Inside Pit Row with Josef Newgarden

Over the weekend during the MAVTV 500 at Autoclub speedway, Inside Pit Row caught up with Izod Indycar driver, Josef Newgarden. Watch as we discuss Josef's plans for next year, his love for animals, and much more.

                            

One Last Go Around

Indycar is baaaack, and so are we! The MAVTV 500 is coming to Fontana, CA this weekend to close out the 2013 Izod Indycar Series. There will be quite an interesting and intense fight for the Indycar world championship between two time world champion, Scott Dixon and three time Indy 500 champion, Helio Castroneves. Castroneves had the points lead until the series landed in Houston, TX. Dixon took the points lead after winning the first race in the double header weekend in Houston. 25 points is all that stands between the two drivers. Helio is determined to win his first championship just as much as Scott is looking to win his third. This looks like the making of a great race! 

Inside Pit Row will also be at the MAVTV 500 giving you live updates, photos, videos, and a few surprises! To get the scoop on all things Indycar this weekend, follow us on Twitter & Instagram: @InsidePitRow. Stay tuned, we'll see you at the track! 

-Dallas Hollins

www.InsidePitRow.com

Indycar Testing at Autoclub Speedway

Yesterday we were fortunate enough to go to the Indycar open practice at Autoclub Speedway in Fontana, CA. We captured amazing shots and can’t wait for what is in store for the Indycar world finals race in October. Every single car out there looked fast which made for some great testing and great spectating. Only two races remain in the season and Helio Castroneves leads the standings by 49 points, with Scott Dixon in 2nd and Simon Pagenaud in 3rd. The next Indycar race will take place in  Houston, Texas on October 5-6. Two weeks after wrapping up the race in Texas they will be back in Fontana, California for the MAVTV 500 on October 19th for the conclusion of the 2013 IZOD Indycar Series.

Check out our photos from the test session at Autoclub Speedway: http://www.flickr.com/photos/insidepitrow/

-Dallas Hollins

www.insidepitrow.com

find us on twitter & instagram: @insidepitrow

The Trouble With the NASCAR Nationwide Series

The NASCAR Nationwide Series first came to life in 1982. It's seen as NASCAR's developmental series geared towards kickstarting the careers of future NASCAR stars. It allows drivers to hone their skills, grab the attention of potential sponsors, and start to make a name for themselves. The Nationwide Series runs at the same track, on the same weekend, as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. It allows fans to see both series run without much hassle given that Nationwide is on Saturday and the Sprint Cup is on Sunday. Sounds like the Nationwide Series is a great program for young drivers to evolve and progress, right? 

Maybe. Maybe not. Sure the series has launched the racing careers of pretty big names like, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kevin Harvick, and Brian Vickers, to name a few. They all went on to have successful Sprint Cup Series careers. However within the past five years more drivers from the Sprint Cup Series have come down to join the Nationwide Series to compete, taking on double duty. Many never left the Nationwide Series, even once they made it to the “Big League”. Kyle Busch, Brad Keslowski, and Clint Bowyer are just three of the many big names that currently compete in both series. It makes it a lot harder for younger and newer drivers looking to work their way up the ladder. All of the Sprint Cup guys bring the best equipment, the most money, and not to mention they already have the driving skills to be incredibly successful. It’s an incredibly difficult uphill battle for upcoming drivers to be successful in the Nationwide Series, they have to race guys that have way more money, way more backing, and way more experience than them, instead of racing guys that are on the same level as they are. This begs the question, Should NASCAR allow drivers that race in the Sprint Cup Series to race in the Nationwide Series as well?

NASCAR makes more money off of drivers that race both series, not to mention ticket sales go through the roof when drivers race both series. Fans get to see their favorite racecar drivers more often and the drivers get more seat time and exposure.  However it’s a double-edge sword for sponsors. Their name is thrown out there twice as much drivers that only race in one series. It’s also twice the risk because if their driver gets hurt in the Nationwide Series or the Sprint Cup Series, and can no longer compete in either series, the sponsor loses money and their advertising space for an indefinite amount of time. NASCAR’s Nationwide Series seems to be more about making more money, than it does helping drivers develop. The MLB doesn’t allow its Major League players to actively play in the Minors at the same time, they understand it’s a league that lets amateur players polish their skills before they step up to The Show. Fresh young talent in the Nationwide Series doesn’t get that chance because NASCAR enables professional drivers to steal the spotlight away from the semi-professional drivers, even though NASCAR calls Nationwide their “minor league” series. Should NASCAR stop Sprint Cup drivers from racing in the Nationwide Series, or should NASCAR keep the Nationwide Series the way it is and establish a real developmental series where up and coming drivers can fine-tune their craft? 

