Andretti Joins IMSA with Wayne Taylor Racing

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Andretti Autosport added to their extensive racing portfolio by partnering with Wayne Taylor Racing in the IMSA Weather tech Championship. The multi year deal begins withthe Rolex 24 hour at Daytona when the GTP Acura debuts. I will have some thoughts on this partnership tiomorrow.

The release from Andretti this morning:

INDIANAPOLIS (Dec. 28, 2022) – Andretti Autosport and Wayne Taylor Racing announced a new, long-term partnership today that will see the championship-caliber teams combine resources to compete in IMSA’s top classes. Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Autosport’s No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-06 and its No. 93 Harrison Contracting Company Acura NSX Evo22 will make their official debut at the 2023 Roar Before the Rolex 24 and will be on the grid for the Rolex 24 at DAYTONA. The newly formed team will also compete in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America series. 

During the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season, day-to-day operations and leadership remain as they have currently operated with the long- term goal of moving the programs into Andretti Global’s recently announced 575,000-square-foot headquarters in Fishers, Indiana, due to be operational in 2025.

Wayne Taylor’s global motorsports enterprise boasts two IMSA driver championships (2013, 2017) and back-to-back IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup Championships (2021, 2020), which have contributed to nine IMSA manufacturer championships for Acura, Pontiac, Corvette and Cadillac as well as multiple victories in sportscar racing’s most iconic events – the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA (a total of six Rolex 24 At Daytona titles, two as driver and four of the past six years as team owner), Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, Motul Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta, Road America, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen at Watkins Glen International. Wayne Taylor Racing claims eight Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America Championship titles and a Lamborghini World Finals title. 

For 2023, Andretti will continue to operate in IMSA’s LMP3 category with Jarett Andretti. The five-time Indianapolis 500 champions Andretti Autosport competes in six additional racing championships worldwide, including the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, INDY NXT by Firestone, ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, Extreme E, Australia’s Repco Supercars Championship and Mexico’s SuperCopa series. 

Michael Andretti, Chairman & CEO, Andretti Autosport: 

“This is an exciting time for us. We’re proud to be returning to the IMSA paddock in this way and the opportunity to be part of the launch of the GTP program alongside Wayne Taylor Racing and our friends at Honda Performance Development. Re-entering IMSA full time, and at this level, has been a goal of mine. I wanted it to be the right opportunity and at the right time – and we’ve found that. I’m looking forward to working closer with the team at WTR and meeting all the team’s strong supporters. I want to personally thank Wayne (Taylor) and Travis (Houge) for already being such great partners as we plan for a successful future.” 

Wayne Taylor, Team Owner, Wayne Taylor Racing: 

“It’s an honor to be partnering with a name like Andretti as we enter a new era of racing. I was approached by Michael a year ago and, as we all know, timing is everything, especially as our GTP and GTD programs continue to grow with Acura |HPD. Having worked with Michael on this for nearly a year, I’m very excited to see it come together. While our 2023 program won’t look much different, there is a lot that Andretti Autosport can offer to us as we continue to build and expand. I’m looking forward to working closer with Michael (Andretti), J-F (Thormann), Rob (Edwards) and the entire Andretti team.” 

Holiday Wishes

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Time for The Pit Window’s annual holiday wishes for Indycar, drivers, teams, and fans. it has been a busy off season, but cars will be on track for Spring Training in a little moire than a month. So here are my wishes for 23.

For the Series:

Safe, competitie races.

Red flags only for safety issues or tack blockages.

An improved 2024 schedule with night racing.

Work with venues to insure fairer, family affordable ticket prices.

For the drivers and teams:

A much better season for Jack Harvey, Romain Grosjean, and Kyle Kirkwood.

Improved results for Juncos Hollinger Racing. I hope that second car becomes a reality.

A couple more wins for Andretti Autosport.

Arrow McLaren becomes the consistent competitive force I expect them to with their new lineup.

Rinus VeeKay and Conor Daly each have a trip to Victory circle.

For the fans:

Safe travels to whichever races you attend

Have fun.

Make your voices heard- praise when warranted, criticism when deserved.

Finally, I thank all of you for your continued readership. I appreciate all of you so much. Iwish you all a happy holiday, whatever you celebrate. I’m looking forward to another exciting year of covering the Indycar series.

