Tag: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Porsche Leads Practice 1 at IMS

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Penske Entertainment Photo

Defending winner number 6 Penske Porsche led the way in today’s single practice for the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks. The Porsches dominated last year, locking out the front row and handily winning the race. Mathieu Jaminet had the quick lap of the day 2ith a time of 1:16.138.

The 01 Cadillac driven by Indianapolis 500 veteran Sebastien Bourdais and Renger van de Zande ended second on the speed chart. The Cadillac led much of the 90 minute session, and the Porsche edged in front in the final minutes.,

The LMP2 class was paced by car 11 from TDS. Former IndyNXT driver Hunter McElrea is part of this team, joining Mikkel Jensen and Steven Thomas.

A GTD car, the 023 Ferrari, led the touring classes with Ricardo Agostini behind the wheel.

The fastest GTDPro was the Pfaff Mclaren, car 9, driven by Marvin Kirchhofer.

The day began warm but pleasant. A brief sprinkle just after the start of practice for the IMSA Weather teach championship didn’t slow down the action, but the humidity rose sharply.

Practice 2 is at 8:55 am Eastern time Saturday, with qualifying at 3:40 pm.

Notes

It was nice to see Sebastien Bourdais driving at IMS again. I truly miss his not being in IndyCar.

Marshall Pruett is reporting that Rinus VeeKay will not return to Ed Carpenter Racing in 2025. I will have more on this later this weekend. It is awfully late to find another seat.

Today’s crowd seemed smaller than the Friday crowd last year. I hope attendance picks up the next two days.

Results

Note- driver in Italics drove the fast lap for that team.

IMSA TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks Begins Today

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It will be very warm this weekend. Remember to hydrate.

Information from IMS:

Friday, Sept. 20  INDIANAPOLIS
Information about IMSA TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks track activity Friday, Sept. 20 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

:SCHEDULE (All times local):
8 a.m.-5 p.m.: Public gates open
8:20-9:20 a.m.: Michelin Pilot Challenge Practice 1
9:35-10:05 a.m.: Porsche Carrera Cup North America Qualifying
10:20-10:35 a.m.: Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America Qualifying 1
10:40-10:55 a.m.: Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America Qualifying 2
11:15 a.m.-12:45 p.m.: WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Practice 1 (all classes)
1:45-2:45 p.m.: Michelin Pilot Challenge Practice 2
3-3:40 p.m.: Porsche Carrera Cup North America Race 1 (40 minutes)
4-4:50 p.m.: Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America Race 1 (50 minutes)
TICKETS: $20 for General Admission seating for the IMSA TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks. Children 15 and under are admitted free with a paying adult in General Admission grandstand seating locations and infield viewing mounds. Reserved seating is available for $104 in the Hulman Terrace Club.
PUBLIC GATES OPEN (8 a.m.-5 p.m.): Gate 1, Gate 2, Gate 4, Gate 6S, Gate 7S
.PARKING: Main Gate Parking Alert – The Main Gate Lot is inaccessible due to the closure of Polco Street. A Main Gate parking pass will grant access to Lot 3 during the IMSA weekend. Please enter via 16th Street. 
Free parking, including ADA parking, is available in the Hulman Lot with limited availability. Paid parking is available in Lot 2 and Lot 3 for $10 and in Gate 1 Lot for $25. Paid ADA parking is available in Lot 2 and Lot 3 for $10 and Gate 1 for $25. Free motorcycle parking in Gate 1.
CASHLESS OPERATIONS: IMS is a cashless facility. Please be prepared to complete ticket, parking, concession and merchandise purchases with ease via debit or credit card. Tap-to-pay phone payments will be accepted, as will credit and debit transactions.
MUSEUM: The IMS Museum is closed for a major renovation, reopening in April 2025. To learn more, please visit imsmuseum.org/renovation.

TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks Features ‘Race within a Race’ 

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From IMS :


 INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024) – Sports car racing is back at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks on Sept. 20-22, with the unique, “race within a race” format of class racing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and Michelin Pilot Challenge series.
Just one type of race car competes either on the 2.5-mile oval or the 14-turn, 2.439-mile road course at the Racing Capital of the World during NTT INDYCAR SERIES and NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series competition. The length of those series’ races also is measured by laps, and there is just one driver assigned per car.
IMSA is different.
Four different classes of cars will race simultaneously when the featured Weather Tech Sports Car Championship race starts at 11:40 a.m. ET Sunday on the 14-turn, 2.439-mile road course. And the race is not measured by laps; it’s measured by time – up to a six-hour endurance race this year after a two-hour, 40-minute “sprint” last year.
Drivers from all over the world compete for overall victory but also for first place within their respective class. That unique format always keeps the racing interesting, and the varying speeds of the four classes of machines creates intense racing within classes and plenty of traffic for the fastest classes to navigate for most of the race.The four classes of cars in the series are comprised of two styles of cars – prototype, which showcases the latest automotive technology and are designed uniquely for the racetrack; and GT, based on road-going production models.Teams also perform driver changes during selected pit stops, as drivers rotate in and out of the cars over the six-hour endurance race.So, let’s take a look at the four classes of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship:

Grand Touring Prototype (GTP): The newest and most technologically advanced Prototype race car debuted in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2023, featuring a common hybrid powertrain for all entries that takes kinetic energy gained in braking and stores it in batteries for later use when needed. Five global automotive manufacturers – Acura, BMW, Cadillac, Lamborghini and Porsche – are entered in the class this weekend. Each manufacturer developed its unique internal combustion engine and bodywork styling.

Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2): The Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) is a closed-cockpit car developed by four approved constructors. In addition to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, LMP2 cars are eligible to compete in other global series such as the FIA World Endurance Championship, which includes the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans.

GT Daytona Pro (GTD Pro): GTD PRO, which debuted in 2022, includes race cars built to FIA GT3 technical regulations and offers the opportunity for factory teams and driver lineups to compete in the class. GTD PRO features a veritable rolling showroom of manufacturers competing in this class this weekend, including Aston Martin, BMW, Chevrolet, Ferrari, Ford, Lamborghini, Lexus, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG and Porsche.

GT Daytona (GTD): The GT Daytona cars are enhanced – not defined by – technology and use the global FIA GT3 specification. The GTD class this weekend consists of cars from a host of leading manufacturers, including Acura, Aston Martin, BMW, Chevrolet, Ferrari, Ford, Lamborghini, Lexus, Mercedes-AMG and Porsche.NTT INDYCAR SERIES fans will recognize plenty of names competing in the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks.

Current star Romain Grosjean is racing for Lamborghini in GTP, while four-time series champion Sebastien Bourdais and former NTT INDYCAR SERIES driver Tom Blomqvist drive for Cadillac in GTP.
Former INDYCAR SERIES drivers Ben Hanley and Matt Brabham and INDY NXT by Firestone race winner Hunter McElrea are racing in LMP2, while former INDYCAR SERIES driver Jack Hawksworth is driving in GTD Pro for a team co-owned by INDYCAR SERIES champion Jimmy Vasser.
Ex-INDYCAR SERIES driver Gabby Chaves will team with Jarett Andretti – the son of former INDYCAR SERIES and NASCAR race winner John Andretti – in the GTD class. Former INDYCAR SERIES drivers Devlin DeFrancesco and Jan Heylen and ex-INDY NXT by Firestone driver Rasmus Lindh also are racing in GTD.The Michelin Pilot Challenge also is racing this weekend at IMS. That series also features a “race within a race,” but with just two classes of production-based sports cars and touring cars.
A look at the two classes:

Grand Sport (GS): The Grand Sport class consists of SRO GT4-homologated cars with engines tuned to produce between 400 and 450 horsepower and can reach speeds faster than 160 mph. Competition is equalized by adjustments to fuel-tank capacities, ride height, power and weight. Manufacturers competing this weekend in GS include Aston Martin, BMW, Ford, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG and Porsche.

Touring Car (TCR): The Touring Car class consists of WSC TCR-homologated cars with engines tuned to produce between 300 and 350 horsepower and can reach speeds faster than 140 mph. Competition is equalized by adjustments to fuel-tank capacities, ride height, power and weight. Manufacturers competing this weekend in TCR include Alfa Romeo, Audi, Honda and Hyundai.
Former INDYCAR SERIES driver Robert Wickens will capture plenty of attention in the TCR class, driving a Hyundai for the team owned by former INDYCAR SERIES race winner Bryan Herta.
This exciting event weekend also will feature two single-make series in which competitors race the same brand of car, placing the skill of the driver in the spotlight.

The Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America features a 50-minute race at 4 p.m. Friday and another 50-minute event at 5:10 p.m. Saturday. Drivers compete in machines from the exotic Italian marque

.Porsche enthusiasts also can see the evocative German machines compete in identical 911 GT3 Cup race cars in two Porsche Carrera Cup North America races this weekend.
Both races are 40 minutes each. Race 1 is at 3 p.m. Friday, with Race 2 at 11:10 a.m. Saturday.Tickets and information for the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks are available at IMS.com.

TIRERACK.COM BATTLE ON THE BRICKS PUBLIC SCHEDULE
Friday, Sept. 20
8:20-9:20 a.m. Michelin Pilot Challenge Practice 1
9:35-10:05 a.m. Porsche Carrera Cup North America Qualifying
10:20-10:35 a.m. Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America Qualifying
110:40-10:55 a.m. Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America Qualifying
211:15 a.m.-12:45 p.m. WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Practice 1 (all classes)
1:45-2:45 p.m. Michelin Pilot Challenge Practice 2
3-3:40 p.m. Porsche Carrera Cup North America Race 1 (40 mins.)4-4:50 p.m. Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America Race 1 (50 mins.

)Saturday, Sept. 21
8-8:15 a.m. Michelin Pilot Challenge TCR Qualifying
8:20-8:35 a.m. Michelin Pilot Challenge GS Qualifying
8:55-10:25 a.m. WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Practice 2 (all classes)
11:10-11:50 a.m. Porsche Carrera Cup North America Race 2 (40 mins.
)1:05-3:05 p.m. Indianapolis Motor Speedway 120 Race for the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge (two hours)
3:40-3:55 p.m. WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Qualifying (GTD Pro/GTD)
4:05-4:20 p.m. WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Qualifying (LMP2)
4:30-4:45 p.m. WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Qualifying (GTP)
5:10-6 p.m. Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America Race 2 (50 mins.)

Sunday, Sept. 22
11:40 a.m.-5:40 p.m. TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Race (six hours)

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.

USAC Sprint Cars Competing Sept. 26 at IMS During BC39  

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Stopped for coffee on the road and saw this great news from IMS.

INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, Sept. 13, 2024) – USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Cars are coming to The Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the first time Thursday, Sept. 26 during the Driven2SaveLives BC39 presented by Avanti Windows & Doors.
The inaugural Stoops Sprint Car Invitational will take place on the 1/4-mile dirt oval located inside Turn 3 of IMS during the opening night of the Driven2SaveLives BC39 presented by Avanti Windows & Doors.
The invitation-only, non-points special event for USAC National Sprint Cars at IMS will feature two heat races followed by a 20-lap main event.
“USAC Midgets have put on an incredible show at IMS since 2018, so we expect wheel-to-wheel action from Sprint Cars on The Dirt Track,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said.
“The Stoops Sprint Car Invitational is another must-see dirt event at IMS, as this division features great racing with some of the biggest stars of USAC.”
Invitations to compete in the unique event were presented to top-10 teams on the 2024 USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship tour. Confirmed entries so far have been received from Logan Seavey, Daison Pursley, C.J. Leary, Kevin Thomas Jr., Mitchel Moles, Kyle Cummins, Robert Ballou and Kale Drake.
The Thursday night portion of the BC39 will feature both sprint cars and a full program for the USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship.
Spectator tickets are on sale for the event at IMS.com.The BC39 will continue to honor the late USAC champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 starter Bryan Clauson.
It also will increase awareness of organ donation and encourage participation in the Indiana Donor Network Driven2SaveLives program, the title sponsor of the BC39 since the inaugural running in 2018.
The final night of the BC39, on Saturday, Sept. 28, includes a 39-lap feature race. Practice, qualifying, heat races and feature races will take place Thursday, Sept. 26 and Friday, Sept. 27. 
 

Firestone To Continue as NTT INDYCAR SERIES Exclusive Tire Supplier through Long-Term Extension 

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It is always good news to hear Firestone is staying.

