NTT Indycar Series – Page 44 – The Pit Window by Mike Silver

Conor Daly Returns to Juncos Hollinger Racing to Complete 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Lineup

December 18, 2024 thepitwindow

Exciting news from Juncos Hollinger Racing:

“When Conor rejoined us last year, it felt like we seamlessly picked up right where we left off in 2010,” said Ricardo Juncos, Co-Owner and Founder of JHR. “I’m thrilled to have him back in the car full-time for 2025. With both seats now filled, the team is laser-focused on building momentum and delivering standout performances throughout the year, aiming for an exceptional season ahead for Juncos Hollinger Racing.”
Brad Hollinger, Co-Owner of JHR, shared, “Conor is an outstanding addition to our team. He is a fantastic ambassador for the sport and has proven his speed not only in our car, but also through his tested tenure in the series. Providing him with more opportunities to collaborate closely with our engineers and crew will undoubtedly enhance the team’s performance, and empower his own unrelenting drive for success.”

“Our main priority this year is to build upon the success we’ve seen in the team’s short three-year campaign,” explained Dave O’Neill, Team Principal of Juncos Hollinger Racing. “With Conor joining the team and Sting Ray already confirmed, we’re well-positioned to achieve that. This is just the beginning of a long-term process to build a stronger and more competitive foundation for the future.”
Juncos Hollinger Racing will kick off the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season at the highly anticipated season opener in St. Petersburg on March 2.

Some IndyCar Notes

December 11, 2024 thepitwindow

Tough news in Indy NXT today as Yuven Sundaramoothy will not be able to compete in 2025 due to budget issues. The Wisconsin native posted the following statement on X today:

I hope he gets back in 2026. He was coming on strong toward the end of the year.

Chili Bowl News– Katherine Legge will participate in the Chili Bowl in Tulsa next month. She will drive for Abacus Racing. Santino Ferrucci also drives for Abacus.

New Chassis? According to Racer magazine, Indycar owners got a look at renderings for a new chassis scheduled to begin racing in 2027. according to the story the reviews were mixed. The new car does not look much different from the current one. Disappointing if true. I want to see something sleeker and bolder.

Grid check– One spot at Juncos and two at Dale Coyne are all that remain to complete the 2025 IndyCar grid. I think Conor Daly will get the Juncos opening, and Rinus VeeKay will have one of the seats at Coyne. The final seat at Coyne is anyone’s guess.

I’ll be back to finish out the week with a review of the Netflix series Senna and some thoughts on the charter system and the implications that are surfacing.

Accomplished Motorsports Executive Buck Named Director of INDY NXT by Firestone

December 10, 2024 thepitwindow

From IndyCar

INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024) – Veteran racing industry executive Richard Buck has been named as director of INDY NXT by Firestone, INDYCAR officials announced Dec. 10.
Buck takes over all operations and competition for INDY NXT by Firestone, the developmental series of INDYCAR that prepares drivers, engineers and other team personnel for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.
Phoenix native Buck assumes his new role after 35 years of motorsports experience, including operations and project management, competition officiating, engineering and race strategy in NASCAR and INDYCAR.
“I am thrilled to return to my racing roots in INDYCAR,” Buck said. “I have always kept my eye on the sport, and the opportunity to be the director of INDY NXT was something I could not pass up. The developmental series is on the rise as it continues to advance talent to the premier open-wheel series in North America.”
Buck most recently served as the president and CEO of motorsports consultant 3194 Motorsports LLC and as the managing director of the NASCAR Cup Series from 2014-2019. Before that, he was the vice president of racing operations in IMSA from 2013-2014 before stints as the managing director for GRAND-AM, NASCAR’s Touring Series and NASCAR’s Racing Development in Canada and Mexico from 2005-2013.
“The competition is fierce, and the future is bright for INDY NXT by Firestone,” INDYCAR President Jay Frye said. “With his vast motorsports experience, Richard is a tremendous fit for the series’ leadership role, and we are excited to welcome him back into the INDYCAR family.”
Introduction to INDYCARBuck was originally introduced to INDYCAR in 1979 when he began working with a long list of accomplished drivers while accumulating Indianapolis 500 by Gainbridge wins and INDYCAR SERIES championships:

