| INDIANAPOLIS (Monday, Sept. 23, 2024) – INDYCAR confirmed today the establishment of a charter system across the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. In total, owners of 10 teams have accepted charters for 25 entries competing in North America’s premier open-wheel racing series, beginning immediately. “This is an important development that demonstrates an aligned and optimistic vision for the future of our sport,” Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO Mark Miles said. “I want to extend my sincere appreciation to our team owners for their collaboration and ideation throughout this process. Ultimately, we’re pleased to have a system in place that provides greater value for our ownership and the entries they field.” This is the first charter system to be introduced in the history of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. A chartered entry is guaranteed a starting position on the grid at all NTT INDYCAR SERIES races, excluding the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. An entry also must be chartered to qualify for the annual NTT INDYCAR SERIES Leaders Circle program – an annual award program that compensates the 22 top finishers in the prior year’s NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship. The terms of the initial, long-term charter agreements are committed through the end of 2031. Chartered 2025 INDYCAR Teams NTT INDYCAR SERIES Team Entries A.J. Foyt Enterprises 2 Andretti Global 3 Arrow McLaren 3 Chip Ganassi Racing 3 Dale Coyne Racing 2 Ed Carpenter Racing 2 Juncos Hollinger Racing 2 Meyer Shank Racing 2 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing 3 Team Penske 3 Charters were extended to team owners based on full-time entries over the previous two seasons, with a maximum of three awarded per team. WHAT INDYCAR’S TEAM OWNERS ARE SAYING “I appreciate the efforts made by the INDYCAR and Penske leadership groups, as well as all the owners, to get this charter system started. It is incredibly challenging to get a large group of owners to agree on something, and certainly there was some give and take, but, in the end, I believe this is a path that is beneficial for all of the owners and for INDYCAR, while also maintaining the availability for open competition.” – Larry Foyt, A.J. Foyt Enterprises “When you look back in the modern era of INDYCAR racing, you will look at a few important moments, the first being the unification of the sport, the next being Roger Penske buying the INDYCAR SERIES and IMS, and I truly believe the third will be the charter system.” – Chip Ganassi, Chip Ganassi Racing “We are very pleased to begin this new era. The process has been thorough but, in the end, very exciting. This charter system will clearly strengthen our teams as we continue to grow the sport. I would like to thank Roger (Penske) and his entire team at INDYCAR.“ECR will have announcements soon, and I don’t know that they would be possible without the help of a program like this. With this groundbreaking development, the new TV deal with FOX and the momentum that had been building, INDYCAR’s future is very bright.” – Ed Carpenter, Ed Carpenter Racing “The charter agreement, to me, is the single-most important piece for the future of the series. I’m grateful that we all came together on this and thank the Roger Penske group for working with the team owners for getting it done.” – Michael Shank, Meyer Shank Racing The 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season begins Sunday, March 2 at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding on the streets of St. Petersburg. The entire 17-race schedule will be available live on FOX and the INDYCAR Radio Network. |
Category: Auto Racing
Battle on the Bricks: Rahal Win a Satisfying End to Difficult Week and Season
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing leftt it all behind them Sunday afternoon. The FBI investigation and wo years of zero podiums all vanished in a brilliant final 46 minutes with a 1-2 finish at IMS in the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks. The team had a victory awarded them in 2023 after the winning car, ironically the number 6 Penske Porsche, was disqualified.
Philipp Eng, and Jesse Krohn, drove the No. 24 BMW M Hybrid V8 to a 1.647-second victory over teammate No. 25 car shared by Connor DePhillippi and Nick Yelloly. Eng drove the final stint. He managed traffic beautifully to stay ahead of the 25, who backed off at the end to preserve the team sweep.
Completing the podium was No. 6 Porsche Penske Motorsport Porsche 963 driven by Nick Tandy and Mathieu Jaminet, the winner of last year’s event. A penalty set the te car back and it could not catch the BMWs.
