IndyCar Aerodynamic Body Kits Revealed Side-By-Side

Verizon IndyCar Champion Will Power, tests the Dallara/Chevrolet/Penske aerodynamics body elements on the track at Circuit of the Americas near Austin, Texas. Image Credit: IndyCar

IndyCar Aerodynamic Body Kits Revealed Side-By-Side (kinda')

The evening of Monday, March 10, 2015 saw the final reveal of the aerodynamics body panels (Front Wing, Sidepods, Rear Wing) for the beginning of the third season of the Dallara DW12 chassis.

Chevrolet introduced its road course/street course and short oval design Feb. 17. The much-anticipated unveiling of the Honda aero kit took place Monday evening at a reception attended by principals from Honda Performance Development, American Honda and IndyCar. Defending Indianapolis 500 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay, who drove for a bulk of the on-track development, joined Honda executives in showcasing the base road/street course and short oval aero kit.

Possibly the most accomplished pilot using a Honda engine for 2015 Verizon IndyCar Season, 2014 Indy 500 winner and 2012 IndyCar Champion (using Chevy-power) Ryan Hunter-Reay, had the aerodynamics body work applied to his Andretti Autosport DHL Dallara DW12 for the Honda Performance Development reveal. Image Credit: Jeff Olsen (2015)

Honda Launch Video HERE >>>

Chevrolet and Honda, the current engine suppliers to the Verizon IndyCar Series (America's top professional open wheel chassis motorsports racing series), under the rules laid out for 2015 are able to modify the original body work of the Dallara DW12 to enhance the racing platform as it relates to airflow and give, potentially, an additional advantage to the teams that use their engines. The previous two years that the Dallara DW12 was on the track, all body parts were exactly the same as manufactured by Dallara from the factory for all teams (Honda or Chevy).

The reveal timing all seems a little delayed in relation to generally understood timing used to build fan interest. One wonders how fans, who support the series, are able to analyze and absorb the subtle aero approaches each manufacturer has adopted given that the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, will be run in just about 3 weeks, on March 29, which marks the inaugural 2015 competition between the manufacturers' body kits. The speedway aero kit components are scheduled to be delivered to teams by April 1.

Below are full chassis images originally supplied by IndyCar from the manufacturers. The larger hi-res images were cropped in order to bring a visual focus to the three main areas of where aerodynamic body panel manipulation takes place on the Dallara DW12 - the Front Wing, Sidepods, and Rear Wing body parts - for comparison.

First, Chevy supplied the initial image that shows the fluid dynamics effect of their developed approach. The way the lines are drawn, it leads one to believe that the turbulent airflow coming from the back of the chassis has a strong upward motion soon after leaving the rear wing of the chassis.

This fluid dynamics motion is called 'Mushroom Busting' (first coined by Swift Engineering during the Iconic Development Process) which moves the trailing turbulence, that forms in the shape of a mushroom cap, out of the way of the race car behind allowing for stability in racing and possible overtaking.

Frontview Detail Comparison

Chevy Frontview Fluid Dynamics Detail - Image Credit: IndyCar

Honda Frontview Detail - Image Credit: IndyCar

This close-up view comparison has one potentially questioning whether Honda wishes to continue the same 'Mushroom Busting' competitive agenda, explored and - EXPLAINED HERE.

The Chevy front end view seems to have less parts to get in the way of the fluid nature of air whereas the Honda front end has many more elements that appear to be aiding in the dropping of the turbulence mushroom so that it would act as an impediment to any car trailing the Honda-powered chassis.

Front Wing Detail Comparison

Chevy Front Wing Detail - Image Credit: IndyCar

Honda Front Wing Detail - Image Credit: IndyCar

This close-up view comparison has one potentially questioning whither Honda wishes to continue the same 'Mushroom Busting' competitive agenda - EXPLAINED HERE.

The Chevy front end & front wing views both seem to have less parts to get in the way of the fluid nature of air whereas the Honda front end clearly has more elements channeling and funneling the air.

Sidepod Detail Comparison

Chevy Sidepod Detail - Image Credit: IndyCar

Honda Sidepod Detail - Image Credit: IndyCar

The sidepods housed the radiators in the original version of the DW12 so it is assumed the same function of the airflow through the housing performs the same benefit of cooling the engine.

