Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Gran Turismo 5 demo coming to PSN on Dec 17, GT Academy returns [w/VIDEO]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/07/gran-turismo-5-demo-coming-to-psn-on-dec-17-gt-academy-returns/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/07/gran-turismo-5-demo-coming-to-psn-on-dec-17-gt-academy-returns/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/07/gran-turismo-5-demo-coming-to-psn-on-dec-17-gt-academy-returns/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Click above to watch the video after the jump

Just when we thought we were going to wait until the end of March to get our hands on Gran Turismo 5, our friends at Joystiq tell us that Polyphony Digital will release a demo version of hotly anticipated racing game on December 17. The demo will be available on the Playstation Network for download both in Europe and North America, giving long-patient fans a taste of what the full game will be like when it finally arrives in stores.

And as cool as it is that the demo arrives within two weeks time, even cooler is the fact that gamers will be given the opportunity to compete for some nifty prizes. All you have to do is post your best time trial by January 24, 2010. The best time from the U.S. and Canada wins a trip to the Indianapolis 500. A sweet prize, no doubt, but it doesn't come close to the top Euro prize. The best driver from select European countries gets to enter the GT Academy. After completing training the lucky skilled gamer will race in the European GT4 Cup in a non-virtual race-spec Nissan 370Z. How amazing is that?

It would be even better if GT5 actually shipped on December 17, but it looks like we won't be racing one of the world's best driving simulators until March at the earliest. Hit the jump to view a slick video that contains more information about the GT Academy.


Gallery: Gran Turismo 5 screen shots

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Gallery: Gran Turismo 5


[Source: Joystiq]

Continue reading Gran Turismo 5 demo coming to PSN on Dec 17, GT Academy returns [w/VIDEO]

Gran Turismo 5 demo coming to PSN on Dec 17, GT Academy returns [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>370Zcontestdriving gameDrivingGameEuropean GT4EuropeanGt4gran turismoGrand TurismoGrandTurismoGranTurismoGT AcademyGT4 CupGt4Cupgt5GtAcademyindianapolis 500Indianapolis500Indy 500Indy500nissan 370ZNissan370zPolyphonyPolyphony digitalPolyphonyDigitalMon, 07 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Spoiler Alert: 2009 Indianapolis 500 race results]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/25/spoiler-alert-2009-indianapolis-500-race-results/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/25/spoiler-alert-2009-indianapolis-500-race-results/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/25/spoiler-alert-2009-indianapolis-500-race-results/#commentsFiled under:


2009 Indy 500 - Click above for high-res image gallery

On Saturday we asked you in a poll if you care about the Indianapolis 500. The number one response with 40% of the vote was, "I never cared in the first place." Well, at least one of us here at Autoblog cared enough to watch the race on TV yesterday, but that couldn't stop long stretches of napping from eating up up dozens of laps at a time. A few interesting things happened while I was awake, including perennial Indy bridesmaid Tony Kannan crashing at the Brickyard for the third time in eight appearances. I was also awoken late in the race by another crash, this time between Vitor Meira and rookie Raphael Matos. The two collided on Turn 1 and Meira's car ended up sliding along the wall on its side. We later learned the veteran driver had broken two vertebrae in his back, while Matos escaped with just a bruised knee. This isn't NASCAR, though, and we're not supposed to watch for the crashes, so I downed some caffeine after that to stay alert until the race's conclusion. Read on after the jump to find out who won this year's running of the 2009 Indianapolis 500.


Gallery: 2009 Indianapolis 500

Continue reading Spoiler Alert: 2009 Indianapolis 500 race results

Spoiler Alert: 2009 Indianapolis 500 race results originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 May 2009 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>danica patrickDanicaPatrickfeaturedhelio castronevesHelioCastronevesindianapolis 500Indianapolis500indy 500Indy500Mon, 25 May 2009 14:33:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Chevy won't be offering Indy 500 Camaro Pace Car replicas]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/24/report-chevy-wont-be-offering-indy-500-camaro-pace-car-replica/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/24/report-chevy-wont-be-offering-indy-500-camaro-pace-car-replica/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/24/report-chevy-wont-be-offering-indy-500-camaro-pace-car-replica/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The car above is the pace car for this year's Indianapolis 500, a special edition 2010 Camaro. If you want to see it in action, then you'll need to watch the race -- Chevrolet says it won't be making a pace car replica for people who don't drive on the oval. Chevy copied and sold the four previous iterations of Camaro Indy 500 pace cars thousands of times.

