Indycar News & Rumors.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Still Helio spent more time in sportscars recently. But Helio has got so much experience in different forms of motorsport. He's come a long way from racing in British F3 and has had a very successful career in single seaters in America. And Alex Rossi has done quite a bit, just not as much as Helio. He was really going well in his early days in America and when he came over to Europe he was looking like a future star, even if it never worked out for him

And I like the fact that US racing remains unique with it's oval racing, that's part of the charm

What do you mean, ''even if it never worked out for him''? It's not as if Rossi's career is over and it's hardly surprising he hasn't done as much as Helio, he hasn't been racing for as long.

[jimclark]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

Yeah, cause a DPi is just like an Indy car. Come on, I know you like to argue but really?

That's silly. What argument? I made a statement, and stand by it.
The previous road racing experience period is more important than what type of car as opposed to having your majority of experience on ovals.

I am quite aware that a DPi is not "just like" an Indy car, however....

.....did you hear Jimmy explaining that he was glad to have the opportunity because it would help him prepare for IndyCar road courses as they drive similarly (braking and handling as opposed to a stocker)? I assume you didn't, you wouldn't have asked that question.

Having driven karts, Formula Fords, an ASA stocker, and a March 83G/Chevy, I guarantee you that the karts and FF (which, of course, had no downforce) experience, years earlier, on those road courses, was far more important than the ASA car on ovals (tho' far more powerful) to be able to drive the March.

edit: bjohnsonsmith....I think S griffith was referring to Rossi's European experience "not working out" for him, not Indycar.

[S griffin]

We compare apples and oranges at times. Of course having any type of racing experience is helpful, but some categories are so specialised that experience in other forms of motorsport count for the minimum, including Indycars

However some drivers are good in whatever category they are in. And sometimes the characters of different of forms of racing are similar that it can help. It all depends

I do have nothing but appreciation for those who are good in no matter what they do. And what you pick up early in your racing career can come in handy in whatever form of motorsport you are in. I'm sure plenty of drivers have been reminded of what they've learned in lower formulas when they've least expected it

BTW I was referring to Rossi's European experience. Great talent who was never able to show it, for whatever reason, but he's made quite a nice career in Indycar which was has been quite a change for him in some many ways

[chunterer]

Rossi showed fairly well in FR 3.5 and was up against some pretty strong opposition. I suggest that's his level. Decent pedaller but not a star. Suspect he would blow the likes of Stroll or Latifi away given the chance to do F1 properly but that's all gone for him now.

[joeb]

Pato was fastest at Sebring test yesterday:

https://racer.com/2021/02/01/oward-q...-sebring-test/

Pato O’Ward, No. 5 AMSP Chevy (51.79s)
Alexander Rossi, No. 27 Andretti Honda (51.93s)
Josef Newgarden, No. 2 Penske Chevy (52.06s)
Colton Herta, No. 26 Andretti Honda (52.06s)
Oliver Askew, No. 29 Andretti Honda (52.24s)
Felix Rosenqvist, No. 7 AMSP Chevy (52.26s)
Takuma Sato, No. 30 RLL Honda (52.30s)
Conor Daly, No. 20 ECR Chevy (52.31s)
Graham Rahal, No. 15 RLL Honda (52.36s)
Rinus VeeKay, No. 21 ECR Chevy (52.36s)
Will Power, No. 12 Penske Chevy (52.36s)
Simon Pagenaud, No. 22 Penske Chevy (52.38s)
Ryan Hunter-Reay, No. 28 Honda (52.46s)
Scott McLaughlin, No. 3 Penske Chevy (52.47s)

[chunterer]

Askew in the 29 Andretti?

[S griffin]

That’s what it says on the timesheets on the link

[joeb]

Originally Posted by chunterer

Askew in the 29 Andretti?

Just filling in the test role because he was already in Florida from Daytona.

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by joeb

Just filling in the test role because he was already in Florida from Daytona.

