Category: Auto Racing

Julia Steinbrenner Steps into Co-Owner Role at Steinbrenner Racing

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Julia Steinbrenner, sister of George Michael Steinbrenner IV, is now co-owner of Steinbrenner Racing along with her brother. Steinbrenner racing began as an Indy Lights team with driver Colton Herta in partnership with Andretti Autosport. The team and Herta moved to Indycar in 2019. For 2022, Steinbrenner Racing owns car 29, to be driven by rookie Devlin DeFrancesco, in partnership with Andretti.

Devlin DeFrancesco testing at Sebring. Photo from Penske Entertainment

George Steinbrenner has assumed a new role with the new York Yankees, and Julia will step in to handle most of the responsibilities of the race program. She spoke to the media yesterday.

Coming into this role was by design, Steinbrenner said.

“It’s something that George and I have talked
about quite a bit, and I’ve been with the Yankees for eight
years and also as the executive director of the foundation
that we founded together.
It kind of was more of a matter not necessarily of if it would
happen but when it would happen and how we would do it
and just kind of letting it happen organically.”

The Steinbrenners have been race fans since they were young, and Julia has been involved with the team since it began.

“… being around for the last several years that
there has been a Steinbrenner Racing has really — I’ve
kind of tried to submerge myself into the sport and I’ve
really grown a new passion for it. I grew up watching it, but
just to really be in it as with anything, when you’re in it and
you can see it and appreciate it, you really grow a whole
new passion for it,” she said.

Steinbrenner hopes that her role as a female owner will encourage more women and girls to get into Indycar. She noted the number of women engineers now in the sport, as well as a female driver, Tatiana Calderon, who will drive the road and street courses this season. Steinbrenner becomes the second woman in two years to own an Indycar team. Beth aretta’s team ran in the Indianapolis 500 last year.

“Yeah, it really just kind of came
together, the stars aligned and it was great timing. I just
love to see it. I love to see it, and I hope to continue to see
it. I would love to see more of it. It’s just awesome. I think
it’s awesome for the sport. It’s awesome for
representation. It’s awesome for the little girls at home like
I was watching INDYCAR my whole life, and to see that
and to see not only things like this where female ownership
but female drivers and female engineers and pit crew and
all these different moving parts, to see females working in
all these different roles is just awesome.”

Steinbrenner continued,

“… there’s so many wonderful women
in the sport. I would love to see more. So if I can even just
for one person be, oh, I can do that and help create that
narrative, and there’s been so many amazing women that
have paved that road for me so that I can be here today, so
if I can help to continue that in any way shape or form so
that we can get some of these really amazing women that I
have met and all the ones I have not met involved in the
sport, I would love to see that.”

Indycar, WSC Sports Join to Bring Fans Real Time Highlights

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  LogoFor Immediate Release  02-23-WSC-PartnershipArt.png  INDYCAR Brings Real-Time Automated Highlights
to Fans through WSC Sports Partnership  
INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022) – INDYCAR, the sanctioning body for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, and WSC Sports, the global leader in AI sports video technology, today announced they will partner for the 2022 INDYCAR season to bring AI-powered video highlights direct to fans.

WSC Sports’ platform identifies key moments in each race and automatically publishes highlights and content to NTT INDYCAR SERIES digital properties, along with driver and team social channels.
This is the first time AI-fueled technology will deliver real-time content directly to NTT INDYCAR SERIES fans, ultimately providing more access and personalized content to consumers across the racing season.
As the title sponsor and technology partner of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, NTT collaborated with INDYCAR to architect a multi-year digital transformation roadmap to drive enhanced fan interaction and engagement, operational excellence and deliver SMART Racing and SMART venue innovations. To support execution, NTT not only lent its Smart Sports, Media and Entertainment business solutions, services and expertise, but those within its partner ecosystem which includes WSC Sports, an NTT-invested company, which NTT introduced to enable and enhance INDYCAR’s content creation and distribution capabilities.

INDYCAR initially started working with WSC Sports at the beginning of the 2021 season and based on the success of recent collaborations, the series is expanding to a fully automated highlights solution for the 2022 season that begins Sunday, Feb. 27 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding on NBC. In addition, the WSC Sports platform will help fuel exciting new fan experiences such as ingesting streams from all race cars with In Car Cameras (ICCs), providing fans with automatically generated real-time highlights from an unprecedented and unique point of view of the race from their favorite driver.

