The Pit Window by Mike Silver

Phoenix Open Test To Salute Unser Family

January 22, 2026 thepitwindow

INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026) – The incredible legacy of the Unser family at Phoenix Raceway will be honored when the NTT INDYCAR SERIES conducts an Open Test on Feb. 17-18 at the desert oval in advance of the series’ highly anticipated return to the track
.The Unser INDYCAR Open Test at Phoenix Raceway is open to all teams as they prepare for the Good Ranchers 250 on Saturday, March 7 as part of a buzzworthy weekend alongside NASCAR, providing a joint showcase of North American racing in partnership with FOX Sports. It’s the first INDYCAR SERIES race at the historic, 1.022-mile Phoenix oval since 2018.
Cars will be on track from 2-6 p.m. ET (noon-4 p.m. MT) on Tuesday, Feb. 17, with testing scheduled for 11 a.m.-2 p.m. ET (9 a.m.-noon MT) and 3:30-6:30 p.m. ET (1:30-4:30 p.m. MT) Wednesday, Feb. 18. The Wednesday sessions will be open and free to the public, with an autograph session at 2:45 p.m. ET (12:45 p.m. MT).
“The name Unser is synonymous with Phoenix Raceway,” INDYCAR President J. Douglas Boles said. “We’re honored to salute this family’s incredible accomplishments at their home track for this important Open Test, which sets the stage for INDYCAR’s return to Phoenix in March. As a longtime fan of the sport, I also really appreciate that the logo for this special test features some familiar colors from cars driven by Al and Bobby, which I’m sure will bring back many great memories for our loyal fans.”
Phoenix was the home INDYCAR SERIES track for the Unser family, which lived in and proudly represented Albuquerque, New Mexico. And no name is more linked with success at the desert oval.
Al Unser won a track-record six INDYCAR SERIES races at Phoenix since the track first started hosting series events in 1964. He also won six poles at the track as part of an illustrious career that included three series championships and a record-tying four victories in the Indianapolis 500
.Bobby Unser took the checkered flag four times at Phoenix but powered to a track-record 11 poles at the tricky desert oval. He also won two series titles and three Indianapolis 500s.Two-time series champion and two-time Indy 500 winner Al Unser Jr. finished runner-up at Phoenix four times.
“I’ll speak for our family and say how pleased we are to be honored in this way by INDYCAR,” Al Unser Jr. said.
“Dad simply loved racing at Phoenix, and no one took it to the edge in qualifying there quite like Uncle Bobby. It was exciting to see the track added to the schedule this year, and the Open Test will be crucial for drivers and teams as they get ready for the race in March. I can’t wait to see the NTT INDYCAR SERIES back at Phoenix.””
Live timing and scoring from both days of the Open Test will be provided on INDYCAR.com and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA. Fans unable to attend the test also can follow along on INDYCAR social channels.
The 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season starts Sunday, March 1 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

ECR FOCUSES ON ORGANIZATIONAL GROWTH AS THE TEAM ENTERS SEASON FIFTEEN

January 22, 2026 thepitwindow

Editor’s note: ECR also confirmed that Ed Carpenter will drive a third car in the Indianapolis 500.

From ECR;

Team Development at the Forefront of ECR’s Preparation for Its Fifteenth NTT INDYCAR SERIES Season

(INDIANAPOLIS) January 21, 2026 – ECR announced today a series of organizational improvements and team growth ahead of the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES. The Indianapolis-based race team heads into Season Fifteen on the heels of its best campaign in several years, highlighted by Christian Rasmussen’s victory at the Milwaukee Mile. ECR will strive for more in 2026 with an expanded leadership team, a more robust engineering department, and an increased emphasis on pit lane performance.

With Barnes assuming management of the engineering department, Quentin Montigaud has been promoted to Race Engineer of Alexander Rossi’s No. 20 Chevrolet. Montigaud, from France, began his engineering career nine years ago in Formula E. He has spent his entire INDYCAR career with ECR and was most recently Performance Engineer on the No. 20.
As Montigaud begins his first season as Race Engineer, he will have the guidance of both Barnes and Pete Craik. Craik will remain Race Engineer of the No. 21, a role he has held since Rasmussen’s first race at ECR. The Australian began his career in Supercars before moving to the United States and has spent 19 years engineering Supercars, INDYCAR, and NASCAR. He has led of one of ECR’s two entries as Race Engineer for the past seven years.
ECR’s engineering department gains additional depth with the addition of Robert Gue. A 23-year motorsports engineering veteran, Gue will lead development efforts for the team as Senior Project Engineer.
With an increased emphasis on pit lane performance, ECR has added a full-time Strength and Conditioning Coach. Before joining ECR, Chase Campbell worked with collegiate and professional athletes for 10 years. He leads routine workouts for the No. 20 and No. 21 crews, as well as open lift sessions for all team members. Campbell also oversees daily pit stop practice for both crews and serves as the team’s Pit Stop Coach. Additionally, he has taken on the role of Strength and Conditioning Coach for Carpenter, Rasmussen, and Rossi.
Rasmussen and Rossi will be on track for the first time this year at Phoenix International Raceway on February 17-18 as part of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES Open Test. The 2026 season begins in the Streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., on Sunday, March 1.

