Sports

The new IndyCars are expected to take the tension level even higher at Indianapolis 500 practices this year. The IndyCar Series held an open test Wednesday to gain information about its new cars before Indy 500 practice begins. Practice opens May 12, qualifying will be May 19-20 and the race is May 27.

While drivers have liked how the new cars have performed on street and road courses, there is uncertainty about how they will perform on ovals. Indy will be the first race of the year held on an oval track.

Drivers will get their first chance to test the new IndyCars on the series’ most famous track on April 4. Series officials made the announcement Wednesday. Teams will be allowed to send one veteran driver to the historic 2.5-mile oval. Rookies cannot test.

The new cars made their debut at last weekend’s season-opener in St. Petersburg, a race won by three-time Indy 500 champion Helio Castroneves. While drivers have liked the results on street and road courses, there have been questions about how they will perform on ovals.

After 12 days of speculation, Peyton Manning has finally decided where to play football the rest of his career. Many people are now focused on what will happen to Tim Tebow. Teams have already shown interest inhis services and it is only a matter of time before he is moved.

Tim Tebow is not a conventional quarterback and he needs to find himself in the right system to succeed, much like he did while with the Denver Broncos. Even with Tebow’s success, the Broncos found themselves with a chance to obtain a future Hall of Fame quarterback. They feel that it would be best for Tebow to find a potential starting job so the Broncos will try to trade him.

ESPN’s Josina Anderson reports that the Colts have signed defensive end Cory Redding to a three-year contract. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the deal is worth $10.5 million over three seasons.

The Redding deal is another sign Dwight Freeney’s time in Indianapolis is close to expiration.

State officials have notified health departments in New York and Massachusetts that a Hamilton County resident with measles visited Super Bowl Village on Friday. The person did not go inside the NFL Experience in the Indiana Convention Center, officials at the Indiana State Department of Health said. More >

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says Indianapolis has exceeded the NFL’s high expectations so far as a first-time Super Bowl host.

Goodell spoke at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Chase Near Eastside Legacy Center on Thursday. He congratulated the Indianapolis Host Committee and said people across the world are talking about the city “in glowing terms.”

When Peyton Manning wanted to talk after the season, he reached out to Bob Kravitz, a highly respected sports columnist for the Indianapolis Star. More >

Even with all the knocks against him, it’s unfortunate for Bill Polian that he had to go out the way he did. Had Peyton Manning played this season he probably would have retired a Colt and been celebrated both around the league and in Indianapolis. Maybe though, the Colts 2-14 was a blessing in disguise. More >

There’ll be no ceremony at Lucas Oil Stadium tonight. No formal passing of the torch from the Colts to the Texans as kings of the AFC South, and no official commemoration of the careers of three huge contributors who may be wearing horse shoes on their helmets for a final home game. More >

Sunday’s contest with the winless Indianapolis Colts was a little too close for comfort for the New England Patriots.

The Patriots jumped out to a 31-3 lead and held off the Colts late to grab a 31-24 victory before another sellout crowd at Gillette Stadium. More >