With nothing to do, Russell did the unthinkable -- attended a day at an IRL event. However, any fears of a capitulation from the founder of Deep Throttle are quickly dispelled.
Robin Miller was so focused on lobbying for one open wheel racing series that he forgot to ask an even more important question -- will we be better off with Tony George and the IRL as the leaders?
For Russell, racing is about the speed, the sound, the look, the smell, the competition, and the personalities all in a perfect combination. Without that, it's not where Russell is looking to spend his leisure time.
What happens when rich people get bored with their playthings? The fate of Bridgehampton Race Circuit is a classic example which is being repeated by Champ Car.
Champ Car has done the impossible. They have actually outdone the SCCA, which is often referred to as the Secret Car Club of America. They have made Champ Car invisible.
Driving a car is the most dangerous thing most people will ever do. Unfortunately, many do not take it seriously enough to pay attention to what they are doing as Lisa found out firsthand.
Russell wraps up his first experience at Road America talking about the racing action he saw. And, he gives us his assessment of the possibility of a return visit.
Lisa expounds upon what she wrote in Day One, talking about the future of Champ Car coverage, whether the powers that be in Champ Car want to accept it or not.
Lisa stares at the stars and reflects on what is important in life. While pondering proper perspective, she talks about talent and money in racing. Oh, and she provides an update to her wandering luggage.
This is Russell's first visit to Road America and he talks about the great viewing opportunities at this track. There are a lot of them as it is a long track, but Russell nearly conquered them all.
Lisa had a bad day. And, bad days set Lisa off. In her path is American Airline for losing her luggage and Champ Car for allegedly stifling free press and yanking Robin Miller's hard card.
This is Russell's first visit to Road America and he talks about the uniqueness of getting to a road course, including this venerable track in the Wisconsin countryside.
Lisa starts out the weekend on the wrong foot, getting into a major customer relations nightmare with Orbitz.com, who doesn't seem to care about their customer relations. But, that doesn't prevent Lisa from making her usual keen observations.
Canada is a mainstay in the Champ Car World Series. Thus, many Americans visit Canada to attend a Champ Car race. We bring you the definitive American's guide to Canada.
After a lame start to the weekend, the racing on Sunday was the best of the year. Russell recalls how he was entertained from Turn 3 from the action and the fans.
Usually the best comes last, but on a beautiful lakeside day with changes aimed to improve the spectators' enjoyment and hot action behind the grandstands, the Grand Prix of Cleveland got off to a roaring start by the shore.
Lisa tells us about a remarkable young woman from a remarkable racing family. Cody Unser may have thought she would have to give up certain things in her life, but an Unser is an Unser, and driving a racecar is what they do.
The entire Deep Throttle gang got together for the first time, and despite the appearance that they were doomed many times, the trip, like Champ Car, was a success.
Russell is at his first Long Beach Grand Prix as the event runs its 33rd edition, a significant number for the author who gives a brief history of the event.
Julie Andre scours the Las Vegas pit lane and paddock looking for drivers to answer your questions. Then, she had a few of her own to solicit drivers' thoughts on driving the new Panoz DP01 and the inaugural Vegas Grand Prix.
It has the most cars of any race, it's the last race of the weekend, and it has a field of extremely fast, competitive drivers. It has to be the feature race.
Lisa gives us the lowdown on what is hot and not hot with Champ Car as they go through Spring Training preparing to embark on a season with the new Panoz DP01.
The third installment of The Fast and the Furious movies has come out on DVD, and Russell gives the Champ Car fan the lowdown on this film about the drifting scene.
The day at the races is more like a tale of many different races, but that is all overshadowed by the horrific crash of Katherine Legge and miraculously, virtually an injury free result.
Lisa is enjoying the many changes at Road America from the seasons to driver's conditions to the weather. She also give us her wishes for the 2007 schedule and hopes to see a Great Lake.
The prima donna Californian author gets a rude awakening to classic Midwest Fall weather. But, Lisa is in Road America, so that can't dampen the spirits as she talks about the exciting Atlantic happenings.
Julie Andre scours the Denver pit lane and paddock looking for drivers to answer her questions on the new Panoz DP01, where they would like to race, the Denver circuit, and what they think about no more ovals.
Lisa has the antidote to crack of the dawn photo meetings -- four star hotels. Jolted back to reality, Lisa gives us the rundown on the day's activities and the gang's predictions for race day.
It seems traveling to Denver and Lisa just don't get along. However, she did make it to the Mile High City to tell us the mood concerning Cristiano da Matta's condition and her thoughts on the previous race's much talked about incident.
