Dan Wheldon and Bryan Herta Autosport To Test New IZOD IndyCar Chassis
IndyCar officials announced last week that Bryan Herta Autosport has been selected as the testing organization for the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series project with Dan Wheldon as the lead test driver.
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[/media-credit]”I think it’s super important,” Bryan Herta, co-owner of Bryan Herta Autosport, said of the team’s role in testing the car in last week’s teleconference. “We all ‑‑ everybody’s excited about the new car, what it’s going to look like, how fast is it going to be, you know, there’s going to be different engines going into it.
“So it’s important for us to make sure that the car is fast, reliable, safe, all those things, so that by the time it’s out on track and the public is seeing it, that it’s a finished product and something that everybody’s going to want to come out and watch racing next year.”
The team will begin testing in August and September, with all teams recieving the new chassis on December 15th.
Wheldon, who won the 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500 last month, has been involved in testing situations like this before as he used to be a test driver for Honda.
“I think with something as serious as this, it’s not about achieving goals for yourself, it’s about achieving goals for everybody involved,” he said. “It’s, for me, a job that I’m going to take very, very seriously.I’m thankful to the IndyCar Series for giving me the opportunity.But there’s a lot you have to undertake.We need to make sure that the product that the IndyCar Series puts out towards the end of this year, beginning of 2012, is something that primarily the fans get very excited about, but also the teams and drivers. And obviously we want to make sure that the product we put out is incredibly safe. So it’s not, I would say, about achieving goals for myself, it’s more about achieving everything the manufacturers associated with the program want to achieve.
“And I think that’s why it’s very good to have Bryan Herta Autosport involved.We saw the job they were able to do at the Indianapolis 500.It’s great that Dalara are involved. They’ve put together a great car, and the car that we’ve been using for a long time now has produced incredibly great racing.It’s been very close but also from a safety standpoint it’s been good. And we’ve also got the involvement with Honda and Firestone.So everybody involved, I think, has goals to achieve and my job is about helping them achieve them.”
The team’s co-owners also have experience with being a part of test teams as Steve Newey, the other co-owner, was involved in setting up the Firestone test team back in the mid-nineties when they were talking about coming back into the series. With the past experience, they know the challenges that they’re facing.
“Well, some of the challenges, you know, are very similar to what a race team faces every race weekend or every test event,” Newey said. “And that is conducting the testing in a very practical manner, first of all, and conducting it in such a way that all the various invested parties get what they’re looking for in terms of results.
“So it’s a very tedious process.It can be at times it can be downright boring, frankly, because you’re not out there competing and racing against other teams and other drivers. So it’s about accumulating miles and confirming the structural integrity of all the components that are highly stressed and it’s a very methodical approach, and we’ve got a great team put together.
And I think I’m looking forward to it and it reminds me a lot of the program we did put together for Firestone back in 1994, and I might add that was a very successful program. And we’re taking this very serious, as Bryan said, and we’re looking forward to the challenge in providing each constituent that’s involved in the testing program with the conclusion that they’re looking for.”
Herta went on to say that the testing set to take place will be extensive as they play to visiting tracks weekly through the two months, including all different types of circuits. He added that it will be done with the new V6 motor, also, starting with Honda’s entry as it’ll be the first one ready, though other manufactures will have to chance to be tested throughout the two months.
Bryan Herta Autosport has been a team that has always fielded full-time Firestone Indy Lights entries, though never stepped up it up that much for the top level. With the win, they are now looking towards the future in what that could bring them.
“We’re looking forward to what that means for the future of our organization,” Herta said. “It’s no secret that we’re very happy with Dan, that our goal is to race full season in 2012, that all things being equal we’d love to do that with Dan.So I think we’re working in that direction. I think being part of this test program and the continuity that we bring over from the Indy 500, it’s the same group of guys, same driver, same people involved.We can transition seamlessly into the test program.Ideally out of the test program we’ll be able to transition into a full season program for next year.
