Tag: Sebring International Raceway

Some Thoughts on Sebring

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IMSA continues to produce great racing. While Saturday’s Sebring Twelve Hour didn’t have the wild ending that we have seen in the past, the GTP class had three cars contending most of the day.

The second half of the race appeared to be between Porsche number 7 and the number 31 Cadillac. But the Penske Porsche had the strategy to get a head and stay ahead.

Someday, BMW will win a pole and back it up by winning the race. A penalty at the start for changing lanes too early cost the pole winning 24 a chance to contend.

Now that Penske has swept Florida, the team has a chance to conquer California next month.

Notes

I want to thank my friend George Butz for again graciously allowing me to campout with his gang. George knows Sebring like the back of his hand, and he has helped me see the race from several spots I would otherwise not get to.

This weekend’s crowd was the biggest I have seen at Sebring. When I arrived Thursday afternoon, I thought the track was fuller than normal for Thursday. Fr5iday saw another swelling of fans. The bleachers on the outside of turn3 was completely full for the start of the race. We usually have no issue finding seats there.

A ray of hope– On Friday I met a teenager and his mother from Texas who were attending their first Sebring. The young man wore a McLaren IndyCar shirt.

We talked racing, and not on a superficial level. He asked what i thought of the movie Ford vs, Ferrari. I told him my opinion, and suggested he read Go Like Hell by A, J. Baime to get the full story.

He said he had read it. This kid is no more than 17 years old. The conversation gives me hope that there are future IndyCar fans out there.

Most Popular– The popularity of AO Racing’s Rexy Porsche GTD Pro car and LMP2 Spike continues to grow. Their merch trailer had a constant flow of customers. It did not hurt that Rexy won the GTD Pro class.

My one concern about the track is that it seems that they are adding too many lights. The track is lit significantly mor than it was when I first came to Sebring in 2015. I wish the track would reduce the lighting. The race gets so much better after sunset, and I think the darkness is a big part of that,

Things work out– I saw the IndyCar schedule announcement that the Grand Prix of Arlington, a new venue for 2026 would take place March 13-15. At first, I was concerned that IndyCar was once again running on the same weekend as Sebring. Then I saw the IMSA schedule for 0226 and saw that the 12 Hour moved back one week to March 21. I’m glad that there is no date conflict. I will need to make a choice on which race to attend though.

Sebring Test Day 2- Penske Returns to the Top

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Photo- Penske Entertainment

Will Power and Josef Newgarden led the final day of testing at Sebring today, each leading one session. We are just 10 days from the first practice. The following is IndyCar’s summary of the day.

Power, Newgarden Push Penske
to Top of Sebring Test 
 SEBRING, Fla. (Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025) – After an uncharacteristically quiet opening day, Team Penske roared to the top of the overall speed charts Tuesday during the finale of an NTT INDYCAR SERIES Group Test at Sebring International Raceway.Series champions and Indianapolis 500 winners Will Power and Josef Newgarden ended up 1-2 for the fabled team and overall in the two-day test, which served as final preparations for all 27 full-time drivers before the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding on Sunday, March 2 on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida (noon ET, FOX, FOX Deportes, INDYCAR Radio Network).

Power was quickest today and overall with a lap of 52.2549 seconds in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, followed by Newgarden at 52.3191 in the No. 2 PPG Team Penske Chevrolet. Both laps were completed in the cooler morning session, when seven of the 10 quickest laps of the two-day session were turned.
The field was split into morning and afternoon groups both days on the 1.67-mile “short course” at the historic circuit in Central Florida.

“It’s funny, after a couple days back in the car, you feel right at home, back to the same old stuff, and going through the same old changes and just confirming stuff,” Power said. “I know it so well now, but it always changes. It’s never the same. So, you’ve got to be on your toes, super-tight field.”

Less than eight-tenths of a second separated the entire 27-car field over two days of testing.The results for Team Penske today were a contrast from Monday, when Power was the quickest for the team in seventh at 52.8032, more than four-tenths of a second behind the day’s leader, Pato O’Ward of Arrow McLaren at 52.3470.
O’Ward’s leading time from Monday still placed him third overall on the combined speed chart. His best lap today was 52.7060 in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet.

Marcus Armstrong’s afternoon session-leading time Monday of 52.3675 stood up as fourth overall in the No. 60 SiriusXM Honda of Meyer Shank Racing normally driven by Felix Rosenqvist, who was ill Monday. Rosenqvist was back behind the wheel of the No. 60 machine Tuesday and was ninth overall at 52.5273.

