Caio Collet had the fastest speed of two day IndyCar Open test in this morning’s session at 226. 381 miles per hour. The speed held through the afternoon round, which was led by Josef Newgarden at 225.617.
Practice began 75 minutes late as the track dried from overnight and morning rain, bvut once things started, the morning session got very busy quickly.
The 24 year old Brazilian rookie driver for A J Foyt Racing was very happy with his run, but a bit surprised.
Caio Collet
“No, no, never expected that,” Brazilian driver Collet said. “Obviously, the team has a good background here and has done really, really well the last couple of years, especially last year. As a rookie, I was just trying to learn things and see how everything went. But the team, they did a really good job and got me up to speed quickly, and I got really comfortable.
“Obviously, a lot of things I still have to learn, especially in traffic. I have to understand how to manage traffic and how to get by people. But I think by myself I felt really good, and the team gave me a really good car both days.”
The cool, windy afternoon was not without issues. A caution came out as a fox scampered across the track between turns 1 and 2. IndyCar’s television partner just had to get a plug in.
Katherine Legge completed the two phases of the refresher program with an hour alone on the track and the remainder during the final practice.
Late in the session, Jack Harvey’s car began trailing a large plume of smoke between turns and three and four. The white contrail followed Harvey into the pits where he was greeted by the AMR Safety Team. The wind took the smoke cloud southward through the pits where it lingered for a minute or two.
While a loo at the combined results of the four sessions shows Collet on top, some things stand out. Newgarden and Conor Daly were consistently near the front of the charts. Takuma Sato finished seventh overall but showed consistent lap times.
Alex Palou ranks fourth on the combined sheet driving e the car in which he won Long Beach. How fast will, he be in his speedway car?
I was struck by the /slowness of the Andretti cars- Will Power 18th, Kyle Kirkwood 27th, and Marcus Ericsson 31st.
It was fun to see cars on track in oval trim. Next week’s Sonsio Grand Prix may be a bit anticlimactic..
Notes
Some sad news today as we learned of the death of Merle Bettenhausen. Bettenhausen is the last of the Bettenhausen family, whose patriarch, Tony, won two national titles. He achieved on of his titles without winning a race.
Merle’s brother Gary was a talented driver popular with fans in the 80s. Another brother, Tony, drove and then owned a champ car team until his death in a plane crash.
I will have a more detailed story about Merle and his family on Friday.
Happier stuff
IMS looked race weekend ready this week. The grounds crew obviously has worked hard to make the facility almost sparkle.
Saturday the Month of May kicks off with the Mini Marathon in the morning and the REV event at IMS at night. Preparations for REV were underway this we3ek.
It appears that the track is about 10 days away from selling out the grandstands.
The 2028 car may be revealed sometime this month.
Thanks for following along the past two deays. I’m justb getting started.
Caio Collet turned the fastest speed of the two-day open test at IMS in the just completed first practice period of the day.
The top six:
Collet 226.381 mph
Newgarden 226.223 mph
Daly 224.785 mph
Malukas 224.377 mph
Sato 224.130 mph
Rosenqvist 224.104 mph
It’s nice to see an A. J. Foyt Racing car ahead of the field,
Overnight and early morning rain pushed the sstart of the first round to 11:15 am Eastern time. Katherine Legge has the track to herself to complete the refresher program.
The next all car session is scheduled to begin at 2:15 pm and run until 5 pm.
The pace car for the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 will be revealed tomorrow morning. The pace car announcement used to be o I looked forward to, but since it has become exclusively a Chevrolet product, it’s just not that big a deal to me. I loved the anticipation of seeing which car company would lead the field to then green flag. Another fun tradition assigned to the dustbin of history.
INDIANAPOLIS, April 27, 2026 —Veteran driver Katherine Legge has been entered by HMD Motorsports with AJ Foyt Racing for the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 (Indy 500). She will once again be fueled by primary sponsor e.l.f. Cosmetics, a brand from e.l.f. Beauty (NYSE:ELF), the bold disrupter with a kind heart. As the only woman entered in this year’s 500-mile race, Legge continues a legacy that traces back to trailblazer Janet Guthrie — and uniquely, to four-time Indy 500 winner and team owner A.J. Foyt.
