All-Star Race Preview

Photo Courtesy of Dan Geren

On Wednesday, July 1st, the Lionheart IndyCar Series presented by Overdrive Graphics will take to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Dan Wheldon Memorial All-Star Race. This unique race, will feature three, 15 lap segments with the winners of Segment 1 and Segment 2 starting 1st and 2nd for the final segment.  

Criteria for race eligibility are: Paid Season 3 Entry Fee, Season 2 Race Winner, Season 2 Pole Sitter, Top 10 Points Finisher, and Top 6 Finish in the Shootout Race. The following drivers are currently locked in to the All-Star Race: 

Season 2 Race Winners: Dan Geren, Jason Robarge, Joe Hassert, Korey Connor, Rick Music, and Tony Lurcock

Season 2 Pole Sitters: Bradley Walters, Jack Bogan, and Jake Wright

Top 10 In Points: Justin Laxton, Michael Gray, and Robert Blouin

Certainly all of these drivers have the have the ability to get around the 2.5 mile quad-oval, and any one of them could win the race. In last season’s Indy 500, Bradley Walters started on pole, however Rick Music, Jason Robarge, and Justin Laxton dominated the race, leading 70 of the 100 laps. 

In last night’s practice race, Rick Music won the pole and the first segment, with Big Joe Hassert winning the second segment. As a result, Music and Hassert started 1-2 for the final segment. Music won the practice race with Ian Adams finishing second, and Joe Hassert falling to third. 

With 40+ drivers on the official series roster, there are many new faces, and a number of top drivers looking to start off the season with a big splash. Some names to watch in the shootout race are: 

Pierre Daigle – Pierre won 2 races in this past season’s iRacing.com Indianapolis 500. In last season’s Lionheart Indy 500, Pierre finished 9th, but turned the fastest lap of the race.

James Krahula – James won a recruiting race at Homestead, and is looking to turn some heads among series regulars. 

Allen Boes – Boes is an iRacing.com Peak Series driver, who is looking to try his hand at IndyCar. If he can drive an IndyCar like he can his Peak Series car, he will certainly be a driver to watch out for!

Sleeper Pick: Austin Espitee – Espitee ran well last season, finishing 2nd after an early race incident with Krysta Nelson. If Espitee can keep his nose clean, he may have a chance to contend. 

For more information on the series, including the series race and broadcast schedule, as well as the driver roster, you visit the series website at: http://www.lionheartracingseries.com. The first points event is the Overdrive Graphics 200 on Wednesday, July 22nd and will be broadcast on the Global SimRacing Channel.

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