Photo by Kyle McInnes

First, I want to welcome Kyle Mcinnes to The Pit Window team. Kyle will be this site’s photographer for the majority of races this season.

I’m back home at a functional computer. Here are just a few thoughts on yesterday’s Indycar race. Not the greatest race ever, but at least the season is underway.

Formula 1 style races happen, and Sunday was one of those times. Josef Newgarden did have the best car by far, and Chevrolet had the dominant engine. Team Penske has served notice that they are back at full strength.

Alex Palou now has 18 consecutive races where he has finished no worse than eighth place. He had to work hard for yesterday’s sixth place finish, starting 13th, in a race where passing was at a premium.

Scott Dixon, Palou’s teammate, had a rare day ending the race outside the top five. he still grabbed a top 10 spot, but it was strange not hearing his name all day.

Is St. Pete becoming Scott McLaughlin’s track? Yes, Newgarden won his third career race in the season opener, tying Helio castroneves for the most at the track, but in McLaughlin’s three years at the street course, he has a pole, a first and at third. In 2023 he was in contention for a second straight victory before tangling with Romain Grosjean.

Kyffin Simpson drove a clean, steady race. The rookie driving for Chip Ganassi Racing came from 23rd to end the day in 14th place. Simpson made some very nice passes in a race where there was little passing. I had some concerns about his moving up to Indycar this season, but those worries were put to rest yesterday.

Pietro Fittipaldi, while not an Indycar rookie, drove in his first Indycar race in six years. he did an admirable job, improving 11 spots. Fittipaldi made several nice passes in turn 1.

MSR Rising?

Felix Rosenqvist may be just what Meyer Shank Racing needed. The Swedish driver needed a home where he was welcome, and MSR needed younger drivers.

Rosenqvist nearly grabbed the pole for the race, only to be edged out by Newgarden’s last qualifying lap. He hung in the top five most of the day, and finished seventh after a pit stop issue on his second stop.

I think Felix is going to have a really good year on his new team.

Fuel Saving Races

Sunday became a fuel saving race as soon as everyone got through the first lap cleanly. The field got strung out quickly, and if Marcus Armstrong had not hit the turn 10 wall on lap 27, there may not have been a hint of drama all day.

I don’t think there is much the series can do to discourage fuel saving tactics except allow larger fuel tanks, which is a bad idea for many reasons, or shorten the races, also not a good idea.

Tomorrow I will have a weekend wrap up focusing more on the event with more photos.