Rookies Find Their Feet At Phoenix: Day One Unser Open Test Wrap

Conor Daly & Jessie Punch interview Cail Collet, No. 4 AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet - Image Credit: NICS Video (2026)

Rookies Find Their Feet At Phoenix: Day One Unser Open Test Wrap

Day one of testing at Phoenix Raceway wrapped with the full 2026 IndyCar grid laid bare, rookies included, under the Arizona sun that shifts and plays tricks just like the wind does on these short ovals.

Conor Daly, riding shotgun in the broadcast booth with Jessie Punch, framed it plainly: a classic rookie day. Laps piled high, experience chased hard, no one rewriting the record books ... and that's exactly the point. This Unser Open Test isn't about fireworks; it's about stacking knowledge brick by brick before the real battles ignite.

The three newcomers - Mick Schumacher, Dennis Hauger, Cail Collet - each carved their own path through the session. 

Dennis Hauger, fresh off a dominant Indy NXT campaign, looked every bit the expected pace-setter among the rookies, marveling at the grip monster these high-downforce cars become on sticker tires. "Oh, there's some grip here," he said, the kind of understated awe that comes when a driver realizes the machine can take more than intuition first allows. He kept building, noted a few gremlins to sort, and eyed tomorrow for more baseline work in a field so tight that 17th was only a tenth or so off top-eight territory.

Cail Collet, settling into the AJ Foyt fold alongside the oval-savvy Santino Ferrucci, admitted to the inevitable greenhorn moment: a push too far on fresh rubber, misjudging the extra bite, clipping the apron in turn three or four and spinning into the wall. Lesson delivered the hard way, but he took it in stride - praising Ferrucci's openness with tips (even if ignoring the one about tire pressures and sun glare in turns three-four cost him dearly). Focus tomorrow: traffic runs, dirty air, placing the car right behind others. The steps from quali trim to race long-runs loom large, and he's hungry to log the data, watch the videos, shadow the veterans.

TAP Image To Launch Video Presentation

Mick Schumacher, ever analytical and quick to push back on the "rookie" label - he's raced too long, claimed too many starts elsewhere to wear it comfortably - treated the day as championship business from the jump. He stacked laps, more than most, dialing in the peculiarities of Phoenix: the flat-ish banking that tilts the car outward unexpectedly, the hooked feel in turn three, the wind gusts that shove or suck the aero balance corner to corner. The biggest adjustment? Learning to relax in the seat with a pad for consistency over long stints ... counter to years of tensing up to feel the car precisely. Firestone tires feel worlds apart from Pirelli or Michelin; mastering their window is the immediate homework. Teammate Graham Rahal's counsel rang true: every oval tells its own story, and Phoenix whispered its secrets in differences from Homestead or Sebring.

Beyond the new blood, the timesheet told familiar tales with fresh twists. Team Penske's machines hummed fast as anticipated, but Josef Newgarden, short-oval royalty, found himself shaded by new teammate David Malukas at day's end, while old wingman Will Power lurked close in the Andretti entry. McLaren's squad stayed quiet, potential still holstered; Graham Rahal Hall's push to 11th hinted at progress on a program that has historically wrestled these bullrings.

The field? Razor-close. Top 20 within half a second. Margins microscopic. Rust shaken off, new Firestones waiting for day two.

... notes from The EDJE

TAGS: #IndyCar, #PhoenixRaceway, #UnserOpenTest, #RookieDay, #DennisHauger, #Kyle, #MickSchumacher, #TeamPenske, #ShortOvalGrip, #IndyCarTesting, @IndyCarOnFOX

David Malukas Tops Day One At Phoenix As Penske Era Kicks Off With A Bang

David Malukas - The Unser INDYCAR Open Test at Phoenix Raceway - Image Credit: Joe Skibinski via NICS (2026)

David Malukas Tops Day One At Phoenix As Penske Era Kicks Off With A Bang

David Malukas arrived at Phoenix Raceway on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, and promptly turned the Unser INDYCAR Open Test into his personal welcome party for the Team Penske era. Slotted into the No. 12 Verizon Chevrolet - freshly vacated by Will Power - he dropped a 172.605 mph lap that topped the timing screens, edging teammate Josef Newgarden for a clean 1-2 Penske punch on day one of the two-day shakedown.

At the end of the day, Malukas led Penske teammate Newgarden and the man he replaced, now driving for Andretti Global, Will Power. Andretti's Kyle Kirkwood and Ganassi's Alex Palou round out the top five; strong showing for MSR 6th and 7th with New Zealander Marcus Armstrong and Swede Felix Rosenqvist.

