Road Construction

            This is the only road construction that will not only make a road safer, but won’t cause any headaches during rush hour.

            The Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s road course is getting repaved. This is the first time the course has been paved since it was first constructed for the first Formula 1 race in 2001. The course is 2.6 miles, and consists of 16-turns. It is planned to be finished in time for the Red Bull Moto GP event in late August.

            
            It is also thought that a reason the track is getting repaved is because the GRAND-AM series will race at IMS next year. Although that race has not yet been confirmed, there is no reason the track needed to be repaved so there could be just motorcycle races on it.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Moto GP course

Paving crews

 I took these pics on my cell phone, so I apologize for the graininess. In the last three pictures, the lower section of pavement is the Moto GP course, the upper section is the oval track. I’m not an expert on asphalt, but it looked like the course was still being prepared to be paved.

NFL Lockout: Day 100

            The NFL has been in a lockout for 100 days (on Friday, June 24). The disagreement is between the owners of the teams and the NFL Players Association. The two are not able to come to terms on who gets what the NFL revenue pie. 

Here is a timeline of what has happened in the past few months:

March 4, 2011- NFL and NFL Players Association mutually agree to a seven-day extension to try and avoid a lockout.

March 12- Lockout begins.

April 25- Judge grants injunction to end lockout.

April 28- NFL Draft.

April 29- Appeals court restores lockout.

                
            There has not been much else happen since April 29. The two sides are talking but are not able to agree on much. The days without football are turning into weeks, and into months. Training camp starts in August, and the regular season in September. Those two months are rapidly approaching.

            
            The people who would be most affected from a 2011 NFL Lockout? Hoosiers. The Super Bowl next season will take place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our city and state have poured millions into getting ready for the event. If there is no Super Bowl here, that will be millions wasted.

                
            Lucas Oil Stadium, The Conrad Hotel, The J.W. Marriott, and a new football facility on the south side of Indianapolis were all built because the Super Bowl will be taking place here. If there is no 2011 season, and no 2012 Super Bowl, the NFL owes Indiana an apology and hundreds of millions dollars."The effects could be consequential," said Michael Hicks, director of Ball State University’s Center for Business and Economic Research. "We'll probably see a loss of $200 million if there is a lockout."

-After posting this I learned that if there is no 2011 season or Super Bowl, Indy will get to host the 2015 Super Bowl.

2011 Pacers Post-Draft

The scoreboard at the 2011 Pacers Draft Party at Conseco Fieldhouse.

           The Indiana Pacers hit the jackpot Thursday night during the 2011 NBA Draft. Going into the draft, the Pacers needed a guard that could score and add depth to the roster. They got that, and then some.

            

With the 15^th pick, Indiana selected Kawhi Leonard, a forward from San Diego State. Kawhi is known for his big hands and rebounding skills. For me, this pick didn’t make any sense; the Pacers did not need any more forwards trying to compete for a starting position.

            

A few minutes after this, it was announced that Leonard was being traded to the Spurs, for guard George Hill. Jackpot! Needless to say, I was ecstatic after hearing this.

            

George Hill was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. He went to my alma mater, Broad Ripple High School, and went to college at IUPUI (Indiana University -Purdue University- Indianapolis). He was drafted by the Spurs and has been a member of that club for three seasons.

            
            Here’s what some experts are saying about the Pacers picking up George Hill.

Tom Lewis of Indy Cornrows: “He’s (Hill) not a backup point guard or an undersized shooting guard – Hill is a player. Hill can play either guard spots with any of the other guards on the current roster. But more importantly, Hill is a productive, professional player. Put him on the court and he will consistently play hard at both ends, giving the Pacers playing rotation a much needed boost in reliability and leadership.”

Chad Ford of ESPN: “(Hill's) versatility, toughness and playoff experience on a veteran roster all help accelerate the Pacers’ rebuilding project. He can step in immediately and give them something they need: a guard who can create his own shot and defend.”

Tom Ziller of SB Nation: “The Indiana Pacers were in the fortuitous spot of having a No. 15 in the 2011 NBA Draft in which a number of prized talents slipped out of the lottery. The Pacers struck gold with … George Hill. Did I say gold? I meant, uh, George Hill? They struck George Hill … The Pacers now have Darren Collison, Hill and A.J. Price under contract. Am I missing something? Is Indiana planning on merging Collison and Hill in a grand science experiment?”

Zach Lowe of SI.com: “The numbers peg Hill more as a shooting guard with nice ball-handling skills than someone ready to run a team full time. Luckily for the Pacers, they have a young point guard ready to run an offense full time in Darren Collison, and they have a major need for consistent scoring on the wing. Hill, an Indianapolis native who starred at IUPUI, can fill the same role with the Pacers that he played in San Antonio. He’ll be an immediate upgrade over shooting guards Dahntay Jones, Brandon Rush and Paul George.”

