Virtual IndyCar: Team Previews

Last week, I introduced the Virtual IndyCar World Series. Now I’m going to in-depth with the teams and drivers on there open-wheel stats.

Photo Credit: Chip Ganassi Racing

Alex Zanardi (Italy) #1

• Date of Birth: October 23, 1969
• Teams: Ganassi (1996-1998) and Mo Nunn (2001)
• Rookie Season: 1996 (3rd)
• First Win: 1996 Portland Grand Prix
• Championships: 2 (1997-1998)
• Poles: 10
• Wins: 15
• Races: 66

Juan Montoya (Colombia) #4

• Date of Birth: September 20, 1975
• Team: Ganassi (1999-2000)
• Rookie Season: 1999
• First Win: 1999 Long Beach Grand Prix
• Championships: 1999
• Poles: 14
• Wins: 11 (counting the 2000 Indy 500)
• Races: 41

Scott Dixon (New Zealand) #9

• Date of Birth: July 22, 1980
• Teams: Pac West (2001-2002), Ganassi (2002-
• Rookie Season: 2001
• First Win: 2001 Nazareth
• Championships: 2 (2003, 2008)
• Poles: 19
• Wins: 27
• Races: 190

Dario Franchitti (Scotland) #10

• Date of Birth: May 19, 1973
• Teams: Hogan (1997), KOOL Green (1998-2002), Andretti (2003-2007), Ganassi (2009-)
• Rookie Season: 1997
• First Win: 1998 Road America
• Championships: 4 (2007, 2009-2011)
• Poles: 28
• Wins: 30
• Races: 236

Jimmy Vasser (United States) #22

• Date of Birth: November 20, 1965
• Teams: Cole (1992-1994), Ganassi (1995-2000), Patrick (2001), Rahal (2002), Johansson (2003), KV (2004-2006)
• Rookie Season: 1992
• First Win: 1996 Miami
• Championships 1 (1996)
• Poles: 9
• Wins: 10
• Races: 238

Photo Credit: Penske Racing

Gil de Ferran (Brazil) #2

• Date of Birth: November 11, 1967
• Teams: Jim Hall (1995), Walker (1996-1999), Penske (2000-2003)
• Rookie Season: 1995
• First Win: 1995 Laguna Seca
• Championships: 2 (2000-2001)
• Poles: 21
• Wins: 12
• Races: 160

Helio Castroneves (Brazil) #3

• Date of Birth: May 10, 1975
• Teams: Bettenhausen (1998), Hogan (1999), Penske (2000-)
• Rookie Season 1998
• First Win: 2000 Detroit
• Championships: None (Best Finish 2nd)
• Poles: 40
• Wins: 26
• Races: 247

Ryan Briscoe (Australia) #6

• Date of Birth: September 24, 1981
• Teams: Ganassi (2005), DRR (2006), Penske (2008-)
• Rookie Season: 2005
• First Win: Milwaukee 2008
• Championships: None (Best Finish 3rd)
• Poles: 11
• Wins: 6
• Races: 93

Sam Hornish,Jr (United States) #8

• Date of Birth: July 2, 1979
• Teams: PDM (2000), Panther (2001-2003), Penske (2004-2007)
• Rookie Season: 2000
• First Win: 2001 Phoenix
• Championships: 3 (2001-2002,2006)
• Poles: 12
• Wins: 19
• Races: 116

Will Power (Australia) #12

• Date of Birth: March 1, 1981
• Teams: Walker (2005-2007), KV (2008), Penske (2009-)
• Rookie Season: 2006
• First Win: 2007 Las Vegas
• Championships: None (Best Finish 2nd)
• Poles: 25
• Wins: 18
• Races: 91

Emerson Fittipaldi (Brazil) #19

• Date of Birth: December 12, 1946
• Teams: Patrick (1984-1989), Penske (1990-1996)
• Rookie Season (1984)
• First Win: 1985 Michigan
• Championships: 1 (1989)
• Poles: 17
• Wins: 22
• Races: 195

Photo Credit: Logo Database

Danica Patrick (United States) #7

• Date of Birth: March 25, 1982
• Teams: Rahal (2005-2006), Andretti (2007-2011)
• Rookie Season (2005)
• First Win: 2008 Motegi
• Championships: none (best finish 5th)
• Poles: 3
• Wins: 1
• Races: 115

Tony Stewart (United States) #14

• Date of Birth: May 20, 1971
• Teams: Menard (1996-1998)
• Rookie Season (1996)
• First Win: 1997 Pikes Peak
• Championships: 1 (1996-1997)
• Poles: 9
• Wins: 3
• Races: 26

Paul Tracy (Canada) #16

• Date of Birth: December 17, 1968
• Teams: Penske (1991-1994, 1996-1997), Newman Haas (1995), KOOL Green (1998-2002), Forsythe (2003-2007) KV (2009-2010), Dragon (2011)
• Rookie Season (1992)
• First Win: 1993 Long Beach
• Championships: 1 (2003)
• Poles: 25
• Wins: 31
• Races: 281

