On track Indycar schedule for Long Beach. All times Eastern
Friday
6-7:15. Practice 1. Peacock
Saturday
11:45-12:45. Practice. 2. Peacock
3:05 pm. Qualifying. Peacock
Sunday
Noon -12:30. Warmup. Peacock
3 pm. Race broadcast begins. NBC. Peacock
3:30. Race. NBC, Peacock
All times Eastern
Please keep the family of A. J. Foyt in your thoughts. Condolences to A. J., Larry, and the rest of the Foyt family on the passing of Lucy Foyt.
The yellow flag has flown 10 times in the first two races of the Indycar season. 78 laps, 22.2% of the races have been behind the pace car. While htis is a higher percentage than at this point in 2022, it is really not that bad. I’m fine with a race having no more than 25% under caution.
IMSA has experienced the same issue. The 12 Hours of Sebring had what seemed to be many nore cautions than normal. The race had no flow to it. There were three cautions in the last hour.
I expect the percentage of yellow laps to go down in the next two races. I don’t think long beach will be the wreck fest that St. Pete was, and Barber typically doesn’t have many full course yellows.
Things will reach an equilibrium as the season goes along. I would hate to see a race where the pace car gets the three bonus points.
The Indy NXT series will test at the IMS road course today from 10-4. I assume fans can view from the turn 2 mounds.
Teams testing today:
Abel Motorsports: Jacob Abel, Colin Kaminsky
Andretti Autosport: Jamie Chadwick, Louis Foster, Hunter McElrea, James Roe
Cape Motorsports: Enaam Ahmed, Jagger Jones
HMD Motorsports: Christian Bogle, Ernie Francis Jr., Danial Frost, Josh Green, Josh Pierson, Christian Rasmussen, Nolan Siegel, Kyffin Simpson
Juncos Hollinger Racing: Matteo Nannini, Reece Gold
Indycar released some more numbers from last Sunday’s PPG 375
These niumbers confirm that it was an action packed race.
The Pit Window will move to summer headquarters at the end of next week. I still plan to cover Long Beach, but Friday coverage may be delayed.
Condolences to the Foyt family on the passing of Lucy Foyt.
The following obituary is from A. J. Foyt Racing:
Lucy Foyt (1938 – 2023)
HOUSTON (April 5, 2023) — Lucy Foyt, wife of A.J. Foyt, passed away in a Houston hospital after a brief illness. She was 84.
Lucy had a special appreciation for life, always embracing new experiences, people, and challenges. There was never a dull moment being married to the auto racing legend; for nearly 68 years, Lucy was his rock, keeping him grounded as he ascended to superstardom in motorsports. Her steadfast support and amazing grace under pressure throughout A.J.’s career and post-career, which was marked by life-threatening injuries on several occasions, made it possible for him to stage the remarkable comebacks that added to his legendary status.
Houston was always home to Lucy, having been born in 1938 to beloved parents, Dr. L. Lynn Zarr and Elizabeth Zarr, and raised in River Oaks, a prominent enclave of the nation’s fourth largest city. During her time at Lamar High School, Lucy met Foyt and the two married in 1955, further laying their roots in the Houston community. Together, they raised three children, A.J. Foyt III, Terry and Jerry. Later on, they adopted their grandson Larry who is president of A.J. Foyt Enterprises, the Indy car racing team Foyt started in late 1965.
Always seen as beautiful and gracious, Lucy bonded three generations of the Foyt family, having four children, eight grandchildren, and 21 great grandchildren who adored her. She was able to watch them grow to achieve success, marry for love, and raise children, many of which are named after her with the most recent being Larry’s daughter Lucy who was born in January.
With a passion for culture, arts, and global travel, Lucy shared a broadened perspective and open mind about the world that motivated and inspired adventure to those around her. That legacy will live on through her family and influence more generations of Foyts to come.
With careful thought and consideration, funeral arrangements are pending.Post not marked as liked
From IMS:
| INDIANAPOLIS (Monday, April 3, 2023) – Fifty identical 2023 Chevrolet Camaro SS convertibles were staged on the main straightaway April 3 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in a sign the return of the Month of May soon approaches. A longtime tradition, the “Festival Event Cars” have reminded Indianapolis-area residents of the upcoming Indianapolis 500 since the 1960s. As the unique fleet of Camaros is driven around Central Indiana, they once again will turn heads and remind everyone “This is May.” Presenting the cars were J. Douglas Boles, IMS president; Pat Merna, 500 Festival vice president strategic partnerships; Sarah Fisher, 500 Festival board chair and Mike Quinn, Chevrolet Indianapolis district sales manager. The Festival Event Cars are a unique option code based off the 2023 Chevrolet Camaro SS convertible and are powered by a 6.2-liter small block V-8, which offers 455 horsepower and 455 pound-feet of torque. The exterior of the car features Sharkskin Metallic exterior paint with special graphics from Chevrolet’s Performance Design Studio representing the 107th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. The car also features an Ash Gray leather interior, a power-folding convertible top that can be lowered while driving at speeds up to 30 mph, Brembo front and rear performance brakes and 20-inch aluminum wheels. “These Camaro convertibles are a symbol of the shared passion Chevrolet, INDYCAR and the 500 Festival board have for the Indianapolis 500,” Quinn said. “Living and working in Central Indiana, seeing these Camaros on the road always reminds me we’re one step closer to May.” The 107th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge is scheduled for Sunday, May 28, 2023. Visit IMS.com for tickets and more information on all Month of May events and activities at IMS. Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, available in 80 countries with more than 3.2 million cars and trucks sold in 2020. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com. |
Indycar photo by Chris Jones
Just a few more thoughts on the PPG 375:
Excitement for the Indianapolis 500 went up several notches after yesterday’s race. Texas and IMS are different tracks, but Indycar seems to have found the right aero package. Josef newgarden said in the post race press conference that he would like to see a little less downforce. He would also like for the cars o be able t run the third line, but doesn’t want a three wide pack race.