All these quotes were found by www.eightpointsnineseconds.com, an ESPN affiliate that covers the Indiana Pacers.

            
            This is my favorite thought on the acquisition of Hill.

Bob Kravitz of the Indianapolis Star:  “Hill isn't a terrific pickup simply because he's a local guy, although that isn't going to hurt any at the box office. (Think owner Herb Simon was loving this move?) Hill is a terrific pickup because he's a proven commodity, an established, grown-up, NBA guard entering his fourth season who can play the point and the two-guard. He makes the Pacers bigger and deeper and more formidable in every conceivable way, leaving absolutely no reason this team shouldn't be better than .500 next season and for years to come.”

            

            Not trying to suck up too much, but this is why Kravitz is my favorite writer. Great minds think alike!

George Hill's tattoo of the state of Indiana. You think he's happy to be back?

            

            The Pacers still have some work to do if they hope to win the NBA Championship, but there is plenty of time and money to do that. The Pacers are way under the salary cap and have players to get rid of. I could almost guarantee that the Pacers are not done wheeling and dealing. It should be a very exciting 2011 season. Go Pacers!

2011 Pacers Pre-Draft

So what do the Pacers need to get them to the playoffs next season? They hope to answer that in the 2011 NBA Draft on June 23^rd. Pacers president Larry Bird has said he wants a consistent scorer to help out small forward, Danny Granger. That player will probably end up being a shooting guard, because all the other positions have a solid starter and backup.

There has been a lot of discussion on Jimmer Fredette possibly being selected. To that I say, “NOOOOOO!!!!” Jimmer is so over-rated it’s disgusting. He racked up gaudy numbers against weak competition and everybody praises the ground he walks on. Ever heard of Adam Morrison and J.J. Riddick, or even Steve Alford? They are all shooting guards that posted great numbers in college and did nothing in the NBA.  Fredette is also white (like Morrison, Riddick, and Alford), which I think played a huge part in the amount of attention he got.

The big name players that have worked out for the Indiana Pacers include: Jon Deibler, Kyle Singler, Tyler Honeycutt, Jimmy Butler, Jamine Peterson, and Jake Kelly. (Kelly attended Indiana State University, but I think the only guy that is giving the guy a chance is former Sycamore, Larry Bird)

Jon Deibler- 6-6, 205lbs. junior from Ohio State University.  Deibler broke the all-time OSU records for career 3-pointers and single-season 3-pointers. He was the best 3-point shooter not in only the Big Ten Conference, but in America. Of his 328 career field goals, only 21% have been 2-pointers. I’d much rather have this guy than Fredette.

Kyle Singler- 6-8, 230lbs. senior forward from Duke University. Anybody from Duke is gonna be at least a decent player. Singler owns the Duke career records for games played, consecutive games played, games started, and minutes played. According to Pacers scouts, Singler is a “highly skilled offensive player with the ability to score on the block or from the perimeter ... one of the top inside-outside threats in the country. As well as fluid athlete with an advanced and well-rounded skill set ... has the ability to lead the team in nearly every statistical category”. Singler is an outstanding player. I never really liked the guy though, and I think a team will have already drafted him before the Pacers have a chance to.

           

Tyler Honeycutt- 6-8, 188 lbs. sophomore forward from UCLA. Honeycutt averaged 12.8 points per game with a .406 field goal percentage. From espn.com and pacers.com, that’s all I got besides a random compilation of statistics. I have never seen this guy play, so I have no clue if he’s the real deal or not. He’s a forward and the Pacers have plenty of those already, so hopefully we don’t pick him up.

            Jimmy Butler- 6-7, 220 lbs. senior guard from Marquette University. Butler received All-Big East honorable mentions last season. He averaged 15.7 points, 2.3 assists, and 6.1 rebounds per game. He’s not an outstanding player, but I have seen him play a lot (and beat Notre Dame) and he is an alright player. He may be able to become great, but I don’t think he’s worthy of a first round pick.

Jamine Peterson- 6-6, 230 lbs. sophomore forward from Providence College.  Peterson averaged 19.6 points per game and 10.2 rebounds per game. There was talk of him possibly receiving the Big East Play of the Year Award, but come on, the guy plays for Providence. I could be their best player! Unless this guy has some ungodly talent he’s been hiding, the Pacers should stay away from him.

