Bronze Bricks and Other News; May Coming Attractions

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Last week the Indianapolis Motor Speedway honored A. J. Foyt,  the first four time winner of the 500 mile race, with a bronze brick set into the yard of bricks at the start finish line.  I’m not sure if the track plans to bestow the same honor on the other four time winners, Al Unser and Rick Mears, but I think they will eventually.  It will be a while before there is another driver who will accomplish this feat. The best bets to get to four are Alexander Rossi and Will Power. One of them just might get halfway there May 26.

I hope the Speedway limits these bricks to the four time winners. They deserve a special place of honor. What better spot than the one they got to first more than anyone else?

The challenge now is to keep the stock car guys from doing burnouts on the bricks. This bronze  brick especially should be off limits.

Wilson, Howard Will Miss 500

Jay Howard has abandoned efforts to secure a ride for the 10rd running of the Indianapolis 500.

Stefan Wilson announced last week that his efforts to get funding for a ride have fallen short and he will look to 2020. Wilson drove for the Drive2SaveLives program in 2018. Pippa Mann will carry that sponsor this year.

Porsche the 3rd OEM? Not So Fast

Stories appeared last week that Porsche and Indycar were close to a deal that would make the German engine the series’ long sought third engine company. Then, overnight it seemed, stories came out saying Porsche was cooling on the idea.

I think a third OEM may have to wait another year. Jay Frye said there will be a couple “game changer” announcements in May. One is presumed to be the next phase in cockpit protection. I’m not sure if the second one was to be about the third OEM. I hope it is, but I’m not optimistic at this point.

At any rate, you won’t hear a word from me about a third OEM until there is an official announcement.

May Coming Attractions

The Pit Window will be on site everyday the track is open and will have updates daily.

I hope to visit the Mario Andretti special exhibit at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum this week and post about it this coming weekend.

Also, look for the return of Bump Tales every Thursday starting this week. The two people who read them last year have asked for more.

here are the links to last year’s Bump Tales:

https://wordpress.com/post/thepitwindow.blog/8290

https://wordpress.com/post/thepitwindow.blog/8197

https://wordpress.com/post/thepitwindow.blog/8197

https://wordpress.com/post/thepitwindow.blog/8137

The Pit Window will post Quick Thoughts after qualifying sessions and races. My full reports on those sessions will appear on Wildfire Sports. Also look for previews on Wildfire Sports.

 

Driving for Dyslexia- Honoring Justin Wilson, Helping Kids Succeed

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Photo above: Elliott Cox, (L), and Bill Herman, executive director of the Dyslexia Institute of Indiana, hold a check for $32, 462 raised at Friday’s Driving for Dyslexia event.

Justin Wilson didn’t let his dyslexia stop him from a successful career as a racing driver. When he was in Indianapolis he took time to talk to the children and parents from the Dyslexia Institute of Indiana. I was DII tutor at the time and went with the group one year to the track to meet Justin. I’m not sure if the kids or their parents were impressed.

Wilson’s death in a freak accident at Pocono in 2015 hit everyone, but perhaps no one outside his family was affected more than Elliott Cox. Cox was seven years old when Justin died. Like Wilson, Cox also has dyslexia. He had written Wilson a couple of years earlier and of course Wilson responded.  Cox was just beginning to drive karts. The two became friends.

Cox had begun working with a tutor at DII and last year had the idea for a fund raiser for the organization. Driving for Dyslexia came from that idea. The event was April 26 at Speedway Indoor Karting. Attendees had an opportunity to race go karts or just socialize.  A silent auction began a couple days before the event and raffles on site produced more funds.

As for my karting experience, which is minimal, let’s just say I would have gotten a point in a CART race. These are the best karts I’ve ever driven. the track is well lit and challenging. wp-15564086910333481250072676842801.jpg

Elliott said he began the event so other kids with dyslexia could learn to read and to honor Justin’s memory. He did a fine job doing both.

To donate to the Dyslexia Institute of Indiana, visit their website,

http://www.diin.org

 

 

 

Indycar Moves Up AFP Debut to Indycar GP

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Indycar announced that the Advanced Frontal Protection device, which made its first appearance on cars during Wednesday’s test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, will now be on the cars for the Indycar Grand Prix May 11. The device was to debut for the 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500 May 26.

Indycar President Jay Frye said Indycar is satisfied the unit is ready for use. The device will be on all cars for the remainder of the season.

“Thanks to a phenomenal effort by Dallara and all of the Indycar teams,we are ahead of schedule in making this happen,” Frye said.

