Re: IndyCar News / Silly Season

by Alta Thu Mar 20, 2014 4:58 pm

who gon win coynebowl?

by PackerMan71 Thu Mar 20, 2014 5:53 pm

flyingturns89 wrote:IndyCar has announced that it has signed a deal with Verizon for the company to become the title sponsor of the IndyCar's premier series for the 2014 season and beyond. Both parties have agreed to a multiyear deal, which will see Verizon replacing Izod as the title sponsor of the IndyCar Series. The series will be referred to as the Verizon IndyCar Series.

AWESOME!

IndyCar News / Silly Season - Page 4 4276145973

by flyingturns89 Thu Mar 20, 2014 5:57 pm

IndyCar has announced a revamped points system for the 2014 IndyCar season that sees its three 500 mile races having an even bigger impact on the championship. The 500 mile races at Indianapolis, Pocono, and Auto Club will all be double points races, meaning that having a bad race at any races could eliminate a driver from the championship battle. Indy 500 qualifying bonus points have also had a complete overhaul. Under the previous format, points were awarded based on which day a driver qualified their way into the field, with bonus points awarded to those competing in the Fast Nine. under system, all 33 drivers who qualify into the field on Day 1 will get bonus points. The fastest car on Day 1 scores 33 points, with second place scoring one less, all the way down to 33rd place scoring one point. On Day 2, the Fast Nine are competing for more bonus points. Of the nine drivers in the final segment, whoever has the fastest time wins the pole and gets an additional nine championship points. The second place driver eight, all the way down to one point for ninth place. This means that a driver can score up to 42 points for the Indy 500 before the race even starts.

Among the other changes:

- There will no longer be 10 spot grid penalties for changing an engine before it has hit its limit or if the team changing has used up there allotted amount of engines. There will however be a 10 point penalty if the entrant decides to change the engine. The penalty is not accessed to the team if the manufacturer decides to change it. The team will still have to start the next race from the rear of the field. The only exception to that rule is the Indy 500, in which all penalties are carried over to the next race.

- The Manufacturer's Championship has undergone it's own change. Each manufacturer will now score the points scored by the top 5 finishers for the manufacturer. There will also be a 10 point bonus for engine that the manufacturers has that completes the 2,500 mile limit. Any engine that is changed before the 2,500 mile limit costs the manufacturer 10 points though.

by Milan655 Thu Mar 20, 2014 7:43 pm

Very artificial.

by Dan Mackay Thu Mar 20, 2014 8:32 pm

crl wrote:JR Hildebrand will drive a second ECR car for the 500.

by JMac525 Thu Mar 20, 2014 8:42 pm

crl wrote:JR Hildebrand will drive a second ECR car for the 500.

I really like the combination of JR Hildebrand and Ed Carpenter Racing. I hope he can shows one of he muscle he did a few years back at Indy.

by **Cynon** Thu Mar 20, 2014 9:12 pm

Milan655 wrote:Very artificial.

If anything, IndyCar's way of doing it makes more sense -- double points for races that are double the length (also the TMMC methodology). Not only that, but winning the Indy 500 has always meant more than the championship. How many people talk about Rick Mears's 4 Indy wins as opposed to his 3 championships?

Not only that, but it balances out the number of points you can earn on road courses (600) and ovals (592).

As for Hildebrand, my co-worker, an Ed Carpenter fan, put it best: "I guess Ed wants to smash up some cars."

by f1fan12 Thu Mar 20, 2014 9:25 pm

Indycar can't benefit from traditionalism... Therefore, doing inventive stuff is actually a good idea. Same can't be said for NASCAR!

by PackerMan71 Thu Mar 20, 2014 9:55 pm

f1fan12 wrote:Indycar can't benefit from traditionalism... Therefore, doing inventive stuff is actually a good idea. Same can't be said for NASCAR!

The difference here is the stuff that IndyCar is doing actually makes sense.

by Alta Thu Mar 20, 2014 11:42 pm

I'm cool with it. Anything to get Indycar some love.

by Alpineopossum Fri Mar 21, 2014 4:08 pm

Major races worth double points: where have I seen that before?

by bsoyuz Fri Mar 21, 2014 4:21 pm

Alpineopossum wrote:Major races worth double points: where have I seen that before?

