Tag: Indianapolis 500

2025 IMS Event Tickets On Sale Now at IMS.com, Ticket Office 

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From IMS:

 INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024) – Tickets for marquee events in 2025 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway – including the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, the Brickyard 400 presented by PPG and the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks – are on sale online at IMS.com and at the IMS Ticket Office.
The IMS Ticket Office is located on the first floor of the IMS Administration Building at 4790 W. 16th St. in Indianapolis. Hours of operation are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. Tickets also can be purchased by calling 317-492-6700.
“After an unforgettable 2024, it’s now time to start looking forward to the 2025 schedule at IMS and welcoming fans back to the Racing Capital of the World for another racing season,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said.
“Other than renewal, buying now provides the best available seats at the lowest prices we offer and is a perfect time for our fans to make plans to be part of the many great racing events at IMS in 2025.”
Tickets for the following 2025 events are on sale at IMS.com/tickets and the Ticket Office:
Sonsio Grand Prix: Saturday, May 10
Miller Lite Carb Day: Friday, May 23
Legends Day presented by Firestone: Saturday, May 24
109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge: Sunday, May 25
Indy 500 Coors Light Snake Pit: Sunday, May 25
Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational: Saturday, June 14-Sunday, June 15
NASCAR Xfinity Series Pennzoil 250: Saturday, July 26
NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400 presented by PPG: Sunday, July 27
IMSA TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks: Friday, Sept. 19-Sunday, Sept. 21
Intercontinental GT Indianapolis 8 Hour: Friday, Oct. 17-Sunday, Oct. 19
Customers also can purchase admission to practice, qualifications and the Indianapolis 500 public drivers’ meeting, as well as parking, camping, hospitality and public credentials (Bronze Badge, Silver Badge, garage passes, pit passes) for these events at IMS.com.
Fans also can purchase infield camping for the Sonsio Grand Prix, Brickyard Weekend and the IMSA TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks.
All products are on sale at their lowest remaining prices, with increases coming in 2025. The $4 per-ticket service fee will be waived on items purchased before Jan. 6.
Kids 15 and under will continue to be admitted free in general admission locations to all 2025 racing events at IMS when accompanied by an adult general admission ticketholder.
Miller Lite Carb Day and Coors Light Snake Pit concert lineups will be announced soon.
The Firestone Legends Day concert once again will be held at the Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park.
Performers and ticket sale information will be announced later
.Fans can apply to receive tickets for the 2025 Driven2SaveLives BC39. Dates for this event will be announced later. 

Palou Tops IMS Test

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From Indycar”

 INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, Oct. 11, 2024) – There’s still one jewel missing from Alex Palou’s racing crown, but testing Oct. 11 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway showed he may be closer than ever to adding it next May.

Reigning NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Palou has won the championship three times in the last four seasons, but he still seeks his first Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge victory. But Palou led testing on the historic 2.5-mile oval Friday with a top speed of 224.342 mph in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda

.Palou’s best Indy 500 finish is second, behind Helio Castroneves’ historic fourth win in 2021. Palou earned his first “500” pole in 2023.
“It was a good day of testing,” Palou said. “We tried a lot of stuff. Yesterday was Firestone, today was more us, Ganassi and Honda. We’re happy. You want to come here, and even if you’re testing a bunch of stuff, you want to be first.”

Looming right behind Palou on the speed chart was two-time reigning Indy 500 winner Josef Newgarden, second at 223.973 in the No. 2 Shell Powering Progress Team Penske Chevrolet. Rinus VeeKay was third at 223.383 in the No. 18 Dale Coyne Racing Honda in his first day of testing with that team.

Graham Rahal was fourth at 222.650 in the No. 45 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda, with 2022 “500” winner Marcus Ericsson rounding out the top five at 222.324 in the No. 28 Andretti Global Honda.

Eleven car-and-driver combinations – one driver from each team – combined to turn 1,123 laps in six hours of testing Friday after four drivers tested tires Thursday afternoon for Firestone. A primary area of focus for all teams and drivers was the new hybrid system, which made its competitive debut in July 2024.

