This week we passed the halfway point of the 2008 IndyCar season and IRL has been sharing some good news. Everyone knew that the unification of the Indy Racing League and the Champ Car World Series would make the new league much more appealing to spectators and sponsors alike. Terry Angstadt, President of the Indy Racing League's Commercial Division shared, "We could not be happier with what we have seen over the first half of the unified IndyCar Series season." He then went on to indicate "Key areas like attendance, ratings and sponsorship are all pointed in the right direction, and we anticipate further growth and momentum headed into the second half of the season."

Under Terry Angstadt's commercial portfolio we also saw great numbers around viewership, merchandise sales, and sponsorship. Consder the following:

• - Overall viewership is up 17 percent season to date compared to 2007
• - At-track merchandise sales are up by 70 percent compared to 2007 (thanks Danica's celebrity status?)
• - New major IRL sponsors like DIRECTV, Coca-Cola and IZOD (to be inked this weekend at Watkins Glen)

Here is are a number of other IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights midseason metrics that maybe of interest:

• 1: IndyCar Series driver to complete every lap of competition this season (1,886): Dan Wheldon.
• 3: First-time winners in the IndyCar Series: Danica Patrick, Graham Rahal and Ryan Briscoe.

Photo Credit: Iowa Public Television

As many are cleaning up from the destruction left behind by mother nature, the Iowa Corn Indy 250 is gearing up for a weekend of excitement. It might seem a little insensitive on IRL's part to proceed, but this might actually be just the right event to bring people together outside of the catastrophe. Before you are too critical of the series do note that the Indy Racing League, IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights teams are combining efforts and will be making a donation of $60,000 to the local Iowa chapter of the American Red Cross. Also at Iowa Speedway during the event, there will collection points for those wanting to donate and if you are not at the event the Iowa Speedway Foundation is making www.race2recovery.com available for online donations. Race2Recovery has been established under the Iowa Speedway Foundation, a non-profit tax-exempt entity.

Okay, here's your preview for this weekend.

Iowa Speedway is 250 laps/218.75 miles (352.044 kilometres) of racing activity. The track length is 0.894 miles (1.439 km) and 2007's best lap speed was 182.920 mph (294.381204 km/h) by Helio Castroneves.

Photo Credit: Auto Exposure Canada (flickr)

Talk about hot content. As I was digging through some of our stats I noticed that a lot of you are looking for information on the Miss Edmonton Indy competition. Here's a brief overview of what you need to know.

There are specific rules and regulations that you need to consider before applying. Once you are okay with the rules you need to complete the Miss Edmonton Indy application form. Return all completed applications via fax to the Rexall Edmonton Indy Office at (780) 488-8812 or via email to afrigon@edmontonindy.com.

Miss Edmonton Grand Prix activities will be held at the following Edmonton venues:

Saturday, June 7
The Globe Tap Bar & Grill
10045 109 Street

Thursday, June 12
Cowboys
10102 180 Street

Thursday, June 19
Oil City Roadhouse
10736 Jasper Avenue

Friday, June 27
Lucky 13 Dance Pub
10551 82 (Whyte) Avenue

With a new three year contract between IRL and the Rexall Edmonton Indy, everyone can now breathe a sigh of relief. Fans, sponsors, and partners have been sitting on hands waiting for the only Canadian IndyCar Series event to be confirmed prior to any large commitments. Up until now ticket sales have lagged, event planning and overall commitment has been in limbo. Well, as of this week everyone can now start their planning because the contracts have been signed and it's officially listed on the Indy schedule for Saturday, July 26. At the 2008 event spectators should expect to see the Cooper Tire Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, the Rexall Edmonton Indy and other exciting programs.

This coming weekend is one of the top IRL events of the year. With preliminary activities starting in late April, the 92nd Indianapolis 500 is taking shape quite nicely. The starting lineup is turning out to hold and number of solid racers and a whole lot of teammates. In positions one and two is Scott Dixon and Dan Wheldon both touting the Target Chip Ganassi Racing colours. Positions three and four are held by Ryan Briscoe and Helio Castroneves from the highly competitive Team Penske. With a huge representation and holding positions five, six and seven is Andretti Green Racing with drivers Danica Patrick, Tony Kanaan, and Marco Andretti.

Within the top seven positions is a number of past Indy 500 winners (Wheldon and Castroneves) and Indy 500 fastest lap drivers (Dixon and Kanaan). For more information on the complete grid be sure to check out the 92nd Indianapolis 500 Starting Line-up.

Past winners of the Indianapolis 500 include: Dario Franchitti (2007), Sam Hornish Jr. (2006), Dan Wheldon (2005), Buddy Rice (2004), Gil de Ferran (2003), Helio Castroneves (2002), Helio Castroneves (2001) and Juan Montoya (2000).

My call for the race is Dixon, Castroneves, and Kanaan as the top three. What's you're call (or hopes and wishes) for the checkered flag?