From IndyCar:

Highlights-

 Bridgestone announces its Firestone brand will remain the sole tire supplier for all NTT INDYCAR SERIES races, including the Indianapolis 500.

Firestone will also continue as the entitlement partner and official tire supplier for INDY NXT by Firestone, as well as an official partner of the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The agreement reinforces collaboration between Bridgestone and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES to help advance developments toward sustainable racing innovation.

INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024) – Bridgestone Americas (Bridgestone) and Penske Entertainment today announced a long-term extension to Firestone’s role as the exclusive tire supplier of all INDYCAR-sanctioned racing. The agreement will keep Firestone as the sole tire supplier for all NTT INDYCAR SERIES races, the INDY NXT by Firestone developmental series, and the annual Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.
Firestone is currently in its 25th consecutive season as the exclusive tire supplier for the series. The extension reinforces Bridgestone’s ongoing commitment to driving innovation through motorsports. The Firestone brand continues its rich history in open-wheel racing, dating back more than a century.
“At Bridgestone, motorsports are our passion – always have been and always will be. This is particularly true for our Firestone brand, which has been part of world-class racing since winning the first Indy 500 in 1911,” said Paolo Ferrari, executive chairman and CEO, Bridgestone Americas.
“We believe motorsports are the ultimate challenge for premium performance and a proving ground for advancing in our goals toward sustainable innovation. Our relationship with the NTT INDYCAR SERIES has been a critical part of these efforts, and we are proud to keep driving forward together.”
Through the Firestone brand, Bridgestone has worked closely with the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and partners across the paddock to help advance developments in more sustainable racing. Bridgestone incorporated certain materials made from hard-to-recycle plastics and palm oil waste residue in Indy 500 race tires in 2023 and 
2024. The company has also used guayule-derived natural rubber in the sidewall of alternate race tires the past two seasons.
Bridgestone’s motorsports initiatives are aligned with the company’s long-term sustainability goals. They also demonstrate alignment with INDYCAR’s efforts to work toward making the sport more sustainable.
“Our relationship with the team at Bridgestone continues to set an industry standard for success and innovation,” said Roger Penske, chairman of Penske Corporation. “Firestone has been a foundational partner for our sport, from the very first Indy 500 to now, playing an integral role in the development of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and its highly competitive racing. We’re extremely proud to carry this long-term partnership forward into a very exciting and productive future together.”
The long-term extension includes Firestone’s role as presenting sponsor and sole tire supplier of the top-tier development series, INDY NXT by Firestone. The brand signed as presenting sponsor of INDY NXT in 2023 to help the sport develop the next generation of racing talent and engage new audiences. The agreement also renews Firestone’s status as official partner and tire supplier of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the largest spectator sporting facility on the planet.
The announcement reinforces Bridgestone’s investment and commitment to its workforce in Northeast Ohio. All Firestone Firehawk race tires are designed and manufactured at the Bridgestone Advanced Tire Production Center (ATPC) in Akron. The facility opened in 2022 across the street from the Bridgestone Americas Technology Center (ATC). This proximity allows the Firestone Race Tire Engineering team to work side-by-side with other tire engineers to transfer insights from racing into other innovation workstreams.
In addition to providing tire technology and on-track support, Firestone will continue its role as a key partner in the marketing and promotion of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT by Firestone. The brand’s comprehensive, season-long activation features fan engagement, sponsorships and signage at multiple venues. It also includes robust social and digital media programs, traditional media and hospitality.
Bridgestone motorsports activities are leveraged globally as co-creation platforms to help deliver the values of the Bridgestone E8 Commitment. This corporate commitment outlines eight areas where the company is focused on contributing to a more sustainable world. The ongoing relationship with the NTT INDYCAR SERIES supports the values of emotion, energy, ecology and empowerment.
For more company news, visit BridgestoneAmericas.com.
About Bridgestone Americas, Inc.:Bridgestone Americas, Inc. is the U.S.-based subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, a global leader in tires and rubber, building on its expertise to provide solutions for safe and sustainable mobility. Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, Bridgestone Americas employs more than 50,000 people across its worldwide operations. Bridgestone offers a diverse product portfolio of premium tires and advanced solutions backed by innovative technologies, improving the way people around the world move, live, work and play.
About INDYCAR:INDYCAR is the Indianapolis-based governing body for North America’s premier open-wheel auto racing series, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, and its developmental series, INDY NXT by Firestone. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES features an international field of the world’s most versatile drivers – including two-time and reigning series champion Alex Palou, two-time series champion Will Power, six-time series champion Scott Dixon and two-time series champion and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden – who compete on superspeedways, short ovals, street circuits and permanent road courses. The 2024 season consists of 17 races in the United States and Canada and is highlighted by the historic Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES, INDY NXT by Firestone, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IMS Productions are owned by Penske Corporation, a global transportation, automotive and motorsports leader.
For more information on INDYCAR and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, please visit www.indycar.com. For more information on INDY NXT by Firestone, please visit www.indynxt.com. 

