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It's Chassis D (Decision) Day -- But Don't Hold Your Breath

The decision on the 2012 IndyCar was supposed to be made by today, June 30. IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard has said recently that the decision might be made by today, but the announcement won't be for a week or two.

UPDATE: Indy Star's Curt Cavin reported Wednesday afternoon the announcement will be on July 14.

The contenders are Dallara, DeltaWing, Swift, BAT and Lola. Check many posts on them all here.

Hope springs eternal for a multiple-chassis ruling, but several chassis makers have said unless they can have the economy of scale of supplying the whole field, they can't afford to offer a chassis at all.

McIntosh Hits the Speedrome Again June 30

Shannon McIntosh will get USAC Midgety in her Glass Hammer Racing ride tonight at 7 p.m. Eastern. The Speedrome is located at 802 South Kitley Avenue in Indianapolis. McIntosh will be driving her new USAC Midget.

You can listen live HERE or see video (probably) here.

Info on Shannon and Glass Hammer here. Shannon is also a member of the prestigious Women of pressdog™

Celebrate Indy-pendence at Watkins Glen

From the IndyCar.com mothership ...

It’s an Indy-pendence celebration at Watkins Glen International and there’s something for everyone.

The fun kicks off July 2 when a fireworks display will take place at 9:45 PM. Fans in the Village of Watkins Glen can watch the fireworks over Seneca Lake from Clute Park.

Carnival food, rides and games along with samples from some of the top local wineries will complement the party. The IZOD IndyCar Series Fan Zone also will be at the park.

Following IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights qualifying on July 3, fans can gather for autographs from their favorite drivers (3:30-4:30 p.m.). The off-track action doesn’t stop as the sun sets. There are two concerts on the Red Cat Summer Stage (7 p.m.-dusk), wine tasting and food (of course) and a special fireworks display at 9:45.

Fans that purchase a July 4 race day-only ticket will be permitted to enter the track starting at 5 p.m. July 3. Youngsters 15 and younger receive a general admission ticket free with the purchase of an adult ticket.

For more info on tickets and to purchase, go HERE.

Joe Saward on Valencia

The usual good perspective on Valencia from F1 veteran observer Joe Saward on his blog today. Questions about Lewis Hamilton's "penalty," Valencia's putrid "racing" and more.

Read it here.

Is IndyCar Fixin' for a Fight with NASCAR?

Is the announcement that IndyCar is teaming up with Bruton Smith's Speedway Motorsports Inc. (SMI) family of tracks at New Hampshire Motor Speedway the opening salvo of a fender vs. open wheel battle royal?

Will it be NASCAR & International Speedway Corporation (ISC) tracks vs. IndyCar & SMI? After all, last weekend Randy Bernard repeatedly called Burton Smith one of his "heroes" for his promotional prowess, and the relationship between NASCAR-owned ISC and IndyCar has been tenuous at best.

John Oreovicz of ESPN.com has some interesting observations HERE.

Pippa Mann Tries to Carefully Play "The Girl Card"

(Part 2 of a two-part post. Read part 1 here.)

Firestone Indy Lights driver Pippa Mann likes to “dress like a girl.” For an interview at Iowa Speedway, she turned up in her typical non-fire suit attire.

“I have jangly stuff on my wrists; I’m wearing flip-flops that have sparkly bits on them; my Pippa Mann tops (see photo at right) are hardly your usual thing,” she says. “People say to me ‘Why do you turn up the track with all this crap on your face and in your ears and on your wrists? Why don’t you just show up and do the job? I'm sure people would pay that much less attention to you when it went badly if you did that.’”

And that’s challenge, said Mann, 26, who is from Ipswich, England. Walking the line between “the girl thing” and “the racing driver thing.”

More Fun with Will Power

A little something from the digital recorder left over from Iowa Speedway ...

pressdog: How’s the rap coming? (During a test at Iowa Speedway earlier in June, Helio Castroneves demanded Power rap at Power's upcoming wedding.)

Will Power: It’s coming man. We’re going to do a film clip and everything.

pressdog: Really.

Power: Yeah ... nah.

pressdog: Maybe do an IndyCar.com video blog about it.

Franchitti, Penske, Chippy and Even Tony Stewart are Fired up for New Hampshire

It's a festival of YouTube videos from New Hampshire ...

The Right Sexy Wee Bastard (Dario Franchitti) talks about how awesome it will be to get back to Loudon. This video is complete with footage of Franchitti turning a lap or two in front of the NASCAR crowd last weekend. BAM.

Tony Stewart and Roger Penske emote about the beauty of N.H.

Chip Ganassi does an outside-the-hauler interview here.

FIL Drivers Chase Wins, Sponsors ... and Luck

(Part 1 of a two-part post. Read part 2 here.)

Three Firestone Indy Lights drivers said during their June stop at Iowa Speedway that although they came to America because of economics, their life in the minors has also included a crash course in marketing.

Drivers Gustavo Yacaman from Colombia and Martin Plowman and Pippa Mann from England all said a huge cost pothole in the European road to Formula 1 caused them to look for an American alternative.

Danica Does New Hampshire, The Highlights

Hip checked early, Danica finishes with the field in view, and to widespread praise (from people who make money if you tune next time).