Associated Press
Nov. 30, 2007 02:20 PM

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Evel Knievel, the hard-living motorcycle daredevil whose exploits made him an international icon in the 1970s, died Friday. He was 69.

Knievel's death was confirmed by his granddaughter, Krysten Knievel. He had been in failing health for years, suffering from diabetes and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable condition that scarred his lungs.

You might think the living embodiment of the word “daredevil” had nothing to do with IndyCars, but consider that after failing in life as a ski jumper, pole vaulter, big game hunter, hockey player, arm wrestler and insurance salesman, Evel Knievel decided he would earn a living by emulating the stunts auto racer Joie Chitwood (who’s grandson is currently the COO of Indianapolis Motor Speedway) did on the “Joie Chitwood Thrill Show” television program in the 1960s.

Except of course Evel did them with motorcycles, leading to his massive fame, fortune and notable run-ins with the law. Knievel was so ubiquitous that none other than AJ Foyt made him a member of his pit crew at Indy one year. In fact, Knievel later presented Foyt with a "First 4-time Indy 500 winner" bracelet that Evel had made before the race in 1977.

So rest in peace, Evel, from a kid who’s most prize possession was once a doll with a helmet, a star-spangled cape, and chopper that jumped just about everything else in the house.

UPDATE: Thanks to mmack for directing us to a photo of a 1977 Indy 500 entry co-owned by Knievel and driven by Gary Bettenhausen.

We may not have Bobby Rahal to kick around much anymore. The intrepid Curt Cavin has uncovered what’s going on with these lawsuits: Scott Sharp wants to win and Bobby Rahal just wants to get paid.

Sharp believes Rahal Letterman is no longer committed to IndyCar racing because of the recent release of 10 crew members, including race engineers Jeff Britton and Ray Lehto, Sharp's attorney, Michael Josephs, said Thursday.

Sharp's complaint also alleges that Rahal doesn't want to field an Indy Racing League program, won't participate in the league-provided test sessions and is not investing in a research-and-development program.

"Scott didn't like what they've been doing (at RLR)," said (Sharp’s attorney Michael) Josephs, mentioning use of the Patron-supported budget to pay for repairs to the No. 17 car. "The contract requires them to give their best effort, and gutting the team and not doing anything in terms of testing or development isn't staying with the best teams. We're far behind giving the best effort."

Remember those questions Danica Patrick about loyalty issues when she left RLR? My memory grows fuzzy.

Anyhow, you understand how Scott and the good folks at Patron are probably more than a touch irked that their cash was going to pay for things not related to their No. 8 car. Here’s Sharp at the tail end of his career, he still wants to go for a while longer, so he parts ways with longtime sponsor Delphi and cultivates a longer-term deal with Patron – and the RLR team starts laying off people and pocketing the cash. Why shouldn't Sharp be upset? Why shouldn’t he want the most bang for all of those bucks?

And why shouldn't Ethanol, who's been an even more visible presence in the IRL the past few years, want a similar commitment towards testing and personnel spending? They're probably flattered The Bobby was spending someone else's money to please them, but they can't be too excited with the overall operation right now.

Perhaps the tipping point of the issue is this new MATRIX Payout plan, which brings $1.2M to the team that fields the car. If you were Sharp and you had a $5M or so commitment from Patron to go along with that guaranteed cash, would you not consider starting your own team instead of paying a middle-man like Rahal? Especially since Sharp has been mentioned as a possible owner in the future – why shouldn't he start now?

Well, there appear to be legal issues – that’s why. But at some point this will be resolved with money exchanging hands and IndyCars will be racing in 2008. Just don't bet on the Rahal Letterman Racing team fielding any of those cars.

From Helio Castroneves in the IndyStar.

"I'm ready to get going again (with the IndyCar Series)," the two-time Indianapolis 500 winner said this week after his reality television victory in Los Angeles. "I don't think I'll be doing a TV show; I don't want to let go of my racing career. I'm still pursuing Indy, you know."

And the goal?

"Win three more times," he said, alluding to breaking the record of four wins shared by A.J. Foyt, Al Unser and Rick Mears. "I want to beat my heroes."

Did anyone see an N-word in there? No? OK then, Merry Christmas!

That article also mentions "The idea of having the driver's dance partner, Julianne Hough, sing the national anthem at the 500 has also been discussed" because in addition to being an accomplished dancer, a bubbly personality, and an all-around hottie she can also sing. Her Wikipedia page says she has already released a single called "Will You Dance With Me" - of course! - which went to #8 on some Country record chart.

Ladies, your men will now become insufferable.

An update on the previous post, this time from USA Today:

Days after Rahal Letterman Racing was served with a breach-of-contract lawsuit by driver Scott Sharp, the Ohio-based team countered with a suit.

Sharp, 39, filed suit in Florida last week seeking his release from RLR, citing the team's inability to be competitive in his first season there.

He finished eighth in the Indy Racing League's IndyCar standings with a best finish of third place (twice) in 2007. Sharp is a nine-time winner in the IRL's top series, but hasn't won since August 2005.

