The IndyCar Texas 550 Queries Wisdom Of NASCAR's Oval Popularity

Helio Castroneves's 200+ mph turbo and Firestone Tires tire management wins the IZOD IndyCar Texas 550. Disney Animation's cartoon character, TURBO, as it was depicted on the DW12 aero-panel of Penske Racing's Helio Castroneves' Chevy-powered turbo-assisted engine Dallara race car at the 39th Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2013)

The IndyCar Texas 550 Queries Wisdom Of NASCAR's Oval Popularity

The Texas 550 leaves one with a most disturbing revelation or question concerning the popularity of oval racing. Why do fans prefer the slow, methodical ... almost certain predictability of NASCAR oval draft-pack racing over the lowered down-force exhibition put on by the IZOD IndyCar Series (IICS) on the 24-degree banking found at the Texas 550?

Andretti Autosport's #25 DW12 Dallara of Marco Andretti, pre-race co-leader in championship points attributed to consistent finishes with no wins. Image Credit: IndyCar Garage via Twitter

By any measure, the sophomore year Dallara DW12's combined with the experienced driving talent found in the IICS had the most educated and ardent fan guessing at the beginning of last Saturday night's race as to what factors would carry the day and deliver a most entertaining result.

ABC Sports Jamie Little catches up with IICS Championship points leaders Helio Castroneves and Marco Andretti. Image Credit: Penske Racing via Twitter

Would there be yet another, different winner (first time, or not) to win a race in this 2013 season? There has been one repeat winner with James Hinchcliffe and in seven previous races run, five first-time race winners had been crowned ... counting the INDY 500 as a stand alone event - Hinchcliffe, Sato, Kanaan (INDY 500), Conway, and Pagenaud. The only other race winner was last year's IICS champion Ryan Hunter-Reay at Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama.

The track located near Ft. Worth, Texas has held 24 IndyCar open wheel races before and in the last seven years there had been no driver to repeat a winning result. Last year, in fact, a known road/street course specialist in the form of British race car driver, Justin Wilson, driving for Dale Coyne racing received his second overall win in the series. Also, one can win from any qualifications position ... Wilson won last year from the 17th starting position. Further, this 1.5 mile track, is noted for the most close finishes registered (measured in .1000's) by any on the schedule.

Race Director, Beaux Barfield discusses pit-in and pit-out rules with the drivers before heading out to the track to race. Image Credit:  Paddock Insider via Twitter

The 24-degree banking is a major factor in delivering the close quarters racing with a varied result because the 4-G down-force the speed and banking create has the cars set up with lower down-force which has the focus clearly placed on tire wear (for grip) and driver acumen in achieving the fine balance of speed versus longevity of GREEN Flag racing run. Longer runs and the maintenance of grip through the tire wear curve are rewarded here at Texas Motor Speedway.

Lastly, this has been an amazingly competitive season amongst the teams that where not perceived as power house teams. Outside of the very capable Andretti Autosport team, the other two perennial championship caliber teams, Penske Racing and Target Chip Ganassi Racing (TCGR), had yet to achieve a win and had only three podium finishes through seven races (that's 3 out of a possible 21 podium finishes). Would these two teams continue to be locked out in winning?

Qualifications had Penske Racing's Will Power capture the pole with Helio Castroneves slotting in at P6 with TCGR's Dario Franchitti ahead at P4. Andretti Autosport had its three of its four drivers - Andretti P2, Hunter-Reay P3, Viso P5, and Hinchcliffe P13 - in the top five positions.

The race itself starts out in the late afternoon/dusk and ends under the lights at night after a total of 278 very fast over 200 mph, 1.5 mile laps (under 20 seconds). Weather was clear, spring-like and not a factor.

Penske Racing's Will Power leads the field off of pit lane having qualified for the pole position at a speed of 219.182 mph. “These days you have a one-in-24 chance because that is how many cars are starting and there are so many good teams and drivers," Power said. "To get a win here would be phenomenal. My wife is from here, all the family is coming out so if I don’t win here I’m probably not coming home for dinner.” The crowd in the stands behind seemed short of expectation. Image Credit: Paddock Insider via Twitter

The final 75 laps as reported from 140 or less characters as posted on Twitter - Tweet-By-Tweet -

Formula Ràpida @FormulaRapidaV
#indycar 75togo 1. Castroneves +10 sg 2.Power 3. Reay 4. Carpenter 5. Franchitti 6. Kanaan

heriberto briceño @toni5632
#indycar #Firestone550 #TEXAS 166 de 228 #lider: castroneves 2 power 3hunter-reay 4carpenter 5franchitti @EJVISO P9 entra sato

Ricardo Cardoso @ricardo_engsoft
Castroneves pit-in. Lap 175/228. #IndyCar #Firestone550

Kenny Shook @KennyShook
The difference that new tires are making in this Indy race is rediculous. #firestone550 #texasheat

Dakota Hunter  @ElKotaLoca1499
41 laps to go: 9 cars on the lead lap as pretty much the whole field has made their final pit stop. #IndyCar #Firestone550

@The EDJE
Helio, TK, Marco, RHR, Carpenter, Power, Jakes, Newgarden

Scott Tackett @ScottTackett24
Everyone wants a caution except for Helio Castroneves. He has a 15 second lead over 2nd place with 36 to go! #Firestone550 #IndyCar

Ash (アシュー) @racingAsh
When these tires fall off, they REALLY fall off. @h3lio @penskeracing doing a great job conserving his tires. #IndyCar #Firestone550 on @ABC

@The EDJE
203 - Helio Marco, RHR, Carpenter, Jakes Dario, only on lead lap

Eric Smith @Ericsportsguru
New Order 23 to go: Helio, RHR, Carpenter, Jakes, Dario, Power Only cars on Lead Lap #Firestone550

ForTheLoveofIndy @4TheLoveOfIndy
RHR almost a second quicker that time by. #IndyCar #Firestone550

@The EDJE
16 laps to go - RHR now 5.6 seconds

@The EDJE
198 mph vs 202 mph with Helio vs RHR

heriberto briceño @toni5632
#indycar #Firestone550 #TEXAS 12 para ir #lider: castroneves 2hunter-reay 3carpenter 4kannan 5franchitti @EJVISO P9

@The EDJE
TK, who just pitted for new tires, is out on a terror at 208 mph and a full straight difference

@The EDJE
Podium if ends now with 7 laps - Helio, RHR, Carpenter, ... TK just passes to grab P3

@The EDJE
5 laps to go - 201 vs 198 - Helio vs RHR

@The EDJE
Helio has opened up the throttle and leads by 5.4 sec with 2 laps to go

Erik @WeAreBullied
FINAL LAP WOOOOO #INDYCAR

@The EDJE
Penske and Helio wins the G-Force challenge at Ft. Worth - 22 point lead in IICS Championship

Mark Panichelli @markpanichelli
Congrats @h3lio , wow ! class of the field tonight ! First 4-time winner of #Texas #IndyCar race

So it's Helio, RHR, TK, Carpenter, Marco, Dario, Power, Newgarden, Hinch, and Viso are the top 10

Eric Smith @Ericsportsguru
#Firestone550 finishing order: 3,1,11,20,25,10,12,67,27,5,14,16,77,6,19,78,83,55,4,7,15,98,9,18

BuckeyeGDO @buckeyegdo
“@nascarcasm: Typically, climbing a fence in the state of Texas isn't something that's met with fanfare. #IndyCar”

Randy Bernard @RBINDYCAR
Cont. @eddiegossage #indycar prime time race on #ABC prior to me leaving.  Please tell the truth when you do interviews

Tony Olufson @Tolufson
Agreed! “@tonydizinno: After all the angst over pack races in the past, enjoyed the differentiation tonight and the safe race #IndyCar”
ENDS

Gotta' love the winner's prize - a cowboy hat and a couple of pearl handled six-shooters handed off to Helio under the flames of a podium that had his name in lights! Image Credit: John Cote via IndyCar.com

Last year we got to see a 6'3" Brit, Justin Wilson, pop off a couple of rounds, this year Brazilian Helio Castroneves put a little boot-scootn' into climbing the fence and shooting the six-irons. He looks almost too good in a cowboy hat.

At the end of the race, again this question pops up, why do fans prefer the slow, methodical ... almost certain predictability of NASCAR oval draft-pack racing over the lowered down-force exhibition put on by the IZOD IndyCar Series (IICS) on the 24-degree banking found at the Texas 550?

Answers ... anyone?

... notes from The EDJE

Featured Article >>>

**Article first seen as The IndyCar Texas 550 Queries Wisdom Of NASCAR's Oval Popularity at Motorsports Unplugged**

TAGS: NASCAR, KV Racing Technology, Texas Motor Speedway, Tony Kanaan, Andretti Autosport, Texas 550,Will Power, Penske Racing, Ryan Hunter Reay, IZOD IndyCar Series, Motorsport, The EDJE

Will The 97th INDY 500 Become An Andretti Autosport Shootout?

A joyous Michael Andretti as he basks in the glow of being the team owner of the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Champion Ryan Hunter-Reay while fielding questions from the press just after the last race of the season at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2012)

Will The 97th INDY 500 Become An Andretti Autosport Shootout?

The month of May, 2013, at the famed two and a half mile rectangle/oval located at Speedway, Indiana has been dominated by cars prepared and driven by Andretti Autosport. During the week leading up to Pole Day, which took place last weekend, saw all five cars comfortably posting speed times in the top 10 with the consistency usually reserved by Penske Racing or Target Chip Ganassi (who, under their direct banner, have fielded five cars combined).

