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Poaching Season- McLaren Palou Announcement Follows Ganassi Option News

July 12, 2022 thepitwindow

Marvin Gaye sums up the day’s news best. I posted a news release from Chip Ganassi Racing announcing the team is picking up its 2023 option on Alex Palou. I went out for a couple hours, come home and find out Palou has signed with McLaren.

McLaren is building up a strong lineup of drivers. So far, only Pato O’Ward and Alexander Rossi have definite spots in the Indycar program. My understanding is Palou’s spot is not named. I will do some digging tonight nd tomorrow and hope to get some clarity tomorrow.

At any rate, another level of drama has been added to the second half of the Indycar season. Make sure your popcorn makers are working.

Honda Indy Toronto Fast Facts

July 12, 2022 thepitwindow

Note: the entry list is posted on The Pit Window page on Facebook

Race weekend: Friday, July 15 – Sunday, July 17
Track: Streets of Toronto’s Exhibition Place, an 11-turn, 1.786-mile temporary street course
Race distance: 85 laps / 151.81 miles
Push-to-pass parameters: 200 seconds of total time with a maximum time of 20 seconds per activation.
Firestone tire allotment: Seven sets primary, four sets alternate. Teams must use one set of primary and one new set of alternate tires in the race.
Twitter: @HondaIndy, @IndyCar, #IndyTO, #IndyCar
Event website: www.HondaIndy.com
INDYCAR website: www.INDYCAR.com
2019 race winner (most recent event): Simon Pagenaud (No. 22 DXC Technology Team Penske Chevrolet)
2019 NTT P1 Award winner (most recent event): Simon Pagenaud (No. 22 DXC Technology Team Penske Chevrolet), 58.4293 seconds, 110.041 mph
Qualifying record: Gil de Ferran, 57.143 seconds, 110.565 mph, July 17, 1999 (Note: Josef Newgarden set a qualifying mark of 58.4129 seconds, 110.072 mph, for the current layout in 2019.)
SportsNet 360 race telecast: Honda Indy Toronto 3 p.m. ET Sunday, July 17, SportsNet 360 (Canada)/Peacock Premium (United States) (live). Leigh Diffey is the play-by-play announcer for NBC Sports’ coverage of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, alongside analysts Townsend Bell and James Hinchcliffe.
Live Streaming: All NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice sessions and NTT P1 Award Qualifying streams live on Peacock Premium, NBC’s direct-to-consumer livestreaming product in the United States, SportsNet Now in Canada and on INDYCAR Live! for most international viewers. NBC Sports’ coverage of the Honda Indy Toronto will be exclusively streamed with limited commercial interruptions on Peacock Premium in the U.S. and on INDYCAR Live! for international viewers in selected markets.
INDYCAR Radio Network broadcasts: Mark Jaynes is the chief announcer alongside analyst Davey Hamilton. Jake Query, Nick Yeoman and Michael Young are the turn announcers. Joel Sebastianelli and Alex Wolff are the pit reporters. The Honda Indy Toronto race (3 p.m. ET Sunday), NTT P1 Award Qualifying (2 p.m. ET Saturday) and all NTT INDYCAR SERIES practices air live on network affiliates, SiriusXM 160, racecontrol.indycar.com and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA.
At-track schedule (all times local):
Friday, July 15 2:30-3:45 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice 1, Peacock Premium/INDYCAR Live!
Saturday, July 16 10-11 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice 2 (45 minutes limited guarantee), Peacock Premium/INDYCAR Live!2-3:15 p.m. – Qualifying for NTT P1 Award (Three rounds of knockout qualifying), Peacock Premium/INDYCAR Live!
Sunday, July 17 10:55-11:25 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Final Practice, Peacock Premium/INDYCAR Live! 3 p.m. – Peacock Premium/SportsNet 360 on air
3:23 p.m. – The Honda Indy Toronto “Drivers, start your engines”
3:30 p.m. – The Honda Indy Toronto (85 laps, 151.81 miles), Peacock Premium/SportsNet 360 (Live)
Race notes: There have been six different winners in nine NTT INDYCAR SERIES races in the 2022 season. Scott McLaughlin (Streets of St. Petersburg, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course), Josef Newgarden (Texas Motor Speedway, Streets of Long Beach and Road America), Pato O’Ward (Barber Motorsports Park), Colton Herta (Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course-1), Marcus Ericsson (Indianapolis 500) and Will Power (Raceway at Belle Isle Park) have all won in 2022. The record for most different winners in a season is 11 in 2000, 2001 and 2014.There have been six different winners in the last 10 NTT INDYCAR SERIES races (Colton Herta, Scott McLaughlin, Josef Newgarden, Pato O’Ward, Marcus Ericsson and Will Power). The only repeat winners in that stretch are Newgarden (Texas 2022, Long Beach 2022 and Road America 2022) and McLaughlin (St. Petersburg 2022 and Mid-Ohio 2022).
