Tag: Indianapolis 500

NTT INDYCAR SERIES Teams to Participate in Indy 500 Open Test April 23-24 at IMS 

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From IMS. Some added amenities for fans. Streaming for those at home. Bold print added by the editor.

 In preparation for the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers will participate in an Open Test from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (ET) Wednesday, April 23 and 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday, April 24 on the famed 2.5-mile oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
On Wednesday, veterans will take to the oval from 10:05 a.m.-noon, with Rookie Orientation Program and refresher tests from noon-2 p.m. and all participants on track from 2-6 p.m.
All cars are scheduled to be on track from 9:30 a.m.-noon Thursday for a “high boost” session – with increased engine boost levels available during a session similar to “Fast Friday” during the Month of May – and from 2-5 p.m. for further testing.
The test will be streamed on the INDYCAR YouTube channel. Live timing will be available on INDYCAR.com and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA.
The Southeast Vista grandstands and the Turn 2 Viewing Mounds will be open for public viewing during the test. Due to the IMS Museum’s recent reopening, guests will park across 16th Street in Lot 3P and will enter through Gate 3. Guests with an ADA parking placard will park in the Front Museum Lot and sit in South Terrace East. Security will be on site to assist fans with crossing 16th Street. Concessions and merchandise will be available for purchase.

NTT INDYCAR SERIES teams, drivers scheduled to participate:
AJ Foyt Racing – Santino Ferrucci, David Malukas
Andretti Global – Marco Andretti, Marcus Ericsson, Colton Herta, Kyle Kirkwood
Arrow McLaren – Kyle Larson, Christian Lundgaard, Pato O’Ward, Nolan Siegel
Chip Ganassi Racing – Scott Dixon, Alex Palou, Kyffin Simpson
Dale Coyne Racing –Jacob Abel, Rinus VeeKay
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing/Cusick Motorsports – Jack Harvey, Ryan Hunter-Reay
Ed Carpenter Racing – Ed Carpenter, Christian Rasmussen, Alexander Rossi
Juncos Hollinger Racing – Conor Daly, Sting Ray Robb
Meyer Shank Racing – Marcus Armstrong, Helio Castroneves, Felix Rosenqvist
PREMA Racing – Callum Ilott, Robert Shwartzman
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing –Devlin DeFrancesco, Louis Foster, Graham Rahal, Takuma Sato
Team Penske – Scott McLaughlin, Josef Newgarden, Will Power

Wednesday, April 23, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (ET)
Veteran drivers: 10:05 a.m.-noon
Rookie Orientation Program and refresher tests: noon-2 p.m.
All drivers: 2-6 p.m.
Thursday, April 24, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET)
“High Boost” Session: 9:30 a.m.-noon
All drivers: 2-5 p.m.

500 Entry List at 34; Room for One More?

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With the confirmation of Takuma Sato entering the Indianapolis 500 with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, the entry list stands at 34. I’m hearing talk of Katherine Legge still trying to secure a ride with a Honda team, likely Dale Coyne Racing.

I hope she can get an entry. 35 cars makes for more dramatic bumping than the 34 we have seen the last two years. It will create a real fight on the final day of qualifying.

Here is where the entry list stands by engine and team:

Chevrolet

Team Penske (3) Josef Newgarden, Scott McLaughlin, Will Power

McLaren (4)- Pato O’Ward, Christian Lundgaard, Nolan Siegel, Kyle Larson

A, J, Foyt Racing (2) David Malukas, Santino Ferrucci

Ed Carpenter Racing (3) – Alexander Rossi, Christian Rasmussen, Ed Carpenter

Dreyer & Reinbold (2)- Ryan Hunter-Reay, Jack Harvey

PREMA (2)- Callum Ilott, Robert Shwartzman

Juncos Hollinger Racing (2)- Conor Daly, Sting Ray Robb

Honda

Andretti- (4) Colton Herta, Kyle Kirkwood, Marcus Ericsson, Marco Andretti

Chip Ganassi Racing -(3) Scott Dixon, Alex Palou, Kyffin Simpson

Dale Coyne Racing- (2) Rinus VeeKay, Jacob Abel

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing- (4) Graham Rahal, Devlin DeFrancesco, Louis Foster, Takuma Sato

Meyer Shank Racing – (3) Felix Rosenqvist, Marcus Armstrong, Helio Castroneves

Sebring

I am heading to Sebring this morning. After Saturday, I will have watched 78 hours of endurance racing in 9 months.

