2014 Indianapolis 500 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay will join Arrow McLaren Racing the 110th running of the 500. Hunter-Reay will drive car number 31.
The signing is a great one for the team, adding experience and expertise to a group just on the verge of Indy success that just a little extra boost.
The news release frorm Arrow McLaren:
“I am beyond primed and ready to make the absolute most of this partnership”- Ryan Hunter-Reay
Ryan Hunter-Reay, 2014 Indianapolis 500 winner and 2012 INDYCAR SERIES Champion, will join the Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team for the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500, completing the team’s four-car lineup for the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
Ryan joins the team with a wealth of experience and a proven championship pedigree, having made 395 INDYCAR SERIES starts over 21 seasons, earning 18 victories and 47 podium finishes. His storied open-wheel career is highlighted by success at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway where he will attempt to qualify for his 18th Indy 500 in May. The veteran will be one of five active drivers competing who boast an INDYCAR SERIES Championship and an Indy 500 victory alongside Scott Dixon, Josef Newgarden, Alex Palou and Will Power.
Arrow McLaren continues its tradition of running an additional distinguished driver in the iconic 500-mile race. In past years, two-time Formula One champion Fernando Alonso (2017, 2020), two-time Indy 500 winner Juan Pablo Montoya (2021, 2022), 2013 Indy 500 winner Tony Kanaan (2023) and two-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Kyle Larson (2024, 2025) have all raced in papaya in the Indy 500 as one-off entries for the team. Ryan will join Arrow McLaren’s full-time lineup of Pato O’Ward, Nolan Siegel and Christian Lundgaard at the IMS during the Month of May in 2026.
INDIANAPOLIS (Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2025) — Celebrating America’s 250th anniversary next year takes on special significance for AJ Foyt Racing. The legacy Indy car team has committed to run the No. 14 Chevrolet in patriotic livery all season long in a marketing campaign to raise funds for Homes For Our Troops (hfot.org)
Veterans and their families (including their specially trained pups) pose with Santino Ferrucci prior to the 2025 Indianapolis 500.
Following the resounding success of the Indianapolis 500-centered program that raised millions of dollars for Homes For Our Troops, the campaign has been expanded to the entire 2026 NTT INDYCAR Series season with new marketing partners Hendricks Commercial Properties and Geronimo Hospitality Group. Hendricks Holding Co., Inc. is the parent company of the new partners as well as that of former partner, ABC Supply Co., Inc.
“We are proud to partner with AJ Foyt Racing in support of Homes For Our Troops, a cause that truly reflects our values and the values of the Hendricks family,” said Rob Gerbitz, CEO and President of Hendricks Commercial Properties and Geronimo Hospitality Group. “We’re honored to help advance HFOT’s mission to build homes for our nation’s deserving veterans.”
Over the past four Indianapolis 500 campaigns, ABC Supply Co.’s $1 million annual matching pledge has helped raise nearly $15 million for Homes For Our Troops.
HM3 Max Rohn received his specially adapted home in 2024. The US Navy Hospital Corpsman was serving with the 2nd Marine Headquarters Group in Fallujah, Iraq, when his vehicle was struck by an RKG-3 grenade. HM3 Rohn sustained severe damage to both his legs in the blast. In the years since his injury, Max received his bachelor’s degree in international politics from Penn State University and trained in track and field at the Olympic Training Center where he met his wife, Victoria. He competes for Team USA in men’s discus and is a War Fighter Sports ambassador for Move United. (Photo courtesy of Homes For Our Troops)
“We extend our sincere gratitude to Hendricks Commercial Properties for their generous sponsorship and support,” says HFOT President/CEO Brigadier General, USA (Ret.) Tom Landwermeyer. “As we look ahead to the 2026 racing season, we’re excited to build on this collaboration, which will play a vital role in raising awareness and advancing our mission of Building Homes and Rebuilding Lives for our nation’s severely injured post-9/11 Veterans.”
Hendricks Commercial Properties and Geronimo Hospitality Group enter the motorsports arena for the first time but are quite familiar with the host city of INDYCAR’s world-famous Indy 500. Their development of the Bottleworks District encapsulates the companies’ impact on communities where they stimulate growth and create jobs while honoring the history behind each development.
The Bottleworks Hotel is a wonderful example of Hendricks Commercial Properties development of historic districts.
