IndyCar News

Indy Racing League driver PJ Jones was released May 8 from Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis with a fracture of the C-6 vertebrae, said Dr. Henry Bock, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Indy Racing League director of medical services.

Indy Racing League veteran Robby McGehee became the first driver to hit the new SAFER barrier when he crashed in Turn Three of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Opening Day of the 86th Indianapolis 500.

ABC Sports, ESPN and ESPN2* will provide extensive, live television coverage from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the month of May leading up to the 86th Indianapolis 500.

Indy Racing League rookie Tomas Scheckter has been suspended from all on-track activity through May 7, fined an undisclosed amount and placed on extended probation for unsportsmanlike conduct, IRL Vice President of Operations Brian Barnhart announced May 3.

With the 'month of May' kicking off at Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend, the hopes, ambitions and aspirations were prised out of the various Brickyard newcomers ahead of Sunday's opening practice day. ALEX BARRON (#44 Rayovac Blair Racing Dallara-Chevrolet):

PJ Jones, the son of 1963 Indianapolis 500 winner Parnelli Jones, will contest the great race for Team Menard after signing up to replace the injured Jaques Lazier.

Marsh Supermarkets and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway have signed a three-year contract expanding their relationship, giving Marsh a greater presence at the two largest-attended sporting events in the world, the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race and the Brickyard 400 NASCAR Winston Cup Series event.

Indy Racing League veteran Jaques Lazier was released from Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis last night, in the latest stage of his recovery from a back-breaking accident at Nazareth.

Casino Magic is about to go "Boom!"

A spin on lap 139 ended a strong performance by driver Townsend Bell at the Bridgestone Potenza 500 on the Twin Ring Motegi oval in Motegi, Japan.

Bob Dorricott, one of most respected names in North American open-wheel racing and a two-time Dayton Indy Lights Championship team owner, died on Friday, aged 65. He had been battling cancer for some time.

Following the IRL's rejection of Penske Cars' application to become a constructor in the series next season, the Poole-based company has agreed to release its chief designer John Travis.

By virtue of finishing third in today's Bridgestone Potenza 500 at the Twin Ring Motegi superspeedway, Team KOOL Green driver Dario Franchitti took the points lead in the 2002 FedEx Championship Series.

Engineer Thomas Knapp left the Kelley Racing team after the Firestone Indy 225 last week by mutual agreement with team boss Tom Kelley.

Bruno Junqueira will start tomorrow's Potenza 500 at Motegi from pole position after beating off Tony Kanaan and Paul Tracy in a tense qualifying session.

IRL veteran Mark Dismore will drive a Sam Schmidt Motorsports entry with primary sponsorship from Grill2Go at the 86th Indy 500.

Indy Racing League officials have informed Penske Cars that it will not be selected to produce IRL chassis next year, when the series reviews which companies it will allow to become constructors.

Dorricott Racing has made the transition from Indy Lights to Toyota Atlantic with apparent ease, while Sigma Autosport adds an Atlantic programme to its Champcar entry for 2002.

Three-time Formula One grand prix winner Johnny Herbert turned his first laps at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with his new team yesterday, as he began his preparations for next month's Indy 500.

Blair Racing's Alex Barron was a disappointed man at the end of Sunday's Firestone Indy 225 at Nazareth Speedway, feeling that he could - and should - have been among the contenders for a podium place.

Scott Sharp was gifted his seventh career Indy Racing League victory - and first of 2002 - when his fuel strategy played out marginally better than that of Penske's Gil de Ferran at Nazareth Speedway..

Larent Redon (No. 34 Mi-Jack Dallara/Infiniti/Firestone):

Guests: Lee Kunzman (Hemelgarn) and Ron Dawes, Rick Long and Milt Wood (Speedway Engines) Host: Mike King

Pop-rock bands Better Than Ezra and Nine Days will co-headline the annual Coors Carb Day Concert at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Thursday 23 May.