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I Am Indy

racing news

Emerson Fittipaldi to Drive Corvette Z06 E85 Concept Pace Car at 2008 Indy 500

The General's bargain brand will again be running Indianapolis Motor Speedway as the official pace car for the Indy 500. This year — the 92nd running of the race — there'll be two Corvettes serving as the official pace cars. Pace car numero uno is a customized Chevrolet Corvette Z06 concept that runs on E85 ethanol and will be driven during the race's pace lap by two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Emerson Fittipaldi. The second pace car will be the Corvette 30th Anniversary Pace Car featuring a black exterior with silver graphics honoring the 1978 model - no word yet on who'll be driving that one. How do we put our hat in the ring? Full press release after the jump.

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detroit grand prix

Helio's Still The Man, Snags The Big Pole For Detroit Grand Prix IndyCar Race

Yup, Helio's still the man — mostly because now he's sitting atop the pole for tomorrow's IndyCar race with a speed of 103.401 mph for Team Penske. That's almost as hot as the two lovely ladies he had with him last year at Indy. [Detroit News]

pebble beach concours

Vintage Indy Roadsters at Monterey Historics

The acrid odor of burning methanol filled the air at the 34th Monterey Historics during a practice session at the event, which this year celebrates the heritage of Indy's Roadster era. Also on deck for the weekend are IMSA and Can-Am monsters of history. The newest car in the entire group of 400 cars is 1981 Porsche 935K4, with a 1914 Mercer taking up the slack. Stick around as we turn on the racing way back machine over the next few days.

i am indy

Dario Franchitti Doesn't Blame Dan Wheldon For This Scary IndyCar Crash At Michigan Speedway


Dario Franchitti went for what can only be described as a frightening ride flight at Michigan International Speedway yesterday as Franchitti's car got touched hard in the rear by Dan Wheldon on lap 143 of the rain-delayed Firestone Indy 400. We're told Tony Kanaan won the race — but the highlight's got to be Franchitti flying through the air with the greatest of ease, and landing top side down atop Scott Dixon's car. Although we're pretty sure he probably didn't enjoy the inappropriate touching of his rear end too much, Franchitti's not blaming Wheldon. He's a better man than us — we'd be pretty pissed if we got rear-ended on the track.

indy 500

That Psychedelic 70s Car Show

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway itself is putting out the call to all unique and unusual rides from the 70s. Owners are encouraged to roll in and help celebrate the 91st running of the Indianapolis 500 at the Psychedelic 70s Car Show, from May 18th to 20th. As a Sunday bonus the entire group will be invited out onto the Brickyard for a parade lap. Brush the dust off that 1976 Mercury Bobcat, break out the 8-Tracks, and register before May 11th. More »

i am indy

I Am Indy: Chevrolet's 2007 Indianapolis 500 Corvette Pace Car Replica

Last year we were lucky enough to be feted by the General down at the Indy 500, getting a taste of beer the way it was meant to be served — dripping down our forehead after a half-empty found our noggin an appealing target. Otherwise, it was an amazing experience and although I don't necessarily understand why someone would want to drive around in a Corvette decaled-up to look like the "Official Pace Car" for the race, I understand that some people do like to roll like that. That's why Chevy's creating several identically prepped and "uniquely trimmed" 'vette 'verts, all in the new Atomic Vomit Orange paint with gold ribbon graphics. On a performance level, they'll be equipped with the Corvette's standard LS2 small-block V-8 and Z51 performance package. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, with the six-speed paddle-shift automatic optional. And with pricing at the much-higher-than-standard $69,995 MSRP for the manny tranny version and $68,245 for the paddle-shift model, with no performance enhancements — you better really like decals and pinstriping. Gallery below and release after the jump. More »


i am indy

Indy, We Were: Knew It Was Hot...But Hot Enough To Kill?


So we totally were amazed at the pit stains down in Indy. We don't mean the oil spills in the pits where the racers get the new tires, fuel and what-not — although there was more than enough of that — instead, we're talking more about the arm-pit stains from the oppressive heat on race day and at the parade the day before. Well, it turns out it wasn't just wardrobe-wetting — it was deadly. James "vince" Vinson, the co-owner of a bar outside of Cincy was down at the speedway with friends. He decided to stay in the car for a bit after complaining of being a bit "tired." More »

i am indy

I am Indy: This Is What A Pit Stop Is Supposed To Be

Before Sam Hornish tried to drive off with the fuel hose and fuel man still attached to his car in this year's Indy 500, the Penske team actually had a couple of successful pit stops. And by successful we mean they changed all four tires, added fuel, and didn't break anything. Also, the blonde you can barely see at the end is Hornish's high school sweetheart and wife. She's nice. More »

i am indy

I am Indy: Ride, Sammy, Ride!


