Tag: NTT Indycar Series

Test Day Update: Larson Completes Rookie Test

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Kyle Larson has completed Rookie Orientation with lots of time to spare. He got up to speed in just five laps and had a couple of laps faster than the required range in phase I.

Larson needed 72 laps to complete the 40 lap test. His best speed was 217.898 mph, Larson had a best turn 1 trap speed of 221.187.

“It was hard to go slow,” Larson said.

The Indycar drivers participating in the hybrid testing today spoke to the media during their brake. All had the sense that 2024 will be a learning year. Jay Frye said that the hybrid component is still evolving and will continue to evolve over the next few years.

Will Power likes the options that the drivers will have with the new system.

“You can play with it a lot,” he said.

Power thinks the new piece will not create more speed in 2024.

Will Power

“No, not next year. It’s got more capability, but I think reliability to become creep up on the amount of power that we use. “

Power likes the options the hybrid gives the driver. He said that the deriver can decide how energy to use.

“You can play with that a lot. Actually, I mean, you can have very low power for a short time. Spread that out. You know, I think I’m trying three courses to pretty much get all the way to fifth gear still. Fine, which really are the key areas they need to get the tower a lot of times yeah, that’s all stuff you can really play with. The series can just depends how much they want to utilize.”

Jay Frye told me that he is not sure how fuel mileage will be affected by the hybrid system. The added weight is a factor, but the energy saving may cause mileage to be about the same. He expects the racing to be more competitive.

Hybrids Debut; Blomqvist Hits 220

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Today’s schedule:

9-11am: Hybrid testing- Herta, Palou (Honda), Power, Rossi (Chevy)
11am-2pm: Larson ROP
2-6pm: Hybrid testing-Herta, Palou (Honda), Power, Rossi (Chevy)

Today at IMS the new power era begins. Four cars -two Hondas and two Chevys- will test the new hybrid engine package. I am interested in hearing their reactions after the first session.

NASCAR driver Kyle Larson takes his rookie test at 11 today. many fans have been wanting to see Larson race in the Indianapolis 500 for quite some time.

Rookies Have Successful Day

Yesterday afternoon the three rookies, who all pretty much breezed through their rookie tests in the morning, put in a combined 285 laps of practice. Tom Blomqvist had the fastest lap at 220. 176.

“It’s unbelievable,” Lundqvist said. “With the speeds that you’re going, it feels so fast. With the history and legacy around this place, it just feels magical. Even though the grandstands are empty, I can only imagine what it will feel like when they’re full. Even now it’s very, very special.”

“I’ve enjoyed it a whole lot more than I expected,” Armstrong said. “I’m not saying I didn’t expect to enjoy it, but I think the intensity of it is pretty special and watching (in-car) onboards and on TV is one thing, but actually feeling how the car moves and how the wind affects you and the tiny details of this place – and Texas – has kind of given me so much enjoyment.”

Results:

Time Speed Laps

1 60 Blomqvist, Tom (R) D/H/F 00:40.8764 220.176 90
2 8 Lundqvist, Linus (R) D/H/F 00:41.0015 219.504 102
3 11 Armstrong, Marcus (R) D/H/F 00:41.0487 219.252 93

ROP Midday- All Tests Complete

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Photo:- Tom Blomqvist after his rookie test

The three rookies made quick work of the Rookie Orientation Program on a cool, cloudy morning at IMS. Tom Blomqvist, Marcus Armstrong, and Linus Lundqvist each completed the three phase, 40 lap course by the noon break.

Lundqvist was the first to complete phase II at 11:10, followed by Blomqvist 30 minutes later and Armstrong at 11:45.

The inly issue during the session occurred around 11:30 when Armstrong lost power driving down the front stretch. The problem was quickly resolved, and he completed his test.

Blomqvist deswcribed the test as “..a pretty cool experience.”

He said the car became easier to drive at higher speeds. Blomqvist credited four time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves for helping him get through the morning.

Tom Blomqvist talks with Helio Castroneves after completing his rookie test.

“I grew up watching that guy (Castroneves) climb that fence when I was about seven, eight years old. He’s been giving me some tips. It’s great to be able to pick his brain because you’re limited on tires and time here.”

Blomqvist said the test at Texas helped him prepare for driving at IMS. IMs seemed a lot more natural becaus eof the G load on the body,.