Again, the Chevy sidepod has fewer elements and an addition of an airflow pass through outport just in front of the rear tire. Chevy also supplied a component identification terminology plate which describes the flying wing on top of the sidepod as an 'upper flick' and the element in the middle of the back of the sidepod (main flick) as a 'wheel wedge' which looks a little like a shark fin placed on the pod.

No component identification terminology plate was available from Honda/IndyCar so one is left to guess. The most interesting characteristic seems to be the integral nature of the sidepod without many add-ons or outports carving up the side, visually, and hanging above, leaving an uncluttered profile.

Rear Wing Detail Comparison

Chevy Rear Wing Detail - Image Credit: IndyCar

Honda Rear Wing Detail - Image Credit: IndyCar

For the Chevy rear wing, we almost instantly see louvers on either side of the main central fences or end plates. The louvers allow air flow to move from the central wing section defined by the fences over to the airflow on either side of the central wing.

The Honda aero kit features an added fin along the backbone of the engine cover along with, again, more parts that appear to most observers to aid in the dropping the strength of the upward movement of the turbulent air mushroom cap ... but then, who really knows without the developmental CAD/CAM information and testing statistics. One might say that the Honda aero kit looks less than ... iconic. More parts placed at the corners of the racing platform also equal more Yellow Flag track litter.

As an example that aids understanding in the philosophy that less parts that impede the flow of air is better, the new Nissan GT-R LM NISMO LMP1 employs the use of very large, designed-in airflow ducts where nothing invades the space of the duct.

This excerpted and edited from Racer -

Inside the Nissan GT-R LM NISMO LMP1 program
By Marshall Pruett - Feb. 1, 2015

Designers spend thousands of hours coming up with the best way to make aerodynamic downforce while minimizing drag, and drag comes from interrupting the air.

An LMP1-H punching through the air at 200mph is one giant exercise in disturbance, yet with Bowlby’s through-flow system, he’s found a brilliant method to work peacefully with the air as it envelops the Nissan via huge rectangular airflow channels that start at the rear of the splitter, wrap around the cockpit, and continue to the tail end of the GT-R LM NISMO LMP1. In practical terms, it’s the difference between the hull of an oil tanker making a huge wake and the razor-thin interruption made by an America’s Cup yacht.
[Reference Here]

One thing for sure, only racing on the track will let fan, team, and driver alike really know for sure.

If one hears about difficulty in passing a Team Honda car over the ease at passing a Team Chevy car just know that you heard the first speculation written about >>> HERE!

... notes from The EDJE

An American open wheel ladder series 2013 season yearbook

Book Cover Design - The Ladder 2013 Yearbook: Lights - Pro Mazda - USF2000. Image Credit: Ron Bijlsma and Tony DiZinno (2013)

An American open wheel ladder series 2013 season yearbook

What happens when one takes two very intense and busy motorsports Documentarians, put them out to engage and relate to all of the effort that goes into the three open wheel racing series that hold their seasons in North America, have them take all of their digital assets and arrange them into one reference resource?

What's created is a colorful, page turning book that goes by the title "The Ladder 2013 Yearbook: Lights - Pro Mazda - USF2000" with the tagline, Capturing the next generation of American open wheel talent, produced by Ron Bijlsma and Tony DiZinno.

In this recap, Ron and Tony look at the Firestone Indy Lights Series, Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires and the USF2000 National Championship Presented by Cooper Tires/Powered by Mazda seasons. The three divisions are all part of the Mazda Road to Indy ladder, where graduates from all three series have eventually gone on to race in the IndyCar Series, the top level of open wheel racing series in North America, or continue driving in other top level motorsports series.

In 300-plus pages, through Ron Bijlsma’s captivating photography and through Tony DiZinno's captivating words, the Ladder 2013 Yearbook attempts to tell the stories of each race weekend, the people who made their name and impact on the field, and produced starring roles.

