Showing posts with label Colton Herta. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Colton Herta. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

INDYCAR's Kyle Kirkwood Eyes Victory At Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto

Kyle Kirkwood soon after he captured the NTT P1 Pole Award for the 2025 Acura Grand Prix Of Long Beach. As stated by Kyle before AGPLB weekend, "Long Beach has been one of the best tracks for Andretti Global. I think Toronto and Detroit are starting to grow on that. Street courses in general, really, really good. Long Beach has been a top one for the team. We're always excited. That place just produces a lot of good energy with the amount of fans, et cetera, et cetera." Image Credit: Ralph Garcia (2025)

INDYCAR's Kyle Kirkwood Eyes Victory At Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto

As the NTT INDYCAR SERIES gears up for its final street course event of the 2025 season, the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto, Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood expressed high confidence during a ZOOM press conference held on Wednesday, July 16. Fresh off a challenging weekend in Iowa, the 26-year-old driver is eager to leverage his team’s street course prowess and chase a third victory of the season on the iconic streets of Toronto.

Kirkwood, who finished as the runner-up to teammate Colton Herta in last year’s Toronto race, highlighted the team’s dominance at the event in 2024. “Colton was fastest in every single session all the way up to the race,” Kirkwood noted, recalling Andretti Global’s 1-2 finish. “We had a lot of control at this place.” With two street course wins already in 2025, Kirkwood sees Toronto as a prime opportunity to close out the season’s street circuit schedule on a high note.

Motorsport Journal's Edmund Jenks asked a couple of pre-Toronto race weekend questions that went as follows:


Motorsports Journal: I know this seems to be like flogging a talking point. This is now the second year that the hybrid will be at Toronto. I wanted to get your reflection on the nuances of working the hybrid system and the re-gen and how that works out at Toronto. Do you feel it gives you any advantages?

KYLE KIRKWOOD: Certainly it's a new aspect for drivers and teams to get right. It's created in no doubts some headaches for us trying to figure it out. The good team does it well, right? I think we did it really well last year. We clearly got a handle on it.

This year I haven't seen numbers, but I'm sure they increase the energy limit that you can have for a given lap. That means we will need to change up the strategy a little bit so you can utilize it the best way.

It's still a work in progress, we're still building, figuring out as much as we can about the system.

Honestly, I love it. I think it's a good thing that there's something new in the series and we're building on it and we have to focus on it. It is worth quite a bit of lap time to get it right.

It is very driver-involved. Yes, the team can get it right, they can tell me what to do, but if I don't get it right in the car, if I do something wrong, that means I'm hurting everybody in general, right?

It's created a fun dynamic that the team has to figure it out, then the driver still has to apply it and learn how to use it themselves.

Now we're, what, a year and a bit in since we first had it. I'd say we've gotten a really good handle on it and it will be interesting to see how it plays out this weekend with the added energy.

Motorsports Journal: You seem to do really well with street courses, hybrid and everything. Seems like you have it all melded in. Good drivers love to watch other good drivers do well. You want to applaud them, recognizing how a season like Alex Palou is having, you have to applaud it because it is so tremendous. How much super glue will it take to keep him out about two races so that this becomes a points race again?

KYLE KIRKWOOD: He's really strong. I don't know. You might have to weld him to something. I'm not sure if super glue is going to stop him.

I'm sure we can get a bunch of drivers together to lock him in a room or something for a weekend. I don't think that's going to do much in this championship race.

Motorsports Journal: It's going to take ... some violence?

KYLE KIRKWOOD: Again, to your point, as racing drivers, we like to see each other succeed. Of course, we don't want to see failures within ourselves. In some ways when somebody's doing something like Palou has done, it's an incredible thing. I think maybe the viewers don't recognize as much as they should of what somebody like that is doing in this series.

In most case scenarios, what we've done this season prior to Iowa would be an amazing championship run. We'd be leading the championship in most seasons. This season he's just done something incredible, right?

I think people shouldn't look at it as a negative, like it's making it boring. That's not the case. What you're witnessing is greatness in action. We're doing everything we can to try and come back to him, which we've done a good job to do, but it still hasn't been enough.

Yeah, it's incredible. So in many ways, yeah, it would be nice if he took a couple weekends off and we can come back to him. You know what, I love racing. I think he's a wonderful person. I hope we have a lot of good races in the future with each other.
ENDS

While Kyle Kirkwood enters INDY Toronto at P4 (-180 points) in the season championship points race with only five more races to run, Kyle hope to stand atop the podium and spray champagne as he did here at the season's most admired street race weekend on the streets of Long Beach as it celebrated its 50th year of "Rites Of Spring" motorsports contest. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks - Motorsports Journal (2025)

Representing this weekend with Silver Gold Bull (full livery on track), a Canadian company partnered with Andretti Global, Kirkwood expressed enthusiasm for the alignment. “It’s a cool alliance,” he said. “This clearly makes a ton of sense for them given that it is in Canada. It will be exciting to try to go for another win with them.” The partnership, now over a year strong, adds extra motivation for Kirkwood to perform in front of the Canadian crowd.


Despite a disappointing outing in Iowa, where a crash and a poorly timed caution derailed his weekend, Kirkwood remains undeterred. “Last weekend was an anomaly for us,” he admitted, acknowledging the 180-point gap to championship leader Alex Palou. “That seems unattainable from this point, but as long as it’s mathematically possible to beat him, we’re going to keep trying to get wins.” Kirkwood emphasized the importance of moving forward, focusing on Toronto’s potential to be Andretti’s “best event of the year.”

The Toronto street circuit, with its unique blend of different pavements and slick conditions, presents a challenge Kirkwood likened to a hockey rink. “Every corner gives you a different balance,” he said. “It’s a fun place to drive… It seems impossible to pass, but you get on the front or back straight, and it creates really good passing opportunities.” Andretti’s strong track record at street courses like Long Beach, St. Petersburg, Detroit, and Toronto fuels Kirkwood’s optimism, with the team’s data-driven preparation and simulator work setting the stage for a competitive weekend.

Kirkwood also reflected on the team’s progress under the leadership of owner Dan Towriss. “Dan and everyone around him has kind of taken the bull by the horns,” he said, playfully nodding to Silver Gold Bull. “That is the reason why we’ve been good at so many races this season.” Towriss’s hands-on approach, including strategic meetings to bolster the team’s championship aspirations, has elevated Andretti Global’s performance, making them a “force to be reckoned with.”

The dynamic within the Andretti driver lineup - Kirkwood, Herta, and Marcus Ericsson - further strengthens their prospects. “We love to see each other succeed,” Kirkwood said, dismissing any notions of rivalry. “We share it all. That’s what propels us forward.” This collaborative spirit was evident in last year’s Toronto race, where the team prioritized a 1-2 finish over individual glory.

Looking ahead, Kirkwood acknowledged the strategic challenges posed by the extended race distance and the limitations of the alternate street course tire, which offers high grip but limited durability. “Getting nailed down, trying to run the best strategy with that, hoping it’s not a lottery… We’re going to try to turn what might be a challenge hopefully into a positive for us,” he said.

Beyond the track, Kirkwood expressed his affection for Toronto, praising its culture, food, and vibrant atmosphere. “I love going to Toronto,” he said. “The city is great. The food is phenomenal. It’s definitely high on the bucket list.” With dinner plans at some of the city’s top restaurants, Kirkwood is set to enjoy the off-track experience as much as the on-track action.