The Chicago native stepped to the microphone sounding like a man who'd just discovered a new favorite toy. Phoenix, he declared, feels eerily akin to Gateway ... those mismatched ends of the track, turns one-two demanding one setup flavor while three-four beg for another, forcing quick swaps via weight jacker and the cockpit arsenal in the razor-thin window down the back straight. Wind played its usual desert games, subtle but present, keeping the ADHD brain stimulated as he described it with a laugh - every lap a chess move, tweaking, counter-tweaking, chasing grip that never quite settles the same way twice.

He loves it here already. The sheer velocity through one and two pinned him back initially - "Man, I don't know how Josef's doing that" - until he leaned harder, trusted the downforce, and watched the car devour speed like it was nothing. One of his favorite tracks to drive, full stop; racing it will be another beast entirely, no long runs logged today, but hopes run high that the Good Ranchers 250 in March will deliver the pack racing goods.

Unser INDYCAR Open Test at Phoenix Raceway End of Day 1 News Conference - Kyle Kirkwood | David Malukas

Post Test Transcript - NTT INDYCAR - Phoenix Raceway

Edmund Jenks - Motorsports Journal: Every track has a different feel or personality, giving visual cues and so on. How does Phoenix strike you, given you got the mountain on one side and then obviously the stands coming into three and four? How does it all feel to you, and what's your impression on the whole thing?

DAVID MALUKAS: Well, surprisingly, watching it on TV, it seems a lot longer than what it is. You see the beautiful mountains and things.

I think I saw that once I pulled in, but once you're on track, it feels so fast-paced to me. I didn't even notice that you have the hills and everything going on because you just have to be so focused on what's in front.

I don't know. The track just feels very short, very quick. There's a lot going on. Again, having that difference between one, two, three, and four, there's so, so, so busy.

I love it. It's amazing. I think that's why it's one of my favorites so far for ovals. Yeah, I think the characteristic would be busy. That would be its characteristic for me.

Edmund Jenks - Motorsports Journal: Also, a comment was made earlier about pit lane and how in some ways it might be challenging, especially with the rise towards the end and so on. What is your reaction of pit lane and where you're set up?

DAVID MALUKAS: I mean, there was talks. I can see the concerns over it. It's just going to be, again, a question mark for now until we can see what marbling is going to happen.

Is there going to be quite a lot of marbling once you get down into pit lane, especially with the pit commitment and pit out. We're going to have to see how that plays out.

So far of a whole day of running, and it doesn't seem like there wasn't that much marbling, but a race is a different beast in its own. I think a lot of these questions will get answered once we get closer to race weekend.

ENDS

Settling into Penske has been seamless bliss. Chemistry with the crew clicks; the car looks beautiful, feels right; every pit in-and-out draws a grin he can't suppress. Teammates Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin? Gold. Driving styles align close enough that data swaps carry real weight—Josef's change today becomes tomorrow's known quantity for all three cars, tripling test efficiency in tire-limited days. The engineering depth hits different too: smart people everywhere, everyone grinding 110%, all feeding into one perfectly tuned machine. Best environment he's known, hands down.

Test days mean running plans over outright glory, but topping the sheet? Feels good, confidence boost undeniable. Newgarden's oval mastery provided instant reference—pushing limits he didn't know existed. Interaction with Penske's NASCAR contingent looms too; they've run this place plenty, data exchange on the horizon despite the different machinery.

Phoenix's quirks - sandblasted surface, potential Goodyear marbles, wind shifts—add unknowns for race day, but Malukas isn't fazed. Momentum matters early in '26: back-to-back-to-back opens the calendar, building rhythm fast, keeping fresh eyes on the sport instead of the usual mid-season lull. New team, new ride, but the core IndyCar feel remains familiar—minuscule tweaks, same driver game.

Day one closed with Malukas smiling widest, lap record in pocket, Penske humming. Tomorrow brings more laps, more learning, more proof that this move might just be the spark the championship chase needed. The desert oval listened; the new No. 12 answered loudest.