There have been nine different NTT P1 Award winners in 2022. Scott McLaughlin (Streets of St. Petersburg), Felix Rosenqvist (Texas Motor Speedway), Colton Herta (Streets of Long Beach), Rinus VeeKay (Barber Motorsports Park), Will Power (Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course-1), Scott Dixon (Indianapolis 500), Josef Newgarden (Raceway at Belle Isle Park), Alexander Rossi (Road America) and Pato O’Ward (Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course) have won pole positions in 2022. The modern-day record for most different pole winners to start a season is 10 set in 1952. The record for most pole winners in a season is 12 set in the 1999 CART season. The Honda Indy Toronto will be the 36th INDYCAR SERIES race held on the streets of Toronto’s Exhibition Place. The race returns after a two-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Simon Pagenaud won the last time the race was held, in 2019. Scott Dixon and Will Power are tied as winningest active INDYCAR SERIES drivers at Toronto with three victories apiece (Power won in 2007, 2010 and 2016, and Dixon won both races in 2013 and the 2018 race). Michael Andretti has the most wins at the track with seven. Dixon and Power, along with previous race winners Josef Newgarden (2015 and 2017) and Simon Pagenaud (2019), are entered this year.
ACTIVE RACE WINNERS
Will Power-3-2007, 2010, 2016
Scott Dixon-3-2013 Race #1, 2013 Race #2, 2018
Josef Newgarden-2-2015, 2017
Simon Pagenaud-1-2019
Drivers who have won poles at Toronto entered in this year’s race are Will Power (2011 and 2015), Scott Dixon (2013 Race 2 and 2016), Simon Pagenaud (2017 and 2019), Helio Castroneves (2000) and Josef Newgarden (2018). The polesitter has won the race seven times since the first race in 1986, most recently by Pagenaud in 2019.
ACTIVE POLE WINNERS
Will Power-2-2011, 2015
Scott Dixon-2-2013 Race #2, 2016
Simon Pagenaud-2-2017, 2019
Helio Castroneves-1-2000 (
Note: also started 2014 Race #2 on pole as awarded by points)
Josef Newgarden-1-2018
From 2009-2019, the eventual NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion won the Toronto race six times. Dario Franchitti won in 2009 and again in 2011. Ryan Hunter-Reay won in 2012, Scott Dixon swept both races in 2013 and won the single race in 2018, and Josef Newgarden won in 2017. Seven other drivers have claimed the INDYCAR SERIES championship in the same season they won at Toronto. They are Bobby Rahal (1986), Al Unser Jr. (1990), Michael Andretti (1991), Alex Zanardi (1998), Cristiano da Matta (2002), Paul Tracy (2003) and Sebastien Bourdais (2004).Twelve drivers entered in the event have competed in past INDYCAR SERIES races at Exhibition Place. Helio Castroneves, Scott Dixon and Will Power (15) have made the most starts at Toronto among the entered drivers. Seven entered drivers have led laps at the track (Dixon 200, Power 162, Josef Newgarden 120, Simon Pagenaud 114, Castroneves 101, Graham Rahal 23 and Takuma Sato 1).
Chip Ganassi Racing has won seven times at Toronto: Michael Andretti (1994), Alex Zanardi (1998), Dario Franchitti (2009 and 2011) and Scott Dixon (2013, both races, and 2018).
Team Penske has five wins at the track (Paul Tracy 1993, Will Power 2010 and 2016, Josef Newgarden 2017 and Simon Pagenaud 2019).
Team Penske has 10 pole positions at the track: Danny Sullivan (1988 and 1990), Emerson Fittipaldi (1993), Helio Castroneves (2000), Gil de Ferran (2001), Will Power (2011 and 2015), Simon Pagenaud (2017), Josef Newgarden (2018) and Simon Pagenaud (2019).Scott Dixon has finished on the podium in five of his last 11 races at Toronto. He has nine top-five finishes in 15 starts…Will Power has finished on the podium in five of his 15 Toronto starts…Simon Pagenaud has finished in the top five in five of his 11 starts at Toronto…Toronto-area natives Devlin DeFrancesco and Dalton Kellett are among the 13 drivers who will make their first INDYCAR SERIES start in Canada.
Milestones: Scott Dixon will attempt to make his 298th consecutive start, the second-longest streak in INDYCAR SERIES history.