As the only international race on the INDYCAR calendar, Toronto holds a special place, though Kirkwood deferred to series officials on the prospect of adding more global events. “I love the races that we go to now,” he said. “I don’t understand the dynamics or anything that goes into racing at a new venue out of the country.”

With his sights set on a P1 finish, Kirkwood’s preparation blends rigorous data analysis with the physical demands of an athlete. “It’s important that you feed yourself like an athlete because you want to perform like an athlete,” he said, underscoring the sport’s intensity. After a season of highs, like his Detroit win, and lows, like Iowa, Kirkwood views Toronto as a potential turning point to finish the 2025 season strong.


As Andretti Global rolls into Toronto with unmatched confidence, Kirkwood and his teammates are poised to capitalize on their street course dominance. With the support of Silver Gold Bull and the leadership of Dan Towriss, Kirkwood aims to add another chapter to Andretti’s storied history at Exhibition Place, proving that even in a season dominated by Alex Palou, Andretti Global remains a formidable contender.

... notes from The EDJE

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TAGS: Kyle Kirkwood, Andretti Global, Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto, NTT INDYCAR SERIES, Street Course, Silver Gold Bull, Colton Herta, Dan Towriss, Toronto Street Circuit, INDYCAR 2025, Alex Palou, Team Dynamics, Championship Race, Iowa Crash, Detroit Win, The EDJE

Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Expectations Run High For Competition On The Streets Of The 50th Acura Grand Prix Of Long Beach

Pato O'Ward leads the field of 27 Dallara DW12 Hybrid-Powered NTT INDYCARs through Turn 1 in the beginning of 65 laps on the combined South Palm (where Pitlane and the front straight away are located) and North Palm courses create a decent 3+ mile challenge. In this image, Alex Palou who had qualified P3 seems to be getting the best of Christian Lundgaard who qualified P2 following in just behind Pato O'Ward, the P1 Pole sitter. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks - Motorsports Journal (2025)

Expectations Run High For Competition On The Streets Of The 50th Acura Grand Prix Of Long Beach

As the 2025 17 Race event NTT INDYCAR SERIES Championship season heads into its third race, the 50th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend held from Friday, April 11 through to raceday Sunday, April 13, here's what to expect from the top drivers based on their performances in the first two races of this season.

Alex Palou, the reigning champion, has kicked off the 2025 season in dominant fashion, becoming the first driver since teammate Scott Dixon in 2020 to win the opening two races. With victories at St. Petersburg on March 2 and The Thermal Club last Sunday, Palou is the man to beat. Despite leading just 39 of 165 laps, his ability to maximize results has him firmly atop the Drivers To Notice list. Expect Palou to be the favorite at Long Beach, where his consistency and racecraft could extend his unbeaten streak, especially if tire compound strategy comes in to play. At The Thermal Club, Chip Ganassi Racing decided to start the race on used Alternate soft compound REDS, then Black Primary, Black Primary, and finish on a set of new Alternate REDS - passing both Arrow McLaren drivers in the final stint..

Pato O’Ward has emerged as Palou’s closest challenger. After a stunning drive from P23 to P11 at St. Petersburg and a commanding performance at The Thermal Club - where he earned pole, led 51 laps, but finished P2 with four tire stints of REDS, Blacks, Blacks, and Blacks - O’Ward is hitting his stride. His momentum and raw speed make him a serious threat at Long Beach, where he could challenge Palou for the win and solidify his case as the series’ second-best driver.


Christian Lundgaard, in his first season with Arrow McLaren, has shown immediate promise. A P5 to P8 run at St. Petersburg and a P2 to P3 effort at The Thermal Club, including 23 laps led, signal his potential. Long Beach’s tight streets could suit his precision, and a podium - or better - feels within reach as he adapts to his new team.

Felix Rosenqvist brings confidence into Long Beach after a P3 to P7 result at St. Petersburg and a P9 to P5 charge at The Thermal Club. Having earned pole at this event last year, Rosenqvist knows how to navigate the iconic circuit. Expect him to be in the mix for a top-five finish, if not a podium.

Colton Herta has the pace but needs execution. A front-row start at St. Petersburg yielded only P16 after a slow pit stop, but he rebounded with a P4 finish from fourth on the grid at The Thermal Club. Long Beach has historically been kind to Herta, and if his team sharpens its strategy, he could be a contender for the podium.

Scott Dixon, the defending Long Beach winner, remains a factor despite a quieter start. A runner-up P2 finish at St. Petersburg showed his championship pedigree, though an P11 to P10 run at The Thermal Club was less inspiring. With six titles and a knack for Long Beach success, expect Dixon to drive his focus and challenge for a top finish on a track he knows well.

Kyle Kirkwood has been steady, opening with a P9 to P5 drive at St. Petersburg and holding a P8 at The Thermal Club. His consistency is notable, but he’ll need a breakout performance to crack the elite at Long Beach. A top-five is possible if he capitalizes on his strong starts.

Team Penske's "Thirsty Threes" ended up parched in the desert sun as Scott McLaughlin (and the rest of Team Penske) never got out of Round 1 in Knock-Out Qualifications and in the race suffered from failures in the new Hybrid-Powered Chevrolet engine unit. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks - Motorsports Journal (2025)

Scott McLaughlin’s season has been a tale of two races. He led 40 laps and finished fourth at St. Petersburg - losing the lead based upon the timing of the mandatory tire usage change - but struggled mightily at The Thermal Club, qualifying an uncharacteristic P25 and finishing P27 (last) as the Motor Generator Unit (MGU) began to overheat. Long Beach offers a chance to rebound, and his qualifying prowess could put him back in contention if he avoids trouble.

Will Power's drive from P21 to P6 was masterclass and a potential season saving weekend for his chances of being in the Championship conversation by season's end. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks - Motorsports Journal (2025)

Will Power’s resilience stands out after a first-lap crash left him P26 at St. Petersburg. Team Penske's poor qualifications at Thermal had his car start P21, but a caution-to-the-wind tire strategy of Blacks, REDS, REDS, and REDS had him climb his way back challenging for P5 but ran out of laps to settle at P6. This drive by Will at The Thermal Club was Team Penske’s best result so far two races in. Power’s experience at Long Beach could see him climb higher, likely targeting a top-five to kickstart his season.

ECR's Alexander Rossi, on REDS, leaves the pits with a FOX Sports TV drone chasing in upper left of the image, with the grandstands in the far South background. Rossi's No. 20 JAVA HOUSE liveried Dallara DW12 Chevrolet may be the most pleasing on the grid this season. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks - Motorsports Journal (2025)

Alexander Rossi, new to Ed Carpenter Racing's newly financed and restructured team (follow link to 2/3rds down in article of ZOOM Call press conference), has started solidly with a P10 at St. Petersburg and a P9 at The Thermal Club. His consistency is encouraging, and while he’s not yet in victory contention, a top-10 finish at Long Beach seems a realistic expectation as he builds with his new team.

With Palou setting the season's pace and a hungry field behind him, the 50th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach promises extreme Hybrid-Powered intense competition. Tune in at 4:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 13, on over-the-air FOX TV (check local listings), the Fox Sports app, or the INDYCAR Radio Network to see who can rise to the challenge on this concluding West coast swing weekend.

