Category: Auto Racing

Racing at the Pleasure of the King; Weather Delay at IMS?

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F1 was caught in a difficult situation this weekend. A missile strike 10 miles from the track had the series and some drivers doubting if the race should go on. Eventually, the weekend proceeded normally, after what sounded like veiled threats from the Saudi government.

To complicate things, F1 and Saudi Arabia have a 15 year contract for this race. It is a race that probably pays one of the highest sanctioning fees in F1. Still, I don’t think a series should be racing in a war zone. I can’t believe there isn’t a Force Majeure clause in their contract.

For those who want Indycar to stage international races, this weekend is Exhibit A as to why staying in North America is a good idea.

Weather May Hinder Engine Test

Indycar’s test of the new 2.4 liter engine at IMS may not happen this week. At 11:25 Eastern time, the current Indianapolis temperature is 34 degrees with a predicted high of 42, which will come after 3 PM. Tomorrow is just slightly warmer with a high of 46. Wednesday looks like the best day of the week with a high of 77 degrees with wind gusts of 20-30 mph. Thursday the high is predicted to be 50 degrees with a chance of rain. A 20 car test on he road course is on Thursday’s schedule.

With teams heading to Long beach next week, a postponement this week could result in at least a two week delay in the test. As of now there is no official word from Indycar or IMS on contingency plans.

Heading North

The Pit Window begins the move to Summer Headquarters tomorrow. It doesn’t sound like we will be greeted by summer or even spring like conditions. Anyway, unless something huge happens the next two days (very likely since it seems to when I’m unavailable to report) I won’t have anything up until late Thursday or early Friday.

Thanks for following along this winter.

New Engine Test Moves to IMS Next Week; 20 Cars Test Next Thursday

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Scott Dixon will be one of the first drivers to try out the new 2.4 liter Honda engine

The new 2.4 liter twin turbo V 6 engine will have its first on track test next Monday and Tuesday on the IMS road course. Team Penske and Chip Ganassi racing will test one Chevrolet and one Honda respectively. Josef Newgarden will drive the Penske car Monday and Will Power will test the new powerplant Tuesday. Scott Dixon will be the lone driver for Honda both days.

The engine was originally schedule for march 30 and 31 at Sebring.

The engines get their initial workouts on the old Formula 1 course to prevent either team from gaining an information advantage on the layout that Indycar uses for the GMR Grand Prix and the race on the NASCAR weekend.

The new engines will not have the hybrid components on board due to supply issues. The 2.4 liter engine and hybrid package will debut in the series in 2024. The hybrid components may be available by early summer.

On Thursday, March 31 the traditional IMS road course layout will host 20 cars from the NTT Indycar Series in a private test.

All full time drivers from A. J. Foyt Racing, Andretti Autosport, Juncos Hollinger racing, Meyer Shank Racing, Chip Ganassi Racing, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, and Arrow McLaren SP will participate. AMSP will also have Juan Pablo Montoya in a car. Montoya will drive in both the GMR Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500 for the team.

Jack Harvey, injured in a practice crash at Texas last Saturday, will drive in the test if he is cleared to drive by then.

The IMS Museum parking lot is open to the public. Track facilities are closed during the test days.

IMS Announces Carb Day Concert Lineup

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From IMS this morning:

