Editor’s note: The following is from the NTT IndyCar Series. I will have comments later today.
Team Penske Parts Company with Three Members of Management
INDYCAR.com
Editorial Staff
1 HOUR AGO
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Team Penske parted company May 21 with Team President Tim Cindric, INDYCAR Managing Director Ron Ruzewski and INDYCAR General Manager Kyle Moyer from the organization after two of the team’s entries were found in violation of INDYCAR rules last weekend.
“Nothing is more important than the integrity of our sport and our race teams,” Roger Penske said. “We have had organizational failures during the last two years, and we had to make necessary changes. I apologize to our fans, our partners and our organization for letting them down.”
The team’s No. 2 and No. 12 cars did not make an attempt Sunday during the Top 12 Qualifying session for the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge because they were found in pre-qualifying technical inspection to be in violation of INDYCAR Rule 14.7.8.16, an unapproved body fit on the rear attenuator of the car. Those entries were moved to the rear of the field, starting 32nd and 33rd, respectively, for the Indianapolis 500 this Sunday, and each entry was fined $100,000 by INDYCAR.
Last year at the season-opening race in St. Petersburg, Florida, Team Penske was in violation of the two “Push to Pass” parameters, INDYCAR Rule 14.19.15 and 14.19.16. The team’s No. 2 and No. 3 entries were disqualified from that event, and its No. 12 entry received a 10-point penalty.
A team statement said further announcements will be made this week related to personnel and replacements for the Indianapolis 500.
Cindric joined Team Penske at the end of the 1999 INDYCAR SERIES season as the president of Penske Racing Inc. He was elevated to the role of president of Penske Performance in 2005.
Ruzewski came to the team at the start of the 2005 INDYCAR SERIES season. He was named managing director before the 2019 season after serving as the team’s technical director.
Moyer joined Team Penske before the 2015 INDYCAR SERIES season. He moved into the role as general manager for Team Penske’s INDYCAR SERIES program in 2019.
It’s a shame that what should be a huge celebratory pole win has been overshadowed by the Team Penske scandal. Robert Shwartzman’s pole, the first by a rookie since Teo Fabi in 1983, should be the talk of the fans and the paddock.
Instead, we are discussing the second Penske cheating issue in as many years. I agree with the penalties handed down this morning by IndyCar, and I appreciate their quick action. As Doug Boles said this morning,
“(the 500) is the biggest race in the world, and integrity is paramount…”
So, back to the weekend. I’m not sure why Rinus VeeKay went out for a second run and risked putting himself out of the race. If did it to run out the clock, he went too early. There was plenty of time left for Jacob Abel to still have another attempt.
Questions:
Why is RLL’s one off entry for the 500 always the fastest qualifier on the team?
How is David Malukas 10 spots better than Santino Ferrucci?
Should the qualifying format be tweaked?
I’ll answer the last question. A little bit. Each car should be limited to no more than four attempts on Saturday. Any time a car goes out for an attempt, their current time is erased.
IndyCar on FOX: I watched just a part of the broadcast last night, and I saw the Colton Herta interview. Send Chris Myers back to Daytona. He looked and sounded bored, and as if he really didn’t want to be here. Colton had to correct him as to the name of the race. His response was that he works the Daytona 500. Leigh Diffey called the Indy 500 and he never confuses IMS for Daytona. I found Myers to be unprofessional and I hope he is not here Sunday.
INDIANAPOLIS Information about 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying track activity Monday, May 19 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway: SCHEDULE (All times local): 11 a.m.-3 p.m.: Public gates open 1-3 p.m.: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice TICKETS: General Admission tickets are $25. The general admission ticket will provide the opportunity to move between the IMS infield viewing mounds and first-come, first-served access to selected grandstands to view racing action from different vantage points. Children 15 and under are admitted free with a paying adult. Separate ticket required for entry each day.PUBLIC GATES OPEN (11 a.m.-3 p.m.): Gate 2, Gate 4, Gate 6S, Gate 7, Gate 7S, Gate 10, Gate 10A.PARKING: Free public parking is available in N Lot. Free ADA accessible parking is available in the West Museum Lot, Tower Lot, and Flag Lot. Free motorcycle parking is available in South Carousel Lot.CASHLESS OPERATIONS: The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a cashless facility. Please be prepared to complete your ticket, credentials, parking, concession and merchandise purchases with ease during your event via debit or credit card.Tap-to-pay phone payments will be accepted, as will credit and debit transactions. Cash-to-Card machines, which convert paper money onto a temporary debit card, will be located in the IMS Museum, Pagoda Plaza and outside Turn 1 by concessions stand 7. These funds can be spent inside the venue, outside the venue, online or anywhere in the world where Mastercard/Visa debit cards are accepted.MUSEUM: The IMS Museum is open from 11 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.