Other possible selections include: Diante Garret (guard, Iowa State), Kenneth Fried (forward, Morehead State), Andrew Goudelock (guard, Charleston), Charles Jenkins (guard, Hofstra), Trey Thompkins (forward, Georgia), Nikola Vucevic (forward, USC), and Rick Jackson (forward, Syracuse).

It’s interesting to me that local players JaJuan Johnson (Purdue) and Shelvin Mack (Butler) are considered possible first round draft picks, but are not even being looked at by the Pacers.

2011 Pacers Off-Season

Pacers' mascot "Boomer"

            The Indiana Pacers finished the 2010-2011 seasons with a losing record, but made it the postseason under interim coach, Frank Vogel. He is youthful and seems to connect with the young Pacers team. The Pacers increased their scoring average from 97.8 points per game to 102.1 points per game after Vogel took over from fired head coach Jim O’ Brien.

            
            Vogel took advantage of his younger players, and seldom-used players under O’ Brien's reign. Tyler Hansbrough, "2010 Player of the Year" at the University of North Carolina finally looked like the star he was expected to be. He became a starter with Vogel and added a sense of aggression that the Pacers had definitely lacked before.

            
            Vogel also played around with the lineup until he found one that was firing on all cylinders. It was great to see players I had never even heard of make a contribution to victories. Vogel has not yet been given the Pacers head coach job for the 2011 season, but he is considered to be the leading candidate. He knows the system and the players, and has shown he can win. Hopefully, he’ll be back again leading the Pacers to the playoffs.

Frank Vogel

Here is who the Indiana Pacers currently have on their roster:

Guards- Darren Collison, Mike Dunleavy*, T.J. Ford*, A.J. Price, Brandon Rush, Lance Stephenson

Forwards- Danny Granger, Paul George, Tyler Hansbrough, Dahntay Jones, Solomon Jones*, Josh McRoberts*, James Posey

Centers- Roy Hibbert, Jeff Foster*.

*-free agents

             

            Collison, Granger, George, Hansbrough, and Hibbert are the definite core of this team. They are all young players who all have great potential, not to mention the standard starting rotation. Dunleavy is a solid shooting guard, but he’s not getting any younger or better. T.J. Ford has been a disappointment so far. Price, Rush, Stephenson, Jones, Jones, and Posey are just names that could be replaced with anybody. Sure, they’re all good players that know the system, but none of them will ever be all-stars. Foster and McRoberts are both good backups for their respective positions, and sometimes started games.

            

            Larry Bird said in a recent press conference that he wants "10 players that can be competitive every night” . From the 15 players currently listed, I see 7, maybe 8. If the Pacers office can nail this 2011 NBA Draft, then Pacers will have a very bright future.

My Indy 500

This is kind of late, but I just wanted to get this out there and let you guys know how my month of May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was. Out of the 17 days of Indianapolis 500 activities occurring at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, I was there for seven of them and spent approximately 34 hours at the track. I was there on Opening Day, Fast Friday, Carb Day, Race Day, and then some. I took 533 pictures, got some awesome autographs, and made memories I will never forget. There is nowhere else I would rather spend the month of May than on the Westside of Indianapolis, Indiana.

           

On race day, my entourage made up myself, my mom, my brother, and my girlfriend woke up at 4:00 am. We hopped into our car and headed basically right around the corner to Georgetown Road that runs right next to IMS. After almost 3 of waiting in line to get into the track (and several headaches) we were parked in Turn 3, the famed “Snake Pit”. We unloaded the car and headed to Turn 2, where we would be sitting on an infield mound.

We were set up and ready for the race by 8:00 am, but the race was still four hours away! So we sat there and listened to music, played Frisbee, played football, and tried to kill time as we waited for the pre race activities to start.

After the national anthem was sung, a rendition by Kelly Clarkson and Seal, the much more appealing song, “Back Home Again in Indiana” was sung by Jim Nabors. After hearing that song, I realized that I was just mere minutes from seeing my first Indianapolis 500 in person. I could feel the same electricity in the thousands of people around us.

The race began and was very exciting, but like all sporting events, it turned into a bore about half way through. In fact, my girlfriend fell asleep during the race. Embarrassing right? With about 40 laps to go, the race picked up and I stood for the rest of the race so I could get the best vantage point.

As the lead was swapped between drivers towards the end of the race you could feel the tension grow with each passing lap. Nobody knew who would have enough gas (or determination and strength) to win. When JR Hildebrand took the lead my brother and I erupted into cheer. My brother had picked him to win, and it was awesome to see an American just a few laps away from winning the race.

