another momentary yellow flag period, before the race was resumed on Lap 27 with Sebastien Bourdais still in the lead. Josef Newgarden made minor contact with the leader through Turn 1, as Helio Castroneves was tipped into a spin at Turn 1 by Scott Dixon. Despite the numerous collisions throughout the pack, the race remained under green flag conditions as Bourdais led Newgarden. By Lap 34, the leading duo of Sebastien Bourdais and Josef Newgarden elected to pit, handing the lead down to Ryan Hunter-Reay.
However, the reigning Champion’s lead was short lived as Takuma Sato stormed around the Andretti Autosport driver at Turn 5. The Japanese ace then proceeded to open up a three second lead to Hunter-Reay, before Graham Rahal slammed into the wall at Turn 2 and caused another yellow flag delay. Under yellow flag conditions, Takuma Sato and JR Hildebrand pitted, allowing Ryan Hunter-Reay to assume the lead at the front. The race was resumed on Lap 40, only for a multi-car collision involving Sebastien Bourdais, JR Hildebrand, Helio Castroneves, Charlie Kimball and Simon Pagenaud to cause another full course caution.
The race resumed five laps later, this time with much more success as Tony Kanaan once again wowed the attending masses by storming back into the lead at Turn 11. However, the former Champion’s authority over proceedings was abruptly ended a lap later as Marco Andretti continued his rise through the order to the lead. Ryan Hunter-Reay’s hopes of victory were dashed on Lap 47, as he was forced to make an unscheduled pit-stop for a flat tyre,
After giving his local fans much to cheer about, Tony Kanaan’s race was brought to a frustratingly premature conclusion on Lap 51 as he stopped on the circuit. Due to his abrupt retirement on the start/finish straight, a full course caution was once again called upon as his car was cleared. Race leader Marco Andretti elected to pit along with many others, allowing JR Hildebrand to assume the lead. The 25-year-old Californian driver led at the restart, as behind him James Hinchcliffe and Takuma Sato battled for 2nd position.
Another full course caution was caused on Lap 56 as British driver Justin Wilson made heavy contact with the tyres at Turn 5. JR Hildebrand pitted under caution, allowing Takuma Sao to return to the lead. The former Formula 1 driver led at the restart, as Newgarden overtook Hinchcliffe for 2nd at Turn 1. As the race drew to a thrilling conclusion, the lead between Takuma Sato and Josef Newgarden ebbed and flowed, before the 22-year-old American lunged for the lead on Lap 71. Takuma Sato expertly defended his lead, as James Hinchcliffe overtook Newgarden for 2nd. The “Mayor of Hinchtown” gradually began to reel in Takuma Sato, as the white flag was flown to indicate the final lap of the race.
As Marco Andretti jostled for 3rd position with Josef Newgarden, James Hinchcliffe waited until the final corner before pouncing upon Takuma Sato for the lead. In a nail-biting finish, James Hinchcliffe managed to make his move stick and secure his second win of the season only +0.3463 seconds ahead of Takuma Sato. Marco Andretti held on to 3rd ahead of Josef Newgarden, in one of the most enthralling conclusions to an IZOD IndyCar event.
Despite winning the race, James Hinchcliffe is only 4th in the Championship with 112 points scored whereas Takuma Sao rises to the top of the Championship on 136 points ahead of Marco Andretti. The month of May is a special time in the IZOD IndyCar Series, and has begun with an utterly awe-inspiring race around the streets of Sao Paulo. Expect further fireworks when the sport reconvenes later this month, for the legendary Indianapolis 500.
Results - 95 laps:
Pos Driver Team/Car Time/Gap
1. James Hinchcliffe Andretti Dallara-Chevy 2h09m34.7383s
2. Takuma Sato Foyt Dallara-Honda + 0.3463s
3. Marco Andretti Andretti Dallara-Chevy + 1.1376s
4. Oriol Servia Panther DRR Dallara-Chevy + 1.1745s
5. Josef Newgarden Fisher Dallara-Honda + 1.6516s
6. EJ Viso Andretti Dallara-Chevy + 2.8119s
7. Dario Franchitti Ganassi Dallara-Honda + 3.5961s
8. Simona de Silvestro KV Dallara-Chevy + 4.7772s
9. Simon Pagenaud Schmidt Dallara-Honda + 7.6331s
10. Charlie Kimball Ganassi Dallara-Honda + 9.0265s
11. Ryan Hunter-Reay Andretti Dallara-Chevy + 9.5135s
12. Alex Tagliani Herta Dallara-Honda + 10.4393s
13. Helio Castroneves Penske Dallara-Chevy + 11.1234s
14. Sebastien Bourdais Dragon Dallara-Chevy + 13.6406s
15. JR Hildebrand Panther Dallara-Chevy + 13.7377s
16. Tristan Vautier Schmidt Dallara-Honda + 14.3517s
17. James Jakes Rahal Dallara-Honda + 19.8585s
18. Scott Dixon Ganassi Dallara-Honda + 29.4261s
19. Sebastian Saavedra Dragon Dallara-Chevy + 54.7223s
20. Justin Wilson Coyne Dallara-Honda + 2 laps
21. Tony Kanaan KV Dallara-Chevy + 3 laps
22. Graham Rahal Rahal Dallara-Honda + 4 laps
23. Ed Carpenter Carpenter Dallara-Chevy + 4 laps
Retirements:
Will Power Penske Dallara-Chevy 17 laps
Ana Beatriz Coyne Dallara-Honda 6 laps
Picture(s) Copyright © IndyCar
“Mayor Of Hinchtown” Secures Maiden IndyCar Victory At St. Pete
The man known by many as the “Mayor of Hinchtown”, James Hinchcliffe, secured his maiden IZOD IndyCar Series race victory in an enthralling season-opening Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. The Canadian ace finished ahead of 2012 race winner Helio Castroneves, with Marco Andretti 3rd for Andretti Autosport.