“It’s a thrill for us to be able to capture the excitement of INDYCAR racing and be able to share all the action with fans in real-time,” said Joe DaCosta, North America business development, WSC Sports.
“Motorsports are a new focus for us in the U.S., and we are excited to be able to partner with a first-class organization like INDYCAR.”

“The fierce physical challenges and unrelenting pressure of driving in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES will now be conveyed to millions of digital consumers in real time thanks to this partnership with WSC Sports,” said SJ Luedtke, INDYCAR vice president of marketing.
“In partnership with NTT, we’re in the midst of an aggressive and dynamic transformation that will extend the reach of our sport and convey our bold and unique narrative in increasingly relevant ways.”
Using machine learning technology, the WSC Sports platform auto-detects, indexes and tags each moment from a race in real-time so that highlights can then be distributed to digital properties automatically and at scale.

This helps INDYCAR engage with fans and expand their reach, grow their brand and explore new monetization opportunities for their racing content. This partnership adds to WSC Sports’ growing number of motorsports clients which already includes Extreme E and NASCAR.

About INDYCARINDYCAR is the Indianapolis-based governing body for North America’s premier open-wheel auto racing series, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, and its developmental series, Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES features an international field of the world’s most versatile drivers – including reigning series champion Alex Palou, six-time series champion Scott Dixon, two-time series champion Josef Newgarden and four-time and defending Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves – who compete on superspeedways, short ovals, street circuits and permanent road courses. The 2022 season consists of 17 races in the United States and Canada and is highlighted by the historic Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES, Indy Lights, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IMS Productions are owned by Penske Corporation, a global transportation, automotive and motorsports leader. For more information on INDYCAR and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, please visit www.indycar.com. For more information on Indy Lights, please visit www.indylights.com.

About WSC SportsWSC Sports’ proprietary AI technology platform, automates the creation and distribution of highlights for over 200 leagues and broadcast partners across the globe, including – NBA, NHL, ESPN, YouTubeTV, NASCAR, Extreme E and Tencent. Utilizing advanced AI and Machine Learning technologies, the WSC Sports platform analyzes live sports broadcasts, identifies each and every event that occurs in a game, and in real-time creates and publishes customized short-form videos. This enables sports media rights owners to maximize the use of their content, creating new revenue streams and a personalized fan experience on every platform for every type of fan. 

From Indycar

 

Indycar Tweaks the Rulebook

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Minor changes to the Indycar rulebook, most of which won’t be noticed by fans, intend to make conditions safer and hope to improve the racing.

The two things that fans will notice is pit selection and corner flags during local yellows. Through 2021, pit stalls were assigned based on the previous race’s qualifying. For 2022, drivers will select their pit stalls. Qualifying order from the race before determines the order of choosing. The winner of the previous race gets first choice. He might still pick the first ox before pit out, but the other front row driver may choose a pit before an opening in the pit wall. This may allow teams to pick pits next to each other if the choices fall that way. The new pit selection rule will begin with the second race of the season at Texas. For St. Pete, last year’s point standings determine the pit assignments.

Corner workers will notify drivers of the type of hazard they are approaching by either holding or waving the yellow flag. A static flag means to watch for something at the edge of the track. A waving flag means there is an obstacle on the track itself.

Crew members may no longer push cars away after a pit stop is complete. very few teams do this anymore, but it was necessary during the roadster era. This measure is a safety rule. A car may be pushed with Indycar approval should there be an issue with the gears. The outside rear tire must be out of the area before a car can be pushed in that instance.

Another wording change involves cars passing through a local yellow zone. The old rule said drivers must slow their speed by 15%. The new rule says “slow substantially.” I think this new wording could lead to some disagreements and result in penalties. I would rather see a specific limit in place. You’re over the limit, you lose the lap. I’m not sure how this will help speed up the interval between qualifying rounds should an investigation be warranted.

Cars a lap or more down to the leaders will not have Push to Pass available. This rule will allow the lead cars to get by the back markers easier. I like this rule in general, but what if two lapped cars are fighting for a position? It is difficult to pass as it is. Is it fair for them?

If the series can disable Push to Pass, perhaps Indycar could look into disabling it as a penalty for a couple laps as a penalty instead of a drive through in certain circumstances.

