Category: Auto Racing

Fast Friday Lives Up to Its Name

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Early speed and later speed was the order of the day at IMS as teams ran simulated qualifying runs early, waited through the hottesrt part of the afternoon, then came out after the skies became overcast.

Scott McLaughlin had the fastest single lap of the day this very early, a 233,954 mph scorcher, but Scott Dixon edged teammate Alex Palou for the best four lap average.

Kyffin Simpson had a huge wall contact out of turn 4 and got airborne early in the day. he was cleared to drive by the medical staff. Kyle Larson spun and made slight contact in the north short chute. He returned to make a shakedown run later.

The biggest surprise of the day was Robert Shwartzman. The rookie had struggled to find speed all week, but he turned the 13th fastest single lap at 231,295 mph and the eighth fastest four lap average.

Graham Rahal continues to struggle. He ran the 28th fastest single lap and didn’t get a qualifying simulation completed.

The top ten 4 lap averages:

Tomorrow’s forecast is for cooler and windier weather with a high ofm73 and west winds of 15 to 20 knots and gusts of 25-30 knots.

I’ll be back latwer tonight with resultd of the quakifying draw.

Mid Day Fast Friday

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Good afternoon from IMS. Some notes on the day so far.

I do not recall a bigger turnout for Fast Friday than I see today. I was in line to park for 15 minutes. The Pagoda Plaza is very busy. The crowd tracks with the announcement made by Doug Boles this morning.

Boles said that there are fewer than 1,000 grandstand seats remaining, mostly between turns 3 and 4, and that the local television blackout is lifted for the race. FOX 59 will re air the race as scheduled Sunday night, conflicting with the Pacers’ first home game of the third round of playoffs.

The sellout, which Boles expects to be complete this weekend, is the first since 2016.

Sonsio Grand Prix Note– Boles told me that tickets for the Grand Prix were up 4% on Friday and 7% on Sunday. He sees no direct correlation between Grand Prix and 500 sales.

On Track– Scott McLaughlin turned a blistering 233.951 mph lap early, and no one has come within two miles an hour of that time. Will Power is second and Christian Rasmussen sits third at the moment.

50 minutes into the session Kyffin Simpson hit r

the wall exiting turn 4. the car lifted but didn’t flip. Simpson slid in to pit entry. He got out of the car under his own power.

Santino Ferrucci seems to have his issues solved. he has a quick lap of 230.389 today.

Graham Rahal continues to struggle. He has the third slowest speed of theafternoon.

Marco Andretti has been the only Andretti Global car on track. Andretti is 10th fastest with 230.510 lap.

Still to make an appearance today- Pato O’Ward, Colton Herta, Kyle Kirkwood, and Marcus Ericsson.

I’ll be back at the end of the day with a wrap up and the qualification draw.

Pole Tales: 1975- Foyt’s Second Try Ties Record

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Rules had slowed the cars, but they did not slow the drama. Johnny Rutherford’s pole speed of 198 mph just two years ago was a distant memory. Tom Sneva held the top spot in the first hour of qualifying at just over 190 mph. Bobby Unser topped his speed with an average of 191.073 mph. The next car on track, Gordon Johncock, went faster, 91. 652 mph to move to the provisional pole.

A. J. Foyt had yet to qualify. Foyt had taken the green flag but pulled into the pits after just one lap. The car went back to the garage. Foyt later said there was an engine issue.

After repairs, Foyt went out for his second attempt. His first lap was195.313, and his average of 193.976 easily beat Johncock’s time. Foyt went out with the idea of taking any speed above 190 mph. Only four drivers qualified above that mark. Foyt may also have been concerned about the high number of qualifiers that day. Under the rules of that era, he would have started 21st at best if he would have had to qualify the following day.

The pole was Foyt’s second in a row and fourth of his storied Indianapolis 500 career. He had also won poles in 1965 and 1969. At the time Rex Mays was the only other driver to win four poles at the Speedway (1935, 1936, 1940, 1948.)

