Category: Auto Racing

Portland Cancelled: Double Header at Mid Ohio

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Per Motorsport.com this afternoon, the Indycar race scheduled for September 13 at Portland international Raceway has been cancelled.  The race will be replaced by a second race at Mid Ohio August 8, the day before the already scheduled Honda Indy 200.

Qualifying will follow the two group format traditionally used at Detroit and used at Road America this year.  Cars will be impounded after qualifying.

I don’t think we are done with double headers yet.  I still expect the races at Laguna Seca to be cancelled as well. Those events will be replaced by a double header at Gateway and another one at the harvest Classic at IMS in October.

The October races at IMS could end up being the season finale, as I remain skeptical about the St. Pete race at the end of October going forward.

IMS also released the schedule for practice and qualifying this afternoon. I will post that tomorrow, along with some thoughts about qualifying and the double headers.

Mid Ohio to Allow Limited Number of Fans

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In an email to current ticket holders last night Mid Ohio Sports Car Course said that the Honda Indy 200 on the weekend of August 8 and 9 will allow a limited number of fans to attend the race.

The email:wp-15956891953895091576756771854120.png

As of this morning tickets are still on sale. I ordered tickets for Sunday only but it appeared all categories of tickets- weekend, Saturday, and Sunday- are all available on the website.

The track did not say what the cutoff number is. Like Road America, there is room at Mid Ohio to spread out the crowd. The Honda Indy 200 is the last race before the I 104th running of the Indianapolis 500.

 

IMS 500 Plans, Double Header Rumors Top Busy Week for Indycar

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Cars haven’t been on track since last Saturday, but Indycar continues to make news- some facts, some rumors, and also bit of sadness. The pandemic has made uncertainty the only certain thing. Other sports are taking the first steps toward resuming while Indycar is at the halfway point of its season which is still scheduled to run into October.

The 88 page plan revealed by IMS on Wednesday for the 500 is very thorough and precise. If you are one of the 87,00 or so still planning to attend the race, it would worth your while to read through it. It is what you would expect from Penske- every situation is covered, every entrance and exit planned down to the tiniest detail in both text and diagram.

More Double Headers?

I’m hearing that Mid Ohio, Gateway, and the Harvest Classic at IMS will become double header weekends to compensate for the apparent losses of Portland and Laguna Seca. Neither track has officially cancelled yet, but Portland is under a crowd limit of 250 or fewer people order, and Laguna Seca does not have the volunteer staff to run the event. The Coronavirus in California also presents an obstacle.

Assuming St. Pete still goes forward, which I am skeptical about, the series would run 14 races with the new double headers. Two races at gateway the weekend after the Indianapolis 500 sounds like a lot for the crews, but it’s really no different than running Detroit the weekend after the traditional 500 date. In addition, the entire month of September would be open. I don’t like the idea of no races for an entire month and then having the series return for its final two or three events. It would be difficult to add a new track in September.

Ralph Liguori

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On Wednesday, Ralph Liguori, itinerant racer, died at age 93. Liguori started more than 130 races between NASCAR and Indycar. His best finish was  second in the 1970 Hoosier Hundred. he passed A. J. Foyt for the spot. Liguori tried to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 six times between 1959 and 1968. He was bumped with 20 minutes left on Bump Day in 1963. Liguori raced into his 70s and won a race in 1973.

Setback for Zanardi

After some good news earlier in the week, Alex Zanardi’s condition has worsened. On Monday the former CART champion was moved to a rehabilitation facility. This morning he returned to ICU as his condition became unstable.

Zanardi suffered facial and neurological injuries in a hand bike accident on June 19.

Trouble for COTA

The FIA announced this morning that Formula will not have any races in the Americas. The cancellations include Canada,Mexico, Brazil, and the United States. this is particularly bad news for the Circuit of the Americas, which had already lost this year’s Indycar race among other events. It is sad to see such a great track in jeopardy.

