Thru Noggles Goggles .::. September 28th

Thru Noggles Goggles — 28 September 2012

The sixty-six who are confirmed to attend Saturday’s Race Chaser luncheon in Brownsburg, IN are advised that it would be good to arrive early. The plan is to have doors open for our gathering around noon, with food orders being taken at 12:30 (simply circle your choice on the menu sheet), and the serving to start at 1:00pm. To speed matters along, some that will be working this venue plan to eat early so they can be managing the various tables inside the door afterwards and perhaps even get the program started earlier than ever before. Announcements and brief introductions of other drivers in attendance will be done during the mealtime. It is hoped that we will be able to start the Pancho Carter/Steve Stapp program immediately upon completion of the luncheon. Co-Chair Barry Hindman will introduce the special guests.

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Judy Bickel brings to TNG’s attention that Autoweek.com has posted the possible 2013 IndyCar schedule:

Right-click here to download pictures. To help protect your privacy, Outlook prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.<br /><br />
Ryan Hunter-Reay recently won the IndyCar Championship. He'll try to repeat next year as the series prepares to release its 2013 schedule.

[Ryan Hunter-Reay recently won the IndyCar Championship. He'll try to repeat next year as the series prepares to release its 2013 schedule. LAT Photographic]

The status of a possible return to Kentucky Speedway is the biggest piece of drama awaiting Izod IndyCar Series fans as series officials are set to announce the 2013 schedule on Sunday (Sept. 30) night. The events will include, of course, the Indianapolis 500 on May 26. IndyCar still has to determine how many events, if any, will be doubleheaders next season. Those events would be on Saturday and Sunday.

If the Kentucky race happens, it almost certainly will be in September, likely as part of Nascar’s Nationwide Series event (Sept. 22 this year). Here’s the probable schedule as Autoweek sees it. The street race in Baltimore is another concern for omission on the final calendar, due to financial issues:

Sunday, March 24 in St. Petersburg, Fla. (street circuit)

Sunday, April 7 in Birmingham, Ala. (road course)

Sunday, April 21 in Long Beach, Calif. (street circuit)

Sunday, May 5 in Sao Paolo, Brazil (street circuit)

Sunday, May 26 in Indianapolis, Ind. (oval)

Sunday, June 2 in Detroit, Mich. (street circuit and possible doubleheader)

Saturday, June 8 in Fort Worth, Texas (oval)

Saturday, June 15 in Milwaukee, Wis. (oval)

Saturday, June 22 in Newton, Iowa (oval)

Sunday, July 7 in Pocono, Pa. (oval)

Sunday, July 14 in Toronto (street circuit)

Sunday, Aug. 4 in Lexington, Ohio (road course)

Sunday, Aug. 11 in Providence, R.I. (street circuit)

Sunday, Aug. 25 in Sonoma, Calif. (road course and possible doubleheader)

Sunday, Sept. 1 in Baltimore, Md. (street circuit)

Sunday, Oct. 6 in Houston, Texas (street circuit and possible doubleheader)

Sunday, Oct. 13 in Fontana, Calif. (oval)

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The Associated Press reports that:

LAT PHOTOGRAPHIC – Firestone’s current contract to supply tires to the IndyCar Series is up after the 2014 season.

IndyCar says it is exploring partnerships with tire manufacturers besides Bridgestone Firestone. Firestone has been IndyCar’s sole supplier, and is under contract through the 2014 season. The executive director of Firestone Racing told “Motor Sport” magazine the company wanted to extend its contract with IndyCar through perhaps 2020. Al Speyer told the magazine it’s heard rumors IndyCar is looking at other deals.

IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard confirmed Tuesday that the series is looking at many different tire options and Firestone is not out of the mix. Bernard says IndyCar looks at partners who provide safe, reliable and high-performance products but also help grow the series through aggressive activation. The Firestone brand has competed in every IndyCar Series race since the series began in 1996, and it has been the sole tire supplier to the series since 2000.

One of several outlets reporting IndyCar’s interest in looking at other possible tire options, racer.com, printed the following statement from Bernard: “While IndyCar generally does not comment on the specifics of ongoing negotiations, IndyCar is always exploring what’s best for the sport for both the short and long term,” he said. “It is the series’ goal to have partners that will provide safe, reliable and high-performance products that are designed to meet and exceed the on-track demands of our sport while creating a platform to leverage and grow the sport through aggressive activation. Because the current contract with Firestone to supply tires for the IZOD IndyCar Series will expire following the 2014 race season, IndyCar has been seeking and continues to seek a tire partnership for 2015 and beyond. As the current and historical tire supplier, Firestone has been and continues to be a part of the consideration.”

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Jim Hanks, owner of the Must See Xtreme Sprint Series sends this press release: “Aaron Pierce of Daleville,IN will be competing for the first time in a Supermodified at Anderson Speedway on 10/06/12.”