2010 Indianapolis 500 Predictions

In the 2010 Indianapolis 500, expectations run high for not only the driver, crews, and teams, but also the fans. With many new procedures and thirty-six cars on the entry list, the general public will be in for a pleasant surprise for this “Month of May.”
Due to budget constraints, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Izod IndyCar Series reduced the time spent at the track to just over two weeks. While many traditionalist fans are upset by these new developments, the on-track action, specifically the qualifying days, will be an interesting sight to see. On Pole Day, twenty-four cars will be locked into the field. In the last two hours of that session, the top nine cars will battle for the Bombardier Pole Award, using an arrangement similar to the series’ road course qualifying. The only two differences on Bump Day are that it will decide the last nine qualifying positions and it will be held the day after Pole Day.
The entry list for this year’s “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” is arguably more intriguing than any other for the last few years. Thirty-six cars will tentatively attempt to qualify for this year’s race. One of the big storylines heading into opening day is the five female drivers who will try out for the race. Danica Patrick (Andretti Autosport), Simona de Silvestro (Team Stargate Worlds/HVM Racing), Sarah Fisher (Sarah Fisher Racing), Ana Beatriz (Dreyer & Reinbold Racing), and Milka Duno (Dale Coyne Racing) will try to set the record of most women in the Indy 500. There are also some notable rookies, including Mario Romancini, Takuma Sato, and several more. In addition to the women and the rookies, the regular group of veteran drivers will also attempt to quality.
This Indy 500 preview wouldn’t be complete without predictions for the outcome of the race. With Helio Castroneves’ experience and skill at the Brickyard, I expect him to win the pole and the race, just as he did last year. The golden combination of Castroneves and Roger Penske is always strong at the track, so don’t be surprised if they dominate the month, like they did last year. As far as rookie drivers go, I wouldn’t be surprised if Mario Romancini, formerly of the Firestone Indy Lights Series, takes the rookie of the year award with his Conquest Racing team. Romancini was strong last year on the ovals in developmental series, winning at Milwaukee and Homestead.
Despite all of the change this “Month of May,” expect this years Indianapolis 500 to be exciting and intense as ever. The Yard of Bricks will keep you posted on Twitter (@TheYardofBricks) and Facebook throughout the month. Opening and Bump Day pictures will be posted once the day comes.

Photo Credit: IMS Productions

What to think of Kahne's 2010 plans with Hendrick Motorsports

ESPN’s Marty Smith dropped the bombshell that Kasey Kahne will be leaving Richard Petty Motorsports at year’s end to drive for Hendrick Motorsports. Specifics, including car number, sponsor, and crew chief, will be determined at a later date. At this point, Hendrick Motorsports roster is full of drivers who many consider to be an “all-star” team. That being said, Kahne’s signing raises the question, “Who will he replace at Hendrick Motorsports?”
Per NASCAR’s “Jack Roush Rule,” teams can have no more than four cars under one stable, but this doesn’t prevent the use of satellite teams, such as Stewart Haas Racing or JR Motorsports. However the wording of multiple reports makes Kahne’s agreement to be with Hendrick Motorsports, as opposed to an affiliate. That leaves the Concord, North Carolina-based team to make a decision regarding Kahne’s 2011 driving arrangement.
Currently, Hendrick Motorsports owns four cars, belonging to Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. One of these household names will be out a ride, in some shape or form, when Kahne joins the team. The driver that obviously is in the clear is Jimmie Johnson, who has won four consecutive championships. While many may think that Jeff Gordon is another driver who is completely locked in, that isn’t necessarily true. Gordon isn’t the “Wonder Boy” he used to be. He hasn’t won a race since early 2009, he has repeated suffered from back ailments, and has a young child with a second on the way. Who is to say Gordon doesn’t decide to hang up the helmet after 2010? If veteran Mark Martin were to not return to the seat in 2011, it would be a surprise to many in the NASCAR community, despite the fact that he went on his first retirement tour five years ago. Martin has said on numerous occasions that he is happy with where he is at and doesn’t have plans to retire within after this year. In addition, his sponsorship obligations have been extended through 2011. Finally, there is NASCAR’s most popular driver, Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s career has admittedly gone down hill since he began racing with Hendrick Motorsports in 2008. He only has one win and has been pillar of mediocrity since his signing. While Earnhardt has a plethora of sponsorship commitments, he has expressed an interest in the past in bring his Nationwide Series team to the next level.
Kahne’s signing brings forth an abundance of questions for not only his future teammates, but his current team Richard Petty Motorsport and their associates. While not much is known about Kahne’s signing yet, it will all come out of the woodwork eventually.
Photo Courtesy of http://hendrick-motorsports-news.newslib.com/

Thoughts from Danica's Stock Car Debut

As every media outlet imaginable has reported, Danica Patrick made her stock car debut in Saturday's ARCA race in Daytona. Debates have been sparked regarding how to view this story of epic proportion. Some have said Patrick's sixth place finish was a fluke. Others have been singing the praises of Patrick. While Danica's debut was impressive we shouldn't declare her "NASCAR's Best and Brightest" just yet.