Ganassi Picks Up 2023 Option on Palou

July 12, 2022 thepitwindow

Chip Ganassi Racing exercised its 2023 option to retain defending NTT Indycar Series champion Alex Palou today. The news release from the team:

Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) announced today that the team has exercised its option to extend Alex Palou through the 2023 season.

Palou won CGR’s 14th INDYCAR SERIES championship in 2021, also becoming the first Spaniard to ever win the season title.

“Alex’s track record speaks for itself,” said Team Owner Chip Ganassi. “He’s a proven champion and one of the most formidable drivers in the world. We are very excited to continue working together.”

The defending NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion has continued to impress this year, securing his 12th podium finish in his 25th career race with Chip Ganassi Racing at Mid-Ohio.

Palou will return to the CGR fold for his third season with the team next year.

“It’s a great feeling knowing I’ll be back with Chip Ganassi Racing next season,” said Alex Palou. “The team welcomed me with open arms from day one, and I’m excited to continue working with Chip, Mike Hull, the folks on the No. 10 NTT DATA car and everyone within the organization. The goals remain the same and we will continue to work relentlessly towards achieving them.”

The CGR team heads north this weekend where Alex Palou will race for the first time in Canada at the Honda Indy Toronto.

About Chip Ganassi Racing

Chip Ganassi has been a fixture in the auto racing industry for over 30 years and is considered one of the most successful and innovative owners in motorsports. Today, his teams include four Honda cars in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, two Cadillac Dpi’s in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and one GMC Hummer EV in Extreme E. Overall, his teams have 21 championships and more than 240 victories, including five wins in the Indianapolis 500, eight Rolex 24 At Daytona victories, and wins in the 12 Hours of Sebring and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Ganassi boasts state-of-the-art facilities in Indianapolis, where INDYCAR, IMSA and Extreme E teams are located, and a corporate office in Pittsburgh. For more information, visit, www.chipganassiracing.com.

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Track Layout at Toronto has Changed with Exhibition Place Growth

July 11, 2022 thepitwindow

The Honda Indy Toronto hasn’t run since 2019, and I had forgotten what the track looked liked. Of course, at my age I forget what I had for breakfast by 9:30, but I did look up the configuration.

The current track is the third version of the circuit at Exhibition Place. Some modifications were a result of new construction, and some changes were to improve the racing.

The first race in 1986 used this layout

In 1996 some modifications were made. The front stretch became longer, and a longer pit lane was added. Turns 10 and 11 were changed.

In 2016 the track configuration used today debuted. The main difference is the location of the pits. The entrance is in turn 9 and the exit is onto the beginning of the main stretch instead of past the start/finish line.

I have only been to Toronto once, and I remember thinking there was not a lot of room for changes. I wonder if ew structures will at some point force this event to find another home.

Foyt Parks the No. 11

As expected, A. J. Foyt Racing announced today that the number 11 car of Tatiana Calderon will not be entered in this weekend’s race. The issue is late payments from Rokit. Larry Foyt said the car may return later in the season. It sounds like this will be a race to race situation.

This weekend begins four consecutive weeks of racing and five races for Indycar, which might make it difficult to get the car back on track. J. R. Hildebrand is schedule to drive the car at the oval races at Iowa and Gateway.

Honda Indy Toronto Schedule

July 11, 2022 thepitwindow

It’s Race Week. After a two week break, Indycar returns with five races in four weeks. here is ths coming weekend’s schedule for Toronto, which returns to the schedule for the first time since 2019. Note that the race is only on Peacock this week.

