Category: Auto Racing

Race Preview: GMR Grand Prix

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Photo: Rinus VeeKay on his way to victory in the 2021 GMR Grand Prix

Today’s Schedule:

All times local

FRIDAY, May 13 (General admission $20)

Paid public parking is available in Lot 1A, Lot 2 and Main Gate parking lots. Motorcycle parking is also available in South Carousel Lot via Gate 2. Paid ADA parking is available in Lot 3P and Lot 2. Parking is $10 on Friday.

Free parking is available in Lot 7 (North 40) and Infield Turn 3.


7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Public Gates Open- pedestrian gates open on Friday, May 13: Gate 1, Gate 2, Gate 4, Gate 6S, Gate 7, Gate 7S, Gate 9, Gate 10 and Gate 10A.
8-8:30 a.m. USF2000 Qualifying
8:45-9:15 a.m. Indy Pro 2000 Qualifying
9:30-10:30 a.m. NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice 1 (45 minutes) Peacock
10:45-11:30 a.m. Indy Lights Practice 1
11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. USF2000 Race 1
12:45-1:45 p.m. NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice 2 (45 minutes) Peacock
2-2:30 p.m. Indy Lights Qualifying
2:45-3:35 p.m. Indy Pro 2000 Race 1
4-5:15 p.m. NTT INDYCAR SERIES NTT P1 Award Qualifying Peacock
5:35-6:30 p.m. Indy Lights Race 1 (35 laps or 55 minutes)

Good morning from IMS! It’s great to be back at the Speedway to kick off the fortnight of May with the GMR Grand Prix weekend.

2022 will be the first time since Roger Penske bought the track that the May schedule will operate in mostly normal fashion, with infield viewing and no crowd restrictions or other COVID limitations.

Saturday’s race is the ninth GMR Grand prix, which has been run every year except 2020 two weekends before the Indianapolis 500. In 2020 the race moved to July 4 due to COVID. No fans were allowed inside the track, a policy that continued for the 500 that year.

The race began as a way to bolster track attendance during May for the days leading up to practice for the 500. The event appears to do what it was intended to do- bring fans in on what used to be a sparsely attended opening day of practice.

Team Penske has dominated this race. Will Power has three poles and three wins in this race. Simon Pagenaud has won three times, twice while driving for Penske. Power also has two poles and two wins in the road course race held later in the year. Team Penske drivers have owned this track configuration.

The armor took a big dent in 2021 when Romain Grosjean won the pole and Rinus Veekay won the race. Will things return to normal things year? I’m not so sure. Veekay hopes to back up his pole and third place finish at Barber with another pole and a win.

VeeKay told the media Wednesday,

“…we know we have a very good car here.
We’ve always been fast here since my first-ever race here.
I think I was a little sad after the race that I didn’t win last
weekend. I think we had the opportunity to, and of course
you want to grab it and take it.
Yeah, had a few bad sleeps because of that, but I think
right now, I’m just extra motivated to go for that win this
weekend and defend my win from last year.”

Some other things to look for this weekend:

Honda Catching Up?

Chevrolet power has won all four races this season. Honda is just a tick behind. Will May be the month they close the gap? In spite of being shut out of the winner’s circle, Honda driver Alex Palou leads the points standings. The only Honda wins on th IMS road course belong to Pagenaud when he drove for Schmidt-Peterson and Dixon in 2020.

Will Track Experience Help the Rookies?

Four of the six rookies have driven on the road course in the Road to Indy. Only Tatiana Calderon and Callum Ilott will see the track for the first time. The junior experience may help this rookie class have their best performances of the season.

Grosjean Breakthrough?

Last year Romain Grosjean broke the Penske grip on the pole and led much of the race. He ended the day in second place. I think his first Indycar win will be at this track. I’m not sure whether it will be this weekend or at the end of July.

Power at Texas

I think it is time for Will Power to finally win a race in 2022. he has been hanging around the front all season. A poor qualifying run at Barber probably cost him a victory two weeks ago. Power does not have poor qualifying in the GMR Grand Prix.