On Pole Day, Andretti Autosport cars made it to the “Fast Nine” shootout for the pole … the only other multiple car team to place all of its cars in the final cut was Penske Racing (P5. (2) AJ Allmendinger, Dallara-Chevy 02:37.8264 (228.099) | P6. (12) Will Power, Dallara-Chevy 02:37.8342 (228.087) | P8. (3) Helio Castroneves, Dallara-Chevy 02:38.0596 (227.762)) leaving Target Chip Ganassi Racing (TGR) locked out – TGR’s Dixon and Franchitti are P16 and P17 respectively (row six).

The Andretti Autosport DW12′s qualified at P2. (26) Carlos Munoz, Dallara-Chevy 02:37.6581 (228.342) | P3. (25) Marco Andretti, Dallara-Chevy 02:37.7139 (228.261) | P4. (5) EJ Viso, Dallara-Chevy 02:37.7907 (228.150) | P7. (1) Ryan Hunter-Reay, Dallara-Chevy 02:37.9614 (227.904) | P9. (27) James Hinchcliffe, Dallara-Chevy 02:38.5411 (227.070).

Andretti Autosport’s Ryan Hunter-Reay just moments after he pits his #1 DHL sponsored Dallara-Chevy at the end of the race that rewarded him with enough points to secure the 2012 IICS driver championship. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2012)

If qualifying position and overall team performance were the solid gold predictors in the outcome of a race run, then one would have to give the inside track to ANY Andretti Autosport team car and driver.

When one adds the calculation of team performance to the winning of races, Andretti Autosport is also given the edge starting the last half of 2012 – when Ryan Hunter-Reay won Race #8 of a 15 race season at the Milwaukee Mile, Race #9 Iowa, and Race #14 through the streets of Baltimore and eventually seizing the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series (IICS) Driver Championship  – then continuing the performance during the first four races of the 2013 season with James Hinchcliffe winning Race #1 at St. Petersburg and #4 at Sao Paulo, not to forget the win by last year’s IICS champion Ryan Hunter-Reay in Race #2 at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama – the team is on a roll.

James Hinchcliffe prays in the cockpit of his Andretti Autosport Go Daddy sponsored Dallara-Chevy before taking to the track. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2012)

Lastly, through four races of the 2013 season, the consistency of performance can not be ignored. The driver championship standings with over 20% of the season being run has Andretti Autosport season regular drivers Marco Andretti standing at  P2, James Hinchcliffe at P4, Ryan Hunter-Reay at P6, and EJ Viso at P11. And, again, the pinch-hitter for the INDY 500, Carlos Munoz sits as the top qualifying driver for the team at P2 – WOW!

A shootout in the INDY 500 by Andretti Autosport drivers is a very real possibility because the team, and the way the second season DW12 cars have been prepared, would allow this to happen.

Andretti Autosport drivers Marco Andretti and James Hinchcliffe take to the ‘Brickyard’ for set-ups. Marco sets a speed of 225 on the first day of practice laps leading all cars that ran on the first day of May practice at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Image Credit: IZOD IndyCar Series

This excerpted and edited from SB Nation -

2013 Indianapolis 500: Power ranking the field of 33
By MattWeaver on May 21 2013, 10:00p 

Instead of compiling a traditional power rankings list like we normally do on Tuesday afternoons at SB Nation IndyCar, this week’s post will rank the top-10 drivers most likely to win the Indianapolis 500-mile Race.

Drivers can typically be lumped into three groups entering the month of May:

1.) The top-10 drivers that have the easiest path towards winning the Borg-Warner Trophy.

2.) The group of 10 that will need some help or a little bit of luck.

3.) The final 13 that are best described as a long shot.

Conceivably any of the 33 drivers have a shot after 500-miles, as fuel strategy has generated some surprise winners over the last century. That’s one of the many reasons the Greatest Spectacle in Racing is still the greatest race in the world – it’s still the 500-mile sweepstakes.

And yet, there is still a clear hierarchy led by traditional powers Andretti Autosport, Team Penske and Chip Ganassi Racing. Our top-10 picks to win the 2013 Indianapolis 500 can be found below, with an explanation for each of the top contenders. For reference’s sake, we’ve also included a complete ranking to the last driver.

1. Marco Andretti
The entire month of May seemingly has been dedicated to Andretti Autosport, the Andretti Curse and Marco Andretti’s career resurgence. While just a little off the pole speed on Saturday, the number 25 team appears fastest in traffic, picking up a toe [TOW] and several other deciding factors in traffic.
—-
He’s also number 1 on the power rankings list because he’s shown the most consistent speed at Indianapolis since teams unloaded the DW12 oval model last May, leading the most laps of the 2012 race and dominating the practice sessions leading up to the 2013 race.

2. Ed Carpenter
One of the biggest misconceptions about the buildup to this year’s Indianapolis 500 is that Ed Carpenter is some sort of heartwarming underdog victory after capturing the pole on Saturday afternoon. Sure, Ed Carpenter Racing doesn’t have the same budget as Penske or Ganassi, but he is the most prolific oval racer of the post-split era.

3. Carlos Muñoz
With reservation, a 21-year-old rookie makes the podium in the most-likely to win the Indianapolis 500 power rankings post.
—-
Only Marco Andretti has shown quicker pace in practice, and Muñoz has looked confident running in a pack with his Andretti Autosport teammates. He’s looking to do what JR Hildebrand couldn’t do in 2011, and that is winning this race in just his very first attempt — so don’t be surprised if it actually happens.

4. Hélio Castroneves
If youthful disregard could win on Sunday for Muñoz, experience and patience will do it for Hélio Castroneves. There is more than one way to win this race, and it will be interesting to see how Castroneves approaches another attempt to win his fourth Borg-Warner.

5. Dario Franchitti
Repeat everything that was said about Hélio Castroneves in regards to Dario Franchitti. The only thing placing Castroneves over Franchitti is his Chevy turbocharger which appears much-stronger at Indianapolis. Dario is also looking for his fourth win at the Speedway.

6. Will Power
Based on his championship finishes over the past three seasons, Will Power has inherited the title of Team Penske’s number 1 driver. With that title comes a lot of responsibility at Indianapolis Motor Speedway but not a lot of success thus far.
—-
Will Power can absolutely win this race. And in a season where he has somehow gone winless through four-consecutive road and street course events, wouldn’t a victory in the Indianapolis 500 just make sense?

7. James Hinchcliffe
The Go Daddy Andretti driver has been sneaky competitive at Indianapolis, qualifying 13th for Newman/Haas in 2011 and finishing sixth in last year’s race. Brimming with the confidence off two wins to start the 2013 season and the powerful Andretti Autosport backing his entry in 2013, Hinchcliffe could finally and completely break out of her shadow with a win in the Indianapolis 500.

8. EJ Viso
Andretti Autosport has seemingly concentrated the raw potential of EJ Viso, and that could again show itself with a surprise victory in the Indianapolis 500.

9. AJ Allmendinger
Casual observers were quick to point out that AJ Allmendinger’s lack of results in his first two races back in Indy car was a sign of his inability to drive these cars after six seasons or the result of his mixed commitments to both IndyCar and NASCAR.
—-
Like any Penske car, the No. 2 has speed the driver has shown the ability to wield it for brief practice or qualifying spurts, but can he do it for 500 miles? That’s the only question separating AJ Allmendinger from the Borg-Warner trophy.

10. Scott Dixon
In a repeat of last season, Honda and Target Chip Ganassi Racing look to be just off the pace set by their Chevrolet rivals. But like last season, Honda and Ganassi will rise to the occasion and will be a constant threat for the lead in the late stages of the race.

The Borg-Warner Trophy – this image never gets old. Image Credit: Dreyer & Reinbold Racing

Lost in the shuffle between the legendary Dario Franchitti/Takuma Sato duel last year was that Scott Dixon was leading the Indianapolis 500 up until three laps to go. That isn’t likely to change on Sunday.

11. Ryan Hunter-Reay
12. Tony Kanaan
13. Takuma Sato
14. JR Hildebrand
15. Ryan Briscoe

16. Alex Tagliani
17. Charlie Kimball
18. Graham Rahal
19. Justin Wilson
20. Oriol Servia

21. Townsend Bell
22. Simon Pagenaud
23. Simona de Silvestro
24. Josef Newgarden
25. Sebastien Bourdais

26. James Jakes
27. Sebastian Saavedra
28. Conor Daly
29. Tristan Vautier
30. Pippa Mann

31. Buddy Lazier
32. Ana Beatriz
33. Katherine Legge
(Reference Here)

Predictions are a funny thing because when the race is run, the story always takes on an edge that can never be calculated for. This is why we race, and watch American open wheel races – F1 has nothing like this.

Broadcast Information:

The Memorial Day weekend tradition returns with the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 26, beginning at 12pm ET from famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

ABC airs the race for the 49th straight year, beginning with a one-hour preview show Sunday at 11am ET. The production will use 84 cameras, including three on-board cameras each on 12 of the 33 cars. Viewers can also choose a live streaming video feed from the on-board cameras on ESPN3. Marty Reid calls the race with analysts Scott Goodyear and Eddie Cheever. Lindsay Czarniak hosts, with Rick DeBruhl, Jamie Little, Dr. Jerry Punch and Vince Welch reporting from pit row.