INDYCAR, MAHLE Powertrain Reach Milestones with Hybrid System  

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From Indycar, news about the ERS system:

INDIANAPOLIS (Monday, Dec. 19, 2022) – For the past two years, MAHLE Powertrain has worked with INDYCAR to develop an innovative, first-of-its-kind hybrid system for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES to provide on-demand acceleration at the driver’s request.

With several milestones now met by MAHLE Powertrain, INDYCAR, in collaboration with Chevrolet and Honda Performance Development, will provide continued development and production of the hybrid system in time for the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.

The new hybrid system is an important extension of the INDYCAR’s objective to be the most sustainable motorsports series in the world. In 2023, the series will use 100% renewable race fuel in its race cars, while the teams’ support transporters will use 100% renewable diesel fuel as they move from their race shops to the event circuits. The hybrid system developed by MAHLE Powertrain demonstrates how innovative technology can also help the wider transportation and industrial sectors achieve their decarbonization goals.

“We are delighted to have supported the NTT INDYCAR SERIES to develop the new push-to-pass hybrid system,” said MAHLE Powertrain Managing Director Hugh Blaxill. “We’re particularly appreciative of the expertise and support we have received from INDYCAR, HPD and Chevrolet during the system’s development, much of which took place during the significant global supply chain issues that demanded even closer collaboration between ourselves, the entire INDYCAR team and our suppliers to help resolve.“I would like to thank the MAHLE Powertrain team for their hard work and dedication to reaching this milestone, and we look forward to watching the hybrid system perform on track to deliver the exciting racing that INDYCAR fans enjoy.”

INDYCAR President Jay Frye said: “We appreciate the innovative solution initiated by MAHLE Powertrain and their hard work in the development of our new hybrid system. We are also grateful for Chevrolet and HPD, as well as the INDYCAR team, for their close collaboration in this important project and continued work as we proceed toward implementation for the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.
”The 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season will begin Sunday, March 5 at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding. Coverage will be available on NBC and simulstreamed on Peacock. Coverage also will be available from the INDYCAR Radio Network with audio available on the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA.

About MAHLE Powertrain
MAHLE Powertrain is a specialist in providing engineering services for the design, development and integration of advanced internal combustion engines and electrified powertrain systems. As a recognized expert in these fields, MAHLE Powertrain is engaged in the extensive research, development and application of new traditional and advanced drivelines into cost-effective, production feasible solutions for enhanced efficiency, improved fuel economy and lower emissions.As a services subsidiary of the MAHLE Group, MAHLE Powertrain has six technical centers strategically located in the UK, Germany, USA, and China and is well-placed to provide solutions around the globe. It operates independently of the main group when considering choice of components or technologies.

About MAHLE
MAHLE is a leading international development partner and supplier to the automotive industry with customers in the passenger car and commercial vehicle sectors. The technology group, which was founded in 1920, is working on the climate-neutral mobility of tomorrow with a focus on the strategic fields of electromobility and thermal management as well as other technology fields to reduce CO2 emissions, for example fuel cells or highly efficient combustion engines that run on e-fuels or hydrogen. Currently the share of its sales earned independently from the internal combustion engine for passenger cars amounts to more than 60 percent and is to increase to 75 per cent by 2030. Half of all the vehicles in the world now contain MAHLE components.

In 2021, MAHLE generated sales of EUR 10.9 billion and is represented in over 30 countries with more than 71,000 employees in 160 production locations and 12 major research and development centers. (Last revised: 2021-12-31) #WeShapeFutureMobility

About the NTT INDYCAR SERIES
 The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is North America’s premier open-wheel auto racing series. It features an international field of the world’s most versatile drivers – including two-time and reigning series champion Will Power, six-time series champion Scott Dixon, two-time series champion Josef Newgarden, four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves and reigning “500” winner Marcus Ericsson – who compete on superspeedways, short ovals, street circuits and permanent road courses. The 2023 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, INDYCAR, 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 the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, please visit www.indycar.com
.  
 

From IMS: TireRack.com To Sponsor Battle on the Bricks in 2023 at IMS

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From IMS:

IMSA Event Tickets On Sale Dec. 20

INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022) – Indianapolis Motor Speedway and TireRack.com – a customer-direct tire, wheel and car accessory distributor – announced Dec. 14 an entitlement sponsorship of the Battle on the Bricks IMSA sports car event in September 2023.

.TireRack.com is the “Official Partner of the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks” and “Official Partner of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.”