It would greatly help the future of the sport. Kids at the kart track get to see drivers that are 10-15 years older than them making names for themselves on their journey to the Sprint Cup Series instead of seeing racecar drivers that are 30-35 years older than them racing in both a developmental series, as well as a professional series. Not only would it motivate the next generation of racecar drivers of all disciplines, it would get NASCAR fans of all ages excited about where their beloved sport of oval track racing is headed. Marketing and sponsorship would change greatly if the sport had new fresh talent like Trevor Bayne as the face of the sport. Maybe that’s just what NASCAR needs. What do you think?

-Dallas Hollins

www.insidepitrow.com

Find Us On Twitter & Instagram: @InsidePitRow

Kimi Raikkonen to Return Home to Ferrari

Out with the old, in with the new! (kinda) It was announced wednesday afternoon that Brazilian Formula One driver, Felipe Massa, will make his departure from Scuderia Ferrari at the end of the 2013 season. The announcement came after a lackluster performance in the first half of the 2013 Formula One season. Felipe has had an uphill struggle to match the performance of his teammate two time Formula One world champion, Fernando Alonso. 32 year-old Massa started racing for Ferrari in 2006 and hasn't won since 2009. For all of you wondering, that's 79 races (so far) without gracing the top step of the podium. That's the longest winless streak of any Ferrari driver in the team's 63 year history in racing. 

Ferrari expects that all to change next year. 2007 Formula One world champion, Kimi Raikkonen, will return to Scuderia Ferrari, the team that helped guide him to his illustrious world championship winning season in 2007. In order to fill the gap left by Massa, Kimi will be expected to perform, well, like Kimi. He has the upfront race experience, resume, and confidence that Felipe Massa always seemed to lack. Raikkonen will finish out the 2013 season at Lotus before returning home to Ferrari's headquarters in Maranello, Italy. Given the budget that Lotus has, Raikkonen has done quite well scoring a win last year while finishing third in the points and scoring a win this season in Australia, currently seated fourth in the points with seven races to go. 

Kimi Raikkonen's move to Ferrari could definitely be a potential roadblock for Fernando Alonso. We all know Raikkonen won't allow himself to play second fiddle to the Spanish champion and fernando alonso won’t allow himself to play second fiddle to the finnish champion. However both Alonso and Raikkonen are optimistic about what the future will hold for them next year. Kimi commented on the move, "I can't wait to be driving a Prancing Horse car again and to reacquaint myself with so many people with whom I had such close links, as well as working with Fernando, whom I consider a great driver, in order to bring the team the success it deserves." Needless to say, every Formula One fan will be interested to see what magic they’ll bring to the table next season, but will it be enough to bring down the Red bulls’ of Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo?  

-Dallas Hollins

www.InsidePitRow.com

find us on twitter & Instagram: @InsidePitRow

Photo Credit: Ferrari Spa/ Ercole Colombo

A New Force in Hollywood

      

       15x NHRA Funny Car World Champion, John Force, will return to television with the revival of his TV show, Driving Force. The TV show first premiered on A&E in 2006 and ran until 2007. The show centered around the Force family and their life on and off the racetrack. It featured everything from the ups and downs of the family business to the annual family vacation in Lake Tahoe. The series came to a halt after the end of the second season, around the time John Force Racing driver, Eric Medlen, passed away after a tragic testing accident in Gainesville, Florida. 

      It was announced yesterday at a John Force Racing press conference that they were bringing the show back to life, however it will arrive under a new name. This time the show will focus mainly on John's two youngest daughters, Top Fuel driver, Brittany and Funny Car driver, Courtney. John of course will be featured in the show as will the entire team, but his girls will have the spotlight. John Force Racing is undecided on the network that will air their show or when it will premiere. John Force Racing will team up with JMI, Octagon, and Rogers & Cowan in order to promote themselves in hopes of grabbing the attention of new potential sponsors. 

      Ford and Castrol broke the news last month that they would be departing from John Force Racing at the end of the 2014 season. The news has left John Force Racing scrambling to find a sponsor to pick up the pieces left by Castrol, whom he has had a 29 year run, and Ford who has backed the team for the past 16 years. Given the success and popularity of the team finding new sponsors and a chassis manufacturer shouldn't be too difficult, but if things don't work out well, John Force may end up racing a Top Fuel Dragster for the first time in his career. Only time will tell for the most popular team in NHRA drag racing.