The only active IndyCar drivers racing Saturday are Scott Dixon in the number 60 GTP, Alex Palou in car 93 GTP, and Kyle Kirkwood in the 14 Lexus GTD Pro.

I’m most looking forward to seeing the new Aston Martin Valkyrie GTP car.

The race is exclusively on Peacock, and coverage starts at 10 am Eastern on Saturday.

I’ll try to post photos and a brief report Saturday afternoon, and I will have a wrap up Sunday night.

 Iconic Blue Envelopes Containing Indy 500 Tickets Mailed to Fans across Globe 

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It’s that time of year.

From IMS:

 INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, March 12, 2025) – Indianapolis 500 fans will watch their mailboxes after the highly anticipated blue envelopes featuring Race Day tickets were mailed Wednesday, March 12 from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Ticket Office.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Devlin DeFrancesco and Louis Foster and Meyer Shank Racing’s Felix Rosenqvist were on hand to assist with the initial mailing, which included shipments to all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and 38 countries around the world as race fans eagerly await the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 25.
“I just like to do this to kind of amp myself up a bit for the ‘500,’” Rosenqvist said. “It feels like you’re actually kind of starting May when you’re here. I love it.
“It’s cool to see the manual processes. It gives you a good perspective when you see all the tickets and everything, and the logistics behind everything.”
DeFrancesco, Foster and Rosenqvist also took time to write notes and signatures on a few envelopes, with these special messages going to ticket buyers from their native countries.
DeFrancesco hails from Canada, with Foster from Great Britain and Rosenqvist from Sweden.
“It’s hugely rewarding and very grateful to be here, helping loading the tickets for them to get shipped out,” DeFrancesco said.
“So many fans from my country in Canada, to be able to see passes already going out today and people’s anticipation for this race in May is great.”
It takes approximately nine weeks to package all pre-ordered tickets for mailing, from orders the day after the previous year’s race up to current orders. Hard work from employees in the Ticket Office and other Penske Entertainment Corp. departments ensures the ticketing process runs smoothly and on schedule.

A few facts and figures about this year’s initial ticket mailing:
Number of tickets sent: More than 215,000 items (includes 170,000 Indy 500 Race Day tickets, parking, qualification and practice tickets, concert tickets, etc.
)Number of blue envelopes sent: More than 32,000
Number of U.S. Postal Service trays to accommodate envelopes: More than 650
Weight of all ticket envelopes and trays in first mailing: More than 6,600 pounds
Hours needed to fill envelopes by hand: More than 1,000 person-hours
Number of working days to package envelopes: 46
Number of Penske Entertainment employees who fill envelopes: 56
Number of states distributed: 50
Number of countries distributed: 38 (including United States)

Federal postal inspectors came to IMS with a large truck for the first mailing. DeFrancesco, Foster and Rosenqvist joined several IMS employees in helping to load the trucks.
“It’s pretty impressive,” NTT INDYCAR SERIES and Indianapolis 500 rookie Foster said. “I didn’t know exactly what to expect, but it’s super cool to see all the guys and girls here working super hard and getting fans ready who have probably been waiting for this day since Monday after the ‘500’ last year. It’s a super-cool event, and I’m super happy that we’ve been invited to be here.”
Receiving an eagerly awaited blue envelope in the mail is a rite of spring for thousands of fans of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” But why are the envelopes blue?
In the 1970s, Indianapolis 500 tickets were mailed in brown envelopes with the IMS return address in the upper left corner. In the 1980s, a heavier-stock, gray-colored envelope was introduced to mail the tickets, with just the IMS Post Office box number in the upper left corner. A computerized printer also was used for the first time in the 1980s to print ticket customers’ name and address on each envelope.
When the NASCAR Cup Series was added to the IMS schedule in 1994, the Ticket Office needed a way to distinguish between the envelopes containing tickets for the Indianapolis 500 and the annual NASCAR race, especially if the Postal Service returned the envelope as non-deliverable.
So, the IMS Ticket Office decided to color-code the ticket envelopes for each event. Indianapolis 500 ticket envelopes became blue, Brickyard Weekend envelopes became purple, Sonsio Grand Prix envelopes became green, and ticket envelopes for other IMS events use a variety of colors, including red, cream, gray and yellow.
Tickets for the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 25, the Sonsio Grand Prix on Saturday, May 10 and all other Month of May events are available at IMS.com/Tickets or via the IMS Ticket Office at 317-492-6700.

