We are happy to announce that, as of now, the IndyCar World Series and Firestone Indy Lights will be extensively covered on UpdateF1. Our newest contributor, Filip Cleeren, will bring you reports of every race weekend, as well present a regular column, Speedway, about anything that needs to be addressed about the series. We will also actively encourage forum discussions about the Indycars, so please give us your opinion and tell us what topic you want to be addressed in future articles.
With American open wheel racing finally re-united again, it was only a matter of time before UpdateF1 would give the series the attention it deserves. And now we can!
Dixon's title?
After a quick round-up of the 2008 season so far, the rebirth of the American open wheels looks more than promising on the sportive front. Despite New Zealand's Scott Dixon's domination in numbers, the first edition of the re-unified series saw no less than six drivers take victory for the first time, including Britain's Justin Wilson, new kid on the block Graham Rahal and the first female driver to be successful in a major open wheel series, Danica Patrick.
With only one points race to go (this weekend at Chicago), it is Scott Dixon's title to lose with a comfortable 30 points margin on Helio Castroneves, whose late-season resurgence seems to come a little too late. The Brazilian had a very strong run this season, but often found himself pipped at the post by Dixon and netting what is probably a record number of second places.
It would take quite a dramatic turn of events for Castroneves to take the title. The Brazilian now needs to take the 50 points for the win and the three bonus points for leading the most laps, with Scott Dixon finishing lower than eight, for the championship to have an unexpected winner after all.
Yet one look at the results makes clear that, after he saw last year's title slip away from him in a dramatic fashion, no one else but Scott Dixon can rightfully claim the 2008 title. Eleven podiums (of which six wins) in 16 races are statistics one cannot get around. However, stranger things have happened. Roll on, Chicago.
Re-establishment
From a financial and publicitary point of view, there's still a long way to go and a lot of ground to make up on NASCAR. It will take a couple of years at the very least before every IndyCar driver will be independent on personal backing to get a drive, as it will take so long for all teams to guarantee a healthy and secure package for a full season (which may eventually expand to somewhere around 20 races).
A new U.S. TV deal is done (Versus will cover about two-third of the races, ESPN the rest), however Europe still lags behind, as Eurosport's Champ Car deal did not get a follow-up yet. The series now finds itself in a very important phase of re-establishment, here's hoping the spectators at the race track will follow.
As always, the mix between road courses and ovals causes mixed reactions among the fans, but on average the turnout seems to be satisfying. So far so good.
To be continued.
What do you think of the first season of the unified series IndyCar World Series? Feel free to discuss it on the forums!
Filip Cleeren
Written by Filip Cleeren on Sun, 07 Sep 2008 09:19:09
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