I will be back after the first practice.

1972: Donohue Spreads His Wings for Penske’s First 500 Win

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The 56th Indianapolis 500 was a transformational year in 500 history. Bolt on front wings and rear wings came into widespread use. It would the 500’s last all American driver field. The Pacer light System to control the position of cars during caution periods debuted. Thankfully, it didn’t last long.

Race Day featured a last minute replacement singer for “(Back Home Again in) Indiana,” a television actor named Jim Nabors. He would return to sing it again a few times.

The front row had Bobby Unser on pole. Unser had destroyed the track record by 17 miles an hour thanks to the addition of the rear wing. Peter Revson, 1971 pole sitter, lined up in the middle of the row, and Mark Donohue started on the outside.

The Front Row Bobby Unser (R), Peter Revson, and Mark Donohue (L)

Donohue was the lead driver of the relatively new Team Penske, which came to IMS for the first time in 1969. Donohue had been competitive in his first three races. He finished seventh in 1969, second in 1970, and started second but dropped out with gear issues in 1971.

Mark Donohue

Unser charged into the lead and built a big lead, but it only lasted 30 laps. Ignition problems put Unser out of the race. Seven laps earlier Revson had dropped out with gearbox issues.

The start of the 56th 500. Unser beats Revson to turn1. Donohue slots into third.

Gary Bettenhausen assumed the lead, leading 138 of the next 145 laps. Ignition failure ended his day on lap 182. Jerry grant took over the lead of the race. A deflating tire forced Grant to pit with 12 laps to go. Grant thought he would settle for second, except that he pitted in teammate Bobby Unser’s pit. Grant was later disqualified and was officially twelfth.

Mark Donohue inherited the lead from Grant and went on to take the checkered flag. Roger Penske had won his first Indianapolis 500. His team has won a few more since then.

I’m surprised that there hasn’t been more fanfare concerning the 50th anniversary of Team Penske’s first win. The team produced a team logo commemorating the occasion today. I thought the Speedway would do more to honor the milestone.

While the 1972 front row wasn’t the most tragic in history, fate was not kind to two of its members. Revson was killed in a fiery crash while practicing for the 1974 South African Grand Prix.

Donohue would lose his life the following year preparing for the Austrian Grand Prix. It was a strange accident. Donohue crashed into a catch fence. he seemed fine when he got out of the car, but developed a headache which became worse. a few days later Donohue lapsed into a coma and died of a cerebral hemorrhage.

The Twelfth Row- Three Quick Notes

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Just a few notes about the past few days in Indycar.

IMS at last got the pace car driver right. I cringe every year when a celebrity is named to drive the pace car. A professional driver should lead the field to the green. If the track had a celebrity passenger, I’d be fine with that. Sarah Fisher is the best choice. I hope they make her the permanent pace car driver for the 500.

I love the look of the pace car.

The Never Ending Silly Season

News this week that Alexander Rossi’s 2023 plans are settled come a week after Pato O’Ward’s new contract extension came to light. Will we know every driver’s 2023 plans by Mid Ohio? What fun is that?

Rossi at Barber

I would like to just enjoy the year as it unfolds with the championship, surprise pole and race winners, and jus the fun of an Indycar season. In season future driver placement is not enjoyable. Can we wait until September?

The talk is reaching the same level of annoyance I feel during early December college basketball games when the “experts” start to talk about tournament seeding.

Carvana Trouble

Last night Carvana laid off 1,200 employees. Does this move put Jimmie Johnson’s funding in jeopardy? I hope not, but the news is troubling.

Johnson at IMS rookie test last fall

Carvana has had great sponsor activation with great television spots featuring Johnson and displays at the races. I would hate to see them leave Indycar.

This is a developing story. I hope the 48 car can finish the season.

