Testing SpeedwayMedia.com

Category: Featured Other Series

Featured Other Series

  • Carlos Munoz Looking for Strong Sophomore Season with Andretti Autosport

    Carlos Munoz Looking for Strong Sophomore Season with Andretti Autosport

    Following a solid rookie season in the Verizon IndyCar Series, Carlos Munoz is back with Andretti Autosport in 2015 and looking for success.

    “I think it’s going to be a really hard season in the beginning because of the new aero kits for 2015,” he told SpeedwayMedia.com. “I think between Chevy & Honda, we don’t know where we really are, where the other teams are; it’s going to be a big question mark. I am feeling comfortable, it’s my second year in this series and I have some experience. I think we can do great things. I have bigger expectations, higher goals, so I’m looking forward to the first race in Brazil.”

    With a year behind him, Munoz is entering this year looking to snatch up podium finishes and wins, but notes that the expectations for the year will be based “race by race”, depending on things start out with the addition of the aero kits. Munoz has seen the new kits and says that the car looks unbelievable as they’re “crazy nice”.

    “I think Honda’s done a great job and we’ll see what happens in the end,” the driver of the No. 34 Cinsay Honda added. “I think it’s going to be good for the competition and it’s going to be really nice for the fans to watch the cars, and as a driver, I think it will be an even better show for them.”

    Beyond having the experience under his belt, the 23-year-old feels that this upcoming season will be stronger having learned from the mistakes that he made last season.

    “I know now what not to do or what to do to prevent the same mistakes because of my own experiences,” he explained. “I’ve been to the tracks now; I have the data, what things work for me, what didn’t work for me. As a team, they know a little bit more about what I like or don’t like with my driving style. It’s really important to have all of that.”

    Despite some mistakes along the way, Munoz had a solid rookie season, scoring three podium finishes en route to finishing eighth in the season ending standings. Certainly one of the biggest highlights was the fourth place finish in the Indianapolis 500, marking Munoz’s second top-five in the biggest spectacle of racing following a runner-up finish in 2013. When asked what it would mean to him to win the race, Munoz commented, “I think first I have to win it then I will see. It’s been two years in a row fighting for the win and I think we have a great chance this year to fight so I will fight to win, and after I do I’ll let you know how I feel.”

    Though rather than dwell on the success, the Columbian is already set and focused on 2015.

    “I thought over the good stuff and the bad stuff so it’s in the past,” he said. “I think the goals I had were accomplished so there’s nothing more to dwell on and just look ahead to 2015.”

    He does note in looking back, though, that the second half of the year was stronger than the beginning, and attributes that to jelling back with the team in developing a good relationship with his engineers and race strategist.

    “I think we missed all of that in the beginning of the year, and I think, too, my experience level,” he added. “I think Penske, Ganassi and really Chevy was really strong at the end of last year, too, so it was harder for us to fight with them. With my experience and the experience of the team, I think all my team is more or less the same for this year, so hopefully it’s going to be better for me.”

    With the season kicking off in just over a month and a half, Munoz says that he’s looking forward to getting to Brazil.

    “It will be my first time there and it’s the first race so it’s going to be really important to start really strong,” he commented.

    Though beyond Brazil, the sophomore driver is ready for whatever course may come his way, knowing the need to do well on each to be part of the championship discussion.

    “I think once you’re racing here in America, as an IndyCar driver, you have to be competitive on all of them,” he commented. “On ovals, short ovals, road courses and street courses – you have to be strong on all of them to win a championship. Personally I think I’m strong on all of them but I have to improve on the short ovals like Iowa and Milwaukee; I have to work a lot because they are really tough.”

  • An interview with Rico Abreu – Teleconference Transcript

    An interview with Rico Abreu – Teleconference Transcript

    January 20, 2015

    THE MODERATOR:  Good morning everyone and welcome to today’s teleconference with the newest full-time driver at HScott Motorsports with Justin Marks, Rico Abreu. Rico won the 2015 Chili Bowl last weekend in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and as previously mentioned has secured his first full-time ride in NASCAR.

    Congratulations, Rico. Thank you for joining us today.

    RICO ABREU:  Thank you, guys. I’m really excited for what is to come and looking forward to all my new goals and accomplishments.

    1. With this coming a couple days after the Chili Bowl, I would assume that it was signed before or did you sign it after? Did winning the Chili Bowl have any effect on it?

    RICO ABREU:  No, no effect at all. The Chili Bowl is what I look forward to the whole year. Then again, this whole K&N East schedule with Harry and Justin, it’s just been a tremendous 2014, and I’m looking to build off it for 2015.

