Tag: NTT Indycar Series

Carpenter Set for a Busy Friday

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Indycar photo by Joe Skibinski

Ed Carpenter was hoping to accomplish more today, but weather and a crash of one of his team cars shortened his plans. The open test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway was shortened by rain and an incident involving one of Carpenter’s team cars.

Rinus Veekay crashed just 10 minutes into the open test, spinning low in turn 1 and then hiiting the outside wall. VeeKay broke a finger, but has been cleared to drive.

Of his second year driver, Carpenter said,

“He did so well at Indy last year, but got a little bit ahead of himself today. Didn’t quite have a feel for his balance, got a little bit too aggressive in one. I know he’ll bounce back. He’s shown that he can bounce back from unfortunate circumstances in the past. I know he’ll be ready when he gets back out there.”

VeeKay may not be on track Friday. The crew woill have to rebuild the car. Carpenter said they are unlikely to use the backup car since it is the car they will run in the first four races of the season, which begins next weekend at Barber Motorsports Park.

Carpenter and Conor Daly, the third member of Ed Carpenter racing, kept to their plan.

“Essentially we each just got a baseline run in. I only did nine laps. Happy the car has had some pace, we were able to get a good draft. At the same time it doesn’t really mean anything after just a brief period of running, and not everybody out there yet.”

The weather interruption didn’t bother him. After the constant schedule changes last year, this just another hiccup. Carpenter said about the shortened day,

“Don’t worry about it too much. Weather and changing schedules is something we’ve all gotten quite adept at over the past year. Looks like it’s going to be a better weather day tomorrow. The six hours will go quick. Some of the things we wanted to do, it would have been nice to have our session, lunch break, go back out and do some longer changeover types of things that we may have to scrap till we come back. If we can be efficient, we can still get through everything we wanted to, at least the big items.”

I asked Carpenter if he was able to run in traffic enough to see whether the aerodynamic changes improved the ability to follow and pass.

“No, not yet,” he replied. ” I got a one-car tow, but it was about seven seconds out, so not really a good enough read to start to fully establish that.We had some of the parts on, not all of them. There are a lot of different configurations out there. Definitely need more time. There’s really no group that formed in the short amount of time we had. Still plenty to learn. But I’m sure we’ll get through that tomorrow.”

Tomorrow’s weather calls for a high of 77 degrees with a small chance of rain. The temperature is closer to what conditions on race day could be.

Rain Halts Test; Daly Posts Fastest Time

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Photo: Rinus VeeKay suffered a broken finger in an accident shortly after the test session began.

Rain halted the open test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway just before the end of the two hour veterans’ practice period. 21 drivers posted times in the abbreviated session.

Conor Daly has the fastest time at the moment, a lap of 222.714 miles an hour. Ed Carpenter is second at 221.296. Scott Dixon had the third quickest time at 220.575, followed by Arrow McLaren SP teammates Felix Rosenqvist and Pato O’Ward. The top five are the only cars with laps above 220 miles an hour.

The practice got off to a slow start when Rinus VeeKay spun in turn 1 just 10 minutes into the session. VeeKay said he was caught by a gust of wind. His left front wheel got into the grass and the car spun into the outside wall. VeeKay suffered a broken finger in the accident.

The rain has stopped and crews have begun to dry the track. Rookie Orientation and Refresher tests will begin when the track is ready. Cody Ware and Pietro Fittipaldi are the only two who need to complete the three phases of the rookie test.

Notes

It is weird getting used to seeing Helio Castroneves and Juan Pablo Montoya incars that aren’t owned by Team Penske.

James Hinchcliffe hinted in an interview on Peacock that Robert Wickens is planning something “very exciting.” Hinchcliffe stopped short of saying what it is, but said the fans will love it.

Conor Daly is using number 47 for the 500 as he did last year.

I really like the resolution on the Peacock app on my tablet.

The top 10:

147Conor DalyEd Carpenter RacingChevy222.71418
220Ed CarpenterEd Carpenter RacingChevy221.2969
39Scott DixonChip Ganassi RacingHonda220.5759
47Felix RosenqvistArrow McLaren SPChevy220.36016
55Pato O’WardArrow McLaren SPChevy220.23323
610Alex PalouChip Ganassi RacingHonda219.96913
726Colton HertaAndretti AutosportHonda219.8468
827Alexander RossiAndretti AutosportHonda219.64010
912Will PowerTeam PenskeChevy219.63516
1060Jack HarveyMeyer Shank RacingHonda219.5196

I’ll be back with a wrap up after 6 pm.

