Tag: NTT Indycar Series

Return of Indy’s Loch Ness Monster

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It’s back. The guaranteed Indianapolis 500 starting spot monster has arisen from the depths of what I thought was a deep, deep grave. In a story by Nathan Brown of the IndyStar this morning, the idea is included with talk of a franchise system for Indycar.

In 2019, I wrote a piece called “The Soul of the Race,” in which I argued against the concept of guaranteed spots. Indulge me as I quote my own brilliant statement from that article-

“…guaranteed spots in my opinion does not fall in the category of tradition. It’s called qualifying. It means you have to meet a standard which in this case means being one of the fastest 33 drivers. That is one tradition that must stay. A chance to win the greatest race in the world should not just be handed to someone.”

I still stand by this statement.

Guaranteed spots would reduce qualifying days to a rather dull affair. If you don’t have speed for the pole, why go all out? Just post a time. How many one-offs will want to enter knowing there are only so many spots for them?

Brown’s article quotes team owners talking about how devastating missing the race has been for their teams sponsor wise. Brown points out that just six teams of the 16 that have been bumped in the last 15 years are still in Indycar.

Near the end of the article, Mark Miles said that there will still be bumping.

“I do believe that whatever happens in that regard, we’ll want to make sure there’s bumping. I think there’s a number of considerations on how that might end up, but at the end of the day, the tradition of bumping is important (at the 500), and we need to find a way to continue it,” Miles said.

I have a suggestion. If one of the teams that has a membership gets bumped, pay them what 33rd place finishing full time team would earn, and have a team in the race add the sponsor of the bumped car.

As far the franchise or membership concept, i have mixed feelings about it, which I will talk about later this week.

Second Season of ‘100 Days to Indy’ Coming to The CW Network

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 Six-Episode Unscripted Series from Penske Entertainment Chronicles 
This Year’s NTT INDYCAR SERIES Road to the Indianapolis 500

INDIANAPOLIS (Monday, Feb. 5, 2024) – The CW Network announced Feb. 5 the motorsports documentary series “100 Days To Indy” will return for a second season this spring.
The six-part unscripted series from Penske Entertainment takes viewers behind the scenes and onto the track with NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers as they prepare to compete for racing’s greatest prize: the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 26 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
“We are thrilled to bring another season of ‘100 Days To Indy’ to The CW and continue to grow our portfolio of quality sports programming,” said Brad Schwartz, president of entertainment, The CW Network. “Last season gave fans an unprecedented look into the lives and preparation of these incredible drivers, which made it even more exciting when one of the series’ stars, Josef Newgarden, crossed the finish line first to become last year’s Indy 500 winner. We look forward to another season of intense competition between these talented drivers and plenty of high-speed racing action.”
This season, reigning Indianapolis 500 champion Josef Newgarden returns to defend his epic Race Day triumph, with an abundance of generational talent hot on his heels. This includes rising star Pato O’Ward, whose dynamic and energetic personality continues to earn him a legion of enthusiastic supporters across the globe. Former Indy 500 champion Marcus Ericsson, who placed second after a dramatic last-lap pass by Newgarden in 2023, and two-time and reigning NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Alex Palou, who led for 36 laps in last year’s “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” also return with unfinished business to settle. The 2024 edition of the famed competition will also see one of racing’s greatest champions, Kyle Larson, make a special bid for motorsports glory in his first attempt at the Indy 500
.“Nothing matches the show-stopping, high-octane intensity of the Indy 500,” Penske Entertainment President & CEO Mark Miles said. “The CW will once again give viewers a front row seat as the charismatic stars of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES chase racing glory. It should be a thrilling ride and an extremely compelling watch for viewers around the country.”
The 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season kicks off Sunday, March 10 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, before arriving in the Southern California desert for the series’ brand-new $1 Million Challenge on Sunday, March 24 at the scenic The Thermal Club. “100 Days to Indy” will chronicle every step of the journey to the Indy 500, totaling six NTT INDYCAR SERIES races and the entire epic Month of May at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
“100 Days To Indy” is produced by Penske Entertainment. Emmy Award-winning Patrick Dimon and Adam Marinelli serve as co-executive producers.
The CW Network, LLC is one of America’s major broadcast networks and reaches 100% of US television households. The CW delivers 15 hours of primetime entertainment programming per week in addition to over 300 hours of sports per year as the broadcast home to LIV Golf, ACC football and basketball games, “Inside the NFL,” WWE NXT beginning in 2024 and NASCAR Xfinity Series beginning in 2025. The fully ad-supported CW App, with more than 96 million downloads to date, is available for free to consumers on all major platforms and is home to the latest episodes and seasons of The CW’s primetime programming, live streaming of LIV Golf tournaments and a library of entertaining film and television content for on-demand viewing. The CW is 75%-owned by Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: NXST), a leading diversified media company and largest CW affiliate group with 42 CW and CW Plus affiliates, covering 39% of the population. For more information about The CW, please visit www.cwtv.com.

