All Times Eastern
Friday practice and Saturday qualifying on FS1
Saturday practice- FS2
Sunday warmup FS1
Race- FOX
From yesterday- IndyCar Season Preview https://thepitwindow.blog/2025/02/23/indycar-season-preview/
Friday, February 28
Saturday, March 1
Note- IndyCar practice is on FS2
Sunday, March 2
New leadership, new team, new broadcast partner, new teams for several drivers, but will the results be the same? IndyCar 2025 offers an intriguing mix of drama on and off track.
With Doug Boles assuming the role of IndyCar president, I don’t look for much change right away, but by mid- season we might see some movement. Off track, talk of a new chassis and whether Honda will remain in the series are the big things to watch.
But it’s been a long winter, and I’m ready to see cars on track starting next Friday. Let’s/ talk about the season.
Alex Palou and Josef Newgarden are each going for three in a row. Palou seeks his third straight championship, and Newgarden his third straight Indianapolis 500. Palou has the better chance of repeating. While Newgarden may contend, I look for a different driver and team to be drinking the milk May 25.
The offseason saw several drivers switch teams.
Alexander Rossi joined ECR, Christian Lundgaard went to McLaren, Rinus VeeKay took the final grid spot with Coyne last week, and Marcus Armstrong will drive for Meyer Shank.
While the lineups will take a bit of time to adjust to, radical new liveries have appeared. ECR now sports yellow and black cars, Marcus Ericsson is now a red and black machine while Will Power has gone to red and white. As I mentioned in an earlier post, study your spotters’ guide.
Three rookies will vie for Rookie of the Year honors. Jacob Abel with Dale Coyne Racing, Louis Foster with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, and Robert Shwartzman with Prema. I look for a close race between Foster and Abel, with Foster squeaking by for top honors.
PREMA brings their winning junior FIA team to IndyCar for a full season. Callum Ilott and Robert Shwartzman will drive the two cars with liveries representing the Italian flag. Unlike Carlin, which spent two years in Indy Lights before joining IndyCar, PREMA is jumping in with both feet.
While they had top 10s in the Sebring test, the season is a different animal. I will wait to see how they perform the second half of the season before passing judgment. I think the ovals will be a struggle for them.
The top four teams will once again get most of the victories and podiums, but we may see a surprise winner or two. I look for improvement from RLL and some better results for EGR.
David Malukas has the best chance of notching his first series win.
Series champion- Scott McLaughlin
Indianapolis 500- Pato O’Ward.
FOX has done an outstanding job promoting the series and the 500 during their football and basketball broadcasts, including significant time during the Super Bowl.
Will the promotional blitz carry over to the race broadcasts? With Will Buxton doing play by play, the booth isn’t a concern. I’m waiting to see how the production runs, how well the action gets covered, how often full screen commercials run, and just who will be covering the pits.
I hope I will be able to see a race replay, since I will be unable to record this week’s race.
I cannot wait for Friday’s first practice.
