• 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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    10:45 AM on Thu Dec 27 2007
    By Ray Wert
    2,576 views, 15 comments

    Latest by FЯeeMan is slowly cЯawling out of the new commenting system: The Official Pace Car is supposed to be produced in Indiana, so that would include a bunch o' Subarus and more »

  • 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]

    5:15 PM on Sat Sep 1 2007
    By Ray Wert
    586 views, Comment

  • 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.

    6:00 PM on Fri Aug 17 2007
    By Mike Bumbeck
    1,492 views, 8 comments

    Latest by dorkusmaximus: @TomAnderson: I totally agree. While the modern day open wheel car is a tech marvel and a fine example of more »

  • 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.

    8:30 AM on Mon Aug 6 2007
    By Ray Wert
    5,536 views, 26 comments

    Latest by 3304HL: Kentucky -- two weeks in a row!I can't believe the broadcasters tried to place blame on Matsuura. Dario should look for more »

  • 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. – Mike Bumbeck More »

    3:30 PM on Wed May 2 2007
    By Mike Bumbeck
    1,217 views, 10 comments

    Latest by larsenf: @pjsammy: now the only difference between IRL and CART is cart went bankrupt in 2003. 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. – Ray Wert More »

    11:50 AM on Thu Feb 1 2007
    By Ray Wert
    3,803 views, 6 comments

    Latest by camp6ell: so the auto is cheaper? does anyone know the percentage of automatics being cheaper than manuals in cars which offer more »

  • news: racing

    It's Black, It's Sort of Sleek, It Looks Fast: Danica Shows off New Car

    AP /Julio Cortez 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 »

    12:10 PM on Wed May 31 2006
    By Ray Wert
    362 views, 2 comments

    Latest by RoninianHoon: @Ray Wert: I know this is old, but thats a bar I frequent. That was a sad day. BTW the 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 »

    8:15 PM on Sun May 28 2006
    By Ray Wert
    95 views, Comment

  • 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...
    More »

    7:44 PM on Sun May 28 2006
    By Ray Wert
    292 views, 5 comments

    Latest by RStabb: Looks like Sammy had two more cylinders at the end. Good race. I was hoping Michael would win. Looks like his son more »