    1. The kind of alterations to the pedals and seats in a stock car, is it any different than what it would be in the sprint cars that you’ve been driving?

    RICO ABREU:  Yeah, the sprint car is a lot different because you sit down like you sit in a chair when you sit in a sprint car. So your legs are underneath you. My sprint car, the pedal location, there are foot blocks that allow my feet to reach the pedals. Then the seat is pushed forward about six inches. So it’s a little different than the stock car where you’re more sat down and your legs are in front of you and the pedals are moved toward you like you sit in a vehicle you drive daily. All the modifications are really simple.  Nothing is way off the radar that they did and it’s really safe. Everyone agreed with every decision and every modification they made. So I’m really excited and really comfortable sitting in a car that I haven’t even raced yet.

    1. Talk about your hopes and dreams of being in NASCAR and how you see your career laying out ahead of you now?

    RICO ABREU:  I think it’s a big step, really, just because I come from the open wheel world where everyone knows everyone. And there are so many more NASCAR fans that don’t follow dirt racing and don’t know what I do, so I’m really looking forward to it. I don’t know. I think the fans will react a lot differently than the average driver — average-looking driver coming to NASCAR. I’m excited to see how it goes. I think it’s going to be just fine.

    I think I’m planning on having a lot of success. The people that I’ve surrounded myself with are phenomenal people, and I think that raises the bar and raises my confidence level and support.

    1. I got a kick out of the picture. I think you tweeted it. Tony Stewart was getting the surface ready and you were talking and obviously he thinks a lot of you. What race car drivers in any division are you friends with? You’ve been around a while and talking to them and hanging out with them.

    RICO ABREU:  Yeah, I really got to know Tony through one of my best friends Kyle Larson. Kyle has made a really big impression in the sport over the last year just with all the success he’s had. I’ve known Kyle for the last six years, and I consider him a brother. His parents really could be my mom and dad just how close we are or how close I am to his family and him.

    So Kyle is definitely the one I really look up to and the one I can go to for anything just because our close friendship and relationship we have together. Then the people I’ve met through Kyle like Tony and Kasey, and there are so many other drivers I feel I can go to for support and that will support me. My confidence is so high. I’m just really looking forward to it. I don’t think I’m going to have too many problems to deal with.

    1. Congratulations, Rico on the new opportunity. It came a little faster than we anticipated. But talk about going to New Smyrna this weekend and the challenges that lay ahead there? Because from your conversation with us Saturday night this will be your first opportunity getting in a stock car and actually racing; is that correct?

    RICO ABREU:  Yes, I’ve never even raced one. Like yesterday I just drove it around the parking lot for the first time, a late model. So my whole goal on going to New Smyrna is just getting laps in and making sure I’m comfortable in the race car. I started reading a book yesterday that Ross Bentley has wrote, and he says in it the most important thing is being comfortable in your race car and that is so right. So that’s my whole goal about this weekend is getting comfortable and making sure that everything is right just so I don’t run into problems down the road where I’m not comfortable. Because you have to be a hundred percent in these race cars and you can’t lose concentration when you’re racing about being uncomfortable. So that is my biggest thing about this weekend is just making sure I’m in my comfort zone and making sure everything’s right and getting in as many laps as I can on the track.

    1. Following up, Rico, it was mentioned that the set-up in sprint cars is with the blocks. Is the set-up going to be similar to that in the stock cars do you think?

    RICO ABREU:  It’s somewhat similar, like the spacing behind the seat is really the same. There’s not a big spacer, but there is a decent sized spacer behind my seat to get me closer to the steering wheel because NASCAR has so many rules where you can’t be too far away from the seat — the tubing on the frame of the car. The pedals are mounted right under the dashboard and the dashboard is moved up closer to me where I can reach all the electronics. Everything is correct, and nothing is way far off, like I said, the radar that they did. If you look in my cockpit, it’s hard to tell there is a difference. The only difference is I’m sitting a lot closer and the pedals are closer to me, but the adjustments aren’t that bad.

    1. Have you been working hand-in-hand with NASCAR to get prepared for the modified for the K&N races?

    RICO ABREU:  Yeah, NASCAR came and saw all the improvements and they’re fine with it all. So it’s pretty cool that they got it all done in one try, and they didn’t have to really change anything. They’re satisfied with all the adjustments that they did. They said everything is safe and looks safe, and I feel safe in the race car so I think that is the big first step.

