Tag: NTT Indycar Series

Indycar Introduces NXT Series; Releases Schedule

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The news release from Indycar regarding the rebranded Indy Lights Series, with heir 14 race schedule:

INDY NXT by Firestone Ready
To Launch Racing’s New Generation of Stars  2023 14-Race Schedule Unveiled, Streaming to Fans on PeacockINDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022) – The pathway to North America’s premier open-wheel racing series has a fresh, more youthful and energetic final level: INDY NXT by Firestone. INDY NXT will feature a new generation of global racing talent, competing vigorously for podiums and the opportunity to join the elite ranks of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.The presenting sponsor and Official Tire of INDY NXT will be Firestone, also the Official Tire Supplier and longtime partner of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. INDY NXT by Firestone will emphasize talent development, while extending racing’s reach and impact to a younger and emerging consumer audience.The rebranded racing series, formerly known as Indy Lights, will stage 14 races in 2023, starting March 5 on the Streets of St. Petersburg and competing on a diverse set of ovals, road courses and street circuits.

“We look forward to being part of the journey as INDY NXT enters a new era and expands our partnership with INDYCAR,” said Lisa Boggs, director of motorsports, Bridgestone Americas. “Having been in the series previously, we know how important it is for the development of the next generation of drivers, and we are proud to support them again. INDY NXT provides opportunities for Firestone to engage with new audiences and develop and showcase our technology.”

Said INDYCAR President Jay Frye: “INDY NXT by Firestone will continue to develop and graduate new generations of racers ready to engage in breathtaking, high-stakes competition. Firestone is the perfect partner in this endeavor, with its innovative technology and authentic appreciation for INDY NXT and its vast potential.”

Starting with the 2022 season, INDYCAR took over the management and operations of the developmental series. The launch of the new era included a vastly enhanced collaborative partnership with the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, featuring integration in paddock spaces, marketing, digital assets and race officiating. The 2023 season will provide an additional opportunity for a reset and a new mission to emerge, guided by an ethos that aims to inspire and relate to Generation Z and the young talent piloting race cars.

After an expansion of teams and car count in 2022, the 2023 season is expected to build on that momentum, with the highest entry list for the developmental series since 2009.The 2023 INDY NXT by Firestone championship still will compete on the same tracks and on the same weekends as the NTT INDYCAR SERIES events, providing further exposure to the series. As in 2022, the schedule consists of three doubleheader weekends: the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, Streets of Detroit and WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, where the 2023 INDY NXT champion will be crowned.Additionally, coverage of all 14 races once again will be available in the United States via Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming service, and the INDYCAR Radio Network.

Start times for the 2023 INDY NXT by Firestone season will be announced at a later date.

For more information about INDY NXT by Firestone, visit www.indynxt.com.

The schedule:

March 5, Streets of St. Petersburg

April 30, Barber Motorsports Park

May 12, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course Race 1

May 13, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course Race 2

June 3, Streets of Detroit Race 1

June 4, Streets of Detroit Race 2

June 18, Road America

July 2, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

July 22, Iowa Speedway

Aug. 6, Streets of Nashville

Aug. 27, World Wide Technology Raceway

Sept. 3, Portland International Raceway

Sept. 9, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Race 1

Sept. 10, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Race 2

Indy Lights Rebrands- Introducing Indy NXT

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A video this morning on @IndyNXT:

I am not thrilled with the name. I assume the NXT stands for next. It i a questionable name since Indycar is apparently not next for 2022 Indy Lights champion Linus Lundquist, and his meager $500,000 award for winning. That amount won’t help the 2023 champion obtain an Indycar ride either.

I hope the Firestone support will also chip in another half million dollars or so to make moving to Indycar more of a possibility for the series champion.

I will have more on this topic later today.

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.

Marco Andretti Set for His 18th 500

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Marco Andretti will return for his 18th Indianapolis 500 mile race in May. The number 98 Andretti Autosport car will again carry KULR sponsorship. May 0f 2023 will be third year Andretti has run the race as one off entry. Andretti won the pole for the 500 in 2020.

The field for the 500 is fast approaching 30 cars and should easily reach 33 entries.

This morning’s announcement from Andretti Autosport:

INDIANAPOLIS (Oct. 17, 2022) – KULR Technology Group (NYSE American: KULR) (the “Company” or “KULR”) will return to the grid of the 2023 Indianapolis as the primary sponsor for the No. 98 Honda of Marco Andretti as the third-generation racer makes his 18th Indy 500 start.  

