Bruno Junqueira Given Entry To 2010 Indy 500 - CCWS Spirit

Alex Tagliani in his FAZZT ride on the track at St. Petersburg where he showed well with a P6 finish. Image Credit: FAZZT Race Teams

Bruno Junqueira Given Entry To 2010 Indy 500 - CCWS Spirit

In a display of ChampCar World Series spirit, Bruno Junqueira is given a second seat to occupy by FAZZT Race Teams.

In a what goes around, comes around moment and CCWS spirit, Alex Tagliani is able to repay a debt to a former teammate and friend when he was able to have a second car available for Junqueira after Bruno gave the qualified Conquest Racing entry on Bump Day in 2009, which he placed in 30th position, to lead driver Alex Tagliani. Conquest had made the call last year, so now Alex is able to repay the debt to a friend.

Bruno Junqueira is no stranger to American open-wheel racing (a stand out at Ganassi Racing and Newman Haas in ChampCar) or the Indy 500. He has competed in five previous Indianapolis 500 events capturing the pole in his second effort at the Indy 500 in 2002. Junqueira has led 52 laps at the famed 2.5 mile oval and has finished 5th on two occasions, 2001 and 2004.

The FAZZT Race Team is a newly formed full-time entry for the 2010 IndyCar season owned by driver Alex Tagliani, motorsports veteran Jim Freudenberg, actor Jason Priestley and entrepreneur Andre Azzi. Owner Jim Freudenberg elaborated on the signing of Junqueira for the Indianapolis 500 saying, "When we formed the FAZZT Race Team we had a few goals in mind. One of those goals was that if we had the opportunity to field a second entry at Indianapolis that we wanted to put Bruno in that car.

As for the balance of the season? ... who knows cuz' that's just racin'!

... notes from The EDJE

Honda Grand Prix of St. Pete ... via Tweet

Cars on pitlane on gray morning Image Credit: luczodragon

Honda Grand Prix of St. Pete ... via Tweet

In a rare rain delayed Monday morning start, the second round of seventeen races, and the second of four street/road course races, will be run on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida.

Some Andrettis [and a Kanaan] in discussion on the grid. Image Credit: IndyCarNation

The Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is set to start at 10:00 am ET (broadcast on ESPN2) and on a gray morning with the sun coming out, the Dallara cars are expected to be fielded with wets but the track should dry out quickly.

This post will be a compilation of selected "Tweets" from Twitter, Race Control announcements from IndyCar.com, Twitpics and direct dispatches as the race is run.

RogerYasukawa Sun coming out and they won't be on the wets for long I think. Also some variance on downforce level.

FuriousWedge @MyNameIsIRL I won't be "live-blogging" but will be tweeting, somehow managed the luck to pick the perfect day to take a day off

MyNameIsIRL The last race I missed watching because I had to work was won by Arie Luyendyk. I'm telling you in case I'm ever a category on "Jeopardy".

RogerYasukawa Jon Secada singing the National Anthem. Pretty Cool!!

FuriousWedge Anthem done, drivers called to the cars, looks like this is going to get underway immediately once the ESPN2 coverage starts

Broadcast starts and there expects to be a 10 minute delay which will allow the teams to decide to run on wets or drys (tires) which could mix things up pretty well.

RADIO IS LIVE!! RT @IndyCarNation: Today's Radio coverage of the Honda Grand Prix of St. Pete. Tune in here http://ow.ly/1s6hA

kvracing Mario Moraes waiting for command to get in car.

If we stay dry start, the race will run the scheduled distance of 100 laps and teams will be required to use the alternates [REDS] for 2 green laps.

VisionRacing ARGH! #IZODIndyCar Race Control track feed is NOT making us online viewers happy! Any suggestions on a fix @IndyCarNation ?

TheEDJE @VisionRacing - Have IndyCarNation stream ESPN2 #indycar

Row "HOT" announcements - all cars fired up! Cars out on warm-up.

IndyCarPR #18 Duno spins in Turn 14 on the first pace lap. No contact.

luczodragon Rafa says front stretch still pretty damp

indy44 #facepalm RT @cdy_bradshaw: Milka already spins! Its the fxxxing warm up laps! @MilkaDuno23

GREEN! GREEN! GREEN!

Clear through the first corner - Power, Dixon, Andretti, Castroneves, and Kanaan round out the first five

Dario Franchitti and Mike Conway have power spins on wet spots.

kvracing Full course yellow for Franchitti and Conway, separate incidents. Viso 9th, Sato 10th & Moraes 17th

DRRIndyCar Mike has spun in T2 but the car looks ok. Full course yellow. We're pitting when we can.

RESTART - Green Flag

Andretti up to second place on a strong pass.

Half lap later, Marco passes Will Power for firts place - Lap 5

BeccyGordon holy marco! Great racing here in St. Pete. Ryan's right on @jwilson22

Dixon moves up past Power ... then passes Andretti for the lead on Lap 6 - Power has slipped to fourth.

