Pre season thoughts from our Fantasy League members.

Simon Speichert is a happy man North of the border in Canada and he wants to tell everyone:

There’s a lot of positive news coming out of the IndyCar Series in the run-up to the season. It’s been announced that Darren Manning and Tomas Scheckter have drives, and Milka Duno doesn’t.

But seriously, folks, this season is going to be crucial for the series to continue building momentum – interest needs to increase before VW comes into the series in 2011 or 2012 and the new Dallara chassis is run. Things are looking good, with activated sponsorship from IZOD, a diecast deal with Hot Wheels and, most crucially, lots of well-promoted TV time on Versus.

The field is extremely strong this year. There are 10 IndyCar race winners, two more (Power and Doornbos) with wins in Champ Car, and a rookie who manages to win in every kind of car he drives (Matos). Dan Wheldon will be a shot in the arm for Panther Racing, who haven’t won in quite some time, and the driving abilities of Vitor Meira and Justin Wilson should bolster the teams they’re driving for. Rookie of the Year, while not as strongly contested this year, should go down to the wire between Doornbos and Matos.

Even the minor leagues are benefiting. This year’s Firestone Indy Lights driver lineup is arguably the most talented junior formula series in the world this year. Jonathan Summerton, Charlie Kimball, Ana Beatriz, James Hinchcliffe, Duncan Tappy, Stefan Wilson, Richard Phillippe, J.R. Hildebrand and Jan Heylen are just some of the names, along with two former champions (unfortunately) in Jay Howard and Wade Cunningham. Better yet, IndyCar Series teams have incentive for testing Indy Lights drivers – they’ll be awarded additional testing miles for their IndyCar drivers. And Indy Lights will be shown on Versus as well.

What’s not to love? Talented teams and drivers in the series, and more interested in it as time goes on. A comprehensive TV package that will include more than 2 minutes of airtime after the conclusion of a race. American open-wheel racing is looking better equipped to make gains as the goliath that is NASCAR begins to sputter.