Backstretch Motorsports

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (Sunday, July 5) — Facing a Lap 54 restart with the Nos. 6 and 9 cars of Ryan Briscoe and Scott Dixon trailing, Dale Coyne said driver Justin Wilson had to hold off “two goliaths.” Well, that’s one for the little guys. Wilson provided Dale Coyne Racing its first IndyCar Series victory — in its 558th open-wheel racing start over 25 years - in the Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen on July 5.

Wilson, whose only previous top 10 this season was third in the opener at St. Petersburg, also was the last driver other than one from Target Chip Ganassi Racing or Team Penske to win — at Belle Isle last August with Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing. “It feels fantastic,” said Wilson, who started on the outside of the front row and led a field-high 49 laps. [read more...]

WEST ALLIS, WIS. — It’s a simple formula, really. When Target Chip Ganassi teams want a win, they leave it to Scott Dixon to provide.

The back and forth battle between the TCGR teams and the teams of Roger Penske for the 2009 IndyCar Series is the stuff of legend in the making.

Reigning IndyCar Series champion Dixon became the first driver to win for the second time in 2009, taking the checkered flag in the ABC Supply/A.J. Foyt 225 at The Milwaukee Mile ahead of 2008 race winner Ryan Briscoe. [read more...]

INDIANAPOLIS (Sunday, May 24, 2009) - An emotional Helio Castroneves choked back tears in Victory Lane after becoming the first foreign-born three-time winner of the Indianapolis 500.

The affable Brazilian performed his signature fence climb along the front straightaway after taking the checkered flag in his third race since returning to the IndyCar Series following an acquittal in federal court on charges of tax evasion. [read more...]

Demonstrating once again that the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear is a critical rung on the ladder that drivers must climb on their way from karting to the pinnacle of open-wheel racing – the Indy 500 – this year’s starting field includes a trio of top contenders, including Graham Rahal (4th), Marco Andretti (8th) and Raphael Matos (12th), the fastest rookie in the Indy 500.

Remarkably, all three were competitors in the Star Mazda Championship during the 2005 season. And they’re part of the closest qualifying field in Indy 500 history; Helio Castroneves won the pole with a 4-lap average speed of 224.864 mph and Ryan Hunter-Reay’s speed of 220.597 mph earned him the 33rd-spot in the field. From the fastest to the slowest, the field is separated by just 4.267 mph and 3.0967 seconds. [read more...]

INDIANAPOLIS (Sunday, May 17, 2009) - John Andretti and Ryan Hunter-Reay drove their way into the 2009 Indianapolis 500 with last-gasp attempts on Bump Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Taking advantage of improved conditions over Third-Day Qualifying on May 16, several drivers withdrew their times to avoid the bubble. Tomas Scheckter, Mike Conway, E.J. Viso, Nelson Philippe and Milka Duno all pulled this gamble off successfully and managed to move to safer times, while Bruno Junqueira had little trouble making the cut on his first run of the month.
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INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, May 5, 2009) - Four rookies passed the Indianapolis 500 Rookie Orientation Program as preparations began at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the 2009 Indianapolis 500. The track was open for six rookies to participate in ROP. Three veterans were allowed to complete “refresher” laps.

Mike Conway, Robert Doornbos, Raphael Matos and Alex Tagliani completed all four phases of ROP, demonstrating consistent driving through four speed ranges beginning at 200 mph and increasing in 5 mph increments. [read more...]

INDIANAPOLIS - Though four rookies competed in the first three IndyCar Series events of the season, those races were akin to dipping their feet into the water. Now, they’re about to take the plunge.

On May 5, Stanton Barrett, Mike Conway, Robert Doornbos and Raphael Matos will begin preparations for the 2009 Indianapolis 500, “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” Despite their different racing backgrounds, competing in the Indianapolis 500 has always been the ultimate goal. [read more...]

Today’s IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights headlines

1. Tale of the tape: IndyCar Series and Major League Baseball share Opening Day
2. Faces in new places
3. Drivers eager to start season at St. Petersburg
4. Firestone Indy Lights debuts new qualifying format at St. Petersburg
5. Gregory & Appel Insurance sponsors Securing Tomorrow Award
6. Carpenter, Conway keeping tabs on NCAA tourney [read more...]

Today’s IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights headlines

Luczo Dragon, Team 3G ready to battle established teams
Third Florida venue to host season opener
Schmidt expands to four-car effort with past champ Cunningham
Drivers, media offer championship picks
Schmidt, Guthrie to race sail boats
Carpenter still atop NCAA bracket

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Today’s IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights headlines

Teams ready for Open Test at Barber Motorsports Park
Hunter-Reay will share HVM seat with Viso
Foyt Racing, Team 3G substitute private tests for Barber
Green flag in orbit with Discovery
Indy Racing League nominated for Sports Business Award

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