Sato Returns to RLL for Indianapolis 500

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This is great news to wake up to. Story from RLL;

ZIONSVILLE, Ind. (March 11, 2025) – Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) announced today that two-time Indianapolis 500 champion, Takuma Sato, will return to the team for the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500. AMADA AMERICA, Inc., a leading global machine tool manufacturer and supplier in the sheet metal industry, will again be the primary sponsor for 2017 and 2020 Indy 500 winner Sato’s No. 75 Honda-powered entry in the May 25 event as they were in 2024.

Sato competed for RLL in 2012 and from 2018-2021 as well as last year’s Indy 500 with primary sponsorship from AMADA. He has earned six NTT INDYCAR SERIES wins, four of which have come with RLL, including the team’s second Indy 500 win in 2020. Sato competed in oval races with Chip Ganassi Racing in 2023 and returned to RLL in 2024 for the Indy 500. He set the second fastest qualifying speed of Honda-powered drivers in 2024, his 15th time to participate in the Greatest Spectacle in Racing and sixth with RLL.

The team’s relationship with AMADA goes back to 2023 when the manufacturer was the primary sponsor of the team’s No. 30 entry at the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix at Barber Motorsports Park on April 30, 2023. In addition to being the primary sponsor of Sato’s entry in the 2024 Indianapolis 500, they were also a major associate sponsor of the team’s No. 30 entry at the 2024 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, near their Buena Park, Calif. Headquarters and primary sponsor at Portland.

Sato, a native of Tokyo, Japan, has made 221 starts in the INDYCAR SERIES since his rookie season in 2010, which is seventh among active drivers and 22nd all-time. His Indy car highlights include wins in the 2017 and 2020 Indianapolis 500, 2013 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, 2018 Portland Grand Prix, 2019 Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama and Bommarito 500 at WWT Raceway, with four of the six coming with RLL. Of his 14 podium finishes to date, 10 have come with RLL as have three of his 10 Indy car poles. Prior to joining the INDYCAR SERIES, he competed in 90 Formula One races between 2002-2008 with his highest finish of third at the 2004 United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season opens Sunday, March 2 on the Streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, for the 21st Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. North America’s premier open-wheel series will crisscross the United States, including a stop for the 109th Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 26, before culminating in Nashville for the championship finale Sunday, August 31. All on-track action can be seen live on FOX and the INDYCAR Radio Network. For more information about the series or team, visit http://www.indycar.com and http://www.rahal.com.

About AMADA AMERICA, Inc.
AMADA AMERICA, INC. is headquartered in Buena Park, California. AMADA is the leading global machine tool manufacturer and supplier in the sheet metal industry. The AMADA brand represents Quality, Service, and Sustainability. AMADA machine tools consistently set global standards for performance and reliability. Each year, AMADA continues to develop and perfect innovative sheet metal manufacturing solutions with the objective of maximizing our customers’ productivity.

About Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, based in Zionsville, Ind., is co-owned by three-time IndyCar Champion and 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal, former CBS Late Show host David Letterman and Mi-Jack co-owner Mike Lanigan. In 2025, the team will compete in its 34th year of competition and will attempt to add to its 30 Indy car wins – including the 2004 Indy 500 from pole with Buddy Rice and the 2020 Indy 500 with Takuma Sato — their 37 poles, 112 podium finishes and 1992 series championship. The team also competed in the American Le Mans Series from 2009-2013 as BMW Team RLL where they won both the Manufacturer and Team Championships in the GT category in 2010 and swept all three GT titles in 2011 – Manufacturer, Team and Driver. In 2012, the team finished second in the Team Championship and third in the Manufacturer Championship and in 2013, the team finished second in the Driver, Team and Manufacturer Championship. From 2014 to 2021, BMW Team RLL competed in the GTLM class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with a two-car program. In 2022, BMW M Team RLL competed in the GTD PRO class in IMSA while simultaneously ramping up for a two-car program in the much-anticipated GTP class in IMSA for 2023. In total, the team has earned 24 wins – including the 2019 and 2020 Rolex 24 at Daytona endurance races, 30 poles and 103 podium finishes prior to the start of the 2025 season. BMW M Team RLL highlights also include second-place finishes in the Manufacturer, Team and Driver championships in 2015 and 2017 and being named the 2020 Michelin North American Endurance Champions.

