Category: Other Series PR

SEBRING, Fla. (Monday, Nov. 25, 2013) – It didn’t take Juan Pablo Montoya long to get the hang of an IZOD IndyCar Series car.

Team Penske’s newest driver sampled his Chevrolet-powered Indy car for the first time on Nov. 25 during the first day of a two-day test at Sebring International Raceway. The goal was to get the former Indianapolis 500, Formula One and NASCAR race winner comfortable in the car he’ll race in 2014.

“The biggest thing is that everything is still happening really fast, Montoya said. “It’s OK, but as it happens so fast you end up making mistakes. With more time in the car, everything will slow down and it will be easier. It’s happened to me before a few times, so I know that with time everything will be easier.”

Still, Montoya looked at home as he adapted to driving an open-wheel car for the first time since he left Formula One for NASCAR in 2006. He turned 20 laps during the morning test session and ran times comparable to Will Power, who the team brought in to set up the car for his new teammate.

“You don’t win races in Formula One and poles in Formula One and races in the CART Series on your first try if you’re slow,” Power said. “I actually expected to learn from him. He’s already brought some good ideas to the team even before he got in the car. Just from what I see from the data he has a very similar style to me. The way he brakes and everything. That should be good as far as our setups.”

The initial results also impressed one of his new bosses – Penske Racing President Tim Cindric, who said the task for the 1999 CART champion will be learning the nuances of racing in the IndyCar Series.

“He was within a few tenths of Will in the first outing,” Cindric said. “It was pretty impressive, really. We put him out on old tires just to learn where the gear shifts were and then put him back on Will’s tire and he was within a couple tenths right out of the box. Right now it’s happening pretty fast, he’s probably a half a second off the guys who were here last week, but that’s not too bad. Finding the last half second without losing his confidence will be the challenge.”

Montoya returns to car for another day of testing at Sebring. While he gave himself a grade of 8 out of 10. He said his goal for the test is to gain knowledge that he can use to help the entire team get better.

“Do I want to win? Of course I want to win,” he said. “Do I want to do the best I can. Yeah. How good is that going to be?  I don’t know. You have to beat Will, who is one of the fastest guys in the series. Helio has a ton of experience. I ran against him when I won the championship, and he’s still doing it. For them to get in the car every day, this is there home, and I need to make this my home.”

Interested observers abound

Among the interested observers of Montoya’s test were four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Rick Mears and Helio Castroneves. Both came to support their newest teammate even though neither had a role in the test plan.

“To have Will and Helio here to help says a lot,” Cindric said. “The three of those guys will have something to contribute.”

Castroneves, who raced against Montoya in CART, said the Colombian will be an asset to the team.

 He’s going to be an addition to the team, for sure; a he’s going to be an addition. So I’m excited to see him here,” he said. “I’m sure a lot of people are going to be excited to have him back and see him as well.”

QUOTESHEET:

JUAN PABLO MONTOYA: “It was good. The first run was really, really weird. We did a little bit of buildup on the (steering) wheel to supposedly give it more leverage and I think we overdid it a little bit. The position of the wheel was really different.  With a Cup wheel, you try to put it as low as you can, but it’s so big, the wheel is a lot higher, so getting comfortable is a little bit different. I’ll tell you, the motor runs really good. When you get to gas, it has a ton of torque, that it’s fun.  Braking is hard. For what I’ve been running the last few years, the first few laps, it’s like OK. The initial bite is not bad. You get on brakes and there’s a bit of lag while the brakes get hot. So it takes a while to get used to that, but you get used to it. We’re miles away from where I think I need to be, but second and third run it was going through the gears, through the motions. It’s just so different. It’s going to take a little bit of time. Like Will says, when he understeers he can feel in the friggin’ wheel that he’s losing the front end of the car. ‘I’m like, ‘You don’t know what sliding is. You should drive a Cup car. That’s like 10 percent of what I’m used to.’ It’s fun. At the same time, you end up trying too hard. The couple of places I started good, I’m trying to roll through fast and killing the exits. I have to get to a point where I’m actually comfortable to understand and know the limits of the car.”

“My biggest concern was the (steering) wheel and how heavy was it going to be. The good thing is we’re here and it’s not that bad yet. You can tell that we started on old scuff tires and the steering was really light, but then we put new tires on and I was like, ‘Oh, OK that’s what they mean.’ It hasn’t been that bad.”

About New terminology: “Understeer, oversteer.” (I heard you de-wedged the car?): “Yeah, and raised the trackbar (laughter). (And it’s a transporter now): “Not a hauler. A transporter. I haven’t got that one yet. The main goal is to run good and make Team Penske proud of having me here. It’s a great opportunity that Roger (Penske) has given me and I want to make the most of it.”

(Did you have fun out there?): “Yeah, huge smile, ear-to-ear, every lap. It’s funny because now, you look at data again, and it’s not like when you want to look at data, you have to ask somebody for 20 minutes and they say ‘hold on, I’m doing something. With this, you sit in the car and they show you and you see, Oh OK, I’m breaking like a (sissy) here and I’m not fast enough here. I think that’s going to be the hardest thing. The fastest corner here is what we call Turn 3 and I go in and down the gears and I’m like, “No, not yet.’ I’m not that far off, but I want to build to it. I want to go from here to there, and not go for it and waste three or four hours fixing the car and going at it again. I’m trying to build it slow.”

(Comparing IndyCar to Cup): “This place is a short track and it’s not really high speed and it’s like night and day. My Cup car my wheel was actually pretty heavy compared to most people. There’s a lot more with the shifting. In a Cup car at a road course you have four gears and at a place like Sonoma, you may only use three, sometimes you use fourth.  This thing is (makes gear sounds), you’re up and down, up and down, up and down. A couple times I’ve been on the (rev) limiter and I try to shift and it doesn’t shift. I’ve done the most today.”