... notes from The EDJE

TAGS: #IndyCar, #UnserOpenTest, #PhoenixRaceway, #DavidMalukas, #TeamPenske, #172605MPH, #PenskeEra, #ShortOvalChess, #GatewayVibes, #IndyCarTesting, #Penske1-2, #Newgarden, #WillPower, #ShortOvalSpeed

Phoenix Raceway Pre-Unser Open Test Press Conference Unfolds With Palou And O'Ward

First of the 2026 on-site open test press conference with Pato O'Ward and INDYCAR series Champion Alex Palou at Phoenix Raceway. Drivers share a laugh about events about the tire test held at Sebring a week earlier. Image Credit: NICS ZOOM Call Video (2026)

Phoenix Raceway Pre-Unser Open Test Press Conference Unfolds With Palou And O'Ward

As the sun rose over Phoenix Raceway on a crisp February morning in 2026, and the paddock buzzed with the familiar hum of anticipation that only a season-opener test can generate. Here, in the desert air still carrying a hint of winter chill, two of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES' brightest stars - four-time reigning champion Alex Palou in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda and the ever-competitive Pato O'Ward piloting the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet - stepped to the microphones. 

The moderator set the scene plainly: Phoenix was back on the calendar, a throwback oval welcoming most of the field to virgin territory, and the Unser Open Test was the first real chance to shake out the cobwebs before the green flags flew in earnest. Palou, fresh off a season of utter dominance with eight victories in 2025, spoke with the quiet confidence of a man chasing history. A four-peat would place him in rare company, only Sébastien Bourdais having achieved the feat in the modern era. Yet for all the laurels, he admitted the workload ahead felt endless - Sebring the week prior, Phoenix now, and no real pause until May. The Chip Ganassi team had poured hours into preparations over the winter, aiming to replicate or perhaps even eclipse the magic of the previous year. This test, especially on an unfamiliar oval, represented starting from scratch, but Palou welcomed the luxury of multi-day running rarely afforded on ovals outside Indianapolis. Confidence in the car, the ability to attack rather than merely survive the laps - that was the true measure of success he sought.

Pato O'Ward - The Unser INDYCAR Open Test at Phoenix Raceway - Image Credit: Joe Skibinski via NICS (2026)

O'Ward, entering his seventh full season and armed with nine career wins including two last year, approached the 1-mile tri-oval with the curiosity of a newcomer. Only a handful of veterans - Power, Newgarden, Rossi, Dixon - had turned laps here in anger, and the last INDYCAR visit dated back to 2018. He likened the layout to a blend of Gateway and Iowa, old-school and fast, and hoped the test could coax a proper second lane into life for the race to come. Sebring's times? Dismissed with a laugh; that was tire development and experimentation, not outright speed. What mattered now was building comfort, finding a setup that allowed aggressive running without the car dictating terms. Ovals demand trust - if the machine isn't planted, the delta between control and chaos widens dramatically. 

Both drivers agreed the test's value lay not in headline lap times but in feel and foundation. Palou emphasized subtle adjustments and the freedom to experiment without the pressure of a race weekend's limited laps and identical fuel loads. O'Ward echoed the sentiment: a solid base here could carry forward, even if NASCAR rubber, weather shifts, or race-day dynamics later scrambled the picture. Phoenix before the Indianapolis 500 offered another oval outing early, but neither saw it as direct preparation for the Brickyard - Indy, they noted, remains its own unpredictable beast, defying easy translation from other tracks.

The No. 10 Honda piloted by reining NTT INDYCAR SERIES Champion blisters by at around 170 miles per hour on the tight banked turns of Phoenix Raceway. Image Credit: Matt Fravervia NICS (2026)

Conversation drifted to lighter matters: the new FOX commercials drawing praise (Palou singled out Will Power's spot as a standout), the grueling early-season stretch demanding no radical changes to conditioning regimens, and the visual spectacle INDYCARs might provide to crossover NASCAR fans during the shared weekend. Track limits drew a firm line - unlike NASCAR's apron exploits, INDYCAR would enforce boundaries strictly, and Palou, after a track walk, deemed the rough outer edges a recipe for disaster rather than daring passes.

Firestone's tweaked right-front tire, wider for better following and second-lane grip, came under discussion as a welcome evolution for short-oval racing. Palou referenced prior testing by veterans like Dixon and Rossi, crediting it as a step toward multi-groove action. The session underscored a mature approach from both stars: gone were the days of treating every test lap like qualifying. Now, plans guided the process - team strategy over raw bravado - though the inner drive to demonstrate speed never fully receded.

FOX Sports promotional commercial (click-image) shows Alex Palou rushing through a grocery store check-out line passing by a magazine stand featuring a magazine cover with Pato O'Ward on the face hinting that O'Ward may be getting more attention and press than the three-time and reining NTT INDYCAR SERIES Champion himself. Image Credit: NTT INDYCAR SERIES and Chip Ganassi Racing (2026)

As the press conference wrapped and the first day of the two-day Unser Open Test was engaged, the timing screens told their own story by dusk. David Malukas led a Team Penske 1-2, but Palou slotted solidly fifth overall with a best of 21.0088 seconds at 171.357 mph, clocked on his 48th of 55 laps - a clean, confident marker amid the Honda contingent's strong showing.

