2017 IndyCar Series

IndyCar Grand Prix Series is melting tires!

The 101st running of Indy 500 blast off in 10 days and the IndyCar competition has turned the burner to high in the Grand Prix series at combined road course and Speedways.  The inaugural running occurred in 2014, but for 2017, the rule book of engagement is the biggest news, the push to pass is melting tires!  The boost button has changed, now each car will be regulated by the amount of time they push it.  This means drivers can push the button as many times as they want, as long as the total usage time is no longer than 150 seconds (for St. Petersburg, Detroit and Sonoma) or 200 seconds (all other road/street races).  Push to pass is automatically set to run for 15 seconds of boost!

Verizon IndyCar Series Car

# 9 Scott Dixion - Team Chip Ganassi 

Top Speed: Approximately 235 mph

Engine: Twin-turbocharged 2.2-liter V-6, 24 valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, Sunoco E85 (blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline), Dry sump and managed by McLaren Electronic Systems (MES) - TAG 400i 

Horsepower: Approx; 550 – 700 depending on turbo boost used at the track @ 10500-12200 rpm.  Torque output Approx; 410 N·m (302 ft·lbf) @ 8000 rpm.

Designed to last 2500 miles and a one-car/one-season engine lease in IndyCar costs in the range of $700,000.

Gearbox: Assisted six-speed paddle shift plus reverse

Tires: Firestone Firehawk (ungrooved racing slicks; grooved wet-condition tires for road/street courses)

 Wheelbase: 117.5-121.5 inches

 Weight: Approximately 1,610 pounds (road/street/short oval configuration) and 1,580 pounds (speedway configuration), without fuel, driver and driver weight equivalent

 Height: Approx 40 inches Width: 78.5 inches maximum, 77.5 inches minimum (measured outside rim to rim), floor is 79 inches (end specs)

# 22 Juan Pablo Montoya - Team Penske 

Some highlights of the 2017 IndyCar Grand Prix at Indianapolis, just smoking those Red Sticker soft slicks!  This is like NASCAR and Drag Racing rolled into open wheel!

IndyCar Series

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Speed at Indy

In 1950 the fast lap speed was 128.995 mph driven by Johnny Parsons.  Record lap speed is held by Eddie Cheever Jr. @ 236.103 mph back in 1996.

Qualifying for 2017 we've already seen several drivers having trouble with turn two.  Today May, 20th Sebastien Bourdais driving # 18 car for Dale Coyne Racing, Bourdais was a full mile per hour faster than the rest of the field at 231.534 mph.  On the third, he lost control at turn two and launched directly into the wall.

Bourdaia is recovering from surgery to repair pelvic fractures and a broken right hip.  I think it's time to open up turn one and two, in order to accommodate the tremendous speed. 

TBK Light



ED Carpenter is Second Fastest Qualifying @ 231.664 mph

Pole qualifying day at Indianapolis 500:  ED Carpenter, "The Indianapolis 500 every year is the highlight of my racing professional season. If I'm fortunate enough to qualify, this will be my 14th, which I'm very proud of. Every year I add on, the list gets smaller of guys that have done that many. Every year we've been here, we've had competitive situations. We're getting better and closer on figuring out how to win the race."

Full results from Sunday 21st, 2017. 

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Indy 500 Highlights 

This one is for you Emerson Fittipaldi (the only guy who didn't drink the milk!)

Unbelievable race!  Honda engines were smokin out there, Dixon goes airborne with an incident exiting turn one and at one point Indy turned into a NASCAR pile-up!

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