The 1975 starting front row marked the first time that three former winners started at the front of the field.

Bobby Unser won his second Indianapolis 500 in an event stopped after 435 miles because of rain. Rutherford was second and Foyt finished third. It was the third race shortened by rain in a four year period, with only the 1974 race running the full distance in that time.

Grandstand Sellout Sets Stage hifor Epic Indianapolis 500 Race Day 

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Local Delay Lifted for Inaugural Indy 500 Broadcast on FOX
 
INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, May 16, 2025) – As the stars of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES take center stage for the upcoming 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, a massive and historic crowd will greet them with thunderous applause. All reserved seating for Race Day will be sold out for the first time since the legendary 100th edition of the race in 2016.
Right now, a select few tickets remain in the IMS grandstands, with a full reserved seating sellout likely to occur by the checkered flag for Monday’s practice and possibly before the end of PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying Weekend. Fans who would like a reserved seat for the event are encouraged to visit IMS.com before it’s too late.
In tandem with this historic update, event organizers also have lifted the local broadcast delay of the race. Expanded coverage of the very first Indy 500 on FOX starts on Sunday, May 25 at 10 a.m. ET across the country, with the green flag set for approximately 12:45 p.m. ET.
“This year, the greatest race on Earth will host one of its biggest and most memorable crowds in many decades,” Penske Entertainment President and CEO Mark Miles said. “This is a terrific showcase for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and a great milestone to supercharge our relationship with FOX Sports. It is also absolutely a fitting tribute to the continued leadership and investment of Roger Penske.”
While general admission tickets will still be available in the IMS infield through Race Day, the massive grandstands around the 116-year-old 2.5-mile oval, and all hospitality suites, will be completely filled. Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the world’s largest spectator sporting facility, and the Indy 500 is annually the largest spectator sporting event on the planet, hosting a crowd of approximately 350,000 people.
“The very best fans in sports have delivered in historic and fitting fashion for the incredible stars of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES,” INDYCAR and IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “The sheer size and scale of this crowd is going to be massive and will offer an epic backdrop for the very first Indy 500 on FOX. The 109th Running will be a full-scale, nonstop spectacle that draws the eyes of the world to Speedway, Indiana.”
Beyond the grandstands, the Hulman Terrace Club is also sold out, and every IMS suite is full. Coors Light Snake Pit wristbands remain available to pair with a General Admission ticket for entry to EDM’s most unique annual event.Anticipation for the 109th Running has had a positive ripple effect throughout the city, as citizens throughout Central Indiana have embraced the 109th Running for months through community initiatives.
From racing-themed porch parties to raising “500” flags to racing-themed artwork placed all around Indianapolis, the spirit of the Indy 500 has been a spectacle in itself.
FOX Sports also has added new energy to the event, bringing forward significant star power befitting “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” On Wednesday, legendary seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback and FOX Sports lead NFL analyst Tom Brady’s attendance was confirmed, riding in the Fastest Seat in Sports with racing legend Jimmie Johnson. Additional members of the FOX talent team on site include NFL Hall of Famer Michael Strahan, who will drive the Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car, and NFL legend Rob Gronkowski as host of the Coors Light Snake Pit.
“FOX Sports is all in on INDYCAR, and this is an incredible accomplishment to celebrate with our first Indy 500 broadcast,” FOX Sports Chief Executive Officer and Executive Producer Eric Shanks said. “As a lifelong fan, I am also personally thrilled to see the grandstands filled on Race Day and look forward to broadcasting the race live in Central Indiana.”
With a mega crowd traveling May 25 to IMS that exceeds even the massive crowds witnessed in recent years, longtime fans are encouraged to begin their Race Day routines early to take full advantage of the 109th Running experience.Entering the facility in the early-morning hours is the best way to celebrate and experience the excitement of Race Day. Highlights include the fan midway, new concession and vending options and new field activations from FOX Sports. As always, pre-race ceremonies qqqqwill be electric, emotionally charged and star-packed.
Fans are encouraged to visit IMS.com and check IMS social media feeds for updates on all ticketing-related information. Remaining Race Weekend experiences are selling fast, and everyone is encouraged to purchase remaining inventory as soon as possible.