    1. You mentioned that a lot of NASCAR fans might not follow the sprint car racing as much and might not know what you do. But I would think over the last three days a lot of them probably do know who you are. Can you talk about what things have been like since Saturday and do you sense that this announcement’s coming at the right time with everybody learning who you are right now?

    RICO ABREU:  Yeah, it’s pretty cool. Saturday was a big night for me just because of all the coverage that the Chili Bowl has gotten and the people that have attended that event Saturday night. I was watching the race in the infield of the track, and I look over and see Roger Penske. It was his first time at the event, and he came and introduced himself, and I asked him what he thought and he said this is unbelievable. And Kurt Busch was there and Danica and all these people were so intrigued.

    Without testing — NASCAR taking the testing policies away all these drivers are looking for something to do, and I think the Chili Bowl is the event to go to in January. Then let alone me winning it in front of such a big crowd, it’s just been a phenomenal week and weekend. People don’t experience many situations like that, and it’s definitely one I’ll never forget, and I’m so glad that all these people that are associated with me were a part of it all.

    1. Rick, a lot of people on Twitter posted throughout the Chili Bowl weekend that someone should give you a shot in NASCAR. I was just wondering, what was it like for you reading those? Does that give you more confidence going into this deal?

    RICO ABREU:  Definitely humbling, that’s for sure. You know, when I grew up I played sports and I wrestled in middle school, and all my friends and classmates kind of outgrew me. I was limited to the things I could do and I became a big race fan. Well, I didn’t even think I could race until I did it for the first time, let alone be so competitive so quickly in my career.

    It’s just so cool to have the feeling that people really believe in you and would like to see you achieve. Then let alone winning the Chili Bowl and all the prestigious races I got to win last year. I think a lot of people believe in me, and it gives me a lot of confidence and humbles me. So I’m glad that people can really see who I am and they don’t judge me for what I look like or why I’m doing it. I’m doing it because I’m a racer and I love the sport.

    1. Rico, a lot of very good racers have made careers out of racing in sprints. Was the opportunity to compete in NASCAR a goal that you set for yourself?

    RICO ABREU:  Last year it wasn’t. Until I had all my success this year, I set goals last year that I never thought I would achieve and I achieved them. So the end of last year the discussion came up and the opportunity was there, and I said why don’t we give it a shot? Because I can always come back to sprint car racing if NASCAR doesn’t work out or if something happens where I can’t race or you’re not competitive. Which I don’t feel — I feel I will be competitive just with all the experience I’ve already gained racing a hundred times a year.

    You know, I’m on the same path as a lot of these NASCAR standouts were on. So I’m pretty confident about all of it, and I’m really excited to see what happens in the next few months.

    1. Speaking of how often you were racing before, you’re down for, I guess, it’s 14 or whatever K&N races. How will that schedule impact your sprint car schedule? Will there be any big races on the sprint car side that you’ll have to miss or anything because of the K&N schedule?

    RICO ABREU:  A few races. It won’t impact my sprint car schedule at all. The K&N schedule is going to be my priority, and then I’ll race sprint car races and midget races around it. I’m planning on racing 120 times this year and as many as I can get in.

    I was talking to Tony at the Chili Bowl, and I told him there is a conflict where the K&N guys are at Dover, and there are three sprint car races at Williams Grove, and he said don’t worry about that, I’ll get you there. So it’s pretty cool that I have Tony behind me on all this and Kyle. It just allows me to race even more than I was already planning on.

    Next year — my goals this year are pretty high to just finish all these K&N races and be there at the end of them. If I could win some of them, or win one of them I’d be in awe.  I’m really looking forward to racing with Harry and Justin Marks and the whole organization they’ve built together.

    1. Congrats again, the whole dirt community is proud of you. First off we have Keith Kunz coming on Winged Nation today. How much do you attest your quick success so far in the past five years, even the last three years with him on him and Pete Willoughby’s success with midgets?

    RICO ABREU:  Keith and Pete have been a big part of my career. If it wasn’t for those two guys there’s no way I’d be here where I’m at today let alone all the success I’ve had.  Pete and Keith are someone I’ve really looked up to. Over the past few years that I’ve gotten to know them, I’ve stayed at his house, and we do a lot of things outside of racing and just having a great friendship. Let alone the career success they’ve had together, those two, I’m pretty sure they’ve been together for 19 years this year racing midgets, and that is an unbelievable success that they’ve had with the championship and winning the Chili Bowl and winning the Belleville Midget Nationals twice, and all the major midget events. There are so many great drivers that have come out of their camp to NASCAR I’m just honored to be a part of their team still.

