Iowa Speedway race fans can watch the latest test of the 2018 Verizon IndyCar Series universal aerodynamic bodywork kit free on Thursday.
The test will be the first on a short oval for the two cars testing the new kit to be used by all series competitors next season. The test is scheduled to run from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. ET Thursday and fans can watch from the Newton Club that overlooks the start/finish line on the 0.894-mile oval.
With veterans Juan Pablo Montoya and Oriol Servia driving cars powered by Chevrolet and Honda engines, respectively, the new car has already had successful INDYCAR tests in the superspeedway configuration at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and on the road course at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
"We respect and support everything INDYCAR does to provide the best open-wheel racing around,” said Jimmy Small, Iowa Speedway president. “The test will provide an opportunity for our fans to get a preview of the 2018 Verizon IndyCar Series season and the Iowa Corn 300 race. We’re stoked to see the new universal aero kit up close and, in particular, how it will handle the ‘Fastest Short Track on the Planet.’”
Iowa Speedway has hosted a Verizon IndyCar Series race annually since 2007.
Chevrolet, Honda waging tight manufacturer battle
The battle for manufacturer supremacy in the 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series is as intense and compelling as the fight for the drivers’ championship.
On the strength of drivers bringing home first and second place in the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio on July 30, Chevrolet has reclaimed the lead in the season-long battle for engine supremacy – but by a narrow margin. Chevy leads competitor Honda by just eight points with four races remaining on the schedule.
The margin can be directly traced to the bonus points offered for pole positions and race wins. A manufacturer receives one point for each pole (two points for the Indianapolis 500 pole and one point for being fastest on the first Indy 500 qualifying day), with Chevrolet earning 10 qualifying points to Honda’s five thus far. Each race win carries a five-point bonus for a manufacturer, and with Chevy having one more race win than Honda (7-6), it nets five more points for the bowtie supplier.
Chevrolet has won every manufacturer championship since Verizon IndyCar Series engine competition resumed in 2012. Check the current manufacturer point standings below.
Foyt’s horse wins West Virginia Derby
Colonelsdarktemper, a 3-year-old thoroughbred horse owned by Indy car legend A.J. Foyt, raced to its first stakes victory Saturday in the West Virginia Derby at the Mountaineer Casino Racetrack in New Cumberland, West Virginia.
At 7-1 odds, Colonelsdarktemper was the fifth favorite in a 10-horse field that included Kentucky Derby runner-up Lookin at Lee. Foyt’s horse, with jockey Jon Court aboard, led from the start and won the 1 1/8-mile race in 1 minute, 50.68 seconds.
Colonelsdarktemper, which finished second in the Indiana Derby three weeks earlier, earned a $446,250 winner’s share from the $750,000 purse.
Watch a replay of the race here:
Five-part Indianapolis 500 series launched by VICE Video
VICE Video launched this week the first of a five-part series recorded at the 101st Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil in May. The series will focus on different aspects on and off track revolving around “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
Click here to watch a preview of the series and here to watch the first part that focuses on longtime fan Bill Marvel, who attended his 73rd consecutive Indianapolis 500 this year and who has passed his love for racing down generations in his family.
Future parts of the series will debut each of the next four Saturdays.