GMR Grand Prix Fast Facts

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IMS image

Race weekend: Friday, May 13 – Saturday, May 14
Track: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a 2.439-mile, 14-turn road course (clockwise)
Race distance: NTT INDYCAR SERIES 85 laps / 207.3 miles | Indy Lights: 35 laps/55 minutes
Push-to-pass parameters: 200 seconds of total time, with a maximum time of 20 seconds per activation.
Firestone tire allotment: Six sets primary, four sets alternate (Note: A seventh set of primary tires is available to any car fielding a rookie driver.)
Twitter: @IMS @INDYCAR, #ThisIsMay, #IndyCarEvent website: www.ims.com
NTT INDYCAR SERIES website: www.indycar.com | 
Indy Lights website:www.indylights.com
2021 race winners: NTT INDYCAR SERIES: Rinus VeeKay (No. 21 SONAX Chevrolet) Indy Lights: Linus Lundqvist and David Malukas
2021 NTT P1 Award winner: Romain Grosjean (No. 51 Nurtec ODT Honda), 1:09.4396, 126.447 mph.
Qualifying lap record: Will Power, 1:07.7044, 129.687 mph, May 12, 2017 (Set in Round 3 of knockout qualifying)
NBC Sports race telecast: 3 p.m. (ET) Saturday, May 14, NBC (live). Leigh Diffey is the play-by-play announcer for NBC’s coverage of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, alongside analysts Townsend Bell and James Hinchcliffe.
Peacock Premium Live Streaming: All NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice sessions and qualifying will stream live on Peacock Premium, NBC’s direct-to-consumer livestreaming product, and NBC’s GMR Grand Prix race telecast will be simulcast on the streaming service, while Peacock Premium’s exclusive post-race show – featuring driver interviews, podium ceremonies and post-race analysis – will be streamed following the race. The Indy Lights Grand Prix of Indianapolis doubleheader will be streamed on Peacock Premium with practice and qualifying being shown on INDYCAR Live!
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. Ryan Myrehn and Rob Blackman are the pit reporters. The GMR Grand Prix race (3 p.m. ET), Indy Lights Grand Prix of Indianapolis doubleheader (5:25 p.m. ET Friday and 1:10 p.m. ET Saturday) and all NTT INDYCAR SERIES and Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires practices and qualifying sessions 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, MAY 13 (All times are local)
9:30-10:30 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice (45 minutes), Peacock Premium10:45-11:30 a.m. – Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires practice, INDYCAR LIVE!12:45-1:45 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice, (45 minutes) Peacock Premium2-2:30 p.m. – Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires qualifying (Sets lineup for Race 1 and Race 2), INDYCAR LIVE!4 p.m. – Qualifying for the NTT P1 Award (three rounds of NTT INDYCAR SERIES knockout qualifications), Peacock Premium(Live)5:30 p.m. – Indy Lights Grand Prix of Indianapolis Race 1 “Drivers, start your engines”5:35 p.m. – Indy Lights Grand Prix of Indianapolis Race 1 (35 laps/55 minutes), Peacock Premium
SATURDAY, MAY 1410:30-11 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES warmup, Peacock Premium1:15 p.m. – Indy Lights Grand Prix of Indianapolis Race 2 “Drivers, start your engines”1:20 p.m. – Indy Lights Grand Prix of Indianapolis Race 2 (35 laps/55 minutes), Peacock Premium3 p.m. – NBC on air3:39 p.m. – “Drivers, start your engines”3:45 p.m. – GMR Grand Prix (85 laps/207.3 miles), NBC (Live)
NTT INDYCAR SERIES Notes:
Pato O’Ward broke Team Penske’s three-race win streak by winning the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama on May 1. Alex Palou’s third podium finish of 2022 gave him the series points lead for the first time this season. Palou, the 2021 NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion, leads Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin by three points and the top four drivers in the standings are separated by just 10 points heading into the critical Month of May, which has more than 250 points to offer with races on Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s road course, PPG Armed Forces Qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 and the double points-paying Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge in the next three weekends.
