DE LA BASTIDE: IRL, F1 shifting into gear

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March 9, 2010

Open-wheel series open seasons this weekend.

By Ken de la Bastide The Kokomo Tribune Tue Mar 09, 2010, 08:43 PM EST

The two biggest international open-wheel racing series start their 2010 seasons this weekend with the Indy Racing League competing in Brazil and Formula One racing in Bahrain.

Coming off an exciting 2009 season with Dario Franchitti winning the championship at the last race of the season, there should little doubt that as many as five drivers with three different teams will be contending for the IndyCar Series title this year.

Franchitti and Target Ganassi Racing teammate Scott Dixon have captured the last two IndyCar titles and should be prepared to again challenge for the title. The Penske team of Helio Castroneves and Ryan Briscoe should be in the forefront for most of the year. I believe Tony Kanaan with Andretti Motorsports will be the fifth driver in the championship chase.

This is a crucial year for Andretti Motorsports teammates Marco Andretti and Danica Patrick. Both need to show that they contend at every race because of the first-rate equipment they are in. One has to wonder if Patrick’s racing with NASCAR will serve as a distraction.

I anticipate Will Power in a Penske Racing machine and Ryan Hunter-Reay driving with Andretti are due for breakout seasons. Power showed last year he can be competitive and Hunter-Reay has the talent necessary to be a star.

The downside of the IRL opener is that it will be broadcast on the Versus channel, which is not available to Direct-TV subscribers.

Formula One kicks off Sunday on the Speed Channel and it should prove to be an interesting season.

Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa will be driving for Ferrari and both have to be considered favorites for the championship. There will be a lot of questions surrounding Massa as he returns after a near fatal freak accident last year.

The return of Michael Schumacher to Formula One with Mercedes should attract a lot of attention. Will the seven-time champion still have the necessary skills to be competitive after sitting out three years in retirement?

Lewis Hamilton and defending champion Jenson Button give McLaren a formidable driving combination.

Those six drivers, four of whom have won championships, should be battling for the title this season.

In other racing news

Anderson Speedway kicks off its season this Saturday at 1 p.m. with racing in five divisions. Thunder Cars, Pure Stock, Mini-Cups and Front Wheel Drives on the oval and figure-8 will be in action.

There are heat races and features for all divisions except for the Front Wheel Drive figure-8 action which is a feature only. There will also be Australian Pursuit races for the Thunder Cars and Front Wheel Drives on the oval. The rules are simple, get passed and park the car.

The track is offering a $1 discount for any fan wearing green for St. Patrick’s Day and a $1 discount for bringing a non-perishable food item to be donated to local food pantries.

• Ken de la Bastide may be reached at ken.delabastide@ kokomotribune.com or 765-454-8580.

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DE LA BASTIDE: IRL, F1 shifting into gear

Open-wheel series open seasons this weekend.

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