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Friday, August 31, 2012

Change to the Website

I apologize that I have been M.I.A. from the website for the past little while. The past few weeks have been a period where I have been attempting to realize ways to better serve you, the readers and consumers of media.

Two months ago, I started 1 Racing Mind in the efforts to improve on XSL Speed Reporter (a name I have to admit, I have lost enthusiasm in utilizing). Unfortunately, having posted over 25 articles I have not been averaging the amount of followers I have been hoping to receive; Not a criticism, the low readership just causes me to wonder if I am over-confident on my reach through this relatively new auto racing blog.

Another problem is my personal approach to this website. Wanting to cover the whole motorsport world, I am starting to realize that it is really not an effective method for providing unique content. Combined with my habit for adding a large amount of information into very piece, I am concluding that this is no longer a constructive way to serve auto racing fans on the Internet.

Needing to make a decision to move forward in a more efficient manner in the future, I have decided to focus on Formula 1 coverage through this website. It's still my intention to cover forms of racing through other channels. Please read Automoblog.net for future NASCAR, INDYCAR and sports car racing news. I am also planning an exciting, new prospect I am eager to share with you imminently

Ultimately, I would be humbled by every single person who looks forward to my work. Thank you all readers of my blog articles up to this point and it is my intent to better serve you going forward.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Honda Indy Toronto Photo Collection Part 3

The engine cover of the #3 Team Penske car.

The #5 KV Racing Technology car of EJ Viso brightens the race track.

This is a vintage 1957 Toronto Police car. I have seen this 1957 Chevy twice at
the Canadian International Auto Show but this is the first time seeing it in natural light.

Before entering the race track, a decided I wanted to record what was going to be
one of the hottest days of 2012 in Toronto at this most popular event. While the crowds
were largely unfazed by the intense hear for Free Friday, an Extreme Heat Alert presided
on the city. Purchasing a digital thermometer at The Source prior, this measurement was
recorded during the afternoon at the track.

Australian driver Will Power steers to the road course intent to become a repeat winner
of the Honda Indy Toronto event. Power won with Team Penske in 2010.

Mechanics working on the #15 car owned by Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.

Ferrari 458 Italia race cars sail around the temporary road course.

The #9 car of Scott Dixon sitting in pit lane ahead of Friday practice. I waited for
a full 10 minutes before the Target Chip Ganassi Racing car launched onto the track.

Honda Indy Toronto Photo Collection Part 2

The #10 car Target Chip Ganassi Racing car being wheeled towards the race track.
For the 2012 Honda Indy Toronto, the #9 of Scott Dixon and the #10 of Dario Franchitti
were presenting a sponsor Canadian retail customers will find on Canadian soil next year. 

The Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing team crew inspecting the Honda engine inside of
the #67 of Josef Newgarden.

One of the four series competing at the 2012 Honda Indy Toronto weekend was
the Star Mazda Championship. Toronto native Zack Meyer wheeled the #66 for
Canadian-based AIM Autosport.


While the Ferrari Challenge series unleashed race-fitted 458 Italias onto the temporary
street course in Toronto, the two cars in this image were for display only. A Ferrari 599XX
in the foreground and a Ferrari F40 in the back. 

One of the Ferrari Challenge cars coming from the race track into their paddock
area inside of the Direct Energy Centre.

An older spec IZOD INDYCAR prepared with the colours of the Toronto Blue Jays
baseball team also sporting Honda dealers and Make a Wish Foundation sponsorship.

Brazilian driver Helio Castroneves taking his scooter to the race course down a
stretch termed "Gasoline Alley" at the Honda Indy Toronto (in homage to the Indianapolis
Motor Speedway).

HVM Racing driver Simona de Silvestro cruising to the Honda Indy Toronto track
for the first practice session. 2012 was her third visit to the temporary street course
in IZOD INDYCAR competition.

Honda Indy Toronto Photo Collection Part 1


Arriving to pit lane for the first practice of the 2012 Honda Indy, Dario Franchitti
was the defending event winner.

Image of the #3 Penske car handled by Helio Castroneves leaving pir lane onto the
temporary Toronto street course.

KV Racing Technology driver Tony Kanaan wearing a smile ahead of the first practice
on Friday at the 2012 Honda Indy.

The only Lotus-powered IZOD INDYCAR contender (the #78 of Simona de Silvestro)
being pushed towards the race track.

The #28 Andretti Autosport Dallara-Chevrolet of Ryan Hunter-Reay.

An assortment of 2012 Honda Civics in the paddock area.

Dario Franchitti looking on in pit lane during a red flag period in the Friday morning
practice session. Red flag was attributed to a crew member injury around the Dale Coyne Racing
stall. Fortunately, no one was critically injured but an Ambulance was called onto the race track..

Presented in the Honda display of the race track, the automaker's new turbocharged, 2.4 liter IZOD INDYCAR
powerplant alongside two other race engines.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Penske Racing Axes Suspended Driver AJ Allmendinger

Photo Credit: Tom Pennington/Getty Images


There is now a new chapter in the fall from grace of NASCAR driver AJ Allmendinger after being parked by the stock car organization for substance abuse concerns. As Sprint Cup series mainstay enters the NASCAR Road to Recovery problem after two positive drug tests, he will not be welcomed back to his job with Penske Racing.

Late Wednesday morning, the owner of the #22 Dodge that Allmendinger campaigned earlier in 2012 has released the troubled racing star from their organization. "The decision to dismiss him is consistent with how we would treat any other Penske Racing team member under similar circumstances." said team owner Roger Penske. "AJ is a terrific driver, a good person and it is very unfortunate that we have to separate at this time." said Penske.

The #22 Dodge Charger is destined to become a cursed vehicle. Signing with Penske Racing at the beginning of this season, AJ Allmendinger replaced former NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Kurt Busch in the #22 car. Busch was released from the team after the 2011 season following an altercation with a member of media at the Homestead-Miami Speedway. Kurt Busch is now driving for the #51 Phoenix Racing team regarded as a measure to rebuild his career. With Sam Hornish Jr driving the Dodge Charger for Pocono and for "the foreseeable future" according to Penske, the Shell/Pennzoil car has now had three drivers in less than 3 months piloting the vehicle (a rarity for a Penske-owned team in the major leagues of auto racing).

With the release of AJ Allmendinger, Roger Penske did offer additional words of support to his former driver and his recovery process. "As AJ begins NASCAR's ‘Road to Recovery' program, we wish him the best and look forward to seeing him compete again in NASCAR." Penske said.