Rahal Letterman (Probably) A No Go For 09'

UPDATE: WTHR the Indianapolis NBC affiliate has up a video interview with Bobby Rahal where he says "I think for sure we'll have a car an Indy. I have no doubt about that. We have some interest in that currently"

In another quote, Rahal leaves the possibility open to Ethanol returning as sponsor "They had to decline, but now we have had some recent conversations that show some interest"

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In a not so surprising move, Bobby Rahal has told the AP that the team will not field a car in 2009 saying"At this time Rahal Letterman will not be in the IRL in 2009". But Bobby told Curt Cavin of the Indianapolis Star that the decision is not final because they could get the cars up and going in as little as 2 weeks.

“But to be honest, unless pennies from heaven fall in our lap, I don’t see, at this stage, getting the appropriate level of funding to put forth a good, competitive effort for the season."

Rahal told Curt Cavin that they are "reasonably sure" that RLR will field a car for the 500.

“Indy is a whole different (financial) animal, but we don’t want to just be there. We want to be competitive.”

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More Indianapolis Motor Speedway Centennial Era Videos

Al Unser

Johnny Rutherford

Willy T. Ribbs

Danny Sullivan

Helio Castroneves

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Bryan Herta Purchases Playa del Racing

Although rumored a couple days ago, today Bryan Herta announced that he has purchased Playa del racing. At last check Playa del had 1 Firestone Indy Lights Dallara and two Indycar Panoz chassis. However I believe that the only track that the Panoz’s are sanctioned to run at is Indy. Bryan Herta Racing will run his Indy Lights team out of the Vision racing garages, where he coincidentally was hired on mid season as a drivers coach after being fired from the AGR ALMS program.

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Rice Earns A Rolex

What do Bobby Rahal, Mark Donohue, Arie Luyendyk, and Buddy Rice all have in common? …..They have all won both the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Daytona. The 2004 Indy Champ with teamates Antonio Garcia, Darren Law and David Donohue (son of Mark) beat out 51 other cars for the overall Rolex 24 Hours Championship. With a rough last couple seasons, the rumored Rubicon/Pacific Coast driver has earned his way onto one of the most prestige lists in racing.
Others Who have won the 24 Hours Of Daytona & Indy 500
Mario Andretti
A.J. Foyt
Al Unser Sr.
Al Unser Jr.
Dan Wheldon
Scott Dixon
Juan Montoya
Dario Franchitti

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Bourdais To Stay In F1

Speed TV reports that Sebastian Bourdais is set to sign with Toro Rosso and forgo the rumored NHL vacancy. The move would leave the seat open to Robert Doornbos who has been long rumored to sign for 09′.

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Mike Conway Confirmed For 09′ Indycar Ride

Former F1 test driver, Mike Conway has been confirmed to drive one of Dreyer & Reinbold’s Dallara’s in 09′. Conway who tested last year with Panther will get his first seat time with D&R on Feb. 24 & 25 at Homestead Miami Speedway for Indycar’s first open test in 2009.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to race in the U.S. with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing in the IndyCar Series,” Conway said. “I’ll be visiting a lot of new tracks for the first time, especially oval tracks, but I’m very much looking forward to the challenge.”
The addition of Conway leaves in question the Indycar careers of Buddy Rice, Milka Duno and Townsend Bell. Although Rice has been previously rumored to be a virtual lock to pilot the D&R Dad’s Root Beer sponsored Dallara in 09′ nothing has been confirmed, but Mike King and Kevin Lee report that D&R may have severed ties with the veteran. I still expect Dreyer & Reinbold to announce a second car in the near future to be driven by Rice, Duno and/or Bell.

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Month Of May Suffers Practice Cut Backs

The Indy 500 and Month Of May are no exception to the worldwide economic slowdown, and to help fight the cost IMS has cut back on its Month of May activities.
Glass Half Empty: Rookie orientation and Indy Lights Practice will come on Tuesday (5th) and Wednesday (6th) in 09′ apposed to the previous Sunday and Monday as it has been the past couple years. The next Monday and Tuesday will have no track activity as it has been the last couple years but this year there will be an added day of Wednesday with the cars in the garages.
Glass Half Full: All in all I count a total of 3 days being lost to the cut back, which isn’t terrible considering the economic times. The good news is that they are sticking with the 4 day, 2 weekend schedule, plus there will be an added hot air balloon race at the beginning of the month to commemorate the first ever race at IMS. My question is if IMS will cut back the price of Bronze Badges? ….I doubt it

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Versus Announces Broadcast Team

On the heals of a huge last couple days of announcement and speculation, Versus has announced there 09 broadcast team. As yours truely reported several weeks ago Bob Jenkins will anchor the in booth team with Jon Beekhuis and Dreyer & Reinbold owner/08′ Indy Lights broadcaster Robbie Buhl.
Jack Arute will head up the pit reporters for both the Versus and ABC broadcasts this season. Working alongside will be Robbie Floyd & Lindy Thackston, Floyd has put time in with NBC, Fox Sports, ESPN and SPEED.
The somewhat unexpected choice of the group was Lindy Thackston, a Jacksonville Fl. area reporter and has done some ALMS work as well. But after a little research Thackston has deeper roots in Indiana and the Indy 500 then expected. She was raised in the Indianapolis area and graduated from Purdue University in West Lafayette where she got her first on-air work. While going to Purdue Lindy was named the Indianapolis 500 princess in 2001
The 09′ Indy Lights broadcast crew will be announced shortly, but Kevin Lee says that he is “a part if it”

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Dollar General To Sponsor Sarah Fisher In 09′

Sarah Fisher will keep Dollar General on board for a 4 race schedule in 09′ with races in Indy, Kansas, Chicagoland and Kentucky. Sarah is still in contract negotations to add 2 more races in 09′

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Will Power To Replace Helio

Curt Cavin is reporting that Will Power is set to replace Helio Castroneves, atleat until Helio’s court case is settled. Both Helio and Ryan Briscoe will be in attendence at the news confrence set for today, where an official announcement will be made. Tim Cindric told Cavin that the team is still “fully behind him”.

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Doornbos To Sign With Newman Haas Lanigan + KV Makes Decisions

UPDATE: Indycar & Indystar both are confirming what Is It May Yet? reported yesterday, that Mario Moraes will be behind the wheel of one of KV’s two entrys in 09′. The Indianapolis Star is reporting that both Oriol Seriva and Will Power are in the mix for the 2nd seat at KV along with Indycar outcast Paul Tracy.
According to Autosport News, Robert Doornbos who has been rumored to sign with HVM is set to sign with NHL on Wednesday sometime. The deal is said to be 99% complete and the two have an oral agreement.

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Lingner To Produce Versus Races

3 time Emmy Award winner Terry Lingner, who came up with the original idea of a camera in the surface of the track, will produce the Indycar races on Versus in 09′ with a crew of over 100. Lingner has produced the Olympic games, the Indy 500, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, The Rolex 24, The X-Games and Barret Jackson Car auctions on SPEED. Lingner, a 76′ Ball State graduate has done a little racing himself, competing in the 12 Hours of Sebring, the 24 Hours of Le Mans as well as the Rolex 24.

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