Notes From Iowa

IndyCar practice is scheduled to start here in about 10 minutes. The paint scheme on Dario Franchitti's car this week is black and yellow with Glad sponsorship on the sidepods. So, go ahead and add trash bags to diapers, sun tan lotion, shampoo, fabric softener, camera equipment, and whatever else has adorned the sidepods of the 10.

Also, Ana Beatriz's #18 has been repainted with the orange that ran through the middle of the car now black. Of course, the team has Bardahl sponsorship for this weekend. I would say E.J. Viso has a good chance to score his first win this weekend. Viso ran a strong fourth last week at Milwaukee, and remember scored his one career podium finish here in 2010. Viso's biggest problem of course, will likely be his teammates.

Ryan Hunter-Reay and Marco Andretti have won the last two years here in Iowa. Andretti has four career podium finishes here as well. Given Hunter-Reay's consistency over the past year and a half, and Andretti's form in Iowa, those two have to be the favorites to win.

Anyway, the Indy cars have taken to the track, and I am now headed out to watch practice

Brian C. reporting from Iowa