Photo: Will Power taking his first laps at Daytona
Ten current IndyCar drivers, possibly an 11th, will get their seasons going early as they drive in this weekend’s Rolex 24 at Daytona Internation Speedway. Colton Herta, who will drive in F2 in 2026, will also join the field.
Will Power makes his Rolex 24 debut. From what I have read, he really enjoyed the Roar Before the 245 last weekend.
Here is a list of the cars and classes where IndyCar drivers will be driving: Romain Grosjean is included. Rumors are strong that he will get the final open seat in the Dale Coyne Racing number 19.
GTP
Car 40 Colton Herta Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac
Car 60 Scott Dixon Meyer Shank Racing Acura
Car 94 Alex Palou Meyer Shank Racing Acura
LMP2
Car 8 Kyffin Simpson Tower Motorsport Oreca (Teammate Sebastien Bourdais)
Car 99 Christian Rasmussen AO Racing Oreca
Car 343 Nolan Siegel Inter Europol Oreca
GTD Pro
Car 14 Kyle Kirkwood Vasser Sullivan Lexus
Car 75 Will Power 75 Express Mercedes AMG
Car 45 Marcus Ericsson Wayne Taylor Racing Lamborghini
GTD
Car 16 Romain Grosjean Myers Riley Mustang
Car 36 Scott McLaughlin DXDT Corvette
Car 129 Callum Ilott Wright Motorsport Porsche
I will have a story about the Rolex every day this week as I watch the happenings remotely from home this time.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum announced Monday, January 19, as a free community day from 10 am-4 om Eastern Time.
The not from IMS Museum:
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum is offering free admission to all visitors on Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Monday, Jan. 19). All galleries and activities within the Museum are included in admission, though track tours are an additional fee. Free tickets can be reserved online ahead of time here or as a walk-up ticket.
Gallery talks will be held throughout the day by our knowledgeable gallery leads.
Gallery Talk Schedule: 11 a.m.- Driver Mauri Rose and his Domination at the Speedway (Location: Lower Level Winners Gallery)
12 p.m.- The Mormon Wasp and its Strategic Efforts to Winning the First Indy 500 (Location: Main Level Winners Gallery)
1 p.m.- The Beast Engine and Why the Push-Rod Engine Worked (Location: Penske Gallery)
2:30 p.m.- The Life and Legacy of Indy 500 Winner Bill Vuckovich (Location: Main Level Winners Gallery)
Editor’s note: After Doug Boles, I have had more conversations with Jim Michaelian than any other track principal. I will miss his passion for the event, and he set a high bar for delivering an outstanding race weekend.
The following is from the Long Beach Grand Prix:
President & CEO Jim Michaelian Transitioning to New Role Effective June 30; Jim Liaw Named as Replacement
The Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, organizers of the annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, announced that President and CEO Jim Michaelian will assume a new role in Penske Entertainment effective June 30, 2026, and that Jim Liaw has been named as the organization’s new President and CEO, starting July 1, 2026.
Jim Michaelian (left), Jim Liaw (right)
Michaelian, 82, who has been a part of the Grand Prix Association since its founding in 1975, has served as Controller, Chief Operating Officer and was named President & CEO in Dec. 2001. He has served on the boards of the Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach, Visit Long Beach and the Los Angeles Sports Council over the years.
Michaelian will continue to guide the event and company through the 2026 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend and will work closely with Liaw to ensure a smooth leadership transition. On February 9, 2026, Liaw, 50, will assume the temporary title of General Manager for the 2026 event.
“Leading the Grand Prix Association and the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach has been the privilege of a lifetime,” said Michaelian. “This event and this community mean a great deal to me, and I’m proud of what our team has built together. Coming off our very successful 50th celebration, I feel this is the right time to make this transition. For 50 years, I have been given the unique opportunity to merge my passion for motorsports with involvement with the longest-running street race in America, which has been a distinct privilege.
