Survey Sez?! ... Ford Is A winner For Standing Alone

In Los Angeles last November, Ford showed off the latest Mustang in standard and GT forms. (Click here to see our video interview with one of the designers responsible for the terrific 2010 package, filmed in LA.) In Detroit, we get the first look at the newest GT500. The car will be available in coupe and convertible forms in spring 2009. Caption & Image Credit: AutoPacific

Survey Sez?! ... Ford Is A winner For Standing Alone

If life were a game show and that game show were Family Feud, Ford would be the "go to" answer, if the survey answer concerned itself about the level of respect a consumer would have for any automobile manufacturer.

The credit crisis brought about through the fall-out of the greater sub-prime mortgage loan market collapse that has shown itself over this last full year exposed the whole of the American automobile manufacturing community. General Motors and Chrysler accepted the Bush Administration's offer to utilize a loan of Federal money in order to weather the storm and fight off bankruptcy.

Ford elected not to accept the offer and therefore maintained control over the way the company would manage itself and we all now know what has happened to the other two competitors. General Motors is owned by the Federal Government and the Auto Workers Union and has declared bankruptcy while Chrysler's ownership, through bankruptcy, was transferred to the Auto Workers Union while the balance of the company was sold off to the Italian auto manufacturer, Fiat in order to bring it out of bankruptcy more quickly.

In both cases, American contract law was over-run as the Federal Government declared that the primary investors and Bond holders were to be honored last as opposed to first as it related to the control of the assets of the company ... both companies.

Ford Fiesta Poised for USA Launch in 2010 - The Fiesta has been on sale in Europe since August 2008 and about 117,000 have been sold to date. With the assistance of the EPA, Ford has been able to bring in 145 into the states for testing and evaluation purposes. Caption & Image Credit: AutoPacific

In a recently released survey of consumer attitudes conducted by AutoPacific, Ford has surged ahead by a margin of 3 to 1 ... of both GM and Fiat/Chrysler in the "Not concerned at all" response to the level of confidence about the viability of purchasing or leasing from a specific manufacturer.

In the coveted "likely to buy" category, Ford equaled the attitudes held for the top Japanese manufacturers.

The survey proves that consumers want to purchase from Automobile manufacturers that have their corporate structure firmly planted in Capitalism and not a structure born from another route.

Image Credit: AutoPacific

This excerpted and edited from Vehicle Voice -

Survey Indicates Ford Benefits From Troubles Of Others And Not Taking Bailout
Public Responds Positively to Ford's Actions, but Some Still Have Reservations
Vehicle Voice - June 17, 2009

American consumers' opinions about Ford Motor Company have been positively influenced by the company's decision not to accept government bailout funds, and by the bankruptcy filings of rivals General Motors and Chrysler. Automotive research and analysis firm AutoPacfic conducted an online survey of more than 900 U.S. consumers regarding their purchase intent and opinions of individual car companies. Highlights include:

* Asian and European manufacturers scored highest when the survey asked "How concerned are you about buying/leasing a vehicle from" a particular maker, with an average of 61% "Not concerned at all." Ford scored 48%, far ahead of GM's 15% and Chrysler's 14%.

* Ford matched or scored higher than its Asian and European competitors to the question "How likely are you to buy/lease a new car" from a specific manufacturer:

o Toyota -- 43% Likely/Very Likely

o Ford -- 43% Likely/Very Likely

o Honda -- 41% Likely/Very Likely

o Volkswagen -- 33% Likely/Very Likely

o Hyundai -- 22% Likely/Very Likely

o General Motors -- 15% Likely/Very Likely

o Chrysler -- 7% Likely/Very Likely

* Skepticism was also revealed:

o 39% Agreed/Completely Agreed that Ford Motor company was simply lucky to have "cleaned house" before the economic downturn

o 39% Agreed/Completely Agreed that Ford has yet to prove it won't ask for a bailout in the future

"Ford's restructuring, which started months before the current economic downturn, has clearly helped position it more closely with its Asian and European rivals than its domestic competitors, in terms of public perception," said George Peterson, president of Tustin, CA-based AutoPacific. "Some don't think Ford is out of the woods but, overall, consumers view Ford quite favorably verses their cross-town rivals and on par or better than most imports. All brands will be significantly challenged if the downturn continues into 2010."
Reference Here>>

Ok, so Ford is not out of the woods just yet, but all one has to ask themselves when one is considering the purchase of a new automobile ... Would you buy a car manufactured by a car company that is owned by the Federal Government, and/or a labor union, or would you buy a car from a company run by a management team that grew up creating cars from the ground up that address the needs of the consuming public?

... notes from The EDJE

Mobile Eagle Eye Tower Systems See Threats From Above

Are You Being Watched? Raytheon's unmanned blimp at this year's INDY 500. The blimp flying above your head may be watching your every move [ctrl-click for slideshow]. Image Credit: Raytheon Company

Mobile Eagle Eye Tower Systems See Threats From Above

Of all of the vehicles one encounters at this year's largest motorsports event, one doesn't expect that the one hanging around, attached to a guide wire, quietly floating along inconspicuously, is there to watch you and the 400,000 or so enthusiasts gathered to watch the spectacle on the ground.

