INSIDE IZOD

IZOD Golfer Kevin Na works to fix his pre-shot routine.

Wed, 23 May 2012 19:29:02 -0400

The Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis reports on how Kevin Na is changing his pre-shot routine to speed up his pace of play at this weekend’s Colonial Golf Tournament in Ft. Worth, TX.

Watch Team IZOD win the 2012 Indy 500 pole.

Wed, 23 May 2012 19:17:00 -0400

Team IZOD and Ryan Briscoe are leading the field to the Green Flag at the 2012 Indy 500. Briscoe is starting first after winning the pole by the closest margin in Indy 500 Qualifying History. His average speed of 226.484 mph beat the next competitor by .003 seconds or 9.1 inches over the 4-lap run. Tune in Sunday at 11am ET on ABC to see Ryan and Team IZOD in this year’s Indy 500.

‎”On behalf of everyone at the IZOD brand, our prayers and thoughts are with Dan...

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 10:19:58 -0400

‎”On behalf of everyone at the IZOD brand, our prayers and thoughts are with Dan Wheldon’s family. We are very proud to have worked with Dan and consider him a true friend,” said Allen Sirkin, President, PVH Corp. “He was one of the best race car drivers in the world and a wonderful ambassador for the sport. Dan’s love of racing was only surpassed by his love and dedication to his family. He will be missed by all.”

IZOD IndyCar Series Hits The Strip Giving Las Vegas a Night to Remember

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:22:00 -0400

DANICA PATRICK CALLS IT ONE OF THE “COOLEST MAINSTREAM STUNTS” INDYCAR HAS EVER DONE

The field for Sunday’s IZOD IndyCar Series World Championship in front of the Bellagio.

BY BRUCE MARTIN

LAS VEGAS – One of the most famous streets on earth is Las Vegas Boulevard and it is known simply as “The Strip.” With some of the most famous Casinos in the world lining both sides of The Strip it has been the scene of some memorable nights.

On Thursday night the IZOD IndyCar Series gave Las Vegas a night to remember as The Strip was shut down. Instead of passenger car traffic it was 34 IndyCars that hit Las Vegas Boulevard, giving the thousands of spectators that lined the streets a different version of Vegas nightlife.

It was a grand way to welcome the series to Las Vegas in preparation for Sunday’s IZOD IndyCar World Championships Presented by Honda at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

“It was fun,” said Team IZOD driver Ryan Briscoe after he drove his red-white-and-blue No. 6 IZOD car down The Strip. “To be amongst the people of Las Vegas it’s great that IndyCar is making so much noise here in Las Vegas. You can’t beat the atmosphere here. It’s pretty spectacular. I had to look after the clutch a little bit and dodge the manhole covers because it’s dark and we don’t have headlights. But it’s the last race of the year and if it is good for the sport and gets all these people that didn’t even know IndyCar was in town to know about the race Sunday it’s all good.”

Paul Tracy has had many nicknames throughout his career from “The Thrill from West Hill” to the “Chrome Horn.” Tracy has a reputation for doing things in style and used to live in Las Vegas before moving to Scottsdale, Arizona. Tracy has seen many crazy things on The Strip and Thursday night he got to take part in something truly memorable.

“It’s pretty cool; it’s great for IndyCar and it’s great for the IZOD series,” Tracy said. “There is always a big crowd on The Strip and a lot of people out here have never seen these cars before. Hopefully it will create a big buzz for the race and bring out more people. It takes a lot of orchestration by the city, the police department and the fire department. This is one of the busiest streets in the world so to shut it out is pretty tough to do.

“Hats off to Randy Bernard (INDYCAR CEO), IZOD and the City of Las Vegas for putting this on.”

The field pulled of 34 IZOD IndyCars along with the Honda Safety Vehicle and the IZOD Two-Seater “Fastest Seat in Sports” pulled up the street and parked in front of the famed Fountains at The Bellagio. Each driver was introduced and posed for photos along with 1969 Indianapolis 500 winner Mario Andretti and Lasorda with the “Dancing Fountains” in the background.

Afterwards, the drivers climbed back into their cars and were joined by Mario Andretti and Fiasco in the IZOD Honda Two-Seater. The field took five laps around The Strip as more fans lined both sides of the street and marveled at the incredible scene.