Page Design - Teams & Drivers - 1. Image Credit: Ron Bijlsma and Tony DiZinno (2013)

In 2008, a similar effort was undertaken as a documentary by the title of "Driven To Race" by Cargo Productions (2010). Jeff Krueger and Brian Spillane of Cargo Productions were able to edit down 150 hours of footage shot across the United States and Canada and produce a still available feature-length documentary that followed only eight ambitious, young male and female drivers from around the world as they competed for the one thing that will move them up the ladder to a career in professional racing. The film focused, however, on only one of the established ladder series that was known then as Star Mazda Series ... the modern day Pro Mazda Series.

The Ladder 2013 Yearbook: Lights - Pro Mazda - USF2000, however, is much more expansive. As a book, one can refer to it on a whim, at random times, and can serve as an invaluable resource that provides unmatched, comprehensive coverage on the entire 2013 season of three open wheel racing series.

Page Design - Series Round Text & Results - 2. Image Credit: Ron Bijlsma and Tony DiZinno (2013)

Between March and October 2013, Ron and Tony traveled around the U.S. and Canada to a wide variety of circuits. Ovals such as the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Milwaukee Mile were joined by classic road courses such as Sebring International Raceway and the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, the brand, spanking new Circuit of the Americas in Austin and diverse street circuits in St. Petersburg, Long Beach, Toronto, Baltimore and more.

Through this backdrop and through the three ladder series, Ron Bijlsma and Tony DiZinno were able to capture a season’s memorable moments, and have this effort serve as a keepsake for all participants - drivers, teams, media, sponsors and fans alike - by providing a detailed look at the young talent racing in the American open wheel ladder system with The Ladder 2013 Yearbook.

To reserve your made to order copy, your order has to be made no later than January 20th 2013 or this project becomes stalled and unable to be available for your reference. In this New Media age one learns early on that not only does one become self-taught about modern internet communications, but one has to become self-published. Ron Bijlsma and Tony DiZinno have their digital assets edited down into 320 pages of a book that is ready to go to print but need the orders (or support pledges) in-house before the minimum production run can happen.

Please Order Or Pledge Support Now - "The Ladder 2013 Yearbook: Lights - Pro Mazda - USF2000" - and aid in the expansion of information on Ladder concept supported racing.

Page Design - Series Round Introduction - 1. Image Credit: Ron Bijlsma and Tony DiZinno (2013)

The biggest challenge in producing a yearbook like this is actually already behind Ron Bijlsma and Tony DiZinno; the commitment of covering all 42 races and all the challenges that come with it are now met. This Kickstarter approach is literally set up to get to the final challenge of getting the book from their minds and laptops onto paper.

Ron Bijlsma and Tony DiZinno are proud that it will be a self-published project which will allow for independence and total creative control over the book.

The biggest risk with this book project, of course, is that if the minimum threshold is not met, the book will not be printed.

AGAIN - Please Order Or Pledge Support Now - "The Ladder 2013 Yearbook: Lights - Pro Mazda - USF2000" - and help produce a memorable slice of motor culture history.

... notes from The EDJE

Rumors Race On IZOD IndyCar Series Euro Event Date

Is there a more beautiful setting for a race circuit? I don’t think so. Here is Mugello portrayed as an oil painting. Caption and Image Credit: RacePainter via intentsgp.com

Rumors Race On IZOD IndyCar Series Euro Event Date

Rumors are in full swing about a race in the 2013 season to be held in Europe in the late summer. It appears that on September 15, 2013, an IZOD IndyCar Series (IICS) race has been posted on the Mugello circuit near Florence, Italy.

Found On Twitter:

Graham Rahal
22 minutes ago via Twitter ·
Anyone else find it interesting that the Mugello circuit in Italy has an @IndyCar race listed on its website for Sept. 15th all the sudden?

Mugello Circuit (Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello) is a race track in the Mugello region of Italy near Florence. Its length is 5.245 km (3.259 mi). It has 15 turns and a long straight.Grand Prix motorcycle racing host an annual event here (MotoGP and smaller classes). Also, the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters hold an annual event. The track is property of Scuderia Ferrari which uses it for Formula One testing. The first race of the A1GP 2008/09 season was originally planned to be held at the Mugello circuit on 21 September 2008. However, the race had to be cancelled due to the delay in building the new chassis for the new race cars. Caption Credit: Wikipedia - Image Credit: Wallpapers via mugellocircuit.it

This excerpted and edited from mugellocircuit.it

Event 

Title: Indy Car Series 

When: 15.09.2013 

Category: Races 

Description Sorry, no description available 
[Reference Here]

Testing begins this week in Sebring, Florida ... followed next week at Sonoma Raceway in Northern California. These rumors will continue as the pre-silly season hits full stride.

