Tag: Good Ranchers 250

A Desert Classic- Phoenix Recap

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Photo- Josef Newgarden leads Christian Rasmussen and David Malukas- by Jos Skibinski, Penske entertainment.

Adjectives fail me. I can’t think pf which ones would do yesterday’s race at Phoenix Raceway justice. In one of the best races I have ever seen, Josef Newgarden used a late pit stop for fresh tires to take the lead with just eight laps to go to win the Good Ranchers 250.

IndyCar and Firestone came up with the exact package needed to make the Phoenix track as racy as possible, and they got it right. Passing was plentiful, contenders came and went, cautions were few enough to allow for a flow, drama abounded, and a late yellow provided the intrigue to create a wild finish.

Here are some random musings:

Dennis Hauger provided an early thrill when he spun on lap 11 then rolled backwards down the backstretch, turned the car around and kept going. he finished 15th on the lead lap. At first, I though a scene from the new F1 movie was being filmed. I have never seen anyone do that before.

Whose Fault?

I can’t assign blame in the Alex Palou/Rinus VeeKay incident which took out the points leader. it was simply a racing incident, although I wonder why the spotters didn’t give their drivers any advice. Palou had led the points since June 23, 2024.

Will Power was definitely at fault in the incident involving race leader Christian Rasmussen. Power was having a very good race after crashing in qualifying on Friday, and at one point was in the top three. Rasmussen was running away with the race at that point, but Power was mot allowing the ECR driver to get by him. Rasmussen tried to go outside, but Power slid up the track. both cars suffered damage.

Power finished 16th, a lap down. after coming in to change a cut tire. Rasmussen kept his wounded car on track, fading from a sure win to 14th.

Rasmussen started 18th after a poor qualifying effort, but he first took the lead on lap 73. It was obvious that Rasmussen had the fastest car in the field.

A visibly upset Rasmussen told FOX’s Georgia Henneberry after the race, “We were the class of the field today – best car out there,” Rasmussen said. “It’s so frustrating because we should have won the race today.”

Rising from the Ashes

IndyCar first began racing at Phoenix in 1964. The track was a one groove ribbon in those days, and the racing wasn’t great. When IndyCar returned in2016 for a three year run, the racing was even less than not great, and virtually nobody came to watch.

On Saturday, it was hard to believe this was the same track. Everything came together to produce a fantastic show. I have heard that IndyCar will return in2027. I certainly hope so. I hope this race opens the door to more short ovals, although I think the shared nascar weekends neeed to be limited to two per season.

FOX Fumbles

If there was any downside to the IndyCar program at Phoenix, it was the FOX broadcasts on Friday and Saturday.

On Friday I heard way too much NASCAR talk on the practice and qualifying shows. The practice show began, but we didn’t see a car on track for seven minutes.

On Saturday they had a NASCAR driver in the booth, and while he actually did fine, I found it offensive.

For the race, there was no lap counter or scoring pylon except during commercials. The lap wasn’t even displayed until lap 25. I didn’t like the split screens with NASCAR interviews and other features while FOX could have been showing racing on full screen.

I did notice one interesting thing. After about 50 laps, when everyone realized what a fantastic race was brewing, the NASCAR talk seemed to stop.

FOX owns one third of the series, and it is a travesty that they treated a property they have a stake in with a poor broadcast like this weekend’s effort.

I have enjoyed the broadcasts up until now. There was a bit of a rough start as they began covering the races last year, but since they smoothed things out, they have been fine. Will Buxton called perhaps his best race Saturday, and Townsend Bell and James Hinchcliffe did their usual fine job. The problem was with production and directing.

There is no time to relax. the series goes halfway back across the country to Texas for the inaugural Arlington street race.

Results

Race Day at Phoenix

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Just a few quick pre-race notes. I assume Felix Rosenqvist and Will Power were gridded by entrant points. I thought Power would get the 24th spot since he made a qualifying attempt.

I will be interested in the attendance today as a gauge as to whether this type of shared weekend will work. I would be fine with no more than two a year.

Several drivers need to have a good result today. Will Power, Nolan Siegel, Scott Dixon, Christian Rasmussen all need a 12th place or better to keep their season hopes alive.

Starting Lineup

Malukas Takes First Pole; Schumacher Grabs the Headlines

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Some thoughts on qualifying:

Imagine winning your first IndyCar pole yet being only the second biggest story of the day. David Malukas won the pole for the race at Phoenix this afternoon. It is a huge accomplishment for him in only his second race at Team Penske replacing the legend, Will Power. I’m sure the pole takes some pressure off of him.

