Category: Auto Racing

Happy Holidays from The Pit Window

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It’s been a year. At times it seemed as if I spent as much time in medical facilities as I did at racetracks. Everything is fine now. I still attended 10 Indycar races, a seven year low for me; the BC39, and three IMSA races- the Rolex 24, Sebring, and the inaugural Battle on the Bricks at IMS.

While I didn’t think the racing on track was as good as it was in 2022, there was lots of off-track drama to spice the up the summer. Silly Season has created even more drama which will take some time to resolve. It will be interesting see how it all will turn out.

My in-person schedule will somewhat make up for the races I missed last season. I plan to be there for 12 Indycar races, including the two double headers. I will go to Sebring and the Battle on the Bricks. I have not decided about the Rolex 24 because…

I am going to LeMans!

The granddaddy of 24-hour races has been on my bucket list since before there were bucket lists.

I want to thank all of you who took time to read this space this year. I also want to thank the media directors of the tracks, and the media staff at IMS and Indycar for allowing me space during race weekends.

Have a happy holiday season. Unless something crazy happens next week, I will see you after the first of the year.

The Pit Window will head to inter headquarters around January 7.

Iowa Sets Concert Lineup

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HyVee Indycar Weekend at Iowa Speedway this summer will feature just two concerts instead of the four that supported the double headers in 2022 and 2023.

The announcement from Iowa Speedway:

2024 CONCERT ANNOUNCEMENT

Award-winning artists Luke Combs and Post Malone will lead the star-studded entertainment lineup for next summer’s Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend, July 12-14, 2024. Entering its third year in 2024, Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend brings capacity crowds to Iowa Speedway for a turbocharged blend of thrilling racing, world-class live music and three days of fun and excitement.

Want to celebrate the Hy-Vee #INDYCAR Race Weekend? Buy your tickets NOW for 2024 and catch night racing, award-winning musical artists and so much more. Don’t miss out!

Act now for the best seats at the lowest remaining prices of the year! We are excited to return to Iowa Speedway in 2024 with three days full of amazing concerts, thrilling racing, and great food. Prices will increase closer to Race Weekend.

Newgarden Joins the Immortals

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It was an event fitting for the occasion. The unveiling of the most recent Indianapolis 500 winner’s face on the Borg Warner trophy each December has become akin to the coronation of a new ruler of England. The winner is known in May, then in December his likeness is officially placed on the trophy.

The reveal event has evolved over the years. The first one I attended was in 2016. It was a low key affair. Alexander Rossi spent some time with a group of fans before his face was shown on the Borg Warner trophy. Before Covid, these little affairs were held at the IMS Museum.

In 2022, Marcus Ericsson saw his image in sterling at a luncheon near downtown, followed by a nice buffet lunch. Last night, i think IMS may havefound a permanent home to honor its reigning champion.

The trophy stood in all its grandeur with a 1914 Stutz Bearcat in the background.

The Stutz Museum hosted the event. Attendees sat among classic Stutz automobiles, including a 1973 Stutz Black Hawk. 

I think some of the cars were removed to accommodate last night’s event.

Newgarden’s image is one of the better ones in recent years. His features stand out, and you can tell who it is. Too many of the recent winners’ faces seem to have sameness about them.

JOSEF NEWGARDEN – BORG WARNERTROPHY

Newgarden is still overwhelmed by his victory. You can hear it in his voice as he speaks about last May. He hopes to attend this end of year event again as the honoree.

“As soon as you win the Indy 500, you want to win it again,” he said.

The Stutz Museum is open Saturday and Sunday from 10am-6pm, Thursday Friday form 4pm – 8 pm. Admission is free and is open to the public. It is a good idea to check before going in case it is closed for a private event.

Indy 500 Winner Newgarden Unveils Image on Borg-Warner Trophy

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From Indycar. I will have a follow up story with more photos later this morning.

 INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, Dec. 15, 2023) – 2023 Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge winner Josef Newgarden unveiled his likeness on the Borg-Warner Trophy on Dec. 15 in Indianapolis, one of the most significant honors since he won his first Indy 500 on May 28 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Newgarden, a native of Nashville, Tennessee, earned his first victory in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” in the No. 2 Shell Powering Progress Team Penske Chevrolet. This was the 19th Indy 500 victory for Team Penske.
The unveiling ceremony took place at the Stutz Museum. Located in downtown Indianapolis, the Stutz Museum is a boutique car museum showcasing rare classic cars alongside Indianapolis automotive history.
The bas-relief, sterling silver image of Newgarden is the 110th face to be affixed to the iconic trophy, awarded annually to the winner of the Indianapolis 500 since 1936.
“It’s a tremendous honor to even compete in the Indy 500,” Newgarden said.
“Having my face added to the Borg-Warner Trophy is one of the coolest parts about winning the race. I already had a lot of respect for the trophy, but learning about the process and how detailed it is, it’s incredible what (sculptor) Will Behrends does each year.
“Finally seeing the finished product is very special. I thought I knew what it would be like to win the ‘500,’ but there’s a deeper appreciation than you can imagine.”
Renowned sculptor Behrends created Newgarden’s image, as he has for every winner since 1990.Behrends begins his creative process by studying a series of 360-degree photos of the winner to get a baseline for sculpting. 
Newgarden then visited Behrends’ studio in Tryon, North Carolina, for an in-person session where Behrends constructs a full-scale clay model of the driver’s face.
This life-size clay version is used as reference for Behrends to construct the smaller model, a piece created out of a mixture of oil-based clay. The smaller clay model is turned into a mold and cast in wax before being sent to a jeweler to be transformed into sterling silver. Behrends completes his process by polishing and buffing the sculpture before adhering it to the trophy.
“It is my absolute honor, on behalf of BorgWarner, to unveil Josef’s image on the iconic Borg-Warner Trophy today,” said Michelle Collins, global director of marketing and public relations, BorgWarner.
“This solidifies Josef’s place in history as one of the few who have conquered the tremendous feat of winning the Indianapolis 500. We extend our congratulations to Josef and Team Penske and also our thanks to our sculptor Will Behrends, who makes this all a reality.”
Originally designed in 1935, the sterling silver trophy measures over 5 feet, 4-3/4 inches tall and weighs more than 110 pounds as it carries the sculpted face of every victor since 1911.
Early next year, Newgarden will receive his BorgWarner Championships Driver’s Trophy, also known as the “Baby Borg,” a miniature replica of the large-scale Borg-Warner Trophy.
Tickets for the 108th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge and all Month of May events at Indianapolis Motor Speedway are on sale at IMS.com. 

Robb Joins Foyt for 2024

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Sting Ray Robb moves from Dale Coyne Racing to A. J. Foyt Racing for 2024. He replaces Beniamin Pederson, who was thought to have a multi year deal with Foyt. Robb will drive car 41, which is the renumbered 55. The number 41 has a staple of Foyt cars dating back to the late 60s.

The driver of the flagship car 14 has yet to be named. Santino Ferrucci drove the car in 2023, but he may not continue in that seat full time.

Indycar’s news release:

Sting Ray Robb will drive the No. 41 Chevrolet-powered car for AJ Foyt Racing in his second season in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 2024, team officials announced Dec. 15.

Idaho native Robb, who’s named after the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, will drive a Chevy-powered car for the first time in his career.

“I’m truly honored to pilot the No. 41 AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet for the ‘24 season,” said Robb, who lives in Indianapolis. “This is a dream come true to be driving for the legendary A.J. Foyt and his team under the leadership of Larry Foyt. It provides an opportunity for me to implement past lessons and carry momentum forward in my sophomore season as we enter a very competitive field of teams and drivers. Building together upon our successes, I am excited for the season ahead.

“To my family of partners and supporters thank you for being a part of this journey, we’ll continue to work hard and grow into what God has called us to be.”

Robb, 22, made his NTT INDYCAR SERIES debut last season with Dale Coyne Racing, earning a best finish of 12th in the season-ending Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

The climb to the pinnacle of North American open-wheel racing came for Robb after a successful junior open-wheel career. He won the Indy Pro 2000 title in 2020 with seven wins, five poles, 11 podiums and four track records. He finished runner-up in INDY NXT by Firestone in the 2022 season, with a victory at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

Robb’s car will be based in the team’s Speedway, Indiana, race shop. The team’s engineering department, headed up by Michael Cannon, also is located there.

“I’m looking forward to working with Sting Ray,” AJ Foyt Racing Team President Larry Foyt said. “I have to admit his name caught my eye when he was in the junior formulas, so I watched his rise through INDYCAR’s ladder system, where he did really well. I believe he is a great addition to our program and will showcase everything he learned in his rookie campaign in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.”

The 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES starts with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding on Sunday, March 10 at St. Petersburg, Florida.

A Few Positive Notes

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After a very rough week of bad new, there are some positive Indycar stories toshare.

Callum Ilott will drive in the WEC series in2024 for Team JOTA. The team has a sponsorship deal with former NFL quarterback Tom Brady and Hertz. Ilott will still be available to drive in the Indianapolis 500 and possibly some other Indycar events.

