All posts by Joey Barnes

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief INDIANAPOLIS – Alexander Rossi led final practice with a lap of 231.249 mph before qualifying begins for the 100th Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil. The Andretti Autosport rookie continues to impress with his overall pace during the week of preparation for the milestone event, while some of his Rookie of the Year rivals have stumbled. Just minutes into the session, Max Chilton spun and found the Turn 2 wall and will likely have to go to a backup car for qualifying on Saturday afternoon.Read More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief INDIANAPOLIS – Max Chilton crashed in the middle of Turn 2 during pre-qualifying practice for the 100th Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil. The practice session was delayed most of the morning due to overnight rain, taking much of the morning to dry the track and pushing back the day’s track activities. The 25-year-old became the second rookie to wreck this week, with reigning Indy Lights champion Spencer Pigot also finding the Turn 1 wall on Wednesday. Chilton knocked down a lap of 228.359 mphRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief INDIANAPOLIS – Every year Indianapolis Motor Speedway provides some sort of dramatic flair during qualifications for the Indianapolis 500. With this year’s 100th running likely being no different, here are the heavy hitters expected to contend for pole at the milestone event. 1) Will Power – The Team Penske veteran and last year’s runner-up in the Indy 500, Power electrified the time sheets on Fast Friday with a speed of 232.672 mph. The pace was strong enough to jump to the top of the timesheets andRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief INDIANAPOLIS – Max Chilton has seen it all. Throughout his career, the 25-year-old has raced around the globe in some of the greatest disciplines motor racing has to offer. Chilton has competed in some of the most glamorous and prestigious of places, including the Monaco Grand Prix and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. However, on Sunday May 29, 2016, the Brit will enjoy the best of them all, the Indianapolis 500. Chilton wasn’t raised on a blend of ovals and road courses while progressing upRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief INDIANAPOLIS – Rick Mears is arguably one of the greatest drivers at the Indianapolis 500 and for team owner Roger Penske. The four-time Indianapolis 500 champion has enjoyed several special moments at the 2.5-mile oval, but aside from his victories, one of Mears’ favorite memories was his first pole. The legendary driver jetted to the top of the pylon in 1979, the same year he won his first Indy 500, in a Penske PC-6. Recalling the joyous memory, Mears shared it with the media on FastRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief INDIANAPOLIS – With his IndyCar future hanging in the balance, Gabby Chaves has silenced any doubters thus far during the Month of May. The 22-year-old found himself out of a ride when his team, Bryan Herta Autosport, merged with Andretti Autosport and decided to plug in Alexander Rossi, last year’s lone American Formula 1 standout. Available rides came and went for the 2015 Verizon IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year, and as the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 drew closer options looked bleak for Chaves.Read More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief INDIANAPOLIS – Verizon IndyCar Series rookie Spencer Pigot took a hard hit heading into Turn 1 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway during Wednesday afternoon’s Indy 500 practice. The reigning Indy Lights Series champion’s Honda spun completely around on corner entry, hitting the wall with the left side of the car, receiving heavy damage but not catching air while becoming the first driver to crash during preparations for the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500. Most notably, this was the first accident with the domed skids on theRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief Graham Rahal came from the back of the field to score an incredible fourth-place result in the Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis on Saturday. The 27-year-old qualified third, but his time was disallowed after failing post-qualifying technical inspection for not meeting the minimum car weight requirements. Following a frantic start, Rahal began his march forward. The Ohio native leaped into the top 10 by lap 21 after flying by rookie teammate Spencer Pigot  and during an exchange of pit stops Rahal managed to lead twoRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief James Hinchcliffe returned to the scene of the crime to score a third-place finish in the Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis on Saturday. Almost one year ago the Canadian encountered a suspension failure while practicing in preparation for the Indianapolis 500. The mechanical issue was nearly fatal for Hinchcliffe, but after a long season spent on the sidelines he returned to the cockpit of the No. 5 Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda for the start of the 2016 season. Hinchcliffe started the day from third andRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief IndyCar officially announced its return to Watkins Glen this afternoon at Indianapolis Motor Speedway as a last minute add-on to the schedule following the loss of the Grand Prix of Boston. There were several reasons that Boston never got off the ground despite a lot of built up anticipation for the Labor Day Weekend street course event, but instead of looking at the negative of losing a race, the focus should shift on the positive. Watkins Glen has been a historical playground for many series overRead More