“The opportunity to join as official partners in bringing IMSA sports car racing back to IMS amplifies how important tire performance is to our DNA,” said Matt Edmonds, executive vice president, TireRack.com. “Tire performance always plays a critical role for every driver, on the track or the street, and IMSA at IMS provides an exceptional showcase right in our home state of Indiana.”

The TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks features the return of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship to the Racing Capital of the World from Sept. 15-17, 2023, with a full weekend of sports car racing on the 14-turn, 2.439-mile IMS road course. The two-hour, 40-minute feature event will take place Sunday, Sept. 17, with live NBC network television coverage.

“We welcome TireRack.com as a partner of this exciting weekend of IMSA sports car racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “We know many sports car fans also are enthusiasts who enjoy working on their own cars, including me, and TireRack.com provides 24/7 access to shop for the highest-quality tires, wheels and car accessories with a focus on the best prices and customer service, which is an ideal match.”

In addition to Sunday’s WeatherTech Championship race, the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge will headline the action Saturday, Sept. 16 with a four-hour, bumper-to-bumper traffic jam of production-based race cars.
With 18 different manufacturers competing in IMSA, the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks weekend will be a three-day festival showcasing the pinnacle of sports car racing.

Fans who signed up for event updates about the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks will receive a ticket pre-sale link via email. Ticket sales will open to the general public Tuesday, Dec. 20. Visit ims.com/imsa to sign up for event updates and purchase tickets once available.

In another exciting addition to the sports car weekend, fans can camp in the IMS infield, access not available during any other race weekend. Powered and primitive spaces will be available to purchase throughout the infield for public camping.
IMSA also will return to IMS in 2024 and 2025 for longer endurance races. Fans who purchase race tickets or infield camping in 2023 will have first access to secure those spots for the 2024 IMSA endurance race.

Tire Rack, headquartered in South Bend, Indiana, is a leading independent tire tester and consumer-direct source for tires, wheels and performance accessories. Since 1979, Tire Rack has grown from a single-point retail store in Indianapolis to encompass over 2.8 million square feet of space in 10 distribution centers across the country. Tire Rack does business as TireRack.com online, TR Wholesale Solutions in the car dealer and wholesale channels and Tire Rack Mobile Installation in select areas as a mobile installation solution.

Arrow McLaren Rebranding Not Surprising

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Anyone who didn’t expect Arrow McLaren SP to eventually become simply Arrow Mclaren was kidding themselves. The name change was inevitable. The Arrow McLaren name, effective for the 2023 Indycar season, reflects the changes in the team since McLaten came on board in 2020.

The team founded by Sam Schmidt has now undergone six name changes since sam Schmidt Motorsports began competing in 2001. Fo 2012 the team was Schmidt Hamilton Motorsports, then Schmidt Peterson in 2014, Arrow Schmidt Peterson followed in 2019, Arrow McLaren SP in 2020, and now Arrow McLaren.

Schmidt and the Arrow ca her has driven with mouth and head controls

I understand that Sam Scmidt and Rick Peterson’s roles with the team will remain unchanged. I find it sad that Schmidt’s name will no longer be on a car in some fashion.

Sam Schmidt has put a lot into Indycar. After the accident in Texas which paralyzed him, he began his own team and also had a large presence in Indy lights. His cars won two poles at the Indianapolis 500, with Alex Tagliani and James Hinchcliffe. Schmidt also had an ownership stake in Dan Wheldon’s 11 Indianapolis victory.

Schmidt has done a lot of work helping others who have become paralyzed.

Times do change, and names move on. I think Schmidt still has a lot to co0ntribute to Indycar, and I wish there wer4e some way he could still be recognized on a car.

BC 39 Moves Date, Expands Schedule

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A week that began with some sour Indycar notes is ending with a more positive spin Today IMS announced a new date and format for the BC39 USAC midget race. I like the new date because it is after the Indycar season and follows the new IMSA race by a couple of weeks

The announcement from IMS:

