Trackside with Curt Cavin & Kevin Lee | WFNI ESPN 1070 the Fan

Trackside tonight: Newgarden, Pagenaud and more

Posted 12/13/2011 10:17:00 AM

Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee is tonight from 7-9 Eastern on 1070 The Fan (WFNI-AM) in Indianapolis and via the internet at www.1070TheFan.com. The show will also be available in podcast form at www.1070TheFan.com/Trackside.

Guests include drivers with recently announced 2012 IndyCar rides: Josef Newgarden and Simon Pagenaud, and Iowa Speedway CEO Doug Fritz (he's confirmed this time). Plus, other potential driver destinations. Expect several more deals announced in the next week. And, the latest on the 2012 schedule and several reports already of possibilities for 2013.

Listener topics and questions are welcome at Kevin@1070TheFan.com and via Twitter at @KevinLee23.

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Feb. 10: On Leaders Circle, Tracy and Shank

Question: At this point, why even have the Leader’s Circle program? Why not just go back to having purses and let teams race for the money? Seems like you could have some pretty decent size purses if you pooled the LC money together. Am I missing something? (Justin, New York) Answer: Well, there are a couple of thoughts on that. First of all, if you increase the purse, there tends to be too much money at the top, which hurts the bottom half of the series. I know the counter to that is that it should be about performance, and I agree with that, but you need the second half of the field to make the first half work. The other thing is, all teams need to have a budget they can build around. In this case, a Dreyer & Reinbold, for example, can budget $1.2 million for Oriol Servia’s car. Team officials know that if they participate full time, they can count on that money. That’s important in a $6 million budget. As for the structure of the 2012 Leaders Circle program, my initial thought is that it’s bad for teams 21st and beyond, and it’s certainly not ideal. But given where the car count figures to be for most races, it’s not as bad as I feared. No, a team can’t budget the money, but I think everyone has a reasonable idea of what can be made. Question: I have never been in favor of the double-file restarts, but I realize it is here to stay. But, the new rulebooks last sentence of rule 7.11.1.2 really bothers me. “In the event of a restart and the end of the race, the race director may move lapped cars to the rear of the field.” Why do that at the end of the race if it doesn’t happen at the first of the race? And when is near the end of the race the last 20 laps? The last 10? (Greg, Akron, Ohio) Answer: Welcome to the NASCAR world we live in. Look, moving the lapped cars out of the way is good for the show, and that’s the way it’s going to be. There’s also some sense to it. Drivers are at their edge at that point and you don’t need a car that’s eight laps down in the middle of the pack. None of us wants that. As for the exact number of laps required to initiate that situation, I can’t believe Beaux Barfield won’t have an exact number communicated to the competitors, the media and the fans. I’m sure it will be something like 10 to go. Question: Any word on Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing and Walgreen’s sponsorship? (Chris, Charleston, S.C.) Answer: No, not specifically. The team’s website still encourages fans to support Walgreen’s, but there’s not been a formal announcement. I expect to speak to Sarah today; I’ll try to get an update. Question: What does this mean for Paul Tracy and Michael Shank Racing? They were hoping for one of the last two Leaders Circle spots that is being split at each of the races. Does this mean PT will be on the sidelines again this year? PT needs a farewell tour, especially with Bourdais back full-time. (Scott, Erie, Pa.) Answer: Michael Shank thought he’d be included in the Leaders Circle program, and his team isn’t one of the 20 primary programs (see the link listed below). It takes about $6 million for a full-season program, and I’m hearing that Tracy has just shy of $2 million. I’m sure Shank’s team (officially known as MSR Indy) has some funding, but the Leaders Circle program would have come close to finishing the budget. I spoke to Michael yesterday and he’s not happy about the challenges facing new teams (remember, he doesn’t have an engine program he can count on either). But he’s going to keep plugging along in an effort to make it work. And for the record, everyone wants to see Tracy in a car this season. The series is more fun with him in it. http://blogs.indystar.com/racingexpert/2012/02/09/feb-9-leaders-circle-program-finalized/

