Scott Dixon completed a hat-trick of IRL victories at Watkins Glen with a measured and tactically shrewd drive. But there were unpleasant scenes after the race as a confrontation between Tony Kanaan and Sam Hornish sparked a pit lane brawl. It began after the pair twice made contact during the race.
IndyCar articles archive
The most famous IndyCar race is the Indianapolis 500, held annually at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in front of huge crowds. However American open-wheel racing has a chequered history.
The championship reached its peak in the late eighties and early nineties under the sanctioning body CART. It attracted huge international attention as Formula 1 champions including Nigel Mansell, Emerson Fittipaldi and Mario Andretti competed in it.
However the creation of the rival Indy Racing League in 1996 created a split which badly damaged the championship. CART, which rebranded as Champ Car, fell into decline. By 2008, with Champ Car on the bring of collapse, the two series finally merged, but the damage had been.
Nonetheless today’s IndyCar championship retains a reputation for spectacular racing with its single-specification chassis and features a broad range of circuits including road, street and traditional American oval courses.
IRL Richmond: Dominant Dario doubles up
Posted onDario Franchitti held the Richmond round in a stranglehold for the start. He led all bar nine laps at the short oval to win the second race in a week and stretch his championship advantage. It was a far more low-key race after the dramas of the Iowa encounter last week. But the Penske drivers … Continue reading IRL Richmond: Dominant Dario doubles up
IRL Iowa: Franchitti triumps through chaos
Posted onIndy Car’s first race at Iowa was a spectacular with most of the leading drivers eliminated in big crashes. Dan Wheldon, Sam Hornish, Danica Patrick and Tony Kanaan were among those whose races were ruined or ended. It left Dario Franchitti to take his second win of the year – and a 51 point lead … Continue reading IRL Iowa: Franchitti triumps through chaos
IRL Texas: Hornish survives carnage
Posted onSam Hornish escaped an enormous pile-up at the Texas Motor Speedway – and clung on to win from the resurgent Andretti-Green cars of Tony Kanaan, Danica Patrick and Dario Franchitti. Franchitti, winner of the Indianapolis 500 two weeks ago, maintains his lead in the Indy Car series. His closest rivals, Team Ganassi drivers Dan Wheldon … Continue reading IRL Texas: Hornish survives carnage
IRL Milwaukee: Kanaan profits from Penske’s problems
Posted onTony Kanaan won the Milwaukee 225 after both Penske cars suffered dramatic rear wing failures late in the race. Helio Castroneves was leading with less than 25 laps to go when his rear wing collapsed, throwing him into the wall. Then team mate Sam Hornish slowed as his wing bent out of position, though he … Continue reading IRL Milwaukee: Kanaan profits from Penske’s problems
Franchitti wins rain-hit Indy 500
Posted onDario Franchitti won the 91st Indianapolis 500 as rain fell and brought an early end to the race. The pack was already running under caution following a spectacular collision between Marco Andretti and Dan Wheldon. Andretti moved high on the track to pass two cars but Wheldon was already there. The two clashed wheels and … Continue reading Franchitti wins rain-hit Indy 500
Trackside: A1 Grand Prix & IRL
Posted onMore on the tense Britain-versus-Germany duel at Brands Hatch, plus Wheldon’s latest triumph in the IRL. And video… Trackside – Britain beats Germany at home (external)
IRL Kansas: Dominant Dan wins again
Posted onThe Chip Ganassi team’s form is ominous for their rivals ahead of next month’s Indianapolis 500. Dan Wheldon dominated the Kansas 300 and Scott Dixon would surely have made it a Ganassi one-two but for a careless pit lane infraction. Hacing started fourth Wheldon immediately made his way to the front. He sliced past both … Continue reading IRL Kansas: Dominant Dan wins again
13 TBAs for 2007 Indy 500
Posted onA promising 38 entries have been received for the Indianapolis 500 – a race which traditionally has 33 entrants. Unfortunately, 13 of those at this time are named “TBA”. America’s blue-riband race is desperately scratching around for quality participants. This is why every single sensible fan of American single seater racing wants to see a … Continue reading 13 TBAs for 2007 Indy 500
IRL boss wants NASCAR alliance
Posted onJohn Barnes, the owner of Indy Racing League team Panther Racing, reckons the series would be better off as a support series to NASCAR: We would make it where we would race on Saturday to replace a Busch or ARCA race, and they (Nextel Cup) would race on Sunday. I have no problem being second … Continue reading IRL boss wants NASCAR alliance
IRL St Petersburg: Castroneves triumps for Penske
Posted onHelio Castroneves gave his Penske team a much needed shot in the arm with his victory on the streets of St Petersburg, following the Ganassi team’s rout at Homestead last weekend. Castroneves led most of the race much as Dan Wheldon did last week, winning from pole. It means the two drivers have won the … Continue reading IRL St Petersburg: Castroneves triumps for Penske
IRL: Crushing win for Wheldon
Posted onDan Wheldon got his 2007 Indy Car title campaign off to the best possible start with an utterly dominating win at Miami-Homestead. Only a fumbled pit stop by the Ganassi team that briefly dropped him to ninth threatened to spoil his day. But the ease with which Wheldon breezed ahead of the others and back … Continue reading IRL: Crushing win for Wheldon
This weekend: A1GP Mexico & IRL Homestead
Posted onThe 2007 Indy Racing League season kicks off at the Miami Homestead oval this weekend. Reigning champion Sam Hornish Jnr seeks to defend his crown from 2005 title winner Dan Wheldon. Wheldon won this round last year but then didn’t win again until the end of the season. Meanwhile A1 Grand Prix moves on to … Continue reading This weekend: A1GP Mexico & IRL Homestead
Superstars with super names
Posted onIn American racing the names Andretti and Rahal command instant respect. So it’s no surprise that Marco Andretti and Graham Rahal – teenagers both – are being touted as the next two drivers that could make it all the way to F1. Have they got what it takes?
Racing for Britain
Posted onThe committed followers of British racing have suffered a blow recently with the news that that Darren Manning has lost his IRL drive and that Adam Carroll is facing a sponsorship crisis if he is to continue his GP2 season. Both are key representatives of Britain in International Motorsport and to see them relegated to … Continue reading Racing for Britain
Wheldon to F1?
Posted onDan Wheldon’s victory in the Indy 500, his fourth win in the first five roudns of the 2005 Indy Racing League, has led to inevitable speculation that he will switch to F1. He has denied that he would be willing to make the switch with anything other than a front running team. The Briton has … Continue reading Wheldon to F1?
Flying the flag in the States
Posted onIt is perhaps a sad state of affairs that there are currently more British drivers enjoying successful careers in the Indy Racing League (IRL) and Champ Car than there are in the upper echelons of European single seater racing. Coupled with the ever-growing number of Brits in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) and other … Continue reading Flying the flag in the States