In a new Instagram post from Robert Wickens up this afternoon he says he will be coming to St. Pete this weekend. Here is the post with a list of his schedule.
Tag: NTT Indycar Series
It’s Race Week at Last! Some Things to Watch; Indycar News
The NTT Indycar Series begins the 2019 season Friday with the first practice sessions at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. This event has grown tremendously since I first attended in 2013. Support from the city and businesses have helped the race and activities surrounding it to flourish. It has become the place where fans from the north come to escape the winter for a while. The racing has improved the last two years.
Just ten drivers have won the 15 previous races, including three occasions where a driver has won back to back. Helio Castroneves won in 2006 and 2007. Jaun Pablo Montoya in 2015 and 2016, and Sebastien Bourdais has won the last two years. Bourdais, Will Power, James Hinccliffe, and Graham Rahal are the active former winners.
LED Panels Return
The LED panels which show a driver’s position on the cars will return this weekend. The panels, which were popular with fans when they first appeared, were absent last year due to technical issues.
As before, the panels will show race position, time pit stops, and tell the AMR safety crew whether the engine is running after a spin, crash, or stall, and what gear the car is in.
The panels are big help to fans at the race, especially the casual and first time race goers.
Talented Rookies, New Teams
This weekend will see the debut of series rookies Felix Rosenqvist, Colton Herta, and Marcus Ericsson in full time rides. Ben Hanley, driving for new entrant Dragonspeed, will drive in the first of his five races. This is quite a talented rookie class. Some are predicting a victory at some point this year for at least one of these drivers. In 2018, two rookies, Matheus Leist and Jordan King, made the Fast Six in qualifying. Their performance this weekend bears watching.
What Have Teams Learned about the UAK?
After a season of working with universal aero kit, it will be interesting to see what teams have learned and how they apply their findings. Some teams and drivers struggled last year. Will a season of experience allow them to improve? Simon Pagenaud for one seemed uncomfortable last season.
Indianapolis Feel
The race this year should make attendees from Indianapolis feel at home. Jim Corelison, who has sung “(Back Home Again in) Indiana at the 500 the last two years, will sing the national anthem before the race. Tony Dungy, former head coach of the Indianapolis Colts was named the Grand Marshall.
I will be covering the race for Wildfire Sports this weekend. Check them out for my preview, practice and qualifying wrap ups, and race review. The Pit Window will feature quick thoughts and other tidbits throughout the weekend.
More Indycar News
The series announced today that race morning warmups will return to Barber and Mid Ohio this season. In 2018 only street courses had the warmup, and they will continue to do so this year. The series extended practice session times on the natural road courses to compensate. Because of the later race starts for Barber and Mid Ohio and a need for track action, the warmups were reinstated.
Dreyer and Reinbold will again have Sage Karam driving car 24 in the Indianapolis 500.The team still hopes to have additional races. Karam will likely have a teammate at IMS.
International TV Rights- Not Done Yet
Some international broadcast rights have yet to be announced, the most glaring omission being a Canadian arrangement. I have heard one is just about ready, but it’s getting late.
There are several deals set, with the UK rights going to Sky Sports. It is puzzling why the Canadian rights are taking so long.
Indycar Releases Indy 500 Qualifying Schedule Tweaks- Some Thoughts
First the news release:
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News from INDYCAR: More action, increased drama given to both Indianapolis 500 qualifying days
More action, increased drama given to both Indianapolis 500 qualifying days
INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019) – Bumping to secure locked-in grid positions on both qualifying days, the thrilling Fast Nine Shootout for the pole position and an opportunity to preview the 103rd Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge with a full-field practice await NTT IndyCar Series fans May 18-19 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The action-packed format for Crown Royal Armed Forces Qualifying weekend was announced today by INDYCAR. The Indianapolis 500 runs Sunday, May 26 on the iconic 2.5-mile oval.