LMP2
Steven Thomas, Mikkel Jensen and NTT Indycar Serie and INDY NXT by Firestone veteran Hunter McElrea won the LMP2 class by 26.049 seconds in the No. 11 TDS Racing prototype over the pole-sitting No. 52 Inter Europol by PR1 Mathiasen Motorsports machine driven by Nick Boulle, Jakub Smiechowski and Tom Dillmann.
GTD Pro
“Rexy,” the number. 77 AO Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R came back from its pole disqualification with a win by drivers Laurin Heinrich and Michael Christensen, 12.527 seconds ahead of number.64 Ford Multimatic Motorsports Ford Mustang of Mike Rockenfeller and Harry Tincknell. Heinrich drove to the pole position, but a post qualifying penalty moved the Porsche to the back of the class on the grid.
GTD
Jan Heylen drove the No. 120 Wright Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R to a win in the GTD class, with co-drivers Adam Adelson and Elliott Skeer. Heylen finished 2.465 seconds ahead of the No. 96 Turner Motorsport BMW M4 GT3 shared by Robby Foley, Patrick Gallagher and Jake Walker.
The Race
The rain began about an hour into the race and took up most of the second hour and part of the third. By the halfway mark, the rain had stopped and the track dried. The GTP class did not disappoint, as usual.
There was a great battle between the 01 Cadillac of Sebastien Bourdais and the number 6 Porsche driven by Mathieu Jaminet. The pair exchanged the lead on track twice. Eight of the 11 GTP cars led at some point., with numerous on track passes for the lead.
Romain Grosjean had a great drive early in the Lamborghini entry, charging in to the lead. Its chance for the win ended because of a pit penalty for too many men over the wall. Later in the race the car retired after on track contact broke an axle.
The pole winning 01 Cadillac was clawing its way back into contention when a punctured tire put the car three laps down.
Notes
I thought Sunday’s race was better overall than the 2023 sprint race. There was more strategy and intrigue, and one car did not dominate the entire race.
I found the race compelling. It is rare for me to sit and watch an entire race of this length, but I was focused for the entire event.
I am not sure if attendance was up from last year, but I think this event has a lot of growth potential. I would like to see the start moved back a bit later with a twilight or just after dark finish.
It was nice seeing former Indycar/IndyNXT drivers Sebastien Bourdais, Gabby Chaves, Hunter McElrea, Matt Brabham, and ben Hanley, amnong others, race again.
Personal Bests– I set a new record of 42 hours at sports car races in 2024. I stayed awake for 38 of them.
Sunday concluded the longest racing season I have ever had. Thank you all for following along. I’m going to take a couple days off unless there is some breaking news, which I think is coming soon. I’ll be back with more this drivel before the end of the month.
IMSA Race Day
SCHEDULE (All times local):
8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.: Public gates open
10:20-11:20 a.m.: Fan Grid Walk
11:40 a.m.-5:40 p.m.: TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Race (six hours)
TICKETS: $60 for General Admission seating for the IMSA TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks. Children 15 and under are admitted free with a paying adult in General Admission grandstand seating locations and infield viewing mounds. Reserved seating is available for $304 in the Hulman Terrace Club.
PUBLIC GATES OPEN (8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.): Gate 1, Gate 2, Gate 4, Gate 6S, Gate 7S.
PARKING: Main Gate Parking Alert – The Main Gate Lot is inaccessible due to the closure of Polco Street. A Main Gate parking pass will grant access to Lot 3 during the IMSA weekend. Please enter via 16th Street. Free parking, including ADA parking, is available in the Hulman Lot with limited availability. Paid parking is available in Lot 2 and Lot 3 for $20 and in Gate 1 Lot for $75. Paid ADA parking is available in Lot 2 and Lot 3 for $20 and Gate 1 for $75. Motorcycle parking in Gate 1 can be purchased for $20.
CASHLESS OPERATIONS: IMS is a cashless facility. Please be prepared to complete ticket, parking, concession and merchandise purchases with ease via debit or credit card. Tap-to-pay phone payments will be accepted, as will credit and debit transactions.
MUSEUM: The IMS Museum is closed for a major renovation, reopening in April 2025. To learn more, please visit imsmuseum.org/renovation.
