Round 1--Homestead/Miami Speedway, Homestead, Fla.
1.5 mile variable degree(18-20 degree) banked asphalt oval
Previous pole and race winners.....
2001:Jeff Ward/Sam Hornish, Jr.
2002:Sam Hornish, Jr./Sam Hornish, Jr.
2003:Tony Kanaan/Scott Dixon
2004:Buddy Rice/Sam Hornish, Jr.
2005:Tomas Scheckter/Dan Wheldon
This track is a "champions' track", not in that it's the season finale, but in that of the 5 years the series has visited this site, built on the former grounds of Homestead Air Force Base, the driver who has won the race here(Hornish, Jr in 2001-2002, Dixon in 2003 and Wheldon in 2005) has gone on to win the series title at the end of the season. With 18-20 degrees of variable banking in the turns, drivers have several grooves or lanes that they can use during the race. It's a horsepower track, and even with a sole engine supplier, whichever teams can get their cars up to speed quickly will usually be at the front late in the race.
Round 2-Streets of St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg, Fla.
1.8+ mile temporary street & airport circuit
Previous pole/race winners....
2005:Bryan Herta/Dan Wheldon
This is a hybrid circuit, with part of it on the property of Alfred Whitted Field and the rest on the streets of St. Pete. This track was the IRL's first foray into road racing, and it was a successful debut. It also saw the debut of the IRL's "Firestone Shootout"; after qualfiying, the top-6 get one last, 10-minute shot at the pole.
Round 3-Twin Ring Motegi, Motegi, Japan
1.5 mile low-banked asphalt oval
Previous pole/race winners.....
2003:Scott Dixon/Scott Sharp
2004:Dan Wheldon/Dan Wheldon
2005:Sam Hornish, Jr./Dan Wheldon
This is a unique track, the Twin Ring Motegi, in that it's almost an Asian version of NASCAR's Darlington Speedway.....egg-shaped, with turns 1-2 longer than 3-4; cars stay glued to the bottom since the track occasionally "loses" the high groove. This track also serves as a last chance before Indy to establish oneself as a championship contender. Do well here, and the momentum will likely help you going into the month of May.
Round 4-Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Speedway, Ind.
2.5 mile, low-banked(9 degree) asphalt oval
Previous pole/race winners......
(listed in the 89th Indianapolis 500 thread.)
The Greatest Spectacle in Racing. Whoever coined that phrase wasn't kidding; it is exactly that. For 89 years, drivers have been coming to the corner of 16th and Georgetown to compete in one of the world's premier sporting events. To win here is to become an instant legend, one whose visage becomes a part of the Borg-Warner Trophy and who'll be talked about for years to come. It's the modern-day version of High Noon in the Old West, only instead of 6-shooters men(and women) bring 650-hp, fire-breathing IndyCars to the track. It's still in the same shape that it was built in in the early 20th century, and it's still in that shape; 5/8th mile straights, plus four turns and two "short chutes"=2.5 miles. Originally paved with bricks(hence the moniker, the Brickyard), it was paved soon afterward. But whether it's the Indianapolis 500(IRL), the Brickyard 400(NASCAR Nextel Cup) or the United States Grand Prix(Formula 1), every driver who comes to this hallowed place has one goal at race's end.....to be the one who gets to "kiss the bricks" as the winner.
That covers rounds 1-4 of the 2006 IRL IndyCar Series season. As the season apporaches I'll covers the remaining rounds, giving readers a little bit of a glance at the venues that the series visits. Have fun, and enjoy!
