Tag: Firestone GP of St. Petersburg

Community Kickoff Events Preceding Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Presented by RP Funding Race Weekend Announced

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INDYCAR Party in the Park and 5K Run on the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Track Return Thursday, Feb. 27th to North Straub Park

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (Feb. 6, 2025) – INDYCAR Party in the Park and the 5K Run on the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Track will commence an action-packed Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding weekend on Thursday, Feb. 27. These community activities will take place in downtown St. Petersburg at North Straub Park and launch the festivities around the 21st annual running of this marquee motorsport event headlined by the NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ season-opening race. 
Open to the public, the fourth annual INDYCAR Party in the Park will feature special guests, including NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers, music, giveaways, food trucks and more. Race cars representing all series running on the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding weekend schedule will also be on display for fans to view up close. The event will run from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. ET, but fans are encouraged to get downtown early as cars from nearly every competing INDYCAR team will parade northbound on Bayshore Dr. starting near The Dali Museum and ending in North Straub Park.
The free party will coincide with another community event, the 5K Run on the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Track. Open to both runners and walkers, the 5K will start and end on Bayshore Drive NE, adjacent to North Straub Park, and will join the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding race track at Turn 9 on Central Avenue.
Part of the INDYCAR Party in the Park festivities will include recognizing 5K participants on stage. Registrations for the 5K are available while supplies last at gpstpete5k.com. The 2024 charity run/walk sold out as 1,200 participants took to the circuit. Registration is $40 in advance or $50 the day of the event, and all proceeds will benefit the Police Athletic League (PAL) of St. Petersburg, supporting its many programs positively impacting local children and teenagers.
“Bringing the fans and local community together downtown to kick off the race weekend has become another great Grand Prix tradition. These unique fan-focused events allow for up-close access to the cars, drivers and the track itself,” 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.
“We encourage everyone in the area to join us downtown on the 27th and at the track throughout the weekend for all the excitement!”
The weekend, of course, also features plenty of high-speed racing along the picturesque downtown St. Petersburg waterfront. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES will headline the action 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. 
Both 3-Day and Single Day Grandstand and General Admission tickets are available starting as low as $30. The festival grounds feature many great General Admission viewing areas including access to the Horse Soldier Bourbon Waterside Club floating bar at Turn 11, the trackside Ultra Party Pit along the front straight and more activations and fan gathering points to be announced soon. Fans looking to enhance their experience and get up close to the action can also purchase Firestone IndyCar Paddock Passes. Pit Passes, Rookie Racers memberships and VIP Club passes are sold out. Checkered Flag Club spots remain for those looking for exclusive hospitality options. 
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.

News and Notes- Cindric Steps Back; Museum Sells Cars

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Tim Cindric will remain as President of Team Penske’s IndyCar operations, but he is relinquishing his duties overseeing the other Penske racing efforts.

In a statement released a couple days ago, Cindric said,

“I have lived my dream job for the past 25 years as the overall leader of the Penske Racing organization. I’ve had the opportunity to work with some of the best people in the business while achieving many milestones together. I’ve decided I need to make a change that provides me with the flexibility I need at this stage of my career. I appreciate the understanding Roger has provided throughout our conversations and I’m confident this team will continue to succeed as we have a proven leadership team in all areas.”

Managing a racing team in one category is hard work. I can’t imagine being responsible for several different motorsports entities. It’s nice to see someone realize what their needs are and make those needs a priority. I also couldn’t imagine Penske IndyCar without Cindric. I’m glad it is what he chose to stay with.

IMS Museum Auction

The IMS Museum is auctioning cars not related to the Speedway or the Indianapolis 500. Their goal is to raise $100 million for their endowment fund. The Museum will use the funds to buy more Indy related cars and restore their current collection.

The cars going to auction throught R M Sotheby Auctioin House:

  • 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 R Streamliner Formula 1 car
  • 1964 Le Mans-winning Ferrari 250 LM
  • 1966 Ford GT40 Mk II
  • 1957 Chevrolet Corvette SS Project XP-64
  • 1908 Mercedes 17.3-Liter 150 HP ‘Brookland’ Semmering Rennwagen
  • 1907 Itala 120 HP Works Racing Car
  • 1930 Bugatti Type 35B Grand Prix
  • 1991 Benetton B191 Formula 1
  • 1965 Spirit of America Sonic I
  • 1911 Mercedes 22/40 HP ‘Colonial’ Double Phaeton
  • 1911 Laurin & Klement Type S2 Sportswagen

The 1954 Mercedes is the star of the lot expected to go for more than $52 million.