Photo Credit: Andretti Autosport.com

Michael Andretti (United States)#5

• Date of Birth:  October 5, 1962
• Teams: Kraco (1984-1988), Newman Haas (1989-1992, 1995-2000), Ganassi (1994) (Green 2001-2002)
• Rookie Season (1984)
• First Win: 1986 Long Beach
• Championships: 1 (1991)
• Poles: 32
• Wins: 42
• Races: 317

Mario Andretti (United States)#11 (CART Stats Only)

• Date of Birth: February 28, 1940
• Teams: Penske (1979-1980), Patrick (1981-1982), Newman Haas (1983-1994)
• Rookie Season (1981)
• First Win: 1980 Michigan 2
• Championships: 1, (1984)
• Poles: 29
• Wins: 19
• Races: 208

Marco Andretti (United States) #26

• Date of Birth: March 13, 1987
• Teams: Andretti (2006-)
• Rookie Season (2006)
• First Win: 2006 Infineon
• Championships: none (best finish 7th)
• Poles: 1
• Wins: 2
• Races: 91

Dan Wheldon (United Kingdom)#27

• Date of Birth: June 22, 1978
• Teams: (Panther 2002), Andretti (2003-2005), Ganassi (2006-2008), Panther (2009-2010), BHA/SSM (2011)
• First Win:
• Rookie Season (2003)
• First Win: 2004 Motegi
• Championships: 1, 2005
• Poles: 5
• Wins: 16
• Races: 128

Ryan Hunter-Reay (United States)#28

• Date of Birth: December 17, 1980
• Teams: Johansson (2003), Herdez (2004), Rocketsports (2005), RLLR (2007-2008), Vision/Foyt (2009), Andretti (2010-)
• Rookie Season (2003)
• First Win: 2003 Surfers Paradise
• Championships: none, best finish 7th
• Poles: 0
• Wins: 4
• Races: 121

Photo Credit: Rahal.com

Bobby Rahal (United States)#18

• Date of Birth: January 10, 1953
• Teams: Truesports (1981-1989), Kraco (1989-1991), Rahal-Hogan (1992-1995), Rahal (1996-1998)
• Rookie Season (1982)
• First Win: 1982 Cleveland
• Championships: 3, (1986-1987, 1992)
• Poles: 16
• Wins: 24
• Races: 266

Al Unser, Jr. (United States) #21

• Date of Birth: April 19, 1962
• Teams: Forysthe (1982), Galles (1983-1984, 1988-1993, 2000-2001), Shierson (1985-1987), Penske (1994-1999), Kelley (2002-2003)
• Rookie Season (1982)
• First Win: 1984 Portland
• Championships: 2, (1990, 1994)
• Poles: 7
• Wins: 34
• Races: 29

Danny Sullivan (United States) #30

• Date of Birth: March 9, 1950
• Teams: Shierson (1984), Penske (1985-1990), Patrick (1991), Galles (1992-1993), Pac West (1995)
• Rookie Season: 1984
• First Win: 1984 Cleveland
• Championships: 1, (1988)
• Poles: 19
• Wins: 17
• Races: 170

Jacques Villenueve (Canada) #32

• Date of Birth: April 9, 1971
• Teams: Green (1994-1995)
• Rookie Season (1994)
• First Win: 1994 Road America
• Championships: 1, (1995)
• Poles: 6
• Wins: 5
• Races: 32

Graham Rahal (United States) #38

• Date of Birth: January 4, 1989
• Teams: Newman Haas (2007-2010), Fisher (2010), Ganassi (2011-)
• Rookie Season (2007)
• First Win: 2008 St. Petersburg
• Championships: none (best finish 5th)
• Poles: 2
• Wins: 1
• Races: 50

Greg Moore (Canada) #99

• Date of Birth: April 22, 1975
• Teams: Forsythe (1996-1999)
• Rookie Season (1996)
• First Win: 1997 Milwaukee
• Championships: none (best finish 5th)
• Poles: 4
• Wins: 5
• Races: 72

Photo Credit: I am IndyCar

Nigel Mansell (United Kingdom)#13

• Date of Birth: August 8, 1953
• Teams: Newman Haas (1993-1994)
• Rookie Season (1993)
• First Win: 1993 Australia (first start!)
• Championships: 1, (1993)
• Poles: 11
• Wins: 6
• Races: 32

Tony Kanaan (Brazil)#15

• Date of Birth: December 31, 1974
• Teams: Tasman (1998), Forsythe (1999), Mo Nunn (2000-2002), Andretti (2003-2010), KV (2011-)
• Rookie Season (1998)
• First Win: 1999 Michigan
• Championships: 1, 2004
• Poles: 12
• Wins: 15
• Races: 123

Rubens Barrichello (Brazil)#17

• Date of Birth: May 23, 1972
• Teams: KV (2012-)
• Rookie Season (2012)
• First Win: none
• Championships: none
• Poles:0
• Wins: 0
• Races: 4

Christano da Matta (Brazil)#37

• Date of Birth: September 19, 1973
• Teams: Aciero (1999), PPI (2000), Newman Haas (2001-2002), KV (2005), Coyne/RUsport (2006)
• Rookie Season (1999)
• First Win: 2000 Chicago
• Championships: 1, (2002)
• Poles: 7
• Wins: 12
• Races: 101

Sebastien Bourdais (France)#39

• Date of Birth: February 28, 1979
• Teams: Newman Haas (2003-2007), Coyne (2011), Dragon (2012-)
• Rookie Season (2003)
• First Win: 2003 Brands Hatch
• Championships: 4, (2004-2007)
• Poles: 32
• Wins: 31
• Races: 87

 

INTRO: Virtual IndyCar World Series

I’m a big believer in what ifs. So I’m going to create a feature for the blog. I’m going to call it “Virtual IndyCar”.