Ah! Thanks Joe 👍🏻

[peebee2]

Originally Posted by joeb

Just filling in the test role because he was already in Florida from Daytona.

Isn’t the seat free for every race apart from the 500?

[mstets]

Originally Posted by peebee2

Isn’t the seat free for every race apart from the 500?

My understanding was that it was Hinchcliffe's car. I am not sure what the team gets out of testing it with an outside driver, other than additional data points.


The Daytona 24 must have been one of the most competitive in history. There were 3-5 cars on the lead lap in most of the classes at the finish.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by mstets

My understanding was that it was Hinchcliffe's car. I am not sure what the team gets out of testing it with an outside driver, other than additional data points.


The Daytona 24 must have been one of the most competitive in history. There were 3-5 cars on the lead lap in most of the classes at the finish.

I think I heard that it was the highest number of cars to finish on the lead lap.



Back on the Indy front, I always thought it was weird to test at a track you won't race at. And why don't they run the full sebring track?

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by joeb

I think I heard that it was the highest number of cars to finish on the lead lap.



Back on the Indy front, I always thought it was weird to test at a track you won't race at. And why don't they run the full sebring track?

Think Indy cars can handle the Ullman Straight, Sunset Bend and turn 1 bumps? I think they'd be fine ONCE maybe

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by joeb

Back on the Indy front, I always thought it was weird to test at a track you won't race at. And why don't they run the full sebring track?

It's cold AF most places they do race right now. I hear there's also an airport close by for easy access.

It makes me wonder if IndyCar has rules about testing on tracks they run at? Quick search finds nothing....

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

It's cold AF most places they do race right now. I hear there's also an airport close by for easy access.

It makes me wonder if IndyCar has rules about testing on tracks they run at? Quick search finds nothing....

What, testing at Road Atlanta at 22 degrees (-5.5 for the rest of the world) right now does sound like usual data would be gathered??

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

What, testing at Road Atlanta at 22 degrees (-5.5 for the rest of the world) right now does sound like usual data would be gathered??

I think snow tires at The Glen or Road America would be fun!!

[broadrun96]

Sponsored by Boss Plows and Generac Power Systems?

[S griffin]

I would love to see those sponsors involved

[Greem]

Originally Posted by Csaba

And to start a different topic, do you have any insights about that number 51 car, planned to run partially by Rick Ware Racing?

One of my friends told me that Marshall Pruett thinks it will be a shared Coyne/Ware car, with his son, Ricky in the seat... well, a Grosjean-Ware line-up at Coyne sounds really lame for me... Also a Grosjean-Kimball one really better either

Since writing the original post, I found out that Ware has been announced as a full-time driver of the No. 51 in the NASCAR Cup series- so he can't do a full season in IndyCar too.

Grosjean indeed at Coyne/RWR (for road courses only at the moment)

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Greem

Grosjean indeed at Coyne/RWR (for road courses only at the moment)

Probably a good idea to stay clear of the ovals, not that there are many oval races on this year's calendar.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Greem

Grosjean indeed at Coyne/RWR (for road courses only at the moment)

Interesting that he was in talks to do full season before his crash. Can't blame him for wanted to get his feet wet in Indycar before trying the unique stuff.

[bjohnsonsmith]

In this interview with Motorsport.com, Grosjean hasn't completely ruled out racing at Gateway.


https://www.motorsport.com/indycar/n...paign=widget-1

[PointDSM]

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

I think snow tires at The Glen or Road America would be fun!!

They will need more than just tires! Current snow levels on course would be over the nose cone, plus and additional 10" tomorrow (that's what she said).

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by PointDSM

They will need more than just tires! Current snow levels on course would be over the nose cone, plus and additional 10" tomorrow (that's what she said).

Just imagine the rooster tails of snow after a few laps of caution behind the Wisconsin DOT plows and spreaders. Guess you won't be cutting corners with the snow bank ripping the wings off

[S griffin]

Now we are dreaming. But Indycars in the snow would be a sight to see and let's face it we've had a few races in the past in circuit racing that have been done in the snow