-Dallas Hollins

www.InsidePitRow.com

Find Us On Twitter & Instagram: @InsidePitRow

Enders-Stevens to Compete in the Countdown

      Erica Enders-Stevens has found herself a title sponsor. Enders-Stevens and the Cagnazzi Racing crew will get their chance to race for the Pro Stock world title in the NHRA Mellow Yellow Drag Racing Series. Erica will drive the Husky Liners Camaro for Cagnazzi Racing. After sitting on the sidelines for six races this season due to sponsorship trouble, she and her team will begin their fight to the front from ninth in the points starting next weekend in Charlotte, North Carolina. There are six events in the Countdown to the championship. 

      Husky Liners specializes in floor mats, floor liners, mud guards, and much more. Enders-Stevens is quite familiar with the brand, having driven a pickup truck with floor liners and mud flaps from Husky Liners. Erica commented on their new sponsorship saying, “I encourage everyone that supports drag racing and my team to go to huskyliners.com and check out their products. and when they order something, tell them thanks for the support. Sponsors are so hard to get, and i want to make sure these guys get their money’s worth from us.”

Congratulations on the sponsorship Erica, go get ‘em!

-Dallas Hollins 

www.insidepitrow.com

Find us on Twitter & Instagram: @insidepitrow

Photo Credit: Husky Liners

www.huskyliners.com 

Erica's Journey Into Pro Mod

Arguably NHRA's most popular Pro Stock driver Erica Enders-Stevens, has announced that she will finish out the rest of the ADRL season, racing Pro Mod. Enders-Stevens has had a tremendous success over the past year in the NHRA Mellow Yellow Drag Racing series, picking up five wins, making her the first and only female to win in Pro Stock. When sponsorship trouble arose in June, Erica Enders-Stevens and the Caganazzi Racing crew were forced to sit out six races. Taking her from fourth in the Pro Stock standings down to ninth.

  Enders- Stevens will team up with Keith Haney Racing for the second time. Having previously run the Keith Haney Racing Pro Mod Camaro at an ADRL event in Memphis last month. Erica had no prior experience racing a nitrous car until Keith Haney offered her the chance to drive his car. She qualified second but went out first round due to car issues. Enders-Stevens' appearance in the ADRL has put quite an amount of exposure on Keith Haney Racing and their sponsors. ADRL co-founder Kenny Nowling has also seen the exposure she has brought to the league and offered the team free testing and free entries for the rest of the season.

Erica Enders-Stevens will race in North Carolina at Dragstock X, September 7-8, before she returns to her hometown of Houston, TX for the ADRL World Finals IX. Luck was not on her side when she raced at Royal Purple Raceway earlier this season in Pro Stock, suffering a second round loss to Jason Line. However, Houston, TX was where she won her first national event in Super Gas back in 2004. With the right tune up and Erica's skill she should have all the win lights on her side in front of the hometown crowd in October. 

  Erica and Cagnazzi Racing are hoping to find a sponsor and funding to race the last six events on the NHRA Mellow Yellow Drag Racing series and she still has a shot at the championship sitting ninth in the Countdown. Enders-Stevens says she is in contact with numerous people in order to get back on the track for the rest of the season and to come out swinging in 2014, best of luck Erica!

-Dallas Hollins

www.insidepitrow.com

Find us on twitter & Instagram: @InsidePitRow

Photo Credit: Ian Tocher / Drag Illustrated 

Ricciardo Is In

      

   Red Bull Racing has announced that Toro Rosso driver Daniel Ricciardo, will step in and take fellow Australian Mark Webber's seat in the upcoming 2014 Formula One World Championship season. Webber announced back in June that he would step away from Formula One at the end of the 2013 season. Webber will make Porsche his home in 2014. He will race in their new LMP1 car in the FIA World Endurance Championship as well as the 24 Hours of Le Mans. When he announced his leaving, the racing community was not shocked, especially after his teammate Sebastian Vettel defied team orders and passed Mark Webber in the closing laps of the Malaysian Grand Prix. It seemed that after years of being Red Bull Racing's second driver, he had had enough. 

    During the Summer rumors spread like wildfire and names were being tossed into the rumor mill left and right. However, the two names that were brought up the most were Toro Rosso's Daniel Ricciardo and Lotus' Kimi Raikkonen. Neither had contracts in place with their respective teams for the 2014 Formula One season. None of the teams or drivers in the mix would comment on the rumors, until Red Bull Racing made a statement saying that their selection would be made public after the summer break in late August. Once that break was up, people wanted an answer right away in Belgium  but all parties kept mum. Many were certain the contract would go to Raikkonen until he was a no-show at the Friday press conference. 

