Tag: NTT Indycar Series

Arrow McLaren Tabs Ilott to Sub for Malukas at St. Pete

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Arrow McLaren released the following announcement this morning:

Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team today announces Callum Ilott to drive the No. 6 Chevrolet in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season opener in the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg as David Malukas recovers from surgery on his left wrist. 

Callum made 36 starts with Juncos Hollinger Racing over the last three seasons, including five top-10 finishes. He also has experience in Formula 1 as he was a test driver for Scuderia Ferrari and a reserve driver for Alfa Romeo in 2021.

The team continues to evaluate options for its driver lineup for future tests and races as David recovers. 

Notes

In a just completed news conference, Ilott seemed excited to be back in an Indycar. He said he would be open to doing more races should his schedule permit, but his first priority this season is WEC.

Ilott was the finishing driver and finished second in the opening WEC race in Qatar last weekend.

He said that the ay he left Indycar was “slightly premature,” and he is glad to have a chance with a competitive team. This chance with McLaren “felt right.”

The team did not give an update on Malukas’ recovery. He is expected to return at Long Beach, leaving an opening for the Thermal exhibition.

Harvey, Siegel, Braun to Race for Coyne

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Dale Coyne Racing today named Indycar veteran Jack Harvey, Indy NXT driver Nolan Siegel, and sports car ace Colin Braun as drivers in a split program for the 2024 season.

Harvey will drive car 18 in 14 races. Siegel will take the wheel of the car for Thermal, Long Beach, the Indianapolis 500, and Toronto.

Colin Braun will drive the 51 at St. Pete and Thermal, with the possibility of more races later in the season.

Rick Ware Racing returns as a partner on the 51 car.

Coyne has signed INVST as a sponsor.

I wonder why Harvey was not given the opportunity to drive in the 500 after his banzai qualifying run last year. Siegel could drive at Indy in the 51.

The 51 still has an open seat for 16 races. I’m sure they will have a driver for the 500, but what about the rest of the season?

Three Seasons in One- Indycar 2024 Preview

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The long winter is over. It is opening week for the NTT Indycar Series. 2024 will be a season like no other. It is actually three seasons in one.

The first eight races or so will be he regular routine with the same cars and engines we have had for the past six or seven years. Around July, I’m guessing Mid-Ohio, the new hybrid energy recovery system will come on board. How much will the heavier cars change? Who will figure out how to best use the new system?

Penske, Ganassi, Andretti, and Arrow McLaren have been testing and developing the new power trains, and they should have an advantage early on, but then these are the teams that usually run up front, so the hybrid unit isn’t really going to change much. The other teams have their first hybrid test March 28 and 29 on the IMS road course.

The third season comes in the last eight races, when six races, including the season finale, are on ovals. There are double headers at Iowa and Milwaukee. The finale is now at Nashville Super Speedway, which hasn’t seen Indycar in 16 years. Only Scott Dixon, Will Power, Graham Rahal, and Ed Carpenter have raced there. Dixon has won three times there.

New Rules and Procedures

Some new wrinkles in restarts and practice begin at St. Pete next weekend.

Practice 1 has a new look in an effort to get more cars on track. The first 20 minutes will look like traditional practice, with the track available for all cars. Then half the field will have a 10 minute segment, followed by the 10 minutes for the other half of the grid. The first group gets another 10 minutes, followed by the second group.

This procedure should help in a couple of ways. It will allow drivers to get in more clean laps. It almost forces cars to be on track due to the limited segments.

The first 20 minutes may see more action, since each car will have just 20 minutes after that. usually the first 15-20 minute are when the rookies are out with their extra set of tires.

Restarts

When the field comes back to the green, cars will not be allowed to pass until they cross a white line somewhere past the final turn. The line’s location will differ at each track.

This rule hopes to avoid the chaos we saw last year on many restarts. I hope it works.

The Indianapolis 500 will have some new rules regarding defensive moves and about when the red flag can be used near the end of the race. I will reserve comment on the red flag until after the rules are published.