This time, though, a spokesman said, "In order to keep special editions special, we can't go to that well too often." Which means someone decided that a rare trip to the well would be better served by producing a Bumblebee Camaro than an Indy pace car edition, even though the original Camaro Indy 500 pace car editions still attract collectors 42 years after the fact...


Gallery: 2009 Chevy Camaro Indy Pace Car



[Source: Inside Line]

REPORT: Chevy won't be offering Indy 500 Camaro Pace Car replicas originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 24 May 2009 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The 93rd running of the Indianapolis 500 will take place tomorrow at noon. ABC will provide the usual live coverage, and viewers will watch to see if pole-sitter Helio Castroneves manages to do his Spider-Man thing at the race's conclusion. Or if Danica makes history. Or maybe you're just looking for a race - and a finish - as exciting as the spectacular ending to the 2006 Indy 500.

Or maybe you don't care anymore.

Maybe you tuned out after the nasty CART/IRL split and never looked back.

So here we are, into the second season of the freshly-reunited Indy Racing League, hours away from its signature event - the most storied race in American motorsports. The starting grid boasts plenty of fast drivers. Young ones, too. Some are scions of Indy legends. But the variety pretty much ends there. Everyone's running a Dallara chassis with a Honda engine. Fast as hell, to be sure-Helio qualified with an average speed of 224.824 mph. But still, to many, the 500 now almost feels more like a habitual event instead of the massively-important, "Capital-E" Event it was prior to 1996.

So here's where we toss it to you. Do you care about Indy anymore? Did you ever? Are you planning to watch the 500? Vote after the jump, and comment away.

[Image: Jamie Squire/Getty]

Continue reading POLL: Do you care about the Indy 500?

POLL: Do you care about the Indy 500? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 23 May 2009 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 indy 5002009Indy500indianapolis 500Indianapolis500indy 500Indy500pollSat, 23 May 2009 18:01:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Go Daddy teases raciest-yet Danica Patrick ad for Indy 500]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/22/video-godaddy-plans-raciest-yet-danica-patrick-ad-during-indy-5/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/22/video-godaddy-plans-raciest-yet-danica-patrick-ad-during-indy-5/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/22/video-godaddy-plans-raciest-yet-danica-patrick-ad-during-indy-5/#commentsFiled under: , ,


GoDaddy and Danica: Click above to view the commercial after the jump

Go Daddy commercials are well known for two things: 1) Having little to do with web hosting and domains, and 2) Making use of attractive women in suggestive situations. During the Super Bowl, Go Daddy threw racer Danica Patrick into a shower with a college German instructor. The two girls theme continues with a new spot that places Ms. Patrick in a vintage Ford Mustang convertible with a sultry female police officer that seems quite excited about web hosting.

To Go Daddy's credit, there is a lot more service selling in this 30 second spot, which predictably ends with a disrobing followed by an invitation to head over to GoDaddy.com to see what happens next. Go Daddy founder and CEO Bob Parsons called the teaser and full two minute web-only spot "the hottest commercial we've ever made." No arguments here. Hit the jump to view the 30-second teaser for yourself, followed by the Go Daddy press release detailing the airtime plans during this weekend's Indianapolis 500 race.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Go Daddy teases raciest-yet Danica Patrick ad for Indy 500

VIDEO: Go Daddy teases raciest-yet Danica Patrick ad for Indy 500 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 May 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adBob ParsonsBobParsonscommercialDanicadanica patrickDanicaPatrickgo daddyGoDaddyIndianapolis 500Indianapolis500Indy 500Indy500Fri, 22 May 2009 12:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Return of the King: 71-year-old Richard Petty to field a team in this year's Indy 500]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/10/return-of-the-king-71-year-old-richard-petty-to-field-a-team-in/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/10/return-of-the-king-71-year-old-richard-petty-to-field-a-team-in/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/10/return-of-the-king-71-year-old-richard-petty-to-field-a-team-in/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click above for an image gallery of Richard Petty's Indy 500 entry

For the first time in history, an open-wheel racecar bearing Richard Petty's classic #43 on the side and powder blue and red livery will circle the oval at the 93rd running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 24th. The 71-year-old Petty won't be behind the wheel, instead acting as a team owner. Driving duties will be ably handled by John Andretti, nephew of Mario Andretti, who won the Indy 500 in 1969.