UPDATE (from Twitter):

Matt Breeden

Graham, there were some discussions, but there will not be a race in Italy in 2013 or the foreseeable future.

Matt Breeden is the current Vice President of Business Affairs at IndyCar Series. If anyone may have the real inside scoop, it's Matt (at least until IndyCar changes its mind - example: read that as the Randy Bernard tenure).

... notes from The EDJE

----

Kentucky 300 - Carpenter Inches Out Franchitti Tweet-By-Tweet

It's Ed Carpenter in the Dollar General Sarah Fisher Racing Dallara by a nose and a Push-To-Pass on the Downy soap sponsored Target Chip Ganassi Racing's Dario Franchitti (just 0.0098sec at the line, the closest finish at Kentucky and sixth closest in series history) who get extra points for leading the most laps. Image Credit: Paul Dalbey

Kentucky 300 - Carpenter Inches Out Franchitti Tweet-By-Tweet

Will Power took the championship lead over Dario Franchitti by 11 points ... now 12 with the Peak Pole award during qualifications ... after his runner-up finish two weeks ago in Motegi, Japan.

On ovals, Power and Franchitti trail Scott Dixon for the A.J. Foyt Trophy honoring the best driver on oval tracks for the ICS season. Motegi winner Dixon leads Franchitti 181-164 with Power an additional 19 points behind.

Dixon faces elimination from the overall championship this weekend, at 59 points behind Power. If he can't close to within 53, his title chances are officially over.

Power and Franchitti have been closer on ovals than it might appear on the surface, as Power looks to secure his first title. The Australian actually holds a qualifying edge, 7.67 to 7.83, from the six oval races this season.

Hoping for a good result this weekend are Helio Castroneves, the 2010 Kentucky winner, and Ed Carpenter, the 2010 Kentucky polesitter and twice defending runner-up finisher. While Carpenter's Sarah Fisher effort showed impressive pace in qualifying at both Indianapolis and Texas, it's been largely a struggle from there this season.
(ht: racer.com)

The following is a feel for the Kentucky 300 as it happened via entries limited to 140 characters as seen on the social communications web portal, Twitter (with a few added live blogging entries from The EDJE). Welcome to the Kentucky 300, Tweet-By-Tweet!

kvracingKV Racing Technology

Driver Introductions are underway, hope u have tuned into @versusindycar

tial99 Tia by indy44

They are really workin driver introductions @KySpeedway! We've got flames of fire, sparklers of fireworks & Van Halen "Right Now". #indycar

its_meatballCorey Ashenfelter

Anyone have the radio broadcast, safety team & race control scanner frequencies for todays race? #indycar#kyspeedway

seeuatthefrontKatie

Having fun introducing mom to the current #IndyCarfield a bit at a time. She likes the 2012 car, too :-D

NewmanHaasNewman Haas Racing

Being told we are being recognized on the @VersusIndyCar broadcast. Let us know if you hear it!

MoreFrontWingMore Front Wing

Not a particularly warm welcome for Danica. She'll get better next year.

tracksideonline TrackSide Online

Crowd abysmal. Nothing else to say, really.

Oriol Servia as he sit in his Telemundo Newman Haas Honda Dallara office getting ready to race. Image Credit: Newman Haas

NewmanHaasNewman Haas Racing

AWESOME! "@LewisFranck:@NewmanHaas right after Chickenfoot! Polaris Hardest Working Team award clip. Then showed Oriol."

asapsportsASAP Sports

KENTUCKY INDY 300 interviews bit.ly/oFK4I2w/ Scott Dixon Dario Franchitti Will Power Graham Rahal IZOD #INDYCAR

eddstrawF1Edd Straw

Good to see @DBattistinimaking his IndyCar debut. Covered some of his races when he won the UK Caterham Superlight Championship in 2003!