At this year's INDY 500, held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a new surveillance tool was deployed, tested, and passed its first major hurdle as an important part of a security and surveillance grid to be used at major crowd gatherings such as sporting events and street fairs. Street cameras, cop cars, helicopters and foot patrols are generally what this terrestrial platform helps to stitch together and develop a clearer understanding of the security challenges that exist today in an age of potential terrorism and terrorist acts.

The blimp airship developed and deployed by Raytheon features cameras and infrared sensors developed through military contracts for applications associated with battlefield surveillance is being adapted to aid in civilian applications of security and event research if a hostile act were to occur.

The fastest vehicle at the INDY 500, in terms of identifying and neutralizing a threat that would disrupt the action on the ground, may actually be hanging above the crowd, observing and sensing the action as it happens.

Raytheon developed the Rapid Aerostat Initial Deployment (RAID) Mobile Eagle Eye tower systems (in 2007) to protect U.S. and coalition forces in Iraq. The adapted civilian application of this technology is now being tested and deployed [ctrl-click for b-roll video from Newsweek]. Image Credit: Raytheon Company

This excerpted and edited from Newsweek Magazine -

Eye in the Sky: Raytheon's unmanned blimp at this year's Indy 500
By Kurt Soller | Newsweek Web Exclusive - Jun 11, 2009

At first glance, there was nothing special about the blimp floating high above the cars and crowd at this year's Indy 500 on Memorial Day weekend. Like most airships, it acted as an advertising vehicle; this time for the Fisher House, a charity focused on helping injured veterans and their families. But the real promo should have been for the blimp's creator, Raytheon, the security company best known for its weapons systems. Hidden inside the 55-foot-long white balloon was a powerful surveillance camera adapted from the technology Raytheon provides the U.S. military. Essentially an unmanned drone, the blimp transmitted detailed images to the race's security officers and to Indiana police. "The airship is great because it doesn't have that Big Brother feel, or create feelings of invasiveness," says Lee Silvestre, vice president of mission innovation in Raytheon's Integrated Defense division. "But it's still a really powerful security tool."

Until recently, Raytheon's eye-in-the-sky technology was used in Afghanistan and Iraq to guard American military bases, working as airborne guards against any oncoming desert threat. Using infrared sensors and a map overlay not unlike Google Earth, the technology scans a large area, setting important landmarks (say, the perimeter of a military base), and constantly relays video clips back to a command center. If a gun fires or a bomb is detonated, the airships can detect the noise and focus the camera—all from a mighty-high 500 feet.

After the success of the Indy 500 trial, the company is targeting police departments and sporting facilities that want to keep an eye on crowds that might easily morph into an unruly mob. "Large municipalities could find many uses for this [technology] once we figure out how to get it in their hands," says Nathan Kennedy, the blimp's project manager.

For now, cost might be the only thing preventing a blimp from appearing over your head. Raytheon won't disclose how much the system may eventually cost, but chances are it won't be cheap. For municipalities without a Pentagon-size police budget, the blimps' potential to display ads may assist with financing. Raytheon says local authorities could install a built-in LED screen to attract sponsors, generate revenue and defer operating costs.
Reference Here>>

So, when it feels like someone is watching you ... look up and smile, you are being watched by that blimp advertising the money you could have saved by switching to ... Geico!

Bombardier Learjet 550k - Play By Play Via Tweet By Tweet

The iconic garage sign at the Texas Motor Speedway. The Indy Racing League is at the Speedway for the sixth round of the 2009 IndyCar Series championship. Image Credit: Vision Racing

Bombardier Learjet 550k - Play By Play Via Tweet By Tweet

Here in longhorn country down near Fort Worth, Texas, the sixth race of the first fully unified open wheel racing season of the IndyCar Series is ramping up to be a good one. The top four drivers at this point in the 2009 season are the same four drivers that swept the first two rows in qualifying. Franchitti, Briscoe, Dixon and Castroneves all posted speed averages in the 214-mph bracket.

Ryan Briscoe will start alongside Franchitti in the Bombardier Learjet 550k after a four-lap average of 214.413 mph.

Points leader and defending race winner Scott Dixon (214.296) and Helio Castroneves (214.228) will be on Row 2. Then Andretti Green Racing's Danica Patrick will start fifth (213.929) and share Row 3 with Transition Player KV Racing Technology's Mario Moraes (213.717).

Overhead shot of Ed Carpenter in the cockpit of his Vision Racing Dallara at Texas Motor Speedway. Image Credit: Vision Racing

The IRL Set-Up: Franchitti earns Texas pole For Race #6 - http://tinyurl.com/lazche #irl #ics #indycar

How the field qualified (** denotes Transition Player - we are down to six)

Pos Driver Team Speed
1. Dario Franchitti Ganassi 214.513mph
2. Ryan Briscoe Penske 214.413mph
3. Scott Dixon Ganassi 214.296mph
4. Helio Castroneves Penske 214.228mph
5. Danica Patrick Andretti Green 213.929mph
6. Mario Moraes KV 213.717mph**
7. Dan Wheldon Panther 213.596mph
8. Marco Andretti Andretti Green 213.540mph
9. Robert Doornbos Newman/Haas/Lanigan 213.479mph**
10. Ed Carpenter Vision 213.435mph
11. Hideki Mutoh Andretti Green 213.327mph
12. Graham Rahal Newman/Haas/Lanigan 213.178mph**
13. Alex Tagliani Conquest 213.173mph**
14. Sarah Fisher Fisher 212.554mph
15. Raphael Matos Luczo Dragon 212.137mph
16. Tony Kanaan Andretti Green 212.108mph
17. Justin Wilson Coyne 212.021mph**
18. Tomas Scheckter Dreyer & Reinbold 211.741mph
19. Mike Conway Dreyer & Reinbold 211.686mph
20. Milka Duno Dreyer & Reinbold 211.601mph
21. EJ Viso HVM 211.553mph**
22. AJ Foyt IV Foyt 211.454mph
23. Ryan Hunter-Reay Vision 210.532mph
24. Jaques Lazier 3G 209.329mph

