Category: Auto Racing

Indycar 2021 Schedule- One New Venue, One Changed Event

thepitwindow

The NTT Indycar Series released its 2021 schedule this morning. Outside of the new event in Nashville, there is not a lot to be excited about. Texas is now a double header the first weekend in May. Iowa is gone. There is a month gap between the first and second races. Forty percent of the schedule takes place at three venues- Texas, Detroit, and IMS.

The schedule:

On the positive side, I am glad there is a schedule for next year. I will chalk up some of this to the pandemic and the state of the economy. The first half of the schedule could still be subject to change because of COVID, with a limited fans allowed at events. I look forward to an improved situation developing during 2021, and hope for an improved schedule in 2022.

Harvest GP Preview- Fans Are Back; Will They See Dixon Clinch Title?

thepitwindow

Good morning from the northwest annex of the IMS media center. Today’s schedule:

Noon- Gates Open (Gate 1 only)

12-12:30 Indianapolis 8 Hour/ GT World Challenge test

2:25-3:40 Indycar Practice

6:20-6:50 Indycar Qualifying for Race 1

For the first time in 104 years, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosts an Indycar race in the fall. The Harvest Grand Prix doubleheader, named for the 1916 Harvest Classic, runs on the same road course as the GMR Grand Prix in July, but under much different weather conditions.Here are some things to look for this weekend.

The First Harvest Classic https://thepitwindow.blog/2020/09/21/the-first-harvest-classic-2/

Dixon Could Clinch His Sixth Title

Scott Dixon has a chance to close out the championship this weekend. he needs to have a 55 point lead over Josef Newgarden after Saturday’s race. Dixon has won four races to Newgarden’s two. The tie breaker, if needed,   could be decided at St. Pete  should Newgarden sweep the weekend. Dixon also has more second place finishes at this point. I think Dixon will come close, but will not clinch until the final race at St. Pete.

Fans Return

After racing in front of empty stands twice at IMS, Indycar drivers will finally see some fans this weekend. Up to 10,000 a day will have access to the track. COVID protocols are in place. Fans were assigned designated entry gates depending on their seat locations.

The drivers are excited to race in front of fans at IMS. This weekend will be the fifth race weekend where fans are allowed. I understand that St. Pete will allow a limited number of fans. We may know that number  in a couple of days.

Fan Favorites Come Back With an Eye Toward 2021

Two Indycar legends, one popular veteran, and a driver and team looking to expand their program have joined the field for the double header. Sebastien Bourdais will drive the number 14 for A. J. Foyt. Bourdais, a four time series champion, will finish the season in the car and be in it full time next season.

Helio Castroneves is back, but not with Team Penske. The three time Indianapolis 500 winner is filling in for Oliver Askew at Arrow McLaren SP. Castroneves is looking for a full time ride in the series in 2021. Many people see these two races as an audition for a third AMSP car. Askew is recovering from concussion symptoms.

James Hinchcliffe will finsih the season in the 26 gainbridge car for Andretti Autosport. Hinchcliffe replaces Zach Veach, who vacated the ride last week. Hinchcliffe could be in line for the car next season. He ran three races for Andretti earlier this season.

Sage Karam and Dreyer and Reinbold return for their third and fourth races of 2020, all at IMS. They hope to improve on their results in the previous two races. the team hopes to do even more races next season.

Cooler Temperatures Will Change the Racing

Today will be the warmest day of the three with a high of 63 degrees. There is only a slight chance of rain. Friday’s high is 59 degrees and Saturday warms all the way up to 60. Bundle up if you’re coming out.

The cars should produce faster speeds and have less drag in these conditions. Will it create more passing opportunities? Colton Herta  talked about some teams experimenting with downforce levels.

The different race lengths (85 laps Friday; 75 laps Saturday) look to be pretty straightforward as far as the number of stops.  Alternate pit strategies might come into play Friday.

The road course has been dominated by Team Penske, which has won all but two of the races run on this configuration. Simon Pagenaud and Will Power have each won on this circuit  three times. I think the tie gets broken in one of the races the next two days. The other race might go to Pato O’Ward.

Look for coverage of the day’s happenings later tonight.