The GMR Grand Prix will be the 12th INDYCAR SERIES event conducted on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s road course. Active race winners who are expected to compete are: Rinus VeeKay, Scott Dixon, Josef Newgarden, Simon Pagenaud and Will Power.
ACTIVE RACE WINNER
WINS SEASONS
Will Power 5 2015, 2017, 2018 (GMR Grand Prix); 2020 (Harvest Grand Prix-2); 2021 (Gallagher Grand Prix)Simon Pagenaud32014, 2016, 2019 (GMR Grand Prix)
Scott Dixon 1 2020 (GMR Grand Prix)
Josef Newgarden 1 2020 (Harvest Grand Prix-1)
Rinus VeeKay 1 2021 (GMR Grand Prix)Four
NTT P1 Award winners have won the GMR Grand Prix from the pole: Will Power in 2015, 2017 and 2018 and Simon Pagenaud in 2016. Power also won the second Harvest GP race from pole in 2020.
ACTIVE POLE WINNER POLES SEASONS
Will Power 5 2015, 2017, 2018, 2020 (GMR Grand Prix and Harvest Grand Prix-2)
Pato O’Ward 1 2021 (Gallagher Grand Prix)
Romain Grosjean 1 2021 (GMR Grand Prix)
Rinus VeeKay 1 2020 (Harvest Grand Prix-1)
Felix Rosenqvist 1 2019
Simon Pagenaud 1 2016
Sebastian Saavedra 1 2014
Eight drivers have competed in every INDYCAR SERIES race on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course – Scott Dixon, James Hinchcliffe, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Josef Newgarden, Simon Pagenaud, Will Power, Graham Rahal and Takuma Sato. All but Hinchcliffe and Hunter-Reay are entered this year.
Scott Dixon has finished first or second in four of the last five GMR Grand Prix at Indianapolis. Dixon won his first race on the IMS road course in July 2020.J
osef Newgarden can clinch the PeopleReady Force For Good Challenge’s $1 million prize by winning at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course – where he won in 2020 in the Harvest Grand Prix. Newgarden has won on an oval (Texas Motor Speedway) and street circuit (Streets of Long Beach). A win on a road course would earn him a $500,000 bonus and a matching $500,000 donation for his charities, Wags and Walk Nashville and SeriousFun Children’s Network.
Team Penske has eight wins on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020-Race 2, 2020-Race 3, 2021-Race 2). Ed Carpenter Racing, Chip Ganassi Racing and Arrow McLaren SP are the only other teams to win at the track. Ed Carpenter Racing won in 2021-Race 1 with Rinus VeeKay. Chip Ganassi Racing won with Scott Dixon in 2020-Race 1, and Arrow McLaren SP won the inaugural race in 2014 with Simon Pagenaud when it was known as Schmidt Peterson Motorsports.
ix NTT INDYCAR SERIES Rookie of the Year contenders – Tatiana Calderon, Devlin DeFrancesco, Callum Ilott, Kyle Kirkwood, Christian Lundgaard and David Malukas – are entered. All but Lundgaard will race an NTT INDYCAR SERIES car at IMS for the first time. Lundgaard made his series debut at the track last summer in the Gallagher Grand Prix. Twenty-two of the drivers entered in the event have competed in INDYCAR SERIES races on the IMS road course.
Twelve entered drivers have led laps in the GMR Grand Prix: Will Power 210, Scott Dixon 69, Simon Pagenaud 68, Romain Grosjean 44, Graham Rahal 36, Rinus VeeKay 33, Josef Newgarden 25, Felix Rosenqvist 15, Alexander Rossi 2, Marcus Ericsson 1, Jack Harvey 1 and Alex Palou 1.Milestones: Felix Rosenqvist will attempt to make his 50th NTT INDYCAR SERIES start … Scott Dixon will attempt to make his 293rd consecutive start, the second-longest streak in INDYCAR SERIES history.
Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires Notes:
Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires will conduct the first of three doubleheader weekends with a pair of 35 lap races on Friday and Saturday. Linus Lundqvist, who won one of the two races at Indianapolis in 2021, took the series points lead with his win at Barber Motorsports Park on May 1. The field for the weekend’s doubleheader races will be set by a single qualifying session on Friday.
The two drivers who have won Indy Lights races this season – Matthew Brabham of Andretti Autosport and Linus Lundqvist of HMD Motorsports with Dale Coyne Racing – are also the only entered drivers to have won at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Brabham won Race 1 of a doubleheader at IMS in May 2014 while Lundqvist won Race 1 of last season’s doubleheader. 
 