(What appealed to you about INDYCAR): “What appealed to me is running for Roger and being in winning cars. To have the chance to work with Will and Helio and everyone at Penske Racing, it was a no brainer. (About doing sportscars): If Roger wants to I will.”

(About what he learned): “It’s been a pretty windy day and kind of cool, so it’s been actually really good. We worked a lot on the car and getting to where I’m comfortable with the car. It’s like when we talked earlier, I’m trying to get the car to work for me. The biggest thing is that everything is still happening really fast. It’s OK but as it’s happens so fast you end up making mistakes. More time in the car and everything will slow down and it will be easier. That’s kind of normal and it’s happened to me before a few times, so I know that with time everything will be easier. I’m happy. You always want more, but what’s amazing and great is the people at Team Penske. Their dedication and people are unbelievable. I’m honored to be here. Gil de Ferran told me that you will not believe when you work with these people and he wasn’t kidding. Every person on this team cares. It’s pretty unbelievable.”

(About standing starts): It’s more about understanding the engine. It’s hard with a turbo because if you spool up then you spin the tires, and if you don’t spool up, you bog down and it’s like, ‘hello?’ I went from spinning the tires to bogging down to spinning tires to bogging down. It’s a matter of understanding. And we’re on old tires, so there’s no grip.

For a first day, I’d give myself an eight. I’m surprised the speed has been pretty good. Just a few too many mistakes. Like my engineer Ron said. Just a bit sloppy. It’s understandable for a first day.”

WILL POWER: (Were you surprised Juan was up to speed so quickly?) “No. You don’t win races in Formula One and poles in Formula One and races in the CART Series on your first try if you’re slow.  I actually expected to learn from him. He’s already brought some good ideas to the team even before he got in the car. Just from what I see from the data he has a very similar style to me. The way he brakes and everything. That should be good as far as our setups.” (So he’ll be able to help right away…) “I think so. I know he’s going to be bloody quick, and with quick teammates, that just raises the bar. You just learn from each other. He has a lot of experience from F1, CART and even ovals from NASCAR. It was exactly what I expected him to do when he got in the car. I didn’t expect anything less.” (Did you know him?): “I did not. I may have met him once.” (So did you have a preconceived impression?) “To me, it’s cool to be a teammate to a guy that was successful in Formula One.  I’ve been wanting someone like that to go up against and see where I’m at. To me it’s great When I was younger he was one of the guys I looked at as the best when I was trying to get to that level. Even in CART, when you look at some of those qualifying laps at Detroit, he was a very fast solid good racer and driver.” (How is Juan similar to you?): “The way we brake in general the way we drive. He doesn’t have that many miles in the car, but from what I’ve seen, he drives the most similar to me. Briscoe kind of starting driving close, but Juan if you look at Turn 1, it’s exactly the same.”

TIM CINDRIC: “I think it’s a really early days. With Juan, he’s a quick learner, for sure.  I think the difference is going to be getting him to understand what it takes to win. I think somebody like Will really understands not only how to go fast, but how to save fuel; when to save fuel; who your competitors are. Which ones you can trust, which ones you can’t. I don’t care who you are, it’s going to take some time to learn those nuances. One strength that Juan has is that he’s mentally tough. He doesn’t let the little things bother him much. I think he takes a pretty simple approach and I think that could pay off for him in the series. Helio has always been the model of consistency.  For us a team, we have to figure out how to put a whole season together. There hasn’t been a race in the last how many years that I didn’t feel like we couldn’t win. As long as you have that you have a good thing. Trying to understand that championship mentality is something we failed the last four, five six years. We should have half the championships from that span, but we don’t. Maybe Juan can bring us that kind of mentality. He’s learned a lot from his transition from Formula One to NASCAR. He hasn’t had a successful teammate and we’re going to be able to give him a gauge.”

“It depends on the driver. I really do. This guy has done it before and he knows he can be successful. It’s going to be a little bit of a time. I know he’s a good study. Before he came here, he watched a lot of video. He doesn’t sit around and think he’ll hop in the car and be fast. I think he’ll be a lot like Will in that he will come to the race prepared. Will knows what happened the past few years, what he did, what the other guys did. Juan came here prepared and did his homework.”

“I think this car is going to be a lot different from the CART car in a lot of ways. I think he realizes that, but it’s been so long since he’s been in a CART car that he’s forgotten some of that. If you were to put him in an old CART car, he may have a difference opinion, but I think enough time has gone by that he’s forgotten.”

(How quickly did he get up to speed?) “He was within a few tenths of Will in the first outing.  It was pretty impressive, really we put him out on old tires just to learn where the gear shifts were and then put him back on Will’s tire and he was within a couple tenths right out of the box. Right now it’s happening pretty fast, but the last half a second, he’s probably a half a second off the guys who were here last week, but that’s not too bad. Finding the last half second without losing his confidence will be the challenge.”

The Canadian Racing Season Begins February 7, 8, & 9, 2014 at Toronto’s International Centre

(TORONTO, ON // NOVEMBER 22, 2013) For the first time in the history of the Canadian Motorsports Expo Powered by Inside Track Motorsport News, the show will honour championship winning Canadian short track racers. On Saturday, February 8, 2014, Canadian track and series champions will take to the stage for the CME Short Track Night of Champions, to be recognized for their accomplishments in 2013.

The champs and other notable racers will be presented with awards and will be interviewed, on the CME stage, by two of Canada’s most respected short track announcers, Greg Calnan and Spencer Lewis. Calnan, the founder of OntarioOval.com and OnDirtRacingNews.com, will handle the dirt oval presentations. Lewis, who authors the popular Ontario Asphalt Short Track Power Rankings presented by London Recreational in Inside Track Motorsport News, will interview those who excelled on asphalt.

