Tag: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Rahal and AMSP 500 Additions Put Field at 33

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Rahal Letterman Lanigan racing announced a fourth car for the 107th running of the Indianapolis 500 yesterday but did not name a driver. This morning Arrow McLaren SP introduced their fourth car and driver combination for Memorial Day weekend, with 2013 winner Tony Kanaan joining the team.

AMSP will field the drivers who finished second, third, fourth, and fifth in the 2022 500.

The two additional cars add to the growing list of entries for the race. The field for the Indianapolis 500 as it stands now:

Team Penske- 3

Chip Ganassi Racing- 3 (+1?)

Andretti Autosport- 5

AMSP-4

Rahal letterman Lanigan Racing- 4

Ed Carpenter Racing-3

Meyer Shank Racing-2

A. J. Foyt Racing-2

Juncos Racing-2

Dale Coyne-2

Dreyer and Reinbold-2

With the fourth car at Ganassi presumed to come into being, the entry list is at 33. There are 16 Chevy engines and 17 Honda engines. How much more will each manufacturer run? I think no more than one each. The sad part is a couple of one off teams will not be able to come to the Speedway in May. The one off teams are part of the allure of the race. It’s nice to see the little guy fighting for a spot. Those days may be coming to an end.

Marcus Ericsson Joins Speedway Legends 0n The Borg Warner Trophy

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The image of 2022 Indianapolis 500 winner Marcus Ericsson is now on the Borg warner trophy, fixing his place oi Speedway history. The unveiling took place this morning at Union 50 in downtown Indianapolis. Through 2018, the winner’s image unveiling was a small public affair at the IMS Museum. In 2019 Simon Pagenaud first saw his face on the trophy in France. Helio Castroneves’ mage for 2021 occurred at the PRI show.

Following a short clip of the end of the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500, a brief video message from Kenny Brack,, the 1999 winner, and a fellow Swede of Ericsson, played.

IMS resident Doug Boles and Borg Warner representative Michelle Collins introduced Ericsson, who removed the covering from the trophy bas and had his first look of his face on the trophy.

Today’s affair was an elegant event that the Penske footprint all over it. A luncheon followed the invitation only ceremony.

Indycar photo

The likeness is one of the more authentic ones in the last few years. I have felt many of the recent image son the trophy looked pretty much the same. Ericsson’s image is very true to life.

Doug Boles introduces Ericsson

The crew of the number 8 Huski Chocolate car

IMS Event Tickets Now on Sale

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FRom IMNS:

2023 IMS Event Tickets On Sale Now
at IMS.com, Ticket Office 
 INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022) – Tickets for marquee events in 2023 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway – including the 107th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge and the Brickyard Weekend NASCAR / INDYCAR tripleheader – 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 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. ET. Tickets also can be purchased by calling 317-492-6700 or 800-822-4639.
“The 2023 lineup offers both old favorites and new experiences for our fans as we welcome them to The Racing Capital of the World,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “With tickets for the best available seats at the lowest remaining prices now available, our fans can plan for another great season of events at IMS.”
Tickets for the following 2023 events are on sale at IMS.com/tickets and the Ticket Office:
NTT INDYCAR SERIES GMR Grand Prix: Saturday, May 13
Miller Lite Carb Day: Friday, May 26
107th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge: Sunday, May 28
Indy 500 Snake Pit presented by Coors Light: Sunday, May 28
Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational: Saturday, June 17 and Sunday, June 18
NTT INDYCAR SERIES Gallagher Grand Prix: Saturday, Aug. 12
NASCAR Xfinity Series Pennzoil 150 at the Brickyard: Saturday, Aug. 12
NASCAR Cup Series Verizon 200 at the Brickyard: Sunday, Aug. 13
Intercontinental GT Indianapolis 8-Hour: Friday, Oct. 6-Sunday, Oct. 8
Customers also can purchase admission to practice, qualifications and the 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.
All products are on sale at their lowest remaining prices, with increases coming in 2023. The $4 per-ticket service fee will be waived on items purchased before Jan. 1. Kids 15 and under will continue to be admitted free in general admission locations to all 2023 racing events at IMS when accompanied by an adult general admission ticket holder.
Miller Lite Carb Day and Snake Pit presented by Coors Light concert lineups will be announced soon. The Firestone Legends Day concert will once again be held at the TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park. Performers and ticket sale information will be announced later.
Ticket applications are open for the 2023 Driven2SaveLives BC39 presented by WeatherTech. Fans can sign up to receive ticket information for the IMSA Battle on the Bricks to be held Sept. 15-17.