Of course, one of the stars among the fans was Danica Patrick, driver of the No. 7 GoDaddy.com car for Andretti Autosport. She will compete in her final race in the IZOD IndyCar Series on Sunday.

“This has been one of the coolest mainstream stunts that we have ever done,” Patrick said. “Whenever there are these extracurricular things outside of the car I’m a little cautiously optimistic about them. You have this idea it might be a bit of a nightmare and confusing and might not go well but Randy Bernard has done a nice job with this. He has done some stuff to promote this race that has never been done before. I’m sure it will translate to some success and some new fans.

“There was a lot of regular traffic out there but I felt safe somebody stopped traffic for us. It was a little dark but it was pretty smooth and we all did a lot of burnouts for the fans.”

Rookie driver James Hinchcliffe of Newman/Haas Racing thought it was a thrill to race down the streets of his hometown in Toronto earlier this year. A chance to drive his IndyCar on The Strip was something that Hinchcliffe thought was amazing.

“This is awesome,” Hinchcliffe said. “It’s Vegas. It’s The Strip. It’s a pretty cool experience to drive an IndyCar down one of the most famous streets in the world. It’s such the right city with the right atmosphere. It’s a great place for us to end the season. If they could have a street race here it would rival Monaco as the coolest street race in the world. But this says a lot for the sport of the IZOD IndyCar Series and the direction we are going. To get clearance to close down one of the busiest streets in the world shows where this series is right now. We are on an upswing and hopefully we get this town behind it and we are here for many years to come.”

Ryan Hunter-Reay of Andretti Autosport called it a “once in a lifetime” opportunity.

“We’re doing it in style this year,” Hunter-Reay said. “We have to thank Randy Bernard, IndyCar, and IZOD made it all happen. This is something special. I’ve never seen this much activation around a race.”

GO TO MACYS.COM/IZOD TO PURCHASE THE LATEST IN IZOD FALL FASHION.

Graham Rahal was all smiles as he looked at the crowd that turned out to get a chance to see the high-speed cars on The Strip.

“The turnout is darn good – I’m very impressed with the buzz around this event,” Rahal said. “A lot of people lined the streets and are eyeing these cars and that’s pretty good. It’s cool and something I hope we can do more often. It’s great to be here. I’m amazed they made it happen.”

Scott Dixon of Target/Chip Ganassi Racing is usually one of the coolest drivers in the sport but he was excited to be part of such a unique event.

“It’s awesome with all the people down here – it’s fun,” Dixon said. “You can’t do this in any other city. It’s pretty exciting. With the lights and the backdrop with The Bellagio was great. Kudos to Randy Bernard and IZOD for making this happen.”

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IZOD-Las Vegas Practice Report

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:09:45 -0400

BY BRUCE MARTIN

LAS VEGAS – Ryan Briscoe was back in the suit he loves the best – his red-white-and-blue IZOD uniform – as the Team IZOD driver hit the track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Thursday. Briscoe was the eighth-fastest driver in the practice session for Sunday’s IZOD IndyCar World Championships Presented by Honda and promises more speed out of the No. 6 Team Penske car for Friday’s qualifications.

Briscoe ran a fast lap at 223.482 mph around the 1.5-mile Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

“We had a good practice today,” said Briscoe, who enters the weekend ranked sixth in the series standings. “The IZOD Team Penske car had good speed and we feel good about our chances this weekend. It’s definitely going to be an interesting race.”

Target/Chip Ganassi Racing driver Dario Franchitti enters the final race of the season with an 18-point lead over Team Verizon driver Will Power in the battle for the IZOD IndyCar Series championship. Franchitti was ninth in practice at 223.465 mph and Power was 14^th at 222.220 mph for Team Penske.

“We still have some speed to find in the Verizon car but it was a decent start for us today,” Power said. “It’s good to get some laps in here at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and we’ll be working hard to get the most out of the car in practice and qualifying tomorrow.”

Franchitti believes there is a need for more speed from his No. 10 car if he is going to wrap up the championship.

