#GPofNOLA Could Have Been Named The NOLA Mudder 47 (Laps)

Tony Kanaan goes off course during the Indy Grand Prix of Louisiana at NOLA Motorsports Park. Image Credit: Joe Skibinski for IndyCar

#GPofNOLA Could Have Been Named The NOLA Mudder 47 (Laps)

The inaugural Indy Grand Prix of Louisiana was ushered in with great anticipation and hype for a 75 Lap affair. This great uplift was to be dampened (literally) by a track that suffered from the improper, or unplanned for, wick-ing of pooling water caused by rain in several key places.

True, the track facility (2.74-mile, 13-turn road course) was reclaimed from low ground swamp area near the city of New Orleans which is what characterizes the geography at the end of the Mississippi River. With this in mind, why wasn't the facility better prepared for the track to become a race-able surface in a more even way around the track?

Gabby Chaves (No. 98 Bowers & Wilkins Brian Herta Autosport Honda) comes off course due to degrading track conditions during the Indy Grand Prix of Louisiana at NOLA Motorsports Park. Image Credit: Bret Kelley for IndyCar

So full course YELLOW Flags (FCY) filled the air as much as the wet spray from the turbulent backsides of the second race-testing of the Chevy and Honda aero kits. This left (from notes) a total of 47 Laps completed of a scheduled 75 Lap race (called a 105 minute timed race on Lap 28 due to FYCs) with only about a total of 26 Laps actually raced in anger. This left 21 laps upon which strategy and fuel conservation could be applied to the race day equation.

Bravo to Schmidt Peterson Motorsports who race with Honda engines and aerodynamics and were able to place both of their drivers on the podium. James Hinchcliffe was able to notch his first win in 2015 and his fourth overall IndyCar career victory while British born James Jakes finished third, his first podium finish since he finished second at Belle Isle-2 in 2013 - his second career top-five IndyCar finish.

Of the 47 Laps logged, Hinchcliffe did not go in for fuel during the last 34 laps that were run ... keeping clean and fuel management were the keys to his success.

The mudder part of the race was on display as cars left the track and hit ARAMCO barriers, slid off the track on corners then kept the tires spinning, flailing grass and chunks of mud while creeping back to a paved surface to soldier on.

One of the most controversial incidents happened on Lap 44 which turned out to be the last GREEN Flag restart - after cruising around the track another three laps on FCY.

The final full course YELLOW Flag came from a massive incident between Sebastien Bourdais, Simon Pageneud, and Ryan Hunter-Reay as the drivers attempted to go three-wide in turns 3 and 4.

Pageneud slid off the track into the mud, and then back on the track in the next right-hand corner, collecting Hunter-Reay and Bourdais sending all three cars across the grass.

Bourdais slides to the tire wall and hits broadsides cracking the hull of his No. 11 Dallara (all preceding crash images by Bret Kelley for IndyCar).

Post Race Incident Quotes:

Simon Pagenaud (No. 22 Penske Truck Rental Chevrolet): “Really too bad about the finish because the Penske Truck Rental Chevy was really fast. It handled great in traffic and we looked like we were heading toward a good result. I'm not sure what Hunter-Reay was thinking there. He just drove us off the track and I'm just glad everyone is OK. I want to thank the fans for staying with us this weekend despite the weather. I think the No. 22 Chevy team will be able to come back strong at Long Beach.”

Ryan Hunter-Reay (No. 28 DHL Honda): “We had a great race going, had some good clean racing there with (Graham) Rahal, (Will) Power — even (Simon) Pagenaud, we went side by side through Turn 10 there, it was some good racing. Then we got down to Turn 3… I’m peddling the car all the way out, it’s loose, there’s just no more room for (Pagenaud) to be out there.  (Sebastien) Bourdais, is on my left, I don’t know where to go at that point. I’m using my regular racing line – (Pagenaud) stuck his nose out there (and was off the racing line)… And just cleans us all out. I’m happy all three of us are uninjured. (Pagenaud) said I ran him out of room, but there just was no room in the first place. I don’t know what to say to that — it’s certainly a racing incident but there wasn’t a whole lot of room there to begin with. Disappointing way to end the day, we were looking for a strong finish with the DHL Honda.”