The titanium piece weighs 2.8 pounds and the mounting piece is an additional 2.1 pounds. Driver reaction to the device was mixed after Wednesday’s test session. The main concerns were a change in airflow which resulted in helmet buffeting and obscured vision.

This “Phase 1 of our solution,” according to Frye.  The next phase will be announced next month.

I think this move makes sense. It seemed strange to me that they would run with it during the test, remove it for one race, then re-install the device for the 500. It is one of those things we hope never has to be tested in a race.

Look for a post this weekend about an addition to the start/finish line and a report on Driving for Dyslexia.  For $20 you can come to Sarah Fisher’s place tonight and watch me make a fool of myself.  Or you can just read my blog for free.

 

Test Day Final Notes

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Rain stopped the final session early in a fitting end to tis long, strange day. Colton Herta had the fastest time of the late round, 226.108. That was the day’s fifth fastest time.

Some drivers did not seem to care for the AFP. They thought it was distracting and blocked their vision, especially coming into the pits.

All four rookies, Herta, Santino Ferrucci, Felix Rosenqvist, and Marcus Ericsson, successfully completed their rookie tests.

Conor Daly completed his refresher test.

Takuma Sato led the No-Tow time sheet as well as having the fastest lap of the day.

I was impressed with the fans who showed up early and returned after the rain delay.

Thanks for reading today. I will have a full recap on Wildfire Sports tomorrow.

5:15 Update

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After an almost four hour delay waiting for the rain to stop, Full time veterans practice resumed at 3:15.  The session was halted when Max Chilton had a mechanical issue (engine?). Adter the session restarted, rain again stopped activity just after 5:00.  NT Indycar Series officials decide the veterans were done for the day.  We are currently waiting for the track to dry so that the rookies and non full time veterans can get out today.

Takuma Sato led the session with a 226.9, followed by Ed Carpenter at 226.4.

Notes

What other track president brings cookies to the fans? Doug Boles drove a Corvette pace car to the  turn 2 mounds, parked illegally, then brought several containers of cookies out the trunk to give to the fans.

Boles took some time to speak with the crowd. He said the new surface dried more quickly than expected, in about a third less time given the conditions.

 

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The crowd appeared to be almost as big as when Alonso first tested here in 2017 and rivals the crowd last year when the new aero kit had its test.

The rain has stopped but the skies look darker.  This has to be frustrating for the rookies.  I think when the track dried the rookies should have gone out.

Back with a final report later.

IMS just announced that they will try to get the rookies on track and that will be the end of the day.

 

The Next Step in Driver Protection

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The Advanced Frontal Protection device  received a formal introduction today before the open test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  Jay Frye explained the concept and  explained why the NTT Indycar Series chose this system. The device will be used on the cars the rest of the season.

Some facts courtesy of the NTT Indycar Series:

Today is the first time the AFP will be used on track.

The device is made of titanium and manufactured by Dallara.

Versions of the AFP have been explored since 2012.

Dallara introduced the device to Indycar in January.

The AFP has been subjected to and passed the same loads as the roll hoop.

The AFP weighs 2.8 pounds with bolts. Reinforcements to the monocoque weigh 2.1 pounds.

Frye said this is the first phase of cockpit protection.

“Sometime in May we will announce the next phase, ” Frye said.

The next phase is for 2020.  Frye explained the reason for the length of the process.

“You can’t just put something on a car without vetting it all the way out,” he said.

The AFP cost $5,000.  Titanium is more expensive than steel, but its lighter weight was the reason titanium was chosen.

As far as the view from the cockpit, this should be a minimal distraction.

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Track Update

After about 20 minutes of running, the track was closed because of rain. An update will be given n about an hour. Ed Carpenter had the fastest lap at 220.817. I hope to get some photos during the rain delay of som.e of the newer liveries.

I will keep you posted through The Pit Window on Twitter and The Pit Window’s Facebook page.

 

It’s Race, I Mean, Test Day at IMS!

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It’s time.  Twenty eight to twenty-nine cars take to the world’s most famous oval this morning in an open test to prepare for the Indianapolis 500.  The middle part of the day will be for rookie and refresher tests.

Many will be eager to watch Fernando Alonso return to the track

Today’s Schedule:

11:00-1:00  Veterans practice

1:00-3:00    Rookie orientation/refresher tests

3:00-6:00  Open practice

Roster Changes

Dreyer and Reinbold will run newly announced J. R. Hildebrand in the 48 instead of Sage Karam in the 24.

Oriol Servia will drive the 77 for Arrow Schmidt Peterson. Servia is not confirmed for the 500 as of now, but likely will be in this car.  the schmidt entry is an addition to the previously published roster.

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Where to Watch

The test will be live streamed beginning at 10:55  on indycar.com and YouTube.

