By Josh Farmer FORT WORTH, Texas – Substitute driver Tristan Vautier is off to a strong start as me makes his Verizon IndyCar Series return in tonight’s Rainguard Water Sealers 600 at Texas Motor Speedway. The 27-year-old Frenchman was called up to replace Sebastien Bourdais, who is on the mend from a crash at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway last month. Yesterday, he turned the fifth quickest two-lap average at 221.801 mph. Considering he only had one practice session to get acquainted with the team and car, he was bullish about his result. “I’m more pleased about the overall run with…
Author: Josh Farmer
By Josh Farmer FORT WORTH – Scott Dixon set the bar high early as he paced today’s lone practice for qualifying for the Rainguard Water Sealers 600 at Texas Motor Speedway. Aided by a tow and running a qualifying aero setup, the driver of the No. 9 NTT Data Honda logged a lap of 23.2027 seconds (223.422 mph) with just a few minutes remaining in the session. The lap stands as the quickest lap logged at TMS since 2003 and was a clear .1633s faster than Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Charlie Kimball (No. 83 Tresiba Honda). Dixon was pleased with…
By Josh Farmer Tristan Vautier has been selected to drive for Dale Coyne Racing for this weekends Rainguard Water Sealers 600 at Texas Motor Speedway. Vautier was chosen to drive the No. 18 Sonny’s BBQ Honda as Esteban Gutierrez, who drove for the team at Detroit, is not yet approved to race on an oval. Sebastien Bourdais, the team’s primary driver, was injured during qualifying for the 101st Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil. “We chose Tristan to fill the 18 seat at Texas because of his previous experience at Texas Motor Speedway,” said Dale Coyne, team owner. “We…
By Josh Farmer Longtime INDYCAR chassis manufacturer Dallara will produce the Verizon IndyCar Series universal body kits which will debut in 2018. The 2018 kit will replace the Chevrolet and Honda aero kits which have been used since 2015. The car’s main draw is generating downforce from the bottom of the car rather than the topside. This will reduce air turbulence and assist in overtaking. Other features include safety structures in the sidepods which will reduce the severity of impacts. “This has been a collaborative effort from multiple parties, including input from our paddock and fans,” said Jay Frye, INDYCAR…
By Josh Farmer Job done. No attack, no chance. Those are the phrases that 40-year-old Takuma Sato has come to live by. He can now finally say them with pride and confidence as the winner of the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil. The motto set by the former Formula One driver has often led to some spectacular moves that very often ended up with someone else, or himself in the wall. A bold move for the lead on the inside of Dario Franchitti on the last lap of the 2012 Indy 500 ended in…
By Josh Farmer INDIANAPOLIS – For the second time in four years, Helio Castroneves came up just a car length short in his quest to claim his fourth Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil Crown. Castroneves, who won the Indy 500 in 2001, 2002 and 2009, finished second to race winner Takuma Sato after a thrilling five lap duel for the win. It is his third runner-up finish in the Indy 500, the most recent coming to another Andretti Autosport driver, Ryan Hunter-Reay in 2014. “It’s tough to accept,” said the three-time Indy 500 winner. “After so many things…
By Josh Farmer INDIANAPOLIS – Ed Jones rose against the odds to claim a third place in the 101st Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil. Jones, driving the No. 19 Boy Scouts of America Honda took the green flag from 11th place and gradually moved his way into the top ten by lap 15. His run was slightly hindered by some damage collected in the lap 52 crash between Scott Dixon and Jay Howard. The damage did not set him back for long as he marches his way back to the front and by the three-quarter mark of the…
By Josh Farmer INDIANAPOLIS – A career best day for Max Chilton ended so close, but yet so far. Chilton rebounded from falling a lap down to finish fourth at Sunday’s Indianapolis 500 and lead a race-high 50 laps after starting 15th. He found himself out in front for the first time on lap 84 by way of pit strategy. “It’s obviously mixed feelings,” he said. “From where we were, I’m really happy but fourth is the third of the losers. It’s not ideal but I’ll take it.” Chilton fell to 27th during the race’s opening 52 lap stint but…
By Josh Farmer INDIANAPOLIS – Alexander Rossi is in the perfect position to defend his Indianapolis 500 crown. The 25-year-old from Nevada City, California won the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil as a rookie. Winning the race again would match the record set by Helio Castroneves in 2002 when he scored back to back wins in his first two attempts. “It would be huge, it has been what every goal has been since last year,” he said. “We’ll do everything that we can to make it happen. I’m glad that he did it because…
By Josh Farmer Oriol Servia has made the most of driving for an old/new team leading up to the 101st Indianapolis 500 Presented by PennGrade Motor Oil. A veteran of 14 teams throughout his 17-year career, Servia has been mostly a part-timer since 2013, he has driven for Rahal-Letterman-Lanigan Racing on three occasions (2009, 2014, 2015). He drove for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports last year, where he started 10th and finished 12th. With familiarity being a theme for him, Servia feels confident as he makes his eighth Indianapolis 500. “This year I knew what was coming,” he said. “I love all…