Sebastien Bourdais (No. 11 Team Mistic E-Cigs-KVSH Chevrolet):  “It was a weird race obviously. We held our own throughout the race getting as high as fourth. The Mistic-Circle K car ran good in the wet and ran good as the track transitioned. Then the race just became a succession of cautions with restarts after restarts during which I made a couple of spots and lost a couple of spots. Because of all the cautions there were different strategies and as they played out we ended up having to pit when everybody behind us had already done so. The guys in back cycled to the front and we cycled to the back with the leaders. Then with all the cautions, the guys in back were able to stretch their fuel and on the last restart I was on the inside and Ryan (Hunter-Reay) came up and made it three wide with Simon (Pagenaud). Ryan pushed Simon into the grass, he then came back on track with no control and could not avoid collecting me ending our race. It was never going to be a good day, but now with the damage to the car it is a shame because this was going to be my Indy 500 car.”

The #5 Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda front wing aero kit of James Hinchcliffe bathed in New Orleans purple, green and gold, Mardi Gras style, winner's circle confetti at the Verizon IndyCar victory podium. Image Credit: Chris Jones for IndyCar

The race also had its share of missing and damaged aero kit parts, but through it all, drivers that kept their cars clean, advanced during restarts, and stayed away from the mud were rewarded with great results.

Pos   Driver                      Team/Engine         Time/Gap
1      James Hinchcliffe     Schmidt/Honda     1h47m19.4896
2      Helio Castroneves     Penske/Chevrolet     +0.4279
3      James Jakes     Schmidt/Honda     +0.8452
4      Simona de Silvestro     Andretti/Honda     +1.2924
5      Juan Pablo Montoya     Penske/Chevrolet     +1.7564
6      Tony Kanaan     Ganassi/Chevrolet     +2.2638
7      Will Power     Penske/Chevrolet     +3.0958
8      Graham Rahal     Rahal/Honda     +4.3495
9      Josef Newgarden     CFH/Chevrolet     +5.7352
10      Luca Filippi     CFH/Chevrolet     +7.2115
11      Scott Dixon     Ganassi/Chevrolet     +7.8421
12      Carlos Munoz     Andretti/Honda     +9.0899
13      Marco Andretti     Andretti/Honda     +9.7817
14      Charlie Kimball     Ganassi/Chevrolet     +15.7221
finished the race, above - retired from the race, below
15      Gabby Chaves     Herta/Honda    
16      Carlos Huertas     Coyne/Honda    
17      Stefano Coletti     KV/Chevrolet    
18      Sage Karam     Ganassi/Chevrolet    
19      Ryan Hunter-Reay     Andretti/Honda    
20      Simon Pagenaud     Penske/Chevrolet    
21      Sébastien Bourdais     KV/Chevrolet    
22      Takuma Sato     Foyt/Honda    
23      Francesco Dracone     Coyne/Honda    
24      Jack Hawksworth     Foyt/Honda
(ht: motorsport.com | nextgenindy.com)

The return of  Simona de Silvestro for a second race (in a race by race commitment) to an Andretti Autosport seat gave the accomplished female driver and the team its highest finishing order in this young 2015 season. A commitment to have a car ready for her this next weekend for the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, a track where she has won at and performed well, has not been announced. It would be a shame a deal can not be made by race time April 17 - 19 - Race Broadcast, Apr 19 4:00 PM ET.

Two races in the books where Carbon Fiber and Terra Firma have played a major role at bringing out full course YELLOW Flags. Let's hope we all can be treated to a competitive full run through the streets of Long Beach and see for ourselves if the new aerodynamics of the cars limit the potential of passing because of low mushroom cloud "muddy air" turbulence placed on the trailing car.

If this is the case, IndyCar will be taking a big step backwards toward a lack of fan enjoyment due to IRL style nose-to-tail railroad car racing that was prevalent during the Dallara "Crapwagon" era.