“We are very excited about this new addition to the Canadian Motorsports Expo line-up,” said show co-promoter David Weber. “Awards presentations have always been a part of the CME, but this will shine a light on the grassroots racers, tracks and series that are the lifeblood of the sport in Canada. Many of them have their own banquets and awards ceremonies, but on the night of February 8, they’ll be honoured in front of a huge segment of the short track community, including their families, fans, sponsors and fellow racers. We’d especially like to thank Greg Calnan and Ontario Oval and On Dirt for getting behind this new component of the CME.”

In addition to the on-stage recognition and awards presentations, the points champions representing each participating track and series will be eligible for random prize draws during the CME Short Track Night of Champions. The prizes, which will be announced prior to show time, will be geared toward short track racers as they prepare for the 2014 season.

“We’re putting on a real push to get the tracks, series and racers more engaged in the show. To that end, we’re rolling out the red carpet, in terms of value packages,” continued Weber. “We’re offering short tracks and series additional space with their paid booths to display more race cars, including time in our seminar rooms for driver or rules meetings, special draw prizes for attending racers whose tracks/series are CME exhibitors, ad space in the show program and in Inside Track Motorsport News, seminars geared to helping racers and promoters succeed, and much more. We’re also investing heavily in celebrity stars and special show features to draw more fans and racers to the CME, than ever before.”

A variety of track and series packages are still available, ranging from Basic 10’ x 10’ booths to Premium offerings with expanded space and generous value-add components. For details about the CME Short Track Night of Champions and information on how tracks and series can be part of the show – to make sure their champions and racers are eligible for the many prize draws and presentations – contact the CME office at info@CanadianMotorsportsExpo.com or call (416) 962-7223. Information about the Night of Champions event schedule and prizes will appear on the CME website as they are confirmed.

ABOUT THE CME: The 8^th Annual Canadian Motorsports Expo Powered by Inside Track Motorsport News takes place February 7, 8 & 9, 2014 at Toronto’s International Centre, adjacent to Pearson International Airport. The show features motorsports content geared to racers, fans and automotive enthusiasts. For information about the show, including news, exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities, call (416) 962-7223, or email info@CanadianMotorsportsExpo.com. The CME’s website is located at www.CanadianMotorsportsExpo.com.

ABOUT ONTARIO OVAL SPEEDWAY NEWS & ON DIRT RACING NEWS: Ontario Oval Racing News (www.OntarioOval.com) and ON DIRT Racing News (www.OnDirt.ca) are web-based news outlets focused on both asphalt and dirt short track racing within the province of Ontario. To contact Greg Calnan, email greg@imagefactor.ca or call (226) 401-2543.

Today’s IZOD IndyCar Series and Mazda Road to Indy headlines:

1. Russian driver Aleshin joins Schmidt Peterson team 

2. Of note

 

1. Russian driver Aleshin joins Schmidt Peterson team: The biggest worry Mikhail Aleshin had about his initial IZOD IndyCar Series test with Schmidt Peterson Motorsports on Nov. 18 was getting there.

 

The Russian, who was in the United States for the first time, had trouble figuring out the boarding process for his Southwest Airlines flight from Indianapolis to Orlando. He 

didn’t have as much trouble adapting to the Schmidt Peterson Motorsports car during his initial test around Sebring International Raceway’s short course on Nov. 18.

 

Aleshin, the 2010 Formula Renault 3.5 champion, was introduced Nov. 22 in Moscow as the second driver for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports for the 2014 IndyCar Series season. 

 

Aleshin will be the first Russian-born driver to compete in the series and first to start an Indy car race since Vladimir de Rachewsky in 1926. The only other driver from a former Soviet Republic state to start an Indy car race was Tonis Kasemets of Estonia in 2006.

 

“I’ve been racing in Europe for a long time and have had success there and driving more or less everything I could. But I decided to change because I just wanted a new competition with new tracks and a new car,” Aleshin said. “It was always interesting to me how things were going over here in INDYCAR. The last three years I was thinking about it a lot, and now I’ve committed to do this and would like to thank my partners at SMP Racing for making this happen.

 

“I knew the competition is quite strong and it would be hard for me, especially because I’ve never raced any American circuits. It’s a big thing to do, but I think I’ll be competitive. Ovals will be hard, but I’m here to learn and compete for good results.”

 

SMP Bank, which has offered personal and corporate banking services in Russia since 2001, is the sponsor of SMP Racing, which fields cars in multiple categories.

 

Aleshin, who has competed in Formula Renault 3.5 from 2006-08 and 2010-13, has also raced in the GP2 Series, the GP2 Asia Series, the GP3 Series, German Formula Three and the FIA Formula Two Championship.

 

“Big thanks to the team because they understood the situation correctly about my experience,” he said. “In the case of America, there is no experience. I had plenty of information before the test from the team so that helped me a lot to be in good shape from the start. The car is big and a lot of power, all the things that I’m used to.”

 

His quick laps and technical feedback impressed team general manager Rob Edwards.

 

“Mikhail did an excellent job at the test learning both a new car and a new track,” Edwards said. “He and Simon worked very well together and have very similar driving styles, which should benefit the team. Mikhail formed an instant bond with (engineer) Allen McDonald. It is always good to work with drivers who are focused on their work and who are quick in the car.”

 

2. Of note: ZOOM Motorsports announced CM Foodservice as the hospitality partner for the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama April 25-27 at Barber Motorsports Park. CM’s Trackside Tavern will feature food from some of Birmingham’s most popular restaurants including La Paz, Ezell’s Fish Camp, Golden Rule Bar-B-Que, Michael’s Restaurant, Catfish Junction and G-dogs…Racing legend Mario Andretti will be inducted in the National Motorsports Hall of Fame located at Darlington Raceway in January ceremonies near Charlotte, N.C.

