INDYCAR (INDIANAPOLIS) - SERIES NOTES

1. Daniels to dress as driver for Halloween
2. What offseason? Kanaan continues to race
3. Vegas, baby
4. Wheldon’s work of art on exhibit At IMA

1. Daniels to dress as driver for Halloween: Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels is used to moving in a fast-paced environment. That’s why his choice of Halloween costume, an IndyCar Series driver, makes perfect sense.

The governor will don a specially created “i am INDY”-branded Hinchman Racing firesuit and helmet painted by Hot Marks when he and his wife, Cheri, welcome trick-or-treaters to the governor’s residence on Oct. 31.

The First Lady and the rest of Daniels’ staff will dress as members of Daniels’ pit crew. An IndyCar Series show car will also be on display.

“Motorsports is a big part of our state’s heritage,” said Daniels, who is a frequent visitor to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the Month of May. “What kid, growing up in Indiana, didn’t want to be a race car driver when he grew up? I know I did.”

2. What off-season? Kanaan continues to race: Tony Kanaan will continue his off-season of racing when he makes a one-off appearance in the Japanese Formula Nippon series at Suzuka on Nov. 17-18.

The Brazilian, who finished third in this year's IndyCar Series championship, is expected to line up for one of the teams powered by Honda engines, although the team he will race with has not been confirmed.

"I am honored to accept the invitation and look forward to the event," Kanaan told autosport.com. “To be part of the Formula Nippon series is a new challenge, and I'm very excited to get in the car. It's an awesome opportunity for me to try another car at another venue." Kanaan won on his last visit to Japan, which was the IndyCar Series event at Twin Ring Motegi early in the season.

3. Vegas, baby: Several IndyCar Series and Indy Pro Series personalities will make appearances in Las Vegas in conjunction with the annual SEMA show.

Among the personalities scheduled to appear at the show are: IndyCar Series drivers Danica Patrick, Marco Andretti and Dan Wheldon. Team owners Michael Andretti and Bobby Rahal and Indy Pro Series driver Al Unser III on Oct. 31.

Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Johnny Rutherford will also appear on Oct. 31 while IndyCar Series driver Sarah Fisher will appear at ESPNZone at the New York New York Hotel and Casino on behalf of ESPN.

SEMA Appearances: Wednesday, Oct. 31 Danica Patrick, 10 – 11:30 a.m., XM Satellite Radio Michael Andretti, 10 – Noon and 2 – 4 p.m., Motorola Bobby Rahal, 10 – Noon, Autoweek Johnny Rutherford, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bob Drake Marco Andretti, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Magnaflow Dan Wheldon, 1 – 3 p.m., NASTA International Al Unser III, 2 – 3:15 p.m., Ekotrek Sarah Fisher, 8:30 – 9:30 p.m., ESPNZone (New York New York Hotel)

Thursday, Nov. 1 Danica Patrick, 10 – Noon and 2 – 4 p.m., Motorola Al Unser III, 2 – 3:15 p.m., Ekotrek Michael Andretti, TBA, Sherwin Williams

4. Wheldon’s work of art on exhibit At IMA: Traces of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, an exhibit that highlights the motorsports-inspired works of artist Ingrid Calame, opens at the Indianapolis Museum of Art on Nov. 1.

Calame was given access to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which is home to the Indianapolis 500, and worked with a team of 10 volunteers from the Indianapolis area and two assistants from her studio to trace the marks on the Speedway.

In her Los Angeles studio, Calame traced the Speedway tracings to make color pencil drawings on trace Mylar. From these drawings she made paintings using "Sign Painters' 1 Shot"– an oil-based enamel often used to paint window signs and pinstripe cars

Among the pieces is one inspired by the victory doughnuts laid down by Dan Wheldon at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2005.

Wheldon couldn’t resist weighing in on the commemoration of his most treasured moment. He has seen one of her enamel-on-aluminum paintings which includes a portion of his victory doughnut, and he compared her attention to detail to that required when building a race car.

“A significant amount of history went into Ingrid’s piece,” said Wheldon, the first driver in Indy 500 history to do doughnuts after crossing the Yard of Bricks. “I was extremely emotional after winning the event. I had tears. I thought: ‘I cannot drive into Victory Lane crying. I’m a man.’ So I started doing the doughnuts.” *** The 2008 IndyCar Series season begins under the lights on March 29 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The 16-race schedule, one of the most diverse in all of motorsports, features races on 11 ovals, three permanent road courses and two temporary street circuits, all broadcast worldwide through a comprehensive, long-term agreement with ABC Sports/ ESPN. The 2008 Indy Pro Series season also begins on March 29 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The 16-race schedule, which features eight ovals and four road/street course doubleheader weekends, will be televised by ESPN2.