Will Power had secured pole position for the 110-lap race, and started the race alongside Japanese driver Takuma Sato. The second row of the grid consisted of “Swiss Miss” Simona de Silvestro, with eventual race winner James Hinchcliffe 4th alongside the KV Racing Technology driver. The race began under cloudy skies over the Streets of St. Petersburg, as Susie Wheldon got proceedings underway by waving the green flag at the start. Will Power led into the first corner, ahead of Takuma Sato as both James Hinchcliffe and Helio Castroneves got around Simona de Silvestro into Turn 1.
During the opening laps of the race, Will Power opened up a considerable lead to the A.J. Foyt Racing of Takuma Sato. By Lap 10, the Australian driver had opened up a four second lead to Sato, as Alex Tagliani became the first driver to make a scheduled pit stop on Lap 12. This sparked several other drivers to pit throughout the next few laps, including Simon Pagenaud, Justin Wilson and Scott Dixon.
Dario Franchitti’s car is cleared after his incident on Lap 19.
Four-time IZOD IndyCar Series Champion Dario Franchitti suffered a disastrous start to his 2013 campaign, after the Target Chip Ganassi driver made contact with the wall at Turn 4 on Lap 19 and was forced into his first retirement in 67 races. This caused the first full course caution of the race, and allowed the leaders to pit under caution a lap later. Will Power won the race off of pit-road, as Takuma Sato dropped to 3rd behind Helio Castroneves. The race was resumed on Lap 26, as Helio Castroneves stormed around Will Power for the lead at Turn 2.
Further back down the order there was total carnage at Turn 9, as a multi-car incident involving Charlie Kimball, Ana Beatriz, JR Hildebrand, Ed Carpenter and Oriol Servia. Everyone except Ana Beatriz managed to resume racing, as the safety car was called upon once again for the second time. Simon Pagenaud pitted and was forced into retirement with a mechanical issue involving his exhaust system. The race was resumed on Lap 32, as Helio Castroneves led away at the front. James Hinchcliffe managed to overtake Will Power for 2nd position, and began to catch Castroneves for the lead.
On Lap 45 there was a third safety car period for debris in Turn 14, which allowed the leaders to pit under caution. Helio Castroneves won the race off of pit road ahead of Will Power and James Hinchcliffe, as Oriol Servia assumed the lead of the race after electing not to pit under caution. This saw the Spaniard lead his first laps of an IZOD IndyCar Series race since the 2011 Indianapolis 500, as Josef Newgarden became the next retirement of the race after suffering from a clutch issue. The race was eventually resumed on Lap 55, as Servia led at the front for Panther Racing.
Oriol Servia was finally forced to pit on Lap 62, allowing Helio Castroneves to resume his lead of the race. Servia frustratingly suffered a slow getaway from his pit-box, loosing himself valuable time in the process. Reigning Series Champion Ryan Hunter-Reay endured a frustrating start to his title defense, after a collision with Graham Rahal saw him suffer from a throttle issue towards the back of the pack. Series rookie Tristan Vautier retired from the race on Lap 69 with a mechanical issue, after initially starting the race from an impressive 6th.
A fourth full course caution was caused by Sebastian Saavedra on Lap 74, when the Colombian driver made a heavy impact with the tyre barriers at Turn 10. The leaders once again elected to pit under caution, as Castroneves retained his lead ahead of Hinchcliffe who overtook Power for 2nd. Whilst under safety car conditions, JR Hildebrand controversially collided with Will Power at Turn 9. The 25-year-old American driver was forced into retirement, whereas Will Power returned to the pits to repair his damage sustained in the incident.
On the restart, Helio Castroneves ran wide at Turn 1, allowing James Hinchcliffe to make a pivotal overtaking maneuver for the lead of the race. The Canadian sensation remained in the lead until the end, in doing so storming to his maiden IZOD IndyCar victory ahead of Helio Castroneves. On the penultimate lap the race Simona de Silvestro ran wide at Turn 14 and allowed both Marco Andretti and Tony Kanaan through, with the former finishing 3rd.
