HYROX Invades The NTT INDYCAR SERIES As 2025 Race 2 Weekend Begins At The Thermal Club INDYCAR Grand Prix Event

The Thermal Club pitlane just before Knockout Qualifications - a 3 Round 4 session process - with all of the pitbox NTT INDYCAR Officials out at the barrier as part of the timing alert for pre-release of the first session. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks - Motorsports Journal (2025)

HYROX Invades The NTT INDYCAR SERIES As 2025 Race 2 Weekend Begins At The Thermal Club INDYCAR Grand Prix Event

The Thermal Club was as welcoming as usual given the fact this is a private motorsports themed playground of the first order. The grounds were filled with race goers and were treated to many walk-up, no-pay food service trucks and confection servers including a mobile IN-N-OUT operation much to everyone's delight.

A press gaggle, which is customary, was held with many of the competitors on Friday, a couple of hours before the drivers took to the track for the first practice, for the first points paying race on the West coast and the first ever The Thermal Club INDYCAR Grand Prix. The expectation is that this new venue will work out to be a perfect lead up to America's "Rites-Of-Spring" motor culture street race event - the 50th Acura Grand Prix Of Long Beach. So begins INDYCAR's pre-INDY500 West coast swing.

Of the dozen or so drivers scheduled to participate in this bullpen Q&A process with about 30 members of the credentialed media was Team Penske Driver, 14 year competition veteran, two-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion (2017, 2019) and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner (2023, 2024) Josef Newgarden (pictured below) had a most interesting exchange with the members of the new broadcast partner FOX Sports - lead announcer Will Buxton, color commentator James Hinchcliffe, and pit lane interviewer/commentator Jack Harvey. Josef had discovered a new workout regimen and was excited to share his discovery with his former fellow competitors Jack Harvey and James Hinchcliffe - the conversation went something like this:

Paraphrased Conversation Begin
Josef Newgarden leaned in with a grin spreading across his face as he addressed Will Buxton, James Hinchcliffe, and Jack Harvey during the pre-practice press gaggle at The Thermal Club. His energy was high, fresh off a discovery he couldn’t wait to share.

“Guys, I’ve ditched CrossFit for something way better ... and shorter to say - HYROX,” he started, his confident command presentation style cutting through the chatter of Media interviewing about a half-dozen drivers in the room. “It’s this fitness race that’s like endurance, strength, and pure mental stubbornness rolled into one. Five miles of running mixed with eight stations that’ll test every inch of you. They call it torture, and yeah, it feels like it - but man, it’s a rush.”

"Think about driving in the INDY500 and you are getting a little weak, you can not stop to take a break, you just gut it out, the whole race through - like that!", Josef continued.

Will raised an eyebrow, smirking through his British accent, “Torture, Josef? You’re selling it real well.”

Josef chuckled. “Hear me out. You kick off with a half-mile run, then hit the SkiErg - a movement that imitates cross-country skiing - for about 3,300 feet - arms and lungs screaming right away. Next, you’re pushing a sled, what, 330 pounds or so, 50 yards through pure grit. Then you pull it back with a rope, shredding your grip. By the time you get to burpee broad jumps - 100 yards of ‘em - you’re wondering why you signed up.”

Hinchcliffe winced. “Burpees after all that? You’re a madman.”

“Oh, it gets better,” Josef shot back. “Rowing about 3,300 feet when your legs are toast, farmer’s carry with kettlebells that make your hands cry, lunges with a sandbag that turn your quads to mush, and then - boom - 100 wall balls to finish. You’re squatting, throwing, counting to 100 while your whole body’s begging to quit.”

INDYCAR on FOX station where Lead Announcer Will Buxton holds court with (clockwise) James Hinchcliffe, Graham Rahal, and new RLL team driver, Canadian Devlin De Francesco. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks - Motorsports Journal (2025)

Jack Harvey leaned in, curious, with another British accent. “So why’s it beat CrossFit for you?”