Catching Ganassi

Chip Ganassi Racing is the team to beat again. Last year Alex Palou won five races enroute to his second championship. Scott Dixon won three times late in the season, and Marcus Ericsson won once.

I don’t think the team will win nine races again in 2024. Team Penske will give them a run for their money again. Andretti Global and Arrow McLaren should be in the mix this season as both teams have fortified their lineups.

Andretti has trimmed down to three cars and should build on the ir two wins from Kyle Kirkwood in 2023.

Arrow McLaren added David Malukas to their stable, which should help his career immensely.

Other team oves that could pay off this year –

Felix Rosenqvist at Meyer Shank. I felt Rosenqvist was overshadowed and underappreciated at Arrow McLaren. he is the team leader at MSR and I think he will thrive there.

Christian Rasmussen at Ed Carpenter Racing. Rasmussen is someone who should push Rinus VeeKay more. I’m still puzzled by VeeKay’s overall lack of progress, and I hope his new rookie teammate will help him get improved results.

Going Backwards

Dale Coyne Racing is beginning the season on the back foot. We are just four days from opening practice and the team has not named any drivers. Jack Harvey tested for two days in the past couple of weeks, and Colin Braun had a day in the car last Tuesday. I guess we’ll see who shows up Friday.

Look for this team to be at the back of the pack all year.

Winners

My predictions for the year. I apologize in advance for ruining these drivers’ seasons.

Championship- Scott McLaughlin

Indianapolis 500- Pato O’Ward

Rookie of the Year- Kyffin Simpson

First Career Win- David Malukas

Number of different race winners- 9

I will have my St. Pete race preview up later in the week.

Firestone GP of St. Pete Schedule- First Look

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An early look at the Indycar and Indy NXT schedule for next weekend. All times Eastern.

Friday, March 8

1:35 p.m. – 2:20 p.m. INDY NXT by Firestone Practice 1
2:45 pm. – 4:00 p.m. NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice 1

Saturday March 9

8:25 a.m. – 9:10 a.m. INDY NXT by Firestone Practice 2
9:35 a.m. – 10:35 a.m. NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice 2
1:05 p.m. – 1:35 p.m. INDY NXT by Firestone Qualifying
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. NTT INDYCAR SERIES Qualifying

Sunday March 10

9:10 a.m. – 9:40 a.m. NTT INDYCAR SERIES Warm-up
10:10 a.m. – 11:05 a.m. INDY NXT by Firestone (45 Laps) Race
11:40 a.m. NTT INDYCAR SERIES Driver Introductions
12:30 p.m. Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP
Funding (100 Laps)

INDYCAR Prepares for AnotherRecord-Making Season

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From Indycar. Includes a summary of technical and rule changes.

  NTT INDYCAR SERIES, INDY NXT by Firestone Set To Shine on Streets of St. Petersburg

INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, March 1, 2024) – It is that time of year when the winter freeze quickly turns into the heat of thrilling wheel-to-wheel action as the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT by Firestone launch their 2024 seasons on the palm tree-lined streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding.

NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule highlights include traditional favorites and, new to 2024, a made-for-TV $1 Million Challenge at The Thermal Club – a spectacular racing event set among extraordinary scenery just a short drive from world’s premier entertainment market, a return to historic Milwaukee Mile for a thrilling doubleheader, evening racing at Iowa Speedway and World Wide Technology Raceway and a supercharged season finale at the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix at Nashville Superspeedway.

Once again in 2024, St. Petersburg begins a season of double-digit telecasts on NBC. It is the first time in 20 years the INDYCAR SERIES schedule has featured three consecutive years of double-digit events on network television. Peacock will feature all NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice sessions, qualifying and events after a 2023 season that featured the highest viewership in more than a decade.

The bright lights from TV cameras also will accompany production of season two of the docuseries “100 Days To Indy,” focusing on the dramatic countdown to the 108th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. Episode 1 will debut on The CW Network Friday, April 26.

“This is an era of tangible growth and tremendous opportunity for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES,” Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO Mark Miles said. “Rising attendance, combined with incredible fan engagement across our digital channels, increased merchandise sales and rising viewership and visibility are all signs of significant momentum. We look forward to continuing this rising tide, on and off the track, as the curtain rises on another intensely fought and captivating season.”