QUOTEBOARD

TAKUMA SATO, Driver of the No. 75 AMADA Honda: “I’m very excited to return to the 109th Indy 500 with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. Once again, a heartfelt thank you to Bobby, Mike, David, and the entire organization for this incredible opportunity. I’m also deeply grateful for the continued support from AMADA as the primary sponsor, alongside Panasonic Automotive Systems, Niterra, Deloitte Tohmatsu, NAC, Honda, HRC, and all our loyal sponsors. The new No. 75 car carries over RLL’s historic design with a refreshed and dynamic new livery – it looks absolutely stunning. Last year was an incredible experience, reconnecting with the team, and this year, even more familiar faces have joined the effort, which makes this moment even more special and gives me great confidence. I can’t wait to get to work.”

MIKE GUERIN, CEO, AMADA AMERICA, Inc.: “We are thrilled to once again partner with the prestigious Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing team and Takuma Sato for the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500! This partnership reflects our shared dedication for pushing technological boundaries and achieving peak performance. We look forward to showcasing the synergy between our two organizations on racing’s biggest stage.”

BOBBY RAHAL, Co-Owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing: “We are excited to have Takuma part of our Indy 500 program again. His experience, talent and bravado at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in particular, is evident by his two wins. The work ethic he brings, in addition to his attention to detail, adds immeasurable value to our program. We are thrilled to have AMADA return as the primary sponsor for the entry. They continue to be an integral part of our racing programs, not only for the Indy 500. We utilize their equipment on a daily basis and couldn’t be happier with our partnership.”

MIKE LANIGAN, Co-Owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing: “Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing is very proud to have Takuma Sato back at the Indy 500. Takuma has always been quick at the speedway and his two wins confirm his abilities at the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. I personally look forward with great optimism, to be the team that gives Takuma the opportunity to win the trifecta and am thankful to have AMADA as primary sponsor again.”

Back-to-Back Winner Newgarden Unveils 109th Indianapolis 500 Ticket in Two City Celebration 

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From IMS:

 INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, March 6, 2025) – Two-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion and back-to-back winner of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge Josef Newgarden celebrated Southwest Airlines’ first nonstop flight from Indianapolis to Nashville when he unveiled the ticket for the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Thursday, March 6 at Indianapolis International Airport (IND).
Newgarden earned his second victory in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” last May and became just the sixth driver to win the Indianapolis 500 in consecutive years. He powered the No. 2 Shell Powering Progress Team Penske Chevrolet to the back-to-back victory with another last-lap pass.
One of the many honors bestowed upon the winner is unveiling the ticket for the next year’s race. Featuring the winning driver on the next year’s “500” ticket dates to Mauri Rose’s appearance in 1948.
Nashville native Newgarden pushed a button to unveil a larger-than-life digital rendering of the colorful ticket in Civic Plaza, IND’s community gathering area. From there, Newgarden and INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway President J. Douglas Boles engaged with Southwest passengers and race fans at the gate as they boarded the flight from Indianapolis to Nashville, taking the celebration to Newgarden’s hometown.
Designed in house by Senior Art Director Mandy Walsh, the ticket celebrates the back-to-back wins with full-color images, including Newgarden’s Victory Podium celebrations and his almost identical liveries. Vibrant images from 2024 are shadowed by similar images from 2023.
“It’s very cool to be here in the Indianapolis International Airport,” Newgarden said. “Indiana and Tennessee are my two homes, so the fact we have the Indianapolis 500 in Indiana and the (NTT INDYCAR SERIES) championship finale in Tennessee is a great parallel. To top it all off is seeing this beautiful ticket from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Indy 500. It’s an incredible-looking ticket.
“To see my likeness on there, to see our team represented, it’s a very special feeling. You don’t know if that day will ever come when you drive into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The fact we’ve been able to pull it off twice, back to back, and that it’s been celebrated on this ticket, I’m super, super thankful.”
Once arriving in Nashville, Newgarden and Boles will visit Indianapolis 500 ticketholders and media in Nashville and conclude the day with a Fan Event at Big Machine Distillery and Tavern, where the 2025 Indianapolis 500 ticket and the Borg-Warner Trophy will be on display. Newgarden and Boles will be on hand to meet with fans and conduct a brief question-and-answer session.
Newgarden will attempt to become the first driver to win three consecutive Indianapolis 500s on Sunday, May 25 in the 109th Indianapolis presented by Gainbridge at IMS, with live coverage starting at 10 a.m. ET on FOX, FOX Deportes, FOX Sports app and the INDYCAR Radio Network.
Tickets for the Indy 500 and all Month of May activities are on sale at IMS.com, by calling the IMS Ticket Office at 317-492-6700 or by visiting the ticket office. 
 