Marco26Web Dixon goes by to take the lead off Marco. Marco keeps close.

FuriousWedge Also of note as I said earlier Vitor is picking off everyone, has moved up 7 spots so far, just said bye bye to Wheldon/Panther

TheEDJE Lap 10 - Dixon, Castroneves, Andretti, Power, Kanaan, Wilson, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Tagliani, Sato, and EJ Viso round out the top 10 #indycar

Briscoe in on Lap 13 to switch to Blacks

indy44 Milka parked with handling issues. Barnhart can't handle it anymore.

TheEDJE @indy44 - Milka thinks she is racing in CUP cars - Start and Park!

kvracing Sato 9th, Viso 10th & Moraes 18th. Lap 14. Dixon, Castroneves, Andretti

VisionRacing It should go w/o saying, @EdCarpenter20 would rather be behind the wheel + we'd rather be in the pits "race tweeting" for you guys....

TheEDJE @VisionRacing - We do too! #indycar

DRRIndyCar There's a banner flapping around in Turn 10, warning the drivers to be careful in that area.

Marco26Web Power takes MA turn one and quickly takes second too. Marco now P4. Gap to TK is just a second

FuriousWedge Will Power has had enough of sitting back now taking down both Marco and Helio in consecutive laps, Marco may have killed his tires early

FuriousWedge Alex Lloyd out the race due to suspension break from tapping the wall in Turn 10 #izodindycar , sounds like the car not handling before that

A great start and a competitive race with actual passing for the second race in a row!

Dixon leads as Power looks to catch up after slipping back in the pack at the start of the race. Image Credit: ScottDixon9

IndyCarPR Lap 20: @scottdixon9 leads #12 Power by 5.9 seconds.

Marco26Web Lead change behind Marco as Wilson gets by TK. Hes now racing for Marco's P4

TheEDJE Lap 26 - Takuma Sato crashes into the tires - so much for Formula 1 experience

Pits closed on first opportunity - Rahal, Tagliani, and a couple of others will not have to go in because they were in a couple of laps earlier.

luczodragon We are staying out

All top cars into the PITS!

IndyCarPR #14 Meira stayed out and is the new race leader. #10 Franchitti, #2 Matos and @ryanbriscoe6 stay on course.

Sweeper truck jams up the field just after the cars come out from pitstops.

TheEDJE Field Reset - Lap 30 - Meria, Matos, Franchitti, Briscoe, Tagliani, Mutoh, Moraes, Rahal, Dixon, and Castroneves are the top 10

FuriousWedge Vitor should have pit before the field caught back up to him, that would have been great to see them try and sort out, hah #izodindycar

Vitor has 34 laps on its fuel - suspect a 2 stop strategy --- Matos could be working the same strategy.

IndyCarPR Lap 31: We're back to Green racing at St. Pete.

Dixon tries a pass on Moraes - touches and bends wing ... cuts Moraes tire

Meria comes in for fuel and tires - Matos inherits the lead followed closly by Franchitti

luczodragon Dario in hot pursuit

indy44 With all the different pit strategies we might be seeing a long shot winning

FuriousWedge For those wondering why Vitor stayed out, he can easily make race on one stop now, a bit of chess being played by A.J. Foyt #izodindycar

MarcoZone MA flat was from Dixon debris...so has TK

PlanetIRLdotcom Nice of Marty to let us know that Mafa Ratos is coming in

HVMracing simona is now in stalking mode in 12th

IndyCarPR Lap 37: Leader #2 Matos pits for four red tires and fuel.

indy44 Martyisms LMAO RT @IndyRacingNut: @PlanetIRLdotcom Don't forget Mideki Hutoh and Arco Mandretti. LOL

TheEDJE Lap 40 - Franchitti, Briscoe, Mutoh, Castroneves, Tagliani, Power, Wilson, Hunter-Reay, Rahal, and Conway are the top 10 #indycar

Franchitti comes in - surrendering the lead to Briscoe - the sixth driver to do so today

Briscoe leads and has 33 laps on his car at lap 46

TheEDJE CRASH - Dan Weldon and Mario Moraes pull a full course caution - Weldon locked up tires coming in too hot! Lap 46 - #indycar

Weldon had a broken rear shaft and was unable to avoid the accident.

TheEDJE Lap 50 - Power, Wilson, Viso, Briscoe, De Silvestr, Castroneves, Patrick, Conway, Franchitti, and Meira are the Top 10 - top three - no pit.

A turning point for the fortunes of DRR driver, Justin Wilson - stays outon a call from his pitbox during the caution period and assumes P2. Image Credit: DRRIndyCar

DRRIndyCar We're P2 with @JustinWilson22. Halfway to the checkered.

