AAA, USAC, IRL, Indy Car, CART, Champ Car and even NASCAR

For the entire racing season I find myself perpetually calling the current Indy Car series the IRL. It is of course actually called IndyCar.IRL/IndyCar…..CART/Champ Car ? This form of racing has been going through an identity crises since CART was formed and they put USAC’s Indy Car series out of business. All ovals, all road courses, 50/50, 75/25, 25/75. Indy Car racing or whatever you call it, needs to figure out who or what it is. It will never come close to the success it once had, as long as it wanders around aimlessly, trying to figure what they will be next year, or next week

Originally the AAA sanctioned this form of racing. They were usually called Indy Cars in adds, but there was not a true name for these guys. Indy Cars, Big Cars, Championship Cars and Champ Cars were all used. When the AAA got out of racing and USAC was formed, the lack of an official name continued but eventually Indy Cars became the true name. There was also a NASCAR sanctioned Indy Car series in the 1950s.  The cars were the traditional front engine roadsters you saw in USAC at the time, except they had full roll cages.

The six photos below were made by me in either the 2005 or 2006 seasons. They are at the Milwaukee Mile. The top photos are from Champ Car (formerly CART), and the bottom three shots are from the IRL (now Indy Car). It shows the aero differences in the cars from each series at that time. From a fan’s perspective, I think both were pretty. I always thought I favored Champ Car’s appearance but it is pretty much a toss up for me. Below those six photos you see pictures of some 2012 Indy Cars.   Those pictures came from the Indy Car website. I have been very critical of the physical appearance of this car. I will admit that from a front view, they look pretty much like any modern Indy Car. You can kind of see the very wide side pod and this car has the rear wheels partially covered. They look like a ½ Indy Car, ½ sports car from the side or top. They do not do either Indy Cars or sports car justice.  I have heard a fair amount of grumbling from both the fans and the press, but my guess is that we will adjust to the cars eventually.

Champ Car/CART

IRL/IndyCar

Current IndyCar

 

I managed to catch the Canadian G.P. Formula One race yesterday on Fox Sports.  It was a good race with Lewis Hamilton getting his first victory of the season.  More importantly F1 is having a season like they have never seen before.  Seven races and seven different winners.  This is F1?  Amazing.  Hamilton took over the points lead.  That point standings is amazingly close. 

This may be the season to pay attention to F1.

Yesterday's finish  Note the two young drivers Grosjean and Perez with podium finishes.  Also notice there are three different manufacturers in those three position.

1.Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes

2.Romain Grosjean Lotus-

3.Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari

Current point standings

1.
Lewis Hamilton

2. Fernando Alonso

3. Sebastian Vettel

4. Mark Webber

5. Nico Rosberg

6. Kimi Raikkonen

7. Romain Grosjean

8. Jenson Button

9. Sergio Perez

10.
Pastor Maldonado