Colton Herta ended up fifth overall with his lap this morning of 52.3818 in the No. 26 Gainbridge Honda of Andretti Global. Nolan Siegel helped Arrow McLaren join Team Penske with two drivers in the top six as he clocked in at sixth overall at 52.4405 with his top lap this morning in the No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet.

Three-time and two-time defending series champion Alex Palou was seventh overall at 52.4948 with his best lap Monday in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.

Series newcomer PREMA Racing, which has dominated global junior open-wheel racing, finished its first Group Test on an encouraging note. Series veteran Callum Ilott ended up eighth overall at 52.4998 in the team’s No. 90 Chevrolet.

A challenging test for Scott Dixon ended with the six-time series champion at 13th overall in the 27-driver field at 52.6120 with his best lap this morning in the No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.Dixon only turned two laps Monday due to a mechanical problem, and he crashed into the barriers in Turn 6 approximately 15 minutes into the morning session today. His car suffered minor rear damage, and Dixon was unhurt and returned to testing.

Results

Sebring Test Day 1- O’Ward Tops Charts

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Photo- Penske Entertainment

First, it was a fun to see IndyCar on track again. Second, it was a very busy day at Sebring as all teams went through the first day of the final test sessions before the St. Pete season opener. Third, and most important- Fans, get a spotter’s guide and study it carefully. Drivers are on different teams, and even drivers who are with their 2024 teams have different liveries. It took me quite a while to pair drivers with car numbers and liveries.

The ECR (or is it ecr?) cars stood out with their yellow and black and yellow and gray schemes.

Alexander Rossi. Photo by @lankyturtle

Pato O’Ward had the fastest time overall on the day with Marcus Armstrong second. Conor Daly took the 78 Juncos Hollinger racing machine to 4th place.

O’Ward told the media after the session

“Oh, man, it’s the best feeling in the world; it’s the best job in the world. I was so excited to come back to Sebring and get into an INDYCAR SERIES car, getting to work with the engineers again. It definitely feels like home, and it’s a second family to me. So always excited to get rolling.”

Conor Daly. Photo by @vincent1701

My camera was balky today and I am still figuring out how to extract my photos. I assure you; they are the best I’ve ever taken.

Testing continues tomorrow. with today’s afternoon group going out in the morning, and the morning group finishing the day.

Today’s combined times:

Sebring Weekend- Late Drama in a Caution -Filled Race

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It’s always great to return to civilizationafter a weekend at the 12 Hours of Sebring. A usual, the race didn’t disappoint with late drama, problems for the strongest car, huge crowds, and warm weather.

I was fortunate to connect with my friend George Butz, who graciously allowed me to share hus campsite. George is a seasoned Sebring veteran. This was my sixth Sebrinbg, but first since 2019. I felt that this year I really learned the track with George’s guidance. I discovered several new vantage points.

When I return next year, I will have a better idea of how and from where to watch the race.

The drivers probably don’t want to see me at a corner, as I witnessed htree cautions, including the big obe at the end, and several other spins. The three car crash near the end of the race was probably the worst IMSA crash i have ever seen. It looked a lot worse than it turned out to be.

The number 6 Penske Porsche is lifted onto a flatbed truck. Jaminet walked to the ambulance under his own power.

The race was very disjointed with the frequent yellows. In some ways it was like a longer version of Indycar at St. Pete. Like St. Pete, the race produced a dramatic ending.

Cadillac Domination

The winning number 31 Cadillac won the pole, but the Ganassi Cadillac dominated the middle part of the race. Scott Dixon ran the 01 out to a big lead. Mis fortune struck just before the nine hour mark when an engine fire ended thier day.

Indycar Drivers Have Mixed Results

The Indycar drivers running this weekend had a mix3d bag of reseults.

Scott McLaughlin was part of the winning tream in LMP2 with Tower Motorsports. The team also finished third overall. Indy NXT driver Kyffibn Simpson was also a co driver .

Kyle Kirkwood’s Vasser Sulivan Lexus team came home second in GTD Pro. Former Indycar driver Jack Hawksworth is a full time driver for the car.

The Meyer Shank entry which included Helio Castroneves ened the day 24th oiverall and sixth ib class. The car lost a wheel just after sunset and finished 21 laps behind.

As I mentioned, Scott Dixon and the Ganassi Cadillac was not running at the finish, They were credited with seventh in class, 47th overall.

Devlin Defrancesco, drivibng for Rick Ware in LMP2, was 7th in class, 41st overall.

Katherine Legge ended 12th in class in GTD, 36th overall.