Friday All Times Eastern

Time	Series	Session
GATE HOURS	7:30 AM – 5:00 PM
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM	USF2000	Practice 1
8:45 AM – 9:10 AM	Indy Pro 2000	Practice 1
9:25 AM – 10:00 AM	Porsche Carrera Cup	Practice 1
10:15 AM – 11:35 AM	NASCAR Pinty’s Series	Practice 1 & Qualifying
11:50 AM – 12:20 PM	Sports Car Championship Canada	Practice 1
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM	NTT INDYCAR SERIES	Autograph Session
12:35 PM – 12:55 PM	USF2000	Qualifying 1
1:10 PM – 1:40 PM	Porsche Carrera Cup	Practice 2
1:55 PM – 2:15 PM	Indy Pro 2000	Qualifying 1
2:30 PM – 3:45 PM	NTT INDYCAR SERIES	Practice 1 Peacock
4:00 PM – 5:20 PM	NASCAR Pinty’s Series	Race

Saturday

Time	Series	Session
GATE HOURS	7:30 AM – 5:00 PM
8:00 AM – 8:20 AM	USF2000	Qualifying 2
8:35 AM – 8:55 AM	Indy Pro 2000	Qualifying 2
9:10 AM – 9:40 AM	Porsche Carrera Cup	Qualifying 1
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM	NTT INDYCAR SERIES	Practice 2 Peacock
11:15 AM – 11:45 AM	Sports Car Championship Canada	Qualifying
12:00 PM – 12:45 PM	USF2000	Race 1
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM	Indy Pro 2000	Race 1
2:00 PM – 3:15 PM	NTT INDYCAR SERIES	Qualifying Peacock
3:30 PM – 4:15 PM	Porsche Carrera Cup	Race 1
4:30 PM – 5:10 PM	Sports Car Championship Canada	Race 1

Sunday

GATE HOURS 8:45 AM – 5:00 PM

9:45 AM – 10:25 AMUSF2000Race 2

11:05 AM – 11:35 AM NTT INDYCAR SERIES Warm-Up Peacock

11:40 AM – 12:20 PM Indy Pro 2000Race 2

12:35 PM – 1:15 PM Sports Car Championship Canada Race 2

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM Porsche Carrera Cup Race 2

2:40 PMNTT INDYCAR SERIES Driver Introductions

3:30 PM NTT INDYCAR SERIES Honda Indy Toronto Peacock

HY-VEE INDYCAR RACE WEEKEND TO FEATURE FREE FAMILY FRIDAY ON JULY 22

July 8, 2022 thepitwindow

A news release from Iowa Speedway:

July 07, 2022 | By Iowa Speedway

Fans will have the opportunity to experience the opening day of Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend at Iowa Speedway free of charge during “Free Family Friday” on July 22.

Gates will open at 2:00 pm CT and no tickets will be required to enter the venue on Free Family Friday. All grandstand seating areas will be first-come, first-served general admission viewing throughout the course of the day. The rising stars of Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires will host the first practice of the weekend from 2:15-3:05 pm CT before the NTT INDYCAR SERIES first practice session on track from 3:30-5:00 pm. At approximately 5:30 pm, track crossing areas will open up and all fans will be able to access the race track as well as the infield paddock area, including the garages where all of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and Indy Lights teams work on their cars throughout the weekend.

CLICK: 2022 Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend Schedule

Throughout the evening on Free Family Friday, fans will be able to enjoy a unique behind-the-scenes experience, both in the infield and in the Midway area across the track and behind the grandstands.

The Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend Friday Night fun at Iowa Speedway will include:

Track Walk – Fans will be able to walk around the 7/8 of a mile Iowa Speedway oval on the actual racing surface
All-Driver Autograph Session – Fans are invited to meet and get autographs from all NTT INDYCAR SERIES and Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires drivers in front of their individual garages in the paddock from 6-7 pm
Visit Victory Lane – Fans can visit the Victory Lane area at Iowa Speedway and take pictures on the podium, just like the Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend race winners
Connect with Paddock Partners – Check Out the Firestone Tires, AMR Safety Team and INDYCAR Technical Inspection areas in the paddock and learn more about what they do on race weekend
Live Music – Experience the concerts on the Turn 4 Stage, located behind the grandstands above Turn 4, featuring live music from both Cody Carter and Damon Dotson on Friday afternoon/evening
Great Food – Fans can purchase a Friday night feast from any of the 50 food trucks that will be positioned in the Midway area as part of the Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend Food Truck Challenge

With three days of turbocharged action, July 22-24, Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend will feature the only doubleheader race event on the 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule. Saturday’s series race will feature the Hy-VeeDeals.com 250 presented by DoorDash, and Sunday’s action will be highlighted by the Hy-Vee Salute to Farmers 300 presented by Google. Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires will also compete on Saturday of race weekend. The three-day festival will include an incredible music lineup as well with both Tim McGraw and Florida Georgia Line in concert on Saturday and Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton performing live on Sunday.

