Bleacher Report - Articles by Tiffany Davies

IndyCar Series Becoming IndyCar Snooze?

Tiffany Davies — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:24:00 -0400

Although open wheel racing has often provided the passing lacking in F1 and the pure sense of speed and agility lacking in NASCAR, the IndyCar Series has recently been fighting a lack of both passing and excitement. The a lack of passing is crippling the quality of racing. In addition, the domination by both Penske and Ganassi have caused smaller budget teams to be shut out of Victory Lane.

For the IndyCar Series, 'short' ovals have never been its strength. However, in recent years, these events have become more and more like the F1 parade, and less like the agility fans are used to seeing.

For example, the series' premiere event at Indianapolis is a driver-friendly track known as the Milwaukee Mile. Although drivers may love the Mile, the 2009 parade caused fans to question if the Mile should be on the schedule for future years.

The race featured Tony Kanaan leading laps 1-25 (and likely the rest of the race, had he not crashed), Ryan Briscoe leading laps 26-132, Scott Dixon laps 133-134, Dario Franchitti laps 135-153, Ryan Briscoe laps 154-200, and finally Scott Dixon wins after leading laps 201-225.

Now, one might say that four lead changes in one event isn't all that bad, however, the lead change from Briscoe to Dixon took place in the pits, rather than on the track.

In addition to the race at Milwaukee, the series' event at Richmond International Raceway also served as a cure for insomnia. If one thought that Milwaukee's lead changes were bad, Richmond was worse.

This race featured only three different leaders, and the race more closely resembled a parade than, well, a race. Dario Franchitti was quoted as stating "I apologized to the fans because they came out to see good racing...I didn't feel [the race] was that," and when drivers are apologizing, changes must be made. It can also be duly noted that while it took the leaders approximately 20 laps to reach the back of the pack, it took them nearly 50 laps to complete a pass and place the last driver a lap down.

According to IndyCar series officials, various options are being investigated, with the hopes of bringing more side-by-side racing back to the series. One such option may be 'push to pass,' in which drivers can push a button on the steering wheel in order to provide a slight boost in power.

However, until the IndyCar Series learns that identical cars will perform at identical levels, processional racing is here to stay.

If IndyCar series officials wish to bring the excitement and subsequent fan revenue back to the series, they must allow teams to either tinker with the cars more in order to get more speed, or they must change the chassis away from the 7 year old Dallara they currently use.

Drivers, most notably Scott Dixon, are getting bored with the ease of the current racing environment. Although changes are in the works for a completely new car at the start of the 2012 season, changes must be made sooner, rather than later, if the series wishes to push to the forefront of American racing and keep its signature drivers.

As the Tweet Turns: IndyCar Series and Twitter

Tiffany Davies — Fri, 22 May 2009 11:58:57 -0400

Pit and garage passes. Autograph sessions. Driver meet and greets. Team websites. All of these are traditional methods by which any avid IndyCar fan can meet their favorite driver and follow their progress.

However, many IndyCar series drivers have taken to the 21st century and started their own Twitter accounts, allowing race fans to know where drivers are at any moment and get a glimpse into the private lives of their favorite racer.

I personally follow many of IndyCar's top drivers, including Tony Kanaan (my personal favorite Twitter-er), Marco Andretti, Danica Patrick, Dan Wheldon, Mario Moraes, Alex Lloyd, and Sarah Fischer, not to mention teams such as Vision Racing and Conquest Racing. Most drivers update frequently, and with sometimes humorous updates

Where else could you learn that Mario Moraes is sometimes known as the fourth Jonas Brother, Mario Jonas? Or that Tony Kanaan has his "own" Chia Pet?

Only Twitter can show Tony Kanaan and his Chia head side by side, or Kanaan and Marco Andretti bagging groceries for a local promotion, or even EJ Viso standing on his helmet in Times Square to be seen in a photo shoot.

Twitter lets you in on the lives of drivers as never before possible. Vision Racing, for example, has used Twitter to give away IZOD and William Rast team merchandise by Tweeting the answer to a trivia question.

Pictures aren't the only way by which the fan can learn more about the driver. For example, by reading Dan Wheldon's Tweet, you could learn that he recently dined at a certain Indianapolis restaurant, or that the bus driver for the NYC photo shoot nearly made Tony Kanaan vomit on Scott Dixon.

The question is, however, where does Twitter cross the line between letting the race fan into the life of a driver, and letting them know TOO much? Does a fan really need to know where Wheldon is eating dinner? Or that Danica Patrick's car is loose with 20 minutes left in final practice?

Shouldn't the driver be focusing more on the race than on their Blackberry? Granted, nobody knows exactly who is making these Tweets, however, I would suspect that a number of drivers, rather than PR personnel, make those updates.

Create your own Twitter account, Tweet from the track like I do, and join us for another episode in the saga of As the Tweet Turns...

The 10 Hottest Male Athletes in Sports

Tiffany Davies — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 19:21:49 -0400

David Beckham. Christiano Ronaldo. Derek Jeter. Although they may be some of the greatest athletes of their generation, they also serve to do one thing: make women swoon. They hail from soccer, hockey, baseball, NASCAR, football, and tennis, and from across the globe. Although there are many, many more attractive athletes, these are the top 10 hottest men of sports...so women, get ready.

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IndyCar Series: Is Belle Isle '09 the First Casualty of Troubled Economic Times?

Tiffany Davies — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 10:40:19 -0500

Although the IndyCar Series has been spared from the current global economic meltdown thus far, it seems that the series has suffered its first casualty...Belle Isle in 2009.

Roger Penske, the current organizer of the Detroit Grand Prix, which has been located at Belle Isle since 2007, cited the poor economic conditions and high unemployment in Detroit as reasons for cancelling the race.

Sources also state that a lack of sponsorships and financial support can also be blamed, with obvious links to the deterioration of American auto manufacturers.

With Belle Isle off the schedule for 2009, a Birmingham, Ala., raceway is jockeying to fill the hole caused by the loss of Detroit.

Barber Motorsports Park, a race track that was vying for a position on the schedule for the 2009 season, would need a decision by January in order to line up sponsors and other logistical criteria.