FuriousWedge de Silvestro 4th, Danica 5th... insert comment here __________ #izodindycar

VisionRacing RT @indycarnation: Top 11 cars did not stop. New top five #12 Power, @justinwilson22, @ejviso @simdesilvestro and @danicapatrick

Restart - GREEN! GREEN! GREEN! Lap 53

IndyCarPR Lap 54: #10 Franchitti on pit lane with flat left rear tire,

curtcavin Dixon is flying! Up to P5 Great dice. Now P4, passes de Silvestro

OpenWheelWorld Simona is having a spectacular run & definitely holding her own. But we at OWW have always known the talent she posesses

luczodragon P7 giving Danica chase

TheEDJE Lap 60 - Power, Wilson, Viso, Dixon, Silvestro, Patrick, Matos, Kanaan, Briscoe, and Castroneves are your Top 10

VisionRacing Lap 60 #IZODIndyCar St.Pete update: Top 5 Power Wilson Viso Dixon De Silvestro. Interesting race!

curtcavin Dixon should win. He can make it on one more stop. Power cannot.

TheEDJE Viso in - can go 32 laps on a full tank with 35 left - needs help - Conway into the tires on a pass - Viso gets help! #indycar

FuriousWedge I know in the turn itself Matos had nowhere to go but Matos was blocking people for about 15 laps now, feel bad for Conway #izodindycar

luczodragon Conway tried to sneak in a pass and connected with rafa's front wing

luczodragon Were still 9th when we come in

kvracing Just after Viso pitted, yellow flag came out, and everyone in front of Viso still needs to pit!!

Everyone except Viso on pitstops for Yellow Flag Stop - to the end

TheEDJE Lap 67 - Meira stays out - WHY? - Viso, Power, Wilson, Briscoe, Dixon, Castroneves, Tagliani, Patrick, and Silvestro are the Top 10 #indycar

GREEN! GREEN! GREEN! at Lap 69 - Great, tight racing without an incident

indy44 This is good!

curtcavin How was there not a big crash on that restart lap?

EJ Viso takes over the lead as Meira steps out for a pitstop.

luczodragon 72 laps complete Rafa 9 and about to go to 8

Full course caution as Viso looses a gearbox, and several cars begin to mess up with the compression and sorting out of the field

VisionRacing Dixon in the wall?!

BeccyGordon caution. Rahal spun Simon. Ryan looked like he got into the back of Graham but he thinks the wing might be okay.

IndyCarNation Now we're full course yellow for @scottdixon9 who is in the Wall in Turn 9.

Marco26Web Small amount of mayhem in front but the #26 avoids trouble. After this latest caution Marco is now P12. RHR ahead

TheEDJE Restart Lap 78 - Power, Wilson, Briscoe, Castroneves, Tagliani, Patrick, Matos, Rahal, Kanaan, and Franchitti round out the Top 10 #indycar

FuriousWedge Hate how all the Penske drivers always jump the start and Barnhart never calls them on it; at least Wilson was ready for it #izodindycar

DRRIndyCar 20 laps left. @JustinWilson22 still P2, running behind Will Power. Lot of racing left!

IndyCarPR Lap 80: #12 Power leads @justinwilson22 by 1.0830 seconds.

IndyCarPR @BeccyGordon watched an in car replay...looked like RHR touched GR under braking

DRRIndyCar Car 22 timing stand http://twitpic.com/1brt2w

luczodragon The work force is a little lighter today in Tampa/st. Pete http://twitgoo.com/m56qp

BeccyGordon Ryan got the short end of the stick when the caution came out & knocked the fuel game out of the picture. He was P3 of that group.

luczodragon Team Penske occupying three of top four spots

indy44 RT @MikeM_PR: 15 to go @justinwilson22 just set fast time. Hunting down Will Power for P1

kvracing 14 laps remain. Power leads Wilson, Briscoe, Castroneves, Tagliani. Viso is 17th and just ran fastest lap of race 63.8605 secs

IndyCarPR 13 to go... #12 Power leads @justinwilson22 by 1.0144 of a second.

TheEDJE Two drivers who transitioned from the ChampCar World Series are leading the race! GO CCWS SPIRIT! #indycar

kvracing 10 laps remain, Viso running 17th. Moraes and Sato are out.

VisionRacing 10 laps to go at St.Pete #IZODIndyCar: Power Wilson Briscoe Helio Tag Danica Matos Rahal Kanaan Dario

luczodragon Can Power run table and win every race? He's started very strong

OpenWheelWorld Despite a rough weekend, Rahal is really hustling that Dollar General Car around today. Should be a nice result for SFRacing

Franchitti passes Rahal for P8 then Matos for P7 and sets up Patrick for P6

luczodragon Dario making hard charge moves ahead of Graham and rafa

kvracing @VisionRacing here is your current top10, power, wilson, briscoe, helio, tagliani, danica, matos, dario, rahal, kanaan (5 laps to go)

FuriousWedge Dario does what no ones else can, gets around Danica's blocking #izodindycar

indy44 After early problems Dario is wiping the field in his Cottenelle car. #lastTPreference

