NTT Indycar Series – Page 113 – The Pit Window by Mike Silver

Rookie Day at IMS; Hybrid Testing Thursday and Friday

October 11, 2023 thepitwindow

Today’s Schedule
10am-noon: ROP

Tom Blomqvist (MSR), Marcus Armstrong (Chip Ganassi Racing) & Linus Lundqvist (Chip Ganassi Racing)

1-5pm: ROP

Blomqvist, Armstrong & Lundqvist ROP

A cool morning will give way to a pleasant afternoon as three rookies take to the oval for Rookie Orientation today. Kyle Larson will have 11 am -2 pm tomorrow allocated for his rookie test.

Weather today calls for a temperature of 50 degrees at 10 am, warming to 62 degrees by noon. Afternoon temperatures will be in the mid to upper 60s.

Tomorow and Friday will be warmer with highs in the middle to upper 70s. Turn 2 viewing mounds are open all three days.

Rookie Orientation, Hybrid Testing on IMS Oval Next Week

October 7, 2023 thepitwindow

Indycar will conduct Indianapolis 500 Rookie orientation next Wednesday. On Thursday, and Friday six drivers representing four teams will test the new hybrid system on the oval. Kyle Larson will have three hours for rookie orientation on Thursday. The turn 2 viewing mounds will be open.

From yesterday:

Movie Review- The Lionheart

Movie Review-The Lionheart

The schedule:

WEDNESDAY
10am-noon: Blomqvist, Armstrong & Lundqvist ROP
1-5pm: Blomqvist, Armstrong & Lundqvist ROP

THURSDAY
9-11am: Hybrid testing- Herta, Palou (Honda), Power, Rossi (Chevy)
11am-2pm: Larson ROP
2-6pm: Hybrid testing-Herta, Palou (Honda), Power, Rossi (Chevy)

FRIDAY
9am-noon: Hybrid testing-Ericsson/Palou (Honda), Malukas/Power (Chevy)
1-5pm: Hybrid testing- Ericsson/Palou (Honda), Malukas/Power (Chevy)

Movie Review-The Lionheart

October 6, 2023October 6, 2023 thepitwindow

Familiarity with a documentary subject can be a dangerous thing. it colors the way you view the film. It is fun to remember the high points, and it fills the viewer with dread knowing what is about to occur. This was the case at the premiere of The Lionheart at the Heartland International Film Festival last night in Indianapolis.

Laura Brownson’s 108-minute film kicked off the film festival in a sold-out theater. All were looking forward to a story about two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon. Indirectly the film is about Wheldon, but the main focus is on his widow, Susie Wheldon and his sons, Sebastian and Oliver.

The film presents Wheldon’s life and racing career with television highlights and home movies of his early carting career interspersed with the daily lives of Susie helping their sons pursue their racing dreams. Both boys display talent in karting, and they have signed with Andretti Global. Sebastian just completed his first season in F4 juniors and will join him soon.

This is in reality Susie’s story. The scenes of her as she processes her grief tugged at my heart in an all too familiar way. I suffered the same type of loss 10 days after she did.

Yet, it is not a sad tale. The film opens with Dan joking around as he is recording radio promotions. I found joy in seeing the playful Wheldon race fans adored. The story moves forward with vignettes from Tony Kanaan, Dario Franchitti, Dan’s father Clive, and Bryan Herta. You can feel the pain of Dan’s loss when Clive Wheldon’ talks about his son.

Then, as I’m sure most of the audience knew, as the film wound down, Las Vegas reared its ugly head. Sebastian and Oliver were scheduled to race at Las Vegas Speedway in a kart race in the track’s parking lot. Oliver is reluctant to go at first, and I think Susie has some concerns about the trip as well. Sebastian is fine with racing there. Eventually they all make the trip. Susie goes inside the track to the spot of the fatal accident.

There are scenes of the crash, and Susie talks about the horrors she went through that day.

While the title refers to Dan Wheldon, Susie is the star of the story. her resolve to do whatever she can to see that her sons are happy, the sacrifices she makes for them, and her efforts keeping Dan’s memory alive make her the real Lionheart.

The Lionheart will have another showing Saturday, October 14 at 7 pm at Newfields. As of this morning tickets are available. I understand that HBO has purchased the film and it will be released in 2024.

