Thank you, Charlie.
Leading Lap 15 of the Verizon IndyCar Series championship-deciding GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma on Aug. 30 gave the driver of the No. 83 Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet a bonus point, which pushed Kyle Hoffman to the top of the #INDYRIVALS Fantasy Challenge driven by Firestone standings.
Hoffman, who finished one point ahead of his closest competitor in the season-long contest in which fans earn points corresponding to results of the four drivers selected for each race, will receive a VIP package valued at $1,000 to the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race in May 2016.
Individual race and season-ending prizes also are awarded to top finishers. Check out the prizes, get ready for 2016
A late driver switch for the 85-lap race on the Sonoma Raceway road course proved decisive.
“My strategy for my weekly picks was nothing out of the ordinary. I would make my selections based off qualifying results and would try to stay in the top six in my picks,” Hoffman said.
“It must have been in after week 13 that I had moved steadily up to second place and thought I may have a slight chance at winning. After Week 14 and 15, I still could not gain any ground in my points, staying 52 points behind RacerX, the leader. At that point I realized that we were possibly matching our selections each week.
“After the Sonoma Race qualifying was complete, I made my selections on Saturday in Will Power, Josef Newgarden, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Graham Rahal. On Sunday, I said to my wife, ‘If I am to have any shot at this I need to think outside the box and find the driver outside the top six to win.’
“On Sunday, I changed my selection of Josef Newgarden to Charlie Kimball and the difference in the scoring between these two drivers was 53 points. So I say, ‘Thank you, Charlie Kimball.’ ’’
Bourdais to compete in three V8 Supercars events
Verizon IndyCar Series driver Sebastien Bourdais, who has twice co-driven to victory in the V8 Supercars event at Surfers Paradise, Australia, will compete in the three Pirtek Enduro Cup races with Walkinshaw Racing.
Co-driving with Lee Holdsworth, the first race is this weekend at Sandown. Bathurst and Surfers Paradise also are part of the Pirtek Enduro Cup races.
“The cars are tough to drive. For a guy that isn’t a regular in the car and coming from a very different background, it takes a bit to get used to but I look forward to the challenge,” said Bourdais, who traveled to Australia to test in the car following the Verizon IndyCar Series season finale Aug. 31 at Sonoma Raceway.
“I always have a good time trying to adapt and extracting the best out of whatever car I get in to.”
Motorsports Day at IUPUI
Rides in the INDYCAR Racing Experience street-legal two-seater will be available during the 12th Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis Motorsports Day from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 10.
Hosted by the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology and the Motorsports Club, Motorsports Day gives students and racing fans a look into multiple forms of motorsports and career opportunities.
IUPUI is home to the nation’s only motorsports engineering program. The event, which also features tours of the Motorsports Lab and panel discussions, takes place in front of Taylor Hall, 815 W. Michigan St., in Indianapolis.
And on Sept. 12-13 ...
Verizon IndyCar Series driver Pippa Mann will greet visitors Sept. 12-13 to the Festival of Machines at Conner Prairie Interactive History Park in Fishers, Ind.
A Verizon IndyCar Series show car is among the displays of transportation, and visitors can take a ride in the INDYCAR Racing Experience street-legal two-seater. Get more information
Of note
Verizon IndyCar Series driver James Hinchcliffe will be welcomed as an honorary police officer of the Halton (Ontario) Regional Police Service on Sept. 11. Hinchcliffe, a native of Oakville, Ontario, will be a police ambassador as part of the “Stay on Track” campaign to enhance pedestrian and road safety across the region. … Green Savoree Racing Promotions, organizers of the Honda Indy Toronto, announced that Jeff Atkinson has been promoted from vice president to president of the annual event at Exhibition Place that features the Verizon IndyCar Series. Atkinson, who for 10 years managed sponsorship, ticket and hospitality sales, takes over for Charlie Johnstone.