IndyCar series officials have not yet decided if they will fill the gap or leave the weekend open for teams.

Although a race at Alabama would attract open-wheel fans from across the southern portion of the country, the Labor Day weekend race would be forced to compete with college football and a NASCAR Sprint Cup series race at nearby Atlanta Motor Speedway.

However, those associated with the raceway state that they would rather have a spring race date in the future, if the track became a permanent fixture on the schedule.

Although many believe the IndyCar series is in a much better position than NASCAR in terms of manufacturers, the current economic crisis is beginning to affect the series.

In recent weeks, Dallara has announced that it would provide chassis parts to teams at a reduced cost, potentially saving 11 percent on parts.

IndyCar series officials hope that other parts manufacturers will follow suit, further strengthening the series in tough economic times.

Despite these efforts, one cannot help but look at the long list of sponsors and wonder how many are experiencing tough times.

Major sponsors in 2008 include Target (Scott Dixon, Dan Wheldon), Motorola (Danica Patrick), 7-Eleven (Tony Kanaan), McDonald's (Justin Wilson), and GoDaddy.com (Danica Patrick), and these sponsors seem to be solidly in the running to continue.

However, smaller sponsors and those in industries which have been hurt by the declining economy, such as Delphi (Vitor Miera 2008, Dan Wheldon 2009), may see problems if the current conditions continue.

A Woman Watching Football Is Like a Man Buying Manolos: It Just Doesn't Happen

Tiffany Davies — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 04:02:31 -0500

As I’m sitting here on Sunday performing my weekly ritual of watching Sunday NFL Countdown, followed by whatever NFL games I can and checking my fantasy football team, I began to ponder a very monumental question. I wondered why men have this intense fascination with women who love sports.

Is it the lure of having a woman in a man’s domain? Or is it just the draw of having a woman know her sports? On the other hand, is it just so rare that it is something to be cherished?

I personally watch ESPN every day, and I haven’t missed Sportscenter in months. Now, does that make me a freak of nature because I’m female, or does that make me more attractive because I'm female?

I'm not ashamed of my love for sports, nor am I afraid to back down from a man who seems to think he knows more about sports than I do, especially when he doesn't even have an opinion on who should win the Heisman or be No. 1 in the BCS rankings.

(By the way, the Heisman should go to Knowshon Moreno and No. 1 in the BCS should be Alabama, although Texas Tech is making a very strong argument.)

From a man’s perspective (although granted, I’m obviously not a man and thus am just speculating), I’m wondering if this is solely because they feel threatened and thus must defend their manhood.

Honestly, I’m not much of a threat to your manhood. Although I may follow football and college basketball religiously, I’ll never know as much as the big time, obsessive sports fans. So feel free to be secure in your masculinity.

I've also wondered if, perhaps, just because diehard female sports fans are such an anomaly, that it's the equivalent of getting to open your presents early for Christmas: so rare that you just have to get excited.

From my own personal perspective, however, I can see why the fascination occurs. For the vast majority of recent history, football and other sports have been the man's domain, his sanctuary from the "Honey do" lists and the nagging needs of his sports-hating significant other.

Men have forever doubted the women that will spend their Sundays with him, or alone, watching football, and know exactly what's going on. I can personally attest to this, as I cannot begin to count the number of times I've worn my ESPN shirt to the gym and had people express their disbelief.

We are not the women who watch baseball and football for the men in tight pants. We are instead the women who bring a feminine touch to the sports world.

There is a fine line for men between a woman who loves sports and a woman who can make him feel like less of a man because of her love for sports. I was the most popular person in my all-male (minus me, of course) fantasy football league, until I wouldn't stop beating them, eventually winning the league title.

Women shouldn't be relegated to the level of busty cheerleader when it comes to sports. To these men, I say, don't be afraid of women who know their sports; it just means we have interests in things that actually matter.

Instead, embrace us for the exceptions that we are, and ask us our opinion on the BCS, why the Lions are destined to go 0-16, or why Matt Ryan is the most impressive QB this season. We have answers, and we're not afraid to express them.

I leave you with the slogan on the ESPN shirt I've worn to the gym many times: "Yes, I'm a woman; yes, I know the game; yes, I watch ESPN."

Catching A Wave At Surfers Paradise

Tiffany Davies — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 16:20:44 -0400

Raise your hand if you were aware there was a non-points race Down Under, this weekend. Now that that's out of the way, something tells me those of you who didn't raise your hand, or those of you that didn't tune in, want to know about the action.

Although it was a nice win for Australian native Ryan Briscoe, who held off a charging Scott Dixon over the last ten laps, the story of the race was yet another year of disappointment for hometown favorite Will Power.

Power, who is from Toowoomba, Australia, has suffered three straight years of setbacks. In 2006, Power blamed Sebastian Bourdais for collecting him in a wreck, and in 2007, he collided with another driver to finish out of the race. This year, Power managed to take himself out of the race on lap 17, after bending his suspension following a run-in with the wall in Turn 6.

Following the exit of Will Power, the race was up for grabs, with Briscoe coming out ahead of Dixon following a round of pit stops at lap 43. Throughout the final laps of the race, Dixon made a hard charge for the lead, with Briscoe running more conservative due to fuel conservation. Dixon, at one point, ran up to the rear wing of Briscoe, however, he could not make the pass in traffic.

Surfers Paradise also marked the debut of Vitor Miera and Dan Wheldon with their respective new teams, and the return of Dario Franchitti. Wheldon was the top finisher, completing the race in 11th and leading one lap, followed by Miera in 14th, and Franchitti in 16th.

Despite the highly competitive racing found during this year's race, likely caused by the fact that no points were at stake, thus meaning drivers could make moves they likely would not in other circumstances, Surfers Paradise is currently not on the schedule for 2009. Many drivers and fans hope that the IndyCar series can work out a deal, getting the Australian race back on the schedule, even as a non-points, exhibition style race.

The track drew 250,000+ fans over the four-day race weekend, showing the true dedication of Australian race fans. In addition, hometown heroes such as Power, Briscoe, and even Kiwi Scott Dixon, further help to draw fans.

In a final note, Danica Patrick, known for her temper tantrums, finished 18th after stalling her car. She appeared irate while waiting for her engine to be restarted, however, she had no comment after the race.