“It’s great to see a sponsor like KULR continue as a primary sponsor with our INDYCAR program for the second year,” said Andretti Autosport Chairman and CEO Michael Andretti. “The development potential of KULR’s technology is exciting and we’re proud of their commitment to improving performance. We look forward to this special event in May and are happy to have them back with Marco.”  

As pioneers in their respective industries, KULR and Andretti Autosport share a commitment to excellence and progression. KULR has long been a leading developer of next-generation lithium-ion battery safety and thermal management products and services, playing a part in countless customer successes, including the 2020 Mars Rover mission.  

“We are thrilled to welcome back Marco Andretti as a KULR Ambassador as we return to Andretti Autosport for the 2023 Indy 500,” said KULR Technology Group President and COO, Keith Cochran. “Marco authentically embodies the spirit of our brand. His dedication to his craft and the motorsport industry are just some of the reasons we believe he is the perfect person to represent KULR Technology as we continue to expand our energy management platform.”  

KULR served as Andretti’s primary sponsor in 2022 for his 250th INDYCAR career start. They are no stranger to the Andretti Autosport family as they first joined Andretti Technologies and sister team, Andretti United Extreme E in 2021 as the official thermal management and battery safety technical partner.   

Andretti will make his 18th Indy 500 start piloting the No. 98 KULR Technologies / Curb Honda. Andretti has recorded eight top-10 finishes and four top-three results at the famed IMS oval, also claiming pole position in 2020. He will take to the track for Open Testing on April 20-21 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway before joining his four Andretti teammates for the 107th Running of the Indianapolis 500-Mile race in May.

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.

2023 Indycar Grid Nearing Completion

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Withe A. J. Foyt Racing signing Santino Ferrucci to a full time ride for next season, the 2023 Indycar grid stands at 25 full time confirmed entries with possibly one or two more to come. Ferrucci’s signing is not one that excites me. He has had some success, especially at Indy, but he’s not a driver I care for. It sounds like Dalton Kellett will not have a third spot at Foyt, nor will J. R. Hildebrand have a third Foyt entry at Indianapolis.

The question marks are3 the second Juncos car and the fourth car at Chip Ganassi Racing.

Juncos has yet to name a driver for their second entry, and Ganassi still has plans to run the fourth car which Jimmie Johnson drove the last two seasons. I don’t see Johnson running anything except the 500, and I have doubts that that will happen.

If the full time grid ends up with 27 cars, that doesn’t leave a lot of room for Indianapolis 500 extra entries. Arrow Mclaren SP will likely run a fourth car for the 500, and Ed Carpenter racing may also have a fourth car with Paretta Autuosport.

I don’t think any NASCAR drivers will be in the field in May. Kyle Kirkwood will be the only Kyle taking the green flag on May 28th.

The grid as it stands now. I have listed confirmed cars only.

Penske (3) Josef Newgarden, Will Power, Scott McLaughlin

Ganassi (3) Scott Dixon, Alex Palou, Marcus Ericsson

Andretti (4) Colton Herta, Romain Grosjean, Devlin DeFrancesco, Kyle Kirkwood

Carpenter (2) Conor Daly, Rinus VeeKay; Ovals only-Ed Carpenter

Foyt (2)- Benjamin Pedersen, Santino Ferrucci

Meyer Shank- (2) Helio Castroneves, Simon Pagenaud

Rahal (3) Graham Rahal. Christian Lundgaard, Jack Harvey

Coyne (2) David Malukas, Takuma Sato

Arrow McLaren (3) Pato O’Ward, Felix Rosenqvist, Alexander Rossi

Jumcos/ Hollinger (1) Callum Ilott

Foyt Signs Ferrucci to the 14

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Photo from A. J. Foyt Racing

A. J. Foyt Racing has signed Santino Ferrucci to a full ride for 2023 inn the NTT Indycar Series. Ferrucci has been a substitute driver the last couple of years for various teams and was on standby to fill in for Josef Newgarden for the Gallagher Grand Prix at IMS. The team has yet to announce whether Dalton Kellett will return.