Final Thoughts

Attendance had to be an all time high. I don’t think one more vehicle could have beemn shoehorned into the facility. I don’t recall seeing the track as crowded on Tursday as it was this weekend. My frieb=nd George, and one of his friends who attended his 25th coinsecutvee race, agreed with me.

The food court waqs greatly improved since 2019, boith in c=variety and quality of choices. Prices were not out of line with wha other tracks charge.

Sebring is IMSA’s Indianapolis 500. I will take no discussion on this. The Rolex is fun, but the atmosphere can’t compete with Sebring.

I enjoyed the WEC race. Between that and the 12 hour I got a preview of LeMans. I hope to go to France for that race next year. Sponsors welcome.

I will post some photos ina separate story ib a few minutes. If you’ve read this far, thanks.

Sebring Schedules and Notes

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I am preparing to head to Sebring in a bit. I have not been able to attend this race for three years due to COVID and some other circumstances so I am very excited to get back to the race that has fascinated me since I was in 5th grade.

Rain chances for Saturday have diminished significantly, although there is still a chance near the end of the race,

The fun thing about Sebring weekend is that with the WEC 1,000 mile race on Friday, we get a decent preview of LeMans. I am anxious to see the WEC hypercars and see how they compare to the GTP cars of IMSA.

I will provide updates when possible. here is the weekend schedule. The full race is on Peacock Saturday beginning at 10:05 am Eastern USA will have coverage from 4:30 pm Eastern until the end.

The Schedule

Thursday, March 16

  9:15-9:55 a.m. — Race No. 1 – Porsche Carrera Cup

  10:10-11:40 a.m. — Practice No. 1 – WeatherTech SportsCar Championship

  11-11:30 a.m. — Autograph Session – Michelin Pilot Challenge – Michelin Village on the Midway

  11:55 Am-12:55 p.m. — Free Practice No. 3 – FIA WEC

  1:20-3:20 p.m. — Alan Jay Automotive Network 120 for the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge

  3:25-3:45 p.m. — Corvette Car Corral Parade Laps – First 100 Cars

  3:50-5:05 p.m. — Practice No. 2 – WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (GTD/LMP2/LMP3)

  4:05-5:20 p.m. — Practice No. 2 – WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (GTP/GTD Pro)

  5:35-6:15 p.m. — Race No. 2 – Porsche Carrera Cup

  6:30-6:45 p.m. — Qualifying – FIA WEC (GTE Am)

  6:55-7:10 p.m. — Qualifying – FIA WEC (LMP2)

  7:20-7:35 p.m. — Qualifying – FIA WEC (Hypercar)

  7:45-9:15 p.m. — Practice No. 3 – WeatherTech SportsCar Championship

  Friday, March 17

  8:55-9:05 a.m. — Practice No. 4 – WeatherTech SportsCar Championship

  9:15-9:30 a.m. — Qualifying – WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (GTD/GTD Pro)

  9:30-10 a.m. — Autograph Session – FIA WEC – FIA WEC Paddock

  9:40-9:55 a.m. — Qualifying – WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (LMP2/LMP3)

  10:05-10:25 a.m. — Qualifying – WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (GTP)

  10:30-10:55 a.m. — Lexus Car Corral Parade Laps

  10:45-11:45 a.m. — Autograph Session – WeatherTech SportsCar Championship – IMSA Paddock

  11:10-11:30 a.m. — Grid Walk Opening – FIA WEC VIP By Invitation Only

  12-8 p.m. — 1000 Miles of Sebring (or 8 Hours) for the FIA World Endurance Championship

  Saturday, March 18

  8-8:20 a.m. — Warm Up – WeatherTech SporsCar Championship

  8:25-8:45 a.m. — Porscheplatz Car Corral Parade Laps – First 100 Cars

  9-9:50 a.m. — Grid Walk and Driver Introductions – WeatherTech SportsCar Championship

  10:10 a.m.-10:10 p.m. — 71st Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship

Pagenaud Leads Meyer Shank Sweep of Sebring Day 2

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Photo: Mike Levitt -Lumen

Meyer Shank Racing seems to have taken it upon themselves to uphold then honor of the older drivers,. 2019 Indianapolis 500 winner Simon Pagenaud had the fastest time Tuesday in the second day of testing at Sebring International Raceway.

Four time and defending Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves had the second fastest time, giving Meyer Shank Racing the top two spots on the chart.

Last year’s wave of young drivers may still grab most of the attention in season, but Pagenaud and Castroneves may have something for them.

Defending NTT Indycar Series champion Alex Palou was sixth fastest Tuesday.

2021 Indy Lights champion Kyle Kirkwood was the fastest rookie Tuesday with the fifth quickest lap.