Patrick and the ARCA series have received received unfathomable amounts of attention all week and more than likely, the only story that received more attention in the world of sports was Saints' Super Bowl victory. It seemed at first that Patrick was extremely cautious, sometimes to a fault. She hardly moved into the high lane, sometimes leaving her "hung out to dry." Throughout the event, she was able to keep up with the lead pack. Her first incident as stock car driver occurred with approximately thirty laps left, when she was turned by fellow open-wheeler Nelson Piquet, Jr. (or as one ESPN reporter said, "Nelson Picket.") After this setback, it almost seemed as if Patrick had became more familiar with the car. She began to systematically move up through the field and had as good of a chance as anyone to win the race with one lap remaining. While racing to the checkers, she successfully dueled Ricky Carmichael for the sixth finishing position. After the race she was cheerful and optimistic, as opposed to her past antics in the Izod IndyCar Series.

While Danica has silenced some of her naysayers, we shouldn't get too ahead of ourselves. Most refer to restrictor plate tracks as wild card races, where almost every driver has a legitimate shot to win. The running order changes drastically lap by lap, so it isn't fair to judge her on just this race. In addition, Patrick hasn't even been on the track in a Nationwide Series car yet. Her on track debut will be today, during first practice.

Danica Patrick showed that she can drive a bulky stock car last weekend. However, it is still entirely to early to judge her.

Photo Courtesy of www.autoweek.com

INDYCAR: Coyne to announce 2010 plans

Earlier in the week, Dale Coyne announced that they have plans to make an announcement. The team, who was the only other team to win a race besides Target Chip Ganassi Racing and Team Penske, alluded to a forthcoming “alliance.” As most vague press releases do, it has aroused a multitude of speculation. Everyone and there brother seems to have some type of idea of what Monday’s announcement will be. After look at a variety of different facts, I think I might have an answer. Is it possible that Coyne could form an alliance Several months ago, when the “Dixon to de Ferran” rumors were spreading like wildfire, Justin Wilson was rumored as a possible candidate for the number nine seat. After those rumors were rebuked, the Wilson rumors quieted down. The most recent concept that has contributed to the Wilson and Ganassi marriage is the impending Rolex 24. Wilson, a proven road ringer, has been entered in Ganassi’s BMW/Riley alongside Scott Dixon, Memo Rojas, and Marino Franchitti. All of the other drivers who will race for Ganassi are full time drivers, spread across different American racing circuits. While none of these facts can be confirmed, there have been clues. At this time tomorrow, we will know what the team’s 2010 plans are.

INDYCAR: RIP Greg Moore

Today marks the 10 year anniversary of the death of Canadian racer, Greg Moore. He died at a tragically young age, he only lived to be 24 years old. Moore was what many view as the ideal American Open Wheel Series driver; a product of the CART ladder system and a fan's driver. Many of today's IndyCar stars have stated that Moore could have been the star of the IndyCar Series had he survived his crash at Auto Club Speedway in 1999. Not long before his death, Moore signed a contract with Team Penske. Moore was replaced by Helio Castroneves after his death. In a recent article by Indy Star's Curt Cavin, Tony Kanaan stated that Moore would be driving in NASCAR for Penske instead of Sam Hornish. Penske official, Tim Cindric, said that if things would have gone as planned, Roger Penske, who took an interest in the talented driver, would have been his race strategist.Moore's incident occurred in Turn 2 when his car spun out of control, into the grass. The car then flipped over several time. Moore suffered many internal injuries from the incident. He was pronounced dead at the hospital, not long after the crash. He ended his career with 5 wins. Moore was memorialized by having his number, 99, retired and the Greg Moore Award was given to the driver who exhibited excellence on and off the track. More recently, 2009 IndyCar Series champion, Dario Franchitti, dedicated the win to his departed friend. Today, October 31, remember Greg Moore, one of the stars of open wheel racing, who we lost too soon.

Photo Credit: www.scheuern.com/moore/images/moore1mo.jpg

INDYCAR: Lloyd to run #40202 at Homestead

Alex Lloyd and Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing announced recently that Lloyd will pilot the #40202 HER Energy Drink Dallara/Honda at Homestead. The #40202 comes from a recent promotion by the female-targeted energy drink where people can text stand to 40202 to donate $5 to cancer research. "Pink" Lloyd will return to the cockpit for the first time since the Indianapolis 500 on Memorial Day weekend.

Photo Credit: 16thandGeorgetown.com

NASCAR: Piquet, Jr. to NASCAR?

Reports came out today that son of two-time F1 champion, Nelson Piquet, maybe going to NASCAR. Nelson Piquet, Jr., who has been in the center of a controversy in an F1 cheating scandal involving Renault last year, will reportedly test a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series machine in Rockingham, NC. Piquet, who left Renault earlier in the season, will drive for Red Horse Racing. He plans to begin his career in trucks next year and move up a level each year afterwards, ending up in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2012.

Photo Credit: http://www.npiquet.com