Hildebrand to Drive Foyt 60th Anniversary Tribute Car

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All photos from A.J. Foyt Racing

J. R. Hildebrand will attempt to qualify for the 105th running of the Indianapolis 500 in a fourth entry for A. J. Foyt Racing. 2021 is the first time in 20 years that Foyt will have four entries for the race.

ABC Supply returns as primary sponsor. The company was the full time sponsor for Foyt through the 2019 season. The car will carry the number 1 and have a tribute livery resembling the paint scheme on Foyt’s 1961 Indianapolis 500 winning car. The number 1, normally reserved for the NTT Indycar series champion, was loaned to the Foyt team by Chip Ganassi Racing. Ganassi has been reluctant to use the number 1 on his cars the year after one of his drivers has won the championship,

“Chip was very gracious about letting us use the number 1,” Larry Foyt said.

A. J. Foyt in 1961, the first of his four 500 victories.
Hildebrand’s car with similar livery.

Hildebrand will be looking to make his 11th consecutive 500. In 2011, he was leading heading into the fourth turn of lap 200 when he went wide hit the wall, Dan Wheldon passed him to win. Hildebrand slid down the track past the finish line and finished second. he had thre3e straight top 10 finishes-10th in 2014, 8th in 2015 and 6th in 2016. Hildebrand has completed all 200 laps eight times.

A. J. Foyt said he was happy to have ABC Supply returning fpor the 500. “They’re more like family than sponsorship,” he said.

I really like the look of this car. It definitely looks like the 1961 roadster. Now if they can just find a way to get a Bowes Seal Fast sticker on it somewhere.

IMS Museum Open During Test Days, But…

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The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum announced today that it will remain open Thursday and Friday during the Indycar test on the 21/2 mile oval. However, there is a catch. Vehicles will not be allowed entrance to the museum parking lot. Instead visitors will park in the lot across from Gate 2 on Polco Street. Free shuttles will transport people to the museum and return them to their cars when they are ready to leave. The turn 2 mounds are closed. Shuttles will run from 9 am until 5 pm or until all visitors have left. I believe the museum limits the number of guests in the building at one time.

The release from the museum:

Track action available via NBC’s Peacock streaming service

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum will remain open to the public during the Thursday, April 8 and Friday, April 9 Indy 500 testing at the legendary 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval.

IMS announced April 5 that the test will be closed to the public as it prioritizes planning and preparations for the Month of May. Fans will have access to both days of NTT INDYCAR SERIES track action via NBC’s new Peacock streaming service.

All visitors to the IMS Museum on April 8-9 will be directed to park in the IMS-owned gravel parking lot located on the east side of Polco Street and south of 16th Street. (See accompanying map for illustration.)

IMS Museum parking for all April 8-9 guests is in the red area. Free shuttles to/from the Museum will run continuously! (Click HERE for larger file.)

Museum guests should plan to use the lot entrance located on Polco just a few feet south of 16th Street, and IMS Museum owned tour busses will serve as free shuttles to and from the Museum main entrance. Shuttles will run continuously during regular Museum hours, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET), and until the last visitor is delivered to the designated parking area. The Turn 2 viewing mounds will not be open on Thursday or Friday while the test is taking place.

“The IMS team is laser-focused on preparations for the Month of May, and we know everyone is excited about the prospect of coming ‘Back Home Again,’” said IMS Museum President Joe Hale. “In the meantime, we’re glad we’ve been able to work together with IMS to keep the museum open and available to visitors later this week, and we can’t wait to see people coming through our doors.”

IMS and INDYCAR officials are working closely with NBC Sports to provide live, in-depth coverage of  testing on NBC’s Peacock streaming platform, featuring NBC’s regular NTT INDYCAR SERIES broadcast team. Fans can take advantage of Peacock’s seven-day free trial to watch the test – and then sign up for Peacock Premium for just $4.99/month to access coverage of the entire 17-race INDYCAR schedule, including practices, qualifying and races.

To learn more about Peacock, click here.

Public access to the IMS Museum parking inside the oval via Gate 2 (the four-lane tunnel on 16th Street) is scheduled resume Saturday, April 10.

***

About the IMS Museum: The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum is home to one of the world’s premier motorsports and automobile collections, with interpretive emphasis on the Indianapolis 500 and its role as an American icon of sporting tradition and innovation.

Located inside the famed 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval, the IMS Museum is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization which relies on the support of visitors, members, donors and corporate partners, who make possible our daily operations, exhibits, educational programming, and restoration and preservation initiatives.