“We have some work to do on the Target car,” Franchitti said. “I wasn’t happy where we were to start today. Lots of work to do to get the car where we need it to be for the race on Sunday.”

Dan Wheldon, who has a chance to win the $5 million GoDaddy IndyCar Challenge if he wins the race from 34^th starting position, was 22^nd at 221.440 mph.

Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves was the fastest of the three Team Penske drivers when he was sixth at 223.519 mph.

“It was a good start today for the Guidepoint Systems car,” Castroneves said. “It’s my first time here at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and we took our time to get to know the track and I think we have a pretty good idea where we need to go for the weekend.”

Danica Patrick may be leaving the IZOD IndyCar Series after Sunday’s IZOD IndyCar Series World Championship Presented by Honda and would love to bid farewell from victory lane. Patrick proved she had a fast car in Thursday’s practice session at the 1.5-mile oval with a fast lap at 224.719 miles an hour referring to it as “Indy speeds.” With 34 cars lapping the Vegas oval some of the speed may have been aided with “tows” but it is undeniable that Patrick would love to end her IndyCar career with a victory before she heads off to NASCAR.

“I think it’s sad that this is the first time I’ve been quickest at any point this year,” Patrick said. “It happened a lot more my first year. I’d just like to finish this right. I’d like to finish it off on a good note and nothing would let me turn the page to the next chapter better than me winning here.”

GO TO MACYS.COM/IZOD TO PURCHASE THE LATEST IN IZOD FALL FASHION.

Patrick scored her career-best NASCAR Nationwide Series finish here when she was fourth on March 5. The speeds are considerably faster than that in the sleeker IndyCars.

“It’s frigging fast out there,” said Patrick, driving the No. 7 Team GoDaddy car. “All the speeds up there are big drafts but that’s pretty quick. The track is nice and smooth and the cars go around here pretty quickly. We are three-wide going around there and it will be pretty exciting. I was reminding myself to turn in nice and gentle and be smooth with the wheel. That means we’re going fast.”

And the fast way around will be hugging the bottom groove of the race track.

Oriol Servia of Newman/Haas Racing was second quick at 224.719 mph. This will be his third race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and his second with Newman/Haas at this track.

“It’s great to be back in Las Vegas,” Servia said. “The last time we ran at this track, the team finished 1-2 so we’re really looking forward to that again. The track felt great and so did the Telemundo car; we finished P2 (second fast) in the session. We all knows it doesn’t mean that much because it’s only the first session but it’s definitely better to be up there than not. The race will be exciting. It will feel like playing Russian Roulette.

“It’s so fast. It’s just so fast and so close to each other, it’s exciting. The fans are going to get a good show. It’s kind of crazy. It’s great that the track is smooth; you can be consistent and try to keep your car in line and follow the car in front when you’re three wide. … Because it’s smooth it allows everybody to be really close, we’re talking three wide, I’m sure at some moments we will be four wide. It’s not just one row, it’s going to be like five rows of three wide and five more rows of three wide. There’s really no room for error. It’s exciting, I’m sure on TV and that the fans here will have a great show.”

Ryan Hunter-Reay was third at 223.888 mph and teammate Mike Conway fifth at 223.558 mph to give Andretti Autosport two drivers in the top five. Target/Chip Ganassi Racing driver Scott Dixon was fourth with a lap at 223.689 miles per hour.

While Franchitti and Power are battling for the championship the other drivers in the field simply want to win the race. And with one win in 115 starts Patrick can’t think of a better way to end her IndyCar career than with a victory in her final race.

“I think that we’ll put on a really close race here this weekend,” she said. “Even in a stock car there is a lot of grip here, so I’m sure that it means that we’re going to be three or four wide, four or five rows deep for a lot of the race here. I think it’s going to be exciting and I think it’s going to be a great way to finish the season off.

Having that little bit of experience here in a stock car, I think will help. It definitely can’t hurt.

“We’re here. Viva Las Vegas, baby.”

Patrick said she has no regrets as she leaves the IZOD IndyCar Series and many memories.