NASCAR/Indycar Doubleheader Returns; Stock cars Will Run Road Course

thepitwindow

The news release from IMS this morning presented the changes to the NASCAR event. The doubleheader ran July 4 weekend this year. Indycar will run two road course races and the Indianapolis 500 at IMS in 2021.

The announcement:

NASCAR, INDYCAR Teaming Up for Historic Brickyard Weekend

September 30, 2020 | By Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Cup Series Turning Left and Right at IMS for First Time Aug. 15

The stars of the NASCAR Cup Series will take on a new challenge at The Racing Capital of the World in 2021, competing on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course for the first time Sunday, Aug. 15. The revamped Brickyard Weekend also will feature a brand-new NTT INDYCAR SERIES race Saturday, Aug. 14 on the road course, setting the stage for another history-making NASCAR-INDYCAR weekend after this year’s successful collaboration at IMS.

NASCAR Cup Series racing will shift to the 14-turn, 2.439-mile road course for the very first time after 27 consecutive years on the 2.5-mile oval, writing a new chapter in the incomparable story of speed at the Racing Capital of the World.

The two premier North American motorsports series first raced at the same facility during the same event on Fourth of July weekend this year at IMS, with the Cup Series on the oval Sunday, July 5 and NTT INDYCAR SERIES on the road course Saturday, July 4. The entire weekend of racing action was televised live on NBC.

This year’s historic tripleheader arose due to the postponement of the GMR Grand Prix INDYCAR race in early May due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But the INDYCAR race on the 2021 August weekend will be the third NTT INDYCAR SERIES event of the season at IMS, following the GMR Grand Prix on the road course and the 105th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on the oval.

“Our first NASCAR-INDYCAR weekend was a big success last July, with positive feedback from our loyal fans who watched the races on NBC and from the drivers, teams and participants involved,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “The Xfinity Series’ debut on the IMS road course provided exactly the kind of thrilling action from the green to checkered flags that we anticipated, so we know the teams and drivers of the Cup Series will put on a great show as they turn left and right for the first time at IMS.

“We can’t wait to welcome back fans to see NASCAR and INDYCAR together during this exciting weekend as we add another memorable chapter in the long, storied history of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.”

NASCAR fans will get their first chance during the August 2021 event weekend to see the impressive facility improvements at IMS since Roger Penske purchased the track, as no fans were admitted to the NASCAR-INDYCAR weekend in July 2020 due to state and local health directives.

Improvements include the massive IMS Media Wall in the Pagoda Plaza, more than 30 new LED video boards, refreshed concession stands and restrooms, 5G wireless connectivity throughout the facility and an elevated Victory Circle with the winning car lifted onto the Victory Podium.

Ticket information for the historic NASCAR-INDYCAR event on the IMS road course will be available soon at IMS.com and IMS social channels. https://www.facebook.com/v2.0/plugins/comments.php?app_id=1570557269837095&channel=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticxx.facebook.com%2Fx%2Fconnect%2Fxd_arbiter%2F%3Fversion%3D46%23cb%3Df3105faf2f79c4%26domain%3Dwww.indianapolismotorspeedway.com%26origin%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.indianapolismotorspeedway.com%252Ff2212c4220dcdf8%26relation%3Dparent.parent&color_scheme=light&container_width=0&height=100&href=https%3A%2F%2Fdev.ims.com%2Fnews-multimedia%2Fnews%2F2020%2F09%2F30%2Fnascar-indycar-teaming-up-for-historic-brickyard-weekend&locale=en_US&numposts=5&sdk=joey&skin=light&version=v2.0&width=900

Herta Seeks to Build on Momentum from Mid Ohio Win

thepitwindow

Photo: Colton Herta celebrates his win at Mid Ohio. Indycar, Chris Owens

Colton Herta hopes to convert the momentum gained from his race 2 victory at Mid Ohio into at least one win this weekend in the Harvest Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. A sweep would help him in his bid to overtake Josef Newgarden for second place in the point standings. Herta trails points leader Scott Dixon by 118 points. Newgarden trails by 72 points.