Repaving Texas Motor Speedway is under discussion.I hope it doesn’t happen. There will be no chance of having another race like we saw yesterday. Leave it alone.
Sources at the track say attendance was much improved from a year ago. The crowd still looked pretty puny on television, but I understand it was a doublke digit increase from 2022. Still a long way to go. A race like we saw Sunday may help attendance, but the key is heavy promotion, which there was not.
Six drivers have finished in the top 10 in both races. Pato O’Ward, Callum Ilott, David Malukas, Scott Dixon, Marcus Ericsson,and Alex Palou. Dixon is the only one of these drivers with more than five years of experience.
Dixon’s fifth place finish was his 194th top five, putting him ahead of Mario Andretti. In 370 starts, Dixon has finished in the top five 52% of the time.
A special shout out to Augustin Canapino. Some people were leery of a 33 year old rookie who had never been in a single seat race car before, but he has two 12th place finishes in the young season including his first oval. I can’t wait to see what he does at IMS.
It was fun watching the different strategy calls during the third and fourth cautions yesterday. Newgarden came for tires and fuel, then came in to top off just before the race returned to green. Brilliant. That extra stop may have been the difference in the race.
Jack Harvey finished 18th, highest of the Rahal cars and was running at the finish. The entire team had a miserable weekend, but Harvey fared the best.
Felix Rosenqvist as not had the start to the season he needs. He won the pole on Saturday for the second year in a row at Texas, but didn’t lead a lap until just before halfway. Rosenvist crashed on lap 179, ending his day. he has two DNFs this season.
Romain Grosjean had a repeat of his St. Pete day. In contention, but crashed late in the race. Grosjean needs a good result in the next two races before the series gets to IMS.
Wow! Just Wow!
Today’s race was the best Indycar race in a long time. It reminded of the 2015 Fontana race.
David Malukas’s description, which I used in the title, sums it up perfectly.
It was great to see the old Texas race return. Indycar, don’t change a thing for next year.
Indycar got the package right. Cars could race and pass each other, the leaders weren’t stuck behind lapped cars for 20 or 30 laps, and there were battles for the lead virtually all day.
Is Newgarden-O’Ward the rivalry Indycar has needed? Today was the seventh time the duo has finished 1-2 since 2020. Newgarden has won five of those but I think the gap will be closer by the end of this season.
Pato O’Ward had the dominant car. It’s a shame the race ended under caution,but it happens sometimes.
When will Felix Rosenqvist do more than just win a pole at a race?
Another big car repair weekend for Andretti Autosport this wekend. Colton Herta did end up seventh after battling for the lead late in the race.
Juncos Hollinger Racing with another nice race. Callum Ilott earned his second straight top 10, finishing ninth, and Augustin Canapino finished 12th, the same place he finished at St. Pete. Today was canapino’s fiorst oval race ever. He has to be the leading candidate for Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year.
David Malukas continues to be a factor on ovals. He was fourth today and second at Gateway last August. I wouldn’t be surprised if he wins at Iowa or Gateway later this year. Malukas is off to a great start in 2023 with two top 10 finishes.
The 20 laps after the second caution saw some of the best racing I’ve seen anytime. Edge of your seat stuff.
A fine drive today by Alex Palou, who finished third and was fighting for the lead at the end.
It’s a shame more fans weren’t there to witness such a great race. For some reason this track does not do a lot to promote a great product. maybe going back to a night race two weeks after he 500 would help.
Some stats– 482 passes for position, 300 more than the average for Texas. the 26 lead changes were the most at TMS since 2001, 26 races ago.
I will have more to say about this race tomorrow. I want to watch the replay 2or three times first.
UPDATE:Race has been moved up 9 MINUTES. Drivers start your engines at 12:01 Eastern
Good morning and welcome to race Day at Texas Motor Speedway. The PPG 375 is scheduled for an 12:15 Eastern green flag start on NBC and Peacock.