“I’ll always remember my first Indy 500 for sure, winning in Japan, and those will be the things that I remember most,” Patrick said. “But I’ll remember that it has gone fast, but at the same time it seems like light years from 2005 when I started and how far I’ve come as a person and how many things I’ve been able to do, and all the things that I’ve learned along the way. So a lot has happened in that seven years. It’s where I got my start, and it’s what made me who I am today.

“I’ve had a lot of fun. So it’s all part of the process and the journey. In the end, the journey is the fun thing once you’ve accomplished what you want, you just set another goal. I wouldn’t change anything.”

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IZOD Autograph Session at Macy's Fashion Show Mall

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 10:28:00 -0400

IZOD Macy’s Autograph Session Ends on a High Note in Las Vegas

BY BRUCE MARTIN

LAS VEGAS – The final IZOD Macy’s Autograph Session of the 2011 season may have been the best as the largest collection of drivers all season – along with racing legend Mario Andretti – were swarmed by a huge throng of fans at Macy’s Fashion Show Mall on Wednesday night.

Nearly all of the 34 drivers that will race in Sunday’s IZOD IndyCar Series World Championship Presented by Honda – the largest field for an IZOD IndyCar Series race since 35 drivers made the 1997 Indianapolis 500 starting lineup — were in attendance. Andretti rounded out this impressive group of drivers, as the 1969 Indianapolis 500 winner and 1978 Formula One World Champion gave a link from the sport’s glorious past to the great stars that make up the IZOD IndyCar Series today.

“I’ve never seen so many drivers assembled before a race anywhere,” Andretti said. “The drivers when they are asked to participate are here. You can see the value of it all. With IZOD, the marriage they have with Macy’s is fabulous. It’s been great all year. This is what the series needs. We need to be mainstream and this is the way to do it. IZOD is the perfect title sponsor for IndyCar because they see the benefit and the series sees it as well. Macy’s is absolutely awesome. All the major cities – we’re in New York, San Francisco – everywhere. IZOD is so trendy about everything. It’s totally awesome.”

The line of fans eagerly awaiting the autograph session at Macy’s Fashion Show Mall extended well into the lower level of the Macy’s store located at the impressive shopping paradise off the “The Strip” – Las Vegas Boulevard.

“Look at all the people that are here,” exclaimed Damon Benefield, the vice president and general manager of Macy’s Fashion Show Mall. “It far exceeded our expectations. The impact here in Vegas is enormous. You have people locally and impact on the community and people worldwide are here today. It’s an awesome event. I was on vacation and we had three drivers at first and when I got back it was up to 34 people so we were blown away. You can tell the response from everyone in Vegas is an awesome job.

“It’s all about partnership and to have IZOD as our brand within Macy’s together we’re able to bring magic to our customers. We’re really appreciative of the event and the collaboration with IZOD. My daughter is 14-years-old and she likes Danica so to be able to bring her here we couldn’t be happier.”

GO TO MACYS.COM/IZOD TO PURCHASE THE LATEST IN IZOD FALL FASHION.

Patrick was one of the fan favorites of the autograph seekers that got to meet the stars of the IZOD IndyCar Series and it was a chance for her to bid farewell to some of those fans. Patrick is competing in her final race in the series as she heads to a full-time NASCAR effort in 2012.

Patrick admitted the IZOD partnership with Macy’s has been extremely beneficial to the sport and it’s one that she will miss as she moves on.

“Macy’s is great because we are definitely coming to the people and there is a buzz that gets generated from this,” Patrick said. “IZOD and Macy’s have done a great job. It’s really good. It’s a good venue for sure. It helps that Randy Bernard (INDYCAR CEO) has spent a significant amount of time in Las Vegas and has a lot of connections. We are here for a number of days and we have a lot of stuff on our side. The series has gone full-court press on promoting this event. It’s really good to see the video screens on the casinos on The Strip promoting this event and I hope it generates with a big crowd for the race.

“There is always a great turnout and that is a credit to Macy’s and IZOD and the IndyCar Series for promoting the event and having people turn out. I want to thank IZOD and Macy’s for all the great events they have put on for IndyCar. It helps generate fans and excitement for the weekend.”

DANICA PATRICK WITH MACY’S FASHION SHOW MALL EXECUTIVES AND ASSOCIATES.