Years	Team	Position	Drivers
1996-2000	Precision Preparation Inc. (PPI)	Team Manager and Race Strategist	Cristiano da Matta Robby Gordon Hiro Matsushita Max Papis Scott Pruett Oriol Servia
1985-1996	Penske Racing	Crew Chief	Emerson Fittipaldi Rick Mears Danny Sullivan Paul Tracy Al Unser Al Unser Jr.
1985	Alex Foods Racing	Crew Chief	Johnny Rutherford
1982-1984	Provimi Racing	Crew Chief	Tony Bettenhausen Derek Daly Arie Luyendyk

Other Experience in Motorsports
While at PPI, Buck also helped the team field teams in developmental Toyota Atlantic series, NASCAR and various off-road racing series.
His transition to NASCAR came in 2000-2004, when he served in a variety of team managerial and race strategist roles at Team Gordon, Andy Petree Racing, Petty Enterprises, Robert Yates Racing and Curb Agajanian Performance Group.
Buck’s motorsports career began in the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars, working for Gary Stanton Racing and popular drivers Steve Kinser, Ronnie Shuman, and Sammy and Jeff Swindell.
The 2025 INDY NXT by Firestone season begins Sunday, March 2 on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida. Coverage throughout the 14-race season can be seen via FOX Sports on either FS1 and FS2, with audio coverage available from the INDYCAR Radio Network.

RLL Signs DeFrancesco; Three Spots Left on 2025 Grid

December 9, 2024 thepitwindow

From Rahal Letterman lanigan Racing

ZIONSVILLE, Ind. (December 9, 2024) – Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) announced today that Devlin DeFrancesco will compete full time for the team in the No. 30 Honda-powered entry beginning with the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season in a multi-year deal. Details on the sponsorship for the entry will be announced at a later date.

“I’m very excited to be back in the INDYCAR SERIES,” said Canadian DeFrancesco. “Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing has an amazing history and is also on an impressive trajectory. Seeing all the work that is going on from the men and women behind the scenes, it is easy to see that this team and myself are very hungry for results. I look forward to getting started with all the great people here.”

DeFrancesco, 24, has made 34 starts in NTT INDYCAR SERIES competition with Andretti Steinbrenner Autosport with his best start being fifth at the August 2023 road course race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He earned career-best finishes of 12th place at World Wide Technology Raceway in 2022 and the Detroit street race in 2023.

“I’m very pleased that we are able to welcome Devlin to the team,” added Bobby Rahal, co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. “We had the chance to witness his ability while he was at Andretti and there were clearly times when he was quite competitive so I’m confident that we can have a lot of good races together. We’re looking forward to his contribution to the team.”

The 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season opens Sunday, March 2 on the Streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, for the 21st Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. North America’s premier open-wheel series will crisscross the United States, including a stop for the 109th Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 26, before culminating in Nashville for the championship finale Sunday, August 31. All on-track action can be seen live on FOX and the INDYCAR Radio Network. For more information about the series or team, visit www.indycar.com and www.rahal.com.

About Devlin DeFrancesco

Devlin DeFrancesco, 24, was born in Toronto, Canada on January 17, 2000. He started his racing career in karting at the age of six and has won races in North America and European karting.

In 2014, DeFrancesco placed 2nd overall in the Italian Championship and 3rd overall in the CIK FIA European Championship. In 2014, he sustained an injury to his wrist that required two surgeries and that kept him out of a full racing series for approximately a year. As part of his rehabilitation, Devlin attended the Carlin Academy, where he used a combination of simulators and on-track testing to prepare for FIA Formula 4-style racing.

In 2015, DeFrancesco was selected to be a part of the Generation Ganassi Driver Identification Program, a mentoring and talent development program that aimed to identify and assist up to 10 North American drivers between the ages of 13 and 18. When he graduated from karts in 2015, he competed in the Ginetta Junior Championship with HHC Motorsports that year. In early 2016, he competed in New Zealand’s Toyota Racing Series with Giles Motorsport and finished the season 10th overall.

