Category: Auto Racing

Penske Gives IMS a Valentine

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I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I came away from the announcement at Indianapolis Motor Speedway even more impressed with Roger Penske and what he can accomplish. It was just 100 days ago that he purchased the Speedway and the NTT Indycar Series.  There is a lot of information to digest from the press conference. Here are some thoughts about the major areas discussed today.

For a detailed list of the improvements at IMS, click or paste this link:

https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/90591962/posts/2589662794

Increased Purse

Adding $2 million to the purse for a total of $15 million is a step in the right direction. It’s an increase of about $60,000 per starter. The winner is guaranteed $2 million. I hope the winning driver’s total reaches $3 million with other prizes. Could this be just a first step? Penske seemed to dodge the question about adding a title sponsor to raise the purse even further.

Qualifying

I like the multiple attempts on Bump Day for those trying to get in the field. One of the issues with the 2019 format was that a driver couldn’t defend by going out again. Expanding  the time to 75 minutes is okay. I would prefer two hours for this. I will save my annual qualifying rant for May.

The turbocharger boost to 45 horsepower for qualifying should see speeds increase. There are many other factors that may prevent this- weather, time of day, the effect of the aeroscreen.  Fast Friday will be interesting.

NBC expanded coverage on both qualifying days may lead to higher race day ratings. Some coverage will be on NBCSN, but it sounds as if the main segements- the Fast Nine and the  Last Row Shootout- will be on NBC. Again, more about this in May.

New Sponsors

The new sponsors announced today show the power of Roger Penske. Several are associate sponsors of Penske’s race team. The more the merrier in this department.

Fan Experience

Penske has said from the first day he would invest in the fan experience. He is doing that. The improvements to the video boards alone would have been a big enough enhancement for one year. However he is not stopping there. Moving the west side fence into Georgetown Road will greatly help the congestion there.

Refurbishing 125 restrooms with fresh paint and new sinks has been needed for some time. No mention today of the famous (infamous?) troughs.

I’m excited to see the lighted signs at the main gate and at Gate 2.

Victory Podium

The one thing that concerns me is raising the winning car to the podium. It’s a nice idea and I understand why they want to do this, but I think this will take some excitement away from the celebration. I thought this practice was stopped because the moment lost spontaneity. I would prefer the celebration be on ground level, where there is actually more room, then lift the car and have the driver and team come up to the podium. Maybe IMS can practice this during the GMR Grand Prix and the Freedom 100 to work out any possible kinks in the new procedure.

Today was a very positive day for the future of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It’s always a nervous time when anew owner comes to a place. I felt at the time Penske was the best person to take over the Speedway. Today showed that so far my feeling was correct.

IMS Reveals Wide Ranging Plan

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Here is the press release from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. My thoughts will be up in just a bit.

Penske Unveils Wide-Ranging Plan to Enhance Month of May, IMS

Record Purse, Qualifying Changes, New Sponsors, Facility Improvements Set for May 2020

MEDIA CONTACT: Alex Damron,  adamron@brickyard.com, 317-501-4218

INDIANAPOLIS, Friday, Feb. 14, 2020 – A wide-ranging, multifaceted plan to boost and strengthen the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was unveiled today featuring significant improvements and financial investment that will resonate with fans from Central Indiana and throughout the globe.

The goal of the plan is to produce a legendary Month of May. Enhancements revealed exactly 100 days from the 104th Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 24 include:

– The largest purse in Indianapolis 500 history

– Improvements to the Indianapolis 500 qualifying format and television schedule

– New sponsors investing long term in the “500,” IMS and NTT INDYCAR SERIES

– A multimillion-dollar investment in the fan experience at IMS

Since Jan. 6, following the change in ownership, the IMS team moved quickly to implement significant upgrades to the GMR Grand Prix, Indianapolis 500 and the Big Machine Vodka 400 during Fourth of July weekend.

“This is the Racing Capital of the World,” Roger Penske said. “It is on par with some of the most historic sporting institutions in this nation and across the globe, from Churchill Downs to Augusta National. Today, we’re announcing a meaningful investment in our fan experience that will produce rapid results. It’s part of a long-term plan to ensure the legendary status of the Speedway continues to grow and evolve for generations to come.

“I am very excited about the enhancements to qualifying weekend, the largest-ever ‘500’ purse, new sponsors and the significant investments we are making to the INDYCAR SERIES and to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.”