 IMS.com LogoFor Immediate Release  03-24-CarbDay-Email.jpg  Rock Supergroup Kings of Chaos, Grammy Winner Rick Springfield To Headline Miller Lite Carb Day Concert May 27  
Funk Legends Morris Day and the Time To Open
INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, March 24, 2022) – Rock’s ultimate supergroup Kings of Chaos and legendary Grammy Award winner Rick Springfield will co-headline the Miller Lite Carb Day Concert on Friday, May 27 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, performing some of the biggest hits for generations. Legendary funk and R&B band Morris Day and the Time will open the concert, followed by Springfield and Kings of Chaos. The show starts at 3:30 p.m. on the Miller Lite Stage inside Turn 3 of the IMS oval, a new location this year. Tickets are on sale now at IMS.com, by calling 800-822-INDY (4639) or 317-492-6700, or by visiting the IMS Ticket Office at the IMS Administration Building. General admission tickets start at just $30. A limited number of concert pit tickets that include general admission are available for $50. A very limited supply of exclusive VIP platform tickets also is available for $250, including concert pit access, snacks, two complimentary drinks and dedicated bars. Ticket prices will increase as the concert draws closer, so fans are encouraged to buy now. All general admission, concert pit and VIP Deck concert tickets include admission to the concert and to on-track activities that day at IMS, which include the final practice for the 106th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge and the INDYCAR Pit Stop Challenge.
“It will be fantastic to see fans enjoying live music on Miller Lite Carb Day for the first time since 2019,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “As everyone comes back home again to IMS this May, Kings of Chaos, Rick Springfield, and Morris Day and the Time will shift Race Weekend into top gear by performing hit after hit at one of the biggest parties of the year in the Midwest.”
Kings of Chaos, formed by Grammy-winning and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member Matt Sorum (Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver), features a killer lineup of rock and roll royalty performing the biggest hit songs from the bands that made them global superstars. The band is comprised of Sorum, Sebastian Bach (Skid Row), Jack Blades (Night Ranger, Damn Yankees), John Waite (Bad English, The Babys, solo), Lita Ford (The Runaways, solo), Gilby Clarke (Guns N’ Roses), Warren DeMartini (Ratt) and Sean McNabb (Great White, Dokken).The band’s setlist includes such hits as “Sister Christian,” “(You Can Still) Rock in America” and “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me” (Night Ranger), “Youth Gone Wild” and “I Remember You” (Skid Row), “Change,” “Missing You,” “Midnight Rendezvous” and “Head First” (Waite/The Babys), “Kiss Me Deadly,” “Gotta Let Go” and “Cherry Bomb” (Ford/The Runaways), “Paradise City” and “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” (Guns N’ Roses), and “Round and Round” and “Lay It Down” (Ratt).Over the past four decades, Australian-born Springfield has worn many hats as an entertainer and performer. He’s the creator of some of the finest power-pop of the ’80s, a Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and musician who has sold 25 million albums and scored 17 U.S. Top 40 hits, including “Jessie’s Girl,” “Don’t Talk to Strangers,” “An Affair of the Heart,” “I’ve Done Everything for You,” “Love Somebody” and “Human Touch.”
In 2019, Springfield released his 17th studio album, “Orchestrating My Life,” a career-defining revisitation of a lifetime of hits. The album is a collection all the hits the public loves rerecorded with an electrifying mix of rock and accompanied by a full orchestra. It also includes a new song, Irreplaceable, a song dedicated to Springfield’s mother, who passed away in 2017.
With his dynamic dancing and smooth yet gutsy, vocals, Morris Day played an essential role in the development of the Twin City dance/club sound of the 1980s. A founding member of Prince’s band, the Time, in 1981, he remained with the group until 1984 when he launched his solo career. Returning for the first time in 1988, he performed and recorded with the Time from 1990 until 1991 and since 1995.Day’s involvement with Prince traces back to 1980 when his composition “Partyup,” originally recorded when he was a member of the Enterprise, was covered on Prince’s “Dirty Mind” album.
Releasing his debut solo album, “Color of Success,” in 1985, Day reached his apex with his second solo album, “Daydreaming,” two years later. Produced by ex-Time members Terry Lewis and Jimmy Jam, the album included the chart-topping R&B tune “Fishnet.” Day has appeared in such films as Prince’s autobio-pic, “Purple Rain,” in 1984, and “New Attitude” in 1990.
The 106th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge is scheduled for Sunday, May 29, 2022. Tickets are on sale now at IMS.com or by calling or visiting the IMS Ticket Office. 
 

Track 17

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Image: A great race in front of nearly empty stands is not a good look for Indycar.

There is no official word about the status of Texas Motor Speedway returning to the Indycar schedule in 2023, but I think Sunday’s woeful attendance was its own statement. After the great show Indycar had Sunday, it will be sad to see this track leave the circuit. I liked the track a lot, and if what we saw during the race can be replicated, rthis track needs to stay.

Without Texas, Indycar’s schedule would be reduced to 16 races. Roger Penske says 16-17 races is ideal for the series, but I think sticking to 17 is in Indycar’s best interests. The track which replaces TMS has to be an oval for several reasons.

Indycar needs some oval races, ideally 25% of the schedule. A mix of short tracks and another superspeedway besides the Indianapolis 500 would be fine. The main reason I favored the IRL during the split is because they ran ovals while the majority of CART’s races were road and street courses.

I am hearing a strong push for Milwaukee to replace Texas. I like Milwaukee, and I think Milwaukee/Road America on back to back weekends would be great. Perhaps the track could work out a combo ticket at a discount for both events.

Some fans want Homestead to return to the schedule. I have never been to Homestead, and I don’t remember much about the races there. I do recall that attendance wasn’t good at the last few races. I wonder if the F1 Miami Grand Prix would overshadow an Indycar race there. At least a race at Homestead would be affordable for the average fan.