Although this is the second year for the IMSA Weather Tech race at IMS, today’s race is a new event as the race expands to six hours instead of the 2 hour, 40 minute sprint race held in 2023.
Sebastien Bourdais won the pole yesterday afternoon in the Chip Ganassi Racing Cadillac. Hi s time of 1:14.592 worn the top starting spot by 0.22 seconds over Louis Delatraz in the number 40 Wayne Taylor/Andretti car.
Pole winners in the other three classes:
LMP2: Nick Boulle No. 52 Inter Europol by PR1 Mathiasen Motorsports It is Boulle’s first pole in IMSA
GTD Pro: Nicky Catsburg No. 4 Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports Corvette Z06.
GTD: Mikkel Grenier No. 32 Korthoff/Preston Motorsports Mercedes AMG GT3.
The weather forecast calls for rain most of the day, It seems like rain ha followed me to major races all season, so this would be a fitting ending to my year. I will have a race wrapup tomorrow.
Saturday at IMS: IMSA Qualifying, Michelin Pilot Challenge Race
Ther is a dense fog advisory this morning which may delay the start of action. Check the IMS app. Highs bear 90 degrees today. Find shade and hydrate.
All times Eastern:
| 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.: Public gates open 8-8:15 a.m.: Michelin Pilot Challenge TCR Qualifying 8:20-8:35 a.m.: Michelin Pilot Challenge GS Qualifying 8:55-10:25 a.m.: WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Practice 2 (all classes) 11 a.m.-12 p.m.: WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Autograph Session 11:10-11:50 a.m.: Porsche Carrera Cup North America Race 2 (40 mins.) 12:05-12:45 p.m.: Michelin Pilot Challenge Pre-Race Grid Walk 1:05-3:05 p.m.: Indianapolis Motor Speedway 120 Race for the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge (two hours) 3:40-3:55 p.m.: WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Qualifying (GTD Pro/GTD) 4:05-4:20 p.m.: WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Qualifying (LMP2) 4:30-4:45 p.m.: WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Qualifying (GTP )5:10-6 p.m.: Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America Race 2 (50 mins .)TICKETS: $50 for General Admission seating for the IMSA TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks. Children 15 and under are admitted free with a paying adult in General Admission grandstand seating locations and infield viewing mounds. Reserved seating is available for $179 in the Hulman Terrace Club. PUBLIC GATES OPEN (7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.): Gate 1, Gate 2, Gate 4, Gate 6S, Gate 7S. PARKING: Main Gate Parking Alert – The Main Gate Lot is inaccessible due to the closure of Polco Street. A Main Gate parking pass will grant access to Lot 3 during the IMSA weekend. Please enter via 16th Street. Free parking, including ADA parking, is available in the Hulman Lot with limited availability. Paid parking is available in Lot 2 and Lot 3 for $20 and in Gate 1 Lot for $50. Paid ADA parking is available in Lot 2 and Lot 3 for $20 and Gate 1 for $50. Free motorcycle parking in Gate 1. CASHLESS OPERATIONS: IMS is a cashless facility. Please be prepared to complete ticket, parking, concession and merchandise purchases with ease via debit or credit card. Tap-to-pay phone payments will be accepted, as will credit and debit transactions. MUSEUM: The IMS Museum is closed for a major renovation, reopening in April 2025. To learn more, please visit imsmuseum.org/renovation. |
Porsche Leads Practice 1 at IMS
Penske Entertainment Photo
Defending winner number 6 Penske Porsche led the way in today’s single practice for the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks. The Porsches dominated last year, locking out the front row and handily winning the race. Mathieu Jaminet had the quick lap of the day 2ith a time of 1:16.138.
The 01 Cadillac driven by Indianapolis 500 veteran Sebastien Bourdais and Renger van de Zande ended second on the speed chart. The Cadillac led much of the 90 minute session, and the Porsche edged in front in the final minutes.,
The LMP2 class was paced by car 11 from TDS. Former IndyNXT driver Hunter McElrea is part of this team, joining Mikkel Jensen and Steven Thomas.