Ericsson’s Image Added to Borg Warner Thursday

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From IMS- Invitation only, but streaming available.

Ericsson To Unveil Image on Borg-Warner Trophy
Thursday in Indianapolis 
 Marcus Ericsson will unveil his likeness on the Borg-Warner Trophy as the winner of the 106th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge at 11:30 a.m. ET Thursday, Oct. 27 at Union 50 in downtown Indianapolis.
Ericsson, from Sweden, won “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” for the first time May 29 in the No. 8 Huski Chocolate Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.
Ericsson and other special guests will be available for interviews following the ceremony at Union 50, a restaurant located on 620 N. East St. in the popular Mass Ave section of Indianapolis.
Fans can watch the invitation-only event live on IMS.com and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA.

Frost Sweeps Lights Test

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Danial Frost led both test sessions at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway today in the Chris Griffis Memorial Test.

The release from IMS:

INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, Oct. 21, 2022) – Danial Frost staked his claim as a driver to watch for the 2023 Indy Lights championship by leading the Chris Griffis Memorial Test on Friday, Oct. 21 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Indy Lights veteran Frost, from Singapore, led the 16 drivers participating in the annual test with a top lap of 1 minute, 16.2526 seconds in the No. 68 HMD Motorsports with Dale Coyne Racing entry. That time came during the morning session on the 14-turn, 2.439-mile road course, and he also led the afternoon session at 1:16.2794.
SEE: Combined Results
“Today went pretty well,” Frost said. “I’m quite happy with how the progress has gone. We’re looking more to getting the balance right, and being at the top is a nice refresh and helps us make sure we’re making good progress. The team has done an excellent job even though we have nine cars now. We’re still fast.”
Less than one-half second separated the top nine drivers overall in the test, named in memory of Chris Griffis, the team manager of Schmidt Peterson Motorsports who passed away suddenly in September 2011. Griffis led the team to five Indy Lights championships from 2003-2011.
2022 Rookie of the Year Hunter McElrea was second at 1:16.3769 in the No. 27 Andretti Autosport car. Ernie Francis Jr., who has joined the powerful HMD Motorsports team for his second season in 2023, ended up an impressive third at 1:16.4489 in the No. 99 HMD Motorsports with Force Indy car. Francis finished 10th in the series standings as a rookie in 2022.
“Coming into today, expectations are high, being with HMD, a championship-winning team last year,” Francis said. “We know we have the potential to be fast, and today was pretty good. We ended up P3. Really happy with that. That’s the highest we’ve been in the order all season. I think it should be a really competitive (2023) season. The times look really close, and I think we have a top-five car. It will make for a good year.”
Rookie Nolan Siegel was fourth at 1:16.4852 in the No. 39 HMD Motorsports with Dale Coyne entry, and Kyffin Simpson ensured HMD drivers took four of the top five spots by ending up fifth at 1:16.4858 in the team’s No. 21 car.
There was only one incident in six hours of testing. Three-time W Series champion Jamie Chadwick touched the grass at the entry of Turn 14 and made contact with the SAFER Barrier in the No. 28 Andretti Autosport car. She was unhurt and continued in the afternoon session.
The 16 drivers combined to turn 945 laps during the test.

Palou F1 Debut

Alex Palou finished Practice 1 just 0.3 seconds behind teammate Lando No0rris on the same tire compound. Palou did not run the softer tire. He did a creditable job.

Frost Leads Indy Lights Morning Session at IMS

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Danial Frost turned the fastest lap in the morning test session at IMS, as the Indy Lights had its first 2023 preparation test 16 cars are participating in the Chris Griffiths memorial test today. The test is closed to the public. The driver from Singapore had a quick lap of 1:16.2526 in the HMD Motorsports entry.

