Category: Auto Racing

Abel Halts 500 Entry; Field Set at 34

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Abel Motorsports has abandoned its effort to field a car for the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500. The issue, as it is with most entries, was funding. Driver R C Enerson hoped to find a budget for the car, but a deal could not be put together in time.

In 2023, R C Enerson qualified the Abel entry 28th to land safely in the field. The car dropped out of the race after 75 laps with mechanical issues.

Abel will focus on the Indy NXT championship, where Jacob Abel, son of team owner Bill Abel, is tied for the points lead. The series has two races coming up at the IMS road course next weekend.

Abel did not rule out the possibility of running an Indycar race later in 2024.

The field of entrants for the Indianapolis 500 is now set at 34 entries, which means just one car will not make the field, as happened last year.

NBC Sets May Coverage at IMS

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NBC announced more than 60 hours of coverage of activities at Indianapolis Motor Speedway leading up to and including the 108th Indianapolis 500 and the Sonsio Grand Prix. All times listed below are Eastern Time.

From yesterday:

https://thepitwindow.blog/2024/05/01/hiding-in-the-spotlight-vukovich-the-man-who-wouldnt-lift-a-review/

From the NBC announcement:

108th running of the Indianapolis 500

May 14-20.

May 24-27

DateEventPlatform(s)Time (ET)
Tues., May 14Indy 500 PracticePeacock9:15-11:15 a.m.
Indy 500 PracticePeacock1-6 p.m.
Wed., May 15Indy 500 PracticePeacock12-6 p.m.
Thurs., May 16Indy 500 PracticePeacock12-6 p.m.
Fri., May 17Indy 500 PracticePeacock12-6 p.m.
Sat., May 18Indy 500 PracticePeacock8:30-9:30 a.m.
Indy 500 Full Field QualifyingPeacock11 a.m.-5:50 p.m.
Sun., May 19Indy 500 Top 12 and Last Chance PracticePeacock12-2 p.m.
Indy 500 Top 12, Last Chance, and Fast Six QualifyingNBC, Peacock3-6 p.m.
Mon., May 20Indy 500 PracticePeacock1-3 p.m.
Fri., May 24Indy 500 Final Practice on Carb DayPeacock11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Indy 500 Pit Stop ChallengePeacock2:30-4 p.m.
Sat., May 25Indy 500 ParadePeacock12-2 p.m.
Sun., May 26Indy 500 Pre-RaceNBC, Peacock, Universo11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
108th Running of the Indianapolis 500NBC, Peacock, Universo12:30-4 p.m.
Mon., May 27Indy 500 Victory CelebrationPeacock8:30-11 p.m.

Sonsio Grand Prix, May 10-11

DateEventPlatform(s)Time (ET)
Fri., May 10Practice 1Peacock9:30-10:45 a.m.
Practice 2Peacock1:10-2:10 p.m.
QualifyingPeacock4:20-5:50 p.m.
INDY NXT by Firestone Race 1Peacock6:10-7:20 p.m.
Sat., May 11Final Warm-UpPeacock11:15-11:45 a.m.
INDY NXT by Firestone Race 2Peacock1-2:10 p.m.
Sonsio Grand Prix – Pre-RaceNBC, Peacock3-3:30 p.m.
Sonsio Grand PrixNBC, Peacock3:30-5:30 p.m.
Sonsio Grand Prix – Post-RaceNBC, Peacock5:30-6 p.m.

–NBC SPORTS–

INDYCAR, Indiana University Health Announce Updates to INDYCAR Medical Team 

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From Indycar:

 INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, May 1, 2024) – INDYCAR and Indiana University Health announced May 1 the appointment of Angela Fiege, MD to director of medical services for INDY NXT by Firestone and the addition of sports neurologist Bert Vargas, MD to the INDYCAR Medical Team. IU Health is the official healthcare provider for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the INDYCAR Medical Team is comprised of IU Health physicians and nurses who are experts in motorsports medicine.
Fiege, who is a veteran critical care and emergency medicine physician at IU Health, is also a longtime motorsports physician. She has served in various roles in motorsports including the INDYCAR Medical team since 2010 and the AMR motorsports physicians’ team for NASCAR. She has also worked at Indianapolis Motor Speedway as a track physician since 2007. She will continue her role as deputy director of medical services for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, alongside Medical Director Julia Vaizer, MD. Fiege is a graduate of Indiana University School of Medicine, where she also serves as an assistant professor of clinical medicine.
“Dr. Fiege continues to be a tremendous asset to the INDYCAR Medical Team, and I am thrilled she will be able to focus on the care and well-being of our INDY NXT by Firestone paddock,” Vaizer said.
“The INDYCAR Medical Team and Indiana University Health have a long-standing history of providing exceptional medical care for our INDYCAR racing competitors,” Fiege said.
“It is an incredible honor to be a part of an organization that places such an emphasis on promoting the safety and well-being of its participants. I look forward to the opportunity to carry on this tradition and focus on the health of our INDY NXT drivers to prolong the duration of their careers.”
Vargas is the first neurologist dedicated to the INDYCAR Medical team, and his position is funded by Rev proceeds. Rev is the IU Health Foundation’s annual fundraising event which takes place each May at IMS. Working in medical affairs for Eli Lilly and Company in Indianapolis, Vargas is a sports neurologist and who has led the AMR neurotrauma team for NASCAR since 2017, serves as a member of the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee and is also a sideline unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant for the NFL. Vargas obtained his medical degree from the University of Arizona and was a flight surgeon with the United States Air Force. After his service and his residency at New York University, he completed a fellowship in headache medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona and now serves as an adjunct clinical professor of neurology at Indiana University School of Medicine.
“To have someone with Dr. Vargas’ experience with us week in and week out, providing post-incident evaluations and creating a comprehensive care plan to get our drivers back on track safely is such a valuable addition to our team,” Vaizer said.
“He will also be available to the INDYCAR paddock to provide care for those that may be suffering from non-sports related neurological conditions that might affect performance.”
“It is an honor to be a part of the INDYCAR Medical Team and supplement the superior care that this group offers motorsports athletes and their teams,” Vargas said. “INDYCAR is among a growing list of sports organizations that have seen value in incorporating sports neurologists at athletic events. I hope to provide neurotrauma expertise with the goals to help safeguard driver safety and performance and also help to ensure longevity in the sport for our athletes.”
“The INDYCAR Medical team has played a paramount role in the series’ success both on and off the track and Dr. Fiege has been a key contributor,” INDYCAR President Jay Frye said. “Her background and experience will be a real asset as she focuses on INDY NXT by Firestone. The addition of Dr. Vargas is another example of INDYCAR’s commitment to safety as he contributes his guidance and expertise in an emerging area.”
About INDYCAR
INDYCAR is the Indianapolis-based governing body for North America’s premier open-wheel auto racing series, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, and its developmental series, INDY NXT by Firestone. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES features an international field of the world’s most versatile drivers – including two-time and reigning series champion Alex Palou, two-time series champion Will Power, six-time series champion Scott Dixon and two-time series champion and reigning Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden – who compete on superspeedways, short ovals, street circuits and permanent road courses. The 2024 season consists of 17 races in the United States and Canada and is highlighted by the historic Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES, INDY NXT by Firestone, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IMS Productions are owned by Penske Corporation, a global transportation, automotive and motorsports leader.
For more information on INDYCAR and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, please visit www.indycar.com. For more information on INDY NXT by Firestone, please visit www.indynxt.com.
About Indiana University Health
Named the “#1 Hospital in Indiana” by U.S. News & World Report, Indiana University Health is dedicated to providing a unified standard of preeminent, patient-centered care. A unique partnership with Indiana University School of Medicine – one of the nation’s leading medical schools – gives our highly skilled physicians access to innovative treatments using the latest research and technology. Learn more at iuhealth.org.
About Indiana University Health Foundation
Indiana University Health Foundation leverages the power of philanthropy to support the IU Health mission of making Indiana one of the nation’s healthiest states. When you give to IU Health, you aren’t just making a donation – you’re making all the difference. To learn more, visit iuhealthfoundation.org. 
 

Hiding in the Spotlight-Vukovich, The Man Who Wouldn’t Lift- A Review

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A forgotten, incomplete manuscript hidden in a closet for decades, provides the deepest insight into one of the more enigmatic winners of the Indianapolis 500, Bill Vukovich. Yet, as well written as this biography is, I still don’t know him as well as I had hoped.

Vukovich, The Man Who Wouldn’t Lift is an intimate look at the two time, back-to-back winner of the 500, who came and went in the short span of five years. Much of the story is in first person, as the writer witnesses much of what occurs.

Angelo Angelopolous, sportswriter for The Indianapolis News and considered the best writer of his day, wrote the manuscript in the years following Vukovich’s death. The planned publication in the spring of 1960 never happened. The manuscript lay in Angelopolous’s nephew’s closet for decades.

Mark Montieth, a more recent sportswriter for the News, took up the task of completing the manuscript. Montieth writes the Prologue and Epilogue. Both are very well written, with added details of the aftermath of that dark Memorial Day in 1955 in the Epilogue.

Angelopolous is one of the few people Vukovich allowed to get close to him, yet there is still a distance between them. Vuky does his talking on the track, but with the exception of a select few people, he is reluctant to engage with others. The story is exceptionally well written in a mainly journalistic style.

After a brief family history, the biography concentrates on Vukovich’s six years at the Indianapolis motor Speedway from 1950-1955. I learned many details of events that I had some knowledge of, and several more items that I had not known. Several photos are new to me as well.

What comes through most of all is that Vukovich, who seems cold and uncaring to the general public, is a man with a deep caring soul, and a great sense of integrity. He gives honest answers and he doesn’t care if that is what people want to hear.

He also has a brooding and dark side, which becomes more evident in the late months of 1954 and into 1955. Some friends are concerned about his surviving the 1955 race.

There are several ironies in the tale of one of the greatest drivers in Speedway history. It appears that had he won in 1952, that win would have been the easiest of his victories. I had no idea how difficult his two wins were, especially 1954 when the team is concerned about even qualifying for the race.

This book has earned its place on my list of must-read books about the Indianapolis 500. It is up there with Gentlemen, Start Your Engines by Wilbur Shaw and Black Noon by Art Garner. All three works provide intimate looks at the history of the race, told by people who lived it.

The final sentence of Angelopolous’s story is one of the greatest lines I have ever read in any book. I will just say the story ends on lap 56 of the 1955 Indianapolis. 500.

INDYCAR SERIES Race Winner, Longtime OfficialDallenbach Dies at 87 

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Editor’s note:. Dallenbach was a very good driver and a no.ninsense, fair eace director.

from IMS


INDIANAPOLIS (Monday, April 29, 2024) – Wally Dallenbach, a respected INDYCAR SERIES race winner as a driver and longtime series official dedicated to racing safety, died April 29. He was 87.
Dallenbach, a native of East Brunswick, New Jersey, made 13 Indianapolis 500 starts between 1967-79.
Dallenbach, a native of East Brunswick, New Jersey, made 13 Indianapolis 500 starts between 1967-79. His best finish was fourth, in 1976 and 1977, in the No. 40 Wildcat/DGS owned by Patrick Racing. He qualified in the middle of the front row in 1974 for Patrick, his best “500” start.
Perhaps Dallenbach’s most memorable performance as a driver at Indianapolis came in 1975, again for car owner U.E. “Pat” Patrick. He led four times for a race-high 96 laps, losing the top spot only at pit stops.
But Dallenbach was eliminated from the race by a burnt piston while leading on Lap 162, just 12 laps before the race was called due to rain, with Bobby Unser earning his second “500” victory. Dallenbach was credited with ninth place.
Dallenbach recorded five victories, 27 podium finishes and one pole in 180 INDYCAR SERIES starts. His best championship finish was second, behind Roger McCluskey, in 1973 despite not qualifying for the first two races of the season.
The most memorable of Dallenbach’s victories came in the 1973 California 500 at Ontario Motor Speedway, the last of his three straight wins that season for Patrick Racing.
Dallenbach started his driving career in drag racing on the East Coast before switching to oval racing in midgets and sprint cars. He made his INDYCAR SERIES debut in 1965 at Langhorne Speedway, with his final start coming in 1979 at Phoenix. He then retired as a driver, but it wasn’t his last appearance in an INDYCAR SERIES car.
In 1981, rain severely curtailed the first weekend of Indianapolis 500 qualifying, and Mario Andretti didn’t get a chance to make an attempt. Andretti had a clashing commitment to race in the Belgian Grand Prix Formula One race during the second qualifying weekend, so Dallenbach briefly exited retirement to put Andretti’s No. 40 STP Oil Treatment Wildcat/Cosworth safely in the field before turning the car back to Andretti for the race.
After his initial retirement, Dallenbach became the first competition director and chief steward of Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) in 1980. He served as chief steward until 2004, easily recognized by his trademark cowboy hat and earning respect from all corners of the paddock for his even-handed officiating and humble, personable demeanor.
Dallenbach also made significant contributions to racing safety. He worked with doctors Steve Olvey and Terry Trammell and safety directors Steve Edwards and Lon Bromley to develop a trailblazing safety team including doctors, nurses and emergency medical technicians that traveled to all CART races. He also worked with teams and car builders to create improvements in chassis construction, including more energy-absorbing materials.
“Wally Dallenbach made a huge contribution to our sport for five decades as a driver and official,” a joint statement from INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway said.
“He was a talented competitor behind the wheel, who always raced hard but clean. That sense of fairness and decency extended to his legendary tenure as chief steward of CART, where he was respected and liked by all for his steady, sensible officiating. Wally’s many contributions to racing safety, especially a traveling medical team, will resonate long into the future. He was one of the true good guys of open-wheel racing, and our thoughts and sympathies are with his family.”
Said two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Gordon Johncock, Dallenbach’s teammate for six seasons at Patrick Racing: “Wally was as good a teammate as you could ever ask for. He took racing seriously. I’ve never met anyone at the track as helpful as Wally. He loved the sport and after he retired spent years helping as chief steward of Championship Auto Racing Teams. He helped the veterans and rookies – everyone. I’ll miss him. He did a lot for the sport over the years. A very good man.”
Motorcycles also were an object of passion for Dallenbach. He moved to a ranch in Basalt, Colorado, after his successful 1973 season – fulfilling a dream spawned during his honeymoon in 1960 in Aspen – and organized the Colorado 500 dirt-bike ride with friend Sherm Cooper in 1976.
By 1981, the invitation-only event grew so big that the Colorado 500 Charity Fund was established, with a road ride added in 1987. The ride has raised more than $1.2 million for scholarship funds, medical centers, teen services, scouting and other charities, including groups that preserve trail-riding areas.His vast and varied accomplishments were rewarded with enshrinement in multiple
Halls of Fame, including the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame, Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Hall of Fame and state sports halls of fame in his native New Jersey and Colorado.
Dallenbach’s wife, Peppy, passed away in 2023. He is survived by three children – two sons, former NASCAR Cup Series driver Wally Jr. and multiple Pikes Peak International Hill Climb winner Paul, and daughter, Colleen. 
 
 

McLaren Releases Malukas

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Announcement from Arrow McLaren

David’s recovery timeline remains unclear

Arrow McLaren today announced that the team has released David Malukas for the remainder of the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season due to him being unavailable for the entirety of the season to date, with no confirmed return date, as a result of a left wrist injury, which occurred February 11, in a mountain biking incident. 

The team has raced at four events with two different drivers, both who were new to the team following David’s incident and currently race in other series: Callum Ilott and Théo Pourchaire. 

David joined the team in September 2023 and was set to race his third NTT INDYCAR SERIES season with Arrow McLaren until this wrist injury sidelined him from races in St. Petersburg, The Thermal Club in Palm Springs, Long Beach and Barber Motorsports Park. 

Arrow McLaren is finalizing its driver assignments for the remainder of the 2024 season and will announce confirmations for upcoming races in due course.