He joined Carlin Motorsports for the 2016 MSA Formula season and won three races and finished fifth in the point standings. He continued to compete for Carlin in 2017 and moved to the Euroformula Open and Spanish Formula 3 Championships. He won three races and five podiums en route to the Spanish Formula 3 title and won one Euroformula Open race as well as a total of seven podium finishes to finish third in the championship overall. He also competed in the final two rounds of the 2017 FIA Formula 3 European Championship with Carlin.

He teamed up with Carlin again in 2018 for the F3 European Championship, competing in the two opening rounds but was forced to withdraw from the following round due to dental surgery and subsequently made the switch to join the GP3 Series for the reminder of the 2018 season while teaming up with MP Motorsport. In 2018, he made his IMSA debut at the Rolex 24 at Daytona in the DPI class with JDC-Miller MotorSports and finished sixth with co-drivers Cindric, Alon and Trummer. He returned to IMSA competition later that year with the team in the Petit Le Mans event and finished ninth.

In 2019, he competed in the inaugural FIA F3 Championship with Trident Racing and gained valuable knowledge. He also returned to IMSA for the Rolex 24 at Daytona with JDC-Miller MotorSports and teammates Barrichello, Vautier and Goikhberg. The race ended before the 22nd hour due to heavy rainfall and the team was scored in fifth place.

His return to the F3 Championship with Trident Racing was announced in February 2020, but he was forced to withdraw from the season due to COVID-19 and being immuno-compromised.

Also in 2019/20, he competed in a partial season of the F3 Asian Championship with Absolute Racing and finished seventh in the championship with three podiums despite missing the final three rounds due to the pandemic.

In 2020, DeFrancesco joined Steinbrenner Racing and Andretti Autosport to compete in the 2020 Indy Pro 2000 Championship. He scored two wins and was runner-up to the champion, Sting Ray Robb. He moved to Indy Lights in 2021 in a car co-entered by Steinbrenner Racing and Andretti Autosport. With two podiums and nine top-five finishes, he finished sixth in the points standings.

In January of 2022, DeFrancesco and his co-drivers, Colton Herta, Patricio O’Ward and Eric Lux, won the LMP2 class of the Rolex 24 at Daytona before he made his INDYCAR SERIES debut in March with Andretti Steinbrenner Autosport where his best finish was 12th at WorldWide Technology Raceway in his rookie season. In 2023, he earned his best career INDYCAR start to date of fifth place at the August road course race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and matched his best finish of 12th place at the Detroit street race.

In 2024, he competed in the Endurance Cup in the GTD class in IMSA with Forte Racing’s Lamborghini team.

About Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, based in Zionsville, Ind., is co-owned by three-time IndyCar Champion and 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal, former CBS Late Show host David Letterman and Mi-Jack co-owner Mike Lanigan. In 2025, the team will compete in its 34th year of competition and will attempt to add to its 30 Indy car wins – including the 2004 Indy 500 from pole with Buddy Rice and the 2020 Indy 500 with Takuma Sato — their 37 poles, 112 podium finishes and 1992 series championship. The team also competed in the American Le Mans Series from 2009-2013 as BMW Team RLL where they won both the Manufacturer and Team Championships in the GT category in 2010 and swept all three GT titles in 2011 – Manufacturer, Team and Driver. In 2012, the team finished second in the Team Championship and third in the Manufacturer Championship and in 2013, the team finished second in the Driver, Team and Manufacturer Championship. From 2014 to 2021, BMW Team RLL competed in the GTLM class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with a two-car program. In 2022, BMW M Team RLL competed in the GTD PRO class in IMSA while simultaneously ramping up for a two-car program in the much-anticipated GTP class in IMSA for 2023. In total, the team has earned 24 wins – including the 2019 and 2020 Rolex 24 at Daytona endurance races, 30 poles and 103 podium finishes prior to the start of the 2025 season. BMW M Team RLL highlights also include second-place finishes in the Manufacturer, Team and Driver championships in 2015 and 2017 and being named the 2020 Michelin North American Endurance Champions.

Back-to-Back Indy 500 Winner Newgarden Unveils Second Image on Borg-Warner Trophy

December 4, 2024 thepitwindow

From IMS. I will have more on this event tomorrow.

INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024) – 2024 Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge winner Josef Newgarden unveiled his likeness on the Borg-Warner Trophy on Dec. 4 in Indianapolis, one of the most significant honors since he won his second Indy 500 on May 26 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Newgarden, a native of Nashville, Tennessee, earned his second victory in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” in the No. 2 Shell Powering Progress Team Penske Chevrolet.
This was the 20th Indy 500 victory for Team Penske, and Newgarden is the first back-to-back winner since Helio Castroneves won his second Indy 500 while driving for Team Penske in 2002.
The unveiling ceremony took place at COhatch Polk Stables, a coworking space for entrepreneurs and startups located in downtown Indianapolis.
The bas-relief, sterling silver image of Newgarden is the 111th face to be affixed to the iconic trophy, awarded annually to the winner of the Indianapolis 500 since 1936.
“Having my face added to the Borg-Warner Trophy is one of the coolest parts about winning the race,” Newgarden said. “Seeing the finished product, with two side-by-side images of my face, is an unbelievable honor, and I look forward to hopefully adding a third likeness to the row after this year’s Indy 500.”
Renowned sculptor Will Behrends created Newgarden’s image, as he has for every winner since 1990.Each face on the trophy is unique, even for a back-to-back winner like Newgarden. Behrends starts from scratch each year and begins his creative process by studying a series of 360-degree photos of the winner to get a baseline for sculpting before constructing a full-scale model of the driver’s face. Normally a driver would visit Behrends’ studio in Tryon, North Carolina, for an in-person session. This year’s visit was impacted by Hurricane Helene, so Newgarden and Behrends met virtually to make the final adjustments to the full-scale model.
This life-size clay version is used as reference for Behrends to construct the smaller model, a piece created out of a mixture of oil-based clay. The smaller clay model is turned into a mold and cast in wax before being sent to a jeweler to be transformed into sterling silver. Behrends completes his process by polishing and buffing the sculpture before attaching it to the trophy.
“Today is a special day for Josef and BorgWarner,” said Michelle Collins, global director marketing and public relations for BorgWarner.
“Josef is one of only six drivers to win back-to-back Indianapolis 500 victories in the race’s 113-year history, and unveiling his face on this spectacular trophy cements his mark not only in INDYCAR, but all of motorsports. BorgWarner is honored to uphold the tradition of the Borg-Warner Trophy and celebrate Josef’s historic 2024 Indianapolis 500 win.”
Originally designed in 1935, the sterling silver trophy measures over 5 feet, 4-3/4 inches tall and weighs more than 110 pounds as it carries the sculpted face of every victor since 1911.
Early next year, Newgarden will receive his BorgWarner Championships Driver’s Trophy, also known as a “Baby Borg,” a miniature replica of the large-scale Borg-Warner Trophy.
Tickets for the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge and all Month of May events at Indianapolis Motor Speedway are on sale at IMS.com.

DRR Sets 500 Lineup of Hunter-Reay and Harvey

December 4, 2024 thepitwindow

Dreyer & Reinbold Racing with Cusick Motorsports announced this morning that Ryan Hunter-Reay, winner of the 2014 Indianapolis 500 and 2012 series champion, will return in one of their two entries for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500. Jack Harvey will drive the second car.

Harvey is a veteran of seven Indianapolis 500s, with a best finish of ninth in 2020. His last 500, in 2023, is known for Harvey’s bumping teammate Graham Rahal out of the field on the day’s final run.

Harvey ran a partial season for Dale Coyne Racing in 2024. In 2023 he began the year with Rahal Letterman racing, but was let go midseason.

Hunter-Reay will drive for DRR for the third consecutive year. He started the race 12th last year and dropped out after 107 laps due to contact, finishing 26th.