When J.R. took the white flag, everybody around us was on their feet, cheering him onto victory. He went by us and onto the backstretch. I watched him turn into 3 on the video screen, then into 4, then smack right into the wall. There was a moment of a about one second when the track was almost silent, except for the cars, as nobody could believe what just happened. When Dan Wheldon passed Hildebrand, the shock turned into happiness and appreciation for Wheldon and the crowd erupted into cheers.

Well, except for two people, my brother and I. I really thought Hildebrand was going to win. I told my brother with 10 laps left that if Hildebrand could get by then 2^nd place Dario Franchitti, then he would win. Hildebrand got by Franchitti and took the lead as the leader had to pit, and all he had to do from then on out was keep the car on the track and off the wall. He wasn’t able to do that, and he lost. I could feel his pain, for I had felt his excitement and anxiousness.

After the race, we headed back to our car and waited about an hour to leave the track, and finally made it home around 5. I had been up for 12 hours, I had been to my first Indy 500, and it was one of the greatest 500’s in history. It was quite an incredible day.

Pagoda on race morning

First 3 rows before the start of the race

 Besides going to the race, my favorite part of the 500 was being at the track on A.J. Foyt Day, the Saturday before the race. Throughout the day there would be drivers signing autographs; drivers that were past Indy 500 winners, drivers that had raced in the 500, and the current drivers. There was also the public driver’s meeting which I had never attended.

I woke up 7:00 am and left for the track. I got to the gates around 7:45am and stood in line until the official opening of the gates at 8am.

When it finally turned to 8am, the guy working the gate yelled “GO!” All of a sudden, I was in the middle of a stampede. People (mostly middle-aged) took off into the tunnel that leads under the track. I was getting pushed around and could hear little kids screaming. It was as close to “Running of the Bulls” as I want to get to. Eventually I realized I was going to have to join the madness, and took off running.

I emerged from the tunnel and inside the track. I made my way to the “Pagoda Plaza” and found that the first group of drivers giving autographs was the past Indy 500 winners. They were split up into 5 different tables from which I would only be able to choose just one to go. These tables were:

Johnny Rutherford, Parnelli Jones, and Tom Sneeva

Arie Luyendyk and Rick Mears

Mario Andretti and Kenny Brack

Al Unser, Bobby Unser, and Al Unser Jr.

Emerson Fittipaldi and Gil de Ferran

I jumped in the Arie and Rick line, as Rick’s autograph is one I’ve wanted for awhile. I stood there and talked to the people around me. The couple in front of me was from Florida and had been to several 500’s. The guy behind me had also been to several, and he and his father had so much memorabilia and stuff to sign it was borderline disgusting. All I had was a program, but by God, I will always cherish that $15 program.

While in line, I saw Johnny Rutherford standing next to a car that several past drivers were signing. I rushed over and got him to sign my program. I was also able to get Wally Dallenbach and his father’s autograph as well. I was soon told to “move back to the lines”, but didn’t care much because I got what I wanted!

Eventually I got Arie and Rick’s autograph, and told Arie that “You’re my parents favorite driver!” to which drew an almost dirty glance by the two-time 500 winner.

I attended the driver’s meeting that was happening on the front stretch of the track. Dario Franchitti and his owner were given awards for his 500 victory last year. There were other awards given but nothing too exciting. The best moment was when Al Unser Jr. introduced A.J. Foyt, when he said “Now to introduce a man with a record that is unsurpassed. Get it, Unser-passed?” The joke brought out a lot of laughs from people in the stands as well as the drivers in attendance. I thought it was pretty hilarious as well.

Program I got signed.Autographs: Johnny Rutherford, Arie Luyendyk, Rick Mears, Kenny Brack, Parnelli Jones, and Tom Sneeva

Rick Mears and Arie Luyendyk

A.J. Foyt

Wally Dallenbach Jr. and Sr.

GRAND-AM in Indy?

Rumors began to start early this week that there were talks between NASCAR and the owners of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway about having the Grand-Am Series race on the road course at IMS. The Grand-Am series, which I know as the Rolex Sports Car Series, is owned by NASCAR.        

On Wednesday, June 15, it was confirmed that IMS and NASCAR are seriously considering adding a Grand- Am race to the Brickyard 400 weekend, and possibly holding the Nationwide race at IMS too.

            

           The Rolex cars had tested at IMS a few years ago, but nothing ever came of it. I even asked one Indianapolis Star writer a few months ago if IMS would ever have a Grand-Am race; his response, in short, was no.

           This is all just rumors right now, but I’m not a big fan of any of this change, esp. the Nationwide switch. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is for the best drivers in the world, and to bring the Nationwide drivers would dilute that. The other part that upsets me is that the Brickyard 400 weekend is something I really look forward to. I get to see all the drivers, cars, and teams that I love. I don’t want to see them share the track with anybody else. Not to mention the ticket prices for the whole weekend would increase greatly.