... notes from The EDJE


TAGS: Indy Grand Prix of Louisiana, NOLA, IndyCar, Verizon IndyCar Series, VICS, James Hinchcliffe, Sebastien Bourdais, Simon Pageneud, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Simona de Silvestro,

 

Practice And Cars Picked For 39th Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race

Scion FR-S race-prepped cars await to be fired up and driven for the first time in 2015 for track orientation and racing practice by the participants of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach Pro/Celebrity Race. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2015)

Practice And Cars Picked For 39th Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race

Grand Prix Association of Long Beach officials held track orientation and practice for the 2015 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach Pro/Celebrity Race (TPCR) with actors Alfonso Ribeiro, Robert Patrick and Mekhi Phifer, Olympian Dara Torres and musicians Mark McGrath and John Rzeznik who are among the 18 participants from film, television, music, sports, and fashion who will compete for charity.

The 39th annual charity race will take place April 18 on the 1.97-mile street course in downtown Long Beach, Calif., as part of the 41st Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend.

Toyota Scion FR-S equally race-prepped cars used in the Pro/Celebrity charity race heading into Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach Turn1 at the end of Shoreline Drive. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2015)

Tuesday, April 7th, had the participants take what they learned from their training at Willow Springs International Motorsports Park through the instruction provided by Danny McKeever's FAST LANE Racing School and apply the lessons for the first time on the streets of Long Beach. 

Rahal Letterman Lanigan racecar driver, Bill Auberlen, checks the airpressure of the tires on his supercharged BMW M6 which he brought to TPCR Media Day to give rides to the members of the media. Bill drove the track to bring awareness to IMSA's Tudor United Sports Car Championship race of full-bodied cars. The race is scheduled to be run Saturday April 18 as part of the 41st Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2015)

The TPCR event was also a Media Day where the notable drivers for charity were photographed, interviewed, and thrown together for a luncheon where they randomly picked their car number out of a bowl and signed the traditional helmet which will later be auctioned off to the additional benefit of the charities supported.

Nickelodeon television series iCarly's Nathan Kress, who plays Freddie Benson, picks a numbered ping-pong ball out of a bowl held by Jessica Jenkins, Miss Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2015)

The field of racers took to the streets of the temporary course in 210-horsepower Scion FR-S race-prepped cars, navigating high speeds and demanding turns to benefit “Racing for Kids,” a national fundraising program supporting children’s hospitals throughout the United States.  The announced field of intensely competitive personalities includes, in alphabetical order [car number]:

Fast Lane owner and instructor, Danny McKeever gives last minute race driving advice to Donna Feldman. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2015)

•    Donna Feldman (@DonnaFeldmaninc) [15]: International model, TV Host and actress who has graced the covers of Esquire, Maxim, and GQ among many others, is a former “Deal or No Deal” girl, starred in music videos for Justin Timberlake and Enrique Iglesias, was a series lead in 20th Century Fox's drama  "Fashion House," and is a recurring panelist on the Fox News Show "Redeye."

Football Star Willie Gault (L) "catches" his ball for car assignment for the TPCR race. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2015)

•    Willie Gault [10]: Former NFL wide receiver and Olympic athlete.  He played for the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Raiders in his 11 seasons in the NFL, winning Super Bowl XX with the Chicago Bears.

Strapped in, complete with neck ring cushion, Tricia Helfer takes on Long Beach. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2015)

•    Tricia Helfer (@TruTriciaHelfer) [6]: Tricia Helfer is a Canadian model turned actress who recently played the lead in SyFy’s miniseries “Ascension.”  She has also starred in television shows such as “Killer Women,” “The Firm” and “Burn Notice.”  Her avid fans, however, know her best for her long running role as the humanoid Cylon ‘Number Six’ in “Battlestar Galactica.”

Nathan Kress (R) poses with Robert Patrick next to a Toyota Scion FR-S in the grid paddock at the TPCR Media Day. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2015)

•    Nathan Kress (@NathanKress) [19]: Known around the world for his lead role in Nickelodeon’s hit show “iCarly,” this Kids’ Choice Award nominee also starred in the 2014 feature film “Into the Storm.”

James Maslow is greeted by a knowing media representative. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2015)

•    James Maslow (@JamesMaslow) [17]: Kids’ Choice award-winning actor and musician best known as the star of top-rated Nickelodeon program “Big Time Rush.” Currently co-starring as ‘Kevin Mohr’ on the Sony Crackle original series, “Sequestered” and plays lead in upcoming films “Seeds of Yesterday” and “Wild For The Night.”  He was also a finalist on Season 18 of “Dancing With The Stars.”