... notes from The EDJE

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TAGS: 50th Acura Grand Prix Of Long Beach, #AGPLB, #INDYCAR, 50th Anniversary, #OTA, FOX Network, #FOXSports Christian Lundgaard, Alexander Rossi, Colton Herta, Scott McLaughlin, Will Power, Thirsty Threes, The EDJE

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

INDYCAR HARVEST GP 2-Race Weekend Brings A Cooler Challenge For Pagenaud, Power, & Herta

Will Power is looking forward to racing in the INDYCAR Harvest GP, a track he has won on three times before, matched only by his teammate Simon Pagenaud. Power said he believes his success at the IMS GP track boils down to his qualifying, an area of mastery. Power has 60 INDYCAR poles, just seven shy of tying Mario Andretti’s record of 67. Each of Power’s wins on the IMS road course have come from the pole. "For me, generally if I qualify on pole at that track, we have a great shot of winning, and that’s been the case for me every time except this last one," Power said. "I can’t really put my finger on why that is the case, but some tracks favor you a little, maybe it’s the way the strategy works out, maybe it’s the fact you can use your raw pace." Image above, Will Power - salvages 2020 season with a win at Mid-Ohio's Honda Indy 200 Race 1 - Sept. 12, 2020. Image Credit: Matt Fraver via NICS (2020)

INDYCAR HARVEST GP 2-Race Weekend Brings A Cooler Challenge For Pagenaud, Power, & Herta

To some, open-wheel racing in October during NFL Football season is a crime against Humanity ... especially with the previous owner of the INDYCAR SERIES. It is tough to compete when the series owners are more concerned about their skybox seats and relationships with team owners than watching cars buzz around a track with temperatures dropping down into the 50's and lower. This just isn't the meaning of Fall.

Bring in a disruptive pandemic health event, a change of ownership and a reactive salvation from a planned 17 race season, to a possible 9 or 10 race season, then rebuild it back to a 14 race season through a series of 2-Race weekends at supporting and series owned tracks, then, voila, October 1-3, 2020 plays host to the aptly nicknamed INDYCAR "Pumpkin Spice" Grand Prix on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.


NTT IndyCar Series News Conference - Tuesday, September 29, 2020 - Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

Currently P4 In Championship - Colton Herta, Andretti Harding Steinbrenner Racing

Currently P5 In Championship - Will Power, Team Penske

Currently P8 In Championship - Simon Pagenaud, Team Penske

THE MODERATOR: Good morning. Welcome to today's NTT INDYCAR Series video news conference featuring three drivers who will race this weekend in the INDYCAR Harvest GP at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

We're pleased to be joined by Simon Pagenaud and Will Power from Team Penske, and Colton Herta from Andretti Harding Steinbrenner Racing.

Colton, you're the most recent winner in the NTT INDYCAR Series, winning the front pole at Mid-Ohio. Indianapolis has been a place where you've had success in the junior formula and finished fourth in July. What are your expectations heading into a doubleheader this weekend?

COLTON HERTA: Definitely keep the momentum from Mid-Ohio and try to win. If you want to try to get Newgarden, second in the championship, we're going to have to have two good races. He's a little bit ahead, so we might need a little bit of help from him. If we can win both races, that will definitely help our chances.

THE MODERATOR: Will, you started on the pole there, won at IMS three times. What is it about the IMS road course that seems to suit your style pretty well?

WILL POWER: It's a pretty straightforward track. But every corner sequence, it's quite technical. There's a lot of compromise in there. I kind of like that stuff.

Yeah, I mean, it's just another track that I enjoy. All pretty good for me. Yeah, I can't put my finger on why I've won there three times. I think being fast is one of them.

THE MODERATOR: How important is it to try to end the season on a strong point, try to maybe grab top three in the championship?

WILL POWER: Yeah, that's obviously the goal, try to finish in the top three. More just looking at race wins honestly. The whole championship thing, I mean, I'm only interested in contending for a championship win. Other places don't really mean anything to me.

Trying to get wins, that's all I'm aiming for. I mean, do my absolute best honestly, not even aim for wins. Just get the most out of myself every weekend.

Three time IMS GP event winner Simon Pagenaud on racing the IMS road course the first time - “I grew up at a racetrack that’s quite similar in terms of driving technique, that racetrack was only 20 minutes from my home, and that’s where I learned to drive a car,” Pagenaud said. “I was very well suited to (IMS) because it suited my driving style and therefore it was working together very well. I felt at home right away. I didn’t have to search too far on my driving side to produce lap time. Those are the fun times in racing.”  Image Credit: Chris Owen via NICS (2020)

THE MODERATOR: Simon, you also are a three-time winner at the IMS road course. 20th to third in July. It's a completely different race in October than July with temperatures being probably 40 degrees cooler ambient. What do you expect from the weekend?

SIMON PAGENAUD: Well, of course it's an interesting dynamic. Hasn't been the greatest season. We've had a streak of bad races, starting in Indianapolis Speedway, unfortunately. So the season didn't develop as we wanted.

Certainly right now we're honing in on what the car needs in terms of setup. That's super exciting. We've got three races to go. For us, it's about winning, quite frankly winning races, nothing else.

The other goal is to understand the car the best we can for next year, come out of the gate next year to win the first race and go on and try to fight for the championship.

Different dynamic than last year for sure. We were in the championship. This year it's going to be about, like Will said, doing the best, just extracting the best out of yourself and the car. Also really understanding, that's what I'm aiming for.

THE MODERATOR: We'll open it up for questions for any of the drivers.

Q. When the whole thing starts off with one driver taking the first three races, a truncated season of 14 races, kind of sets the bar in a weird way. Everybody is struggling. There's been some really great driving. I would like to hear what your experiences have been driving with the new rookies that are out there.

SIMON PAGENAUD: Yeah, you're absolutely right. There's been a lot of great driving. Colton was winning in Mid-Ohio. Pato has been tremendous in a lot of races. The young guys coming up, it's interesting to see them, how they handle their cars.

Like you said, there's been difficulties for everybody. Some, like Scott Dixon, managed to get the best out of tough situations. Wish we could have done the same, but we didn't. Try to focus and go forward.

Definitely new race format, new qualifying format. Very different season. No testing, which I personally love going testing for improvement. I'm missing that. I hope we can go testing very soon.

WILL POWER: Yeah, the rookies again this year have been very impressive. Alex Palou, Pato who is not a rookie but pretty much is. They're all quick. Rinus VeeKay. I know I'm missing one there, I feel bad. There's one other guy who is really fast.

Yeah, they've been very impressive with the limited running we have. The field just seems to get tougher every year. Get these young guys in, barely 20, and already right on the pace. Have 20 years of racing ahead of them.

It's good. I love racing against the young guys. I even go back and I'll race karts against the 15, 16-year-old guys just to embarrass myself amongst some aggressive, fast kids.

Yeah, it's good to see.

Q. Colton, you were one of the young guns coming up. Now you're established in the field. How has it been going side-by-side with the rookies?

COLTON HERTA: No, it's been nice. I think for a lot of my career, I grew up racing against a lot of these guys anyway through karting. This isn't really new for me with this rookie class.

Yeah, I think like the guys have said, it just seems like the series is getting tougher and tougher. Another really good crop of rookies. Definitely makes you work harder. You know there's a lot of guys coming in that are really fast and can take your seat. Yeah, definitely makes you work really hard.