… notes from The EDJE


** Article originally posted as "Will The 97th INDY 500 Become An Andretti Autosport Shootout?" at Motorsports Unplugged**

Andretti Prediction In Baltimore Becomes Reality For Hunter-Reay In Fontana

After surviving a Lap 55 near miss take out by Will Power's out of control #12 Penske Racing DW12, Ryan Hunter-Reay puts in a steady 250 Lap drive in the MAVTV 500 IndyCar World Championships at Auto Club Speedway to win it all, run the table, and take home all of the chips. Welcome the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series Champion, the A.J. Foyt Trophy honoree for most points scored in a season on oval courses, and first American born driver to become American open wheel racing champion since 2006. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2012)

Andretti Prediction In Baltimore Becomes Reality For Hunter-Reay In Fontana

With 36 points separating Ryan Hunter-Reay (RHR) from the championship points lead and two races to go left in the season, the Andretti Autosport driver wins on the temporary street circuit race promoted by the recently formed Andretti Sports Marketing ... the Indy Grand Prix of Baltimore. This left RHR with a tall, but not impossible mountain to scale of 17 points to overcome in order to clinch the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series Championship.

Immediately after Ryan crossed the finish line at the inner harbor track location, in a post race interview on NBCSC, team owner Michael Andretti came out with a strong prediction - "We are going to win the championship in Fontana at Auto Club Speedway."

This isn't the first time this motor culture legend, in his own time, came forth with a prediction that paid off - and Michael Andretti never was the kind of personality to boast.

Ryan Hunter-Reay of Andretti Autosport becomes the first American born driver to win a race in this 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series season. Image Credit: Andy Sallee (2010)

This excerpted and edited from "... notes from The EDJE" -

Toyota GP of Long Beach: Owner Andretti Predicted Hunter-Reay Win
By Edmund Jenks - April 19, 2010
 
With the confidence that comes from being a multiple time race winner here at motorsports premiere temporary street course race at Long Beach, Michael Andretti predicted that his recently signed driver (a test for a few races to begin), Ryan Hunter-Reay, would win the race.

What makes this prediction almost astounding is that none of the cars had set a tire anywhere on Shoreline Drive and he made this prediction at a post induction ceremony interview on Thursday, April 15, 2010, where he, along with Danny Sullivan, were honored with an achievement medallion in the sidewalk along the Long Beach Motorsports Walk Of Fame located in front, and the West side, of the Long beach Convention Center along Pine Avenue.
----
Add the fact that in the post race interview in front of the gathered press, Ryan Hunter-Reay cited his previous Formula Atlantic (2002) and CCWS experience with his positive feelings for the track (which he considers his "home" track) at Long Beach ... one could say Champ Car has never left ... in this, the sophomore year for IndyCar at the famed streets in Long Beach ... for at the end of the race it was P1, P2 , and P3 on the podium for former ChampCar World series experienced drivers!
[Reference Here]

The set up seemed insurmountable. Penske Racing's Will Power, who had been here in this same position of having to finish off the year on an oval racing course ahead of his next leading points owner the previous two years, looked as though all he had to do was finish the race on the same lap as Ryan Hunter-Reay. He had all the confidence of being the only driver to ever hold the Mario Andretti Trophy for the most points scored on road/street courses ... three years running.

For Ryan's part, in order to have any chance at all, he needed to finish the race P6 or better to have any of the championship scenarios to play out. Further, RHR was tied in the points for the season championship trophy for most points scored on oval courses with KV Racing Technology's  Tony Kanaan ... so he also had to finish ahead of this competitor as well.

Again, the prediction by Michael Andretti, that his driver would win the IICS Championship at this final race, when the new DW12 chassis had never competed at this track and that no American open wheel races had been run at Auto Club Speedway since 2005 seemed astounding being that it came directly after the Baltimore win.

Andretti Autosport racing team came to the Auto Club Speedway track loaded for bear. In qualifications, the DW12's go out for three laps with the final two laps (5 miles) total time used for formation to the grid (baring any penalty for engine changes - later). Michael's son and third generation racing Andretti, Marco bested the next closest competitor, Penske' Ryan Briscoe, to gain the championship point and the check by .2614 of a second. Hunter-Reay did not do so well. His time combined with the fact that most all of the top competitors changed to fresh engines for the 500 mile race, had him starting at the back of the grid at P22 with Will Power at P13.

The pre-race odds for the top five drivers to win the race were published (in the newsroom) as follows - Will Power - 2/1, Ryan Hunter-Reay 5/2, Scott Dixon 7/2, Ryan Briscoe 5/1, and Dario Franchitti at 6/1 odds.

All Will had to do was basically stay on the same lap and dog/stalk RHR around the track, have clean pit stops, and finish the race. The start of the race saw Will Power struggle with the handling of his car and eventually, Ryan and Will were running with each other. After about a fifth (of the laps in the race ... not the bottle), Will Power responded to calls from his team over the radio in his ear to pass RHR. On Lap 55 in turn #2, Will dropped down low and according to his view, caught a seam in the pavement that got his car loose and he spun up into the safer barrier wall, just missing the #28 of Ryan Hunter-Reay - WOW!

Ryan Hunter-Reay pulls into pit box #25, takes off his helmet and is first greeted by a member of his team ... believe it Ryan, you are the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series Champion! Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2012)

This excerpted and edited from IndyCar - 

Drama, intrigue, excitement: Hunter-Reay grabs title

By Dave Lewandowski - Published: Sep 16, 2012 @ 12:01 AM

For the third consecutive year, contact in the season finale altered the title aspirations of the Aussie. The No. 12 Verizon Team Penske car "caught a seam" in Turn 2 of the 2-mile oval, spun and made contact with the SAFER Barrier while running 12th -- a few car lengths ahead of Hunter-Reay's No. 28 Team DHL/Sun Drop Citrus Soda car.
 ----
Click it: Box score | Hunter-Reay signs two-year extension

Andretti Autosport owner Michael Andretti relayed to a surprised Hunter-Reay, who 18 hours signed a two-year contract extension, that he had to finish sixth to claim his first series championship by one point.

But wait. In this season of surprises, ultra-tight competition and high drama, all three collectively focused on the Team Penske garage as the crew converged to repair the Dallara chassis and collect 11 more laps to finish 24th and ahead of the retired car of E.J. Viso.

That's exactly what transpired, forcing Hunter-Reay to finish at least fifth. Crews from rival teams cheered as the No. 12 entry was wheeled onto pit lane.

"It's fantastic," said Power, who quickly changed back into his firesuit.

But as Power maintained throughout this three-race duel with Hunter-Reay, "You can on focus on what you can control." So he watched the remainder of the race unfold from the team transporter, hoping that others would occupy the top five positions.

That went by the wayside as Alex Tagliani's engine expired with 20 laps left and then Tony Kanaan's car made contact with the Turn 4 SAFER Barrier on Lap 241. That created a red flag, with the restart on Lap 244. 

Hunter-Reay was running third on the restart, lost two positions, but the 31-year-old Floridian regained one spot when Takuma Sato's car crashed on the final lap. The difference in over 15 events on the most diverse set of racetracks in motorsports was three points over Power.
[Reference Here]

Driving legend, team owner, sports marketing operations magnet, and excellent prognosticator, Michael Andretti as he congratulates Ed Carpenter on his first win as a driver/owner of the Fuzzy's Vodka #20 DW12 Chevy-powered Dallara at the post race press conference at Auto Club Speedway. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2012)

At the post race press conference, Michael was reminded about this penchant he seems to have to predict and then deliver on the prediction. Michael bristled at the suggestion that he might like to take this 'talent' to Las Vegas with the attitude of a person who never gambles and frowns upon it.

This is a funny reaction to attribute to a past open wheel driving legend who would gamble on the track and, for the most part, win (or as on that 1998 Mid-Ohio day when he flipped head long into the run off at the end of the straight) or survive! Now, as an owner, expands his operation through the formation of Andretti Sports Marketing to include promoting the Milwaukee Mile (which his driver won) and picking up the Grand Prix of Baltimore (oh yes, that's right, his driver won the race the team Andretti operation was promoting for the first time this year as well).

All anyone can know, with this kind of track record, if one hears Michael Andretti blurt out a prediction of an outcome, and the Andretti Autosport operation has a hand in controlling some of the variables ... TAKE THAT BET ... the odds are good for a Michael Andretti predicted outcome!

... notes from The EDJE



** Article first published as Andretti Prediction In Baltimore Becomes Reality For Hunter-Reay In Fontana on Technorati **

Grand Prix of Baltimore Gives Final Set-Up For Championship Showdown

Traffic jam as the IZOD IndyCar teams prepare for the penultimate race of the season in the concrete canyons of the streets around the inner harbor of Baltimore, Maryland. Image Credit: EJ Viso via Instagram

Grand Prix of Baltimore Gives Final Set-Up For Championship Showdown

Will Power’s championship hopes continued to improve during qualifying as the Australian dominated all three rounds of qualifying, turning the fastest lap in each session before claiming pole in the Firestone Fast Six, securing a crucial championship point in the process.

“This track is very physical, there are lots of turns and not many straights, especially now that they have added the chicane, said the season’s IZOD IndyCar Series Championship points leader, now with 37 points. It was important to get the pole in the Verizon Chevy #12 car – on a course like this it is important to start up front and additionally we gained one more point toward the Championship. Starting from the pole it is a lot easier to control your own destiny.”