Marshalling Lights

Indycar will gradually introduce marshalling Lights at road and street courses as the season goes on. We have seen these in F1. They will provide drivers an extra way to learn of track conditions in case they missed seeing a flag. It will also help race control monitor the cars on track.

The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Presented by RP Funding begins at 12:30 PM Eastern Time Sunday, February 27. NBC coverage begins at Noon.

Fast Facts- Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

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Race weekend: Friday, Feb. 25 – Sunday, Feb. 27

Track: Streets of St. Petersburg, 1.8-mile, 14-turn temporary street circuit (clockwise) through downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, including a runway of Albert Whitted Airport

Media Links: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Entry List (PDF) | Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires Entry List(PDF)

Race distance: 100 laps / 180 miles (NTT INDYCAR SERIES) | 60 minute timed race (Indy Lights)

Push-to-pass parameters (NTT INDYCAR SERIES): 150 seconds of total time with a maximum single duration of 15 seconds. The push-to-pass is not available on the initial start or any restart unless it occurs in the final two laps or three minutes of a timed race

Firestone tire allotment (NTT INDYCAR SERIES): Six sets primary, four sets alternate. One additional set is available to rookie drivers for use in the Friday afternoon practice session

Twitter: @GPSTPETE, @INDYCAR, @IndyLights #FirestoneGP, #INDYCAR

Event website: www.gpstpete.com

INDYCAR website: www.indycar.com

2021 race winner: Colton Herta, 1:51:51.4115, 96.552 mph

2021 NTT P1 Award winner: Colton Herta, 1:00.3210, 107.425 mph

Qualifying lap record: Jordan King, 1:00.0476; 107.914 mph, March 10, 2018 (set in Round 1 of qualifying)

NBC Sports telecast: Race, noon ET Sunday, 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. Marty Snider, Kevin Lee and Dave Burns are the pit reporters. Spanish-language telecast will be available on Telemundo.

Peacock Premium Live Streaming: All NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice sessions and qualifying and Indy Lights races will stream live on Peacock Premium, NBC’s direct-to-consumer livestreaming product.

INDYCAR Radio Network broadcasts: Mark Jaynes is the chief announcer alongside analyst Davey Hamilton. Nick Yeoman, Jake Query and Michael Young are the turn announcers. Ryan Myrehn and Alex Wollf are the pit reporters The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg race and all NTT INDYCAR SERIES practices and qualifying sessions air live on network affiliates, SiriusXM 160, racecontrol.indycar.com and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA. All Indy Lights practice and qualifying sessions and races are available on racecontrol.indycar.com, the INDYCAR App and SiriusXM 160.

At-track schedule (All Times Local/Eastern Time): 

Friday, Feb. 25

3:40-4:25 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice, Peacock Premium

Saturday, Feb. 26

9-9:45 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice, Peacock Premium

12:30-1:45 p.m. – Qualifying for the NTT P1 Award (three rounds of knockout qualifying), Peacock Premium (Live)

Sunday, Feb. 27

8:45-9:15 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES warmup, Peacock Premium

Noon – NBC Sports on air

12:23 p.m. – “Drivers, start your engines”

12:30 p.m. – Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding (100 laps / 181 miles), NBC, Telemundo and Peacock Premium (Live)

NTT INDYCAR SERIES Notes:

  • The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding will be the 19th INDYCAR SERIES race on the streets of St. Petersburg, dating to 2003. Colton Herta won the 2021 race after starting from the pole position. Paul Tracy won the inaugural race on Feb. 23, 2003, under CART sanction, while Sebastien Bourdais started from the pole that year.
  • The St. Petersburg INDYCAR race has been run every year since 2003 except for 2004. No driver has competed in every St. Petersburg race, but Scott Dixon has started 17 consecutive races.
  • Herta can continue a streak of back-to-back race winners at St. Petersburg that began in 2015. Juan Pablo Montoya won back-to-back St. Petersburg races in 2015 and 2016, while Sebastien Bourdais won in 2017 and 2018. Josef Newgarden won back-to-back in 2019 and 2020.
  • Dixon seeks his first win on the streets of St. Petersburg. Dixon’s six NTT INDYCAR SERIES championships trail only the seven INDYCAR SERIES titles collected by A.J. Foyt. Dixon is third on the all-time INDYCAR SERIES victory list with 51 wins and can tie Mario Andretti for second with his next win, but has never won at St. Petersburg. He has four runner-up finishes at the circuit.
  • Helio Castroneves (2006, 2007 and 2012), Will Power (2010 and 2014) and Josef Newgarden (2019-2020) are the only entered drivers to win at St. Petersburg more than once. Five past winners are entered: Castroneves, Power, Newgarden, Graham Rahal (2008) and Herta.
  • Team Penske has won the pole position 10 of the past 15 St. Petersburg races, including nine of the last 12 poles by Power. Along with Power, previous pole winners Rahal (2009), Takuma Sato (2014) and Herta are entered this weekend.
  • Team Penske has won at St. Petersburg 10 times, including six of the last 10 races with Castroneves (2012), Power (2014), Montoya (2015-16) and Newgarden (2019-2020).
  • Three drivers have won the race from the pole – Castroneves (2007), Power (2010) and Herta (2021). The St. Petersburg winner has qualified fourth in four of the last nine seasons.
  • Dixon has made 288 consecutive starts heading into the weekend, which is the second-longest streak in INDYCAR SERIES history.
  • Jack Harvey will make his 50th INDYCAR SERIES start at St. Petersburg.
  • Rookies Tatiana Calderon, Devlin DeFrancesco, Kyle Kirkwood and David Malukas will make their NTT INDYCAR SERIES debut at St. Petersburg.

Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires Notes:

  • The 14-car field for the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is the largest Indy Lights field at St. Petersburg since 2017.
  • The 2021 season features a deep and talented field with race winners such as Linus Lundqvist and Matt Brabham joining a promising rookie class that includes Christian Rasmussen (Indy Pro 2000 champ), Hunter McElrea (Indy Pro 2000), Kyffin Simpson (Formula Regional Americas champion) and Ernie Francis Jr. (seven-time Trans Am champion/Formula Regional Americas). Other contenders include returning drivers Danial Frost, Sting Ray Robb and Benjamin Pedersen.
  • Three new teams have joined the series for 2022, TJ Speed Motorsports, led by Indy Lights championship-winning engineer Tim Neff, Road to Indy stalwart Abel Motorsports and African-American-led Force Indy.
  • Since 2005, the driver who won at least one of the races at St. Petersburg has gone on to win the Indy Lights title six times, including Kyle Kirkwood, who won the first race of the doubleheader in 2021.

INDYCAR’s International Broadcast Reach Continues To Grow

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Indycar photo

From Indycar:

 INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022) – The stars of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES will be available to international audiences in more than 200 countries and territories around the globe during the 17-race 2022 season. An impressive roster of partners is set to broadcast and stream North America’s premier open-wheel racing series to audiences in Europe, Latin America, Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
“The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is a truly global product with athletes hailing from 14 nations and partnerships extending across major countries and continents,” said Mark Miles, president & CEO of Penske Entertainment Corp. “We’ve prioritized relationships that expand both our reach and visibility, bringing our racing action to new audiences and expanding our fan base. We’re pleased to welcome back more than two-thirds of our 2021 partners while adding exciting new ones to our growing lineup, as well.”
Many key partnerships have been announced, renewed or expanded heading into the new season, including:
A new relationship with ESPN across Latin America will bring live coverage of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES to key markets including Mexico and Brazil, where audiences are set to cheer for Arrow McLaren SP driver Pato O’Ward and defending Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge winner Helio Castroneves.
Sky Group, which has provided coverage on Sky Sports UK since 2019, has expanded its commitment to the series with the addition of Sky Sport Germany (including Austria and Switzerland) and Sky Italia.
STAN Sport will be the new streaming partner in Australia, showing every race live and advertisement-free. STAN’s sister broadcaster 
Nine Network also will show race highlights mid-week.
Canal+ will bring the action to French audiences eager to track the progress of Andretti Autosport’s Romain Grosjean and Meyer Shank Racing’s Simon Pagenaud. Canal+ also will provide coverage in Switzerland and sub-Saharan Africa.
Movistar+ will return for a sixth consecutive season as INDYCAR’s exclusive partner in Spain as Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou readies to defend his NTT INDYCAR SERIES crown.
Gaora will continue to broadcast all races in Japan as Japanese racing hero Takuma Sato begins his maiden season for Dale Coyne Racing.
Ziggo Sport will make an expanded commitment as INDYCAR’s partner in the Netherlands, where fans eagerly anticipate Rinus VeeKay’s third season as a driver for Ed Carpenter Racing.
Viaplay and V Sport continue with robust coverage of INDYCAR in the Nordics and enthusiastic support for Swedes Marcus Ericsson and Felix Rosenqvist and Danish newcomer Christian Lundgaard. Viaplay will also expand its rights portfolio to include Poland, Iceland and the Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
Sportsnet in Canada, Sky Sports in New Zealand, Supersport in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, Network 4 in Hungary, Arena Sport in the Balkans, 
Viasat Sport East in Russia & CIS, Sport TV in Portugal and VOO Sport in Belgium are all in the roll call of INDYCAR broadcasters for the 2022 season.
The 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season begins with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding on Sunday, Feb. 27. A full list of international broadcast partners is available here.

