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Ganassi’s Felix Rosenqvist Shines With 2nd At Mid-Ohio

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Chris Jones/IndyCar Series

LEXINGTON, OHIO (Pittsburgh Racing Now) – Chip Ganassi Racing rookie driver Felix Rosenqvist gave IndyCar fans a glimpse of his talent the first time he hit the track at the season-opening race at St. Petersburg by posting the fastest time in the first practice session.

Those talents were on full display on Sunday when Rosenqvist nearly beat his five-time IndyCar Series Champion teammate Scott Dixon for the victory at Mid-Ohio.  The closest margin of victory, 0.0934-seconds, in the history of IndyCar at the track.

“That last lap, I think everyone really enjoyed that,” said Rosenqvist.  “We were banging wheels in Turn 2 there, (it) was a bit exciting.”

“If I wasn’t his teammate, I think he would have knocked me off,” said Dixon.  “I knew he was going to come in deep there.  I thought he was actually going to just wait to get a good exit off of 2, and ultimately I think had he been a little more patient there, I think he would have got me probably going into 4.”

“I think we have to keep the perspective,” said Rosenqvist.  “Had our first podium and also a one-two finish for Chip Ganassi Racing.”

Rosenqvist qualified sixth for the race, two spots in front of his teammate.  The young Swede worked his way up to third by lap 15 and passed Andretti Autosport’s Alexander Ross for 2ndplace on lap 19.

Rosenqvist passed leader and pole sitter Will Power on lap 24 and led laps 25-27 before coming in for his first pit stop on lap 28.

Rosenqvist moved back into the lead on lap 41 during the next round of green flag pit stops and led through lap 45 before coming to pit road for his second pit stop of the day.

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Dixon inherited the lead at that point until he came to pit road on lap 60, giving the lead back to Rosenqvist, who led laps 60-66.

Rosenqvist made his third and final stop on lap 66 giving the lead back to Dixon, who was on 2-stop strategy.

Rosenqvist came out in second place with a number of lap cars between he and Dixon and was told by his team go for the lead but to keep in mind Dixon is in the championship hunt.

“A bit of a mixed message,” laughed Rosenqvist.

Rosenqvist put the pedal down and cut Dixon’s lead from 9.7-seconds to 2.7-seconds in 15-laps and knows he could’ve got there quicker if not for lap traffic holding him up.

“With those five cars in front of us it was going to be difficult, and I was really frustrated on the radio,” said Rosenqvist.  “Barry (Wanser), my strategist, tried to really keep me calm and (we) tried to pick them off one by one.  I think it’s a little bit of a shame because maybe at times we were missing out on a good battle when you had to race cars that were going for P24.”

Rosenqvist finally got to Dixon on the last lap and the two touched in Turn 2 but the veteran prevailed, and the team brought home their first 1-2 finish since 2015 at Texas Motor Speedway.

“Obviously it’s tough when I think we really had the right strategy and the pace to win the race,” said Rosenqvist.  “Maybe one more lap we could have got him.”

IndyCar

Doug Boles named President of INDYCAR and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

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Penske Entertainment: Karl Zemlin

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (February, 11, 2024) – Doug Boles, the President of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, is replacing Jay Frye as INDYCAR President, as Penske Entertainment makes several key organizational changes 17-days before the season opener.

“Doug is the ideal choice to lead both INDYCAR and IMS as we enter a new era of opportunity and visibility,” said Mark Miles, Penske Entertainment President & CEO. “He’s an exceptional leader and motivator who is appreciated by our fans and respected by our owners, drivers, partners and additional key stakeholders.”

“Racing is in my DNA, and no form of racing resonates more personally and strongly with me than the NTT INDYCAR SERIES,” said Boles. “I’m honored to lead the amazing team at INDYCAR, and I truly believe the future is bigger and brighter than ever for our sport and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.”

Boles extensive resume includes serving as IMS President since 2013 after serving as the speedway’s Chief Operating Officer in January of that same year while Vice President of Communications for Hulman & Company.  Boles joined IMS in November of 2010 as Director of Public Relations.  Boles has more than 15-years of executive-level motorsports experience in team operations, marketing, sponsorship and public relations.

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In addition to Boles serving the dual roles of IMS and INDYCAR President, Penske Entertainment is making these changes:

  • Mark Sibla will be promoted to Senior Vice President, INDYCAR Competition & Operations.
  • Kyle Novak will become INDYCAR’s Vice President of Officiating and Race Control.
  • Alex Damron has been named Chief Marketing Officer, INDYCAR, while also continuing as Vice President of Corporate Communications for Penske Entertainment.
  • Louis Kissinger will be promoted to General Manager, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Operations.