Everybody is catching their ideas from here.

by **Cynon** Fri Mar 21, 2014 5:04 pm

bsoyuz wrote:
Alpineopossum wrote:Major races worth double points: where have I seen that before?
Everybody is catching their ideas from here.

I mentioned the same thing on Twitter. Laughing

I'm totally okay with this forum being the Nostradamus of motorsport.

by PackerMan71 Fri Mar 21, 2014 6:32 pm

Cynon wrote:
bsoyuz wrote:
Alpineopossum wrote:Major races worth double points: where have I seen that before?
Everybody is catching their ideas from here.

I mentioned the same thing on Twitter. :lol:I'm totally okay with this forum being the Nostradamus of motorsport.

That's what I first thought when I saw the revamped points system. Is IndyCar getting some inspiration from TM Master Cup?

If so, that's freaking awesome. Laughing

by Alpineopossum Fri Mar 21, 2014 11:47 pm

And it's not just this forum they are copying, it has extended to the AARO forum as well. I should say that I predicted that Verizon would be the title sponsor in July of 2012.

by Sparkz47 Sat Mar 22, 2014 12:01 am

We should sue! If Panther can make a case, so can we! Laughing

by Alta Sat Mar 22, 2014 12:22 am

Indycar back to Brazil

http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268756/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=xMvXOlyN

by **crl** Sat Mar 22, 2014 12:38 am

Alta wrote:Indycar back to Brazil

http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268756/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=xMvXOlyN

Damn, that was quick.

by PYLrulz Sat Mar 22, 2014 7:00 am

Sparkz47 wrote:We should sue! If Panther can make a case, so can we!

If we win, I will take the money and get everybody seats to the Indy 500!!!*

*-In front of my big screen TV

by bsoyuz Sat Mar 22, 2014 8:53 am

Alta wrote:Indycar back to Brazil

http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268756/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=xMvXOlyN

AEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

But, seriously, they will race at the closest thing that we have from an oval, since the Brasilia track, where they'll race is a flat Pocono with a fourth turn.

How the race may be if they go to the outer circuit. If they go to the inner circuit: will be kinda like this.

by Alpineopossum Fri Apr 11, 2014 4:09 pm

Lineup Update

FULL TIME TEAMS
Penske - 2 - Juan Pablo Montoya
Penske - 3 - Hélio Castroneves
Penske - 12 - Will Power
Schmitt - 7 - Mikhail Aleshin (R)
Schmitt - 77 - Simon Pagenaud
Ganassi - 8 - Ryan Briscoe
Ganassi - 9 - Scott Dixon
Ganassi - 10 - Tony Kanaan
Ganassi - 83 - Charlie Kimball
KV - 11 - Sébastien Bourdais
KV - 17 - Sebastian Saavedra
Foyt - 14 - Takuma Sato
Rahal/Letterman - 15 - Graham Rahal
Coyne - 18 - Carlos Huertas (R)
Coyne - 19 - Justin Wilson
Carpenter - 20 - Ed Carpenter / Mike Conway
Andretti - 25 - Marco Andretti
Andretti - 27 - James Hinchcliffe
Andretti - 28 - Ryan Hunter-Reay
Andretti - 34 - Carlos Muñoz (R)
Fisher - 67 - Josef Newgarden
Herta/Agajanian - 98 - Jack Hawksworth (R)
* That's 22 Entries

Part Time Entries
- Rahal/Letterman - 16 - Oriol Servià (4 races - Long Beach, Barber, and both Indianapolis rounds)
- Foyt - 41 - Martin Plowman (2 races - Indianapolis Road Course, Indianapolis 500)
Which makes 24 for indy.

Confirmed Indy One Offs
- Kurt Busch will drive the 26 for Andretti Autosport
- J.R. Hildebrand will drive Ed Carpenter's second car. Typically this car has been withdrawn, but given that it now has a driver I would say there's a 90% chance it will actually compete.
- Buddy Lazier is back for Indy this year.
- Sarah Fisher has a second car, #68, and has hired Alex Tagliani to drive it.
- Jacques Villeneuve will drive for Sam Schmitt.
So there are currently 29 confirmed entries. Now we get into the speculation...