“In terms of racing for this year, you know, theoretically right now on the schedule we’d be done in time to get to Vegas for the finale.And it’s something we’ve talked about, but our focus is on make prognosis sure we do a good job for this test program and really trying to gear up for next season.”
This year, Bryan Herta Autorsport has been working with Duarte Ferriera and getting him up to speed with the open-wheel cars.
“He’s done a great job for us,” Newey said of him. “And he’s progressed significantly from early this year when we started testing with him, and especially on the ovals. He’s performed like he’s been racing on ovals all his life. And he’s just taken to it like a duck in water, because he’s very aggressive on the ovals when he needs to be, and he’s smart when he’s in traffic, and he’s been able to generate his best finish of the year so far last race at Iowa he finished fifth.
“And we’re very pleased with his performance.He’s a very dedicated driver.His fitness regimen is more difficult and more stringent than many drivers I’ve been associated with in the past, and he’s got a bright future ahead of him and we’re real glad to have him, and we’re expecting bigger and better things out of him as the season progresses.”
The win is also been a key marker for Wheldon to speak of after coming into the year without having a ride and now maybe having the Indianapolis 500 win to lay back on for 2012.
“I was very confident at the end of last year that I would actually get something full time for this year,” he spoke of during the teleconference. “And that didn’t pan out.So I really don’t like to speculate on that stuff anymore, because clearly I’m not very good at that. But, you know, I will say:I think for me to come back for the Indianapolis 500 and have such a successful month and also a very enjoyable month with everybody from Bryan Herta Autosport, it’s really made me desperate to get back on the grid, but it’s got to be in the right situation.
“For me, I would love to be able to continue with Bryan and that’s what we’re all working towards, but we’ll just have to wait to see if that pans out in the future. But I certainly don’t think it’s hurt my chances, but in terms of am I confident that I will secure something for 2012, I think we’ll just to wait and see right now.”
Another advantage for Wheldon as he is looking for a ride in 2012 will be the laps under his belt with the new car.
“Well, I think it’s going to give me, I think, extensive mileage in the car,” he said of the testing. “You know, is that an advantage? Yes, probably. But for me, it’s not about getting an advantage over everybody else to be in a car for 2012. I think, as you know, I’ve done this kind of thing before with Honda, and it’s something that I took very seriously.
“I think if you know my personality you know how serious I would take it. It’s about ‑‑ I want to come out of this test program with everybody saying: You know what, Dan was extremely disciplined and did a great job. And if ever we do something like this again ‑‑ and this goes for all the manufacturers involved, we’d love to have him do it. That’s the kind of job that I want to do. And, yeah, I think obviously with the amount of mileage people are expected to do, it’s track time in a new car that no one else would have been in.
“So for sure it’s an advantage.But by the same token, from what I understand, it’s going to be pretty much open testing until St. Pete. So that will get swallowed up pretty quickly. It’s about being in a car as well for me.I haven’t been in one since Indianapolis, and I’m pretty desperate to get back in one.”
ARCA: Max Gresham Tests at Lucas Oil Raceway For Venturini Motorsports
In anticipation for the Ansell Protect Gloves 200 at Lucas Oil Raceway on Thursday July 28th, Max Gresham took some time to test and get a feel for the track.
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[/media-credit]”We really sucked the first four hours of the test,” Gresham said. “We were horrible. The car wasn’t anywhere I needed it to be. Everyone was working really hard to get it close and we just weren’t getting it.
“Then (team manager) Billy Venturini and (crew chief) Kevin Caldwell put their heads together and figured out what we needed. Once they got things worked out, the car really came alive. We picked up a full second on old tires. It was great to make some fast times, especially on old tires. I know Billy and the crew will work this piece and get it even better for when we come back for the race. They always do.”
Gresham, who finished second in the last ARCA start at Michigan International Speedway last month, will be one of the drivers who will participate in the first ARCA race at the 0.686-mile raceway since 1985. It marks the eighth race there in ARCA history and will be televised live on SPEED.