A GTD car, the 023 Ferrari, led the touring classes with Ricardo Agostini behind the wheel.
The fastest GTDPro was the Pfaff Mclaren, car 9, driven by Marvin Kirchhofer.
The day began warm but pleasant. A brief sprinkle just after the start of practice for the IMSA Weather teach championship didn’t slow down the action, but the humidity rose sharply.
Practice 2 is at 8:55 am Eastern time Saturday, with qualifying at 3:40 pm.
Notes
It was nice to see Sebastien Bourdais driving at IMS again. I truly miss his not being in IndyCar.
Marshall Pruett is reporting that Rinus VeeKay will not return to Ed Carpenter Racing in 2025. I will have more on this later this weekend. It is awfully late to find another seat.
Today’s crowd seemed smaller than the Friday crowd last year. I hope attendance picks up the next two days.
Results
Note- driver in Italics drove the fast lap for that team.
IMSA TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks Begins Today
It will be very warm this weekend. Remember to hydrate.
Information from IMS:
| Friday, Sept. 20 INDIANAPOLIS Information about IMSA TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks track activity Friday, Sept. 20 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway :SCHEDULE (All times local): 8 a.m.-5 p.m.: Public gates open 8:20-9:20 a.m.: Michelin Pilot Challenge Practice 1 9:35-10:05 a.m.: Porsche Carrera Cup North America Qualifying 10:20-10:35 a.m.: Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America Qualifying 1 10:40-10:55 a.m.: Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America Qualifying 2 11:15 a.m.-12:45 p.m.: WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Practice 1 (all classes) 1:45-2:45 p.m.: Michelin Pilot Challenge Practice 2 3-3:40 p.m.: Porsche Carrera Cup North America Race 1 (40 minutes) 4-4:50 p.m.: Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America Race 1 (50 minutes) TICKETS: $20 for General Admission seating for the IMSA TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks. Children 15 and under are admitted free with a paying adult in General Admission grandstand seating locations and infield viewing mounds. Reserved seating is available for $104 in the Hulman Terrace Club. PUBLIC GATES OPEN (8 a.m.-5 p.m.): Gate 1, Gate 2, Gate 4, Gate 6S, Gate 7S .PARKING: Main Gate Parking Alert – The Main Gate Lot is inaccessible due to the closure of Polco Street. A Main Gate parking pass will grant access to Lot 3 during the IMSA weekend. Please enter via 16th Street. Free parking, including ADA parking, is available in the Hulman Lot with limited availability. Paid parking is available in Lot 2 and Lot 3 for $10 and in Gate 1 Lot for $25. Paid ADA parking is available in Lot 2 and Lot 3 for $10 and Gate 1 for $25. Free motorcycle parking in Gate 1. CASHLESS OPERATIONS: IMS is a cashless facility. Please be prepared to complete ticket, parking, concession and merchandise purchases with ease via debit or credit card. Tap-to-pay phone payments will be accepted, as will credit and debit transactions. MUSEUM: The IMS Museum is closed for a major renovation, reopening in April 2025. To learn more, please visit imsmuseum.org/renovation. |
Armstrong Signs with Meyer Shank Racing
Marcus Armstrong signed with Meyer Shank racing this morning. It was an expected move and keeps Armstrong affiliated with Chip Ganassi racing since MSR will have a technical partnership with Ganassi in 2025.
The official announcement from MSR:
Marcus Armstrong Joins Meyer Shank Racing for 2025 INDYCAR Season
Pataskala, Ohio (19 September 2024) – Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) will add a new face to its 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES stable with the addition of Marcus Armstrong who will run the No. 66 MSR entry alongside current MSR driver Felix Rosenqvist.
Coming from a strong open wheel background that includes F4, Formula 3 and Formula 2, Armstrong is now looking to build on his first two seasons of INDYCAR competition as he joins MSR in 2025.
Armstrong was quick to adapt to the INDYCAR series, earning Rookie of the Year in 2023 despite only contesting the road course rounds, taking five top tens in his 12 starts.