The hybrid system offers the competitors and their twin-turbo V6 engines an additional 60 horsepower. Previous iterations of the hybrid package were previously tested during the development process, but this test marked the debut of the system as it will race next May.

“I think the overtake we get (from the hybrid) is nice,” Palou said. “I think it’s good enough to set up a pass maybe in the middle of the pack. We’ll have to see.”

The 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge is Sunday, May 25, live on FOX and the INDYCAR Radio Network. Visit IMS.com for ticket and event details. 
 

Test Day 2- Midday

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Photo: A New look for the ECR 20 car

First session times:

Rinus VeeKay is testing for Dale Coyne Racing today. He talked about the difficulty of finding a full time ride for 2025 at this late date.

“…there’s a few seats, but there’s no not really. There’s not really paying seats. So for me, it’s my priority to ride full time next year, and I think no matter what, so at least you have this opportunity now to show you how I work and show the engineers how I work, and what my feedback is. They seem pretty aggressive this morning. “

It was strange seeing Alexander rossi in a different driving suit.

Cars are back on track. I am going mout to watch for a while. I will have a wrap up later today.

Day 2 of IMS Testing

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Today’s schedule:

10-12 pm: Group Test Session 1
1-5 pm: Group Test Session 2

Chevy
DRR: Hunter-Reay
ECR: Rossi
Foyt: Ferrucci
JHR: Daly
McLaren: Lundgaard
Penske: Newgarden

Honda
Andretti: Ericsson
CGR: Palou
DCR: VeeKay
MSR: Castroneves
RLL: Rahal

It will be another beautiful day to watch vars run at IMS. The turn 2 mounds are open for viewing. I will be on site this afternoon.

Yesterday morning Sting Ray Robb was scheduled to drive the 18. Yesterday afternoon, An announcement was made that Rinus VeeKay would be in the car,. I don’t know if this is a job audition for VeeKay. Time will tell.

The drivers taking part in yesterday afternoon’s tire test agree that the hybrid will probably not have much effect on the racing in May.

Siegel Completes Rookie Test

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Nolan Siegel easily completed his IMS rookie test this morning under clear skies and cool conditions. He needed to repeat the test he passed early because he failed to qualify for the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 in May. With his new ride at Arrow McLaren for 2025, qualifying should not be an issue.

“I’m going to be way better prepared this year,” Siegel said. “I’m excited to get back.”

“I’ll have more preparation, more time with the team. more time in the car, and more actual practice time here at the track.”

Siegel feels that knowing wht bhe will be doing for the next couple of years takes a lot off his plate. h ed rove seven different types of cars innthe first five months of 2024.

The four cars testing this afternoon-Marcus Ericsson, Alex Palou, Josef: Newgarden, and Pato: O’Ward will do install laps and then return at 1 pm ET to begin the testing which goes until 5 pm.

Received confirmation that Sting Ray Robb will test in the number 18 car for Dale Coyne Racing tomorrow.

ROP, Tire Testing at IMS Today

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Today’s Testing Schedule:
9 am – 12 pm: Nolan Siegel ROP

1-5 pm: Firestone Tire Test: 4 cars: Andretti: Ericsson, Ganassi: Palou, Penske: Newgarden, McLaren: O’Ward

Nolan Siegel needs to retake his rookie test since he did not make the race in 2023.

Turn 2 mounds are open for viewing. The museum is still closed, but the gift shop is open.

Notes

Adam Stern reports that IndyCar is “far along” in talks for a 2026 race in Mexico City. Hmmm.

He also reported about another big street race in the United States, which many speculate might be Denver. If three new races come on line in 2026, what gets cut? I hope no oval venues. I am fine with Iowa going back to a single race.

2025 Indy 500 Rookie Orientation,NTT INDYCAR SERIES Tests Oct. 10-11 at IMS 

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From IMS:

I have not heard officially about the test being open to the public yet, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t be.