TheEDJE Dario Franchitti moves from 11th to 5th in 10 laps - passes Tagliani #indycar

WHITE FLAG LAP - Wilson tries to close

TheEDJE Team Penske holds three of the top four positions to finish the race & two drivers from the former CCWS are P1 & P2 - classy race! #indycar

indy44 Another great race. Looking good for #IZODIndyCar this season. Heading back to work, have a great day friends!

paultracy3 Dave Faustino - Powers engineer - is the man right now

Podium finishers P1 - Will Power, P2 - Justin Wilson, and P3 Ryan Briscoe. P1 and P2 were drivers who came into the IRL through the merger of the CCWS and IRL. Image Credit: DRRIndyCar

Final Order at 100 laps - Will Power/Penske, Justin Wilson/DRR, Ryan Briscoe/Penske, Helio Castroneves/Penske, Dario Franchitti/Target Chip Ganassi, Danica Patrick/Andretti, Raphael Matos/Luzco Dragon, Rahal/Dollar General Fischer Racing, and Tony Kanaan/Andretti for the Top 10!

... notes from The EDJE

UPDATE - Results:

Pos  Driver               Team                         Time/Gap
1.  Will Power           Penske                  2h07m05.7968s
2.  Justin Wilson        Dreyer & Reinbold           + 0.8244s
3.  Ryan Briscoe         Penske                      + 4.7290s
4.  Helio Castroneves    Penske                      + 5.1699s
5.  Dario Franchitti     Ganassi                    + 22.2172s
6.  Alex Tagliani        Fazzt                      + 29.3224s
7.  Danica Patrick       Andretti                   + 30.3360s
8.  Raphael Matos        de Ferran Luczo Dragon     + 30.6695s
9.  Graham Rahal         Sarah Fisher               + 30.8426s
10.  Tony Kanaan          Andretti                   + 31.3508s
11.  Ryan Hunter-Reay     Andretti                   + 31.6286s
12.  Marco Andretti       Andretti                   + 32.1703s
13.  Mario Romancini      Conquest                   + 39.8086s
14.  Hideki Mutoh         Newman/Haas/Lanigan        + 39.9949s
15.  Vitor Meira          Foyt                       + 56.0593s
16.  Simona de Silvestro  HVM                           + 1 lap
17.  EJ Viso              KV                           + 3 laps

Retirements:

Scott Dixon          Ganassi                 73 laps
Mike Conway          Dreyer & Reinbold       64 laps
Dan Wheldon          Panther                 46 laps
Mario Moraes         KV                      45 laps
Takuma Sato          KV                      21 laps
Alex Lloyd           Dale Coyne              10 laps
Milka Duno           Dale Coyne              7 laps

Descriptive race review HERE>>
(ht: autosport.com)

Volvo ownership moves from Ford to ... China

The Volvo Car Corporation is one of the car industry’s strongest brands, with a long and proud history of world-leading innovations. Founded in Gothenburg, Sweden, by Gustaf Larson and Assar Gabrielsson, the first car left the factory on 14 April, 1927. It was called ÖV4 (Jakob). Image Credit: egmCarTech

Volvo ownership moves from Ford to ... China

In the annals of automobile culture, nothing expresses the challenge of change more than a change in the culture of ownership of a manufacturing operation.

So when Chinese low-end mass production automobile brand, Geely purchased the Swedish premium brand Vlovo from Ford for $1.8 billion, many thought this made sense. Geely could get help migrating up the quality and auto size chain from small and cheap, to mid-sized with a premium brand added on to coordinate.

Ford sold Volvo at a time when their domestic stable brands are benefitting from American free-market loyalty ever since the Obama Administrationtook over and restructured the other two domestic brands ... retaining control over General Motors and selling off Chrysler to Italian automaker Fiat while hurting investors through a devaluation of position along the way.

The culture difference between Volvo and Ford was never able to turn a profit so one has to question if the culture divide between China and Sweeden might be a bit more tough to cross even though China can boast the largest potential market on Earth. Chinese Government support and the desire for Geely management to win where others may fail could be the key.

Understand now that when one purchases a Volvo ... they will be supporting a subset of the Chinese government as they seek to become the most powerful nation on the planet.

Has Geely and China over-reached in this cross-borders international expansion with the purchase of an internationally recognized European luxury car operation (the first of its kind by a large Chinese equipment manufacturer)?

This excerpted and edited from Financial Times -

Premium car deal fills a hole at Geely
By Patti Waldmeir, Financial Times - Published: March 29 2010 03:00 | Last updated: March 29 2010 03:00

Arthur D Little, the consultancy, has predicted that Geely would be one of only five Chinese automakers - out of more than 100 - likely to make it into the "exclusive club of global OEM champions" by 2020.
Reference Here>>

Culture integration may be the first order of business to success or failure.