TAG Heuer Extends Partnership with INDYCAR, IMS

December 3, 2024 thepitwindow

From IMS yesterday:

INDIANAPOLIS (Monday, Dec. 2, 2024) – TAG Heuer – the renowned Swiss Luxury watchmaker and motorsports sponsorship pioneer – has renewed its longstanding, multiyear partnerships with INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway. A whirlwind of speed and thrills, INDYCAR and the mythical Indianapolis 500-Mile Race have brought together fierce legends and adrenaline-seeking fans since 1911.Continuing as the Official Watch and Timekeeper of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, TAG Heuer also will remain a presenting sponsor of the Hulman Terrace Club hospitality suites at the Racing Capital of the World.
TAG Heuer started its partnership with INDYCAR in 2014 and with the Indianapolis 500 and IMS in 2004.
“With more than 20 years of history at IMS, TAG Heuer is a brand deeply rooted in motorsports and the traditions and values of INDYCAR and the Indy 500,” said Penske Entertainment CEO Mark Miles. “TAG Heuer is an ideal match for the precision and high performance on display at every INDYCAR event, most especially ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.’”
During 20 years of partnership, TAG Heuer has released 17 special edition watches in homage to the Indy 500. Adorned with evocative details, such as the Speedway’s iconic Wing and Wheel logo and the Brickyard motif, these unique watches tell the story of drivers’ relentless thirst for victory on the racetrack. Bold new Indy 500 timepieces regularly breathe fresh creativity into this thriving partnership.
TAG Heuer will continue to provide a special edition watch to the winning driver and chief mechanic of the Indianapolis 500 and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion driver. Fans also can own a piece of racing heritage, as special edition Indy 500 watches are available for purchase.
“TAG Heuer is a brand synonymous with racing, and there is no better proving ground to demonstrate our passion and strong heritage in motorsport than at IMS during the Indy 500 with INDYCAR,” TAG Heuer CEO Antoine Pin said.
TAG Heuer branding also will continue to have a strong presence at IMS, including on the highly visible IMS Pagoda and on the retaining wall near the iconic Yard of Bricks start-finish line during the Month of May.
The 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season begins Sunday, March 2 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding on the Streets of St. Petersburg. The 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge is scheduled for Sunday, May 25. Coverage of all 17 NTT INDYCAR SERIES races will be available on FOX and the INDYCAR Radio Network.

JHR Signs Robb for 2025

November 20, 2024 thepitwindow

Juncos Hollinger Racing has hired Sting Ray Robb as one of their drivers for the 2025 IndyCar season. Robb has completed two seasons in IndyCar. He began in 2023 driving for Dale Coyne and in 2024 Robb drove for A. J. Foyt Racing.

Robb had a best finish of 10th at the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at World Wide Technology Raceway in 2024, and he led 23 laps in the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 in 2024.

Robb won the 2020 Indy Pro Championship driving for Juncos.

Robb’s signing leaves open one seat at JHR, one seat at Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, and two seats at Dale Coyne Racing.

Several prospective drivers tested at Thermal Club earlier this week, including Logan Sargeant and Hunter McElrea.

Should IndyCar Buy More Events?

November 18, 2024 thepitwindow2 Comments

Fans felt relief last week when Penske Entertainment purchased the Acura Grand Prix of long Beach, ensuring that the most popular event on the schedule outside of the Indianapolis 500 will remain an IndyCar event.

I have been concerned for a couple of years now as both F1 and NASCAR made bids to put one of their races on the streets of Long Beach. The event is only allowed one rave event per year by agreement with the city. Now we know that IndyCar will have exclusive rights to the spring race. The agreement with the city runs through 2028.

As with any acquisition in racing, there are caveats. Chief among them is Roger Penske’s age. I am aware of a succession plan, with Greg Penske assuming leadership. I have met Greg, and I was impressed by him, nut what if he decides the event no longer makes business sense for Penske Entertainment?

The IndyCar series now owns Long Beach and the Grand Prix of Detroit. Penske also helps promote Iowa, Nashville, and lent a hand with Milwaukee in 2024. My question is, should the series buy more street races? Is that really the function of the racing series? I don’t think it is.

NASCAR has a separate company that owns and acquires tracks, but IndyCar is not in a position to do that. Purchasing street events is more economical, as there are no costs for track maintenance and much smaller staffing requirements.

A racing series should focus on setting rules for equipment, racing, and scheduling. Buying property should not be on their plate. I realize that the Long Beach acquisition was a necessary move, and I hope this where the track/event buying stops.