DRR/Cusick Sign Hunter-Reay and Daly for 500

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Dreyer and Reinbold will again team with Don Cusick for the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500. Conor Daly will team with 2014 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay in the two car effort.

In 2023 Stefan Wilson qualified one of the cars which was entered by Cusick. In the Monday practice after qualifying, Wilson broke his back in a crash. Many were expecting Wilson to return for 2024.

Cusick decided to distribute his money to both DRR cars, which I believe led to Wilson not having enough funding. \About Wilson, Cusick said in a video call yesterday:

“As far as Stefan goes, unfortunately he had the injury, I
think it set him back a little bit. I’m not sure that he’s done
trying to be a part of the Indy 500. Look, we’ll always
support him. He’s a good guy and a good friend. He is the
reason that we ended up in the Indy 500.
That said, he’s given us his full support and blessing.
Depending on what happens this year, hopefully he’s
around in May and able to say hi to everybody.”

Hunter=Reay and Daly are both eager to work together, and they appear to be on the same page about race strategy. Hunter_r reay talked about the craziness which occurred near the end of last year’s race, which ended in a red flag fiasco.

“There needs to be a higher level of respect amongst the
drivers in superspeedway racing. We are out there doing
230, 240, whatever you want to call it,” Hunter-Reay said.
“There was a lot of moves last year that were very road
course like, street course like. Especially on restarts,
things like that.
I think as a group, it needs to be brought up and we need
to be conscious of it. Yeah, then you have the unknowns,
some new drivers coming in again. We’ve always had that.
We’ve always had an influx of some new drivers to the
Speedway, the 500. You kind of deal with that as it goes.
Definitely there were some questionable points in the race
that we need to address that as a group.”

Daly believes that there will be changes coming based on a drivers’ meeting in December.

“After attending the drivers meeting in
December, there’s definitely going to be some, I think,
adjustments to how things are called, right? Josef
Newgarden snaking down the straight below the pit lane
entry, I think that’s probably going to go away. I think the
drivers are always pretty unified in what we want to see on
how many moves you can make down the back straight if
you’re trying to snake down the back straight, stuff like that.”

I have heard that the dreaded dragon move will be pretty much banned.

The DRR/Cusick situation reflects the best and the worst of the racing business. Three capable drivers, all good guys, and only two seats available. I feel for Stefan Wilson. On the other hand, DRR has its strongest driver lineup in several years, and the team always has competitive cars at the 500.

Busy Week for Indycar Drivers- Testing, Rolex24

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More than half of the full time Indycar will complete a busy week Sunday aer the Rolex 24 at Daytona. The drivers began the week in Homestead testing a team car in the spec for the first part of the Indycar Series season without the hybrid component. The car is lighter and should produce quicker times. +

Andretti Global was the quickest at the 10-car test with Colton Herta and Kyle Kirkwood leading sessions. Felix Rosenquist of MSR, a team allied with AG, also lead a half day round.

Jack Harvey returned to the series, driving for Dale Coyne Racing for two of the three days. Indy NXT Rookie of the Year Nan Seigel also got some time in a Coyne car.

Rolex 24 Features Indycar Drivers Throughout the Field

Fourteen drivers from the Indycar Series will participate in tomorrow’s Rolex 24 at Daytona. James Hinchcliffe will also drive in the GTD Pro class.

The GTP Cadillacs have been strong in practice. Can they put it together for 24 hours?