The race will be televised on VERSUS from The Texas Motor Speedway - Saturday at 9PM ET: "America’s Original Nighttime IndyCar Race” showcases Indy cars jetting three-wide around the track in excess of 220 miles per hour and routinely setting up for a dramatic finish. With last-lap drama and exciting finishes, you never know what’s going to happen.
(race description HT: VERSUS)

Pre-race activities featured Shaq in a photo session taken in the Vision Racing garage with Miss Wheelchair 2009, Michelle Colvard. Image Credit: Vision Racing

Sadly, teams have fielded only six drivers from the CART/ChampCar Transition group and consequently this may be the poorest showing since the merge happened back at the beginning of the 2008 season. Paul Tracy and AJ Foyt have agreed to part company for this home race for the ABC Supply/AJ Foyt team but the seperation is amicable with Paul Tracy saying that he would drive for AJ anytime and anywhere ... he would even be available to do testing if that were AJ's wish.

Image Credit: Vision Racing

So let the race begin ...

16AndGeorgetownJust got back from the driving range. Great way to kill a couple hours before the race.

PlanetIrlNever realized how big Shaq really was. How is he going to fit in that pace car??!!

MyNameIsIRLMy family is discussing tonight's "first out". P1 says "Mario Jonas", P2 says "Mike Con-wreck". Tough crowd here.

SpeedFreaksGreat show - thanks much for your tweets - now let's have a damn good #IndyCar race!!

Dan Weldon, Panther Racing and Ed Carpenter, Vision Racing warming up at speed at the Texas Motor Speedway. Image Credit: Vision Racing

PlanetIrl"they call is the Texas Taj Mahal." .....They do?

AGRfan26If Mario Jonas [Moraes] is the first out, lets hope Dan & MA get around him 1st. After practice Thurs, I'm not holding my breath

pressdogall i want is timing and scoring on indycar.com. is that too much to ask?

RacingNationInteresting, good thing that Honda engine in Kanaan's car blew up enough so they could call it a 'fire.' #indy car

Driver intros in the grandstands! That is EJ Viso through the fence. Image Credit: HVM Racing

VisionRacingDrivers being introduced. Sun going down. Air temp cooling to acceptable human living conditions. Fun getting set to start at Texas.

SpeedFreaksdog barking incessantly at Foyt hauler - will someone take care of him please!

PlanetIrl@SpeedFreaks You're in Texas. There is a 12 gauge within 100 feet at all times!
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MyNameIsIRLArute in the stands. Arute in the Sky Lair. Arute on the truck. Ye gods, have they cloned the man?

20:32:55 GMT-0500 Drivers to your cars.

PlanetIrlNostrabeekhuis strikes again.

MyNameIsIRLIf those extra wickers allow for all the Texas passing, then why don't they put those on at every track? Or would that make too much sense?

pressdogLoins: girded.

RacingNationHey RHR, is 'everything gonna be alright' ??? OK, enough of the mesothelioma, Izod and Ultimate Fighting, lets go IndyCar racing! #indycar

20:39:11 GMT-0500 One minute to the command.

chunter16@pressdog Notice how they also avoided talking about when CART had a driver's strike at this very track because of drivers blacking out

Marco26WebNice one Shaq. Engines on!!

kvracingMoraes is in the car and command for Drivers Start Your Engine has been given.

20:41:40 GMT-0500 All cars have been fired.

20:44:38 GMT-0500 Green flag next time by.

GREEN GREEN GREEN - We are racin' folks!
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AGRfan26Look at how far back Marco is from Mario !

VisionRacingWoah!! That was ****ing close!!

TheEDJE20:47:01 GMT-0500 Lap 2: Milka Duno, Graham Rahal and EJ Viso were involved in the incident.

FuriousWedgelooks like Viso collected too, odd that Rahal was wiggling so bad almost for multiple laps

Two Transition Players out on LAP 2 - EJ Viso of HVM Racing and Graham Rahal of Newman/Haas/Lanigan racing. That leaves four!

TheEDJECommentary says that the first few laps the drivers have to contend with Truck Tire Rubber - Okie-Dokie! #irl #ics #indycar

VisionRacingNo.21 coming in to top of on fuel when pits open. Anyone see the replay on that. Ryan narrowly missed that accident. Drove through sparks.
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20:56:11 GMT-0500 Lap 9: One lap until back to green.

kvracingBack to Green Flag racing, Moraes 5th

20:57:41 GMT-0500 Lap 11: Ryan Briscoe is challenging for the lead on the outside.

IndyCarNationLap 15: #6 Briscoe leads #10 Franchitti by .1424 of a second.