* A recent articles suggested that Stefan Wilson, younger brother of Justin, had a deal for the Indy 500 almost completed.
* Townsend Bell is rumored to make another one off run, this time KV Racing Technology is the leading candidate.
* Dreyer & Reinbold is supposedly entering a car (they have a sponsor for Indy) and Paul Tracy said he was talking to them.
* Dale Coyne Racing could enter "two more cars" for the 500, which seems hard to believe, although because the 18 is technically part time, that could mean that the 18 will be at Indy and there will be a third car like there was last year.
* Panther Racing's participation in racing in general depends on the National Guard lawsuit. They still own a chassis and have retained several employees.
* James Jakes tweeted that he would have news coming soon.
* Ganassi is working on a deal for Sage Karam, but they have said it will be a late announcement if it happens.
* Katherine Legge, Tristan Vautier, Buddy Rice, Conor Daly, Paul Tracy, Chase Austin, Robby Gordon, and EJ Viso are all possibilities for Indy rides.

by flyingturns89 Fri Apr 11, 2014 4:31 pm

It's actually only 28. Huertas is only running the road course events, and Coyne has not announced anything for the ovals for that car yet.

by JMac525 Sat Apr 12, 2014 12:17 am

http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/motor/indy-car/2014/04/10/panther-racings-indycar-run-looks-like/7545433/

Looking more like Panther is officially out of the 500 one off mix.

(Most of the rest of this post is rumors floating around the Indianapolis area. Some are from the Indianapolis Star, the local newspaper. I'd post links but you have to have a subscription to view most of them.)

http://www.indystar.com/story/curt-cavin/2014/04/11/here-is-how-indy-500-field-gets-to-35/7585423/

(Brief summary) James Jakes supposedly has connections to the first D&R car. The team may bring a second. Some rumors are saying that an individual has bought some Panther equipment and will make a technical alliance with Dreyer and Reinbold Racing for a second car. Pippa Mann is supposedly close to lining something up as well.

by Alpineopossum Sat Apr 12, 2014 12:02 pm

Indy 500

CONFIRMED
Penske - 2 - Juan Pablo Montoya
Penske - 3 - Hélio Castroneves
Penske - 12 - Will Power
Schmitt - 5 - Jacques Villeneuve
Schmitt - 7 - Mikhail Aleshin (R)
Schmitt - 77 - Simon Pagenaud
Ganassi - 8 - Ryan Briscoe
Ganassi - 9 - Scott Dixon
Ganassi - 10 - Tony Kanaan
Ganassi - 83 - Charlie Kimball
KV - 6 - Townsend Bell
KV - 11 - Sébastien Bourdais
KV - 17 - Sebastian Saavedra
Foyt - 14 - Takuma Sato
Foyt - 41 - Martin Plowman (R)
Rahal/Letterman - 15 - Graham Rahal
Rahal/Letterman - 16 - Oriol Servià
Coyne - 18 - Carlos Huertas (R)
Coyne - 19 - Justin Wilson
Carpenter - 20 - Ed Carpenter
Carpenter - 21 - J.R. Hildebrand
Andretti - 25 - Marco Andretti
Andretti - 26 - Kurt Busch (R)
Andretti - 27 - James Hinchcliffe
Andretti - 28 - Ryan Hunter-Reay
Andretti - 34 - Carlos Muñoz (R)
Fisher - 67 - Josef Newgarden
Fisher - 68 - Alex Tagliani
Lazier - 91 - Buddy Lazier
Herta/Agajanian - 98 - Jack Hawksworth (R)

PROBABLE ENTRIES
unknown team - ?? - Stefan Wilson
Coyne?? - 63 - Pippa Mann
Dreyer & Reinbold - 22 - James Jakes or ???
Dreyer & Reinbold - 23 - Paul Tracy or ???

POSSIBLE ENTRIES
Ganassi - 38 - Sage Karam
Coyne - ?? - ???

UNLIKELY ENTIRES
Panther - 4 - ???
Dragon - ?? - ???
Herta/Agajanian - ?? - Luca Fillippi or ???
Schmitt - 81 - Katherine Legge or Buddy Rice or ???