About ECRECR (Ed Carpenter Racing) first entered the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 2012. The Indianapolis-based race team is led by owners Ted Gelov and Ed Carpenter and has proven its versatility by collecting wins across every type of track the series competes on – street and road courses, short ovals, and speedways. For the 2026 season, Indianapolis 500 champion Alexander Rossi will return as driver of the No. 20 Java House Chevrolet, while new NTT INDYCAR SERIES race winner Christian Rasmussen remains in the No. 21 Splenda Chevrolet. Carpenter, a three-time pole winner of the Indianapolis 500 (2013, 2014, and 2018), will round out ECR’s three-car lineup for the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500. More information on ECR can be found at www.ecrindy.com.

2026 Rolex 24 Schedule

January 22, 2026 thepitwindow

Thursday, January 22, 2026

8:45 AM to-9:45 AM ET

Practice 2 – Michelin Pilot Challenge

10:05 AM to 11:35 AM ET

Practice 1 – WeatherTech Championship

11:55 AM to 12:15 PM ET

Qualifying – Mazda MX-5 Cup

1:15 PM to 1:50 PM ET

Qualifying – Michelin Pilot Challenge

2:10 PM to 3:25 PM ET

WeatherTech Championship Qualifying

You Tube, IMSA tv, Peacock

5:15 PM to 6:00 PM ET

Race 1 of 2 – Mazda MX-5 Cup

6:15 PM to 7:45 PM ET

Practice 2 – WeatherTech Championship

Friday, January 23, 2026

10:00 AM to 10:45 AM ET

Race 2 of 2 – Mazda MX-5 Cup

11:05 AM to 12:20 PM ET

Practice 3 – WeatherTech Championship

1:45 PM to 5:45 PM ET

BMW M Endurance Challenge At Daytona

Saturday, January 24, 2026— Race Day!

1:40 PM to 11:59 PM ET

Rolex 24 At Daytona

Full race on Peacock, YouTube, and IMSAtv

!:30-2:30 ON nbc

Sunday, January 25, 2026

12:00 AM to 1:40 PM ET

Full race on Peacock, YouTube, and IMSAtv

Noon -2 on NBC

Rolex 24 At Daytona

Coca-Cola Consolidated Announces Multiyear Partnership with IMS, Indy 500 Red Carpet

January 21, 2026 thepitwindow

From IMS:

INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026) – Coca-Cola Consolidated, the nation’s largest Coca-Cola bottler, today announced a multiyear partnership designating Coca-Cola as the official soft beverage and water sponsor of Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Through the partnership, Coca-Cola Consolidated will serve as the official partner of the Indy 500 Red Carpet and will participate in multiple community activations, including Indy 500 Porch Parties and Bike to the 500.
“Coca-Cola Consolidated has been our neighbor and a part of the community for generations,” INDYCAR and IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “Sharing a Coke with fellow race fans will once again be a Race Day tradition.”
“As Indianapolis’ local Coca-Cola bottler and the official beverage provider for IMS, we are thrilled to partner as the official soft beverage and water sponsor,” said Heather Hucks, vice president of consumer connections at Coca-Cola Consolidated. “There’s just something special about watching a race with a Coca-Cola in your hand, and we’re excited to be part of creating lasting memories alongside race fans, while taking important steps to positively impact the Indianapolis community.”
Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Coca-Cola Consolidated is the largest Coca-Cola bottler in the United States. Coca-Cola Consolidated serves more than 13,700 businesses in Indiana and has more than 1,300 teammates working in nine facilities across the state, helping bring economic opportunity to the local community. For over 124 years, Coca-Cola Consolidated has been deeply committed to the consumers, customers and communities it serves.
Tickets for the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge and all Month of May events at Indianapolis Motor Speedway are on sale at IMS.com.

IndyCar Drivers In the Rolex 24

January 19, 2026 thepitwindow

Photo: Will Power taking his first laps at Daytona

Ten current IndyCar drivers, possibly an 11th, will get their seasons going early as they drive in this weekend’s Rolex 24 at Daytona Internation Speedway. Colton Herta, who will drive in F2 in 2026, will also join the field.

Will Power makes his Rolex 24 debut. From what I have read, he really enjoyed the Roar Before the 245 last weekend.

Here is a list of the cars and classes where IndyCar drivers will be driving: Romain Grosjean is included. Rumors are strong that he will get the final open seat in the Dale Coyne Racing number 19.

