Tag: AMR Safety Team

Summer Break Musings

thepitwindow

Just one week into Indycar’s summer break and I am ready for more racing. The forced Olympic break allows the mind to drift into weird territory. Thus, today’s post is born.

First, some positive news. Alexander Rossi underwent successful surgery on his broken thumb suffered in a practice crash in Toronto. he should be back for the next race at World Wide Technology Raceway the weekend of August 16-17.

Attrition and Cautions

After the Toronto race, it seemed to me that Indycar has had more cars drop out of races this year than is usually the case. I also thought there were more caution periods and laps under yellow than in previous years.

I compared 2024 and 2023 through 12 races. To my surprise, the numbers are pretty much the same with one exception. the number of caution periods.

In the dozen races so far this season, there have been 52 caution periods compared to just 38 in 2023. However, the number of laps under yellow are not significantly different. the field has trailed the pace car for 239 laps this season. Last year after 12 races, 231 laps were run under yellow.

In spite of the ferocity of some of the crashes, injuries to drivers have been minimal, thanks to the safety built into the cars and the outstanding work of the AMR Safety Team

While there have been more full course yellow flags in the current season, 30 of the 53 caution periods have lasted five laps or less.

While it appears that fewer cars are finishing races this season, 53 cars have been sidelined before the finish in 2024. In 2023, 54 cars did not see the checkered flag. This total does not include cars involved in accidents that returned to the races. The damage bills have been significant, and we are just two thirds of the way through the year with four ovals remaining. Buy Dallara stock now.

Some Words of Thanks

thepitwindow

In as difficult a year as 2020 has been, I have a deeper appreciation of the things for which I am thankful. The pandemic changed our lives in many ways, yet we somehow figured out ways to cope. The following is a list of things for which I am thankful- not all related to racing.

First I thank everyone who has read this humble blog this year. Readership has already smashed last year’s 12 month total by nearly 50%. I appreciate each of you who has found something worthwhile here as I complete my fourth full year. Hard to believe The Pit Window will turn five in May.

Thank you to the Creative Writing Class at the Life Enrichment Center in Tampa, Florida. Without them , this blog does not exist. You all are my inspiration. I am grateful every day that I discovered this class.

Now on to the racing thank yous:

First to Roger Penske and mark Miles for somehow crafting a credible season from the myriad restrictions all the municipalities and government agency restrictions put in place this year. As always, I am so thankful that he bought the series at the end of 2019. I can’t imagine anyone else who could have weathered this season this well.

Thank you to the promoters who worked with Indycar to create a reasonable amount of races for the season.

Thanks to Jay Frye and Indycar for their tireless efforts to advance safety and to try to improve the racing.

Much thanks goes to the AMR Safety Team. Without them the races could not go on.

Thanks to NBC for working Indycar’s rescheduled races into their schedules and expanding next year’s lineup on NBC.

Thanks to Doug Boles for getting the Indianapolis Motor Speedway through what had to be a frustrating and challenging time.

Thank you to those few in the Indycar media who were able to cover races in person. I know circumstances were challenging, but the coverage was seamless. I hope I can rejoin you in 2021.

Thank you to all my racing friends. Knowing yoi and spending time with you at the track is time I truly treasure. I hope at some point in 2021 we can all meet at one track again.

Finally, I am thankful that my household is well, and that my closest friends who contracted COVID have recovered.

I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Stay safe and well.

GMR Sponsors IMS Road Race

thepitwindow

GMR, the parent company of AMR, sponsor of the NTT Indycar Series Safety Team, hjas entered a multi year agreement with Indianapolis Motor Speedway to sponsor the May Indycar road race at IMS. The race is the opening event at the track leading up to the Indianapolis 500. This great for several reasons.

It adds another sponsored race to the schedule. They will use the race to honor first responders. It helps identify the race better.

The race has been without a sponsor for the last couple years after the Angie’s List sponsorship ended. Calling it the Indycar Grand Prix was vague and it seemed the track had to work to make fans aware this race was at IMS. This gives the event a more solid standing, and it will be easier for the sponsor to connect fans to its location.

The  full story from IMS can be found at this link:

https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/news-multimedia/news/2019/12/10/medical-services-leader-gmr-to-sponsor-annual-ntt-indycar-series-road-race-at-ims-2019

The GMR Grand Prix will run May 9, 2020.