... notes from The EDJE

36th Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach events cheatsheet

The 36th annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach logo on the side of an IZOD IndyCar Series Dallara show car on display outside of V2O Nightclub & Events Center during the Committee of 300 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach KICKOFF PARTY. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2010)

36th Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach events cheatsheet

The 36th annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach activities get started in earnest this week as the ticket office opens and events are firmed up for all to enjoy during race weekend "At The Beach". The Grand Prix downtown ticket office opened Monday March 22, 2010, and is located at 300 E. Seaside Way in Long Beach (near the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center box office). The office is expected to be open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

One of the anticipated events that kick-off the weekend of April 16-18 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, featuring six races including the IZOD IndyCar Series, is the Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame induction ceremony that happens the day before the formal activities get started - April 15, 2010 at 11:00am - Pine Avenue in front of the Long Beach Convention Center.

The City of Long Beach kicks off the 2010 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach by honoring two additional members to the 5th annual Motorsports Walk of Fame: Michael Andretti (whose father, Mario, is already honored with a medallion and whose son, Marco will be competing in the IZOD IndyCar Series race) and Danny Sullivan. The event honors motorsports stars that have either lived in Long Beach or have graced the oceanside city with their talent, along the way to a pinnacle career behind the wheel in sporting competition.

A one-of-a-kind, two-foot in diameter medallion was cast, listing the name and accomplishments of the honoree, then set in cement for all race fans and visitors to see as they walk down the east side of Pine avenue in front of the Convention Center. Past inductees include Phil Hill, Dan Gurney, Brian Redman, Chris Pook, Paul Newman, Carl Haas, Al Unser, Jr., Bobby Rahal, Parnelli Jones, and Gary Gabelich. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2008)

The official three-day event, headlined with the fourth stop in the IZOD IndyCar Series 17 race season, that runs from April 16-18 also includes: the popular Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race; the technologically advanced sports cars of the Tequila Patron American Le Mans Series at Long Beach race; Firestone Indy Lights; Team Drifting Challenge and the SCCA Pro World Challenge.

The Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race will again boast a star-studded lineup that includes the return of Keanu Reeves, who will defend his 2009 race win, skateboarding icon Tony Hawk and Christian Slater tangling with professional drivers such as former CART champion Jimmy Vasser and Drifting ace Tanner Foust in an always-action-packed 10-lap dash for charity.

In addition to wheel-to-wheel racing, fans can enjoy the Tecate Light Fiesta Friday Concert Presented by Exitos 93.9 at 6:30 p.m., with the potent one-two punch of "Molotov" and "Maldita Vecindad." On Saturday, the Tecate Light Rock-N-Roar Concert Presented by KLOS at 6:30 p.m. features classic rockers "Cheap Trick."

Both concerts, held on the Convention Center outdoor stage, are free to race ticket holders.

The weekend-long Lifestyle Expo in the Convention Center - free to all ticket holders - features the alternative energy vehicles of "Green Power Prix-View" and highlights renewable energy sources and a host of energy tips for inside AND outside the home, as well as racecars, games, simulators, and BMX bike exhibitions. A new addition, Arena Jamm, will take place inside the Long Beach Arena and feature over 20 local musical acts providing a constant stream of entertainment throughout the weekend.

Of course, if paying for tickets is not your thing, and you would rather be a part of the 36th annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach as opposed to just watching the show, join the Committee Of 300. Volunteer and be seen assisting on staffing for the Los Angeles and Orange County Auto Shows, the Belmont Shore Auto Classics Show, the Belmont Shore, Seal Beach, and Daisy Lane holiday parades, and are supporters of the STEEL MAGNOLIAS, an organization for the Stramski Children's Development Center at Memorial Hospital ... the C-300! Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2010)

The famed race circuit, which includes the downtown streets of Long Beach surrounding the Long Beach Entertainment and Convention Center, is 1.97 miles in length and includes 11 turns. Grandstands lining the circuit include reserved seating, limited general admission seats, and seating for various hospitality club ticket packages.

In addition to the downtown walk-up service, tickets can be ordered via credit card by using the toll-free ticket hotline, (888) 82-SPEED. Tickets can also be purchased on-line at www.gplb.com or at Ticketmaster outlets. Handicapped seating, IZOD IndyCar Paddock Passes, Super Photo tickets and a wide variety of hospitality club packages - including the all-new Vista Club atop the Hyatt Regency Hotel - are also available.

So get your tickets to the 36th annual Race at the Beach weekend, see some famous race drivers get honored, and don't forget to slap on your "SPF 500" sunscreen. It always is sunny and hot around Shoreline Drive, the Aquarium and Ocean Avenue as the sound of high-revving naturally aspirated Honda engines echo off of the buildings and fill the air.

Flowers, sunshine, SPF sunscreen, and the sound of race engines ... it MUST be spring in Southern California.