    1. You had been in an outlaw car five years ago.  Did you ever dream this day would come?

    RICO ABREU:  No, I had no idea. It’s so cool to see what’s been going on and to be a part of it.  It’s all about the people I’ve surrounded myself by and gotten to know. They’ve all been a part of it, and I’ve had a lot of great opportunities that I’ve taken advantage of, and it’s been so much fun. I’m really looking forward to the future.

    1. When did it sink in for you that you won the Chili Bowl or has it sunk in yet?

    RICO ABREU:  Yeah, probably Sunday morning on the way to the airport when I got to the airport and all these fans were wanting pictures and autographs right before we got on the plane. Then I got on the plane and flew to Chicago, and when we landed they announced on the plane that the Chili Bowl National winner is on this flight, Rico Abreu, they actually said Rich Ab Roe, and then they came back and said Rico Abreu.

    So I never thought this day would come, but now that I think about it, it’s so cool to win the Chili Bowl because there are not too many drivers that have. The race has been put on for 29 years in a row, and there have only been 18 different drivers to win it. So it’s pretty cool the car count they get and the fan base they’ve built and the build up around the event, and then let alone win it is unbelievable. It’s definitely one of the biggest wins in my career and one I’ll never forget about.

    1. Based off what we saw on social media, your win was very popular in the motorsports community. Out of all the congratulatory messages you received publicly or privately, was there someone you heard from that you weren’t expecting and meant more than the others?

    RICO ABREU:  No, you know, everyone that usually congratulates me after I win any race was there to congratulate me. Then all the people that I’ve gotten to meet over the last year that are in NASCAR congratulated me that I’m well aware of.  It’s just pretty cool to win and to see all the congrats is very humbling.

    Probably the biggest one was just my family. They don’t get to many races and they were there.  So they got to see me win in front of such a big crowd, I think that was the coolest part of it overall, the congrats. Then my mom and dad were there, and they were just so proud. That’s really the one that means the most to me.

    1. Rico, congratulations on today’s announcement.  Do you have sponsorship ironed out for the 14 NASCAR K&N East races this year?

    RICO ABREU:  They’re still working on it. I’m not sure who the primary sponsor is going to be.  I think they’re going to announce it soon. But as of right now it’s going to be Harry Scott with Justin Marks Racing.

    1. Can you talk about your relationship with Justin Marks?

    RICO ABREU:  Yeah, I’ve gotten to really know Justin over the past few years just being, obviously friends with Kyle and a part of their sprint car team that they built together. I think it’s so cool that he’s become a part of Harry’s K&N East team and co-owner in it, and he’s going to get to run some races this year for their team. So I think Justin’s a big influence on that whole program and he’ll help it even more.

    Justin’s a very smart man, and in all sorts of situations, business, and let alone just being a friend I think he’s going to be really fun to be around all year. He’ll be on the majority of the races and someone I’ll be able to go to and talk about racing or just talk about being friends.

    1. Final question is how is your test going today at Motor Mile?

    RICO ABREU:  It’s in like five minutes when I get off the phone with you guys.

    1. Two questions, one, with racing, and one sort of about a hobby I’ve seen you enjoy doing. The first question is so you’re planning on doing the majority of your outlaw and midget stuff and K&N?

    RICO ABREU:  Correct. The K&N East schedule will be my priority, and then I’ll fill in sprint car and midget races around the schedule and plan on running 110 to 120 races this year like I did last year. I feel like I’m more capable of doing that with all three teams, but I’ll be associated with the midgets and the sprint car and the K&N East cars.

    I think the year Kyle ran the K&N East schedule he raced 130 times, so I think I’m more than capable of running 110 to 120 this year.

    1. I’m seeing a couple pictures. I also write and do photography.  Is photography a hobby of yours? I’ve seen a couple pictures of you shooting at the Chili Bowl.

    RICO ABREU:  Not so much. I do enjoy nice photography pictures, but I’m not into photography or anything. I was just someone took a picture of me taking a picture.

    FastScripts by ASAP Sports

    NASCAR K&N Pro Series Logo

     

  • Graham Rahal excited for season, looking for success in 2015

    Graham Rahal excited for season, looking for success in 2015

    Following a season filled with speed, potential and bad luck, Graham Rahal is excited to get back after it this year in search of success.