Other notable finishers: Dixon (2), Hunter-Reay (3), Viso (6), Castroneves (7), Mutoh (8), Rahal (9), Patrick (18)

Indycar's First Steps to Recovery Complete, Must Keep Growing

Tiffany Davies — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 15:11:58 -0400

As the IndyCar series season draws to a "close" in a few short weeks, with a non-points race at Surfer's Paradise, the point has been reached where it's time to look back on an eventful year, but also look forward to the excitement that is sure to come.

The season started off with a bang, with Graham Rahal getting his first career win and Danica Patrick winning at Twin Ring Motegi, Japan.

Although, even though she won, Patrick struggled mightily the rest of the season. Many still say that Patrick can't race with the rest of the field and that she's bought her way to her position, but you can't deny her first win didn't come using superb pit strategy, and a win is a win.

After Danica's triump came the greatest spectacle racing, the Indianapolis 500. The race saw fan favorite Tony Kanaan hit the wall early, leaving Scott Dixon to dominate a significant portion of the race and go on to drink the milk.

The 500 also saw Danica throw her first hissy fit of the season, chasing after Ryan Briscoe following an incident on pit road. Her second fight came with fellow female Milka Duno at Mid-Ohio, after Duno cut Patrick off in practice.

The middle portion of the season proceeded without incident, with Scott Dixon building up a large lead in the points race, and Justin Wilson getting his first win on a controversial blocking call against Helio Castroneves.

Finally, over the last several races, Dixon's points lead began to erode, but Castroneves never came close enough to mount a significant challenge for the lead. Scott Dixon, of Target Chip Ganassi Racing, won the 2008 IndyCar Series championship.

With the end of the season in sight, the contract wheels spun into motion, with 2007 Indianapolis 500 and series champion Dario Franchitti taking Dan Wheldon's seat at Ganassi.

Wheldon, usually a successful driver, was a victim of his own average season, and moved on to take Vitor Miera's position at Panther Racing.

As of this writing, Miera is still the odd man out, and is currently without a ride for 2009. Finally, Paul Tracy joined Vision Racing for the Edmonton race, and he has been in talks with signing for future races.

Although the first season after reunification went much more smoothly than had been anticipated, the IndyCar series does need to make some changes and look towards the future to attract more viewers and make the series more exciting.

First, the series must begin promoting its drivers better. Other than Patrick, none of the drivers are well promoted. You don't see the "heartthrob" drivers, such as Marco Andretti, Dan Wheldon, or Will Power, getting the face time that their NASCAR equivalents do.

Now, the NASCAR model isn't perfect, but it isn't going to hurt to apply some of the things that have worked for them to IndyCar.

Even those drivers that have major sponsorships with Fortune 500 companies, such champion Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan, Justin Wilson, or even Ed Carpenter, do not get the exposure or promotion that they deserve. IndyCar needs to work with its sponsors to bring the sport to a greater number of people and potential fans.

Second, the series needs to work on getting more competitive racing. Granted, the cars are faster and more maneuverable than, for example, the Car of Tomorrow. But, there is such disparity among some teams that it's nearly impossible for them to compete, let alone be up to speed with the leaders.

The IndyCar series needs to work on a better car that doesn't necessarily decrease speeds or maneuverability, but evens out the disparity among teams like Ganassi and, for example, Conquest Racing. They've taken steps to fix that, including adding turbos for future seasons. But, the divide between the high and low budget teams is still wide.

Finally, the fans and the media need to get the word out that the IndyCar series is back and better than ever, with better, younger, and more marketable drivers than ever.

The series has one of the best schedules its had in years, will have a big field for the Indianapolis 500, and is starting to chip away at NASCAR'S fan base, albeit very slowly.

However, without the appropriate changes, the series is, and will be, nothing more than second best to NASCAR.

IndyCar Contract Wheels are a Turnin'

Tiffany Davies — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:44:10 -0400

After weeks of speculation as to where Dan Wheldon and his impeccable style will land following the 2008 IndyCar Series season, the question has finally been answered, and it’s back to Panther Racing for the Brit.

After beginning his career with Panther Racing in 2002, Wheldon later moved to Andretti Green and finally to Target Chip Ganassi, where he has spent the previous two seasons.

Ganassi is the location of his closest run for the title to date, finishing second in 2006 in a tiebreaker, and is currently running third going into the final race at Chicagoland Speedway.

However, in previous weeks, Wheldon has been the source of many rumors regarding his status at Ganassi, as his performance has been less than stellar throughout the season.

The most prevalent, and generally accepted plan, was that Ganassi was “thinking” about releasing Wheldon in an attempt to convince him to perform better, and would re-sign him at the end of the 2008 season at a reduced price. This will not be the case, with Dario Franchitti stepping into Wheldon’s ride for the start of the 2009 season.

Wheldon has reportedly signed a multiyear contract with Panther Racing, and will join Vitor Miera in racing the #4 in the very near future. Sources have stated Panther is angling for a release from Ganassi in time for Wheldon to join the team at Surfers Paradise, a non-points race in Australia.

In addition to the news surrounding Dan Wheldon’s contract situation, the future of Dario Franchitti has also been in question. That question was answered, with Franchitti staying with Ganassi to move back to IndyCar and step into Dan Wheldon’s ride. Franchitti, who left for NASCAR after winning the points title last season, struggled, with his season ending after breaking his ankle in a Nationwide race at Talladega Speedway.

Franchitti hopes to be competitive in the series, specifically at the level at which he ended the 2007 season. A year spent racing much different cars, however, may cause him trouble.

A major question also remains in how well his broken ankle will heal, and if any fear will remain when he steps back into an IndyCar. Also, much has changed in the series since 2007, with the addition of more road courses and many more drivers, something Franchitti is not used to.

Only time will tell how Dario Franchitti fares in his return to IndyCar, and how Dan Wheldon survives his move to a smaller race team.

Sweet Sound of Speed Returning to IndyCar?

Tiffany Davies — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 15:24:27 -0400

Have you been missing that high pitched, smoother sounding engine in the IRL? Starting in 2011, die-hard IndyCar series fans can expect to hear the sound of turbocharged engines, a sound that hasn't been heard on the circuit since the switch to V8 engines in 1997.