I think it is impressive. Especially with the limited running time that we have, just one practice for a lot of the weekends, it is impressive to see they've gotten right on the pace. Who knows, maybe they will be even better next year when we have a lot more running time.

Q. I know with the two races on the IMS road course this weekend, we have a couple different race distances. You don't want to necessarily give too much away. Just with those two distances, how do you feel that could have a chance to shake things up as far as strategy?

COLTON HERTA: I don't even know the distances, so it's probably someone else's question.

WILL POWER: I think it's going to be pretty straightforward honestly. I think the longer race will be a three-stop and the shorter will be a two-stop. Yeah, kind of mixes things up.

Yeah, I guess it's good because everyone learns on the first day what the best strategy is. So having two different race lengths keeps everyone guessing. Might make the racing a little better.

SIMON PAGENAUD: I join Will on that. It's a really great point. In Iowa, for example, on our team we had a strategy starting from the back. Even before the yellow came out, we were already back to the front.

On the second day, actually use that strategy, so we can come back as quickly to the front. We ended up being more in traffic. I thought that was super interesting to see. Obviously everybody is paying attention to strategies. But that could be changing the format for the second race, probably (indiscernible). I think it's good for racing.

Any time something unexpected happens, makes the racing more exciting in some ways. Yeah, I would agree with Will 100%.

Q. Cooler temperatures than in July. A lot of times when the road course race is held in May, it's fairly cool. What type of race do you think we'll see with the cooler temperatures, hopefully drier conditions?

WILL POWER: Yeah, I think the track will be a lot faster. There will be less deg, more horsepower basically. It's really difficult to actually say what effect it will have on racing. Maybe the racing will be similar, honestly. I think the cars will just be a little easier to drive, more downforce in the cool temps.

SIMON PAGENAUD: Yeah, definitely be less physical, as well. The heat personally was excruciating in the first Indy Grand Prix. The Harvest one should be a lot easier physically speaking. Should allow the driver to be 100% as well, all of us. I expect that to be a bit different.

Now, I don't know about the race, if it's going to change anything, like Will said. Might make the out lap more exciting because tires are colder. Something to watch there, yeah. Less degradation on the tires, for sure, faster cars, faster pace.

COLTON HERTA: I'm not really sure what it will do for the racing. I think there's a possibility that guys will try different downforce options if it's that much cooler. This is a place you can sometimes get away with trimming if it's a little bit cooler because how long the straights are, no major high-speed corners. It might be interesting in the race to see what people go for with downforce options that might open up the passing a little bit.

Q. Back in December, Chip Simmons predicted at this time a year ago to now, meaning now, everybody will be talking about how great the racing is and not about the Aeroscreen. Do you think we're at that point yet?

WILL POWER: Yeah, it's honestly been a difficult year because people haven't had much track time. You are kind of running on the go.

Yeah, I believe everyone's become pretty immune to the Aeroscreen. I think it looks really good from the side angle. Obviously the front angle it's a little bit wide. I think, yeah, it's going to be the normal look in INDYCAR. I think if we see one without a screen, it's going to look kind of strange.

SIMON PAGENAUD: I mean, it's just a different format this year. Again, like I just said, are we completely used to it in terms of setups? No, personally on our car I think we still have a long way to go on setup to be very happy with how the car handle. So we're not there yet.

Some of that is due to lack of time. Even less practices at the racetrack doesn't allow you to make much changes. You just show up. If you unload quick, then you stay there all weekend. If you are not too quick, you can't make big changes because you don't want to get lost. That's really what happened this year for everybody, I imagine.

But in terms of driving comforts, like we talked about, INDYCAR has improved the cooling. We've also been lucky with not really hot races yet. In terms of safety, we've seen it. It's been amazing. Thanks to INDYCAR for protecting the drivers and making sure that we are still the pioneer in safety going forward.

COLTON HERTA: Yeah, I'd agree with Will and Simon. I think it's hard to say relatively what the racing has been like this year because of how little practice, I think very few guys get it right on a weekend. Maybe that tops three or four guys that kind of break away from the pack, got it right on that weekend.

It's hard to say relative to any year if the racing is better or not. I think we have had good races at some places and others haven't been so great. I think that's an aftereffect of what we're allowed to do in a COVID situation practice-wise, trying to get as much track time as we can.

I don't necessarily think that's an effect of the Aeroscreen, though.

Q. Is this one of the more challenging championships you have ever been a part of with all the uncertainty you've had this season?

WILL POWER: Yeah, I think what was challenging about it was not knowing exactly what races were coming, when they would be to prepare for them, the lack of testing.

But I actually don't mind the short weekends. We only have an hour to get it right. I feel like I can get on top of it pretty quickly. I've kind of enjoyed the short weekends, kind of wonder if INDYCAR will look at that and think, Well, maybe we don't need these three-day weekends, get it done in two anyway, have a lot less practice, just get on with the weekend next year with a normal schedule.

SIMON PAGENAUD: Yeah, I found it just, like Will said, challenging in the ways you didn't know really, like Mid-Ohio, what was going to happen when it got canceled.

For any athletes, I think you prepare yourself mentally, even though it's just subconscious sometimes. You prepare physically and mentally for an event. When the event gets canceled, it's on to the next one. All of a sudden you have to reshuffle your ideas.

There's a whole preparation with the race team also, communication with your engineer on preparation going into the weekend, what is going to be the practice like, what is the race going to be like, what you need.

All that has been really kind of shaky this year. 'Adjustments' has been the king word of the year, I would say. Challenging for sure. Different, absolutely. Yeah, just have to deal with it, I guess.

COLTON HERTA: It's definitely been really challenging. I think, like they alluded to, you always kind of physically and mentally are preparing yourself, whether that be in the gym or on the sim, doing prep work with your engineers. So it's tough when you kind of have these (indiscernible) and go weekends where you don't really know if they're going to happen, you don't know the next race on the schedule.

But I also do like the weekends being a little bit shorter. Like Will, I think it's a good thing. I think if you're a professional racing driver, you have to be able to get on top of it. An hour session should be plenty of time to get up to speed in a race car.

Yeah, I do like that. I particularly like it more for the short ovals. Maybe there's a chance we can do more doubleheaders, one-day or two-day events on the shorter ovals.

Me personally, I really like the full weekends on the road courses.

Q. Obviously the top two goals for a season would be Indy 500 and championship. This year at this point it's kind of chasing down second now. Do you embrace swinging for the fences this weekend? How do you balance that and trying to stay in the top five of a championship?

COLTON HERTA: I mean, I think if you're not going for the championship, you're kind of mindset is to win races. That's really the mindset. Obviously don't overextend it and throw a good result away. I have a little bit to lose.

Obviously we need to do well. If we really do want to get second place in the championship, we need to win another race. I think we do need a little bit of help from Josef on this weekend.

But, yeah, like I said, if you're not really in the championship, I think the goal for everyone should be to win races. That's what we're going to try and do. Try to get on pole, just like Mid-Ohio, then be able to lead the whole thing.

WILL POWER: I mean, I do the same thing every weekend, doesn't matter the situation. Unless you're truly points racing, all you have to do is cover the guy you're racing the points with. You're just trying to execute the perfect weekend. Everyone understands the goal. The whole field are going there with one goal in mind. They're just focusing, trying to get the most out of it.

There's no real benefit for going for a big move or something that's 50/50. It just never works out.