    “I think we, as a team, have been working hard the past couple of years to get ourselves in a good position,” he commented. “Now, we’re going to continue to work hard to make sure that we put ourselves in a great position to have some success this year. I’m ready to get going and see what the potential of the group is and try to have success and win some races.”

    The new season also brings a new twist for the Verizon IndyCar Series with the new aero kits that are set to be introduced. Like the fans, the drivers have yet to see what the manufacturers have come up with, but no doubt are excited.

    “I think it’s pretty cool that the aero kits will be coming out,” Rahal commented. “I’m thrilled to get behind the wheel and drive one of these cars. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun. I think it’s going to be a lot different than what we’ve had before, but should be pretty exciting. So I’m looking forward to getting out there and giving them a shot.”

    Known what he’s capable of as a driver and what the team is capable of based on the speed shown, the expectation heading into the year is simple – be up front in contention each week and win races.

    “Last year, we had a lot of moments of brilliance, but things tended to go wrong. This year, I think we need to fulfill those and follow through and make sure they happen,” he expressed. “The expectation is certainly high, but there is no other reason for us to do this if the expectation isn’t that way.”

    Last year, the season didn’t meet those expectations, but rather was met with “frustration and disappointment” as Rahal finished 19th in points with only one podium finish – second at Belle Isle.

    “We had a lot of potential, we had a great sponsor in the National Guard. I felt that we should’ve done a better job, and obviously there’s a lot of people that have been critical of us – fairly so – but I think that we let ourselves down,” Rahal commented. “And anytime things were going right, we somehow – whether it was different mechanical errors or my mistake in Houston hitting Kanaan with not too much time left in the race and running third at the time and having a good shot at that one. I let that one slip through. Disappointment. I think we should’ve, and could’ve done a much better job.

    “As I look at it, we finished 19th in points, however we left a good 100 and 120 points on the table that could’ve moved us right up in the top 10. I think that’s where we should’ve been. So, you got to learn from the mistakes that you made before and make sure you don’t do it again.”

    One of the focuses for improvement heading into the season is improving the camaraderie within the team so they’re all on the same page, as Rahal feels the team could work better together to make the success happen.

    “I think this year everybody has to hunker down and work together and the success will come,” he said. “I think we have a group of people that are committed to the team, to winning, and to committed to giving 110 percent all the time, and I’m not sure that we’ve had that before and been in this position.”

    The goal is simple – win a race. If Rahal is able to make his return to victory lane in 2015, it’d mark his first win since 2008, and certainly a memorable moment for him.

    “Frankly, I couldn’t describe what it would mean,” Rahal answered when asked what a win would mean to him. “It’s been a long time, and there’s been a lot of hard work put into this program by myself and very little I’ve gotten out of it. We’re gonna work hard, and we’re gonna make sure that everything we do that we’re committed to getting ourselves back in that position. The relief that it would bring to me as an individual, could not put into words.

    “Like I said, I’ve taken a lot of heat over the years – some fairly so, some unfairly so – I received it, and it’s one of those things that’d it’d mean more to me to silence all the doubters than you could possibly imagine.”

  • A.J. Allmendinger would consider Memorial Day Double under right circumstances

    A.J. Allmendinger would consider Memorial Day Double under right circumstances

    Following Kurt Busch’s success last year in running both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca Cola 600, there’s been talk as to whether other drivers would consider making an attempt at running both races on Memorial Day.

    A.J. Allmendinger, who has open-wheel experience, told SpeedwayMedia.com that he would consider running the double, but “it’d have to be the right situation”. Having an Indianapolis start under his belt, the 33-year-old doesn’t want to mess up the memories from 2013.

    “It sounds strange, but I don’t want to mess that up by jumping in a car just to say that I’ve done the double,” he commented.

    Allmendinger ran the Indianapolis 500 in 2013 for Roger Penske and says that it was “really special”.

    “Special is a big understatement, honestly,” he notes. “It was just a dream come true to be at the Indianapolis 500, especially with Roger Penske. All the memories that I got over the course of those few weeks and having a shot to win the race, leading laps, if it wasn’t for the seatbelt issue. Really having a shot to win the race is something that will always stay with me and mean something to me.”

    Though if the right opportunity came along with a team that was capable of winning the event, he says that he would probably do the double.

    “The fact that I would have to be on a great team that I knew when I got in the car that I had a shot to win the race, and accomplish something special,” he commented. “I’m not a guy that wants to be there to say that I was there and did it; I want to have a true shot at winning the race. Obviously, with Roger Penske, I had that opportunity. So right situation, and (JTG Daughtry team co-owner) Tad (Geshickter) – I have already talked to him about it and if the opportunity came up, he’s onboard with it. He’d love to be a part of it and share that, so I have the blessing from the race team. So it’d have to be a good situation, but I’d definitely do it if it was there.”