TheEDJEEdmund Jenks

An all CCWS alumni front row to start this OVAL race with Power and Rahal - The evolution of IRL to IndyCar - #indycar

Drivers, Start Your Engines!

shagersShane Rogers

Need to train the pit techs when 1 is not hot to say "1 cold", not "1 not". Not sounds a lot like hot. #indycar

IndyCarPRINDYCAR PR

Field is rolling for the first pace laps.

Formula1Paddock Formula 1 Paddock

IndyCar time!! quite a few brits in tonights race!

GREEN GREEN GREEN! – Lap 1 of 200

The field takes the Green Flag to start the Kentucky 300, the next to last race in the IZOD IndyCar Season. Image Credit: IndyCar_Aldia

NegativeVORPEric Hamme

Clean start. Surprised. Good job everybody. #indycar

estradawriting Christopher Estrada

Will Power leads the first lap. #IndyCar

Dan_BrunellDan Brunell

I interested in seeing how Race Control screws the #Indycarrace up today. They have to be running out of ideas by now.

Lap 10 of 200

f1fanaticliveF1 Fanatic Live

Power has a slight margin over Rahal, who has Hinchcliffe right behind him. Franchitti up two places to ninth. #indycar

tial99 Tia

Sheriff Deputy in stands. Guess they're serious about the rules! I'm not standing but my feet can't stop bouncing! Shaking Stands. #indycar

BrunoTarulli34Bruno Tarulli

#IndyCarOtro link: bit.ly/mZo43t

Lap 20 of 200

Dario passes Dixon to take over P8 … up from P11

IndyCarIZOD IndyCar Series

Graham Rahal and James Hinchcliffe are battling for second! Power up by 0.6983 seconds.

indy44Matt Archuleta

Bell +12 Briscoe +8 Wheldon +7 #IndyCar

seeuatthefrontKatie

Love watching @Hinchtownmaking @GrahamRahal's life difficult. Can tell Hinch has him rattled. #IndyCar

f1fanaticliveF1 Fanatic Live

Hinchcliffe still very close to Rahal but can't find a way past, Power one second ahead. #indycar

Lap 30 of 200

99foreverSteph@MoreFrontWing

Suspect the changed aero rules are the reason. RT @gochrisuniverse No pack racing. Why would Firestone alter their tire compound? #INDYCAR

Dario passes Carpenter and RHR on Lap 34 for P6

amberclevelandAmber Cleveland

Helio has a water leak in the car...due to engine change just before start. Helio pitting now #IndyCar

tial99 Tia

Castroneves concerns with car. Coming in. #indycar

Lap 40 of 200 – Clean & Green from the “Drop”!

Dario slips back to P9, Dixon moves up to P7 followed by Carpenter at P8

AirNickVNick Van De Sompele

love to see all of the 15 people that still care about indycar are at the race today!

cristina_CHCHTV Cristina Tenaglia

"@IndyCar: Graham Rahal and James Hinchcliffe are battling for second! Power up by 0.6983 seconds."#kentuckyindy300

Lap 50 of 200 Pit Stops begin

Will Power and Ana Beatriz get together – Beartiz is sent out in front of Power

Lap 56 of 200 – Dario Franchitti leads with the top 10 being Hildebrand, Andretti, Dixon, Rahal, RHR, Carpenter, Hinchtown, POWER, and then Briscoe … Castroneves’ day is done

ingridmaeIngrid S

Tough break for Helio. #IndyCar@KySpeedway

Lap 60 of 200

amberclevelandAmber Cleveland

RT @spunk72: Anybody but Dario. Seriously. #IndyCar

A full field races hard behind the leaders at Kentucky Speedway. Image Credit: IndyCar_Aldia

msarmbrester Michael Armbrester

Incredible pit shuffle there! Dario 8th to 1st, Will Power 1st to 8th. Bonkers! #IndyCar

Rachaelwith2AsRachael

I don't quite understand how Dario has put himself in front but I'm loving it!! #indycar

GL2488Glenn Locke

Uh oh, in #indycar it could become a Ganassi 1 2

KySpeedwayKentucky Speedway

.@IndyCar Ky Indy 300 Lap 65: @dariofranchittileads @JRHildebrand by .1030: 3-5: @scottdixon9 @MarcoAndretti @GrahamRahal @RyanHunterReay

Lap 70 of 200

Power drops to P9 – Franchitti, Hildebrand, and Dixon are 1-2-3!