Over his 35-year career as a NASCAR driver, Richard Petty won the Daytona 500 a total of 7 times, a record that stands to this day. John Andretti has raced for Petty a few times in the past and won the race at Martinsville Speedway in 1999. We're not huge fans of oval racing in general, but the tie-in with Richard Petty Motorsports will surely help the Indy 500 grab plenty of attention from NASCAR's rabid (and huge) fan base. Check out the Petty livery for yourself in our gallery below.


Gallery: Richard Petty Motorsports Indy 500


[Source: FanHouse]

Return of the King: 71-year-old Richard Petty to field a team in this year's Indy 500 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Apr 2009 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>indianapolis 500Indianapolis500indy 500Indy500john andrettiJohnAndrettirichard pettyrichard petty indy 500richard petty motorsportsRichardPettyRichardPettyIndy500RichardPettyMotorsportsFri, 10 Apr 2009 13:28:00 EST<![CDATA[IndyCar Series signs new television deal with Versus]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/13/indycar-series-signs-new-television-deal-with-versus/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/13/indycar-series-signs-new-television-deal-with-versus/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/13/indycar-series-signs-new-television-deal-with-versus/#commentsFiled under:

If you're keen to follow the reunited IndyCar Series, you may want to call up your cable or satellite provider and add Versus to your package. The channel has secured the rights to broadcast the series, moving the races over from ESPN.

Although the lesser-known Versus reaches some 20 million fewer homes than ESPN, the network is expected to offer extended coverage, with pre- and post-race shows and the possibility of Indy-related programming in between races, as well. Meanwhile, ABC has renewed its contract with IRL officials to broadcast five races - including the Indy 500 - each season. While the deal with Versus might seem like a step backwards from ESPN, the stability of consistent and extended coverage could help put open-wheel racing in America back on the map.

[Source: Autosport]

IndyCar Series signs new television deal with Versus originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Aug 2008 07:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>indianapolis 500Indianapolis500indyindy 500indy broadcastindy car seriesindy televisionIndy500IndyBroadcastIndyCarSeriesIndyTelevisionirlWed, 13 Aug 2008 07:01:00 EST<![CDATA[92nd Indy 500 ends with pole-sitter Dixon taking checkered flag]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/27/92nd-indy-500-ends-with-pole-sitter-dixon-taking-checkered-flag/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/27/92nd-indy-500-ends-with-pole-sitter-dixon-taking-checkered-flag/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/27/92nd-indy-500-ends-with-pole-sitter-dixon-taking-checkered-flag/#commentsFiled under:


Click above for high-res gallery of the 2008 Indy 500

New Zealand's Scott Dixon led the field at this year's 92nd Indianapolis 500 going into turn 1 of Lap 1 and, after surviving 200 laps of open wheel mayhem at the Brickyard, crossed the finish line first, 1.75 seconds ahead of second-place finisher Vitor Meira. Unfortunately, no one on the Autoblog team witnessed the win, the allure of barbecues and time spent with family this past Memorial Day weekend being too strong to resist. Perhaps that says something about the popularity of open-wheel racing in the U.S., though we suspect the 250,000 in attendance and larger television audience of the Indy 500 this year would disagree.

While Dixon and Chip Ganassi Racing took the win, all eyes were still on Danica Patrick to see if she could pull out the first win for a woman at the Brickyard coming off her victory in Japan last month. Unfortunately, a win for Danica was not meant to be, as her left-rear tire was tagged by Team Penske's Ryan Briscoe coming out of the pits. The contact spun out Patrick and did mortal damage to her rear axle. She was more than a bit miffed (wouldn't you?) and began a determined walk down pit row towards Briscoe's pit box, but a track security officer stopped her and prevented what could've been the race's biggest spectacle.

