Maximum Points Effort By Palou Almost Closes Out A Historic 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Championship Season

Java House Grand Prix of Monterey race start on full send. Image Credit: Ralph Garcia - Motorsports Journal (2025)

Maximum Points Effort By Palou Almost Closes Out A Historic 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Championship Season

To be clear, at the beginning of this 14th race of a 17 race season at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, there was a small chance at having the balance of the 2025 season have an actual fight for points to close this season out. 

With a maximum points effort by the chief challenger to points leader and winner of 7 races in 12 events (already an unheard of level in dominance during the car specific formula era) Chip Ganassi Racing's driver of the No. 10 DHL Honda Alex Palou, Pato O'Ward, driving the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, sitting 99 points behind in this achievement tally, would need to score every point available this weekend while Palou would have to finish on down the order. 

Pato O'Ward, driving the Arrow McLaren No. 5 Chevrolet, has won two of the last three races over two previous weekends. Only Maximum Efforts in points apply. Image Credit: Betty Garcia - Motorsports Journal (2025)

Total points available can be pretty confusing to some so here’s how the points system works in a race, explained as if we’re discussing it over a business lunch (with a couple of beers and a decent burger - medium-rare). If you win the race, you earn 50 points - a significant reward. Second place secures 40 points, and third place takes 35. The points then decrease gradually by a varying point margin, with 25th place and beyond receive a locked-in 5 points each for participation. This structure encourages fierce competition while still recognizing everyone who finishes.

Alex Palou has to be an odds on favorite to secure a fourth NTT INDYCAR SERIES Championship in only five years - this would include a three-peat. Image Credit: Betty Garcia - Motorsports Journal (2025)

To further motivate bold and strategic driving, additional points are available. Secure pole position, and you gain 1 extra point. Lead at least one lap, and you earn yet another 1 point. If you lead the most laps in a race, you’ll add 2 points to your tally. These bonuses emphasize the value of strong qualifying and calculated race execution. Clear enough?

Maximum effort points for a win? Start from P1 earned during the three round knockout qualifications structure - one point | lead a lap - one point | lead most laps - two points | win the race is fifty points ... so we are lookin' at 54 points. 

If Pato O'Ward was able to make these final four races of the season a championship points race, he would need Maximum Points effort of 54 points for all four races to garner 216 points. Then Pato needs Alex Palou to not earn 99 points over these next four races. So - 98 divided by 4 equals 24.75 points on a pure mathematical average - Alex needs to finish P6 or better without any bonus points. 

Ed Carpenter Racing's Alexander Rossi in his No. 20 Java House Chevrolet taking the drop into Turn 8b, the Corkscrew, with the Pacific Ocean under a fog bank off on the horizon, during knockout qualifications at the Java House Grand Prix of Monterey. Image Credit: ECR via FB/META (2025) 

Welcome to the newly sponsored Java House Grand Prix of Monterey held at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca - where the rubber meets the now worked in and weathered track surface laid down before the 2023 season that is getting back to the "go-kart" feel of the original track surface.

Dale Coyne Racing driver Rinus Veekay exceeds the lessening grip of the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca's newly aging surface in Turn 3. Image Credit: Betty Garcia - Motorsports Journal (2025)

“It's looking a little bit more like older Laguna Seca, which I like,” said Andretti Global driver Colton Herta, the 2019 and 2021 winner, to RACER. “I think it opens up the passing a lot more, and the raceability of the racetrack is going to be a lot better. It seems like there's more deg [degradation] than previous years by a good chunk."

NTT P1 Pole Award for the Java House Grand Prix of Monterey - 1 point gained. Image Credit: Ralph Garcia - Motorsports Journal (2025)

Alex Palou surged to overall victory at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. A maximum points effort was registered with the gaining of one point for capturing the NTT P1 Pole Award during the three round Knockout Qualifications format, one point for leading at least one lap in the race, two points for leading the most laps of any driver in the race, and a full fifty points for winning the race in spite of two late race Full Course Yellow sessions and restarts leading all competitors to the Checkered Flag by 3.7965 seconds. Maximum Points provided through maximum effort at 54 Points - Pato O'Ward finishes at P4 costing him to lose 22 points in the season championship points race.

