IndyCar
Racing Notebook – Monday February, 17
PITTSBURGH, PA (Pittsburgh Racing Now) – Monday’s Racing Notebook looks at the Daytona 500 plus a familiar face returns to Andretti Autosport and Zach Morrow Racing debuts a new look for his 410 Sprint Car.
Denny Hamlin Wins Daytona 500:
- Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin won his third Daytona 500 on Monday becoming the first back-to-back winner since Sterling Marlin in 1994-1995. Hamlin beat Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney to the checkered flag by .014-seconds. Hamlin is now tied with Bobby Allison, Dale Jarrett and Jeff Gordon for third-most Daytona 500 wins all-time. Chris Buescher finished third followed by David Ragan and Kevin Harvick.
Ryan Newman Hospitalized After Daytona 500 Accident:
- Roush Fenway Racing’s Ryan Newman is in serious condition at Halifax Medical Center after a wicked crash coming to the checkered flag of Monday’s rain-delayed Daytona 500. Newman was leading coming off turn 4 headed for the start finish line when contact from Ryan Blaney sent Newman’s car into the outside wall. Newman’s car came back across the track into oncoming traffic and was struck by Corey LaJoie, who had no chance of avoiding the No. 6 Ford Mustang.
Here is the final lap of the Daytona 500 in which Ryan Newman's car was flipped at the line.
We will continue to keep you updated on his status as we learn more. pic.twitter.com/qkEwQBpoP0
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 18, 2020
Robert Megennis Returing To Andretti Autosport:
- Robert Megennis is returning to pilot the No. 27 Andretti Autosport for the 2020 Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires season. n The 19-year-old scored his first Indy Lights-career win on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway after starting from the pole position. The New York-native went on to stand on the podium six times and recorded 12 top-five finishes throughout his rookie campaign. Megennis has followed the Road to Indy ladder system earning Rookie-of-the-Year honors and the Hard-Charger award in Cooper Tires USF2000 in 2016. He went on to compete as a sophomore in Cooper Tires USF2000 in 2017 and ran the Indy Pro 2000 Championship in 2018.
Zach Morrow Racing Debuting New 410 Sprint Car Colors:
- Zach Morrow Racing is debuting new colors on their 410 Sprint Car for 2020. The white and black design features gold chrome inlay trim. Partnering with Morrow on the 410 effort are ConsumerLaw365.com, Generational Dental, Woods Rod & Custom, Precise Racing Products, Alternative Power Source, FK Rod Ends and Franklin Racing Supply.
Let’s try this again! This is our 2020 410 car! pic.twitter.com/YCabttqsnl
— Zach Morrow Racing (@ZMR27) February 16, 2020
WASHINGTON D.C. (August 22, 2026) – Alex Palou’s blistering lap of 56.8993 seconds in the No. 10 OpenAI Chip Ganassi Racing Honda puts the four-time NTT IndyCar Series Champion on the pole position for Sunday’s Freedom 250 on the streets of Washington D.C.
“Incredible,” said Palou. “My car was on rails. Super-fun lap, super-fun car to drive. Couldn’t be happier. Looking forward to tomorrow. Tomorrow is going to be a long day, man, 250 miles.”
Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood lines up second after a lap of 57.4661 in the No. 27 Sam’s Club Honda.
“P1 both first and second group, and the last one Alex Palou is just a legend and goes faster on his one-lap dash than he did the whole rest of the run, I think,” Kirkwood said. “He made us look silly out there.”
Scott McLaughlin spoiled the Honda party up front, putting the No. 3 PPG Chevrolet third on the grid after a fast lap of 57.4200.
Palou’s CGR teammates Scott Dixon and Kyffin Simpson did not fare as well as their teammate.
Dixon was on a lap that would have allowed him to transfer into the next round of qualifying, when Simpson hit the wall, triggering a red flag which cancelled Dixon’s lap. The No. 9 PNC Bank Honda will start 14th.
Bringing out the red flag penalized Simpson of his two fastest laps so the No. 8 Sunoco Honda will start last in 25th.
Coverage of the Freedom 250 starts at 11:30 a.m. on Fox and IndyCar Radio with the green flag waving in our nation’s capital at 1 p.m.
MARKHAM, ONTARIO (August 15, 2026) – The NTT IndyCar Series is making it’s first visit to a new street circuit in Markham, Ontario but a familiar face topped the speed charts after the first practice.
Four-time Series Champion Alex Palou turned the fastest lap around the 12-turn, 2.19-mile temporary street course, a 1-minute, 14.9915-seconds (100.811 mph) lap in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.
A.J. Foyt Racing rookie Caio Collett was second quick with a 1-minute, 15.0454-seconds (100.739) in the No. 4 Chevrolet.
Louis Foster was third quick in the No. 45 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda at 1:15.0278 (100.702) followed by Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin 1:15.2981 (100.401). Will Power rounded out the Top 5 at 1:15.3152 (100.378).
Palou’s Chip Ganassi Racing teammates were not as strong. Six-time Series Champion Scott Dixon was 20th at 1:16.4583 (98.877) in the No. 9 PNC Bank Honda. Kyffin Simpson was 24th at 1.17.3893 (97.688) in the No. 8 Sunoco Honda. Simpson made contact with the wall at Turn 6, causing damage to the rear suspension. Simpson limped to pits for repair and returned to action later in the session.
Practice 2 is set for 2:30 p.m. as delayed track construction forced officials to cancel Friday’s activities and condense Saturday’s schedule. NTT P1 Pole Qualifying is set for 6:30 p.m. ET
MARKHAM, ONTARIO (August 14, 2026) – Issues with the completion of the temporary street circuit in Markham Ontario has forced the NTT INDYCAR SERIES first practice to be moved to Saturday as all of Friday’s on-track activity had to be scrubbed from the schedule.
“INDYCAR is incredibly disappointed that our promoter was not able to complete the track build on time, despite significant support from our team on site,” INDYCAR President J. Douglas Boles said. “Ontario has always been a magnificent market for our sport and the number of spectators that attended today is a shining example of that. New events can always pose logistical challenges and we join in the frustration of our loyal fans and apologize.”
Green Savoree Promotions also issued a statement.
“Ensuring the safety of the drivers and the completion of the certification process of competing on a brand-new racetrack delayed all on-track activities today. Today’s sessions have been rescheduled to Saturday, August 15, to allow for further track preparations.”
“We greatly appreciate all the fans who made it out to the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham today and chose to spend the day with us. The attendance and support were overwhelming.”
The revamped schedule calls for the first practice to take place at 10:00 a.m. followed by a second practice at 2:30 p.m. and P1 Pole Qualifying at 6:30 p.m.
Riggs rules New Hampshire, Ankrum survives to claim final Chase berth
Alex Palou powers to IndyCar Freedom 250 Pole Position in D.C.
Spithaler Sprints to Mercer Win
Newlywed Reft Wins At PPMS
Logano Wins at Richmond as Chase Picture Takes Shape
Michael Norris wins his 5th Jook George Steel City Classic
Kvapil Hangs On To Win Pennzoil 250 in Top-Four Sweep by JR Motorsports
Marks Magnificent in Hodnett Classic at Port Royal
Newlywed Reft Wins At PPMS