“I mean, I think if you’re not going for the championship, you’re kind of mindset is to win races. That’s really the mindset. Obviously don’t overextend it and throw a good result away. I have a little bit to lose.Obviously we need to do well. If we really do want to get second place in the championship, we need to win another race. I think we do need a little bit of help from Josef on this weekend., ” Herta told media this morning.

For the races this weekend, in cooler temperatures than Indycar normally encounters at IMS, Herta is unsure what to expect.

“I’m not really sure what it will do for the racing. I think there’s a possibility that guys will try different downforce options if it’s that much cooler. This is a place you can sometimes get away with trimming if it’s a little bit cooler because how long the straights are, no major high-speed corners. It might be interesting in the race tosee what people go for with downforce options that might open up the passing a little bit.”

Herta has been impressed with the rookies this year. Although this is his second year in the series, he is already looking over his shoulder. He commented on the rookies.

“…it just seems like the series is getting tougher and tougher. Another really good crop of rookies. Definitely makes you work harder. You know there’s a lot of guys coming in that are really fast and can take your seat. Yeah, definitely makes you work really hard.”

Herta would like to see IMS change the track configuration for Race 2.

“I think I would love to maybe see — I think you could do it each day, do a different track each day where you can have the turn one like the Formula 1 cars used to use, I think that might make overtaking a little bit better. The other day you can do the normal track. You can practice on the normal track, run it Sunday, shouldn’t be a huge adjustment to run the track Sunday.”

He likes the shortened format that has been used on the short ovals this year, but still thinks road courses should stay with the full weekend program.

Herta is happy that he got a victory this season. It will help him approach the final three races a bit more relaxed.

“I think just a bit of relief that we got the win in this year. I think it’s important for me to win at least once a year. I think for a lot of guys, they feel the same way. It was nice to get that win done, kind of take it off my shoulders, kind of push forward.”

Practice for the Harvest Grand Prix negins Thursday at 2;25 PM Eastern time.

IMS, Gleaners Food Bank Join Forces To Help Ensure No One Runs On Empty

thepitwindow
From IMS this morning:

September 29, 2020 | By Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana are teaming up to drive awareness for Gleaners’ vital mission to end hunger in Central Indiana, especially its No One Runs On Empty awareness campaign.

Gleaners becomes an Official Charitable Partner of IMS through the new partnership, announced Sept. 29 at IMS during Race Week for the INDYCAR Harvest GP presented by GMR and the Indianapolis 8 Hour races Oct. 1-4 at the Racing Capital of the World.

“IMS always has looked beyond its gates to help the Central Indiana community, so this partnership with Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana is an ideal extension of that mission,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “Gleaners tirelessly works to provide meals for hungry Hoosiers, a need that has become even more acute during these challenging times. We’re honored to help, and we encourage all race fans to donate to Gleaners as often as possible.”

A variety of promotional assets at IMS and around Central Indiana will be used to encourage fans to regularly donate to Gleaners. The No One Runs On Empty awareness campaign, launched in early July, highlights advocacy and volunteerism, and encourages financial support for Gleaners’ hunger relief programs.

An estimated 1.5 to 2 million Hoosiers face food insecurity, a number that has climbed significantly from 1 million prior to the COVID-19 pandemic., The need in Marion County increased dramatically more than in the other 20 Indiana counties served by Gleaners, but all counties have seen increased need.

The No One Runs On Empty awareness initiative is made possible through the generosity of the Anthem Foundation. Anthem issued a $1 million challenge to encourage community giving. Gleaners is approximately halfway to that goal and hopes to meet the challenge by the end of this year.

IMS also will host two community food distribution events with Gleaners later this year as part of the partnership.

“For the past seven months, Gleaners has been in the midst of an extraordinary effort to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Joseph Slater, chief operations and financial officer of Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana. “Since March, we’ve been distributing approximately 1.5 million meals each week. Some distributions, such as the Mega Fresh Mobile hosted by IMS last Memorial Day, have served nearly 5,000 families in one day.

“The connection between food insecurity and a host of other issues Including health, unemployment and education, has never been more clear. As we’ve navigated the pandemic and our response to it, a number of organizations have stepped forward to join us in our campaign to make sure that No One Runs On Empty: the Anthem Foundation, Bank of America, Andretti Harding Steinbrenner Autosport. Today, we’re thrilled to add the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to that list of champions, joining us in the fight against hunger. The theme of the Harvest GP fits perfectly with our strategic goal to provide the highest level of nutrition possible to those we serve. We’re thrilled to be a part of it.”