Indianapolis 500 Purse

The event purse for the 104th Indianapolis 500 will be the largest in the history of the event. The purse will grow by $2 million to more than $15 million, boosting the prize pool for NTT INDYCAR SERIES teams and drivers.

Indianapolis 500 Qualifying

Qualifying weekend for the 104th Indianapolis 500 – Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17 – will feature a variety of changes to its format and broadcast to create even more memories and drama. 

Multiple attempts will return to the Last Row Shootout, expanding it to 75 minutes. Previous versions of the Shootout featured one attempt per car. While fans enjoyed that format, feedback indicated they wanted even more drama as drivers try to seize one of the three final spots in the field.

A boost in turbocharger level will see speeds climb this year during the Indy 500 qualifying sessions. Turbocharger boost will increase horsepower by 45 HP this year.

An expanded weekend TV schedule will ensure NBC televises coverage of qualifications on both Saturday and Sunday, with total network exposure increasing over 2019. Full weekend broadcast details will be released soon.

New Sponsors

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES and IMS will add six new major sponsors in 2020. Pennzoil, Verizon, Snap-on Tools, DEX Imaging, Road & Track magazine and Global Medical Response will make significant investments in the racing series and Speedway.

Multimillion-Dollar Fan Experience Investment

The 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 in 2016 saw large investments made to the Speedway. Beginning with this year’s GMR Grand Prix, fans will experience many new upgrades to IMS. These enhancements are all projects that will be finished before gates open, with several additional opportunities under consideration for future seasons.

Technology upgrades are a major component of this plan. More than 30 additional large-screen video boards will be added, including 24 along the Paddock seating. The Paddock screens will bring race action and vital information to an additional 25,000 fans. In addition, all seven large infield big-screen monitors will receive a running order addition.

Another exciting addition is the IMS Media Wall. This video board, measuring 100 feet wide by 20 feet tall, will be installed at the base of the Pagoda facing the Pagoda Plaza as a cornerstone of a plan to transform the popular gathering area for fans. It will also provide data-driven race insights to fans from NTT.

Verizon and their 5G Ultra Wideband network will transform the iconic Speedway into a first of its kind technology-led entertainment complex. IMS will be the first motorsports facility with commercial 5G service that will enhance both the consumer experience and track operations.

Infrastructure improvements will be noticeable inside and outside of the fabled, 110-year-old facility.

Pedestrian traffic on Georgetown Road will be widened by two lanes to make ingress and egress easier for more than half of the venue’s Race Day customers.

More than 125 restrooms are being renovated inside IMS. New pavement will be added to the Parcel B lot near the IMS Main Gate to improve the parking experience and create a cleaner look for the “front door” of the facility. Approximately 3 miles of fencing will be added to the entire grounds.

The winning driver and team of the Indianapolis 500, Grand Prix and Brickyard 400 will receive higher honors, as the winner’s car will be elevated to the same level as the Victory Podium after each race. This will give fans a better vantage point for pictures and social media sharing of the most prestigious Victory Lane in global motorsports.

The atmosphere of the massive facility also will be enhanced through detail-oriented improvements throughout IMS.

Night light signage will be installed over Gates 1 and 2, while IMS will assume responsibility for the beautification project along Crawfordsville Road. Fans will notice fresh paint and new signage on more than 50 concession stands inside IMS, picnic tables added throughout the grounds for more gathering space for families and friends, and the placement of more than 230 racing-themed flags around the facility and Crawfordsville Road.

All aspects of this fan experience investment plan are underway and will be completed before IMS gates open for the Month of May on Friday, May 8.

Tickets are on sale now at IMS.com and the IMS Ticket Office for the 104th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, GMR Grand Prix, Big Machine Vodka 400 and all other activities at IMS.

View: Month of May Enhancements Presentation Deck

http://view.email.brickyard.com/?qs=ae911881c840fde4bc7ec4a33fc4a5df48942840c7bbc3ea4daba6f7667c7f76a7b2014771ce5c631bcb6fed734f2e965e735bf283aa789e33a50a1a560f394a2059f5c4a4d165de2631d9cf0f2aacd811

Quick Thoughts- Day 2 at COTA

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Photo: Colton Herta led part of the afternoon before finishing fifth. Photo by Kyle McInnes

First, I am excited to announce my partnership with Race Fan Heaven for 2020. My stories will also appear on their website, RaceFanHeaven.com. You can also find them on Twitter @RaceFanHeaven. I will be posting when they have new podcasts up, generally Friday evenings, and when they post videos. Give them a follow. They have a lot of fun doing their podcasts and have a great passion for racing.