"He's not going to be driving for Rahal next year," Sharp's lawyer Michael R. Josephs said Wednesday night.

You can sue for an "inability to be competitive"? Really? Man, the Arizona Cardinals are gonna have a serious class action lawsuit on their hands with this news.

Seriously though, this doesn't bode well for RLR. Losing Danica Patrick late last year was the tipping point for a team that within two seasons also lost Buddy Rice, and Vitor Meira (as well as Paul Dana under far more tragic circumstances). Halfway through this past season Jeff Simmons was also abruptly let go in what many saw as an attempt to keep the Ethanol sponsorship from going to a more successful team.

So if Sharp and his sponsor are gone that leaves one still driverless car at RLR sponsored by Ethanol, assuming the EPIC(Ethanol) folks don't decide to do the same thing as Sharp and go elsewhere - with or without Ryan Hunter-Reay.

Regardless, The Bobby's Christmas Card list gets even shorter.


UPDATE: From the braintrust at TrackSide Online.

From what we've learned, Patron pays Scott Sharp (or one of his companies), and Sharp then contracts with Rahal Letterman to provide the racing equipment and team (reportedly paying well in excess of $5million to the team per season). Because Sharp is bringing the money, fairly standard practice in this business would be that Sharp's contract would be full of specifics on what the team will provide from an equipment and people standpoint. In short, Sharp is renting a race team, and he gets considerable say in what it'll look like.

It's notable that Rahal Letterman let go of engineers Ray Leto and Jeff Britton early in the off-season - it would not be a surprise if this played a part in either Sharp or Rahal's case.

BTW, TSO checked with Panther Racing and they said that Sharp is not on his way to their operation.

So this is not unlike renting a car for two days, bringing it back after one day and saying you're going to rent from someone else instead. Just with more zeroes involved. And lawyers.

Silly season just got a little sillier after this press release was issued late Wednesday. Lawyers are now engaged.

Rahal Letterman Racing announces that it has filed a lawsuit in United States District Court Southern District of Florida Miami Division today against Scott Sharp Sports, LLC, Scott Sharp Inc., driver Scott Sharp (collectively "Sharp") and sponsor Patrón Spirits.

The suit alleges, among other things, a breach by Sharp of a multi-year contract with Rahal Letterman Racing. The terms of the contract call for Sharp and Patrón Spirits to participate in the IndyCar Series with Rahal Letterman Racing through 2008. Rahal Letterman Racing's suit seeks damages for, among other things, Sharp's breach of contract and Patrón's interference with contractual relations as well as injunctive relief. Additionally, RLR will file an emergency motion for a preliminary injunction against Scott Sharp forthwith.

"We find it deeply unfortunate that Scott Sharp Sports and Scott personally have taken this course of action, given that they are contractually committed with Rahal Letterman Racing through 2008," said team co-owner Bobby Rahal. "We have learned that Scott is interested in racing somewhere else. If that is his direction in the future, so be it, but not in violation of his 2008 commitments. Their attempted legal maneuver to break the contract early is totally without merit. As such, Rahal Letterman Racing will vigorously and aggressively pursue our claims against Sharp and Patrón and the remedies to which we are entitled, as well as defend our team against their unfounded allegations. We had hoped to avoid the ramifications of legal proceedings, but with the allegations against us becoming public record, it is important that we act quickly and decisively to obtain judicial intervention to protect our reputation and goodwill in the industry, as well as to prevent any interference with our relations with our sponsors and other business partners."

Sharp joined Rahal Letterman Racing in 2007 with Patrón, rejuvenating his career by finishing eighth in the IndyCar Series. He scored ten top-10 finishes, three top-fives and won his first pole since 2001 when he led qualifying in Texas. He also finished sixth in this year's Indianapolis 500, the best finish of his 13 career Indy 500 starts.

RLR expects to be successful in its suit and therefore is planning on moving ahead with its plans for the 2008 season, including taking part in December tests in both the IndyCar Series and American Le Mans Series.

No idea what's going on here but if given three guesses:

1. Sharp is taking his Patrón sponsorship and starting his own ICS team. Hey if Sarah Fisher can be considering this then The Immortal one would be darn near likely to do it.

2. Sharp is taking his Patrón sponsorship to Panther Racing. They aren't in the Big Three, but as an organization Panther seems to be the most stable of the remainder of teams.

3. Sharp is taking his Patrón sponsorship to ALMS. Sharp has been openly discussing dual participation in some other series and ALMS had come up since RLR has a team. However, this is probably more of a lawsuit to be settled with money than with custody, if you know what I"m sayin'.

If anyone has any insight please feel free to share. It's possible this affects other drivers since Scott could be taking a place at another team or considering hiring one of the many free agents to be a teammate. Seriously, I'm pulling stuff outta my backside here so guess along with me.

I don't mean to be jumping to conclusions, but let's just say they don't call it "Sleeping with the Stars" for nothing. And leave it at that.