Whether Indycar or F1 returns there next year remains to be seen. Roger Penske has talked about possibly having F1 return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. While the road course has improved since the last time the U. S. Grand Prix was here, I still don’t think it’s a great F1 track.  The course needs some significant elevation changes to be a good track for F1.

Iowa for Sale?

This is strictly a rumor, but it seems Iowa Speedway may be for sale and Roger Penske may consider buying it to keep it on the Indycar schedule. This could be one of the first side benefits of Penske buying the series.

Iowa is a great track for Indycar. I love going there. I have always thought that Indycar should own some tracks, especially ovals, to keep a solid schedule. I think it would make economic sense in the long run.

 

 

 

The Roots of Indycar- The National Sprint Car Hall of Fame

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The roots of Indycar can be found on the tiny dirt tracks that once dotted the country in the 20s, 30s, and up through the 50s. Midgets and sprint cars, also known then as big cars, put on shows several times a week to sellout crowds. I knew there was a deep connection with Indycar. At the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame, I found out the depth of the connection.  With an entire day free before Iowa Race 2, I traveled just a few miles south from Newton to Knoxville to the famed Knoxville Raceway, home of the Knoxville Nationals sprint car meeting. The Hall of Fame, which opened January 4, 1992,  sits in a building adjacent to the track.

The display area is small, on the fist floor of the building. Sprint cars from virtually every era are on display. The hall also has an outstanding collection of photographs and artwork filling nearly every inch of wall space. Drivers helmets and driving suits are jammed into the smaller nooks and crannies. In spite of the small space, I didn’t feel cramped for space. Visitors could keep a comfortable distance.

On the second floor picture windows look out on the race track and the Hall of Fame is housed there as well. The hall is 24 four sided pillars filled with photos of the inductees. A video screen allows visitors to find the name of a driver, his location in the hall, and a brief career summary. The names of the hall numbers read like a collection of old Indianapolis 500 programs. I found several Indianapolis 500 winners, car makers, engine builders, and other great drivers from the 500.

There is  a small theater about the same size as the theater in the IMS Museum  upstairs. At the time I visited a film of a sprint car season I’m guessing from the early 60s was running. Jud Larson beat Bobby Unser int he race I watched. The hall also has a research library.  Here are some photos, many of Hall of Fame inductees. If you go to the Indycar race at Iowa next year, I recommend a trip here during the day. It’s only about 30 minutes from Iowa Speedway.

wp-15953369619624045726713353343465.jpgA 1949 Kurtis Kraft driven by three 500 winners- Rodger Ward, Bill Vukovich, and Troy Ruttman Vukovich’s brother Ely also drove this car.

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This guy turned out to be a pretty good Indycar driver.

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Ted Horn had one of the best records of top finishes in the 500.

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Harry Miller, whose engines were successful in the 30s.

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Ralph DePalma.wp-15953366777308718255132130713405.jpg

Rex Mays, another great driver who never won the 500.

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August and Fred Duesenberg, early car builders.wp-15953367425972703471100560597893.jpg

Don’t be shocked. You knew this one was coming.

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The view  of the track.

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Wilbur Shaw.

I’ll be back tomorrow with a news roundup of another not so quiet off week.

Wear your masks, Indiana.

 

 

IMS Plans for the 500: Local TV, Mandatory Masks, Cancelled Events

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As expected, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has done a thorough job preparing a plan to run this year’s Indianapolis 500 in the safest manner possible. An 88 page outline released this morning provides details of how different the 104th running will look. Some highlights:

The race will be broadcast live on local television. This year will be only the fourth time the race has been televised live locally. The last time was in 2016 for the 100th running. The local broadcast is consistent with the speedway’s rationale in 2016- all available tickets have been sold.

All fans will have their temperature taken at the entrances. if a fan has a temperature above 100.4 degrees, that individual will go to a secondary screening station to undergo further testing. The high temperature does not necessarily mean that fan will be excluded from the event. Fans with temperatures below the threshold will receive a colored wristband to wear for the day. Iowa Speedway also used this procedure.

