McLaughlin Takes Pole as Penske Continues Oval Dominance

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Photo by Kyle McInnes

Scott McLaughlin seems to have inherited Will Power’s mastery of qualifications, as he earned his fourth pole of the season and will lead the field to green tomorrow night in the Bommarito 500. This Mclaughlin’s third oval pole. he finished sixth and third in the other two oval events where he started first.

In the post qualifying press conference, McLaughlin brushed aside the notion that Penske has an advantage with the hybrid because of their extensive testing with it.

“Debatable,” he said. “Everybody’s doing the same thing.”

Colton Herta, thought to be the only driver to challenge Herta, had a first lap that would have gotten him close to McLaughlin, but he spun and hit the wall in turn 2 of his second lap.

The session got off to a rocky start as first qualifier Jack Harvey pulled to s top at the end of the front stretch just after taking the green flag. Compounding the woes for the Dale Coyne team, Katherine Legge’s car failed ech inspection. and she was not allowed to qualify.

Felix Rosenqvist was second fastest, but he will start 11th due to a grid penalty for an engine change. His Teammate david Malukas will start second.

Points leader Alex Palou qualified seventh but will start16th after serving his grid penalty. Scott Dixon’s penalty will move him back to 19th on the grid.

McLaughlin’s Team Penske teammates, Will Power and Josef Newgarden, will start third and fourth. Each of the team’s drivers have won one of the oval races so far this year.

Notes

Sting Ray Robb in 24th is slowest driver to complete both qualifying laps at speed. Herta completed his second lap at about 97 mph. It’s been aw hile since as many as three cars did not fully complete their qualifying runs at full speed.

Pato O’Ward will be the biggest beneficiary among the title contenders of the grid penalties as he moves to eighth on the grid.

Conor Daly showed some hope for the 78 car as he qualified 12th and will start ninth.

Next on the schedule is high linbe practice at 6:45 Central, followed by the final practice at 7:30 pm Central.

Results

Note- this is not the oifficial lineup.

Malukas Leads Practice

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Photo by Kyle McInnes

David Malukas continued his great run since joining Meyer Shank Racing by turning the fastest lap in the first practice at World Wide Technology Raceway. He edged Colton Herta by four tenths of a second.

The Andretti Global cars topped the charts in the first half of the session, but Herta was the only one who maintained his position.

Scott McLaughlin and Will Power were third and fourth fo Team Penske.

Alex Palou had the fifth fastest lap.

The session was stopped just once when linus Lundqvist stalled off of turn two.

Qualifying begins at 3:20 Central time.

Qualifying order is in inverse order of entrant points.

Results:

Indycar Announces WWTR Grid Penalties

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Four grid penalties, including two of the title contenders have been assessed by Indycar for unapproved engine changes.

The cars affected:

No. 9 Chip Ganassi Racing  Scott Dixon
· No. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing Alex Palou
· No. 51 Dale Coyne Racing Katherine Legge
· No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing Felix Rosenqvist

Each car will lose nine positions on the starting grid after qualifying.

Bommarito 500 Preview

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Today’s Schedule: Al times Central

11:45 am Indycar practice 1 Peacock, Indycar Radio

3:20 pm Indycar Qualifying Peacock, Indycar Radio

7:30 pm Indycar practice 2 (includes hiugh line practice) Peacock, Indycar Radio

World Wide Technology Raceway, affectionately known as Gateway, has been a popular late season stop on the Indycar circuit. The track has provided nearly non stop action with Indy NXT, Silver Crown, and vintage cars keeping fans entertained.

For 2024, the tracked has moved ahead in the schedule. It had been the 15th race on the calendar. This year it is the 13th. In 2025, it will be race number eight.

The weather this weekend will again be typical, warm, muggy St. louis are summer conditions. The latest from @Indycar_Wxman:

The early morning cloud cove is beginning to dissipate. The temperature when first practice begins should be around 87 degrees.

The three oval races that have run this season eqch saw aq different winner- all from Team Penske. They will probably be strong again. Josef Newgarden has won four races at this track. he was in contention last year until he crashed late in the race.