Sam Hornish Jr. won the Indy 500, and here's how he ended up making Marco Andretti look like, well, a 19-year old rookie. He qualified first, but a seemingly un-passable Dan Wheldon dominated most of the race with Hornish sitting back around third. Then — distaster struck. During a late-race pit stop a fuel hose got jammed in the car, broke apart, and spilled fuel all over the pit lane. But oh wait, it got worse...
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i am indy

I Am Indy: Trying To Make Lance With Us, Leather


So we're told this is a really exciting race. Something about Michael Andretti leading his son and then his son passing the old man's ass and Hornish on both their asses. One of us is pretty excited about this, but the other one of us was too busy making sure the excited one was working hard — real hard — to try to get some love of the Berman catch-phrase onto the TV. This may have been the closest we came. More »

i am indy

I Am Indy: Tomas Parties Hard -- Car Hardly Running; Also Watching IndyCar Is Dangerous


So our boy Tomas was out on the town Friday night at some club party being hosted by Extra! — now it looks like his cars not running so much at all. The pace car's out and it's all cause of our main man TS — oh and by the way — next time can you try to keep the pieces of your car from going into the stands? Cause that's totally not a good way to build a fan base. More »

i am indy

I Am Indy: Yes, We're Stuck In The Corporate Hospitality Suite With You


So here's our concept. I'm eating in the corporate hospitality suite — Austin's watchin' the race and I'm watchin' via Austin — all through the wonders of instant messenger. Here' s our convo: More »

i am indy

I Am Indy: Lady and Gentlemen Start Your Engines, Sorry PJ -- You're Done.


We're just getting off of the track — we were there for the engine start — and have some amazing content. Already there's been a crash — P.J. Chesson's out in a not-as-stunning as NASCAR crash in the first lap. We'll be up with pipin' hot content for yo' sexy auto-lovin' eyes in a moment. More »

i am indy

I Am Indy: Let's Get It Started, Hot!


So, we decided with two and a half hours to go its high time we quit the shenanigans and cover the race — so to start we're providin' a fun and nouveau way of dropping the "starting grid" — a term we just learned today — with pics from yesterday's parade. See, Chevy's like this big sponsor of Indy stuff — and they provided a crap-load-a SSRs to truck the racers through the parade. So, in honor of Chevy using low-selling trucks to cart racers around — here's our montage of the Indy racers, by row. Also, remember to check back all day starting at 1 PM EST as our bad boys Mike and Austin report the race from the coziness of corporate hospitality suites on the infield. Plus, Ray's gonna get his first taste of the hotness — and dirtiness — of the Indy infield. It'll be hot, apparently just like our pit passes. More »

i am indy

I am Indy: We Keep Our Children on Leashes


This is wrong on so many levels. This photo was taken at the speedway yesterday, but we also saw three other tethered kids at the parade. Apparantly Indiana - like Disneyworld - is a place where responsible, attentive child-rearing is totally optional. Can't be bothered to watch the little rugrat? Hey, just put them on a leash. So it looks like parenting at Indy is a lot like dog ownership, except that the tykes don't spend all their time licking their own genitalia. Also, are we the only ones who feel disgusted and somewhat dirty about the racial umm...connotations...brought up by the situation. We think we just vomited in our mouths a little. More »

i am indy

I am Indy: Running 'Round the Brickyard

Here's a bit of Indy to keep y'all settled until we get an opportunity to get over to the track this morning. It answers the question held by motor and motor sports enthusiasts alike: What's the coolest job ever? Well, how about being the guy that makes regular cars into pace cars, like Gary Mulder does for Chevrolet. He took us for a hot lap around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in this year's pace car, the Corvette Z06, and we videotaped all four corners. Check it out! Also remember to keep refreshing this page so you can get all the fresh n' not-so-clean coverage as we take to the Speedway later today. We'll specifically be live-blogging the race in a different and cool way — we hope you'll love it. More »