Author: thepitwindow

I'm a retired educator and lifelong racing fan. I hope to return to fostering greyhounds in the near future. Living mainly in Indy and wintering in Florida. I attend about 10 Indycar races a year as well as some sports car events

Content Days Begin with Incomplete Grid, Scheduling Questions

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IndyCar Content days begin at noon today with driver interviews and continue through tomorrow afternoon. Unfortunately, the complete full time field will, not be present. Dale Coyne has not yet named the driver of his second car, and last night we learned that Prema drivers Robert Shwartzman and Callum Ilott will miss the sessions as well.

Prema is undergoing an ownership change and will likely not participate in the season opener at St. Pete. This morning Prema’s sporting director, Ryan Briscoe, was announced as a driver coach for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.

Prema struggled last year, and with no shot at Leaders’ Circle money, it was going to be difficult to continue long term without major sponsorship. One of my concerns about the charter system is being realized- that the system inhibits growth of the series, making it a challenge for a new team to enter the series.

DC Race?

Talk of a possible race in Washington, DC, in August was raised last week. I have several issues with this particular event, although I am not opposed toa race in the Nation’s capital in general,

Adding a race min one of IndyCar’s busiest months would be difficult. There are already four races on three weekends in August. Taking away one of the Milwaukee races doesn’t help since the double header is just one weekend.

Sponsors have paid and budgeted for 17 races. Who pays for the 18th race?

Engine and tire limits also have leases based on 17 races. Do teams get a fifth engine?

If the series wants a race in Washington, iun a region that has been ignored by the series for way too long, fine. But to put an event together in less than six months’ time is probably not a smart decision.

Wait until next year and do it the right way. And don’t replace an oval race for it.

FOX New Commercials

Last year FOX began promoting the upcoming season with ads during the NFL playoffs. The ads featured Josef Ne3wgarden, Pato O’Ward, and Alex Palou. They were witty, fast paced, and clever.

Last week FOX rolled out new ads for the 2026 season featuring the same three drivers. The first two, with Newgarden and O’Ward, lacked a lot of the zip and pizzazz of the initial promos. In my opinion, they ranged from dark to silly.

I hope the next two ads are better, but I’m not optimistic. Maybe so0meday FOX will learn that there are more than three drivers in the series who merit attention.

I will be posting off and on during the next two days.

Rolex 24- Some Thoughts from Afar

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Six and a half hours of fog mad the finish closer than it should have been. Felipe Nasr and the number 7 Porsche Penske dominated the entire race from start to finish. Only body damage to the sister car, number 6, kept this edition of the Rolex 24 from ending in a 1-2 Porsche finish.

For Nasr and Penske it was three in a row, a rare feat in endurance racing.

Congratulations to the other class winners:

LMP2- Crowdstrike

GTD Pro Paul Miller Racing BMW

GTD Winward Racing Mercedes

IndyCar Drivers

Will Power had the best race among the IndyCar drivers in the field. The GTD Pro Merce3des team Power drove for finished second in class.

Other results:

GTP

Alex Palou- 5th

Colton nHerta 6th

Scott Dixon 9th

LMP2

Nolan Siegel 3rd

Kyffin Simpson 8th

GTD Pro

Power 2nd

Kyle Kirkwood 10th

GTD

Marcus Ericsson 8th

Scott McLaughlin 17th

Callum Ilott 20th

TV Coverage

I watched most of the race on Peacock The coverage was mostly okay. They seemed to do a more balanced job this year of covering all four classes, including the b collision in GTD late in the race while a battle for first overall was going on.

There were far too many commercial breaks, especially near the end of the race. When Leigh Diffey said they would go nonstop for the final 13 minutes, I thought, “How generous!”

With a six hour plus caution for fog, surely NBC/Peacock could have gotten in many of their breaks during that time.

I loved all the vintage clips the network showed this year. More of that, please.