On the addition of the chacane; “I think it was definitely the right thing to do,” he said. “It fixed the problem over the train tracks. They’ll make a few more adjustments overnight, but all in all, it’s all good.”
Power was backed up by Tony Kanaan (TK), who had acted as a drivers’ representative in working with IndyCar to resolve the problem.

“Last year, it was unanimous among all us drivers that we could take the chicane out,” TK said. “The tracks sit on rubber, so they’re not the same from a year ago. We all thought we could avoid the chicane and have a better passing zone, and obviously we found out that we cannot.

“I think it was a great response from the drivers, IndyCar, and [track designer] Tony Cotman to be able to change it. I think it was a best solution that we could get.”

Overall, speeds were up on last year’s edition of the Grand Prix of Baltimore with every qualifier breaking Power’s year-old record in their new DW12′s. When the dust settled, Power sat atop the standings with a speed of 111.116 miles per hour around the 2.0-mile, 12-turn street course.

The 2.0-mile, 12-turn concrete canyon temporary street course of the Grand Prix of Baltimore – Twitter HASHTAG #GPoB. Image Credit: Grand Prix of Baltimore

The championship could very well be decided today if Will Power gains the points for most laps led (2) and wins with Hunter-Reay failing to score enough points to maintain station. Power needs only a 54-point clearance over Hunter-Reay to clinch his first series title before the final race at the 2.5 mile super-speedway oval at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California.

Mathematically, there remains seven drivers with a chance at the championship and this assumes that Will Power does not score points from his pole position to start the race. The aforementioned Ryan Hunter-Reay/Andretti Autosport at 37 points – Helio Castroneves/Penske Racing at 42 points – Scott Dixon/Target Chip Ganassi Racing at 55 points – Simon Pagenaud/Schmidt/Hamilton Motorsports at 86 points – Tony Kanaan/KV Racing Technology at 96 points – & finally, James Hinchcliffe/Andretti Autosport at 97 points behind.

Plainly stated, If Will runs the table on points for this race (most laps and wins), Scott Dixon is eliminated – Helio Castroneves needs to finish at no worse than P2 – Ryan Hunter-Reay needs to finish at no worse than P4!

Scott Dixon sports his “Blue Livery” helmet, which he changed to at Mid-Ohio, at the Grand Prix of Baltimore. Image Credit: TCGR

Twitter conversation yesterday after qualifications:

Edmund Jenks @TheEDJE
Hey @IndyCar @BeauxBarfield @RBINDYCAR How about using an F1 rule for qualis? Red Flag = All Stop and Clock Stops! #Fairness #GPoB #IndyCar #!ndyCar2012

Beaux Barfield @BeauxBarfield
.@TheEDJE @IndyCar As stated earlier: There is a risk vs reward element in play in IndyCar qualifying that can be intriguing…

Remi Bernard @RemiBernard
@BeauxBarfield @TheEDJE @IndyCar Watching Qualifying right now. That chicane-to-wall angle is a disaster. You can’t race that way tomorrow.

Beaux Barfield @BeauxBarfield
.@RemiBernard @TheEDJE @IndyCar It has been fixed…

@BeauxBarfield @TheEDJE @IndyCar Phew. Good to hear, man. Thanks for being on the ball for the drivers. Much appreciated.

Sebastien Cotte @french_sebo
@BeauxBarfield @RemiBernard @TheEDJE @IndyCar good or the race would have finished with 2 or 3 drivers only!!

The joys of racin’ the streets of Baltimore’s inner harbor – Crabby Fries from @CrusinCafe #FoodOfGPoB #GPoB @ Grand Prix of Baltimore. Image Credit: Wil C @wheelsee via Twitter

Gina Navarra @fastlifeofgina
Preparing to tweet like crazy during this #GPofB! @GPofBaltimore #IndyCar

We are live with NBCSC on cable, and the TweetDeck twitter feeds fired up so we look to have a great race reporting experience … and YES, we, at The EDJE, are pulling for Will Power to finally close the deal after being a standout in ChampCar World Series and being a bridesmaid for the last two years (sorry Ryan Hunter-Reay and others).

Will Power starts the race on pole for the third race in a row, 5th pole of the season, and 29th pole for his career.

IZOD IndyCar Series officials announced penalties for the following cars for this weekend’s event at Baltimore. All cars will be penalized 10 grid places for unapproved engine changes:

No. 14 ABC Supply car for A.J. Foyt Racing (Mike Conway) — fitting sixth engine

No. 15 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (Takuma Sato) — fitting seventh engine

No. 67 Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing (Bruno Junqueira) — fitting sixth engine

No. 78 Nuclear Clean Air Energy Lotus HVM Racing (Simona de Silvestro) — carry-over for fitting seventh engine at Sonoma

No. 83 Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing (Charlie Kimball) — changing fifth engine before its minimum change-out mileage. Because it’s fitting its sixth engine, it will incur a 10-grid spot penalty at Auto Club Speedway on Sept. 15.

The top ten adjusted spots in the grid Side-By-Side are Power-Dixon, Bourdais-Franchitti, Hinchcliffe-Kanaan, Wilson-Carpenter (yes, Carpenter), lastly, Pagenaud-Hunter-Reay. NOTE: Helio Castroneves is the only top seven in the points not able to grid in the top 10 positions … lines up in P14.

Loved the McClaren anti-stall technology package just run on NBCSC … RHR did not have this $14,000 box at GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma and could have used it.

Andy M @morinap now
Classic grid run from RM today. Even if @jaredhamilton60 doesn’t like it. #IndyCar

Cars roll out off the pit lane … as the fight announcer is fond of saying … Let’s Get Ready To Rxxxxxxxble! (it is a copyrighted phrase so that is why the xx’s).

GloryHunter since’77 @Chris_Wilde
The Baltimore street course looks dangerous this season. Keep safe! #indycar

Push-To-Pass is no delay 90 seconds

GREEN, GREEN, GREEN – the beginning of a scheduled 75 Laps for 14th race … the Grand Prix of Baltimore

Everyone off without incident – RHR moves up two spots on the first lap – P8 - Simona de Silvestro in for a change of wing … damaged in the first lap

Jenna @jmcc09
.@simdesilvestro & @EJVISO both on pit lane at the same time. I’m not saying anything… #indycar #GPoB

Sports Updated @SportsUpdated
@anderson_xn serio, Baltimore é a prova que a #Indycar esta ladeira abaixo. 2012 foi um ano péssimo, e por culpa de quem organiza.

The action of the cars through the chicane is just mind-boggleing – SeaBass is all over the back of Dixon – pulls off a pass on the end of the big straight … drops Dixon to P3

Brian Groce @naptownbuzz
RT @IndyCar: Sprinkles coming down around the racetrack. #GPoB #indycar2012

Team Chevy @TeamChevy
The @IndyCar race at @GPofBaltimore has started! Tune into @NBCSports and cheer on your favorite @TeamChevy drivers! #indycar2012 #GPoB

Ron Frankl @ronfrankl
RT @IndyCar: Sprinkles coming down around the racetrack. #GPoB #indycar2012

Michael Williamson @michaelw2000
Bourdais around Dixon to P2! #IndyCar #GPoB

Sébastien Bourdais @BourdaisOnTrack
Seb passes Dixon for P2! // Seb passe Dixon pour 2e! #GPoB

Lap 5 of 75 – Top 10 – Power, Seabass, Dixon, Dario, Hinchtown, Kanaan, Pagenaud, Wilson, Briscoe, and RHR

Some cars come in to pit – possible 3 stop strategy – moisture begins to fall on Lap 7 – YELLOW Flag – full course caution

Tia @tial99
Ed Carpenter with issues in the straight after coming thorough the chicane. He’s touched the outside wall…or so it seems. #GPoB

Pit Strategy – Top cars do not take advantage of YELLOW – Restart should be exciting between SeaBass and Power

Allen Wedge @AllenWedge
heck of a run, now time to start a new streak RT: @ECRIndy: This is our first DNF of the year. Proud of the 13 we finished in a row. #GPoB

AJFoytRacing @AJFoytRacing
@Mikeconwayindy reports light rain on whole circuit @GPofBaltimore #IndyCar

Pitlane has Rain Tires up on the wall – big rain drops on pit lane

Troy Appel @tdappel
I wish we could see Power/Bourdais duels more often. Step it up, Jay. #GPoB #indycar

GREEN Flag Restart – Lap 12 of 75 – Top 10 – Power, Seabass, Dixon, Dario, Hinchtown, Kanaan, Pagenaud, Wilson, Briscoe, and RHR

Cal Leferink @caleferink
Looking quite wet in Baltimore…who goes to wet tires first? #GPoB #indycar2012

Christopher Estrada @estradawriting
Power hangs on, but Dixon and Bourdais are in hot pursuit. #IndyCar #GPoB

SpeedFreaks @SpeedFreaks
Awesome restart… goooo @BourdaisOnTrack!!! #IndyCar

YELLOW Flag – Castroneves helps to spin Conway, SeaBass spins on the wet track and doesn’t touch anything – cars are pitting for fuel but no one is taking on rain tires

Junqueira, Viso and one more come in and take on Wets

TAGS’ Bryan Herta Autosport team puts out Rain tires – waived off

Allan McNish @AllanMcNish
getting pretty frustrated with #indycar commentators, full course yellow & now raining = strategy critical, don’t talk over team radio plz!