Andretti Global drivers Colton Herta, Kyle Kirkwood, and Marcus Ericsson were the top three in testing at Gateway last month. Herta won pole for one of the Iowa races, and I expect him to be strong this weekend.

Pato O’Ward should also be aq driver to watch. O’Ward is always good on ovals, and it just might be time to break through.

Points leader Alex Palou is still lookng for his first win on an oval, but does he really need to win? We are at the point in the season where Palou is more concerned about keeping his as close to the 49 point margin he holds entering tomorrow’s race.

Iowa 2.0?

Some drivers said after the test session that they don’t think this weekend’s race will be any better than the ones we witnessed at iowa. I hope that is not the case. While this is a track where passing is difficult, we have seen somebold moves going into turn 1.

While I don’t like a lot of cautions, three caution periods well spaced out could make for an intriguing event.

I look for an Andretti car to win the race. Colton Herta could get his second straight victory this season. It’s difficult to remember that he won the Tronto race nearly a month ago.

Notes

Alexander Rossi returns to the 7 car after missing the Tronto race with a thumb injury.

Will we see more tire degradation/? That would really help the flow of the race.

Bommarito Automotive Group 500 Notes; Silly Season Shakeup

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Good afternoon from St. Louis. I stopped by the track to pick up my credentials and I drove around. the outside of the track place looks great and ready for the weekend.

Katherine Legge will drive the 51 for Dale Coyne this weekend. I had thought there was an earlier announcement from Dale Coyne that she was set to run all the ovals at the end of the season. I guess it is race by race now.

A Lead with Five Races to Go is Pretty Safe

Indycar provided the following chart yesterday which shows the points leader with five races to go since 2008 and how the year finished. Only six times has the leader with five races remaining failed to win the title the last time in 2017. Datio Franchitti and Scott Dixon are the main spoilers.

Malukas Rocks the Silly Season Boat

David Malukas’ shock signing with A. J. Foyt Racing this week reset all the thinking about Silly season. It put his current seat at Meyer Shank Racing in play without filling one of the other seats thought to be open.

Alexander Rossi is the beneficiary of Malukas’ move. He is arguably the\ top free agent now, and there is another quality seat for the taking.

What Prema’s plans are remains a mystery. They want a veteran and a rookie. While a Rossi signing will het the other free agents settled in short order. rather quickly, I think knowing Prema’s plans are just as big a factor to seeing the 2025 grid set.

Schedule Reminder

First practice tomorrow is at 12:45 pm Eastern. If you are coming to the track, make sure you hydrate. it will be hot.

The 2025 race is in June, and the weather should be more pleasant then.

Your first friendly reminder that the race is at 6:25 pm Saturday on USA Network as well as Peacock.

Look for my scintillating race preview tomorrow morning.

Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline Fast Facts 

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From Indycar. Look for my preview Friday morning. I will have a post tomorrow afternoon after I arrive in St. Louis.

 Race weekend: Friday, Aug. 16 – Saturday, Aug. 17
Track: World Wide Technology Raceway, a 1.25-mile oval in Madison, Illinois
Race distance: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline 260 laps / 325 miles
INDY NXT by Firestone OUTFRONT Showdown 75 laps / 93.75 miles

