First, a happy new year to everyone. The Pit Window is settled into winter headquarters, in the nick of time it appears. For those still in the north, stay safe.

The year begins with a bittersweet story. McLaren Racing has completed the purchase of Arrow McLaren Motorsports, and Sam Schmidt is no longer involved with the team. Schmidt founded Sam Schmidt Motorsports after his testing accident at Orland Walt Disney World Speedway, which left him a quadriplegic.

In 2013, he partnered with Jim Peterson, and the team became Schmidt-Peterson Motorsports. Davey Hamilton was also a partner that year, bringing HP sponsorship.

Schmidt -Peterson Motorsports sold 75% of the team to McLaren in 2021, and the name changed to Arrow McLaren SP. In 2023, the team again altered its name to the current Arrow McLaren Racing. Tony Kanaan has been named Team Principal.

The changeover is the second team ownership change since last summer, when Michael Andretti stepped down from Andretti Global.

I am sad to see Sam Schmidt leave IndyCar as a team owner. He is a profile in courage. Schmidt’s resiliency after his accident is an example for others. I wish him well, and I hope we still see him at the track.