Personalities aside, all focus will be on another record-making season with numerous storylines:
INDYCAR’s Most Unique Season
While the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season awaits the arrival of the 2.2-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 engine with hybrid technology after the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, teams will push the limit until then with enhanced possibilities of track records with lighter chassis components prepared for the hybrid addition. They include a lighter, 3D-printed titanium aeroscreen top frame. Without compromising overall strength and durability, the new INDYCAR top frame saves seven pounds from the previous model.

Additionally, a switch to a magnesium gearbox casing and bellhousing – located between the INDYCAR SERIES combustion engine and the gearbox and will house the hybrid assist unit – will provide additional weight savings.2024_COMP_CHANGES_HYBRID.pngThe hybrid system is made up of the Motor Generator Unit (MGU) and Energy Storage System (ESS). Teams will be free to use multiple strategies for regeneration and deployment as the power unit builds and transmits energy through the MGU before and after being saved in the ultracapacitor ESS.
The additional horsepower is deployed through the same motor generator. The new powerplant unit will be used in addition to the traditional overtake (“push-to-pass”) option on road and street circuits. The combination of the traditional push-to-pass with the hybrid unit will provide over 100 additional horsepower.
Use of the new power unit will be available on ovals with manual and automatic regeneration options but only with manual deploy.
Since the start of on-track testing, 21,108 miles have been completed with the INDYCAR-specific hybrid unit.
To ensure a smooth and comfortable transition to the hybrid unit addition this summer, teams will not be assessed any grid penalties for unexpected hybrid unit changeouts.

.Evolving Safety and On-Track Performance
An annual INDYCAR review has led to adjustments for the upcoming NTT INDYCAR SERIES season with an eye on safety, technical performance and rules.
From a safety perspective, 2024 will feature: The addition of LEDs on rear wing end plates for better visibility for trailing drivers during rainy conditions.
Redesigned brake rotors for improved cooling
Specific to racing on ovals, 2024 will feature:
The addition of a stronger front wheel bearing retaining nut to match the implementation of the updated rear wheel bearing retaining nut in 2023. The update followed a meticulous review of the incident at the 2023 Indy 500 involving the No. 27 car of Andretti Global and the No. 6 car of Arrow McLaren, which resulted in the loss of the left rear wheel assembly on the No. 27.
Stronger rear retaining ring
New and stronger rear uprights with wheel tethers mounted to the upright rather than caliper studs.
Updates to the rear wing front clevis to better distribute impact loads into the attenuator.
Beginning with the Sonsio Grand Prix in May on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, an updated, lightweight PPG ballistic screen (aeroscreen), will be introduced featuring vents for increased overall driver cooling and a top front duct directing air to the drivers’ chest. The ducting is 3D printed in rubber to prevent hand injuries in an accident. The updated aeroscreen will only be used on the remaining road courses and street circuits in 2024.  2024_COMP_CHANGES.png  From an officiating standpoint, updates for 2024 include:
Restart line.

On restarts, drivers must remain in single file and are prohibited from passing until reaching a line designated in the last corner. Additionally, the EM Motorsports light panels positioned around the track will be illuminated green to supplement the traditional cloth flag waved at the start-finish line for both starts and restarts.
A split group practice on the Streets of St. Petersburg
Deployed on a trial basis in St. Petersburg, the field will be split into two groups following a 20-minute “All Cars” session to begin Practice 1. Following the 20-minute “All Cars” session, each group – split by odd and even numbered pit boxes – will receive two 10-minute segments on an alternating basis. As in qualifying, the clock in Segments One and Two will stop for the first red flag condition of each practice segment.

Updates for the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge will be announced at a later date.
A 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season that featured 7,753 passes, including on-track passing records set at six racetracks, and the most laps and miles completed in a season in over a decade is expected to continue to its record-making trajectory in 2024.

