IndyCar Category

By Josh Farmer, Contributing Journalist Ed Carpenter was disappointed, but optimistic after securing a second-place finish in the 102nd Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil. The 37-year-old Hoosier led a race-high 65 laps but ultimately came up 3.15 seconds shy of Team Penske’s Will Power when the checkered flag flew. The result was bittersweet, but a few worth celebrating. “At the end of the day we had a chance to go fight one of the best teams and drivers for the 500,” he said. “It’s something I’m proud of.Read More

By Aaron Bearden, Open Wheel Editor INDIANAPOLIS — Stefan Wilson will go down in the 102nd Running of the Indianapolis 500 record books as the 15th-place finisher. But to any who saw his performance – and especially Wilson himself – the run meant much more than the result. “It’s really emotional, actually,” Wilson said of his run. “And it’s not because I’m upset or anything, I just feel like this was an incredible month. The team did an amazing job. I can’t thank them enough.  “I just didn’t want toRead More

By INDYCAR INDIANAPOLIS – Will Power became the first Australian winner of the Indianapolis 500 with a superb drive to victory lane in today’s 102nd Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil. Driving the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, Power crossed the finish line 3.1589 seconds ahead of pole sitter Ed Carpenter to collect his first Indy 500 and the record 17th for Team Penske. It also allowed the 2014 Verizon IndyCar Series champion to become the first driver to sweep both races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, following hisRead More

By Aaron Bearden, Open Wheel Editor INDIANAPOLIS — The likely end of Danica Patrick’s career came 132 laps earlier than she’d hoped for in her final Indianapolis 500 start. Patrick was maneuvering her No. 13 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet through Turn 2 of the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval when she lost control of the machine. The Illinoisan then spun out, making contact with the Turn 2 wall before sliding to a stop in the backstretch infield. The crash would ultimately end her day and, likely, her career. “I’m okay,” sheRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief INDIANAPOLIS – Roger Penske has stated that if Helio Castroneves captures his record-tying fourth Indianapolis 500 win today that an opportunity to score a fifth awaits. Castroneves, 43, moved over the offseason to Team Penske’s Acura program in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship after 20 years racing Indy cars. However, it was always in the cards to be part of the month of May festivities at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with the INDYCAR Grand Prix and “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” The crown jewel event of theRead More

By Christopher DeHarde, Staff Writer INDIANAPOLIS— Alexander Rossi will need time. The No. 27 NAPA Auto Parts Honda starts 32nd in Sunday’s Indianapolis 500 after a slowly deflating tire on his pole day qualifying run slowed him. Two drivers -Jim Rathmann in 1957 and Mario Andretti in 1981- have finished second after starting 32nd and on Media Day Rossi was candid about how he’ll plan his attack on race day. “I’ll probably talk to Mario, I don’t think Jim’s race will be on YouTube,” said Rossi. “I don’t know what theyRead More

By Josh Farmer, Contributing Writer Ed Carpenter is setting very pretty heading into the 102nd Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil. On Sunday, the 37-year-old from Indianapolis, Indiana claimed his third Indy 500 pole with a four-lap average of 229.618 mph. The 2018 universal aero kit proved in practice that it would produce a vastly different race compared to the last few years. The cars at the front of the pack should are able to race, but the deeper in dirty air the cars are, the harder it is toRead More

By INDYCAR INDIANAPOLIS – If there’s one thing known following the final practice prior to the 102nd Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil, it’s that no one knows for sure what is going to happen in Sunday’s iconic race. Miller Lite Carb Day at Indianapolis Motor Speedway featured the traditional one-hour practice for Verizon IndyCar Series competitors – the last chance for the 33 drivers and teams to zero in on the ideal car setup for race day. Tony Kanaan, the 2013 Indy 500 winner, led the session withRead More

By Aaron Bearden, Open Wheel Editor With the 102nd Running of the Indianapolis 500 serving as the first of two double-points races of the year, there’s a lot more than just a place on the Borg Warner trophy at stake for the Verizon IndyCar Series field. But while he can’t ignore the potential risk, defending series champion Josef Newgarden isn’t worrying about points heading into what could potentially be a career-defining race. “You really don’t think about it here until after the fact,” Newgarden said. “It’s one of those things that’s in the backRead More

By Josh Farmer, Contributing Writer INDIANAPOLIS – Zach Veach has a relaxed mindset ahead of the preparation and tension heading into his second Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil. “Ready for it to happen, then we’ll take it lap by lap,” he said. In his first 500, the 23-year-old from Stockdale, Ohio started 32nd and finished 26th after a mechanical failure. With a year to reflect and landing a full-time ride with Andretti Autosport, he noted that he is very calm and cool heading into his second Indy 500.Read More