The weather outlook has improved for the race, but an hour or so after the checkered flag, severe storms may move in. If at the track, be careful going home.
Sources tell me that this will not be a well attended event. Starting a race during the time people in Texas are at chucrh on a significant religious Sunday was probably not the best idea.
I’m sticking with my pick of Pato O’Ward to win, but I am also watching out for Takuma Sato, Scott McLaughlin, and Scott Dixon. The winner should come out of this group.
It is only the second race of the season, but the cars of Andretti Autosport need to have a decnt result today Colton Herta, Romain Grosjean, and Kyle Kirkwood especially could ebenfit from top ten finishes.
How will the rookies do today? Augustin canapino will start his first oval race ever. Sting Ray Robb and Benjamin Pedersen have limited experience on high speed ovals.
Can Santino Ferrucci back up his decent qualifying effort with a top ten finish for A. J. Foyt Racing?
Will the second groove work?
I’ll be back after the race with some quick thoughts and I will have a more in depth look at the race tomorrow. Enjoy the race.
Scott Dixon posted the fastest lap in the final practice as just a few drivers took advantage of the rubbered in higher line. Josef newgarden and pATO o’ward used the higher line the most, with Nwgarden going into the second groove early in the sesion and O’Ward using it later.
While the practice ran incident free, in the high line session Conor Daly spun coming oput of turn 4. He narrowly missed hitting the outside wall, then spun into the grass before righting the car and driving back to the pits. Benjamin Pedersen avoided a collision with Daly.
It was not a good afternoon for Meyer Shank Racing. Helio Castroneves broke a bearing and never got onto the track. Simon Pagenaud was late to the weigh in and was penalized the last 10 minutes of the session.
I don’t think we can draw any conclusions on the second groove yet. Tomorrow will be warmer than today by mid race, and whatever Goodyear rubber the truck race leaves will be a factor as well.
Results:
| 1 | 9 | Scott Dixon | Chip Ganassi Racing | Honda | 222.378 | 84 |
| 2 | 2 | Josef Newgarden | Team Penske | Chevy | 221.792 | 59 |
| 3 | 11 | Takuma Sato | Chip Ganassi Racing | Honda | 220.992 | 73 |
| 4 | 3 | Scott McLaughlin | Team Penske | Chevy | 220.866 | 95 |
| 5 | 26 | Colton Herta | Andretti Autosport w/Curb-Agajanian | Honda | 220.807 | 89 |
| 6 | 12 | Will Power | Team Penske | Chevy | 220.583 | 97 |
| 7 | 77 | Callum Ilott | Juncos Hollinger Racing | Chevy | 220.462 | 62 |
| 8 | 6 | Felix Rosenqvist | Arrow McLaren | Chevy | 220.115 | 93 |
| 9 | 10 | Alex Palou | Chip Ganassi Racing | Honda | 219.868 | 88 |
| 10 | 8 | Marcus Ericsson | Chip Ganassi Racing | Honda | 219.674 | 100 |
| 11 | 7 | Alexander Rossi | Arrow McLaren | Chevy | 219.419 | 81 |
| 12 | 28 | Romain Grosjean | Andretti Autosport | Honda | 219.063 | 70 |
| 13 | 5 | Pato O’Ward | Arrow McLaren | Chevy | 218.771 | 95 |
| 14 | 18 | David Malukas | Dale Coyne Racing with HMD | Honda | 218.542 | 87 |
| 15 | 78 | Agustin Canapino | Juncos Holling Racing | Chevy | 218.343 | 56 |
| 16 | 27 | Kyle Kirkwood | Andretti Autosport | Honda | 218.246 | 47 |
| 17 | 51 | Sting Ray Robb | Dale Coyne Racing w/RWR | Honda | 218.193 | 92 |
| 18 | 60 | Simon Pagenaud | Meyer Shank Racing | Honda | 217.867 | 49 |
| 19 | 45 | Christian Lundgaard | Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing | Honda | 217.629 | 76 |
| 20 | 20 | Conor Daly | Ed Carpenter Racing | Chevy | 217.590 | 48 |
| 21 | 33 | Ed Carpenter | Ed Carpenter Racing | Chevy | 217.424 | 72 |
| 22 | 29 | Devlin DeFrancesco | Andretti Steinbrenner Autosport | Honda | 217.390 | 50 |
| 23 | 15 | Graham Rahal | Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing | Honda | 217.045 | 51 |
| 24 | 55 | Benjamin Pedersen | AJ Foyt Enterprises | Chevy | 216.656 | 59 |
| 25 | 14 | Santino Ferrucci | AJ Foyt Enterprises | Chevy | 216.637 | 74 |
| 26 | 21 | Rinus VeeKay | Ed Carpenter Racing | Chevy | 216.427 | 91 |
| 27 | 30 | Jack Harvey | Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing | Honda | 215.511 | 42 |
| 28 | 6 | Helio Castroneves | Meyer Shank Racing | Honda | — | 0 |
The Pit Window by Mike Silver 