No. 11 e.l.f. Cosmetics Chevrolet RenderingNearly 50 years ago in May 1976, Guthrie fought to earn her place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS). After facing skepticism and extraordinary scrutiny, Guthrie was given a pivotal opportunity when A.J. Foyt allowed her to test one of his backup cars — a moment widely credited with changing perceptions of what women could achieve in motorsport. One year later, Guthrie became the first woman to qualify for and compete in the Indy 500, the same race in which Foyt won his record-setting fourth 500. Now, in a full-circle moment, Foyt’s team will field Legge’s entry — marking a powerful continuation of that legacy.
Legge is looking to make her fifth Indy 500 start in the No. 11 e.l.f. Cosmetics Chevrolet, after becoming just the ninth woman to qualify for the race in 2012. In 2023, she became the fastest woman to ever qualify for the race, posting an average speed of 231.07 mph. She remains one of the most accomplished female drivers in global motorsport—including being the first woman to win a major open-wheel race in North America, the first to lead laps in Champ Car, and the first to lead the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
The British driver enters the 2026 race following a 2025 campaign in NASCAR, where she became the first woman to qualify for a NASCAR Cup Series race since Danica Patrick’s 2012 debut, and the first woman in seven years to start a Cup race. Across 14 events spanning ARCA, the Xfinity Series (now O’Reilly), and the Cup Series, Legge recorded two top-20 finishes at the Cup level and the highest finishing position among rookie drivers in her debut race.
In a world where women receive just 1% of sports sponsorships, account for only 4% of drivers on tracks, and are twice as likely to feel forced out of racing within the first five years,* e.l.f. is committed to the belief that anything is e.l.f.ing possible when you fuel the women who are rewriting the rules. That’s why e.l.f. is bringing eyes.lips.fuel. to the Indy 500, showing up in a big way both on the track and in the Fan Zone at the largest single-day sporting event in the world.
Inspired by e.l.f.’s Glow Reviver Lip Oil Stick, the eyes.lips.fuel activation will be featured trackside at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The experience reimagines the garage — a space that has historically belonged to the men — and making it a space for every eye, lip, and face. The activation includes:·
A full-size replica of Katherine’s race car, giving fans an up-close, in-person look at the machine she’ll drive on track·
A museum-style showcase of real artifacts from Legge’s career — from her first race suit, to her helmet and earliest karting trophies — celebrating the milestones of a trailblazer in the making·
A “Kiss the Bricks” wall, allowing fans to participate in one of motorsport’s most iconic traditions and send Legge their well wishes·
A personalization station where fans can customize e.l.f. products and receive exclusive e.l.f. merchandise.
Legge was e.l.f.’s first empowered.legendary.female leading the way for a growing group of women athletes including Billie Jean King, Kendall Coyne Schofield, Ally Sentnor, Jaedyn Shaw, Jess Carter, Lo’eau LaBonta, and Flau’jae Johnson, all united by their shared commitment to positivity, inclusivity, and accessibility, and their refusal to let anyone tell them where they don’t belong
.AJ Foyt Racing, one of the most iconic teams in the history of American motorsport, has played a defining role in shaping the sport across generations. The team continues to carry forward a legacy of grit and opportunity, fielding two full-time entries in the NTT INDYCAR Series with veteran Santino Ferrucci and rookie Caio Collet—giving Legge two teammates to work alongside during “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
Foyt’s partnership with HMD Motorsports began in 2025 in the junior formula ranks, fielding multiple entries in the INDY NXT by Firestone championship. Since entering the series in 2019, HMD has established itself as a powerhouse program—earning a team championship, two driver titles, multiple Rookie of the Year honors, and advancing several drivers to the NTT INDYCAR Series
.The Indy 500 remains the largest single-day sporting event in the world and one of racing’s ultimate tests—500 miles at speeds exceeding 230 mph, where precision, endurance, and mental resilience are pushed to their limits. Legge will begin preparations for the event with the Indy 500 Open Test (April 28–29), followed by official practice beginning May 12 and qualifications set for May 16–17. The race will be held May 24, with coverage beginning at 10 a.m. EDT on FOX
.Off the track, Legge continues to expand her platform across media and storytelling. Throttle Therapy with Katherine Legge returned earlier this year for Season 2 on iHeart, where she recently welcomed AJ Foyt Racing President, Larry Foyt. She is also the author of the children’s book Kat’s Magic Helmet, published in 2025.
*Sources: BBN, Autoweek, More Than Equal
QUOTE BOARD
Katherine Legge, Driver of the No. 11 e.l.f. Cosmetics Chevrolet Dallara: “We worked incredibly hard to be back at this year’s Indianapolis 500, and I don’t take a single moment of it for granted. I’m beyond grateful to e.l.f. Cosmetics for believing that women deserve to take up space in every arena—including this one. Together, we’re proving that when you invest in a woman’s dream, there’s no limit to what she can achieve. It honestly feels like Christmas being back at the 500. Every time I return, I gain a deeper appreciation for what it takes—not just to compete here, but to earn the opportunity to be here in the first place. I’m reminded that I’m a small part of this enormously storied event. To the AJ Foyt Racing organization, HMD, Chevrolet, IndyCar, and my team at BRANDed Management—thank you for fighting tirelessly to make this possible.”
Patrick O’Keefe, Chief Integrated Marketing Officer, e.l.f. Beauty: “Together with Katherine Legge, we’re fueling a movement for the next generation of dreamers. eyes.lips.fuel. isn’t just a tagline – it’s our commitment to every eye, lip and face watching who needs to see that they belong on that track, behind that wheel, and in any arena they choose. We’re democratizing access to sports by showing our community exactly what’s possible when someone believes in you and fuels your journey.”
Larry Foyt, President, AJ Foyt Racing: “AJ Foyt Racing has always been about giving racers a real shot. The collaboration with our partners at HMD and e.l.f. Cosmetics has helped bring this program to the grid. Katherine has earned this opportunity, and we’re committed to giving her a strong, competitive platform.”Mike Maurini, President, HMD Motorsports: “This is a tremendous opportunity for HMD Motorsports and an incredibly proud moment for everyone involved with our organization. We have worked hard to establish HMD as a leader in driver development, and to now be part of an Indianapolis 500 program alongside AJ Foyt Racing and Katherine Legge is something very special. Katherine brings a wealth of experience, AJ Foyt Racing brings unmatched history, and together we believe we have assembled a program that can make a strong impression throughout the Month of May.”
ABOUT KATHERINE LEGGEKatherine Legge is a trailblazing British racing driver and one of the leading women in international motorsports. She is the fastest woman to ever qualify for the Indianapolis 500 and has earned historic firsts across open-wheel, sports car, and stock car racing. Legge became the first woman to win a major open-wheel race in North America in 2005, the first woman to lead laps in Champ Car, and one of the few women to compete across NASCAR, INDYCAR, IMSA, and global endurance events, including the 24 Hours of Daytona and the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. A vocal advocate for representation in motorsport, Legge has appeared on TODAY, CBS Mornings, The Drew Barrymore Show, Ellen, The Tamron Hall Show, 60 Minutes, Modern Marvels, and Jay Leno’s Garage. For more information, visit http://www.katherinelegge.com.
ABOUT E.L.F. COSMETICSe.l.f. Beauty (NYSE: ELF) is fueled by a belief that anything is e.l.f.ing possible. We are a different kind of company that disrupts norms, shapes culture and connects communities through positivity, inclusivity and accessibility. e.l.f. Cosmetics, our global flagship brand, makes the best of beauty accessible to every eye, lip and face by bringing together the best of beauty, culture and entertainment. Our superpower is delivering universally appealing, premium quality products at accessible prices that are e.l.f. clean and vegan, all double- certified by Leaping Bunny and PETA as cruelty free. We are proud to have products made in Fair Trade Certified facilities. Learn more at http://www.elfcosmetics.com.
INDIANAPOLIS (Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2025) — Celebrating America’s 250th anniversary next year takes on special significance for AJ Foyt Racing. The legacy Indy car team has committed to run the No. 14 Chevrolet in patriotic livery all season long in a marketing campaign to raise funds for Homes For Our Troops (hfot.org)
Veterans and their families (including their specially trained pups) pose with Santino Ferrucci prior to the 2025 Indianapolis 500.