GTP

Car 40 Colton Herta Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac

Car 60 Scott Dixon Meyer Shank Racing Acura

Car 94 Alex Palou Meyer Shank Racing Acura

LMP2

Car 8 Kyffin Simpson Tower Motorsport Oreca (Teammate Sebastien Bourdais)

Car 99 Christian Rasmussen AO Racing Oreca

Car 343 Nolan Siegel Inter Europol Oreca

GTD Pro

Car 14 Kyle Kirkwood Vasser Sullivan Lexus

Car 75 Will Power 75 Express Mercedes AMG

Car 45 Marcus Ericsson Wayne Taylor Racing Lamborghini

GTD

Car 16 Romain Grosjean Myers Riley Mustang

Car 36 Scott McLaughlin DXDT Corvette

Car 129 Callum Ilott Wright Motorsport Porsche

I will have a story about the Rolex every day this week as I watch the happenings remotely from home this time.

Museum Community Day

January 18, 2026 thepitwindow

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum announced Monday, January 19, as a free community day from 10 am-4 om Eastern Time.

The not from IMS Museum:

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum is offering free admission to all visitors on Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Monday, Jan. 19). All galleries and activities within the Museum are included in admission, though track tours are an additional fee. Free tickets can be reserved online ahead of time here or as a walk-up ticket.

Gallery talks will be held throughout the day by our knowledgeable gallery leads.

Gallery Talk Schedule:
11 a.m.- Driver Mauri Rose and his Domination at the Speedway (Location: Lower Level Winners Gallery)

12 p.m.- The Mormon Wasp and its Strategic Efforts to Winning the First Indy 500 (Location: Main Level Winners Gallery)

1 p.m.- The Beast Engine and Why the Push-Rod Engine Worked (Location: Penske Gallery)

2:30 p.m.- The Life and Legacy of Indy 500 Winner Bill Vuckovich (Location: Main Level Winners Gallery)

Long Beach Grand Prix Announces Leadership Change

January 15, 2026 thepitwindow

Editor’s note: After Doug Boles, I have had more conversations with Jim Michaelian than any other track principal. I will miss his passion for the event, and he set a high bar for delivering an outstanding race weekend.

The following is from the Long Beach Grand Prix:

President & CEO Jim Michaelian Transitioning to New Role Effective June 30; Jim Liaw Named as Replacement

The Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, organizers of the annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, announced that President and CEO Jim Michaelian will assume a new role in Penske Entertainment effective June 30, 2026, and that Jim Liaw has been named as the organization’s new President and CEO, starting July 1, 2026.

Michaelian, 82, who has been a part of the Grand Prix Association since its founding in 1975, has served as Controller, Chief Operating Officer and was named President & CEO in Dec. 2001. He has served on the boards of the Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach, Visit Long Beach and the Los Angeles Sports Council over the years.

Michaelian will continue to guide the event and company through the 2026 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend and will work closely with Liaw to ensure a smooth leadership transition. On February 9, 2026, Liaw, 50, will assume the temporary title of General Manager for the 2026 event.

“Leading the Grand Prix Association and the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach has been the privilege of a lifetime,” said Michaelian. “This event and this community mean a great deal to me, and I’m proud of what our team has built together. Coming off our very successful 50th celebration, I feel this is the right time to make this transition. For 50 years, I have been given the unique opportunity to merge my passion for motorsports with involvement with the longest-running street race in America, which has been a distinct privilege.

“I’m grateful to the City of Long Beach, our sponsor partners, participants, volunteers, and fans for their continued support, and thanks also to Chris Pook, the originator of the Grand Prix of Long Beach, and Kevin Kalkhoven and Jerry Forsythe for their invaluable support during the challenging times in the past 50 years. And with the leadership of Penske Entertainment, the new owners of the Grand Prix Association, the future of the event is in excellent hands.”

Michaelian, a competitive sports car racer who, for more than 25 years has competed at such tracks as LeMans, Daytona, Nürburgring, and Sebring, hopes to be able to participate in a few more events before hanging up his helmet.

Liaw brings extensive motorsports industry experience and leadership from his position as General Manager of Performance Racing Industry (PRI), an organization that supports and advocates for the interests of racers, enthusiasts, builders, tracks, sanctioning bodies, and businesses. PRI runs the largest annual motorsports trade show in the world.

An entrepreneur by nature, Liaw has leveraged his experience and passion for motorsports into a successful career that has introduced and launched some of the hottest youth culture programs in America. Prior to joining PRI in 2021, Liaw served as President of Formula Drift, which he co-founded with Ryan Sage in 2003 and helped turn into the premier drifting series in the world. He and Sage were the first to take the unknown motorsport of drifting out of Japan and introduce it to America, eventually making it the global benchmark for professional drifting. Formula Drift’s invitational “Super Drift Challenge” has been a fixture at the Grand Prix since 2005.

