The Official Blog of the IZOD IndyCar Series

Tony Kanaan, an eight-year veteran of the IZOD IndyCar Series, joked that he needed a GPS to find the front entrance of New Hampshire Motor Speedway Aug. 31 for the first of two days of Firestone tire testing on the 1-mile oval.

For all the racetracks and North American cities Kanaan has visited during his distinguished career, it was his first to the speedway in Loudon.

“They call us veterans nowadays,” said Kanaan, motioning to Target Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon, a veteran at age 30. “It’s nice to come to a place I’ve never been. Having been in America for 15 years I don’t have a GPS in my cars because if I haven’t figured it out yet I should go home. This morning I got here late because I realized I didn’t know how to get to the racetrack. I stopped and asked at a gas station and once I got here I got yelled at (at the front gate) because I didn’t stop to sign in. I apologized to the guy, ‘Sorry, it’s my first time here.’ ”

Tony and Scott

[More]

Today we are going to give you a special semi-Live Blog of today’s announcement.  Follow along all day for updates, photos, videos and more as indycar.com invades New England.

1:23pm: That’s a wrap. IZOD IndyCar is packing up and heading to the plane. See you next week at Watkins Glen

1:15pm: Dario Franchitti takes over the track before the start of the Lenox 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

12:15pm: Chip Ganassi answers questions about IZOD IndyCar’s return to New Hampshire.  His driver Juan Montoya sits on the pole for today’s event.

10:39am: Flash from the past.  Check out the last time IZOD IndyCar raced at New Hampshire

10:21am: Randy Bernard-”Our Fans like Short Ovals”

10:15am: IZOD IndyCar Series announces a return to New Hampshire Motor Speedway.  IRL CEO Randy Bernard is joined by 2-time Indy 500 and IZOD IndyCar Series Champion Dario Franchitti, SMI CEO Bruton Smith, New Hampshire GM Jerry Gappens and New Hampshire Gov. Lynch.

9:56am: Target Chip Ganassi team members unload Dario Franchitti’s #10 Honda/Dallara IndyCar from the IZOD IndyCar Series transporter

What's going on here?

9:30am: IZOD IndyCar Series CEO Randy Bernard chats with “the morning buzz”  in the media center at New Hampshire  Motor Speedway.

9am: Flying in.  Name that track?   I had not removed the film off the back of my iPhone, so the image is a little hazy.

6am: Wheels up from Indianapolis Airport and heading to New England.