IndyCar
Indianapolis 500 Preview
INDIANAPOLIS, IN (May 26, 2024) The Indianapolis 500 is never short on storylines and that is the case again for the 108th running but Mother Nature will certainly be one of them as a line of storms is anticipated to roll through central Indiana midday.
One of the biggest storylines is Helio Castroneves’ ‘Drive for Five’. The 4-time Indy 500 winner (2001, 2002, 2009, 2021) is going for a record fifth win, which would move him out of a tie with 4-time winners AJ Foyt (1961, 1964, 1967, 1977), Rick Mears (1979, 1984, 1988, 1991) and the late Al Unser Sr (1970, 1971, 1978, 1987). It should be noted that Castroneves posted the second-fastest lap during ‘Carb Day’ final practice at 226.939 mph.
“We’re pretty darn close,” said Castroneves after Friday’s practice. “The Cliffs machine and Sirius XM car looks really, really strong. But at the end of the day, we just got to make sure that we read the race and go to that number five.”
Castroneves is joined by seven other drivers who have drank the milk in victory lane including two-time winner Takuma Sato (2017 & 2020), 6-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES Champion Scott Dixon (2008), Ryan Hunter-Reay (2014), Alexander Rossi (2016), Will Power (2018), Marcus Ericsson (2022) and Josef Newgarden (2023).
Six rookies are in the starting lineup including 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Champion Kyle Larson, who will attempt to do the ‘Double’, racing in the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. John Andretti, Robby Gordon, Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch are the other drivers who have attempted the double. Only Stewart finished all 1100 laps.
Joining Larson in the rookie lineup are Tom Blomqvist of Meyer Shank Racing, Christian Rasmussen of Ed Carpenter Racing and Chip Ganassi Racing Rookies Marcus Armstrong, driver of the No. 11 Ridgeline Honda; Kyffin Simpson, driver of the No. 4 Journie Rewards Honda and Linus Lundqvist, driver of the No. 8 American Legion Honda.
10 rookies have won in the 107-year history of the race, only three since 1967: Arie Luyendyk (1990), Buddy Lazier (1996) and Rossi (2016).
Ray Haroun won the inaugural race in 1911 and Newgarden is the defending race winner.
There have been four different winner in the first four NTT INDYCAR SERIES Races. Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward (Streets of St. Petersburg), Dixon (Streets of Long Beach), Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin (Barber Motorsports Park) and Palou (IMS Road Course).
McLaughlin start on the pole position after posting the fastest four-lap average for a pole-sitter, 234.220 mph. Twenty-one drivers have won the race from the pole, the most recent was Simon Pagenaud in 2019.
Team Penske has the most 500 wins – 19, followed by Chip Ganassi Racing and Andretti Global with five. AJ Foyt Enterprises and Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing have won twice and Meyer Shank Racing has one win.
Palou can join Will Power and Pagenaud as the only drivers to ‘sweep’ the month of May by winning on the 2.5-mile oval and IMS road course.
Sunday Schedule
- 10:30 a.m. – Cars to the Grid
- 11:47 a.m. – Driver Introductions
- 12:14 p.m. – Indy 500 Pre-race Ceremonies
- 12:28 p.m. – “Drivers To Your Cars”
- 12:38 p.m. – Command to Start Engines
- 12:45 p.m. – 108th Indianapolis 500 (200 laps/500 miles) NBC & INDYCAR Radio Network
Editor’s Note (11:45 a.m.): A Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for Speedway, IN forcing Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials to suspend pre-race ceremonies.
2:30 p.m. Update: Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials have reopened the gates and are allowing fans back into the facility. Track drying is expected to begin shortly and is expected to take about 2-hours. The Speedway has also made the decision to lift the television blackout locally for race fans who were unable to stay at the track. Kyle Larson is going to stay and race in the Indy 500.
3:30 p.m. Update: NTT INDYCAR SERIES officials are estimating a 4:44 p.m. ET Green Flag.
3:34 p.m. Update: Hendrick Motorsports makes it official that Kyle Larson will start the race.
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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