GREEN Flag Restart – Front straight is wet but now the track section a couple of turns down the track are dry

Castroneves and Viso have a spin together – NO YELLOW

Sébastien Bourdais @BourdaisOnTrack
Seb is now P3 // Seb est maintenant 3e #GPoB

YELLOW Flag – Lap 19 of 75 – Full Course Caution – Marco Andretti into the tires – everyone in except for RHR – inherits the lead … most on WETS

Lap 20 of 75 – RHR, Hinchtown, Wilson, Rubens, TAKU, Rahal, Power, Dixon, Viso, and TAGS
Rain is coming down across the whole track – first six cars are on slicks – Power on back are on WETS

GREEN Flag – Lap 21 – First corner is clean – Dario spins … ON WETS … YELLOW Flag – Full Course – de Silvestro taps Dario

Jeremy Thake @jthake
Retweet if u want @Hinchtown & @ryanhunterraey domination and the rain to blow over! #indycar #gpofBaltimore @GoDaddy

Marcoteers Andretti© @Marcoteers
Rain and Chicane…. #GPoB doesn’t seem to be making friends with the drivers

RHR comes in and gives up the lead to everyone else – confusion ensues as teams try to game the tire strategy

GREEN Flag – Lap 24 of 75 – Amazing – TAKU passes for the lead with Rahal, Hinch, Power, Dixon, TAGS, Viso, – RHR coming on strong with slick strategy

Christopher M. @gochrisuniverse
RHR is marching. Inspired driving right now. #indycar

Lap 26 has a disparity on the track between cars – the most passing in a race this season – Points leader in the pits

Ron Flatter @ronflatter
Enough is enough. @12WillPower pits on green to go from wets to reds they’ve already used. Wow. @IndyCar @BaltimoreGP #GPoB

Tony DiZinno @tonydizinno
I’d imagine if it stays dry everyone will run all-reds to the finish. The rule for reds/blacks both waived due to the rain. #GPoB

Jeff Griffin @BSAMaryland
 RT @JamesJakes: JJ on the move! P7 on L 28! #jakesynation #indycar2012 #GPoB

Justin P. Thomas @Cappereen3 now
#GPoB I can’t believe my eyes! bit.ly/NFx0L2 pic.twitter.com/22YrQeMa

F1 Fanatic Live @f1fanaticlive
Hunter-Reay up to fourth place, passing Hildebrand. #IndyCar

Lap 30 of 75 – Top 10 – TAKU, Rahal, RHR, Hildebrand, Kimball, Jakes, Rubens, SeaBass, Wilson, and Pagenaud

Jakes into a run off – goes back to P11 – 3 wide passing Pagenaud gets by SeaBass
SeaBass in the pits, points to right rear to car … cut tire

YELLOW Flag Full Course Caution Lap 32 – James Jakes into the tires – Rahal dives into the pits and takes on fresh REDS – possible low fuel

SeaBass back into the pits – must have a bigger car problem than a cut tire – Left front suspension … boy he looked great … last race of the season

LaMarquis Martin @LaMarquisMartin
Sebastian Bourdais just can’t catch a break #IndyCar #GPoB

Luis Delgado @luisdelgado_83
#IndyCar #BaltimoreGP. Bourdais a boxes. Los mecánicos están revisando la suspensión trasera.

Dan Brown @19danbrown
Pah!!!! Gutted for James Jakes, he was having a good run and looked good for a decent finish! #IndyCar #GPoB

Mauricio Llano @mauro2029
Está ganando Takuma Sato… no es una carrera normal. #Indycar

Dannie Lyz Asphall @DannieAsphall
I never knew the crash between Bourdais and Newgarden was soo bad! Darn, that was scary! Thank God they’re ok! #Indycar

GREEN Flag Restart – Pagenaud climbs into the lead – passess RHR Hinchcliffe, TAKU … Followed by Kimball – the replay was awesome as Simon looked like superman!

YELLOW Flag – we seem to be making up for lost time in YELLOW due to the lack of them in previous races – Hinchcliffe has a cut tire … looks to be worse. Castroneves changes front wing

Lap 37 (halfway) – Top 10 – Pagenaud, RHR, Kimball, Kanaan, TAKU, Rahal, Hildebrand, Wilson, Rubens, and Briscoe … Power at P13

GREEN Flag Restart – Kimball passes RHR – YELLOW Flag Full Course Caution – Simona de Silvestro slams the wall at the chicane

Lap 40 of 75 – Top 10 – Pagenaud, Kimball, RHR, Kanaan, TAKU, Rahal, Hildebrand, Wilson, Rubens, and Briscoe … Power at P12 … Briscoe in for pit stop

Emma Bracegirdle @EmTheEmu
Awwww, poor Bob Jenkins. Best wishes to him, his wife and the rest of their family and friends #GPoB #IndyCar

Andrew Browne @brownie9999
crashfest #IndyCar

Tzechiu Lei @tzechiulei
LOL RT @tonydizinno: .@simonpagenaud just channeled his inner @TonyKanaan / @tomasscheckter on that restart. Holy amazeballs. #IndyCar #GPoB

Jason Moorehead @RacinION79
This #INDYCAR: race is bad, boring and I have a hard time believing these drivers are pros. I think they get in 1 green lap in at a time

GREEN Flag Restart Lap 42 – Really jumpy at the first corner – looks like Kanaan taps RHR – Rubens and Servia get the best of Hildebrand after he damages his wing with a tap

Amber Cleveland @ambercleveland
Yes:( and greens are super-short! RT @kateshoup: Is it me or are these yellows excruciatingly long? Great racing otherwise! #GPoB #IndyCar

Christopher Estrada @estradawriting
Hildebrand has a damaged front wing. Top-10 day may be done now. #IndyCar #GPoB

Lap 45 of 75 – 30 to go – Power puts a move on Justin Wilson – takes P8 – Power just want to survive this thing

Ron Flatter @ronflatter
@12WillPower has moved up to 9th. @IndyCar @BaltimoreGP #GPoB

TAKU pits as probably the first to be able to make it to the end w/o a pitstop

SpeedFreaks @SpeedFreaks
Excellent ‘Through the Field’ with @KevinLee23 @TownsendBell99 & @heymartysnider – now THAT was good TV reporting! #IndyCar @NBCSN

Christopher Estrada @estradawriting
Rahal doing his drive-thru penalty just now. #IndyCar #GPoB

This drops Rahal from P5 to P14 – just do not need to register a penalty … EVER!

John Oreovicz @IndyOreo Power currently P7, due to make second stop in next 5-10 laps.

Michael Friedman @mfriedman_63
@GrahamRahal was penalized for jumping last restart . #Indycar #GPoB

Hélio Lima @Helio_Lima18
Ui, vai jogar o capacete RT @ricardo_engsoft E Graham bravo com a direção de prova. Cumpriu o drive-through Lap 49/75. #IndyCar #BaltimoreGP

Vivica Westwood @VivicaWestwood
OMG! Stop! Where is Sato??? #IndyCar

Philip Lane @Re1axin_Mood
How the Indycar stands now will Will Power win the Championship? #indycar

Race with Insulin @racewithinsulin
26 laps to go at @GPofBaltimore. CK running 3rd. #IndyCar #GPoB -PLR

Pagenaud Pits … TAKU comes to the pits is having mechanical issues – RHR takes over the lead – Kanaan hits the wall off of chicane – No YELLOW yet

RHR in the pits – Power in P1, Pagenaud coming up behind RHR on warm tires – cars are settled down on Lap 53

Lap 55 – Top 10 – Power, Servia, TAGS, Briscoe, RHR, Pagenaud, Dixon, Dario, Helio, and Kimball – Briscoe is a little slower than RHR but stays in front

TAGS, Briscoe, and RHR form a train in P3, P4, and P5

Will Power pits and gets scuff REDS – out in P8 – TAGS, Briscoe, RHR, Pagenaud, Dixon, Dario, and Castroneves leads Power with 18 laps to go

Amy @AmyAmes99
Best color commentary all day! —> “@tial99: Helio right under Dario’s booty coming into T1. OUCH! #GPoB”

Dannie Lyz Asphall @DannieAsphall
#Top3 Briscoe, RHR, and Pagenaud. 18 laps to go! #Indycar #GPoB

Andy Marquis @amarquis32
Alex Tagliani pits from the lead. #GPoB #IndyCar

Lap 60 of 75 – Broscoe, RHR, Pagenaud, Dixon, Dario, Power (P6), Helio, Kimball, Rubens, and Conway

Power puts the pass on Franchitti for P5 – Dixon is one lap short on fuel – possible fuel issues with Briscoe and Castroneves as well

Andy Marquis @amarquis32
Will Power is a man on a mission right now. #GPoB #IndyCar

Dannie Lyz Asphall @DannieAsphall
TK is out of the car! #Indycar #GPoB

Jack Rice @rico500
Nice. My Fantasy Racing picks are currently running 1-2-3-4-6. #indycar

Amber Cleveland @ambercleveland
13 laps to go @Ryan_Briscoe leads, but will need 1 more stop. @scottdixon9 will need to stop too. #IndyCar #GPoB

Ten laps to go – Top 5 cars are Briscoe, RHR, Simon, Dixon, and Power

YELLOW Flag – Charlie Kimball delivers a full course caution – engine blows up and lays down some oil

Briscoe may not have any P2P left but allows Briscoe to stay in front – Dixon comes in for fuel – RHR needs to kill the restart in order to gain maximum points against Will Power who just needs to finish the race to keep the lead in points going into the last race at Fontana

Amy @OpenWheelMom
Holy shxxwaffles this is going to be one hell of a restart…C’mon @simonpagenaud #GPoB #IndyCar

Dannie Lyz Asphall @DannieAsphall
68/75! #Indycar #GPoB

Andy M @morinap
Shxx is about to get cray in the #IndyCar race.