30 Confirmed Cars as of right now.
Supposedly the Stefan Wilson ride and the two DRR cars are coming soon, as is the additional Coyne entry. And if of the longshots shows up we might actually see some bumping.

by JMac525 Sat Apr 12, 2014 10:38 pm

http://www.indycar.com/News/2014/04/4-12-Bell-to-drive-in-Indy-500-for-KVSH-Racing

Townsend Bell officially in the KV third car. It will be #6.

by flyingturns89 Mon Apr 14, 2014 2:49 pm

Sage Karam has been all but confirmed to an Indy 500 only entry for Ganassi. If it happens, the field would now be at 30 confirmed entries, because Carlos Huertas has yet to be confirmed for the 500.

http://www.indystar.com/story/curt-cavin/2014/04/14/ganassi-official-says-sage-karam-will-be-in-indy-500/7690671/

Also, it looks like Dreyer & Reinbold may not show up at all. Davey Hamilton is working with the team, and says that they do not currently have enough funding to run a car, but thinks they have the capabilities to run two cars. At this point, they need fully funded drivers, but with just over a month left before Indy 500 qualifying, they may not have enough time.

by flyingturns89 Tue Apr 22, 2014 12:18 am

Got a few updates on some potential field fillers for the 500. It looks like a lot of teams are deciding that they won't be showing compared to the ones that will be. The confirmed entry total remains at 29.

- Dreyer & Reinbold will either be showing up with one car, or won't be showing up at all. Co-owner Dennis Reinbold says a second car isn't possible for the team anymore.

- Sage Karam's Indy 500 is still very much up in the air. At this point, it could go either way.

- Most likely, Panther Racing will not be showing up at Indy. The team does not have the funding since losing the National Guard sponsorship.

- At this point, Dale Coyne still has not announced a driver for the #18 car. The team has told IndyCar that they will run the full schedule, but they have no driver for Indy or any other oval races.

- Stefan Wilson's ride is still up in the air, and with Indy rookie orientation approaching fast, Wilson needs to get everything lined up quick.

- Jay Howard is working on a deal to make his return to Indianapolis. He's using the site GoFundMe.Com to raise $100,000.

by Alta Tue Apr 22, 2014 12:24 am

flyingturns89 wrote:

- At this point, Dale Coyne still has not announced a driver for the #18 car. The team has told IndyCar that they will run the full schedule, but they have no driver for Indy or any other oval races.

I know what you're saying but i feel like you worded this a little weird to make it sound like Huertas isn't in the car at all right now

Indy will get 33 like Nascar will get 43 cars every week.

by Sparkz47 Tue Apr 22, 2014 9:05 pm

Wow. Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow.

http://espn.go.com/racing/indycar/story/_/id/10823724/indycar-puts-helio-castroneves-probation-june

Come on, IndyCar, you're better than this.

by Alta Tue Apr 22, 2014 9:26 pm

Sparkz47 wrote:Wow. Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow.

http://espn.go.com/racing/indycar/story/_/id/10823724/indycar-puts-helio-castroneves-probation-june

Come on, IndyCar, you're better than this.

And who says Penske never gets penalized. Razz

In all seriousness though i find it hilarious that there is actually a social media policy in the rulebook

by Backmarker Tue Apr 22, 2014 9:30 pm

In other penalty news, Saavedra is under probation through Indy for failing to slow down under caution at Long Beach. Razz

http://www.indycar.com/News/2014/04/4-16-Notes-Penalties-imposed-on-Saavedra

by f1fan12 Wed Apr 23, 2014 1:06 am

Alta wrote:
Sparkz47 wrote:Wow. Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow.

http://espn.go.com/racing/indycar/story/_/id/10823724/indycar-puts-helio-castroneves-probation-june

Come on, IndyCar, you're better than this.
And who says Penske never gets penalized.

