joey barnes Tag

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief FORT WORTH, Texas – Verizon IndyCar Series star Josef Newgarden has suffered a fractured right clavicle and a small fracture in his right hand following a horrifying crash in the Firestone 600 at Texas Motor Speedway. The incident happened on the exit of Turn 4 of the 1.5-mile oval when Newgarden was making a move to the outside of rookie Conor Daly, who lost the backend of his No. 18 Dale Coyne Racing Honda before sliding into the Tennessee native. The two made contact as NewgardenRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief INDIANAPOLIS – Verizon IndyCar Series rookie Alexander Rossi gambled and saved just enough fuel to capture one of the most improbable victories in Indianapolis 500 history. The 24-year-old started 11th and showed flashes of pace while fluctuating in and around the top 10 for most of the afternoon. Josef Newgarden, Tony Kanaan and Carlos Munoz were all players late in the running, but with a green flag run that extended just beyond their reach, it brought different players to the game. Rossi restarted ninth on lapRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief INDIANAPOLIS – Marco Andretti has the look of someone who is ready. The 29-year-old has endured a mass of problems that have plagued the potential of his No. 27 Snapple Honda during practice and qualifying leading up to the 100th Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil. Andretti got bumped out of the Fast Nine Shootout, then was hindered with no fifth gear during his qualifying run the next day, but still managed to record the 14th best time. Overall, practice sessions haven’t been ideal either,Read More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief INDIANAPOLIS – Spencer Pigot is preparing for his third career Verizon IndyCar Series start and first in the Indianapolis 500, but the focus for racing’s top prize remains the same. The reigning Indy Lights champion is taking everything in for his first Month of May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, finally realizing the dream of a lifelong goal. “Yeah, the Indy 500 is the one race I’ve always wanted to be a part of,” Pigot told Motorsports Tribune.“I know I share that with pretty much everyRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief INDIANAPOLIS – Max Chilton has been in the Verizon IndyCar Series for only a short time, but already the rookie has noticed its growing popularity. In one week, the former Formula 1 driver will pilot the No. 8 Gallagher Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet and embark on his first career Indianapolis 500. The 25-year-old has appearances at the famed Monaco Grand Prix, but admitted that he has “enjoyed” the challenge of oval racing. Following his departure from F1, Chilton raced in Indy Lights, the undercard to theRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief INDIANAPOLIS – James Hinchcliffe soared to the top of the pylon in one of the most dramatic Indy 500 qualifying sessions in recent memory, solidifying himself into the Fast Nine Shootout with a chance to win the pole on Sunday for the 100th Indianapolis 500 on May 29, 2016. Hinchcliffe’s first qualifying attempt wasn’t fast enough to advance, but in the final 30 minutes of the session the Canadian went out again and put down an electrifying four lap average of 230.946 mph in his No.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 Bobby Labonte has enjoyed a part-time driver role for the past several seasons in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, but the 51-year-old admitted he would consider the option to go racing in the Truck Series full-time if it made sense. Labonte, the 2000 Sprint Cup Series champion, hasn’t raced in the Truck Series since 2007, but in 10 career starts possesses one win and five top 10’s. “It is absolutely something that we have talked about and met with some people about,” said Labonte. “Again, everythingRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief The true comeback story of 2016 in the Verizon IndyCar Series thus far has to be that of Simon Pagenaud. The Frenchman has enjoyed a stellar start to the season, scoring two runner-up finishes and back-to-back wins in the opening four rounds of the Verizon IndyCar Series championship. Pagenaud, who has led 160 of 530 laps this season, has seen a resurrection of sorts after his first season with Team Penske didn’t go according to plan. So what made last year so abysmal for the 31-year-old?Read More