The radio traffic talkin’ all of the possibilities is just crazy

Lucas Santochi @LucasSantochi
RT @curtcavin: Power has clinched two bonus points for most laps led. Big. #IndyCar

Drew Allen @drewallennews
Here we go… #IndyCar #GPoB

GREEN Flag Restart – Lap 69 – RHR launches and gets the lead and almost is too fast in the corner – Pagenaud pressures RHR – Restart controversy with Ryan Hunter-Reay and Ryan Briscoe explained HERE>>

YELLOW Flag Full Course Caution – Multi-car pile up due to Conway into the tires causes a block on the track

Lap 70 – On replay Pagenaud backs off into the first corner expecting RHR to maybe bounce off of the tires – RHR gets clear – Penske believes RHR jumps restart, leader did not react to the flag – Replay shows legal start

If ends right now – RHR closes to within 19 points of Will Power – what a race – RHR has done everything he has been able to do to keep this championship alive – let’s have at least one more restart – Lights out on safety car

GREEN Flag Restart – Lap 73 – Two laps to go – RHR gets through turn one – Will Power get shuffled backward to P7 – loosing more points

Christopher Estrada @estradawriting
WHITE FLAG! #IndyCar #GPoB

Erin Bonilla @eBON
Final lap! #gpob

Matt White @MattW1986 now
Nice one Rubi #indycar #GPoB

Akemi Mokoto @Otaku2012
FINAL LAP!!! #GPoB #IndyCar

Ash (アシュー) @racingAsh
My goodness Power falls back a few positions?!? #IndyCar #GPoB

Ryan Hunter-Reay wins the race – Michael Andretti interviewed at this moment says that we are going to win this championship

Ryan Hunter-Reay delivers on behalf of race team owner and event promoter, Michael Andretti. Image Credit: IZOD IndyCar Series

Briscoe out of fuel but gets P2 – doesn’t help teammate Will Power

Power on telecast discussing strategy about WETS – not happy

Kyle Johnson @RaginKJohn
Can’t wait for the cry babying out of Will Power… #indycar

Kev @ElusiveKev
Great race when it was green, but quite a few cautions, so very good race. Been a great day of racing. #Indycar #GPoB

Greg @z0sixxer
What a win by @RyanHunterReay! time to go for the title in 2 weeks in Fontana! #GPoB #indycar

Luis Delgado @luisdelgado_83
#IndyCar #BaltimoreGP No hay campeon!!!! Se define en el super ovalo de Fontana el sábado 14/09.

Gina Navarra @fastlifeofgina
Hang in there @12WillPower… hang in there. #IndyCar #GPofB

Kai @AndersFinn
Happy for Pagenaud, Rubens and Briscoe. #IndyCar

Stuart Richards @stupot94
Well done Hunter-Reay!!!! Title down to the wire. #indycar2012 #GPoB

Neil Hudson @neilhudson
It’s just between those two. Dixon and Castroneves are out of the hunt #IndyCar

RHR did not jump the last restart – Will Power stated that he would have “almost” jumped the restart if he were in that same position

All hats off to Ryan Hunter-Reay for an absolutely awesome, MUST DO drive – gives a prediction just as team boss Michael Andretti gave … we are going to win this thing in Fontana

 @IndyCar – There goes the winning car of @ryanhunterreay, off to @ACSupdates! #GPoB #indycar2012 http://t.co/AZC4vSma

One of the toughest races of the season – just spot on
ENDS

… notes from The EDJE

GoPro INDY Grand Prix Tweet-By-Tweet (LIVE)

Penske Racing’s Helio Castroneves holds a fan Q&A at the Winner’s Circle stage during pre-race activities here at the GoPro INDY Grand Prix of Sonoma. Image Credit: Lauren Bohlander via Twitter @LaurenBohlander

GoPro INDY Grand Prix Tweet-By-Tweet (LIVE)

A lot has changed with the IndyCar Series event at Sonoma raceway: new cars, new engine manufacturers, new track layout, new race sponsor, new race distance … but please do not these facts cloud your impression of familiarity.

Penske Racing and Penske affiliates fill the first two rows of the grid on the track here at Sears Point north of San Francisco. Penske Racing’s Will Power (P1- IICS Season Points) captured pole and he will line up next to teammate Ryan Briscoe followed by Jay Penske’s Dragon Racing’s Sébastien Bourdais, Penske Racing’s Helio Castroneves (P3 – IICS Season Points), and Target Chip Ganassi’s Scott Dixon (P4 – IICS Season Points). Andretti Autosport’s Ryan Hunter-Reay (P2 – IICS Season Points) will start from the seventh position on the grid.

View slideshow: GoPro INDY Grand Prix of Sonoma tweet-by-tweet

The following live entries will be a combination of Tweets from Twitter and comments from the author … welcome to the 13th race of this 15 race IZOD IndyCar Series 2012 season -

Amy @OpenWheelMom
Race Day! Race Day! Race Day! #GoProGP #IndyCar

Bash Beard @SpeedFreakBash
It’s rollout time at @RaceSonoma. The #IndyCar machines and gear are heading to the pits, and the masses are heading to the prerace stage.

Fox Sports 1230 WMML @WMML1230
#IndyCar Racing will air live starting approximately 4:05PM here on FOX Sports Radio 1230.

BRANDed Management @BRANDed
Tune-in for today’s @IndyCar @GoPro race @RaceSonoma. Race at 4pm EDT on @NBCSN #GoProGP #IndyCar

RACER @RACERmag
Saturday notebook from #GoProGP – Racer.com bit.ly/PQQQBa #IndyCar #PirelliWC

Right now we have the Patriots Airshow … a private jet team that emulates what the Thunderbirds or the Blue Angles do. Pretty cool stuff. The crowd seems light with only about an hour before the Green Flag drops

IMS Productions @IMSProductions
Our followers are awesome! Who out there is ready for the #IndyCar #GoProGP @RaceSonoma?? Let’s hear your predictions!!

Will Power, Will Power, Will Power, Will Power, Will Power, Will Power, Will Power, Will Power …

jErEM!@H 15k™ @pistons15
#32 Kendall Hunter in a #49ers #IndyCar instagr.am/p/Ozblx_NysO/

Carl Carson @indyhockey77
@12WillPower is going to put on a clinic at Sonoma! #GoProGP #IndyCar2012

Patrick @TwinCheckers
I pick @tagliani @BHA to win #GoProGP!!! #TeamPositivity

Ryan @mad_mahler
I’ll second that one RT @TOMotorsports: Good-luck to @tagliani and @Hinchtown in today’s @IndyCar #GoProGP

Timothy Weyand @RockChef2
Just saw a T-shirt for sale that said To dumb for opera, to smart for NASCAR. I’m offended and amused! #RaceSonoma #IndyCar

Stacie St. John @Indybrat13
Time to scream my head off. #GoProGP @IndyCar @RaceSonoma

Ash (アシュー) @racingAsh
Yes! It’s almost race time at @RaceSonoma. Broadcast just started on @NBCSN. #GoProGP #IndyCar

IZOD IndyCar Series @IndyCar
Driver intros about to start!! #GoProGP #indycar2012

Megan K Bickel @megankbickel
#GoProGP time!! Love race days! #IndyCar

F1 Fanatic @f1fanatic_co_uk
Just three races left in the #IndyCar season and there’s a very close four-way title fight: bit.ly/NPdKGY

Josh Kelly @bigpapaj2384
I hope @12WillPower blows a motor in the first 10 laps!! Power sucks. #IndyCar

Peter Leung @BaronVonClutch
RT @TylerClary: Thanks for the two-seater ride @ariejr! pic.twitter.com/d44r8gVO #IndyCar

Rhett Umphress @rhettumphress
Since 2010, pole sitter Will Power has led 144 of 150 laps with two wins at Sonoma #IndyCar

IndyCar al día @indycaraldiaweb
Resultados de Ryan Hunter-Reay en Sonoma (desde 2007): 18, 18, 19, 8, 10 #IndyCar
In English? … This speaks for itself

IZOD IndyCar Series @IndyCar
Points leader @12WillPower ! #GoProGP #indycar2012 pic.twitter.com/8ubvHk9M

Leonardo Guina @LeoGuina
A IndyCar fez 7 races em Sonoma, Tony Kanaan venceu a primeira (2007), Helinho venceu em 08′ Power venceu 10′ e 11′ e larga da Pole #IndyCar

NASCAR Wonka @NASCAR_Wonka
I agree with Helio – the most prized possession of any racer would certainly be a #DWTS trophy. #IndyCar #GoProGP

Pastor George Luther @PastorG16
Heavenly Father please keep the Drivers, crews & fans safe-We ask this in Christ’s name, Amen #indycar2012 @FollowAndretti @IndyCar #GoProGP

Boogity, Boogity, Boogity … Let’s Go Racin’ … OOPS! wrong series, no fenders

El auto del pole position está listo para la carrera. Caption and Image Credit: Bruno Tarulli via Twitter @BrunoTarulli34