Driven2SaveLives BC39 Expands
to Four Nights, Weekend in September 2023 

 INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, Dec. 9, 2022) – The Driven2SaveLives BC39 will celebrate its fifth running in 2023 by moving to a new date as a standalone weekend event, Sept. 27-30 at The Dirt Track at IMS, featuring a new format placing the wheel-to-wheel racing of United States Auto Club (USAC) NOS Energy Drink National Midget Championship in an even bigger spotlight.
Action under the lights will start Wednesday, Sept. 27, continuing every night through the 39-lap BC39 feature race Saturday, Sept. 30.
Event format, ticket information and other event details will be announced in the future.
“The BC39 continues to draw fans and competitors from around the country as it has become one of the most prestigious dirt track races in the United States,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “In 2023, fans will see more racing on more nights, which is great news for everyone who shares the passion for this incredibly competitive series and its talented drivers.“
An expanded schedule also will encourage more people to register for organ donation through the Indiana Donor Network, a cause that was so important to Bryan Clauson and remains a focus of the Clauson family.
”The event on the quarter-mile dirt oval inside Turn 3 at IMS will continue to honor late USAC champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 starter Bryan Clauson and increase awareness of and participation in the Indiana Donor Network and Driven2SaveLives.
“We are excited to see the Driven2SaveLives BC39 return for 2023,” said Tim Clauson, Bryan Clauson’s father.
“We are humbled that Roger Penske and Doug Boles see this event worthy of having a dedicated weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Getting to honor Bryan’s memory, as well as share the story of organ and tissue donation at a place so special to Bryan, is simply amazing. Thank you to Roger, Doug and USAC for continuing to grow this event.”Said Taylor McLean, marketing program specialist for Indiana Donor Network and Bryan Clauson’s sister:
“Everyone at Indiana Donor Network and Driven2SaveLives is thrilled to see the BC39 return for the fifth year at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2023. It is an honor to be able to be a part of an event that Bryan would be proud of. We are so excited to continue to give drivers and fans a place to honor Bryan and continue building support for organ donation and transplantation within the racing community through our Driven2SaveLives ambassador program.”
Buddy Kofoid won the Driven2SaveLives BC39 in August en route to his second consecutive USAC National Midget Championship. He outdueled Cannon McIntosh in a cushion-riding thriller. 
 

‘100 Days to Indy’ Coming to The CW Network in Spring 2023

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Penske Entertainment announced this morning plans to significantly increase their marketing budget. This news which just broke may be the first sign of the new budget

From IMS:

Penske Entertainment, NTT INDYCAR SERIES Partner
with VICE Media Group for New Documentary Series

INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022) – Penske Entertainment and The CW Network announced Dec. 8 they are joining forces with VICE Media Group for “100 Days to Indy,” a first-of-its-kind broadcast series about the road to the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, the world’s premier motorsports competition.
Produced by Penske Entertainment and VICE Media Group, the six-part series will take fans behind the scenes to chronicle the bold and brash personalities of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES as they begin the 2023 season and start their epic quest for racing’s greatest prize. “100 Days to Indy” will air on The CW Network in spring 2023.
“The Indy 500 is the most unique, exhilarating and engaging event on the planet,” Penske Entertainment President and CEO Mark Miles said. “It’s an unrivaled spectacle fueled by ambitious, fearless and captivating personalities. This series will give viewers an unprecedented front row seat as the racing season begins and the countdown to Indy accelerates. Ultimately, through the compelling creative lens and massive reach of both VICE and The CW, we will bring the world-class competition and drama of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES to a newer and more youthful audience.
”The 100-day window is benchmarked by drama, intrigue and fierce competition from the very first race of the season all the way to the checkered flag at the Indianapolis 500. For the winner, it is a life-changing experience, etching his or her name into the history books. This year, four-time Indy 500 winner and former “Dancing with the Stars” champion Helio Castroneves is eyeing a record fifth win but will face stiff competition from a rising generation of young talent all eyeing “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” and its multimillion-dollar purse.
“100 Days to Indy” will showcase what it takes to compete at the highest levels and at the height of danger, while providing a window into the on- and off-track lives of some of the sport’s most engaging drivers.“
‘100 Days to Indy’ is a high-octane adventure grounded in emotional sports storytelling,” said Brad Schwartz, president, Entertainment, The CW Network. “Alongside our partners at VICE Media Group, Penske Entertainment and NTT INDYCAR SERIES, we have come together to deliver a series that will follow these champions of the racetrack and keep viewers on the edge of their seats.”
The compelling docuseries will be produced by multiple award-winning VICE World News, with Emmy Award-winning Patrick Dimon directing and Bryan Terry executive producing for VICE. The series will have a fast re-air on VICE TV and be supported across VICE’s global social media channels.
“VICE is honored to produce the first sports project with Nexstar and The CW since the acquisition and to bring this series through the checkered flag with everyone at the network,” said Morgan Hertzan, president, Global TV at VICE Media Group. “The team at the NTT INDYCAR SERIES has an incredible journey for the world to join, and VICE is looking forward to being in the driver’s seat with them.”
About VICE Media Group
VICE Media Group is a global multiplatform media company. Launched in 1994, VICE has offices in 25 countries across the globe with a focus on five key businesses: VICE.com, an award-winning international network of digital content; VICE STUDIOS, a feature film and television production studio; VICE TV, an Emmy-winning international television network; a Peabody award-winning NEWS division with the most Emmy-awarded nightly news broadcast; and VIRTUE, a global, full-service creative agency. VICE Media Group’s portfolio includes Refinery29, the leading global media and entertainment company focused on women; Pulse Films, a London-based next-generation production studio with outposts in Los Angeles, New York, Paris and Berlin; and i-D, a global digital and quarterly style bible defining fashion and contemporary culture and design.
About VICE World News
Building off the success of VICE News in the U.S, VICE World News is VICE Media Group international news network, producing hundreds of hours of television, digital and audio news programming for a global audience. The premium documentaries, docuseries and original podcasts will focus on the core issues that so define VICE’s content: extremism, climate, drugs, privacy, politics, inequality and race.
About The CW Network
The CW Network, LLC is America’s fifth major broadcast network, offering 14 hours of primetime programming, Monday through Sunday. The CW is 75%-owned by Nexstar Media Group, Inc. For more information about the network and its programming, visit www.cwtv.com.