Following the resounding success of the Indianapolis 500-centered program that raised millions of dollars for Homes For Our Troops, the campaign has been expanded to the entire 2026 NTT INDYCAR Series season with new marketing partners Hendricks Commercial Properties and Geronimo Hospitality Group. Hendricks Holding Co., Inc. is the parent company of the new partners as well as that of former partner, ABC Supply Co., Inc.
“We are proud to partner with AJ Foyt Racing in support of Homes For Our Troops, a cause that truly reflects our values and the values of the Hendricks family,” said Rob Gerbitz, CEO and President of Hendricks Commercial Properties and Geronimo Hospitality Group. “We’re honored to help advance HFOT’s mission to build homes for our nation’s deserving veterans.”
Over the past four Indianapolis 500 campaigns, ABC Supply Co.’s $1 million annual matching pledge has helped raise nearly $15 million for Homes For Our Troops.
HM3 Max Rohn received his specially adapted home in 2024. The US Navy Hospital Corpsman was serving with the 2nd Marine Headquarters Group in Fallujah, Iraq, when his vehicle was struck by an RKG-3 grenade. HM3 Rohn sustained severe damage to both his legs in the blast. In the years since his injury, Max received his bachelor’s degree in international politics from Penn State University and trained in track and field at the Olympic Training Center where he met his wife, Victoria. He competes for Team USA in men’s discus and is a War Fighter Sports ambassador for Move United. (Photo courtesy of Homes For Our Troops)
“We extend our sincere gratitude to Hendricks Commercial Properties for their generous sponsorship and support,” says HFOT President/CEO Brigadier General, USA (Ret.) Tom Landwermeyer. “As we look ahead to the 2026 racing season, we’re excited to build on this collaboration, which will play a vital role in raising awareness and advancing our mission of Building Homes and Rebuilding Lives for our nation’s severely injured post-9/11 Veterans.”
Hendricks Commercial Properties and Geronimo Hospitality Group enter the motorsports arena for the first time but are quite familiar with the host city of INDYCAR’s world-famous Indy 500. Their development of the Bottleworks District encapsulates the companies’ impact on communities where they stimulate growth and create jobs while honoring the history behind each development.
The Bottleworks Hotel is a wonderful example of Hendricks Commercial Properties development of historic districts.
“What an amazing program!” exclaimed Larry Foyt, president of AJ Foyt Racing. “We couldn’t be prouder to continue our long relationship with the Hendricks family as well as continuing the inspiring experience of working with Homes For Our Troops. I can’t say enough about how much Diane Hendricks and her daughter Konya (Hendricks Schuh) have supported our team and IndyCar over the years. It will be an honor to represent their hospitality and commercial properties brands. Personally, the Bottleworks Hotel is my favorite stay in Indianapolis and this will certainly make my month of May home there more special.”
Santino Ferrucci, who will enter his fourth season driving the No. 14 Chevrolet, commented, “I’m
Santino Ferrucci prior to the 2025 Indy 500. (INDYCAR photo)
incredibly excited that Homes For Our Troops will be on the 14 car for the full season, especially as we celebrate America’s 250th birthday. It’s a huge deal, not just for the team and myself, but to drive a car in the American flag livery all year long is an honor and a privilege. We’re committed to raising awareness and money, lots of it, for our severely injured post-9/11 Veterans, who’ve sacrificed so much for this country to protect the freedoms we enjoy.”
The fund-raising initiative started in 2022 with the Indy car team founded by motorsports icon A.J. Foyt. ABC Supply, which first backed AJ Foyt Racing in 2005 and expanded its sponsorship to a two-car team in 2015, curtailed its program during the Covid-pandemic to just the Indianapolis 500. In 2022, the wholesale distributor of exterior building products dedicated its primary sponsorship to Homes For Our Troops. Diane Hendricks, co-founder of ABC Supply and its parent company, Hendricks Holding Co., Inc., spearheaded the marketing campaign that pledged up to $1 million in matching donations during the ten days leading up to the Indy 500.