Hybrid energy deployment parameters: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Unlimited activation with a maximum deployment of 120 kilojoules (kJ) per lap.
Firestone tire allotment: NTT INDYCAR SERIESEight sets for use through the doubleheader weekend.
INDY NXT by FirestoneTwo new sets to be used during the event weekend.
X: @WWTRaceway, @IndyCar, #Bommarito500, #INDYCAR
Instagram: @WWTRaceway, @IndyCar, #Bommarito500, #INDYCAR
Threads: @WWTRaceway, @IndyCar, #Bommarito500, #INDYCAR
Facebook: @WWTRaceway, @INDYCAR, #INDYCAR
TikTok: @WWT_Raceway, @INDYCAR, #INDYCARYouTube: @INDYCAR
Event website: www.wwtraceway.com/
INDYCAR website: www.IndyCar.com
2023 race winners:
NTT INDYCAR SERIESScott Dixon (No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda)I
NDY NXT by Firestone Christian Rasmussen (No. 6 HMD Motorsports)
2023 NTT P1 Award winner: Scott McLaughlin (No. 3 Odyssey Battery Team Penske Chevrolet), 49.1936 seconds, 182.951 mph (two laps)
2023 INDY NXT by Firestone pole winner: Christian Rasmussen (No. 6 HMD Motorsports), field set by points after qualifying was rained out
One-lap qualifying lap record: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Will Power, 23.7206, 189.709 mph, Aug. 25. 2017
INDY NXT by Firestone Juan Piedrahita, 27.8890, 161.354 mph, Aug. 26, 2017
USA Network race telecast: Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline, 6 p.m. ET Saturday, Aug. 17, USA Network (live). Kevin Lee is the play-by-play announcer for NBC’s coverage of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, alongside analysts Townsend Bell and James Hinchcliffe. Georgia Henneberry and Dillon Welch are the pit reporters.
Peacock Live Streaming: All NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice sessions and qualifying will stream live on Peacock, NBC’s direct-to-consumer livestreaming product, while USA Network’s race telecast of the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline will be simulcast on the streaming service. The INDY NXT by Firestone OUTFRONT Showdown will be streamed on Peacock, with practice and qualifying being shown on INDYCAR LIVE.
INDYCAR Radio Network broadcasts: Mark Jaynes is the anchor alongside analyst Davey Hamilton. Nick Yeoman is the turn announcer. Jake Query and Michael Young are the pit reporters. The Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline (6 p.m. ET Saturday), the INDY NXT by Firestone OUTFRONT Showdown (3:50 p.m. ET Saturday) and all NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT by Firestone practices and qualifying sessions air live on network affiliates, SiriusXM 218, racecontrol.indycar.com and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA.
At-track schedule (all times local):
FRIDAY, AUG. 16
11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice, Peacock
2:15-3 p.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone practice, INDYCAR LIVE
3:20 p.m. – Bommarito Automotive Group 500 NTT P1 Award qualifying (single car/cumulative time of two laps), Peacock
5:45 p.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone OUTFRONT Showdown qualifying (single car/cumulative time of two laps), INDYCAR LIVE
6:45-7:15 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES high-line session (two groups/15 minutes each), Peacock
7:30-8:30 p.m. –NTT INDYCAR SERIES final practice, Peacock
SATURDAY, AUG. 17
3 p.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone OUTFRONT Showdown “Drivers Start Your Engines”
3:05 p.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone OUTFRONT Showdown (75 laps / 93.75 miles)
5 p.m. – USA Network on air
5:25 p.m. – “Drivers, start your engines”
5:30 p.m. – Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline (260 laps/325 miles), USA Network (Live)
NTT INDYCAR SERIES Championship Facts:· 
Alex Palou leads the NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship with five races to go for the third time in his INDYCAR SERIES career. He also led the 2021 and 2023 championships with five races to go, winning the title in each of those seasons. Palou, who has led the point standings after seven of the 12 rounds this season, took the point lead at the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey in June.· There are 18 drivers still mathematically eligible for the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship: Alex Palou, Will Power, Scott Dixon, Colton Herta, Pato O’Ward, Scott McLaughlin, Kyle Kirkwood, Josef Newgarden, Alexander Rossi, Santino Ferrucci, Christian Lundgaard, Marcus Ericsson, Felix Rosenqvist, Marcus Armstrong, Rinus VeeKay, Romain Grosjean, Graham Rahal and Linus Lundqvist. Any driver who trails the points leader by 217 points or more following this race will be eliminated from contention.·
Since the first INDYCAR SERIES race at World Wide Technology Raceway, the winning driver has won the INDYCAR SERIES championship three times: Alex Zanardi (1998), Josef Newgarden (2017) and Scott Dixon (2020-Race 1).
Key championship point statistic: Since 2008, the championship leader with five races to go has won the championship nine times. Those drivers were: Scott Dixon (2008, 2018, 2020), Dario Franchitti (2011), Ryan Hunter-Reay (2012), Simon Pagenaud (2016), Josef Newgarden (2019) and Alex Palou (2021, 2023).
Point differential: The 49 points that separate Alex Palou and Will Power is the seventh-largest point margin with five races remaining since INDYCAR SERIES racing was unified in 2008. Before this season, the average lead with five races remaining was 43.9 points.