October, 2011

October 5, 2023 thepitwindow

Editor’s note: With the premiere tonight of The Lionheart at the Heartland International Film Festival, I am reposting this, originally published October 17, 2016.

Tonight’s showing is sold out, but the film will also be shown next Saturday, October 14, at 7 pm at Newfields.

I was calling Las Vegas the fire sale race. It was the final race for the old cars, and every team wanted to race every car they had. Thirty four were entered, more cars than Indianapolis 500 entries most years. Indycars hadn’t raced there in a while. Several drivers questioned the track’s safety.

The race was the season finale. As usual, the championship would be decided. That alone should have been enough. But Randy Bernard, who had done many great things, decided this wasn’t enough. He declared a $1 million prize for Dan Wheldon, winner of the 500, if he won the race starting from last place. I never liked the idea.

First, it diminished the championship battle. Second, it was a NASCAR type gimmick. I was very disappointed that Indycar thought it necessary. Third, instead of the usual twenty or so cars, there were going to be thirty-four racing on a one and a half mile track.

Everyone expected a big pileup. Only 15 laps in, it happened. An airborne car went into the fence. It looked really bad. I couldn’t tell who it was at first, but I knew that driver was seriously injured. The broadcast team said it was Wheldon.

The times I’ve been at a track when a driver is killed, awareness is instant. There is an eerie silence that descends over the venue. Things move in slow motion. Oddly, sitting in my living room watching on television, I had that same sensation. I had been tweeting about the race with my friends. That activity halted for several minutes.

Inside sources began hinting on Twitter what I had feared. Nothing was official, but I knew that the source was reliable. We could do nothing but wait. The image of the helicopter ascending was all the confirmation I needed. It looked just the end of the movie Senna, which I had just seen a few weeks before.

……………………………….

That Sunday also marked the beginning of a severe decline in my wife’s condition. She had been home from rehab two weeks. Things were looking better, but in the following week, her energy slowly drained and by the following Friday, she was back in the hospital. Friends came to be with her the next Sunday so I could go to Dan’s memorial downtown.She knew it was important to me. Knowing what was coming, it was hard to sit through. She died Wednesday of that week.

I never met Dan Wheldon. I have no photos of him. I never got his autograph. But I always admired his skill, his passion, and his joy for life. Vicki had many of the same qualities as Dan.

At the five year mark, which at times feels like five minutes and other times like fifty years, I strive to live up to their standards, to embrace the joys of life, and let the little stuff go. Ten days from now I will go to a quiet place and at 11:22 say a quiet prayer of thanks, and have the strength to get through another year.

Juncos Hollinger Racing and Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team form Strategic Alliance

October 3, 2023 thepitwindow

The realignments announced by each team yesterday make a bit more sense.

From Juncos Hollinger Racing:

INDYCAR TO RETURN TO THE HISTORIC MILWAUKEE MILE IN 2024

September 25, 2023 thepitwindow

News release from Indycar and Wisconsin State Fair Park

Wisconsin State Fair Park to Host First-Ever Milwaukee NTT INDYCAR SERIES Doubleheader Weekend, August 30-September 1

WEST ALLIS, Wisconsin (September 25, 2023) — Adding an exciting new chapter to the legacy of INDYCAR racing at the historic Milwaukee Mile, Penske Entertainment and Wisconsin State Fair Park officials today announced a multi-year agreement that will bring the NTT INDYCAR SERIES back to the iconic one-mile oval, beginning in 2024.

As the series returns to Milwaukee for the first time since 2015, next year’s event will feature the first-ever INDYCAR SERIES doubleheader at the Milwaukee Mile with a Labor Day weekend celebration scheduled for Friday-Sunday, August 30-September 1, 2024. With on track action beginning on Friday, the weekend will feature full points-paying NTT INDYCAR SERIES races on Saturday and Sunday, with both races streamed live on Peacock and Sunday’s race broadcast live on the USA Network (times to be announced).

Located at Wisconsin State Fair Park in the Milwaukee suburb of West Allis, Wisc., the Milwaukee Mile is the world’s most historic operating speedway, hosting races since 1903. Open-wheel racing began competing at the Mile in 1939 and there has been a total of 114 INDYCAR races hosted at the track over the course of nine decades. Some of the greatest drivers in INDYCAR history have won at the Milwaukee Mile over the years including Rodger Ward, Parnelli Jones, A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, Al Unser, Bobby Unser, Rick Mears, Johnny Rutherford, Michael Andretti and Al Unser Jr. The list of champions at the Mile extends to current NTT INDYCAR SERIES stars Scott Dixon and Will Power, who will both return to race at the track in 2024 for the first time in nine years.