In its inaugural year, more than $2 million was raised to build specially adapted homes for severely injured post-9/11 Veterans. The campaign’s tremendous success led to annual May campaigns with the top-fundraising occurring in 2024 with over $5 Million dollars raised, exceeding the $4 Million dollar goal set.
For 2026, Hendricks Commercial Properties and Geronimo Hospitality Group have taken charge and committed to a full-season marketing partnership to raise awareness for Homes For Our Troops throughout the NTT INDYCAR Series 17-race season. The companies will also use the program to foster community development inspired by their successful restoration projects in Beloit, Wisconsin, where they are headquartered, and the Bottleworks District in Indianapolis. Geronimo Hospitality Group owns and operates a growing collection of boutique hotels and restaurants across Idaho, Indiana, California, and Wisconsin.
Many of the Hendricks Commercial Properties’ inspired restoration projects took place in Beloit, Wisconsin. The Ironworks Campus, the company’s headquarters, sits to the right of the Rock River.
The No. 14 Homes For Our Troops Chevrolet will make its debut in the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg during the weekend of Feb. 27 – Mar. 1. The race will be broadcast on FOX with the time still being determined.
* * *
About Homes For Our Troops(HFOT)
Homes For Our Troops (HFOT) is a publicly funded 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that builds and donates specially adapted custom homes nationwide to severely injured post-9/11 Veterans. Most of these Veterans have sustained injuries including multiple limb amputations, partial or full paralysis, blindness, severe burns, and/or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). These homes restore some of the freedom and independence our Veterans sacrificed while defending our country, and enable them to focus on their family, recovery, and rebuilding their lives. HFOT builds these homes where the Veteran chooses to live, and continues its relationship with the Veterans after home delivery to assist them with rebuilding their lives. Since its inception in 2004, nearly 90 cents of every dollar spent has gone directly to our program services supporting Veterans. For more information, visit www.hfotusa.org.
About Hendricks Commercial Properties
Headquartered in Beloit, Wisconsin, Hendricks Commercial Properties (HCP) invests in, develops and manages mixed-use destinations and industrial properties throughout the United States. HCP maintains and creates work environments and lifestyles that people truly enjoy being a part of on a daily basis. For more information, visit www.hendricksgroup.net.
About Geronimo Hospitality Group
Headquartered in Beloit, Wisconsin, Geronimo Hospitality Group owns and operates a growing collection of award-winning, upscale boutique hotels, restaurants and clubs. Committed to providing memorable guest experiences through its genuine service and original brands, Geronimo properties are distinguished as destinations of choice for locals and travelers in the cities where they operate. For more information, visit www.geronimohospitalitygroup.com.
About ABC Supply
ABC Supply Co., Inc. is the largest wholesale distributor of roofing and other select exterior and interior building products in North America. Since its founding in 1982, ABC Supply’s sole focus has been serving professional contractors and “making it easy” for them to do their jobs by offering the products, support and services they need — including myABCsupply, which allows them to place material orders and manage their account details from anywhere.
ABC Supply is a 19-time Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award winner and is committed to hiring military veterans. The company also received the 2025 NAW Distributors Award, recognizing its industry leadership, community engagement and commitment to innovation.
Headquartered in Beloit, Wisconsin, ABC Supply has over 1,000 locations across the U.S. and Canada. More information is available at www.abcsupply.com. Contractors can find resources for growing and improving their businesses on ABC Supply’s blog and the company’s LinkedIn page.
Editor’s note: Story from A J Foyt Racing. It is great to see another IndyCar team affiliated with IndyNXT.
INDIANAPOLIS (October 21, 2025) — AJ Foyt Racing will extend its program into the INDY NXT by Firestone championship beginning in 2026. The team will field a two-car effort as it looks to build a strong foundation for drivers, crew, engineers, partners, and more for the future. Backed by a Strategic Alliance with HMD Motorsports, this collaboration represents the next step in strengthening the connection between INDY NXT by Firestone and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, creating a more straightforward pathway for driver and team personnel development.