“No downtime,” Josef said, eyes lighting up. “It’s relentless - run, station, run, station, eight times. No hiding. Cumulative fatigue hits hard, and it’s not just one thing - cardio, strength, everything gets smoked. But crossing that finish line? It’s a high you can’t fake. Takes me 90 minutes, elites do it in under an hour, but either way, you’re in the grinder - and you feel alive.”

Buxton grinned. “Sounds like racing prep disguised as torture.”

“Exactly,” Josef nodded. “It’s not just physical. It’s mental. Keeps me sharp for the car. You guys should try it - see if you can hang with an INDYCAR champ.”

Hinch laughed. “I’d be lucky to survive the sled. You’re on your own, mate.”

Josef shrugged, still smiling. “Suit yourselves. But I’m telling you - this is the real deal. HYROX, look it up!”
Paraphrased Conversation End

Will Buxton, a native of Portsmouth, UK, joined FOX Sports as the play-by-play voice for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES for 2025, the inaugural season for broadcasting this dynamic open-wheel racing series on FOX. Will has been pursuing a career in Motorsports Journalism since 2002 where he began as a staff writer covering Formula One and the series that led to driving in F1. In the booth, he will be joined by former INDYCAR drivers Canadian James Hinchcliffe and Townsend Bell.

NTT INDYCAR SERIES Champion (2021, 2023, 2024) and Chip Ganassi Racing driver of the No. 10 DHL Honda Alex Palou took Will Buxton, James Hinchcliffe and Townsend Bell on an introductory ride-along of the combined North Palm and South Palm tracks upon which The Thermal Club INDYCAR Grand Prix was to be held.

Click-Image to launch video of The Thermal Club trackride - Alex Palou with Will Buxton, Townsend Bell, and James Hinchcliffe of FOX Sports

The major noticeable difference with this innaugral private pavements points paying event and other races held throughout the season is shown through the fact that the NTT INDYCAR SERIES is the only event track activity that spectators will be able to engage in. There are no other racing series or parade activities of a broad or annual motor culture/motorsports event activity scheduled. The weekend includes only all NTT INDYCAR SERIES two practices, Knock-Out Qualifications (pitlane pictured above), a pre-race warm-up then Race 02 of a 17 race championship season.

Love the venue, love the event, love the engagement shown by drivers, media and broadcast personnel, and the dedicated fans willing to purchase a three day ticket in order to immerse themselve in the rareafied aire of a private motorsports park where BMW, TruSpeed Autosport, GMG Motorsports, and a member of Dreyer & Reinbold Racing with Cusick Motorsports call home.

Will this points-paying race be the lead-in first of many for the 50 year history of the Acura Grand Prix Of Long Beach? Only time will tell. We, at Motorsports Journal, say BRING IT! - with HYROX style.

... notes from The EDJE

FEATURED ARTICLE >>>

TAGS: The Thermal Club, NTT INDYCAR SERIES, Race 02, The Thermal Club INDYCAR Grand Prix, FOX Sports, HYROX, Will Buxtin, Josef Newgarden, James Hinchcliffe, Jack Harvey, Townsend Bell, Alex Palou, 50th Acura Grand Prix Of Long Beach, The EDJE

Firestone Grand Prix Of St. Petersburg: New Pairings Set Stage In NTT INDYCAR SERIES Opener

Firestone Grand Prix Of St. Petersburg: New Pairings Set Stage In NTT INDYCAR SERIES Opener

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES roared to life on March 02, 2025, with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, kicking off a 17-race season filled with anticipation. The Motorsports Journal team spotlighted several intriguing driver-team combinations poised to disrupt the established order, bringing fresh dynamics to a grid dominated by titans like Team Penske, Chip Ganassi Racing, and Andretti Global. As the streets of St. Petersburg came alive with the sound of engines, these pairings hinted at a season of surprises.

Key Driver-Team Pairings to Watch in 2025

Alexander Rossi now carries his veteran savvy to Ed Carpenter Racing, marking his latest chapter under Chevrolet power after stints with Andretti Global and Arrow McLaren. Known for his 2016 Indianapolis 500 triumph, Rossi’s ability to adapt to new machinery and team cultures positions him as a driver to watch. His experience could prove pivotal, especially when the series rolls into Indy in May.