Full Race on Peacock; Start/Finish on NBC; USA Segments

The Pit Window News

The Pit Window will begin the move to Winter Headquarters on Monday. I hate not being at Daytona this weekend, but I will be on site for St. Pete and Sebring. The good news, I will be attending a 24 hour race this summer.

December and the first part of January has been brutal health wise for us, but we will finally get to Florida by mid week.

Here’s hoping for a safe, fun Rolex 24, and at least one Indycar driver in Victory Lane.

ED CARPENTER RACING ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH GUYCARE FOR THE 2024 INDYCAR SEASON

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From Ed Carpenter Racing:

Series of Men’s High Performance Health Clinics To Be Featured On No. 20 Chevrolet Throughout the Upcoming Season
(INDIANAPOLIS) January 19, 2024 – Ed Carpenter Racing announced today a new partnership with GuyCare, a series of men’s high performance health clinics. The No. 20 Chevrolet, which will be driven by both team owner Ed Carpenter and 2023 INDY NXT champion Christian Rasmussen, will compete in the colors of GuyCare. GuyCare clinics provide discreet and confidential care, ensuring men’s health and well-being through proven therapeutic interventions and wellness programs.
“I am thrilled to witness the synergies unfolding between GuyCare and Ed Carpenter Racing. The demographics of GuyCare and the dynamic world of INDYCAR align seamlessly and the positive momentum coursing through the NTT INDYCAR SERIES mirrors the trajectory of our venture,” stated Kurt Flygare, Chief Executive Officer of GuyCare.
“With the exceptional talents of Christian Rasmussen and Ed Carpenter, this promises to be a breakout year filled with excitement, speed, and success. Together, we are geared up for a thrilling journey, both on and off the track.”
The company’s flagship location opened in the Salt Lake City area last week and will also serve as a training center. Clinics specialize in a range of men’s health treatments and ensure customized care through personalized strategy crafted around individual needs and goals.
Additional clinics will open in select NTT INDYCAR SERIES race markets throughout the 2024 season. In the coming months, GuyCare will also offer men’s health products nationwide.
ECR team owner Carpenter stated, “We are excited to welcome GuyCare to ECR! It is a fantastic opportunity to use our Chevrolet-powered NTT INDYCAR SERIES car to help launch GuyCare clinics across the country. Our team continues to grow and improve each season and we expect Christian Rasmussen will have an outstanding rookie year. We are ready for a competitive and exciting 2024!”

Since its inception in 2012, ECR has raced exclusively in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. The team has shown its versatility by earning multiple wins across each style of track the series competes on – street and road courses, short ovals and super speedways. The Indianapolis-based team is transitioning back to a model it utilized for many years, splitting the No. 20 between the talents of two drivers. While rookie Rasmussen will compete in the 12 road and street course events, Carpenter will take over the No. 20 for the six oval races in his 22nd season. Both will be entered in the Indianapolis 500 alongside Rinus VeeKay in the No. 21 Chevrolet. VeeKay will be competing in his 5th NTT INDYCAR SERIES season and step into a veteran role as ECR’s senior full-time driver.
The team will participate in its first test of the year next week at Homestead-Miami Speedway, where Rasmussen and VeeKay will both be behind the wheel of the No. 20 GuyCare Chevrolet. Partnership announcements for VeeKay’s No. 21 Chevrolet will be released in the coming weeks. The 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season begins March 10 in the Streets of St. Petersburg, Florida.

About GuyCare

GuyCare, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of RiskOn International. GuyCare has a strategy to transform the male healthcare industry, which extends beyond healthcare to addressing a comprehensive range of men’s issues, including wellness, education, and overall well-being. GuyCare has set a goal to open an estimated 200 specialized men’s health clinics across the United States over the next five years. GuyCare’s flagship clinic and training center opened in Salt Lake City, Utah on January 8th, 2024. https://guycare.com/

About Ed Carpenter Racing

Ed Carpenter Racing (ECR) first entered the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 2012. The Indianapolis-based race team has proven its versatility by collecting eight wins across each type of track the series competes on – street and road courses, short ovals and speedways. ECR is led by IndyCar’s only team owner/driver, Ed Carpenter, three-time pole winner for the Indianapolis 500 (2013, 2014 and 2018). The 2024 season will see Carpenter compete in the oval events in the No. 20 Chevrolet while rookie Christian Rasmussen will take over for the road and street courses. Both will be entered in the Indianapolis 500 alongside Rinus VeeKay, full-time driver of the No. 21 Chevrolet. More information on Ed Carpenter Racing may be found at http://www.edcarpenterracing.com/.