Rookie Day at IMS; Hybrid Testing Thursday and Friday

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Today’s Schedule
10am-noon: ROP

Tom Blomqvist (MSR), Marcus Armstrong (Chip Ganassi Racing) & Linus Lundqvist (Chip Ganassi Racing)

1-5pm: ROP

Blomqvist, Armstrong & Lundqvist ROP

A cool morning will give way to a pleasant afternoon as three rookies take to the oval for Rookie Orientation today. Kyle Larson will have 11 am -2 pm tomorrow allocated for his rookie test.

Weather today calls for a temperature of 50 degrees at 10 am, warming to 62 degrees by noon. Afternoon temperatures will be in the mid to upper 60s.

Tomorow and Friday will be warmer with highs in the middle to upper 70s. Turn 2 viewing mounds are open all three days.

Rookie Orientation, Hybrid Testing on IMS Oval Next Week

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Indycar will conduct Indianapolis 500 Rookie orientation next Wednesday. On Thursday, and Friday six drivers representing four teams will test the new hybrid system on the oval. Kyle Larson will have three hours for rookie orientation on Thursday. The turn 2 viewing mounds will be open.

From yesterday:

Movie Review- The Lionheart

Movie Review-The Lionheart

The schedule:

WEDNESDAY
10am-noon: Blomqvist, Armstrong & Lundqvist ROP
1-5pm: Blomqvist, Armstrong & Lundqvist ROP

THURSDAY
9-11am: Hybrid testing- Herta, Palou (Honda), Power, Rossi (Chevy)
11am-2pm: Larson ROP
2-6pm: Hybrid testing-Herta, Palou (Honda), Power, Rossi (Chevy)

FRIDAY
9am-noon: Hybrid testing-Ericsson/Palou (Honda), Malukas/Power (Chevy)
1-5pm: Hybrid testing- Ericsson/Palou (Honda), Malukas/Power (Chevy)

Movie Review-The Lionheart

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Familiarity with a documentary subject can be a dangerous thing. it colors the way you view the film. It is fun to remember the high points, and it fills the viewer with dread knowing what is about to occur. This was the case at the premiere of The Lionheart at the Heartland International Film Festival last night in Indianapolis.

Laura Brownson’s 108-minute film kicked off the film festival in a sold-out theater. All were looking forward to a story about two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon. Indirectly the film is about Wheldon, but the main focus is on his widow, Susie Wheldon and his sons, Sebastian and Oliver.

The film presents Wheldon’s life and racing career with television highlights and home movies of his early carting career interspersed with the daily lives of Susie helping their sons pursue their racing dreams. Both boys display talent in karting, and they have signed with Andretti Global. Sebastian just completed his first season in F4 juniors and will join him soon.

This is in reality Susie’s story. The scenes of her as she processes her grief tugged at my heart in an all too familiar way. I suffered the same type of loss 10 days after she did.

Yet, it is not a sad tale. The film opens with Dan joking around as he is recording radio promotions. I found joy in seeing the playful Wheldon race fans adored. The story moves forward with vignettes from Tony Kanaan, Dario Franchitti, Dan’s father Clive, and Bryan Herta. You can feel the pain of Dan’s loss when Clive Wheldon’ talks about his son.

Then, as I’m sure most of the audience knew, as the film wound down, Las Vegas reared its ugly head. Sebastian and Oliver were scheduled to race at Las Vegas Speedway in a kart race in the track’s parking lot. Oliver is reluctant to go at first, and I think Susie has some concerns about the trip as well. Sebastian is fine with racing there. Eventually they all make the trip. Susie goes inside the track to the spot of the fatal accident.

There are scenes of the crash, and Susie talks about the horrors she went through that day.

While the title refers to Dan Wheldon, Susie is the star of the story. her resolve to do whatever she can to see that her sons are happy, the sacrifices she makes for them, and her efforts keeping Dan’s memory alive make her the real Lionheart.

The Lionheart will have another showing Saturday, October 14 at 7 pm at Newfields. As of this morning tickets are available. I understand that HBO has purchased the film and it will be released in 2024.

October, 2011

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Editor’s note: With the premiere tonight of The Lionheart at the Heartland International Film Festival, I am reposting this, originally published October 17, 2016.