Following a meeting in June, IndyCar series presidents are expected to notify automakers of their decision to switch back to turbo engines at a meeting in September at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indianapolis Star is reporting. Officials are also interested in increasing engine power from a current 650 horsepower to approximately 750. However, the current debate centers on whether to adapt a turbo four cylinder or V6 engine, and that could depend on what manufacturers express interest in making engines for the series.

One could anticipate that with a decreased number of cylinders, more engine manufacturers may join Honda, as these engines bear more similarity to other series' engines and closer to their passenger cars. Also, with the switch to ethanol, fuel efficiency may also be playing a part in this switch. Primarily motivating the IndyCar series, however, is the desire by many fans and drivers for more horsepower and speed, much like the Champ Car series had exhibited in recent years.

History has shown that smaller, four cylinder turbos can be run with success, as was noted by the use of the four cylinder in Formula 1, with those engines reaching in excess of one thousand horsepower. The question remains, however, whether or not this change will satisfy the so-called "traditional" IndyCar fan, or if it instead will enrage those who see the series drifting more towards the Champ Car series rules and specifications.

On one hand, one can see how this will satisfy the "need for speed" that long time fans have been craving, although improved aerodynamics and a better chassis design could also solve that problem. Many have criticised the engineering and design of the current body, but a total redesign of the car would take years and still will not satisfy everyone.

On the other hand, one can also see how the move to turbo will further anger those who feel IndyCar is becoming too much like the series it overtook, as Champ Car also ran turbocharged engines. However, the circumstances surrounding the use of the turbo in those engines are vastly different than the current situation. Those fans are most likely more upset by the changing racing culture of the series, with an influx in road courses and foreign drivers, exactly what the IRL never intended to become.

Current IndyCar series fans must understand, however, that although the use of the turbo will gain more speed for the cars, this isn't the sole solution to the problem. Others must also understand that although this move does bring the IndyCar series closer to the Champ Car specifications, it isn't necessarily a bad thing. The reunification of the two series is going to take compromise, both in cars and drivers, tracks and engines, so that the best of both series can combine and provide for optimal American open-wheel racing and competition.

New Contracts, Rumors Fly in IndyCar series

Tiffany Davies — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 09:08:26 -0400

After spending a significant portion of the 2008 IndyCar series season mired in the turmoil surrounding his pending contract situation, Tony Kanaan has finally put those rumors to rest by signing a five year contract extention with Andretti-Green Racing.

Although his performance, and that of the team as well, has not been up to par, Kanaan is still the leading driver for Andretti-Green, and the only veteran on a team full of young stars.

Throughout this season, Kanaan has been linked to talks with Chip Ganassi as a possible replacement for Dan Wheldon, however, those talks were obviously unfruitful.

One possible reason for Kanaan's re-signing with AGR is simply that although he's no longer the biggest star, he's better off staying with his current team, crew, and equipment than jumping ship and risking ending up worse off on a team with a superstar such as current series points leader Scott Dixon.

A second reason is that Kanaan may not have been as friendly with owner Chip Ganassi as he is with Michael Andretti, as Ganassi is known for being far rougher with his drivers than Andretti.

Finally, Kanaan may have remembered the issues Dario Franchitti, one of his closest friends, faced when making the switch to Sprint Cup racing for the long term and later having his ride pulled due to a lack of funding.

Despite the fact that Kanaan re-signed with Andretti-Green, Dan Wheldon has found himself embroiled in rumors surrounding his status with Ganassi Racing. Wheldon, due to his average performance this season, would be the obvious "odd man out" if Kanaan were to have jumped ship.

Despite the fact that Wheldon finished an extremely close second in the championship to Sam Hornish Jr. just two years ago, his struggles on road courses and just two wins have caused many to wonder if Ganassi is pondering letting him go.

Currently, Ganassi has three drivers in his stable: current series champion Scott Dixon, Wheldon, and British import/current Indy Lights series driver Alex Lloyd. If he were to let Wheldon go, free agent drivers he could be interested in include Tomas Scheckter and Paul Tracy, although most consider both to be out of the picture.

At his current pace, or with an extremely strong finish, Wheldon should be safe, although Ganassi will try and resign him at a lower price due to his decreased performance.

If, by chance, Ganassi does decide to let Wheldon go, the only two real possibilities for a future ride are found in a potential second seat at Rahal Letterman Racing along with Ryan Hunter-Reay, or at Vision Racing, where Wheldon could race alongside Ed Carpenter.

IndyCar's 2009 Series Schedule Has Been Released

Tiffany Davies — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 16:23:15 -0400

Much to the chagrin and delight of many fans, the 2009 IndyCar series schedule has been released, marking the first look at a combined IRL/Champ Car schedule. Here's a breakdown of the new (and old) tracks featured on the schedule, track by track.

Streets of St. Petersburg

A 1.8-mile road course set in St. Petersburg, FL, the streets of St. Petersburg consists of a series of roads with the start/finish line on a landing strip at Albert Whitted airport (The proposed Devil Rays stadium sits on the course, so future course changes could occur).

This track is the first of eight non-oval races over the course of the season, and combines a full weekend of racing, with the IndyCar series joining the IndyPro series and American LeMans (ALMS) series. Previous winners include Helio Castroneves in 2007 and Graham Rahal in 2008.

Streets of Long Beach

A 2-mile street course set on the streets of Long Beach, CA, this scenic course consists of a waterfront track surrounding the Convention Center of Long Beach and a straightaway down Shoreline Drive.

This track is the second of the non-oval races, and is a track brought over from the Champ Car series. Long Beach is also the source of the lone, split race of the 2008 season, with IRL drivers racing at Twin Ring Motegi and ex-Champ Car drivers racing at Long Beach due to manufacturer commitments. Previous winners include Helio Castroneves (2001), Paul Tracy (2002,2003), and Will Power (2008).

Kansas Speedway

A 1.5-mile course that marks the return to ovals for the 2009 season, and is the final race before the "month of May" at Indianapolis. The race at Kansas was moved to April in 2007, at the request of fans and drivers, and that same race marked the first time three women competed at the same time in a major American race.