This morning’s round ended when Jamie Chadwick crashed. The car suffered left rear damage. Chadwick was not injured.

Results:

Frost currently leads the afternoon round, followed by Ernie Francis, Jr.

Reminder: Alex Palou makes his F1 test debut this afternoon, driving one of the McLaren cars at COTA in the first USGP practice. The practice begins at 2:55 PM Eastern on ESPN 2.

Indycar Opens Season with Thermal Club Test

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Indycar Spring Training returns with an open test at The Thermal Club in California. Two other open tests are scheduled for 2023. The release from Indycar:

NTT INDYCAR SERIES To Host Open Test
at The Thermal Club 

 Three Open Tests in 2023 Include Annual Indy 500 Open Test, 
Test at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
INDIANAPOLIS (Monday, Oct. 10, 2022) – INDYCAR will conduct three Open Tests for 2023 in preparation for key moments during the 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.
The first Open Test of 2023 will feature the series’ initial trip to The Thermal Club for a season preview Thursday and Friday, Feb. 2-3. The private, world-class facility, located just outside of Palm Springs, California, opened its 470-acre property in 2012 and is known as a premier circuit for club racers and sports car enthusiasts.
INDYCAR will use a combination of the North Palm and South Palm circuits to create a 17-turn, 2.9-mile layout for the 2023 test.
“We liken this to a preseason scrimmage,” INDYCAR President Jay Frye said. “The teams will be doing everything it takes to prepare for a run at the 2023 championship at a new and unique backdrop for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. The facility is spectacular, and I know everyone at The Thermal Club cannot wait to welcome our paddock.”
Located at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains and known as the ultimate destination for driving-minded motorsports enthusiasts, The Thermal Club has everything from luxury homes to a motorsports village and gourmet restaurants. The facility was named “Professional Motorsport Facility of the Year” at the 2017 Professional Motorsports World Expo in Germany.
“For us, it means every INDYCAR fan is going to get an inside look at the best cars in the world on what we think is the best track in the world,” said John Rogers, owner, The Thermal Club.
“It’s a wonderful thing, and we’re very happy it’s worked out with INDYCAR and Thermal.”
The Indy 500 Open Test is scheduled for Thursday and Friday, April 20-21 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The annual test on the famed 2.5-mile oval provides crucial preparation for the 107th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, scheduled for Sunday, May 28. The entire field for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” is expected to participate in the test.
The third and final Open Test of the 2023 season comes Thursday, Sept. 7 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, just three days before the Astor Challenge Cup is awarded to the season champion at the same facility after the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey.
Drivers at the Laguna Seca test will get an extra day to come to grips with the planned repave of the legendary 2.238-mile facility, which is expected to be completed by June 2023.The 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season opens Sunday, March 5 at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding on the Streets of St. Petersburg. Coverage will be available on NBC, Peacock Premium and the INDYCAR Radio Network.