The Last Cowboys

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Summer 2024 has been rough on us older race fans. In June Parnelli Jones, 1963 Indianapolis 500 winner, died at the age of 90, and last Friday Paul Goldsmith, two-time USAC stock car champion and six-time 500 starter who finished third in the 1960 race, left us at the age of 98.

Jones and Goldsmith had something in common with just three other drivers still alive. The five were the last to drive front engine cars in the Indianapolis 500. The remaining three are all multiple Indianapolis 500 winners- A. J. Foyt, age 89; Gordon Johncock, 87; and Johnny Rutherford, 86. The trio has nine 500 victories between them, as many as the Unser family.

Gordon Johncock
Johnny Rutherford

The front engine cars of the 1950s and 60s were tanks, built with little regard to driver safety. Stepping into one of these cars knowing that any run could be your last one, took a certain amount of fearlessness The front engine design had probably reached its top speed at the Speedway, a touch over 150 miles per hour, as the rear engine cars quickly pushed them aside in the mid ‘60s.

The drivers mentioned survived one of the deadliest 20 year periods in the sport’s history, and the three still living all are within shouting distance of their 90th birthdays. Is there a correlation between getting through that difficult era of racing and being extremely talented?  How much can be ascribed to good fortune?

Both Foyt and Rutherford suffered severe injuries on the track. How Foyt survived his accidents at Road America and Riverside is nothing short of miraculous.

On the other hand, there are drivers just as gifted as these three who had fatal injuries on track- Bill Vukovich, Bob Sweikert, Ted Horn, Rex Mays, and Jimmy Bryan- to name a few.

Racing needs to do more to honor these three living pioneers of the modern era.  While IndyCar’s popularity is just a shadow of what it once was, it would probably have disappeared had it not been for the efforts of these men and a few others. Foyt alone brought some new life to IndyCar with his incredible success in the early 60s. I hope all three are still here next May.  Foyt will be 90 by then, and Johncock and Rutherford will be one year closer to their 10th decade. I would like to see IMS go all out to give these men, and the other drivers of front engine cars their due, as a thank you.

Because of drivers like Jones, Foyt, Johncock, Rutherford, and Goldsmith, IMS and auto racing went through a renaissance, and we older fans should be able to cheer for them one more time. If you are an old timer like me, and you are at the track, seek out Foyt or Rutherford to say hi and thank them \. Johncock rarely ventures to IMS.

90 isn’t too far away for some of us either.

Indianapolis 500 Veteran Goldsmith Dies at 98  

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This is very sad news. I was a huge Goldsmith fan back in the day. What a life he lived.

From IMS:

 INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, Sept. 6, 2024)– Indianapolis 500 veteran Paul Goldsmith, a winning competitor on two and four wheels, died Sept. 6 in Munster, Indiana. He was 98, the oldest Indianapolis 500 starter at the time of his passing.West Virginia native Goldsmith made six consecutive “500” starts between 1958-63. His best finish came in 1960, a third-place result in the No. 99 Demler Epperly/Offy car overshadowed by the sensational duel for victory between Jim Rathmann and Rodger Ward.
Goldsmith also finished fifth in 1959. That strong result came a year after he completed zero laps as a rookie starter in 1958, as he was caught in the multi-car accident that claimed the life of Pat O’Connor.
Goldsmith’s best qualifying position was ninth for his final start, in 1963.Incredibly, Goldsmith achieved such success at the top level of open-wheel racing despite making only eight career starts in cars without fenders. All eight races were USAC Championship events, including the six Indianapolis 500 starts.
Few racers in his era were more versatile and successful than the humble, quiet Goldsmith.
Raised in Detroit, he began racing motorcycles as a teenager after the end of World War II. He jumped immediately to American Motorcyclist Association expert status on Harley-Davidson machines, competing while working full time at a Chrysler factory. Goldsmith’s first major AMA motorcycle win came in 1952 on the 1-mile dirt track at Wisconsin State Fair Park, now paved and known as the Milwaukee Mile
.In 1953, Goldsmith won the Daytona 200 motorcycle race on the old beach road course, with his Harley prepared by legendary engine builder and tuner Smokey Yunick. He also won the 100-mile race at treacherous Langhorne (Pennsylvania) Speedway.
Goldsmith finished second in the AMA standings in 1954 to a protegee and friend from the West Coast who also achieved success on two and four wheels – Joe Leonard.
While still racing motorcycles, Goldsmith tried his hand at stock car racing, winning a 250-mile race in 1953 at the Detroit Fairgrounds. He made his final motorcycle start in 1956 and then focused on stock car racing, earning his first NASCAR victory that year in a 300-mile race at Langhorne for Yunick’s team.
Goldsmith was the final NASCAR Grand National winner on the old beach course in 1958 in Daytona Beach, Florida, while the construction of Daytona International Speedway was underway. He is the only competitor to win on the beach course in a car and on a motorcycle
.In 1959, Goldsmith teamed up with ace mechanic Ray Nichels and dominated the USAC Stock Car circuit in Nichels Engineering machines during the first half of the 1960s. He won the USAC Stock Car championship in 1961 and 1962 and finished second in 1960 and 1965.Goldsmith won 26 USAC Stock Car races in 85 starts, with 44 top-three finishes. Nineteen of those wins came in 39 starts during his title-winning seasons in 1961 and 1962.
He won nine races and earned 59 top-10 finishes in 127 NASCAR starts. His last NASCAR win came in 1966 at Bristol (Tennessee) Motor Speedway.
Despite only six starts at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Goldsmith turned many laps at the Racing Capital of the World as Firestone’s chief test driver.
He also participated in one of the most unique events in IMS history, a 24-hour race between two cars Nov. 21-22, 1961. Goldsmith and fellow star drivers Ward, Len Sutton, Fireball Roberts, Marvin Panch and Joe Weatherly alternated between a Police Enforcer version of a Pontiac Catalina and a conventional Catalina in heavy rain, a test of the machinery and drivers. They were the first drivers to compete on the completely paved 2.5-mile oval, as the front straightaway of original brick was covered with asphalt in October 1961.
His noteworthy accomplishments on two and four wheels were honored with membership in several Halls of Fame, including the IMS Hall of Fame, Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, Motorcycle Hall of Fame, USAC Hall of Fame and Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame.
Goldsmith retired as a driver in 1969 to focus on his growing aviation exploits. He was a noted pilot, one of the first drivers to fly himself to and from races. He also trained pilots for China East Airlines, flew parts to races in his plane, and owned an aviation engine repair business and an airport in Griffith, Indiana. Goldsmith also owned a series of ranches and restaurants.
Goldsmith was predeceased by his wife, Helen, and son, Greg. He is survived by his daughter, Linda Goldsmith-Slifer. 
 

An IMS Legend is Gone

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Chuck Lynn, a fixture n Pagoda Plaza and Gasoline Alley, died today. Chuck sold the Indianapolis Star for many years at the Speedway. He was part of the place, and his absence will be felt next May. I occasionally bought a paper from Chuck, because that’s what you do.

I did not know Chuck well but seeing him upon arriving in the plaza gave me comfort. I knew I was in the right place. How odd it will seem next spring to not hear the call of “Paper!” as i walk by his bike.

It’s fitting that Chuck passed away three years and a day after his good friend Robin Miller. The two had a special bond. Tony Kanaan also had a great relationship with Chuck.

IMS will feel a little emptier in May 2025. It seems the regulars are leaving too quickly the last few years, losing the race none of us will win. Say Hi to Robin for me, Chuck.