The young drivers of the INDY NXT by Firestone championship get ready for the start at Nashville Superspeedway. (INDYCAR Photo)
While AJ Foyt Racing will maintain its own brand and identity, the new program emphasizes the team’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of INDYCAR talent. By working with not only drivers but also crew members looking to make a move to the INDYCAR SERIES earlier in their careers, the organization aims to provide a more integrated and structured approach to preparing all for the top level of American open-wheel racing.
Founded in 1965 by four-time Indianapolis 500 winner A.J. Foyt, AJ Foyt Racing is an iconic and respected name in motorsports. With multiple championships across the various sanctioning bodies of INDYCAR racing over the years, the team has built a legacy rooted in excellence, perseverance, and innovation. Under the leadership of Larry Foyt, the team continues to uphold its long-standing commitment to developing competitive talent and advancing the sport.
The addition the program marks AJ Foyt Racing’s second foray into the INDY NXT by Firestone championship.. In 2002, A.J. Foyt IV won the first INDY NXT by Firestone championship. Ed Carpenter drove for the team in 2003 and won the Freedom 100, the Series’ inaugural race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
“This has been a long time coming,” commented AJ Foyt Racing Team President Larry Foyt. “We’ve
played a significant role in developing drivers who have gone on to compete at the top level of INDYCAR. We felt it was time to get involved in the INDY NXT by Firestone program again. Forming a Technical and Strategic Alliance with HMD Motorsports provides the experience and technical support to make our INDY NXT program as strong and effective as possible.”
HMD Motorsports brings extensive experience in the INDY NXT by Firestone championship to the new alliance program. Since joining the series in 2019 and competing full-time from 2021 onward, the team has earned both a team title and two driver championships, multiple rookie of the year honors, and promoted several drivers into the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. HMD will provide technical support and series insight to AJ Foyt Racing’s INDY NXT program.
“We are thrilled to announce this Strategic Alliance with AJ Foyt Racing,” commented HMD Motorsports Team President Mike Maurini. “This is the next step in making the pathway to INDYCAR more accessible to talented drivers throughout the INDY NXT paddock. Together, our teams will combine experience and resources to help develop the next generation of competitive drivers.”
The partnership will combine AJ Foyt Racing’s INDYCAR experience with HMD Motorsports’ success in INDY NXT to support driver development and prepare rising talent for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. AJ Foyt Racing will make its INDY NXT by Firestone debut in 2026 with further details on the driver lineup and program to be announced in the coming months.
Andretti Redemption Week continues as Kyle Kirkwood wins the Grand Prix of Detroit. The win, coupled with Colton Herta’s pole on Saturday, eases some of the pain from their disqualifications at last Sunday’s Indianapolis 500.
Kirkwood said that this entire week had all the emotions a driver feels through a season.
“The lows make the highs that much better,” Kirkwood said.
Alex Palou is human after all. After spending much of the race in the bottom half of the top 10, the points leader and winner of the 500 had his ay end early when David Malukas bumped Palou from behind, sending him into the tire barrier on lap 72. Malukas was penalized for the contact.
The Grand Prix of Detroit was arguably the best race so far this year. The start was clean, and all =cars got through the hairpin. Cars were able to pass, cautions were spread out, and there were alternate pit strategies. The race saw a pass for the win on lap 79 as well as other passes for the lead. Today was the first time I actually enjoyed watching a race at this track.
A. J. Foyt Racing appears to have become competitive again. David Malukas finished second in the 5400 and started on the front row today. Santino Ferrucci has a shot at victory today and finished second. It is nice to see this team mixing it up with the big four again. I think they could get a win this year.
Meanwhile woes at Rahal letterman Lanigan continue. Graham Rahal made the Fast Six, although an engine penalty caused him to start 11th. Rahal and teammates Devlin DeFrancesco and Louis Foster all had wheel issues. Rahal was running at the finish, but DeFrancesco and Foster retired, Foster in a horrific crash when his right front suspension broke.
FOX
I thought the broadcast was decent, but I still don’t know why the network can’t have a pit stop timer. I felt the post-race coverage was skimpy- just three brief interviews and no podium celebration.
I do not recall a season other than 1964, which had fewer, where there have been just two different winners after seven races.