Richmond had a spot on the schedule for 2020 but lost out to the pandemic. The fact that it wasn’t given another chance tells me there wasn’t much fan interest in it. I think that would have been a nice venue for the series.

Whichever oval replaces Texas needs to have more than just Indycar. A support series is necessary so that the track is not idle for long stretches of time. Concerts and a festival atmosphere, like Iowa has planned for July might help. Indy Lights is also running at Iowa.

World Wide Technology Raceway has always run two support races, usually Indy Lights and a lower NASCAR series. Iowa has had an ARCA series race on Indycar weekend in the past. Many fans came just for ARCA and didn’t attend the Indycar portion of the program.

There are few options for ovals with Texas off the table. A track has to show interest and heavily promote the event, a concert or some other attraction has to be lined up, and the mainly Midwest fan base has to decide if a particular track is worth the trip.

Quick Thoughts- Expel 375

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After a processional beginning the race came alive on lap 148 after the last caution period. Staring on lap 150 the lead changed hands four times in 15 laps.

A last turn pass for the win always makes a race better. Josef Newgarden said in the post race press conference that he had conceded the win, but saw an opportunity when he got to turn 3 of the final lap.

The start

There was more passing than I expected. Newgarden said the headwind down the front stretch helped and that the special session yesterday did clean up the high line a bit.

Team Penske has come out of the gate strong this season after a lackluster 2021. In the two races this young season, they have two wins and four of the six podium positions.

Scott McLaughlin is setting himself up for a strong championship run. Two front row starts, a win and a second place finish leaves with a 28 point lead over Will Power.

Great Drives

Jimmie Johnson will get the bulk of the praise for his sixth place finish after starting 18th. He steadily and quietly moved up the field.

But my driver of the day is Santino Ferrucci. Ferrucci replaced Jack Harvey this morning when Harvey was not cleared to drive after his crash in practice yesterday afternoon. Indycar allowed him 15 minutes to shake down the car, which was moved to the back of the grid. For Ferrucci to finish ninth under the circumstances is amazing.

Marcus Ericsson finished third from 14th and being in contention near the end. All four Ganassi cars finished in the top 10.

The season is shaping up to be a shootout between Penske and Ganassi drivers.

Andretti Woes Continue

Andretti Autosport had another forgettable day with three cars finishing in the bottom four positions. Alexander Rossi completed just 11 laps before retiring with mechanical issues. Romain Grosjean went out next with a water pressure problem on lap 103.

Devlin DeFrancesco was involved in a three car crash also involving Graham Rahal and Helio Castroneves. It appeared that he had a hand in all three yellows. I’m anxious to see the replay.

Colton Herta came home 12th one lap down.

AMSP Title Hopes Fading Fast

Felix Rosenqvist did not lead a lap despite starting on pole. Her eventually retired and finished 21st after a bad pit stop. Pato O’Ward hit a crewman on a stop and finished 15th. O’ward is 13th in points and he needs a really good result at Long Beach to get in contention. He is also going to need some help.

More Oval Training for Indy Lights?

Two accidents today involved Indy Lights rookies. Kyle Kirkwood spun and hit the wall in turn 4. Devlin DeFrancesco was involved in a three car accident in between turns three and four.

Texas was the first high speed oval for the rookies. The question is, should Indy Lights run more ovals, especially high speed tracks? The absence of the Freedom 100 at IMS took away the one fast oval for the junior series.

I understand that budget concerns about equipment damage is a factor in the schedule structure, but are they really helping the drivers who come to Indycar without any experience on a track like Texas?

Jimmie Johnson: Having Fun, Learning, and Family

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Jimie Johnson stopped by the media center for a few minutes this morning. He discussed his growing comfort with Indycar and his family support system.

Johnson first talked about feeling less nervous before his first Indycar oval race compared to his first NASCAR race.

“I’d say they’re (nerves) a lot better. I think experience helps. It’s not my first time really being on the grid with these competitors and the bright spotlight of IndyCar racing. So what I’m thinking of is my first Daytona 500 And that was my rookie season and cup and I was really nervous and that part of it started on pole. “

The second year Chip Ganassi Racing driver shared his team’s approach to qualifying for his first oval race.

” I felt like we made sure that the car was plenty comfortable and slowly worked our way closer to our teammates’ setups. And as I was showing the desire to move at a quicker pace, I was reminded multiple times that we’re really building towards Indy and we don’t want to lose your confidence. We don’t want to tear up a car. Let’s be smart. And the real goal is to have our most competitive showing at the Indy 500. So you know the race certainly and I wanted to push and move a little quicker through our setup plan. But I certainly understand where we’re coming from.”