Highlights of the qualifying weekend are:
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The drama on Saturday, May 18 will be intense with competitors battling for one of the 30 locked-in starting positions and a berth in the Fast Nine Shootout the following day. Each entry is guaranteed one attempt and multiple four-lap runs may be made as time permits. Cars in positions 10 through 30 at the end of first-day qualifying on May 18 are locked into those starting spots for the race and will not re-qualify the next day.
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NBC’s coverage on Sunday, May 19 (12-3 p.m.) will feature two highly competitive battles – for the last three starting positions in the field of 33 and the pole-deciding Fast Nine Shootout to determine the starting order of the first three rows.
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Sunday’s action will be capped by a practice of nearly three hours that should serve as a preview of the Indianapolis 500. Cars will be trimmed in race setup and running in groups. NBCSN will provide the coverage (3-6 p.m.).
“With this schedule, fans will get a phenomenal weekend of action, with two days of qualifying, bumping, the run for the pole and this incredible practice that effectively is the race before the race – all in a two-day span,” INDYCAR President Jay Frye said.
The qualifying weekend schedule is as follows:
Saturday, May 18 (all times ET):
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8-9:30 a.m.: Practice
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11 a.m.-5:50 p.m.: Qualifying (order based on draw, top 30 locked in field at end of day)
Sunday, May 19:
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10:15-10:45 a.m.: Fast Nine Shootout practice 10:45-11:15 a.m.: Last Row Shootout practice
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12:15-1:15 p.m.: Last Row Shootout qualifying (order based on original draw, one attempt per car)
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1:15-2:15 p.m.: Fast Nine Shootout qualifying (order based on Saturday times, slowest to fastest, one attempt per car)
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3:15-6 p.m.: Open practice, all 33 qualified cars
The 2019 NTT IndyCar Series season totals 17 races and opens with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Sunday, March 10 (12:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN).
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Thoughts:
I like the fact that the field won’t be set until Sunday. I’d prefer only 27 cars be locked in on Saturday.
It’s fantastic that both the pole run and bumping will be on NBC. The TV window dictated the format most likely.
I’m glad the 10-30 group doesn’t have to requalify Sunday. It rewards the teams for making the field on Day 1.
Giving the cars still needing to make the race just one shot Sunday seems inconsistent with the qualifying rules for Saturday. They should have two shots as time allows. Perhaps have the Fast Nine shootout first and make the practice only two hours.
I could live without the Fast Nine Shootout. Determine the pole by fastest time Saturday and allow the Pole winner to spend time in the tv booth on Sunday. The schedule allows little air time for the polesitter.
Although I think this doesn’t go far enough, it is a big step in the right direction with what appears to be added television time. It is still probably a work in progress depending on the number of entries.
Clauson-Marshall Racing, Pippa Mann Enter Indy 500
Pippa Mann will get another shot at driving in the Indianapolis 500. Clauson-Marshall Racing, one of the most successful dirt car teams at the moment, announced their entry for the 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500. Tim Clauson, father of the late Brian Clauson, said he and partner Richard Marshall are continuing Brian’s legacy of short track drivers racing in the 500.
The team has a technical alliance with A. J. Foyt Racing. The Foyt team did have speed at IMS last year. Tony Kanaan qualified 10th and Matheus Leist started 11th. Kanaan led 19 laps and was a contender for the win until a tire issue put him toward the rear of the field. He eventually crashed. Leist finished 13th.
Driven2 Save Lives will be the primary name on the car. Mann said several of her sponsors from last year will be back as well as at least three new backers. Mann was one of two drivers bumped from the field in 2018. Mann has participated in six Indy 500s, debuting in 2011. Her best starting spot is 22nd in 2014 and her best finish is 17th in 2017.
Pippa Mann speaks at the Clauson-Marshall announcement.
The car will carry number 39, Brian Clauson’s number. Clauson and Mann were teammates at Dale Coyne Racing in 2016.
The car has similar colors as last year’s Driven2SaveLives entry.
