Next week kicks off the countdown to the IZOD IndyCar Series finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. As you know, competition is tight between championship contenders Dario Franchitti and Will Power, and naturally we want to know what’s on your mind.
So we are reaching out to the fans for questions for these drivers during their media ventures on Tuesday Sept. 28. Let’s get started- what do you want to ask them? All you have to do is leave a question on this blog and we will pick a few to have the drivers answer.
Who will it be?
We are also meeting with Target Chip Ganassi Racing owner Chip Ganassi on Friday, Oct. 1, so if you have questions for him or the championship contenders this is the place to ask.
Questions that are selected will be included in a video segment that will be featured on indycar.com.
How do you guys feel about IRL making road courses the dominant part of next season? How fo you think it will affect the fans?
A question to either or even all of the drivers.
What is their opinion of the direction that the series has taken from the dual champions on Oval and Street Circuits alongside an overall champion. Is this here to stay? Also is there any chance of the series coming to the UK again after the ill fated attempt at Rockingham?
What songs do you listen to in order to get you mentally psyched up for such a crucial race?
Will, do you have any plans during the off season to work on your oval racing skills?
My question for both drivers – How do you feel about the competition currently in the IICS (or lack thereof), and how do you feel about the direction and future of the series?
How might an early caution effect your race strategy?
if one of you guys dont win this champion at homstead, how will you look back at the problems you faced this year, to try and overcome that, when you start a new season next year.
This year’s Indy Car season has been extremely competetive. Next year should be equally as competetive, with talk of team additions, driver movement, and a few new tracks. Are there any drivers, not currently running in the series, that you would like to see in an Indy Car?
To Dario: If Will wins the championship, what do you think will have been the deciding factor, besides speed and a great car?
To WIll: If Dario wins the championship, what do you think will be the deciding factor, besides speed and a great car?
Will and Dario, what is your favorite track and why?
Will, are you more focused on winning next week’s race, finishing the race in the top 5, or making sure that Dario sees nothing but your tailpipes the whole time?
For Will or Dario
I wondered what either of you felt about this, seems no matter how many races you win, the overall championship really depends on teamates help to get you there ,can’t be done alone, do you agree?
Dario do you ever eat tacos before the races? JK What is the pressure put on the championship drives to go and perform the last races
Question 1 – Do either of you have a pre-race ritual?
Question 2 – Of the three tracks that are on the 2011 schedule that were not part of the 2010 schedule, which do you look forward racing at the most?
Question 3 – Which track that has been removed from the IRL schedule for 2011 (any likely beyond) will you miss the most?
My question is for both drivers: Having played sports myself,I always wanted to compete against the best! Having said that, I believe only 3 teams each week have a real chance at winning as is obvious by this seasons results! Do you feel a little empty knowing one of you are winning a championship that is a bit skewed, and really isn’t putting you up against the best in racing, just the best in your league? Thank You
To Dario: You always tout yourself as a Scotsman,although you obviously have an Italian last name. Do you consider yourself to also be a winning Italian American driver?
To Dario: Back in the day you raced for Team Kool Green and had Paul Tracy as a teammate! Paul’s exploits as a Playboy are well documented!How did this effect you as a teammate? And what did Ashley say about you hanging out with him?
To Dario: Do you consider it difficult that you have been having to face a 3 car team working together that have all been able to support will in impeding your success on the ovals to some degree?
To Will: It looked like in KY something clic…ked and you just seem to start to get it on the ovals, do you still feel that way or has the last few races kind of killed that confidence you started to build.
To Dario: I always felt the move Marco made on you at Infineon Raceway back in 07 which almost took you out of contention was a big factor in you leaving Andretti Autosport, as well as how Michael Andretti maybe took the side of his son! I also thought the Andretti team was a great fit. But the way you talk now, it seems you make the point that Ganassi is the better fit,and kind of rub the Andretti’s team nose in it! Whats your feeling on this? And I know you and Kanaan are buddies so don’t use him as a scape goat!
To Dario: Alex Zanardi was a great friend,and I always thought we would see him again around the paddock. Do you still keep in contact with Alex? And how is our old friend doing?
To Dario: A lot of the drivers are having children lately.Any plans for you and Ashley?
To Dario: I know you used to fly a Eurocopter and had sold it a couple years ago. Did losing your friend Colin McRae have any thing to do with your decision to get rid of it? And would you consider getting another one?
To both drivers: It has been a favorite target of bloggers on open wheel sites that Milka Dunno is not qualified for racing Indy Car’s,and is basically a moving road hazard! What are your feelings on this subject? And if she caused you to lose the last race of the season,what would your reaction, and feelings be? If you answered above that “she is a capable driver” Would your feelings on the question change?”
To Dario: It is obvious that you ans Tony Kanaan are good friends. Having said that I saw in an interview,that you trade helmets between yourselves,and other drivers. What if any thing would you not swap with Kanaan?
This question is for Dario: Assuming that you break with the same foot as you use for the gas pedal. And their has been talk of drivers that use both feet having an advantage on road course in particular over there one footed counter parts.Would you be willing to work on left foot breaking in the off season? And if not! Why not?
Will, do you need help at Homestead, I have lots of ideas for a setup. Sorry, but I only have wing strategy.
To Dario and Will: If you win the Championship, will you keep your helmet or suit to keep as a memory?
Dario & Will,
You both have experience driving a CART/CCWS and an Indy Car in your past. If you could influence the creators for the new Indy Car, (outside the 2012 safety cell car by Dallara) what would you like to see the new car be?
To Dario:
You’re fighting for the IndyCar title and your cousin Paul Di Resta is in the running for the DTM title. I’m assuming that if both of you succeed there’ll be some kind of epic party when you next get back to Scotland?
To Will:
Dario has finished ahead of you the last few races. Are you going to be keeping an eye on him or trying to flat win the race?
PS: Definitely pulling for you Will.
Will and Dario,
Who are your favorite drivers through the long history of the Indy 500, and why?
To Both Drivers:
Are there any team order for the last race???
I was wondering how either of you feel about the mass media’s continued focus on Danica Patrick especially since she’s not really in the points race? Do you feel she is a credit to Indy?
Will Power,
When I met you at the Indianapolis International Airport back in February, I told you this was going to be your season. What do you think about my prediction now and has this season met or exceeded your own expectations?
This question is for both Will and Dario: As with most athlete’s their comes a time when money is no longer the object of your affection, or the reason that you race! So having said that, is the IRL where you would choose to race if this is the case?
To both drivers: I have a dare for the both of you! Who ever comes in second for the IZOD Championship has to strip off their race suit and run around the track for the winners favorite charity! And for every inch, the second place driver goes past the start finish line in his skivvies, people will pay your charity! Also if the winner joins you then you get double the money! So who’s it gonna be boys? Stand on the podium with your trophies! Or run around the track with your trophies exposed! And may the best man win! LOL
To Dario: When your car went airborne a few years ago.Did you close your eye’s?
To both driver’s: When the time comes for both of you to hang up your helmets,what will you want fans to remember you for?
To both drivers: Do you think anyone is an atheist before they hit a wall at 230 MPH?
For Dario and Will! Boxers, briefs, or Au natural?
To Both: I am a film maker and a huge race fan!
What is/are your favorite racing/car movie(s)?
Did it influence your decion at all, to be professional drivers?
To both drivers: If your life story was made for the big screen. Who would you want to play you? And why?
To both drivers: At the 2006 Indy 500 Marco Andretti I felt could have made a risky move to cut Sam Hornish off, and win the 500 race in his rookie season! Would either of you be willing to make the move Marco didn’t to win the IRL Championship?