“I’m grateful to the City of Long Beach, our sponsor partners, participants, volunteers, and fans for their continued support, and thanks also to Chris Pook, the originator of the Grand Prix of Long Beach, and Kevin Kalkhoven and Jerry Forsythe for their invaluable support during the challenging times in the past 50 years. And with the leadership of Penske Entertainment, the new owners of the Grand Prix Association, the future of the event is in excellent hands.”
Michaelian, a competitive sports car racer who, for more than 25 years has competed at such tracks as LeMans, Daytona, Nürburgring, and Sebring, hopes to be able to participate in a few more events before hanging up his helmet.
Liaw brings extensive motorsports industry experience and leadership from his position as General Manager of Performance Racing Industry (PRI), an organization that supports and advocates for the interests of racers, enthusiasts, builders, tracks, sanctioning bodies, and businesses. PRI runs the largest annual motorsports trade show in the world.
An entrepreneur by nature, Liaw has leveraged his experience and passion for motorsports into a successful career that has introduced and launched some of the hottest youth culture programs in America. Prior to joining PRI in 2021, Liaw served as President of Formula Drift, which he co-founded with Ryan Sage in 2003 and helped turn into the premier drifting series in the world. He and Sage were the first to take the unknown motorsport of drifting out of Japan and introduce it to America, eventually making it the global benchmark for professional drifting. Formula Drift’s invitational “Super Drift Challenge” has been a fixture at the Grand Prix since 2005.
“I’m honored to join the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach and to help lead one of the most recognized and respected events in motorsports,” said Liaw. “The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is incredibly meaningful to me – it was the first major race I ever attended nearly 30 years ago, and it helped spark a lifelong connection to motorsports. Southern California has been home since I was six, so it’s truly an honor to represent Long Beach and the region while leading such a special event. I’m excited to be part of this iconic race and to help shape its future for generations to come.”
When he’s not binge-watching historical documentaries or traveling, Liaw enjoys spending time with his wife, Angela, and their two daughters.
“INDYCAR owes an immense debt of gratitude to Jim Michaelian,” Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO Mark Miles said. “From Day One, his guidance, management and exemplary leadership, has made the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach a marquee event and a beloved fan-favorite on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES calendar. I know our paddock – past and present – and decades of racing champions and legends join me in congratulating Jim on the impactful legacy he leaves.
“As we look to the future, we believe Jim Liaw is an ideal fit to expand the recent growth and popularity of a race weekend, which is strategically important and a big priority for INDYCAR. His unique background and passion for motorsports will serve this historic event in a powerful way.”
The 2026 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach will take place April 17-19, 2026. For the latest news and information on the event, visit gplb.com or follow on Facebook (GrandPrixLB), X (@GPLongBeach #AGPLB), Instagram (@GPLongBeach) and TikTok (GPLongBeach).
I hope everyone had a great holiday. I have had a tumultuous winter as I had a brief hospitalization, and I am preparing to liquidate Winter Headquarters. I’m ready for racing. There is hope in the air and cars on track.
Yesterday the first tire test of 2026 took place at Phoenix as Firestone rechecked the data from the fall test, Will Power turned his first laps for Andretti Global, and Josef Newgarden ran his Team Penske car. I wonder how awkward it was for the former teammates.
It might take me a race or two to have a full grip that Power is not in the 12 car, and that he now pilots the number 26 entry. Power sounded very positive after yesterday’s run.
The grid is still not complete, as Dale Coyne Racinghas yet to name the driver of car 19. We know it will not be Jacob Abel, who will be running an LMP2 car in IMSA, nor will Conor Daly have the seat. He announced that he is no longer in the running.
Other Loose Ends
The Independent Officiating Board has met and will soon name the officiating staff for the 2026 season. IndyCar president Doug Boles said in an interview with Marshall Pruett that he would like to have the team in place to work an open test as a dress rehearsal for the season.
We are awaiting word from both Honda and Chevrolet about their status beyond this year. I feel that both will return beyond this year, and I hope another manufacturer joins them.