For a brief moment the top five were four drivers with less than three years experience and Sebastien Bourdais. I thought that was great to see.

Nice that the weather improved today and that the cars got some real testing done.

It hit me watching the live stream what I find odd about the aeroscreen. From the front, the screen looks too round. I know it’s not but that is the illusion I noticed. It’s a round piece on a rectangular base. I understand that there is not much that can be done about it since it is a retro fit. I hope this problem can be addressed in the next generation car.

The newer drivers had fun in the top 10 early, but in the end the veterans led the day. Still, four drivers in the top 10 have less than a full Indycar season of experience. Pato O’Ward was the only one of them who has driven in a race.

Scott McLaughlin is an amazing talent. His last open wheel experience was in a Formula Ford several years ago. To drive a car so different from what he usually races and finish P3 is quite an accomplishment. I hope he can get more than one race this season.

I was also impressed with Alex Palou and Oliver Askew. I realize testing times don’t mean much, but to be in the top 10 today is a good beginning.

I’m looking for a lot of great pole battles this year between Will Power and Colton Herta. We saw a great fight for the top spot in two qualifying rounds at Portland between them. Today Power and Herta traded the top spot for a while.

Speeds were quicker than I thought, within just a few tenths of 2019 times.

There is just one more test day at Sebring before the St. Pete season opener. The track build begins next week.

Back tomorrow with more.

 

 

 

COTA Test Day 2 Looks for Better Conditions

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Schedule for today:

Session 1- 10-1 EDT

Session 2- 1:30-6

The latest forecast calls for rain to taper off and be gone by noon. Temperatures should ride above 50 degrees. This with be a busy afternoon.

COTA has opened the track to the public today. It was originally going to be a closed session. Thanks to COTA for thinking of the fans.

I’m flying home this morning and will cover remotely. I have some photos to post later from my good friend Kyle McInnes.

Testing Halted for Weather

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Photo: Robert Wickens talks to rookie Oliver Askew

Cold and rain have stopped the first practice session. Seven cars took one lap each and other cars just did installation laps. Josef Newgarden and Max Chilton were the only drivers under three minutes on a wet track. The cars ran under a yellow flag before the red came out at 10:45. There is one hour remaining in the morning test round, which likely won’t restart.

Here are some photos from the session.

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Nasr, Sette Camara Share Car 31 in Testing

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Photo from Carlin Racing Twitter

There may be new Brazilian blood in Indycar this season after all. I wrote a piece last week after Tony Kanaan’s announcement discussing how drivers from Brazil could be gone from Indycar in a couple years’ time. Carlin Racing must have read and decided to fix.

The Last of the Brazilians?https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/90591962/posts/2578729372

Felipe Nasr and Sergio Sette Camara will share the 31 car in NTT Indycar Series Spring Training testing at COTA tomorrow and Wednesday. Carlin Racing announced the pair as their drivers for the car, which had a TBA designation on the entry list.

Nasr drove for Carlin in the British Formula 3 and GP2 series. He won the 2011 British Formula 3 Championship. Nasr drove for Sauber in F1 in 2015 and 2016. He currently drives the number 31 Whelen Engineering team for  Action Express in the IMSA Weather Tech Sports Car Championship. He was the 2018 series champion and finished second in the standings last year.

Sette Camara drove in Formula 2 for Carlin in 2018. He won three races. His best season finish was 4th.

It is not know if Carlin is looking to share the ride for 2020 or favors one driver. Nars would have some schedule conflicts.

Media Day

I will be posting stories about some individual drivers from Media Day. A few common threads stood out.

It seems all the drivers are in favor of the aeroscreen and applaud the series for taking this step. Some expressed concerns about vision and cooling while others said it was no different than driving a sports car.  The drivers who have had track time with the aeroscreen seemed the most concerned. Tomorrow’s weather will be a good test for some potential issues.