Sports announcer Steve Mason (C) looks on as fellow TPCR driver Dave Pasant picks his number car. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2015)

•    Steve Mason (@VeniceMase) [2]: ESPN Radio host of the No. 1-rated “Mason & Ireland Show” for 18 years, and regular contributor to Fox 11’s “Good Day LA.” He has been the lead anchor for the USC Football Radio Network, and most recently began anchoring duties for the L.A. Dodgers Television Network.

Mark McGrath signs his name to the charity auction helmet. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2015)

•    Mark McGrath (@Mark_Mcgrath) [3]: Lead singer of Sugar Ray.  He has graced the cover of Rolling Stone and hosted “EXTRA!,” “Killer Karaoke” and “Don’t Forget the Lyrics.”  He also appeared on NBC’s “Celebrity Apprentice.”

Raul Mendez is cool before taking turns on the TGPLB temporary street track. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2015)

•    Raul Mendez (@raulmijomendez) [5]: Considered by many in Mexico as one of the finest actors of his generation.  Best known for his role as ‘Victor ‘Chacorta’ Casillas’ in “El Señor de los Cielos.”  He will also be featured in the soon to be released “Texas Rising” with Bill Paxton, Ray Liotta and Brendan Fraser.

Joshua Morrow is happy to be a competitor for charity at the TPCR. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2015)

•    Joshua Morrow (@JoshuaMorrowyr) [1]: Soap Opera Digest award-winning actor starring as ‘Nicolas Newman’ on the No. 1 daytime drama, “The Young and The Restless.”

Robert Patrick strikes the visage of a serious driver while in the TPCR paddock. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2015)

•    Robert Patrick (@RobertPatrickT2) [16]: Actor whose breakthrough role came as the legendary T-1000 in Terminator 2.  He has been featured in iconic films such as    “Die Hard 2,” “Last Action Hero,” “Flags of Our Fathers,” “Walk the Line,” and is  currently starring as ‘Agent Cabe Gallow' on CBS’s “Scorpion.”

Mekhi Phifer posed with Suger Ray frontman Mark McGrath and Miss TGPLB Jessica Jenkins. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2015)

•    Mekhi Phifer (@MekhiPhifer) [12]: Actor who portrayed ‘Dr. Greg Pratt’ on NBC’s long-running medical drama “ER,” and had a co-starring role opposite Eminem in the feature film “8 Mile.”  He also starred in the feature film “Divergent” and the upcoming sequel, “Insurgent.”

John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls looks to secure his right shoulder strap of the 5-way seat belt harness before taking to the TGPLB temporary street track for the first time. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2015)

•    John Rzeznik (@JohnRzeznikggd) [11]: Guitarist and frontman of the Goo Goo Dolls, who have sold more than 10 million albums, with 13 Number One and Top Ten hit singles including, “Black Balloon,” “Iris” and “Slide.”  The Goo Goo Dolls are currently touring in support of their 10th studio album, MAGNETIC.

Drivers who will compete in the “Pro-Division,” starting 30 seconds behind the others, include NHRA Top Fuel Champion and four celebrities who have won the Pro/Celebrity Race in past years:

Antron Brown (C) shares picking his car with some of his new found friends (L to R); Willie Gault, Donna Feldman, Jessica Jenkins, and Steve Mason. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2015)

•   Antron Brown (@AntronBrown) [23]: A NHRA 2012 Top Fuel champion.  Brown is the first African American to win the Top Fuel championship.  He is currently driving the Matco Tools Toyota for Don Schumacher Racing in Top Fuel Division.

Brett Davern inspects signatures on the autograph auction helmet. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2015)

•   Brett Davern (@BDavv) [20]: The returning champion of the 2014 Pro/Celebrity Race.  He stars as ‘Jake Rosati' in MTV's hit series “Awkward.”  In 2013, he filmed the Beach Boys bio-pic “Love & Mercy” playing the young ‘Carl Wilson.’ He also played the lead in the feature film “Born to Race 2: Fast Track.”