Tickets for Saturday and Sunday activities during Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend are still available and can be purchased online at www.hyveeindycarweekend.com or by calling the race ticket office at (641) 417-6007. Access to all concerts and fan activity and display areas is included with each valid race weekend ticket. Fans are encouraged to purchase Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend tickets quickly as limited seating options are still available.

Mid Ohio Wrap Up

July 5, 2022 thepitwindow

Scott McLaughlin leads Alex Palou and Colton Herta. Indycar photo by Joe Skibinski

I hope everyone had a good day yesterday. I have a few more thoughts about Mid Ohio. I watched the replay yesterday, and it confirmed my thoughts from Sunday. Today I’ll explore some of the after effects of the Honda Indy 200.

Andretti Drama Continues

The on track intramural bumping and banging between the Andretti teammates resulted in some harsh words from one driver post race and a team meeting. One media member was asked to delete a recording which he had every right to make, and a driver interview was cut short by team PR.

We may never know what was said in the team meeting, but I don’t think we’ll see a mid season driver change. It would be too complicated to do with sponsor commitments. The team has been in a state of dysfunction all year, and Sunday it boiled over.

Another Good Crowd

Attendance this weekend appears to have continued the season long trend of improved attendance at Indycar events. I though Saturday’s crowd was quite large and Sunday the esses seemed very packed.

Toronto should have a really good crowd as the race returns for the first time since 2019. Iowa will be a key race for attendance. Will the festival concept draw more fans? Are ovals outside IMS sustainable?

Is Newgarden Still the Favorite?

Although he lost a couple of points to leader Marcus Ericsson, many still regard Josef Newgarden as the favorite to win the championship. The reason is the three oval races coming up. Newgarden has won three times at Iowa and twice at Gateway. Toronto is almost a must win for Ericsson.

Rookie of the Year Battle Still Tight

Christian Lungaard leads David Malukas by 14 points after Sunday. Malukas seems to be coming on strong and I think he will eventually pass Lundgaard.

Lundgaard’s lead has stayed between 13 and 19 points over the last few races, but Malukas is making great strides while Lundgaard seems to be treading water The rookie title may come down to the last race at Laguna Seca.

Photo Gallery

A few photos from the weekend.

Colton Herta leads *Rinus VeeKay and* Felix Rosenqvist toward turn 4

*Pato O’Ward* lost a huge opportunity to gain ground in the standings with his second straight DNF

Quick Thoughts- Honda Indy 200

July 3, 2022 thepitwindow

Scott McLaughlin is 2022’s second multiple race winner. He won the season opener in St. Pete.

Today at Mid Ohio was team day. Teams as a whole either had a great day or an awful one. Mistakes were made. The pace car stayed busy. I don’t think it was the best race of the year, but it was quite entertaining, especially from modpack back.

Very Good Days

Team Penske cars finished first, third, and seventh.

Chip Ganassi Racing finished second, fifth, and sixth.

Meyer Shank finished eightth and tenth.

Ed Carpenter Racing finished fourth and Dale Coyne Racing with HMD finished ninth.

Not So Good Days

A. J. Foyt Racing lost Kyle Kirkwood early and then Tatiana Calderon a few laps later. Kirkwood was firmly in the top 10 at the time of hois spin.

Arrow McLaren SP’s promisinfg day went south when Felix Rosenqvist’s car stopped on trackmjust six laps into the race. Pole sitter Pato O’Ward began having gear troubles about halfway through the race and stalled exiting the pits.

Andretti Drama

Has Alexander Rossi already checked out of the team? He collided with teammates Romain Grosjean,Colton Herta, and Devlin DeFrancesco, pushing eaqch one off the track.

I would love to listen in on the team debrief tonight.

Will Power

He started 21st, spun on the first lap, passed eighteen cars on track and finished third. It was exciting to watch him slice his way to the front. He gained seven points on leader Marcus Ericsson. No question who the Driver of the Day is.

Is a Yellow for Safety or Team Convenience?

Should Indycar wait to throw a yellow so all teams can pit under green? When tatiana Calderon stopped in turn four, some cars had pitted and others were just about to. Pato O’Ward’s stalled car neaqr pit exit forced their hand.

I think if a car is disabled and a yellow is warranted, it needs to wave as soon as possible. Pit windows should not be a consideration. If a yellow comes while you’re in the poits, it’s the breaks of the game.

I will have a follow up story tomorrow. I am heading back to Indy now,Thanks for following along this weekend.