Racing fans will note both NASCAR and IndyCars compete here, and previous winners include Tony Kanaan (2005) and Dan Wheldon (2007, 2008).

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

A 2.5-mile oval that is noted for holding the Indianapolis 500, the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing." If anyone needs an explanation on Indy, please climb out of the hole in the ground you've been living in for the past, oh, say, 50 years.

The Milwaukee Mile

A 1.0-mile oval, unfortunately known for being the race after Indianapolis. Milwaukee holds a long history among all major-American racing series, and all but the NASCAR Sprint Cup series still race on its track. A quick and short track, history causes many to fight for Milwaukee to remain on the schedule. Previous Winners include Tony Kanaan (2007) and Ryan Briscoe (2008)

Texas Motor Speedway

A 1.5-mile oval that marks the first night race on the 2009 schedule, and is known as the second most popular race behind Indianapolis. Texas is home to some of the most competitive, fast, and exciting racing in the series, with almost all races having close finishes.

Texas is also home to the infamous Arie Luyendyk/Billy Boat finish and subsequent trophy fiasco that is forever etched in IndyCar legends. Previous winners include Tomas Scheckter (2005) and Scott Dixon (2008)

Iowa Speedway

A 0.8-mile oval in the middle of corn country (and literally, a cornfield), this track opened in 2006 and was patterned after Richmond Raceway, with help from Rusty Wallace. Dan Wheldon won the 2008 Iowa race.

Richmond International Raceway

A 0.75-mile oval in Richmond, Virginia, this night race is the most successful race in what is commonly known as "NASCAR country." This track always draws the fans, regardless as to if they are traditional IndyCar spectators or not. Previous winners include Dario Franchitti (2007) and Tony Kanaan (2008).

Watkins Glen International

After six straight oval courses, this 3.4-mile road course is the third road course on the schedule. Open-wheel racing returned to the track in 2005, causing major changes to be made to the track. Although this is not the most exciting road course on the schedule, sponsorships have been secured through the 2010 season. Previous winners include Ryan Hunter-Reay (2008).

Streets of Toronto

A 1.7-mile road course, new to the schedule in 2009, Toronto replaces the race previously held at Nashville Speedway. Failed negotiations, coupled with a second race in Canada, made Toronto a very viable course.

Edmonton City Centre Airport

A 2-mile airport course held at, obviously, the Edmonton airport, this marks the second Canadian race on the 2009 schedule. Also, this track is one of the most easily viewed, with over eighty percent of the track visible from any given seat. This year's winner was Scott Dixon.

Kentucky Speedway

A 1.5-mile oval in Kentucky, this track hopes to be the site of a NASCAR Sprint Cup series race in a few years. Previous winners include San Hornish Jr. (2003, 2006) and Tony Kanaan (2008).

Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

A 2.3-mile road course, it was brought back in 2007 to follow the British Open in June, but has been moved to a former date in mid-August. Previous winners include Scott Dixon (2007) and Ryan Briscoe (2008).

Infineon Raceway

A 2.2-mile road course in Sonoma, California and the heart of wine country, this course has been criticized for not being good enough for IndyCar racers and should be switched out for Laguna Seca (which is partially justified). This course saw Marco Andretti get his first win in 2006.

Chicagoland Speedway

A 1.5-mile oval that is the final race of the 2008 season, but was switched with Belle Isle for 2009. This course has been the location where the series champion is decided, often making for competitive racing. Scott Dixon lost the 2007 championship to Dario Franchitti on the last lap of this race.

The Raceway at Belle Isle Park

A temporary 2.1-mile road course in Michigan, this track was brought back in 2007 for both the IndyCar and ALMS series races. The course was previously criticized for being too narrow, hard to access, and just plain uncompetitive, but the 2007 race featured new paddocks and improved parking, and was considered a success. Previous winners include Tony Kanaan (2007).

Twin Ring Motegi

A 1.5-mile oval in Motegi, Japan, this course is noted for having both an oval and a road course in the same boundaries. Built by Honda in 1997 to bring more notoriety for American open-wheel racing to Japan, this track was the site of the first win by Danica Patrick in 2008.

In addition, this track was the third race of the 2008 season, but was moved to end of the 2009 season because travel times caused too much of a gap between the race and the Indianapolis 500. Previous winners include Dan Wheldon (2004, 2005), Tony Kanaan (2007), and Danica Patrick (2008).

Homestead-Miami Speedway

This 1.5-mile oval is the last race of the 2009 season, and was the opener of the 2008 IndyCar season. Racing fans will note that the NASCAR series also finishes at Homestead-Miami, although not in the same time frame.

The course was originally designed after Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but was reconfigured in 1996, 1997, and 2003 after poor racing and severe crashes marred multiple races.

The 2003 reconfiguration added banking to the turns, helping to improve racing. Although it does not feature exceptionally high speeds, a crash in 2006 caused the death of driver Paul Dana after he was involved in a pre-race crash with Ed Carpenter. Previous winners include Dan Wheldon (2005-2007) and Scott Dixon (2008).

Overall, although not optimal, the 2009 IndyCar series schedule is improved. The large gap between Motegi and Indianapolis can be slightly eliminated, and the switch to Miami as a finale in October is, well, different.

Many will complain that the schedule should start earlier (this writer included), but a later finish was much needed. The addition of road courses will shake up the schedule a bit, but the core races on ovals are still present.

Infineon, although appropriate for stock cars, should be switched out for Laguna Seca, if anything. Hopefully, racing can be brought back to a few other ovals, for that has always been the core of IndyCar series racing.

IndyCar: Is Bad Press Really Good Press?

Tiffany Davies — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 06:29:37 -0400

In the week following the Danica Patrick-Milka Duno "catfight," much has been said regarding whether these drivers (specifically Danica), should be allowed to carry on as they do.

The question for the IndyCar Series is, however, whether bad press is really good press for a league struggling to find fans and television viewers amongst other racing leagues.

Since the breakup of the Champ Car series and the Indy Racing League in the mid-1990s, the fans and viewers of American open wheel racing have been steadily decreasing, most notably in comparison to the skyrocketing viewers and fans of NASCAR.