On the other hand, the announcers seemed obsessed with mentioning A J Allmendinger constantly. Yes, he is a great driver. Yes, he has won the Rolex 24. I like A J. He is a really good guy. I just think the network should have just put him on staff if they want to mention him so much.

Final Thoughts

2026 was the first Rolex I have not attended in person since the pandemic. Since I closed Winter Headquarters late last year, I’m not sure when I will get back to Daytona.

The track announced record attendance, and I find that plausible. Each year I went, the crowd seemed larger than the previous year. The track is moving toward reserved camp spaces starting in 2027. I’m anxious to see how that works out.

I will try to get to Sebring, my favorite sports car race in North America.

I’ll be back tomorrow with some IndyCar happenings. Content days begin tomorrow, so there should be lots of news.

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@jsoupzzz24

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Weine 500 Returns

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In the biggest racing news of the weekend, IMS announced the return of the Weinie 500. The race will be sandwiched between the Carb Day practice for the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 and the Pit Stop competition.

The announcement from IMS:

Oscar Mayer Weinie 500 Returns to Miller Lite Carb Day May 22

The meatiest race in motorsports is officially back!

Oscar Mayer announced the second annual Wienie 500 will return to the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Miller Lite Carb Day, Friday, May 22, leading up to the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge Sunday, May 24.

The race returns with a sizzling new twist! Following a disappointing performance in last year’s race, the Sonoran Dog is officially relegated due to not cutting the mustard, leaving a spot open for a new regional dog to enter the competition.

Race lovers can visit @Wienermobile on Instagram to cast their vote in the first-ever ‘Pick Your Dog’ Wienie 500 bracket where they can choose from a fresh lineup of seven new regional hot dogs or opt to give Sonoran Dog another shot at qualifying.

Phoenix Open Test To Salute Unser Family 

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 INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026) – The incredible legacy of the Unser family at Phoenix Raceway will be honored when the NTT INDYCAR SERIES conducts an Open Test on Feb. 17-18 at the desert oval in advance of the series’ highly anticipated return to the track
.The Unser INDYCAR Open Test at Phoenix Raceway is open to all teams as they prepare for the Good Ranchers 250 on Saturday, March 7 as part of a buzzworthy weekend alongside NASCAR, providing a joint showcase of North American racing in partnership with FOX Sports. It’s the first INDYCAR SERIES race at the historic, 1.022-mile Phoenix oval since 2018.
Cars will be on track from 2-6 p.m. ET (noon-4 p.m. MT) on Tuesday, Feb. 17, with testing scheduled for 11 a.m.-2 p.m. ET (9 a.m.-noon MT) and 3:30-6:30 p.m. ET (1:30-4:30 p.m. MT) Wednesday, Feb. 18. The Wednesday sessions will be open and free to the public, with an autograph session at 2:45 p.m. ET (12:45 p.m. MT).
“The name Unser is synonymous with Phoenix Raceway,” INDYCAR President J. Douglas Boles said. “We’re honored to salute this family’s incredible accomplishments at their home track for this important Open Test, which sets the stage for INDYCAR’s return to Phoenix in March. As a longtime fan of the sport, I also really appreciate that the logo for this special test features some familiar colors from cars driven by Al and Bobby, which I’m sure will bring back many great memories for our loyal fans.”
Phoenix was the home INDYCAR SERIES track for the Unser family, which lived in and proudly represented Albuquerque, New Mexico. And no name is more linked with success at the desert oval.
Al Unser won a track-record six INDYCAR SERIES races at Phoenix since the track first started hosting series events in 1964. He also won six poles at the track as part of an illustrious career that included three series championships and a record-tying four victories in the Indianapolis 500
.Bobby Unser took the checkered flag four times at Phoenix but powered to a track-record 11 poles at the tricky desert oval. He also won two series titles and three Indianapolis 500s.Two-time series champion and two-time Indy 500 winner Al Unser Jr. finished runner-up at Phoenix four times.
“I’ll speak for our family and say how pleased we are to be honored in this way by INDYCAR,” Al Unser Jr. said.
“Dad simply loved racing at Phoenix, and no one took it to the edge in qualifying there quite like Uncle Bobby. It was exciting to see the track added to the schedule this year, and the Open Test will be crucial for drivers and teams as they get ready for the race in March. I can’t wait to see the NTT INDYCAR SERIES back at Phoenix.””
Live timing and scoring from both days of the Open Test will be provided on INDYCAR.com and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA. Fans unable to attend the test also can follow along on INDYCAR social channels.
The 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season starts Sunday, March 1 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. 