What is Virtual IndyCar? Simple. VIC is the greatest 30 CART/IRL drivers of the 90s to the present day competing in the ultimate “IndyCar World Series” (my opinion).I say this because I only really know drivers from the 90s to present day and that’s when the driver talent was great. First off we got to name our teams/drivers and engine combinations and cars. Then eventually we got to build a great schedule for these great drivers.

Here are the rules:

1. Maximum of 6 cars to a team
2. Minimum of 3 cars to a team
3. Two engine manufactures (Chevrolet and Honda)
4. Chassis: DW12
5. Car numbers will be based on team numbers at the beginning then decided at the end by point standings (similar to Formula One).
6. I am the race director
7. Points system is Formula One’s. Top ten get points.
8. Three wild card entries will be added to the Indy 500.
9. Full course yellows on ovals, local yellows on road/street/airport courses except for when it gets very bad.
10. Engine change rule is: plus 5 positions on the grid if it happens after qualifying. If not changed before qualifying there is no penalties.
11. No avoidable contact penalties.

Drivers:

1. Alex Zanardi (Italy)
2. Juan Pablo Montoya (Colombia)
3. Sebastien Bourdais (France)
4. Dario Franchitti (Scotland)
5. Michael Andretti (USA)
6. Helio Castroneves (Brazil)
7. Gil de Ferran (Brazil)
8. Will Power (Australia)
9. Mario Andretti (USA)
10. Nigel Mansell (UK)
11. Marco Andretti (USA)
12. Dan Wheldon (UK)
13. Tony Kanaan (Brazil)
14. Jimmy Vasser (UK)
15. Scott Dixon (NZ)
16. Sam Hornish,Jr (USA)
17. Paul Tracy (Canada)
18. Bobby Rahal (USA)
19. Al Unser, Jr. (USA)
20. Danica Patrick (USA)
21. Ryan Briscoe (Australia)
22. Tony Stewart (USA)
23. Greg Moore (Canada)
24. Graham Rahal (USA)
25. Emerson Fittipaldi (Brazil)
26. Danny Sullivan (USA)
27. Christano da Matta (Brazil)
28. Rubens Barrichello (Brazil)
29. Jacques Villenueve (Canada)
30. Ryan Hunter-Reay (USA)

Team/Driver Chart

Ganassi: Honda

• Alex Zanardi #1
• Juan Montoya #4
• Scott Dixon #9
• Dario Franchitti #10
• Jimmy Vasser #22

Penske: Chevrolet

• Gil de Ferran #2
• Helio Castroneves #3
• Ryan Briscoe #6
• Sam Hornish, Jr. #8
• Will Power #12
• Emerson Fittipaldi #19

Andretti: Chevrolet

• Michael Andretti #5
• Mario Andretti #11
• Marco Andretti #26
• Dan Wheldon #27
• Ryan Hunter-Reay #28

Stewart: Chevrolet

• Danica Patrick #7
• Tony Stewart #14
• Paul Tracy #16

Rahal: Honda

• Bobby Rahal #18
• Al Unser, Jr. #21
• Danny Sullivan #30
• Jacques Villenueve #32
• Graham Rahal #38
• Greg Moore #99

NHR: Chevrolet

• Nigel Mansell #13
• Tony Kanaan #15
• Rubens Barrichello #17
• Christano da Matta #37
• Sebastien Bourdais #39

Next up is introducing our schedule and TV coverage.

The TV coverage is simple, bring back ABC from the 1990s; Paul Page, Bobby Unser, Sam Posey and Bob Jenkins.

Schedule: Use 2013 calendar

1. St. Petersburg- March 17
2. Road Atlanta- March 24
3. Richmond- March 30
4. Long Beach- April 13
5. Portland- April 20
6. Phoenix- April 26
7. Indianapolis- May 26
8. Milwaukee- June 2
9. Texas- June 8
10. Iowa- June 15
11. Michigan- June 23
12. Cleveland- July 7
13. Toronto- July 14
14. Watkins Glen- July 21
15. Edmonton- August 4
16. Loudon- August 18
17. Mid Ohio- August 25
18. Chicagoland- September 2
19. Pocono- September 9
20. Kentucky- September 16
21. Fontana- September 30
22. Road America- October 6

Hopefully this idea will be a good one. First three rounds will be over the weekend sometime.