Podium Champagne Spray celebration at new podium center at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for the Java House Grand Prix Of Monterey. P1 - Alex Palou - P2 Christian Lundgaard - P3 Colton Herta. Image Credit: Betty Garcia - Motorsports Journal (2025)

In claiming his eighth win of the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, Alex equaled a feat unmatched since Sébastien Bourdais driving in the ChampCar Championship Series in 2007. In leading 84 of the 95 laps, Palou, piloting Chip Ganassi Racing’s No. 10 DHL Honda, showcased relentless dominance. His triumph extended his championship lead to 121 points over Pato O’Ward, driver of the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, who battled to a respectable fourth-place finish.

Christian Lundgaard delivered another strong performance, securing second place for his latest podium. Colton Herta, representing Andretti Autosport, rounded out the top three with a solid third-place run.

With just three races remaining, the championship chase intensifies. The series heads to Portland International Raceway in two weeks, a track where Palou has triumphed twice before. On the cusp of clinching the title, Palou needs only a 108-point lead exiting Portland to seal the championship. A win, or a second-place finish paired with bonus points for pole position or leading the most laps, would lock in the crown, regardless of O’Ward’s result.

... notes from The EDJE

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TAGS: INDYCAR 2025, Alex Palou, Pato O'Ward, Chip Ganassi Racing, Arrow McLaren, WeatherTech Raceway, points chase, maximum effort, championship fight, race points, Java House Grand Prix of Monterey, The EDJE

Deletraz, Blomqvist Set For Road America Showdown In IMSA's Motul SportsCar Grand Prix

IMSA WeatherTech GTP Class 2025 season championship point standings Pre-Road America. Image Credit: IMSA via FB/META (2025)

Deletraz, Blomqvist Set For Road America Showdown In IMSA's Motul SportsCar Grand Prix

As the IMSA SportsCar Grand Prix sponsored by Motul at Road America looms on the horizon from July 31 to August 3, 2025, anticipation builds for Louis Deletraz and Tom Blomqvist, two drivers poised to make their mark on one of America’s most iconic circuits. Deletraz, co-driver of the No. 40 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac V-Series.R, and Blomqvist, co-driver of the No. 60 Acura Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb-Agajanian Acura ARX-06, are gearing up for a high-stakes sprint race at a track renowned for its blistering speed and challenging layout. Both drivers, fresh off recent successes and armed with insights from their respective teams’ progress, are eager to capitalize on Road America’s unique characteristics to chase victory and build momentum in the GTP class.

Louis Deletraz and Tom Blomqvist dive into the excitement of racing at Road America, sharing their love for the track’s challenging corners and discussing driver changes and team dynamics with Motorsports Journal's Edmund Jenks ahead of the IMSA Motul SportsCar Grand Prix.

BEGIN Transcript:

Louis Deletraz

Motorsports Journal: What do you like best about Road America and if you were king of the world would you prefer to drive first or second?

“The whole track is a bit like Spa. If you compare, it has a lot of elevation, high grip, pretty smooth. So, there's a lot of nice corners like the Carousel. It's a good mix between technical, low speed, and high speed. It is a challenge to put a big lap in. It's always rewarding when you see a good lap time and you’re up front to have made a lap there. It's just a track you get on and you enjoy, and that's something that you can only describe if you’re in the car. If I had to choose to drive first or second, I mean, at the end, I don't really care as long as we have a good result, I will be very happy. The race is 2 hours, 40 minutes, so both drivers will get enough time.”

Swiss Louis Deletraz loads into his No. 40 Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac V-Series.R (GTP) at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Image Credit Mike Levitt via IMSA (2025)

Motorsports Journal: So, you feel pretty good about helping a driver into the seat as well as just getting out?

“Exactly. That's no issue. I think we work hard to improve our driver change times. It is important in a sprint race. You can have an early yellow and switch drivers quite early into the race. We try to get our times down. I think anything below 15 seconds is good and you try to make it as good as possible, less mistakes as possible, and make sure it's smooth, so you don't lose positions in the pits.”

