Dan Weldon wins at Homestead-Miami Speedway

Target Chip Ganassi scores a 1-2 finish at Homestead-Miami in the season opener for the Indy Racing League. Weldon's dominant victory in Miami could be a preview of things to come in 2007 with Target Chip Ganassi Racing, especially with teammate, Scott Dixon finishing second.

Here's the top 10 results:

1. Dan Weldon -- Ganassi
2. Scott Dixon -- Ganassi
3. Sam Hornish Jr. -- Penske
4. Vitor Meira -- Panther
5. Tony Kanaan -- Andretti Green
6. Ed Carpenter -- Vision
7. Dario Franchitti -- Andretti Green
8. Tomas Scheckter -- Vision
9. Helio Castroneves -- Penske
10. Buddy Rice -- Dreyer and Reinbold

Read the Indy Racing League race report from Homestead-Miami Speedway

Ferrari F1 at Tractor Launch Event

Here is a short video clip (no sound, sorry) of the new Ferrari. They focused heavily on a tiny logo on the news for Case International, a company that manufactures farming tractors with traditional red paint jobs. Farming in Formula One are certainly an unexpected combination.

Honda goes Green in Formula One

Honda F1 announced that they will replace advertising on their car this season with a giant picture of the Earth to raise awareness for environmental issues. The car was unveiled in London by Honda drivers, Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello.

Furthermore, Honda launched a new website, www.myearthdream.com, to launch a charity campaign for the environment. A 360° photo is available on the site.

Danica Patrick, Marco Andretti Rivalry???

I read an article today by Mike Brudenell of the Detroit Free Press. He claims that Indy Racing League fans are anticipating a big rivalry between Danica Patrick and Marco Andretti.

I'm posing a question for my readers, is this a true IndyCar rivalry or media hype?

Shouldn't a true rivalry be competitors on different teams? Or maybe, they are teammates on Saturday and rivals on Sunday. What would Andretti Green Racing team owners Kim Green, Michael Andretti, and Kevin Savoree have to say about it?

Anyhow, here's the article: Dream Duel: Patrick versus Andretti

Let's hear what you think! Post your comments below.

Formula One drivers nominated for the Laureus Award

Three Formula One drivers have been nominated for the 2007 Laureus Awards. The British awards are very prestigious throughout Europe.

Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso have both been nominated for Sportsman of the Year. Formula One driver, Lewis Hamilton, was nominated for World Breakthrough of the Year, reserved for up-and-coming stars. He won based on his championship GP2 Series title.Lewis Hamilton has been nominated for the British 2007 Laureus World Breakthough of the Year Award following his GP2 series title.

Juan Pablo Montoya Adjusts Well to NASCAR

Once again, Grand Prix Champ doesn't cover NASCAR, but how can we resist reporting that former formula 1 driver, Juan Pablo Montoya, has captured his first win in NASCAR. He is racing part-time in the NASCAR Busch series, which visited Mexico City this weekend. On the Mexico City road course he gave fellow open wheel road course specialist, and Chip Ganassi teammate, Scott Pruett, a tap in the rear bumper sending him for a spin. Montoya went on to win, relegating Pruett to fifth.

The Sacramento Bee covered it with the story "Montoya Masterful in Mexico"

Formula One Season Preview 2007

I ran across this blog entry on a website that has nothing to do with Formula One, but it did have a quality F1 preview for 2007. Here's an excerpt, and the link.

"A new Formula One season is upon us and with new drivers joining new teams; this year’s championship could be the most unpredictable in the 56 years of the sport. Seven times world champion Michael Schumacher has left Formula One after announcing his retirement late last year. His presence will be sadly missed on the grid this season but two likely drivers could take over the role as the greatest – Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen. Both superstars have switched teams for 2007, with the double world champion joining Team McLaren Mercedes and the Finn joining Scuderia Ferrari respectively. It will be fascinating to see how well these two drivers will get on racing in their new cars, the MP4-22 and F2007 in this 17-race calendar."

Read the full 2007 Preview for Formula One

Super Aguri postpones launch of new car

Super Aguri have postponed the launch of their new Formula One car by two days.

The back-of-the-grid team, which is owned by former Grand Prix driver Aguri Suzuki, had been scheduled to unveil their SA07 in Tokyo on March 12.

