Sonoma Raceway Tag

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer SONOMA, California — Alexander Rossi fell short of capturing his first Verizon IndyCar Series championship, but he made sure to go down fighting in the season finale at Sonoma Raceway. The 26-year-old Californian’s day began on the wrong foot after a cut right front tire on the opening lap set him back for the remainder of the 85-lap contest. Although he rebounded to finish seventh in Sunday’s INDYCAR Grand Prix of Sonoma, the outcome left second in the overall standings, 57 points behind newly crowned championRead More

By INDYCAR SONOMA, California – Ryan Hunter-Reay knew what he had to do to win the INDYCAR Grand Prix of Sonoma. Scott Dixon knew what was needed to wrap up a fifth Verizon IndyCar Series championship. Mission accomplished on both fronts. Hunter-Reay led 80 of 85 laps at Sonoma Raceway in a commanding performance to win the 2018 season finale from the pole position. Dixon started second and finished there, which was more than enough to secure the season crown. “Man, this is so awesome!” said Dixon, whose five championshipsRead More

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer SONOMA, California — Neither of the IndyCar Series title contenders scored bonus points as Ryan Hunter-Reay snatched the Verizon P1 Pole Award for the INDYCAR Grand Prix of Sonoma at Sonoma Raceway Saturday. For the three drivers who are hunting down points leader Scott Dixon, their tasks became increasingly difficult after the New Zealander’s qualifying effort. He’ll start alongside Hunter-Reay in second, with Josef Newgarden following as the highest of the chasing trio after qualifying third. The reigning series champion kept his strong pace from FridayRead More

By Josh Farmer, Contributing Journalist SONOMA, California – Life just keeps getting better for Verizon IndyCar Series rookie Patricio ‘Pato’ O’ Ward. Two weeks removed from claiming the 2018 Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tire championship, O’Ward qualified fifth for his first Verizon IndyCar Series race in tomorrow’s IndyCar Grand Prix of Sonoma. The result has the 19-year-old from Monterrey, Mexico surrounded by former series champions, Indianapolis 500 winners and in the middle of a championship fight heading into his first IndyCar race. “I honestly don’t know what to think aboutRead More

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer SONOMA, California — Ryan Hunter-Reay has consistently been the best of the non-title contenders these past two days and proved it with a time of 1:17.627, earning him his sixth career Verizon IndyCar Series pole for Sunday’s IndyCar Grand Prix of Sonoma at Sonoma Raceway. Not only it was a long-time coming for the former champion, scoring an elusive pole at the 2.385-mile road course, but its his first INDYCAR pole since Long Beach in 2014. The Floridian was congratulated with a hug and a kissRead More

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer SONOMA, California — It was a share of laughs and soaking in the greatest opportunity that a racer has worked their heart and soul for – reaching the highest ladder in American open wheel racing. That was the story behind Harding Racing teammates and INDYCAR debutants Colton Herta and Patricio O’Ward’s Friday press conference at Sonoma Raceway. The Road to Indy alumni were teammates at Andretti Autosport in Indy Lights, and just wrapped up an intense championship battle which wrapped up two weeks ago at PortlandRead More

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer SONOMA, California — The answer is simple, it’ll take chaotic circumstances, and having a picture perfect weekend for championship contenders Alexander Rossi, Josef Newgarden and Will Power to prevent Scott Dixon from capturing his unprecedented fifth Verizon IndyCar Series championship at Sonoma Raceway. Among the three title chasers, Rossi is the closest to Dixon, trailing the points leader by 29 points and in many people’s eyes, the best among the three in terms of catching Dixon. Heading into Saturday, he has the most work to doRead More

By INDYCAR SONOMA, California – Practice day at the INDYCAR Grand Prix of Sonoma did little to suggest a favorite among the four remaining contenders for the 2018 Verizon IndyCar Series championship. After two practices Friday in preparation for the season finale at Sonoma Raceway, points leader Scott Dixon was third on the combined-session timesheet. He was sandwiched by Team Penske teammates Josef Newgarden and Will Power, each 87 points behind the four-time champion and holding glimmering hopes for the title. Alexander Rossi, 29 points out of the lead, cameRead More

By Josh Farmer, Contributing Journalist SONOMA, California – Scott Dixon’s unblemished championship run looked even better during Friday’s opening practice sessions for the INDYCAR Grand Prix of Sonoma. The driver of the No. 9 PNC Bank Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing ended the day behind fellow title rival and reigning Verizon IndyCar Series champion Josef Newgarden. Dixon, who holds a 29-point lead over Alexander Rossi heading into Sunday’s race, noted that the lack of grip on the 2.385-mile road course made finding an ideal setup quite challenging. “I think everybody hasRead More

By Josh Farmer, Contributing Journalist SONOMA, California — Tony Kanaan will reach another milestone in his illustrious Indy car career as he makes his record 300th straight start – a record that began at Portland International Raceway in 2001. With 17 wins, Kanaan’s 21-year Indy car career has seen many peaks. The highest point arguably came in 2004 when he captured the championship and completed every lap in a season, a record that still stands. While he didn’t appreciate the magnitude of the situation then, it is something that the 43-year-oldRead More