This partnership is a continuation of Gleaners’ No One Runs On Empty initiative. Racing was the launching platform for the program that focuses on education, advocacy, volunteerism and giving. NTT INDYCAR SERIES sophomore sensation Colton Herta drove the No. 88 Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana for Andretti Harding Steinbrenner Autosport in the GMR Grand Prix in July and the 104th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge in August at IMS.

Fans are encouraged to promote Gleaners’ mission by posting to social media with the hashtags #NoOneRunsOnEmpty and #Donate88.

Gleaners was founded in 1980 and is a respected leader within Feeding America, the nation’s food bank network. Since that time, Gleaners has distributed more than half a billion pounds of food and critical grocery products through more than 585 hunger relief agencies, schools and community partners serving hungry Hoosiers.

In addition to food distribution to agencies, Gleaners serves the most vulnerable populations, seniors and children, through specialty programs such as School-Based Pantries, Mobile Pantries, Summer Meals for Kids and Senior Hunger Initiative programs. Fresh Connect Central began as an initiative focused on the distribution of fresh, nutritious fruits and vegetables in 2017 and has grown to include meat and dairy. Gleaners also serves as the reclamation site for Kroger Central Division, and a FEMA disaster relief staging site.

Charity Navigator has recognized Gleaners as a 4-Star organization, the highest rating for charity demonstrating fiscal management and accountability. In addition, Gleaners is an accredited charity with the Better Business Bureau and has earned a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. To learn more, visit www.gleaners.org.

Gleaners also is on social media at www.facebook.com/GleanersFoodBankofIndiana and on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn at @GleanersFBIndy.

Dixon, Newgarden Pursue “Strange” Championship

thepitwindow

Points leader Scott Dixon and his closest challenger Josef Newgarden agree that whoever wins the title will consider the 2020 championship to be a strange one.

Scott Dixon

“I think it would probably be the strangest just I think how the season’s gone, the schedule change,the ups and downs,” Dixon shared on a zoom conference with Indycar media this afternoon.

Josef Newgarden

“Yeah, I would agree with Scott. It would be the strangest. I don’t know how you’re going to forget this year,” Newgarden said.

In preparing for the Harvest Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend, Dixon is approaching the doubleheader as they would any other race weekend and not focusing on clinching the title.

“I think, I don’t know, for us, we just have to treat it like any other race weekend and try to get maximum points. The obvious goal is to go out there and try to win, but unfortunately there’s 23, 24 others that have the same goal. Try to do better than we did at the last doubleheader at Mid-Ohio where I definitely made a very large mistake, that gave away some pretty easy points there.”

Newgarden trails Dixon by 72 points with three races left. he looks at the weekend the same way Dixon does- score more points and the rest will fall into place.

“I think I feel similar to how we felt all year. We sort of just approach it where we try and do the best job possible every weekend, control what we can control, try and score the most points, just like Scott.”

Both drivers are excited that fans will be allowed to attend. 10,00 fans per day are allowed into the track for the weekend.

Dixon said,

“I think it’s going to be fantastic to have up to 10,000 fans on each day. It’s definitely been a different dynamic I think for a lot of us this season,especially the Indianapolis 500 that ran without fans. We welcome the fans greatly. Hopefully the weather cooperates and we can have a fantastic weekend.”

Newgarden agreed,

“Excited to see fans back at a weekend. Everybody has been eager to get to a racetrack, at Indianapolis. Fun to see people around, socially distanced. Hopefully the weather is good. I haven’t even looked. Hopefully we have a good forecast for everybody that’s going to come out.”

Pracftice for the Harvest Grand Prix begins Thursday, with race 1 qualifying later that day. Race 1 is Friday at 3:30 pm Eastern on USA network. Race 2 is Saturday at 2:30 pm eastern on NBC.

