irlracingfan

I am glad to see that Phil Geibler will get another shot at Indy, though I gather this means Jacques Lazier is now without a ride. Also, I am curious if the Zimmerman involved is the same Zimmerman who used to own a team back in the early days of the IRL. Does anyone know?

Ydawg

Here's the IRL story:

Majority ownership of Playa Del Racing has been purchased by former Indiana Boxing Commissioner William T. Kelsey and Arizona businessman Eric Zimmerman and will be known as American Dream Motorsports.

American Dream Motorsports will attempt to qualify for the 92nd Indianapolis 500 with 2007 Chase Rookie of the Year Phil Giebler behind the wheel of the No.21 Honda-powered Panoz.

Former Playa Del Racing co-owner Susan Schafer will oversee American Dream Motorsports' Firestone Indy Lights program.

"It's an honor to be a part of the Indy Racing League under the new format," said Zimmerman, an Indianapolis native. "I truly value my new relationship with Susan Schafer."

Giebler qualified 33rd in 2007 and finished 29th after being involved in a single-car accident on Lap 106.

"It's hard to put into words what it means to return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Indy 500," Giebler said. "I had a huge learning curve in my rookie run last year, but I plan on this being a much better year. To say Indy is all I've thought about for the last 12 months would be an understatement."

Al Unser III will continue to drive the American Dream Motorsports Firestone Indy Lights No. 21 entry for the remainder of the season.

"I'm extremely excited to start this new relationship with Eric and American Dream Motorsports," said Unser, who is ninth in the Firestone Indy Lights points championship. "This is a great time to be in open-wheel racing, and I'm looking forward to continuing our hunt for the 2008 Firestone Indy Lights championship."

Kelsey owns GB Management Company, a real-estate management and acquisitions company, in Indianapolis. Zimmerman and wife Penny have owned restaurants for more than 30 years. American Dream Motorsports will be headquartered in Indianapolis.

Ydawg

With Giebler in the #21 and assuming Beck/Agajanian does run - that means we
have 37 car/driver combinations.

GranatelliFan2

Originally Posted by irlracingfan

I am glad to see that Phil Geibler will get another shot at Indy, though I gather this means Jacques Lazier is now without a ride. Also, I am curious if the Zimmerman involved is the same Zimmerman who used to own a team back in the early days of the IRL. Does anyone know?

Eric and Penny Zimmerman used to own Zali Racing who ran Billy Roe in a painfully slow car in 2001.

GranatelliFan2

Originally Posted by GranatelliFan2

Eric and Penny Zimmerman used to own Zali Racing who ran Billy Roe in a painfully slow car in 2001.

I found a photo of the Zali car which was recently posted in the "Fans Photo" section of the Indycar site. I can't seem to post it here.

[img]file:///C:/Users/Patrick/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-3.jpg

irlracingfan

Originally Posted by GranatelliFan2

Eric and Penny Zimmerman used to own Zali Racing who ran Billy Roe in a painfully slow car in 2001.

I met Eric years ago and thought it may be the same person. I wish them well. It would be good if this could eventually become a full-time effort.

Though others may not share my opinion, I'd like to see 33 cars at EVERY IndyCar race... as that is IndyCar racing... the 33 fastest cars! Bringing in new owners, new teams, etc. is healthy and necessary for growth.

cornutt

Originally Posted by GranatelliFan2

Eric and Penny Zimmerman used to own Zali Racing who ran Billy Roe in a painfully slow car in 2001.

I recall that they ran most of the season without any telemetry because they couldn't afford to buy a telemetry system.

Fueler

Eric used to be the owner of Zali Racing as noted above. He was basically run out of the State of Nevada for not paying a lot of people who he owed money to. There are still a number of people with liens on his assets, and it will be interesting to see how that plays out if he is actually an "owner" in this new effort.

Mack Too

I remember when Antonio Ferrari was an owner and the sheriff came to padlock his garage at IMS, IIRC they were forewarned, and a lot of his "assets" were scattered into several other garages in the garage area.

Charlie Harper

Great News!

raskav

With 37 cars, what is the chance for a single car panoz team to make the field?
I would say slim to none.

Charlie Harper

Originally Posted by raskav

With 37 cars, what is the chance for a single car panoz team to make the field? I would say slim to none.

That Panoz almost won the "500" last year. Giebler can get that car up to speed. I can see several of the former Champ Car teams not making the field this year. Giebler should be able to run faster then several of them. IMO

LorenzoBandini

Originally Posted by Mack Too

I remember when Antonio Ferrari was an owner and the sheriff came to padlock his garage at IMS, IIRC they were forewarned, and a lot of his "assets" were scattered into several other garages in the garage area.

I wish the sheriffs would have done that after the 6 car USGP. That would have been sweet!

Mack Too

That was another "Ferrari."

Mack Too

Originally Posted by Charlie Harper

That Panoz almost won the "500" last year. Giebler can get that car up to speed. I can see several of the former Champ Car teams not making the field this year. Giebler should be able to run faster then several of them. IMO

Almost won, oh well, as MOST of us have been saying the last two weeks, "a win is a win."

No Panoz will gualify this year without some serious weather issues on Bump Day, the team better find a Dallara.

morris4903

Great News. It will be challenging to make the race, but I hope they make the show. Does Jacques Lazier have money? Maybe he ends up in another ride.

Mack Too

Lazier, money, Vail, CO, Tivoli Lodge, probably enough, but considering Jaques Indy 500 record/results, I would rather have him in a car than PJ, Yasukawa, Barron or Hearn.

Charlie Harper

Originally Posted by Mack Too

Lazier, money, Vail, CO, Tivoli Lodge, probably enough, but considering Jaques Indy 500 record/results, I would rather have him in a car than PJ, Yasukawa, Barron or Hearn.

What you have against Barron? He has had two very good runs in the "500". Barron would have won in 2002 if Tomas didnt crash in turn four.

morris4903

Originally Posted by Mack Too

Lazier, money, Vail, CO, Tivoli Lodge, probably enough, but considering Jaques Indy 500 record/results, I would rather have him in a car than PJ, Yasukawa, Barron or Hearn.

Having trouble following this run-on sentence.