A first career pole for anyone is a great story, but today, a bigger story took place. Mick Schumacher, driving in competition for the first time on an oval qualified fourth- yes 4th. Schumacher held the provisional pole through seven challenges, and he was only bested by Malukas, Josef Newgarden, and his teammate Graham Rahal.

Mick Schumacher

Will Power is off to a difficult start at Andretti Global. He crashed twice last weekend at St. Pete, and today he crashed during qualifying on his second lap. Power complained of pain in his knees after the crash, He will start in the last row tomorrow with Félix Rosenqvist, whose car did not get repaired in time to make a qualifying run.

I did not expect things to be so rough for Power. I knew it would take time to adjust to a new team, but this is beyond what anyone anticipated.

Graham Rahal had his best qualifying effort on an oval since IndyCar raced at Richmond. RLL locked out the second row with Rahal and Schumacher. RLL appears to be much improved on ovals in2026. I hope this carries over to the Indianapolis 500, where they have str4uggled lately.

Six teams qualified cars in the top 10. In addition to Penske and Rahal, McLaren place two cars near the front with Pato O’Ward seventh and Nolan Siegel ninth, Alexander Rossi placed ECR in sixth, Rinus VeeKay qualified eighth for Juncos Hollinger racing, and Alex Palou will start 10th for Ganassi.

FOXSports continues tgo treat IndyCar as a sideshow this weekend. As Malukas, the obvious pole favorite was on track for his qualifying run, FOX decided this was a good time to take up past of the screen and interview Joey Logano, a Nascar driver. They could have had a word with him while Malukas was on his cool down lap instead of interrupting one ofr the two runs I really wanted to watch today. I hope lots of IndyCar drivers get airtime during the nascar shows. End of rant.

Results

Malukas Leads Phoenix Practice

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David Malukas led this morning’s practice session at Phoenix Raceway as Team Penske left no doubt that they are the team to beat on ovals. Josef Newgarden finished third, while Scott McLaughlin finished seventh. Malkus’s fast lap of 175.605 was more than a mile an hour ahead of second place Pato O’Ward.

About halfway through the 60 minute practice, Felix Rosenqvist spun and backed into the wall, destroying both front and rear suspensions. Rosenqvist was not hurt, but the team has a busy three hours before qualifying ahead of them.

Aside from Penske’s three cars in the top 10, ECR put both of their cars in the top six with Christian Rasmussen fourth and Alexander Rossi sixth.

Andretti Global also had a pair of cars in the first 10. Will Power was fifth and Kyle Kirkwood ninth.

Mick Schumacher came in 11th fastest in his first oval session. He struggled early with tire balance but then had a solid run the final half of the session.

Points leader Alex Palou was only 18th fastest.

Notes

It took FOX more than seven minutes to show a car on track at the start of the broadcast. We know what the booth talent and pit reporters look like. I tune in to see race cars running.

IndyCar is at Phoenix this weekend in order to show off the series to NASCAR fans, yet their first time on track is a practice run in front of empty stands. I wonder how many people will be there for qualifying. If this shared weekend happens again next year, I hope the schedulers rethink this early morning practice.

Qualifying is at 2 pm Eastern on FS2.

Results

Phoenix Preview

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Starting the season with a flurry of races is taking some getting used to. Not that I object. It is a great thing for the series to not have three weeks off after St. Pete. This weekend is a two day show at Phoenix Raceway with the good Ranchers 250 on Saturday afternoon.

The event is the earliest oval on the schedule in quite some time, and it’s about time the series has an oval race before the Indianapolis 500. Teams that are strong on ovals have an early opportunity to gain some traction in the points. Rookies can get some oval experience.

It is possible that someone not named Alex Palou could lead the points going into Arlington next weekend,

Phoenix Raceway opened in 1964 and was a pre-Indy staple on the IndyCar schedule for many years. A second race was run in the fall as well. Times changed, and NASCAR bought the track. IndyCar returned for three years from 2016-2018, with races run in front of meager crowds.

For 2026, IndyCar runs at Phoenix on a shared weekend with NASCAR. I don’t mind an occasional shared weekend with the stock car series, but I think for the first two races of the season, IndyCar should showcase its product in standalone events.

The track configuration has changed since 2018, with the starting line moved to between the old turns 1 and 2. As Felix Rosenqvist told me last week, it’s the same track.

The question is how many lines there will be. A high line practice is scheduled for Friday afternoon to help rubber in a second line. How much will the rubber from the NASCAR tires affect the grip is another thing to watch for.

Experience Helpful?