Masks are mandatory. Fans will be given a mask and hand sanitizer as they enter the grounds. The masks are mandatory at all times while inside the venue except for when eating or drinking. Doug Boles said there will be progressive enforcement by guest services staff, starting with reminders. Boles said the Speedway is prepared ask a fan to leave for not complying with what they think is a reasonable request.

Concession stands will have mostly prepackaged foods. There will not be functioning water fountains or misting stations. For people who normally get food at the track, this is the year to begin bringing your own.

Events surrounding the race which won’t take place include Legends day, the 500 Festival Parade, and the  Last Row Party.  The  Victory Banquet will be closed to fans. I assume a credit will be issued to those fans who have tickets.

Bronze badge holders will still have access to Gasoline Alley on practice and qualifying days. Boles said the track sold a limited number this year so that crowding should not be an issue. I would have preferred that this access not be allowed. I would be fine if the Bronze badge were only good for grounds admission.

On Race Day the time fans can be on pit lane will be limited, and on track access is limited to team and race personnel.

Fans who have kept their tickets but change their mind after reviewing this plan can still get a credit for 2021.

Boles does not see a problem with crowd size on practice or qualifying days. Seating areas on those days will be marked for distancing. Some areas have been closed on practice and qualifying days in the past. it sounds as if just more sections or stands might be closed.

Mark Miles said the plan has been approved by Dr. Virginia Cain, Health Director for Marion County. He said that the plan may be adjusted if the health metrics change.  Indiana requires events which plan to have more than 250 attendees to submit a safety plan.

Dr. Ed Racht, Chief medical officer of Global Medical Services, explained the science behind the Speedway’s plan.  Since IMS is an outdoor venue, the virus is 19 times less likely to spread than at an indoor arena or concert hall.  He stated that there is more understanding of the virus and its transmission, and the application of strict criteria can help slow the spread of the disease. Racht emphasized the importance of face coverings.

The entire 88 page plan is available for download at indianapolismotorspeedway.com

IMS is doing everything possible to see that the 500 is run this year. A drastic change in cases in Marion County could still derail all of their planning.  I really don’t have any objection to anything I heard today. I like that the blackout was lifted and lifted early, I like that face mask wearing will be enforced, and I think their distancing plan is feasible. It appears they have taken some of the ideas from Iowa Speedway and built them to scale. I wonder if IMS will have chalk circles on the viewing mounds.

Whether to go or stay home is an individual choice. If you read this and have turned in your tickets, you can purchase a new ticket through this Friday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indianapolis 500: 25% Attendance

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A release from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway this afternoon announced that the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 will have attendance limited to 25% of capacity. Approximately 90,000 fans can witness the race in person. Ticket sales will end Friday, July 24. The safety plan will be made public tomorrow. I will have more thoughts tomorrow. My first reaction is that 90,000 is still too large a crowd regardless of the spacing.  The first United States Grand Prix at the speedway hosted a crowd approximately that size.

The full release is at the link below:

https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/news-multimedia/news/2020/07/21/25-percent-attendance-anticipated-masks-to-be-mandatory?startrow=1

A Strong Fan Safety Effort by Iowa Speedway

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Iowa Speedway met the challenge this weekend,  taking  proactive measures to allow fans to attend the Indycar doubleheader this past weekend.  The crowd limits for each race were appropriate, as were the limited hours that the track was open to spectators.

Each day was limited to 5, 000 fans. They may have been able to handle another ,00-1,500 or so, but in these uncertain times it is always better to err on the low side. As cars entered the grounds, three lanes were available for temperature checks of all fans. I didn’t see anyone not allowed to enter the the track. A secondary screening station stood ready to work with anyone whose temperature was too high.

Fans were required to wear a face mask to enter the grandstand area. Masks and hand sanitizer were available at the screning stations and at the gate. I didn’t notice much resistance, but many masks came off after fans passed through the entrance.