Beard77Wronkle

Watching the IndyCar Kentucky 300. Good race very fast lots of action so far. #IndyCarDominates

Indy_ModeMandy Valentine

I hate Robin Miller. Just FYI. One thing i don't miss about living in Indy is him. #indycar

Lap 79 – YELLOW Flag for debris

Lap 80 of 200

estradawriting Christopher Estrada

Debris in the backstretch, CAUTION Lap 80. #IndyCar

Anthony_StuartAnthony Stuart

Phantom debris cautions, coming soon to an INDYCAR race near you

shagersShane Rogers

Yellow for Will Power's toys which have been thrown out of the pram in turn 2. #indycar

Will Power comes in for adjustments and repairs from the bump given him by Ana Betriz – Down to P18 down by 24 points if race were to end this minute.

StwrdDiscretion Steward's Discretion

Strictly speaking, duct tape isn't approved equipment. But I'll let it go, @12WillPower . THIS time.#indycar#fastesttapeintheworld

FollowAndretti Andretti Autosport

Nice job Team @GoDaddy! RT @IndyCar Danica Patrick gains the most spots coming out of the pits, moving up four spots to ninth.

shagersShane Rogers

Might be two years in a row Will Power's lost the championship due to a hole in his car on a 1.5. Remember Texas 2010? #indycar

Lap 90 of 200

More sidepod repairs to Powers car – sad really.

Verizon Penske Racing's Will Power in for a splash of ethanol and tires late in the race to maintain position of not losing more points to rival and three-time IZOD ICS champion, Dario Franchitti. Image Credit: Paul Dalbey

Lap 91 of 200 RESTART

IndyCarIZOD IndyCar Series

Green flag on Lap 91. Franchitti, Dixon, Andretti, Hildebrand and Rahal lead.

driverswanted07Ross Bynum

Can I start the "Anybody but Franchitti" chant? #Indycar

LewisFranckLewis Franck

Curious. IndyCar teams have spare noses. No spare sidepods available?

KF4LMTMac McCormick III

@CathyCardinalNothing IndyCar Race Control does anything surprises me.

Report from IMS Radio – Castroneves sidepod will not fit as per team leader Cendric.

Lap 100 of 200

JaysKeysJay's Keys

@IndyCar We're halfway through Kentucky Indy 300. Franchitti leads Andretti by .0626 secs

indy44Matt Archuleta

Will and Liz's dinner table might be pretty quiet tonight. #IndyCar

Lap 110 of 200

motorsport_feed Motor Sport News

#INDYCAR: Conquest Racing Kentucky qualifying report dlvr.it/p1hVk #motorsport

jmcc09 Jenna

Briscoe is tumbling down. Now P15. Anyone at the track listening to his radio? #indycar

GL2488Glenn Locke

Andretti has been trying to pass Franchitti for the last 32 laps. #indycar

Lap 120 of 200

Top 10 are Franchitti, Andretti, Dixon, Carpenter, Hildebrand, Rahal, Hinchcliff, Servia, RHR, and Kimball.

99foreverSteph@MoreFrontWing - Wheldon was up to 12th and is now back in 15th. Seems to be slowing a touch. #IndyCar

3Paige14Paige

Will wouldn't have been where he was in the pits if it weren't for his bad qualy run in New Hampshire. #indycar

IndyCarIZOD IndyCar Series

Carpenter has made his way back into the top 5, currently in 4th between Dixon and Hildebrand. Power still holding in 23rd, Patrick in 12th.