Tom Blomqvist

Motorsports Journal: Tom, Meyer Shank Racing is now running two really strong programs. In fact, I guess they've got two cars squarely placed in the top ten in IndyCar. Does that have any effect on the culture, the overall culture, at Meyer Shank Racing running two cars in WeatherTech IMSA and I guess the sense of the team around you. 

“Well, it means that our bosses are typically a bit more happy, which is always a good thing. They give us less slack. so  no, I mean, it's obviously been a great year for them. It’s going well in IndyCar and they’ve picked back up with the sports car program as well was huge for the for the team and for the organization. So, from that perspective, obviously it's great and all pretty happy there. But obviously we got to keep delivering as well, right? Like still they still want to go out and win races. We know on the sports cars, we're kind of always going to the weekend fighting for the chance to win and stuff. So, yeah, it was it was obviously great as well, the last two races having got victories for not only for MSR, but also with HRC like this new sort of collaboration, so it's been a great boost for everyone really, so I hope that motivates them to keep wanting to do well and keep trying to get better.” 

Brit Tom Blomqvist, co-driver of the No. 60 Acura Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb-Agajanian Acura ARX-06 (GTP), drives pitlane as he enters the track at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Image Credit Mike Levitt via IMSA (2025)

Motorsports Journal: At Road America from outside of the Carousel, what are some of the parts of the track you like the most? 

“For me, I kind of like it all. I quite like heavy break zones, which is kind of boring in a way, but I like them. Yeah, I like I like that. I like five. I like eight. But in terms of like a bit more fun, I think it's actually after the kink you've got the right left, it's quite a tricky corner actually to get right, the car never feels like it's quite for whatever reason, it's just tricky corner, can't never feels amazing there. but in that you got that left, which is pretty fast. and in the last corner (Turn 14), which is a bit of an awkward, it's quite a long, sort of like awkward right hander. and I'll see it leads onto a street. So it's quite important. So yeah, that probably I enjoy. There is parts, even this first sector, the first corner is nice. Like there's so many good corners there honestly. like it's like I said, it's probably my favorite. now, thank you.” 

ENDS

For Deletraz, Road America represents both a thrilling opportunity and a new challenge with the Cadillac V-Series.R. “It’s an awesome track; so fast,” he enthused, reflecting on the circuit’s high-speed demands. Coming off a double podium for Wayne Taylor Racing at Watkins Glen, Deletraz is brimming with confidence. The team’s first podium of the season has ignited a hunger for more, with the Swiss driver eyeing a maiden win at Road America. “We want to build momentum from that,” he said, acknowledging the team’s growing synergy with the Cadillac. Despite a tough start to the year, Deletraz believes the team’s learning curve has positioned them well for Road America, a track where their data and experience could translate into a competitive edge.

Blomqvist, meanwhile, approaches Road America with a deep affinity for the circuit, calling it “probably my favorite track from an enjoyment level to drive.” His recent test at the track with Meyer Shank Racing revealed a circuit that has evolved since its resurfacing in 2023, becoming “slightly more forgiving” with less drastic grip loss offline. This suits the Acura ARX-06, which has historically performed well at Road America’s long straights and fast corners. Blomqvist’s optimism is bolstered by his team’s steady improvement throughout the season. “Every race we’re getting better with the new organization,” he noted, highlighting the integration of new personnel and the strategic challenges of running two cars. With back-to-back wins in recent races, Blomqvist is hopeful Acura can fight for another victory.

Both drivers are navigating the complexities of multi-class racing at Road America, a four-class sprint race that presents unique challenges with its mix of high-speed straights and tight corners like the Carousel and the Kink. Blomqvist sees the track’s layout as advantageous for the GTP cars, which can leverage their straight-line speed to overtake slower classes more easily than at tighter circuits like Watkins Glen. “It’s a bit easier track for us to navigate traffic,” he explained, though he cautioned that timing runs through the Kink could prove costly if mistimed. Deletraz, meanwhile, emphasized the importance of track position in a sprint race, where fewer pit stops limit strategic opportunities. Both drivers are acutely aware of the need to balance aggression with precision on this demanding circuit.