O'Ward, meanwhile, ended the day 16th of 25 drivers at 21.2509 seconds and 169.405 mph on his 19th of a busier 98 laps, a cautious tally that spoke to methodical exploration rather than early fireworks. The sense lingered that Phoenix 2026 would test more than setups. For Palou, it was another chapter in a quest for immortality; for O'Ward, a fresh proving ground to harness his talent on ovals that define the series' soul. The cars would roll out again tomorrow, and in the desert heat, the real answers would emerge ... not in words, but in the howl of engines and the lines carved into the blacktop.

... notes from The EDJE








TAGS: #IndyCar, #UnserOpenTest, #PhoenixRaceway, #AlexPalou, #PatoOWard, #NTTIndyCarSeries, #FourPeatChase, #OvalTesting, #2026Season, TheEDJE, #MotorsportsJournal, #IndyCarOnFOX, #INDYCAR

From Horse Race To Horsepower On Pennsylvania Avenue

The title "From Horse Race To Horsepower On Pennsylvania Avenue" evokes a grand sweep of American progress, one that leaps from the dusty tracks of the early republic to the thunderous roar of modern machinery tearing through the heart of the nation's capital. Image Graphic Credit: Edmund Jenks via GROK (2026)

From Horse Race To Horsepower On Pennsylvania Avenue

In the sweltering summer of 1801, as the Federal City was still finding its footing amid marshes and half-built monuments, President Thomas Jefferson - ever the Enlightenment figure with a farmer's appreciation for fine horseflesh - allegedly presided over or at least lent his prestige to a horse race in the fledgling Washington. The anecdote, dusted off and polished for contemporary telling, paints a scene of gentlemen in waistcoats and tricorn hats gathered near the President's House, wagering on blooded steeds pounding turf that would one day become Pennsylvania Avenue. 

Whether the event was a formal meet of the nascent Washington Jockey Club (founded just a few years prior) or a more informal contest among the elite, the record is hazy. Primary sources from the era mention racing enthusiasm in the district, with Jefferson himself a known horseman who bred and rode mounts with care, but no definitive ledger pins a singular "Jefferson-held" spectacle precisely to that year. Still, the image endures: equine power symbolizing the raw, organic energy of a young republic.

Fast-forward 225 years to January 30, 2026. President Donald Trump, flanked by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and racing impresario Roger Penske, signed an executive order launching the Freedom 250 Grand Prix ... an IndyCar street race set for August 23, 2026, as the centerpiece of America250 celebrations marking a quarter-millennium of independence. 

Duffy, with characteristic flair, quipped that the last race in the capital dated to 1801 under Jefferson - "a horse race" - before declaring, "Now we're going to do a real race." The vision: open-wheel machines pushing toward 190 mph along routes embracing Pennsylvania Avenue and circling the National Mall, engines howling past the Capitol, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and the White House itself.

This pivot from horsepower in the literal sense - living, breathing animals bred for speed and stamina - to horsepower in the mechanical idiom - turbocharged V6 hybrids unleashing 700+ ponies - encapsulates the arc of American ingenuity. Jefferson's era prized the horse as transportation, agriculture, status, and sport; the internal combustion engine, refined over the 19th and 20th centuries, democratized mobility, fueled industrial might, and birthed motor racing as a global spectacle. IndyCar, with its American roots tracing to the Indianapolis 500, now carries that torch into the symbolic core of the republic.

The proposed circuit promises drama: tight, high-speed sections demanding precision braking and throttle control, all while federal landmarks stand sentinel. Logistical hurdles loom—security perimeters, road closures, congressional nods, coordination with D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser—but the administration frames it as pure patriotic theater: free admission for spectators, a showcase of engineering prowess, and a nod to freedom's revving spirit. "Freedom doesn’t ring, it revs," Duffy proclaimed in one enthusiastic release.

Critics may see spectacle over substance, or question the wisdom of closing the capital's arteries for a weekend of speed. Yet the contrast remains irresistible. Where once a president watched Thoroughbreds thunder across open ground in pursuit of glory and purse, now another envisions carbon-fiber projectiles slicing the same vistas, their synthetic fury echoing through marble corridors.