 

Doug Boles Named President of INDYCAR & Indianapolis Motor Speedway 

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 Additional Key Staffing Updates Made as INDYCAR Enters New Era of Growth

INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025) – Penske Entertainment announced several updates to its senior leadership structure today in order to best position the organization to capitalize on significant growth opportunities ahead.
Key changes shared this morning include:
Doug Boles will serve as President of both INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, succeeding Jay Frye.
Mark Sibla will be promoted to Senior Vice President, INDYCAR Competition & Operations.
Kyle Novak will become INDYCAR’s Vice President of Officiating and Race Control.
Alex Damron has been named Chief Marketing Officer, INDYCAR, while also continuing as Vice President of Corporate Communications for Penske Entertainment.
Louis Kissinger will be promoted to General Manager, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Operations.
Doug Boles brings decades of motorsport experience to his new responsibilities, including being the President of Indianapolis Motor Speedway since 2013. At IMS, he oversaw the sellout of the 100th Indianapolis 500, the first full-capacity crowd in the event’s storied history. In addition, he’s managed more than $150 million in strategic investment at the Racing Capital of the World, including “Project 100” and significant infrastructure improvements following the acquisition of IMS by Penske Corp.Across his tenure at IMS, he has been particularly lauded for his promotional prowess and strategic marketing capabilities, growing the Speedway’s global reach and better connecting Indy 500 fans to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.
As a founding partner and Chief Operating Officer at Panther Racing and as Hulman & Company’s Vice President of Communications, he has worked extensively within the INDYCAR paddock, as well. At Panther Racing, Boles helped lead the team to 15 INDYCAR SERIES race wins and two INDYCAR SERIES championships, in addition to seven INDY NXT by Firestone race wins and a championship. In total, he has more than 20 years of executive leadership experience in motorsports, within team operations, sponsorship, marketing, public relations and more.
“Doug is the ideal choice to lead both INDYCAR and IMS as we enter a new era of opportunity and visibility,” said Penske Entertainment President & CEO Mark Miles. “He’s an exceptional leader and motivator who is appreciated by our fans and respected by our owners, drivers, partners and additional key stakeholders.”
Said Boles: “Racing is in my DNA, and no form of racing resonates more personally and strongly with me than the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. I’m honored to lead the amazing team at INDYCAR, and I truly believe the future is bigger and brighter than ever for our sport and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I’m extremely grateful to Mark Miles for this opportunity, and fans can rest assured the hard work is already under way and 2025 will be a fantastic season.”
Boles becomes President of INDYCAR as Frye departs the organization following 10 years in the role. During Frye’s tenure, he led a period of tremendous successes at INDYCAR, including securing the entitlement series sponsorships with Verizon and NTT, the development of the AK18 universal aero kit, development and implementation of the total driver cockpit safety solution aeroscreen and state-of-the-art hybrid technology introduction. In addition, Jay Frye also oversaw an expanded grid with incredible competition.
“It has been an absolute honor and privilege to be the President of INDYCAR and work alongside the dedicated and talented men and women at INDYCAR and in the INDYCAR paddock,” Frye said. “The growth and success the series has had over the last 10 years would not be possible without the commitment and collaboration of the owners, drivers and teams.”
In both his role at INDYCAR and as IMS President, Boles will report to Penske Entertainment President & CEO Miles. As Boles manages strategic vision and priorities across both INDYCAR and IMS, several additional staffing updates will help oversee day-to-day operations within each organization.At INDYCAR,
Mark Sibla has been named Senior Vice President of INDYCAR Competition and Operations. He has been a senior member of INDYCAR’s management team for more than a decade and will lead workstreams focused on general operations and special initiatives such as development of the new car.
Also at INDYCAR, Kyle Novak begins an enhanced role as Vice President of Officiating and Race Control. In this position he will lead both the Race Control and Race Tech teams at INDYCAR, responsible for ensuring rigorous and equitable enforcement of NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT presented by Firestone competition regulations. Novak has served as INDYCAR’s Race Director since the 2018 season and was elected to the FIA General Assembly in 2022.
In addition, as INDYCAR prepares for new levels of audience exposure through its relationship with FOX Sports, Alex Damron has been named Chief Marketing Officer, charged with fully implementing a maximized and unified promotional plan for the sport. In this role, he will lead the marketing and communications teams at INDYCAR. He will also continue as Vice President of Corporate Communications for Penske Entertainment, responsible for overseeing IMS PR efforts and Penske Entertainment’s photo and editorial operations.
“We’re confident Alex is ready for this opportunity,” Miles said. “He’s played an integral role in our transition to FOX Sports, driving significant work to implement the phenomenal promotional initiatives we’ve already seen, ensuring we can quickly and efficiently leverage new opportunities.”
At IMS, Kissinger steps into the role of General Manager, IMS Operations, leading teams responsible for suite/hospitality sales, track operations and event operations. Kissinger began his career at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway serving as a distinguished Orr Fellow, with his most recent role being Director of Event Operations & Experience at IMS.
The 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season launches on Sunday, March 2 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding on FOX. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is the only premier motorsport in the United States with every race broadcast on network television. For more info, visit www.INDYCAR.com. 