Bitnile to Sponsor VeeKay in 106th 500

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From Ed Carpenter Racing this morning:

Rinus VeeKay Will Compete in the No. 21 Bitcoin Racing Team Powered By BitNile Chevrolet in the 106th Running of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing

(INDIANAPOLIS) May 10, 2022 – Ed Carpenter Racing announced today that Rinus VeeKay will compete in the No. 21 Bitcoin Racing Team Powered By BitNile Chevrolet in the 106th Running of the Indianapolis 500. Ed Carpenter Racing (ECR) became known as the Bitcoin Racing Team when VeeKay raced an iconic black and orange Bitcoin car in last year’s 500-mile classic. Through the generosity of BitNile Holdings, Inc. (BitNile), the Bitcoin Racing Team will continue to grow in 2022.

BitNile is a diversified holding company pursuing disruptive technologies, including cryptocurrencies and innovations in the field of decentralized finance (DeFi). BitNile owns and operates their own high-density data center at which it mines Bitcoin. With a desire to see expanded access to DeFi, BitNile invests in technology platforms that provide community-based, peer-to-peer transactions, such as Earnity Inc. (Earnity).

Earnity, the world’s first community-based crypto platform and marketplace, combines a social media community with a cryptocurrency and DeFi marketplace to give users a place to earn, learn and collect crypto assets. The platform connects creators, educators and other enthusiasts to share knowledge and grow audiences. Every individual who scans the unique QR code on the side of VeeKay’s No. 21 and completes the registration process will receive free Bitcoin from Earnity. BitNile is a significant investor in Earnity.

The Bitcoin Racing Team was a natural home for BitNile. “With the goal of becoming a top 10 North American miner of Bitcoin, it made sense for BitNile to give Rinus VeeKay and ECR this opportunity. The fans loved the Bitcoin car last year and now it’s going to be even better with a QR code that will let them earn FREE Bitcoin,” Milton “Todd” Ault, III, the Executive Chairman of BitNile said. He continued, “I believe all three ECR entries have a real opportunity to win this year’s Indy 500. We are offering a special Bitcoin incentive to any ECR winning driver and the entire team if successful!”

BitNile provided VeeKay the unique opportunity to design his own car for the Indianapolis 500. VeeKay wanted to pay homage to his native country of the Netherlands and his Dutch family, friends and supporters. He immediately chose to have the No. 21 be painted orange, the national color of the Netherlands and a source of great pride for his countrymen. The front wing carries the horizontal tricolor of red, white and blue stripes, representing the national flag of the Netherlands. Also important to VeeKay was including a lion, a symbol steeped in historical significance for the country. A Dutch lion appears on top of both of VeeKay’s mirrors.

VeeKay was thrilled when he received BitNile’s offer. “I have always dreamed of racing an orange car in the Indianapolis 500, but I never imagined I’d get to design it myself!” stated VeeKay. “I am very grateful to Todd Ault and BitNile for allowing me this opportunity, it is so cool. We incorporated many things for the Dutch fans and I hope they love it as much as I do!”

Just two weeks ago, VeeKay earned his first pole position and his first podium finish of the season at Barber Motorsports Park. The 21-year-old will carry that momentum to a track that is home to several of his career milestones. Before attention shifts to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES will compete on the road course. VeeKay’s first career pole position and first career podium came at the IMS road course in 2020 and he enters this weekend as the defending race winner, having captured the victory in 2021. The second half of the Month of May is dedicated to the Indianapolis 500, where VeeKay has also built an impressive resume. In 2020, he recorded the best qualifying result by a teenager in Indianapolis 500 history by starting 4th; in 2021, he qualified 3rd and became the youngest front row starter in “500” history. He led 32 laps in last year’s race, third-highest of all drivers in the field, before finishing 8th.

