Go to photo gallery (March 4, 2005)

EVENT INFO: • Getting to the races • A fan's guide • Tickets • Schedule • 2005 Indycar Series Schedule

PHOTOS: Panoramic view of track View a Quicktime panoramic photo at the link above. (You'll need the Quicktime plugin to view. The free plugin is available here.) • Indycar series practice photos

GRAPHICS: • A lap around the track Click for a simulated lap around the track. • Oval vs Road • A fun look at the track

April 2, 2007
Decibel levels, spirits soar as engines roar
By TAMARA EL-KHOURY
A race promoter says, "I think we've turned a corner" in drawing more than 100,000 people.
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April 3, 2006
Who won the race? The city, mayor says
By CARRIE WEIMAR
Sun-soaked fans fill the stands for Helio Castroneves' IndyCar victory.
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Scaling back to the top
By BRANT JAMES
ST. PETERSBURG - Helio Castroneves spent the final laps of the Indy Racing League's inaugural Grand Prix of St. Petersburg last spring shifting his Lexus over the Sunshine Skyway. Out after a Lap 12 run-in with A.J. Foyt IV, he wanted to escape town ahead of traffic and make it home to Miami at a decent hour.
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Bad brakes leave Hornish pondering what-ifs
By BRIAN SUMERS
ST. PETERSBURG - Sam Hornish lay briefly on the pit wall, stretching his arms and perhaps contemplating what might have been.
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Defense of win ends with bang
By JOANNE KORTH
ST. PETERSBURG - When the checkered flag waved for someone else, Dan Wheldon was watching from the pits.
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To veterans, crowd recalls glory days in streets
By BRIAN SUMERS
ST. PETERSBURG - From the back of a pickup truck during the parade lap on Sunday, St. Petersburg looked like a big-time street racing town to some guys who remember what they look like.
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April 2, 2006
Impromptu yacht club provides a great view of race
By CARRIE WEIMAR
Of 35 yachts at temporary docks in the south basin, the largest is a 153-footer belonging to racing team owner Roger Penske.
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Carpenter 'thankful' to be here
By JOANNE KORTH
ST. PETERSBURG - Ed Carpenter has seen replays of the crash that killed Indy Racing League driver Paul Dana, an impact so violent those of us who do not drive race cars for a living flinch and turn our heads away. He is not squeamish.
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Details drive Dario to pole
By BRANT JAMES
Noticing the little things makes a difference for Dario Franchitti, who starts first in today's race.
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Steely self-belief steers drivers through danger
By BRANT JAMES
Some call it ego, or arrogance. Whatever, stars need it to thrive.
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Faceoff
By Times staff writers
Is the Grand Prix worthwhile for St. Petersburg?
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IROC shows interest in city race, but logistics difficult
By BRANT JAMES, JOANNE KORTH
ST. PETERSBURG - Andretti Green Promotions vice president Kevin Savoree sees the idea as a way to improve the overall show with some added star power. IRL drivers see it as a way to get those NASCAR boys out of their comfort zone and force them to do some real racing.
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New face of IndyCar promotion familiar, just without rock-star makeup
By BRANT JAMES
Gene Simmons made his bones as the co-founder and bassist for 1970s phenomenon KISS. There was the make-up, the platform boots and of course, the tongue. Now, Simmons dresses in marketing-magnate cool, the occasional pair of expensive something-skin boots included. He has been ever-present the past two weeks with his promotions company in cahoots with the IRL. Times staff writer Brant James spent 10 sublime minutes March 24 walking pit road with Simmons at Homestead-Miami Speedway with the occasional pit stop.
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Starting grid
By JIM TOMLIN
27 DARIO FRANCHITTI
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New way to catch their drift
By BRIAN SUMERS
Drifting, a unusual form of motorsports, is slowly growing.
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Simmons close to ride with Rahal Letterman
By BRIAN SUMERS
ST. PETERSBURG - Since age 5, Jeff Simmons has dreamed of driving an IndyCar.
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While passing through, Matos wins in Pro Series
By BRIAN SUMERS
ST. PETERSBURG - A wide smile covering his face, Raphael Matos stopped his car near the finish line and jumped atop it.
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April 1, 2006
For RVers, there's no race like home
By CARRIE WEIMAR
It's a growing trend: a pack of rolling homes trailing track speedsters from event to event.
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Outspoken Foyt unflinching in views of sport
By BRANT JAMES
A.J. Foyt has earned the right to be opinionated. As the winner of a record 67 Indy-style races and seven national championships, the first to win four Indianapolis 500s and the only man to win Daytona, Indy and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 71-year-old Texan has literally seen and done it all.
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Road long, patience crucial for Patrick
By JOANNE KORTH
Coming off a tragic weekend for her team, she arrives at a circuit that's tough to master.
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Same team, new leader
By BRANT JAMES
Dario Franchitti continues Andretti Green Racing's chart-topping form of last year.
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Andretti, Cheever differ on clash
By BRANT JAMES, JOANNE KORTH, BRIAN SUMERS
ST. PETERSBURG - The generation gap closed to nothing on Friday when the oldest and youngest drivers in the field for Sunday's Grand Prix of St. Petersburg collided early in the first practice.
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Friend's emergency puts sprint car ace in ride
By BRIAN SUMERS
ST. PETERSBURG - Appearing parched and lacking energy, Wade Cunningham sat quietly through a pre-Grand Prix luncheon Thursday.
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March 31, 2006
What to do between the races
By Times Staff
BAY WALK: The shopping and entertainment complex is in downtown St. Petersburg at 151 Second Ave. N. Call (727) 502-0965. There are lots of other restaurants and bars downtown, especially along Central Avenue.
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Turn 10
By BRANT JAMES
The boomerang bend at the end of a straightaway on the St. Petersburg course leaves little room for error, but offers a huge gain.
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Open-wheel minded
By SHARON GINN
You might think the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg - the IndyCar Series' first street-circuit event - would be the last place you'd find former NASCAR driver Rusty Wallace holding a microphone. Most of the turns on the course, after all, are right ones.
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Street course qualifying procedure
By Times Staff
Unlike the 11 oval events, each practice will play a key role in determining the starting field. It works like this:
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2006 racing calendar for Florida
By Times Staff
Major events around the state:
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Anyone can be everyman
By BRANT JAMES
In an era when exclusive contracts stifle versatility, multi-faceted team owner Chip Ganassi likes his drivers well-rounded. That's an enticement to young, talented chargers with a eye on other forms of racing.
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Racing's history in St. Peterburg
By Times Staff
St. Petersburg has had many false starts with racing. Here is a recap on some of the Grand Prix's notable forerunners:
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