So the IndyCar Series' most famous race is in the bag, and it was the first since the IRL and Champ Car series reunited. Things are looking up for open-wheel racing in the U.S. despite our own disinterest, and the 92nd running of this year's Indianapolis 500 sounds like it was enjoyable to watch. Maybe we'll sit down for it next year.

If like us you didn't catch the race on TV, check out SpeedTV's recap video after the jump.

Gallery: 2008 Indianapolis 500


[Source: IndyStar.com]

Continue reading 92nd Indy 500 ends with pole-sitter Dixon taking checkered flag

92nd Indy 500 ends with pole-sitter Dixon taking checkered flag originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 May 2008 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2008 indy 5002008Indy50092nd indy 50092ndIndy500breakingdanica patrickDanicaPatrickindianapolis 500Indianapolis500indy 500Indy500scott dixonScottDixonTue, 27 May 2008 12:58:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Danica Patrick hits crew member on pit lane at Indy]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/10/danica-patrick-runs-into-crew-member-on-pit-lane-at-indy/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/10/danica-patrick-runs-into-crew-member-on-pit-lane-at-indy/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/10/danica-patrick-runs-into-crew-member-on-pit-lane-at-indy/#commentsFiled under: ,


Follow the jump for video if the incident

We are soooo glad Danica Patrick hearts Autoblog, because during practice at Indy yesterday, she struck a pit crew member of a competing team. Dale Coyne Racing's Charles Buckman, the chief mechanic for Mario Moraes, suffered a concussion as well as scalp and facial cuts after being hit and then sailing over Danica's car in pit row.

According to several trackside eyewitnesses, the incident was completely not Danica's fault. Apparently, Indy's pit area was busier and more congested than usual due to a weather delay, and Buckman took one step too many to the right just as Danica was pitting. He was taken to Methodist Hospital and is expected to recover fully from his injuries. For his part, Buckman says he doesn't remember many details about the incident.

People at the track said Danica and her teammates were visibly shaken by the accident. Marco Andretti saw the accident happen, and told Sports Illustrated, "It's a dangerous situation; a crowded pit lane, a lot going on. You don't like to see that kind of thing but it's not Danica's fault. Stuff happens. Racing is dangerous. We're very concerned and hopefully it will turn out good." Thanks for the tip, Joe!

[Source: Sports Illustrated]

Continue reading VIDEO: Danica Patrick hits crew member on pit lane at Indy

VIDEO: Danica Patrick hits crew member on pit lane at Indy originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 10 May 2008 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingdanica patrickdanica patrick accidentDanicaPatrickDanicaPatrickAccidentindianapolis 500indianapolis motor s...Indianapolis500IndianapolisMotorS...indy 500Indy500marco andrettiMarcoAndrettiMario MoraesMarioMoraesSat, 10 May 2008 11:55:00 EST<![CDATA[So, yeah, the Indianapolis 500 happened last weekend]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/29/so-yeah-the-indianapolis-500-happened-last-weekend/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/29/so-yeah-the-indianapolis-500-happened-last-weekend/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/29/so-yeah-the-indianapolis-500-happened-last-weekend/#commentsFiled under:


click above image for more pics of this year's Indy 500

Usually we have little trouble covering the big auto events of the year. Bloggers line up to go to auto shows and even for those events we don't attend in person, which are often motorsport events, there's always one or two of us who care enough to watch on TV and whip up a quick recap post.

Then there's the Indy 500, which took place at the famous Brickyard last Sunday. Not one of us watch CART Champ Car IRL, instead favoring the American LeMans Series as our motorsport of choice, with NASCAR's Nextel Cup coming in a distant second perhaps. Knowing this about Team Autoblog, I set aside some time on Sunday to watch the Indianapolis 500.

Read more after the jump.

[Source: Indy500.com]

NOTE: I know jack about the IRL and CART, so excuse my egregious errors above, but in my adult lifetime this form of racing in the U.S. has never been interesting enough to watch. I'll catch the Indy 500 out of respect for an historic race with a lot of history, and it's holds my attention because most of the racers are readily identifiable, unless it rains, in which case I'll obviously tune out.