Welcome to a frosty Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where the temperature is 48 degrees. The first IndyCar practice is scheduled to start in about 10 minutes. Cars are in their pit boxes.
Yesterday Jacob Abel revealed his livery for the Indianapolis 500, a tribute to Dannt=y Sullivan’s winning car from 1985.
As tribute liveries go, this is a very nice one. It evokes the original. A rear enginecar to rear engine car tribute is easier to do than trying to replicate a front engine livery on one of today’s cars.
After practice I will be exploring the new merchandise shop, and I plan to visit the museum and get some more insight into the renovated facility.
Reminder, the first four sessions of Indy NXT and IndyCar are on FS2.
In a clean practice run under cool and cloudy conditions, Nolan Siegel ended up with the fastest lap as some new names appeared in the top 10. Louis Foster led the session for a bit and finished hird, whilke David Malukas was eighth.
Andretti and Penske cars retained top spots from yesterday. Colton Herta was second quick and Kyle Kirkwood finished fifth for Andretti, while Will Power in fourth and Josef Newgarden in sixth kept Penske in the hunt.
Arrow McLaren had all three cars leading the session at one point. Christian Lundgaard finished10th and Pato O’Ward was 12th.
Notes
At qualifying time the temperature should be about 63 degrees, up just slightly from the 58 degree practice temperature.
LBGP officials annpounced that reserved grandstand seating is sold out for the weekend for the third year in a row. Achieving a sellout is a remarkable feat these days, but sustaining it over three years is remarkable. General admission ickets are still available.
What great news to begin April. I am so happy that Jay Frye will remain in IndyCar. The team announcement from RLL:
ZIONSVILLE, Ind. (April 1, 2025) – Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) announced today that well-respected industry executive Jay Frye has joined the team as president. Frye will report directly to team ownership and will oversee operations for the team’s involvement in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Frye’s experience spans over 30 years and includes series and team leadership on both the competition, marketing, sales and ownership sides.
The team also announced that they have parted ways with Steve Eriksen, who held the role of chief operating officer since January 2023.
“First, I would like to thank Steve Eriksen for all of the work he did for us, particularly at a critical moment in time for the company and we certainly wish him the best in his next endeavor,” said Bobby Rahal, team co-owner with David Letterman and Michael Lanigan. “I’m very pleased to have Jay Frye join the team as president of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. I’ve known him since his arrival on the INDYCAR scene in 2013 and have spent a lot of time with him and think highly of his character and his passion for the sport. I look forward to working with him in the future to take RLL to the place we all want it to be.”
“Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing has a tremendous history of success, both on and off the track,” added Jay Frye. “I am very proud to be joining the dedicated and talented team of people at RLL. RLL has the foundation, infrastructure and an incredible commitment to continue being successful well into the future.”
BMW M Team RLL returns to action in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Series on Saturday, April 12 on the streets of Long Beach while the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season resumes with the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday, April 13. For more information about the series or team, visit http://www.indycar.com and http://www.rahal.com.
About Jay Frye
Most recently, Frye served as INDYCAR president until February 2025. He left a legacy that includes a strategic plan for future financial stability and innovative safety, competition and partnership developments during his tenure.
Frye joined Hulman & Company in 2013 as chief revenue officer of Hulman Motorsports and led the combined team of INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway sponsorship sales, licensing and account services. In 2016, Frye introduced an effective, rolling five-year plan that serves as a strategic blueprint and assists in cost containment for the teams moving into the future. The impetus for the plan was built around the introduction and successful implementation of the AK-18 universal aero kits in 2018. That initial five-year plan has extended through the 2026-28 seasons of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, where Frye has set up the series to continue to succeed strategically and competitively.
Named president in December 2018 after spending the previous three years as INDYCAR’s president of competition and operations, Frye made significant contributions to the commercial and competition sides of the business. NTT, a Fortune Global 500 global informational technology and communications leader, opened the 2019 season as the new series title sponsor. Frye initiated and consummated this multiyear deal that was pivotal to the future growth of the series.
In May 2019, Frye spearheaded a partnership with Red Bull Advanced Technologies to design the aeroscreen, an industry-changing, total driver cockpit safety solution, which debuted in the 2020 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. The innovative addition to the open-wheel cars proved extremely effective in competition when put to the test. For his accomplishments and leadership, he was recognized by Autosport on its prestigious 2019 Motorsports Power List covering the 50 most powerful people in global motorsport.
In October 2020, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ engine manufacturers, Chevrolet and Honda, extended their long-term agreements with the series, providing stability.