ECR FOCUSES ON ORGANIZATIONAL GROWTH AS THE TEAM ENTERS SEASON FIFTEEN

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Editor’s note: ECR also confirmed that Ed Carpenter will drive a third car in the Indianapolis 500.

From ECR;

Team Development at the Forefront of ECR’s Preparation for Its Fifteenth NTT INDYCAR SERIES Season
(INDIANAPOLIS) January 21, 2026 – ECR announced today a series of organizational improvements and team growth ahead of the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES. The Indianapolis-based race team heads into Season Fifteen on the heels of its best campaign in several years, highlighted by Christian Rasmussen’s victory at the Milwaukee Mile. ECR will strive for more in 2026 with an expanded leadership team, a more robust engineering department, and an increased emphasis on pit lane performance.
Ted GelovOwner and Chairman Ted Gelov joined the team prior to the 2025 season and continues to guide the organization through a rejuvenated era. Co-owner Ed Carpenter also serves as CEO, making him the only individual in the 33-car Indianapolis 500 field who handles both the responsibility of driving the racecar while owning and operating his own team.Ed Carpenter
Tim BroylesFrom ECR’s inception, the team has operated under the direction of Team President Tim Broyles. He became the organization’s first employee in late 2011 and shaped the program into a race-winning operation within its first year. Broyles is one of the most experienced individuals in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES paddock, now in his 38th year of working in professional motorsports.
Derek DavidsonJoining the competition management side of the team is Derek Davidson, who works alongside Broyles as Team Manager. Davidson was an accomplished USAC racer before beginning his INDYCAR career as a fabricator, mechanic and Crew Chief. Over the past 20 years, Davidson worked his way up through the ranks of race team operations. He spent the last decade in team management roles before joining ECR’s leadership.
Matt BarnesAfter serving as Race Engineer for one of ECR’s two entries and most recently as Chief Engineer, Matt Barnes will step into the role of Vice President of Competition. Drawing on 23 years of expertise, he now oversees all aspects of the engineering department. Like Broyles, Barnes joined ECR before the team’s first season and is one of the 10 original hires still with the organization.
With Barnes assuming management of the engineering department, Quentin Montigaud has been promoted to Race Engineer of Alexander Rossi’s No. 20 Chevrolet. Montigaud, from France, began his engineering career nine years ago in Formula E. He has spent his entire INDYCAR career with ECR and was most recently Performance Engineer on the No. 20.
As Montigaud begins his first season as Race Engineer, he will have the guidance of both Barnes and Pete Craik. Craik will remain Race Engineer of the No. 21, a role he has held since Rasmussen’s first race at ECR. The Australian began his career in Supercars before moving to the United States and has spent 19 years engineering Supercars, INDYCAR, and NASCAR. He has led of one of ECR’s two entries as Race Engineer for the past seven years.
ECR’s engineering department gains additional depth with the addition of Robert Gue. A 23-year motorsports engineering veteran, Gue will lead development efforts for the team as Senior Project Engineer.
With an increased emphasis on pit lane performance, ECR has added a full-time Strength and Conditioning Coach. Before joining ECR, Chase Campbell worked with collegiate and professional athletes for 10 years. He leads routine workouts for the No. 20 and No. 21 crews, as well as open lift sessions for all team members. Campbell also oversees daily pit stop practice for both crews and serves as the team’s Pit Stop Coach. Additionally, he has taken on the role of Strength and Conditioning Coach for Carpenter, Rasmussen, and Rossi.
Rasmussen and Rossi will be on track for the first time this year at Phoenix International Raceway on February 17-18 as part of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES Open Test. The 2026 season begins in the Streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., on Sunday, March 1.
About ECRECR (Ed Carpenter Racing) first entered the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 2012. The Indianapolis-based race team is led by owners Ted Gelov and Ed Carpenter and has proven its versatility by collecting wins across every type of track the series competes on – street and road courses, short ovals, and speedways. For the 2026 season, Indianapolis 500 champion Alexander Rossi will return as driver of the No. 20 Java House Chevrolet, while new NTT INDYCAR SERIES race winner Christian Rasmussen remains in the No. 21 Splenda Chevrolet. Carpenter, a three-time pole winner of the Indianapolis 500 (2013, 2014, and 2018), will round out ECR’s three-car lineup for the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500. More information on ECR can be found at www.ecrindy.com.