“There is such a great tradition and history of INDYCAR racing at the Milwaukee Mile and we are excited to build on that legacy with a Labor Day weekend NTT INDYCAR SERIES doubleheader beginning in 2024,” said Roger Penske, Chairman of Penske Corporation. “We appreciate all the loyal and passionate INDYCAR fans in Milwaukee and across the state of Wisconsin and thanks to our partnership with the Wisconsin State Fair Park, we can’t wait to return to the Mile next season.”

Wisconsin State Fair Park, which annually hosts one of the nation’s most popular State Fairs in early August, will host the INDYCAR weekend at the Milwaukee Mile as the event promoter, with support from INDYCAR.

“I’m so proud of the relationship we have created with Penske Entertainment and want to thank the entire team, as well as Governor Evers and his administration, for helping us bring INDYCAR back to the historic Milwaukee Mile,” said Shari Black, CEO and Executive Director of State Fair Park. “We look forward to a great event over Labor Day weekend that will include a larger footprint at State Fair Park than races in the past. This will allow for exciting programming, expanded food and beverage options and ultimately offer a high-energy, family-friendly event weekend for racing fans.”

The two races at the Milwaukee Mile are expected to feature prominently in the battle for next season’s NTT NDYCAR SERIES championship as they will serve as rounds 15 and 16 of the 17-race 2024 season schedule, which was announced earlier today.

In addition to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, the rising stars of racing will also compete at the Milwaukee Mile during the Aug. 30-Sept. 1 weekend. INDY NXT by Firestone (formerly Indy Lights), which has hosted 27 races at the iconic track in its history, will also return to the Mile in 2024. More information on the Labor Day weekend festival will be announced in the coming weeks.

Tickets for next season’s INDYCAR weekend at the Milwaukee Mile are expected to go on sale in January. Fans interested in purchasing tickets can sign up now and learn more HERE.

Indycar Sets 2024 Schedule

September 25, 2023 thepitwindow

Here is the 2024 Indycar schedule:

Some thoughts:

Thrilled that Milwaukee is back. I wonder if they’re aiming for an Iowa style weekend. Fans who clamored for this track’s return better show up.

There is still a one month gap between the first two points paying races of the season, despite the Thermal exhibition in between them.

I am also excited that Gateway and Iowa will have night races again. These two tracks have much better races at night.

No Texas, although a notice went out last night implying that it would be on the schedule.

Just 9 races on NBC, down from 13 in 2023 and 14 in 2022. One of the NBC events is the Thermal exhibition, which means just half the schedule on the network that draws the most viewers.

Two oval doubleheaders. Is that too many? It does put one more oval race on the schedule.

I understand the three-week Olympics break. Understanding doesn’t mean that I am happy about it.

I’m surprised neither Milwaukee race is on NBC.

Champions Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing Take Spotlight at Victory Lap Celebration ; Rasmussen Saluted for INDY NXT by Firestone Title