“What an amazing program!” exclaimed Larry Foyt, president of AJ Foyt Racing. “We couldn’t be prouder to continue our long relationship with the Hendricks family as well as continuing the inspiring experience of working with Homes For Our Troops. I can’t say enough about how much Diane Hendricks and her daughter Konya (Hendricks Schuh) have supported our team and IndyCar over the years. It will be an honor to represent their hospitality and commercial properties brands. Personally, the Bottleworks Hotel is my favorite stay in Indianapolis and this will certainly make my month of May home there more special.”
Santino Ferrucci, who will enter his fourth season driving the No. 14 Chevrolet, commented, “I’m
Santino Ferrucci prior to the 2025 Indy 500. (INDYCAR photo)
incredibly excited that Homes For Our Troops will be on the 14 car for the full season, especially as we celebrate America’s 250th birthday. It’s a huge deal, not just for the team and myself, but to drive a car in the American flag livery all year long is an honor and a privilege. We’re committed to raising awareness and money, lots of it, for our severely injured post-9/11 Veterans, who’ve sacrificed so much for this country to protect the freedoms we enjoy.”
The fund-raising initiative started in 2022 with the Indy car team founded by motorsports icon A.J. Foyt. ABC Supply, which first backed AJ Foyt Racing in 2005 and expanded its sponsorship to a two-car team in 2015, curtailed its program during the Covid-pandemic to just the Indianapolis 500. In 2022, the wholesale distributor of exterior building products dedicated its primary sponsorship to Homes For Our Troops. Diane Hendricks, co-founder of ABC Supply and its parent company, Hendricks Holding Co., Inc., spearheaded the marketing campaign that pledged up to $1 million in matching donations during the ten days leading up to the Indy 500.
In its inaugural year, more than $2 million was raised to build specially adapted homes for severely injured post-9/11 Veterans. The campaign’s tremendous success led to annual May campaigns with the top-fundraising occurring in 2024 with over $5 Million dollars raised, exceeding the $4 Million dollar goal set.
For 2026, Hendricks Commercial Properties and Geronimo Hospitality Group have taken charge and committed to a full-season marketing partnership to raise awareness for Homes For Our Troops throughout the NTT INDYCAR Series 17-race season. The companies will also use the program to foster community development inspired by their successful restoration projects in Beloit, Wisconsin, where they are headquartered, and the Bottleworks District in Indianapolis. Geronimo Hospitality Group owns and operates a growing collection of boutique hotels and restaurants across Idaho, Indiana, California, and Wisconsin.
Many of the Hendricks Commercial Properties’ inspired restoration projects took place in Beloit, Wisconsin. The Ironworks Campus, the company’s headquarters, sits to the right of the Rock River.
The No. 14 Homes For Our Troops Chevrolet will make its debut in the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg during the weekend of Feb. 27 – Mar. 1. The race will be broadcast on FOX with the time still being determined.
* * *
About Homes For Our Troops(HFOT)
Homes For Our Troops (HFOT) is a publicly funded 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that builds and donates specially adapted custom homes nationwide to severely injured post-9/11 Veterans. Most of these Veterans have sustained injuries including multiple limb amputations, partial or full paralysis, blindness, severe burns, and/or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). These homes restore some of the freedom and independence our Veterans sacrificed while defending our country, and enable them to focus on their family, recovery, and rebuilding their lives. HFOT builds these homes where the Veteran chooses to live, and continues its relationship with the Veterans after home delivery to assist them with rebuilding their lives. Since its inception in 2004, nearly 90 cents of every dollar spent has gone directly to our program services supporting Veterans. For more information, visit www.hfotusa.org.
About Hendricks Commercial Properties
Headquartered in Beloit, Wisconsin, Hendricks Commercial Properties (HCP) invests in, develops and manages mixed-use destinations and industrial properties throughout the United States. HCP maintains and creates work environments and lifestyles that people truly enjoy being a part of on a daily basis. For more information, visit www.hendricksgroup.net.
About Geronimo Hospitality Group
Headquartered in Beloit, Wisconsin, Geronimo Hospitality Group owns and operates a growing collection of award-winning, upscale boutique hotels, restaurants and clubs. Committed to providing memorable guest experiences through its genuine service and original brands, Geronimo properties are distinguished as destinations of choice for locals and travelers in the cities where they operate. For more information, visit www.geronimohospitalitygroup.com.