Today’s IZOD IndyCar Series and Mazda Road to Indy headlines:   1. Forza Motorsport 5 launches Nov. 22 with IndyCar Series included  2.  Kanaan wins fourth Golden Helmet Award in Brazil  3. Brazilian driver Derani joins Mazda Road to Indy    1. Forza Motorsport 5 launches Nov. 22 with IndyCar Series included: The cars driven by reigning IZOD IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon, 2012 champion Ryan Hunter-Reay, Will Power and Graham Rahal are part of the new Forza Motorsport 5 game developed by Turn 10 Studios.    The Microsoft-published game is one of the launch products for the Xbox One console and is available Nov. 22.   “Including open-wheel cars in Forza Motorsport 5 brings Forza fans a whole new world of racing action,” said Alan Hartman, studio manager for Turn 10 Studios.   “Players will be able to drive these incredible cars on a collection of world-famous race circuits. In addition, the brand new graphics engine in Forza Motorsport 5, powered by the Xbox One, will let Forza players get closer than ever to these amazing cars and to really build an appreciation for these masterpieces of race engineering.”   2. Kanaan wins fourth Golden Helmet Award in Brazil: 2013 Indianapolis 500 winner Tony Kanaan won his fourth Capacete de Ouro, one of the highest honors given to Brazilian racing drivers by the magazine Racing.   Kanaan, who last won the honor in 2007, earned the award in the TOP category, which is given to the top driver racing in INDYCAR or Formula 1. Helio Castroneves was awarded the silver helmet while Felipe Massa received the bronze helmet.   Created in 1997 for Racing, the primary auto racing magazine in Brazil, the Capacete de Ouro (Golden Helmet) is selected by a vote of Brazilian journalists. The award ceremony took place Nov. 20 in São Paulo.   3. Brazilian driver Derani joins Mazda Road to Indy: Brazilian racer Luis Felipe “Pipo” Derani will join Team Pelfrey for the 2014 Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires.    Derani, 20, began his racing career in karts, winning the prestigious Paulista Junior championship in 2005. He made the switch to cars in 2009, and since then has been based in Europe, competing in Formula Renault, British Formula 3 and the European Formula 3 series.    He said he chose Pro Mazda to help him reach his goals of competing in the IndyCar Series and Indianapolis 500 in 2016.

Concord, NC (November 21, 2013) – Justin Boston and sponsor, ZLOOP® Computer and Electronic Recycling Centers, have re-signed with Venturini Motorsports for the upcoming 2014 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards season.

Boston, last season’s SCOTT® Rookie of the Year, will be back behind the wheel of his No.25 ZLOOP® Toyota Camry for his sophomore season with veteran crew chief Kevin Reed in command.

“I’m excited to be back after a successful rookie season,” said the 24-year old Boston. “There’s no question we became a legitimate contender during the second half of last season. With the addition of Kevin Reed and the experience I’m carrying over into next season should provide the perfect recipe for a championship contending season.”

ZLOOP® Computer and Electronic Recycling Centers will return as Boston’s primary sponsor.

“What an amazing first year for ZLOOP®, Venturini Motorsports, and impressively our driver, Justin Boston, named ARCA’s Rookie of the Year”, says Bob LaBarge, Founder and CMO of ZLOOP®. “We are pleased and excited to continue our sponsorship on and off the track as we educate race fans about the dangers of improperly disposing of electronic waste. As part of our ongoing commitment we will continue to grow our relationship with ARCA and the ZLOOP150 at Kentucky Speedway, and our green partnership with Pocono Raceway.”

Not to be overlooked by his rookie award, Boston finished the season third overall in ARCA’s Championship points battle which was won by Frank Kimmel who earned his unprecedented 10th series championship.

“Getting tapped to lead Justin and the 25 team next season is a huge honor,” said Kevin Reed, who led Venturini Motorsports to a season-high six victories in 2013.

“Justin showed improvement week after week and his desire to perform won him the rookie of the year award. He definitely brings his part to the team. I had the pleasure of working with Justin at the end of 2013 season in the Dover K&N race where we finished second. That gave us a great opportunity to work together before jumping into next season. I expect Justin to be the leader of the pack heading into Daytona. Hopefully he can help us repeat with a victory at Daytona. He will be an absolute favorite for the 2014 championship.”

Overall, Boston finished the 2013 ARCA season with (8) top-5 and (16) top-10 finishes in 21-scheduled events. He also earned two pole positions both (Spring & Fall) at Salem Speedway.

“I can’t take anything for granted. The competition level in ARCA is getting better and better. I’m preparing physically and mentally for the challenge. The bar has been set high, but I’m confident we’ll be ready to answer the call once the season starts at Daytona. Pairing up with Kevin Reed will be a good combination; I think he’s one of the best crew chief in the series,” added Boston.

The SCOTT® Rookie of the Year award will be presented to Boston at the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards post-season championship awards banquet in Indianapolis on December 14th.

About ZLOOP® Computer and Electronics Recycling Centers
ZLOOP® Computer and Electronics Recycling Centers (ZLOOP®) make eWaste recycling easy. Founded in Hickory, North Carolina in 2012, ZLOOP® guarantees eWaste is recycled domestically and that computer hard drives are permanently purged of all information. ZLOOP® is extremely mobile and able to handle any size job on-site with a commitment to security, speed and auditing. ZLOOP® also is compliant with federal, state and local government regulations for the safe and secure destruction of highly sensitive data, and is working toward certifications from the Responsible Recycling Practices for Electronics Recyclers (R2), U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), Department of Defense, National Security Agency, Department of Homeland Security, ITAD, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACIA), Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA). For more information on ZLOOP’s eWaste recycling services, call today at 1-855-WHY-EASY (1-855-949-3279) or visit the website, zloopit.com. eWaste is Serious Waste. Recycle™.