SIMON PAGENAUD: Yeah, I mean, for me it's a bit of a different approach I guess. Obviously if we manage to get the car where we wanted it to be, go for the win, execute, like Will said. Obviously if we execute as a team, we should be in contention to win the race. One goes after the other.

But to me and to my engineer and my 22 team, the goal is thinking about championship next year already. Considering the lack of testing, really want to understand what we need for next year. We'll take some risk on setup choices and hope that it works. If it doesn't, then we revert back and try to do the best we can. That's really our goal at this point, think about 2021 as well.

Q. Colton, obviously this weekend you have Hinch back in the car, also for St. Pete. How beneficial is that for you given he's got the experience of being with you guys this season, given that it's a truncated schedule, but also coming off the back of the momentum from the last race in Mid-Ohio?

COLTON HERTA: Yeah, I really like working with Hinch. I think a lot of guys know he's a great driver, deserves to be in INDYCAR. It's nice that he's back.

I think as far as setup-wise, I think he's really good at setting up a car. His feedback was really important in Indy. I think you can sometimes get it where, like, maybe a teammate likes to set their car up a different way. You try their setup changes and it doesn't work out for you. I found the very opposite for me and Hinch. I think it was very compatible.

He really did do an amazing job with the car in setting itself up in May. I could use a lot of his ideas and things from his car that kind of transferred right over to my car. I felt the same exact balance.

Q. Similar driving style?

COLTON HERTA: Yeah, yeah, exactly.

Q. With the momentum going forward from Mid-Ohio, anything you can take from that into this weekend?

COLTON HERTA: I think just a bit of relief that we got the win in this year. I think it's important for me to win at least once a year. I think for a lot of guys, they feel the same way. It was nice to get that win done, kind of take it off my shoulders, kind of push forward.

Q. Will and Simon, I spoke to Josef yesterday about Helio coming back in. What are your thoughts on that? Are you going to have any advice for him? Josef said he's probably going to be a bit rusty.

WILL POWER: I think it's great that he's able to run in INDYCAR again. It will be really interesting to see how he goes because he's been in a sports car, which is quite a different animal to drive. He has a lot of experience, very quick driver.

I hope he does really well. I hope he does real well.

SIMON PAGENAUD: I don't think Helio ever gets rusty quite frankly. He's fast as hell. I've seen him obviously as my teammate in sports cars. He's been putting the car on the poles more often than ever.

Q. He won at the weekend, as well.

SIMON PAGENAUD: He won three races in a row. He's super excited to be back in INDYCAR. That is what he loves. It's different for us. He's not going to be our teammate. We love having him with us because he brings that energy.

Yeah, I wish him good luck. Hope he doesn't do too well. Yeah, he's going to be just fine. Obviously McLaren Schmidt team is really good. Should be in really good shape this weekend.

Q. The championship for you guys is difficult. As you alluded to, you're kind of focusing on 2021.

SIMON PAGENAUD: Yeah, I think like I said we're going to do some aggressive setup change that we think should go in the right direction. Obviously it's not just like throw a dart and try it. It's something that we think might be interesting for the future. We'll try it. We'll see. If it's in the right direction, we stick with it. If not, we revert back. Like Will said, basically extract the best out of the weekend.

Like Colton said, there's a few things I'm looking for in the car that we haven't really been there yet. It's not far. Should be an exciting weekend for those reasons.

Q. Will, is it the same for you, almost like a test session?

WILL POWER: Yeah, not really. I mean, I'm approaching it like a normal weekend, like I would any weekend. Try to get the car in the window, I guess preempt as much as we can on setup to what direction we think it will go with the cool weather, kind of evolve what we had earlier in the year at that track.

Just the normal progression of trying to get the car in a window. I think it was obvious to us that we needed to improve the car a little bit from what we had back in May, I can't remember exactly when it was, but earlier in the year.

Q. A lot of running at the IMS this season. Next season you might be doing something similar. Are there any changes you'd like to see for the Indy GP weekend in terms of track layout?

COLTON HERTA: I think I would love to maybe see -- I think you could do it each day, do a different track each day where you can have the turn one like the Formula 1 cars used to use, I think that might make overtaking a little bit better. The other day you can do the normal track. You can practice on the normal track, run it Sunday, shouldn't be a huge adjustment to run the track Sunday. It should be easy flat out for these cars, so...

WILL POWER: Actually, I agree. I actually was going to suggest it to Roger. You change the track from one day to the next, do exactly what Colton said, which is open up turn one of the oval. I think that would create actually a lot more passing.

I don't know with Firestone, we have to change the tire, like they had issues in Formula 1 for the long-loaded banked corner. But, yeah, I think that would be quite interesting.

SIMON PAGENAUD: I don't care (laughter). I really don't care. You ask that question, I was like, Well, okay, whatever they decide quite frankly. I have zero opinion on it. I drive whatever they give me. Love just being at the Speedway. Whatever the track is, it's going to be fine.

Q. What do you think about doing more off-season iRacing? Would you like to see INDYCAR put something together like they had done back in March, April, May?

WILL POWER: Definitely not.

COLTON HERTA: Yeah. I was going to say the same thing.

WILL POWER: Drives me crazy. I don't miss that at all. I guess it was fun, it was good for the series to be able to do it virtually. But, man, it consumes so much time. It becomes very frustrating.

I think iRacing is great. I think they've created an awesome product. Man, if they have the series in the off-season, I won't be doing it. Consumes way too much time.

SIMON PAGENAUD: I enjoyed it. I thought it was fun. Brought competition home, which was cool personally. I liked actually spending the hours, something I enjoy. I thought that was cool.

Obviously iRacing is a great product. Also raced the 24 Hours? Colton, did you do the 24 Hours?

COLTON HERTA: No, no way.

WILL POWER: 24 Hours, man, you're crazy. I could not sit there doing that.

SIMON PAGENAUD: It was fun. It was fun.

I hope that INDYCAR is going to work on having the official game though someday. It's great to see the F1 game come out every year, the new car, livery, sponsors, all the drivers. It's a great reach, right, for the youth and also anybody that is interested in racing. It's just great to have a video game, just like NBA players or NHL. It would be amazing.

I don't know. I don't know what the future hold. I really hope that INDYCAR is going to have its official game someday.

THE MODERATOR: That is all the time we have today with our three drivers. We thank them for their time, wish them the best of luck this weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
[ht: FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports]

This two race test weekend event (starting Thursday Oct. 1, 2020 with Practice and Qualifying) may actually live up to its nickname of the INDYCAR Pumpkin Spice Grand Prix. The inside prediction of the series points championship for this Wuhan Virus health event truncated 14 race season may be decided in the favor of points leader Scott Dixon (by 72 points over Team Penske's Josef Newgarden) gaining his historic Sixth (6th) NTT INDYCAR SERIES Championship leaving only one driver to have secured more championships - AJ Foyt at Seven (7).