Hinchcliffe to Complete Season in #26

thepitwindow

In a move which is not a big surprise, James Hinchcliffe will take over the number 26 Gainbridge Honda for Andretti Autosport for the last three races of the season. The car had been driven by Zach Veach for the lats three years. veach stepped out of the car earlier this week. Hinchcliffe’s time in the car may be a prelude to his driving the 26 next season full time. The announcement from Andretti Autosport:

James Hinchcliffe has been confirmed as the driver of the No. 26 Gainbridge Honda with Andretti Autosport for the remaining three events on the 2020 NTT INDYCAR SERIES calendar. This comes following an announcement Wednesday confirming that Zach Veach would not return to the 26 car for the remaining events.

Hinchcliffe has competed in three prior events [Genesys 600 at Texas Motor Speedway, the GMR INDYCAR Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500] this season with Andretti Autosport in the No. 29 Genesys Honda.

The Harvest GP presented by GMR will see Hinchcliffe join Alexander Rossi (No. 27 NAPA AUTO PARTS / AutoNation Honda), Ryan Hunter-Reay (No. 28 DHL Honda), Colton Herta (No. 88 Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana Honda) and Marco Andretti (No. 98 U.S. Concrete / Curb Honda) for the doubleheader race weekend. The pair of races on the IMS Road Course will be broadcast live Friday at 3:30 p.m. ET on USA Network and Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

MICHAEL ANDRETTI, CHAIRMAN & CEO, ANDRETTI AUTOSPORT
“It’s always unfortunate to have to change drivers this far into a season, but we have to look at finishing the year the best we can for the 26 team and start evaluating and looking at options for 2021. James has an existing relationship with our team that we’d love to build on and it makes the most sense for him to step in for these last three races. We are looking forward to seeing what he can do.”

JAMES HINCHCLIFFE, NTT INDYCAR SERIES DRIVER, NO. 26 GAINBRIDGE HONDA
“I know, probably better than most, what Zach is feeling right now, and I have to say that he has handled everything about as class act as you can. I’ve known Zach as a teammate, before that as a colleague and even before that as a friend, and he is a guy that I respect in every way. I know he is a fighter and will fight back to where he wants to be.

“For me now, my focus is 100% on racing the Harvest GP and getting the best possible results for Gainbridge, for Honda, for Michael and for the team. I obviously haven’t been on a road course in a while, but at least the last time I was, it was here at IMS! Hopefully that puts us in a good position to go out there and have a strong weekend.”

Askew Withdraws from Harvest GP; Castroneves to Fill In

thepitwindow

Photo: Oliver Askew at Indycar Content Day in February

From Arrow McLaren SP:

Helio Castroneves to pilot the No. 7 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet at Indianapolis

Arrow McLaren SP driver Oliver Askew will withdraw from the INDYCAR Harvest Grand Prix, after being declared not fit to drive by the INDYCAR Medical Team.

Following the INDYCAR race at Mid-Ohio, Oliver reported a balance and coordination issue, which triggered an examination from the INDYCAR Medical Team. As a result, Oliver is not medically cleared to race and is subject to INDYCAR’s Return to Racing Protocol.

“This was an incredibly tough call but I have to follow the advice of the INDYCAR Medical Team and my doctors. My priority right now is focusing on my health,” Askew said. “Despite not being in the car, I will be at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Harvest GP, giving whatever insight and support to Arrow McLaren SP that I can.”

Askew will be replaced in the No. 7 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet by Helio Castroneves for the upcoming doubleheader Harvest GP at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.

“The welfare of Oliver, our team members and fellow competitors is paramount,” said Arrow McLaren SP co-owner Sam Schmidt.

“We therefore support Oliver and the decision of INDYCAR. Withdrawing to focus on his health and recovery is the right thing to do.”

Helio will join Pato O’Ward, driver of the No. 5 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet, to complete the team’s driver lineup in Indianapolis.

“First and foremost, we wish Oliver the best and that he is able to take time to recover,” said Helio. “I look forward to getting back on track and helping to build on the great progress that Arrow McLaren SP has made this year.”

Arrow McLaren SP returns to action at the Harvest GP, a doubleheader of races on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. The races will take place on Friday, October 2nd at 3:30 p.m. ET on USA Network and Saturday, October 3rd at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC.