IndyCar drivers, officials discuss safety in meeting

Autoracing Betting Lines

10/24/2011 - Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Eight days after Dan Wheldon's fatal crash at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, several drivers and officials from the IZOD IndyCar Series convened for a three-hour, closed-door meeting at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to discuss safety issues in the sport.

IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard scheduled the voluntary meeting on Monday, since many competitors were in Indianapolis to attend a public memorial service for Wheldon, held yesterday at Conseco Field.

Dario Franchitti and Tony Kanaan were among those drivers who met with Bernard, as well as Brian Barnhart, IndyCar's president of competition and racing operations, and Will Phillips, the series' vice president of technology.

Franchitti and Kanaan briefly met with reporters afterwards. Both drivers did not share much information about the contents of the meeting but said it was "positive" and "productive." Franchitti and Kanaan served as pallbearers for Wheldon during Saturday's funeral service in St. Petersburg, FL.

"We all got to talk a lot and listen a lot," four-time series champion Franchitti said. "We just looked at going forward and how do we improve things in all areas, so I think it was a very positive and productive meeting. That's the first step I think today."

IndyCar endured its darkest moment in the early going of the October 16 race at Las Vegas when a horrific 15-car crash claimed the life of Wheldon, a two- time Indianapolis 500 winner and former IndyCar champion. Wheldon's car went airborne into the catch fence along turn two before it erupted into flames during the lap 11 incident. The 33-year-old Englishman died of blunt head trauma.

"We're going to use this terrible thing that happened, and we're going to try to make things as safe as possible," Franchitti added.

Wheldon had recently served as test driver for IndyCar's new Dallara chassis at IMS, a car he thought was much safer than the current one.

"Everybody was in a very positive attitude and in a positive way, trying to makes things better than they are already," said Kanaan, the 2004 series titleholder. "We have a new opportunity with the new car, so it was a very productive meeting. It was everybody trying to get on the same page and brainstorming for the future."

Wheldon was the first IndyCar driver killed at a racetrack since Paul Dana's fatal crash during a practice session at Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2006.

"What people need to understand is that we're not going to make motor racing a hundred percent safe," Kanaan noted. "That's the fact. As long as we can leave with the fact that what we do is very dangerous, we can keep making it better."

Hours after the meeting, IndyCar issued a news release, noting it will continue with its investigation into Las Vegas accident. IndyCar said it will conduct the investigation in two phases.

As part of the first phase, an internal team led by series safety and competition officials will evaluate data to make a factual determination of the circumstances surrounding the entire incident.

The team will utilize outside, independent experts and consultants for analysis of the data, and the results will then be turned over to an independent, third-party group for validation.

"We must continue to move forward with a thorough investigation," Bernard said in a statement. "Fortunately, that has already begun, and we have the protocols in place to get this done. This was a tragic accident, and IndyCar needs to understand everything possible about it."

IndyCar expects it will take several weeks for phase one to be completed. Phase two of the investigation will utilize information from the first one to minimize risks in the future.

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It's less than a month until the NHL hockey betting season opens at MySportsbook.com and preparations are underway for another battle in the race to hoist Lord Stanley's mug in 2007.

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Despite a poor showing in last season's playoffs and the loss of Steve Yzerman to retirement, the Detroit Red Wings are early favourites at this online sportsbook with wagering odds of 6-1. The Wings will look to offensive powerhouse Pavel Datsyuk and newly appointed captain Nicklas Lidstrom to lead one of the league's most prominent franchises.

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American Idol Betting Odds: Season 6  

The online gambling websites are in the process of deciphering each American Idol contestant and his or her chances of winning Season 6 to come up with the early American Idol betting lines.

Tim Dalton of MySportsbook.com has been locked away in a soundproof room coming up with all the latest tallies, we are told. "American Idol has become one of the most significant betting events of the year," claims Jack Black of MySportsbook.com.  "Last year, millions were bet during the season across the globe, not just in America.

It's tough early on since we really do not have a glimpse as to how well each of these individuals will perform solo on a week-to-week basis.  It's like Week 1 of the NFL.  Pre-season means nada!

We do know the 24 finalists however.

Sanjaya Malakar is the young man whose sister failed to make it into the Top 24.  He's very low key but - unless he totally flubs - will probably win over the young girlie vote for a few weeks anyway.  He's too young to go all the way, according to Payton O'Brien. 

Brandon Rogers - Who?

Phil Stacy is the military guy who missed his daughter's birth because of the Memphis audition.  He should go a good distance.

Chris Sligh - He's got the humor and in many ways he's the Anti-American Idol much like last year's winner Taylor Hicks was.  And this is why he'll probably get pretty far in this competition.  He's chubby, white with a big curly afro....but more importantly, a great voice!  People love "real", not "real cute" to go all the way. 

"Blake Lewis should go far because of his uniqueness and looks.  He's the boy next store with a twist - he beat boxes.  But on top of this, he's a great singer, and I adore him," Payton O'Brien relayed.

A talented beat-boxer Blake Lewis was a hit during the group sing in Hollywood but Simon explained that this is a singing contest just before he told him he was “in.”

Paul Kim has caught our own roving reporter, Jenny Woo's eyes. 

"I love the fact that there is a Korean American on the show and he is bound to get more Asians tuning into the show," Woo said from her Miami Beach estate.  "There has never been a major presence of Asian-Americans on American Idol in the past.  He's a hottie with a nice voice so that should help to take him far.  Expect heavy betting action from the Asian community."

Sundance Head - He's not perfect, but he's got the personality that will take him through a few weeks, plus he's got the lineage (son of Roy Head - whose 1965 single, "Treat Her Right," hit No. 5 in the charts) 

And the others:

Rudy Cardinas
AJ Tabaldo - the 5th time is the charm
Nicolas Pedro
Chris Richardson
Jared Cotter

The girls

"Melinda Doolittle has one of the best voices," says MySportsbook.com Reporter and an acclaimed dancer in her own right, Destiney Lewis.  "It is great to see a back up singer step out like she has.  The girl needs to gain more confidence but that can also be a positive.  I think she will go far."

Alena Alexander - Those tears (she never seems to stop bawling) should get her far.

"Single mom Lakisha Jones I suspect will be a pretty big favorite entering Week 1 of the competition," says Destiny Williams.  Jones is an excellent singer and down to earth.  "She'll have a wide appeal," echoed O'Brien.

Nicole Trellis - Seems to exert confidence.

Amy Krebs - a powerful singer.

Antonella Barba
Gina Glocksen
Hailey Scanardo
Jordan Sparks
Stephanie Edwards
Leslie Hunt
Sabrina Sloan

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