RUSHVILLE —
The long awaited start of the IZOD IndyCar Series season kicks off this weekend on the street course at St. Petersburg with 25 cars entered for the event.
Last year Helio Castroneves opened the season with a win in Florida, but the real question going into the season is can Will Power secure that first IndyCar title.
Power, a teammate of Castroneves and Ryan Briscoe on Team Penske has been the runner-up for the championship the past three years. What has always been the Achilles heel for Power is the oval tracks the series runs on.
Last year he started from the pole at St. Petersburg so it will be crucial for him to start the season strong on the street course.
Ryan Hunter-Reay, driving for Andretti Autosport is the defending champion, having beat Power by three points in 2012.
There are many questions entering the season. Will JR Hildebrand, James Hinchcliffe, Simon Pagenaud, Charlie Kimball or Simona de Silverstro record that break through win.
de Silvestro after enduring a terrible 2012 season in a Lotus powered car has landed a ride with KV Racing Technolocy. It will be interesting to see if she can become more competitive now that she has landed a ride with a top team.
Can the American drivers, Graham Rahal, Kimball, Marco Andretti, Ed Carpenter, Josef Newgarden bring renewed interest in the open-wheel series after climbing up through the ranks of open wheel racing in this country.
Nothing would be more welcome by series officials for another American to emerge as a contender in 2013 joining Hunter-Reay.
Rahal is driving for his father, Bobby, as part of the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing line-up with James Jakes as a teammate.
Target Chip Ganassi Racing driver Scott Dixon will be looking for a third championship. He won the title in 2003 and 2008 so that five-year cycle is this year. His teammate Dario Franchitti, the defending Indianapolis 500 winner, will be looking for a fifth championship.
IndyCar has provided some of the best racing in the country over the past few years and it should continue in 2013. My only wish is that it would open the season on a true road course instead of a temporary street circuit.
St. Petersburg does provide good racing on the 1.8 mile course, but as with all street circuits passing proves to be difficult.
The NBC Sports network this Sunday at noon with the Firestone Indy Lights race shown starting at 11 a.m.
In other racing news: The end of May may seem like a long way off, but entries for the annual Pay Less Little 500 sprint car classic at Anderson Speedway are starting to be received.
Already entered are Tony Elliott, Shane Hollingsworth, Tony Hunt, Jerry Coons Jr. and Ryan Litt. Dave Darland, a four-time USAC champion, is entered to make his second Little 500 start and first since 1998.
Many of these same drivers are expected to compete in the Glen Nielbel Classic on April 14, a 100-lap event sanctioned by the United States Speed Association.
Sports
IndyCar kicks off season in Florida
Little 500 entries rolling in
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Lions outlast Spartans 9-8
Connersville and Rushville scored a combined 17 runs through four innings. The Lions then shut down the Spartans offense the final three innings to take the 9-8 victory.
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Lion golfers fall to Trojans, Dragons
NEW CASTLE - The Lion golf team traveled to Westwood Country Club to face the New Castle Trojans. In varsity action, the Lions fell to the Trojans 163-183.
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Lady Lions third at track sectional
CONNERSVILLE – The Lady Lion track team traveled to Connersville for the IHSAA track sectional. The host Lady Spartans won the team title with 127 points. Hagerstown was second with 98 followed by Rushville with 94.5.
Union County finished fourth with 85 followed by Richmond 62, Cambridge City Lincoln 56, Centerville 46, Seton Catholic 23, Tri 12.5 and Northeastern 11. -
Brown slams Lady Lions to win
CONNERSVILLE – Freshman Shelbie Brown blasted a grand slam to help the Lady Lions rally past Connersville 9-8 Wednesday. The Lady Lions improve to 8-10 on the year.
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Tennis team fall to HHC foe Yorktown
YORKTOWN – The Lady Lion tennis team traveled to Yorktown to take on the Lady Tigers. The host squad knocked off the Lady Lions 5-0 in varsity action. Rushville is 4-12 overall and 0-7 in the HHC.
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Indy Pole is wide open affair
If your a fan of open wheel racing the place to be over the next two weeks is central Indiana with the Indianapolis 500, Pay Less Little 500 and winged sprint cars in action.
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Cougars fight off Lions
The Cougars of Greenfield-Central rallied in the opener of the doubleheader against Rushville and then cruised to a win in the second game to sweep the HHC double-dip Friday.
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Lions run to HHC track title
The Lion track team competed in the Hoosier Heritage Conference track meet and returned to Rushville with the hardware - the HHC team championship trophy.
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Arabians win HHC golf team title
Pendleton Heights posted a sub-300 team score to claim the Hoosier Heritage Conference golf title.
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Marauders knock off Lions at Antler Pointe
Visiting Mt. Vernon (Fortville) defeated Rushville 176-193 in golf action on the back nine at Antler Pointe.
Rushville is now 3-7 in varsity action. - More Sports Headlines
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Lions outlast Spartans 9-8
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