In a new Instagram post from Robert Wickens up this afternoon he says he will be coming to St. Pete this weekend. Here is the post with a list of his schedule.
Tag: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
It’s Race Week at Last! Some Things to Watch; Indycar News
The NTT Indycar Series begins the 2019 season Friday with the first practice sessions at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. This event has grown tremendously since I first attended in 2013. Support from the city and businesses have helped the race and activities surrounding it to flourish. It has become the place where fans from the north come to escape the winter for a while. The racing has improved the last two years.
Just ten drivers have won the 15 previous races, including three occasions where a driver has won back to back. Helio Castroneves won in 2006 and 2007. Jaun Pablo Montoya in 2015 and 2016, and Sebastien Bourdais has won the last two years. Bourdais, Will Power, James Hinccliffe, and Graham Rahal are the active former winners.
LED Panels Return
The LED panels which show a driver’s position on the cars will return this weekend. The panels, which were popular with fans when they first appeared, were absent last year due to technical issues.
As before, the panels will show race position, time pit stops, and tell the AMR safety crew whether the engine is running after a spin, crash, or stall, and what gear the car is in.
The panels are big help to fans at the race, especially the casual and first time race goers.
Talented Rookies, New Teams
This weekend will see the debut of series rookies Felix Rosenqvist, Colton Herta, and Marcus Ericsson in full time rides. Ben Hanley, driving for new entrant Dragonspeed, will drive in the first of his five races. This is quite a talented rookie class. Some are predicting a victory at some point this year for at least one of these drivers. In 2018, two rookies, Matheus Leist and Jordan King, made the Fast Six in qualifying. Their performance this weekend bears watching.
What Have Teams Learned about the UAK?
After a season of working with universal aero kit, it will be interesting to see what teams have learned and how they apply their findings. Some teams and drivers struggled last year. Will a season of experience allow them to improve? Simon Pagenaud for one seemed uncomfortable last season.
Indianapolis Feel
The race this year should make attendees from Indianapolis feel at home. Jim Corelison, who has sung “(Back Home Again in) Indiana at the 500 the last two years, will sing the national anthem before the race. Tony Dungy, former head coach of the Indianapolis Colts was named the Grand Marshall.
I will be covering the race for Wildfire Sports this weekend. Check them out for my preview, practice and qualifying wrap ups, and race review. The Pit Window will feature quick thoughts and other tidbits throughout the weekend.
More Indycar News
The series announced today that race morning warmups will return to Barber and Mid Ohio this season. In 2018 only street courses had the warmup, and they will continue to do so this year. The series extended practice session times on the natural road courses to compensate. Because of the later race starts for Barber and Mid Ohio and a need for track action, the warmups were reinstated.
Dreyer and Reinbold will again have Sage Karam driving car 24 in the Indianapolis 500.The team still hopes to have additional races. Karam will likely have a teammate at IMS.
International TV Rights- Not Done Yet
Some international broadcast rights have yet to be announced, the most glaring omission being a Canadian arrangement. I have heard one is just about ready, but it’s getting late.
There are several deals set, with the UK rights going to Sky Sports. It is puzzling why the Canadian rights are taking so long.
Indycar Releases Indy 500 Qualifying Schedule Tweaks- Some Thoughts
First the news release:
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News from INDYCAR: More action, increased drama given to both Indianapolis 500 qualifying days
More action, increased drama given to both Indianapolis 500 qualifying days
INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019) – Bumping to secure locked-in grid positions on both qualifying days, the thrilling Fast Nine Shootout for the pole position and an opportunity to preview the 103rd Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge with a full-field practice await NTT IndyCar Series fans May 18-19 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The action-packed format for Crown Royal Armed Forces Qualifying weekend was announced today by INDYCAR. The Indianapolis 500 runs Sunday, May 26 on the iconic 2.5-mile oval.
Highlights of the qualifying weekend are:
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The drama on Saturday, May 18 will be intense with competitors battling for one of the 30 locked-in starting positions and a berth in the Fast Nine Shootout the following day. Each entry is guaranteed one attempt and multiple four-lap runs may be made as time permits. Cars in positions 10 through 30 at the end of first-day qualifying on May 18 are locked into those starting spots for the race and will not re-qualify the next day.
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NBC’s coverage on Sunday, May 19 (12-3 p.m.) will feature two highly competitive battles – for the last three starting positions in the field of 33 and the pole-deciding Fast Nine Shootout to determine the starting order of the first three rows.