Jeff Gordon to Race at IMS Porsche Fest

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A follow up announcement from IMS:
Brickyard Icon Gordon To Race
Labor Day Weekend Porsche Event at IMS 
 Legendary Crew Chief Evernham To Work with Four-Time Cup Series Champion
INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022) – Four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon will briefly step out of retirement to race in the IMSA-sanctioned Porsche Carrera Cup North America Presented by the Cayman Islands on Sept. 2-4 on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.
Highlighting the weekend for three-time Daytona 500 winner Gordon will be a reunion with longtime and storied crew chief Ray Evernham. It marks the first time the championship-winning combination has teamed together since 1999. Gordon joins an entry list of over 30 Porsche specialists all driving Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race cars in competition on the 14-turn, 2.439-mile, road course at the world’s most famous racetrack.
SEE: Porsche Sports Car Together Fest Tickets
“I’m looking forward to getting back in a race car and competing against a talented field of teams and drivers,” NASCAR Hall of Fame member Gordon said. “It’s always special when I get a chance to compete at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Ray and I have always talked about running another race together, and we felt like Indy was the perfect place. It’ll be a fun way to spend the holiday weekend and make some new memories.”
Gordon will drive the No. 24 entry in the Invitational class of the premier Porsche one-make race series in North America as part of the second-annual Porsche Sports Car Together Fest.
The 93-time NASCAR Cup race winner is no stranger to either road courses or IMS. Gordon spent his teenage years in nearby Pittsboro, Indiana, is a record five-time Brickyard 400 winner at IMS and holds the NASCAR Cup Series record for most road course victories (nine). In 2017, Gordon won the Rolex 24 At Daytona overall in his second attempt, becoming one of only four drivers to win both the Daytona 500 and the Daytona 24-hour race. In 2003, he had his first taste of the Indy road course in a famous “seat swap” with Formula One driver Juan Pablo Montoya.
Opening practice for the two 40-minute Carrera Cup races will take place Friday, Sept. 2, followed by qualifying and Race 1 on Saturday, Sept. 3 and Race 2 scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 4. 
Visit here for ticket information and to buy tickets.
Live timing and scoring of each session can be found at www.PorscheCarreraCup.us. The races will be broadcast live on the official series web site – www.porschecarreracup.us – as well as on IMSA.TV. IMSA Radio will provide play-by-play commentary.

IMS Release: Sports Cars To Drive into Spotlight This Fall on IMS Road Course 

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From IMS:


 INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022) – Sports cars will reign this fall on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course as Porsche and the Intercontinental GT Challenge Powered by Pirelli return for events in September and October, respectively.The Porsche Sports Car Together Fest is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 2 through Sunday, Sept. 4, with the Indianapolis 8 Hour taking place from Friday, Oct. 7 through Sunday, Oct. 9. These unique race weekends provide an exciting, fan- and family-friendly conclusion to the 2022 season at the Racing Capital of the World.
Tickets for both events are available at IMS.com.
A look at the upcoming events at IMS:
Porsche Sports Car Together Fest – Sept. 2-4Porsche returns to IMS for the second annual Sports Car Together Fest, a three-day celebration of all things Porsche and car culture, along with trackside activities for families and fans of all ages. The full weekend of fun will highlight Porsche’s highest-performance models, including the GT line of road cars and the top one-make race series.
The weekend is expected to be the world’s largest gathering of Porsche GT cars and provide a spotlight on the 50th anniversary of the RS model.
While the Porsche Carrera Cup North America presented by the Cayman Islands and the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama headline the racing action on the track, multiple aspects of the Porsche automotive and sports culture will entertain and educate Porsche fans and casual attendees alike at the Labor Day weekend event.
Indianapolis 8 Hour – Oct. 7-9The elite sports car drivers and evocative brands of the will compete for the third consecutive year at IMS in the Indianapolis 8 Hour endurance race. The Indianapolis 8 Hour will begin at noon ET on Saturday, Oct. 8 and run to 8 p.m., allowing fans a unique chance to watch cars race after sunset at IMS.
Since 2016, the series has brought together some of the world’s great standalone endurance events to compete under the FIA’s global GT3 sports car regulations. The race weekend at IMS is part of a globe-trotting campaign that races on at least three continents.
The world’s biggest luxury automotive manufacturers also consider Intercontinental GT Challenge as a key component of their customer racing programs. Aston Martin, Audi, BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG and Porsche are among the prestigious manufacturers competing in the series.
Also racing that weekend along with the Intercontinental GT Challenge is its North American series, GT World Challenge America.
More Sports Cars in 2023 at IMS
For the first time since 2014, the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship will be back at the Racing Capital of the World on the weekend of Sept. 15-17, 2023, as the headline event of a full weekend of IMSA sports car action billed as the “IMSA Battle on the Bricks.”
The IMSA Battle on the Bricks weekend will be a three-day festival showcasing the pinnacle of North American sports car racing, including the premier GTP class featuring the new, technologically sophisticated LMDh prototypes. Fans also can camp in the IMS infield, access not available during any other race weekend.
Visit IMS.com for more information and to sign up to be the first to secure tickets for 2023.