UPDATE– The 1954 Mercedes has sold for $ 51.15 million

The cars made rare appearances on the display floor. I was fortunate enough to see them all when I took the basement tours which was offered a few years ago.

I understand the Museum’s reasons for selling these cars, but I didn’t think it hurt to have a car or two in their collection that wasn’t an Indy car.

Getting Closer

The Firestone Grand prix of St, Petersburg is just 28 days away. This Thursday, February 6, the event will hold its “First Block ceremony, where the first section of wall is put in place on the back stretch. Andretti driver Kyle Kirkwood is expected to attend along with drivers from he other series who will race that weekend.

Slow Thoughts-Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

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Photo by Kyle McInnes

First, I want to welcome Kyle Mcinnes to The Pit Window team. Kyle will be this site’s photographer for the majority of races this season.

I’m back home at a functional computer. Here are just a few thoughts on yesterday’s Indycar race. Not the greatest race ever, but at least the season is underway.

Formula 1 style races happen, and Sunday was one of those times. Josef Newgarden did have the best car by far, and Chevrolet had the dominant engine. Team Penske has served notice that they are back at full strength.

Alex Palou now has 18 consecutive races where he has finished no worse than eighth place. He had to work hard for yesterday’s sixth place finish, starting 13th, in a race where passing was at a premium.

Scott Dixon, Palou’s teammate, had a rare day ending the race outside the top five. he still grabbed a top 10 spot, but it was strange not hearing his name all day.

Is St. Pete becoming Scott McLaughlin’s track? Yes, Newgarden won his third career race in the season opener, tying Helio castroneves for the most at the track, but in McLaughlin’s three years at the street course, he has a pole, a first and at third. In 2023 he was in contention for a second straight victory before tangling with Romain Grosjean.

Kyffin Simpson drove a clean, steady race. The rookie driving for Chip Ganassi Racing came from 23rd to end the day in 14th place. Simpson made some very nice passes in a race where there was little passing. I had some concerns about his moving up to Indycar this season, but those worries were put to rest yesterday.

Pietro Fittipaldi, while not an Indycar rookie, drove in his first Indycar race in six years. he did an admirable job, improving 11 spots. Fittipaldi made several nice passes in turn 1.

MSR Rising?

Felix Rosenqvist may be just what Meyer Shank Racing needed. The Swedish driver needed a home where he was welcome, and MSR needed younger drivers.

Rosenqvist nearly grabbed the pole for the race, only to be edged out by Newgarden’s last qualifying lap. He hung in the top five most of the day, and finished seventh after a pit stop issue on his second stop.

I think Felix is going to have a really good year on his new team.

Fuel Saving Races

Sunday became a fuel saving race as soon as everyone got through the first lap cleanly. The field got strung out quickly, and if Marcus Armstrong had not hit the turn 10 wall on lap 27, there may not have been a hint of drama all day.

I don’t think there is much the series can do to discourage fuel saving tactics except allow larger fuel tanks, which is a bad idea for many reasons, or shorten the races, also not a good idea.

Tomorrow I will have a weekend wrap up focusing more on the event with more photos.

Newgarden Leads Chevy Sweep of St. Pete

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Photo by Kyle McInnes

Josef Newgarden dominated the Indycar season opener in the Grand Prix of St Petersburg this afternoon.

The race was a much tidier affair than last year’s event., with just three scattered yellows which were cleaned up quickly.

Chevrolet took the first four spots. Pato O’Ward was second, and Newgarden’s teammates, Scott McLaughlin and Will Power, finished third and fourth.

I will gave more thoughts on the race tomorrow.

Thanks for following this weekend.

Newgarden Inches Past Rosenqvist for Pole

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Photo by Kyle McInnes

My computer crashed this afternoon. Reports tonight and tomorrow will be brief, but when I get home tomorrow night, I will catch up on everything.

Newgarden won the pole by 58 ten thousandths of a second, the closest margin on a street course since Detroit 2012 and the fourth closest street course margin since 2008.

Results:

I will post results tomorrow. I apologize for not being able to write more, but doing this by phone is not fun