In all seriousness though i find it hilarious that there is actually a social media policy in the rulebook

NASCAR would probably do the same thing... just file it under "Actions detrimental to Stock Car Racing"

by Alpineopossum Wed Apr 23, 2014 5:38 pm

Indy Updates

- Sage Karam WILL BE DRIVING for Ganassi in the 500, in an unnamed fifth car.
- Herta/Agajanian will not field a second car.
- Franck Montagny will drive the Kurt Busch #26 in the Indy road course race.
- Additional entries (according to the Indianapolis Star) are the Coyne #18, the Coyne #63, one Dreyer and Reinbold car (2nd DRR entry is possible but highly unlikely), the Stefan Wilson car, and an entry fielded by Davey Hamilton.

by Milan655 Wed Apr 23, 2014 5:55 pm

Luca Filippi said he still is fighting to find a seat for later this year, I don't think Indy though.

by flyingturns89 Wed Apr 23, 2014 7:50 pm

Alpineopossum wrote:Indy Updates

- Sage Karam WILL BE DRIVING for Ganassi in the 500, in an unnamed fifth car.
- Herta/Agajanian will not field a second car.
- Franck Montagny will drive the Kurt Busch #26 in the Indy road course race.
- Additional entries (according to the Indianapolis Star) are the Coyne #18, the Coyne #63, one Dreyer and Reinbold car (2nd DRR entry is possible but highly unlikely), the Stefan Wilson car, and an entry fielded by Davey Hamilton.

The entry fielded by Davey Hamilton is the Dreyer & Reinbold car. He's been working with Dennis Reinbold, who has said that if D&R shows up, it will be with only one car. Also, Karam's Indy 500 plans are not set in stone as of the last I heard, which was about a week ago. The same goes for Stefan Wilson's ride. Coyne's #18 most likely will be in the 500, but with Huertas only running road courses currently, who knows what Dale Coyne will decide to do.

by **Cynon** Thu Apr 24, 2014 2:50 am

Sparkz47 wrote:Wow. Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow.

http://espn.go.com/racing/indycar/story/_/id/10823724/indycar-puts-helio-castroneves-probation-june

Come on, IndyCar, you're better than this.

I'm surprised he got a penalty... but it was 100% deserved. Don't bite the hand that feeds you.

NeverNeutral wrote:In other penalty news, Saavedra is under probation through Indy for failing to slow down under caution at Long Beach.
http://www.indycar.com/News/2014/04/4-16-Notes-Penalties-imposed-on-Saavedra

Saavedra has problems going fast when he needs to go slow, and slow when he needs to go fast.

by flyingturns89 Sat Apr 26, 2014 3:35 am

Some more updates on the last four spots yet to be filled on the Indy 500 grid.

Even if Sage Karam's spot at Ganassi doesn't end up being ready in time, it looks like Karam will be in the field. He is supposedly the lead candidate for Dreyer & Reinbold's car, which will be a joint operation with Kingdom Racing, a team that Davey Hamilton is involved in. If Ganassi and Karam do end up getting their car together, plan B will be either James Jakes or James Davison.

Meanwhile, Dale Coyne could fill the grid with the #18 car and a third entry. While it's still not known exactly who will drive the car for the big race, it's expected that Pippa Mann will be in one of the cars. The other one will probably be either Davison or Carlos Huertas.

As for the other rumored entries, the only one with a chance of happening is Stefan Wilson's TBA ride. The only thing known about this ride is that the team involved bought a car from Panther Racing, and since this story has been very quiet. Right now, Wilson could be the 33rd or 34th car depending on the Ganassi car for Sage Karam.

by Sparkz47 Mon Apr 28, 2014 6:21 pm

Kurt Busch's Indy 500 car:

IndyCar News / Silly Season - Page 4 04-28-Busch-Unveil-Wide

by BWard Mon Apr 28, 2014 6:40 pm

Sparkz47 wrote:Kurt Busch's Indy 500 car:

That is sick! IndyCar News / Silly Season - Page 4 215644238

by PackerMan71 Mon Apr 28, 2014 8:47 pm

Cynon wrote:
Sparkz47 wrote:Wow. Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow.

http://espn.go.com/racing/indycar/story/_/id/10823724/indycar-puts-helio-castroneves-probation-june

Come on, IndyCar, you're better than this.

I'm surprised he got a penalty... but it was 100% deserved. Don't bite the hand that feeds you.

