Counting down source: indycar.com / Dave Lewandowski Sixty days remain until the IndyCar Series opens its 17-race schedule at Homestead-Miami Speedway with the prime-time, 200-lap XM Satellite Radio Indy 300. Sixty days for teams and drivers to prepare through two Open Tests (Jan. 31-Feb. 1 at Daytona International Speedway and Feb. 21-22 at Homestead-Miami Speedway). Sixty days to practice pit stops, fine-tune race strategies and hone communication. Sixty days to the adrenaline rush reigning series champion Sam Hornish Jr. will feel as he climbs into the No. 6 Team Penske Dallara/Honda/Firestone for his 100th career IndyCar Series race. Sixty days until the diverse schedule of short ovals, speedways, superspeedways and road/street courses - including three new venues -- kicks off. Set aside May for the 91st Indianapolis 500 and two weeks of lead time for the event at Twin Ring Motegi (April 21) and that leaves 18 weekends for 15 races. "I think having diversity in the series, everything from road courses to short ovals to superspeedways makes the series complete," said Danica Patrick, who will take the grid in the No. 7 Motorola Dallara/Honda/Firestone for Andretti Green Racing in 60 days. "It's what attracts drivers. Back in the heyday of Indy Car racing, that's what it was, a little bit of everything. "That's what the IndyCar Series is getting back to, and I think it will be attractive to a lot of people." Sixty days until the IndyCar Series officially becomes the first in motorsports to employ a renewable, environmentally friendly and American-made fuel - 100 percent fuel-grade ethanol -- and is the first open-wheel racing body to kick off the season under the lights. Sixty days. The clock is ticking.
Recent Articles
|
Racing Multimedia
Recommendations |