INDYCAR DRIVERS ON THIS YEAR’s INTERNATIONAL BROADCAST PARTNERSHIPS
“The fans are so important to INDYCAR, and they motivate us racers to give them the best show possible each weekend. It’s extra special to me that my Brazilian fans have access to all of the INDYCAR action. My home country is where my heart is, and although I’m racing here in America, I want to make them proud back home.” – Helio Castroneves, Meyer Shank Racing
“INDYCAR’s 17-race schedule is dynamic and challenging, featuring competitive events at each and every stop. Canal+ is the place for French fans to catch all of my races, including my first attempt in ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing’ at the 106th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge in May.” – Romain Grosjean, Andretti Autosport
“It’s great news to be able to showcase what INDYCAR will be doing this year. It’s been a huge goal of mine, specifically the past year, for everyone back home in Mexico to be able to watch. I think it’s great that INDYCAR has found a solution, along with ESPN, for everyone in Mexico to be able to cheer me and Arrow McLaren SP on. I look forward to making my home country proud.” – Pato O’Ward, Arrow McLaren SP
“It’s going to be an amazing NTT INDYCAR SERIES season filled with action-packed racing and exciting finishes. I’m so excited that fans in Spain can tune in to watch every minute of the action as our team goes for the Astor Cup crown again.” – Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing
“The variety of drivers that compete in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES is, in my opinion, what makes us one of the premier motorsports disciplines on the planet. As the sport continues to grow, we need to make sure that it is accessible to as many fans around the world as possible. I know the next Will Power is out there watching, and being able to watch our races on television will help keep top talent coming into the sport for years to come.” – Will Power, Team Penske
“Gaora is a great partner for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and will be the go-to place for Japanese fans to see me compete in 2022. From start to finish, this season’s racing will be incredible, and I hope everyone tunes in.” – Takuma Sato, Dale Coyne Racing with RWR 

Indianapolis 500 Veteran Roger Rager Dies at 73

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From Indianapolis Motor Speedway Communications:

 INDIANAPOLIS (Monday, Feb. 21, 2022) – Roger Rager, who raced in the 1980 Indianapolis 500 with an engine block found in a junkyard, died Feb. 16. He was 73.
Nebraska native Rager started racing in 1968 and made his name in the 1970s with sprint car victories at many tracks before coming to Indianapolis in 1978 with his small, low-budget team. He finally qualified for what would be his only career start in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” in 1980.
Rager’s 3-year-old Wildcat chassis was powered by a stock-block Chevrolet engine, but it was no normal stock powerplant. Rager believed that a stock block needed to gain durability through the heat cycles created by use, so he sought a used block as the foundation of his car’s engine for Indy that year.
That used, low-mileage block was found in a junkyard from an engine that powered a school bus.
Rager qualified an impressive 10th in 1980, sharing Row Four with Jim McElreath and A.J. Foyt. He was running ninth early in the race and led Laps 16-17 during pit stop cycles. On Lap 55, McElreath spun in front of Rager, who spun and crashed out of the race trying to avoid McElreath’s car.
Rager was credited with 23rd place. He continued to race after his sole Indy 500 start and became the only driver to win a feature at famed Knoxville Raceway in each of five decades.
Rager also was a three-time winner of the Masters Classic event at Knoxville for drivers over 50.
Rager retired from driving in 2009 and was inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame the same year. He also was inducted into the Nebraska Sports Hall of Fame, Knoxville Raceway Hall of Fame and the Big Car Racing Association (BCRA) Hall of Fame. 

St. Pete Schedule

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It’s Race Week! The schedule for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Presented by RP Funding has a packed Friday with four races, and one Indycar practice session. Five different series share the track with Indycar this weekend. Saturday ends with Indycar qualifying at 12:30 PM.