Marco26WebLike Marco tweeted a few days ago. "Sweep the high side!!!"

kvracingMoraes is 7th, 19 laps completed, settling into single file round gtrack

IndyCarPRLap 20: #6 Briscoe leads #10 Franchitti by .2021 of a second.

21:03:53 GMT-0500 Lap 26: Danica loses some momentum out of Turn 4 and Marco makes his move.

VisionRacingEd will have some wing taken out on his first stop. He's mentioned (understatement alert) having issues with understeer over the radio.

CrashGladysHangin out with @SpeeedFreeek & @curtcavin - good times at TMS... #INDYCAR

IndyCarPRLap 30: #6 Briscoe leads #10 Franchitti by .2995 of a second.
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chunter16Just added myself to the http://wefollow.com twitter directory under: #musician #motorsports #football

kvracingWhen Moraes pits will be front wing adjustment and some tire pressure alterations being made now on the new set. Currently 8th after 37laps

TheEDJE21:10:24 GMT-0500 Lap 42: Mike Conway is off the pace - in the pits. #irl #ics #indycar

FuriousWedgesay that again Bob; Scheckter is up to 18th after starting 12th!? sure thats not backwards?

FuriousWedgeRace Control says "the right rear of Dan Wheldon may be glowing red" may be?

21:13:44 GMT-0500 Lap 50: The front of the field comes up to lap AJ Foyt IV.

IndyCarNationLap 50: #6 Briscoe leads #10 Franchitti by 1.0710 seconds. Note: If we fall behind on the Tweetcast, it's because we're also doing the DTR.

MyNameIsIRL50 laps in and all I can think is where did the three-wide racing at Texas go?

21:16:00 GMT-0500 Lap 55: Danica Patrick is into the pits.

LAP 55 - Green Flag pitstops for most of the field!

kvracingJust pitted, tires, fuel and one turn in on left front wing. Great stop by KVRT crew

chunter16@VisionRacing good stop for ed

21:19:11 GMT-0500 Lap 61: Briscoe gets caught in traffic allowing Franchitti to catch up.
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21:21:31 GMT-0500 Lap 67: Ryan Briscoe is working his way through traffic. Leads Franchitti by about one second.

AGRfan26MA up to 5th ! Keep picking them off Marco !

21:25:17 GMT-0500 Lap 76: The lead of Briscoe nears 2 seconds.

MyNameIsIRLAh - we're all conserving fuel tonight. That'll suck the life out of three-wide. I'll refrain from my "rip the fuel mapping knob off" rant.

SarahFisher67Electronics issue; Sarah could not downshift. Fell wayy back- Klint

IndyCarNationLap 85: #6 Briscoe leads #9 Dixon by 5.0978 seconds.

IndyCarPRAnd for those in the media center at Texas...the NAAAAAACHO BAR is open

VisionRacingVision cars are half way through this stint. Possibility of making it to the finish on two more stops.

PlanetIrlNo more fuel mapping, put push-to-pass on the cars, and option tires on ovals. NOW!!

SarahFisher67Trying 2 get our rhythm back...will need some pit and fuel strategy to make this one work now- Klint

IndyCarPRLap 90: #6 Briscoe leads #9 Dixon by 6.5550 seconds.

chunter16@PlanetIrl Don't know about push-to-pass, but option tires? Hmm...

VisionRacingLap 100 complete. Ed is P12. Ryan is p17 and battling handling of car. Leaders are Briscoe Dixon Castroneves.

kvracingMario just requested half a turn out of front wing when he comes in
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21:36:06 GMT-0500 Lap 102: Ryan Briscoe is working on lapping Tony Kanaan who is in P8.

Pitstops from the field - Green Flag still flys!!!

21:39:32 GMT-0500 Lap 110: Scott Dixon is the first lead car into the pits.

kvracingPitted P9, changed tires, added fuel and took 1/2 turn of front wing out of left side and rejoined race in 11th, but some cars still to pit

21:41:03 GMT-0500 Lap 113: Ryan Briscoe should inherit the lead again as Helio pits.

AGRfan26WAY TO GO MA ! I need to put my daughter to bed, but can't pull myself away. priorities you know...

Team Penske is running P1 and P2 - Briscoe and Castroneves. Franchitti runs third.

MyNameIsIRLPenske, Penske, Ganassi, Ganassi...it's like a cure for insomnia.

VisionRacingAnother round of green flag pitstops complete. Leader have cycled through. P1 Briscoe Dixon Franchitti. Ed P13. Ryan P17. Passed halfway.

TheEDJE@MyNameIsIRLPenske, Penske, Ganassi, Ganassi...it's like a cure for insomnia. - Line of the night #irl #ics #indycar

PlanetIrl@chunter16 P2P was great on road courses. At least try it on ovals. Option tires should be at every track

16AndGeorgetownAnybody here what Jon said about the fuel sensor not allowing the car 2 pull out?That's an idea I sent to Trackside w/Cavin&Kevin last week

PlanetIrl@16AndGeorgetown Lol, they steal from you. I (along with Nascar. of course) invented the SAFER barrier.

IndyCarNationLap 130: : #6 Briscoe leads #3 Castroneves by 8.6586 seconds.

TheEDJENew Chant - Penske Ganassi Penske Ganassi

TheEDJENew Chant - Penske Ganassi Andretti Penske Ganassi - Helio Castroneves is getting passed.