From horse race to horsepower on Pennsylvania Avenue: a reminder that America's story is one of relentless acceleration - biological to mechanical, agrarian to industrial, past to future - always chasing the next horizon at ever-greater velocity. Whether the Freedom 250 ultimately thunders down the avenue or settles into committee purgatory, the metaphor holds: progress doesn't trot; it races.

With this title and information, ... notes from The EDJE author Edmund Jenks, decided to create an SUNO AI generated song with the chorus and title of :

Click-Image - Launch Song - From Horse Race To Horsepower On Pennsylvania Avenue

From Horse Race To Horsepower On Pennsylvania Avenue

LYRICS

Back in the dust, 1801 glow  

Gentlemen wager, watch the stallions go  

Jefferson smilin', reins in his hand  

Hooves hittin' hard on this new promised land  

Feel the thunder, feel the fire  

From the old dirt track to the neon wire  

From Horse Race to Horsepower on Pennsylvania Avenue  

Engines screamin', revvin' through  

From Horse Race to Horsepower on Pennsylvania Avenue  

Drop it low, let the freedom ride, yeah we breakin' through!  

Two centuries flip, now the asphalt burns  

IndyCar lights flash, tires take their turn  

White House watchin', monuments in the blur  

700 horses roar, history's got the urge  

  

Build it up, feel the chase  

Old blood to chrome in this capital space  

From Horse Race to Horsepower on Pennsylvania Avenue  

Engines screamin', revvin' through  

From Horse Race to Horsepower on Pennsylvania Avenue  

Drop it low, let the freedom ride, yeah we breakin' through!  

 

(Spoken/chanted over rising tension)  

Hold up... feel that shift...  

From the track to the strip...  

One more time...  

 

From Horse Race to Horsepower on Pennsylvania Avenue  

(Yeah!) Engines screamin', revvin' through  

From Horse Race to Horsepower on Pennsylvania Avenue  

Drop it low, let the freedom ride - freedom ride - freedom ride!

FADE OUT

Load up the K-Rail and lock up "Code Pink"/"Antifa" 'cause we goin' racin' folks. 

We, at Notes From The EDJE hope that there is a longer points paying run of the DCGP Freedom 250 than we witnessed at Nashville Streets, Baltimore, San Jose, and Thermal.

... notes from The EDJE

TAGS: #FromHorseRaceToHorsepower, #PennsylvaniaAvenue, #IndyCar, #Freedom250, #WashingtonDC, #ThomasJefferson, #HorseRacing, #Horsepower, #America250, #GrandPrix, #StreetRace, #DCGrandPrix, #IndyCarDC, #CapitalSpeed, #AmericanInnovation, #RacingHistory, #JeffersonHorseRace, #TrumpRacing, #SeanDuffy, #NationalMall, #WhiteHouse, #CapitolBuilding, #TechHouse, #ChrisLakeStyle, #EDMVibes, #FestivalAnthem, #RacingAnthem, #PatrioticSpeed, #EvolutionOfPower, #FromHoovesToEngines, #TheEDJE

Rahal Fires Back: DC Grand Prix A 'Massive Opportunity' For IndyCar Amid Fan Backlash

Not a pretty or soy-boy around the track, INDYCAR beginning of Content Days are filled fancy prep work for photoshoots and interviews to be used on FOX Sports broadcasts, website background information, and general breadth of "content" to be used for any imagined purpose. Image Credit: Rahal NICS via Letterman Lanigan FB/META (2026)

Rahal Fires Back: DC Grand Prix A 'Massive Opportunity' For IndyCar Amid Fan Backlash

In the crisp air of IndyCar's preseason media content day at Indiana Convention Center on January 27, 2026, veteran driver Graham Rahal stepped to the microphone and delivered a no-holds-barred defense of the proposed Washington, D.C. street race, brushing aside online critics with the kind of blunt candor that has defined his long career in open-wheel racing.

Rahal, piloting for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, described the potential "DC Grand Prix" as nothing short of a game-changer for the NTT IndyCar Series - a rare spotlight moment handed directly to IndyCar, not NASCAR or Formula 1. The idea originated from high-level discussions involving the White House and the Department of Transportation, pitched to Penske Entertainment as part of the nation's buildup to the 250th anniversary of American independence in 2026. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy laid out the formal concept, which quickly gained traction when President Donald Trump offered public support through social media. IndyCar officials have confirmed that talks with the White House remain active as feasibility studies continue.