In fact, the Coca-Cola 600 has won the television war over the Indianapolis 500 for the past eight years, beating it by just over four percent in 2008.

No one series is going to beat the NASCAR marketing juggernaut; however, IndyCar could do a better job promoting some of its drivers and races than it currently does.

You don’t see IndyCar drivers on pop cans and plugging their products in commercials, whereas you can’t go a single day without seeing a NASCAR related advertisement. You’re not going to gain new viewers without exposing these drivers and the storylines they bring to the table.

This simple point leads me to the Danica Patrick issue: should she be allowed to keep whining and pitching a fit every time something doesn’t go her way?

Personally, I don’t believe she should. However, from a marketing standpoint, every fight and episode she’s involved in is worth a million bucks in the real world. From posing in Sports Illustrated to stomping down pit road, she draws attention to herself and to the IndyCar series.

Is it right? No, but it’s one of the main ways that open-wheel racing is going to grab attention. I can bet that if her and Dan Wheldon got into a confrontation, you’d grab more female and male viewers than before.

It’s a simple fact of nature: she’s hot and a woman, so people are going to pay more attention to her.

Although exploiting Danica Patrick and her marketing potential isn’t the only way IndyCar is going to get more press, it’s probably the best option they have as of right now. Sure, Dan Wheldon could be marketed as the “Kasey Kahne of IndyCar” and Tomas Scheckter as the bad boy, but is it really going to work? Probably not.

Sorry IndyCar, but you’re losing the battle for fans, and you’re losing it faster than half of the male fans wish Danica would lose her top.

Get your marketing gurus to make it work, or you’ll forever struggle in the shadow of NASCAR.

Danica Patrick's Confrontation with Milka Duno

Tiffany Davies — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 03:26:21 -0400

The term "catfight" is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as "an altercation between two women, typically involving hair-pulling and scratching." However, the fight between Danica Patrick and Milka Duno involved nothing but some petty towel throwing and raised voices—not a basis for a catfight.

Here's the situation: Danica Patrick was practicing for Sunday's race at Mid-Ohio, in Lexington, Ohio, when Milka Duno cut down from a series of turns too early, nearly hitting Patrick.

Patrick, clearly upset, marched down to Duno's pit to ask her if she saw Patrick trying to make the pass.

Duno began raising her voice and soon became confrontational. At one point she threw a towel at Patrick, telling her that she [Patrick] is obviously faster and she saw Patrick on the track, and that Patrick was not welcome in her pit.

Patrick, known for her catty incident with Ryan Briscoe during the Indianapolis 500, seemed to keep her cool, with Duno being the combative one.

However, what does this mean for the sport? Do Patrick or Duno deserve a fine, or at least a time-out from the IndyCar officials?

This fight is no different than the other confrontations that Danica Patrick has involved herself in with no punishment, however, this repeated issue needs to be addressed.

Patrick shouldn't be allowed to take out her frustrations in the situations she's been involved in, because she's no different than any other high-level driver.

How often do you see Tony Kanaan, Scott Dixon, or Dan Wheldon getting involved in very public spats with other drivers? You don't.

Duno, on the other hand, shouldn't be forgiven for her juvenile towel-throwing actions, either. Just because you're not the fastest or as good as Danica doesn't mean you have the right to get catty with her when she comes to your pit with justified concerns.

Duno should take a page from Sarah Fisher's book, because even though Fisher is not the fastest driver, she always manages to stay out of the way and still remain competitive. Duno, however, does not.

Danica Patrick needs to grow up, as the patience for her bratty actions is beginning to run out. Eventually, someone is going to stand up to her and things will not be pretty.

I, for one, would love to be there when one of the guys finally just smacks her and give her what she's deserved for a long time.

Milka Duno? Sure, she's hot, but she just needs to spend some time in the Indy Lights series and figure out if she's got what it takes to race with the big boys—and girls.

Midseason IRL Rankings: Does Your Driver Make the Grade?

Tiffany Davies — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 06:54:08 -0400

Every credible and major sport needs mid-season rankings for all of its teams, and the IRL is no exception. Here is this writer's look at the IRL season thus far and how each team has succeeded—or failed—in this first combined open-wheel racing season.

Target/Chip Ganassi Racing: A

Ganassi Racing has flat out dominated the vast majority of the opening half of the season, no one can deny that. With five combined wins, Dan Wheldon and Scott Dixon are cruising toward yet another points title for Ganassi.

In addition, brownie points are also awarded for Wheldon's charitable donation after his Iowa win. However, the fact that this team isn't quite as strong on road courses as they are on ovals keeps them from earning an A+.

Ganassi is far and away the team to beat. Keep an eye on both Wheldon and Dixon to make strong runs throughout the rest of the season.

Team Penske: A-

Although Penske isn't looking as strong this year as in years past, they're still a formidable opponent. Helio Castroneves hasn't put enough pieces together to get a win thus far this season, however a strong finish at Indy and a pole win at Motegi have been enough to keep him in the hunt for a points championship.

Ryan Briscoe has looked strong since grabbing his first career win at Milwaukee, but a poor finish at Indianapolis mars an otherwise good season. Look for Penske to continue improving and for Castroneves to step it up in an attempt to catch Scott Dixon.

Andretti Green Racing: B

With purported infighting and squabbles, and rumors of Tony Kanaan wanting out, AGR has been in turmoil for most of the season.

Danica Patrick grabbed her first career win on fuel strategy at Motegi, but nobody can forget her mess of a race at Indianapolis. Tony Kanaan finally grabbed his first win of this season at Richmond, but is still over 100 points back from Scott Dixon in the points lead, and his overall season hasn't been up to his standards.

Finally, Marco Andretti and Hideki Mutoh have been steadily improving, with Andretti up to fifth in the points standings. If Kanaan can use his veteran presence to hold the team together, look for improvement throughout the rest of this year.

Vision Racing: B

As one of the smaller teams in IndyCar, Vision has run well in comparison to the big three of Penske, AGR, and Ganassi. Although inconsistency with drivers Ed Carpenter and AJ Foyt IV has kept this team from victory, a strong run by Carpenter at Indianapolis and Foyt at Iowa have given Vision hope.