About Venturini Motorsports
Venturini Motorsports (VMS), fielding cars for over 30-years in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, is one of the premier NASCAR driver development programs in the country. Multiple team championships and consistent on-track success, VMS has evolved into one of the most recognizable names in motorsports. Since 2007, VMS has assisted in the career development of notable NASCAR drivers such as Joey Logano, Justin Allgaier, Ryan Blaney, Alex Bowman, Brian Scott, Kevin Swindell, Miguel Paludo, John Wes Townley, Josh Richards and Johanna Long.

In 2012, VMS and the Venturini family was inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame and now find themselves enshrined with such sports icons as Joe DiMaggio, Mario Andretti, Vince Lombardi, Tommy Lasorda and Rocky Marciano, among others.

After nearly two decades away from NASCAR, 2013 marks VMS’s modern day return to the series with John Wes Townley driving the team’s familiar No.25 in selective NASCAR Nationwide Series events.

Official: www.VenturiniMotorsports.com  |  Twitter: @VenturiniMotor  |  Facebook: Venturini Motorsports

Today’s IZOD IndyCar Series and Mazda Road to Indy headlines:

 

1. Catching up with…Helio Castroneves 

2. Firestone rolls in as title sponsor of St. Petersburg race 

3. INDYCAR stars add to wattage of SuperNats

4. Barnes receives Spirit of Hope award at Pentagon ceremony

5. Panther and Charter Media agree on partnership

 

1. Catching up with…Helio Castroneves:  The offseason has been a chance for three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves to slow down for a bit. After nearly winning the 2013 IZOD IndyCar Series title, the Team Penske driver, who was in Detroit on Wednesday to help launch ticket sales for the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix is ready to turn the page on 2013 and gear up for a 2014 season that has some change for the team he’s driven for since 2000.

 

Q. Is it important for you to take a break, get away to reconnect with family, yourself and relax after a long season?

 

HELIO CASTRONEVES: Yes. It’s the first time I’ve done it, to be honest. (Significant other) Adriana (Henao) always complains that I never take a vacation because I enjoy taking vacation (while) working. It’s like a work-cation as they say. I ended up going to Rio for a few days (during a recent trip to Brazil) for an appearance at a Hitachi event. 

 

It’s been like that the last few years. I went to Australia for a V8 Supercars event. Last year, fortunately, we had Dancing with the Stars, so I couldn’t. It was very tough. It was very brutal on everyone. But I do feel it’s great to have this off time, especially after the season that was so long and so compact.

 

I guarantee you that next year is going to be the same, so I’m going to take every opportunity I can to spend the time with the family and recharge the batteries so next year we’ll be ready to go.

 

Q. After coming so close to winning the championship in 2013, do you reflect on the season in the offseason or say, ‘Good job; let’s move on?’

 

HELIO CASTRONEVES: I’ve already moved on. Last year was yesterday’s news. 2014 is coming. I’m already working, thinking and acting as if 2014 is right around the corner, which it is. It was a great season for the entire Team Penske No. 3, but now, it’s over. 

 

Q. What are your thoughts about your new teammate, Juan Pablo Montoya?

 

HELIO CASTRONEVES: It will be interesting. I know him and Will (Power) will know him as well. I feel that it’s going to be dynamic. We’ll have a lot of fun. He’s a Latin guy, so if he gets angry that will probably be more fun with the jokes that we might play.

 

I think he’ll fit in well. People talk about the way Team Penske works, but we try to get everybody involved and in sync because getting a rhythm will benefit the team, which is the goal. He’s a talent, no question about it. We’ll be competitive, but it will be a healthy competition.  But the most important thing is to help Team Penske. 

 

Q. What does it mean to you to have the longevity with Team Penske? You’ve been there since 2000?

 

HELIO CASTRONEVES: To be involved with such an incredible organization says a lot about the type of loyalty, or marriage as we say. I’m happy with the team and I feel the same way as they treat me. When you have that combination, that understanding, and everybody trying to reach for the same goal, it’s a perfect match.

 

I admire a lot not only the way the team works, but also I admire Roger (Penske) a lot.  The way he conducts himself to everyone – not only as a businessman, but as a human being. To have that type of a person leading the way makes you continue to do your best. I feel blessed to be in that circumstance, but I’m pushing myself to achieve the goals that I want because I know the goals I want are the same for team and that makes everybody happy.  I’m still learning so much with the team. I’ll always be grateful.

 

Q. You keep learning something new, improving your race craft, every year?

 

HELIO CASTRONEVES: Absolutely. In life, it doesn’t matter what it is, you’re learning until your six feet under the ground.  The point is we learn. Those are the words of wisdom of (Rick) Mears. I’m listening. I listen a lot and in the environment that I work, I try to listen a lot more than I talk.

 

2. Firestone rolls in as title sponsor of St. Petersburg race: Firestone will be the title sponsor of the 2014 IndyCar Series season-opening race on the scenic streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., event promoter Green Savoree St. Petersburg announced.

 

The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will be held March 28-30 on the 1.8-mile circuit next to Tampa Bay. The “World’s Fastest Spring Break Party” will celebrate its 10th anniversary of hosting the IndyCar Series. James Hinchcliffe of Andretti Autosport won this past season.

 

“Firestone has been a first-rate sponsor of our event for the past nine years, and we can only express gratitude for having a partner who understands the value of our event,” said event president Tim Ramsberger, who noted the entitlement sponsorship is for multiple years. “It speaks volumes about Firestone and what we have built with all of our partners in our wonderful community.”