About ABC Supply
ABC Supply Co., Inc. is the largest wholesale distributor of roofing and other select exterior and interior building products in North America. Since its founding in 1982, ABC Supply’s sole focus has been serving professional contractors and “making it easy” for them to do their jobs by offering the products, support and services they need — including myABCsupply, which allows them to place material orders and manage their account details from anywhere.
ABC Supply is a 19-time Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award winner and is committed to hiring military veterans. The company also received the 2025 NAW Distributors Award, recognizing its industry leadership, community engagement and commitment to innovation.
Headquartered in Beloit, Wisconsin, ABC Supply has over 1,000 locations across the U.S. and Canada. More information is available at www.abcsupply.com. Contractors can find resources for growing and improving their businesses on ABC Supply’s blog and the company’s LinkedIn page.
INDIANAPOLIS (Nov. 6, 2026) — Caio Collet, this year’s INDY NXT by Firestone Vice-Champion, has signed to drive for AJ Foyt Racing in the 2026 NTT INDYCAR Series. Combitrans Amazonia will sponsor the No. 4 Chevrolet for the 17-race season.
“I’m very happy to join AJ Foyt Racing in the NTT INDYCAR Series and thankful to Larry for trusting my skills and giving me this fantastic opportunity,” said the 23-year-old Brazilian. “It is a dream come true after years of hard work in developing series since my early go-karting experiences. I’m thankful to all teams and sponsors that helped me through my career, especially Marcelo Camargo from Combitrans Amazonia, that joined our INDY NXT campaign this season and will be with us next year. INDYCAR is huge in Brazil and I’m looking forward to bringing its flag back to a full-time seat in the 2026 season,” said Collet.
Pictured is an initial design for the No. 4 Combitrans Amazonia Chevrolet.
Combitrans Amazonia is a Brazilian logistics corporation that provides road cargo transportation, excluding hazardous materials, and moving services, conducted on an intercity, interstate and international basis.
“Caio Collet’s dream is our dream,” explained Marcelo Camargo, owner and president of Combitrans Amazonia. “Brazil deserves the excitement of a full-time INDYCAR driver. We are thrilled to be part of this project with AJ Foyt Racing and carrying the Brazilian flag among so many global brands in the NTT INDYCAR Series!”
Caio Collet tested the AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet at Mid-Ohio last month. Pictured left to right are: Larry Foyt, Caio Collet, Combitrans Amazonia President/Owner Marcelo Camargo and Collet’s manager Gastao Filho.
Collet is entering the NTT INDYCAR Series after stellar showings driving for HMD Motorsports in the INDY NXT by Firestone division. This past season, he scored three victories, three pole positions, 12 top-five finishes (including 10 podiums) and 13 top-10 finishes in 14 starts.
“Caio is a welcome addition to AJ Foyt Racing. He has shown great potential in INDY NXT by Firestone and in the junior formulas in Europe,” said Team President Larry Foyt. “I was impressed with how he adapted to our car at the recent Mid-Ohio test and I’m very excited to see what he can do in INDYCAR. There’s no doubt that he will be a strong contender in the battle for Rookie of the Year.”
In his rookie year in the series, he finished third in the standings and earned the Rookie of the Year award. He triumphed at Mid-Ohio after winning the pole position, claimed 11 top-10 finishes, nine top-fives and six podiums.
The São Paulo, Brazil native arrived in American motorsports via the European ladder series. He raced in the French F4 Championship where he became the series champion before moving on to Formula Renault Eurocup (2019-2020), Toyota Racing Series (2020) and FIA Formula 3 (2021-2023). These accomplishments helped Collet become the reserve and simulator driver for the Nissan Formula E Team in 2024.
Combitrans Amazonia offers a highly competitive and viable alternative to the great difficulties faced by the companies of the Manaus Free Trade Zone in the distribution of their products. Its intermodal model, which involves land and river transportation, optimizes complex processes and takes operational intelligence to the entire logistics chain.
Pictured is a Swimming Warehouse pioneered by Combitrans.
The company was a pioneer in the development of a new concept of river transport. The SW (Swimming Warehouse) rafts have established Combitrans Amazonia as a vanguard owing to its great capacity for investment in innovation. It enables sustainable, efficient delivery with low logistics costs, and uses its capacity to integrate and map all of Brazil. Currently, Combitrans Amazonia operates ports in Manaus/AM and Belém/PA, with support points in the main states of Brazil, which allows for nationwide service. Its administrative headquarters is located in Orlândia/SP, with a commercial office in São Paulo/SP.