VeeKay will take his first laps in the No. 21 Bitcoin Racing Team Powered by BitNile Chevrolet when the Indianapolis Motor Speedway opens for Indy 500 practice on Tuesday, May 17. Practice will continue through Friday May 20, before the Field of 33 qualifies on Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22. The 106th Running of the Indianapolis 500 will take place on Sunday, May 29, 2022 with coverage beginning at 11 a.m. ET on NBC.

Foyt Unveils 500 Livery for Hildebrand

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ABC Supply Unveils Homes For Our Troops-Themed Indy 500 Car and $1 Million Donation Match

BELOIT, Wis.—May. 9, 2022—When drivers start their engines at the 106th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, race fans will see a new look for the No. 11 AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet — and have a chance to make a million-dollar impact that supports military Veterans. Homes For Our Troops (HFOT), a nonprofit that builds and donates specially adapted custom homes for severely injured post-9/11 Veterans to enable them to rebuild their lives, will be gifted the design of the Indy car by its sponsor, ABC Supply, to bring awareness to their mission. ABC Supply will also match all donations made to HFOT — up to $1 million total — from Saturday, May 21, through Monday, May 30.

A longtime supporter and friend of AJ Foyt Racing, ABC Supply continues its sponsorship of the team

in the Indy 500 while bringing attention to HFOT’s important work. With nearly 90 percent of its donations going directly to building homes and rebuilding lives, HFOT rarely advertises and relies on word-of-mouth awareness. The visibility at “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” will showcase their mission to a national audience. The car’s stars and stripes design celebrates American pride and prominently features the HFOT mission of “Building Homes. Rebuilding Lives.”

To date, HFOT has built and donated over 330 homes for severely injured post-9/11 Veterans. After the homes are built, the relationships between HFOT and their Veterans continue — the organization provides a pro-bono financial planner to assist with budgeting, homeownership education, a peer mentoring program and more.

“We are thrilled ABC Supply is choosing to spotlight Homes For Our Troops through this initiative,” says HFOT President and CEO Tom Landwermeyer. “In addition to generating revenue, it will raise much

needed awareness about our mission. ABC Supply has been a tremendous partner and we are grateful for their commitment to our mission of Building Homes and Rebuilding Lives.”

ABC Supply Co. Inc., the nation’s largest wholesale distributor of roofing, siding and other select exterior building products, has been a multimillion-dollar supporter of HFOT since 2020.

“We couldn’t be more excited to be back at the Indy 500 with AJ Foyt Racing and raise awareness for

our friends at Homes For Our Troops,” says Mike Jost, chief operating officer of ABC Supply. “HFOT is an incredible organization and we’re honored to play a part in bringing more attention to the great work they do.

“I think the fans will love it, and I think the fans will be so happy to see the American flag — especially

with our team,” says A.J. Foyt. “I would like to thank ABC Supply for supporting Homes For Our Troops. It’s great.”

“To support this organization at the Speedway, bring attention to Veterans and some of the challenges that they face, and to highlight the things that people and organizations like Homes For Our Troops are

doing to give them opportunities to better their lives is such a special thing to be able to be a part of,” says J.R. Hildebrand, driver of the No. 11 car.

Learn more about the “Homes For Our Troops” Indy car and how the organization is supporting Veterans.