Concessions were limited to three stands plus just a couple of drink stations. Food vendors at Iowa have steadily declined over the years. it is the only thing I think the track needs to improve overall. Considering the pandemic, I was okay with the concession situation this year.

Grandstand seats were assigned with plenty of space between groups. In addition to the sadly now standard signs about COVID -19 safety, placards asked fans to sit only in their assigned seats. It appeared most fans did. The spacing in the stands you saw on television was by design. It looked as if the speedway left two rows vacant between seats.

Iowa Speedway staff ensured social distance in the general admission areas on the hills in turns 1 and 4. Eight foot circles about seven feet apart marked where fans could sit.  I sat in turn 1 for Race 2. All the fans in the are respected the boundaries.

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Turn 4 didn’t look to have as many fans as turn 1. I liked the view, and may look to sit there again next year. It seems to be a more unobstructed look at the track.

In the men’s restroom every other urinal was taped over. Every other sink was also closed for use. I’m wondering how the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will handle this situation with the new improved troughs. I assume the sink situation was the same in the women’s restroom. Even in the interest of journalism I was not allowed to enter.

One thing I didn’t notice were hand washing or sanitizing stations, but given the size of the crowd and the facility going into a restroom to wash your hands  was not difficult to do.

Overall, it was a great job by Iowa Speedway. I never felt uncomfortable or unsafe at any time. The two tracks I have been to the last two weekends each ahndled fan safety in ways unique to their facility. The larger the track and the bigger the crowd, the more variable there are to consider.  I know IMS was watching and learning. There are some good ideas from from both Iowa and Road America they should consider.

I’ll be back later this week to talk about my visit to the National Sprint car Hall of Fame.

Quick Thoughts- Iowa Race 2

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Dr. Newgarden has reopened his Iowa clinic.  His 214 laps led tonight give him close to 1,000 laps led at Iowa Speedway.  Newgarden is the first driver to win at Iowa from the pole. His third victory at the track ties him with Ryan Hunter-Reay for most wins  here. Newgarden also joins Hunter-Reay as the only back to back winners.

Newer teams and drivers stood out this weekend. Carlin and Conor Daly had a pole and finished eighth Friday. On Saturday, Daly started third and was definitely  a contender until being caught out by the second yellow. His 13th place finish does not reflect the great race he ran tonight.  Sadly, Daly has only one more race scheduled with Carlin this season, August 30 at Gateway.

Arrow McLaren SP ‘s pair had two good races, contending at times both nights. oliver Askew was on the podium Friday, giving the team podiums two races in a row. Pato O’Ward’s disastrous pit stop probably cost him his second top 5 finish of the weekend. We have not heard the last from either of these teams.

Both yellows seemed to take a long time.  I’m surprised there weren’t more.  Both cautions played havoc with several teams pit strategies.

After a series of frustrating races, Graham Rahal finally gets a podium. He has been strong all year, but has had a difficult stretch of getting a good result.

Colton Herta’s repaired car was a handful tonight. I don’t know how he avoided hitting the turn 4 wall early in the race.

Two top 10s for Rossi  couple with his third at Road America should help his and the team’s morale. Like last year the team doesn’t seem to have the overall pace to contend. Rossi needs another strong Indianapolis 500.

If you are surprised that Team Penske suddenly came alive this weekend, don’t be. Some years it takes them a race or two to get going.  Penske usually gets to the top eventually.

Simon Pagenaud improved 41 spots from his starting position over the two races. He didn’t seem to have the pace he had on Friday, yet still managed a 4th place finish. He trails Scott Dixon by 49 points, gaining just 1 point on Dixon tonight.

Doubleheaders are great, but they shouldn’t be overdone in a normal year. As a fan I loved it, but the toll on the drivers and crews has to be heavy. I realize this is not a normal year. I could live with another double header at Iowa.

I’ll be back Monday with a report on how Iowa Speedway handled its COVID plan. Wednesday a story on my visit to the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame.

Thank you for following along this weekend.