PlanetIrl@chunter16 Safety is for sissy sports. Like bowling and cricket.
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MyNameIsIRLMarco has charged up to 2nd, telling everyone else where they can stick their fuel mappings.

FuriousWedgeMarco's on the serious move as the cars go through their stints, but 10 seconds is entirely too much to make up without some kind of help

kvracing10 laps till next pit, fuel, tires. Currently P10

TheEDJEYELLOW Flag - Debris on the track - Brisco's 10 second cushion is GONE! #irl #ics #indycar

16AndGeorgetownWhere's the debris???

21:58:25 GMT-0500 Lap 152: All of the lead cars are pitting.

Close quarters - Briscoe has to swing around a tire on Pit Out - Kanaan Short fills and gets out first and is waived around ... gets lap back.

VisionRacingRyan is frustrated with handling of car. They are going to give him some more wing.

pressdogtotal N-word move. Show me the debris.

PlanetIrl@16AndGeorgetown Does it matter? This was a Dale Jr. yellow.

IndyCarPRLap 152: Leaders on pit road. #6 Briscoe wins race off of pit road, but #11 Kanaan gets his lap back by beating #11 off of pit road.

TheEDJELAP 157 - Rafael Matos comes in for a splash - the only car to top off! #irl #ics #indycar

22:06:01 GMT-0500 Lap 159: Ryan Briscoe gets a great restart.

Marco26Web"Now the gloves are comin' off"

22:06:57 GMT-0500 Lap 161: Helio Castroneves is by AJ Foyt IV and sets his sights on Briscoe.

22:08:46 GMT-0500 Lap 166: Helio Castroneves has caught Ryan Briscoe to battle for the lead.

IndyCarPRLap 159: GREEN. #6 Briscoe leads field into Turn 1. Lap 165: #6 Briscoe leads #3 Castroneves by .1761 of a second.

VisionRacing10 laps to pit for Ed then he'll be good to the end. Ed having some issues with a lapped car.

chunter16According to TV, Wheldon added too much wing
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22:11:55 GMT-0500 Lap 172: YELLOW Flag for contact in Turn 2 by AJ Foyt IV. His car has stopped on the inside of the backstretch.

MyNameIsIRLIs it Foyt? Like the wreck on lap two, it's not a very camera-friendly incident.

FuriousWedgeLooks like Quattro's into the wall; and interesting fuel strategy games likely out the window after we get 10+ laps of caution

indy44Marco the force is with you close your eyes and use the force

22:19:05 GMT-0500 Lap 179: Alex Tagliani, Raphael Matos and Sarah Fisher are waved around.

PlanetIrl@pressdog I'd be willing to do anything to have passing. Put restrictor plates on them!

Mario Moraes talks over the race with the engineer trackside. Image Credit: KV Racing Technology

GREEN GREEN GREEN

kvracingGreen Flag racing, P11. 50 laps to go.

22:22:17 GMT-0500 Lap 182: Briscoe gets a good run out of Turn 4.

chunter16Danica tries the high groove...

VisionRacingEd is in P9 and good for fuel until the end. Radios that the high line is terrible.

22:24:22 GMT-0500 Lap 187: Danica gets a run out of Turn 2 on Wheldon, but can't get by.

MyNameIsIRLWell it only took 185 laps but we've finally got 8 cars running within a second of each other. Hope you're still awake.
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Marco26WebAn Andretti Green charge brewing from 5th/6th/7th as TP and DP join Marco.

Top four Penske and Ganassi separated by only 1/2 second!

chunter16AGR showing good teamwork and drafting

PlanetIrl@16AndGeorgetown That was a great race. I was in 4 and you could see how much he was backing off.

IndyCarPRLap 200: #3 Castroneves leads #6 Briscoe by .2358 of a second.

22:30:09 GMT-0500 Lap 201: The top four are now pulling away from the field.

VisionRacingEd reporting understeer in traffic now so he can't keep his foot on it.

MyNameIsIRL"Danica needs to get up there and get on the gearbox of Dario Franchitti." Pretty sure that's on her to-do list, Robbie.

chunter16@VisionRacing No handle in clean air + no handle in traffic = no handle

VisionRacing20 laps to go. Final sprint for checkered.

kvracing20 laps to go at Texas. Moraes is 11th and doing a great job. He has 2nd fastest speed this race - 213.865mph

22:32:57 GMT-0500 Lap 207: Marco Andretti takes Dan Wheldon on the outside.

IndyCarNationLap 210: #3 Castroneves leads #6 Briscoe by .2782 of a second.

VisionRacingIf you have young children or are easily offended, don't listen to Ed on the radio right now. Doornbos pushed Ed below the white line.

MyNameIsIRLWow, nice blocking, err, defending on Marco there Mrs Hospenthal.

22:36:30 GMT-0500 Lap 216: Danica came down on Marco causing him to lose momentum.

VisionRacing10 laps to go. Ed is p9. Ryan is p16.

kvracing8 laps to go and Moraes back into top-10, he is 10th

22:37:39 GMT-0500 Lap 219: The top two have a gap of over 1 second on P3.

FuriousWedgewoohoo, they're gonna let us concentrate on 2 Penske cars running single file!

AGRfan26Way to put Danica in her place MA ! She deserved that one !

VisionRacing5 laps left in race.

22:39:59 GMT-0500 Lap 225: Ryan Briscoe is running out of time to get around Helio.