 The 2025 Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge Rookie Orientation Program (ROP) will take place in the morning of Thursday, Oct. 10, followed by a four-car NTT INDYCAR SERIES test in the afternoon at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES will host a group test consisting of one car from 11 race teams Friday, Oct. 11.
Nolan Siegel will attempt to complete ROP on Thursday. The test involves a series of laps at three controlled speed phases on the 2.5-mile oval. The Rookie Orientation Program is a prerequisite for participation in the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 25, 2025.
THURSDAY, OCT. 10 (Indy 500 Rookie Orientation Program, NTT INDYCAR SERIES Test)
Nolan Siegel, Arrow McLaren
Marcus Ericsson, Andretti Global
Pato O’Ward, Arrow McLaren
Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing
Josef Newgarden, Team Penske
:9 a.m.-noon: Siegel ROP
1-5 p.m.: Ericsson, Newgarden, O’Ward, Palou NTT INDYCAR SERIES Test
FRIDAY, OCT. 11 (NTT INDYCAR SERIES Group Test)

Santino Ferrucci, AJ Foyt Racing
Marcus Ericsson, Andretti Global
Christian Lundgaard, Arrow McLaren
Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing
TBD, Dale Coyne Racing
Ryan Hunter-Reay, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
Alexander Rossi, Ed Carpenter Racing
Conor Daly, Juncos Hollinger Racing
Helio Castroneves, Meyer Shank Racing
Graham Rahal, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
Josef Newgarden, Team Penske
10 a.m.-noon: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Group Test
1-5 p.m.: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Group Test

Indianapolis 500 Veteran Moran Dies at 74

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From IMS:

INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024) – Rocky Moran, a veteran of three Indianapolis 500 starts and one of the most respected sports car racers of his generation, died last weekend after a battle with cancer. He was 74.
After failing to qualify with Salt Walther’s small team in 1987, Southern California native Moran made three consecutive “500” starts from 1988-90, with a best finish of 14th in 1989 while driving the No. 33 Skoal Classic March/Cosworth owned by the legendary A.J. Foyt. He also made his Indianapolis 500 debut in 1988 in a Foyt-owned car, finishing 16th in the No. 48 Skoal/Trench Shoring March/Cosworth as the second-highest placing rookie in the field. His final start came in 1990 with Gohr Racing. He earned the 33rd and final spot in the field in an older car and was credited with 25th place in the No. 56 Glidden Paints Lola/Buick when his engine expired after he completed 88 laps. It was his final INDYCAR SERIES start.
Moran made unsuccessful attempts to qualify for the “500” in 1992 and 1993 with Menard Racing and Team Losi, respectively.
The popular, versatile Moran never raced a full season in INDYCAR SERIES competition, but his talent still attracted rides from prominent team owners besides Foyt. Moran drove for Dan Gurney’s All American Racers in his INDYCAR SERIES debut in 1981 at Watkins Glen. He qualified a strong seventh in the No. 48 Pepsi Challenger Eagle/Chevrolet, drove to first and led 21 laps. A storybook victory in his first series start was denied when the team didn’t put enough fuel in the car to make the finish during his final pit stop. Moran still was credited with sixth place in a race won by Rick Mears.
He started his amateur racing career in the early 1970s on the West Coast in open-wheel and sports cars before climbing to national sports car series such as Trans Am, Can-Am and IMSA later in the decade. Gurney didn’t forget Moran’s impressive INDYCAR SERIES debut with AAR in 1981 and hired him as a driver for the team’s factory sports car program in the IMSA GTO class in 1986. Gurney also hired Moran to team with Willy T. Ribbs in an earlier version of a Toyota prototype in IMSA competition in 1991, and they earned a podium finish at Portland.
The pinnacle of Moran’s sports car racing career came in 1993 when he teamed with PJ Jones and Mark Dismore to win the Rolex 24 At Daytona, a year after they finished fourth. It was the first Rolex 24 victory for AAR and Toyota.
Moran is survived by his wife, Kayla; daughter, Kelly; sons Rocky Jr. and Cody; and seven grandchildren. Rocky Moran Jr. made starts in stock cars, sports cars and INDY NXT by Firestone. His INDYCAR SERIES debut in 2015 at Long Beach in a Dale Coyne Racing car was cut short before the race by a broken thumb suffered in a crash. 
 