As Patrick signed autographs, Carla Wenthe, the assistant store manager of Macy’s Fashion Show watched with approval. Wenthe and her staff began promoting this event several months ago and with the size of Wednesday night’s crowd she was able to bear the fruits of her labor.

“What an event this has been and it has put a smile on everybody’s face to get an autograph from their favorite driver. I’m a Danica Patrick fan but I also love Mario Andretti from when I first started watching racing years ago.”

When the IZOD IndyCar Series chose Las Vegas as the site of its championship event the Macy’s staff wanted to get in on the action.

“We’re very excited to see the crowd and being a local store and having the IZOD IndyCar Series championship race is very exciting for us,” Wenthe said. “Knowing the IZOD partnered with Indy we really worked with our special events to bring this to our store. Our store is tourist driven and if you talk to customers in line they are from all over – not just from Vegas. It’s really fun. They’ve brought all of their merchandise with them to sign so it’s very exciting.

In addition to the long line of fans there was also an impressive group of local media that had a chance to interview drivers before the race including the local CBS affiliate and other media outlets.

There is much to report as Team Penske driver Will Power enters the weekend 18 points behind Target/Chip Ganassi Racing driver Dario Franchitti in the battle for the IZOD IndyCar Series championship. While that battle is fierce Wednesday night was a chance for the drivers to meet the fans.

“Macy’s is a fantastic partner with IZOD and it’s great for the series,” Power said. “We look forward to a fantastic future. We’ve done this a few times this year and it’s a great turnout here. We have a lot of drivers here, too. It’s unbelievable. As a competitor it’s fantastic to see all of the other drivers here. They’ve done a great job of promoting this and it’s the best place to come.”

Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves of Team Penske always enjoys meeting the fans and having the autograph session at a Macy’s provides a great platform because it’s a more relaxed atmosphere than at a race track.

“For me it’s great because I’m able to chat and be close to the fans,” Castroneves said. “When you are at the race track it’s hard to give them 100 percent attention but you can do that here. For us having Macy’s and IZOD is just fantastic because it shows the connection between racing and clothing and fashion. Racing is fast but it’s also stylish. Just look at the driver’s uniforms.

“This is a perfect way for IZOD to show the connection with the series. When they are here at a shopping mall they see this buzz and it calls the attention to those who don’t know what is going on and hopefully gains more fans to watch the race.

“This is the type of fans we need to have. That means we are in the right place.”

Many of the fans that came to the autograph session will also be at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for Sunday’s Showdown which is full of tremendous storylines.

“This is awesome and the promotion has been very, very good,” Castroneves said. “There is a lot going on. It’s the last race of the season, a championship battle, Dan Wheldon can split $5 million with a fan, Danica Patrick leaving – there are so many things you can talk about that makes this race so exciting.”

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Catching Up with Dario Franchitti

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 01:49:56 -0400

BY BRUCE MARTIN

GO TO MACYS.COM/IZOD TO PURCHASE THE LATEST IN IZOD FALL FASHION.

LAS VEGAS – Dario Franchitti and Will Power have taken their IZOD IndyCar Series Championship battle to Las Vegas where it will be decided in Sunday’s IZOD IndyCar Series World Championship Presented by Honda at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The two combatants arrived in town on Wednesday to kick off a tremendous week of activities that will showcase the IZOD IndyCar Series in one of the great entertainment cities on earth.

This week, IZOD and IndyCar take “Center Stage.”

DARIO FRANCHITTI WAITS DURING DRIVING INTRODUCTIONS AT THE BALTIMORE GRAND PRIX.

“There is a lot of work that has gone into this race; a lot of promotion has gone on which is great to see,” Franchitti said. “I’m hopeful we get a good car here and the Target team can pull through for another championship. With everything going on it’s going to be a much different week that we are used to. The on-track stuff is going to be very, very intense.”

This huge event is the result of the combined efforts of IZOD, INDYCAR, the Las Vegas Visitors and Convention Authority and Honda.

“You have to have the partners involved but you also have to have the drive and organization to pull it together,” Franchitti said. “We are seeing that right now and it will be a big event.”