The opening race of the 2013 IZOD IndyCar Series season was an enthralling spectacle, with Andretti Autosport taking only their second victory around the Streets of St. Petersburg after the late Dan Wheldon’s victory at the inaugural running of the event back in 2005. The new season looks set to be another intriguing battle at the front, with several new faces set to surprise many in the races ahead.
Results - 110 laps:
Pos Driver Team/Car Time/Gap
1. James Hinchcliffe Andretti Dallara-Chevy 2h22m12.5502s
2. Helio Castroneves Penske Dallara-Chevy + 1.0982s
3. Marco Andretti Andretti Dallara-Chevy + 16.3664s
4. Tony Kanaan KV Dallara-Chevy + 19.6083s
5. Scott Dixon Ganassi Dallara-Honda + 20.7627s
6. Simona de Silvestro KV Dallara-Chevy + 20.7890s
7. EJ Viso Andretti Dallara-Chevy + 20.8229s
8. Takuma Sato Foyt Dallara-Honda + 21.1878s
9. Justin Wilson Coyne Dallara-Honda + 21.6832s
10. Alex Tagliani Herta Dallara-Honda + 22.5569s
11. Sebastien Bourdais Dragon Dallara-Chevy + 22.7354s
12. Charlie Kimball Ganassi Dallara-Honda + 24.5429s
13. Graham Rahal Rahal Dallara-Honda + 37.5324s
14. Ed Carpenter Carpenter Dallara-Chevy + 45.2054s
15. James Jakes Rahal Dallara-Honda + 45.7793s
16. Will Power Penske Dallara-Chevy + 3 laps
17. Oriol Servia Panther/DRR Dallara-Chevy + 6 laps
Retirements:
Ryan Hunter-Reay Andretti Dallara-Chevy 79 laps
JR Hildebrand Panther Dallara-Chevy 78 laps
Sebastian Saavedra Dragon Dallara-Chevy 72 laps
Tristan Vautier Schmidt Dallara-Honda 69 laps
Ana Beatriz Coyne Dallara-Honda 55 laps
Josef Newgarden Fisher Dallara-Honda 50 laps
Simon Pagenaud Schmidt Dallara-Honda 26 laps
Dario Franchitti Ganassi Dallara-Honda 18 laps
Picture(s) Copyright © Getty Images
Ryan Hunter-Reay Signs New Deal With Andretti Autosport
Ryan Hunter-Reay has secured himself a new deal with Andretti Autosport for the next two seasons in the IZOD IndyCar Series, ahead of this evening’s season finale around the 2-mile Auto Club Speedway. The 31-year-old American is currently 2nd in the Drivers’ Championship, with a slim chance of clinching the title in this evening’s race.
Since making the switch from ChampCar in 2007, Ryan Hunter-Reay has quickly established himself as one of the top drivers in the IndyCar Series. After joining Andretti Autosport for the 2010 season, Hunter-Reay has taken six victories for the outfit. Four of those have come this season, with Hunter-Reay still a Championship contender alongside Will Power heading into this evening’s finale.
Although there was speculation floating around the IndyCar paddock that Hunter-Reay could jump ship once again, the Texan has finally put pen to paper and signed for a further two seasons at Andretti Autosport. The team, owned by former IndyCar and Formula 1 driver Michael Andretti, last won the Championship back in 2007 with Dario Franchitti.
“I have a lot of deep rooted relationships with the team and the team sponsors and I’m looking forward to continuing and further developing those relationships,” explained Ryan Hunter-Reay, who is currently locked in the Championship battle with Will Power. “I’m happy to be able to enjoy the off-season knowing what the next two years hold.”
It is believed that Hunter-Reay’s current team-mates, Marco Andretti and James Hinchcliffe, will also remain with the outfit next season. Marco Andretti has been an Andretti Autosport driver since his debut in the Series back in 2006, largely thanks to his family ties within the team. Ryan Hunter-Reay will be looking to celebrate his new deal with the team this evening, as he strives to take his first IndyCar Championship.
Picture Copyright © Getty Images
Will Power Storms To Sonoma Pole Ahead Of Ryan Briscoe
Championship leader Will Power has asserted further authority over the IZOD IndyCar Series, after storming to his third successive pole at Sonoma ahead of Sunday’s GoPro Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma. Ryan Briscoe completed a Penske front row, with Sebastien Bourdais a highly competitive 3rd for Dragon Racing.
Will Power has enjoyed great success at Sonoma in recent years, and has started this weekend in similar fashion as the Australian driver continues to fight at the top of the Championship. Power’s nearest Championship rival, Ryan Hunter-Reay, could only manage 7th on the grid. However, Hunter-Reay remains positive despite his disappointing qualifying result, with the American driver having already won twice from 7th on the grid this season. The three remaining Championship contenders of Helio Castroneves, Scott Dixon and James Hinchcliffe qualified 4th, 5th and 11th respectively.