Rumors are swirling that owner Tony George is looking to bring in veteran Paul Tracy, a move that would definitely help a team with no veteran racing presence. Personnel changes within the team, specifically engineering switches from Carpenter to Foyt IV, should help.

Given more experience, look for this to be an up-and-coming team.

KV Racing Technology: B-

By far the strongest ChampCar team, Will Power and Oriol Servia have definitely helped this team step it up to the IndyCar level.

Power grabbed his first IndyCar series win at Long Beach, and ran strong in the month of May at Indianapolis. In addition, Servia is looking better compared to the start of the season.

However, this team, much like other merger teams, has struggled to find speed on the faster, larger speedways, and this will come back to haunt them.

Rahal Letterman Racing: B-

With Ryan Hunter-Reay snagging his first win at Watkins Glen, RLR is looking stronger by the week. Although this team is a single car operation, Hunter-Reay looks to be getting strong equipment, strong enough to warrant a top rookie finish at Indianapolis and strong finishes at other tracks.

Panther Racing: C

Although Vitor Meira is a strong driver, his finishes just aren't showing it. A second place finish at Indianapolis is his only top-five, and only three top-10s are definitely not helping his points standings either.

Unfortunately, bad luck is keeping Vitor from ending his IndyCar series-leading winless streak, although it's not for lack of trying.

Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing: C

This team of ChampCar and rookies is catching up to the regulars just as fast as any of the other merger teams, and is the only non-"big three" team to win a race thus far this season.

Both Graham Rahal and Justin Wilson are running strong, albeit inconsistent, races, and look for them to only improve throughout the season.

HVM Racing: C-

EJ Viso had a strong run at St. Petersburg, but other than that, this team hasn't had much to look forward to. However, Viso is running better on ovals, which is a positive step forward for a very small team.

Conquest Racing: D+

Jaime Camara has had major issues finishing races, but ran strong at Richmond, providing what could hopefully be a starting point for better finishes.

Unfortunately, those issues finishing races will not get much better, further causing this team to take a turn for the worse.

AJ Foyt Racing: D

Darren Manning has had top-10s at Motegi, Indianapolis, and most recently at Watkins Glen, but has run poorly otherwise. Given the right equipment, Manning could pull out a race win at a road course, and that would be a huge step forward for this team.

Dreyer & Reinbold Racing: D

When the best finishes for this team are two eighth-place finishes by Buddy Rice, it's easy to see D&R is struggling.

Milka Duno managed to finish at Indianapolis, but was pulled off the track 26 laps in at Iowa, showing her inexperience and inconsistency. Townsend Bell has the talent, but unfortunately not the equipment, to pull off a decent run while with Dryer & Reinbold.

Roth Racing: D-

John Andretti has had some strong finishes as the only bright spot for Roth Racing. Rookie Jay Howard was benched for Marty Roth in what has been an unwise move, further upsetting what little team chemistry was building.

Pacific Coast Motorsports: D-

When you max out your credit cards just to get the team to Indianapolis, there's obviously both equipment and financial issues.

PCM is trying its hardest to give Mario Dominguez the equipment he needs to compete, but just isn't succeeding. Dominguez failed to qualify at Indianapolis, killing the team's finances and severely limiting what they can do for the rest of the season.

Dale Coyne Racing: D-

Bruno Junquiera and Mario Moraes aren't running well, have poor equipment, and are just struggling overall. Although Junquiera has a major sponsor, the team has countless DNFs and no finish in the top 10.

The only bright spot for this team is that Moraes continues to improve, hopefully improving his finishes as well.

Tony Kanaan Headed for Greener Pastures?

Tiffany Davies — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 05:29:23 -0400

Could the ranks at Team Penske or Target-Chip Ganassi swell by one following the 2008 season?

Rumors are swirling that Tony Kanaan wants out of Andretti-Green Racing, and IndyCar's top two teams are the leading candidates for his future home.

Kanaan began racing for AGR in 2003 following its move from ChampCar to IndyCar. However, in the years since, Kanaan has never found himself as the only veteran Indy racer on the team.

Following Dario Franchitti's departure for NASCAR following the 2007 season, Bryan Herta's move to LeMans, and Dan Wheldon's move to Ganassi, Kanaan found himself as the only veteran racer on a team filled with young stars.

In recent races, the performance of the 7-11 car and its driver has been uncharacteristic, specifically on-track run-ins with teammate Marco Andretti, including the incident that ended Kanaan's Indianapolis 500.

Kanaan has repeatedly stated that Andretti is not causing his issues. However, radio transmissions during the race at Texas Motor Speedway indicate differently. Publicly, Kanaan refuses to acknowledge rumors of his leaving AGR, stating instead that his performance during this season is his main focus, not his potential departure.

Although AGR has been his home during his tenure in IndyCar, including his 2004 IndyCar series championship, multiple other teams could be a good fit for the Brazilian.

The recent success of Ryan Briscoe has made Penske a less likely candidate, however, both Ganassi and Penske have the funding to field an additional car, especially if driven by someone of Kanaan's caliber. In addition, other less public teams, specifically Panther Racing's one-car operation (currently the home of Vitor Miera), could be expanded and become a comfortable place if Kanaan can bring the funding and sponsorships he currently has with him.

No matter the outcome of the 2008 season, Andretti-Green Racing will find itself in a very tumultuous position given its struggles throughout the year, both internally and on the racetrack.

A Novice's Guide to Watching the IndyCar Series

Tiffany Davies — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 15:36:02 -0400

As American open wheel racing's first united season is well on its way, many are left watching the races after the Indianapolis 500 wondering, "What is this series all about? There is lots of speed...but who the *$%& are all these foreign guys?" Here's hoping after this, things become slightly clearer.

Overview: Following a nasty split in 1995, the IndyCar Series (formerly the Indy Racing League) and Champ Car World Series (formerly CART) have since made amends, although it wasn't because times had changed, CCWS had simply lost the battle and was going broke.

Tony George heads the series, which has struggled to find viewers and compete with NASCAR in the 2000s. IndyCar is dominated by wealthy race teams, such as Penske Racing, Target Chip Ganassi Racing, and Andretti-Green Racing, however, relative unknowns are able to race on a race-by-race basis.