... notes from The EDJE

NASCAR - Bristol: Johnson notches first win, attendance down

In a milestone race Sunday at Bristol Motor Speedway, Jimmie Johnson -- the last driver third-place finisher Kurt Busch wanted to see win the race -- took the checkered flag for the 50th time in his Cup Series career in the Food City 500. Image Credit: NASCAR.com

NASCAR - Bristol: Johnson notches first win, attendance down

With all of the winning Jimmie Johnson has been doing over these last four years, with consecutive national championships and now three wins in five races to begin a fifth year with few challenges from the forty car plus field ... in his 17 career races at the famed short-track at Bristol, Tennessee, Johnson has nine top-10 finishes but yesterday marked his first victory at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Further, with this victory, Jimmie Johnson became one of just 12 drivers to score 50 or more career victories and now there are only five active tracks Johnson has not won on: Michigan, Infineon, Watkins Glen, Chicagoland and Homestead.

With all of this winning the #48 car has had over these last four PLUS years, it is hard to find anything wrong except for this one troubling fact, after 55 sellout NASCAR Cup events at the Bristol track, the attendance was down at the Food City 500. The Bristol Motor Speedway can accommodate 160,000 and yesterday's attendance was NASCAR estimated to be 138,000.

The speedway’s record streak of 55 sellouts began back in August 1982 – when the track could accommodate a mere 30,000 fans.

Many seats in the grandstands at Bristol Motor Speedway were empty at the start of Sunday’s Food City 500. Image Credit: Andre Teague

This excerpted and edited from Bleacher Report -

NASCAR: Empty Seat Syndrome Even at Bristol
By Sandra MacWatters - 3-21-2010

The contagion of empty seats at racing venues appears to have migrated from California to Bristol, Tennessee.

NASCAR depends on fans. Sponsors suffer when fans don't attend races and television viewership drops.

The average NASCAR fan must budget for attending a race. Going to an event might equate to a mortgage payment for the family home.
----
Lowered attendance cause the dominoes to fall with local businesses suffering due to reduced influx of fans.
----
During the Sprint Cup race at Bristol, Darrell Waltrip commented on air about the weather keeping fans away from the track. Weather was an unlikely suspect in the low attendance. Most people come to the track for the Nationwide race and the Sprint Cup race. It was bright and sunny for the Saturday race.

The stands were probably only sixty percent filled for the Nationwide race at Bristol.
----
There are those who say the COT [Car Of Tomorrow standardization] has dampened attendance. The wing will be gone in Martinsville making the Cup cars look more normalized.

The "let the boys have at it" will continue to play out. Hopefully it will bring about the anticipated fan attention.

Another camp of people believe Jimmie Johnson's winning ways have been a downer for the supporters of other drivers. He has won three out of the five races this season so far.

It just may take the return of Dale Earnhardt Jr. to competitive, perhaps winning ways to offset the Johnson tedium and get the fans back in the stands.
----
We can hope the economy and employment levels will rebound to improve the situation at hand.

One still has to wonder if all the people who stay away from the races will be watching on television.

For the sake of all concerned, hopefully the spread of empty seat syndrome won't become epidemic.
Reference Here>>

... notes from The EDJE

Highest television ratings in Brazil for IZOD IndyCar Series race in Sao Paulo

Highest television ratings in Brazil for IZOD IndyCar Series race in Sao Paulo

As reported on VERSUS TV, Bob Jenkins stated that it has been measured that the highest ratings for any television broadcast ever in Brazil was registered for the opening race of the IZOD IndyCar Series in Sao Paulo, Brazil. This was a very good race on ANY level. The CCWS was fairly well represented on the driverside (Will Power, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Raphael Matos) ... not so much on the teamside (top CCWS transition team finish was KV Racing technology at P12). RHR and Vitor both were coming into the race having sustained back injuries last year - a very good drive? for those in the top five places - a good start for the first year series sponsor, IZOD!

The race started with a first lap compression accident touched off by ICS rookie and seven year former Formula 1 driver for KV Racing Technology's Takuma Sato. Sato, came in too hot on the first corner setting up a chain reaction accident that aids in taking out KV Racing Technology teammate Mario Moraes (also has trouble slowing down) who lands on top of Andretti Autosport's Marco Andretti.

The ratings were boosted by the fact that seven drivers from Brazil were competing in this first race of the 2010 ICS season and many are household names ... they are Vitor Meira - AJ Foyt Racing - finishing P3, Raphael Matos - Luczo Dragon Racing - finishing P4, Helio Castroneves - Verizon Penske Racing - finishing P9, Tony Kanaan - Andretti Autosports - finishing P10, Ana Beatriz (Bia Figueiredo) - Dreyer&Reinbold Racing - finishing P13, Mario Romancini - Conquest Racing - finishing P17, and Mario Moraes - KV Racing Technology - finishing P24.