Tonight’s showing is sold out, but the film will also be shown next Saturday, October 14, at 7 pm at Newfields.

I was calling Las Vegas the fire sale race. It was the final race for the old cars, and every team wanted to race every car they had. Thirty four were entered, more cars than Indianapolis 500 entries most years.  Indycars hadn’t raced there in a while. Several drivers questioned the track’s safety.

The race was the season finale.  As usual, the championship would be decided. That alone should have been enough. But Randy Bernard, who had done many great things, decided this wasn’t enough. He declared a $1 million prize for Dan Wheldon, winner of the 500, if he won the race starting from last place.  I never liked the idea.

First, it diminished the championship battle. Second, it was a NASCAR type gimmick. I was very disappointed that Indycar thought it necessary.  Third, instead of the usual twenty or so cars, there were going to be thirty-four racing on a one and a half mile track.

Everyone expected a big pileup. Only 15 laps in, it happened.  An airborne car went into the fence. It looked really bad.  I couldn’t tell who it was at first, but I knew that driver was seriously injured. The broadcast team said it was Wheldon.

The times I’ve been at a track when a driver is killed, awareness is instant. There is an eerie silence that descends over the venue. Things move in slow motion. Oddly, sitting in my living room watching on television, I had that same sensation. I had been tweeting about the race with my friends. That activity halted for several minutes.

Inside sources began hinting on Twitter what I had feared. Nothing was official, but I knew that the source was reliable. We could do nothing but wait. The image of the helicopter ascending was all the confirmation I needed.  It looked just the end of the movie Senna, which I had just seen a few weeks before.

……………………………….

That Sunday also marked the beginning of a severe decline in my wife’s condition. She had been home from rehab two weeks. Things were looking better, but in the following week, her energy slowly drained and by the following Friday, she was back in the hospital. Friends came to be with her the next Sunday so I could go to Dan’s memorial downtown.She knew it was important to me. Knowing what was coming, it was hard to sit through. She died Wednesday of that week.

I never met Dan Wheldon. I have no photos of him. I never got his autograph. But I always admired his skill, his passion, and his joy for life.  Vicki had many of the same qualities as Dan.

At the five year mark, which at times feels like five minutes and other times like fifty years, I strive to live up to their standards, to embrace the joys of life, and let the little stuff go.  Ten days from now I will go to a quiet place and at 11:22 say a quiet prayer of thanks, and have the strength to get through another year.

Juncos Hollinger Racing and Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team form Strategic Alliance

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The realignments announced by each team yesterday make a bit more sense.

From Juncos Hollinger Racing:

Tuesday 3 October – Juncos Hollinger Racing today announced its plans to enter a strategic alliance with Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team to benefit both teams.
The alliance may evolve over time, beginning with a commercial and strategic focus, working together to grow their respective propositions.
The teams, both powered by Team Chevy, will also consider this alliance as a talent development opportunity, with the potential for engineers, mechanics and drivers to build their experience.
The strategic relationship will be mutually beneficial to extract the strengths of both teams and will be in effect for the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.
Gavin Ward, Team Principal, Arrow McLaren said:
“We’re continually working to strengthen all areas of our team, and a strategic alliance with Juncos Hollinger Racing helps both of us in leveraging our commercial and marketing power and the McLaren Racing brand in a new way.”
Ricardo Juncos, President and Co-Owner, Juncos Hollinger Racing said:
“Our two teams have a lot of similarities in how we’re attracting partners and building a fanbase. We’re starting out with a strategic alliance and we’ll see how that may evolve from here.”
Brad Hollinger, Co-Owner, Juncos Hollinger Racing said:
“We believe our alliance will enable us to accelerate our progress while also benefiting McLaren with commercial and talent development opportunities.”
About McLaren Racing:McLaren Racing was founded by racing driver Bruce McLaren 60 years ago in 1963. The team entered its first Formula 1 race in 1966. McLaren has since won 20 Formula 1 world championships, 183 Formula 1 grands prix, the Indianapolis 500 three times, and the Le Mans 24 Hours at its first attempt.
McLaren Racing competes across five racing series. The team competes in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship with McLaren F1 drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES with Arrow McLaren drivers Pato O’Ward, Alexander Rossi and David Malukas, the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship with NEOM McLaren Formula E Team drivers Jake Hughes and Sam Bird, and the Extreme E Championship with NEOM McLaren Extreme E Team drivers Emma Gilmour and Tanner Foust. The team also competes in the F1 Esports Pro Championship as McLaren Shadow, having won the 2022 Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships.
McLaren is a champion for sustainability in the sport and a signatory to the UN Sports for Climate Action Commitment. It is committed to achieving net zero by 2040 and fostering a diverse and inclusive culture in the motorsport industry.
juncoshollinger.com