It is NOT on NBC Gold.

Another place to watch is from the turn 2 mounds and south bleachers.

New Liveries

In addition to Conor Daly’s car 25 revealing yesterday at IMS, Will Power posted a video of his new livery, featuring 5G on the sidepod.  I think he should change his number to 5G. it will give a shout out to the sprint world.

I’m also excited to see the style of numbering on the 48.

 

I will have updates after each segment here on The Pit Window and a full report tomorrow on Wildfire Sports.

 

 

 

 

 

Daly, Andretti Reveal Car 25

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Conor Daly and Michael Andretti revealed the car Daly will drive in the 103rd running of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway today. The car is mostly matte black, touches of blue and hits of various fighter jets. I really like the shark’s teeth behind the front wheel.

Daly’s entry completes a five car all American lineup for Andretti Autosport. All five cars will carry Air Force labels.

“It’s been a dream of mine to drive for this team for a long time,” Daly said. Getting to practice tomorrow is “a huge benefit. Tomorrow is day 1,” Daly added.

The unveiling also give those in attendance their first look at the Advanced Frontal protection device which will be on the cars tomorrow and for the 500. The piece is taller than i thought it was. It is very thin. The device does not appear as if it will obscure the drivers’ vision.

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The front view shows the AFP device just in front of the cockpit. I asked Daly how he thought the device would bother the vision. He said he wasn’t sure. The device is on the simulator, but he wants to see what it’s like when he actually drives the car.

A closer look at the AFP

Tomorrow’s test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway begins with veterans on track from 11-1, followed by rookie orientation between 1 and 3. The final round of testing begins at 3 and goes until 6. The turn 2 mounds will be open for spectators. the test is also live streamed on Indycar’s Facebook page.

The Pit Window will have updates after each session and a full wrap-up on Wildfire Sports Thursday morning.

The Soul of the Race

It’s called qualifying. It means you have to meet a standard which in this case means being one of the fastest 33 drivers. That is one tradition that must stay. A chance to win the greatest race in the world should not just be handed to someone.

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Above: Willy T. Ribbs exultant after finally qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 in 1991.

I am back at The Pit Window summer headquarters after a long two day slog through Georgia traffic jams and torrential rains through four states. The  controversy about guaranteed spots for the Indianapolis 500 began as I was traveling. I wanted to wait until I returned to gather points of view and form my own opinion.  While the Indianapolis 500 is the heart of the racing world, qualifying for the race is the event’s soul.

I agree that many traditions have disappeared and are not returning. I know we will never again have 30 days at the track or four days of qualifying. I’m okay with that. No guaranteed spots in my opinion does not fall in the category of tradition. It’s called qualifying. It means you have to meet a standard which in this case means being one of the fastest 33 drivers. That is one tradition that must stay. A chance to win the greatest race in the world should not just be handed to someone.

The starting lineup gives the race its flavor. Are there drivers starting in the back that will charge to the front? Will a top driver staring near the front fall back quickly? How do the Indycar regulars stack up against drivers fro another series? There just a few of the things we would lose. The 500 would be just another race on the schedule.

On race morning, I take a moment to think of what it took for each driver to get into the race. Some had a fairly easy time, having signed with a top team with the best equipment. Others had to fight for every sponsor dollar just to put a car and team together to get to to the track. Their sponsors are just as important as those of the full time teams. But I appreciate that all had to endure the stress of Indianapolis qualifying, a nerve wracking four lap run. Some of the drama of being on the grid or not race morning could lose its luster if the owners advocating guaranteed spots get their way.  I think it would take  some of the soul from the race. The grid would be less pure.

There would still be some space for one-offs, about ten with the current full time grid. What happens when the full time roster expands? Is this proposed format really fair to a team like Meyer Shank Racing, who is only running ten races this season? Why should a second tier full time team put much effort into qualifying? They just need to post a time, why try too hard?

When qualifying used to be spread over two weekends, I would pick and choose when to attend.  Pole Day was a given. I rarely went to Day 2. Day three was hit and miss. If the field would be filled the second Saturday, I would go later in the day to see the 33rd qualifier and to see if any bumping would take place. Bump day really had no action until the last two hours, so I would head out around 2:30.

With guaranteed spots, I’m not sure I would find Pole Day that interesting.  I would probably just wait for the non guaranteed cars to qualify see who will make it. There will be less drama without a big name near the edge.

Putting full time drivers in the field automatically would lessen the value of the race.  The owners are selling the soul of the Indianapolis 500 for sponsor dollars. I hope this is not the direction we’re going. Please don’t steal the soul of the race.