... notes from The EDJE

Roughed up "dance" surface in Sao Paulo leaves Franchitti "reeling" in securing P1

The Scot Dario Franchitti, ruling champion of the IndyCar, will begin the first race of the year from pole position, to the being the fastest today in the morning in the urban circuit of Anhembi, in classifications that were postponed by serious problems of traction in the main straight line, that caused that the pilots had serious problems of takes hold in one of the fastest parts of the track. Caption and Image Credit: mepongodepie.com

Roughed up "dance" surface in Sao Paulo leaves Franchitti "reeling" in securing P1

Defending IndyCar Series (ICS) champion, Dario Franchitti of Scotland, won the pole position (P1) for the IndyCar season-opener on the streets of Sao Paulo on Sunday. In Scottish country dancing, the reel is one of the four traditional step dances and is danced in reel time.

Qualifying for the inaugural Sao Paulo Indy 300 was moved to Sunday after drivers complained on Saturday that the track's front stretch lacked enough grip to keep the cars from stepping out making it unsafe.

The straightaway of the track goes through a stadium-like Sambadrome and the surface is usually painted for the traditional Carnival dancing parades and it had remained slippery even though organizers removed the paint. The straight stretches for about a third of a mile and is the only part of the track constructed of concrete instead of asphalt and it is where today's 75-lap race is scheduled to start and finish. Grooves were added to the Sambadrome straightaway overnight to fix the problem.

Franchitti clocked in at a 1 minute, 27.7354 seconds fastest lap speed during the Firestone Fast Six qualifying round that had Alex Tagliani of Canada, second, 0.0322 seconds back, Justin Wilson of England, making his debut for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, will start third (1:27.8183), 0.0829 behind, American Ryan Hunter-Reay, also competing in his first race for Andretti Autosport, will start fourth (1:27.8756), the Penske of Australian driver Will Power, fifth (1:28.0156), and finishing with Andretti Autosport's Tony Kanaan, sixth (1:28.6946), and he will represent the Brazilian with the best starting spot. Qualifying Results>>

This excerpted and edited from the translated Brazilian website, VOOZ -

Meanwhile, optimum Brazilian was Tony Kanaan, that leaves in the sixth position.

The trainings of classification of the stage of São Paulo must have happened in the afternoon of Saturday, but problems in the straight line of the Sambódromo had postponed the dispute for the morning of this sunday. After the emergenciais repairs in this stretch of the circuit of the Anhembi, the cars had obtained to develop the speed waited in the session that defined grid of jettison, although the constant dust in the track.

For the Brazilian pilots, the trainings of classification were not very good. Tony Kanaan (Andretti) was the only one to dispute the last part of the session, when position was defined pole, but obtained only the sixth place. Excessively they had been being for the way: Helium Castroneves (Penske), Vitor Meira (AJ Foyt) and Raphael Matos (Luczo Dragon) had fallen in the second part, while Bia Figueiredo (Dreyer&Reinbold), Mario Romancini (Conquest) and Mario Moraes (KV) had left soon in the first one.
Reference Here>>

Organizers had three months to set up the track following the announcement that the IndyCar Series would be coming to Brazil for the first time since the CART series raced in the Latin American country from 1996 to 2000.

With the running of this race today, Sao Paulo becomes the only city in the world to host both an IndyCar Series and a Formula 1 (GP Brazil de Fórmula 1 to be held November 7th) in 2010.

... notes from The EDJE

The first ever Mojave Mile Shootout experience

On a chilly spring day near where the 58 and 14 highways intersect, the participants line up to take their runs in the first ever Mojave Mile Shootout [CTRL-CLICK image to see video]. Image Credit: Rhode Island Red

The first ever Mojave Mile Shootout experience

This post is a compilation of personal reactions file Shootout held on Saturday, March 6, 2010 at the famed Mojave Air and Space Port, a private airfield (featuring a 12,000 foot runway) in Mojave, CA.

A man and his motorcycle setting up for a run. The bike is a 1936 Indian ... a definite show piece. Image Credit: Rhode Island Red

Mile Shootout format racing is already a popular speed event held in Texas, the Midwest, and the East Coast. Basically, a Mile Shootout allows participants to take an approved vehicle (motorcycle or car) from a standing-start, flat out speed, as fast as you can go in ONE MILE! Unlike a drag race, there is only one car on the track at a time. The measurement is not based on an elapsed time, only top speed. Because there is no E.T., burnouts and hot starts are not necessary or needed - just traction and a steady drive.

Anybody 18 years or older, with a current valid driver’s license and insurance and a safe machine with good tires is eligible. Please note, however, that you must have permission of the vehicle’s owner to actually race it with one caveat ... NO RENTAL CARS are allowed.