 

Drama, Chaos, Controversy, and Some Good On-Track Action Too-IndyCar 2024

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Photo by Kle McInnes

It was an exciting season for the NTT Indycar series in 2024. At times, the off track goings on overshadowed the racing product, which experienced an uneven tear.

From the St. Pete push to pass scandal to controversy with Agustin Canapino fans, charter talks, and driver popularity in their home country, fans did not lack for off track topics to discuss.

The delayed hybrid introduction, which didn’t come in until Mid Ohio, had little effect on the championship, although its dispute was inauspicious as Scott Dixon stalled in turn 5 of the pace lap.

The racing varied from snoozers to great6 as the series, teams, and Firestone worked to adjust to the extra weight of the new system. In the end they got it right as the races at Gateway and Milwaukee produced some great oval racing. Nashville was better than expected too.

In 2025 seven of the first eight tracks will see the hybrid in action for the first time., including the energy recovery system’s debut in the Indianapolis 500.

Drivers of Note

Obviously Alex Palou had a good year, but here I will recognize some drivers who had outstanding year which exceeded most people’s expectations.

Felix Rosenqvist– Rosenqvist won a pole and made the fast Six several times for Meyer Shank Racing. He hung around the top 10 in points for much of the season before ending up 12th. The team rewarded Rosenqvist with a two year extension. Rosenqvist is thriving after leaving Arrow mcLaren, and we should see the race results improve next year.

Santino Ferrucci – Ninth in the final standings, a frequent visitor to the top 10, and his first career pole, Ferrucci gave A. J. Foyt Racing their best season in a long time. With David Malukas as a teammate in 2025, I can see this team earning a few podiums and possibly winning a race next year.

David Malukas – jettisoned by Arrow McLaren when his preseason wrist injury did not heal, Malukas was signed by Meyer Shank Racing after the Indianapolis 500 and brought the floundering 66 car into the Leaders’ Circle. including a strong performance at Nashville where he contended for the lead. Malukas earned 148 points in little more than half a season. Teammate Rosenqvist had 306 points for a full year.

Returning to Form

Arrow McLaren and Andretti had difficult years in 2023, but both teams had a bit of a bounce back this season. Pato O’Ward won three times for Arrow McLaren, and Colton Herta won twice for Andretti Global. Both drivers had chances to win several other races.

Andretti retains the same lineup of Herta, Kyle Kirkwood, and Marcus Ericsson for 2025, while Arrow McLaren replaces Alexander Rossi with Christian Lundgaard. It would be nice to see these two in the mix every weekend.

The Pit Window Awards

The coveted Pit Window Awards go to:

Best races– Indianapolis 500; Milwaukee Race 1 and Milwaukee Race 2 in any order.

Worst races– Iowa race1 and Iowa race 2 in any order. I think Race 1 was slightly better.

Most Improved Driver– Santino Ferrucci. -He went from a 19th place finish in the points in 2023 to ninth this year.

Super Sub– Conor Daly. Daly replaced Agustin Canapino in the 78 and brought a struggling team into the Leaders’ Circle. When Daly retires, this award will be named after him.

Many Thanks

This column is nothing without the loyal readers who follow The Pit window. I appreciate all of you. Thank you for your continued support.

A huge thank you to Kyle McInnes, who shot most of the photos you saw here this season. Kyle added a lot to these posts. His artwork added a lot to this post.

Thank you to NBC for a decade of great coverage. You will be missed, FOX has a high bar to reach.

A shoutout to all the track media directors who kindly allowed me access. They have a thankless job, and I appreciate their giving me space to work.

Lastly, my travels would not be possible without the support of my partner in crime, er, life, Marti Strum, who encourages to go on these adventures, including the big one i took in June.

I will have some pieces on the Battle on the Bricks at IMS this weekend, although I am attending as a fan. Like an Indycar engine at 10,000 miles, I have reached my mileage limit.