Christian Lundgaard stepping into Rossi’s former seat at Arrow McLaren, arrives with a point to prove. The Danish driver flashed potential during his Rookie of the Year campaign with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing but struggled to convert starts into podiums. With Arrow McLaren’s resources and Chevrolet backing, Lundgaard might finally unlock the consistency needed to challenge the frontrunners.

Rinus VeeKay trades Ed Carpenter Racing for Dale Coyne Racing, stepping into a lead role at a team hungry for results. The Dutchman’s occasional brilliance—highlighted by a win at Indianapolis in 2021—has yet to translate into sustained success. If Dale Coyne Racing can harness VeeKay’s raw speed, 2025 could mark his breakout year.

Callum Ilott returns to INDYCAR with PREMA Racing, a powerhouse stepping into the series for the first time. With 38 starts and five top-10 finishes from his earlier tenure, Ilott brings a knack for guiding new teams, honed during his time with Juncos Hollinger Racing. PREMA’s pedigree in junior formulas suggests they could hit the ground running, and Ilott’s steady hand might steer them toward early success.

David Malukas joins AJ Foyt Racing alongside Santino Ferrucci, eager to rewrite a career narrative interrupted by misfortune. A rising star in INDY NXT, Malukas saw his Arrow McLaren opportunity slip away last year after a wrist injury from a bicycle accident sidelined him. Now healthy and paired with a team looking to climb the standings, he aims to showcase the talent that once marked him as a future star.

These drivers, each with a blend of untapped potential and fierce determination, entered St. Petersburg ready to challenge the status quo. Could they upset the dominance of Penske, Ganassi, and Andretti? The season opener offered the first clues.

Scott Dixon, Alex Palou and Josef Newgarden - Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg - Image Credit: Chris Owens via Penske Entertainment (2025)

Race Recap: Drama Unfolds in St. Petersburg

The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg wasted no time delivering chaos. On the opening lap, a Turn 3 pileup set the tone: Arrow McLaren’s rookie Nolan Siegel collided with Team Penske’s Will Power, whose car then collected Rahal Letterman Lanigan’s debutant Louis Foster. The incident underscored the tight margins of street-circuit racing and left teams scrambling to adjust strategies.

While the top nine cars - led by the likes of Team Penske's pole-sitter Scott McLaughlin, Meyer Shank Racing's teammates Felix Rosenqvist, and Marcus Armstrong - opted to stay out during the ensuing caution, a group including Herta, Newgarden, Dixon, Alex Palou, Kyle Kirkwood, Rinus VeeKay, and Marcus Ericsson dove into the pits. Swapping their mandatory soft-compound Firestone tires for the harder primary compound, these drivers banked on early stops to gain track position later. The split strategies hinted at a tactical chess match unfolding across the 100-lap race.

For the spotlighted pairings, the opener provided a mixed bag. Rossi’s experience with Ed Carpenter Racing kept him in contention among the leaders, while Lundgaard navigated the chaos at Arrow McLaren with a steady debut. VeeKay’s early pit call at Dale Coyne Racing showed promise, though he’d need to claw back positions. Ilott and PREMA Racing avoided the Turn 3 mess, quietly building momentum, while Malukas at AJ Foyt Racing fought to stay in the midfield pack, shaking off rust from his time away.

As the checkered flag loomed, the race tested these new alliances under pressure. All the while, established teams asserted their early dominance - Penske’s Newgarden and Ganassi’s Dixon looked poised for strong finishes - the fresh pairings offered glimpses of what might come. The St. Petersburg streets, unforgiving as ever, served notice: 2025 could be a season where new names will have trouble rising to the fore.

Despite early shake-ups and strategic plays, the established stars prevailed. Chip Ganassi Racing's Alex Palou, after 138 days since his 2024 season Championship victory, kicked off the season with another dominant win - setting the stage for an unprecedented fourth season championship in the title march of three-time and two-time defending series champion Alex Palou.

His Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Scott Dixon followed in P2 with a last lap pass due to Josef Newgarden's car was falling short of fuel, while Team Penske’s teammates Josef Newgarden and pole-sitter Scott McLaughlin finished P3 and P4, respectively.

Andretti Global drivers Kyle Kirkwood and Marcus Ericsson rounded out the top six, solidifying their team’s competitive standing early in the season.

Key Driver-Team Pairings Opening Race Finishes

P8 - Christian Lundgaard - No. 7 Arrow Mclaren Chevrolet
P9 - Rinus VeeKay - No. 18 Dale Coyne Racing Honda
P10 - Alexander Rossi - No. 20 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet
P13 - David Malukas - No. 4 AJ Foyt Chevrolet
P19 - Callum Ilott - No. 90 PREMA Racing Chevrolet

While these established young challengers with new teams showed promise, the season opener proved that the established frontrunners remain the teams to beat. With 16 races still to go, will this new wave of talent find their breakthrough moment? Stay tuned.

... notes from The EDJE

Post Script:
The numbers are in for FOX’s first INDYCAR Series broadcast, and the audience who watched Alex Palou and Josef Newgarden battle for victory was measured at 1.417 million viewers, a steep increase from last year’s race. Using the previous St. Petersburg race as a guide, the live 2024 broadcast with previous network partner on NBC generated an audience of 974,700 combined viewers using the TAD (Total Audience Delivery) metric that includes live streaming. FOX does not use TAD.

In the move to FOX, INDYCAR received an audience increase of 442,300 viewers, and according to the broadcaster, this ranks as the most-watched INDYCAR race on network television (outside the Indy 500) in 14 years. Minus streaming info, FOX Sports also reported Friday’s airing of opening practice on its FOX Sports 1 cable channel had 95,000 viewers. The strong viewership signals a promising start for INDYCAR’s new broadcast era, amplifying the spotlight on both its established stars and rising talents.

The next NTT INDYCAR SERIES race is The Thermal Club INDYCAR Grand Prix on Sunday, March 23 at Thermal, California (3 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio Network).



TAGS: NTT, INDYCAR SERIES, Firestone Grand Prix Of St. Petersburg, FOX Sports, Christian Lundgaard, Rinus VeeKay, Alexander Rossi, David Malukas, Callum Ilott, The EDJE

FOX TV Reveals Shiny New Toy Of INDYCAR During Super Bowl LIX

 

Super Bowl LIX Fox Sports ad campaign is artistic, informative and just a little bit edgy and most everyone likes it. Image Composite: Edmund Jenks via NICS (2025)

FOX TV Reveals Shiny New Toy Of INDYCAR During Super Bowl LIX

In front of the largest crowd of viewers ever recorded by the venerable ratings organization, Nielsen - rated at 126 million viewers, FOX TV revealed, as if they were running the auctions in Arizona by removing a car cover with flair, their biggest commitment to motor culture in 2025 - the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

In an evening that could have been marked through its disappointments of lopsided score - niche market music performer missing the ability to seize the audience - lack of buzz-worthy $8 Million per 30 second commercials & etc., FOX TV promotions department previewed and made a star out of its recent season long broadcast rights agreement with Penske Entertainment and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES emerged as one of the biggest winners of this weekend's FOX Sports Super Bowl broadcast, thanks to a series of high-impact, well written, and tightly produced three-spot ad campaign. The campaign, which introduced the open-wheel racing series to a much broader sports & culture focused audience, was widely praised by fans and industry insiders alike.

What was one of the most noticeable aspects of the campaign theme was that there was a heavy focus on capturing the unique personalities of the racers, highlighting their extraordinary skill, courage, and commitment, wrapped in the tagline, "The Fastest Racing on Earth," reinforcing IndyCar’s identity as a premier professional motorsports spectacle. The commercials were truly engaging even if one was not originally a motor culture maven.

The campaign's success coincides with a major shift in IndyCar’s broadcast landscape, as Roger Penske and Mark Miles secured a landmark all-network deal with FOX beginning this year here in 2025. This agreement is expected to significantly elevate the sport’s visibility and accessibility, positioning it for a new era of growth.

