April 4, 2022
In 2007 the Indy Car racing world was very divided. We had the Indy Racing League (IRL), formed by Tony George in 2003 with his Indianapolis Motor Speedway at the helm. We also had the Champ Car World Series.
From 2003 through 2007 we had the IRL and Champ Car as two separate series. It was a mess and mistake by Tony George that Indy Car is just now recovering from. In 2008 it became one series again called Indy Car as it still is today.
I was photographing the IRL at the Milwaukee Mile and the Champ Cars at Road America each year for four years.
On August 12, 2007, the Generac Champ Car Grand Prix at Road America was held. Race driver Sebastien Bourdais won the race and end up winning his fourth straight championship at the end of the year. Seabass, as we call him, was fast everywhere then and still is now.
Dan Clarke finished second and a very young Graham Rahal finished third.
All of the Champ Car race cars were beautiful and fast looking with great paint jobs.
Enjoy a look at the guys and a young Katherine Legge racing around beautiful Road America.
Thanks,
Rich Zimmermann
July 11, 2016
I think it is time for me to digitally scan more of my Indy car photographs from the 1990's and early 2000's.
After the passing of Carl Haas recently, I went through my digital archived collection of Indy car races. Couldn't find a whole lot of pictures of Carl Haas and I know I have more of him with his cigar, which was never lit. At least I never saw it lit!
Carl Haas passed away a few weeks ago from complications from Alzheimers disease. Terrible disease that I know about all too well because my mother was diagnosed with it.
The Milwaukee Mile and Indy Car can thank Carl for so much work that he has done for both. Paul Newman was his partner and at his side most of the time at the races. Mario Andretti was his main driver for years and then Michael Andretti, Nigel Mansell and Sebastian Bourdais came along.
When he brought Nigel Mansell over to Indy Car, fresh from a Formula 1 championship, people couldn't believe it!
Sebastian Bourdais won 4 consecutive championships with Carl and Paul. They were the team to be a part of because they were so good.
Newman Haas Racing is a team that is missed on the grid very much.
Enjoy a look at Carl, Paul and a few friends.
Thanks,
Rich Zimmermann
May 16, 2016
Well, as I see it, 1993 was a VERY good year for Indy car racing. Last week I shared some pictures with you and now I have more for you to see from 1993.
Bobby Rahal won the 1992 CART championship and Emerson Fittipaldi had just won the Indy 500, a week before these photos were taken.
Jacques Villeneuve is shown in his Toyota Atlantic car here. This being the year before he went on into Indy cars. Nigel Mansell and Mario Andretti were teammates who did not get along. There are so many stories here in these photos. One of my favorites is the photo of Mario and Paul Newman. Then we have Carl Haas and his never lit cigar that he always seemed to have. These were the people that made Indy car racing what it is today and I thank them for that.
There are a lot of photos here for you to enjoy! Check them out.
Thanks,
Rich Zimmermann
September 14, 2015
My last blog was on Scott Dixon, our new IRL champion. Everyone, as I said then, was looking at Graham Rahal or Juan Montoya to win the championship.
This photo blog is about Graham Rahal and his career milestones so far. I start with photos from 2004, when he was in Formula BMW at Elkhart Lake. Then, 2007 at Elkhart Lake when he was in his first year, his rookie year of Champ Car. That had to be a big jump because Champ Car then had sooo much horsepower! Then a few photos of this year 2015 at the Milwaukee Mile.
Graham had a lot of help through the years, and one of his mentors and supporters was Paul Newman, who ran Newman Haas Racing with Carl Haas. Paul did so much for the sport that I must mention him and include a few photos from 2007 and 2008.
Enjoy a look at Graham and hopefully next year will be his year!
Please join me on Facebook at Rich Zimmermann Photography if you haven't already and please note that limited edition, certified, gallery style, 8 1/2 X 11's are on sale this week for $50.00 plus shipping!!
Thanks,
Rich Zimmermann