The 2024 season featured the successful implementation of the INDYCAR hybrid power unit. Highlighted by a first-of-its-kind collaboration with Chevrolet and Honda, the hybrid engine package produced over 800 horsepower and completed a remarkable 94,244 miles after full-field introduction. The record-breaking 2024 season also produced 14 on-track passing records and the fastest pole speed in the 108-year history of the Indianapolis 500. As an indicator of overall series health, 2024 featured 27 full-time starters – matching the record set in 2023.
Prior to joining Hulman & Co., Frye flourished in team management roles in the NASCAR industry. He was vice president and general manager for Red Bull Racing’s NASCAR team (2008-11) and was named 2008 NASCAR Executive of the Year by ESPN and the Kansas City Star. From 1996-2007, Frye was chief executive officer and general manager of MB2 Motorsports, a team he created and built. Before his executive roles with NASCAR teams, Frye worked at Valvoline Racing, and his extensive sales and marketing experience began with a variety of roles at Anheuser-Busch Inc.
Frye, a native of Rock Island, Illinois, graduated with a marketing/education degree from the University of Missouri, where he played tight end and offensive tackle for four years on the Tigers’ football team. He and his wife, Danielle, have two daughters.
From IndyCar: Race weekend: Friday, March 21-Sunday, March 23 Track: The Thermal Club, a 3.067-mile, 17-turn road course (counterclockwise) in Thermal, California Media Links: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Entry List (PDF) | Trackside Media Guide (Interactive PDF) Race distances: 65 laps/199.36 miles Push-to-pass parameters: 150 seconds of total time, with a maximum time of 15 seconds per activation Hybrid energy deployment parameters: Unlimited activation, with a maximum deployment of 610 kilojoules (kj) per lap Firestone tire allotment: Six sets primary, four sets alternate to be used during the event weekend. Teams fielding a rookie driver may use one additional set of primary tires. Teams must use one set of primary and one set of new (sticker) alternate tires for at least two laps in the race. X: @TheThermalClub, @INDYCAR, #ThermalGP, #INDYCARInstagram: @TheThermalClub, @INDYCAR, #ThermalGP, #INDYCARFacebook: @ThermalClub, @INDYCAR, #ThermalGP, #INDYCARTikTok: @IndyCar, #ThermalGP, #INDYCARYouTube: @INDYCAREvent website: www.thermalgp.comINDYCAR website: www.indycar.com 2024 race winner: Inaugural Event (Alex Palou won The Thermal Club $1 Million Challenge exhibition race in 2024.) Qualifying record: Inaugural Event FOX Sports telecast: Practice 1, 6:30 p.m. ET, Friday, FS1 (live); Practice 2, 1 p.m. ET Saturday, FS1 (live); Qualifying, 5 p.m. ET Saturday, FS1 (live); Warmup, 11 a.m. ET Sunday, FS1 (live); Race, 3 p.m. ET Sunday, FOX (live). Will Buxton is the play-by-play announcer for FOX’s coverage of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, alongside analysts Townsend Bell and James Hinchcliffe. Jamie Little, Kevin Lee and Jack Harvey are the pit reporters. INDYCAR Radio Network broadcasts: Mark Jaynes is the anchor alongside driver analyst Davey Hamilton. Nick Yeoman and Michael Young are the turn announcers. Jake Query, Jonathan Grace and DJ Clark are the pit reporters. The Thermal Club INDYCAR Grand Prix of race and all NTT INDYCAR SERIES practices and qualifying sessions air live on network affiliates, SiriusXM INDYCAR Nation 218, indycar.com/leaderboard and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA. At-track schedule (All times local/Pacific Time): Friday, March 213:35-4:55 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice 1 (split group format), FS1 Saturday, March 2210-11 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice 2 (Limited green flag guarantee of 45 minutes), FS13:35-4:55 p.m. – The Thermal Club INDYCAR Grand Prix NTT P1 Award qualifying (three rounds of knockout qualifying), FS1 Sunday, March 238:02-8:27 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Warmup, FS1Noon – FOX on air12:10 p.m. – “Drivers, start your engines”12:17 p.m. – The Thermal Club INDYCAR Grand Prix (65 laps/199.36 miles), FOX (Live) NTT INDYCAR SERIES Notes: •The Thermal Club INDYCAR Grand Prix will be the first NTT INDYCAR SERIES points-paying event at The Thermal Club, but it won’t be the first time the series has competed on the 3.067-mile road course. Alex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing won The Thermal Club $1 Million Challenge exhibition race in 2024 over Scott McLaughlin of Team Penske and Felix Rosenqvist of Meyer Shank Racing. •The Thermal Club is the third road or street circuit to debut on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES calendar since 2021. Chip Ganassi Racing drivers won the previous two debut races. Marcus Ericsson won the inaugural Big Machine Music City Grand Prix on the streets of Nashville in 2021, and Alex Palou won the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear when it debuted its new course in downtown Detroit in 2023. •The Thermal Club INDYCAR Grand Prix will be the first of six natural terrain road course races on the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule. The other events are scheduled for Barber Motorsports Park on May 4, Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course on May 10, Road America on June 22, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on July 6, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on July 27 and Portland International Raceway on Aug. 10.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 27, 2025) – Bridgestone Americas (Bridgestone) today announced a three-year extension for its Firestone brand as the entitlement sponsor of the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. This agreement with Green Savoree Racing Promotions marks the continuation of a successful relationship that began in 2014. The new deal keeps the Firestone name on the opening race of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season through 2028.