INDYCAR HARVEST GP SCHEDULE:

Thursday, Oct. 1
2:25 p.m.: Practice (INDYCAR Pass on NBC Sports Gold)
6:20 p.m.: Race 1 qualifying (INDYCAR Pass on NBC Sports Gold)

Friday, Oct. 2
3:30 p.m.: Race 1 (USA Network)

Saturday, Oct. 3
10:20 a.m.: Race 2 qualifying (INDYCAR Pass on NBC Sports Gold)
2:30 p.m.: Race 2 (NBC)
All action carried on the Pennzoil INDYCAR Radio Network 

... notes from The EDJE




TAGS: NTT INDYCAR SERIES, INDYCAR Harvest GP Presented by GM R, Simon Pagenaud, Will Power, Team Penske, Colton Herta, Andretti Harding Steinbrenner Autosport, Chevrolet, Honda, Firestone, Pumpkin Spice, The EDJE

Thursday, February 27, 2020

Audacious Brand Campaign Showcases What It Takes To Compete In The NTT INDYCAR SERIES

Pato O'Ward (Mexico), Colton Herta (USA), Josef Newgarden (USA). Alexander Rossi (USA). Simon Pagenaud (France), & Scott Dixon (New Zealand) are shown from left to right as just a few of the great competitors that will fill the field in the most dynamic professional racing series on the planet Earth. Image Credit: NICS (2020)

Audacious Brand Campaign Showcases What It Takes To Compete In The NTT INDYCAR SERIES

INDYCAR unveiled its brand campaign - "A Different Breed" - for the 2020 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season that showcases the extraordinary mindset of its athletes and features narration by Academy Award-winning actor Matt Damon.

"A Different Breed" was created in partnership with Chicago-based agency Schafer Condon Carter (SCC) to convey the distinctive mental, emotional and physical strength required to excel as an INDYCAR driver. These athletes - whether 39-year-old, five-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Scott Dixon or 19-year-old rising star Colton Herta - have the ambition and drive to harness a carbon-fiber rocket at speeds that can reach 240 miles per hour while always aware that the smallest miscue can change everything.

The newly aeroscreened (safety feature added beginning this season) orange and black liveried Arrow McLaren SP Dallara as driven by Pato O'Ward during the first open testing day scheduled at Circuit of the Americas. Image Credit: Getty Images via NICS (2020)

"Fearless and aggressive by nature, our athletes push the limits of speed and possibility every single lap of every single race," INDYCAR President Jay Frye said. "This campaign reflects both the skills and intangibles that set them apart, giving fans an up-close and personal look at what it takes to be an INDYCAR driver."

Video content for "A Different Breed" focuses on the athletes' unique skill set and mentality as described by Damon, the 2019 Indianapolis 500 honorary starter. He witnessed the breath-taking capabilities and fearlessness of INDYCAR athletes while standing atop the flagstand for nearly 40 of the 200 laps of one of the world's most iconic races.

The video features several NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers, including Dixon, Herta, two-time series champion Josef Newgarden, 2019 Indy 500 winner and former series champ Simon Pagenaud, 2016 Indy 500 winner Alexander Rossi and 20-year-old emerging talent Patricio O'Ward. Click here to view A Different Breed.

Promotional image for 45 East event scheduled in Portland Oregon - June 22, 2019

In addition to narration by Damon, DJ/producer MAKJ lends an original song - "Green Light" - to the campaign. MAKJ, a fan of the sport and former professional racer, has collaborated with some of today's most talented artists, including Steve Aoki, Tinashe, O.T. Genesis and Lil Jon. He also has played some of the most prestigious music festivals including Coachella, Voodoo, Electric Zoo and Ultra.

"INDYCAR racing is the ultimate expression of audacious athleticism," said David Selby, Co-Chairman of SCC. "The drivers are among the most courageous and committed athletes in the world - a different breed for sure... our goal was to celebrate them and introduce them to new fans."

The campaign's video content is complemented by dramatic still images energized with a shock of color to contrast the black-and-white heroic images. The campaign style and multiple-driver approach provides the flexibility to seamlessly tailor the creative to the needs of various stakeholders and partners in the sport.


INDYCAR tasked SCC with identifying a young, rising director to capture the true voice of the campaign and selected Logan Cascia. As the founder, director and DP of Los Angeles-based Cascia Films, he has produced work that includes Emmy and Peabody award-winning television features, commercials and film festival premieres.

UPDATED - "A Different Breed"

Check out the amazing athletes of "A Different Breed" when the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season opens Sunday, March 15 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla. (3 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network).
(ht: NICS)

... notes from The EDJE




TAGS: 2020, NTT, INDYCAR, SERIES, Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, NBC, NBCSN, Pato O'Ward, Colton Herta, Josef Newgarden. Alexander Rossi. Simon Pagenaud, Scott Dixon, Logan Cascia, MAKJ, The EDJE

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Firestone GP Of Monterey Locks Down A Make American Great Again NTT IndyCar 2019 Season Finale

Checkered Flag from the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Start/Finish Line tower ends a winning weekend American-style for the NTT IndyCar Series 17 race season in history making fashion. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2019) 

Firestone GP Of Monterey Locks Down A Make American Great Again NTT IndyCar 2019 Season Finale

Really, how good can a season finale in American open-wheel racing get? The sanctioning history of the top professional racing series season if rife with agendas and policies to promote the development of winning American-born race car drivers.

To be honest, this was one of the main reasons for the split-up of the extrodinaridly successful CART into ChampCar and the Indy Racing League. Now, eleven years after the re-unification announcement of American professional open-wheel racing, IndyCar has a final race of the season that all Amerifiles can be proud of, and over-the-moon about, because not only did an American rookie win the P1 Pole Award and race ... an American driver secured the IndyCar Series championship.


Josef Newgarden wins the 2019 NTT IndyCar Series Championship - Celebrates with Team Penske - Kisses the Astor Cup. Images Credit: Ken Manfred (2019)

Colton Herta wins the race in a perfect weekend for team Harding Steinbrenner Honda after beating out the four season points leaders for the NTT P1 Pole Award at the end of the "Firestone Fast Six" third round Knock-Out qualifications format.

Colton Herta as he guides his Honda-powered Dallara DW-12 with modern aerodynamic road course body work through Turn 8a toward 8b, also known as the Corkscrew. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2019)

What placed a cherry on top of this innaugral Firestone Grand Prix Of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca (WRLS), the first top level professional open-wheel race at this iconic track in 15 years, was Team Penske Chevrolet American-born driver Josef Newgarden matching his 2017 season performance at Sonoma Raceway by finishing with a 25 point margin over teammate Simon Pagenaud for the 2019 Championship honors in the form of the Astor Cup.

Andretti Autosport's INDY500 winner Alexander Rossi as he felt great about his chances in the race qualifying withing a good striking distance of NTT P1 Pole winning Colton Herta. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien - Motor Driven Images (2019)

Adding just a touch more Make American Great Again to the mix, Andretti Autosport Honda driver Alexander Rossi entered the race one point ahead of Pagenaud for second most points garnered in the championship race - this, after losing out in 2018 to Ganassi Racing Honda driver Scott Dixon.

“It is the way it goes,” said Rossi on the team's race strategy. “We started on the used Firestone reds. We knew ultimately the guys [to beat] were Scott [Dixon] and Colton [Herta] because we knew we needed to win the race. We went opposite of them on tire choice on the grid. It was a gamble. We made the decision this morning if we were going to go for it, we would rather finish third [in points on the season championship] than second and be complacent. It is the way the chips fell."

