A Shadow Of Things To Come?
February 12, 2004
With the season opener coming up on February 29 in Homestead Florida, the IRL will field eighteen or nineteen cars. More ominously, will the series fill the 33 car grid for the Indy 500? If not, the American public will see the sham that Tony George has turned his series into, and tune them out for the rest of the year. With so few cars every race Tony, do you really think you can expand into road racing next year? And more importantly, who will be watching?
canada.com: Indy Racing League opens season with smaller-than-hoped field
Dixon, Hornish & Castroneves
February 12, 2004
That would be the top three finishing order of final pre-season testing at Phoenix International Raceway. The surprise of the two day session was Dario Franchitti in fourth place. His Andretti Green teammates Wheldon, Herta and Kanaan finished, 5th, 6th & 7th overall. Watch out for Dan Wheldon this year, he may be the surprise of the field.
motorsport.com: IndyCar ends preseason testing in Phoenix
El Supremo Slaps Ford
February 12, 2004
And rightly so. According to Bernie Eccelstone, if you want to play with the big boys, you need to spend like the big boys. I too, have no idea what Ford’s business plan is or was when they bought out Sir Jackie’s team and entered F1.
Fords budget of 160 million is a mere shadow of Ferrari’s or McLaren’s 400 million dollar budget. As for GM entering the F1 fray, forget about it. Unfortunately, Ford or GM make no sales gains from international racing. Ford’s idea of racing under the Jaguar brand was the right approach, but with an ineffective budget, what’s the point?
homeoff1.com: Ford Are ‘Silly’ About Jaguar Project
Leave It To The Swiss
February 12, 2004
The Swiss are nothing if not enterprising. Smelling an opportunity to have potentially an exclusive European F1 race with tobacco advertising after 2005, they are moving swiftly to do just that. Does that mean in addition to slicks and wets, the teams will also need snow tires? Just kidding!
f1-live.com: Switzerland to lift ban on F1 racing
With Frank, It’s Always About The Money
February 12, 2004
Frank Williams has finally admitted that the delay in extending Baby Schu’s contract is, SURPRISE!, money. As previously expressed here, Frank has no respect for any driver when it comes down to salaries. Ralf is reportedly making 12 million a season, but the dispute is over Ralfs side sponsorship deals.
f1-live.com: Sir Frank explains why Ralf’s renewal isn’t complete
These guys don’t know what side sponsorship is all about. I just read in Autoweek that Dale Earnhardt Jr. will sell 75 million in souveneirs this year, DEI will get 12, and Dale Jr. will rake in 25 million. Why are American drivers not interested in open wheel racing, here or elsewhere? Gee, I haven’t a clue…
Daytona 500 Starting Lineup
February 12, 2004
Here’s the starting lineup for the 2004 Daytona 500.
The first row is set by the two fastest qualifying times. The next 28 positions are determined by results of the Gatorade 125 qualifying races. The next eight starters are the next fastest qualifiers. Five starting positions go to the top five cars in owner points from the previous year’s championship.
Elliott Sadler Takes Gatorade 125 No. 2
February 12, 2004
Elliott Sadler gave sponsor M&Ms candy their first-ever race win in the second of Thursday’s Gatorade 125 races.
Earnhardt Wins First Gatorade 125
February 12, 2004
The first Gatorade 125 race at Daytona got interrupted on lap 22 when Scott Riggs’ No. 10 Valvoline Chevy hit the wall in the first turns. This let everyone pit for tires and fuel. Jeff Gordon hit Kasey Kahne’s Dodge in the pits and spun Kahne, almost leading to a penaly for Kahne for spinning on pit road. NASCAR saw what happened though and allowed the rookie to continue without any official penalty.
Fisher Signs With Kelley Racing
February 12, 2004
INDIANAPOLIS (February 12, 2004)— Kelley Racing confirmed the addition of Indy Racing League® IndyCar® Series 2001, 2002 and 2003 Most Popular Driver Sarah Fisher to the team. Details on the program and its sponsors will be released at a later date.
KelleyRacing.com: Fisher Signs with Kelley Racing
Tuesday Practice Notes & Quotes
February 11, 2004
Here are various notes and quotes from drivers and others at the Tuesday practice sessions for the Daytona 500:
DALE EARNHARDT JR., NO. 8 BUDWEISER CHEVROLET - Spoke with media after the first practice session:
(ON THE TIRES) “The tires are wearing out pretty fast. Everybody has the same tires so everybody is dealing with the same problem.”