“St. Pete is always an exciting event as we reconnect with fans and wave the green flag for a new season of racing,” said Lisa Boggs, Director, Bridgestone Americas Motorsports. “We take great pride in Firestone’s rich history in the sport, and starting each season at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg has become a big part of that. We’re excited to extend this tradition as part of our ongoing commitment to driving excitement and innovation in racing for years to come.”
The renewed entitlement agreement for the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg continues to reinforce the Firestone brand’s support for the fastest racing on earth. In September 2024, Bridgestone and Penske Entertainment announced a long-term extension for Firestone as the exclusive tire supplier for all INDYCAR-sanctioned racing.
“Firestone has been an integral part of the growth and success of the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg as title sponsor. This latest extension will take our partnership to a remarkable 15-year span,” said Kim Green, co-owner, chairman and CEO of Green Savoree Racing Promotions, organizers of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding. “It’s an iconic brand that’s helped champions redefine limits in racing for generations, which aligns perfectly with the energy and excitement that embody this event.”
The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding has become a marquee event, combining the excitement of INDYCAR racing with a stunning waterfront backdrop and a unique urban street circuit. This year’s event is scheduled for Feb. 28-March 2 to open the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.
The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg marks the start of the 26th consecutive season for Firestone as the exclusive tire supplier. This year is also the 125th anniversary of Firestone’s founding in Akron, Ohio on August 3, 1900. Known for its durability, dependability, and unwavering dedication to quality, Firestone remains a trusted name in tire performance both on the road and on the track.
The brand’s storied history in motorsports began in 1911 with a win at the inaugural Indianapolis 500®, and its roots run nearly as deep in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area. Firestone Complete Auto Care opened its first local retail location in 1933 on Kennedy Boulevard in downtown Tampa. For more than 90 years, it has continued to grow and strengthen its legacy as a trusted tire and automotive service provider for the local community.
Both the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and the INDY NXT by Firestone development series races on the streets of St. Petersburg will be televised on Sunday, March 2. The INDY NXT by Firestone race will air on FS1 at 10 a.m. ET, and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES will make its debut on FOX network television beginning at 12 noon ET.
Bridgestone motorsports activities are leveraged globally as co-creation platforms to help deliver the values of the Bridgestone E8 Commitment. This corporate commitment outlines eight areas where the company is focused on contributing to a more sustainable world. The ongoing relationship with the NTT INDYCAR SERIES supports the values of emotion, energy, ecology, and empowerment.
Bridgestone Americas, Inc. is the U.S.-based subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, a global leader in tires and rubber, building on its expertise to provide solutions for safe and sustainable mobility. Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., Bridgestone Americas employs more than 50,000 people across its worldwide operations. Bridgestone offers a diverse product portfolio of premium tires and advanced solutions backed by innovative technologies, improving the way people around the world move, live, work and play.
About Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Presented by RP Funding The 21st annual Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding is a race event held during Florida’s spring break season. Traditionally the site of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ season-opening race, St. Pete is a destination city hosting this annual motorsports tradition and offering a festival atmosphere with its downtown location. The temporary circuit is a 1.8-mile, 14-turn configuration that uses the streets circling Pioneer Park, the Duke Energy Center for the Arts, The Dali Museum and extending onto the runway at Albert Whitted Airport, and borders the waterfront of Tampa Bay and picturesque St. Petersburg Harbor and Marina. The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding airs live on a national broadcast on FOX. FOX Sports named the race one of its “50 Events You Can’t Miss in 2025.” The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding is owned and operated by Green Savoree St. Petersburg, LLC. Green Savoree St. Petersburg, LLC is owned by Green Savoree Racing Promotions 2, LLC whose other subsidiaries also promote three additional NTT INDYCAR SERIES races, The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio (July 4-6, 2025), Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto (July 18-20, 2025) and BITNILE.COM Grand Prix of Portland (Aug. 8-10, 2025).
The Pit Window by Mike Silver 