For more information on the IMS Museum, please visit www.indyracingmuseum.org, contact the Museum at 317-492-6784, or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Testing Schedule

Thursday’s session has three segments:

11-1 Veterans

1-3 Rookie Orientation and refreshers

4-6 All cars.

Friday’s session runs from 10-4.

Peacock Debuts at Indy Open Test

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Photo from Indycar Twitter

Indycar sent the following release regarding the open test at IMS Thursday and Friday. No fans allowed on the grounds. Peacock will have its first live streaming of Indycar. Peacocok costs $.99 per month. If you get it just for the Indycar season, it is less expensive than NBC Gold was. I believe Peacock is free if Xfinity is your cable provider.

The news release:

Nearly a full field of NTT INDYCAR SERIES participants will begin preparations for the 105th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge during an open test Thursday, April 8 and Friday, April 9 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Thirty-two car-and-driver combinations are scheduled to participate in the two-day session, which will stream live to race fans exclusively via NBCUniversal’s new streaming service, Peacock.

The open test at IMS creates a marquee launch for INDYCAR action on Peacock, featuring NBC Sports talent, exclusive content and interviews previewing the 17-race NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. Fans can sign up here for one week to view both days of testing at IMS, and enjoy live coverage of NTT INDYCAR SERIES qualifying and practice sessions, as well as coverage surrounding the 105th Indianapolis 500, Indy Lights races, race day warmups and full-event replays of the 2021 season on Peacock Premium for $4.99 per month.

“IMS and INDYCAR are working closely with NBC Sports to deliver what should be an exceptional show on Peacock during these two very important days of testing,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “Having the NBC Sports broadcasters, production quality and exclusive content will deliver an engaging viewing experience that builds even more anticipation for finally coming ‘Back Home Again’ to IMS in May.”

Said INDYCAR President Jay Frye: “The NTT INDYCAR SERIES offers the most competitive and daring racing on the planet. Peacock gives our most loyal fans access to key practice and qualification sessions while also showcasing our series alongside a compelling roster of major global sports leagues and competitions.”

A full stream of the test also will be available to international fans via the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA. Details on further global coverage of NTT INDYCAR SERIES race weekends, beginning with the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama presented by AmFirst on Sunday, April 18, will be provided soon by INDYCAR.

The IMS test will be held from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (ET) Thursday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday. There will be no on-site public access. IMS remains focused on planning and preparing to host spectators during the Month of May. An advisory regarding media access will be forthcoming.

Star-Studded Field Set To Turn Laps at IMS

Reigning “500” champion Takuma Sato of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing and six-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Scott Dixon of Chip Ganassi Racing headline the list of participants testing. Sato and Dixon were the top two finishers in last year’s race, held Aug. 23 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and they have combined to win Indy three times (Sato in 2017 and 2020, Dixon in 2008).

Nine former “500” winners have plans to test, including three-time champion Helio Castroneves (2001, 2002, 2009) in a car fielded by Meyer Shank Racing. Juan Pablo Montoya eyes his third “500” victory with as many teams. Montoya’s prior victories came with Chip Ganassi Racing in 2000 and Team Penske in 2015; this effort is with Arrow McLaren SP.

Other past “500” winners participating will be Chip Ganassi Racing’s Tony Kanaan (2013), Andretti Autosport’s Ryan Hunter-Reay (2014) and Alexander Rossi (2016), and Team Penske’s Will Power (2018) and Simon Pagenaud (2019). The record for former winners in a single “500” is 10, set in 1992.

Marco Andretti, who won the NTT P1 Award for pole at last year’s event, will be part of Andretti Autosport’s five participants. Andretti became the first member of his family to win the pole at Indy since his grandfather Mario in 1987. Mario won three “500” poles in his illustrious career.

Simona De Silvestro will make her return to IMS in the No. 16 Chevrolet of Paretta Autosport, a new NTT INDYCAR SERIES team. The Swiss driver last competed in the race in 2015. Pietro Fittipaldi, whose grandfather Emerson twice won the “500,” also will participate in the test in a bid to earn his first starting position in the famed event.

Honda will have 17 entries testing, Chevrolet 15.

Official practice for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” begins Tuesday, May 18, with more than 33 entries competing for a starting position. NTT P1 Award qualifying will be held Saturday, May 22 and Sunday, May 23. The “500” is Sunday, May 30.

Montoya Carries Iconic Number and Colors on 500 Ride

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Photos from ArrowMcLarenSP Twitter page

Juan Pablo Montoya will drive car number 86 in the 105th running of the Indianapolis 500 in a car trimmed with the famous McLaren papaya orange. The 86 commemorates the 50th anniversary of the 1971 pole winning McLaren of Peter Revson, who stunned the crowd with his average time of 178.696, which beat out Mark Donohue for the pole. Revson finished second in the race to Al Unser.

