Manic Monday: INDYCAR enjoys a return to good news

There have been more than a few bummers circulating the INDYCAR atmosphere in the past week or so. But, like a man desperate to make a good impression on the girl waiting downstairs for a first date, INDYCAR swished around a mouthful of positive news to make the run up to the season opener in St. Petersburg smell fresh and minty.

Okay, that was a horrible metaphor, but I promise this news will help you forget it:

• Tony Kanaan will be driving a full season with KV Racing Technology and GEICO sponsorship. Now all TK has to do is perfect his faux-British accent and wear a gecko suit while he rides his Trek. The whole story is at KVRT's website.
• Paul Tracy gets at least a one-race deal - at Indianapolis! - with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing and WIX Filters onboard. Marketing genius. If WIX is smart, they will sign him full-season and do a set of commercials on how their filters can block even the loudest mouth in racing. Get on that, fellas.
• French sportscar designers ORECA are keen on developing a 2012 aero kit for INDYCAR. What a get by Randy Bernard if it pans out, kiddies. This is huge news and, if it happens, could spark an influx of other like-minded racing designers to ply their wares in the series. And let's not forget - ORECA really designs some sexy racecars - including the race winner at Sebring this past weekend. Hat tip to Marshall Pruett for the news.

Let's not forget - THE RACING BEGINS THIS WEEKEND. Take that, Monday.