Just five drivers- Josef Newgarden, Scott Dixon, Graham Rahal, Alexander Rossi, and Will Power- have raced at Phoenix. Will their experience give this quintet an edge? It’s hard to say. While the open test at the track a few weeks ago was mainly to find a setup, how the track races is still unknown. We might get an idea during tomorrow’s practice sessions.

Rookies

The trio of rookies get their first taste of IndyCar oval racing early, and as Dennis Hauger said the other day, it will be a weekend of learning. Hauger is realistic about his chances Saturday. He and Caio Collet got some oval work in last year in IndyNXT, but IndyCar is completely different.

Mick Schumacher, whose IndyCar debut lasted just three corners in St. Pete should get some laps in this time. Saturday will be Schumacher’s first oval race ever.

I look for Team Penske to be very strong this weekend, and either Josef Newgarden or Scott McLaughlin should win.

St. Pete Postscript

Just a couple notes about last weekend.

Attendance continues to grow for this event. Grandstands were full every day.

The truck race was much better than I expected it to be, but if this race continues, it needs to be shortened to about 65 laps. The trucks definitely helped the Saturday crowd, and it added a lot of value to the weekend.

I’m not sure the two stint rule for the alternate tires is necessary. It did not improve the racing, and the early yellow made satisfying the requirement too easy.

Good Ranchers 250 Fast Facts

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.Race weekend: Friday, March 6-Saturday, March 7         
Track: Phoenix Raceway, a 1-mile oval

Race distance: 250 laps / 250 miles

Hybrid energy deployment parameters: Unlimited activation with a maximum deployment of 150 kilojoules (kj) per lap
Firestone tire allotment: Ten sets primary to be used during the event weekend. One additional set is available for use during the group session on Friday.

X: @phoenixraceway, @INDYCAR, #INDYCAR
Instagram: @phoenixraceway, @IndyCar, #INDYCAR
Facebook: @PhoenixRaceway, @IndyCar, #INDYCAR
TikTok: @IndyCar, #INDYCAR
YouTube: @INDYCAR

Event website: www.phoenixraceway.com
INDYCAR website: www.indycar.com

2018 race winner: Josef Newgarden (No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet)
2018 pole winner: Sebastien Bourdais (No. 18 Dale Coyne Racing with Vasser Sullivan Honda), 39.0285 seconds, 188.539 mph (two laps)
Qualifying records:
One lap: Helio Castroneves, 18.8701 seconds, 194.975 mph, April 28, 2017Two lap: Helio Castroneves, 37.7538 seconds, 194.905 mph, April 28, 2017

FOX Sports telecasts: 
Practice 10 a.m. ET, Friday, FS2 (live);
Qualifying, 2 p.m. ET Friday, FS2 (live);
High Line Session/Final Practice/Warmup Show, 4:30 p.m. ET Friday, FS2 (live);

Race, 3 p.m. ET Saturday, FOX (live).

Will Buxton is the play-by-play announcer for FOX’s coverage of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, alongside analysts Townsend Bell and James Hinchcliffe. Jack Harvey, Georgia Henneberry and Kevin Lee are the pit reporters. All FOX Sports telecasts also are available on FOX One and the FOX Sports app

.INDYCAR Radio, powered by OnlyBulls broadcasts: Mark Jaynes is the anchor alongside driver analyst Davey Hamilton. Alex Hayden is the turn announcer. Alex Wollf, DJ Clark and Chris Wilner are the pit reporters. The Good Ranchers 250 race and all NTT INDYCAR SERIES practices and qualifying sessions air live on network affiliates, SiriusXM INDYCAR Nation 218, indycar.com/leaderboard and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA.

At-track schedule (All Times Local/Mountain Time):

Friday, March 6
8-9 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice, FS2
12:05-1:05 p.m. – Qualifying for the NTT P1 Award (single car, two timed laps), FS2
2:30-3 p.m. –  NTT INDYCAR SERIES Group Session (Two groups, 15 minutes each), FS2
3:10-4 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Final Practice, FS2

Saturday, March 7
12:30 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Driver Introductions
1 p.m. – FOX Sports on air
1:15 p.m. – “Drivers, start your engines.”
1:20 p.m. – Good Ranchers 250 (250 laps / 250 miles), FOX, FOX One, FOX Sports App (Live)