When pressed by reporters about the wave of negative commentary flooding social platforms - fans vowing to skip broadcasts or tune out entirely ... Graham Rahal didn't pull punches.

"It's a massive opportunity for INDYCAR," he declared. "It's honestly a bit shameful sometimes when I read comments on social media. You see people saying, 'Oh, that's the one race I'm not going to watch this year.' I mean, get a life. Get a life."

Speculation about IndyCar racing in Washington, D.C. in 2026 began soon after FOX acquired a 33% stake in Penske Entertainment, giving the broadcaster a share of both IndyCar and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Prominent pictured from left to right Roger Penske, 2019 INDY500 Winner Simon Pagenaud, and President Donald J. Trump. Image Credit: IndyCar Reports via FB/META September 26, 2025

The driver's frustration stemmed from what he sees as a missed perspective among some in the fanbase. For Rahal, this isn't just another street circuit on the calendar; it's a singular chance to showcase IndyCar in the heart of the nation's capital, potentially on or near the iconic National Mall.

"If you really are an INDYCAR fan, this is a huge opportunity that's been given to us," he continued. "It hasn't been given to NASCAR, not to Formula 1 - it's been given to INDYCAR."

Ever the self-described patriotic type, Rahal made clear that the appeal transcends any political lens.

"I'm a patriotic guy," he said. "I don't care who's in the White House. If we get to go race in Washington, that would be awesome, especially in a place like the National Mall."

The comments arrive at a pivotal moment for IndyCar, which continues to seek ways to elevate its profile amid a crowded American motorsports landscape. A race in D.C. - if it clears logistical, security, and permitting hurdles (a very big if) - could deliver unprecedented exposure, drawing eyes from beyond the traditional racing audience during a year of nationwide bicentennial celebrations.

Rahal's straightforward take cuts through the noise: embrace the shot or step aside. For a series hungry for growth, the veteran driver's words serve as both a rallying cry and a reality check. Whether a DC Grand Prix ultimately materializes remains an open question, but Graham Rahal has already made his position unmistakable.

Got to love the confusion of the arrows GROK placed on this AI mock up. "FREEDOM 250 DCGP" Proposed Track Layout via AI Tool - GROK (2026)

UPDATE - January 30, 2026 

President Trump put pen to paper on Friday with an executive order green-lighting the ambitious **Freedom 250** street race right in the heart of Washington, D.C.

The plan, tied to the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations, calls for the event to roar through the capital over the August 21-23 weekend - slotting neatly (or perhaps precariously) into the open date between the Markham, Ontario round and the Milwaukee Mile classic in Wisconsin. 

Trump directed D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser to team up with his administration on logistics, while tasking the Departments of Interior and Transportation with mapping out a track layout in collaboration with IndyCar - and, crucially, sourcing the funding to make it all happen.

Rahal highlighted the sheer scale of the challenge ahead: pulling off a major street circuit in the nation's capital on such a compressed timeline would test every aspect of organization and coordination. Add to that the longstanding ban on advertisements across Capitol grounds, and the usual sponsor-laden livery of IndyCar machines presents an immediate regulatory hurdle that could require creative solutions or legislative tweaks.

Adding star power to the Oval Office signing ceremony were Roger Penske - who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Trump back in 2019 - and FOX Sports CEO Eric Shanks. Trump, ever the promoter, predicted the race could shatter attendance records since it would throw open the gates to the public, turning the National Mall and iconic monuments into a massive, free-admission grandstand for what promises to be a spectacle of speed and patriotism.

For Rahal and the rest of the paddock, this remains a bold, headline-grabbing proposal with plenty of real-world obstacles still to navigate ... but one that could deliver an unforgettable chapter in American motorsport history if the pieces fall into place. Stay tuned; the revs are just starting.

... notes from The EDJE

From Horse Race To Horsepower On Pennsylvania Avenue - Theme Song

TAGS: #IndyCar, #IndyCarOnFOX, #Indy500, #DCGrandPrix, #GrahamRahal, #TheEDJE

Will Power Embraces Daytona Sportscar GT3 Debut With Enthusiasm, High Hopes

For the second day in the row, the No.75 75 Express AMG of Kenny Habul/Maro Engel/Will Power/Chaz Mostert (1:47.612) set the best time of the day.. Image Credit: Chaz Mostert via FB/META (2026)

Will Power Embraces Daytona Sportscar GT3 Debut With Enthusiasm, High Hopes

For Will Power, the iconic banking of Daytona International Speedway has long represented unfinished business. The veteran IndyCar star, about to start in his first full campaign with Andretti Global, finally checked a major item off his personal bucket list this week, making his debut appearance at the Roar Before the Rolex 24 in the No. 75 75 Express Mercedes-AMG GT3.