Don't really agree. Yeah, you don't bite the hand that feeds you, but sometimes, that hand needs to be slapped a few times for being a total idiot, especially when you consider who's in the goddamn race control booth to begin with. Neutral

by flyingturns89 Tue Apr 29, 2014 3:33 pm

Sage Karam has been officially confirmed for the Indy 500, driving the #22 car in a joint operation between Chip Ganassi Racing, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, and Kingdom Racing. Officially, this puts the field at 30 cars for now.

Also, Kurt Busch completed all four phases of rookie orientation today, and will be allowed to compete in practice and qualifying.

by RealRacer4 Wed Apr 30, 2014 6:26 pm

Hey guys...
IndyCar News / Silly Season - Page 4 14073032255_dea0823ee6_b

If you don't believe me, this is the helmet Rick Mears ran when Pennzoil sponsored Penske back in the '80s:
IndyCar News / Silly Season - Page 4 Mears%201988%20Indy%20helmet%202

IndyCar News / Silly Season - Page 4 Mears%201988%20Indy%20helmet%202

And this is what was found on Troy Lee's official web site:
IndyCar News / Silly Season - Page 4 Paint_auto_castroneves_2014_1

by Alpineopossum Wed Apr 30, 2014 9:05 pm

Back in 2011, Penske had a similar livery drawn up but it never raced and as far as I know was not ever put on a car.
IndyCar News / Silly Season - Page 4 Car3pennzoil

IndyCar News / Silly Season - Page 4 Car3pennzoil

I like it. It reminds me of the 90s Pennzoil liveries.

by flyingturns89 Thu May 01, 2014 6:28 pm

The 31st and 32nd entries on the Indy 500 entry list was confirmed today, as Pippa Mann will most likely be the lone female driver in the field this year. She'll be running the #63 Susan G. Komen Foundation car for Dale Coyne Racing. The other also belongs to Coyne, as it appears that the team is ready to commit to Carlos Huertas full time this year. He was previously only running the road courses.

by JMac525 Thu May 01, 2014 9:34 pm

RealRacer4 wrote:Hey guys...

If you don't believe me, this is the helmet Rick Mears ran when Pennzoil sponsored Penske back in the '80s:

And this is what was found on Troy Lee's official web site:

Well, this quite exciting news for me. The 90's Penzoil scheme is possibly my favorite race car paint scheme of all time. Period. Very Happy

Once again, pure rumor, but JMac's local inside racing source tells him KV Racing may run James Davison in a 4th car with money aid from IMS for our thirty-third entry... And as expected Stefan Wilson's mystery team has apparently virtually no shot now to take the green come qualifying weekend.

by RACECAR Thu May 01, 2014 10:42 pm

Alta wrote:Indycar back to Brazil

http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268756/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=xMvXOlyN

Link does not work for me. Just gives me this:

Sorry, that article was not found or has already expired.

by JMac525 Mon May 05, 2014 1:48 pm

http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/103300-indycar-33rd-driver-set-for-indy

Looks like James Davison's in the 33rd confirmed car, a 4th for KV. Huertas is participating in rookie orientation today, so looks like he's officially in.

by Alpineopossum Tue May 06, 2014 7:12 am

Looks like the rumored race in New Orleans at a newly built road course is happening for 2015. But don't take my word for it, this is what Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal said in a press release

Gov. Jindal wrote:AVONDALE – Today, Governor Bobby Jindal, INDYCAR and Laney Chouest, NOLA Motorsports Park owner, announced that INDYCAR is developing plans for a Verizon IndyCar Series race to be held at NOLA Motorsports Park in Jefferson Parish. The race will be known as the Indy Grand Prix of Louisiana at Nola Motorsports Park and would be organized by Andretti Sports Marketing. The internationally televised event would be one of the races in the Verizon IndyCar Series Championship, which features the drivers and cars of the Indianapolis 500-mile race.