    On September 2nd, Red Bull Racing put all rumors to rest when they stated that the 24 year old Aussie, Daniel Raiccardo would race alongside three time world champion Sebastian Vettel next year. So why no Kimi? He has the drive, talent, and skill to be successful at Red Bull. He won the 2007 Formula One world championship with Ferrari and is doing quite well at Lotus. His resume and experience in racing is reason enough to hire him over Ricciardo. The reason is simple, Kimi Raikkonen does not want to play second fiddle to Sebastian Vettel, and you can’t really blame him. Raikkonen doesn’t need to move to Red Bull in order to be successful, he already is. We’ll just have to wait to see if Lotus renews his contract at the end of the year. In the meantime, onto the Italian Grand Prix taking place this weekend.  

-Dallas Hollins

www.Insidepitrow.com                          

 find us on twitter & instagram: @insidepitrow

PHOTO CREDIT: RED BULL

The Big Go!

    The 59th NHRA Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals was proof that NHRA truly is one of the greatest spectacles on Earth. Indy is without a doubt the biggest and most prestigious race on the NHRA Mellow Yellow Drag Racing tour. The five day event took place in Indianapolis, Indiana and went off without a hitch. The race had its fair share of excitement and drama. On Wednesday the event was kicked off with sportsman qualifying that carried into Thursday. Friday night the pros got their shot at laying down a quick time in order to get into the show on Monday. Brittany Force surprised us all in the first qualifying session with a 3.820 @ 313.44 MPH and put her name at the top of the qualifying sheet, a place she would hold until Antron Brown, Tony Schumacher, and Steve Torrence shimmied their way past her during the final qualifying session on Sunday. The Traxxas Shootout on Sunday was a race you did not want to miss. While it only covers Top Fuel and Funny Car the three round race rewarded its winners, Jack Beckman and Shawn Langdon with a $100,000 check and nice shiny trophy to take home. 

    Raceday was packed with excitement in every professional class. In Top Fuel, Tony Schumacher was going for his 10th win at Indy, only to disappointingly go out first round after his car went away and the win went to Clay Millican. Antron Brown also went out first round, which meant that a first time Indy winner would be crowned in that class. There was a bit of a family rivalry between Steve and Billy Torrence, the father/son duo raced each other in the second round, but it was Steve Torrence that would come out on top. One win is never enough, in the final round it was Shawn Langdon getting the win over Steve Torrence with a 3.818 @ 320.97 MPH over Torrence's 3.907 @ 309.63 MPH. Shawn is the number one seed in the Countdown to the Championship but his lead over the rest of the field won't be by much, as the points are reset in all of the pro classes after U.S. Nationals. All eyes were on Del Worsham in Funny Car as he made it into the number ten slot by the skin of his teeth, having to defeat Courtney Force in the first round, and John Force in round two. Bob Tasca III, the other man fighting for that final spot, had a first round loss that stopped his chances of fighting for the NHRA Mellow Yellow Drag Racing championship. However, Tasca could play a spoiler for the rest of the countdown field during the next six events. Jack Beckman attempted to double up in the final but it was Robert Hight getting the win light at the top end of the racetrack collecting another U.S. Nationals win. Beckman remains winless so far this season but is seated sixth in the standings. 

    It was all Mike Edwards in Pro Stock. Not only qualifying in the number one spot but winning the Wally over V. Gaines in the final round with a 6.637 @ 208.39 MPH. Edwards is leading the Pro Stock standings and has a 30 point advantage over 2012 Mellow Yellow Drag Racing champion Allen Johnson going into the next event in North Carolina. The “I Am Second ” crew has worked their butts of this season to make sure that car is running in tip top shape, and clearly their work has payed off so far. One of the main surprises of the day was a -.006 red light in the first round from frontrunner Vincent Nobile. You can’t forget the action in Pro Stock Motorcycle. Andrew Hines did not advanced out of the first round nor did he clench into the countdown. He currently sits two spots outside of the top ten. Eddie Krawiec also failed to get his Screaming Eagle to the stripe first, falling to John Hall in round one. Vance & Hines has struggled all season with the rule changes NHRA implemented this season of competition. They dominated the entire 2012 season, winning all but one event. It was an all Team Viper final with Matt Smith and John Hall at the line, this was one of the closest races of the weekend, with Hall getting the win with a three foot MOV to spare. 

    The Countdown to the Championship starts in two weeks at the NHRA North Carolina Nationals at zMax Dragway in Concord, North Carolina. There are six races left on the NHRA Mellow Yellow Drag Racing series schedule and it’s anybody’s game. At this time in the season, any mistake is a costly one, so teams are working overtime to perfect their cars and make sure they get to the finish line first. With Shawn Langdon, Matt Hagan, Mike Edwards, and Hector Arana Jr. leading their respective fields, the action on the track promises to be good. Let the Countdown begin! 

-Dallas Hollins 

www.Insidepitrow.com                          

find us on twitter & instagram: @insidepitrow

Picture credit: NHRA