Gallery: 91st Indianapolis 500

Continue reading So, yeah, the Indianapolis 500 happened last weekend

So, yeah, the Indianapolis 500 happened last weekend originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 May 2007 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Dario FranchittiDarioFranchittiexpire-images:2008-5-28indianapolis 500Indianapolis500indy 500Indy500Tue, 29 May 2007 14:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Honda hearts Linux, wants cash]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/24/honda-hearts-linux-wants-cash/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/24/honda-hearts-linux-wants-cash/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/24/honda-hearts-linux-wants-cash/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Linux is pretty good at harnessing processor speed, and Chastain Motorsports is hoping to snare some of that effect to propel their Panoz/Honda to victory. The distinctive Penguin logo, "Tux," has been affixed to the nose of the 200+ MPH car in anticipation of meeting a donation goal. The famously open-source OS is applying that philosophy to sponsorship. The Tux 500 is an effort to raise $350,000 in exchange for those high-speed chilled fowl on the race car. There are perks for large donation amounts, but there is no shame in collecting lots of $1 gifts, either. It is an interesting concept, and we will be looking for the distinctive blue car when the checkered flag drops at the Indy 500. As long as the effort secures $25,000, the decals will stay on the car. Currently, donations total $7,600, and the organizers are confident that they'll at least make it to that $25K figure.

[Source: Wired]

Honda hearts Linux, wants cash originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Apr 2007 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>500hondaindianapolisindianapolis 500Indianapolis500indyindy 500indy racing leagueIndy500IndyRacingLeagueIRLleaguelinuxopen sourceOpenSourcepanozracingtux 500Tux500Tue, 24 Apr 2007 09:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Chicago Auto Show: Special edition Corvettes]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/08/chicago-auto-show-special-edition-corvettes/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/08/chicago-auto-show-special-edition-corvettes/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/08/chicago-auto-show-special-edition-corvettes/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


click image above or images below to view new live shots of these exclusive Corvettes

General Motors unveiled a pair of special edition Corvettes at the Chicago Auto Show yesterday, both of which commemorate the Vette's involvement in motorsports. The Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Champion Corvette Z06 and Corvette Indy 500 Pace Car edition are both only trim packages with stock mechanicals, yet the visual impact of any Vette in Atomic Orange or the ultra exclusive Arctic White is breathtaking.

The Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Champion Corvette Z06 was developed to celebrate the first man to win an ALMS race in the C5.R back in 2000. The Fellows Z06 is even more exclusive than the Indy 500 Pace Car replica, with only 399 cars being built. In our eyes, it's the better looking of the two (that's why we took more pics of it), with an exclusive coating of Arctic White paint accented by subtle red and silver fender badging. The Z06 wheels are coated in chrome and the windshield's adorned with a full-width Corvette banner, just like the C5.R.

The Indy 500 Pace Car edition is a capable vehicle already by virtue of being a Corvette Convertible with the Z51 performance package. As such, the car will need hardly any modfications to pace the Indy 500 in May. Chevy will be offering 500 of these replica cars to the public, which, along with the radioactive color, includes many Indy 500 logos on the car's exterior and interior, new aluminum split-spoke wheels, and a rear spoiler from the Z06. To be honest, we'd be way more into this car without all the Indy 500 badging, but we're sure Chevy will find 500 people (collectors?) who won't mind it.

GM hasn't made a big deal about these cars at the show, and it's true they're just trim packages for a car we're already very familiar with. Nevertheless, there always seems to be a crowd of journalists hanging around these jewels.