Franchitti is attempting to win his third-straight IZOD IndyCar Series championship. In fact, it would be his fourth in a row as he drove to the title in 2007 as a member of what was then known as Andretti Green Racing. He did not participate in the series in 2008 as he tried to make the switch to NASCAR but returned as a member of Target/Chip Ganassi Racing in 2009. Since then, Franchitti has won 12 races in 51 attempts and back-to-back IZOD IndyCar Series championships.

No. 4 could be a part of a historic “Three-peat” for Franchitti.

“Let’s see if we do it first,” Franchitti said. “My mind is focused on making it happen. The big difference is look at the laps led. That shows me that if we could have executed better we’d be in better shape. But we are where we are in the position we find ourselves in and will try to close the deal on Sunday.”

Franchitti takes an 18-point lead over Team Penske driver Will Power entering the final race of the season.

“I think Will Power is a very strong contender,” Franchitti said. “In a lot of ways I have an advantage because he seems to think all my success is down to luck. That gives me a huge advantage. I think you have to respect who you are competing against. Whether that is Tony Kanaan or whether it was Scott Dixon in 2007 or Scott and Ryan Briscoe in 2009 or Will last year you have to respect them.

“It won’t be easy but I think we can do it.”

So, let’s spend a few moments “Catching up with Dario Franchitti.”

INSIDE IZOD – What do you like what IZOD has done for the series this year?

DARIO FRANCHITTI – “IZOD works hard at promoting the series and that is something all the teams and drivers are happy about.”

INSIDE IZOD – What is the most fun aspect of being involved with IZOD?

DARIO FRANCHITTI – “I think IZOD throws a good party so we are looking forward to seeing that. I think Vegas is a great place for that.”

INSIDE IZOD – What’s it going to be like to have IndyCars driving up The Strip on Thursday night?

DARIO FRANCHITTI – “The IndyCars up The Strip will be interesting because there will be a certain amount of care taken with these cars. Stay away from the Manhole Covers. But how cool is that we are closing The Strip down. That is introducing IndyCar to a whole new fan base so that is going to be cool.”

INSIDE IZOD – From the schedule it looks like with all the off-track activities the demands on your time will almost be like the Indianapolis 500.

DARIO FRANCHITTI – “It looks very, very busy and I know a lot of work has gone into that schedule both form the team side and the IndyCar side so I hope that all pays off. The important thing is to get a great crowd and a great atmosphere and on track we go out there and try to do our job.”

INSIDE IZOD – In the past you have missed being part of a series that raced at Vegas. When you were in CART it was the original Indy Racing League that ran there. When you switched series in 2003 it was later the Champ Car Series that raced there. How interested are you in racing at that track?

DARIO FRANCHITTI – “It’s going to be interesting. I’ve driven both NASCAR divisions there. To me it’s going to be an interesting final race. The layout of the track it will be a big pack race.”

INSIDE IZOD – The IZOD IndyCar Series may not be the longest in racing but with the schedule compact from the end of March to the middle of October, what are the demands like to squeeze all these races in a short period of time?

DARIO FRANCHITTI – “It’s a very compact schedule and with the races and some of the testing we do and the sponsor demands then we have the constant training as well. With all of that it’s a very busy season. There really is no off-season. We’re done in Vegas with the championship on a Sunday and then on Wednesday we are testing the new car. It’s a very all-consuming thing that the drivers and everybody on the team does. It’s our life, really and you have to love what you do because it’s so intense. Luckily, we do love it.”

INSIDE IZOD – Because of that how difficult is it to keep your workout schedule when you go back to Tennessee?

DARIO FRANCHITTI – “It is tough to do and that is a challenge both when you are traveling and when you are at home with all the different demands. You just have to prioritize.”

INSIDE IZOD – How much does your solitude at your estate in Tennessee help you get your mind back together?

DARIO FRANCHITTI – “At the race track things are so busy and so hectic I do like to get away from that for a little bit. When Ashley and I get back here it’s nice and quiet for a while. When it’s time to get that solitude for a while and get relaxed you can see your pals and get back to a normal life.”

INSIDE IZOD – Have you added any more to your pet collection?

DARIO FRANCHITTI – “No. It’s still at five cats and two dogs. It’s still a full-time job to feed them. Ashley has been in Europe for a good few months and she just got back this week with one of the dogs and two of the cats so we have a full compliment at the house. It’s busy again.”