The campaign also stands out for its strategic execution across multiple platforms, including broadcast, web, and social media. It marks a significant step forward in IndyCar’s marketing efforts, reminiscent of past high-profile campaigns. Industry veterans who have been involved in IndyCar advertising and marketing since the early 1990s noted the effectiveness of the new approach, comparing it to earlier efforts that celebrated the emotional projection of the sport.

Now that this marker has been set, it would be immensely enjoyable to have this approach and assets applied to not only the drivers in the series, but to have it applied to the other two stars of this most dynamic set of trials over the course of a championship season - racing platform technology & racing venues and the styles of team effort it takes to compete at this level on temporary street circuits, dedicated road courses, small and high-speed endurance oval tracks.

If a little bit is good, more is better ... as we look forward with anticipation to seeing more content, revealed with flair, from this group of very talented communications artists at FOX Sports and their collaborators Special Group.

... notes from The EDJE

P.S.

One suspects that since FOX TV owned the rights to broadcasting the Super Bowl, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES ads, produced by the creative team at FOX Sports and Special Group, were aired for free.

FEATURED SYNDICATION - click image >>>

TAGS: FOX TV, FOX Sports, Special Group Agency, NTT, INDYCAR SERIES, Championship, Pato O'Ward, Josef Newgarden, Alex Palou, Super Bowl LIX, The EDJE

Justin Bell's Cheeky Drive In The New Audi R8 V10 At Lime Rock's WeatherTech Northeast Grand Prix

Justin Bell's Cheeky Drive In The New Audi R8 V10 At Lime Rock's WeatherTech Northeast Grand Prix

I love this car like a bikini model with a trust fund!

Here for the IMSA race at Lime Rock I got to drive the new Audi R8 Plus for our Fox Sports Show! Just a quickie but a fun one!

... notes from The EDJE



TAGS: Audi Tech Talk, Audi R8 V10, WeatherTech Northeast Grand Prix, FOX Sports, Justin Bell, The EDJE

Auto Club 400 Previewed By Dave Allen, President Of Auto Club Speedway

Auto Club 400 Previewed By Dave Allen, President Of Auto Club Speedway

Dave Allen serves as President of Auto Club Speedway.

Allen, 41, a 17-year veteran in the sports marketing industry, is responsible for all operations of Auto Club Speedway and Auto Club Dragway.

He was named president of the Speedway in December, 2014. Allen has served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Speedway since 2006. As Vice President, Allen oversaw the marketing, sales and ticketing departments.

From his early childhood karting days at Laguna Seca to Crew Chief of a World of Outlaws Sprint car team to his rise as the President of Auto Club Speedway, Dave Allen has grown up in the motorsports world and is a race fan at heart. Coming from a racing family, Allen has seen the sport grow from both the competition side and the business side and has applied his knowledge and know-how to move up motorsports’ executive ladder.



Welcome, DAVE ALLEN, President Auto Club Speedway ...

We find ourselves at the beginning of a NASCAR season that has seen some changes in the aerodynamics to a lower downforce set up in the hopes of increasing the competition on the track.

1)
Auto Club Speedway is one of the fastest tracks on the NASCAR circuit - over the most recent years, the racing, especially NASCAR Racing, has improved in a steady progression ... How do you see a race play out with this lower downforce set up?

2)
Today, we are presently experiencing a second round of El Nino weather activity - what are the weather forecasts telling you as to what to expect for the Auto Club 400 activities between March 17th when the transporter roll in and set up, to the race itself on March 20th?

3)
What kind of questions are you hearing from NASCAR on FOX and what do you think they are expecting from the races at Auto Club Speedway?

4)
Starting with St. Patrick's day, March 17th and working through the event weekend, what should fans look for?

The NASCAR Auto Club 400 is scheduled for Sunday, March 20, 2016 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California.

Weekend Schedule:

Thursday, March 17: St. Paddy’s Day FanFest presented by Bubba Burger and NASCAR Sprint Cup Hauler Parade

Friday, March 18: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Qualifying: 4:30 p.m. PT.

Saturday, March 19: NASCAR Xfinity Race: 1 p.m. PT  on FS1.

Sunday, March 20: NASCAR Sprint Cup Auto Club 400: 12:30 PT on FOX.

Preview YouTube Auto Club 400 >>>
----

Tickets for the Auto Club 400 start at $41.

After March 11– tickets start at $46.

To purchase call 800-944-RACE or visit www.autoclubspeedway.com

The Auto Club 400 race is NASCAR’S only stop in Southern California and is a part of the NASCAR Goes West campaign.

Fans attending the Auto Club 400 weekend can park free of charge, making race weekend an incredible value full of fun and entertainment.

5)
I am aware that winning IndyCar drivers get to have their hand and footprints placed in cement - are you going to have this ceremony for these NASCAR drivers?
ENDS

... notes from The EDJE


TAGS: Auto Club Speedway, ACS,  NASCAR, Xfinity, Sprint Cup, St. Paddy’s Day FanFest, Bubba Burger, NASCAR Sprint Cup Hauler Parade, FOX Sports, The EDJE

Interview - Dave Allen President Of Auto Club Speedway Before Auto Club 400

Interview - Dave Allen President Of Auto Club Speedway Before Auto Club 400

Dave Allen serves as President of Auto Club Speedway.

Allen, 41, a 17-year veteran in the sports marketing industry, is responsible for all operations of Auto Club Speedway and Auto Club Dragway.

He was named president of the Speedway in December, 2014. Allen has served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Speedway since 2006. As Vice President, Allen oversaw the marketing, sales and ticketing departments.

From his early childhood karting days at Laguna Seca to Crew Chief of a World of Outlaws Sprint car team to his rise as the President of Auto Club Speedway, Dave Allen has grown up in the motorsports world and is a race fan at heart. Coming from a racing family, Allen has seen the sport grow from both the competition side and the business side and has applied his knowledge and know-how to move up motorsports’ executive ladder.

Welcome, DAVE ALLEN, President Auto Club Speedway ...

We find ourselves at the beginning of a NASCAR season that has seen some changes in the aerodynamics to a lower downforce set up in the hopes of increasing the competition on the track.

1)
Auto Club Speedway is one of the fastest tracks on the NASCAR circuit - over the most recent years, the racing, especially NASCAR Racing, has improved in a steady progression ... How do you see a race play out with this lower downforce set up?

2)
Today, we are presently experiencing a second round of El Nino weather activity - what are the weather forecasts telling you as to what to expect for the Auto Club 400 activities between March 17th when the transporter roll in and set up, to the race itself on March 20th?

3)
What kind of questions are you hearing from NASCAR on FOX and what do you think they are expecting from the races at Auto Club Speedway?

4)
Starting with St. Patrick's day, March 17th and working through the event weekend, what should fans look for?

The NASCAR Auto Club 400 is scheduled for Sunday, March 20, 2016 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California.

Weekend Schedule:

Thursday, March 17: St. Paddy’s Day FanFest presented by Bubba Burger and NASCAR Sprint Cup Hauler Parade

Friday, March 18: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Qualifying: 4:30 p.m. PT.

Saturday, March 19: NASCAR Xfinity Race: 1 p.m. PT  on FS1.

Sunday, March 20: NASCAR Sprint Cup Auto Club 400: 12:30 PT on FOX.

----

Tickets for the Auto Club 400 start at $41.

After March 11– tickets start at $46.

To purchase call 800-944-RACE or visit www.autoclubspeedway.com

The Auto Club 400 race is NASCAR’S only stop in Southern California and is a part of the NASCAR Goes West campaign.

Fans attending the Auto Club 400 weekend can park free of charge, making race weekend an incredible value full of fun and entertainment.

5)
I am aware that winning IndyCar drivers get to have their hand and footprints placed in cement - are you going to have this ceremony for these NASCAR drivers?
ENDS

... notes from The EDJE


TAGS: Auto Club Speedway, ACS, NASCAR, Xfinity, Sprint Cup, St. Paddy’s Day FanFest, Bubba Burger, NASCAR Sprint Cup Hauler Parade, FOX Sports, The EDJE