IndyCar-Part 2: 2015 And Beyond

2015 Champion Scott Dixon takes his first laps at Road America in an IndyCar during a test day at the track in preparation for the race there in 2016.  [John Wiedemann Photo]

 

Not much to report regarding IndyCar’s final 2016 schedule announcement, the naming of a new series’ competition director and other anticipated news, but we’ll leave those items for later. For now, let’s look at some 2015 left-overs.

• IndyCar managed to put a steady field of 24 cars on the track at most 2015 events. There are grid-spots for more but with financial problems rumored at some teams, 24 would be a successful number for next season. Most teams will likely stand pat with their 2015 driver lineup, but the 100^th Indianapolis celebration should bring out a few more entries than the traditional 33 at the 500, perhaps allowing a day of actual “bumping” to occur during time-trials. Question marks on the grid include 2015 Indy Lights Champion Spencer Pigot, an American who has a three-race “scholarship” ride with Bobby Rahal’s Honda squad that could expand to more races if additional sponsorship is found. Also looking for full-season rides/sponsors are Mikhail Aleshin the Russian who returned to race at Sonoma for Schmidt Peterson after sitting out most of the 2015 season while recovering from critical injuries sustained at Fontana in the 2014 finale. Also looking are Ryan Briscoe, JR Hildebrand, Conor Daly, Simona de Silvestro, James Davison, Oriol Servia and anyone who drove now-and-then for Dale Coyne.

• The death of Justin Wilson at Pocono, combined with season-ending injuries to James Hinchcliffe at Indy, brought the dangers of the sport into focus for those who thought that we had left those dangers back in the last century. Aero problems at Indianapolis that saw spinning cars rise up into the air and flip caused concern and a flurry of changes to the speedway aero packages which weren’t actively tested on the large ovals until they arrived at Indianapolis. Honda is politicking for changes to their 2016 package for competitive reasons and talk continues regarding enclosed cockpits that may have given Wilson greater protection. Racing safety has come a long way, but we constantly learn that we do have more to do.

• Double points were awarded at Indy and at Sonoma’s season finale last August. Juan Pablo Montoya led the points race from the St. Petersburg opener forward, but was edged out for the championship by Scott Dixon at Sonoma. No decision has been made for 2016, but look for at least the Indy 500 to award double points for its 100^th race.

• Major construction projects are underway at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as the facility polishes its grounds in preparation for the 100^th Indianapolis 500 next May. Grandstands, suites, gates and public gathering areas are being refurbished and modernized in anticipation of a celebratory month of May; projects that are in motion as you read this. Even four-time winner A.J. Foyt was excited last May when he talked about that upcoming 500 and his years at Indianapolis. “1955 was my first year and I had some friends come up; they gave me a ride here because I didn’t have two nickels to get up here. I sat in turn two and watched the race. I said, ‘Man, maybe someday I’ll be fortunate enough, lucky enough, to have a car (to race) and to come here,’ ” said Foyt who ran his first 500 in 1958. “Through the years I won a few races around the world, and you don’t know all of them, but you only know A.J. Foyt from one race. It’s a place that I love to come to, and I’ll continue to come here as long as I live, as long as I can…It’s hard to put it into words the way it makes a driver feel when he’s out there, knowing he’s at the greatest race in the world.” Order your tickets soon; it should be a very memorable event.

• IndyCar chose a beautiful day in September to invite fans to Wisconsin’s National Park of Speed, Road America, for a test day that would prove to be a real Home Run with a thousand fans who trekked to the four-mile Elkhart Lake road course. Drivers were amazed at the turnout and spectators were equally surprised at the paddock access they had as drivers signed autographs and posed for pictures while the crowd was allowed to roam all over the grounds. One fan noted that he was shocked to be able to park in the paddock and walk right up to the ten team haulers. Hopefully the good will generated that test day will spill over to the June 24-26 race weekend. Perhaps more events such as this would earn IndyCar more positive support and publicity.

• More 2016 news, including the schedule, are to be announced next week. Meanwhile, it’s almost November and NASCAR is still racing. It’s good someone is.