A weekend back at the races can make one forget about all the trivial matters that can make life frustrating. That was the case for Lisa as she sees hope not just at the race track, but at the new future for Champ Car.
Julie Andre scoured the Edmonton pit lane and paddock looking for drivers to answer her questions on standing starts, the F1 qualifying system, and challenges of the fast track.
Is Toronto missing some buzz? Maybe yes, maybe no. But, one thing not missing is exciting race, whether it be with the Champ Cars, the Atlantics, or even with another runaway victory by J.R. Hildebrand in Formula Ford 2000.
J.R Hildebrand continues to wow the racing world with a combination of speed, car control, and smarts. I said it at Cleveland, and I’ll say it again, you must keep your eye on this kid. He may be one of those phenoms that rarely come along.
Proving yourself right is great for an athlete. Doing it while making reporters eat crow, is that much sweeter. Nelson Philippe is showing that his move two years before Toronto is indeed paying dividends. And this reporter is forced to finally admit what was written two years ago isn’t all true.
Just like in nature, to survive in the racing world, you have to constantly adapt to the environment or perish. Jim Griffith, one of the owners of the Polestar Racing Group, knows all about adapting. From building race cars to engineering race cars to owning race teams, he's been doing it for decades, and he's been very successful at it.
The street festival model is all the rage in Champ Car, and Cleveland (finally!) has fully embraced it thanks to a new promoter. The fans enjoyed themselves, they got to see a race that will be talked about for years, and a security guard made the riskiest move of the weekend.
The young guns in the support series grabbed the headlines. The standing start returned for the Atlantics where Graham Rahal drove a brilliant race. In the FF2000 race, yet another dominating performance was turned in by an undefeated J.R. Hildebrand. In both races, the fields streamed through Turn 1 on the first lap without a scratch.
A shocking proposal stole the storyline on the first day of the Grand Prix of Cleveland where a change was for the benefit of the spectators, and a return was not necessarily for the benefit of the spectators.
Will Toyota follow suit and ultimately be bad for NASCAR? Will a possible merger be bad for Portland? On the other hand, the racing action was all good.
Julie Andre scoured the Milwaukee pit lane and paddock looking for drivers to answer her questions on what the rookies think of their first oval experience, staying in shape, the amount of power to pass, and having only one oval track on the schedule.
Julie Andre scoured the pit lane and paddock looking for drivers to answer our readers and her questions. At Long Beach, the hot topics were the effect of the changes in the Atlantic's series, concerns about the old tubs, and changes to the track.
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Kevin Kalkoven continued to work his magic during the offseason, and Sebastien Bourdais continues to work his magic in the new season.
A new season is upon us. One with new up and coming drivers, returning favorites, strong teams, and great personalities. Russell can't wait for the green flag to drop. However, it's not the series you may be expecting.
Julie Andre scours the Las Vegas pit lane and paddock looking for drivers to answer your questions. Then, she had a few of her own to solicit drivers' thoughts on their favorite event this year, what there 2006 plans are, and how windy conditions affect the handling on a superspeedway.
I remember when they announced the Runoffs were going to move from Road Atlanta to Mid-Ohio after 24 years at the southern facility. At the same time, selfishly, I was ecstatic by that announcement.
The weather forecast didn't look good for Sunday. All over Ohio, the afternoon was supposed to be filled with showers and scattered thunderstorms with an 80% chance of rain.
This is the second year of the Doubledown in the Desert, the Bride of Frankenstein marriage of the Champ Car World Series with NASCAR Craftsman Trucks. One event, two series equals what?
Huge fields with fendered cars produced racing more akin to NASCAR than SCCA. Touring 2 and American Sedan at times used bumping and grinding instead of skill and speed to get by cars.
Both participants and spectators don't want to miss the last Runoffs at Mid-Ohio and are showing up in record numbers. On the first day, they were treated to a thrilling G Production race.
This is the 12th year the SCCA Runoffs are being held at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. It is also the last. The next three-year contract for this event has been awarded to Heartland Park in Topeka, Kansas.
Julie Andre scours the Denver pit lane and paddock looking for drivers to answer her questions on qualifying lap limits, the 2006 schedule, and minimum track lengths.
Gone are the days when decisions are made by team owners and promoters. Champ Car now has a business plan run by series owners, and the timing of the 2006 schedule release is proof of that.
Lisa did something she's never done before -- missed a flight. And thus, her weekend got off to a bad start, but at least she could rely on the kindness of Denver citizens.