The championship picture adds another layer of intrigue to their preparations. For Deletraz, the focus is squarely on race wins rather than the drivers’ championship, which he believes is out of reach after a rocky start to the season. “We’re too far to catch up,” he admitted, but he remains committed to helping his teammates in the No. 10 Cadillac or other Cadillac entries if they have a shot at the title. Blomqvist echoed a similar sentiment, noting that while the drivers’ championship is “realistically gone,” Acura’s pursuit of the manufacturers’ championship remains a priority. With two wins already under their belt, Meyer Shank Racing is determined to keep the pressure on, leveraging Road America’s suitability to their car to close the gap.

A significant shift awaits both drivers in 2026, when Road America transitions to a six-hour endurance race. This change will demand a different approach, as Deletraz explained: “In sprint races, you need to run at the front… In an endurance race, you want to survive, cycle through the first three hours, and then get to the front.” He’s excited about the prospect, noting that Road America’s layout is well-suited for multi-class traffic over longer distances. Blomqvist shares this enthusiasm, calling the move “awesome” and praising the track’s suitability for endurance racing. He highlighted the strategic flexibility of longer races, where qualifying is less critical, and teams can position themselves for the final hours—a dynamic both drivers are eager to embrace.

Adapting to different machinery is another challenge both drivers handle with aplomb. Deletraz, who juggles GTP and LMP2 racing, sees it as an advantage. “You arrive to the next event just warmed up,” he said, noting that the transition takes just a few laps to recalibrate. Blomqvist, fresh off an LMP2 outing at CTMP, agrees, describing the initial adjustment as minor once familiar with both cars. “It’s not too difficult now,” he said, praising the LMP2’s nimble handling and high downforce. For both, the variety hones their skills, keeping them sharp and adaptable—a critical edge in IMSA’s diverse field.

For Blomqvist, returning to Meyer Shank Racing after a year in IndyCar has been a process of refamiliarization, but one he’s navigated smoothly. The team’s expansion to two cars and integration with Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) has presented challenges, but Blomqvist is encouraged by their progress. “We’re getting better each weekend,” he said, optimistic about their trajectory. Deletraz, too, is buoyed by Wayne Taylor Racing’s growing mastery of the Cadillac, with each race yielding valuable lessons. As Road America approaches, both drivers are poised to harness their teams’ momentum, their personal adaptability, and the track’s unique demands to chase glory in what promises to be a thrilling chapter of the 2025 IMSA season.

The energy management challenge, particularly at Road America’s uphill finish, adds a final layer of complexity. Blomqvist recalled the tight energy margins at Watkins Glen, but he’s confident the team’s engineers have accounted for the additional energy needed to crest Road America’s front straight. “The guys behind the computers are on top of all that stuff,” he assured. With both drivers and their teams finely tuned and ready to tackle the high-speed ballet of Road America, fans can expect a fiercely contested race where strategy, skill, and raw speed will determine who stands atop the podium.

[ht: Transcript By Tony DiZinno - IMSA Communications]

FULL ZOOM Call Interview Here >>>

The Motul SportsCar Grand Prix at Road America, set for July 31–August 3, 2025, in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, promises high-speed racing action. The 2-hour, 40-minute race streams live on Peacock starting at 2:00 p.m. ET (1:00 p.m. CT) on Sunday, August 3. 

Live Streaming:  

Race: Peacock (U.S.) at 2:00 p.m. ET; IMSA.tv and IMSA’s YouTube channel (global)  

Qualifying: Saturday, August 2, 5:35 p.m. ET on Peacock (U.S.), IMSA.tv, and IMSA’s YouTube (global)

IMSA Radio: Live on IMSA.com and RadioLeMans.com for select sessions; SiriusXM (XM 206, Web/App 996) race coverage starts Sunday at 2:00 p.m. ET

Circuit: 4.048-mile, 14-turn road course

Classes: GTP, LMP2, GTD PRO, GTD

Race Duration: 2 hours, 40 minutes

... notes from The EDJE

TAGS: IMSA, Road America, Louis Deletraz, Tom Blomqvist, Cadillac, Acura, GTP, sprint race, endurance, sportscar racing, The EDJE

Willow Springs International Raceway Unveils Bold New Logo & Vision For A World-Class Automotive Future

Willow Springs International Raceway Unveils Bold New Logo & Vision For A World-Class Automotive Future

Willow Springs International Raceway proudly unveiled a dynamic new logo, heralding a bold and exhilarating future for the iconic track. This confident rebranding underscores Willow Springs’ unwavering commitment to solidifying its status as a premier global automotive destination.