NOLA Motorsports Park estimates that the race and festival style event has the potential to attract 80,000 spectators over the course of the three-day event. Organizers estimate the event would produce more than $100 million in direct economic impact over at least three years. The state, upon approval by the Legislature, will commit a one-time amount of $4.5 million for NOLA Motorsports Park to be used for facility and track improvements. This investment, combined with the private investment that NOLA Motorsports Park will invest in the event, will create new jobs in Louisiana as well as support existing jobs at the NOLA Motorsports facility in Jefferson Parish.

Governor Jindal said, “This race is great news for Jefferson Parish and our entire state. This three-day event will allow us to show off the excitement of an IndyCar race right here in Louisiana, as well as our state’s culture, entertainment, and food. This event will be a great economic driver for our state and it will be a great weekend for the whole family.

“Verizon IndyCar Series events serve as the gathering point for automotive industry leaders and IndyCar sponsors, most of which are Fortune 500 companies. As a result, NOLA Motorsports Park expects racing related businesses and teams to locate to Louisiana once the race is scheduled, which will create more great jobs and economic momentum for Jefferson Parish and our state.”

The event would combine a three-day festival featuring Louisiana’s culture and the excitement of a Verizon IndyCar Series event. The race would ideally take place on a Sunday with practice sessions and time trials on the two days prior. The festival will include music, entertainment, and food. The company will announce the entire 2015 race lineup later this year.

“We’re delighted by this broad show of support and encouraged by the prospect of a Verizon IndyCar Series race in New Orleans,” said Mark Miles, CEO of Hulman & Company, the parent of INDYCAR and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “We greatly appreciate Laney Chouest, his associates at NOLA, and the state of Louisiana for their efforts to make enhancements to NOLA Motorsports Park. With these improvements we’re confident that NOLA can meet our standards for safety, fan experience and quality of racing. We look forward to continuing this dialogue in hopes of making New Orleans a destination that may soon host a Verizon IndyCar Series event.”

“I want to thank the Governor for his leadership in developing this public-private partnership that will leverage the significant private investment we made into this facility,” said Laney Chouest, owner of NOLA Motorsports Park. “We believe that the Indy Grand Prix of Louisiana would serve as a regional demand generator for the already strong hospitality industry that our state is well known forAndretti Sports Marketing, a leading event operator, disclosed that it has been working on a potential event at NOLA Motorsports Park for two years, according to Michael Andretti, CEO.

“I’m really pleased to see INDYCAR preparing to bring a race to NOLA. New Orleans is a great market to grow the sport and I’m excited to have Andretti Sports Marketing involved with the operations and promotion of the inaugural Indy Grand Prix of Louisiana.
Governor Jindal, Laney (Chouest) and the entire New Orleans community are fully behind the project and have been very positive and instrumental in launching this event,” added Andretti.

Senate President John Alario said, “Today is a great day for Jefferson Parish. This race will add another economic benefit to the Greater New Orleans area, just as we have benefited from the Zurich Classic, Super Bowls and Final Fours. This will add another reason for people to visit out great state."

New Orleans Convention and Visitor’s Bureau President Stephen Perry said, “New Orleans has long been a world leader in sporting and special events, but securing an Indy Car race is a fantastic new victory not only for Nola Motorsports, but for the economy of our city and state. This type of event brings in millions of dollars to our state and this race will be a tremendous economic boost to our economy."

“Ladies and gentlemen start your engines. We are excited to add an INDYCAR race to our already diverse array of events we host in Louisiana," Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne said. "We attracted 27.3 million people last year and we are eager to welcome the estimated 80,000 INDYCAR fans to Jefferson Parish."

Source: http://gov.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&articleID=4523

by f1fan12 Tue May 06, 2014 9:58 am

Alpineopossum wrote:Looks like the rumored race in New Orleans at a newly built road course is happening for 2015. But don't take my word for it, this is what Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal said in a press release

Gov. Jindal wrote:AVONDALE – Today, Governor Bobby Jindal, INDYCAR and Laney Chouest, NOLA Motorsports Park owner, announced that INDYCAR is developing plans for a Verizon IndyCar Series race to be held at NOLA Motorsports Park in Jefferson Parish. The race will be known as the Indy Grand Prix of Louisiana at Nola Motorsports Park and would be organized by Andretti Sports Marketing. The internationally televised event would be one of the races in the Verizon IndyCar Series Championship, which features the drivers and cars of the Indianapolis 500-mile race.