From the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg:
| Sebastian set to drive a pace car, and Susie to wave the green flag over the NTT INDYCAR SERIES field |
| ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (Feb. 21, 2025) – In honor of the late Dan Wheldon’s victory in the inaugural Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding race on April 3, 2005, Susie Wheldon (Dan’s wife) and Sebastian Wheldon (Dan and Susie’s son) have accepted invitations to take part in ceremonial pre-race roles for the 2025 race. Oliver Wheldon, Dan and Susie’s younger son, will also join them on race day. Dan’s accomplishments are remembered with permanent landmarks on the race site. A stretch of the St. Petersburg street circuit is known as “Dan Wheldon Way” and a winners monument stands near the course behind the Turn 10 Grandstand in honor of the popular winner and local resident. As another NTT INDYCAR SERIES season gets under way on the downtown streets of St. Petersburg on Sunday, March 2, Sebastian, a rising open-wheel racing star of the sport in his own right, will drive one of the Honda Civic Type R pace cars ahead of the INDYCAR drivers. After Sebastian enters pitlane as the cars get into race formation, Susie will wave the green flag over the field marking the start of the 100-lap race and 2025 season. “St. Petersburg was Dan’s adopted hometown and remains home for the boys and I. For him to win the inaugural race here in 2005 was something special. What made it even more special was that his teammates, TK (Tony Kanaan), Dario (Franchitti) and Bryan (Herta), followed him across the finish line in an all Andretti 1, 2, 3, 4 podium sweep!” said Susie Wheldon. “To be here with Sebastian and Oliver 20 years later – and for Sebastian to be driving a pace car in the parade lap – is really a full circle moment. And I am honored to wave the green flag for the start of the race. I have to thank Kim (Green) and Kevin (Savoree) and the entire IndyCar family for always making the boys and I feel supported. We are looking forward to an exciting race weekend.” The Andretti Green Racing sweep in 2005 with Dan Wheldon leading 10 of the race’s 100 laps, while Bryan Herta was on pole position at the start, marked one of many firsts for this St. Petersburg event, which now spans 21 consecutive years. Named the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg at the time, the inaugural event also made history as the first-ever street race for the Indy Racing League. This was also the first race promoted by Kim Green and Kevin Savoree, who still operate it today, as the co-owners of Green Savoree Racing Promotions. Dan went on to win the Indianapolis 500 and the series championship later that season. “That first event back in 2005 was certainly a remarkable moment for both our race team and our company. Having Susie and Sebastian taking on these important roles brings back a lot of terrific memories, and also reminds us how much we’ve learned over two decades of organizing this race!” 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. “Dan was a great racing champion of this event, the Indy 500 and the INDYCAR series. Kevin (Savoree) and I worked with Dan for the initial three years of his full-time INDYCAR career. It was a time filled with a lot of wins and lots of fun. We miss Dan.” “We truly appreciate Susie, Sebastian and Oliver joining us and our team to be a part of another spectacular event in St. Petersburg while commemorating Dan’s win and his incredible racing legacy,” said Kevin Savoree, co-owner, president and COO of Green Savoree Racing Promotions. “We can’t wait for race day to get here!” The 21st annual Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding will feature plenty of high-speed action along the picturesque downtown St. Petersburg waterfront. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES headlines the event as the premier open-wheel series in North American opens its season in St. Pete for the 15th time on Sunday, March 2. The racing schedule will also feature the sport’s rising stars as INDY NXT by Firestone, USF Pro 2000 Presented by Continental Tire and USF2000 Presented by Continental Tire speed through the downtown streets. Additionally, Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin will provide fender-bending sports car competition. On Thursday, Feb. 27, before the racing gets underway, two community events – INDYCAR Party in the Park and the 5K Run on the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Track – will kick off the event festivities in downtown St. Petersburg at North Straub Park. Free and open to the public, INDYCAR Party in the Park will feature driver appearances, music, giveaways, food trucks and more. Fans will be able to get up-close to race cars from all the series running during the race weekend in the park from 4-7 p.m. ET. Additionally, runners and walkers have a unique opportunity to “race on track” during the 5K Run on the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Track set for 5 p.m. ET on Feb. 27. The race starts and ends on Bayshore Drive NE, adjacent to North Straub Park. Participants can register now at gpstpete5k.com while supplies last with all proceeds benefiting the Police Athletic League of St. Petersburg. Both 3-Day and Single Day Grandstand and General Admission tickets are available starting as low as $30. For complete pricing, schedule and festival information, visit gpstpete.com. Follow the event on social media using @gpstpete and #FirestoneGP for the latest updates. Joining the E-Club also provides insider access to the latest news and offers. |
| 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 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 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 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). For more information, visit gpstpete.com, ‘like’ its Facebook page @GPSTPETE or follow the event on X at @GPSTPETE and Instagram at @GPSTPETE using #FirestoneGP. |
All times Eastern.