There will be a second season of100 Days to Indy, which will have the same production crew as in 2023. The first season of the mini documentary will also be released internationally. I hope the new season focuses on some different drivers so viewers can get a taste of al the personalities in the series.

I think the series also needs a 100 Days After Indy series. to teach the populace that the year doesn’t end with the 500.

DHL’s move to Ganassi keeps a long running sponsor in the series. It would not feel right not seeing that yellow and red car on track. I wonder how many races it will take for me to realize it’s the 10, not the 28, and that Alex Palou, not Romain Grosjean or Ryan Hunter-Reay is driving.

This afternoon the series announced that Ilmor will service the ERS units when they come on board later in the season. The units will be leased similar to the engines but will have a 5,000 mile limit. Each car would need two per full season. Nothing was mentioned about penalties should a team need a third unit. I don’t think there will be one, since they are all the same.

Friday evening at 5 pm the Borg Warner trophy’s newest image will be unveiled in a ceremony at the Stutz building in downtown Indianapolis. 023 500 winner Josef Newgarden will get his first look at his face on the trophy. Fans can watch the unveil live on the IMS YouTube Channel.

DHL, Ganassi Sign Multi-Year Agreement

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Chip Ganassi Racing and DHL today announced a multi-year agreement to sponsor Alex Palou in car10. DHL had been a long-time sponsor of car 28 for Andretti Global driven for several years by Ryan Hunter-Reay and in 2022 and 2023 by Romain Grosjean.

The official announcement:

Chip Ganassi Racing and DHL Express today announced a new multi-year partnership, establishing DHL as the primary partner of the No. 10 Honda driven by two-time and reigning NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Alex Palou. The new agreement sees the 15-time INDYCAR SERIES champions joining forces with the world’s leading global shipping and logistics company.

Palou and the No. 10 team will kick off their 2024 championship-defending season at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in March, just a few hundred miles away from the DHL Regional Headquarters in Plantation, Florida.

“I am extremely proud to welcome DHL to the Chip Ganassi Racing family,” said Chip Ganassi. “It is an honor to partner with an organization that shares our fundamental values of teamwork, growth, responsibility, and the pursuit of excellence. Together, we are committed to embodying those values both on and off the racetrack. I am looking forward to Alex and the No. 10 team defending their 2023 title with DHL on board. The road ahead holds great promise and potential, and I can’t wait to get started.”

Founded in 1969, DHL was established as a courier service that delivered clearance documents between San Francisco and Honolulu by air, so they would arrive at Customs before the freight itself. Today, DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry and one of the most international companies, with about 395,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Chip Ganassi Racing, an organization that has a rich history of success, deeply rooted in principles shared by DHL, such as a commitment to supporting the communities we call home, and the relentless pursuit of excellence by investing in our people who embody speed, passion, and dedication,” said Mike Parra, CEO of DHL Express Americas and Head of Global Sponsorships. “As we sponsor this winning motorsports team with Alex Palou behind the wheel, we look forward to many winning moments both on and off the track in the months and years to come.”

“It’s super exciting to announce our new partnership with DHL, a global leader in logistics. Representing such a successful and widely recognized brand is a true honor,” said Palou. “Their iconic yellow and red colors not only stand out, but they also remind me of my native Spain’s colors. As our team looks back at our remarkable success last year, we are eager to carry that momentum forward and aim for a third title with the support of DHL. I am especially thrilled to hit the ground running alongside the dedicated men and women of our 10-car crew in 2024.”

Palou’s 2023 season was one for the record books, as he became just the sixth driver in the 100-plus-year history of the sport to win multiple championships at 26 or younger (Mario Andretti, Sebastien Bourdais, A.J. Foyt, Sam Hornish Jr., Louis Meyer). He also became the first driver to clinch the championship prior to the season finale since 2007. 

The Barcelona, Spain, native will now be looking to secure a third career championship, something no driver has achieved since his teammate and six-time champion Scott Dixon in 2013 and Chip Ganassi Racing’s Advisor Dario Franchitti in 2010.

Keeping Honda Indycar’s Primary Objective

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Let’s put aside complaining about no new chassis and the delay of then hybrid system. Indycar has a bigger problem now.

A week of bad Indycar news got even worse Friday when Marshall Pruett published in Racer magazine that Honda is considering leaving Indycar when its contract expires after 2026. HPD wants cost reductions and would welcome a third OEM to reduce their supply burden. The series has tried in vain to add a third engine supplier.

It was hoped that adding the hybrid component would attract another engine, but the series’ frustration with launching the energy recovery system has halted any progress in that regard.

