IndyCar
Ganassi’s Felix Rosenqvist Racing For IndyCar Rookie-Of-The-Year Title
MONTEREY, CA (Pittsburgh Racing Now) – NTT Data Chip Ganassi Racing’s Felix Rosenqvist is looking to win the NTT IndyCar Series Rookie-Of-The-Year title at this weekend’s Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
Rosenqvist, 27, leads Dale Coyne Racing’s Santino Ferrucci by 26-points and Harding Steinbrenner Racing’s Colton Herta by 49-points in the rookie standing going into this weekend.
“It’s cool that there is a battle going on between Santino, Colton and I for Laguna,” said Rosenqvist. “I think Colton and I have had similar years where it took off a bit too fast, and then the reality of IndyCar struck us, and a change of approach was needed. I have definitely calmed down during the year, trying to take what’s there every weekend instead of forcing myself into errors trying to go for the top spot at any cost.”
Rosenqvist has earned the top spot in the rookie standings by virtue of nine top-10 finishes, which include five top-5 finishes. Rosenqvist currently sits eighth in the overall Championship standings.
“The speed has been there from the start, but it’s just so much more needed to take the points every weekend,” said Rosenqvist. “Speed alone will not give you success in this championship. Having raced all over the planet, I would say that IndyCar is the toughest beast yet to master for me.”
Rosenqvist is looking forward to racing at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The Swede’s best performances this season have been on the permanent road courses. Rosenqvist has reeled off five consecutive top-10 finishes on the road courses including two runner-up finishes at Portland and Mid-Ohio.
“I’ve been on quite a streak on the road courses lately and I feel hungry for that first win and Laguna would be just the right place to get it done,” said Rosenqvist.
Rosenqvist is looking to become the first rookie of the year for CGR since Juan Pablo Montoya won the award in 1999, and fourth overall. Alex Zanardi (1996) and Eddie Cheever (1990) were the other winners for CGR.
“Being with Chip Ganassi Racing for my rookie season has been more helpful than anything,” said Rosenqvist. “The team has given me access to everything in order to become ready to win races. I think the field is so tight these days that literally anyone can be fast, but what CGR does differently is getting all the details right, and that’s why they normally come out on top.”
Track action gets underway on Thursday with a full-day test session from 12:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET. There will be two 45-minute practice sessions on Friday: 1:30 p.m. ET and 5:10 p.m. ET, a practice on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. ET and Firestone Fast Six Qualifying at 4:30 p.m.
Sunday’s 90-lap, 203.22-mile race will be televised live on NBC beginning with a pre-race show at 2:30 p.m. ET and the green flag waving at 3:15 p.m. The race can be heard on the Advance Auto Parts IndyCar Radio Network and SiriusXM Satellite Radio (XM 205, Sirius 98).
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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.”
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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