Peter Revson prepares for his qualifying run in 1971
Top view

Montoya, 500 winner in 2000 and 2015, will also drive in the May 15 race on the IMS road course.

Arrow McLaren SP is the third team Montoya will have driven for in the 500. He won the 500 while driving for Chip Ganassi in 2000 and for Team Penske in 2015.

The three car AMSP effort at Indy, with full time drivers Pato O’Ward and Felix Rosenqvist, should be a strong contender in May.

IMS Test Signals Unofficial Start of Season

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Photo: The Festival Camaros lined up in front of the yard of bricks

It is now less than two weeks until the 2021 NTT Indycar Series begins. The season unofficially begins Thursday with a two day test for all Indianapolis 500 participants at IMS. All full time teams are expected to take part, as well as the new Paretta Autosport team with Simona de Silvestro driving. and the Dale Coyne/Rick Ware number 52. More on the Coyne car later. The test is open to fans in the turn 2 mounds.

The four drivers who took part in the hybrid simulation test qa week and a half ago, felt that passing should be improved. Indycar frilled in the hole in the floor and added strakes. This week will be a better test of the improvements with a larger number of cars.

Notes

Cody Ware tested at Texas last week and will take his rookie test at IMS this week. Ware was rumored to drive the 52 at the Indianapolis 500 when the team was announced, but those rumors cooled. Now it appears Ware will be the driver for the 500..

Doug Boles was the weekly guest on the Marshall Pruett Podcast last Wednesday. Boles said that an attendance decision is about 15-20 days away, which is right around the time of the season opener at Barber. Numbers in Indiana and Marion County are ticking upward at the moment. We will just have to wait and see.

As far as support events for the race, Boles said there is a plan for some music piece, but the race is the priority. he also said that no matter the COVID situation, masks will probably be required.

The entire podcast is at this link:

The Week In IndyCar, April 1, with Doug Boles

I was disappointed to learn from the Texas test that the upper groove still has the NASCAR traction compound on it and that the drivers still consider it a “no-go zone”. Last year’s race in June featured very little passing because the track had just one groove. Texas is now another track where great Indycar racing has been ruined by NASCAR modifications.

Later this week, watch for my season previews.

Paretta Autosport Gets Rocket Pro TPO Sponsorship; Some Notes of Fan Interest

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Paretta Autosport, the all female team which began last July as part of Indycar’s Race for Equality and Change, today announced Rocket Pro TPO as the main sponsor for their one off Indianapolis 500 entry. 500 veteran Simona De Silvestro will drive the car. The team is expected to participate in the open test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway April 8 and 9.

“Having Rocket Pro TPO come onboard as our primary sponsor for this year’s Indy 500 is a perfect partnership,” said Beth Paretta, CEO/team principal of Paretta Autosport. “We are both huge proponents of highlighting the power of women, while also using technology and speed to be the best at what we do. I cannot wait for what we will be able to accomplish as a team – both on and off the track.”

Rocket Pro is a division of Rocket Mortgage. The press release also noted,

“Together, Rocket Pro TPO, Paretta and De Silvestro will partner on the ‘Rocket Accelerator’ multimedia campaign. The group will use unique and innovative ways to amplify women in the mortgage lending and racing spaces by showcasing female leaders who are thriving in these industries.”

Paretta Autosport has a technical partnership with Team Penske.

Notes

Single day tickets for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg went on sale today.

Fans will be allowed to view next week’s open test at IMS from the turn 2 mounds.

The Road to Indy has Spring Training at barber motorsports today. Good news for the return of Indy Lights- 13 cars are entered for the tes.

Mclaughlin in Pennzoil Car for 500

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Scott Mclaughlin will drive the number 3 Pennzoil Car in the 105th running of the Indianapolis 500. He will use the paint scheme which Helio Castroneves used in his last race with Team Penske.

The three time Australian Supercars champion revealed the car in this video this morning.

I think.its time to retire the term yellow submarine. Just because the car is yellow and sponsored by Pennzoil doesn’t make it the yellow submarine. That was a special car driven by Johnny Rutherford. The chassis was unique. This is a spec Dallara.

IMS Mass Vaccination Clinics Resume Tomorrow

Thursday is the first day of three April weekends of mass COVID vaccination clinics at IMS. THE first clinic was a resounding success with more than 16,000 shots dispensed. The goal for the April clinics iss 96,000 vaccinations. Ad of today, Indiana residents age 16 and older are eligible for the vaccine.