IndyCar 2014

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IndyCar – Indy 500 Qualifying: One Run to Glory

indycar-2014-indy-500-qualifying-ed-carpenter-poleOnce again, the bosses of the IndyCar series changed the format for qualifying for the Indianapolis 500. Instead of the top 24 starters locking in on Day One with the remainder of the runners locking in on Bump Day, the drivers had to lock into the field on Day One with the actual grid being set in single-run qualifying on Day Two.

However, the latest change in the qualifying format didn’t change anything from the previous Indy 500 qualifying weekend. When you’re hooked up at Indy, there’s little anyone can do to stop you. Just ask the now twice-defending Indy 500 pole winner Ed Carpenter.

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IndyCar – GP of Indianapolis: Go Right, Young Man

indycar-2014-indy-pagenaud-victoryIn the continuing struggle to reinvent the month of May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IndyCar decided that the month should open by turning right instead of left. While we can argue all day as to whether IndyCar should have a road course race at the Speedway, if they can put on an exciting event, it’ll quickly become a new May tradition.

This weekend marked the first step in reinvigorating the month of May as the stars of the IndyCar Series drove clockwise around the Speedway. The three-wide flying start was replaced with a two-wide standing start. And the checkered flag was taken by a Frenchman for only the second time in IMS history as Simon Pagenaud took the checkered flag for his first win of 2014.

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IndyCar – Alabama GP: Ryan in the Rain

indycar-2014-barber-ryan-hunter-reay-victory-laneNeither rain nor severe weather nor standing water stayed the drivers of the IndyCar Series from the swift completion of their appointed round at Barber Motorsports Park. Okay, it did a little as the race was pushed back by over two hours due to a severe rain storm and standing water.

When the race got going, it looked like Will Power was going to storm off into the distance and win his second race of the season. However, as it so often the case in inclement weather, the only person that can beat you is yourself. Power left the track early in the race which allowed Ryan Hunter-Reay to claim the lead and his first win of the season.

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IndyCar – Long Beach GP: Where Legends are Born

indycar-2014-long-beach-conway-victoryLong Beach is the most historic road course race in America. It’s the one that everyone wants to win. Even Formula One wants to take it back from IndyCar and they’re only interested in big money and big extravagance which is something that Long Beach doesn’t do to nearly the extent that F1’s newest races.

While Long Beach has a long history of making heroes out of its winners, sometimes, it’s the underdogs that have their day on the streets of the California port. This time out, it was a part-timer driving an oval-specialist’s car taking the checkered flag as Mike Conway won his second Long Beach Grand Prix.

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IndyCar – GP of St. Petersburg: Restarts Optional

indycar-2014-st-pete-power-victoryHe may not have had the best first three-quarters of the 2013 IndyCar season but Will Power closed out last season going from 11th in points to 4th. To start the 2014 campaign, he’s picking up where he left off with a win to open up the season by taking the checkered flag in St. Pete.

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