Lap 130 of 200

tial99 Tia

Heard over radio "Dont get stupid up there." #indycar

Power within a few laps of going 1 Lap down.

amarquis32Andy Marquis

Franchitti is the luckiest person in motorsports. #IndyCar

Lap 140 of 200

estradawriting Christopher Estrada

Pit stops beginning once more. #IndyCar

Service Central/Ganassi Racing's Graham Rahal in tow behind Target Chip Ganassi Racing's Dario Franchitti ... and ahead of Franchitti team-mate Scott Dixon, Telemundo Newman Haas' Oriol Servia, and eventual race winner, Dollar General Sarah Fisher Racing's Ed Carpenter. Image Credit: Indy Social Grid

toomuchracingPat W

yikes RT @estradawriting: WHAT. Carpenter's helmet coming apart and he's holding left side bolts together with his hand. #IndyCar

YELLOW Flag –

KF4LMTMac McCormick III

That was scary. Simona got sideways on pit lane and hit a KV crewman waiting to do pit stop. #IndyCar

WxTurtleColin Z.

Simona was behind Wheldon in pits, was leaving- cold tires, you figure.#indycar

99foreverSteph@MoreFrontWing

Pit stops under yellow. Hold your breath. #IndyCar

f1fanaticliveF1 Fanatic Live

Now Andretti in a pit lane collision with Lloyd and Viso. #indycar

Venom Energy Andretti Autosport team as it tends after Marco Andretti's Honda Dallara. Image Credit: Bret Kelley

theamyedixonAmy E. Dixon

What is going on at this #IndyCarrace!?

dbsdadTim Blum

Did everyone just forget how to drive?

The Venom Energy car of Marco Andretti unable to continue in the race.

Lap 147 RESTART

SnoopDarrJames Darr

Talking racing, or Ashley Judd? #indycarRT @paultracy3: Dario could have more luck than Jimmy Johnson

Lap 150 of 200

Top 10 being Dario, Rahal, Dixon, Carpenter, RHR, Servia, Hinchcliff, Cunningham, Patrick, & Briscoe.

allancaleyLincsWhite

@IndyCar "Oh Dear! Is that Will Power about to go a lap down, let's throw a yellow and say there was debris on the track!!!"

indy44Matt Archuleta

Correction-> Marco said his Dad was right, it was his fault in the pits. #IndyCar

BJUNQUEIRABRUNO JUNQUEIRA

Too many drivers mistakes in the pits, the mechanics are paying the price @IndyCar what do you think @paultracy3 ?

Lap 160 of 200

tial99 Tia

Race to finish is gonna be about fuel. Graham doesn't have enough to make it to the end. Plan is to draft off Dario. #indycar

CharlesRBlackCharles Black

@67edcarpenter to P3!! He's flying! Clearly not worried about saving fuel. #IndyCar

Lap 167 – YELLOW Flag

GL2488Glenn Locke

Ana BEATRIZ HAS CRASHED HARD, yikes #indycar

NegativeVORPEric Hamme

Ouch, that looks like a big whack for Bia. #indycar

stevie_mariee StevieMarie Nicole

Rough day in @IndyCarracing. First Simona then Andretti now Beatrice....

_michaelcurry_Michael J Curry

So look out RT @IndyCar: Pits are open.

davedusickDave Dusick

“@IndyCar: Yellow flag, Ana Beatriz hits the wall.” <-- Franchitti, Rahal & Carpenter lead them into pits... Should be final stop. Lap 169.

Lap 170 of 200

burk992Chris Burk

Most are staying out. This is gonna get stupid. #indycar

hotrod_dqDale Quinn

If you think the stands at Dover are empty, check the Indycar race from Kentucky on Versus. You see more people at a bus stop!!!

NegativeVORPEric Hamme

Unfortunately, I think this race can be called. Dario's going to win unless Ed pulls off a miracle. #indycar

msarmbrester Michael Armbrester

First half of race: pretty clean. Second half of race: giant hot mess. #IndyCar

Dan_BrunellDan Brunell

Everything has fell into Dario's lap today. #indycar

tommifinntommifinn

#IndyCar#Beatriz: at least some justice, happy to see you on the wall. you deserved it!!!

Lap 178 of 200 – RESTART

Top 5 are Franchitti, Dixon, Carpenter, Ryan Hunter-Reay, & Oriol Servia … Rahal at P16 … Power last on lead lap at P19.