The announcement from A. J. Foyt Rracing:

HOUSTON (Oct. 6, 2022) — Santino Ferrucci is once again a full-time driver in the NTT INDYCAR Series as he has been named to pilot the No. 14 AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet in 2023. Ferrucci is the latest hire for the legendary team, which will field the car from its Waller, Texas headquarters.

Last week, AJ Foyt Racing announced that Benjamin Pedersen would make his INDYCAR debut in a Chevrolet-powered Dallara fielded out of their Indianapolis race shop.

For the last two years, Ferrucci seemed to be the “go-to” guy when race teams needed a substitute

driver. While appreciative to receive the calls, Ferrucci is thrilled he won’t be available for subbing in 2023.

“It’s incredibly exciting to be back in the INDYCAR Series full-time,” said Ferrucci. “Being a part-time driver over the last two years has been hard for me, personally. I’m a racecar driver and I want to compete. Working with different teams has been exciting, and I’m proud that no matter which car I’ve raced, I’ve always shown speed and consistency. I couldn’t be more excited to join AJ Foyt Racing in the 14 Chevy. I can’t wait to make the best of it.”

Team President Larry Foyt consulted with his famous father about bringing Ferrucci into the fold for 2023. The senior Foyt had chatted with the curly-haired youngster on several occasions this year and liked his attitude.

Larry and A.J. Foyt at Indy in May. (AJ Foyt Racing Photo)

“I am thrilled to welcome Santino to the team,” Larry Foyt said. “He’s shown a knack for getting towards the front of the field, and I think he is a racer who moves forward on race day. A.J. sees the fire in him and has enjoyed their meetings together. I think Santino’s experience will help his rookie teammate as well, so he is a great addition to our roster.”

Ferrucci is equally enthused about the move to AJ Foyt Racing.

“It’s going to be a very unique opportunity to work with both A.J. and Larry closely to build a new program,” he said. “To race for a legend like A.J. Foyt — it’s a dream come true. I like to think of myself as an “old school” driver who likes loose race cars and gets behind the wheel of anything with four wheels and an engine. So driving for a guy like A.J., knowing that he drove everything throughout his career, it’s going to be a chance of a lifetime for me.”

Ferrucci chatted with Foyt at Texas Motor Speedway in the Spring.

The Connecticut native made his debut in America’s premier open wheel series in 2018 when Dale Coyne Racing tapped him to drive for Pietro Fittipaldi, who was injured in a sports car crash. Until then, Ferrucci had been focused on driving in Formula 1, having moved to Europe at the age of 14 to compete in various junior formulas. Ferrucci holds the record for the youngest British Formula 3 Series winner at the age of 16 and has also raced in the FIA Formula 2 Championship. He has also driven for the Haas F1 team as a development driver from 2017-2018.

“INDYCAR became my goal after leaving F1 in 2018,” Ferrucci revealed. “I finished up my season in Europe and was asked to fill in for Pietro (Fittipaldi) in the Detroit Grand Prix. I instantly fell in love with the cars, the style of racing and the people. That’s when I knew that INDYCAR needed to be my new home.”

Ferrucci signed a full season deal with Dale Coyne Racing in 2019 and earned Rookie of the Year honors in his first Indianapolis 500 after finishing seventh. Since, he has competed in three additional Indianapolis 500 races, and Ferrucci has never finished outside of the top-10. In 2020, Ferrucci had his best finish of fourth.

When a full season ride didn’t materialize in 2021, Ferrucci found himself in the role of an INDYCAR “supersub” driver. However, Ferrucci didn’t sit idle waiting for the phone to ring. He inked a deal to drive for Sam Hunt in the NASCAR Xfinity Series – making nine starts over the last two years. In just his second start, he had a career- best finish of 13th at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Ferrucci participated in the 2021 Chili Bowl Midget Nationals where 300-plus midgets race over the course of six nights on a quarter-mile clay track inside the Tulsa, Okla. Expo Center. Ferrucci didn’t make it to the final 24 car field, but his debut in midgets was memorable enough that he’s interested in doing it again.

When Ferrucci was asked if his varied experience helped him to adapt quickly to the Indy car, he replied, “Yes and no. I’ve driven everything from dirt cars to stock cars to go-karts to Indy cars to F1 cars, and driving Indy cars demands a very unique driving style. It’s definitely the type of car where uncomfortable is fast — and it’s very hard to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.”