Prema has reserved spots at upcoming tests but has not said whether they return to the grid. If they do, will the team have a different name? One of my concerns about the charter system is that it would stifle an increase in the number of teams. Prema survived last season without a chance to get Leaders’ Circle money, and they entered each race hoping that another team did not add an entry. It’s t5ough to run all year like that without gigantic funding.
Early, Early Predictions
These are subject to change after open testing:
Caio Collet will win Rookie of the Year. A. J. Foyt Racing has evolved to the point where Collet will be competitive enough to do well, Dennis Hauger will struggle in the Coyne car because of the equipment, and Mick Schumacher needs to learn the circuits.
Pato O’Ward will win the Indianapolis 500. Finally.
Alex Palou will be difficult to beat for the championship again.
Either David Malukas or Marcus Armstrong will win their first IndyCar race in 2026.
I trust everyone had a nice holiday last week, and as we look ahead to 2026, I want to say thank you to everyone who visited this site during the year. It was another great year, and next May will mark 10 years of writing this humble column.
What can we look forward to in 2026? First, I don’t see Alex Palou dominating again as he did this past season. He is still the favorite for the title, but winning eight races in 2026? Probably not.
The new officiating board has more distance from Penske Entertainment, but the series ownership is still paying for it. We should know the officiating staff early next month. Will there much change in the philosophy of running the races? I doubt that we will notice any difference. One change I want to see is when a yellow is warranted, throw it without regard to pit cycles or whatever. If it ruins someone’s race, that’s the breaks.
I’m sad to see that Conor Daly won’t have a full-time ride in 2026. Daly always seems to help a team improve, and I’m not going to be happy with whomever gets the Dale Coyne seat.
For me, the most exciting possibility is the chance of Katherine Legge returning to the Indianapolis 500. Legge may have an opportunity to secure a ride, and she says she would like to do the IndyCar race at Phoenix along with driving in a NASCAR race that same weekend.
I have always considered Legge the best of the female drivers, and I hope she gets another shot at Indy. Legge has never had the best equipment at the 500, and I hope 2026 marks a change in her 500 career.
Photo: Myles Rowe in Victory Circle at Iowa, 2025.
From IndyCar:
INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, Dec. 19, 2025) – FOX Sports and INDYCAR have revealed the race broadcast start times for the 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone schedule.As part of INDYCAR’S partnership with FOX Sports, all INDY NXT races will be shown on live television for the second consecutive year with a series-record 17 races on live TV in 2026. Fifteen INDY NXT races are scheduled to appear live on FOX Sports’ FS1, with two airing on FS2.Once again in 2026, all INDY NXT practice and qualifying sessions also will air on a combination of FS1, FS2, the FOX Sports app and FOX One. “Our immersive partnership with FOX Sports has fueled impressive gains across our ecosystem, most especially within INDY NXT by Firestone,” Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO Mark Miles said. “In 2026, we expect that significant growth to continue with additional races providing even more intense on-track action for our development series. The competition will be fierce for the drivers vying to advance to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, and FOX Sports’ coverage will provide another remarkable showcase.” The battle for the 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone championship begins at 10 a.m. (all times Eastern) Sunday, March 1 on FS1 from the sunny streets of St. Petersburg, Florida. Round two of the championship takes the series to the much-anticipated inaugural race on the 14-turn, 2.73-mile Streets of Arlington circuit and the Grand Prix of Arlington at 11 a.m. Sunday, March 15, also on FS1. The first of three new doubleheaders in 2026 begins at Barber Motorsports Park with races at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 28 and 11 a.m. Sunday, March 29 on FS1. The summer stretch of races at Road America, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and Nashville Superspeedway will coincide with FOX Sports’ expansive coverage of FIFA World Cup 2026™. The doubleheader in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, will take place at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, June 20 at and at noon Sunday, June 21, with both races airing on FS1. FOX Sports’ coverage at Mid-Ohio begins at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 4 and at 10 a.m. Sunday, July 5 – again, with both races scheduled for FS1. The television tune-in time for the INDY NXT race at Nashville will be announced in the coming weeks. The championship concludes with the final doubleheader of 2026 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca with a race at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5 on FS2 followed by the season finale and the crowning of the INDY NXT champion at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6 on FS1. It is the 15th time in series history that the legendary and historic track on California’s central coast will play host to the title celebration. INDYCAR’s worldwide direct-to-consumer streaming platform, INDYCAR LIVE, has access to a full library of archived INDY NXT practices, qualifying sessions, races and additional content. 2026 INDY NXT sessions and races will stream live in certain countries and territories. More information is available here.