    After finishing 13th in points last year, the California native is looking forward to his second season with JTG Daughtry in hopes of finding more success after scoring his first career victory at Watkin’s Glen.

    “Anytime you start a new year, you’re excited about it,” he said. “I feel like after last year with our success late in the year, I felt like the team jelled and we really started running well at a lot of race tracks. So I’m looking forward to this year.”

    Allmendinger added that the new package adds a bit of an unknown, which he will get a chance to try out in a test next Monday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

    “Overall, just to have a second year together with this race team – for the most part, we’re staying intact and I feel like we’ve added a couple key components to make us better,” he continued. “Just really looking forward to kicking the season off.”

  • Takuma Sato hoping to have a better season in 2015

    Takuma Sato hoping to have a better season in 2015

    Following a pair of top-six finishes to complete the 2015 Verizon IndyCar Series season, Takuma Sato is hoping to have a strong season in 2015.

    Coming off of a victory and two podiums in 2013, it was expected that Sato would be part of the conversation all season long, with regards to race wins and top-five contention. However, that wasn’t the case last season. He started off the season solidly, posting a seventh in the season opener, though fell off from the month of May on with finishes outside of the top 15 on a weekly basis.

    As the season came to a close, though, Sato began to find his footing once again, placing a fifth in the second Honda Indy Toronto race before finishing the year with a fourth at Sonoma Raceway and a sixth at Auto Club Speedway.

    A.J. Foyt Racing has proved, even being a single-car organization, that they have the speed and the people to get the job done. However, if they want to see their driver enter the top-10 in points, consistency is something that is strongly needed. Sato will need to find a consistent barrier in making sure to push hard to get track position, but also be there at the end when it counts. Five of the seven DNFS for Sato were as a result of crashes – something that you can’t have with the competition being as close as it is. The team also has to find the speed on a consistent basis weekly to therefore make the job easier on the driver.

    AJR has started to work towards improvement, though, in the off-season with a pair of key moves – they moved from Texas to Speedway, Indiana, and hired a second driver. The move will put them right in the hub, surrounded by the other teams. Being close to the others and have close access to resources can only help the expansion of know how. Though perhaps the second driver hiring is even more, important.

    Sophomore driver Jack Hawksworth will drive a second car for the organization after putting together some strong finishes throughout his rookie season. The addition of Hawksworth will give Sato someone to bounce ideas off of, as well as more data for the team to be able to accumulate during practice and test sessions. With data being so important these days for engineers, it could certainly help them find what they need to have quicker cars in 2015.

  • 2015 Verizon IndyCar Series Season Preview – Sebastien Bourdais

    2015 Verizon IndyCar Series Season Preview – Sebastien Bourdais

    The 2014 season wasn’t a season that marked a points finishing high, but it was one that Sebastien Bourdais will remember for years to come. With last year’s success under his belt, no doubt he will be looking for more in 2015.

    After failing to reach victory lane for seven years, Seabass made his return to victory lane during the summer when he dominated the Honda Indy Toronto Race No. 1, leading 58 laps in total. No doubt it marks the biggest highlight of Bourdais’ first year with KVSH Racing, but also possibly one of the biggest moments of his career. It also proved that given the right circumstances, KVSH Racing could perform right near the front with the top teams of the series, adding confidence for both Bourdais and the team.

    Beyond the victory in Toronto, Bourdais would see other positive moments during the season to give him some confidence heading in 2015. Given the speed the team showed and his ability, it would not be a surprise to see Bourdais possibly pick up two wins on the street courses this coming season. He proved last year that he could get it done with not only scoring the victory in Toronto, but by posting four top-five finishes, along with a ninth, in the final five street courses of the season. His experience of certainly running both Formula 1 and CART have helped him hone those skills and KVSH having a solid team makes the perfect match.

    However, it shouldn’t be a surprise to see KVSH Racing be able to perform, evident by their win with Tony Kanaan in the 2013 Indianapolis 500. Their Indianapolis success continued this year with Bourdais, as he performed well in both the Grand Prix of Indianapolis, and the Indianapolis 500 with a pair of top-seven finishes. Indianapolis certainly holds the most bragging rights among the tracks in IndyCar – historic reasons – so to be able to do well in both events, it carries a lot of weight. If he was able to win either, certainly it would help increase his noterity with fans in the series, allowing his name to join the likes of Andretti, Kanaan, Power and Hunter-Reay in discussions.