“The last few seasons have been unprecedented in terms of records and milestones,” INDYCAR President Jay Frye said. “Between the massive effort by Chevrolet and Honda with the hybrid unit and the perpetual partnership and input from our owners, teams and drivers, 2024 is expected to be even more competitive and one of the most unique seasons and championships we’ve ever had. We cannot wait to get started in St. Petersburg.”
A Sustainable Return for 2024
The most sustainable era in INDYCAR SERIES history will continue as the series, its teams and events continue to work to develop green technologies. Highlights from 2023 included the first use of Shell’s 100% Renewable Race Fuel, continued use of renewable diesel for all INDYCAR team transporters supporting the series and use of Firestone Firehawk alternate race tires – on street circuits – made from guayule rubber.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway was the first sport facility to achieve organizational certification through the Council for Responsible Sport while the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear and the Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend achieved gold-level event certification.
Other announcements are expected throughout the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.
NXT Up: INDY NXT by Firestone
After last year’s successful launch of a reimagined look for INDYCAR’s developmental series with continued integration with INDYCAR as a sanctioning body, INDY NXT by Firestone enters 2024 with even more energy and momentum. The pathway to North America’s premier open-wheel racing series is expected to feature over 20 drivers from seven countries in pursuit of a $1.4 million purse. It is set to have the most entries across the entire season for the developmental series in 16 years (2008).
Once again, the series champion will receive $850,000 to be applied to an oval test at Texas Motor Speedway, the Indy 500 Open Test and Rookie Orientation Program, an entry for the 2025 Indianapolis 500 and an entry for an additional 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES event. The 2024 championship team, again, will receive a prize of $35,000.
This season’s INDY NXT champion will have to earn it.
The 2023 season featured 1,226 on-track passes for position, up 113% from the previous year. Lead changes were up 25% from 2022.New for 2024, group qualifying will decide the starting grid on road and street circuits. Based on the best lap times from the practice session immediately preceding qualifying, the fastest driver in that session will choose which group will compete in the first of the two qualifying sessions.
With 12 minutes allotted for each group (with a guarantee of one timed lap), the fastest driver between the two sessions will be awarded pole position with the drivers who finished behind that driver, in order and in that group, occupying the odd-numbered starting positions (3, 5, 7, etc.) for the race and the drivers who finished in order from the other group occupying the even-numbered starting positions (2, 4, 6, etc.). One driver and entrant championship point will be awarded to the fastest car in each qualifying group.
Lineups for race weekend doubleheaders will be set by the entrant’s best lap determining their starting position for Race 1 and their second-best lap determining their starting position for Race 2. The procedure for qualifying on ovals (aggregate time of two consecutively timed laps) remains unchanged for 2024.
Also noteworthy, INDY NXT will celebrate its 500th race as INDYCAR’s top developmental series when the series competes on the streets of Detroit this summer.
“It is clear that incorporating this series with the rest of the INDYCAR paddock has paid dividends,” INDY NXT by Firestone Director Levi Jones said. “The rise in team participation and car count is proof of concept. It’s even more gratifying to see former champions Linus Lundqvist and Christian Rasmussen advance to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.“As the series grows and the competition becomes more fierce, we look forward to elevating the next generation of top INDYCAR SERIES racers.”
All 14 INDY NXT races will be available in the United States via Peacock with coverage on INDYCAR Live, INDYCAR’s direct-to-consumer streaming service, in those countries not covered by international agreements.
INDYCAR’s season begins March 8-10 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding. Coverage of the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season debut, Sunday, March 10 will be available at noon ET on NBC and Peacock.
A Spanish language version will be available on Universo.INDY NXT by Firestone’s season opener begins earlier in the day at 10 a.m. ET.The award-winning INDYCAR Radio Network will provide coverage of both races, with audio available on SiriusXM channel 218 and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA. 

Newgarden Unveils Vivid 108th Indianapolis 500 Ticket

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NDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024) – Two-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Josef Newgarden paid homage to one of Team Penske’s sponsors – Shell – when he unveiled the ticket for the 108th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Thursday, Feb. 29 in Indianapolis.

Newgarden earned his first victory in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” last May in the No. 2 Shell Powering Progress Team Penske Chevrolet, and one of the many honors bestowed upon the winner is unveiling the ticket for the next year’s race.