Donate to Homes For Our Troops from May 21-30 and We’ll Match Donations Up to $1 Million

Foyt Reveals 500 Livery for Car 11

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A release today from A. J. Foyt Racing:

ABC Supply Unveils Homes For Our Troops-Themed Indy 500 Car and $1 Million Donation Match

BELOIT, Wis.—May. 9, 2022—When drivers start their engines at the 106th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, race fans will see a new look for the No. 11 AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet — and have a chance to make a million-dollar impact that supports military Veterans. Homes For Our Troops (HFOT), a nonprofit that builds and donates specially adapted custom homes for severely injured post-9/11 Veterans to enable them to rebuild their lives, will be gifted the design of the Indy car by its sponsor, ABC Supply, to bring awareness to their mission. ABC Supply will also match all donations made to HFOT — up to $1 million total — from Saturday, May 21, through Monday, May 30.

A longtime supporter and friend of AJ Foyt Racing, ABC Supply continues its sponsorship of the team

in the Indy 500 while bringing attention to HFOT’s important work. With nearly 90 percent of its donations going directly to building homes and rebuilding lives, HFOT rarely advertises and relies on word-of-mouth awareness. The visibility at “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” will showcase their mission to a national audience. The car’s stars and stripes design celebrates American pride and prominently features the HFOT mission of “Building Homes. Rebuilding Lives.”

To date, HFOT has built and donated over 330 homes for severely injured post-9/11 Veterans. After the homes are built, the relationships between HFOT and their Veterans continue — the organization provides a pro-bono financial planner to assist with budgeting, homeownership education, a peer mentoring program and more.

“We are thrilled ABC Supply is choosing to spotlight Homes For Our Troops through this initiative,” says HFOT President and CEO Tom Landwermeyer. “In addition to generating revenue, it will raise much

needed awareness about our mission. ABC Supply has been a tremendous partner and we are grateful for their commitment to our mission of Building Homes and Rebuilding Lives.”

ABC Supply Co. Inc., the nation’s largest wholesale distributor of roofing, siding and other select exterior building products, has been a multimillion-dollar supporter of HFOT since 2020.

“We couldn’t be more excited to be back at the Indy 500 with AJ Foyt Racing and raise awareness for

our friends at Homes For Our Troops,” says Mike Jost, chief operating officer of ABC Supply. “HFOT is an incredible organization and we’re honored to play a part in bringing more attention to the great work they do.

“I think the fans will love it, and I think the fans will be so happy to see the American flag — especially

with our team,” says A.J. Foyt. “I would like to thank ABC Supply for supporting Homes For Our Troops. It’s great.”

“To support this organization at the Speedway, bring attention to Veterans and some of the challenges that they face, and to highlight the things that people and organizations like Homes For Our Troops are

doing to give them opportunities to better their lives is such a special thing to be able to be a part of,” says J.R. Hildebrand, driver of the No. 11 car.

Learn more about the “Homes For Our Troops” Indy car and how the organization is supporting Veterans.

Donate to Homes For Our Troops from May 21-30 and We’ll Match Donations Up to $1 Million

A Huge Thank You as The Pit Window Turns Six

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Today is the sixth anniversary of The Pit Window. I had no idea when I started this little blog in 2015 that it would still be here in 2022. Thanks to this column I have had so many experiences that I never dreamed of in the Indycar world. I love sharing my racing adventures with you.

Inspiration for The Pit Window began after I started taking a writing class at the Life Enrichment Center in Tampa. I was a novice snowbird seeking things to do in the area. I fell in love with the class on the first day and I am still attending the class. Many of you are wondering when it will start helping my writing.

I have met so many great people and have had the opportunity to speak with many stars of the Indycar and sportscar world. I am grateful for every minute.

The Pit Window will be around for at least a couple more years. I want to thank my core of loyal readers and those that find me every now and then. I enjoy discussing racing with you. I appreciate every reader.

Thank yopu to the media relations folks at Indycar for their help in allowing me into some sacred spaces.

I could not have sustained this little venture without the help of several members of the regular Indycar media. You have made me feel welcome, and I have learned so much from all of you. From my first day in the media center, I have been impressed by the media’s dedication and professionalism.

I am not sure if The Pit Window has another six years left, but we will go as long as we can. I can’t thank you enough for your support.