Photo- Penske Entertainment
Will Power and Josef Newgarden led the final day of testing at Sebring today, each leading one session. We are just 10 days from the first practice. The following is IndyCar’s summary of the day.
| Power, Newgarden Push Penske to Top of Sebring Test |
| SEBRING, Fla. (Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025) – After an uncharacteristically quiet opening day, Team Penske roared to the top of the overall speed charts Tuesday during the finale of an NTT INDYCAR SERIES Group Test at Sebring International Raceway.Series champions and Indianapolis 500 winners Will Power and Josef Newgarden ended up 1-2 for the fabled team and overall in the two-day test, which served as final preparations for all 27 full-time drivers before the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding on Sunday, March 2 on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida (noon ET, FOX, FOX Deportes, INDYCAR Radio Network). Power was quickest today and overall with a lap of 52.2549 seconds in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, followed by Newgarden at 52.3191 in the No. 2 PPG Team Penske Chevrolet. Both laps were completed in the cooler morning session, when seven of the 10 quickest laps of the two-day session were turned. The field was split into morning and afternoon groups both days on the 1.67-mile “short course” at the historic circuit in Central Florida. “It’s funny, after a couple days back in the car, you feel right at home, back to the same old stuff, and going through the same old changes and just confirming stuff,” Power said. “I know it so well now, but it always changes. It’s never the same. So, you’ve got to be on your toes, super-tight field.” Less than eight-tenths of a second separated the entire 27-car field over two days of testing.The results for Team Penske today were a contrast from Monday, when Power was the quickest for the team in seventh at 52.8032, more than four-tenths of a second behind the day’s leader, Pato O’Ward of Arrow McLaren at 52.3470. O’Ward’s leading time from Monday still placed him third overall on the combined speed chart. His best lap today was 52.7060 in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet. Marcus Armstrong’s afternoon session-leading time Monday of 52.3675 stood up as fourth overall in the No. 60 SiriusXM Honda of Meyer Shank Racing normally driven by Felix Rosenqvist, who was ill Monday. Rosenqvist was back behind the wheel of the No. 60 machine Tuesday and was ninth overall at 52.5273. Colton Herta ended up fifth overall with his lap this morning of 52.3818 in the No. 26 Gainbridge Honda of Andretti Global. Nolan Siegel helped Arrow McLaren join Team Penske with two drivers in the top six as he clocked in at sixth overall at 52.4405 with his top lap this morning in the No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet. Three-time and two-time defending series champion Alex Palou was seventh overall at 52.4948 with his best lap Monday in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. Series newcomer PREMA Racing, which has dominated global junior open-wheel racing, finished its first Group Test on an encouraging note. Series veteran Callum Ilott ended up eighth overall at 52.4998 in the team’s No. 90 Chevrolet. A challenging test for Scott Dixon ended with the six-time series champion at 13th overall in the 27-driver field at 52.6120 with his best lap this morning in the No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.Dixon only turned two laps Monday due to a mechanical problem, and he crashed into the barriers in Turn 6 approximately 15 minutes into the morning session today. His car suffered minor rear damage, and Dixon was unhurt and returned to testing. |
| Competition Updates Begin on Streets of St. Petersburg for NTT INDYCAR SERIES, INDY NXT by Firestone INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025) – A late-winter thaw is well underway for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES as anticipation heats up for next week’s start to the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT by Firestone seasons. Championship campaigns begin in the Florida sunshine with a two-day group test Feb. 17-18 at Sebring International Raceway ahead of the Sunday, March 2 season opener on the Streets of St. Petersburg. The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding is expected to set the stage for what will be another thrilling season on track and on television. FOX Sports launches its inaugural season of INDYCAR coverage with the season’s first practice in St. Pete on Friday, Feb. 28 on FS1. All 17 races for the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season will air on FOX, with two additional days during PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying May 17-18 ahead of the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge creating a series-record 19 network windows. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is the only premier motorsport series in North America with all races broadcasting on network television. All INDYCAR programming also streams live on the FOX Sports app. “This will be a season of unrivaled exposure for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES,” said INDYCAR President J. Douglas Boles. “With phenomenal support of our sport across multiple massive platforms – including Super Bowl LIX – FOX Sports has proven to be a superb partner and promoter. With the season approaching, we know their unique style of engaging and innovative broadcasts will continue to raise the bar and drive an unparallelled growth opportunity for INDYCAR.” With an eye on the fierce and intense competition of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, several updates will be featured in 2025: More Time, More Action To maximize the thrilling, wheel-to-wheel racing action for fans during the record number of FOX race broadcast windows, lap counts at several NTT INDYCAR SERIES races have been extended in 2025, creating added dynamics for race teams. Race distances have been updated for: Streets of Long Beach – 90 laps (+5 laps) Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course – 90 laps (+10) Iowa Speedway doubleheader – 275 laps (+25) Streets of Toronto – 90 laps (+5 )Nashville Superspeedway – 225 laps (+19 )Hybrid Highlighted 2025 will feature the first full-season integration of the hybrid power unit, including the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge for the first time. Hybrid assist – developed specifically for INDYCAR through a first-of-its-kind collaborative effort by Chevrolet and Honda – provides an added boost of 120 horsepower when used with traditional Push to Pass on road and street circuits. Used in tandem, a total of 800 horsepower is available to drivers for the first time in two decades. New this season, use of the hybrid power unit will be allowed to start or restart the 2.2-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engines on pit lane. As in 2024, hybrid assist will be allowed to restart a stalled race car on the racetrack on non-ovals. After meticulous development, the INDYCAR hybrid power unit made its successful race debut July 7, 2024, at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. From its full-field integration at the Milwaukee Mile Open Test on June 11 through the end of the 2024 season, 94,244 miles were completed with the system. Overall use and influence of hybrid assist increased race-over-race on road and street circuits and ovals. Twelve of the 14 on-track passing records broken during the 2024 season came after the introduction of the hybrid power unit. Practice Makes Perfect Some NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice sessions will have an updated look in 2025. At select road and street circuits (Streets of St. Petersburg, Long Beach, Detroit and Toronto; Barber Motorsports Park, Road America, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca and Portland International Raceway), weekend tire allotments this season will include: One additional set of Firestone Firehawk alternates (five total) One less set of Firestone Firehawk primaries (five total) Race teams will be allowed the freedom to use their weekend allotments as they see fit, reserving one set of new alternates, per the rulebook, for use during the race. Tire allotments for event weekends at The Thermal Club and Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course remain unchanged from last year. Also on road and street circuits, split group practice sessions in Practice 1 will expand to all tracks except for Road America and its lengthy 4.014-mile layout. All cars will receive an initial 45-minute practice session before the start of two 10-minute segments, with groups split by odd and even numbered pit boxes. As in qualifying, the clock in Segments One and Two will stop for the first red flag condition of each practice segment. Popular high-line practice sessions will continue on all short ovals in 2025. The additional track time allows for drivers and teams to work in the upper groove of the racetrack, providing more grip ahead of the race. Race Ready An annual INDYCAR review also has led to adjustments to procedures and rules for the upcoming NTT INDYCAR SERIES season: Ahead of a race start on ovals, there will be a mandatory “pair up” location with “one to go” to reduce the chance of incident and the need for waved-off starts. Where feasible for oval restarts, INDYCAR will extend the beginning of the restart zone to give the leader wider discretion on the choice to accelerate. The ending location of oval restart zones will remain the same as in previous seasons. A multistage pit lane speed limiter, as utilized at pit in at Road America and at pit out at World Wide Technology Raceway and Nashville Superspeedway, will be expanded to pit lane entry at WWT Raceway, Iowa Speedway and Nashville. The update prevents cars from overextending from the apron onto the racetrack after the pit-in commitment point. The 2024 road and street circuit restart line, where drivers must remain in single file and are prohibited from passing until reaching the designated line in the last corner, remains intact for 2025 .Additional EM Motorsport light panels, first used in 2022, will be used at all circuits. The additional lights will enhance the forewarning of conditions, particularly around blind corners. Also for safety, drivers will be alerted of local yellow conditions by a notification on driver cockpit dashes in addition to the light panels and traditional cloth flag notifications at marshal posts around each circuit. Also noteworthy, alternate tires at Nashville Superspeedway again will be available for the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season finale at the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix. Last season, the breathtaking championship race featured 653 on-track passes – the most on record for the series at the track .