David Malukas, Driver, said: 

“The past three months have been challenging. I felt privileged to have had the opportunity to drive for Arrow McLaren and regret that it never materialized. I would have loved to have continued representing the team and its partners going forward. They have been good, and I appreciate all they have done for me. 

“I’ve done everything possible to speed up the rehab process—treatments, physiotherapy, strength training—but my recovery has taken longer than anticipated. Every injury is different, and every body heals at a different pace. I’ll turn my full attention to getting back to 100 percent and then prove that I am ready and able to compete to win.” 

Slow Thoughts -Barber

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Photo by Kyle Mcinnes

Team Penske needed a strong showing. Indycar needed a good race. Both got what they needed yesterday afternoon in the Children’s of Alabama Grand Prix.

After a week embroiled in controversy, Team Penske came out strong on Friday as Josef Newgarden led the first practice. Saturday Scott McLaughlin and Will Power swept the front row in qualifying and finished in that order yesterday.

The race behind the leaders was probably the most entertaining race I have seen at Barber. Turn five was the scene of side-by-side action, seldom gentlemanly, but very exciting. The sand trap got quite a workout.

There was some good racing in the middle of the pack. Scott Dixon made a great over and under move to pass Josef Newgarden coming out of turn five. Uncharacteristically, they were racing for fifteenth place.

The cautions were spaced far enough apart to keep things interesting as teams tried different pit strategies. In the end, McLaughlin led 42 laps and beat Power by just over a second.

The star of the race was the third member of the podium, rookie Linus Lundqvist, who earned his first career Indycar podium. It will not be his last this season.

McLaren Follies

At some point, the most popular team in the paddock needs to produce consistent race results. Pato O’Ward qualified well, but went off track trying an optimistic move in turn five, then was penalized for avoidable contact with Pietro Fittipaldi, and finished 23rd after starting fourth.

Alexander Rossi lost a wheel on lap 47 and finished 25th.

Herta to the Top

Colton Herta had a great, if quiet run to eighth place after starting 15th. The finish was enough to give him the points lead by one over Will Power.

Defending champion Alex Palou is third, just three points behind.

Newgarden trails Herta by 53 points, the amount he was docked from St.Pete.

Notes

Barber announced its best crowd in more than 10 years this weekend, 86,000 over the three days. Yhe event has grown since my first time there in 2012. With that that growth has come a creeping corporate presence, which has squeezed some vantage points for fans. A free grandstand on the backstretch is now just two small sections.

I know it’s a way to generate money, but tracks need to consider where they put their suites.

The tram system was the most efficient I have ever seen it. It appeared the track had extra tram s running. After the race yesterday, I had to wait for the third tram to arrive to board, but my wait was less than 10 minutes. I got back to my parking are on the other side of the track in less than 15 minutes.

The scoring pylon worked well for the most part, but the thing that annoyed me was the IndyNXT standing were displayed as positions 28-36. I found it frustrating to follow who was where below 10th.

On to IMS

Wednesday begins the greatest month of the year. Indycar begins wioth theSonsio Grand Prix on the road course May 11, and the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 26th.

Thanks for following along here this past weekend. It was difficult to cover given the limited cell service, but a story like P2P scandal is why I originally wanted to be a journalist.

Race Day at Barber

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Today’s schedule- Eastern time. barber is in the Central Time zone.

10:15– IndyCar warmup Peacock

11:15 Indy NXT race Peacock

1 pm- NBC television window begins.

1:40- Green flag Children’s of Alabama Grand Prix. NBC, Peacock

Good morning and happy race day. The weather looks nearly perfect with temperatures around 80 degrees this afternoon.

Let’s hope for a race without controversy today. Everything any of the Penske cars do that is even slightly amiss will be scrutinized by the fans .The best thing the team can do is just race hard and clean and come home with good results.

Could we see a Penske 1-2-3 finish? It is very possible, but I don’t think it will happen. I look for just one podium from Penske, and it will be Will Power.

Based on what I have seen the past two days, Christian Lundgaard is my pick to win the race, with Pato O’Ward and Will Power joining him on the podium.