Thoughts
Despite the partnership with Foyt, who did find some speed last year, the team faces long odds of making the race. With 36-38 entires expected, the one off teams could have a difficult time cracking the fastest 33.
I like Pippa. She is a great ambassador for the sport and works tirelessly on behalf of health causes and to help women in racing. She adds a lot to the paddock. However, I think a new team would want a more seasoned driver to have a realistic chance at lining up race morning. It will be great if she drives on May 26, but I fear the same result she had last year.
It’s always great to have a new team and more entries at Indy.
Spring Training Begins at COTA; 25 Entries Set to Run
Today, at last, is the official opening day of the 2019 NTT Indycar Series season. Spring training begins at 11 am ET at Circuit of the Americas, the newest track on the schedule. Cars have 5 hours of track time available today and 6 hours tomorrow. Today’s action will be streamed on Indycar’s Facebook page, Twitter, and YouTube.
With Monday’s news about the change in plans at Harding Steinbrenner Racing, Colton Herta will test the lone car for the team. Kyle Kaiser will likely test for Juncos. The team announced yesterday that Kaiser will drive the number 32 at COTA in the March 24 race.
IndyCar sessions are scheduled from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 3:30-6:30 p.m. ET on the 12th, and 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2:00-6:00 p.m. ET on the 13th.
Expected to test :
A.J. Foyt Racing Chevy (2): Tony Kanaan, Matheus Leist
Andretti Autosport Honda (4): Alexander Rossi, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Marco Andretti, Zach Veach
Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda (2): James Hinchcliffe, Marcus Ericsson
Carlin Racing Chevy (2): Max Chilton, RC Enerson
Chip Ganassi Racing Honda (2): Scott Dixon, Felix Rosenqvist
Dale Coyne Racing Honda (2): Sebastien Bourdais, Santino Ferrucci
Ed Carpenter Racing Chevy (2): Spencer Pigot, Ed Jones
Harding Steinbrenner Racing Honda (1): Colton Herta/Patricio O’Ward
Juncos Racing Chevy (1): TBA
Meyer Shank Racing Honda (1): Jack Harvey
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Honda (2): Graham Rahal, Takuma Sato
Team Penske Chevy (4): Will Power, Josef Newgarden, Simon Pagenaud, Helio Castroneves
Tickets for Spring Training can be purchased at http://www.circuitoftheamericas.com/indycar-spring-training.
Quick Impressions- GP of St. Petersburg Kickoff
The first impression walking towardthe Dali Museum is there is no entry gate, no bridge to walk over, nothing that looks like a race track.
The area is huge when it is not confined by walls and fencing.
It was weird to see cars driving the wrong way down Dan Weldon Way.
The event was well attended. It was obvious that Mayor Rick Kriseman is a huge supporter of the race.
With Indycar testing on the West coast, Kyle Kirkwood, Indy Pro 2000 driver, was the only representative of Indycar.
Here are some photos.
Look for more details later today on Wildfire Sports.
Firestone Extends Indycar Partnership Through 2025; Building Race Tire Facility
I never think of Indycar without envisioning a car with Firestone tires. Firestone tires have been synonymous with Indycar it seems like forever. The tire has been on the winning car at the Indianapolis 500 69 times, including the first race in 1911. That relationship remains with today’s news.
Firestone will continue as the sole tire supplier to the NTT Indycar Series through 2025. The announcement of the new deal came at the Dallara Factory in Speedway this morning. In addition, Firestone is building a new state of the art manufacturing facility for Indycar tires in Akron. The building, the Advanced Tire Production Center (ATPC) should produce its first tire in late 2020.
“Champions have relied on Firestone tires for more than a century, and racing has always been the ideal proving ground for new technologies that help us evolve and advance our company’s passenger tire offerings,” said Philip Dobbs, chief marketing officer, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations. “As the NTT IndyCar Series continues gaining momentum, we are introducing new fans to the Firestone brand and strengthening our relationship with the drivers who use our durable, dependable Firestone tires.”