INSIDE IZOD – With the time the two of you were apart what was it like `Batching it’ again?

DARIO FRANCHITTI – “I was so busy with the schedule I really wasn’t home and when I did have a reasonable amount of free time I was heading over to Europe. During the season I’m very, very busy.”

INSIDE IZOD – What is your stable of cars up to?

DARIO FRANCHITTI – “I’m not going to give you an exact number of cars but we have run out of space here for cars. There is definitely more space for the cars in Scotland but I’m not there enough to justify having any more there.”

INSIDE IZOD – What are the prizes of your collection?

DARIO FRANCHITTI – “For me every one of the cars I’ve got all does something different for me. Whether it is the Ferrari F40 or the Porsche Carrera GT or jumping into my own 911 hot rod; each car does something different. It doesn’t have to be they go that fast or anything they all bring something to the table. I’m very, very privileged to own some of the cars that I do. That is one of the cool things about getting to drive IndyCars is to fund my car addiction.”

INSIDE IZOD – What is something about Dario Franchitti that would surprise people?

DARIO FRANCHITTI – “I have no idea. I really don’t know the answer to that one. I have to think about that one for quite a while.”

INSIDE IZOD – One of your biggest fans is five-time defending NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson. I know that he would love to try to drive an IZOD IndyCar. Have you talked to him about that?

DARIO FRANCHITTI — “We’ve talked a lot about that for years. There is no way he is going to get to run on an oval but we joked about it and Chip Ganassi and I have talked about him running on a road course somewhere. I think with Chevrolet coming on as an engine supplier that would be easier for him to do that. I hope so. I would love him to get a shot at driving an IndyCar on a road course. You watch him in the Daytona Prototypes and he is very quick in that but an IndyCar would blow his mind. I really do. Hopefully, he’ll get a chance to do that and if he does I hope to get a chance to see him do it.”

INSIDE IZOD – Favorite foods?

DARIO FRANCHITTI – “I would say any day that included Ashley making me an awesome breakfast followed later in the day by pasta made by my mom or my dad. Those are both very good.”

INSIDE IZOD – Best prank ever pulled on you?

DARIO FRANCHITTI – “It has to be from back in the days with Bryan Herta, Tony Kanaan and Dan Wheldon at Andretti. It has to be something they did to me. I know they have ruined a good few suits now because every time I’ve been up whether it is getting a prize for winning the Indianapolis 500 or winning a championship prize Kanaan feels it necessary to either throw me in the water or throw a cake at me. That’s an ongoing thing. Hopefully, he gets a chance to do that to me again in Las Vegas. I soon as I cross the finish line I start looking over my shoulder for those guys. We’re very lucky to have Charles Burns as the head of security for the IndyCar Series. Last time I put Charles on lookout so that was helpful.”

INSIDE IZOD – What about your musical preference?

DARIO FRANCHITTI – “It’s very wide-ranging but if I had to pick one it would be U2. They are phenomenal.”

INSIDE IZOD – What is the last thing you loaded on your iPod?

DARIO FRANCHITTI – “A British TV show called `Shameless.’”

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IZOD Autograph Session Wednesday at Macy's Fashion Show Mall in Las Vegas

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 16:29:19 -0400

IZOD Zooms Into Las Vegas for Biggest IZOD IndyCar Series Autograph Session of the Season

BY BRUCE MARTIN

MEET MARIO ANDRETTI WEDNESDAY AT MACY’S LAS VEGAS FASHION SHOW MALL AT 6PM.

LAS VEGAS – “Drivers, Start Your Sharpies” as IZOD prepares for the one of the largest IZOD IndyCar Series Autograph Sessions of the year that takes place at Macy’s Fashion Show Mall on the Las Vegas Strip, Wednesday, October 12th at 6pm PST.

It’s a fitting way to conclude the highly successful IZOD IndyCar Series Autograph Sessions at Macy’s for the 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series season. Drivers such as series points leader Dario Franchitti of Target/Chip Ganassi Racing, his championship challenger Will Power of Team Penske along with three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves, Andretti Autosport drivers Marco Andretti and Danica Patrick and the rest of the drivers that will make up the largest field for an IZOD IndyCar Series race since 35 drivers made the field for the 1997 Indianapolis 500.