Fast Friday

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From IMS:

Friday, May 16 
 INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, May 15, 2025) – Information about 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge practice track activity Friday, May 16 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway:
SCHEDULE (All times local):
10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Public gates open
Noon-6 p.m.: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Fast Friday presented by Turtle Wax Practice
6:15 p.m.: Qualification Order Draw
TICKETS: General Admission tickets are $25. The General Admission ticket will provide the opportunity to move between the IMS infield viewing mounds and first-come, first-served access to selected grandstands to view racing action from different vantage points.
PUBLIC GATES OPEN (10 a.m.-6 p.m.): Gate 1, Gate 2, Gate 4, Gate 6S, Gate 7, Gate 7S, Gate 10, Gate 10A
PARKING: Free public parking is available in Turn 3 and Lot 7 (North 40). Free ADA accessible parking is available in the following lots: West Museum Lot, Flag Lot, Tower Lot, Northwest Gravel Lot and Lot 7 (North 40). Free motorcycle parking is available in South Carousel Lot. Paid parking is available for $10 in Lot 2, Main Gate Lot and Lot 3P and $20 in Gate 1 Lot. Paid ADA parking is available for $10 in Lot 2 and Lot 3P and $20 in Gate 1 Lot.
CASHLESS OPERATIONS: The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a cashless facility. Please be prepared to complete your ticket, credentials, parking, concession and merchandise purchases with ease during your event via debit or credit card.Tap-to-pay phone payments will be accepted, as will credit and debit transactions. Cash-to-Card machines, which convert paper money onto a temporary debit card, will be located in the IMS Museum, Pagoda Plaza and outside Turn 1 by concessions stand 7. These funds can be spent inside the venue, outside the venue, online or anywhere in the world where Mastercard/Visa debit cards are accepted.
MUSEUM: The IMS Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission tickets are $25, seniors (55 and over) are $23, and military (former and active) are $18. Tickets can be purchased online at https://imsmuseum.org/tickets/. Gate admission must be purchased as well as Museum admission.

Day 3 Complete- Qualifying Sims and a Wall Scrape

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Josef Newgarden set quick time early at 226.632, followed by Scott Dixon and Conor Daly.

Several cars made qualifying simulation runs today, and tomorrow everyone will make qualifying practice when the boost is turned up.

Christian Rasmussen brought out the first yellow flag of the week. He lost the rear of his car in turn 2, scraped the wall and came to rest in the infield.

Payo O’Ward and Conor Daly think that Andretti cars, especially Colton Herta and Kyle Kirkwood, could be pole contenders.

Santino Ferrucci continues to struggle. He ran just 16 laps today. Graham Rahal also is not finding speed. He was the slowest car on track today.

Results

Day 3 Report

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Tony Kanaan completed his refresher test today and is eligible to replace Kyle Larson on Race Day if necessary. Kanaan must start the race. He cannot replace Larson if there is a delay after the race starts.

Santino Ferrucci continues to struggle. He said last night that he was going back to the car he used in last year’s 500, but so far results have not improved. Ferrucci has turned just 13 laps today.

Graham Rahal is struggling with the balance of his car.

Conor Faly has found speed. He is currently third quickest today.

Seven Chevrolets are in the current top 10.

I’ll be back later with a wrap up of the day.

Standings as of 3:50 pm Eastern

Shell Starship 3.0 Unveiled To Drive New Era of Energy-Efficient Transport in Racing 

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From IMS. More photos art the end of the article.