“From the mid-year integration of the hybrid power unit to the on-track passing records and another championship decided at the final race, 2024 was truly a phenomenal year for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES,” INDYCAR Senior Vice President, Competition and Operations Mark Sibla said. “This is a testament to the hard work by the teams, drivers and naturally our partners Chevrolet, Honda, Firestone and Shell. As our attention turns toward 2025, we will continue the series’ energy, momentum and incredibly close competition on the track. We are excited to get the new season started.” Talented, Packed Field, Live Television Highlight INDY NXT by Firestone For the first time, an entire INDY NXT by Firestone season will be featured on live television. Announced in December, 12 INDY NXT races will appear live on FOX Sports’ FS1, with two airing on FS2. Additionally, all practice and qualifying sessions for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ development series will air on a combination of FS1 and FS2. Which driver will receive the most attention from FOX’s cameras is anyone’s guess. After last season averaged the most starters (19.5) since 2009, the 2025 season is expected to match or exceed that number – in a field featuring drivers from 10 countries. Chip Ganassi Racing will add even more intrigue to the championship as it fields cars in INDY NXT for the first time since 2007.Building on the series’ continued momentum, 2024 featured on-track passing records at four circuits, with qualifying records broken at six. Sixteen of the 33 starters in last year’s Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge were graduates of INDY NXT. After the launch of a reimagined look in 2023, this is the fourth season that INDYCAR’s development series will feature continued integration with INDYCAR as the sanctioning body. In 2025, INDY NXT chassis will showcase updated and stylized rear wing end plates featuring LED rain lights, matching the safety component available in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. The pathway to North America’s premier open-wheel series once again features a total purse of $1.4 million. The series champion will receive $850,000 to be applied to a rookie oval test, the Indy 500 Open Test and Rookie Orientation Program, an entry for the 2026 Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge and an entry for an additional 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES event. The 2025 championship team will receive a prize of $35,000. “This will be a season of incredible and unprecedented exposure for INDY NXT by Firestone,” series director Richard Buck said. “The continued integration of this series with INDYCAR has clearly raised the quantity and quality of INDY NXT. The championship has never been more fierce and difficult to win, but it will prove to be all the more gratifying for the driver advancing to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.” Coverage of the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season debut Sunday, March 2 begins at noon ET on FOX. A Spanish-language version will be available on FOX Deportes.INDY NXT by Firestone’s season opener begins earlier that day at 10 a.m. on FS1.The award-winning INDYCAR Radio Network will provide coverage of both races with audio available on SiriusXM channel 218 and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA. |
Photo- Penske Entertainment
First, it was a fun to see IndyCar on track again. Second, it was a very busy day at Sebring as all teams went through the first day of the final test sessions before the St. Pete season opener. Third, and most important- Fans, get a spotter’s guide and study it carefully. Drivers are on different teams, and even drivers who are with their 2024 teams have different liveries. It took me quite a while to pair drivers with car numbers and liveries.
The ECR (or is it ecr?) cars stood out with their yellow and black and yellow and gray schemes.
Pato O’Ward had the fastest time overall on the day with Marcus Armstrong second. Conor Daly took the 78 Juncos Hollinger racing machine to 4th place.
O’Ward told the media after the session
“Oh, man, it’s the best feeling in the world; it’s the best job in the world. I was so excited to come back to Sebring and get into an INDYCAR SERIES car, getting to work with the engineers again. It definitely feels like home, and it’s a second family to me. So always excited to get rolling.”