Gallery: 2007 Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Champion Corvette Z06


Gallery: 2007 Chevy Corvette Indy 500 Pace Car edition

Continue reading Chicago Auto Show: Special edition Corvettes

Chicago Auto Show: Special edition Corvettes originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Feb 2007 10:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CorvetteIndianapolis 500Indianapolis500Indy 500Indy500pace carPaceCarreplicaRon FellowsRonFellowsZ06Thu, 08 Feb 2007 10:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Chicago Preview: Corvette Indy 500 Pace Car edition]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/01/chicago-auto-show-corvette-indy-500-pace-car-edition/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/01/chicago-auto-show-corvette-indy-500-pace-car-edition/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/01/chicago-auto-show-corvette-indy-500-pace-car-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


click above image to view an additional 21 high-resolution images

Nine times. No, we're not referring to how many times Ferris Bueller's been absent this quarter, we're referring to how many times the Chevrolet Corvette has handled the official pace duties of the Indianapolis 500. Actually, the ninth time will occur on May 27th of this year for the 91st running of the most historic motorsport event in America. It also marks the fourth time in a row a Corvette has led the pack at Indy.

General Motors will be producing 500 replica Indy Pace Car editions of the car to be offered to the general public. They'll be Corvette Convertibles in Atomic Orange with Indianapolis 500 exterior graphics, Indy 500 fender badges, a rear spoiler cribbed from the Z06, new aluminum split-spoke wheels in Sterling Siver finish, seats with embroidered Indy 500 logos, interior trim pieces painted Atomic Orange to match the exterior and Atomic Orange engine covers. Of course, the 400-hp LS2 is standard and the cars come with the Z51 performance package and a standard six-speed. Each car will have a base price of $66,995, although if one goes for the only option, a paddle-shifting six-speed automatic, the price rises a bit to $68,245.

You can read the official press release after the jump and don't let the Atomic Orange paint burn your retinas when you check out all the photos in our high-resolution gallery.

[Source: GM]

Gallery: 2007 Chevy Corvette Indy 500 Pace Car edition

Continue reading Chicago Preview: Corvette Indy 500 Pace Car edition

Chicago Preview: Corvette Indy 500 Pace Car edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Feb 2007 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>corvettecorvette convertibleCorvetteConvertibleindianapolis 500Indianapolis500indyindy 500Indy500pace carPaceCarThu, 01 Feb 2007 11:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Shifting gears: GM considering sale of Allison Transmission]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/25/shifting-gears-gm-considering-sale-of-allison-transmission/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/25/shifting-gears-gm-considering-sale-of-allison-transmission/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/25/shifting-gears-gm-considering-sale-of-allison-transmission/#commentsFiled under: ,

GM revealed today that it's "considering strategic options" for one of its more well known subsidiaries, Allison Transmission, which produces automatic trannies for both commerical and military sale. In boardroom-speak, that means they want to sell it off. GM's turnaround has been aided so far by its strategy of selling non-essentials like the stakeS it held in both Subaru and Suzuki, so we're not particularly surprised to see a For Sale sign on Allison.

While doing a bit of research for this post we stumbled on an entry in Wikipedia for Allison Transmission and learned some pretty interesting stuff about the company's history. It's founder, James Allison, was one of the four original businessmen who financed the construction of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1909 and started up the Indy 500 in 1911. The company also got into aviation engines and was the only U.S. manufacturer to develop and produce a V12 liquid-cooled engine during WWII. Finally, Allison Transmission was one of the driving forces in developing GM's two-mode hybrid drivetrain that first saw use in commercial buses before being adapted for passenger car use.

Allison Transmission is clearly a storied old American company, so it will be very interesting to see who, if anyone, steps up to buy it.

[Source: GM]

Continue reading Shifting gears: GM considering sale of Allison Transmission

Shifting gears: GM considering sale of Allison Transmission originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Jan 2007 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>allison transmissionAllisonTransmissiongeneral motorsGeneralMotorsindianapolis 500Indianapolis500indy 500Indy500salesellThu, 25 Jan 2007 15:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Danica Patrick signs with Andretti Green Racing for 2007 - no NASCAR]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/25/danica-signs-with-andretti-green-racing-for-2007-no-nascar/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/25/danica-signs-with-andretti-green-racing-for-2007-no-nascar/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/25/danica-signs-with-andretti-green-racing-for-2007-no-nascar/#commentsFiled under:

Despite reports that Danica Patrick's father/manager was in exploratory talks with various NASCAR teams to turn his daughter into a dedicated left-turner, word is coming out that the Queen of Open-Wheel Racing has signed with Andretti Green Racing for the 2007 season of the Indy Racing League. This means Danica will be leaving her current IRL team, Rahal Letterman, at the end of this season when her contract expires. Danica will join Tony Kannan and Marco Andretti on the Andretti Green Racing roster for 2007 and get another shot at reaching her goal of winning the Indianapolis 500.