These drivers will be in the presence of greatness as 1969 Indianapolis 500 winner Mario Andretti will also be featured at the IZOD Macy’s IndyCar Autograph Session. Andretti also won the 1978 Formula One World Championship and the 1967 Daytona 500 – the only driver to win all three prestigious titles.

IZOD IndyCar Series fans and Macy’s customers are invited to the event that begins with media availability at 5:30 p.m. local time followed by the autograph session from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the first floor interior mall entrance to Macy’s just off Las Vegas Boulevard.

For those fans that purchase any IZOD merchandise, they will receive a free IZOD IndyCar Series cap. Plus, customers who make a purchase of $50 or more will receive a pair of tickets to the IZOD INDYCAR World Championships Presented by Honda Sunday, October 16th.

“The IZOD IndyCar Series autograph sessions are great for the fans - they have a DJ and the music really creates the feeling of a big event,” Power said. “Coming to the IZOD event at Macy’s is definitely huge.”

Other drivers love to have a chance to get to meet the race fans in person.

“It’s great to be able to come out and meet the fans in an environment that is completely different from the race track,” Castroneves said. “I can see the fans really enjoy it too. The energy of the IZOD autograph session is awesome. It’s been great and I’m sure next year and the years to come these will be even better. It’s cool to meeting the racing fans because in my situation because of `Dancing with the Stars’ it’s so cool to hear people say they voted for me and bring me pictures not wearing a racing suit but a tuxedo, I really care about that. They put on a dancing competition with the fans and you always discover some talent.

One of those drivers that will be signing autographs is two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon, who has a chance to split $5 million with a fan if he wins from the last starting position in Sunday’s IZOD IndyCar Series World Championship Presented by Honda as part of the GoDaddy.com IndyCar Series Challenge.

His week will get revved up at the IZOD Macy’s IndyCar Series Autograph Session on Wednesday night.

“In previous years we have done a lot of autograph sessions at the track and since IZOD has brought us to Macy’s and the way it is put together and the atmosphere it creates it is fun, high energy and glamorous,” Wheldon said. “It is more attractive to the fans and for us it’s more enjoyable to do it because of the environment, it has been cool.

One of the biggest lines is for Patrick, who will be starting her final race in the IZOD IndyCar Series at Las Vegas.

“The kids are the best,” she said. “They make it all worth it. I love the kids.”

Don’t be surprised to see several of the drivers shopping for their favorite IZOD apparel at Macy’s after the autograph session.

“First of all I don’t have enough of it,” said Alex Tagliani, who lives in Las Vegas with his wife, Bronte. “I travel with IZOD T-shirts all the time. They are very comfortable. I like them. They are a very good fit. The slim-fit is my style. Some of the polo shirts I have with the sponsor are lightweight fabric. You can put them in your dryer and they don’t shrink so it is very convenient for us when we are on the road. They don’t have any wrinkles, either, when you get them out of your luggage. I want more. Whatever I can do to get some more of those clothes because no matter if I’m at the track or going out with Bronte on a casual movie run or dinner sometimes I have IZOD stuff on me. They are really good pieces.”

IZOD features some great looking apparel that brings together the fast-paced sport and some of its historic looks.

“I think it is really cool especially with the old IndyCar designs and the lines they have; the vintage era of IndyCar they have been able to capture some of that history and the glory days of the Indianapolis 500,” said Ed Carpenter, who scored his first career victory at Kentucky on October 2. “It’s very cool to see all that stuff that they have at Macy’s when you go in there.”

Ryan Hunter-Reay is another driver who loves the chance to meet the fans and promote the IZOD brand.

“I think it’s fresh; it’s young and really showcases the American side of it,” Hunter-Reay said. “You can see it through their image and branding they appeal to that fresh, young American group. Sports oriented, and that’s a great fit with IndyCar – cutting edge with the Perform-X line.”

IZOD Autograph Session Wednesday at Macy's Fashion Show Mall in Las Vegas

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 16:29:04 -0400