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Sunday’s action will be capped by a practice of nearly three hours that should serve as a preview of the Indianapolis 500. Cars will be trimmed in race setup and running in groups. NBCSN will provide the coverage (3-6 p.m.).
“With this schedule, fans will get a phenomenal weekend of action, with two days of qualifying, bumping, the run for the pole and this incredible practice that effectively is the race before the race – all in a two-day span,” INDYCAR President Jay Frye said.
The qualifying weekend schedule is as follows:
Saturday, May 18 (all times ET):
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8-9:30 a.m.: Practice
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11 a.m.-5:50 p.m.: Qualifying (order based on draw, top 30 locked in field at end of day)
Sunday, May 19:
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10:15-10:45 a.m.: Fast Nine Shootout practice 10:45-11:15 a.m.: Last Row Shootout practice
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12:15-1:15 p.m.: Last Row Shootout qualifying (order based on original draw, one attempt per car)
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1:15-2:15 p.m.: Fast Nine Shootout qualifying (order based on Saturday times, slowest to fastest, one attempt per car)
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3:15-6 p.m.: Open practice, all 33 qualified cars
The 2019 NTT IndyCar Series season totals 17 races and opens with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Sunday, March 10 (12:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN).
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Thoughts:
I like the fact that the field won’t be set until Sunday. I’d prefer only 27 cars be locked in on Saturday.
It’s fantastic that both the pole run and bumping will be on NBC. The TV window dictated the format most likely.
I’m glad the 10-30 group doesn’t have to requalify Sunday. It rewards the teams for making the field on Day 1.
Giving the cars still needing to make the race just one shot Sunday seems inconsistent with the qualifying rules for Saturday. They should have two shots as time allows. Perhaps have the Fast Nine shootout first and make the practice only two hours.
I could live without the Fast Nine Shootout. Determine the pole by fastest time Saturday and allow the Pole winner to spend time in the tv booth on Sunday. The schedule allows little air time for the polesitter.
Although I think this doesn’t go far enough, it is a big step in the right direction with what appears to be added television time. It is still probably a work in progress depending on the number of entries.
Clauson-Marshall Racing, Pippa Mann Enter Indy 500
Pippa Mann will get another shot at driving in the Indianapolis 500. Clauson-Marshall Racing, one of the most successful dirt car teams at the moment, announced their entry for the 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500. Tim Clauson, father of the late Brian Clauson, said he and partner Richard Marshall are continuing Brian’s legacy of short track drivers racing in the 500.
The team has a technical alliance with A. J. Foyt Racing. The Foyt team did have speed at IMS last year. Tony Kanaan qualified 10th and Matheus Leist started 11th. Kanaan led 19 laps and was a contender for the win until a tire issue put him toward the rear of the field. He eventually crashed. Leist finished 13th.
Driven2 Save Lives will be the primary name on the car. Mann said several of her sponsors from last year will be back as well as at least three new backers. Mann was one of two drivers bumped from the field in 2018. Mann has participated in six Indy 500s, debuting in 2011. Her best starting spot is 22nd in 2014 and her best finish is 17th in 2017.
Pippa Mann speaks at the Clauson-Marshall announcement.
The car will carry number 39, Brian Clauson’s number. Clauson and Mann were teammates at Dale Coyne Racing in 2016.
The car has similar colors as last year’s Driven2SaveLives entry.
Thoughts
Despite the partnership with Foyt, who did find some speed last year, the team faces long odds of making the race. With 36-38 entires expected, the one off teams could have a difficult time cracking the fastest 33.
I like Pippa. She is a great ambassador for the sport and works tirelessly on behalf of health causes and to help women in racing. She adds a lot to the paddock. However, I think a new team would want a more seasoned driver to have a realistic chance at lining up race morning. It will be great if she drives on May 26, but I fear the same result she had last year.
It’s always great to have a new team and more entries at Indy.
1976: New Buildings, a Very Short Race, and an End to a Rainy Era
The modern face of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway began to take shape in America’s Bicentennial year. The current IMS Museum building opened, allowing for more old cars to be displayed. The building at the corner of 16th and Georgetown would become office space for IMS administration. The Speedway honored the new building with a rendition on the cover of the program. A photo (below) in the program shows a much different space than we see now.
Also new in the infield just west of the new Museum is the Louis Chevrolet memorial. The project had an estimated cost of $40,000. It would cost at least five times that today.