 First Natural Gas-Powered Class 8 Truck To Join INDYCAR Fleet; 
New Emissions Tracking Technology from NTT DATA Announced


INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, May 15, 2025) – The NTT INDYCAR SERIES and Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) continue accelerating toward a cleaner future with new initiatives unveiled May 15 at the iconic racing venue.
As part of their broader push toward a zero-waste event and reduced operational emissions, INDYCAR and IMS announced the addition of Shell’s Starship 3.0 – a groundbreaking, natural gas-powered transporter – to the series’ fleet after the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.
Shell Starship 3.0 will serve as the new transporter for INDYCAR’s Pennzoil Tech Inspection Trailer for the remainder of the 2025 season. Its debut marks a major milestone in Penske Entertainment’s long-term sustainability strategy, which includes investments in onsite recycling infrastructure for glass and polystyrene diversion programs at IMS and a recently launched emissions tracking platform for INDYCAR, in partnership with NTT DATA.
A Starship Built for the Road Ahead
Shell Starship 3.0 is powered by a Cummins X15N™ natural gas engine – making it the first natural gas-powered Class 8 truck operating within a national motorsports fleet in North America. It will haul INDYCAR’s Pennzoil Tech Inspection Trailer starting with the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear on June 1.
With a lightweight, carbon fiber body, advanced aerodynamic design, a mirror-replacement camera system and Shell Rotella natural gas engine oil, the Shell Starship is designed to demonstrate what’s possible when cutting-edge commercial freight technology meets environmental responsibility.
“Integrating Shell Starship into INDYCAR’s operations is an exciting next step in demonstrating how cutting-edge technologies can support real-world logistics while helping reduce carbon emissions,” said Thomas Mueller, general manager of Commercial Road Transport at Shell. “This is innovation in motion, and we look forward to seeing how the Starship performs in a practical application in demanding environments.”
Shell Starship is the result of a multiyear innovation and testing program developed in collaboration with the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE), which has independently verified the truck’s results since its inception in 2018.
Natural gas-powered engines, like the Cummins X15N, emit less CO₂ than traditional diesel counterparts and can run on renewable natural gas (RNG), a fuel derived from organic waste that’s interchangeable with CNG and LNG. In some applications, RNG can even deliver a negative carbon intensity score compared to fossil fuels on a life cycle basis, depending on feedstocks[1],making it a powerful tool for decarbonizing transport.
Data-Powered Progress: Emissions Tracking Software from NTT DATA
Also announced today was new emissions tracking software from NTT DATA, the Official Technology Partner of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. Developed in partnership with Penske, this AI-powered emissions management platform will provide INDYCAR and its partners with data-driven insights into the carbon footprint of race operations and logistics throughout the season.
The cutting-edge system streamlines carbon accounting – the process of calculating greenhouse gas emissions – by collecting, standardizing and transforming diverse activity data into real-time dashboards and custom reports, offering actionable insights into the size, composition and overall health of emissions data.
“As a global leader in digital business and technology services, NTT DATA is proud to support INDYCAR and its partner in their sustainability journey,” said David Costa, chief sustainability, business officer, NTT DATA, Inc. “Our software platform is empowering INDYCAR with comprehensive emissions tracking and reporting capabilities, seamlessly integrating data from operational activities and vendor partnerships. By streamlining the data collection process, we’re enabling INDYCAR to make informed, data-driven decisions that contribute to a reduced environmental footprint.”
Shell is among the early adopters of this software, which will be rolled out more broadly in the coming weeks as part of INDYCAR’s commitment to transparency and environmental innovation. This collaboration has laid a strong foundation for joint sustainability efforts, helping to drive Penske’s long-term environmental targets forward and enabling its application across multiple sports platforms.
Together, these announcements underscore the powerful alliance between Shell, NTT DATA, and INDYCAR to drive a more sustainable future for racing – on and off the track.[1] California Air Resource Board – LCFS Pathway Certified Carbon Intensities | California Air Resources Board: LCFS Pathway Certified Carbon Intensities | California Air Resources Board