Scott Dixon collects cool $1 million

  IndyCar
Not many people leave a Las Vegas casino a million dollars richer than when they arrived. Two-time IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon will walk away with at least that after collecting his $1 million bonus check for winning the 2008 IndyCar Series championship. Dixon and Firestone Indy Lights champion Raphael Matos - along with other drivers, teams and manufacturers – were recognized during the Indy Racing League Championship Celebration at The Palms resort. Photos

Ryan Briscoe wins Australia IndyCar race

  by Mark J. Cipolloni
After fellow Australian Will Power dominated most of the race weekend but crashed out of the race while leading easily, Ryan Briscoe took command of the Nikon Indy 300 race in Surfers Paradise, Australia and then held off a charging Scott Dixon of New Zealand to become the first Australian to ever win on his home turf.  American Ryan Hunter-Reay finished third ahead of Canadian Alex Tagliani and Spaniard Oriol Servia. Press Conference

Nikon Indy 300 Post-Race Transcript

  IndyCar
Moderator: We are joined by race winner Ryan Briscoe, a couple of facts for everybody, Ryan is the first Australian to win this event, he is the 17th different winner of this event in 18 times the race has been run and the only previous win by a team Penske driver in Australia was in 1992 by Emerson Fittipaldi. Ryan if you would tell us about your run out there today?

Surfers: 'Will' Powers way to third straight pole

  IndyCar
Will Power has re-written history at day three of the Nikon Indy 300, becoming the first driver to win three pole positions on the Gold Coast (2006, 2007, 2008) and the only one to secure the pole spot in three consecutive years.  Second and third fastest went to Power’s fellow ‘Down Under’ drivers – Brisbane-born Kiwi Scott Dixon and Sydney’s Ryan Briscoe, while Dario Franchitti, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Helio Castroneves rounded out the fast six.

Will Power dominates opening day in Surfers

  IndyCar Down Under
Will Power made a strong statement that he will be a contender to win in his home country by leading both Oct. 24 practice sessions for the Nikon Indy 300 on the streets of Surfers Paradise. The Team Australia driver was quickest overall with a best lap of 1 minute, 34.8084 seconds (106.130 mph) on the 2.795-mile, 12-turn circuit. Team Penske's Helio Castroneves was second quick (1:36.1609; 104.637 mph) and Dario Franchitti, making his debut in the No. 10 Target Chip Ganassi Racing car, was third (1:36.1712; 104.626).

Tagliani and Bell get ready to take off at Surfers

  IndyCar
IndyCar Series drivers Alex Tagliani and Townsend Bell prepared themselves for take off at this week’s Nikon Indy 300 by taking in the Q1 Flight Experience in Surfers Paradise this afternoon. Tagliani, who is a two-time podium finisher at the Gold Coast Event, was thrilled with the experience of piloting the 747 simulator through the sky.

Will Power credits trainer for his success

  IndyCar
Team Australia IndyCar driver Will Power has revealed one of his secret weapons in his hometown of Toowoomba, Queensland today in the lead-up to next week’s Nikon Indy 300.  Despite racing in the United States since 2006, Power has maintained the same fitness trainer for the past three seasons while racing with Team Australia – Toowoomba sporting identity Troy Morgan.

Strongest field ever for Surfers Nikon Indy 300

  IndyCar
Possibly the strongest open-wheel field ever assembled for the streets of Surfers Paradise has been confirmed for next week’s Nikon Indy 300, October 23-26.  A total of 24 drivers - including three former Gold Coast race winners, 10 2008 IndyCar Series race winners, five Indy 500 champions and the famous racing families of Rahal, Andretti and Foyt – will hit the track next weekend to form the biggest Surfers Paradise field since 2001.

Unification Spurred Ultra-Competitive IndyCar Season

  IndyCar
The quest for the 2008 IndyCar Series championship was one of the most difficult in series history. Drivers such as Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan and Dan Wheldon, who had previously won IndyCar Series championships, learned in late February that they would be competing against the likes of Champ Car race winners Bruno Junqueira, Will Power, Oriol Servia and Justin Wilson.

IRL announces '09 TV sked, Miami race date changed

  IndyCar
The IndyCar Series enters 2009 with a new television package that will continue to feature long-term partner ABC while introducing VERSUS as the new cable television partner. VERSUS will open the season on April 5 and will air three consecutive races before ABC kicks off its five-race coverage, beginning May 24 with the 93rd Running of the Indianapolis 500.  The entire 2009 IndyCar Series television package will be available in high-definition (HD) television.

Paul Leonard Newman Tribute

  IndyCar
Paul Leonard Newman (PLN), eighty-three, one of the most warmly admired and universally loved figures in motion pictures, motorsports and philanthropy, died Friday after a long battle with cancer at his farmhouse home near Westport, Connecticut. His death was as private and discreet as the way he had lived his life, a humble artist who never thought of himself as "big," surrounded by his beloved family and the close circle of friends that had supported him through his last days.

Scenes from Chicagoland - Sunday

  by Mark Cipolloni & Rick Schenk