‘WHAT TO LOOK FOR’ AT PHOENIX:
Palou continues historic title chase at Phoenix: Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou claimed the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg for the second consecutive season. The driver of the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda is scheduled to make his 100th series start in Saturday’s Good Ranchers 250. With 20 career wins, Palou is already assured of winning at least 20 percent of his first 100 races, something no other active driver has accomplished. Palou has led the NTT INDYCAR SERIES point standings after every race since Laguna Seca in June 2024 – a span of 28 straight races.
Phoenix familiar to a few: While most of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES field will compete at Phoenix Raceway for the first time, five drivers in the field have raced at the 1-mile oval previously, and two of the three most recent winners are entered – Scott Dixon and Josef Newgarden. Dixon won the series’ last return race to Phoenix Raceway in 2016 while Newgarden won the most recent race at the track in 2018. Alexander Rossi, Graham Rahal and Will Power also have raced at Phoenix Raceway from 2016-18.
“Desert Double” with NASCAR: This weekend’s event at Phoenix is one of three Saturday races on the 2026 schedule, as the NTT INDYCAR SERIES is competing on a rare doubleheader with the NASCAR Cup Series on the same weekend in a “Desert Double.” NASCAR’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Series also races Saturday at Phoenix.

NTT INDYCAR SERIES Race Notes: The Good Ranchers 250 will be the first INDYCAR SERIES event conducted at Phoenix Raceway since 2018 and the 65th INDYCAR SERIES race held on the 1-mile oval since it opened in 1964.The Good Ranchers 250 is the first of six oval races on the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule. Other oval events scheduled are the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (May 24), Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at World Wide Technology Raceway (June 7), Big Machine Music City Grand Prix at Nashville Superspeedway (July 19) and a doubleheader at the Snap-on INDYCAR Weekend at Milwaukee Mile (Aug. 29-30).Five drivers have previously raced INDYCAR SERIES cars at Phoenix Raceway:
 Scott Dixon, Josef Newgarden, Will Power, Graham Rahal and Alexander Rossi. Al Unser has the most wins by an INDYCAR SERIES driver at the track (six). Dixon (2016) and Newgarden (2018) are the only past Phoenix winners entered in this year’s race.Eleven drivers have won the Phoenix race from the pole: Helio Castroneves (2002), Arie Luyendyk (1996), Rick Mears (1982, 1989, 1990), Al Unser (1969, 1985), Tom Sneva (1984), Teo Fabi (1983), Johnny Rutherford (1977), Gordon Johncock (1973), Bobby Unser (1968, 1972), Lloyd Ruby (1967) and Mario Andretti (1966).Drivers who have won at Phoenix have gone on to win the INDYCAR SERIES championship nine times: A.J. Foyt (1964, first race; 1975, second race), Mario Andretti (1966, second race), Bobby Unser (1968, first race), Al Unser (1970, first race; 1985), Rick Mears (1982, first race), Bobby Rahal (1992), Buddy Lazier (2000), Sam Hornish Jr. (2001) and Tony Kanaan (2004).Milestones: Scott Dixon is expected to make his 421st INDYCAR SERIES start, extending his INDYCAR SERIES record. Dixon has made 357 consecutive starts heading into the weekend, the longest streak in INDYCAR SERIES history…Alex Palou is expected to make his 100th NTT INDYCAR SERIES start…Josef Newgarden needs to lead 66 laps to pass Dario Franchitti for ninth on the INDYCAR SERIES all-time laps led list…Rookies Caio Collet, Dennis Hauger and Mick Schumacher will make their first INDYCAR SERIES oval start this weekend at Phoenix. 