VisionRacingForgot to mention. Castroneves leads Briscoe Dixon Franchitti Andretti.

22:40:58 GMT-0500 Helio Castroneves wins the Bombardier Learjet 550!

MyNameIsIRLEddie Gossage won't stop Helio from climbing his fence.

FuriousWedgeWho would have thought Texas would give us the most boring race of the year

AGRfan26@Marco26Web If DP hadn't blocked him I think he could have picked off Dixon.

pressdogHelio should go hug Barnhart, unless someone can show me the debris. Lame lame lame.

RacingNationOne has wonder if they didn't have that last yellow, what would had Marco had done? He kept on getting faster on those long runs. #indycar

the500Helio Castroneves wins for the third time at Texas. Ryan Briscoe 2nd and Scott Dixon 3rd. #IndyCar

PlanetIrlWell kiddies, I'm quite tired (surprising?). So I'll see you Monday for my race review. Lise will have a log of her experience up soon too.

AGRfan26Thank you Indycar for cutting the stream before talking to Helio...

FuriousWedgeBriscoe dominates 2 weeks in a row and finishes 2nd twice; can't imagine he's too happy especially with todays loss caused by phantom yellow

pressdogI'm done. Going to bed. Viewing soooo not enhanced.

chunter16(Midnight EST)

kvracingRace finished. Moraes finished 10th, his fifth career top-10 finish

chunter16RT @indycarnation: [the pagoda speaks] 10:52 - “Good evening, gentlemen. I am Roger Penske. ... Bow down, motherf–kers.” http://ow.ly/cGx3

RacingNationRyan Briscoe quote of the race "Hard to pass" that was the prevailing theme. Frustrating. #helio

FuriousWedgeDixon: "cars are too similar now, we need to open up the rules"

Marco26WebMarco: "Once the race got up and going the Venom Energy car was stronger on longer stints. The toughest person to pass was my teammate..."

chunter16Will Power's name dropped - Will needs a car.

FuriousWedgeCurious thought, is the sudden change in lack of Oval action for IndyCar proportional to the sudden mandatory wheelbase length?

TheEDJE@FuriousWedge - A 22" standard does equalize things a little bit - they needed this rule LAST YEAR! #irl #ics #indycar

16AndGeorgetownI gota say, I'm with @DanicaPatrick on this one. They were racing for position, She's higher in points and Marco was the one trying to pass

chunter16@TheEDJE @FuriousWedge that will change when the chassis spec changes... 2010 or 2011?

TheEDJE@chunter16 - New car might have the WB distance go away - It was needed for old IRL on what Dixon said #irl #ics #indycar

chunter16@TheEDJE I think some aero grip is supposed to go away too. Huge I think because it's been a while since I read anything on it

VisionRacingCheckered flag. Castroneves climbs the fence. P9 for Ed. Ryan brings it home an ill handling car in one piece for P16

SpeedJournal(Indy)6/06 :: Texas shootout- http://tinyurl.com/qogv3o #autoracing

the500FROM THE STAR: Castroneves wins for third time at Texas http://tinyurl.com/r5ad23

... notes from The EDJE

Race #5 In The ICS - The Milwaukee Mile With Tweets

Dixon wins in Milwaukee! Image Credit: ISNHagan

Race #5 In The ICS - The Milwaukee Mile With Tweets

While INDY just celebrated it's 100 year anniversary, the venerable "bullring" known as The Milwaukee Mile is celebrating it's 103rd year. The track is way different than the big four-cornered IMS in that it is only one mile around, there is very little banking to speak of and the track is wide enough to pass almost anywhere. It was a very exciting race to watch.

Normally, we, at The EDJE would have tried to chronicle the race using Tweets from Twitter, but this race on this track is way to fast to keep up with this type of activity and do it justice. They will be added from time to time.

AJ Foyt gave the order to have the drivers start their engines and the race went along really smooth until about lap 50 when Mike Conway moved a little to far up out of the racing line and caught the marbles which took his car to the wall bringing out a YELLOW Flag.

For the first 50 laps Tony Kanaan led for about the first 20 laps then Ryan Briscoe took command. Paul Tracy, driving for the race sponsor, AJ Foyt and ABC Supply, started well getting up to P16 then his car went completely away from him slipping back to 20th and last place (Stanton Barrett did not answer the flag) at the time of the caution.

GREEN Flag after pitstops on LAP 67 - 16 cars are on the lead lap.

Ryan Briscoe resting while waiting to qualify on Saturday for the Milwaukee Mile. Image Credit: Andy Sallee (2009)

TWEETS:

IndyCarNationLap 67: GREEN. Briscoe leads the field into Turn 1.

kvracingBack to green flag racing here at Milwaukee. Currently P8 after 67 laps and one pit stop

MyNameIsIRLkvracingRace order - Briscoe, dixon, franchitti, rahal, muthoh, patrick, matos, moraes, kanaan, wheldon

PlanetIrl@MyNameIsIRL Jeff, I think Mynameisirl should start drug testing. That was hilarious, but way out of left field.

TheEDJEPlanetIrl@MyNameIsIRL So, we should pass out P-Kits huh?

Paul Tracy feeling comfortable with the AJ Foyt squad. Image Credit: Andy Sallee (2009)

IndyCarPRMike Conway has been checked and released from the Infield Care Center. He is cleared to drive.

kvracingMoraes is still P8 ( fastest time 158.663mph) after 85 laps out of 225. He is doing a great job, driving smart and patiently

DRRIndyCarScheckter is in 12th place at the halfway point through this run.