Featuring the winning driver on the next year’s “500” ticket dates to Mauri Rose’s appearance in 1948. Nashville native Newgarden dropped the cover from a billboard-sized version of the colorful ticket, affixed to the side of The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis parking garage and viewable from the parking lot of the adjacent Shell gas station.

Designed in house by Senior Art Director Mandy Walsh, the ticket features a photo of Newgarden jumping from the car on the famous Yard of Bricks last May 26 before he climbed through the fence to join fans in the grandstands. In addition to honoring Shell with the location of the ticket unveil, Newgarden shared Shell gift cards with the first 108 fans as a continuation of his fan-focused celebrations.

“My initial reaction seeing the ticket is how special it is,” Newgarden said. “It reminds me of right at the end of the race and the moment I was able to have with the crowd. To me, that was almost more significant than winning the race itself – was having the opportunity to celebrate with everyone who comes to the Indy 500.

“The ‘500’ is so much bigger than just me – it’s everybody who makes it out. There are generations upon generations who have been going to that race and have made it so historic. That’s what this ticket signifies. It’s that celebration with the community and what makes the Indy 500. It’s different than what you normally see. People are used to seeing Victory Lane. This is seeing the event for what it is and the significance and honor of being able to be there.”

Newgarden will defend his Indianapolis 500 victory Sunday, May 26 in the 108th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with live coverage starting at 11 a.m. ET on NBC, Peacock and the INDYCAR Radio Network.

Tickets for the Indy 500 and all Month of May activities are on sale at IMS.com, by calling the IMS Ticket Office at 317-492-6700 or by visiting the ticket office.

The 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season starts Sunday, March 10 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding in St. Petersburg, Florida (live, noon ET, NBC, Peacock, INDYCAR Radio Network). 

A better view:

Hy-Vee Sponsors Milwaukee Double Header

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If ovals ever leave the Indycar series entirely, it won’t be Hy-Vee’s fault. The Iowa based grocery store chain, which helped make the Iowa race weekend a success, has added sponsorship of the Milwaukee twin bill over Labor Day weekend.

The Hy-Vee Milwaukee Twin 250s are scheduled for August 31 and September 1 as the final oval races of the 2024 season. The Saturday race is a late Afternoon event set for a 5 pm Central time start.

Entertainment details will be announced at a later date. The Hy-Vee sponsorship is a positive step for Milwaukee. Indycar was last there about 10 years ago, with poor attendance and little promotion.

Ericsson Fastest Overall; O’Ward Leads Morning Session

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Marcus Ericsson had the fastest overall time of the two day Sebring test session for Indycar. The 2022 Indianapolis 500 winner led the final test round as 12 cars turned laps on the test’s final day. Pato O’Ward led the morning session.

Colin Braun, in his Indycar debut for Dale Coyne Racing, turned a faster lap than Jack Harvey did in the other Coyne car on Monday.

Kyffin Simpson was the fastest rookie driver, ninth overall.

Tuesday Morning Tims:

Results from Tuesday afternoon:

Overall Combined results:

Palou Leads Test Day 1

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Alex Palou had the day’s quickest time in the first day of Indycar testing at Sebring. Kyle Kirkwood led the morning session. 15 cars tested today.

Jack Harvey waited until the afternoon round to venture out on the 1.65 mile track. The team was conserving their limited tire allotment.

I spent a few hours at the track. It was great to see Indycar back on track and get a look at the new liveries. They are new and different. Please study carefully before your first trip to the track. I spent the first half of the morning wondering, “Who is that?” I had to look at the numbers on the car to figure it out.

Alex Palou in DHL colors is the biggest shocker. I was taken aback when I saw the number 10 where a 28 should have been. I liked most of the new liveries. Teams have freshened up some old looks by flipping the color schemes. Look for lots of white on the front of vars. I counted six cars with a white front extending from the bottom of the aeroscreen to the nose.

Combined results from today:

Tomorrow’s lineup:

O’Ward drove the number 6 car today for the injured David Malukas.

Some photos:

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