The raceway stands resolute in honoring its storied heritage while forging a path of innovation and excellence. Alongside the striking new logo, Willow Springs has launched a series of transformative track enhancements at its Rosamond facility. These upgrades are meticulously designed to elevate safety, ensure continued public access, and deliver an unparalleled experience for drivers and motorsport enthusiasts.

“Willow Springs is poised to lead the next era of motorsport excellence, preserving its legacy while implementing strategic improvements that prioritize safety, performance, and an unmatched experience,” declared Sam Byrne, co-founder of CrossHarbor Capital Partners and representative of the Willow Springs ownership group. “The new logo and ongoing upgrades mark the beginning of our ambitious vision to cement Willow Springs as the unrivaled heart of Southern California’s car culture.”

In a powerful stride toward this vision, Willow Springs will host *Willow Springs Reimagined* in October, a landmark public event showcasing a cars-and-coffee-style car show, thrilling on-track action, rare vehicles from the Petersen Automotive Museum and Singer Vehicle Design, a F.A.T. International activation, exclusive merchandise, and a vibrant lineup of food trucks and vendors.

Further details on current and future improvements, as well as *Willow Springs Reimagined*, will be announced as they unfold. For more information, visit willowspringsraceway.com or follow the excitement on Instagram and Facebook.

... notes from The EDJE

TAGS: Willow Springs, raceway rebranding, new logo, automotive excellence, track improvements, motorsport innovation, Southern California car culture, Willow Springs Reimagined, car show, Petersen Automotive Museum, Singer Vehicle Design, F.A.T. International, racing events, track safety, Rosamond raceway, The EDJE

Palou’s Dominance And Power’s Contract Drama: The 2025 INDYCAR Season Unfolds Post R13 Toronto

2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Championship Season winds down with only four races - two dedicated road courses and two oval tracks - left to decide who's best and who's left. Interesting to see the teams in the top 10 in the points championship shows Ganassi Racing, Arrow McLaren, Andretti Global, and Meyer Shank Racing each with two drivers where Team Penske has only one and the surprise showing of AJ Foyt Racing also with one driver in the ranking. This observation leaves Ed Carpenter Racing, Dale Coyne Racing, Juncos Hollinger Racing, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, and first season PREMA Racing out swinging and scratching their heads as to what do they need to do to be a Top 10 competitor. Image Credit: NICS Screengrab via FB/META (2025)

Palou’s Dominance And Power’s Contract Drama: The 2025 INDYCAR Season Unfolds Post R13 Toronto

With only four races remaining in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, the championship battle has taken an intriguing turn following the Toronto event. Alex Palou holds a commanding lead with 536 points, positioning him as the frontrunner for a potential three-peat and a fourth title. A recent analysis from the Motorsports and Car Culture Committee of the MPG suggests that Pato O'Ward, trailing by 99 points, faces a steep challenge to overtake Palou, needing victories in all remaining races - each worth 50 points - while Palou finishes 12th or worse, a scenario deemed highly improbable by Motorsports Journal Managing Editor Edmund Jenks.

SELFIE ... Podium Style! Winner of the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto Arrow McLaren driver Pato O'Ward grabs a phone and snaps the picture with P2 Dale Coyne Racing's Rinus Veekay and P3 Chip Ganassi Racing's (first podium) Kyffin Simpson. Image Credit NICS via FB/META (2025)

The standings underscore Palou’s consistency, with O'Ward and Kyle Kirkwood, 173 points back, struggling to close the gap. Scott Dixon, 174 points adrift, and Christian Lundgaard, 219 points behind, also appear out of contention barring extraordinary circumstances. Critics argue that Palou’s lead, bolstered by Chip Ganassi Racing’s strategic prowess, makes his championship defense nearly unassailable. O’Ward’s Arrow McLaren team will need flawless execution and a significant dip in Palou’s form to shift this momentum, a feat that seems unlikely with the season winding down.