Tracks: IndyCar has chosen to race mainly on ovals, however, five road courses are on the schedule, including Watkins Glen, New York and Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. Its crowning jewel, however, is Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home of the greatest spectacle in racing: the Indianapolis 500. Other tracks include the Milwaukee Mile, Iowa Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway, and Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Teams/Drivers: These are the main drivers, subdivided by major teams first, minor and single car teams last.

Penske Racing: Team Penske, owned by Roger "The Captain" Penske (of NASCAR and open wheel fame), is home to Helio Castroneves and Ryan Briscoe. Castroneves, known to many non-racing fans for winning 'Dancing with the Stars,' is a previous Indy 500 winner and always a contender for a win. IndyCar fans know him as "Spider-man" because he climbs the fence after a win (he was doing it prior to Tony Stewart).

Briscoe is an up-and-coming driver who also drives Penske's Porsche in the American LeMans Series. He scored his first win at Milwaukee this season. Penske is always a team to watch.

Target-Chip Ganassi Racing: Target-Chip Ganassi Racing, obviously owned by Chip Ganassi, is home to Dan Wheldon, Scott Dixon, and Alex Lloyd. Wheldon, a Brit who won the championship in 2005 with Andretti-Green, is also known for his stunningly good looks and charming personality.

Dixon, the 2008 Indianapolis 500 pole sitter and winner, is cruising towards an IndyCar championship and is always a contender. He was poised to win the title in 2007, but ran out of fuel on the last lap at Chicagoland, giving the win and championship to Dario Franchitti.

Lloyd is relatively unknown. However, he won the Indy Pro Series in 2006 (the development series of IndyCar).

Andretti-Green Racing: AGR, co-owned by Michael Andretti and Kim Green, is known widely as the 'superstar' team. The stable is home to Marco Andretti, Tony Kanaan, Hideki Mutoh, and Danica Patrick. Andretti, son of Michael and grandson of racing legend Mario Andretti, won his first race in 2006 at Infineon, but has struggled slightly since, yet always manages to attract a crowd. He was leading the 2006 Indy 500 when Sam Hornish, Jr. of Team Penske passed him at the finish line to take the win.

Kanaan, one of the sport's most popular drivers, is always a contender for a race win. Mutoh, a rookie from Japan, qualified extremely well at Indy, but is still learning how to race on ovals. He has taken over the #27 car that Dario Franchitti piloted to the 2007 IndyCar Championship, before moving to NASCAR.

Finally, Danica Patrick is in the media spotlight as the only competitive female in the series, and is arguably the face of IndyCar. The first woman to lead the Indy 500 in 2005, she may be better known for her temper tantrums and antics. Danica did score her first career IndyCar win this season at Twin Ring Motegi, Japan.

Vision Racing: Vision, owned by IndyCar President Tony George, is home to Ed Carpenter and A.J. Foyt IV. Carpenter is a conservative driver who earned a top 5 finish at Indy this year, but is known for having superb equipment yet doing little with it. Foyt IV is grandson of the legendary Anthony Joeseph (A.J.) Foyt, Jr., 4-time Indy 500 Champion. He hasn't raced well, but could show promise with better equipment. An engineering switch could be just what he needs to improve his results.

Others: Sarah Fisher is one of three female drivers in IndyCar (joining Danica Patrick and Milka Duno). She is running her own startup team, but has widely publicized funding issues-keeping her from racing the full 2008 season.

Ryan Hunter-Reay: The highest finishing rookie at Indianapolis, he is an up-and-coming driver for Rahal-Letterman racing, co-owned by 1986 Indy 500 winner Bobby Rahal and talk show host David Letterman.

Rahal's son Graham is now in IndyCar, having come aboard with the reunifcation with Champ Car, though he drives for Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing. Graham won the second race of this season in the rain at St. Petersburg-his first IndyCar race (he crashed his car and withdrew from the season-opener at Homestead-Miami).

Vitor Miera: An always-high finisher for Panther Racing, he currently sports the series' longest winless streak but is one of its most popular drivers. Miera's #4 car carries the National Guard colors.

You can learn more about this exciting form of open-wheel racing at the IndyCar website: www.indycar.com

Indiana Hoosiers Football: From Insight Bowl to Out of Contention

Tiffany Davies — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 12:51:32 -0400

After reaching the Insight Bowl following the 2007 season, Indiana University football had hoped to improve on both its standings in the Big Ten Conference and a second straight bowl bid.

However, after a tumultuous offseason, Coach Bill Lynch and the Hoosiers have a long road ahead of them.

Following the end of the 2007 campaign, Indiana had high hopes pinned on quarterback Kellen Lewis and his Michael Vick-like running abilities. However, Lewis appears to have found himself in trouble with the law, landing him an indefinite suspension from the team, said Lynch.

In the meantime, Lynch has begun installing a Ben Chappell-friendly system in preparation for the naming of Chappell as a starting QB. However, Chappell, a Bloomington native, is unproven, having thrown an interception in his one and only play this past season. Hoosier fans must hope that Lynch's throwing friendly vs. running friendly system is more to Chappell's liking.

Although Lewis is both with/off the team due to suspension, CB Tracy Porter and WR James Hardy both left and were drafted in the second round of the 2008 NFL draft. The gaping holes left by these two will be sorely felt, specifically the height of Hardy downfield and his ability to grab slightly off-target balls thrown by Lewis. No true leaders have stepped forward to fill the shoes of these two, however, the leadership of Nick Polk, a S/WR should help.

On the defensive end, the return of Greg Middleton will definitely help, but the lack of size found on both the OL and the DL still hasn't been addressed. Chappell, as a pocket passer much like Peyton Manning, will need protection that wasn't provided to Lewis, a scrambling QB.

The 2008 Indiana Hoosiers football team can only hope to muster together a five- or six-win season, with likely wins coming over Western Kentucky, Murray State, Ball State, Minnesota, and Central Michigan, with another potential (but a stretch) Big 10 win over Iowa.

Likely losses will come to Illinois, Northwestern, Wisconsin, and Michigan State. Toss-up games are Penn State and the Oaken Bucket game, Purdue.