Race Notes: There have been seven winners in 12 NTT INDYCAR SERIES races in the 2024 season. Pato O’Ward (Streets of St. Petersburg, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course), Scott Dixon (Streets of Long Beach, Streets of Detroit), Scott McLaughlin (Barber Motorsports Park, Iowa Speedway-1), Alex Palou (Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca), Josef Newgarden (Indianapolis 500), Will Power (Road America, Iowa Speedway-2) and Colton Herta (Streets of Toronto) have all won in 2024. The modern record (1946-present) for the most different winners in a season is 11 in 2000, 2001 and 2014.
The Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline will be the 16th INDYCAR SERIES race at World Wide Technology Raceway. Scott Dixon won at WWTR for the second time in 2023. Paul Tracy won the first INDYCAR SERIES race at WWTR in 1997. Dixon, Josef Newgarden (2017, 2020-Race 2, 2021, 2022) and Will Power (2018) are the former winners entered in this year’s race.
ACTIVE RACE WINNER WINS SEASONS
Josef Newgarden 4 2017, 2020-Race2, 2021, 2022
Scott Dixon 2 2020-Race 1, 2023
Will Power 1 2018
The Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline will be the fourth of seven oval races during the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. Team Penske drivers have won the previous three races. Josef Newgarden won the 108th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge in May while Scott McLaughlin and Will Power split the Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend doubleheader at Iowa Speedway last month.
Three drivers have won at World Wide Technology Raceway from the pole – Juan Pablo Montoya (2000), Gil de Ferran (2002) and Helio Castroneves (2003).T
eam Penske has won eight times at World Wide Technology Raceway. Penske’s winning drivers are Paul Tracy (1997), Gil de Ferran (2002), Helio Castroneves (2003), Josef Newgarden (2017, 2020-Race 2, 2021, 2022) and Will Power (2018). Chip Ganassi Racing has three wins at Gateway with Alex Zanardi (1998), Juan Pablo Montoya (2000) and Scott Dixon (2020-Race 1).
Twenty-four drivers have competed in past INDYCAR SERIES races at World Wide Technology Raceway. Scott Dixon has nine starts, most among the entered drivers. Rookies Nolan Siegel and Kyffin Simpson will make their first start at WWTR. Thirteen entered drivers have led laps at the track (Josef Newgarden 582, Scott Dixon 374, Will Power 333, Pato O’Ward 159, Colton Herta 134, Scott McLaughlin 12, Alexander Rossi 8, David Malukas 4, Felix Rosenqvist 4, Marcus Ericsson 3, Romain Grosjean 2, Graham Rahal 2 and Conor DalyMilestones: Scott Dixon will attempt to make his 335th consecutive start, extending his NTT INDYCAR SERIES record streak.
INDY NXT by Firestone Notes:
Andretti Global’s Louis Foster returns to World Wide Technology Raceway looking to solidify his grip on the INDY NXT by Firestone championship. The 21-year-old English driver leads Jacob Abel of Abel Motorsports by 77 points heading into the pivotal championship stretch of four races in five weeks.The INDY NXT by Firestone OUTFRONT Showdown will be the series’ 14th race at World Wide Technology Raceway. Previous INDY NXT by Firestone winners at WWTR include Lee Bentham, Townsend Bell, Dan Wheldon, Jeff Simmons, Oliver Askew, David Malukas and Christian Rasmussen. 

Daly to Finish Season for JHR

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Super sub Conor Daly will finish the 2024 season for Juncos Hollinger Racing, replacing Agustin Canapino in car 78

From Juncos Hollinger Racing:

Juncos Hollinger Racing

INDYCAR veteran Conor Daly will be stepping into the seat of the Juncos Hollinger Racing No. 78 for the remainder of the 2024 season.