Will Power does not seem too concerned about his chances at keeping another year on contract with Team Penske while delivering the most consistent performance season of any Team Penske driver in 2025. Image Credit: Christopher Owens via FB/META (2025) 

Adding intrigue to the season is a subplot surrounding Will Power’s future with Team Penske. With his current contract nearing its end, Power’s position is under scrutiny, especially as rumors swirl about David Malukas as a potential replacement for 2026 - with four races left in 2025, Power is at 263 points vs Malukas at 259 points. This uncertainty has heightened the stakes for Power, who must prove his worth in the final races held at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Portland International Raceway, Milwaukee Mile, and the finale held in Nashville at Nashville Superspeedway to secure a new deal.

Despite the pressure, Power has emerged as Team Penske’s most consistent and highest points-scoring driver in 2025, again, amassing 263 points - 24 points ahead of teammate Scott McLaughlin, who stands at 239 - and DNF season-prone Josef Newgarden at 213. This unexpected dominance has fueled speculation about whether Power can leverage his performance to sway the team’s decision, adding a layer of tension to the championship narrative - with the backdrop of Team Penske rule-breaking that led to firings at the top level of management - as the driver market chatter intensifies.

Much more champagne has to flow on O'Ward at P1 in the next four races for this season's championship to become an actual points race as long as Palou runs and finishes down in double digit positions (which is very doubtful, at best). Image Credit: Christopher Owens via FB/META (2025) 

As the season heads into its final stretch on July 21, 2025, the focus remains split between Palou’s seemingly inevitable title and the off-track drama surrounding Power. With only four races left, the combination of on-track competition and contract negotiations promises a dramatic conclusion to an already compelling INDYCAR season.

Practice for the Java House Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca kicks off on Friday at 5 p.m. ET (FS2, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio Network), marking the 14th of 17 races in the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. The 95-lap race, a critical event with only four races remaining, is scheduled for Sunday at 3 p.m. on FOX. A Spanish-language telecast will also be available on FOX Deportes, adding to the anticipation as the championship battle intensifies.

... notes from The EDJE

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TAGS: Alex Palou, Pato O'Ward, NTT INDYCAR SERIES, #IndyCarOnFOX, Will Power, Team Penske, David Malukas, 2025 season, Toronto event, Chip Ganassi Racing, Arrow McLaren, Scott McLaughlin, contract negotiations, #motorsports, racing analysis, The EDJE

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

NTT INDYCAR Hybrid Re-Gen Punch Reveals Insights During Indy 500 Qualifications

Alex Palou - 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Day After Photoshoot. Image Credit: Travis Hinkle via Penske Entertainment (2025)

NTT INDYCAR Hybrid Re-Gen Punch Reveals Insights During Indy 500 Qualifications

The 2025 Indianapolis 500 qualifications, spanning nearly 40 hours and involving 34 cars, provided the first real-world insights into the performance and strategic implications of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ new hybrid regeneration system. The weekend’s intense sessions highlighted how the electric hybrid power unit influences racing dynamics, challenging initial assumptions and revealing its nuanced role in competition.

Throughout the qualifications, the hybrid system’s additional 70+ horsepower was a focal point for FOX Sports commentators Will Buxton, James Hinchcliffe, and Townsend Bell. They frequently speculated that the extra power could propel drivers into the top 12 positions or the Firestone Fast Six, potentially overtaking competitors by boosting lap speeds. 

However, the flogging of this performance expectation was repeatedly unmet. Even when drivers posted competitive first laps, the hybrid’s power deployment did not consistently deliver the anticipated speed surges to climb/overtake in the order, prompting a reevaluation of its impact.

Robert Shwartzman - Indianapolis 500 Front Row Photo Shoot - Image Credit: Chris Owens via Penske Entertainment (2025)

In a post-qualifications interview, FOX Sports race announcer Will Buxton offered deeper perspective after speaking with drivers, particularly the top two qualifiers: veteran Takuma Sato and rookie Robert Shwartzman.