Alfonso Ribeiro follows in the steps of fellow "Dancing With The Stars" winner, IndyCar driver Helio Castroneves, taking to the streets of Long Beach during the 2015 TGPLB. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2015)

•   Alfonso Ribeiro (Alfonso_Ribeiro) [22]: A two-time Toyota Pro/Celebrity race winner (1994 & 1995). Best-known for his role as ‘Carlton’ on “Fresh Prince of Bel Air,” last season Ribeiro took home the coveted Mirror Ball trophy on  “Dancing With the Stars.”

Ladies and Gentlemen, to your cars, reads Dara Torres' cell phone screen. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2015)

•   Dara Torres (@DaraTorres) [21]: 12-time Olympic medalist swimmer, who was named one of the “Top Female Athletes of the Decade” by Sports Illustrated. In 2002, Torres was the first female celebrity to win the Toyota Pro/Celebrity race, joined in Victory Lane by Pro category winner Danica Patrick.

Rutledge Wood (R) shares a little trash talkin' with fellow Pro driver Brett Davern. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2015)

•    Rutledge Wood (@RutledgeWood) [24]: Co-host of “Top Gear USA,” NBC Sports Reporter, Host of History Channel’s “Lost in Transmission.” Wood won the Pro/Celebrity Race in 2013.

Auction winner driving for charity is Dave Pasant who hopes he doesn't become "Road Hard." Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2015)

Rounding out the field is the Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach charity auction winner Dave Pasant [7], a retired insurance executive.  Pasant is also an executive producer of the recently released film “Road Hard,” written by and starring Adam Carolla. 

“This is an impressive and competitive group of stars, athletes, musicians and pro drivers that will put on a great show,” Jim Michaelian, president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach said.  “We are excited to have another thrilling year of the Pro/Celebrity Race as part of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.  And thanks to Toyota, the Pro/Celebrity Race gives back to kids in our communities through donations to Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach and Children's Hospital of Orange County.”

Since 1991, Toyota has donated more than $2 million to the “Racing for Kids” organization on behalf of this race and its participants.

Fans can follow (and find out about tickets for) the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach on Facebook at GrandPrixLB, Twitter @ToyotaGPLB (#TGPLB) and Instagram at ToyotaGPLB.

... notes from The EDJE

#LBePrix (Long Beach Formula E Race) Is A Two-Car One-Driver Affair

Andretti Autosport's Scott Speed practicing pitstop car changes - #LBePrix.

A photo posted by Edmund Jenks (@the_edje) on Apr 3, 2015 at 5:15pm PDT

#LBePrix (Long Beach Formula E Race) Is A Two-Car One-Driver Affair

The FIA, the first sanctioning body to hold a race on the streets of coastal Long Beach city 41 years ago ... that has now become known worldwide as the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach (TGPLB), will introduce Los Angeles California to the Formula E electric car racing series. The race will be held on a modified version of the track used by the TGPLB on Saturday, April 4th, 2015 and will feature FREE ADMISSION and is referred to as Long Beach ePrix (or Twitter hastag - #LBePrix).

The specification cars used are the fully-electric Spark-Renault SRT_01E that were built by Spark Racing Technology together with a consortium of the leading manufacturers in the world of motorsport (Top speed: 225km/h - 0-100kph: 3 secs - Gears: 5 - Min weight (inc driver): 896kg - Max power: 200kw / 270bhp).

One of the more interesting elements of an ePrix is that in order to run sustained fast racing level speeds, the race is held with two cars for each driver competing.

Or as the rule states:

Pit stops/Car changes
During races, drivers must make one mandatory pit stop in order to change cars. This must take place in their box and be observed by an FIA steward to ensure all safety equipment is correctly applied. A minimum time period (determined on the day) will also be enforced. Tyre changes, unless a puncture, are not permitted during a pit stop.

Virgin Racing Engineering gridding up with two cars in pit lane - #LBePrix

A photo posted by Edmund Jenks (@the_edje) on Apr 3, 2015 at 4:32pm PDT

And that is how it is done - a pit stop car change as performed in the pits on Shoreline Drive pit row at the Formula E #LBePrix by the Virgin Racing Engineering's driver, Sam Bird.

,,, notes from The EDJE


TAGS: FIA Formula E Championship, FIA, Formula E, #LBePrix, Long Beach, Virgin Racing Engineering, Sam Bird, Andretti Autosport, Scott Speed, The EDJE,