Close, high-speed action at the line during the Kentucky 300. Image Credit: Brett Kelley

Carpenter passes Dixon for P2 and plants himself on Franchitti’s tail.

ThrashdannyDaniel Mayhew

an amazing indycar race action all over the place and incidents in the pits

Lap 180 of 200

besweeetBrian Sweet

Really want Carpenter to win this IndyCar race. 10 laps to go! Finish is going to be super close...

mveilensteinMarcal

9 laps left at Kentucky. Top 10 within 1.5s. #indycar

99foreverSteph@MoreFrontWing

When you don't see them for a while, you forget how nutty these restarts are on ovals! Breathe... breathe... #indycar

f1fanaticliveF1 Fanatic Live

Carpenter side-by-side with Franchitti for the lead. #indycar

KySpeedwayKentucky Speedway

.@IndyCar Ky Indy 300: @67edcarpenter led lap 185, still tight with @dariofranchitti

CharlesRBlackCharles Black

Dollar General is really getting it's money worth from @67edcarpenter and @sfracing #IndyCar

amberclevelandAmber Cleveland

Ed is giving Dario a run for his money. 17 laps left - Dario, Carpenter, Dixon, Cunningham, RHR, Hinch, Briscoe #IndyCar

99foreverSteph@MoreFrontWing

I'm yelling at the TV. I never do that! COME ON, ED! #IndyCar

Lap 190 of 200 – Carpenter is counted as the leader of the lap by a fraction of an inch.

SpeedFreakBashBash Beard

Man I love this dogfight between Ed and Dario! #INDYCAR

thehestercutionBrinton Hester

It looks like Carpenter isn't using his overtakes #indycar

EOlmosEduardo Olmos Ayala

Ed. Ed. Ed. Ed. Ed. Ed. Ed. Ed. Ed. Ed. Ed. Ed. Ed. #IndyCar

ingridmaeIngrid S

Now this is the kind of finish we live through the yellow finishes for!#IndyCar

Ed Carpenter uses final Push To Pass to catch Franchitti to the line with about an eight inch margin.

WGRFastTrackDave Buchanan

Woooo Ed Carpenter narrowly beats Franchitti for #IndyCarwin at Kentucky

MVBN15 MVBN15

That was a fantastic @IndyCarrace! Congrats to @67edcarpenter@SarahFisher67 and everyone else! #indycar

Team owner Sarah Fisher answers questions about the decision by Dollar General to not renew sponsorship of Ed Carpenter (seated next to Sarah) and Sarah Fisher Racing next year in the post race press conference. Image Credit: Indy Social Grid

indyram500Mark Thompson

@DollarGeneral PLEASE don't pull the plug on SFR and Indycar.....patience pays off....what a race!!!

Beard77 Wronkle

Great to see a small team like SFR pick up a huge win on an oval. Hope we see multiple teams winning next season as well. #IndyCar

BUbacktobackChris Love

@67edcarpenter @sarahfisher67 @tomasscheckter Can't wait till Vegas!! This will be lights out!! Way to go Ed. Nice work today!!

chrischiltChris Chilton

What a race that was, pit-lane mayhem, controversy, brilliant wheel to wheel racing. And a winning margin of 1/1000th of a second! #indycar

END - Results and background story here>>

In a post race interview, Penske Racing’s Tim Cendric gave this response when asked how this result effects Will Power’s chances at closing out the season as a winner at the last race in Las Vegas October 16th, 2011 – “Well, you know with a 1-2-3 finish [by Penske Racing ... as we did at Infineon Raceway], Will Power will become champion at the end of the race.”

A tall order since the 18th and final race of the season will feature a 34-car field for the IZOD IndyCar World Championships presented by Honda, which represents the largest field in series history and largest outside Indianapolis since 1997 at Las Vegas.

Going into the last race on October 16, 2011 in Las Vegas we will see Dario Franchitti lead Will Power by 18 points with Scott Dixon bringing up the rear with his A.J. Foyt Trophy in hand at 55 points with no chance for the championship ... but all team-mates (3 for Ganassi and 2 for Penske) may have an affect on just who ends up with the IZOD IndyCar Series championship.

… notes from The EDJE