My camera was balky today and I am still figuring out how to extract my photos. I assure you; they are the best I’ve ever taken.
Testing continues tomorrow. with today’s afternoon group going out in the morning, and the morning group finishing the day.
Today’s combined times:
A long anticipated announcement came this morning as Rinus VeeKay signed with Dale Coyne Racing for the entire 2025 season. VeeKay will drive car 18 and will team with rookie Jacob Abel in caqr 51,
The announcement from Dale Coyne Racing:
< Back
Plainfield, Illinois – February 14, 2025 – Dale Coyne Racing signs NTT INDYCAR SERIES veteran Rinus VeeKay for the full 2025 season. VeeKay will drive car 18 as a teammate to Jacob Abel in the 51.
The announcement from Dale Cotne Racing:
< Back
Plainfield, Illinois – February 14, 2025 – Dale Coyne Racing signs NTT INDYCAR SERIES veteran Rinus VeeKay for the full 2025 season.
After a year in which multiple drivers piloted the two Dale Coyne Racing entries, the team is happy to announce its second full-time driver for the No. 18 entry.
“We are excited about getting back to full-time drivers for 2025. The stability allows us to grow as a team, and that’s important to me. For that to be accomplished, having a proven veteran in one of our entries helps tremendously, and that’s one of the many reasons we have decided to go with VeeKay to complete the 2025 grid. We are excited for him to join the team and get started with us at the Sebring test coming up next week in preparation for the full NTT INDYCAR SERIES season,” said team owner Dale Coyne.
Rinus VeeKay, hailing from the Netherlands, is another graduate of the junior open-wheel series programs, a champion of the 2018 USF Pro 2000 Championship, and vice champion in the INDY NXT by Firestone Championship on his quest to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. Upon reaching the top rung of the ladder, VeeKay continued to shine, earning Rookie of the Year honors in 2020 and securing his maiden victory at the 2021 INDYCAR Grand Prix at IMS. Along with this win, VeeKay has achieved nine top-five finishes and two pole positions. He has shown blistering speed in Indianapolis 500 qualifying, with an impressive average starting position of 3.8, including three front-row starts in his five attempts at the historic race.
VeeKay gained the attention of team owner Dale Coyne after finishing first in class at the October IMS oval test and third overall in the No. 18 Dale Coyne Racing entry.
“Very exciting news. I am happy to announce my partnership with Dale Coyne Racing for the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season,” said VeeKay. “It makes me proud to see my name among the drivers competing in this fantastic series for a sixth consecutive year. After a difficult start to my offseason, I am delighted to end the winter with this news.”
VeeKay will join the team at the Sebring test next week in preparation for his first race with Dale Coyne Racing at the Streets of St. Petersburg on March 2.