Power, sharing driving duties with team owner Kenny Habul and a strong lineup, described the experience as everything he had anticipated - and more.

"I'm really enjoying it," Power said following a busy day of on-track running and fan engagement. "It's a very big event that I've wanted to do for a long time. So, really happy to be here, and doing it with Kenny Habul. We raced against each other years ago in Australia in Formula Ford and Formula Three, so we've talked about it actually for a while."

The Australian Indy500 Champion driver admitted that previous commitments and scheduling conflicts had repeatedly delayed his sports car debut at the "World Center of Racing." But after gaining valuable experience in an eight-hour race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway late last year, the timing finally aligned perfectly with Habul's program.

"I've always been a bit too late to the game of talking to teams," Power explained. "But I had that experience in Indy, so it was a lot easier to ask Kenny, 'Hey, can I run with you?' And he [Kenny Habul] immediately said, 'Yeah, absolutely'."

Will Power also praised the sprawling facility, noting its sheer scale and rich heritage in both NASCAR and sports car racing, "It's just an amazing facility. The first time I drove in here, it was just crazy how big it is. I feel Indy was big - this has got to be bigger. It's an iconic track with a lot of history."

The Mercedes-AMG GT3 machines carve through traffic on the legendary 3.56-mile road course during practice sessions at the Roar.

Competing in the Rolex 24 at Daytona will mark Will Power’s second GT3 appearance after taking part in last year’s Indianapolis 8 Hour presented by AWS. Prior to that, his only other sports car experience came in the 2003 Bathurst 24 Hours at the wheel of a Porsche 996 GT3-RS. The Australian, who also won the Indianapolis 500 in 2018, has set his sights on a debut victory, which would also mark Mercedes-AMG’s first GTD Pro class win at Daytona since 2023. Image Credit: 75 Express (2025)

Adapting from the open-wheel precision of IndyCar to the closed-cockpit world of GT3 racing has come with its challenges, though Power downplayed the difficulty.

"The first couple laps in Indianapolis felt very strange ... the amount of roll and everything," Power recalled. "But they're not that hard to drive. They're probably very difficult to extract the time out of. You've got ABS and traction control, so it requires a specific driving style."

Will Power was quick to credit the seasoned GT3 competitors around him, calling them "top-level drivers" and valuable teammates from whom to learn.

Power topped at least one GTD Pro practice session during the Roar, a result he greeted with the same satisfaction that has defined his career, even while acknowledging the gamesmanship often at play with Balance of Performance.

"Always," Power said when asked if leading a session felt good. "When you're quick, it's a nice feeling."

The 24-hour endurance format itself has brought a refreshing change of pace.

"It's really nice to get practice without pressure," Power noted. "You've only got 30 minutes, and then you're gonna qualify something. So plenty of time to get comfortable and find the limits at a slow rate. The racing will be a little bit that way as well - it's obviously 24 hours, so it takes a lot of desperation out of it."

The No. 75 75 Express Mercedes-AMG GT3 in action, highlighting the car's aggressive stance as Power and his co-drivers prepare for the Rolex 24.

Away from the track, conversation inevitably turned to Power's high-profile switch to Andretti Global for the 2026 NTT IndyCar Series season. He fielded numerous questions from fellow drivers about the team, the car, and the engine, responding with measured optimism.

"Everyone wants to know, 'What's it like, man? How's Andretti? What was the car like? What's the engine like?'" Power said with a grin. "I tell them it's a good team. These guys are gonna be tough. They've got all the ingredients to win a championship. No question. And they're very proactive ... they really want to win."

Looking ahead, Power expressed strong confidence in the program's potential. "I really believe this team will be the top team in the next three years."

For now, though, the focus remains squarely on Daytona. With the Rolex 24 At Daytona fast approaching, Will Power is savoring every lap in the Mercedes-AMG GT3, thrilled to finally compete on one of motorsport's most storied stages.