I believe this program was one of the last to have a memorial page, honoring drivers and others associated with the track and the race who had died since the last race. Three former winners grace the page, two who died early. Rene Thomas, winner of the 1914 500, died the previous September and at age 89. Other winners on the page are 1966 champion Graham Hill, killed in a plane crash in November 1975; and 1972 winner Mark Donohue, who died of injuries suffered in a testing crash in Austria.
USAC has what seems like a larger than usual presence in the program. There is an ad inviting fans to join the club and a feature by Donald Davidson recognizing the USAC’s 21st year. The article includes the 1976 schedule:
Other stories are a nice tribute to Mary “Mom” Unser, mother of Bobby, Al, Louis, and Jerry, Jr., who died of a heart attack the previous December. Mary was popular for her famous chili, which she cooked every May for the paddock.
I always enjoy looking through the old programs for the ads for products no longer in use. Champion spark plugs, Monroe shock absorbers, CAM2 racing oil, and Standard oil are immortalized in print.
The score sheet insert is one I had never seen before. It is a pamphlet which includes thumbnail biographies of the drivers, a brief history of IMS, and the current USAC Championship point standings, plus a brief explanation of the points system. Going into Memorial Day, Gordon Johncock led the standings with 530 points. Johnny Rutherford was second with 400 points.
The winner of the 500 received 1,000 points and the 12th place finisher took home 50. Points were not awarded outside the top 12.
The race itself turned out to be the shortest in history. Rain stopped the event after 102 laps, 255 miles. The field completed just one lap more than the required distance to make it an official race. Johnny Rutherford won from the pole, leading 48 laps. It was Rutherford’s second win in three years. It was the last race won by a four cylinder engine.
1976 was the third rain shortened race in a four year period. The 1973 race was postponed two days and ran only 133 laps, and in 1975, rain halted the race after 174 circuits. An odd statistic- the back to back rain curtailments gave each winner- Bobby Unser won in 1975- their second 500 title. There have been just two rain shortened races since then, in 2004 and 2007.
Some races have had starts delayed because of weather and then run to completion the same day. Others have had postponements of a day or two. The longest postponement was in 1986, when the race ran the Saturday following its original Sunday date.
Later this week, my season previews will be on Wildfire Sports. The Pit Window will share news and commentary on the week’s Indycar happenings as well.
Latest Wickens Video
Have tissues handy
Indycar Introduces New Safety Device- Some Thoughts
Yesterday Indycar introduced a new safety device which will debut at the Indianapolis 500. It is a small deflector in front of the cockpit between the rearview mirrors. The device, called the Advanced Frontal Protection Device (AFP), is supposed to deflect low flying small debris. The three inch high, 0.75 inch wide titanium piece is built b Dallara. The windscreen still needs more development, which is continuing. It might surprise you, but probably doesn’t , that I have some thoughts about this device.
In fairness, the AFP has not appeared out of the blue. It has bee discussed and studied for a few years. I’m positive the series would not put something on the car that has not been researched.
First, I have to trust Jay Frye and his team on this one. The never ending quest to make the cars safer is always at the front of his mind. I applaud his effort to implement some sort of safety deflector as an alternative to the windscreen. The screen had some issues. It added heat to the cockpits. Drivers who tested it complained of distortion and limited vision. I like that they are still working on it. The AFP does not appear to affect the driver’s sightline.
“Safety is a never-ending pursuit, and this is INDYCAR’s latest step in the evolution,” IndyCar president Jay Frye said. “There are more details to come about the phases to follow.”
I’m glad that the NTT Indycar Seeries is not proceeding with the windscreen because they don’t feel it is ready.
My concern is the AFP appears to be limited in what it can prevent from entering the cockpit and striking the driver. I’m not an engineer, but it appears that debris must come at a specific angle on a low trajectory for it to be effective. The device seems designed to stop smaller objects.
Before commenting further, I would like to see a view of this from the front of the car.
I hope this is a stopgap feature leading to the windscreen. The AFP looks like it is a transitional device which will give way to a more comprehensive cockpit protector.
While the 500 will be the first race for the cars to use the AFP, it will be on all cars for the April 24 test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Like many safety devices, I hope it is never tested in a race. Sadly, needing it is the only to know if it works as intended.
A close-up of the deflector highlighted in green:
Image by Indycar
Again, I need to see this in person and learn more about what it is designed to do before I pass a definite judgment.