“It’s good to back on the pole here in Sonoma in the Penske Verizon Chevy #12 car.” Explained Will Power, “It is important to start up front here and we are very happy to once again be on the front row, which is where we want to start. The wind really made the car unstable the last two days, so it will be interesting to see what the wind is like tomorrow and it will also be interesting because the race is an extra ten laps.”
Sebastien Bourdais enjoyed an exceedingly competitive qualifying session, as the former ChampCar Champion ended the session in 3rd, only +0.4788s off Power’s pole time. This is the Frenchman’s best qualifying result of the season, and couldn’t have come at a better time for the Dragon Racing outfit. Bourdais’ team-mate, Katherine Legge, makes her return to the track this weekend and will start the race from 21st on the grid.
With the track layout modified slightly to try and increase overtaking for this year’s race, the 2012 GoPro Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma has all the ingredients to be yet another thrilling addition to this highly entertaining season. As the season finale at Fontana draws ever closer, competitive results for the five Championship contenders is a necessity.
Pos Driver Team/Car Time Gap 1. Will Power Penske Dallara-Chevy 1m17.2709s 2. Ryan Briscoe Penske Dallara-Chevy 1m17.4347s + 0.1638s 3. Sebastien Bourdais Dragon Dallara-Chevy 1m17.7497s + 0.4788s 4. Helio Castroneves Penske Dallara-Chevy 1m18.1090s + 0.8381s 5. Scott Dixon Ganassi Dallara-Honda 1m18.2126s + 0.9417s 6. Dario Franchitti Ganassi Dallara-Honda 1m18.3462s + 1.0753s 7. Ryan Hunter-Reay Andretti Dallara-Chevy 1m18.3355s Round 2 8. Alex Tagliani Herta Dallara-Honda 1m18.4168s Round 2 9. Simon Pagenaud Schmidt Dallara-Honda 1m18.4334s Round 2 10. Justin Wilson Coyne Dallara-Honda 1m18.6258s Round 2 11. James Hinchcliffe Andretti Dallara-Chevy 1m18.7885s Round 2 12. Rubens Barrichello KV Dallara-Chevy 1m18.9788s Round 2 13. Sebastian Saavedra AFS/Andretti Dallara-Chevy 1m18.8918s Group 1 14. Marco Andretti Andretti Dallara-Chevy 1m18.8925s Group 2 15. Graham Rahal Ganassi Dallara-Honda 1m18.8981s Group 1 16. Mike Conway Foyt Dallara-Honda 1m18.9048s Group 2 17. JR Hildebrand Panther Dallara-Chevy 1m19.0931s Group 1 18. Tony Kanaan KV Dallara-Chevy 1m18.9475s Group 2 19. EJ Viso KV Dallara-Chevy 1m19.3953s Group 1 20. Oriol Servia Panther/DRR Dallara-Chevy 1m18.9672s Group 2 21. Katherine Legge Dragon Dallara-Chevy 1m19.6414s Group 1 22. Charlie Kimball Ganassi Dallara-Honda 1m19.0262s Group 2 23. Josef Newgarden Fisher Dallara-Honda 1m19.7468s Group 1 24. Takuma Sato Rahal Dallara-Honda 1m19.2821s Group 2 25. Simona de Silvestro HVM Dallara-Lotus 1m20.2295s Group 1 26. James Jakes Coyne Dallara-Honda 1m19.5152s Group 2 27. Ed Carpenter Carpenter Dallara-Chevy 1m19.6837s Group 2
Picture Copyright © Getty Images
Scott Dixon Storms To Victory At Mid-Ohio
Scott Dixon stormed to yet another victory around the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course earlier today, after snatching the win away from pole man Will Power during a tense pit stop on lap 29. Simon Pagenaud clinched 3rd, as Championship contenders Ryan Hunter-Reay and Helio Castroneves endured less-than-successful races floundering at the back.
The race started in relatively clean fashion, as the Penske of Will Power led Target Chip Ganassi’s Dario Franchitti through the opening few corners. Further back Justin Wilson spun, but was able to rejoin as the pack jostled for position in the early stages of the opening lap. Oriol Servia’s race suffered an early blow on lap 3, as the Spaniard pitted with a suspected mechanical issue.
Justin Wilson was striving to redeem himself after his mistake at the start, as the Briton stormed through the back of the pack and was up to 17th position by lap 7. Helio Castroneves became the first driver to make a scheduled pit stop on lap 9, along with Graham Rahal and JR Hildebrand. The Brazilian driver started the race from a lowly 23rd, after incurring a 10-place grid penalty for an unauthorized engine change.
The leaders began their first pit stops on lap 28, as Dario Franchitti, Simon Pagenaud, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Mike Conway all peeled into the pits whereas Will Power and Scott Dixon continued to circulate out on track in 1st and 2nd positions. However, the leading duo pitted only a lap later with Will Power only just scampering out of the pits still in the lead.