14 cars on the lead lap with Ryan Hunter-Reay in P14 at lap 91.

MyNameIsIRL[blog update] LiveBlog: Milwaukee 2009 http://tinyurl.com/m6obh4

IndyCarNationLap 100: #6 Briscoe leads #9 Dixon by .6125 of a second.

kvracingMoraes is closing in on P7 and Danica Patrick. Tenth faster each lap

Briscoe tries to protect Castroneves when comes up on him at P13. This may hurt Briscoe ultimately what with Dixon coming up fast to take advantage.

PlanetIrlanyone else starting to get bored with this race?

VisionRacing21 car pitting. Taking out front wing.

IndyCarPRLap 110: #6 Briscoe leads #9 Dixon by .5786 of a second. #3 Castroneves has been lapped.

Helio goes a lap down to Briscoe who tried to save him ... Marco in the sights of Briscoe now at P11 - moving through traffic.

Green Flag pitstops coming up.

AGRfan26COME ON MARCO !

VisionRacingOther cars will now start coming in for pitstops. Vision guys will get some clean air and will need to get some good laps in.

IndyCarNationLap 130: Pit window is opening for the leaders. #6 Briscoe leads #9 Dixon by .3867 of a second.

Franchitti in and out with a good stop - Boy is that car Green in the TomTom sponsored car.

All of the leaders come in. and it is a tight dice.

IndyCarPRLap 133: Leader #6 Briscoe to pit lane. New leader is #9 Dixon.

Kanaan's car comes in smoking - he hops out and is out of the race - in the pits. Engine Nuke!

VisionRacingNew leader after green flag stops is #10 Franchitti. RHR is P12 running good lap times but has a vibration. Carpenter P15.

chunter16I'm fine, says @tonykanaan as he limps to his trailer. Get better soon, glad it wasn't a crash.

IndyCarPRLap 150: #10 Franchitti leads #6 Briscoe by 1.1894 seconds. #6 Briscoe has secured the bonus points for leading the most laps.

Only 9 Dallaras on the lead lap on LAP 152 - Now Briscoe and Dixon jumpn Franchitti in traffic - drops to third.

pjchessonwatching Indycar Race!! about to fire up the grill for a dry rubbed beef tenderloin..charcoal is the only way to go for flavor....

PlanetIrlWell, thats one way to do it.

IndyCarPRLap 160: YELLOW for Debris in Turn 2.

This will set up a sprint to the end - as if they haven't been sprinting all along - YELLOW Flag stops for the leaders - "The Money Stop"!

VisionRacingBoth 20 and 21 cars will make pit stops on this caution. Ed on radio: "I'm white knuckling it out here." Expletives deleted from his com ...

indy44OMG I got company right when the green flag was thrown,major meltdown mode!

TheEDJE@indy44 - I'm hip - don't people know when a race is on - it's open-wheel crack!

Paul Tracy shares a happy moment at the Milwaukee Mile track with Rick Mears. Image Credit: Andy Sallee (2009)

PlanetIrl@indy44 Don't you love when that happens. Green, Green, green. Then here come the in-laws.

kvracingPit stop did not go our way, hit viso tire on way out and then unfortunately had a mis communication in pits and car stalled, he is now P9

Lap 170: No restart. If this order stays put, Ryan Briscoe will take the ICS points lead by 10 points over Franchitti.

Lap 171: Back to green flag racing!

kvracingBack to Green Flag racing, 54 laps to go, P9

the500FROM THE STAR: A.J. Foyt 225 updates from Curt Cavin on Twitter http://tinyurl.com/nea36s

IndyCarPRLap 173: GREEN. #6 Briscoe leads the field into Turn 1.

AGRfan26Marco up to 6th !

FuriousWedgeI'm sorry but Marty Reid makes Darrel Waltrip look smart - 48 LAPS to go!

MyNameIsIRLMarco closing in on Graham and Marty says "Let's go back and check in with the race leaders because nothing has changed up front..."

Lap 185: Ryan Briscoe is coming up to lap the back of the field. Castroneves will move from second to fourth in the poins if this remains - Briscoe passes teammate!

EJ Viso slows and comes into pits - GREEN Flag stays out. This make it ZERO for FIVE races that HVM Racing finished a complete race.

PlanetIrlJust found something I like about ABC instead of Versus. No Smilin' Bob.!

AGRfan26Lap 193: #6 Briscoe leads #9 Dixon by .2729 of a second.

Lap 198: Danica Patrick looks to reel in Graham Rahal after taking Marco

Dixon gets around Briscoe in Scheckter traffic for the lead!

Lap 202: Scott Dixon is in clean air and looking to pull away.

MyNameIsIRLDixon has now taken the lead. Meanwhile Danica is in 5th and Marco has fallent to 7th. There's passing today - we're just not seeing it.

AGRfan26@MyNameIsIRL ABC was too busy SHOWING COMMERCIALS. Where was the side-by-side when it counted !

8 Dallaras in the lead lap - Lap 207: Dixon has opened up a large 2 second lead.

IndyCarNationLap 210: #9 Dixon leads #6 Briscoe by 2.8 seconds.