Feb. 9: Leaders Circle program finalized

IndyCar’s Leaders Circle program came into view today with a bulletin issued to teams outlining the distribution of funds. Teams committed to full-time fielding of entries that were in the top 22 in points last year will receive the estimated $1.2 million. There are 18 of those teams: Ganassi Racing’s No. 10 (Dario Franchitti) Team Penske’s No. 12 (Will Power) Ganassi Racing’s No. 9 (Scott Dixon) KV Racing Technology’s No. 82 (Tony Kanaan) Team Penske’s No. 6 (now car No. 2, Ryan Briscoe) Andretti Autosport’s No. 26 (Marco Andretti) Andretti Autosport’s No. 28 (Ryan Hunter-Reay) Ganassi Racing’s No. 38 (Graham Rahal) Team Penske’s No. 3 (Helio Castroneves) Sam Schmidt Motorsports’ No. 77 (Simon Pagenaud) KV Racing Technology’s No. 5 (no driver named yet) Panther Racing’s No. 4 (JR Hildebrand) A.J. Foyt Racing’s No. 14 (Mike Conway) Dale Coyne Racing’s No. 19 (Justin Wilson) Dreyer & Reinbold Racing’s No. 22 (Oriol Servia) Andretti Autosport’s No. 27 (James Hinchcliffe) KV Racing Technology’s No. 59 (EJ Viso) HVM Racing’s No. 78 (Simona De Silvestro) The final two Leaders Circle programs went to teams – Dragon Racing (driver Sebastien Bourdais) and Ed Carpenter Racing (Ed Carpenter) — that made strong presentations to series officials. The approximately $2.5 million remaining in the program – the amount for positions 21 and 22 last year – will be split among non-Leaders Circle members at each race. The scale has the top-finishing car at each race getting $80,000. Third gets $50,000, fifth $25,000. In theory, such a car can win $1,280,000 over the 16-race season. There is projected to be at least 25 car-and-driver combinations at the season-opening race in St. Petersburg, Fla. (March 25). The “extras” include Katherine Legge in the second Dragon car, Alex Tagliani in the car of Bryan Herta Autosport, Charlie Kimball in the fourth car of Ganassi Racing, Takuma Sato in a car of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing and the part-time entry of rookie Josef Newgarden in the car of Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing. Other teams are still trying to finalize programs.

Feb. 9: On Madonna, Danica and Paul Tracy

Question: First, “zip line over Georgetown Road.” I tend to agree with Dave’s comments about the IMS museum. I love it, but I’m a geek for IMS history. But I understand it might not live up to the hype for someone out of town. (Brian, Indianapolis) Answer: I think that’s the point. It’s a fabulous collection of cars and pieces, but it’s not as modern as it could be. Again, that’s not a knock, just the truth, and that’s why Tony George’s staff, led then by Joie Chitwood, was looking into designing a new museum. Question: Eli Manning should drive the pace car. (Bill, Fresno, Calif.) Answer: Interesting choice, but I doubt that’s the way the Speedway and the pace car manufacturer go. Question: How about putting Eli in a New York Giants two seater and have him out on the parade laps? The NFL is a tough on licensing rights, but what a huge New York market to tap into coming off a Super Bowl win. (David, Indianapolis) Answer: That’s probably closer to reality, although I think the car would be decorated in Izod colors. Question: If IMS does do the zip line for the Month of May, they need to have all age groups covered. My daughter would be all over it as a member the Kid’s Club. All she wanted to do during our downtown excursions for the Super Bowl was ride that zip line, and she is 5. A wordy way of saying, have a small one too to help attract the kids. (Jason, Camby, Ind.) Answer: Agreed. There should be two. Thrills for both age groups. Question: I will ask the obvious: how did the Super Bowl experience compare to an Indy 500? (Al, Watertown, Mass.) Answer: Different but similar. Difficult to explain, but when I went back to the DVR this week I noticed that the game was for the nation. For me being downtown all week, the event was about showcasing the city and its people. The Indy 500 is more of a start-to-finish spectacle, and I clearly have more emotions in the hours leading up to the race. There’s always this sense that something never seen before will occur, and I didn’t have that feeling at Super Bowl kickoff. Question: What is more likely to happen this year? Madonna drives the pace car at the 500, Danica wins a NASCAR race in either series or IndyCar returns to Kentucky? The first two I could care less about, but I can’t believe we can’t get and support a race there. It’s an awesome venue close to IndyCar heartland. (John, Louisville, Ky.) Answer: Yeah, I still can’t comprehend IndyCar not racing at Kentucky. As for Madonna vs. Danica, well, Danica is going to win a race at some point soon. I’m certain of that. Question: Has something gone south with Paul Tracy’s signing with Shank? His tweets seem to have lost their optimism and have gone very negative over the past week. (Bob, Phoenix, Ariz.) Answer: Dean McNulty of the Toronto Sun wrote a story saying MSR Indy might not get one of the Leader’s Circle awards from IndyCar, and that’s key to making budget. IndyCar hasn’t released its list of teams that will receive the estimated $1.3 million this season, so there’s no information one way or another. Meanwhile, Tracy sits with fingers crossed.

