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

GRAND AM: Championship Race Looms as Contender Rojas Falls Ill

Today, there was a dramatic turn in the Rolex Sports Car Series Daytona Prototype championship. Memo Rojas, driver for TELMEX Chip Ganassi Racing, is ill, after possibly contracting the H1N1 virus, reports DC Williams. Rojas, who along with teammate Scott Pruett, is involved in a tight points battle with Wayne Taylor's team as well as Bob Stallings' team. If this points race was decided by Rojas' possible illness, this would be a devastating blow to the series'. While they can't do anything about it, it will still look bad when the headlines on racing websites say, "Championship decided by Swine Flu." This has been one of the best points battles in racing. I, for one, hope Rojas is able to race tomorrow to keep the team in contention.

NASCAR: My Personal Schedule Opinions

Today, NASCAR announced the schedules for all three of its national series. While some changes were made, there were some that I and many other fans felt were left out. Several years ago, NASCAR discontinued its annual visit to Rockingham, North Carolina. This track is one of the more popular tracks among hardcore fans. People like the track because it is not a "cookie cutter" track and is in a region where NASCAR is very popular. Another track that deserves another race is Darlington Raceway. This track provides some of the best racing in NASCAR and is one of the most legendary circuits. Several years ago, it lost its crown jewel, the Southern 500, which took place on Labor Day weekend. While the race has returned on Mother's Day weekend, it isn't comprehensible as to why Auto Club Speedway has two race and Darlington has one. Auto Club Speedway has rather boring racing and to make a broad generalization, the state doesn't have a strong NASCAR following. Darlington, however, has a legendary past and is in the heart of NASCAR country. One of the Camping World Truck Series greatest races was eliminated after the switch with Auto Club Speedway and is sorely missed by fans and drivers. Another idea that I have had is to move the NASCAR Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series' races at O'Reilly Raceway Park to a different date. This would allow more "Nationwide-Only" drivers to compete in the event while the Sprint Cup Series has a race at another track. One controversial issue within the past few year has been the Brickyard 400 weekend and the lack of rubber on the track. My solution is to have a companion race to go along side the Sprint Cup Series and help get grip on the track. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway provides a certain aura to itself that sends shivers down the spines of any race fan. This race would be a hit with tickets and TV ratings. While none of my proposed changes will likely happen, I think that they would help further NASCAR's fan base.

NASCAR: Discount Tire to back Keselowski in the Nationwide Series in '10

Discount Tire Company announced today that they will sponsor Penske Racing and Brad Keselowski in 2010 in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Keselowski will pilot the number 22 Dodge in 26 races next year, along with running the full NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule. Discount Tire Company currently sponsors the number 6 Roush Fenway Racing Ford of Erik Darnell and David Ragan in the Nationwide Series.