Ralph Hubbard, Creator of the HANS Device
Hubbard and his brother-in-law, Jim Downing, created the device in an effort to save drivers’ lives by protecting their heads and necks from the violent jolting in accidents. Their research began in the early 80’s. Indycar was the first series to adopt the device and Formula 1 made it compulsory in 2003. The HANS Device was optional in NASCAR, but after Dale Earnhardt’s death in the Daytona 500, it soon became mandatory.
Drivers and fans are thankful to Dr. Hubbard for work and inventing what is now taken for granted as a part of a driver’s equipment. Many lives have been saved with this attachment.
Indy Qualifying Changes?
The Pit Window has learned that an official announcement about the qualifying format for the 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500 will come either at the end of this week or early next week. Some tweaks to the current format are expected. I will share my thoughts on the new procedures next week. I hope more changes may be on the way for 2020.
Testing Begins
Weather Tech Raceway hosts the first Indycar test of 2019 Friday. Most of the projected grid will be there. Official Spring training begins Tuesday at COTA. The Tuesday session will be live streamed on Indycar,com.
The entry list for Weather Tech Raceway:
Gainbridge Becomes Presenting Sponsor of Indianapolis 500- The Story and Some Thoughts
Indycar and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway continued their momentum with today’s announcement of Gainbridge as the presenting sponsor of the Indianapolis 500. The four year deal was announced by Hulman & Company CEO Mark Miles at the track this afternoon.
Gainbridge is a part Group 1001, which has a multiyear sponsorship agreement with driver Zach Veach, who drives for Andretti Autosport. Gainbridge will be the primary sponsor on his number 26 car this coming season.
Gainbridge is an online financial services platform which has $37 billion in assets. they currently operate in Indiana, Illinois, Massachusetts, and New Jersey with plans to be in other states this year.
They were also the presenting sponsor for the Indiana Women in Tech LPGA tournament held at the Brickyard Crossing in 2018.
Like Speedway, which became the official fuel and convenience stores of the NTT Indycar Series, Group 1001 is an Indiana based company with a national reach.
Quick Thoughts
Indycar and IMS have put together two sponsorship deals within a month, an incredible accomplishment for any series.
This is the second company which sponsors a car to expand their involvement to the series or the 500. It is great to see that these commitments are genuine and long term.
I like that the Gainbridge name on the new logo is separated from the race logo. The Penn Grade name was too much a part of the race logo for my taste. I could live without the “#This Is May” hashtag on the emblem.
The best news of all- cars will be on track in just eight days!
Meyer Shank Racing Expands Program to 10 Races with Eye Toward Full Time Schedule
Meyer Shank Racing confirmed Jack Harvey will drive in 10 NTT Indycar series races in 2019 after a six race program in 2018. Harvey will continue to carry Sirius XM sponsorship. The eam hopes to expand to a full time program at some point.
Harvey will drive in the 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500, his only oval race, and nine street/road course events. The rest of his schedule begins at the opener in St. Pete, followed by COTA, Barber, Long Beach and the Indycar Grand Prix at IMS. Following the 500, The last four he wil run are Road America, Mid Ohio, and the two season ending races at Portland and Laguna Seca.
Shank has purchased a new chassis specifically for use in the 500. The team will once again partner with Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports.
“We are extremely excited to be extending our program,” said Harvey “That has always been the goal for 2019 and it is amazing to achieve that and continue to grow what we are doing. I have to thank Michael [Shank], he has put in an immense amount of work and of course thanks to Jim Meyer for his continued support. Without either of those guys, in their own way, I wouldn’t have received the opportunity.”
Harvey’s best finishes last season were 16th at both Indianapolis and Portland.
Juncos Racing, which ran a partial schedule last year, is the only team that has not announced its 2019 Indycar plans. They are debuting their IMSA program this weekend at Daytona, so new on the Indycar front may not be for awhile.