 

Firestone, the Official Tire of the IndyCar Series since 2002, also is the title sponsor of the Firestone 600 at Texas Motor Speedway in June.

 

“Motorsports is an integral part of the Firestone brand marketing efforts and the entitlement sponsorship of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg aligns perfectly with our plans,” said Lisa Boggs, director of Bridgestone Americas Motorsports. “Our commitment to the race is a reflection of our longstanding relationship with Green Savoree and the terrific St. Petersburg community and fans. We are proud to have the Firestone name on this outstanding event.”

 

3. INDYCAR stars add to wattage of SuperNats: Fresh from testing his No. 11 KVSH Racing car, Sebastien Bourdais will drive something even closer to the ground this weekend in Las Vegas.

 

The four-time Champ Car champion is among the drivers representing the IZOD IndyCar Series and Mazda Road to Indy ladder in the 17th Superkarts USA Super Nationals.

 

Bourdais, who was introduced last month as the KVSH Racing driver, will compete in the Rotax DD2 shifter class. Eleven of his competitors on a circuit in the parking lot of the Rio Casino & Resort will be coming straight from the Rotax Grand Finals at the NOLA Motorsports Park.

 

Team Penske’s Will Power, who won two of the final three races on the IZOD IndyCar Series schedule, will make his SuperNats debut and compete in the TaG Masters class. Newly-named Andretti Autosport driver Carlos Munoz, who tested Nov. 18 at Sebring in his IndyCar, will compete in the KZ2 Super Pro class along with Pro Mazda Championship driver Zack Meyer.

 

Gabby Chaves, the Firestone Indy Lights championship runner-up, will seek to successfully defend the TaG Senior class win.  USF2000 champion Scott Hargrove will join Firestone Indy Lights competitor Matthew Di Leo in the S1 Pro Stock Moto class.

 

In the TaG Junior division is 13-year-old Colton Herta, the son of IndyCar Series team owner Bryan Herta and the 2013 Pacific F1600 champion. The youngster is a two-time CKUSA Pro Tour champion in the TaG Cadet class.

 

4. Barnes receives Spirit of Hope award at Pentagon ceremony: U.S. Navy Admiral James Winnefeld, Vice Chairman of the Joints Chiefs of Staff, presented Panther Racing owner John Barnes with the Spirit of Hope award during a ceremony Nov. 19 at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. 

 

The award is presented annually to individuals whose “commitment and dedication to service in support of the Armed Forces and their families embodies the ideals and values exemplified by the late Mr. Bob Hope.” Past recipients include President George H.W. Bush, broadcaster Walter Cronkite and New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

 

“This was an unbelievably humbling experience,” Barnes said. “I can’t thank Admiral Winnefeld and everybody with the Department of Defense enough for this honor. When you work as closely as we do with National Guard soldiers and their families you can’t help but do everything in your power to support them however possible.

 

“I feel like Panther can always do more, and we’re always looking for ways to improve all of our programs and to represent all those men and women in the best way possible. But we don’t do it for awards like this; we do it because it’s right.”

 

5. Panther and Charter Media agree on partnership: Panther Racing announced it has reached a multi-year partnership agreement with Charter Media for the 2014 IndyCar Series season. Charter Media specializes in cable television advertising, marketing, production and research.

 

Charter Media will be visible on Panther’s entries at all IndyCar Series events, which will include at least one primary sponsorship placement during the season.

Media, Fans Invited To NASCAR Hall of Fame To Compete In iRacing.com Challenge

 

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 20, 2013) – Can Lee Pulliam beat Ryan Preece in an SK Modified at Stafford? Which multi-time champion is better around Langley in a stock car: George Brunnhoelzl III or Dylan Kwasniewski? Would Canadian Scott Steckly beat Spaniard Ander Vilarino at England’s Brands Hatch?

And what happens when you let fans and media behind the wheel and into the mix?

Those questions – and bragging rights– will be determined Wednesday, Dec. 11 as the NASCAR touring & weekly series’ Champions Week in Charlotte, N.C., kicks off with the first NASCAR Home Tracks Champions Challenge presented by iRacing.com.

 

The unique event will be held on the iRacing simulator pods at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. iRacing.com is the world’s premier motorsports racing simulation which allows drivers, race fans and gamers alike to hone their skills and enjoy the thrill of the racetrack from the comfort of their home.

The event will kick off at 1:30 p.m. with an autograph session in the Great Hall at the NASCAR Hall of Fame where the championship trophies and cars will be on display with the seven NASCAR touring series champions and the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national champion. Fans and media will be able to sign-up to compete against the champions, including Tyler Hudson, the recently crowned NASCAR iRacing.com Series World champion, in iRacing races from 2-4 p.m.

 

The final championship race will begin at 4:15 p.m. and will feature all nine champions competing against one another.

Champions at the event will include:

• Dylan Kwasniewski, Las Vegas (NASCAR K&N Pro Series East)
• Derek Thorn, Bakersfield, Calif. (NASCAR K&N Pro Series West)
• Ryan Preece, Berlin, Conn. (NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour)
• George Brunnhoelzl III, West Babylon, N.Y. (NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour)
• Ander Vilarino, San Sebastián, Spain (NASCAR Whelen Euro Series)
• Scott Steckly, Milverton, Ont., Canada (NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1)
• Rodrigo Peralta, Querétaro, Mexico (NASCAR Toyota Mexico Series)
• Lee Pulliam, Semora, N.C. (NASCAR Whelen All-American Series)
• Tyler Hudson, Houston, Texas (NASCAR iRacing.com Series)

 

Conveniently located in Uptown Charlotte, N.C., the 150,000-square-foot NASCAR Hall of Fame is an interactive, entertainment attraction honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR. The high-tech venue, designed to educate and entertain race fans and non-fans alike, is owned by the City of Charlotte, licensed by NASCAR and operated by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority.