“It’s going to be a first for everyone,” Gresham said. “I believe it’s going to be an eye-opener for everyone. I think everyone is going to be surprised how different this track is and what it takes to get around it.
“This is by far one of the most unique short tracks that I have been to. I’ve never been to a short track as flat as this one is and run right up against the wall. That makes it different, an animal all its own. You’ll never find another track like this one anywhere. I’m definitely looking forward to racing here.”
The next race for the ARCA Series is Saturday July 9th at Berlin Raceway for the Hantz Group 200, where Gresham will be behind the wheel of the No. 25 for Venturini Motorsports. Live timing and scoring coverage for the 10th race of the season will be available through ARCARacing.com beginning at 8:30pm.
ARCA Racing Series practice begins at 2:30 p.m., and will last for 90 minutes. Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell follows at 5, and the ARCA Racing Series drivers will participate in an autograph session at 6:15, just before the race. ARCARacing.com will feature live timing and scoring coverage of all events.
Matty’s Picks Vol. 8 – Daytona – COKE ZERO 400 Powered By Coca-Cola – July 2, 2011
It’s time to head back to “The World’s Most Famous Beach”!! We head back to the birthplace of stock car racing this weekend – where the top speed 100 years ago in 1902 was a blistering 57 MPH – just a hair over this weekend’s Pit Road speed.
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[/media-credit]Daytona Beach has been the site of a few milestones in the respect of land speed records. British fighter pilot Henry Segrave drove the first car to break the 200 MPH milestone in 1927. On March 29, Segrave piloted his Sunbeam 1000 HP down the beaches of Daytona, setting the new land speed record of 203.79 MPH, the first time a car had traveled over the 200 MPH mark. Nowadays, 200MPH is the standard at the 2.5 mile high-banks of the Daytona International Speedway.
Sonoma Recap
Before I get into how excited I am for the next 8 days, I’ll start, as always, with a very brief recap of my picks last week.
For my Dark Horse, I picked Clint Bowyer last week at Infineon. Now, after watching the race Sunday, I’m not sure that Bowyer will be eligible for a Dark Horse pick in August when the Cup Series visits Watkins Glen International. I think that with his performance not only in the race on Sunday, but with his qualifying efforts on Friday, Bowyer is a force to be watched on road courses. He might be the most underrated road course driver in the Sprint Cup Series. Bowyer ran 87 percent of the 110 at Infineon in the Top 15, leading a lap in the meantime. With a gamble to stay out and not come to Pit Road mid-race, Bowyer would start 19th on the last restart with as many laps left in the race. Bowyer would gain 15 positions in the last 19 laps to finish fourth, netting me double points for a Top 5 Dark Horse Pick.
I thought my winner pick was a shoe-in. I did squeak out a Top 5 with my winner pick who fought a car lacking in forward bite the whole day. Ambrose moved from his eighth starting spot all the way to third place by lap 15. Ambrose dropped out of the Top 10 only once around lap 50, but quickly moved back into the top 10 before his final pit stop during the fifth and final caution of the day. He would restart out of the Top 10 with 19 laps left and would also use fresh tires to his advantage to drive towards the front in the final laps. Ambrose netted me points for his Top 5 Winner Pick at Infineon.
Daytona Picks
For my Dark Horse pick this week, I’m going with a Ford Racing Driver that started 15th in the Daytona 500. He was second quick in practice yesterday while running with his Richard Petty Motorsports teammate in the two-car push. A.J. Allmendinger is currently 15th in Sprint Cup Points and has a certain swagger about him this season. He ran 28 laps in practice and also had the second quick 10 Consecutive Lap Average Thursday in the only practice session of the day. Allmendinger does have a third place finish at Daytona and he is my Dark Horse for the COKE ZERO 400 this weekend.
My winner pick this week is a guy that has 6 wins at Daytona in his career. He finished third last season at July’s race at Daytona, and boasts twenty wins on Superspeedways in his storied NASCAR Career. Jeff Gordon was 5th quickest in practice yesterday in his PepsiMAX Chevy boasting a speed of 198.085. He ran 15 laps with his teammate Mark Martin yesterday in practice. Jeff Gordon is a seasoned veteran of the high banks and high speeds of Daytona and will keep his car clean on his way to a strong finish Saturday night.