Molson Coors Extends Partnership with IMS, INDYCAR

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The announcement we’ve all been waiting for.

From IMS and Indycar:

 INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024) – Molson Coors – a global leader in brewing beverages for all of life’s moments – has extended its multiyear partnership with Indianapolis Motor Speedway and INDYCAR.
The beloved and iconic beers produced by Molson Coors will continue as the Official Beer of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, Brickyard Weekend, IMS, INDYCAR and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES
.“We are delighted to see Molson Coors continue this decade-long relationship with INDYCAR,” Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO Mark Miles said.
“The momentum and growth of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES is due, in part, to valuable partnerships and activations with iconic brands. It is gratifying to begin 2024 with this terrific news, and we look forward to continuing our upward trajectory with Molson Coors for many years to come.”
Other components of the partnership extension include:
Continued sponsorship of Miller Lite Carb Day, a high-octane party featuring some of the most exciting action on (and off) track with the final day of practice for the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge and the Miller Lite Carb Day Concert featuring a national recording act to kick off race weekend.
Expanded title sponsorship of the Coors Light Snake Pit, an epic EDM concert staged in Turn 3 during the Indianapolis 500.
“For more than 45 years, Molson Coors has been a key part of the festivities surrounding the Indianapolis 500 and other events at the Racing Capital of the World,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said.
“As we look forward to a new year of exciting action on and off track at IMS, there’s no chiller partner to ensure our fans can continue to celebrate both at home and at IMS. Help us cheers to many more years together.”
The extension of the partnership between IMS and Molson Coors continues a bond that started in 1977 when Miller Brewing Company first sponsored the Indianapolis 500 Pit Stop Challenge. Miller’s first involvement at the Indianapolis 500 came in 1973, when Miller High Life sponsored the car driven by Jim Hurtubise.
“We are so excited to extend our partnership once again with IMS, INDYCAR and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES,” Molson Coors Vice President of Marketing Activation Bill Averill said.
“For nearly half a century, Miller Lite and Coors Light have helped celebrate motorsport’s greatest moments both on and off track. We can’t wait to fuel this historic partnership for years to come.”
Coors has been involved with IMS and the Indianapolis 500 since 1996, when it started sponsorship of the Pit Stop Challenge. Coors also has sponsored Carb Day and other Indianapolis 500 activities since then.
For more than two centuries, Molson Coors Beverage Company has been brewing beverages. From Coors Light, Miller Lite, Molson Canadian, Carling, and Staropramen to Coors Banquet, Blue Moon Belgian White, Vizzy Hard Seltzer, Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy, Miller High Life and more, Molson Coors produces many beloved and iconic beer brands. While Molson Coors’ history is rooted in beer, Molson Coors offers a modern portfolio that expands beyond the beer aisle, as well.
To learn more about Molson Coors Beverage Company, visit molsoncoors.com.
The 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season begins Sunday, March 10 at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding. Coverage will be available via NBC and Peacock with audio coverage provided by the INDYCAR Radio Network, SiriusXM channel 218 and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA.
Tickets for the 108th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, all Month of May events at IMS – including Miller Lite Carb Day and Coors Lite Snake Pit – as well as Brickyard Weekend are on sale at IMS.com. 

Ferrucci Returns to Foyt

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Just a day before Content Dat A. J. Foyt Racing announced that Santino Ferrucci will return to car 14 for 2024. This leaves just the two cars at Dale Coyne Racing without confirmed drivers.

Content Days today and tomorrow will feature media availabilities with all full time drivers.

The news release from Indycar:

Popular veteran Santino Ferrucci will drive A.J. Foyt’s No. 14 Sexton Properties Chevrolet in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 2024.

Joining the team last season, Ferrucci drove to a third-place finish in the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge after starting fourth to give the team its best performance since 2000 when Eliseo Salazar started and finished third in the “500.” Ferrucci’s performance continued his string of top-10 finishes in the Indy 500 which stands at five.