Drivers, Boles Celebrate 100 Days Countdownto Indy 500 with Parties Feb. 14

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NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers and Indianapolis Motor Speedway President J. Douglas Boles will celebrate the 100 Days Countdown to the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Friday, Feb. 14 with a Valentine’s Day Party at Riley Hospital for Children and the 100 Days Out Fan Party at IMS.
Activities will start from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. ET with a Valentine’s Day Party for patients of Riley Hospital for Children in the Child Life Zone in downtown Indianapolis.
Attendance for the fan-friendly 100 Days Out Party at IMS is at capacity. IMS will launch its new 2025 Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge brand campaign, “This Is May,” at the party. Fans also will be shown a premiere of the commercial spot created by IMS Productions.
WHAT: Valentine’s Day Party at Riley Hospital for Children
WHO: J. Douglas Boles, IMS President
Louis Foster, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Driver
Jack Harvey, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing/Cusick Motorsports Driver
Callum Ilott, PREMA Racing Driver
Nolan Siegel, Arrow McLaren Driver
WHEN: 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Friday, Feb. 14, 2025
WHERE: Riley Hospital for Children, Child Life Zone, 705 Riley Drive, Indianapolis
***
WHAT: 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge 100 Days Out Fan Party
WHO: J. Douglas Boles, IMS President
Tony Kanaan, 2013 Indianapolis 500 Winner
Sting Ray Robb, Juncos Hollinger Racing Driver
Robert Schwartzman, PREMA Racing Driver
WHEN: 7-9:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 14, 2025
WHERE: Gallagher Pavillion and North Chalet, Indianapolis Motor Speedway
 

Marco Returns for Indy; Helio to Attempt Daytona 500

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The Andretti name stays on the grid. The rumors and speculation have been put to rest. Andretti Global confirmed that Marco Andretti will return to the team for his 20th Indianapolis 500. The 2020 Indianapolis Pole winner has eight top 10 finishes and top 5 runs in the 500. His best finish was his rookie year, when he was nipped at the line by Sam Hornish, Jr., in 2006.

Andretti’s’ last Top 10 was in 2017, an eighth-place result, and his last Top 5 was in 2014 when he ran third. In addition to his pole, Andretti also started on the outside of the front row in third.