Rookie NTT P1 Pole Award winner Colton Herta leads out the rest of the field at the start of the Firestone Grand Prix Of Monterey contested at the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for the first time since 2004 [recap here]. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2019)

Monterey Speed Week's Firestone Grand Prix Of Monterey season finale logged in the following numbers - 90 Laps for 201.43 miles - Seven changes for the lead, Time of race: 1:53:57 - Average speed:106.057mph - Pole speed: 114.867mph.

This excerpted and edited from IndyCar-State-Of-The-Sport season-ending press conference held at WRLS -

Mark Miles - IndyCar CEO:
I'd start by saying we believe IndyCar is the most compelling form of motorsport on the planet, and I think that's more true, more defensible every year. Under Jay's [Jay Frye - IndyCar President] direction, with the combined expertise and experience of our teams of Dallara, Honda, Chevy and all of our suppliers, we just keep getting better, the racing improves, it's more competitive, and it's all done while being very attentive to managing costs for the team.

Firestone Grand Prix Of Monterey 2019 Start - Polesitter and Rookie Colton Herta leads the field through the short chute between Turn 3 to Turn a - Firestone Banners stack up and act as a photo tunnel and back drop - Ken Manfred (2019)
----
So on the track, what can you say? We do believe it's great competition, probably the most competitive form of racing. The number of cars, as you know, if you follow the sport, has been solid on the grid for IndyCar races, 22 here to 24 throughout the year, and at the Indianapolis 500-mile race, we continue to add to the number of entrants. 36 this year trying to get in, and from my perspective, Bump Day is back, and I think the fans loved it.

Looking beyond that, we have had seven winners so far, seven pole winners and seven wins for Honda and nine wins for Chevy so far, a great balance in terms of the result between the manufacturers.

And for the 14th consecutive year, I'm sure most of you have written this, the championship has come down to the finale, and we're thrilled about that.

Team Penske's Will Power had designs on breaking up the all-American Pole/Race Win/ Season Championship by challenging Colton Herta in the final laps of the Firestone GP Of Monterey. Rookie Herta did not place a foot wrong while under pressur to win his second race of the 2019 season. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2019)

Jay Frye - IndyCar President:
Thank you, Mark. So we've been working on this aero screen since 2016, so I guess you'd call this an overnight sensation. But the real game-changer for us this past year was when we partnered with Red Bull Advanced Technologies.

There's been no stone unturned on this program, this project, from driver cooling, driver expectation, clarity, glare, impact.
----
We believe this is an industry-changing total safety solution for driver cockpit protection. We're very excited to get it on the track because we always say the data doesn't drive, drivers drive, so the next step in the process is to get it on track and see where we're at.

The first test will be coming up at IMS on October 2nd. We'll go to Barber on October 7 and Richmond on 10/15. So it's a very aggressive schedule, but the ball is in motion for a 2020 implementation.
----
In regards to the hybrid piece, it's very important that we remain true to our DNA, and our DNA is fast, loud, authentic and unapologetic, so when we put together this product or put together an RFP for this product, that had to meet all those criteria. A couple of things we're working on with this piece is one is for safety so the cars will have electric starters, so the driver spins, they stall the car, they'll be able to start the car into 1 so the driver is not exposed. Another will be our AMR guys out there with an umbilical cord having to start the car, so they won't be exposed. Another thing that's really a byproduct of the whole system is hopefully we'll keep the pace of the race going, so there won't be as many yellows, so that will help, too.

But one of the bigger parts, the biggest part in our opinion is horsepower, so our goal, our stated goal is to get over 900 horsepower. This product will give us at least 50 of that, so we remain true, again, to our DNA. We want to have less downforce but have more horsepower. We're excited about this. We've got 10 current RFP's out, so the plan is to have a chosen partner in the first quarter of next year for a 2022 implementation.

These projects are big. I think they're game changers for the sport ... we've got to be who we are, and that's fast, live and authentic.
[ht: NICS]
ENDS

Marco Andretti, Team RC Cola Chevrolet, No. 26 beats out Ryan Briscoe for the pole position by a mere 2/1,000th of a second. Andretti won his second career IndyCar pole position today for the season-ending MAVTV 500. Andretti last won a pole at Milwaukee in 2008. He turned two laps at an average speed of 216.069 mph on the 2-mile Auto Club Speedway. This is the second pole position of the 2012 season for Andretti Autosport. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2012)

Not since the 15th race of a 15 race 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series season, in the MAVTV 500 at Auto Club Speedway when we saw American Marco Andretti in a Andretti Autosport Honda take the P1 Pole Award, American Ed Carpenter in a Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet cross the Start/Finish Line first after 500 miles, and have American Ryan Hunter-Reay in his Andretti Autosport Honda finish P4 with a lead in the IndyCar Series championship points of 3 points over Will Power, have we been witness to a Make American Great Again triple (Pole, Race Win, Championship) be captured in the final race of the season.

The end of the 2012 season for Andretti Autosport's Ryan Hunter-Reay (RHR). RHR jumps out of his #28 DW12 as he comes home to win the IZOD IndyCar Series Championship, A.J. Foyt Oval Course Trophy, and first MavTV 500 Auto Club Speedway night time race! Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2012)

Twenty-nine changes for the lead, Time of race: 2:57:34 - Average speed: 168.939 mph - Pole speed: 216.069 mph, run under the lights at night.

The Firestone Grand Prix Of Monterey was historic and a grand contest for a finale, but that race above, right there - the season-ender at Fontana? That was a finale that actually was Fast, Live, and Authentic!

MAGA baby, with a larger than 17 race season and a season-ender on the record-holding Fontana, California superspeedway with date-equity in October! It is time to make American open-wheel racing great again - MAOWRGA ... maybe we will just stick with the simple branding that can, at least, be pronounced - as in IndyCar MAGA.

... notes from The EDJE




TAGS: NTT IndyCar Series, Open-Wheel, Professional, MAGA, American drivers, Make America Great Again, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Firestone Grand Prix Of Monterey, Josrf Newgarden, Colton Herta, Alexander Rossi, The EDJE

Monday, March 25, 2019

Inaugural INDYCAR Classic At COTA - Rebirth Of Motor Culture & A Boost To A Series

Harding Steinbrenner Racing No. 88 Honda driven by 18 year 11 month old Colton Herta as he drives the final laps in the lead of the Inaugural IndyCar Classic At Circuit Of The Americas. Image Credit: Stephen Lautenschlager (2019) 

Inaugural INDYCAR Classic At COTA - Rebirth Of Motor Culture & A Boost To A Series

The stage was set for a perfect storm of competition and history-making when the NTT IndyCar Series took to the Formula 1 purpose-built track, Circuit Of The Americas (COTA) near Austin, Texas, for the first time in anger this weekend of March 22-24, 2019.

In this second race of a seventeen race season, all of the teams looked to this track as a mark in the modern age, of a racing series that can prove it was on equal par at putting on a show, on this pavement, as the Formula 1 cars that it will be replacing had.

"No Track Limits" showing itself as a permanent part of the IndyCar line in Turn 19. This turn helped to create the scenario that decided the Inaugural INDYCAR Classic at COTA. Image Credit: Chris Owens via NICS (2019) 

Sure, the IndyCars are not as fast, or expensive, or as unequal in matching up to the competitive formula template, or have power steering, but IndyCars do have an incredible depth of seasoned driving talent that is adding on an even stronger crop of competitive and savy Rookie drivers, with a race direction staff that had the guts to make the call to abolish the concept of "Track Limits" which would allow competitors freedom to drive the track as they saw fit.