Rinus VeeKay photo by Kyle McInnes

Some drivers to watch are Rinus VeeKay as he moves through the field from 27th, Colton Herta, starting 15th, and Scott Dixon, starting 13. Dixon leads Herta by two points in the standings, with several drivers nipping at their heels.

I will try to post an update with tire selections sometime late morning, if not here on The Pit Window Facebook page or my Xwitter accountr.

Barber Saturday Wrapup-Penske Locks Out Front Row

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Photos by Kyle McInnes

Scott McLaughlin nip teammate Will Power by 0.003 seconds to win the pole for tomorrow’s Indycar race at Barber. Motorsports Park.

The 1-2 front row for Penske comes at the end of a turbulent week for the team involved in a controversy about illegal use of push to pass in the opening race at St. Petersburg.

Results:

 

1. (3) Scott McLaughlin, Chevrolet, 1:05.9490 (125.552 mph)
2. (12) Will Power, Chevrolet, 1:06.0460 (125.367)
3. (45) Christian Lundgaard, Honda, 1:06.0818 (125.299)
4. (5) Pato O’Ward, Chevrolet, 1:06.2940 (124.898)
5. (60) Felix Rosenqvist, Honda, 1:06.4524 (124.600)
6. (11) Marcus Armstrong, Honda, 1:06.9022 (123.763)
7. (15) Graham Rahal, Honda, 1:06.0942 (125.276)
8. (2) Josef Newgarden, Chevrolet, 1:06.2908 (124.904)
9. (27) Kyle Kirkwood, Honda, 1:06.2959 (124.895)
10. (10) Alex Palou, Honda, 1:06.3013 (124.884)
11. (77) Romain Grosjean, Chevrolet, 1:06.3526 (124.788)
12. (66) Tom Blomqvist, Honda, 1:06.3871 (124.723)
13. (9) Scott Dixon, Honda, 1:06.1425 (125.184)
14. (20) Christian Rasmussen, Chevrolet, 1:06.4803 (124.548)
15. (26) Colton Herta, Honda, 1:06.1481 (125.174)
16. (7) Alexander Rossi, Chevrolet, 1:06.5054 (124.501)
17. (14) Santino Ferrucci, Chevrolet, 1:06.2751 (124.934)
18. (28) Marcus Ericsson, Honda, 1:06.5846 (124.353)
19. (8) Linus Lundqvist, Honda, 1:06.2825 (124.920)
20. (78) Agustin Canapino, Chevrolet, 1:06.6706 (124.193)
21. (51) Luca Ghiotto, Honda, 1:06.4788 (124.551)
22. (18) Jack Harvey, Honda, 1:06.7969 (123.958)
23. (4) Kyffin Simpson, Honda, 1:06.5267 (124.461)
24. (6) Theo Pourchaire, Chevrolet, 1:06.9052 (123.757)
25. (41) Sting Ray Robb, Chevrolet, 1:06.8404 (123.877)
26. (30) Pietro Fittipaldi, Honda, 1:07.4920 (122.681)
27. (21) Rinus VeeKay, Chevrolet, 1:07.7392 (122.234)

Notes on the Day

Lack of a cell signal prevented me from reporting during the day.

Rinus VeeKay

Rinus VeeKay led the morning practice session, but electrical issues prevented him from challenging for the Fast Six. He will start last tomorrow.

Felix Rosenqvist has made the Fast Six in every race this season. Tomorrow is the first time he will not be on the front row.

Christian Lundgaard looks very strong this weekend and he is my pick to win Sunday.

Scott Dixon starts 13th, but he will still end up in the top 10 tomorrow. He currently leads the point standings by two over Colton Herta, who rolls off 15th.

Luca Ghiotto qualified 21st in his first Indycar event.

Barber had another strong attendance day. The hill between turns 2 and 3 were fuller than i have seen them ina few years. The track seemed to have more than the usual number of trams running. They were full most of the day, and I had no issues getting around the track.

Tomorrow’s schedule: Eatsren times. Barber is ibn the Central time zone.

10:15– IndyCar warmup Peacock

11: Indy NXT race Peacock

1 pm- NBC television window begins.

1:40- Green flag Children’s of Alabama Grand Prix. NBC, Peacock