Thanks for following along this wee3kend. I am going to lay low for a couple of days and have something up around midweek.
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.
Sting Ray Robb moves from Dale Coyne Racing to A. J. Foyt Racing for 2024. He replaces Beniamin Pederson, who was thought to have a multi year deal with Foyt. Robb will drive car 41, which is the renumbered 55. The number 41 has a staple of Foyt cars dating back to the late 60s.
The driver of the flagship car 14 has yet to be named. Santino Ferrucci drove the car in 2023, but he may not continue in that seat full time.
Indycar’s news release:
Sting Ray Robb will drive the No. 41 Chevrolet-powered car for AJ Foyt Racing in his second season in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 2024, team officials announced Dec. 15.
Idaho native Robb, who’s named after the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, will drive a Chevy-powered car for the first time in his career.
“I’m truly honored to pilot the No. 41 AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet for the ‘24 season,” said Robb, who lives in Indianapolis. “This is a dream come true to be driving for the legendary A.J. Foyt and his team under the leadership of Larry Foyt. It provides an opportunity for me to implement past lessons and carry momentum forward in my sophomore season as we enter a very competitive field of teams and drivers. Building together upon our successes, I am excited for the season ahead.
“To my family of partners and supporters thank you for being a part of this journey, we’ll continue to work hard and grow into what God has called us to be.”
Robb, 22, made his NTT INDYCAR SERIES debut last season with Dale Coyne Racing, earning a best finish of 12th in the season-ending Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
The climb to the pinnacle of North American open-wheel racing came for Robb after a successful junior open-wheel career. He won the Indy Pro 2000 title in 2020 with seven wins, five poles, 11 podiums and four track records. He finished runner-up in INDY NXT by Firestone in the 2022 season, with a victory at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
Robb’s car will be based in the team’s Speedway, Indiana, race shop. The team’s engineering department, headed up by Michael Cannon, also is located there.
“I’m looking forward to working with Sting Ray,” AJ Foyt Racing Team President Larry Foyt said. “I have to admit his name caught my eye when he was in the junior formulas, so I watched his rise through INDYCAR’s ladder system, where he did really well. I believe he is a great addition to our program and will showcase everything he learned in his rookie campaign in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.”
The 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES starts with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding on Sunday, March 10 at St. Petersburg, Florida.
Condolences to the Foyt family on the passing of Lucy Foyt.
The following obituary is from A. J. Foyt Racing:
Lucy Foyt (1938 – 2023)
HOUSTON (April 5, 2023) — Lucy Foyt, wife of A.J. Foyt, passed away in a Houston hospital after a brief illness. She was 84.
Lucy had a special appreciation for life, always embracing new experiences, people, and challenges. There was never a dull moment being married to the auto racing legend; for nearly 68 years, Lucy was his rock, keeping him grounded as he ascended to superstardom in motorsports. Her steadfast support and amazing grace under pressure throughout A.J.’s career and post-career, which was marked by life-threatening injuries on several occasions, made it possible for him to stage the remarkable comebacks that added to his legendary status.
Houston was always home to Lucy, having been born in 1938 to beloved parents, Dr. L. Lynn Zarr and Elizabeth Zarr, and raised in River Oaks, a prominent enclave of the nation’s fourth largest city. During her time at Lamar High School, Lucy met Foyt and the two married in 1955, further laying their roots in the Houston community. Together, they raised three children, A.J. Foyt III, Terry and Jerry. Later on, they adopted their grandson Larry who is president of A.J. Foyt Enterprises, the Indy car racing team Foyt started in late 1965.
Always seen as beautiful and gracious, Lucy bonded three generations of the Foyt family, having four children, eight grandchildren, and 21 great grandchildren who adored her. She was able to watch them grow to achieve success, marry for love, and raise children, many of which are named after her with the most recent being Larry’s daughter Lucy who was born in January.
With a passion for culture, arts, and global travel, Lucy shared a broadened perspective and open mind about the world that motivated and inspired adventure to those around her. That legacy will live on through her family and influence more generations of Foyts to come.
With careful thought and consideration, funeral arrangements are pending.Post not marked as liked
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