Back in the midfield, and likes of Alex Tagliani, Ryan Briscoe and Tony Kanaan were locked in a frenetic battle. With many drivers using their push-to-pass devices, it was amazing how neither drivers made serious contact as they negotiated turns 4 and 5. Briscoe and Tagliani did make contact, but only lightly as the pair continued out on track.
As the race progressed, Will Power continued to assert unyielding dominance over the proceedings. The Australian driver has yet to win a race around the tricky Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, however that stat looked likely to change as the race entered the halfway stage. Will Power’s Championship surge received a boost on lap 54, when Championship leader Ryan Hunter-Reay reported a mechanical issue on his Andretti Autosport car. The American driver began to drop through the order, as a pit stop confirmed it was a fuel injector issue. However, Hunter-Reay continued to circulate out on track, way back down in 21st position.
On lap 58 the top four all pitted together, as Will Power, Scott Dixon, Sebastien Bourdais and Dario Franchitti all peeled off into the pits. The Target Chip Ganassi mechanics carried out a blistering pit stop for Dixon, as the Kiwi rejoined only just ahead of Will Power. It was later discovered that it took a fraction of a second longer for the Penske mechanics to attach the fuel hose to Power’s car, thus compromising the Australian driver’s lead.
Whilst Dixon and Power battled for supremacy in the pits, James Hinchcliffe assumed the lead albeit for only two laps. The Canadian driver pitted on lap 60, and made contact with reigning Series Champion Dario Franchitti upon pit exit. This forced the Scotsman to pit once again for a new nose cone, and demoted him further down the order.
Ryan Hunter-Reay’s race finally came to a premature end on lap 82, after his mechanics tried their best to rectify the issue several laps beforehand. This was a huge boost for Will Power, who would take the lead in the Drivers’ Championship regardless of only finishing 2nd to Scott Dixon.
As the checkered flag fell it was Kiwi Scott Dixon who crossed the line in 1st, ahead of the Penske of Will Power in 2nd and the impressive rookie of Simon Pagenaud in 3rd. The race ran caution free for the second race weekend in succession, the first time this has occurred in the sport since 1987. The IZOD IndyCar Series now heads to the daunting Sonoma Raceway in California, where Will Power will be out to further increase his lead at the top in his quest for Championship glory.
Results - 85 laps: Pos Driver Team/Car Time/Gap 1. Scott Dixon Ganassi Dallara-Honda 1h39m48.5083s 2. Will Power Penske Dallara-Chevy + 3.4619s 3. Simon Pagenaud Schmidt Dallara-Honda + 4.5402s 4. Sebastien Bourdais Dragon Dallara-Chevy + 5.5822s 5. James Hinchcliffe Andretti Dallara-Chevy + 7.5663s 6. Tony Kanaan KV Dallara-Chevy + 12.328s 7. Ryan Briscoe Penske Dallara-Chevy + 27.9601s 8. Marco Andretti Andretti Dallara-Chevy + 28.1691s 9. JR Hildebrand Panther Dallara-Chevy + 29.2325s 10. Alex Tagliani Herta Dallara-Honda + 31.1722s 11. Graham Rahal Ganassi Dallara-Honda + 31.4387s 12. Josef Newgarden Fisher Dallara-Honda + 32.0754s 13. Takuma Sato Rahal Dallara-Honda + 32.4073s 14. Giorgio Pantano Ganassi Dallara-Honda + 33.9166s 15. Rubens Barrichello KV Dallara-Chevy + 35.2863s 16. Helio Castroneves Penske Dallara-Chevy + 35.9205s 17. Dario Franchitti Ganassi Dallara-Honda + 36.9834s 18. Justin Wilson Coyne Dallara-Honda + 42.0974s 19. James Jakes Coyne Dallara-Honda + 46.4304s 20. EJ Viso KV Dallara-Chevy + 46.8068s 21. Mike Conway Foyt Dallara-Honda + 46.9535s 22. Ed Carpenter Carpenter Dallara-Chevy + 1 lap 23. Simona de Silvestro HVM Dallara-Lotus + 2 laps 24. Ryan Hunter-Reay Andretti Dallara-Chevy + 6 laps 25. Oriol Servia Panther/DRR Dallara-Chevy + 7 laps
Picture Copyright © Getty Images
Ryan Hunter-Reay Storms To Victory At The Milwaukee IndyFest
Ryan Hunter-Reay has taken his first IndyCar victory of the 2012 season, after a stunning victory at the 2012 Milwaukee IndyFest ahead of Tony Kanaan and James Hinchcliffe after a frenetic 225 laps around the Milwaukee Mile. Will Power remains in the lead of the Drivers’ Championship, as Hinchcliffe moves up to 2nd ahead of Scott Dixon.