He found that despite Sato’s extensive INDYCAR experience and Shwartzman’s lack of oval racing background, both secured the front row, showcasing the hybrid system’s adaptability. Shwartzman revealed that he and Sato opted for higher downforce setups, prioritizing car stability over minimal drag. This approach allowed them to maintain precise control, extracting performance through “fingertip feel” rather than pushing the car to its limits with a looser, riskier setup.

Takuma Sato - Indianapolis 500 Front Row Photo Shoot - Image Credit: Titus Slaughter via Penske Entertainment (2025)

Buxton noted that most drivers adopted a similar hybrid deployment strategy during qualifications, using a gradual trickle of power across each lap. Sato, however, deviated slightly, hinting at a unique approach that contributed to his pole position. The real intrigue, Buxton emphasized, lies in how the hybrid system will influence race day strategy. Unlike the Push-to-Pass system, which provided a temporary horsepower boost, the hybrid’s regenerative energy can be accumulated by lifting off the throttle, particularly in traffic, and deployed strategically on straights or out of corners.

This dynamic introduces a strategic layer reminiscent of Formula 1’s Drag Reduction System (DRS). The race leader, unable to regenerate energy as effectively as trailing cars, may become vulnerable to overtakes. Conversely, drivers in the pack can leverage recharged energy for bursts of speed, potentially reshaping race dynamics. 

“This is a step into the unknown,” Buxton remarked, underscoring that none of the 33 drivers have raced with this system before on a superspeedway oval, making the 2025 Indy 500 groundbreaking in the reliability and advantage functions of the Hybrid-Powered Dallara platform.

Compared to previous performance-enhancing racing technologies like F1’s DRS or INDYCAR’s Push-to-Pass, the hybrid regeneration system appears less transformative in delivering raw speed. Its primary benefits seem to lie in mitigating tire degradation and managing weight distribution, subtly enhancing car balance rather than providing a dramatic power advantage.

Alex Palou & Family at the yard of bricks start/finish line of Indianapolis Motor Speedway  - 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Day After Photoshoot - Image Credit: Chris Owens via Penske Entertainment (2025)

Following the Indy 500, Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou emerged victorious, solidifying his dominance in the 2025 season. After six races of the 17-race championship, Palou, the only driver since A.J. Foyt in 1979 to win five of the first six races, has clearly mastered the hybrid regeneration system’s subtle advantages, leveraging its strategic nuances to claim his first oval race and INDY 500 crown to further cement his legacy in INDYCAR’s hybrid era. 

Proving, that, ultimately, the driver controls the outcome of his own finish.

With his closest competitor of Arrow McLaren's Pato O'Ward at -112 point deficit, Alex Palou is well on his way - with 306 points in six of seventeen races scheduled - to a fourth INDYCAR SERIES Championship in five years (2021, 2023, 2024). 

Welcome the Hybrid-Powered age of NTT INDYCAR SERIES Championship season racing.

Post Script >>>

Pato O'Ward has an opinion on the real value of HYBRID-Powered engines in NTT INDYCAR SERIES racing. O'Ward in the pits at the Chevrolet Grand Prix Of Detroit - Image Credit: Aaron Skillman via NICS (2025)

'The hybrid has brought zero benefit’ – O'Ward - Racer May 30, 2025

... notes from The EDJE


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TAGS: NTT INDYCAR SERIES, hybrid regeneration system, #INDY500, #IndyCarOnFOX, #HYBRID, Re-Gen Punch, Pato O'Ward, Alex Palou, The EDJE

Carburation Day 2025 At Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hosts The Inaugural Wienie 500

 

Friday! Friday! Friday! It's the motorsports event of the year - the inaugural Wienie 500. For the first time ever all 6 Wienermobiles will race against each other at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The American Southwest will be represented by Oscar Mayer Wienermobile No. 04 - the Sonoran Dog. Image Credit: Oscar Mayer (2025)

Carburation Day 2025 At Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hosts The Inaugural Wienie 500

Today, Carburation Day, May 23, 2025, Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosts the first-ever “Wienie 500,” a thrilling marketing spectacle featuring Oscar Mayer’s iconic fleet of six Wienermobiles racing on the legendary track. This unique event, part of Carburation Day festivities ahead of the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500, marks the first competitive race for the Wienermobiles and their first “meat-up” in over a decade.