Apparently the 24-year-old has figured out how to enjoy being uncomfortably fast, as he added,

“There’s nothing like being on a short oval ripping through the gears three-wide at a place like Iowa Speedway or going 240mph at Indy. There’s just nothing like that in existence anywhere else in motorsports. Bring on 2023.”

And that is something his 87-year-old boss can appreciate.

(All photos credited to INDYCAR except where noted.)Post not marked as liked

AMSP Names Ward Team Manager; Sets Driver Lineup

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Photo from Arrow McLaren twitter page

From Arrow McLaren SP, a release announcing Gavin Ward as team manager. The team also confirmed their 2023 driver lineup today. Pato O’Ward stays in the number 5, Felix Rosenqvist moves to car 6, and Alexander Rossi takes over car 7.

The announcement from AMSP:

ARROW McLAREN SP ANNOUNCES NEW TEAM MANAGEMENT FOR 2023

“Gavin Ward to become Racing Director for AMSP”

October 4, 2022

Entering the 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, Gavin Ward, who joined the team in July this year as Director of Trackside Engineering, will take on the role of Racing Director at Arrow McLaren SP. Brian Barnhart is a new addition to the McLaren Racing family in the role of General Manager for the team.

In the role of Racing Director, Gavin will lead the technical performance team of Max Neyron (Director of Operations), Nick Snyder (Director of Performance) and Billy Vincent (Director of Competition), which will collectively drive the future performance of the racing team in the 2023 season and beyond. 

The car communicator for Pato and the No. 5 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet is still being finalized, while Billy will stay in his role on the radio with Felix Rosenqvist for the No. 6 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet, and Brian will be the car communicator for Alexander Rossi and the No. 7 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet. 

Gavin Ward, Racing Director, Arrow McLaren SP said:

“I’m honored to step into this role and work alongside the other leaders to continue elevating Arrow McLaren SP and our competitiveness on the track. Max, Nick, Billy and I have worked really well together this past season, so we already have established an impressive baseline that will lead to a smooth start for 2023. I’m really excited to see what the team will do and welcome Brian to the team as well.”

Brian Barnhart, General Manager, Arrow McLaren SP said:

“I’m excited to join McLaren Racing as General Manager for Arrow McLaren SP. The team has made incredible strides in challenging the top teams for the championship over the past two seasons. AMSP is full of talent, from their drivers to the mechanics and every position in between, and I’m honored to join them.”

Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing said:

“This leadership team has decades of racing success, with each bringing their own expertise to the group which will be a differentiator for the team as we grow to a three-car lineup in 2023 and continue to build on our heritage in the sport. Gavin has made a solid impact in the few short months he’s been with the team, and we welcome Brian and the years of INDYCAR experience he brings to the team.”

Who is the Third Member of Indycar’s Big Three?

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Virtually from the beginning of the unified Indycar series in 2008, fans have talked about the Big Three- Penske, Ganassi, and Andretti. Each team has had cycles of success. Penske and Ganassi seem to be far ahead of Andretti the last few years. Arrow McLaren SP seems to have caught up to the tail end of what has been Indycar’s elite trio. Do we still have a Big Three, or is it now the big Four?

Rinus VeeKay’s pole at Barber was the only pole not won by one of the top four teams in 2022.

Arrow McLaren SP is making a big push to join the elite group, and this year they caught up to Andretti. While Penske dominated 2022 with nine wins, Ganassi won four races. The four remaining race wins were split between Andretti and AMSP.

My research of 2022 race results shows that Andretti and AMSP finished in a dead heat in number of poles, podiums, wins, Top 5s, and Top 10s.

AndrettiAMSP
Wins22
Poles33
Podiums55
Top 51211
Top 101817

The slight Andretti edge is due to Romain Grosjean, the third Andretti car. Grosjean had a second place at Long Beach and a seventh place at Barber. The top two at Andretti, Alexander Rossi and Colton Herta, accounted for the rest of the Andretti statistics.

For 2023 Rossi moves to AMSP and joins Pato O’Ward and Felix Rosenqvist.The third car should help the team gain ground in the series. Andretti will still have Herta, but the rest of the team consists of two second year drivers, and Grosjean, entering his second full time season.

I can see a shift in who we call the Big Three next year. I wouldn’t mind if there were actually a Big Four and the victories were more spread out among more teams.

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