No reason was given for Frye’s departure.  Frye was named INDYCAR President of Competition and Operations in 2015 and just INDYCAR President in 2018.

“It has been an absolute honor and privilege to be the President of INDYCAR and work alongside the dedicated and talented men and women at INDYCAR and in the INDYCAR paddock,” said Frye in a statement.  “The growth and success the series has had over the last 10-years would not be possible without the commitment and collaboration of the owners, drivers and teams.”

The 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season opens February 28 – March 2, 2025 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding.

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IndyCar

Chip Ganassi Racing unveils new look for Scott Dixon’s No. 9 PNC Bank Honda

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PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (February 5, 2025) – Scott Dixon’s No. 9 PNC Bank Honda is sporting a new look for the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Season.

The familiar Orange, Blue and White PNC colors return with the biggest change along the sidepods of the No. 9 Honda, which are now orange and then the colors transition to blue over the rear wheel arches and rear wing.

“I’m excited. It was a long off-season,” said Dixon, who is second only to INDYCAR legend A.J. Foyt in wins (Dixon – 58; Foyt – 67.) and Series Championships (Dixon – 6; Foyt – 7). “We definitely have some big areas and some low-hanging fruit where I think we can make some big shifts and some big changes for a positive effect for the No. 9 PNC Bank Honda. I’m looking forward to that.”

Dixon is on-track to break Mario Andretti’s all-time starts record with his 407th start at the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 25, 2025.

PNC Bank returns to the No. 9, amassing 2-Championships, 17-Wins and 46-Podiums, as primary sponsor for seven seasons, after serving as an associate sponsor of CGR for decades.

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“Being shoulder-to-shoulder in an INDYCAR partnership with PNC has been extraordinary because the things that make them a great bank are also what makes Scott and the team so consistent,” said Mike Hull, Managing Director CGR.  “They all do the little things brilliantly, which is why the partnership with PNC is so perfect. We are happy to return with the orange and blue once again of PNC Bank on the No. 9.”

PNC’s community commitment will continue in 2025 in multiple ways.  Dixon again this season will appear at early childhood education centers to demonstrate the importance of reading to inspire a love of learning as part of PNC’s ‘Grow Up Great’ – it’s signature philanthropic initiative focused on improving high-quality early childhood education across the country.

PNC Bank’s ‘Day at the Track’ program will again provide STEM students with the opportunity to get an up-close look at the high-performance operations of CGR’s NTT INDYCAR SERIES team.

Dixon is facing some stiff competition for his seventh title and it is coming from inside the same building as teammate Alex Palou will be battling for his third-straight title.  Together CGR will attempt to score the team’s sixth Championship in the last eight years and its 17th INDYCAR Championship, which would tie it for most all-time.

Dixon and his PNC Bank CGR Honda team will start the season February 28 – March 2, 2025 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding.

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IndyCar

DHL Chip Ganassi Racing unveils Alex Palou’s 2025 Honda livery

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DHL Chip Ganassi Racing

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (January 29, 2025) – Three-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES Champion Alex Palou’s DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda will have a bit of a different look as he goes for his third straight Championship in 2025.

The No. 10’s updated livery feature’s the famous Postyellow and DHL Red, with additional yellow areas and larger DHL branding further cementing an already iconic look for DHL, CGR and Palou.

“Our first season with Chip Ganassi Racing and the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Honda was nothing short of spectacular,” said Mike Parra, Head of Global Sponsorship DHL. “We take immense pride in seeing our vibrant colors emblazoned on the car, symbolizing our commitment to delivering with speed and passion around the world. As Alex Palou defends his title, we are excited to inspire our fans, customers, and employees to reach new heights with us in what promises to be another thrilling chapter of our partnership.”

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Palou is itching to get back behind the wheel and continue his impressive performance of three Championships in five seasons, four with CGR.

“I’m looking forward to the 2025 season with the No. 10 DHL Honda team. The competition will be tough. We won the last championship with only two wins, so that shows how competitive it is in INDYCAR. The goal is to try and repeat that, improve a bit, and try to win the Indianapolis 500.”

The green flag drops on the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding weekend, February 28 – March 2, 2025.   Tickets are available at gpstpete.com

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