FOX SPORTS’ 2026 INDY NXT BY FIRESTONE RACE COVERAGE SCHEDULE:
Fastest Racing on Earth Featured with Record-Tying 19 Network Windows, FIFA World Cup 2026™ Lead-ins, Six Hours of Live Coverage for Indianapolis 500
INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025) – FOX Sports and INDYCAR have announced the race broadcast start times for the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule. For the second consecutive year, FOX will highlight the dynamic and hyper-competitive championship with a record 19 network windows, with all 17 races featured on broadcast television. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is once again the only premier motorsports series in North America with all races broadcast on network television. The 2026 broadcast schedule also includes a summer stretch that coincides with FOX Sports’ coverage of FIFA World Cup 2026™, providing a massive and historic showcase for North America’s premier open-wheel auto racing series. The opening match on Sunday, June 21 will lead into the NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ annual trip to the exhilarating, demanding layout at Road America and the XPEL Grand Prix at Road America scheduled for 2 p.m. (all times Eastern). FIFA World Cup 2026™ Round of 16 action will follow the 12:30 p.m. start of FOX’s broadcast at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio presented by the 2027 CR-V Hybrid Sunday, July 5. The biggest match in world soccer, the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Final, and the celebration of an epic champion on FOX will provide a massive lead-in for INDYCAR’s annual thriller at Nashville Superspeedway. Broadcast tune-in time for the 2026 edition of the 400-mile Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix will be announced at a later date. In 2025, during the first year of a multiyear partnership with FOX Sports, viewership of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season increased 27 percent from the previous season, generating the fastest growth curve of any major sport. “Once again FOX Sports is providing an unparalleled platform to showcase the most competitive and dynamic racing series on the planet,” Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO Mark Miles said. “On the heels of significant milestones and momentum last year, this new season will provide meaningful opportunities to reach new audiences and build upon the best growth trajectory in all of sports.” Other highlights of FOX’s 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES broadcast schedule include: A supercharged set of three consecutive weekends to kick off the season as part of a record four races during the month of March, which includes the series’ return to Phoenix Raceway for the Good Ranchers 250 at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 7. A highly anticipated event on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES calendar, the inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington on the Streets of Arlington on Sunday, March 15, featuring a 30-minute prerace that begins at 12:30 p.m. Coverage of PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying – setting the field for the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge – beginning at 4 p.m. Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17 .For the second consecutive year, an extensive six-hour broadcast – beginning at 10 a.m. – for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 24. The return of fan-favorite primetime racing under the lights at World Wide Technology Raceway and the 10th annual Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline at 9 p.m. Sunday, June 7. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ return to Canada for the debut of the Streets of Markham layout and the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham at noon Sunday, Aug. 16. The return of the popular doubleheader at the historic Milwaukee Mile at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29 and 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30. The crowning of the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion and a Labor Day weekend return to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Coverage of the season finale begins with a prerace show at 2:30 p.m. Sunday Sept. 6. WHAT NTT INDYCAR SERIES DRIVERS ARE SAYING:“2025 was an incredible year not only for me but also for INDYCAR on FOX, and I know we are both prepared to build on our accomplishments. Needless to say, I’m excited to get 2026 started as we go for a fourth straight NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship with the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda and cannot wait for the opener at St. Pete.” – Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing “There is so much to look forward to on the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule, including our first race at Arlington. As we have already seen in this new partnership, it is one of the most exciting, new additions to our calendar in the recent years, and FOX Sports will provide the perfect showcase for our fans watching on TV. The new season can’t get here soon enough.” – Pato O’Ward, Arrow McLaren “I’m a big sports fan, so having the 2026 INDYCAR schedule share the stage with FOX’s coverage of the World Cup next summer is going to be exciting. 2025 was a breakout year for me, and it was especially rewarding to see it all play out on FOX in their first INDYCAR season. We’re looking forward to another strong season for the No. 27 Andretti Global Honda, and I’m eager to see what FOX has in store for the upcoming season.” – Kyle Kirkwood, Andretti Global Coverage of all 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice and qualifying sessions will be featured on either FS1 or FS2, FOX One and the FOX Sports app. The coverage schedule for the 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone championship, the developmental series for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, will be announced in the coming days
FOX SPORTS’ 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES RACE COVERAGE SCHEDULE:
Last week IndyCar announced the establishment of an independent officiating board with the creation of IndyCar Officiating. Inc., a nonprofit organization established by Penske Entertainment. The three person board will hire a managing director of officiating, who will be responsible for hiring the race director, stewards, and technical inspectors.