The race was unfortunately delayed due to rain, however once the shower had passed over the Milwaukee Mile the race was able to get going. At the start Dario Franchitti flew into the lead from pole, opening up a considerable gap to Hunter-Reay in 2nd. Further down the order, Will Power was picking his way precariously through the pack after his grid penalty. The Championship leader made minor contact with Katherine Legge on lap 19, as Josef Newgarden peeled off into the pits with with fuel pressure issues. This then resulted in a drive-through penalty for the IndyCar rookie, who drove over a tyre gun upon exiting his pit.
On lap 65 Dario Franchitti joined many on entering pit road under green flag conditions, thus handing the lead down to Helio Castroneves. Only moments after making his stop, Simona de Silvestro brought out the first full course caution as the Swiss Miss spun her Lotus-powered car on track. Under yellow flag conditions, the top four of Castroneves, Hinchcliffe, Dixon and Power peeled off into the pits to make their first pit-stops.
As the race returned to green flag conditions, EJ Viso led away at the front. Whilst the Venezuelan driver enjoyed his time out front, Target Chip Ganassi team-mates Franchitti and Dixon came perilously close as the Kiwi finally made a move stick on his British team-mate.
The race was run under green flag conditions for only 16 laps before Justin Wilson brought out the second caution as his engine expired in spectacular fashion with smoke billowing out of the rear of his car. Upon stopping at the side of the track, Wilson’s car then proceeded to catch fire at the rear, as the Briton frantically jumped out of his car.
Whilst the safety car controlled the race at the front, the majority of the field pitted under caution. Castroneves returned to the front, as the Brazilian driver failed to pit with the rest of the pack. The restart was aborted for one extra lap, as the cars failed to line-up correctly.
As Castroneves led at the front, albeit without pitting, a further caution was caused only moments later when Takuma Sato collected James Jakes as both drivers ended up slamming out of the race and into the wall. JR Hildebrand also retired with a separate mechanical issue on his car.
The race once again restarted on lap 122, as Helio Castroneves continued his dominance at the front. Scott Dixon’s race was ruined after IndyCar officials handed the Kiwi a harsh drive-through penalty for allegedly jumping the restart. However, out on track Ryan Hunter-Reay simply glided past the Penske of Castroneves as the Brazilian’s tyres began to wear out. As the race continued under green flag conditions, many front running drivers were forced to make green flag pit-stops, however on lap 182 the fourth full course caution was caused as light rain began reportedly falling at certain points on the track.
This brief caution lasted only a handful of laps, as Hunter-Reay continued to lead at the front as the race was resumed on lap 192. However, it was only two laps later when a shocking development occurred when reigning Series Champion Dario Franchitti was seen in the wall, bringing out the fifth full course caution. Only moments beforehand Franchitti was seen rubbing wheels with Ryan Briscoe, as the Australian driver failed to notice the Briton on the inside. Further replays suggested that Franchitti’s incident was caused by a failure on the car, possibly suspension related.
Once the race was resumed on lap 201, it was ran incident free until the end as Ryan Hunter-Reay soared to his fourth IndyCar career victory. This was also the first win for an American driver in the 2012 season, the first since Ed Carpenter at last years Kentucky Indy 300.
The IZOD IndyCar fraternity now gears up for another back-to-back race weekend, as next weekend the teams and drivers head to the Iowa Speedway for the 2012 Iowa Corn Indy 250. Marco Andretti won last years race, ahead of Tony Kanaan and Scott Dixon.
Picture Copyright © Getty Images
Chinese Indy Qingdao 600 Cancelled
The proposed IndyCar race around the Chinese port city of Qingdao has been cancelled, after complications between the city officials and IndyCar lead to the race running out of time to be planned. This was to be the first time IndyCar had ventured into China, with most races run in either Canada or America.
The event was scheduled to take place on August 19th, however race promoters in China cancelled the event. This means the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series calendar is now a race short, with IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard currently investigating the possibility of a replacement event which would keep the Series at 16 events.
“We wanted to give the China race every opportunity to move forward and be successful, but IndyCar has been notified by the promoter that the event is cancelled for 2012,” explained Randy Bernard. “We were informed that the promoter was trying to move the event to a different date and location. After ongoing discussions regarding alternative dates, as well as doing our due diligence in exploring alternate venues in China, the promoter cancelled the event. A decision had to be made to allow IndyCar and its participants to plan accordingly for the second half of the season.
“We are working with our promoters that host events in the second half of our calendar to keep them apprised of how the date of a potential new race could impact our current schedule,” continued IndyCar’s CEO.
After the loss of the Indy Japan 300 at Twin Ring Motegi last season, and the cancellation of the Indy Qingdao 600 in China, the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series will only visit three different nations this season in Brazil, Canada and America. However, IndyCar officials are not “closing the door” on a future race in China in years to come.
The next race on the IZOD IndyCar schedule is this weekend, at Milwaukee for the Milwaukee IndyFest. Will Power currently leads the Drivers’ Championship, ahead of his nearest rivals Scott Dixon and James Hinchcliffe.