Julie Andre scours the San Jose pit lane and paddock looking for drivers to answer your questions. Then, she had a few of her own to solicit drivers' thoughts on the new track, what setup they start out with, and how long does it take to feel comfortable on the bumpy circuit.
The 2006 Atlantic announcement was the highlight of the day which got Lisa talking about Danica Patrick and Katherine Legge along with a bunch of dumb things she heard.
San Jose didn't exactly get off to a grand start as Lisa is the only one willing to call it the way it is. When action did start, Lisa runs it down for us.
It's all about energy at a race weekend, especially in Toronto. Whether it's the energy of the cars, the energy of the owners, the energy of first time winners, or the energy of sex appeal, it all drives a successful event.
A return with a positive attitude, a return no one wanted, and a welcome debut highlighted the first day of the 20th running of the Molson Indy Toronto.
Something happened on the way to the shore. A crowd showed up. A large one. And they had a lot of fun. The trend is reversing, and Champ Car is now showing definite signs of growing back to prominence.
Luckily, there are plenty of other talented women drivers who may be good enough to be able to break through the haze of the clueless and make a name for themselves even if they never make it to the "bigs."
No matter when the Cleveland Grand Prix is run, it always seems to be hot and humid. One worker said if this race was run in February, it would still be ninety degrees.
Portland looks to attract the family with a comfortable atmosphere and our West Coast correspondents are still
scratching their heads over this drifting thing.
The old guard at Indy, including Andy Granatelli, had one philosophy and one philosophy alone when it came to the Indianapolis 500. That attitude ultimately meant doom for the race they professed to love.
Julie Andre scoured the Milwaukee pit lane and paddock looking for drivers to answer her questions on the challenges of a two day event and which is better, night or day.
Many people keep talking about how modern high-tech racing has become boring no-pass no-competition affairs. However,
action in three events the past three weekends seem to dispel that belief.
Julie Andre scoured the pit lane and paddock looking for drivers to answer our readers and her questions. At Long Beach, the hot topics were the challenges of Champ Car, what they would like to see in
2005, the future race in China, and the elmination of the mandatory pit stops.
Dan Rather and The New York Times, meet RACER magazine. They are the newest members in the
exceedingly not so exclusive club where journalistic integrity, facts, and impartiality are thrown out the window.
The similarities between the President of the United States, George Bush, and the president of the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Tony George, are unnerving. And, we're not just talking about the fact
they share the name George.
Julie Andre scoured the Las Vegas pit lane and paddock looking for drivers to answer her questions on
what venue to return to in Las Vegas, should there be more double billings, and how do the drivers mentally
prepare for a superspeedway.
The race brings a mixed bag of reaction from the on track excitement to the agonizing yellow flag to a
shocking display from an official towards Tagliani.
Julie Andre scoured the Laguna Seca pit lane and paddock looking for drivers to answer her questions on
road courses leaving the schedule, optimal number of overseas races, the best specs for the next Champ Car,
and a bonus question.
Laguna Seca is on the endangered species list for road races on the Champ Car schedule, but in the meantime, Patrick
Carpentier hints of wild things if he wins.
Champ Car has always been a unique product, so if it wants to succeed in the future, it must not try to
emulate F1, but rather continue it's tradition of uniqueness.
Julie Andre scoured the Vancouver pit lane and paddock looking for drivers to answer her questions on Vancouver
behavior following Toronto, a possible Calgary race, and the different rubber at Las Vegas.
Day one in Toronto opened up with a surprising last minute driver change, while other drivers were under the scrutinizing eye of the author, and beauty contestants were judged by all.
Julie Andre scoured the pit lane and paddock looking for drivers to answer her questions at Milwaukee on
nighttime qualifying, only one oval on the schedule, and the constantly changing qualifying rules.
Julie Andre scoured the pit lane and paddock looking for drivers to answer her questions. At Long Beach, the hot
topics were the push to pass button, what opportunities were they looking at during the bankruptcy hearings,
qualifying, and their training regimen.
A neighborhood once tainted by tattoo parlors and prostitutes now celebrates it's 30th year of revitalization as Champ
Car begins its own resurrection.
It was just a press gathering to make some announcements, but nothing is ever simple with Champ Cars. Lisa found
a whole lot of good, bad, and ugly leading up to the 2004 season.
Was Tony George stupid, or did his complete hatred of CART cause him not to think straight? Or, not to listen to
his expert advice? Or, the expert advice never informed him.
The President's Cup is awarded while some drivers lost their wins to actions by the Stewards. We wrapup all the action by looking at some of the numbers for the weekend.