2026 Rolex 24 Schedule

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Thursday, January 22, 2026

8:45 AM to-9:45 AM ET

Practice 2 – Michelin Pilot Challenge

10:05 AM to 11:35 AM ET

Practice 1 – WeatherTech Championship

11:55 AM to 12:15 PM ET

Qualifying – Mazda MX-5 Cup

1:15 PM to 1:50 PM ET

Qualifying – Michelin Pilot Challenge

2:10 PM to 3:25 PM ET

WeatherTech Championship Qualifying

You Tube, IMSA tv, Peacock

5:15 PM to 6:00 PM ET

Race 1 of 2 – Mazda MX-5 Cup

6:15 PM to 7:45 PM ET

Practice 2 – WeatherTech Championship

Friday, January 23, 2026

10:00 AM to 10:45 AM ET

Race 2 of 2 – Mazda MX-5 Cup

11:05 AM to 12:20 PM ET

Practice 3 – WeatherTech Championship

1:45 PM to 5:45 PM ET

BMW M Endurance Challenge At Daytona

Saturday, January 24, 2026— Race Day!

1:40 PM to 11:59 PM ET

Rolex 24 At Daytona

Full race on Peacock, YouTube, and IMSAtv

!:30-2:30 ON nbc

Sunday, January 25, 2026

12:00 AM to 1:40 PM ET

Full race on Peacock, YouTube, and IMSAtv

Noon -2 on NBC

Rolex 24 At Daytona

Coca-Cola Consolidated Announces Multiyear Partnership with IMS, Indy 500 Red Carpet 

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From IMS:

 INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026) – Coca-Cola Consolidated, the nation’s largest Coca-Cola bottler, today announced a multiyear partnership designating Coca-Cola as the official soft beverage and water sponsor of Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Through the partnership, Coca-Cola Consolidated will serve as the official partner of the Indy 500 Red Carpet and will participate in multiple community activations, including Indy 500 Porch Parties and Bike to the 500.
“Coca-Cola Consolidated has been our neighbor and a part of the community for generations,” INDYCAR and IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “Sharing a Coke with fellow race fans will once again be a Race Day tradition.”
“As Indianapolis’ local Coca-Cola bottler and the official beverage provider for IMS, we are thrilled to partner as the official soft beverage and water sponsor,” said Heather Hucks, vice president of consumer connections at Coca-Cola Consolidated. “There’s just something special about watching a race with a Coca-Cola in your hand, and we’re excited to be part of creating lasting memories alongside race fans, while taking important steps to positively impact the Indianapolis community.”
Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Coca-Cola Consolidated is the largest Coca-Cola bottler in the United States. Coca-Cola Consolidated serves more than 13,700 businesses in Indiana and has more than 1,300 teammates working in nine facilities across the state, helping bring economic opportunity to the local community. For over 124 years, Coca-Cola Consolidated has been deeply committed to the consumers, customers and communities it serves.
Tickets for the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge and all Month of May events at Indianapolis Motor Speedway are on sale at IMS.com.

IndyCar Drivers In the Rolex 24

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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.