| Additional Key Staffing Updates Made as INDYCAR Enters New Era of Growth INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025) – Penske Entertainment announced several updates to its senior leadership structure today in order to best position the organization to capitalize on significant growth opportunities ahead. Key changes shared this morning include: Doug Boles will serve as President of both INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, succeeding Jay Frye. Mark Sibla will be promoted to Senior Vice President, INDYCAR Competition & Operations. Kyle Novak will become INDYCAR’s Vice President of Officiating and Race Control. Alex Damron has been named Chief Marketing Officer, INDYCAR, while also continuing as Vice President of Corporate Communications for Penske Entertainment. Louis Kissinger will be promoted to General Manager, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Operations. Doug Boles brings decades of motorsport experience to his new responsibilities, including being the President of Indianapolis Motor Speedway since 2013. At IMS, he oversaw the sellout of the 100th Indianapolis 500, the first full-capacity crowd in the event’s storied history. In addition, he’s managed more than $150 million in strategic investment at the Racing Capital of the World, including “Project 100” and significant infrastructure improvements following the acquisition of IMS by Penske Corp.Across his tenure at IMS, he has been particularly lauded for his promotional prowess and strategic marketing capabilities, growing the Speedway’s global reach and better connecting Indy 500 fans to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. As a founding partner and Chief Operating Officer at Panther Racing and as Hulman & Company’s Vice President of Communications, he has worked extensively within the INDYCAR paddock, as well. At Panther Racing, Boles helped lead the team to 15 INDYCAR SERIES race wins and two INDYCAR SERIES championships, in addition to seven INDY NXT by Firestone race wins and a championship. In total, he has more than 20 years of executive leadership experience in motorsports, within team operations, sponsorship, marketing, public relations and more. “Doug is the ideal choice to lead both INDYCAR and IMS as we enter a new era of opportunity and visibility,” said Penske Entertainment President & CEO Mark Miles. “He’s an exceptional leader and motivator who is appreciated by our fans and respected by our owners, drivers, partners and additional key stakeholders.” Said Boles: “Racing is in my DNA, and no form of racing resonates more personally and strongly with me than the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. I’m honored to lead the amazing team at INDYCAR, and I truly believe the future is bigger and brighter than ever for our sport and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I’m extremely grateful to Mark Miles for this opportunity, and fans can rest assured the hard work is already under way and 2025 will be a fantastic season.” Boles becomes President of INDYCAR as Frye departs the organization following 10 years in the role. During Frye’s tenure, he led a period of tremendous successes at INDYCAR, including securing the entitlement series sponsorships with Verizon and NTT, the development of the AK18 universal aero kit, development and implementation of the total driver cockpit safety solution aeroscreen and state-of-the-art hybrid technology introduction. In addition, Jay Frye also oversaw an expanded grid with incredible competition. “It has been an absolute honor and privilege to be the President of INDYCAR and work alongside the dedicated and talented men and women at INDYCAR and in the INDYCAR paddock,” Frye said. “The growth and success the series has had over the last 10 years would not be possible without the commitment and collaboration of the owners, drivers and teams.” In both his role at INDYCAR and as IMS President, Boles will report to Penske Entertainment President & CEO Miles. As Boles manages strategic vision and priorities across both INDYCAR and IMS, several additional staffing updates will help oversee day-to-day operations within each organization.At INDYCAR, Mark Sibla has been named Senior Vice President of INDYCAR Competition and Operations. He has been a senior member of INDYCAR’s management team for more than a decade and will lead workstreams focused on general operations and special initiatives such as development of the new car. Also at INDYCAR, Kyle Novak begins an enhanced role as Vice President of Officiating and Race Control. In this position he will lead both the Race Control and Race Tech teams at INDYCAR, responsible for ensuring rigorous and equitable enforcement of NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT presented by Firestone competition regulations. Novak has served as INDYCAR’s Race Director since the 2018 season and was elected to the FIA General Assembly in 2022. In addition, as INDYCAR prepares for new levels of audience exposure through its relationship with FOX Sports, Alex Damron has been named Chief Marketing Officer, charged with fully implementing a maximized and unified promotional plan for the sport. In this role, he will lead the marketing and communications teams at INDYCAR. He will also continue as Vice President of Corporate Communications for Penske Entertainment, responsible for overseeing IMS PR efforts and Penske Entertainment’s photo and editorial operations. “We’re confident Alex is ready for this opportunity,” Miles said. “He’s played an integral role in our transition to FOX Sports, driving significant work to implement the phenomenal promotional initiatives we’ve already seen, ensuring we can quickly and efficiently leverage new opportunities.” At IMS, Kissinger steps into the role of General Manager, IMS Operations, leading teams responsible for suite/hospitality sales, track operations and event operations. Kissinger began his career at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway serving as a distinguished Orr Fellow, with his most recent role being Director of Event Operations & Experience at IMS. The 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season launches on Sunday, March 2 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding on FOX. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is the only premier motorsport in the United States with every race broadcast on network television. For more info, visit www.INDYCAR.com. |
The Pit Window by Mike Silver 