[Quotes Resource: IMSA Transcript]

... notes from The EDJE

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Amid EV Market Caution Agentic AI In Vehicles Are The Next Frontier

The relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and automobiles has been evolving for decades, transitioning from basic automation to today’s advanced self-driving technologies. This evolution has entered a new phase with the advent of AI agents that not only assist with driving but also transform how drivers and passengers interact with their vehicles. Image Credit: Google AI Alliance | Mercedes-Benz via AI Quantum (2025)

Amid EV Market Caution Agentic AI In Vehicles Are The Next Frontier

By Edmund Jenks - EVHNews - January 04, 2026

As CES 2026 kicks off in Las Vegas, the automotive spotlight shifts decisively toward "agentic AI" - systems that don't merely respond to commands but proactively make decisions, plan actions, and execute tasks on behalf of drivers. Electric Vehicle & Hybrid News (EVHNews) observes this trend with measured interest: while pure EV hardware hype has cooled amid retreating demand and uneven sales growth, AI's explosive advancement offers a compelling software layer that could breathe new life into vehicles, whether electric, hybrid, or otherwise.

What Is Agentic AI in Vehicles?

Agentic AI represents an evolution beyond traditional assistive or generative AI. These systems possess "agency" defined through the ability to autonomously perceive environments, reason about goals, adapt to changes, and act independently with minimal human oversight. In vehicles, this means shifting from rule-based automation (e.g., fixed cruise control) to intelligent agents that anticipate needs, optimize outcomes, and interact with the world in real time.

Examples include:

- Proactively rerouting to avoid traffic or low-clearance bridges while prioritizing EV charging stops.

- Managing energy efficiency by adjusting speed, climate, and route based on battery levels, weather, and driver habits.

- Enhancing advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) by predicting risks from sensors, LiDAR, and V2X communications, then adapting behavior dynamically—far beyond predefined rules.

- Acting as in-car concierges: scheduling maintenance, booking service appointments, or even negotiating vehicle purchases via interconnected agents.

Companies like Cerence are showcasing hybrid agentic platforms at CES 2026, integrating large language models (LLMs) for natural conversations, edge AI for offline reliability, and domain-specific agents for ownership and dealership experiences. Similarly, frameworks from HERE Technologies emphasize location-aware agentic systems turning raw data into proactive decisions.

Predictive maintenance utilizes historical and real-time data from vehicle systems to predict when components are
likely to fail. Key techniques include vibration analysis, oil condition monitoring, thermography, and ultrasonic testing, often integrated with telematics and IoT devices. Machine learning algorithms process this data to identify patterns indicative of impending issues, such as abnormal engine vibrations or irregular temperature fluctuations.
Image Credit: analyticsvidhya.com via Wilmar, Inc. (2024)

Real-World Applications and Examples

Agentic AI is already manifesting in prototypes and production features:

- **Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD)** → Continuously learns from fleet data to make second-by-second decisions in unpredictable urban environments.

- **BMW's predictive maintenance** → Monitors systems to forecast issues and schedule service autonomously.

- **Cerence xUI and mobile work agents** → Enable voice-first access to productivity tools while driving safely.

- Broader uses span manufacturing (optimizing assembly lines) to sales (virtual agents curating options and scheduling test drives).

LG Electronics (LG) will unveil an immersive experiential space at CES 2026 that brings the company's future mobility vision to life through Affectionate Intelligence. The exhibit invites visitors to experience firsthand how AI can reshape the driver, front-passenger and rear seating areas, reimagining the whole cabin as a more intuitive and human-centered space designed to enhance every ride. Image Credit: LG Electronics (2025)

At CES 2026, expect demonstrations from Synopsys, LG, and others highlighting agentic AI in software-defined vehicles (SDVs), where over-the-air updates evolve cars post-purchase.

AMD next-gen automotive cockpit demonstration at CES 2026, showcasing AI integration.

LG's AI-powered in-vehicle solutions displayed at CES 2026.

Sony-Honda Afeela prototype interior with advanced AI interface.

Skeptical Outlook: Promise vs. EV Market Realities

EVHNews remains cautiously optimistic. Agentic AI's growth trajectory contrasts sharply with the EV sector's 2025 retreat - U.S. sales peaked before incentive expirations, leading manufacturers like GM and Ford to pivot toward hybrids and profitable ICE vehicles. 

While agentic systems promise enhanced safety, efficiency, and recurring revenue through subscriptions, questions persist: How much control will drivers relinquish? Privacy concerns loom large with constant data flows, and real-world autonomy must navigate regulatory hurdles and ethical dilemmas.

Yet, in an era of "EV realism," agentic AI could prove salvific - making vehicles smarter and more appealing without relying solely on electrification hype. It bridges hybrids and EVs alike, potentially sustaining mobility innovation where battery demand falters.

As CES unfolds, agentic AI underscores a pivotal shift: the future of driving isn't just electric - it's decisively intelligent. Monitor EVHNews.com for updates from the show floor.

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