Phoenix Open Test To Salute Unser Family 

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 INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026) – The incredible legacy of the Unser family at Phoenix Raceway will be honored when the NTT INDYCAR SERIES conducts an Open Test on Feb. 17-18 at the desert oval in advance of the series’ highly anticipated return to the track
.The Unser INDYCAR Open Test at Phoenix Raceway is open to all teams as they prepare for the Good Ranchers 250 on Saturday, March 7 as part of a buzzworthy weekend alongside NASCAR, providing a joint showcase of North American racing in partnership with FOX Sports. It’s the first INDYCAR SERIES race at the historic, 1.022-mile Phoenix oval since 2018.
Cars will be on track from 2-6 p.m. ET (noon-4 p.m. MT) on Tuesday, Feb. 17, with testing scheduled for 11 a.m.-2 p.m. ET (9 a.m.-noon MT) and 3:30-6:30 p.m. ET (1:30-4:30 p.m. MT) Wednesday, Feb. 18. The Wednesday sessions will be open and free to the public, with an autograph session at 2:45 p.m. ET (12:45 p.m. MT).
“The name Unser is synonymous with Phoenix Raceway,” INDYCAR President J. Douglas Boles said. “We’re honored to salute this family’s incredible accomplishments at their home track for this important Open Test, which sets the stage for INDYCAR’s return to Phoenix in March. As a longtime fan of the sport, I also really appreciate that the logo for this special test features some familiar colors from cars driven by Al and Bobby, which I’m sure will bring back many great memories for our loyal fans.”
Phoenix was the home INDYCAR SERIES track for the Unser family, which lived in and proudly represented Albuquerque, New Mexico. And no name is more linked with success at the desert oval.
Al Unser won a track-record six INDYCAR SERIES races at Phoenix since the track first started hosting series events in 1964. He also won six poles at the track as part of an illustrious career that included three series championships and a record-tying four victories in the Indianapolis 500
.Bobby Unser took the checkered flag four times at Phoenix but powered to a track-record 11 poles at the tricky desert oval. He also won two series titles and three Indianapolis 500s.Two-time series champion and two-time Indy 500 winner Al Unser Jr. finished runner-up at Phoenix four times.
“I’ll speak for our family and say how pleased we are to be honored in this way by INDYCAR,” Al Unser Jr. said.
“Dad simply loved racing at Phoenix, and no one took it to the edge in qualifying there quite like Uncle Bobby. It was exciting to see the track added to the schedule this year, and the Open Test will be crucial for drivers and teams as they get ready for the race in March. I can’t wait to see the NTT INDYCAR SERIES back at Phoenix.””
Live timing and scoring from both days of the Open Test will be provided on INDYCAR.com and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA. Fans unable to attend the test also can follow along on INDYCAR social channels.
The 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season starts Sunday, March 1 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. 

Good Ranchers Named Title Sponsor of NTT INDYCAR SERIES Race at Phoenix Raceway 

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From IndyCar:

 The Fastest-Growing Meat Delivery Company in the U.S. Partners
with the Fastest Racing On Earth For Exhilarating Return to Historic Track

AVONDALE, Ariz. (Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025) – Good Ranchers, an American meat company, INDYCAR and Phoenix Raceway announced a new title partnership for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ race scheduled for Saturday, March 7, 2026. The Good Ranchers 250 at Phoenix Raceway marks INDYCAR’s return to the thrilling and high-speed one-mile oval for the first time since 2018.
The INDYCAR SERIES race is part of a buzzworthy weekend alongside NASCAR, providing a joint showcase of North American racing in partnership with FOX.
“We’re excited to welcome Good Ranchers as the entitlement sponsor of our upcoming INDYCAR race,” Phoenix Raceway President Latasha Causey said. “Their commitment to giving back and serving our veterans really resonates with our community and our fans. It shows that Good Ranchers brings the same heart and purpose to their work that our race weekends bring to the Valley, and we’re proud to partner with them for an unforgettable and historic event.”
Since being founded in 2018, Good Ranchers has become the fastest-growing meat delivery company in America by committing to one purpose: to only source meat that’s born and raised in America. Good Ranchers works with local farms and ranches across the U.S. to deliver high-quality beef, chicken, pork and wild-caught seafood to homes nationwide. But the company’s dedication to strengthening America extends beyond the food industry. Good Ranchers also partners with Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), supporting programs that provide vital care, advocacy, and long-term resources for Veterans living with spinal cord injuries.
“At Good Ranchers, we’re driven by a purpose to support America, and that commitment has shaped every part of our story,” Good Ranchers founder and CEO Ben Spell said. “As an American-born racing tradition built on hard work and a relentless drive to push forward, INDYCAR embodies that same spirit. Together, we’re fueling American families on and off the track.”
The INDYCAR SERIES first raced at Phoenix in 1964. Past winners include a legendary list of champions such as A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, Bobby Unser, Al Unser, Gordon Johncock, Johnny Rutherford, Tom Sneva, Bobby Rahal, Rick Mears, Helio Castroneves, Tony Kanaan, Scott Dixon and Josef Newgarden. Dixon and Newgarden join four-time and defending NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Alex Palou and INDYCAR fan-favorite Pato O’Ward to headline a fast and determined field of 27 ready for Phoenix’ return to the schedule.The Good Ranchers 250 at Phoenix Raceway is the second round of the 17-race 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship.
In preparation for the series’ return, an INDYCAR Open Test for all teams has been scheduled at the track for Tuesday-Wednesday Feb. 17-18.
The 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season opener is scheduled for Sunday, March 1 at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on the Streets of St. Petersburg, Fla. For the second consecutive year, FOX will air all races for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, the only premium motorsports series in North America with all races airing on broadcast television. Start times for the 2026 season will be announced in the coming weeks.