September 21, 2023 thepitwindow

INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023) – Alex Palou was honored for his second NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship during the Victory Lap Celebration on Sept. 21, the headline of an incomparable 2023 season for Chip Ganassi Racing.
Palou dominated this season to earn another title to join his 2021 championship for Chip Ganassi Racing. He won a series-high five races in the No. 10 The American Legion Honda, with a total of 10 podium finishes in 17 races. Palou finished eighth or better in all 17 races this season and became the first INDYCAR SERIES driver to clinch the championship at least one race early since Sebastien Bourdais in 2007.
Spanish driver Palou won the Astor Challenge Cup for the title by 78 points over teammate and six-time series champion Scott Dixon, earning the 15th INDYCAR SERIES championship for Chip Ganassi Racing and the organization’s third in the last four seasons.
Palou was one of six members of Chip Ganassi Racing to receive special honors at the ceremony, which took place at the Gallagher Pavilion at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Marcus Armstrong of New Zealand received the Rookie of the Year Award as the top-finishing first-year driver in the standings. Armstrong scored five top-10 finishes in just 12 starts in the No. 11 Ridgeline Lubricants Honda to surpass full-time rookie Agustin Canapino of Juncos Hollinger Racing by 34 points in the standings.
Team owner Chip Ganassi accepted the Championship Owner Award, and Palou’s chief mechanic, Ricky Davis, was presented the Pennzoil Chief Mechanic Award. Additional season honors for the Ganassi team included the NTT INDYCAR SERIES Team Manager award to Barry Wanser and Blair Julian.
The awards haul was a reward for a dominant year by Indianapolis-based Chip Ganassi Racing. The team achieved the unprecedented feat of taking the top two spots in the driver standings and winning the Rookie of the Year title in one season.
While Palou’s winning margin in the driver standings was the largest since 2016, the Manufacturers Award race came down to the final laps at the season finale Sept. 10 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Chevrolet edged Honda by just 16 points to win its second consecutive engine manufacturer title and eighth overall since it returned to the series in 2012.
Mark Stielow, General Motors director of motorsport competition engineering, accepted the award on behalf of the Chevrolet team.
A successful first season with a rebrand and Firestone sponsorship for INDYCAR’s development series also was recognized at the Victory Lap Celebration, as Christian Rasmussen of HMD Motorsports was honored as 2023 INDY NXT by Firestone champion.
Rasmussen won a series-high five of the 14 races this season in the No. 6 HMD Motorsports with DCR entry. He beat Andretti Autosport’s Hunter McElrea to the title by 65 points.
Danish driver Rasmussen’s HMD teammate, Nolan Siegel, was named INDY NXT by Firestone Rookie of the Year. Siegel, from Palo Alto, California, finished third in the series standings with two victories.

Some Indycar Notes and Thoughts

September 19, 2023September 20, 2023 thepitwindow

Yesterday’s signing of Kyffin Simpson by Chip Ganassi Racing was a surprise and leaves me with some concerns. His age, for one, is concerning. Another concern is that he was 10th in the IndyNXT series this past season with just two podiums. I have never figutrd out how some IndyNXT drivers leapfrog over others with bretter performances to Indycar.

Simpson has won in sportscars and by all accounts has talent. Indycar is a different game. I hope he is ready.

Juncos Has a Problem

The firestorm of threats and insults hurled at Callum Ilott after the Indycar finale at Laguna Seca is completely unacceptable. This is the second time this year that fans of Agustin Canapino have been angered by Ilott husting their driver’s race.

Yes, we all get angry when a driver ruins our favorite driver’s race. But death threats are not acceptable under any circumstances.

Juncos Hollinger Racing did not help the situation with a weakly worded statement attempting to condemn the comments. The mild statement looked even worse the day after when the Minnesota Vikings posted a strongly worded condemnation of fans ‘ comments regarding one of their players who apparently made a misplay during the game.

How can Ilott continue to drive for a team which will not give him their full support? I hope Ricardo Juncos sits down with Callum and talks this out. I have left jobs when I didn’t have full support of my employer.

Carpenter Short List

Monday at Barber Ed Carpenter racing will test IndyNXT champion Christian Rasmussen and Oliver Askew in a tryout for the 20 car for 2024.

Once again we see the Indy NXT champion without a ride while another driver from the junior series is already signed. I don’t know the solution to this issue, but it needs to be addressed. Right now, except for the honor, winning the NXT championship doesn’t carry any weight as far as moving up.

Askew, the 2019 Indy Lights champion, drove 13 races in 2020 for Arrow Mclaren SP with three top 10s and one podium. He had a hard crash at the Indianapolis 500 and after the next four races withdrew from the team with concussion like symptoms. He drove one race for Ed Carpenter Racing in 2021 and also drove three races for Rahal letterman Lanigan Racing later that year. Askew earned a top 10 result for RLL. The team decide to give the ride full time to Christian Lundgaard.

On the Move

The IMS Museum has begun to move the cars out of the basement in preparation for the renovation which begins in November. I thought it was exciting to see the cars on the news as they go to wherever it is they are being stored.

I think the museum could have made a bigger deal of this with maybe a staged procession and invited fans to watch. The cars that are permanently on the display deserve a ceremonial exit.

The Lionheart

Heartland International Film Festival, my second favorite Indianapolis event, will premiere The Lionheart, a documentary about Dan Wheldon, October 5, at Newfields. Tickets are $20. Go to https://www.heartlandfilm.org/festival to purchase tickets.