Castroneves Tries Daytona

Four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves will attempt to qualify for the Daytona 500 next month with Trackhouse Racing. Castroneves, a part owner of Meyer-Shank racing, will also drive in the Indianapolis 500.

I like when drivers race in different forms of racing outside their primary category, but the corporate. proprietary nature of racing today makes it such a big deal when it happens. It shouldn’t be. Drivers used to race in several different series all the time during the season.

The Field of 33

Andretti’s entry brings the entry list to 33 for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500.

The entry list to date:

McLaren (4): O’Ward, Siegel, Lundgaard, Larson

Penske (3): Newgarden, McLaughlin, Power

ECR (3): Rossi, Rasmussen, Carpenter

Foyt (2): Ferrucci, Malukas

JHR (2): Robb, Daly

Prema (2): Ilott, Shwartzman

DRR (2): RHR, Harvey

Andretti (4): Herta, Kirkwood, Ericsson, Andretti

Ganassi (3): Simpson, Dixon, Palou

MSR (3): Rosenqvist, Armstrong, Helio

RLL (3): Rahal, DeFrancesco, Foster

DCR (2): TBA, TBA

Back-to-Back Indy 500 Winner Newgarden Unveils Second Image on Borg-Warner Trophy

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From IMS. I will have more on this event tomorrow.

  INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024) – 2024 Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge winner Josef Newgarden unveiled his likeness on the Borg-Warner Trophy on Dec. 4 in Indianapolis, one of the most significant honors since he won his second Indy 500 on May 26 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Newgarden, a native of Nashville, Tennessee, earned his second victory in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” in the No. 2 Shell Powering Progress Team Penske Chevrolet.
This was the 20th Indy 500 victory for Team Penske, and Newgarden is the first back-to-back winner since Helio Castroneves won his second Indy 500 while driving for Team Penske in 2002.
The unveiling ceremony took place at COhatch Polk Stables, a coworking space for entrepreneurs and startups located in downtown Indianapolis.
The bas-relief, sterling silver image of Newgarden is the 111th face to be affixed to the iconic trophy, awarded annually to the winner of the Indianapolis 500 since 1936.
“Having my face added to the Borg-Warner Trophy is one of the coolest parts about winning the race,” Newgarden said. “Seeing the finished product, with two side-by-side images of my face, is an unbelievable honor, and I look forward to hopefully adding a third likeness to the row after this year’s Indy 500.”
Renowned sculptor Will Behrends created Newgarden’s image, as he has for every winner since 1990.Each face on the trophy is unique, even for a back-to-back winner like Newgarden. Behrends starts from scratch each year and begins his creative process by studying a series of 360-degree photos of the winner to get a baseline for sculpting before constructing a full-scale model of the driver’s face. Normally a driver would visit Behrends’ studio in Tryon, North Carolina, for an in-person session. This year’s visit was impacted by Hurricane Helene, so Newgarden and Behrends met virtually to make the final adjustments to the full-scale model.
This life-size clay version is used as reference for Behrends to construct the smaller model, a piece created out of a mixture of oil-based clay. The smaller clay model is turned into a mold and cast in wax before being sent to a jeweler to be transformed into sterling silver. Behrends completes his process by polishing and buffing the sculpture before attaching it to the trophy.
“Today is a special day for Josef and BorgWarner,” said Michelle Collins, global director marketing and public relations for BorgWarner.
“Josef is one of only six drivers to win back-to-back Indianapolis 500 victories in the race’s 113-year history, and unveiling his face on this spectacular trophy cements his mark not only in INDYCAR, but all of motorsports. BorgWarner is honored to uphold the tradition of the Borg-Warner Trophy and celebrate Josef’s historic 2024 Indianapolis 500 win.”
Originally designed in 1935, the sterling silver trophy measures over 5 feet, 4-3/4 inches tall and weighs more than 110 pounds as it carries the sculpted face of every victor since 1911.
Early next year, Newgarden will receive his BorgWarner Championships Driver’s Trophy, also known as a “Baby Borg,” a miniature replica of the large-scale Borg-Warner Trophy.
Tickets for the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge and all Month of May events at Indianapolis Motor Speedway are on sale at IMS.com.