NOLA Motorsports Park estimates that the race and festival style event has the potential to attract 80,000 spectators over the course of the three-day event. Organizers estimate the event would produce more than $100 million in direct economic impact over at least three years. The state, upon approval by the Legislature, will commit a one-time amount of $4.5 million for NOLA Motorsports Park to be used for facility and track improvements. This investment, combined with the private investment that NOLA Motorsports Park will invest in the event, will create new jobs in Louisiana as well as support existing jobs at the NOLA Motorsports facility in Jefferson Parish.

Governor Jindal said, “This race is great news for Jefferson Parish and our entire state. This three-day event will allow us to show off the excitement of an IndyCar race right here in Louisiana, as well as our state’s culture, entertainment, and food. This event will be a great economic driver for our state and it will be a great weekend for the whole family.

“Verizon IndyCar Series events serve as the gathering point for automotive industry leaders and IndyCar sponsors, most of which are Fortune 500 companies. As a result, NOLA Motorsports Park expects racing related businesses and teams to locate to Louisiana once the race is scheduled, which will create more great jobs and economic momentum for Jefferson Parish and our state.”

The event would combine a three-day festival featuring Louisiana’s culture and the excitement of a Verizon IndyCar Series event. The race would ideally take place on a Sunday with practice sessions and time trials on the two days prior. The festival will include music, entertainment, and food. The company will announce the entire 2015 race lineup later this year.

“We’re delighted by this broad show of support and encouraged by the prospect of a Verizon IndyCar Series race in New Orleans,” said Mark Miles, CEO of Hulman & Company, the parent of INDYCAR and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “We greatly appreciate Laney Chouest, his associates at NOLA, and the state of Louisiana for their efforts to make enhancements to NOLA Motorsports Park. With these improvements we’re confident that NOLA can meet our standards for safety, fan experience and quality of racing. We look forward to continuing this dialogue in hopes of making New Orleans a destination that may soon host a Verizon IndyCar Series event.”

“I want to thank the Governor for his leadership in developing this public-private partnership that will leverage the significant private investment we made into this facility,” said Laney Chouest, owner of NOLA Motorsports Park. “We believe that the Indy Grand Prix of Louisiana would serve as a regional demand generator for the already strong hospitality industry that our state is well known forAndretti Sports Marketing, a leading event operator, disclosed that it has been working on a potential event at NOLA Motorsports Park for two years, according to Michael Andretti, CEO.

“I’m really pleased to see INDYCAR preparing to bring a race to NOLA. New Orleans is a great market to grow the sport and I’m excited to have Andretti Sports Marketing involved with the operations and promotion of the inaugural Indy Grand Prix of Louisiana.
Governor Jindal, Laney (Chouest) and the entire New Orleans community are fully behind the project and have been very positive and instrumental in launching this event,” added Andretti.

Senate President John Alario said, “Today is a great day for Jefferson Parish. This race will add another economic benefit to the Greater New Orleans area, just as we have benefited from the Zurich Classic, Super Bowls and Final Fours. This will add another reason for people to visit out great state."

New Orleans Convention and Visitor’s Bureau President Stephen Perry said, “New Orleans has long been a world leader in sporting and special events, but securing an Indy Car race is a fantastic new victory not only for Nola Motorsports, but for the economy of our city and state. This type of event brings in millions of dollars to our state and this race will be a tremendous economic boost to our economy."

“Ladies and gentlemen start your engines. We are excited to add an INDYCAR race to our already diverse array of events we host in Louisiana," Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne said. "We attracted 27.3 million people last year and we are eager to welcome the estimated 80,000 INDYCAR fans to Jefferson Parish."

Source: http://gov.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&articleID=4523

If the Governor of a State is bringing attention to it, then I would believe that talks are pretty far along. Indycar is also hyping it up on their website. Not going to lie though, the track looks really boring!

by **Cynon** Tue May 06, 2014 1:11 pm

I wonder how, or if, this will affect attendance at Barber. I doubt it will have much impact, but the layout doesn't inspire me too much -- too many squiggly-bits.

Good to have a new venue, regardless.

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