Feb. 8: On Fallon and IMS zip line

Question: During the Super Bowl broadcast, as NBC pimped the city of Indianapolis and generally put on an entertaining and informative broadcast, I was struck by one thought: Imagine the bump had IndyCar managed to get some races onto NBC (meaning the network rather than NBS Sports Channel). Their “Home of Championships” sport would have looked great with some 500 footage next to the Derby footage and Tiger sinking a putt. Oh well. (Fred, Boston, Mass.) Answer: I understand your point, but ultimately you have to remember that NBC is going to focus on the Super Bowl and not its other properties. Also, staying on ABC is important as it relates to ESPN promotions and mentions. You can’t get away from SportsCenter if you can help it. Bottom line: IndyCar is locked in its TV package for a while, so everyone needs to make the best of it. Question: Yes, Jimmy Fallon’s show is on NBC. So is Jay Leno’s and so is Donald Trump’s. ABC did not have a problem with either. It public reaction and potential political issues that caused “The Donald” to withdraw. I think Jimmy would be fabulous as the pace car driver! (Clifford, Houston, Texas) Answer: You’re right. Leno was the pace car driver in 1999. As for ABC, I’m not sure it’s completely accurate to say its officials “did not have a problem with” it. My thought is, they didn’t have a say in it. Question: Josh Duhamel drove Indy’s pace car in 2009 despite being an NBC actor (he did get his start on ABC, however). Anthony Edwards of NBC’s ER drove in 2000. (Shawn, Clinton, Ohio) Answer: Thanks for those. Question: As cool as the IMS Hall of Fame Museum could be, I’ve always thought of it as one hot mess with no apparent rhyme or reason. Visitors I’ve taken there are usually more impressed going in than coming out. It’s a dud. Do you have any thought or know of any discussion of making it a dandy? (Dave, Indianapolis) Answer: There was a plan late in the Tony George era for a new museum, but the spending spree stopped. Is it a priority? Maybe long term, but the money isn’t there now. Ideally, the museum becomes more interactive, but ultimately it’s about showing off the cars and they’re stationary. Question: While it will be four months after the Super Bowl, I wonder if Speedway could put a bow on the entire experience by inviting the Giants to the race and include them in the pre-race parade of celebrities. (Stephen, Indianapolis) Answer: Yeah, I suppose, but I wonder if it’s more work than it’s worth. Maybe bring Eli Manning to the event. That would go over well. Question: I have four words for the month of May at the Indy 500: Zip line over Georgetown Road. (Fred, Simpsonville, S.C.) Answer: I’m not sure about Georgetown Road, but I’d go for having it pass over a section of Gasoline Alley. I’d ride that. Here’s The Star’s story on an IMS zip line: http://www.indystar.com/article/20120208/NEWS11/202080314/Indianapolis-Motor-Speedway-considers-adding-zip-line-attraction?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|IndyStar.com