The NTT INDYCAR Series kicks off its season in St. Petersburg, Florida on Sunday, March 1st. All 17 races will be televised by FOX.
Editor’s note: Story from A J Foyt Racing. It is great to see another IndyCar team affiliated with IndyNXT.
INDIANAPOLIS (October 21, 2025) — AJ Foyt Racing will extend its program into the INDY NXT by Firestone championship beginning in 2026. The team will field a two-car effort as it looks to build a strong foundation for drivers, crew, engineers, partners, and more for the future. Backed by a Strategic Alliance with HMD Motorsports, this collaboration represents the next step in strengthening the connection between INDY NXT by Firestone and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, creating a more straightforward pathway for driver and team personnel development.
The young drivers of the INDY NXT by Firestone championship get ready for the start at Nashville Superspeedway. (INDYCAR Photo)
While AJ Foyt Racing will maintain its own brand and identity, the new program emphasizes the team’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of INDYCAR talent. By working with not only drivers but also crew members looking to make a move to the INDYCAR SERIES earlier in their careers, the organization aims to provide a more integrated and structured approach to preparing all for the top level of American open-wheel racing.
Founded in 1965 by four-time Indianapolis 500 winner A.J. Foyt, AJ Foyt Racing is an iconic and respected name in motorsports. With multiple championships across the various sanctioning bodies of INDYCAR racing over the years, the team has built a legacy rooted in excellence, perseverance, and innovation. Under the leadership of Larry Foyt, the team continues to uphold its long-standing commitment to developing competitive talent and advancing the sport.
The addition the program marks AJ Foyt Racing’s second foray into the INDY NXT by Firestone championship.. In 2002, A.J. Foyt IV won the first INDY NXT by Firestone championship. Ed Carpenter drove for the team in 2003 and won the Freedom 100, the Series’ inaugural race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
“This has been a long time coming,” commented AJ Foyt Racing Team President Larry Foyt. “We’ve
played a significant role in developing drivers who have gone on to compete at the top level of INDYCAR. We felt it was time to get involved in the INDY NXT by Firestone program again. Forming a Technical and Strategic Alliance with HMD Motorsports provides the experience and technical support to make our INDY NXT program as strong and effective as possible.”
HMD Motorsports brings extensive experience in the INDY NXT by Firestone championship to the new alliance program. Since joining the series in 2019 and competing full-time from 2021 onward, the team has earned both a team title and two driver championships, multiple rookie of the year honors, and promoted several drivers into the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. HMD will provide technical support and series insight to AJ Foyt Racing’s INDY NXT program.
“We are thrilled to announce this Strategic Alliance with AJ Foyt Racing,” commented HMD Motorsports Team President Mike Maurini. “This is the next step in making the pathway to INDYCAR more accessible to talented drivers throughout the INDY NXT paddock. Together, our teams will combine experience and resources to help develop the next generation of competitive drivers.”
The partnership will combine AJ Foyt Racing’s INDYCAR experience with HMD Motorsports’ success in INDY NXT to support driver development and prepare rising talent for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. AJ Foyt Racing will make its INDY NXT by Firestone debut in 2026 with further details on the driver lineup and program to be announced in the coming months.