INDYCAR TO RETURN TO THE HISTORIC MILWAUKEE MILE IN 2024 

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News release from Indycar and Wisconsin State Fair Park


Wisconsin State Fair Park to Host First-Ever Milwaukee NTT INDYCAR SERIES Doubleheader Weekend, August 30-September 1 

WEST ALLIS, Wisconsin (September 25, 2023) — Adding an exciting new chapter to the legacy of INDYCAR racing at the historic Milwaukee Mile, Penske Entertainment and Wisconsin State Fair Park officials today announced a multi-year agreement that will bring the NTT INDYCAR SERIES back to the iconic one-mile oval, beginning in 2024.  

As the series returns to Milwaukee for the first time since 2015, next year’s event will feature the first-ever INDYCAR SERIES doubleheader at the Milwaukee Mile with a Labor Day weekend celebration scheduled for Friday-Sunday, August 30-September 1, 2024. With on track action beginning on Friday, the weekend will feature full points-paying NTT INDYCAR SERIES races on Saturday and Sunday, with both races streamed live on Peacock and Sunday’s race broadcast live on the USA Network (times to be announced).  

Located at Wisconsin State Fair Park in the Milwaukee suburb of West Allis, Wisc., the Milwaukee Mile is the world’s most historic operating speedway, hosting races since 1903. Open-wheel racing began competing at the Mile in 1939 and there has been a total of 114 INDYCAR races hosted at the track over the course of nine decades. Some of the greatest drivers in INDYCAR history have won at the Milwaukee Mile over the years including Rodger Ward, Parnelli Jones, A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, Al Unser, Bobby Unser, Rick Mears, Johnny Rutherford, Michael Andretti and Al Unser Jr. The list of champions at the Mile extends to current NTT INDYCAR SERIES stars Scott Dixon and Will Power, who will both return to race at the track in 2024 for the first time in nine years.  

“There is such a great tradition and history of INDYCAR racing at the Milwaukee Mile and we are excited to build on that legacy with a Labor Day weekend NTT INDYCAR SERIES doubleheader beginning in 2024,” said Roger Penske, Chairman of Penske Corporation. “We appreciate all the loyal and passionate INDYCAR fans in Milwaukee and across the state of Wisconsin and thanks to our partnership with the Wisconsin State Fair Park, we can’t wait to return to the Mile next season.” 

Wisconsin State Fair Park, which annually hosts one of the nation’s most popular State Fairs in early August, will host the INDYCAR weekend at the Milwaukee Mile as the event promoter, with support from INDYCAR.  

“I’m so proud of the relationship we have created with Penske Entertainment and want to thank the entire team, as well as Governor Evers and his administration, for helping us bring INDYCAR back to the historic Milwaukee Mile,” said Shari Black, CEO and Executive Director of State Fair Park. “We look forward to a great event over Labor Day weekend that will include a larger footprint at State Fair Park than races in the past. This will allow for exciting programming, expanded food and beverage options and ultimately offer a high-energy, family-friendly event weekend for racing fans.” 

The two races at the Milwaukee Mile are expected to feature prominently in the battle for next season’s NTT NDYCAR SERIES championship as they will serve as rounds 15 and 16 of the 17-race 2024 season schedule, which was announced earlier today. 

In addition to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, the rising stars of racing will also compete at the Milwaukee Mile during the Aug. 30-Sept. 1 weekend. INDY NXT by Firestone (formerly Indy Lights), which has hosted 27 races at the iconic track in its history, will also return to the Mile in 2024. More information on the Labor Day weekend festival will be announced in the coming weeks. 

Tickets for next season’s INDYCAR weekend at the Milwaukee Mile are expected to go on sale in January. Fans interested in purchasing tickets can sign up now and learn more HERE.