    Though outside of the Indianapolis road course, Bourdais could use some improvement on road courses, following a 15th at Barber Motorsports Park, and 11th at Sonoma Raceway last season. The street courses take their own version of driver ability behind the wheel – tight corners, tricky asphalt and sometimes a couple curbs here and there. In contrast, the road courses bring forth more momentum with flowing corners, yet also have a couple tight corners to try and throw the momentum away. If Bourdais can bring himself to carry more momentum to go with his ability to handle lefts and rights, he should be much stronger in 2015.

    The biggest issue with KVSH Racing is the team size, in contrast to a team like Andretti Autosport or Team Penske. Less resources and less cars to lean on bring forth the feeling of behind in trying to find the right set-up, or figure out a new package. The only way to fix that is to expand the team, or bring over people from those teams that know the package. If the team is able to grow moving forward, than certainly that’ll help get themselves better aligned with the top organizations. One of the things working in their favor is the partnership with KVAFS Racing, so perhaps strengthening that relationship further would help their efforts for the new season.

  • Sarah Fisher to complete in the Chilli Bowl Nationals

    Sarah Fisher to complete in the Chilli Bowl Nationals

    Verizon IndyCar Series team co-owner Sarah Fisher announced that she will compete in the 29th Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire on Jan. 12-17 in Tulsa, Okla. Fisher’s last time driving a racecar in competition was in 2010 in the Verizon IndyCar Series finale at Homstead-Miami Speedway.

    Having a background in sprint car and midget racing, she tested a sprint car in October with RW Motorsports. This will mark her first time competing in the prestigious event with qualifications set to begin on January 15th.

    “Competing in the Chili Bowl has always been a bucket list item for me and with the support of (CFH Racing co-owner) Wink (Hartman) I am able to fulfill another dream,” Fisher said. “By attending the event last year to cheer on my brother-in-law Kyle O’Gara, I was able to experience the atmosphere and see how much fun it was. I wanted to be racing in it the next time I came back.

    “I have raced on dirt in the World Of Outlaws and the All Star Circuit of Champions, but being in a midget on dirt is a new experience for me and I am very excited for the challenge.”

    The 34-year-old will drive the No. 67RW for RW Motorsports midget owned by Steve Weirich and Mario Rotondo. Hartman Oil will be the presenting sponsor, with Russell Oil, Inc., the National Cooperative Refinery Association and the Indy Trading Post as additional partners.

    “We both have the same goals of putting open-wheel racing back at the forefront and certainly the Chili Bowl is an event that encompasses that goal. As we continue to work together in INDYCAR, this is a fantastic element to add to the mix,” Weirich said.

  • Rob Edwards shifts from SPM to Andretti

    Rob Edwards shifts from SPM to Andretti

    Andretti Autosport has hired Rob Edwards, who had been the team manager with Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, as the team’s new Director of Race Operations and Engineering, effective immediately.

    Edwards essentially replaces Kyle Moyer, who departed for Team Penske this offseason.

    Under Michael Andretti’s umbrella, the remainder of the management team will be George Klotz (Team Manager, IndyCar), Dave Popielarz (Team Manager, Indy Lights), and Fran Reilly (Team Manager, Pro Mazda).

    “We are excited to welcome Rob (Edwards) to the Andretti family,” Andretti said. “His experience in racing will be valuable in moving our organization forward across multiple racing platforms.”

    Incidentally, this is the opposite of what happened to one of Andretti’s drivers this offseason. James Hinchcliffe left Andretti for Schmidt Peterson this winter, and was flanked by Edwards and SPM co-owner Ric Peterson at October’s announcement.

    Edwards’ hiring bolsters Andretti’s management staff. The team has three IndyCars confirmed (Ryan Hunter-Reay, Marco Andretti, Carlos Munoz), one Indy Lights car (Shelby Blackstock) and two Pro Mazda cars (Dalton Kellett, Weiron Tan) confirmed thus far for 2015.

    A fourth IndyCar and second Indy Lights car are expected to be confirmed in the new year.

  • VICS: Davey Hamilton Named Managing Director of Kingdom Racing

    VICS: Davey Hamilton Named Managing Director of Kingdom Racing

    HOUSTON, TX – Davey Hamilton has been named as the Managing Director of Kingdom Racing.