INDY NXT by Firestone Set To Build on Impressive Growth, Momentum INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025) – INDYCAR has announced a 17-race schedule for the 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone season, which includes a series record-tying four races in March and the addition of three new doubleheader weekends as INDYCAR’s developmental series looks to even better prepare drivers and team personnel for the skills required to advance to NTT INDYCAR SERIES competition. FOX Sports will once again provide a broadcast platform for every race, helping to build on record-setting growth across the 2025 season.The 17-race schedule is the most for the series since 2021 and is highlighted by participation in the much-anticipated inaugural INDYCAR Grand Prix of Arlington. The Sunday, March 15 race on the new 14-turn, 2.73-mile Streets of Arlington circuit is a tentpole event during the 2026 INDYCAR calendar. The weekend is a first-of-its-kind venture uniting three championship organizations: INDYCAR, the Dallas Cowboys and REV Entertainment, the official events partner of the Texas Rangers. The thrilling mix of wheel-to-wheel action on ovals, road courses and street circuits in 2026 includes a total of five doubleheader weekends, culminating with one at the season finale at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The historic road course returns as the season finale for the 15th time in series history.For the second consecutive season, the 2026 schedule in the United States will be featured on live television with all events broadcast on either FOX Sports’ FS1 or FS2. Additionally, all practice and qualifying sessions will be featured on those networks. As part of a multiyear partnership between INDYCAR and FOX Sports, 2025 was a breakout year for INDY NXT with every race being featured on live television for the first time. As a result, the 2025 season generated well over five times more viewership than the previous season. “Like with the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, the 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone season begins with supercharged action in March and only grows more intense from there,” Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO Mark Miles said. “Additional doubleheaders at fan-favorite events will add to the challenge of winning a season championship, which again will be celebrated at iconic WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. “Combined with the exceptional showcase of another full season of races on FS1 and FS2, we again look forward to seeing the young stars of INDY NXT challenge for the title and advancing to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.” For the 16th time and fifth straight year, the season opens Sunday, March 1 on the sun-splashed Streets of St. Petersburg, Florida. Challenging doubleheaders at Barber Motorsports Park, Road America and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course add intrigue to the traditional series doubleheaders on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course and Laguna Seca.The schedule also includes visits to the ovals at World Wide Technology Raceway, Nashville Superspeedway and the Milwaukee Mile, which all featured series records for on-track passes in 2025. All 17 races will, once again, take place during NTT INDYCAR SERIES event weekends. Since taking over operational control of the development series in 2023, INDY NXT has enjoyed unprecedented growth by averaging over 19 starters at each race and the largest fields since the 2009 season.Five of the seven race winners during the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season were former INDY NXT drivers. The 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge featured 20 drivers with INDY NXT experience. FOX Sports’ network assignments and tune-in times for the 2026 events will be announced at a later date.Outside of the United States, the streaming service INDYCAR LIVE will continue to provide live coverage of all 17 INDY NXT races along with all practice and qualifying sessions .2026 INDY NXT BY FIRESTONE SCHEDULE Date Venue Sunday, March 1 Streets of St. Petersburg Sunday, March 5 Streets of Arlington Saturday, March 28 Barber Motorsports Park Race1 Sunday, March 29 Barber Motorsports Park Race2 Friday, May 8 Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course Race 1 Saturday, May 9 Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course Race 2 Sunday, May 31 Streets of Detroit Sunday, June 7 World Wide Technology Raceway Saturday, June 20 Road America Race 1 Sunday, June 21 Road America Race 2 Saturday, July 4 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Race 1 Sunday, July 5 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Race 2 Sunday, July 19 Nashville Superspeedway Sunday, Aug. 9 Portland International Raceway Sunday, Aug. 3 Milwaukee Mile \Saturday, Sept. 5 WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Race 1 Sunday, Sept. 6 WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Race 2
Dale Coyne Racing Welcomes Dennis Hauger, Enters Technical Partnership with Andretti Global
INDIANAPOLIS, (September 23, 2025) – Dale Coyne Racing announced today that reigning INDY NXT by Firestone Champion Dennis Hauger will pilot one of the Dale Coyne Racing Honda’s for the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. In addition to adding Hauger to the team’s driver lineup, Dale Coyne Racing has entered into a technical partnership with Andretti Global for the upcoming season. Coming off a Championship-winning rookie INDY NXT season, 22-year-old Norwegian driver Hauger secured six wins, five additional podiums, seven poles, 13 top-10 finishes and 301 laps led across 14 races. Additionally, Hauger set multiple qualifying records in 2025, recording the fastest laps in track history on the Streets of Detroit, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and The Milwaukee Mile. Hauger’s on-track success allowed him to clinch the 2025 INDY NXT Championship at the penultimate race of the season at The Milwaukee Mile. Prior to making his debut in North American open-wheel racing, Hauger advanced through the European racing ranks, capturing the Italian F4 Championship (2019), the FIA Formula 3 Championship (2021) and earning five wins and 13 podiums over three seasons competing in the FIA Formula 2 Championship (2022-2024). Hauger will take his first INDYCAR laps in offseason testing at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course with Dale Coyne Racing and will make his official on-track debut at the 2026 INDYCAR season opener on the Streets of St. Petersburg, February 27 – March 1. DALE COYNE, OWNER, DALE COYNE RACING “This is a great opportunity for us here at DCR to bring on a talented driver and gain a strong technical partner in Andretti Global, Thanks to Dan and his belief in our sport and his dedication to elevating Dennis to the top of the ladder.” DENNIS HAUGER, DRIVER, DALE COYNE RACING “I’m excited to be joining Dale Coyne Racing for my rookie INDYCAR season. The progress the team has shown this year is really impressive, and it’s an honor to take my place on the grid with them in 2026. I want to thank Dale Coyne and everyone at the team for putting their trust in me. It’ll also be nice to see some familiar faces through the team’s technical partnership with Andretti Global. They’ve been a big part of my success since making the switch, so having their involvement in another rookie season for me will be great. I’m looking forward to contributing and starting this next chapter together.”