But they have now elected to hold the launch from their pit garage at the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne on March 14 – just two days before practice gets underway for the Australian Grand Prix.

"We are working relentlessly to prepare our 2007 challenger which will unfortunately not be available for presentation on March 12 in Tokyo as originally planned," said a team statement.

The SA07, which will be raced by Britain's Anthony Davidson and Japan's Takuma Sato, is expected to attract controversy due to its similarity to Honda's 2006 car.

Rival team bosses, spearheaded by Williams chief Sir Frank Williams and Spyker's Colin Kolles, have threatened to take action against Super Aguri if they believe the car is deemed not to be exclusively of the team's own design.

source: Eurosport - Jamie O'Leary

Eleven Teams Will Compete in Formula One in 2007

Again in 2007, eleven teams will compete in Formula One.

A few changes and notes of interest from last season include:

• Champion Fernando Alonso moves from Renault to McLaren.
• McLaren second driver is Lewis Hamilton who replaces Pedro de la Rosa. Pedro de la Rosa remains with McLaren as a test driver.
• Rookie Heikki Kovalainen moves into the seat vacated by Fernando Alonso, and notable rookie Nelson Piquet Jr. and veteran Ricardo Zonta will test for Renault.
• Ferrari's Felipe Massa is officially the number one driver, relegating Kimi Räikkönen to an unfamiliar number two seat. Räikkönen moves to Ferrari from McLaren following the retirement of Michael Schumacher.
• The new team for this season is Spyker, the Dutch sportscar maker. They purchased Midland F1 in September. They will be running with Ferrari engines.

Below are the teams and their drivers, with their primary driver listed first. Drivers in their first full season are designated with (R).

• McLaren -- Fernando Alonso -- Lewis Hamilton(R)
• Renault -- Giancarlo Fisichella -- Heikki Kovalainen(R)
• Ferrari -- Felipe Massa -- Kimi Räikkönen
• Honda -- Jenson Button -- Rubens Barrichello
• BMW Sauber -- Nick Heidfeld -- Robert Kubica(R)
• Toyota -- Ralf Schumacher -- Jarno Trulli
• Red Bull -- David Coulthard -- Mark Webber
• Williams -- Nico Rosberg -- Alexander Wurz
• Toro Rosso -- Vitantonio Liuzzi -- Scott Speed
• Spyker -- Christijan Albers -- Adrian Sutil(R)
• Super Aguri -- Takuma Sato -- Anthony Davidson(R)

Gatorz signs Sam Hornish Jr. a new three year endorsement

IBF 1 Corp. and its subsidiary, Gatorz, is pleased to announce that Sam Hornish Jr. has signed a new three year endorsement contract and has agreed to join the Corporation's board of directors.

Gatorz is a private company, wholly owned by IBF 1 Corp. carrying on the business of designing, manufacturing, distributing and marketing aircraft brushed billet aluminum and plastic action performance eyewear, including sunglasses and accessories targeted to the auto racing, motorcycle, motocross, sky diving and other sports fans and enthusiasts.

Kerry Lynch, President of Gatorz said "We are pleased and proud to take our long standing endorsement relationship for our sunglasses with Sam, to the strategic level with such a fine outstanding person". Kerry added "Rarely does the brand footprint of a company and its corporate values dovetail with the values of a high profile and successful athlete as it does in this instance".

Gatorz eyewear products are marketed through traditional advertising channels as well as certain contractual endorsements by celebrity athletes including Marco and Michael Andretti, Kurt Busch, Sam Hornish Jr., and Alex Tagliani.

source: Gatorz

Formula One Championship Edition available for PS3

The first reviews for the new Sony PS3 console video game Formula One Championship Edition seemed to be favorable. It kind of makes me wish I had a PS3. The graphics are outstanding and the gameplay is very good according to reviewers. Online racing is also available. Here's a few links if you're interested:

Formula One Championship Edition official game site.

A review of Formula One Championship Edition on gamezone.com

Buy Formula One Championship Edition on Amazon

Flavio Briatore calls Formula One "very boring"

Here is an excerpt from the story reported on Bloomberg.com.

Flavio Briatore, who led Renault SA to the past two Formula One titles, said races should be shortened from their current 1 1/2 hours because his French team and Ferrari dominate the motor sport.