The on track Saturday schedule is short because there is a performance at the Mahaffey Theater that evening. The conflict is a result of the race moving from its traditional march slot on the calendar.

Race time is 12:30 PM Eastern Sunday. I like that Indycar is moving their races to earlier time slots. The race is on NBC. Practices and qualifying are on Peacock

All times Eastern

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022 Gates Open 7:30 AM-6:00 PM

7:45AM – 8:15AM Indy Pro 2000 Qualifying
8:30AM – 8:45AM SRO GT America Qualifying 1
8:50AM – 9:05AM SRO GT America Qualifying 2
9:20AM – 9:50AM USF2000 Qualifying 1
10:05AM – 10:50AM Indy Lights Practice
11:05AM – 11:25AM Mazda MX-5 Cup Qualifying
11:40AM – 12:25PM Indy Pro 2000 Race 1
12:40PM – 1:25PM USF2000 Race 1
1:54PM – 2:10PM Indy Lights Qualifying
2:25PM – 3:25PM SRO GT America Race 1
3:40PM – 4:25PM NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice 1
4:40PM – 5:25PM Mazda MX-5 Cup Race 1
5:40PM – 6:10PM Indy Lights Final Practice

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2022 Gates Open 7:45 AM-1:30 PM

8:00AM – 8:45AM Indy Pro 2000 Race 2
9:00AM – 9:45AM NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice 2
10:00AM – 10:45AM Mazda MX-5 Cup Race 2
11:00AM – 12:00PM SRO GT America Race 2
12:30PM – 1:45PM NTT INDYCAR SERIES Qualifying

2:00 PM-2:30 PM Indy Lights Autograph Session Fan Village

3:00 PM- 4:00 PM Indycar Autograph Session Fan Village

4:00 PM-6:00 PM Party in the Park North Straub Park

8:00 PM Fireworks

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2022 Gates Open 8:30 AM- 2:30 PM

8:45AM – 9:15AM NTT INDYCAR SERIES Warm Up
9:30AM – 10:30AM Indy Lights Race
10:45AM – 11:25AM USF2000 Race 2
11:50AM NTT INDYCAR SERIES Driver Introductions
12:30PM Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding NTT INDYCAR SERIES Race (100 Laps)

Dixon, Power Look to Equal or Tie Andretti Marks in 2022

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Scott Dixon and Will Power have an opportunity this upcoming Indycar season to tie or pass Mario Andretti in different career categories. Dixon, who has won at least one race every year since 2003, needs one victory to tie Andretti’s career mark of 52 wins, second only to A. J. Foyt. It was a shock that he only won one race last season.

Power is four poles shy of tying Andretti’s career mark of 67 poles, first among Indycar drivers. Power won only one pole last season, at the second IMS road race. His single pole was more of a shock than Dixon’s single first place.

Other Storylines for 2022

How will Romain Grosjean fare with his new team? Can Grosjean have the same success as part of a larger team, Andretti Autosport, as he had with Dale Coyne? Can he keep pace with Colton Herta and Alexander Rossi?

Romain Grosjean

Will we have a third OEM announcement by the time of the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500? If we don’t, it will be at least 2025 until Honda and Chevrolet have another competitor.

Will having 14 races on NBC significantly increase viewership? The deal with NBC is probably the best package Indycar has ever had. I hope it pays huge dividends. If not, there may never be another deal this good.

Can Beth Paretta finalize a deal for the Indianapolis 500? It would be a shame if 2021 was a one time effort. The credibility of the Race for Diversity and Change would suffer if her team is not at IMS in May.

Keep an eye on Ernie Francis, Jr. in Indy Lights as well. I hope he does well enough to get a shot the 500 in 2023. It is just as important to have African American representation in Indycar as it is to have a female presence.

Some predictions:

Season champion- I give a narrow edge to Colton Herta over Pato O’Ward in a tight yearlong battle.

Winners- Eight drivers will win races this season, with Herta and O’Ward winning at least three each. Scott McLaughlin may be the only first time winner in 2022.

David Malukas

Rookie of the Year- This is a tough contest to decide. Christian Lundgaard has better equipment, but David Malukas is more familiar with most of the tracks Indycar will run. I think Malukas will win, but it will come down to the final race.

On September 12 we can all look at this post again and have a good laugh. Thanks for reading my preview series. Now let’s go racing!