Picture Copyright © Chris Jones/IndyCar
Dario Franchitti Takes Victory In Historic Indianapolis 500
Dario Franchitti has stormed to his third Indianapolis 500 victory, at the 96th running of the legendary event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This was the first oval of the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series, and the first since Dan Wheldon’s tragic death at Las Vegas last year. Franchitti’s team-mate Scott Dixon came home 2nd, with Tony Kanaan 3rd in an eventful and incident filled 200-lap race.
Ryan Briscoe had pole-position for the race, and when the green flag flew at the start James Hinchcliffe shot into the lead on the opening lap. In traditional oval racing style, the lead changed hands four times in the first 7 laps, before the first caution was brought out when rookie Bryan Clauson spun on lap 14. At the back of the pack, the two Lotus drivers’ of Simona de Silvestro and Jean Alesi were forced to retire after failing to meet the 105% rule.
As the field slowed down behind the safety car, the majority of the drivers’ peeled off into the pit-lane to complete their first stops. Dario Franchitti suffered a disastrous stop, as the Scot was tipped into a spin within the pits by E.J. Viso. On lap 19 the race was resumed, as many of the drivers suffered a slow restart whereas at the front Briscoe was in the lead.
The race ran relatively incident free for the next 60 laps, which forced many drivers’ to complete green flag pits-stops. The first to pit was Hinchcliffe, before new race leader Marco Andretti took to pit road. As the rest of the front runners made their pit-stops, Tagliani, Dixon and Kimball all lead before Andretti returned to the front.
Mike Conway suffered a torrid stop, as he locked up heading into his pit box and subsequently hit several mechanics. Due to this he was issued a drive-through penalty, however the Brit was unable to take that penalty as he was involved in a scary airborne incident with Will Power’s Penske. Conway lost control of his car on track and spun, before Power collided into the spinning wreck and tipped Conway into a fearsome airborne crash. Luckily both were unscathed after the incident, as the safety car controlled the field for the next 10 laps.
The race was restarted for only 2 more laps, before Ana Beatriz caused the third caution of the day. She spun her car, and suffered light damage however she was able to rejoin the race several laps behind the leader. Whilst under the caution, Andretti and Hinchcliffe opted to pit.
As the race was restarted, Scott Dixon lead at the front. However several laps later both Dixon and Franchitti pitted thus handing the lead down to Takuma Sato, who became the first Japanese driver to lead the Indy 500 since Toranosuke Takagi in 2003. Another caution was caused only moments after these green flag stops, as Sebastien Saavedra slowed down on the slip road due to mechanical issues. This therefore enabled the majority of the field to pit.
Upon the restart, Dario Franchitti miraculously lead at the front after carving his way through the pack after his previous pit-lane spin. Both he and his team-mate Dixon happily jostled for the lead several times, before the fifth caution was caused as Josef Newgarden pulled to the side of the track to retire. Once again the majority of the field pitted under caution, with Dixon leading on the restart.
As the race once again restarted, the two Ganassi’s of Dixon and Franchitti resumed battling for the lead, before the Kiwi made Indy 500 history by taking a record breaking 30th lead change throughout the race. With many drivers’ concerned about fuel consumption, their fears were abolished when Ed Carpenter caused yet another caution thus enabling the leaders to conserve fuel.
With only 20 laps remaining, it was set to be a straight fight for the win as Kanaan amazingly came from 6th to the lead on the restart before yet another caution as Andretti crashed on lap 187. As the debris was cleared, tension was mounting as a 6-lap shootout began on lap 194. Franchitti and Dixon once again swapped positions at the top, before Sato stormed to 2nd as the white flag emerged to signify the final lap. Heading to the first corner, and disaster struck for the Japanese driver as he tried to pass Dario for the lead and spun in the wall.
In utter confusion and thrilling excitement, Dario Franchitti won by default as the caution flag came out. This is Dario Franchitti’s third Indy 500 win, and his first of the 2012 IndyCar Series season.