"The last 30 minutes are very boring,'' Briatore said in an interview in London. Formula One has to "improve our performance for TV because the income comes from TV.''

"If the race is normal the way we operate, the two quick cars are in front and it's not so exciting,'' he said. "It is good only if something unexpected happens, or if it's raining.''

source: Alex Duff and Marco Langmann (Bloomberg)

Read the full story: Briatore, After Title Wins, Says Formula One Is `Very Boring'

Michael Andretti will run at Indy

The co-owner of Andretti Green Racing and past Champ Car champion will test his skill again at the Indianapolis 500. Michael Andretti has never won the Indianapolis 500. He did finish second (1991) once and last year finished third directly behind his son Marco Andretti.

Michael Andretti retired from full-time racing three years ago, but came out of retirement for one race last season and had a strong showing. This season Marco, Michael, and Danica Patrick will all be driving for Andretti Green Racing after finishing second, third, and fourth respectively in 2006.

Source: The Associated Press

The List: Best American Non-NASCAR Drivers (SI/CNN)

Here's a top 10 List published by Sports Illustrated and CNN of the Best American Non-NASCAR Drivers.

1. John Force -- NHRA
2. Sam Hornish Jr. -- IRL
3. Marco Andretti -- IRL
4. Steve Kinser -- World of Outlaws
5. Kenny Bernstein -- NHRA
6. Tony Schumacher -- NHRA
7. Michael Andretti -- IRL
8. Scott Speed -- Formula One
9. Gary Scelzi -- NHRA
10. Danica Patrick -- IRL

Editor's note: I'm right there with them on a couple, but I question others. Sam Hornish Jr. and Steve Kinser, no question, they've been completely dominant throughout their careers. I'm not a big fan of drag racing, but John Force and Kenny Bernstein have seen similar dominance. I know Michael Andretti is planning to run Indy, but this list looks like to me a list of active drivers and I don't consider one race a year as active. Marco Andretti, Scott Speed and Danica Patrick are all young and talented, but besides being great marketing commodities, all of them are unproven as of now.

Let's hear your arguments, or maybe even another top 10 list.

Perhaps the top 10 "best Americans of all time" or maybe a top 10 non-NASCAR list that includes foreign drivers running in American series.

One last thought, where it is Boris Said? I know he's part time NASCAR, but as I remember Steve Kinser has been behind the wheel of a NASCAR vehicle on a few occasions.

March 2007 -- Auto Racing Schedule of Events

For most open-wheel auto racing, the season begins in March. Formula One, IndyCar, and the Indy Pro Series kickoff their seasons. Champ car and Atlantic series finish testing. The schedule also includes other racing series and related events. Formula One, IndyCar, and Champ Car races are in bold.


March 4 -- Busch Series -- Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez , Mexico City -- 1:30 p.m. Eastern -- ESPN2
March 7 -- Atlantic Series -- Spring Training -- Laguna Seca
March 10 -- Champ Car -- Spring Training -- Laguna Seca
March 10 -- Busch series -- Las Vegas motor Speedway -- 2:30 p.m. Eastern -- ABC
March 11 -- NASCAR -- Las Vegas Motor Speedway -- 4 p.m. Eastern -- FOX
March 16 -- NASCAR trucks -- Atlanta motor Speedway -- 8:30 p.m. Eastern -- SPEED
March 17 -- Busch series -- Atlanta motor Speedway -- 2:30 p.m. Eastern -- ABC
March 18 -- Formula 1 -- Australian Grand Prix -- 10 p.m. Eastern -- SPEED
March 18 -- NASCAR -- Atlanta Motor Speedway -- 1:30 p.m. Eastern -- FOX
March 24 -- Indy Pro Series -- Homestead Miami Speedway -- 5 p.m. Eastern -- ESPN2
March 24 -- IndyCar -- Homestead Miami Speedway -- 8 p.m. Eastern -- ESPN2
March 24 -- Busch series -- Bristol motor Speedway -- 2:30 p.m. Eastern -- ABC
March 25 -- NASCAR -- Bristol Motor Speedway -- 1:30 p.m. Eastern -- FOX
March 31 -- NASCAR trucks -- Martinsville Speedway -- 3 p.m. Eastern -- FOX