 

The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Awards will take place Friday, Dec. 13. Among those honored will be the 2013 national champion, as well as track champions from 55 tracks across the United States and Canada, state and provincial champions and top rookies.

 

On the following evening, NASCAR’s touring series champions will be recognized at the traditional NASCAR Night of Champions Touring Awards. Set for Saturday, Dec. 14, honorees will include the champions from the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and West, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1, Mexico’s NASCAR Toyota Series and NASCAR Whelen Euro Series.

Both the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Awards and the NASCAR Night of Champions Touring Series Awards will be streamed live on NASCARHomeTracks.com.

The Canadian Racing Season Begins February 7, 8, & 9, 2014 at Toronto’s International Centre

(TORONTO, ON // NOVEMBER 19, 2013) Jones Brown Motorsport Insurance is returning as the sponsor of the Exhibitor’s Lounge at the 2014 Canadian Motorsports Expo Powered by Inside Track Motorsport News. The company will also present a pair of industry-related seminars during the CME, aimed at educating racers and promoters about various aspects of motorsport insurance and risk management.

“JB Motorsport Insurance – Canada’s Motorsport Insurance Provider – is proud to return as a show sponsor of the 8th Annual Canadian Motorsports Expo,” said Kevin Besta, JBMI’s Managing Partner, Motorsports. “The CME is Canada’s ultimate racing show and it offers our company great opportunities to meet with racetracks, racing series and race teams, at the ideal time of the year. It will be the perfect kick-start to the 2014 racing season.”

Since 2002, Toronto-based Jones Brown Motorsport Insurance has offered the widest range of products specifically designed to protect motorsport associations, facilities, teams and special events. The company works closely with its clients to identify, measure and resolve all aspects of possible risks, and assist in managing the ‘total cost of risk.’ Jones Brown is Canada’s only motorsport-specific insurance provider and has been a strong supporter of the CME since the show’s inception in 2007.

The Jones Brown Motorsport Insurance seminars are open to everyone and are included as part of the show’s admission price. The session on Friday, February 7 will be geared to racing facilities and racing divisions, with topics ranging from (but not limited to) Loss Control Waivers, Incident Reporting, and Emergency Evacuation. The seminar on Saturday, February 8 will target racers and teams, as the JB Motorsport Insurance team will explain the benefits of Insurance for Racers.

“Jones Brown Motorsport Insurance has been a great supporter and partner of the Canadian Motorsports Expo since the show began,” said the Canadian Motorsports Expo’s David Weber. “It’s always a pleasure working with Kevin Besta and we’re honoured that Jones Brown makes the show part of its efforts to connect with Canadian tracks, series and racers. They are a major player in the Canadian racing industry, so it’s an excellent fit that they will be hosting expert seminars and presenting the Jones Brown Motorsport Insurance Exhibitor Hospitality Area.”

For information about Jones Brown Motorsport Insurance’s products and services, visit them on the web atwww.jbmotorsportinsurance.ca or call their Toronto offices at (416) 408-1920 or toll free at 1-888-379-6821. For CME stage and seminar schedules, watch the show’s website at www.CanadianMotorsportsExpo.com.

ABOUT THE CME: The 8^th Annual Canadian Motorsports Expo Powered by Inside Track Motorsport News takes place February 7, 8 & 9, 2014 at Toronto’s International Centre, adjacent to Pearson International Airport. The show features motorsport content geared to racers, fans and automotive enthusiasts. For information about the show, including news, exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities, call (416) 962-7223, or email info@CanadianMotorsportsExpo.com. The CME’s website is located at www.CanadianMotorsportsExpo.com.

Today’s IZOD IndyCar Series and Mazda Road to Indy headlines:

 

1. Fisher helps IMS complete road course paving 

2.  Mistic Electronic Cigarettes to back KVSH Racing in 2014

3. Montoya, Castroneves head list of drivers in karting event 

 

1. Fisher helps IMS complete road course paving: Sarah Fisher called it the slowest thing she’s ever experienced at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

 

The IndyCar Series team owner, who made nine Indianapolis 500 starts in her Indy car career, helped complete the paving of the 2.439-mile road course, on a two-seat paving machine.  The road course has undergone $5 million in improvements before it hosts to the Grand Prix of Indianapolis next May.

 

“They are doing a really accurate job and it’s great to see,” Fisher said. “That last little stretch of pavement going down on the new course. It’s very special. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway always holds a special place in my heart.”

 

With a top-speed of 25 feet per minute, the Milestone paver that Fisher rode on is a bit slower than the car Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing will field in the inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis on May 13, 2014. In fact, an Indy car could complete 336 laps of the track before the paver completed a single lap.

 

“It’s operated by a joystick and no steering wheel, so I didn’t know what to do,” Fisher said. “There’s a big stop button.  But it’s like the Indy car 2-seater. You just don’t push the stop button. You just have to keep going.”

 

2. Mistic Electronic Cigarettes to back KVSH Racing in 2014: KVSH Racing announced that Mistic Electronic Cigarettes will serve as the co-primary sponsor of the No. 11 car to be driven by Sebastien Bourdais for the 2014 and 2015 IndyCar Series seasons.

 

The four-time Champ Car champion will drive the “Mistic Machine” in seven race weekends in the upcoming season.

 

“We couldn’t be any more excited to bring the Mistic E-Cig brand to the IndyCar community. After announcing Sebastien Bourdais as the driver, this is the next phase of taking KVSH to new heights following the Indianapolis 500 win in 2013,” KVSH Racing partner James “Sulli” Sullivan said.