Indianapolis, IndianaAugust 14, 2024

INDYCAR veteran Conor Daly will be stepping into the seat of the Juncos Hollinger Racing No. 78 for the remainder of the 2024 season. Welcome, Conor!

Conor Daly:

“I am extremely pleased to reunite with Ricardo Juncos after our success together in the Road To Indy! Ricardo took a chance on me when I was young and it made a huge difference in my career. There are a lot of people on this team that I’ve worked with before and I that gives me a lot of confidence. What Brad Hollinger and Ricardo have built here is extremely impressive in a short amount of time and I consider myself very lucky to get to compete for the rest of the season and earn the necessary points for this #78 Chevrolet. There are a lot of partners in this effort and I appreciate the support behind me to get back in the race seat.”

Ricardo Juncos:

“Having Conor Daly back in a JHR car after many years is like a flashback to some great memories, as we achieved a lot together. Now it’s time to focus on what’s ahead and aim for strong results in the rest of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.”

Brad Hollinger:

“Conor’s years of INDYCAR experience will help the team grow and develop the car further.”

Malukas Signs with Foyt

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In a move that has caught many by surprise, David Malukas has signed with A. J. Foyt Racing for 2025. Malukas will finish the current season with Meyer Shank Racing, where he began his season at Mid Ohio after recovering from a preseason mountain biking accident.

The move looks questionable, but if the team’s alliance with Team Penske is factored in, the Foyt ride may be a place holder until Will Power retires. his is just a guess on my part.

Malukas had also spoken with MSR and Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing about 2025.

The announcement from A. J. Foyt Racing:

HOUSTON (Aug. 13, 2024) – AJ Foyt Racing has signed rising star David Malukas to drive one of the team’s NTT INDYCAR Series Chevrolet-powered Dallaras in a multi-year deal starting in 2025.

 

“I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to join AJ Foyt Racing,” Malukas said. “The team has performed very well this season and I can’t wait to get to work with them and immerse myself in that environment.”“The history and success of both AJ Foyt Racing and A.J. Foyt himself were key factors in my decision to join the team,” Malukas added.  “Everyone knows that A.J. is a legend and he was someone whose name I always heard growing up. To have the opportunity to work alongside him and drive for his team is very special. I am starting a new chapter in my INDYCAR career, and I am eager to achieve strong results with AJ Foyt Racing.”

 

Malukas, who turns 23 in September, was forced to sit out the beginning of the NTT INDYCAR Series season when he sustained torn ligaments in his left wrist from a mountain bike accident. Requiring several months to heal, Malukas returned to action in June piloting Meyer Shank Racing’s No. 66 entry. Impressive in his return, he has qualified in the top 12 in four of his last five races.

 

“David will be a great addition to AJ Foyt Racing,” said Team President Larry Foyt. “He is a fierce competitor who possesses a great deal of natural talent. I think David will be a super fit with our engineers and mechanics, and he will be an important factor as we continue to ascend the IndyCar rankings.”

 

When asked about goals for the 2025 season, the 2021 INDY NXT by Firestone Vice-Champion replied, “For me, the 2024 season was very chaotic and did not go to plan, so I am looking forward to a new beginning. I am mostly looking forward to being a part of such a special team. The recent alliance with Team Penske this season has clearly been beneficial, and I want to be sure that we build the right environment, not just for myself, but for the mechanics, engineers and everyone else who makes this all possible. In the few years I have been in INDYCAR, I have found that a strong team dynamic is crucial for success. As long as we focus on building good chemistry, I am confident that the results will follow.”

 

The 2025 NTT INDYCAR Series opens Sunday March 2nd with the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, which will be the first of all 17 races broadcast on FOX network television.

Photo Credits: INDYCAR Photos

It’s Race Week! Bommarito Automotive Group 500 Schedule

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Indycar returns this weekend with a Saturday late afternoon race at World Wide Technology Raceway. The race is on USA network. I would think after forcing Indycar to not race for three weeks the le least the network could do would be to televise the event on NBC.

All times on the schedule are Central time.