The New Zealander added ovals to his INDYCAR calendar in 2024, running the full 17-points paying races this past season, taking three top five finishes including his first INDYCAR podium in Detroit.
“I’m very proud to be joining Meyer Shank Racing in 2025,” said Armstrong. “I had a great feeling when I met both Mike Shank and Jim Meyer, their passion for performance and meticulous work ethic was obvious from our first conversation and I want to thank them both for this opportunity. I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone at MSR over the off-season with the goal of hitting the ground running at the first race of the season in St Pete.
“This year I got closer to where I want to be performance wise, including oval racing for the first time and I’m looking forward to continuing to push up the order with MSR. We want to be at the front, fighting for wins and I believe we have the recipe to do it.”
MSR, which will be entering its ninth season running in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, is eager to build on its momentum from the 2024 season which saw the team qualify in the top six, 15 times and finish in the top ten, 10 times. MSR team co-owner, Mike Shank is confident that with the addition of Armstrong for 2025, the team is in a position to produce consistent results next year.
“We’re very excited to welcome Marcus onboard,” said Shank. “He’s really shown a lot of growth and consistency in his first two years in INDYCAR, which is really difficult to do. This series is probably one of the most competitive series out there and he has proven himself to be a real contender. We are going to do everything we can to give him the car and the tools to produce results next year.”
With the 2024 season closing out this past weekend, MSR will begin preparations right away to be ready for the 2025 season opener in St. Petersburg in March.
TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks Features ‘Race within a Race’
From IMS :
INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024) – Sports car racing is back at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks on Sept. 20-22, with the unique, “race within a race” format of class racing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and Michelin Pilot Challenge series. Just one type of race car competes either on the 2.5-mile oval or the 14-turn, 2.439-mile road course at the Racing Capital of the World during NTT INDYCAR SERIES and NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series competition. The length of those series’ races also is measured by laps, and there is just one driver assigned per car. IMSA is different. Four different classes of cars will race simultaneously when the featured Weather Tech Sports Car Championship race starts at 11:40 a.m. ET Sunday on the 14-turn, 2.439-mile road course. And the race is not measured by laps; it’s measured by time – up to a six-hour endurance race this year after a two-hour, 40-minute “sprint” last year. Drivers from all over the world compete for overall victory but also for first place within their respective class. That unique format always keeps the racing interesting, and the varying speeds of the four classes of machines creates intense racing within classes and plenty of traffic for the fastest classes to navigate for most of the race.The four classes of cars in the series are comprised of two styles of cars – prototype, which showcases the latest automotive technology and are designed uniquely for the racetrack; and GT, based on road-going production models.Teams also perform driver changes during selected pit stops, as drivers rotate in and out of the cars over the six-hour endurance race.So, let’s take a look at the four classes of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship: Grand Touring Prototype (GTP): The newest and most technologically advanced Prototype race car debuted in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2023, featuring a common hybrid powertrain for all entries that takes kinetic energy gained in braking and stores it in batteries for later use when needed. Five global automotive manufacturers – Acura, BMW, Cadillac, Lamborghini and Porsche – are entered in the class this weekend. Each manufacturer developed its unique internal combustion engine and bodywork styling. Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2): The Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) is a closed-cockpit car developed by four approved constructors. In addition to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, LMP2 cars are eligible to compete in other global series such as the FIA World Endurance Championship, which includes the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. GT Daytona Pro (GTD Pro): GTD PRO, which debuted in 2022, includes race cars built to FIA GT3 technical regulations and offers the opportunity for factory teams and driver lineups to compete in the class. GTD PRO features a veritable rolling showroom of manufacturers competing in this class this weekend, including Aston Martin, BMW, Chevrolet, Ferrari, Ford, Lamborghini, Lexus, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG and Porsche. GT Daytona (GTD): The GT Daytona cars are enhanced – not defined by – technology and use the global FIA GT3 specification. The GTD class this weekend consists of cars from a host of leading manufacturers, including Acura, Aston Martin, BMW, Chevrolet, Ferrari, Ford, Lamborghini, Lexus, Mercedes-AMG and Porsche.NTT INDYCAR SERIES fans will recognize plenty of names competing in the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks. Current star Romain Grosjean is racing for Lamborghini in GTP, while four-time series champion Sebastien Bourdais and former NTT INDYCAR SERIES driver Tom Blomqvist drive for Cadillac in GTP. Former INDYCAR SERIES drivers Ben Hanley and Matt Brabham and INDY NXT by Firestone race winner Hunter McElrea are racing in LMP2, while former INDYCAR SERIES driver Jack Hawksworth is driving in GTD Pro for a team co-owned by INDYCAR SERIES champion Jimmy Vasser. Ex-INDYCAR SERIES driver Gabby Chaves will team with Jarett Andretti – the son of former INDYCAR SERIES and NASCAR race winner John Andretti – in the GTD class. Former INDYCAR SERIES drivers Devlin DeFrancesco and Jan Heylen and ex-INDY NXT by Firestone driver Rasmus Lindh also are racing in GTD.The Michelin Pilot Challenge also is racing this weekend at IMS. That series also features a “race within a race,” but with just two classes of production-based sports cars and touring cars. A look at the two classes: Grand Sport (GS): The Grand Sport class consists of SRO GT4-homologated cars with engines tuned to produce between 400 and 450 horsepower and can reach speeds faster than 160 mph. Competition is equalized by adjustments to fuel-tank capacities, ride height, power and weight. Manufacturers competing this weekend in GS include Aston Martin, BMW, Ford, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG and Porsche. Touring Car (TCR): The Touring Car class consists of WSC TCR-homologated cars with engines tuned to produce between 300 and 350 horsepower and can reach speeds faster than 140 mph. Competition is equalized by adjustments to fuel-tank capacities, ride height, power and weight. Manufacturers competing this weekend in TCR include Alfa Romeo, Audi, Honda and Hyundai. Former INDYCAR SERIES driver Robert Wickens will capture plenty of attention in the TCR class, driving a Hyundai for the team owned by former INDYCAR SERIES race winner Bryan Herta. This exciting event weekend also will feature two single-make series in which competitors race the same brand of car, placing the skill of the driver in the spotlight. The Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America features a 50-minute race at 4 p.m. Friday and another 50-minute event at 5:10 p.m. Saturday. Drivers compete in machines from the exotic Italian marque .Porsche enthusiasts also can see the evocative German machines compete in identical 911 GT3 Cup race cars in two Porsche Carrera Cup North America races this weekend. Both races are 40 minutes each. Race 1 is at 3 p.m. Friday, with Race 2 at 11:10 a.m. Saturday.Tickets and information for the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks are available at IMS.com. TIRERACK.COM BATTLE ON THE BRICKS PUBLIC SCHEDULE Friday, Sept. 20 8:20-9:20 a.m. Michelin Pilot Challenge Practice 1 9:35-10:05 a.m. Porsche Carrera Cup North America Qualifying 10:20-10:35 a.m. Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America Qualifying 110:40-10:55 a.m. Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America Qualifying 211:15 a.m.-12:45 p.m. WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Practice 1 (all classes) 1:45-2:45 p.m. Michelin Pilot Challenge Practice 2 3-3:40 p.m. Porsche Carrera Cup North America Race 1 (40 mins.)4-4:50 p.m. Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America Race 1 (50 mins. )Saturday, Sept. 21 8-8:15 a.m. Michelin Pilot Challenge TCR Qualifying 8:20-8:35 a.m. Michelin Pilot Challenge GS Qualifying 8:55-10:25 a.m. WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Practice 2 (all classes) 11:10-11:50 a.m. Porsche Carrera Cup North America Race 2 (40 mins. )1:05-3:05 p.m. Indianapolis Motor Speedway 120 Race for the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge (two hours) 3:40-3:55 p.m. WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Qualifying (GTD Pro/GTD) 4:05-4:20 p.m. WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Qualifying (LMP2) 4:30-4:45 p.m. WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Qualifying (GTP) 5:10-6 p.m. Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America Race 2 (50 mins.) Sunday, Sept. 22 11:40 a.m.-5:40 p.m. TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Race (six hours) |
Drama, Chaos, Controversy, and Some Good On-Track Action Too-IndyCar 2024
Photo by Kle McInnes
It was an exciting season for the NTT Indycar series in 2024. At times, the off track goings on overshadowed the racing product, which experienced an uneven tear.