GoPro® @GoPro
And they’re off! Big ups to @XGames Gold Medalist @stevemccann for waving the green flag to get us started. ow.ly/i/SCYK #GoProGP

Indy Racing Review @INDYracereview
Drivers to your cars! #GoProIndy #IndyCar

Diana Pol @DianaPol1
#indycar Sonoma live straks op RTL 7

Courtney Boggs @CourtneyBoggs_
Wouldn’t be race day without a fly over… #GoProGP @JMIteam pic.twitter.com/CVkGS1Pf

The command – Mayor Kevin Johnson – Ladies and Gentlemen … START YOUR ENGINES

Michael Duning @MikeDuning
Looking forward to this @IndyCar race at Sonoma #GoProGP — My race winner pick: @scottdixon9

GREEN, GREEN, GREEN … The GoPro INDY Grand Prix of Sonoma race begins

F1 Fanatic Live @f1fanaticlive
Tagliani picks off Pagenaud and Hunter-Reay but Dixon is tipped into a spin at the first hairpin. #IndyCar

Kev @ElusiveKev
Nice and racy early on. Nice dirt kicking up from Tags. #IndyCar #GoProGP

Helio Castroneves is issued a drive through penalty for avoidable contact

LAP3 of 85 – TAKU is off track in the dirt – local YELLOW

T.S. Clayton @TSClayton9919
Sato’s off course? You don’t say. #GoProGP #indycar #indycar2012

SeaBass is still in P3 – All the cars in the field are tracking single file

LAP 6 of 85 – Will Power currently has a near 2 second lead on the field – Dixon P14, Castroneves P21
TAGS up to P5 from P8 … TK is the biggest mover … up to P10 from P16

LAP 10 of 85 – Rubens Barrichello up from P11 to P7

Mr. Lehr @SLehr81
Power leads by 3.5 secs #Indycar

KV Racing Technology @kvracing
11 laps completed, Barrichello P7, Kanaan P10 and Viso P13 #GoProGP #indycar2012

Andrew J. Dixon @thereal_NOX
Looked more like blocking by @scottdixon9 than unavoidable contact by @h3lio. #goprogp

Mandy Valentine @Indy_Mode
Agreed! #IndyCar #GoProGP RT @rkid84: “@kylelewis1: I can’t wait until Simona doesn’t have a lotus.” hear hear

LAP 15 of 85 – TAKU is out of the race – Scott Dixon comes in to pit road … sticker REDS – spins a little on cold tires

Helio in the pits with the same strategy as Dixon

Curt Cavin @curtcavin
Should there be a caution soon, Dixon and Helio would be 1-2. #IndyCar

Shane Rogers @upshifted
If you’re mid pack and further back with pace, now is the time to pit. And hope for a pits closed yellow. #indycar #GoProGP

木代 峰雄 @kishiro26
#INDYCAR 佐藤琢磨 コースアウトしたら エンジントラブルで リタイア 残念です。 早起きして観てたのにねぇ……φ(．．) #gaora #indyjp #takumasato

Steve Wittich @stevewittich
Is affecting your enjoyment of watching? NOT MINE!!!!!!! @pressdog: @andhesonit crowd numbers are NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS. #IndyCar #GoProGP

IZOD IndyCar Series @IndyCar
Cars are starting to take their first pits. Saavedra, Kimball and Hinchcliffe among them. #GoProGP #indycar2012

Ash (アシュー) @racingAsh
Oh boy. Lap traffic for Power. #GoProGP #IndyCar

This is lapped traffic with cold tires … very tricky – PITS

Power in and Power out on scuffed REDS – comes out with RHR giving him blending problems

Simon Pagenaud inherits the lead on the pit stop cycles

LAP 20 of 85 - WOW Bourdais and Andretti are dicing strong before and after turn #7

RHR is in the lead now with the pit stop cycles – gets ready to pit – cycle complete for first pit stops of the race

Indy Racing Review @INDYracereview
22 laps completed top 3: @12WillPower @Ryan_Briscoe @BourdaisOnTrack #GoProGP #indycar

Top 10 in the order – Power, Briscoe, Bourdais, Franchitti (closing), TAGS, RHR, Dixon (up from P14), Barrichello, Kanaan, and Pagenaud

BradyWestdyke @BWESTDYKE
63 laps to go at @RaceSonoma #indycar #indycar2012 #GoProGP

Race with Insulin @racewithinsulin
Moving up the field nicely… Currently 18th on lap 23 of 85. #IndyCar #GoProGP -PLR

Albert MacKrell @AMacKrell
Brilliant move by Scott Dixon to stop early and then drive the wheels off the car. #GoProGP #indycar2012

Announcers are talking “NO CAUTIONS” and and saying that this may bring one except that they have been talking this way for the last three races

LAP 25 of 85 – Power has a 4.5 second lead on Briscoe
Great dicing going on between Franchitti and Bourdais for SeaBass’ P3 in Carosel and up to turn #7

Anne Proffit @AnneProffit
@12WillPower taking 26 Indy cars to class #goprogp #indycar2012

Ash (アシュー) @racingAsh
Nice. @RyanHunterReay @FollowAndretti into the 1:19s on Lap 24, joining Dixon, Power & Briscoe w/ best laps under 1:20. #GoProGP #IndyCar

LAP 30 of 85 – This is Will Power’s 100th race in IndyCar and it shows … looking for Pole, Most laps and, of course, the win

Indy Racing Review @INDYracereview
Through the field 1-5: @12WillPower @Ryan_Briscoe @BourdaisOnTrack @dariofranchitti @tagliani #GoProGP #IndyCar

Giu Canbera @Giu_Canbera
BORING RACE at @RaceSonoma @IndyCar #GoProGP . Laguna Seca >> Infineon ..blehhh

Mr. Lehr @SLehr81
32 laps. 0 cautions. Yawn! #IndyCar

Gregory D. Howe @wood_brothers21
I wouldn’t think there would be any shops within the paddock, not that there would be anyone in there now. #IndyCar

E.M.H @elmondohummus
So close to a blog shoutout: Marco with #MoreFrontWing… alas, they said something else. #indycar

LAP 35 of 85 – This “Through The Field” segment is about the only thing the announcers can do to keep interest in another NON-YELLOW race

5.5 seconds is the lead that Will Power has over P2 Ryan Briscoe

Michael Williamson @michaelw2000
No penalty for Servia. Hinchcliffe on pit road. #IndyCar #GoProGP

IZOD IndyCar Series @IndyCar
Car No. 27 of Hinchcliffe sitting in the pits. #GoProGP #indycar2012
Hinchtown is out of the car – his day is over – oil line knocked off when Servia spun Hinch around on turn 11

Woodsie @WoodsiesGarage
Hinchcliffe now officially out of the race as we’re a few laps from halfway. Helio makes a stop in the meantime. Lead now 6.93s #IndyCar

David Williams @DaveWilliamsVMM
Drive Through for Sebastián Saavedra #GoProGP #IndyCar

Speeding in pit lane for Sebastián Saavedra

BradyWestdyke @BWESTDYKE
45 laps to go. #IndyCar2012 #GoProGP #IndyCar

Pit stops are beginning with Will Power 5.8 seconds over Ryan Briscoe

Long pit stop for Marco – Briscoe in for pits – RHR has lead – RHR out in the middle of race between Dixon and Bourdais

Ash (アシュー) @racingAsh
WOW! Dixon & RHR! #GoProGP #IndyCar

Michael Williamson @michaelw2000
Dixon is all over the track and damaged his wing hitting Hunter-Reay! #GoProGP #IndyCar

Wing initially damaged with mix up with Graham Rahal … fails with mix up on RHR

LAP 45 of 85 – Top 10 are Power, Briscoe, Bourdais, RHR, Franchitti, Dixon, TAGS, Barichello, Pagenaud, and Rahal

The folks that complain they are bored with this race are NOT watching the action through out the field … or listening to a feed without announcers with passion

209 consecutive GREEN Flag laps t\from Toronto ’till now – Marco Andretti’s car gives up the chase

Dan Brown @19danbrown
I still maintain that the 360-degree on board cameras used in #IndyCar should be used for all open-wheel racing on tv #F1

LAP 50 of 85 – Ruling on Marco – will not get a penalty for engine change by pulling in early … otherwise he would have stayed out until it blew up spreading oil all over their track – Dixon is all out of Push-To-Pass

T.S. Clayton @TSClayton9919
Damn, this @NBCSports crew is so much better than that horrible ABC garbage. #GoProGP #AlwaysBadCoverage

Cooper W @Cynon44
Marco Andretti intentionally blowing the engine so he doesn’t have to take a penalty for the next race. Sneaky. #LoopholeInTheRules #IndyCar

17 cars on the lead lap with Will Power ahead of Ryan Briscoe by 7.45 seconds – Power is walking away with this bad boy

Matt Henderson @MHenderson17
Carcass is a funny word… RT @johncobb40: Is #IndyCar ever going to throw a caution for that tire carcass?

