Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/183630
Crazy Woman Driver By Kay Bell IndyCar Is A Winner Again America's open-wheel racing series not only survived an ill-advised split, it now is thriving thanks to road courses, urban venues and skilled, diverse drivers. Photo credit: Chris Owens/Indianapolis Motor Speedway CHANGING LANES The IndyCar Series season doesn't end until Oct. 19, but I don't care. I'm going ahead and declaring this year a rousing success. 18 Danica Patrick's old GoDaddy ride gave Danica-naysayers plenty of red meat to gnaw. This is the second campaign for the current cars and while they're far from perfect, the drivers and teams really seem to have a handle on them. The races have been compelling and, most importantly, this season has been all about the competition on the track instead of the drama off it. Next up was the road race at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama, won by defending series champ Ryan Hunter-Reay who, despite his hyphenated last name, is not only an American, but my fellow Texan. For a sport that needs young American stars to help raise its profile, here's one. Come on, IndyCar, showcase this guy! 2013 got off to a great start when James Hinchcliffe won the street race in St. Petersburg. It was the Mayor's first win and the fact that the popular Canadian triumphed in A couple weeks later, Takuma Sato captured the prestigious street race in Long Beach for the series' first victory by a Japanese driver. Significantly, it was the first IndyCar OCTOBER 2013 // WWW.CHANGINGLANESDIGITAL.COM 1013 crazy woman driver cl.indd 1 9/5/13 2:50 PM