From the St. Pete push to pass scandal to controversy with Agustin Canapino fans, charter talks, and driver popularity in their home country, fans did not lack for off track topics to discuss.
The delayed hybrid introduction, which didn’t come in until Mid Ohio, had little effect on the championship, although its dispute was inauspicious as Scott Dixon stalled in turn 5 of the pace lap.
The racing varied from snoozers to great6 as the series, teams, and Firestone worked to adjust to the extra weight of the new system. In the end they got it right as the races at Gateway and Milwaukee produced some great oval racing. Nashville was better than expected too.
In 2025 seven of the first eight tracks will see the hybrid in action for the first time., including the energy recovery system’s debut in the Indianapolis 500.
Drivers of Note
Obviously Alex Palou had a good year, but here I will recognize some drivers who had outstanding year which exceeded most people’s expectations.
Felix Rosenqvist– Rosenqvist won a pole and made the fast Six several times for Meyer Shank Racing. He hung around the top 10 in points for much of the season before ending up 12th. The team rewarded Rosenqvist with a two year extension. Rosenqvist is thriving after leaving Arrow mcLaren, and we should see the race results improve next year.
Santino Ferrucci – Ninth in the final standings, a frequent visitor to the top 10, and his first career pole, Ferrucci gave A. J. Foyt Racing their best season in a long time. With David Malukas as a teammate in 2025, I can see this team earning a few podiums and possibly winning a race next year.
David Malukas – jettisoned by Arrow McLaren when his preseason wrist injury did not heal, Malukas was signed by Meyer Shank Racing after the Indianapolis 500 and brought the floundering 66 car into the Leaders’ Circle. including a strong performance at Nashville where he contended for the lead. Malukas earned 148 points in little more than half a season. Teammate Rosenqvist had 306 points for a full year.
Returning to Form
Arrow McLaren and Andretti had difficult years in 2023, but both teams had a bit of a bounce back this season. Pato O’Ward won three times for Arrow McLaren, and Colton Herta won twice for Andretti Global. Both drivers had chances to win several other races.
Andretti retains the same lineup of Herta, Kyle Kirkwood, and Marcus Ericsson for 2025, while Arrow McLaren replaces Alexander Rossi with Christian Lundgaard. It would be nice to see these two in the mix every weekend.
The Pit Window Awards
The coveted Pit Window Awards go to:
Best races– Indianapolis 500; Milwaukee Race 1 and Milwaukee Race 2 in any order.
Worst races– Iowa race1 and Iowa race 2 in any order. I think Race 1 was slightly better.
Most Improved Driver– Santino Ferrucci. -He went from a 19th place finish in the points in 2023 to ninth this year.
Super Sub– Conor Daly. Daly replaced Agustin Canapino in the 78 and brought a struggling team into the Leaders’ Circle. When Daly retires, this award will be named after him.
Many Thanks
This column is nothing without the loyal readers who follow The Pit window. I appreciate all of you. Thank you for your continued support.
A huge thank you to Kyle McInnes, who shot most of the photos you saw here this season. Kyle added a lot to these posts. His artwork added a lot to this post.
Thank you to NBC for a decade of great coverage. You will be missed, FOX has a high bar to reach.
A shoutout to all the track media directors who kindly allowed me access. They have a thankless job, and I appreciate their giving me space to work.
Lastly, my travels would not be possible without the support of my partner in crime, er, life, Marti Strum, who encourages to go on these adventures, including the big one i took in June.
I will have some pieces on the Battle on the Bricks at IMS this weekend, although I am attending as a fan. Like an Indycar engine at 10,000 miles, I have reached my mileage limit.
The Pit Window by Mike Silver 