Results - 200 laps:
Pos Driver Team/Car Gap
1. Dario Franchitti Ganassi DW12-Honda
2. Scott Dixon Ganassi DW12-Honda + 0.0295s
3. Tony Kanaan KV DW12-Chevy + 0.0677s
4. Oriol Servia Panther/DRR DW12-Chevy + 2.9166s
5. Ryan Briscoe Penske DW12-Chevy + 3.6721s
6. James Hinchcliffe Andretti DW12-Chevy + 4.0962s
7. Justin Wilson Dale Coyne DW12-Honda + 4.2430s
8. Charlie Kimball Ganassi DW12-Honda + 4.6056s
9. Townsend Bell Schmidt DW12-Honda + 5.6168s
10. Helio Castroneves Penske DW12-Chevy + 7.6352s
11. Rubens Barrichello KV DW12-Chevy + 7.9240s
12. Alex Tagliani Herta DW12-Honda + 8.2543s
13. Graham Rahal Ganassi DW12-Honda + 8.7539s
14. JR Hildebrand Panther DW12-Chevy + 11.3423s
15. James Jakes Dale Coyne DW12-Honda + 13.4494s
16. Simon Pagenaud Schmidt DW12-Honda + 14.1382s
17. Takuma Sato Rahal DW12-Honda + 1 lap
18. EJ Viso KV DW12-Chevy + 1 lap
19. Michel Jourdain Jr Rahal DW12-Honda + 1 lap
20. Sebastien Bourdais Dragon DW12-Chevy + 1 lap
21. Ed Carpenter Carpenter DW12-Chevy + 1 lap
22. Katherine Legge Dragon DW12-Chevy + 1 lap
23. Ana Beatriz Andretti/Conquest DW12-Chevy + 10 laps
Retirements:
Marco Andretti Andretti DW12-Chevy 187 laps
Josef Newgarden Fisher DW12-Honda 161 laps
Sebastian Saavedra AFS/Andretti DW12-Chevy 143 laps
Ryan Hunter-Reay Andretti DW12-Chevy 123 laps
Will Power Penske DW12-Chevy 79 laps
Mike Conway Foyt DW12-Honda 78 laps
Bryan Clauson Fisher DW12-Chevy 46 laps
Wade Cunningham Foyt DW12-Honda 42 laps
Jean Alesi Fan Force DW12-Lotus 10 laps
Simona de Silvestro HVM DW12-Lotus 9 laps
Picture Copyright © LAT Photographic
Will Power Wins Third Consecutive Race Of The Season At Sao Paulo
Australia’s Will Power has taken his third consecutive victory of the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series in an incident filled race on the streets of Sao Paulo, finishing just under a second ahead of Ryan Hunter-Ray. Takuma Sato came home 3rd, his personal best finish of his IndyCar career to date.
The race start time was brought forward as rain threatened the event, which was postponed after only 15 laps in 2011 due to heavy rain. At the start, the field safely negotiated the first two treacherous corners as Will Power took control at the front from reigning Series Champion Dario Franchitti. James Hinchcliffe suffered a difficult opening few laps, dropping from 4th to 7th whereas Charlie Kimball took slight wing damage.
On lap 10, the first scheduled pit-stops took place as local hero Helio Castroneves pitted for Penske along with rookie Simon Pagenaud a lap later. During these opening pit-stop, both Takuma Sato and Ana Beatriz were issued penalties for speeding in the pit lane. With the Japanese driver starting from way down in 25th position, a penalty was the last thing the former F1 driver needed.
With the first quarter of the race running caution free, Will Power was still running strong in the lead as he made his first pit-stop on lap 23. Katherine Legge’s difficult season continued when on lap 22 the British driver tapped the wall, thus forcing her to limp back to the pits with a left-rear puncture.
As Power pitted, his team-mate Ryan Briscoe stuffed his Penske into the wall bringing out the first full course caution of the race. This caution last for 4 laps as the stricken Penske was removed by the marshals, and the race returned to green flag conditions on lap 27.
Heading down into the turn 1, and Dario Franchitti was unceremoniously tipped into a spin by Mike Conway. This left the reigning Champion stuck on the track, as the second full course caution was brought out to allow the marshals to tend to the stricken Scot.
As the old saying goes in IndyCar ‘cautions breed cautions’, and that was evident during the Sao Paulo Indy as the race returned to racing conditions once again on lap 30 only for a third consecutive caution to be caused as Josef Newgarden, Simona de Silvestro, James Jakes and Charlie Kimball were involved in a pile-up at turn 3. As the carnage ensued, Tony Kanaan completed a stunning restart as he stormed passed fellow countrymen Castroneves and Barrichello.
After three consecutive cautions, the drivers’ held their breath as the race returned to green flag conditions. Miraculously it was incident free as Power led at the front, as Franchitti began a charge from behind after his early incident. By lap 43, the Scot was already back up to 6th place due to the many incidents and pit-stops during the caution periods.
The second round of pit-stops began around lap 42, with Scott Dixon eventually assuming the lead as the stops were carried out. With the Kiwi scheduled to stop once more in the race, Will Power sat comfortably in 2nd awaiting his eventual rise to the lead. This eventuality occurred on lap 63 when Dixon pitted, just as the fourth full course caution was brought out as Ed Carpenter spun and Josef Newgarden hit the wall in separate incidents’.
On the restart, Sato surprised everyone and stormed through to 3rd, narrowly avoiding a collision with Dario Franchitti into turn 2. Unfortunately, the inevitable happened as a multi-car pile-up ensued further down the order, bringing out yet another full course caution. With the track nearly blocked, the leaders perilously made their way through the mayhem under safety car conditions next time around.
As the IndyCar fraternity held their breath once again for a clean restart, Will Power was able to fend off Ryan Hunter-Reay and complete his third consecutive win of the season. Takuma Sato came home an impressive 3rd after making up 22 positions throughout the race.
The IndyCar Series now heads home to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the month of May and the 96th Indy 500!
Picture Copyright © LAT Photographic
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