Surprisingly, on a day when most expected carnage on the opening lap for many of the classes involved, the starts were very clean. That, and the battles for the lead in many of the classes kept the excellent turnout of fans entertained.
As promised, it was a perfect weather day, and even more perfect for John Heinricy who won two national championships in one afternoon while Mike Pinney won his second title, 25 years after his first.
The best race of the day, possibly for the weekend, and maybe in Runoffs history, was the last race of the day in GT2. Meanwhile, the remnants of Hurricane Isabel mostly stayed away producing a near perfect day.
It's the 40th rendition of the Runoffs and the 10th one at Mid-Ohio, but this time there is no chicane. There is,
however, as usual, promise of some great racing.
Julie Andre scours the Denver pit lane and paddock to solicit drivers' thoughts on their reactions to single
car qualifying, this year's track conditions, and what they will do with their time off.
Julie Andre scours the Vancouver pit lane and paddock looking for drivers to answer your questions. Then,
she had a few of her own to solicit drivers' thoughts on the push to pass button proposal, the reliability of
the Ford engine, and their best racing moment.
Racing legend Mario Andretti sat down with a handful of reporters and talked about his desire to see open wheel
racing united into one series again, and he is doing everything in his power to get it done.
SARS didn't scare anybody away, so lots of folks got to celebrate their hometown hero's victory. A nice overdose
of open wheel racing made for a great weekend.
There are women in auto racing who have not only poured their heart and soul into their passion, but who sometimes have been perfect role models for not just young girls, but for all of us.
Julie Andre scours the Laguna Seca pit lane and paddock looking for drivers to answer your questions. Then,
she had a few of her own to solicit drivers' thoughts on the upcoming Cleveland night race, status of Mid-Ohio,
the new engine package, and what advice they would give Chris Pook.
Without the IRL, Roger Penske would not have an amazing 13 Indy 500 victories.
Without the IRL, Brazilian drivers would not have been able to replace the Midwest short track drivers as
the stars of the great Memorial Day classic.
Julie Andre scours the pit lane and paddock looking for drivers to answer her questions. At Long Beach, the hot
topics were the competition level, what series CART should be, and which rules are liked and disliked.
Julie Andre scours the pit lane and paddock looking for drivers to answer her questions. At Fontana, the hot
topics were the controversial Surfers Paradise race and the proposed V-10 engine spec.
Julie Andre scours the pit lane and paddock looking for drivers to answer your questions. At Denver, she also
asked various drivers their thoughts on the recent big events in CART.
Julie Andre scours the pit lane and paddock looking for drivers to answer her questions. At Vancouver, she
asks various drivers their thoughts on the popularity of street circuits, the new Denver race, their plans
for next year, and what they need to improve for the remainder of this season.
Julie Andre scours the pit lane and paddock looking for drivers to answer your questions. At Chicago, she also
asked various drivers their thoughts on some of the most recent rules on the CART circuit.
Julie Andre scours the pit lane and paddock looking for drivers to answer her questions. At Laguna Seca, she
asks various drivers their thoughts on some of the most recent developments on the CART circuit.
Greed helped CART form and develop into a successful organization. But lately, that greed threatens to destroy
the very organization that the owners are responsible for.
First. Second. Third. Fourth. Fifth. Not even the most devout hard nosed CART fan could ever have dreamed up
a scenario like that in their wildest imagination.
Twenty years of survival of the fittest has created a lithe, supple, missile of a chassis for the CART FedEx
Championship series. What does the IRL have to show for it's first five years? A rules mandated Frankenstein of
carbon fiber and Kevlar.
Nazareth Speedway and the Andretti's complained loudly about CART taking the race away from them. However, until
they recognize that they never did all they could have done to keep the event, they are barking up the wrong tree.
The Indy Lights and Toyota Atlantics 2001 preview is a mixture of Starsearch and Heartbreak Hotel.
Which translates to exciting, breathtaking action on the track. Fasten your seatbelts!
Because of an obsession to destroy CART, Tony George will always be remembered for wrecking the
Indy 500 instead of building up IMS and bringing in new events.
It's been said by a lot of other people, but the idea is good enough to be said again -- CART
should adopt a modified version of the IRL chassis/engine rules for their Indy Lights series.
CART team owners appear to be abandoning the American race car driver. Instead of giving a
local driver a chance, they are taking the easy route and playing follow the leader.
Despite all his years of watching and attending races, Russell Jaslow has never been to a big time
oval race. He attended his first at Nazareth, and he writes about his impressions.
It appeared sports car racing in North America was dead. But a funny thing happened on the way
to the funeral. The corpse was still warm. And now it appears to be kicking.
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