Today’s IZOD IndyCar Series and Mazda Road to Indy headlines:
1. Montoya continues education process at Phoenix
2. Conway revved up for 2014 with Ed Carpenter Racing
3. Power brings holiday cheer to Indianapolis family
4. Drivers honored by home country’s motorsports community
1. Montoya continues education process at Phoenix: Juan Pablo Montoya completed the second round of his acclimation to an IndyCar Series car during a one-day test at Phoenix International Raceway on Dec. 10.
Last month, the 2000 Indianapolis 500 winner tested on the 1.65-mile Sebring International Raceway short course. Up next is a rescheduled session Dec. 12 at the 2-mile Auto Club Speedway oval and a Dec. 16 date at the 2.385-mile, 12-turn Sonoma Raceway.
Helio Castroneves, the 2013 IZOD IndyCar Series championship runner-up and three-time Indy 500 champion, and four-time 500 Mile Race champion Rick Mears joined Montoya at Phoenix.
Castroneves took some early laps to shake down the car.
“Well, my first impression was when Helio started running. We did some laps in the road car and I said in NASCAR we brake here and here,” Montoya said. “And he was like, ‘No, this is going to be wide open.’ I’m like, ‘What?’ I will tell you, if you are standing in pit road and watch in Turn 1 how the car goes. In the straight it just goes fast, but you don’t really realize how fast he’s going until he turns and the thing just snaps into the corner. And then you like into (Turns) 3 and 4 and you know, ‘Wow.’ Your foot never moved. For me, the big difference is the entry to the corner. Once you get to the middle of the corner, whatever speed you have, you are committed to. You can see the exit, too, and you’re like, ‘Ahhh.’
“You just want to build to it and get comfortable with the feel. I’m still understanding what the car wants and what I want out of the car. You forget how fast an open-wheel car is (on the Phoenix oval). Around 6 seconds quicker than a Cup car a lap.”
Following a break for the holidays, Montoya will join Castroneves and Will Power for a manufacturer test in mid-January at Sebring. An Open Test is scheduled for March 16-17 at Barber Motorsports Park, and the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is March 28-30.
“It’s funny because it’s a lighter car, but the wheel is like – everybody complained when I ran NASCAR how heavy my wheel was, everybody that drove my car, and honestly because we have no power steering, that’s how heavy it is,” Montoya continued. “What I remember, road courses, I understand it’s heavy, but I never thought that it would be heavy on an oval, but it’s like, ‘Hold your breath and turn.’ It’s breathtaking. The more laps I do, the easier it becomes, and it’s just that little bit.”
2. Conway revved up for 2014 with Ed Carpenter Racing: A two-day test at Sebring International Raceway Sebring International Raceway could be considered an early Christmas present for Mike Conway.
The 30-year-old Englishman, who last month was announced as the driver of the No. 20 Fuzzy’s Ultra Premium Vodka car for Ed Carpenter Racing for road/street course races in 2014, visited the Indianapolis shop for an initial seat and systems check.
“I haven’t had two days of testing in December so this will be a real treat,” said Conway, who will compete in 12 races next season. “It’s a good chance to get a rapport going, figure out what I like in the car so you can hit the ground running. It will be my first chance to drive the Chevrolet engine, too, and I’m looking forward to that aspect of the test.”
Carpenter, the sole team owner/driver in the IndyCar Series, will contest the six oval races. He earned the pole for the 97th Indianapolis 500 and had a best finish of second in the 2013 season finale at Auto Club Speedway (he’s finished first or second in the final race of the season the past three years).
“It’s a full-blown attack,” said Conway, who recorded one victory and four other top-10 finishes in seven street/road course races this past season with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (Long Beach) and Dale Coyne Racing. “We can definitely do some damage in terms of the championship. I think it’s a really good team; we have everything we need to win.
“I couldn’t ask for anything more coming into this season. Ultimately, I wanted to be back full time in street and road course racing. I thought this was a huge package and I really jumped at the chance when we started talking about it. Ed is the master at the ovals and this couldn’t have fit any better. There are a lot of familiar faces and I feel at home already.”
Carpenter is looking forward to having Conway, who has made 60 IndyCar Series starts, as part of the organization.
“Mike is one of the top road racing drivers and we are very pleased to have him on board with us for 2014,” Carpenter said. “As a team owner, I felt bringing Mike into our team would help elevate our operation to the next level. So I’ll drive in the oval races and Mike will drive in the road and street events. We feel great about our program.”
3. Power brings holiday cheer to Indianapolis family: Experience has taught Will Power that while being one of the Meijer shopping elves, he doesn’t have to teach his charges that “it’s better to give than to receive.”
On Dec. 10, the Team Penske driver participated in the program that each year benefits 40 underserved youth from Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Central Indiana and their families.
Each of the children, ages 6-10, receive a $200 gift card courtesy of the retailer to purchase holiday gifts. Additionally, they receive a $20 gift card to purchase an item for the Toys for Tots campaign.
“It’s definitely great to go around the store with the kids and help them pick out Christmas gifts for their moms and dads,” said Power, who donned a Santa hat while cruising the electronics, toys and clothing aisles. “I make sure they have their brothers and sisters in mind before they get too much for themselves. The kids are great though. It’s just a cool thing to do and great that Meijer puts this on every year.”
It’s the fourth year that Team Penske has been involved in the program. Power was joined by Indianapolis Colts running back Vick Ballard, linebacker Lawrence Sidbury and center Thomas Austin. The pro athletes, along with volunteers from Meijer and Big Brothers, Big Sisters, helped the children track their expenses and make smart decisions about their purchases. Clothing sizes and a wish list were provided by families in advance.
Siblings Gavin and Nicole Dickey guided Power directly to the gaming display cases, where they made a selection for their older brother. Then it was on to the toy section, which was crammed with shopping carts of other participants, to pick up a scooter, football and Nerf firepower. Pajamas were next on the list.
“It’s fun to do, to see the excitement of the kids,” Power added, “and it gets me exciting for the holidays, too.”
4. Drivers honored by home country’s motorsports community: Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year Carlos Munoz was named Colombia’s driver of the year as part of the Federación Colombiana de Automovilismo Deportivo “Night of the Best” on Dec. 10.
Munoz, who finished second in the Indianapolis 500 and third in Firestone Indy Lights, will move up to the IndyCar Series with Andretti Autosport in 2013. Among the nominated drivers he beat out in voting was Firestone Indy Lights runner-up Gabby Chaves.
“Named best Colombian driver of the year! Thank you all for making this possible!” Munoz wrote on micro-blogging site Twitter, shortly after receiving the award,.
Meanwhile, four-time IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti was honored with a lifetime achievement award at the Scottish Motor Racing Club awards dinner in Edinburgh, Scotland on Dec. 7.
Franchitti was given a standing ovation by the audience of 400 at the Sheraton Hotel as he received his award.