 
Representing the American Southwest, Wienermobile No. 04, the Sonoran Dog, distinguished visually by its Dark Green Accent, will compete alongside other regional-themed vehicles: the No. 01 Chi Dog for the Midwest, No. 02 - Red Accent New York Dog for the East, No. 03 - Purple Accent Slaw Dog for the Southeast, No. 05 - Blue Accent Seattle Dog for the Northwest, and No. 06 - Brown Accent Chilli Dog for the South.

The Wienie 500 will be streamed live at 2 p.m. ET on the FOX Sports app and @INDYCARonFOX social accounts, with highlights featured during the Indy 500 pre-race show on FOX. Each Wienermobile, piloted by Oscar Mayer’s Hotdoggers in custom racing suits, will vie for victory in a race complete with a trophy presentation in the “Wiener’s Circle,” featuring a celebratory condiment spray and a hot dog for the winner.

Wienermobile dimensions as provided by Oscar Mayer and presented by FOX S[ports for the Wienie 500. Image Credit: FOX Sports via YouTube (2025)

Hot dog enthusiasts nationwide can join the excitement through a free-to-play pool on DraftKings, available at Draftkings.com/wienie500. Fans can predict race outcomes for a chance to win a share of a $10,000 cash prize. “The Indy 500 kicks off summer and hot dog season,” said Kelsey Rice, brand communications director at Oscar Mayer. “The Wienie 500 brings delightful competition to the Speedway, celebrating delicious meats and American traditions.”

Oscar Mayer WIENIE 500
PUNS In 40 Seconds LINK

As the “Official Hot Dog” of Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indianapolis 500, Oscar Mayer is launching the Wienie 500 with a nationwide advertising campaign, promising more surprises throughout the summer. For more details and to follow the crowning of the ultimate wiener, visit OscarMayer.com or follow @OscarMayer on Instagram and TikTok.

POST RACE UPDATE - Full Race Event Video Link >>>

The starting order for the race was set based on the car numbers assigned to each Wienermobile, as follows:

Row 1

No. 01 Chi Dog representing the Midwest - No. 02 New York Dog representing the East 

Row 2

No. 03 Slaw Dog representing the Southeast - No. 04 Sonoran Dog representing the Southwest

 

Row 3

No. 05 Seattle Dog representing the Northwest - No. 06 Chilli Dog representing the South 

The race began with a standing start, and when the GREEN Flag waved, the Wienermobiles proceeded cleanly in single-file order, Nos. 1 through 6, navigating Turns 1 and 2. On the back straightaway, the Wienermobiles started to jostle and challenge for position, though the order remained unchanged initially. The race unfolded as described below.

Over the course of the two-lap, five-mile race, there were two notable passes for the lead. The first lead change occurred on the front straightaway under the WHITE Flag, as the No. 04 Sonoran Dog surged forward, overtaking three Wienermobiles while crossing the yard of bricks. This bold move thrilled spectators, including those at The EDJE, who rose to their feet in excitement. However, the celebration was brief, as the No. 04 Sonoran Dog’s engine began spewing smoke exiting Turn 2.

On the second pass down the back straightaway, the competition intensified. The No. 04 Sonoran Dog was overtaken, and the No. 03 Slaw Dog for the Southeast made a decisive move, passing the No. 01 Chi Dog for the Midwest for the second time at the yard of bricks, this time under the CHECKERED Flag.

Inaugural Marketing Genius Event "Wienie 500" Finishing Order: 

• No. 03 Slaw Dog for the Southeast 

• No. 01 Chi Dog for the Midwest 

• No. 02 New York Dog for the East 

• No. 05 Seattle Dog for the Northwest 

• No. 06 Chilli Dog for the South 

• No. 04 Sonoran Dog for the Southwest (engine performance issues)

NEXT - The Big Show >>> The Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge is Sunday (10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT, FOX - Over-The-Air, FOX Deportes, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio Network).

... notes from The EDJE

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TAGS: #IndyCarOnFOX, #NTTINDYCAR, INDY500, #WEINIE500, 04 Sonoran Dog, #TheEDJE, The EDJE