 

Bourdais was introduced last month as the driver of the No. 11 Chevrolet-powered car for the 18 rounds of the 2014 IndyCar Series championship. The No. 11 car in superspeedway configuration won the 97th Indianapolis 500 in May with driver Tony Kanaan. 

   

“Partnering with KVSH Racing is a strategic fit for the Mistic brand, providing us with a fun and exciting platform to reach millions of IndyCar fans,” Mistic CEO John Wiesehan Jr. said. “As race fans ourselves, we are looking forward to the 2014-2015 season, not only to cheer for the team’s new driver, Sebastien Bourdais, but to further leverage our relationship with KVSH Racing as we roll out offers and promotions that educate IndyCar fans on alternatives such as our electronic cigarettes.”

 

Mistic electronic cigarettes are vapor products that come in rechargeable and non-rechargeable form, in both tobacco and menthol flavors. As part of the partnership, INDYCAR fans will be introduced to visuals of the Mistic car in Circle K stores throughout the country where Mistic E-Cigs will be available for purchase.  

 

3. Montoya, Castroneves head list of drivers in karting event: Team Penske’s Juan Pablo Montoya and Helio Castroneves are among the racing stars that will race in the 2013 Carerra de Estrellas.

 

The Nov. 30 karting race on the streets of Medellin, Colombia is being held to raise money for Montoya’s Formula Smiles Foundation. 

 

Rising Colombian racing stars Carlos Munoz, Gabby Chaves and Sebastian Saavedra, NASCAR drivers Kurt Busch, Joey Logano and Indy Lights race winner Gustavo Yacaman are also slated to compete.

 

Formula Smiles is a nonprofit organization founded in 2003 by Montoya and his wife Connie dedicated to improving the quality of life of thousands of Colombian children who are burdened by poverty and violence.

NEW CASTLE, Ind. — Nov. 17, 2013— Racing in both the midget and sprint car portions of the 46th Annual Sands Chevrolet Western World Championships presented by the Racers Advantage Store at Canyon Speedway Park in Peoria, Ariz., afforded Tracy Hines twice as many laps on the racy one-third-mile, and the ability to try a few different combinations and lines to prepare for the final night. That plan of attack helped the veteran driver finish fourth in the main event for the Honda USAC National Midget Series and come home fifth in the USAC Southwest vs. USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series event.

Hines competed in a total of five feature races over the course of the three-day event, earning four finishes of sixth or better. He picked up three top-five finishes, highlighted by a runner-up performance in the sprint car portion of the event on the second night.

On the final night of the Western World Championships, Hines worked his way from the seventh starting spot to finish fourth in the Parker Machinery/Powered by Toyota Spike with the Honda USAC National Midget Series. He gained a spot on the opening lap and was up to fourth by the fourth circuit, following a trio of early cautions. Hines would continue to run fourth for the remainder of the 30-lap main, en route to his 11th top-five finish of the season with the series.

The finale of the sprint car portion of the Western World Championships on Saturday, Nov. 16, found Hines starting on the pole in Rick Pollock’s No. 21. R.J. Johnson took the lead at the start from the outside of the front row. After eventual winner Bryan Clauson got around both for the top spot, Hines ran third for a number of laps. The final caution flag of the race flew at the halfway point, with Hines running fourth. He would fall back one spot in the late going to finish fifth.

With a split field for the sprint cars at the Western World Championships, Hines was in action on Friday, Nov. 15, for the second qualifying night. He would finish second to Clauson, who started on the pole and paced all 30 circuits of the race. Hines started on the outside of the front row and took the lead on the initial start, only to have the caution flag fly before that lap was completed. He shot to the lead on the second start as well, before Clauson got by him on the back straightaway.

During a long green flag stretch of racing in the second half of the contest, Hines would move back into the runner-up spot, after falling to third in the early going. Hines would hold off Jon Stanbrough for second at the line to lock himself into Saturday’s finale.

Also on Friday night, Hines was in action for the second preliminary night for the Honda USAC National Midget Series. He finished 13th in the main event, which paired with sixth-place showing on Thursday night earned him enough event points to secure a spot in the eight-car dash on the final night, which determined the first four rows for the A-Feature. Hines timed in 12th quickest to open the night and finished fourth in the fourth heat race to transfer to the preliminary feature, where he took the green flag in 12th.

Hines opened the Western World Championships on Thursday, Nov. 14, with the Honda USAC National Midget Series, finishing sixth in the 30-lap main event. He lined up on the outside of the third row for the preliminary feature and ran in that position for the first few laps, which saw the red flag fly on the opening circuit, necessitating a complete restart, with the first caution of the night being displayed on the fourth lap.

The veteran driver moved into the top-five near the mid-point of the 30-lap contest and ran as high as fourth in the latter stages of the race. He would end up crossing the finish line in sixth. The native of New Castle, Ind., opened the night by setting a new track record in qualifying. Hines finished third in the first heat race to earn a spot in the preliminary feature.

Hines, who is currently fourth in points with the Honda USAC Nationals Midget Series, will wrap up the season on Thanksgiving night at Perris Auto Speedway in Southern California, with the running of the annual Turkey Night Midget Grand Prix.

Tracy Hines Racing would like to thank: Hansen’s Welding Inc., Parker Machinery, Powered By Toyota, Turbines, Inc., Afco Racing Products, Daum Crop Insurance, Schoenfeld Headers, Allstar Performance, Kenny’s Components, Race Bumpers and Bell Racing.

For more information on Tracy Hines Racing, visit http://www.tracyhinesracing.com. Follow Tracy on Twitter atwww.Twitter.com/TracyHinesRacin.