            Here’s the low-down on the Grand-Am Series, because I know next to nothing about the series.

“GRAND-AM Road Racing has the largest sports car fan base in the United States, with nearly 20 million adults, and has also had the highest percentage growth of any major motorsports series on television over the past five years.

GRAND-AM sanctions the Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 and the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge. The Rolex Series and Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge deliver professional sports car racing to key markets throughout North America in addition to being televised in the U.S. and Canada on SPEED and distributed globally through ESPN International.

GRAND-AM Road Racing showcases emerging and legendary drivers from around the globe and thoroughbred racing machines from the industry's leading constructors and the world's top automobile manufacturers.

GRAND-AM was founded in 1999. The organization's first race was February 6, 2000, at Daytona International Speedway - the 38th Rolex 24 At Daytona.”

http://www.grand-am.com

Apparently it’s spelled “GRAND-AM”, not “Grand-Am” like I was writing it.

When something is announced officially, I will post it on here ASAP!

Rolex Sports Car Series cars. The first two are "Daytona Prototype" class cars, the third one is a "GT" class car.

Need more time!

            I apologize for not posting any stories in the past week. I’ve just started my summer classes for college and haven’t had a ton of free time. I’m hoping to write a story on my experience during the three weeks of the Indy 500, the recent scandal at Ohio State University, and the rumors that the Rolex Sports Car Series will race at IMS.

IndyCar on the rise?

            Could IndyCar be on the rise? If you judge it off the series’ biggest race, the Indianapolis 500, then the answer would be a resounding “Yes!”

But before we talk too much about the future, how about a history lesson?

            

            During the 1990’s, CART, the Championship Auto Racing Team, was the premier open-wheel racing league in America. CART was run by several legends of racing, including Roger Penske, Bobby Rahal, and Paul Newman. Tony George, owner of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, was also on the board of owners, but played a minor role.

            

            George became fed up with “political differences” between himself and the sanctioning body. George said the differences were driving the sport away from its “American-bred oval roots”; others say it had more to do with money and power. I believe the former, and still believe that IndyCar needs to get back to those roots.

            

            In 1995, Tony George created his own racing league; a league that was more affordable, and that centered on the Indy 500.

            

            The result nearly destroyed both leagues. CART took the big names, while IRL held onto the biggest race. For the following years the two leagues battled to try and destroy each other, striving to find the best drivers and best teams. Eventually, Penske, Ganassi, Michael Andretti, and Rahal all returned to Indy, and the Indy Racing League.

            

            In 2008, CART had nearly reached bankruptcy so they agreed to merge with the Indy Racing League. That resulted in what we know today as IndyCar.

           

            

            The 100^th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 was a near sellout, bringing more people since the 1995 race, which was the year before the IRL/CART split. The race also produced a higher television rating than last years, rising from a 3.6 to 4.0. Tickets are being sold at tracks across America at a faster rate than previous years, showing that people are taking interest in the league and its drivers.

            

            Next season, IndyCar will introduce all new cars. There will be an oval car and a road/ street course car. These cars have customizable parts that will allow the car makers to create different looking cars than their opponents.

            

            Along with these new cars will be Chevrolet and Lotus, along with Honda, all making cars for specific teams. This means that there could be three different looking race cars on the track all on once, reminiscing to the early days of the Indy 500 where car companies pushed for innovation and speed.

            

          These new cars will also attempt to get rid of the “spec” racing that has become synonymous with all racing leagues. The term refers to how all the cars are made exactly the same, and look exactly the same, i.e. NASCAR and Formula 1. This was also a problem for IndyCar, as the cars have been the same since 2003.

           

A model of the new cars for 2012. The top is the road course car. The bottom is the oval car.

            The biggest change coming to IndyCar is the loss of its most popular driver, Danica Patrick. Patrick will be moving to NASCAR after this season to compete in the Nationwide Series. To me, this is a positive; it is time for IndyCar to forge its own identity, one that isn’t based on just one driver. You watch Sportscenter, and the only thing that would be covered in the highlights is Danica Patrick and the winner of the race. That’s not a good thing.

-There has been no formal announcement made on this issue, but everybody is expecting Danica to leave IndyCar.

            
            The time is right for open-wheel racing to re-emerge on the sports scene. The series has been dormant far too long, and the men running IndyCar want it to be a premier racing league. NASCAR has shown a decline in popularity, some NFL teams are struggling to sell tickets, and that league may not even have a 2011 season. Plus the economy, which drives racing, is improving, and large corporations are crucial as they sponsor cars, drivers, and tracks.