INDIANAPOLIS (Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025) – Information about TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks track activity Sunday, Sept. 21 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway:
SCHEDULE (All times local):
9 a.m.-6 p.m.: Public Gates Open
10:20-11:20 a.m.: Pre-Race Grid Walk
11:40 a.m.-5:40 p.m.: IMSA TireRack.com Battle On The Bricks
TICKETS: $60 for General Admission seating for the grandstands and infield viewing mounds. Children 15 and under are admitted free with a paying adult. Reserved seats in the Hulman Terrace Club, which include private club access and gate admission, are $300.
PUBLIC GATES OPEN (9 a.m.-6 p.m.): 1, 2, 4, 6S, 7S
PARKING: Free auto parking (including ADA) is available in Lot 6A and the Hulman Lot off Georgetown Road. Availability is limited. Paid parking is available in Lot 2 and Main Gate for $20 and Gate 1 (Parcel B) for $75. Paid ADA parking is available in Lot 2 and Lot 3P for $20 and Gate 1 for $75. Paid motorcycle parking is $20 in Gate 1 (Parcel B).
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.
MUSEUM: The IMS Museum is open from 9 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.
Note: Updated from earlier version due to IMSA post-qualifying technical ruling on the No. 60 GTP car.
Breaking from IMS:
INDIANAPOLIS (Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025) – Cadillac will start 1-2-3 in the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks on Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway after the quickest GTP car in qualifying was sent to the rear of the field. Jack Aitken will start from the pole in the No. 31 Cadillac Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R after his best lap of 1 minute, 14.610 seconds was second quickest. But he elevated to the top spot after the Acura Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb-Agajanian Acura ARX-06 of Tom Blomqvist, turning a top lap of 1:14.569, was found in post-qualifying technical inspection to fail to comply within LMDh bodywork tolerances.
That car, shared between former INDYCAR SERIES drivers Blomqvist and Colin Braun, will move to the rear of the 12-car GTP field. The six-hour race starts at 11:40 a.m. ET Sunday on the 14-turn, 2.439-mile road course. It’s the first pole of the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship season for Cadillac. “I’m pretty pleased,” Aitken said. “I think all the Cadillacs showed pretty well. We had an OK practice, but it wasn’t entirely smooth. The nature of having so many cars on track here means getting clean laps, which was quite difficult. “I think we’re in a good place. I’m pleased that we’ve come out today with a strong car and clean qualifying session, and I think a strong car for tomorrow.” Wayne Taylor Racing, headquartered in nearby Brownsburg, put both of its prototypes in the top three of the starting grid. Louis Deletraz qualified third, now starting second, at 1:14.715 in the No. 40 Cadillac V-Series.R, while Ricky Taylor was fourth at 1:14.804 and will start third in the team’s No. 10 Cadillac. The reigning winners, the No. 24 BMW M Team RLL entry of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, will start seventh in the 12-car GTP field at 1:15.133 with Dries Vanthoor behind the wheel.
It’s a beautiful day for a race. Mild temperatures with minimal rise throughout the day.
History may be made today. Alex Palou might continue his scorched IndyCar march into a tie for second most wins in a season, or David Malukas might win his first IndyCar race.
David Malukas experienced a mechanical issue during final practice yesterday afternoon. It appeared to be either suspension or a wheel problem. he should be good to go today.
Tire wear is the phrase of the day. A set looks to ast somewhere around 60 laps, which means at least a three stop race. Four stops is a good possibility.
If the backup at the gate when I arrived at 8 am is any indication, there will be a very good crowd on hand for the race. It is nice to feel a race day atmosphere at a track other than IMS. It doesn’t happen often at other ovals.
Starting Lineup
The lineup after penalties nhave been assessed:
I am still going with Malukas to et his first win today.
The Pit Window by Mike Silver 