You can read the complete release at Indycar.com
Spring Training Begins at COTA; 25 Entries Set to Run
Today, at last, is the official opening day of the 2019 NTT Indycar Series season. Spring training begins at 11 am ET at Circuit of the Americas, the newest track on the schedule. Cars have 5 hours of track time available today and 6 hours tomorrow. Today’s action will be streamed on Indycar’s Facebook page, Twitter, and YouTube.
With Monday’s news about the change in plans at Harding Steinbrenner Racing, Colton Herta will test the lone car for the team. Kyle Kaiser will likely test for Juncos. The team announced yesterday that Kaiser will drive the number 32 at COTA in the March 24 race.
IndyCar sessions are scheduled from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 3:30-6:30 p.m. ET on the 12th, and 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2:00-6:00 p.m. ET on the 13th.
Expected to test :
A.J. Foyt Racing Chevy (2): Tony Kanaan, Matheus Leist
Andretti Autosport Honda (4): Alexander Rossi, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Marco Andretti, Zach Veach
Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda (2): James Hinchcliffe, Marcus Ericsson
Carlin Racing Chevy (2): Max Chilton, RC Enerson
Chip Ganassi Racing Honda (2): Scott Dixon, Felix Rosenqvist
Dale Coyne Racing Honda (2): Sebastien Bourdais, Santino Ferrucci
Ed Carpenter Racing Chevy (2): Spencer Pigot, Ed Jones
Harding Steinbrenner Racing Honda (1): Colton Herta/Patricio O’Ward
Juncos Racing Chevy (1): TBA
Meyer Shank Racing Honda (1): Jack Harvey
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Honda (2): Graham Rahal, Takuma Sato
Team Penske Chevy (4): Will Power, Josef Newgarden, Simon Pagenaud, Helio Castroneves
Tickets for Spring Training can be purchased at http://www.circuitoftheamericas.com/indycar-spring-training.
O’Ward, Harding Steinbrenner Split; Pato has Limited Options for 2019
Above: Pato O’Ward speaks to the media at Sonoma last September
In a statement released this morning Harding Steinbrenner Racing announced that the team and driver Pato O’Ward have agreed to part company. O’Ward’s statement:
“The Harding Steinbrenner Racing team supported my decision to seek a new opportunity by releasing me from my contract and allowing me the opportunity to find a new team before the start of the 2019 season,” said O’Ward, the 2018 Indy Lights champion who strongly impressed in his IndyCar debut with HSR late last season. “Now, I am fully focused on finding the right opportunity and how I will use my scholarship from Indy Lights for 2019.”
O’ Ward raced for then Harding Racing in the 2018 Indycar finale at Sonoma. He qualified fifth and finished ninth in a spectacular debut. O’Ward was projected to team with Colton Herta in a two car effort for the merged Harding Steinbrenner Racing this upcoming season. Herta will be the sole full time entry for the team, which switched to Honda power in December.
The 2018 Indy lights champion has $1 million in scholarship money to put toward a ride. Rumors about financial woes at Harding Steinbrenner have been circulating for a while. This close to the beginning of the season it may be difficult to find a ride. There are some part time possibilities, however. I’m pretty confident a seat for the Indianapolis 500 will be available to him. O’Ward was projected as one of the top candidates for Rookie of the Year this season.
Possible landing spots- This is strictly conjecture on my part. I have no idea what talks are going on, but I am looking at what little is available right now.
Juncos?- As of now, Kyle Kaiser will drive in the 500, but nothing else is confirmed. The team is looking for a driver with funding.
Carlin 2nd car?- Charlie Kimball has just 5 races set and R. C. Enerson has been testing with the team. There is speculation that he will fill in when Kimball isn’t driving, but I’m not sure he can run all 12 of the other races.
Coyne 3rd car?- Dale Coyne has brought out a third car from time to time. This may not be the best option for O’Ward to showcase his talent.
6th Andretti car for Indy?- O’Ward won the Indy Lights title in 2018 driving for Andretti and Andretti was giving some assistance to Harding Steinbrenner. Michael said at the Conor Daly announcement that a 6th car didn’t look good, but the cash infusion might change things.
Additional track time for Dragonspeed- Ben Hanley has a 5 race schedule planned as the team dips its toe in the Indycar pool this year. O’Ward could allow them more time to develop.
Meyer Shank more races? Jack Harvey will be in 10 races as the team expands a bit from last year. Could O’ Ward get them closer to a full time schedule?
It would be a pity if O’Ward doesn’t race this season. He is a great talent whom I was looking to seeing on track.
The Pit Window by Mike Silver 