“I’m honored to join the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach and to help lead one of the most recognized and respected events in motorsports,” said Liaw. “The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is incredibly meaningful to me – it was the first major race I ever attended nearly 30 years ago, and it helped spark a lifelong connection to motorsports. Southern California has been home since I was six, so it’s truly an honor to represent Long Beach and the region while leading such a special event. I’m excited to be part of this iconic race and to help shape its future for generations to come.”

When he’s not binge-watching historical documentaries or traveling, Liaw enjoys spending time with his wife, Angela, and their two daughters.

“INDYCAR owes an immense debt of gratitude to Jim Michaelian,” Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO Mark Miles said. “From Day One, his guidance, management and exemplary leadership, has made the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach a marquee event and a beloved fan-favorite on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES calendar. I know our paddock – past and present – and decades of racing champions and legends join me in congratulating Jim on the impactful legacy he leaves.

“As we look to the future, we believe Jim Liaw is an ideal fit to expand the recent growth and popularity of a race weekend, which is strategically important and a big priority for INDYCAR. His unique background and passion for motorsports will serve this historic event in a powerful way.”

The 2026 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach will take place April 17-19, 2026. For the latest news and information on the event, visit gplb.com or follow on Facebook (GrandPrixLB), X (@GPLongBeach #AGPLB), Instagram (@GPLongBeach) and TikTok (GPLongBeach).

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If Cars are on Track Can Spring be Far Behind?

January 8, 2026 thepitwindow

I hope everyone had a great holiday. I have had a tumultuous winter as I had a brief hospitalization, and I am preparing to liquidate Winter Headquarters. I’m ready for racing. There is hope in the air and cars on track.

Yesterday the first tire test of 2026 took place at Phoenix as Firestone rechecked the data from the fall test, Will Power turned his first laps for Andretti Global, and Josef Newgarden ran his Team Penske car. I wonder how awkward it was for the former teammates.

It might take me a race or two to have a full grip that Power is not in the 12 car, and that he now pilots the number 26 entry. Power sounded very positive after yesterday’s run.

The grid is still not complete, as Dale Coyne Racing has yet to name the driver of car 19. We know it will not be Jacob Abel, who will be running an LMP2 car in IMSA, nor will Conor Daly have the seat. He announced that he is no longer in the running.

Other Loose Ends

The Independent Officiating Board has met and will soon name the officiating staff for the 2026 season. IndyCar president Doug Boles said in an interview with Marshall Pruett that he would like to have the team in place to work an open test as a dress rehearsal for the season.

We are awaiting word from both Honda and Chevrolet about their status beyond this year. I feel that both will return beyond this year, and I hope another manufacturer joins them.

Prema has reserved spots at upcoming tests but has not said whether they return to the grid. If they do, will the team have a different name? One of my concerns about the charter system is that it would stifle an increase in the number of teams. Prema survived last season without a chance to get Leaders’ Circle money, and they entered each race hoping that another team did not add an entry. It’s t5ough to run all year like that without gigantic funding.

Early, Early Predictions

These are subject to change after open testing:

Caio Collet will win Rookie of the Year. A. J. Foyt Racing has evolved to the point where Collet will be competitive enough to do well, Dennis Hauger will struggle in the Coyne car because of the equipment, and Mick Schumacher needs to learn the circuits.

Pato O’Ward will win the Indianapolis 500. Finally.

Alex Palou will be difficult to beat for the championship again.

Either David Malukas or Marcus Armstrong will win their first IndyCar race in 2026.

Looking Ahead to 2026

December 29, 2025 thepitwindow

I trust everyone had a nice holiday last week, and as we look ahead to 2026, I want to say thank you to everyone who visited this site during the year. It was another great year, and next May will mark 10 years of writing this humble column.

What can we look forward to in 2026? First, I don’t see Alex Palou dominating again as he did this past season. He is still the favorite for the title, but winning eight races in 2026? Probably not.

The new officiating board has more distance from Penske Entertainment, but the series ownership is still paying for it. We should know the officiating staff early next month. Will there much change in the philosophy of running the races? I doubt that we will notice any difference. One change I want to see is when a yellow is warranted, throw it without regard to pit cycles or whatever. If it ruins someone’s race, that’s the breaks.

I’m sad to see that Conor Daly won’t have a full-time ride in 2026. Daly always seems to help a team improve, and I’m not going to be happy with whomever gets the Dale Coyne seat.

For me, the most exciting possibility is the chance of Katherine Legge returning to the Indianapolis 500. Legge may have an opportunity to secure a ride, and she says she would like to do the IndyCar race at Phoenix along with driving in a NASCAR race that same weekend.

I have always considered Legge the best of the female drivers, and I hope she gets another shot at Indy. Legge has never had the best equipment at the 500, and I hope 2026 marks a change in her 500 career.