What happened during the INDYCAR Classic event weekend hit all of the traditional tick off points. Will Power placed a Team Penske car on the pole position after each of the Team Penske drivers in their Chevrolet powered Dallara cars showed the top pace in 3 of the 4 practice sessions. Alexander Rossi was able to break this Penske party, but another name, a Rookie name, also popped up twice at P2 in Practice and this was no surprise to anyone on the grid. Colton Herta had shown his pace at COTA during the IndyCar Spring Training in February.

In the pits, Colton Herta is all nomexed up and ready to slap on his lid. Image Credit: Stephen Lautenschlager (2019)

This excerpted and edited from Autoweek -

Nineteen-year-old Herta was the fasted driver in three of the four test sessions and finished IndyCar Spring Training with the overall fastest time at 1:46.6258 for a speed of 115.132 mph in the No. 88 Honda. That speed came in the afternoon session on February 12.

The only session Herta did not set the pace was the final session on February 13, when Alexander Rossi’s Honda was the quickest at 1:46.8536 (114.886 mph). That ended up being the second fastest combined time.

"This track just suits my driving style a lot," Herta said. "The team has been working really hard to get the car where it needs to be. Obviously, they've made really big gains in the winter time compared to last year, and we're kind of seeing that. Really stout job by the boys.
[Reference Here]

So, this was of little surprise when the three round/four session Knock-Out Qualifications had a starting order arranged through the Firestone Fast Six have 2018 INDY 500 Winner and 2014 Champion Will Power capturing his 56th NTT P1 Pole Award in the only Chevrolet-powered Dallara in the Fast Six, with P2-P6 as follows - 2016 INDY 500 Winner Alexander Rossi, Andretti Autosport Honda-powered teammate and 2012 Champion Ryan Hunter-Reay, Harding Steinbrenner Racing's Rookie Colton Herta, Chip Ganassi Racing's Rookie Felix Rosenqvist, and CGR Teammate, Five-Time and defending 2018 Champion, New Zealander Scott Dixon.

The race went off without a hitch. Circuit Of The Americas put up a prize of $100,000 as a bonus to the driver who would be able to score the pole position AND win the 60 lap race. A nice play for all who tapped into the promotion.

Will Power looked to be well on to placing a $100,000 bonus in his pocket leading here over Alexander Rossi and eventual historic first-time winner, Colton Herta - but this is racin' and it ain't over until the Checkered Flag waves. Image Credit:Image Credit: Stephen Lautenschlager (2019) 

Will Power was driving a perfect race, pitstops and the choice of tires never caught the Team Penske driver out and he led every lap of the race. That is, until Will Power, followed by Alexander Rosssi and Scott Dixon running on the track as the only lead cars to not have taken their final pitstops for fuel and a set of Sticker Reds. Then the unthinkable happened in an area where "No Track Limits" were seriously in play in the run-off area of Turn 19 (pictured previously).

This incident had tight racing between James Hinchcliffe and Felix Rosenqvist (who was passing Hinch to remain with the leaders), where Hinch jostled on uneven pavement and touched the left-rear of Felix's blue NTT DATA Dallara, sending it spinning into the wall at pit-in - danger zone realized with a FULL COURSE YELLOW. Colton Herta inherits the lead and drove to a final win.

An honor received for making the podium in Texas is the hat ... always the hat. Image Credit: Joe Skibinski via NICS (2019)

This excerpted and edited from Racer -

MILLER: Maturity and moxie on display

When Bryan Herta was 18 years old, he was attending the Skip Barber Driving School and hoping to make a career out of driving race cars. Fast forward 30 years to Sunday afternoon at the Circuit of The Americas where Herta watched his 18-year-old son do the unthinkable: win an IndyCar race in only his third start.

“It’s amazing, hard to comprehend at this minute, but I am so proud of him,” said the former IndyCar winner who now co-owns Marco Andretti’s car. “I know he’s got potential and promise, but you just don’t expect that so quickly.”

In becoming the youngest victor in IndyCar history, Herta displayed the maturity and moxie of a 28-year-old veteran. He qualified fourth on Saturday in his Harding Steinbrenner Honda despite missing a practice period after losing an engine. He snatched third in the opening lap and held his position all afternoon until a fortuitous yellow flag put him in the catbird seat with 14 laps to go.
----
That left young Herta in the lead but it was hardly comfortable since Penske’s Josef Newgarden was right behind him on the restart. The 2017 IndyCar champion had three times more push-to-pass so Colton looked like a sitting duck.

But the skinny kid who looks 15 pounced like a sage of speed on the restart and pulled away to almost a four-second advantage before easing up at the checkered flag.

“I was calling Marco’s race so that kept me occupied and I didn’t know exactly what was going on with Colton. But that would have probably made me more nervous,” said the proud pop. “To hold off Josef under those circumstances was pretty impressive.”

No, for a team that wobbled into 2019 with a shaky portfolio and still has no title sponsor led by a teenager making his third start, this was beyond impressive. Mike Harding and George Michael Steinbrenner got the best of Roger Penske — comparable to the old Kansas City Athletics beating Mantle, Maris and the Bronx Bombers in the ’60s.

“Everything had to work out perfectly and we needed a little luck, but Colton was awesome,” said Steinbrenner, grandson of the late New York Yankees owner who backed Herta in Lights. “Our pit stops were good, we knew we had to stay ahead of Newgarden on all three stops and we did. It’s just surreal.”

Harding, the Indianapolis pavement contractor who in January intended to run two cars (the other for Pato O’Ward until things fell apart, with O’Ward let out of his contract), has a technical partnership with pal Michael Andretti that’s elevated his little team to rarified air.

Now he owns the fairytale story of the season, so finally finding a sponsor should be easier.
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Yet the reality of what happened at COTA can’t be dismissed as a fluke or luck.

Colton, the second version of Hertamania, has been quick since slapping on a skateboard at age 4. He won in karts, Formula Fords and Indy Lights, and he possesses a calm demeanor that belies his age.

“I think the two years he spent in Europe by himself really helped his maturity,” said Bryan. “My wife and I didn’t go with him, he didn’t know anyone, so his only friends were the mechanics on his car. Hanging out with them, asking questions and being in that environment helped him immensely.”
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“His ability to understand the car and read it and communicate with his engineer is amazing,” said Brian Barnhart, the Steinbrenner Harding president who worked with Al Unser Jr. back in his mechanic days. “He’s so detailed and analytical, and he’s just a kid. It blows me away.”
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It was fitting that Colton put on a cowboy hat in victory lane because there just might be a new sheriff in town.

Standing under the podium and snapping photos of this memorable moment in racing history, it was easy to be happy for Bryan Herta. One of the nicest, most gracious and honest people in the IndyCar paddock — and one who was also a pretty damn good racer — Herta Sr. is not the boastful type and stayed out of the victory photos because it was Colton’s celebration.

Yet even he couldn’t resist a little bragging.

“I think he’s getting the hang of it,” Bryan said with a grin.
[Reference Here]

Wow - boost to a series? - rebirth of motor culture? - the listing of the Firestone Fast Six above says it all - not an overstatement - also, the hats, always the hats.

... notes from The EDJE




TAGS: Colton Herta, COTA, IndyCar, motor culture, rebirth, Bryan Herta, INDYCAR Classic, Inaugural, Rookie, Youngest Driver Win, The EDJE