“I’m super stoked to be back with the team,” Ferrucci said. “It’s really good to start building some continuity with everybody, and I think it’s going to improve our results. My expectations for the year are to come out of the gate a lot more prepared than we were last year. Working with Penske, things are hopefully going to be a lot smoother, and I’m looking forward to being back at the Indy 500 again.”

Team President Larry Foyt echoed Ferrucci’s sentiments.

“I’m very happy to have Santino back,” Foyt said. “We worked well together, and he brings a good energy to the team. Obviously, we have our eyes set on the Indy 500, but we also had some good pace in other races but didn’t get the results. Together we are focused on moving up in the championship standings, and I believe we can achieve that.”

Connecticut native Ferrucci will be joined by sophomore driver Sting Ray Robb, who was signed last month to drive the No. 41 Chevrolet. The Foyt team is not planning to field a third car for the season, which begins with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding on Sunday, March 10.

iRacing, INDYCAR Sign Multiyear License Agreement  

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Includes Rights to INDYCAR SERIES, Return of iRacing Indianapolis 500

INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024) iRacing and INDYCAR are pleased to announce a multiyear licensing agreement – officially reuniting the two legendary brands.
The relationship, which dates back more than a dozen years, also includes Indianapolis Motor Speedway – and the return of the hugely popular iRacing Indianapolis 500 – to the gaming format’s Special Events calendar. This annual event has historically drawn thousands of participants, who race in a virtual version of the world’s most iconic race, known for its 200 laps of pure speed at the “Racing Capital of the World.” The community event allows sim racers from around the world to get a taste of what it is like to race at the famous oval at the Brickyard.
The return of a license has been highly anticipated by iRacing members and INDYCAR SERIES fans alike.
“The INDYCAR SERIES and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway are racing properties that need to be included in iRacing,” iRacing President Tony Gardner said. “There is no better way for fans to experience sim racing than on iRacing, and whether it’s the INDYCAR SERIES’ Indy 500, NASCAR’s Brickyard 400 or IMSA’s Battle on the Bricks, there is nothing like racing at Indianapolis. I am so pleased to be able to bring these events back to the iRacing community.”
In addition to the rebranding of INDYCAR SERIES events on iRacing, members will have access to series content for private events and leagues.
“We are very excited that our most avid gamers and fans will have full access to the INDYCAR SERIES through this licensing agreement with iRacing,” said Ben Hendricks, INDYCAR senior manager, eSports & emerging virtual experiences. “They are longtime partners, and we look forward to official INDYCAR SERIES racing on iRacing for many years to come.”
The new license agreement between iRacing and INDYCAR includes more provisions than previous iterations, allowing more flexibility to run events and series. Highlights include:

Return of the iRacing Indianapolis 500
INDYCAR SERIES branding of series on iRacing
Multiple leagues to run INDYCAR SERIES events on iRacing
License extension of Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The licensing agreement goes into effect immediately, and iRacing members will see the rebranding of series, cars and events over the coming days. Details of the iRacing Indianapolis 500 will be available later this month. 
 

Gil de Ferran- Racer, Gentleman

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A slow trickle of news Friday night soon became a tsunami of shock and grief, followed by a wave of tributes to Gil de Ferran, who died of a heart attack that afternoon. I was among those in disbelief.

I expected that I would need to write another obituary column at some point before I retire this column, but this was not one I thought I’d be writing. To be honest, I hope I don’t have to do another one while this space is active. I think that is what makes this such a shock.

de Ferran was 56, 20 years removed from racing in Indycar, and had built a great post driving career as a team owner, manager, and consultant. Everyone like de Ferran, known to be a class individual outside the car. He drove with a will to win, as evidenced by his two Indycar titles and the 2003 Indianapolis 500 victory.

I thought he was under appreciated as a driver, drowned out by the feats of fellow Brazilians Helio Castroneves and Tony Kanaan. In addition to his 12 Indycar wins, de Ferran had three top 10s in four Indianapolis 500s.

His closed course one lap record of 241.428 miles an hour, set in October 2000, at California Speedway, may never be broken. de Ferran’s ALMS Acura team won five races in 2009, including four in a row.

As I have said before, do not miss an opportunity to tell your heroes how much you appreciate them. many of them are at a track or two during the season. Also hug your loved ones.