The board- Ray Evernham from NASCAR, Raj Nair, a former Ford executive, and Ronan Morgan from the FIA, bring neutrality to the new entity. The managing director, whoever that turns to be should also be someone with no ties to the current series.
The only thing that I have a bit of an issue with is that the board was created by Penske, who pay the board members, although indirectly, through the board’s budget.
The board came to be after penalties assessed to Team Penske in 2024 and 2025. In 20204, Team Penske cars were found to have Push to Pass available at times when it wasn’t allowed. At this year’s Indianapolis 500, the cars of Josef Newgarden and Will Power were excluded from the second round of qualifying because of an illegal attenuator modification.
The board will not be writing rules, but they will enforce the rules which IndyCar will continue to write or modify.
Fans have often wondered if the team owned by the series owner received favorable treatment from the technical staff and race stewards. Removing officiating from direct control of Penske Entertainment is an effort to remove any appearance of favoritism.
Would a completely separate entity with zero ties to Penske have been a better choice? What happens the first time a controversial call goes in favor a Team Penske entry? I have heard that most race control and technical staff are expected to be retained. I think Kyle Novak has done a great job as Race Director, but is it time for a new, neutral person to take over?
I do not recall a technical infraction after Detroit this past season. Perhaps Doug Boles severe penalties at the 500 sent a strong message.
It will take a full season to see if this new approach is effective and perceived to be fairer by the fans. I urge patience as the new process works. I also hope nothing controversial happens,
Fans wanting a throwback livery will get their wis…kind of. Sunoco returns to IndyCar with a multiyear fulltime primary sponsorship of Chip Ganassi Racing’s car 8 driven by Kyffin Simpson.
Kyffin Simpson
While not a true replication of Mark Donohue’s winning 1972 Indianapolis 500 car, the dark blue and yellow car will pop at IMS and at the night races.
The Donohue winning car set a couple milestones. It was the first Indianapolis 500 win for Roger Penske, and it was the first winning car to have wings.
Donohue’s 500 car:
The car at Pocono.
2026 marks the first Sunoco sponsored car since 1973.
Kyffin Simpson has completed two full IndyCar seasons before reaching the age of 21. Simpson made great strides in the 2025 season, earning his first podium at Toronto and participating in his first Fast Six at Mid Ohio. Simpson earned three top fives and six top 10s in 2025.
INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, Dec. 19, 2025) – FOX Sports and INDYCAR have revealed the race broadcast start times for the 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone schedule.As part of INDYCAR’S partnership with FOX Sports, all INDY NXT races will be shown on live television for the second consecutive year with a series-record 17 races on live TV in 2026. Fifteen INDY NXT races are scheduled to appear live on FOX Sports’ FS1, with two airing on FS2.Once again in 2026, all INDY NXT practice and qualifying sessions also will air on a combination of FS1, FS2, the FOX Sports app and FOX One.
The Pit Window by Mike Silver 