2002 Firehawk #35 - All Known and hidden options... 382rwhp/366rwtq |!CAGS | SLP bolt-on SFC's | STB | TB Bypass | Ported Throttle Body | SLP Aftermarket Dual/Dual | 160 T-stat | Airborn coated K***s **'s | Custom Cam | UD pulley | !Air | LS7 Clutch Image Credit: Rhode Island Red

This excerpted and edited from LS1TECH -
Mojave Mile results. I ran a top speed of...
By Rhode Island Red, TECH Fanatic - 03-06-2010, 09:54 PM

145.0 then

145.3

and finally a 143.9 having trouble finding 5th (took me a couple seconds). The DA was 3000 feet at an actual 2700 feet (cloudy cool damp with a sprinkle a couple times).

My initial goal was to do between 130-140 and shoot for 140, thus upgrading me from the 150 class to the 165 class. I exceeded my goal.

Big Red Camero ... the day's fastest run with a 200.7mph trap speed [CTRL-CLICK image to see video]. Image Credit: Rhode Island Red

Big Red Camaro's best was 196.6 and finally a 200.7mph when I took off for home.

J.R. Enjoying his 200.7 mph pass in hiss 1100 hp Big red Camaro before being swarmed by magazine reporters [CTRL-CLICK image to see video]. Image Credit: Rhode Island Red

The ZR1 corvette was running a 165.6. Many corvette ran 150's and a couple ran 170's.

Many of the Ford GT's ran 160's and a couple ran in the mid 180's. A stock Dodge magnum SRT8 ran a 152.8.
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Need 400+ hp to break the 150's. Besides Big Red, I was THE ONLY f-body there. Seemed like a Corvette vs Ford GT top speed shootout ... GT's won with a 186 mph to speed pass.
Reference Here>>

Great License Plate - Comment from car owner - Now my time to brag... 189.4 on my last run, just edging out Black Ice for the best Ford GT time of the day.. and I think is the second best car time of the day! Image Credit: Apollo

This excerpted and edited from Ford GT Forum -

First Annual Mojave Mile Event
By Fast Freddy, gps'd 212 mph - 03-07-2010, 01:18 PM

The fastest of my 3 runs was 182.3 mph. i have a 2.87" pulley and 100 octane heffner tune with an MMP X-pipe. i was on stock tires.

My weather station was reporting a corrected DA of 4000' above sea level and a 10 mph crosswind on my run. It was nice meeting everybody and i had a great time.
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I think with the whipple and some nitrous i can go 200+ mph at the mojave mile.
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I have done 4 different 1 mile top speed shootouts in America now. I have done the "HIGH noon" shootout twice at the Silver State Classic, the Texas Mile once, the "HIGH Roller" mile shootout once and the Mojave Mile once. By far the best location, track and event is the "Mojave Mile"

One of a plethora of Ford GT350's ... this one with a classic bright blue and orange GULF Oil livery. Image Credit Rhode Island Red

And this ...

A newbie's perspective
GTED, GT Owner - 03-07-2010, 05:45 PM

What a fun and addictive game.....especially for a 1st timer.

I have a pulley/tune and x-pipe mod on Bridgestone. As a 1st timer, i had to do a qualify run to demonstrate the ability to reach 140-150 without "incedents".
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I reached 169.7; 172.1;and 177.8. I was thorough happy as my goal for the day was to reach 170.

Terry's got it figured out. Veronica looks GREAT in the red suit! And she has the balls (er..ahh..whatever girls have) to drive 177 MPH!!! THAT ROCKS. Image Credit: SYCO GT

Then, FastFreddy and Skyrex told me the "secret sauce" to get to 180! They told me to stay in 4th, since shifting to 5th would lose too much rpm and a few mph on the acceleration.

So armed with this tip, I was all pumped for the next run. Unfortunately, in 3rd, I held it a little too long and when it touched the rev limiter I lost a second or 2, I ended with 176.8!

Backward, lost 1mph not acceptable! One more run... In the final run of the day, I was the 15th car in the 20 cars run group sitting at the staging spot. Still pumped and all I could think of was 180, 180..... the wait in the cue drove me nuts.... Finally, I was waved to the starting box. The green flag dropped, I went for it!! Come on, baby!! I wanted that 180 badly!!! Too eager, I spun the wheels again in 1st at 3k rpm.... stayed in 4th gear and vrrrroooooommmmm..... 178.8!

Oh well, didn't get 180, sorry Skyrex and FastFreddy.... Man, only if I could do one or two more runs to get better the take off in 1st gear, I know I'd get there. Still, thoroughly satisfied!!

Also worth mentioning, I was too glad to meet all the nice GT folks, The Apollo's (Terry and Veronica- you go girl! 177, wow!); Love CHP- Richard and Sue; FastFreddy, and Skyrex and a few others whose name escaped me at the moment.

Clinton had a great showing, thundering down the track; his acceleration is visually evidenced!! He had the fastest non-race car speed at 188 and change. I don't count the 200.7 reached be the Camero as it is a race car.
Reference Here>>

The Mojave Mile Shootout was open to anyone with a car or motorcycle, and, as this event grows in popularity, it is hoped that it will be held multiple times per year.

... notes from The EDJE