MyNameIsIRLNow it's Marco who is being told to "use your tools". I'm starting to think these pit reporters may have teleprompters.

Nine LAPS to go - Seven Cars on the lead lap!

IndyCarNation10 to go, Dixon leads by 3.08 seconds.

16AndGeorgetownAs of now Danica is 4th in the points...she's having a very solid year

kvracingTires beginning to wear out, @mariomoraesindy has a lot of vibration. Good thing we have just 6 laps to go and no

Lap 220: Scott Dixon leads Ryan Briscoe by 3.1208 seconds.

VisionRacing5 to go and fans are swarming around the podium at Milwaukee waiting to see who the wiener will be. Oops I mean winner. Brats. I'm mean ...

Lap 224: White flag. Scott Dixon leads Ryan Briscoe by 2.1617 seconds

16:27:50 GMT-0500 Scott Dixon wins the ABC Supply Co/AJ Foyt 225!

IndyCarPRLap 225: CHECKERED. #9 Dixon wins the ABC Supply/A.J. Foyt 225 by 2.1257 seconds over #6 Briscoe.

DRRIndyCarTomas brings it home P13. Congrats to Dixon. On to Texas!

indy44YAY! ABC won't be in Texas 3 cheers!!!!!!!!

AGRfan26AND ABC GOES TO A COMMERCIAL !!!!

PlanetIrlAnd with Scott Dixon winning we prepare for the most boring celebration ever. He really has the personality of a doorknob

TheEDJE@PlanetIrl Doorknob??? - You are being kind, you MUST be a fan! :-)

PlanetIrl@TheEDJE Lol, he's like the Kimi Raikonnen of Indycar.

kvracingKV Racing Technology's Mario Moraes finished an IndyCar oval career high 9th today at Milwaukee

indy44Going to commercial when pass for lead is coming up is truly pathetic,not even side by side,TOTAL B.S.

SpeedJournal(Indy)5/31 :: Dixon prevails- http://tinyurl.com/m7xanm #autoracing

... notes from The EDJE

Tony George Ousted, Has One Less Job In Motorsports - UPDATED

Tony George, Vision Racing Team Owner/President of the IRL along pitlane during qualifications for the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach last month. Tony George has one less major task in the world of Motorsports to worry about after being ousted from the management of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I wonder if he will retain his golf membership? Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2009)

Tony George Ousted, Has One Less Job In Motorsports - UPDATED (at bottom)

Probably one of the most compelling figures in all of Motorsports ... certainly, in the annuals of North America open-wheel racing, Tony George has been ousted from the management of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Robin Miller writing for SPEED TV cites that a source close to the situation confirmed that the 49-year-old grandson of Tony Hulman would no longer be CEO of the Speedway after a vote of the IMS board of directors which includes mother Mari, sisters Josie, Nancy and Kathy, attorney Jack Snyder and George.

This excerpted and edited from SPEED.tv -

INDYCAR: Tony George Ousted From IMS
Written by: Robin Miller - 05/27/2009

The controversial, ground-breaking, tumultuous 20-year reign of Tony George at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is over. SPEEDtv.com has learned George was voted out of power in a Tuesday night board meeting in Indianapolis.
----
Calls to Snyder and Fred Nation, IMS vice president of communications, were not returned and George did not respond to an email.

George, who started the Indy Racing League in 1996, will continue as CEO of the IndyCar series and is expected to take more of a hands-on role after Tuesday's developments at the Speedway.

It had been rumored for several years that his sisters were concerned with the amount of money George had spent on keeping the IRL afloat and changing the look of the Speedway.

It's estimated that between paying purses, supplying cars, engines and parts for other teams, hiring high powered public relations firms and starting his own IRL team, plus remaking Indy to accomodate Formula One, the IRL founder has spent more than $600 million during the past 13 years.

And his siblings were reportedly concerned about running out of money.
Reference Here>>

Many who lived through the split ... then the merger of open-wheel racing in North America were willing to bury the hatchet, but we had no idea this was where we would find the hatchet buried ... in the end.

UPDATE:

Both Tony George & Mari Hulman-George Deny Reports ... after earlier reports that Tony George had been ousted by the board of directors of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway -

Tony George denies the reports saying:

"I am still CEO and still president of Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation, Hulman and Company and CEO of the Indy Racing League" -Tony George

Mari Hulman-George denies the reports saying:

"There haven't been any changes. We just discussed things like we usually do and how to make things better." -Mari Hulman-George

Quotes courtesy of WTHR
(ht: 16thAndGeorgetown)

I guess the buried hatchet has been pulled out, wound patched, and the hatchet will be placed in an undisclosed and secure location. As for Tony and his T-Times at the golf course, he will be able to get on anytime he wants! ... stay tuned.

Final UPDATE on the Tony George "Ouster" story first broke by famed and revered Motor Press reporter Robin Miller.

Tony George is still the CEO of Indianapolis Motor Speedway! Further, he still retains ownership of the IRL team, Vision Racing, and he is still the President and CEO of the Indy Racing League (the last two positions were never in doubt).

Most everyone in this community respect Robin Miller but it appears that he was sucked into a family feud over the management of the famed racing venue, Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

I guess we have to say that Tony George's one less job in motorsports is that he never has to take Robin Miller seriously (or grant him special access to any of the properties he controls) ... anymore.

IMS Statement Here>>

... notes from The EDJE