LAP 55 of 85 – Dixon is dropping down the field … now P8

TCGR @TCGRTeams
Lap 57/85 @dariofranchitti p5 @scottdixon9 p8 and scheduled to pit in three laps @RaceSonoma #indycar2012

Dixon pit in – Will Power gets 2 points for leading the most laps of this race … CHECK, two down and one to go

Drive through penalty on Car #9 – runs over a hose and ends up having one of his worst days

Race with Insulin @racewithinsulin
Moved up another spot, to P11. Mitch: “Good job, you can catch Kanaan, or we’ll get him in the pits.” #IndyCar #GoProGP -PLR

Kev @ElusiveKev
You would have thought Dixon had encountered a black cat instead of a air hose with his race today. #IndyCar #GoProGP

Tyler Clary interviewed by Robin Miller and messes up the type of stroke the Olympic Gold medal is for

Tony DiZinno @tonydizinno
Robin and breast stroke… make your own joke from there. Gotta love him. #GoProGP

dominetta vitali @dominovitali
#IndyCar commentator: “race car drivers don’t work hard, and chase women.” really? #IndyCar2012 #GoProGP

Ross Bynum @therossbynum
Someone throw one of Ashley Judd’s ugly, floppy, gigantic hats on the track. I guarantee it’ll bring out a caution. #IndyCar #GoProGP

Christopher Estrada @estradawriting
RHR hits the pits on Lap 62. Was running 4th. #IndyCar #GoProGP

Big accident while Will Power happened to be in the pits – benefits from Newgarden and Sebastien Bourdais colliding between turns 8 and 9 – Bourdais loses control after dice after turn 7

LAP 65 of 85 – Will Power was held up on pit road giving the lead to Ryan Briscoe on lap traffic

YELLOW Flag – on LAP 66 – Top 5 Briscoe, Power, RHR, Franchitti, and TAGS – This may be a long YELLOW Flag due to tire barrier getting wiped out – Smart driving by Briscoe – Helio Castroneves has moved up to P9 after being dropped by penalty back to P25

LAP70 of 85 – 220 consecutive laps under GREEN Flag before this full course caution – Everyone to the refrigerators – P2P has been instrumental and Ryan Briscoe has a bunch more P2P left than Will Power

NASCAR Wonka @NASCAR_Wonka
Will Power on the radio: you guys in the pits need a push-to-hurry-the-hell-up button. #IndyCar #GoProGP

TJ @Tjamily
The older & wiser I get & the more indycar the more I realize that sadly indycar officials just don’t get how to run a good series. #indycar

Mark Johnson @MarkJ19960
Big crash @RaceSonoma with 19 laps to go. @RyanHunterReay is now P3. #IndyCar yfrog.us/c87u8lwhlcxcpj…

LAP 72 of 85 – Field reset with the drive through order go out with cars one lap down – RHR in P3 … Dario and TAGS are going to be pushing RHR very hard – Penske being interviewed and he says he will not entertain any team orders … Will Power ought to make a deal

LAP 74 – GREEN Flag Restart – RHR was push/touching the rear of Briscoe’s car – get through turn 2 fine

YELLOW Flag – TAGS goes in too deep and taps RHR, spins him and his car stalls – RHR stalls car dumping the clutch

TAGS will receive a drive through penalty for avoidable contact/aggressive driving into the corner

Feaux Barfield @FeauxBarfield
Whoever is in charge of packing Tagliani’s chutes needs to go visit one of the #NHRA neighbors in Brownsville #GoProGP #IndyCar @RaceSonoma

LAP 76 – GREEN Flag Restart – pretty clean – EJ Viso spins around on Turn 7 – RHR touches and spins
Viso – Drive Through penalyr for RHR

IndyCar al día @indycaraldiaweb
#IndyCar Briscoe sigue adelante… Power quiere el primer lugar.

Ru Barrichello 2012 @Barrichello2012
“@kvracing: Back to green, 8 laps remain, Barrichello P4, Kanaan P9 and Viso P15 #GoProGP”

j.bear @jbananafish
Bringing an #IndyCar virgin to #GoProGP. One of my best moves to date. #PoppedThatCherry

LAP 80 of 85 – Top ten are Briscoe, Power, Franchitti, Barrichello, Rahal, Castroneves, Pagenaud, Hildebrand, Kanaan, and Wilson

Steph@MoreFrontWing @99forever
Feels a bit now like avoidable contact has just become the default for a soon in that corner… #goprogp

Eric Smith @Ericsportsguru
sports-at-work.com/IndyCar-news/i… article about @Ryan_Briscoe on Friday. Correct prediction. @RaceSonoma #GoProGP

Indy Racing Review @INDYracereview
2 laps to go! #IndyCar #GoProGP

Mac McCormick III @KF4LMT
Yes RT @tonydizinno Anyone else want to see @rubarrichello on the podium if Will/Dario channel some 2011 moments? #GoProGP #IndyCar

Adrià Keselowski ;D @aridxon
White flag for Briscoe! #IndyCar

Team Chevy @TeamChevy
Congrats @Ryan_Briscoe & @penskeracing taking the #GoProGP win at @RaceSonoma! #TeamChevyProud #indycar2012

NOTE: Chevrolet clinched the Manufacturers’ Championship as Ryan Briscoe won the GoPro Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma. Chevrolet supplied 15 of 27 engines to the starters in the 85-lap race on the 2.385-mile, 12-turn road course. It has won nine of the 13 IZOD IndyCar Series races.

“We congratulate Chevrolet on clinching the 2012 Manufacturers’ Championship,” said Randy Bernard, CEO, INDYCAR. “In a year that saw the debut of a new car, the return of engine competition and some of the fiercest racing this sport has seen in decades, our hats are off to Chevrolet, its teams and drivers on a job well done.”
[Reference Here]

Panther Racing @PantherRacing
Checkered flag!! @JRHildebrand finishes 8th!! #indycar2012 #goprogp

Chris D @chrisd1974
great #indycar race #sonoma

GahdenGremlins.com @gahdengremlins
BURN BABY BURN BRISCOE INFERNO #indycar

TCGR @TCGRTeams
Checkered flag @dariofranchitti p3 @scottdixon9 p13 @RaceSonoma #indycar2012

Ross Bynum @therossbynum
Yay! Briscoe wins! @RB_Mrs is a good luck charm! #IndyCar #GoProGP

Tom Bradley @brndout35
Checkered flag! @Ryan_Briscoe wins the #GoProGP of Sonoma! #indycar2012 -- IZOD IndyCar Series (@IndyCar)

Melissa McDonald @MelissaM88
WINNER: Ryan Briscoe! @RaceSonoma #IndyCar #GoProGP

Lewis Dalgarno @lewisdalgarno
I'm guessing Ryan Briscoe will tell us all his radio broke #indycar

IMS Productions @IMSProductions
Congratulations to @Ryan_Briscoe on his win at the #IndyCar #GoProGP of @RaceSonoma!!!

Bobbi S @Sportschickca
@Ryan_Briscoe will win a penalty riddled #Sonoma ....@12WillPower and Franchitti will complete podium. Congrats guys!! #IndyCar

Ricardo Cardoso @ricardo_engsoft
E Ryan Briscoe vence a #IndyCar2012 #GoProGP #SonomaGP

Indy Racing Review @INDYracereview
Congrats to @Ryan_Briscoe on his win #IndyCar #GoProGP

Peter Leung @BaronVonClutch
It's a @penskeracing 1-2! @Ryan_Briscoe Wins the 2012 #GoProGP at @RaceSonoma! #IndyCar

Michael Williamson @michaelw2000
Ryan Briscoe wins the #IndyCar #GoProGP @RaceSonoma @GoPro @IndyCar Power comes in 2nd and Franchitti in 3rd!

Karl Barth @KarlBarthJr
Yeah!!! Congrats @Ryan_Briscoe & @RB_Mrs on the win!!!! #indycar

nascarcasm @nascarcasm
@RB_Mrs And NOW you can relax! Congratulations! #IndyCar

SSR IndyCar Team @SandSRacing
Congratulations @Ryan_Briscoe, @penskeracing & @TeamChevy on Winning the #GoProGP @RaceSonoma!! #TeamChevyProud #IndyCar2012

Wendy @wendyphil413
Great race by @Ryan_Briscoe!!! Winner at Sonoma! #IndyCar

anthony rock @trock48j
@RB_Mrs Your man did a great job avoiding things today, not much different from Bristol at the end! #IndyCar

View slideshow: GoPro INDY Grand Prix of Sonoma tweet-by-tweet

Official Results - GoPro Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma

Official - Results Pos. - Driver - Laps - Running / Reason Out

1     Ryan Briscoe     85     Running
2     Will Power     85     Running
3     Dario Franchitti     85     Running
4     Rubens Barrichello     85     Running
5     Graham Rahal     85     Running
6     Helio Castroneves     85     Running
7     Simon Pagenaud     85     Running
8     JR Hildebrand     85     Running
9     Alex Tagliani     85     Running
10     Tony Kanaan     84     Running
11     Justin Wilson     84     Running
12     James Jakes     84     Running
13     Scott Dixon     84     Running
14     Mike Conway     84     Running
15     Sebastian Saavedra     84     Running
16     EJ Viso     84     Running
17     Simona de Silvestro     84     Running
18     Ryan Hunter-Reay     84     Running
19     Oriol Servia     84     Running
20     Ed Carpenter     84     Running
21     Charlie Kimball     82     Running
22     Sebastien Bourdais     63     Contact
23     Josef Newgarden     62     Contact
24     Katherine Legge     48     Mechanical
25     Marco Andretti     45     Mechanical
26     James Hinchcliffe     34     Mechanical
27     Takuma Sato     2     Mechanical

… notes from The EDJE