    “This is a great day for Kingdom Racing as Davey is one of the most respected and courageous people in motorsports. We are blessed to have him at the helm as Kingdom Racing reaches for new heights in 2015 and beyond,” said founder George Del Canto. As such, Hamilton will oversee all of the IndyCar race operations as well as sponsorship activities for the team.

    2015 will mark Kingdom Racing’s eighth year competing in IndyCar and ministering through motorsports. Hamilton, a former IndyCar driver, has partnered with Kingdom Racing since 2008. Through Hamilton’s efforts, Kingdom Racing has established a history of success in the IndyCar Series and especially at the Indianapolis 500.

    “I’m really looking forward to being the Managing Director of Kingdom Racing. We’ve accomplished so much over the past seven years and will continue to expand our footprint throughout motorsports in 2015. First off, we will continue our affiliation with an IndyCar team for the Indy 500 and will continue our Miles of Smiles events at various locations around the United States. Kingdom Racing will also have a presence in other forms of motorsports in 2015 and we have many other exciting opportunities coming up,” said Hamilton.

    Kingdom Racing plans to host multiple ministry events, festivals and appearances throughout the United States in 2015. Kingdom Racing will continue to reach thousands of people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ through Trackside Fan Festivals, Infield Ambassadors, Miles of Smiles, and other events in partnership with churches and ministries.

    About Davey Hamilton: 

    Davey’s racing career almost ended on June 9, 2001 following a devastating crash at the Texas Motor Speedway. After 23 operations and two years of rehabilitation, Davey returned to INDYCAR racing at the 91st running of the Indianapolis 500 in May 2007, finishing ninth. Davey’s strong faith and determination to once again race in the 500 were instrumental in securing a partnership with Kingdom Racing which endures to this day.

    About Kingdom Racing:

    Kingdom Racing’s mission is to Deliver God’s Word Through Motorsports. In 2008, Kingdom Racing made history as the first faith-vision team to ever compete in the Indianapolis 500. To date, they have seven years of proven race performance in the INDYCAR Series with drivers including Davey Hamilton, Simon Pagenaud, and Martin Plowman. Their unique approach combines racing and ministry outreach with the goal of reaching one million men for Jesus Christ.For more information, visit www.KingdomRacing.net

    CREDIT: Kingdom Racing team

  • MotoAmerica Announces Schedule and Media Agreement

    MotoAmerica Announces Schedule and Media Agreement

    The new professional American motorcycle racing series MotoAmerica, which will take over duties from AMA Pro Racing, has announced its provisional 2015 schedule and information regarding media coverage. The series will grow from six event last year to eight this year, with new additions including Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Austin’s Circuit of the Americas, Road Atlanta and Virginia International Raceway. The most notable drop from the schedule is the historic Daytona 200 race that traditionally opens the season.

    CBS Sports will take the reigns for media coverage of every race, while other content will be available online on www.TorqueTV.com. Last year’s events were only available online on www.FansChoice.tv.

    The press release is included below:

    Costa Mesa, Calif. (December 5, 2014) — MotoAmerica, the new home of the AMA Superbike Series, today announced a multimedia agreement for extensive coverage of the series starting in 2015.

    All MotoAmerica events will be telecast on CBS Sports Network, as part of a multi-year agreement between Torque.TV and CBS Sports Network announced earlier this year. Programming will air on CBS Sports Network on weekend afternoons and in primetime. The 2015 television schedule will be released at a later date.

    Extensive digital coverage of the MotoAmerica Series, including event highlights, features and other content will also be featured on www.Torque.TV, North America’s new online destination for motorsports action and the high-performance lifestyle.

    “Having television and online coverage of our MotoAmerica series is key,” said three-time 500cc World Champion and MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey. “It’s important to our fans, our teams, our racers, and the entire industry. We’re happy to report that we’ve been able to finalize these arrangements, ensuring fans around the country will be able to watch and enjoy the on- and off-track action our series will provide.”

    The provisional 2015 MotoAmerica Series schedule is as follows:

    •   April 10-12     Circuit of the Americas – Austin, Texas
    •   April 17-19     Road Atlanta – Braselton, Georgia
    •   May 15-17      Virginia International Raceway – Alton, Virginia
    •   May 29-31      Road America – Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
    •   June 12-14     Barber Motorsports Park – Birmingham, Alabama
    •   July 17-19      Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca – Monterey, California
    •   August 7-9     Indianapolis Motor Speedway – Indianapolis, Indiana
    •   Sept. 11-13    New Jersey Motorsports Park – Millville, New Jersey