It’s Not the End of the World

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News Tuesday afternoon that the anticipated 2.4 liter engine, set to debut in 2024, has been shelved sent a tsunami of gloom and doom through the Indycar fan base. Soaring production casts and issues with the new hybrid componen, as well as a lack of a third OEM, all contributed to the decision by Honda, Chevrolet, and the series to rake a step back.

The two engine manufacturers also had to redirect some of the resources for the new engine to help develop the ERS hybrid system.

The higher cost of the 2.4 liter twin turbo meant that fewer cars would be on the grid. Only as many as 12 cars, maybe fewer, could be supplied at that price. Indycar would have had a smaller grid, and likely a shrunken field for the 500.

Am I disappointed? Yes. i was looking forward to the sound of the bigger engine. Is the series doomed? I don’t think so. Indycar is coming off a great season and is anticipating a larger full time grid for the coming season. This is a setback, no doubt, but it prevents a shrinkage of the grid for 2024 and beyond.

I am more concerned about the series marketing efforts. When a new marketing director is on board, that needs a budget at least quadruple what it is now. The series has for far too long relied on others to promote for them. They need to be more proactive and give the new director more tools to work with.

While the optics of the engine n3ws looks bad, it is not the end of the world. Let’s enjoy what we have for now.

Indycar Recaps Sustainable Initiatives

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From Indycar

INDYCAR Continuing Path
with Sustainable Leadership in Motorsports 
 INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022) – The 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season saw the announcement and implementation of many significant steps to a more sustainable motorsports racing series.
Perhaps the biggest announcement was the strategic partnership with Shell where the INDYCAR SERIES will compete with 100% Renewable Fuel beginning with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding on March 5, 2023. In addition, all INDYCAR team transporters supporting the series, will continue with 100% Renewable Diesel as they journey from their race shops to all 2023 race venues.
The Firestone Firehawk race tire with a green sidewall made from guayule rubber debuted in August at the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix. This scalable, sustainable and domestic source of natural rubber will be utilized in 2023.
INDYCAR is also continuing its path toward the introduction of a hybrid engine platform for the 2024 race season. This program is being developed through the collaboration of Ilmor, Chevrolet and Honda Performance Development. Testing of the hybrid motor has commenced and will continue through the 2023 season. With the introduction of the hybrid motor, the 2.4-liter engine will be paused to allow the innovative hybrid technology to be paired with the proven 2.2-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 engines.
“We are most proud of the many advancements that the NTT INDYCAR SERIES has made in leading the motorsports world toward a more sustainable future”, INDYCAR President Jay Frye said. “The 2.2-liter INDYCAR engines supplied by Honda and Chevrolet have provided the most competitive racing in the world. The 2024 hybrid engine package will provide even more excitement with horsepower increases over the current engine.”
The 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season will begin Sunday, March 5 at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding. Coverage will be available on NBC and simulstreamed on Peacock. Coverage also will be available from the INDYCAR Radio Network with audio available on the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA.