2005-2006 IRL Off-Season News

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Officials from both the IRL IndyCar Series and The Milwaukee Mile announced today that the legendary 1-mile oval, in W. Allis, Wisc., will be SAFER-equipped in time for the 2006 race, set for late July. Plans call for the barrier to be placed along the outer walls at both ends of the track(turns 1-2, 3-4) no later than April 30. With this decision, all IRL oval tracks will have the energy-absorbing barrier system in place, from the Mile to the Brickyard.

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When the Indy Racing League begins its' 2006 season at Homestead-Miami Speedway next month, there will be at least one woman on the grid for both the IndyCar Series and the IRL's feeder series, the Indy Pro Series, as Michael Crawford Mtrspts. announced today that 2005 IPS driver Mishael Abbott will compete for the team in the IPS season opener. Abbott competed in 4 IPS races last year(Homestead, Phoenix, St. Pete. and the Indy road course) for Ron Hemelgarn's IPS team. Although it is a one-off ride at the moment, MCM owner Michael Crawford did note that Abbott, who finished 4th last year at Homestead, could remain with the team through the series' "crown jewel" event, the American Freedom 100 the Friday before the 90th Indianapolis 500.

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In an expected announcement(according to ar1.com and speedtv.com) at the Indianapolis motor Speedway Wednesday, Hemelgarn Racing will have an additional team co-owner in the person of Carmelo Anthony, who currently plays for the NBA's Denver Nuggets. As part of the announcement, it is anticipated that Anthony, with backing from his clothing brand, Melo, will join KISS frontman Gene Simmons as minority interests in the team, which will field a car for rising IndyCar Series driver P.J. Chesson.