Dancing’s Helio Castroneves, Fiancée End Engagement

Newly-crowed Dancing with the Stars champ Helio Castroneves has split from his fiancée, Aliette Vazquez.

“I can confirm that Aliette Vazquez and I have called off our engagement and are no longer together,” Castroneves said in an exclusive statement to PEOPLE. “At this time I would prefer to keep my private life private.”

Earlier in the season, Castroneves pushed back his engagement, telling Entertainment Tonight “we postponed it for a little bit until next year.” “Everything is happening so quick. The (IndyCar Series) championship is over, the dancing started, and basically, I was like, ‘Ali, let’s take it easy. Otherwise, we will be divorced before we get married!’”

Castroneves isn’t the first DWTS contestant to have a wedding take a back seat to the ABC reality series. Last May, Castroneves’s partner on the show, Julianne Hough, also postponed her wedding to ex-fiancé, fellow dancer Zach Wilson, because she was so busy preparing for the current season.

(MORE from People)

Thanks to three readers who forwarded this in the last hour. Let the record show that Jennifer was first, perhaps jubilantly.

Looks like someone who lives near me is very stupid. Yes friends, this freeway (the Loop 202) is about 10 minutes from my door, so if you happen to be around these parts and have a Lamborghini Murcielago then you too can make the choice to drive 219 MPH on a public highway. Also, if you have a buddy with a video camera you can post yourself driving 154 MPH over the speed limit so all those good folks in law enforcement can track you down.



Guess it’s a good thing Salt Walther didn’t have a fine Italian machine like this. Come on fellas – ever heard of a track?

After two looooooong hours of filler which included not one but TWO performances by Celine Dion (can I have my man-card back now please?) as well as hauling back all of the "losers" to twitter about one last time, Helio Castroneves was declared the winner of the most prestigious accolade in celebrity dancing.

I know I had some hesitation about this, but who cares - he won!

Gotta say it was a bit bleak when Samantha whatever - I don't know her name, just that she's very proud that her milk has come in for her new baby - was interviewing the two finalists (after Grandma Osmond was quickly dismissed) and asked Old Spice how it would feel to win and then asked Helio how it would feel if he lost. Way to mess with my head, lady.

Congratulations to The Captain, Uncle Sam, Penske genius Tim Cindric and '03 Indy 500 Champ Gil de Ferran for all getting airtime. In keeping with the Indy theme it's worth noting that after being declared the victor Helio was handed a quart of milk. Helio didn't pop it open, but he did climb fellow competitor Cameron Mathis since he was the tallest object in his vicinity. It's true.

Anyhow, way to go Helio! You did us all proud by keeping your shirt on and helping to keep that sweet dance partner of yours on the broadcast every week. We are eternally grateful. And way to go to you fans for maxing out your redials - you should all get a tiny piece of his mirror ball trophy. Or at least some yellow thread from the banana suit.

(Seriously though, can I have my man-card back?)

Ever wonder what are a couple of IndyCar legends are supposed to do during all of this unbearable non-season? Why, campaign for their homie in New Hampshire, that's what!

Manchester, NH – Legendary Indy car drivers Bobby Unser, Sr. and Al Unser, Sr. will stump the Granite State this week for Governor Bill Richardson. The famous brothers will highlight the Governor’s successful leadership of their home state of New Mexico, as well as his steadfast support for hunters and outdoorsmen.

“Bobby and I normally steer clear of presidential politics but we couldn’t sit this one out,” said Al Unser, Sr. “We’ve witnessed firsthand the difference that Bill Richardson’s leadership has made for the people of New Mexico and we know that he can be a real force for change in Washington, D.C.”

The “Richardson 500 Tour” will begin in New Hampshire’s Southern Tier and travel upwards into the North Country. There will be opportunities for photographs and autographs from the three-time and four-time Indianapolis 500 champions. Weather permitting, the events will also feature a sprint car similar to the type that Bobby drove to six consecutive victories at the Pikes Peak hillclimb. All events are free and open to the public.

Hey, it beats getting lost on a snowmobile around this time of year.

From the IndyStar.com.

Team owner/driver Marty Roth confirmed today the signing of driver Jay Howard, making Roth Racing a two-car operation for next year’s IndyCar Series.

Howard, the 2006 Indy Pro Series champion, and Roth, formerly a part-time competitor who will be 49 next month, will have their cars engineered by veteran David Cripps.

Howard, 26, is part of growing contingent of Pro Series drivers set to participate in the IndyCar Series next season. Hideki Mutoh (Andretti Green Racing) and this year’s IPS champion, Alex Lloyd (Ganassi Racing), are also signed.

Roth’s Indianapolis-based team recently moved to a 17,500-square-foot facility previously occupied by Tony Stewart Racing.

And in case you've never watched an Indy Pro race, Howard is the guy who looks like Rod Stewart. I mean the young "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?" Rod Stewart, not the old woman he's become lately.

Anyhow, with Hornish and Franchitti out it's clear the IRL is reloading with it's own developed talent, and that's a good thing. Pretty exciting, actually.