Honda has been a bedrock of Indycar racing since 1994. They were the sole engine supplier from 2006-2011, literally saving the IRL.

Should Honda leave, would Chevrolet be willing to supply 27 full time cars? Would the Indianapolis have 33 entries? It’s doubtful that there would be more than that.

As a fan I find the engine competition fascinating. How many other fans feel that way and would lose interest in a series with a single manufacturer?

There are solutions, many which have been suggested by others. The most obvious is a spec engine, perhaps a bit less sophisticated and cheaper to build. Cosworth and Ilmor could run unbadged powerplants.

A third OEM is the best solution. Ideally no manufacturer would need to supply more than 12 cars for the 500.

As I researched this topic, I found that this is not the first time Honda has expressed doubt about continuing in the series. I found an article by Gordon Kirby from 2007 in which Robert Clarke, then head of Honda IRL program, talked about what needed to be done.

The entire article, which is worth your time, can be found here:

https://www.gordonkirby.com/categories/columns/theway/2007/the_way_it_is_no102.html

An excerpt:

Clarke believes the key to attracting other manufacturers into the IRL is to write hybrid and energy-preserving technologies into the rules for 2011, matters discussed at length in this space over the course of this year.

“My thought is the series needs to become more relevant in using a product and technology which is related more toward production car technologies,” Clarke said. “We need something that we can actually talk about and promote. Right now, there’s nothing we can talk about, other than Honda quality and reliability.

“If the IRL were to embrace real-world challenges like fuel consumption, emissions, noise, and using energy better, I think other manufacturers will take notice. Hopefully, that would cause them to enter the series because they really can’t afford to let us continue to do it on our own and not be involved.

Indycar has always been more reactive than proactive when it comes to change. It is time to change the way they do things. Honda was fair to give htree year’s notice, but that is not a lot of time.

Let’s Wait Another Year

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Photo: Will Power at the IMS hybrid test.

Today’s news about Indycar’s delaying the new hybrid component was not a complete shock. Statements from Jay Frye and Mark Miles left a lot of doubt that the system would be up and running by the St. Pete opening round.

News trickled out slowly this morning. First came word that the December test in which all teams would have a chance to test the new configuration was cancelled. Miles still insisted that the series would be ready to debut on opening weekend, and that there was no Plan B.

Then early this afternoon Indycar posted a slick PR release announcing that they are working on the hybrid component, and it will debut when it’s ready, sometime in the second half of the season. The second half of the season begins at Mid Ohio July 7.

Indycar press release:

Development of INDYCAR Hybrid Unit Sees Significant Steps in Preparation for 2024 

It appears the issue is the supply chain, although I suspect there are still problems with consistency and reliability of the unit. It seemed to be working well at the oval test at IMS in October, and the drivers seemed intrigued by the potential of the new tool in their toolbox.

No matter how this situation is spun, it is not a good look for Indycar. Fans are eager for something new. My preference would have been a new car. The series has very stale optics- a 12 year old car and engine formula; little change in race weekend formats, for example. While hybrid technology is intriguing and could change the racing strategy, it is not something that a fan can see.

A postponement is probably the correct call. Indycar must get this right. The first half of the season would likely see a lot of mechanical issues, which the series would not want at Thermal or the Indianapolis 500.

I think the call to wait is fine, but it doesn’t go far enough. We have waited this long, and Indycar already lags F1, WEC, and IMSA in introducing a hybrid unit. What is the harm in waiting until 2025?

The release said teams will be testing through the first half of the year. Not every team has the units, and there is no timeline for them to get them. Once the season begins, there are not many times for testing. There is one week after St. Pete, three weeks after the Thermal VIP event, and one week after Barber, which teams might want for Indianapolis preparation. Competiton takes up five consecutive weekends beginning in May.

Another factor to consider is competitive balance. Four teams-Team Penske, Arrow McLaren, Chip Ganassi Racing, and Andretti Global – have done all the testing. The other six teams do not have any chance at getting in the mileage that those four have had during 2024.

The second half of next season could see races with higher than normal attrition and could affect the championship down the stretch. The end of the schedule is oval heavy, and I am still not sure how a hybrid works on an oval.

The six teams who have yet to run the new power units could have a potentially decent season ruined by the mid-year introduction of new rules. The NBA doesn’t make baskets from behind the arc worth four points after the All-Star break.

The positive in today’s events is that Indycar realized that their hard St. Pete deadline was not attainable, and they adjusted. I think they need to adjust even more, and let’s wait until 2025 at St. Pete to introduce the hybrids.