It has been a tough hill to climb, but Indycar finally debuts its hybrid power system this weekend at Mid Ohio as the series launches the second half of the season.

The new unit is an energy recovery system developed collaboratively by Honda and Chevrolet. It sits behind the engine at the rear of the car.

In a media availability Tuesday, jay Frye talked about the ERS’s use as a compliment to Push to Pass. It can be used with P2P or separately. While P2P still has a limit for the race, there is no limit on deploying the hybrid system.

Will the new system help fuel mileage? It is possible, but maybe not right away. It would be nice to not have fuel saving races anymore.

The one immediate benefit the hybrid presents is the ability for drivers to restart their stalled cars without assistance. We could see fewer red flags in practice and qualifying, and fewer cautions during the race.

Will we see improved racing? The jury is out on that, but I don’t think we will see much difference, at least not this year. The system only provides 60 additional horsepower. The horsepower will be raised for 2025 according to Frye. The series wants to use the rest of 2024 to see how it performs and get everyone acclimated to it.

Fans will be able to monitor hybrid usage on the Indycar app. NBC will also display its usage on a graphic during the race. The system is allowed in practice and qualifying.

Another Repaved Track

Mid-Ohio joins Laguna Seca and road America as tracks that have been repaved in the last two years. This weekend is IndyCar’s first time on the new surface at Mid-Ohio. We have seen lots of slipping and sliding on new pavement at other tracks, so this could be a wild weekend.

Drivers will be dealing with new slick pavement and a new engine propulsion system. I can’t wait.

Silly Season

Christian Lundgaard and Alexander Rossi enter the Mid-Ohio weekend after announcing they will have new teams in 2025. Lundgaard will replace Rossi at Arrow McLaren. Rossi is optimistic that he will be in Indycar next year. I don’t expect to see much change in their performances the rest of the year.

It is possible we hear more news at the track about 2025 lineups.

As far as who will win, I am going with Alexander Rossi. He has been close nearly every weekend. I think this is the Sunday he finally breaks through.