[Source: Fox Sports]


Danica Patrick signs with Andretti Green Racing for 2007 - no NASCAR originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Jul 2006 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2007Andretti Green RacingAndrettiGreenRacingDanica PatrickDanicaPatrickIndianapolis 500Indianapolis500Indy 500Indy Racing LeagueIndy500IndyRacingLeagueIRLNASCARRahal LettermanRahalLettermanTue, 25 Jul 2006 20:15:00 EST<![CDATA[SPOILER ALERT: Indy 500 results]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/29/spoiler-alert-indy-500-results/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/29/spoiler-alert-indy-500-results/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/29/spoiler-alert-indy-500-results/#commentsFiled under:

Did you watch it? We didn't, but after reading about the outcome we're regretting not being in front of the television for the thrilling finale of the Indianapolis 500. Sam Hornish Jr. edged out 19-year-old Marco Andretti, son of Michael Andretti, by a mere .0635 seconds for the checkered flag. Marco actually passed his father to take the lead in the waning laps and was left to fend off Hornish, who was charging the young driver after losing a lap late in the race on a penalty incurred when he left the pits with his fuel hose still connected. Undeterred by a failed passing attempt on the second last lap, Hornish kept the pressure on and made his move on the last corner to pull beside the young Andretti and beat him by less than a nose. Though papa Andretti was proud of his son, Marco was reportedly disappointed in continuing his father's winless streak at Indianapolis.

For those who care, Danica Patrick held her own and ran as high as fifth before finishing eighth overall.

[Source: Indy500.com]

SPOILER ALERT: Indy 500 results originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 May 2006 01:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Indianapolis 500Indianapolis500IndyIndy 500Indy500Marco AndrettiMarcoAndrettiMichael AndrettiMichaelAndrettiSam HornishSamHornishMon, 29 May 2006 01:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Lance Armstrong to drive Indianapolis 500 Corvette pace car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/04/lance-armstrong-to-drive-indianapolis-500-corvette-pace-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/04/lance-armstrong-to-drive-indianapolis-500-corvette-pace-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/04/lance-armstrong-to-drive-indianapolis-500-corvette-pace-car/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Chevrolet announced Tuesday that seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong will drive the 2006 Corvette Z06 pace car at this year's running of the Indianapolis 500.

The striking red, white and blue 'Vette will be the eighth to pace the Indy field in the race's history, marking the 17th time a Chevy has had the honor.

The stars and stripes color scheme is intended to tie in with Chevy's "An American Revolution" marketing campaign, and looks to be a vast improvement over the purple and yellow extravaganza that graced Jay Leno's Corvette pace car at this year's Daytona 500.

[Source: GM]

Lance Armstrong to drive Indianapolis 500 Corvette pace car originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Apr 2006 17:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>corvetteindianapolis 500indy 500lance armstrongLanceArmstrongpace carPaceCarTue, 04 Apr 2006 17:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Honda pacing IRL with Accord Hybrid]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/26/honda-pacing-irl-with-accord-hybrid/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/26/honda-pacing-irl-with-accord-hybrid/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/26/honda-pacing-irl-with-accord-hybrid/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



If one needed more proof that Honda's Accord Hybrid is an eco hot-rod, here it is. IRL officials have announced the Accord Hybrid will be the Official Pace car for the 2006 IndyCar Series. The entire Delphi hIRL Safety Team will be outfitted with Honda vehicles that include the Accord Hybrid, Honda Ridgeline and Honda Pilot.

The Accord Hybrid Pace Car is modified for pacing duties with a roll cage and high-performance wheels and tires. It will pace every race of the 2006 season except for the Indianapolis 500. The big honor at Indy will go to the Chevy Corvette Z06, which marks the 17th time a Chevy has paced the big race in Indiana.

[Source: Honda]

Honda pacing IRL with Accord Hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 26 Mar 2006 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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