State Fair shenanigans: Newgarden, Pagenaud, Aleshin star at IndyCar night in Indiana - MotorSportsTalk

On Sunday, Josef Newgarden was one pit stop away from his first career Verizon IndyCar Series win at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Although he didn’t win, he handled himself incredibly well in defeat and carried the hopes of a wealth of onlookers in the process.

On Monday night, Newgarden was back to his usual quirky, comedic self in tackling the Indiana State Fair with Simon Pagenaud and Mikhail Aleshin. NBCSN pit reporter Robin Miller and Indianapolis ABC sports director Dave Furst handled the trio at the annual “IndyCar night” at the Indiana State Fair.

Miller and Furst should have more to come over the next week or so. Per Steve Shunck, veteran PR ace, we’ll also have more on the Milwaukee IndyFest pre-show on NBCSN, August 17:

If you want to see more of the #IndyCar @IndyStateFair follies – tune into @NBCSN @MKE_IndyFest pre-race show on 8/17 pic.twitter.com/iqfd8imYbV

— Steve H. Shunck (@SHUNCK) August 5, 2014

In the meantime, here’s the shenanigans we were able to see courtesy of social media:

It’s our annual #IndyCar night at @IndyStateFair. @josefnewgarden and RobinMiller joining at 6:20p @rtv6 pic.twitter.com/r9qW6IlbGf

— Dave Furst (@DaveFurst) August 4, 2014

#IndyCar night at @IndyStateFair rolls on. @josefnewgarden has taken over the mic w @simonpagenaud @mikhailaleshin pic.twitter.com/vfyUwuiYvT

— Dave Furst (@DaveFurst) August 5, 2014

I’m here @IndyStateFair with the @IndyCar crew. What should we check out tonight?

— Josef Newgarden (@josefnewgarden) August 4, 2014

“So Mikhail, how often do you go over 70?”)))///”И так, Михаил, как часто вы едете быстрее 70миль/ч?”))) pic.twitter.com/jZwTxzOlVv

— Mikhail Aleshin (@mikhailaleshin) August 5, 2014

In case you’ve ever wondered how Russians shoot basketballs, @mikhailaleshin showed us at @IndyStateFair! #IndyCar pic.twitter.com/RjfPbW8ALD

— SPM (@SPMIndyCar) August 5, 2014

.@josefnewgarden @mikhailaleshin @simonpagenaud seem to be enjoying the Pork tent at the @IndyStateFair #IndyCar pic.twitter.com/CZa1gjmuhN

— IndyCar Series (@IndyCar) August 4, 2014

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In a continuing effort to help fans keep track of the on track action, SuperMotocross is in the process of developing and implementing leader lights for the unified series.

Currently Supercross (SMX) utilizes stanchions in the infield that are triggered manually by a race official. At least two stanchions are used in each race as a way to draw the eye to the leader, which is especially useful in the tight confines of the stadium series when lapping often begins before the halfway mark in the 22-bike field. This system has been in place for the past two decades.

Later this year, a fully automated system will move to the bike itself to replace the old system. At that point, fans will be able to identify the leader regardless of where he is on track.

The leader lights were tested in the second Anaheim round this year. An example can be seen at the 1:45 mark in the video above on the No. 69 bike.

“What we don’t want to do is move too fast, where it’s confusing to people,” said Mike Muye, senior director of operations for Supercross and SMX in a press release. “We’ve really just focused on the leader at this point with the thought that maybe down the road we’ll introduce others.”

Scheduled to debut with the first SuperMotocross World Championship race at zMax Dragway, located just outside the Charlotte Motor Speedway, a 3D carbon fiber-printed LED light will be affixed to each motorcycle. Ten timing loops positioned around the track will trigger the lights of the leader, which will turn green.

SMX’s partner LiveTime Scoring helped develop and implement the system that has been tested in some form or fashion since 2019.

When the leader lights are successfully deployed, SuperMotocross will explore expanding the system to identify the second- and third-place riders. Depending on need and fan acceptance, more positions could be added.

SuperMotocross is exploring future enhancements, including allowing for live fan interaction with the lights and ways to use the lighting system during the race’s opening ceremony.

Read more about SuperMotocross