He described his qualifying run as way too comfortable.

“Some of my speed yesterday was due to the fact that we kept the cockpit comfortable for me and I wasn’t moving things around like my teammates and others go that fast. So you know, looking back on it, I wish I would have gone on my controls just didn’t understand. If there would be any fall off in the car and if the balance would migrate one direction or the other. And from my opening lap in qualifying the car was very comfortable. And I quickly should have done on the way jacker in the bars to to help the car but it was an easy flat it felt good and drove the best that it had. And and I I regret that I didn’t make adjustments straightaway to the car. Look into the data. My scrub speed through the center of the turns is where I lost my time.”

Johnson says pit stops in Indycar are different from NASCar

“I’m not used to crew members being out over the wall prior to arriving and that’s pretty intimidating to come in as fast as you need to with crew members in position to change tires. But AT speed it doesn’t look like there’s enough room to fit, you know, into the box. And not only do you have your crew to worry about, but oftentimes other teams and they’re allowed to set tires and leak them out prior to you know their car arriving. So visually quite you know just so much different than what I’ve ever been used to. And then the from an oval standpoint, I have some really good reference points stayed on the racetrack and three turns three and four were brake and how to get on a bit lane. It here we enter pit lane in turn three so racing around on the apron which is dirty doesn’t have much rubber certainly not the banking that’s been a new element learned as well. “

Overall, Johnson said he is having fun in Indycar.

“I am having fun and that’s what this is about this part of my life, my career. But at the same time, I’m a competitor and coming to an oval for the first time my own personal expectations rise. You’re too on road street courses my own personal expectations rise. Look back at St. Pete And in qualifying. I’m still very frustrated with how my performance the performance I gave in qualifying race went much better in like get here and qualifying 18th is my best qualifying effort. But in my gut I wanted to qualify top 10. That was just like an internal personal goal that I set. “

Johnson would not be in Indycar without the support of his family.

“We’re just really trying to think hard through it all. And at the end of the day, my family looked to me and said you know if you’re comfortable, we’re comfortable. And I also feel that the Aeroscreen is just a massive game changer for single seater racing.

We’re very close knit family and we try to support each other with all that goes on. I mean, our girls very active with their after school programs, and of course their education. My wife has an art gallery. I have racing. I mean, our schedule is so packed and I feel like we’re all supporting each other. And I can literally tell you where we’ll be every every day, every week and every weekend for all of 2022 Just the way our schedules, you know are so stacked and laid out. So, next weekend I’ll be supporting my daughter’s at a horse show. Shani has a big art event that she’s going to travel to and I’m going to be a horse dad at a horse show North Carolina. So hopefully I handle that right so your first experience for me? Solo I should say. So ultimately, you know, there’s just so much support for all of us for one another. “

Three Laps of Texas

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Last night a friend invited me to ride around Texas Motor Speedway as part of a charity event. Groups of cars were led by a pace truck. My understanding is that a speed limit was not set. We lagged behind and probably went faster than we should have.

TMS is a unique track. The banking in the turns is quite steep. It may seem steeper because of the length of the track. I felt I was riding around inside a bowl.

Here is a five minute video of the ride.

https://videopress.com/v/dMOD3TL3?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true

Race Day at Texas

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Today’s Schedule: All times Eastern

10:00 AM Gates Open

12:00 PM Driver Introductions

12:45 PM Green Flag for the Expel 375 NBC coverage begins at 12:30 PM

Post race show on Peacock after NBC coverage ends

Race time temperature should be around 69 degrees and sunny, rising to the mid 70s by the end of the race.

The race should be very competitive. I think any one of the first seven starters could win. Pole sitter Felix Rosenqvist is confident of his chances. Josef Newgarden was very quick in the practice sessions. Many Texas races have come down to a late yellow and cars diving into the pits for new tires. The leader is a sitting duck in this situation.

From yesterday-

https://thepitwindow.blog/2022/03/19/rosenqvist-takes-pole-at-texas/

Nathan Brown of the Indianapolis Star posted a story last night in which he reported that the efforts to reduce the effect of the JP 1 compound have not changed much. We are likely to see a single file race again. That would be a shame. Some of Indycar’s best races have been at Texas Motor Speedway.

Will Power led the effort for a high downforce session to attempt to scrub off the JP1 compound

This is possibly the last Indycar race at TMS for a while. there has been no talk about renewing the relationship this weekend. Attendance yesterday extremely low. I am not anticipating a large turnout today.

Let’s hope for a safe, competitive race.