Several drivers, especially the ones from Andretti Autosport, were lavish in their praise of John Andretti. They loved his positive attitude, his passion for racing, and the kind, caring person he was.

All the drivers who were asked said they would prefer to win the Indianapolis 500 rather than a season championship. Those whop won the 500 want very badly to win another one.

Back in the morning with a preview of the day and the ;latest weather forecast.

 

Arrow McLaren SP Liveries: A Taste of Mclaren and a Somewhat Retro Look; Carlin Returns

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Arrow McLaren SP revealed their liveries for 2020. The number 5 car which Pato O’Ward will drive and the 7 of Oliver Askew have different color front end plates which will help fans tell the cars apart. The gold cockpit surround of last year has been replaced by papaya orange. I really like the number fonts. The majority of number fonts in the NTT Indycar Series have become rather generic, mainly block numbers in various colors. The fonts for this team are dynamic.

The orange and blue accents are a familiar scheme for McLaren, whose founder Bruce McLaren drove cars with these colors.

The design reminds me of Raul Boesel’s Duracell car of the early 90s, and it also has a hint of the MGD Light car. It’s always nice to have a bit of a retro appearance. The highlight of the reveal was when Mike Long said the new 5 year out plan is to get Robert Wickens back in a car. The technology is there and improving.. What an amazing day that will be for Indycar and Wickens.

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Oliver Askew’s #7
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Pato O’Ward’s #5

The aeroscreen seems less intrusive on theses cars than it does on some other entries. I am anxious to get an in person look at all the cars next Tuesday at COTA.

 

Carlin, Chilton Return

Carlin Racing also announce today that Max Chilton will be back in the 59 car with Gallagher sponsorship. Chilton will drive all road and street courses and the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500. There was no mention of a second car or whether someone else would drive the other four ovals. Carlin plans to have two cars at Spring Training next week.

 

Spring Training Schedule and Streaming

Spring Training from COTA will be streamed next Tuesday and Wednesday on the Indycar Mobile App and Indycar.com.

The schedule (all times Eastern):

Tuesday

11 am-1 pm

2:30 pm-6:30 pm

Wednesday

10 am- Noon

1 pm-5 pm

I’m will be on site Monday and Tuesday. look for my Spring Training preview this weekend and updates Monday and Tuesday.

 

The Last of the Brazilians?

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We are approaching the end of a great time in the history of the Indianapolis 500 and the NTT Indycar Series. Word today from Team Penske that Australian Supercars champion Scott McLaughlin will drive in the GMR Grand Prix at Indianapolis in May means Helio Castroneves will drive only in the 104th Running of the Indianapolis 500. My feeling is this will be his last 500.

Earlier this month, Tony Kanaan announced 2020 will be his final year in Indycar as he runs only the ovals in the series. I could see him coming back for the Indianapolis 500, but I’m not sure for how long.  I think Kanaan may have a tough time getting funding for future rides.

The 104th Indianapolis 500 may be the last one for awhile with a driver from Brazil in it. Since Emerson Fittipaldi’s rookie year in 1984, I count 19 Brazilian drivers who have run in the race. I m ay be leaving a couple out.The early 2000s were the peak of the South American country’ s participation.  In 2003, Brazil finished first, second, and third. Gil DeFerran won, followed by Castroneves and Kanaan Four Brazilian drivers have compiled seven victories at Indianapolis. Castroneves has three and Fittipaldi has two. DeFerran and Kanaan each won once.

The high mark was in 2010 when seven Brazilian drivers started. Six starters were in the 2002 race .From 2003-2008, there were four drivers from Brazil in each race. Last year the contingent was just Castroneves, Kanaan, and Matheus Leist.

Among the other drivers from Brazil, I liked Raul Boesel, who I thought had a great chance at winning in 1993; Ana Beatriz, Vitor Meira, and Bruno Junqueira. Meira never won a race in his Indycar career, but came close several times. Junqueira has qualified several cars only to be displaced on race day.

The pendulum seems to be swinging back toward American drivers now. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Trends of certain nationalities dominating the Indycar paddock are cyclical. It just doesn’t seem as if the Brazilian pipeline has many drivers in it right now.

It would be fitting if 2020 were the last 500 for both Kanaan and Castroneves. They grew up racing against each other. I think seeing them retire from the Greatest Spectacle in Racing together, while sad to mark the end of an era, would be nice.