I would like to wish everyone a very happy and safe 4th of July this weekend. I would also like to take a brief moment and thank all the service men and women serving in the United States Armed Forces that make NASCAR racing possible for all the fans around the world. Stay safe out there, and I’ll be thinking of you watching the fireworks unfold at Daytona Saturday Night!
Until next week’s overenthusiastic volume of Matty’s Picks… You stay classy NASCAR NATION.
Daytona Marks the Start of the ‘Road to Richmond’ and Making the Chase
Starting Saturday night in Daytona there will be just 10 races left before the 2011 Chase for the Sprint Cup kicks off in Chicago. Over that time the phrase “Road to Richmond” will be heard throughout as Richmond International Raceway promotes the last race to get into the Chase.
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[/media-credit]“’The Road to Richmond’ is a great opportunity for us to remind race fans that Richmond hosts the ‘One Last Race to Make The Chase’ and to promote the new Chase format,” said Richmond’s president Doug Fritz. “And the fact that everything that happens from Daytona on leads to what you’ll see at Richmond International Raceway on Saturday night, September 10.”
Along with Fritz, Virginia native Denny Hamlin spoke about the next few weeks. Hamlin has been in the Chase every year since he began competing in the Cup Series in 2006. He’s currently the only rookie to ever have qualified for the Chase.
This season with NASCAR’s new wildcard format, Hamlin is a believer that not only will the next 10 weeks be important for drivers looking to win but says that race day in Richmond will be fun for the fans to watch. Drivers have already turned the energy and racing level up, with rough racing and paybacks being seen on many occasions already this year.
Richmond is now in prime position to add to that. Saturday night and under the lights, it’s bound to be short track racing at its best and with a lot on the line.
“Hectic” Hamlin said of what the Richmond race will be like. He believes drivers who know they need to either win or race their way in are going to be more aggressive, wanting to hold onto their track position or go for more.
Currently sitting 11th in points with one win, Hamlin doesn’t want to have to fallback on the wildcard position or having to race his way in. In fact, when it was brought up he sat and shook his head no repeatedly. Hamlin’s already done that before and prefers to never to have to experience it again.
Running with only seven cylinders in 2006, Hamlin told his team over the radio that their season was over. Instead they fought their way to a 15th place finish and into the Chase. More, of what could be expected later this season.
Richmond has become known for drivers bumping in and out of the Chase. Jeremy Mayfield won at RIR in 2004 to get in the Chase. Kasey Kahne knocked Tony Stewart out in 2006 and in 2009 it was Brian Vickers would race into the Chase on the last lap and kept Kyle Busch out.
This year though what has the potential to be the big story are the aforementioned wildcard spots. Winning has had an emphasis placed on it when NASCAR announced in the pre-season that only the top 10 will be locked into the Chase with the 11 and 12th place drivers being placed by wins. Drivers who sit 11-20 in points have the chance to get in the Chase if they win a race.
Heading into Daytona there’s only one driver in that position, Tony Stewart in 11th, but there are two others who have wins that are sitting outside the top 20. Both Brad Keselowski and Regan Smith found victory lane early this season but sit 22nd and 28th in points respectively. Their goal going forward is to win as much as they can before Richmond or at Richmond, making the last race to get into the Chase a hot ticket.
“This year’s format has the making of one of, if not the most epic ‘One Last Race to Make The Chase’ events,” Fritz believes. “With the two wild card drivers racing their way in, there could potentially be more drivers than ever having a shot at racing their way into The Chase.”
“The Road to Richmond” goes through Daytona, Kentucky, New Hampshire, Indianapolis, Pocono, Watkins Glen, Michigan, Bristol and Atlanta before heading to Richmond.
Tickets are still available for the September 10 race. Race fans can purchase tickets through the RIR website, www.rir.com, or by calling 866-455-7223.
