Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Canamax seeks Justice while Traipsing the Globe

As where’s ‘Ol Sandy Duncan when Yuhs need her? And why did A little Dab will do Yuh spring to mind?

 

We last left off with Preston Henry Winchester III, the guiding force of the Canamax concern. Most notably the Armani Canamax Champ Car team having implored His hired counsel of Dumfries, Duquione and Duncan to enforce withering, punitive monetary damages against His nemesis’s scourge. Err championship winning driver Jonathan Truxbury!

 

Yet instead, Truxbury and arch rival Betuzi Motorsports, and more notably team owner Chester’ have run roughshod over the entire Champ Car field once again. This time seeing Truxbury win ten races enroute to His fourth title, or was it five? Since the BM Champ Car team was currently unstoppable…

 

Mr. Winchester, Gerrard Duncan’s on line three.

 

Yes Gerrard, I agree. We’ve got no other choice than to proceed with the litigation in the High court of Cornwall. Yes, I’ll be there for the proceedings…

 

Audrey, tell Roscoe Snow to please see me. And tell Hugo I need to see Him toot sweet! Yes Mr. Winchester, although Hugo’s at the Gym right now.

 

Hugo Marques was of average height for a former Champ Car driver. Barrell chested, with a clean shaven head, bushy black eyebrows, inquisitive brown eyes and a pugnacious nose.

 

As the former Iron Maiden 5000 winner had run His last race for the ever improving Armani Canamax racing team, albeit a loose wheel nut had caused Him to finish P27…

 

Winferd’, as many called Him collegially. Had initially hired Hugo to be the team’s Sporting Director, before elevating Him to the vacated Team Principal position. As Garret McCloud had left to spend more time in His vegetable garden.  Before joining the rival Champ car operation, now renamed as Torrez Waltrip McCloud Racing.

 

Hugo, a fitness fanatic, during His free time could be most likely found in the team’s state-of-the-art Gym doing one handed push-ups, usually in sets of 100!

 

Yes Boss, you wanted to see me. Yeah Hugo, I’ve got to go to Cornwall next week to sue the BeeGees’ out of that Fucking Truxbury! Meaning you’ll be in charge while I’m gone. As perhaps you can spend some QT’ with your protégé Bryan Boxer. Since finishing 23rd won’t cut it next year!

 

If you need to get ahold of me, have Audrey call me. No, don’t use your encrypted SpartoCuss account. As I hear Elroid’s got a bug up His tea kettle with Billy Jo Bradshaw and is monitoring it for any devious behaviour. Since Elroid’s still got the exclusive contract with Washington for His Neptune Satellite system. And tell Roscoe to come in.

 

Roscoe, I need you to contact your Dad Cletus for me again on your old fashioned Ham radio, Err CB. No, don’t worry, Thars nobody at the FCC these days to monitor your transmissions. Just tell Him to meet me at the Mockingbird Cafe again.

 

Yeah, I know its not located in Memphis where His favourite haunt Graceland’s at. But the Mockingbird does a mean Hushpuppies brunch. And there’s always leftovers for His Hoond Butch…

 

Audrey, have the jet pick me up in Charlotte. As I need to check in on our Sports Car Boyz’. Then to Italy to pick up the last of my hand sewn Georgio Armani four piece double breasted suits. Since I need to look sharp for court.

 

Hello Snowman, thanks for meeting me again Yes, I already ordered Butch His own plate of Hushpuppies…

 

Look, I need you to make a few deliveries for me. We had to take a bloodbath of Nabisco products, which doesn’t concern you. Well, we thought we had a deal as title sponsor with a certain Champ Car driver, Oh Never Mind!

 

Yeah, I know you’re strictly a Kenworth man. But we’re trying to keep this somewhat anonymous, even though our fearless leader’s favourite colour is gold. But you’ll be needing a refrigerator trailer for some of these errands. So we’ve leased you a 2024 artic white Cascadia sleeper cab.

 

Yes, its even got what I’m told is a super comfortable Murphy bed in the sleeper, with plenty of room for Butch…

 

Know you’ve got family in Bucksnort who work at the local Fireworks plant, but there’s no time for a visit Cletus.

 

You’ll find your Big rig waiting for you in Weehawken, loaded and ready to go. No the Port Authority won’t give you any trouble. As Wade Wetterly, Billy Jo’s Lieutenant General has already had His office contact them.

 

Ok, if you really need to know, we’re writing off a Shit, Err Shipload of Nabisco products. As I need you to take the truckload of Nutter butter, Mega Stuffed Oreos, Fudgebusters, Triple Double Neapolitan Oreos, Big Stuff Oreos, Rocky Road and Chunky Monkeyd Ice Cream to the Bradshaw’s vacation house. While His wife Bianca likes the Bite Size Oreos, Irish cream Ginger Snaps and Wheat Thins, I’m told…

 

Yep, you’ll head directly south to deliver all of these treats to Billy Jo’s Mullbury Manor in the Florida Keys. And make sure you keep Butch inside the cab, since I hear there’s Gators’ down Thar!

 

Nah, don’t worry about the Toll roads. I hear that ever since Billy Jo shut down the local mall in DC, and sent everybody home on Holiday. There shouldn’t be anybody to collect the Tolls…

 

But make sure you leave some of that El Speciale Fizzy water at Mullbury. As I hear that Wade’s a Cat person and Bianca’s feline only drinks bottled water. And make sure you keep it nicely refrigerated, say 45 degrees Fahrenheit?

 

Then I need you to drop off a couple of pallets of that Aqua Tyre Minerale at Homestead, where Hugo and the Armani Canamax Boyz’ should be giving Enrique Capelli an evaluation day’s testing. No, you let the team worry about what that gaseous mineral water’s for…

 

Next stop is the Gulf of Arkansas, even if it comes from Across the Border. And pick up a dozen live Blue Crabs.

 

Just pour some of that Aqua Tyre Minerale into a cooler and put it inside the Sleeper compartment. Hell, I don’t care what you feed ‘em. Although I hear they do enjoy Popeye’s Fried Chicken. Exactly, I’m sure Butch likes Popeye’s too!

 

As I promised my wife Jillian some fresh crabs for dinner, as She doesn’t like turkey…

 

Then up to Delaware. As Billy Jo should have shot His pet Turkeys by then! No way Fred and Barney are getting pardons this year. Although He’ll probably have His friend Cristina Nomeski over to take care of them!

 

No just leave the Crabs and freshly butchered turkeys with me. Our Chef knows what to do with them! As we’re having company over. Hell, we’re stuck hosting the team again, Shite!

 

And then take the truck back to Freightliner’s factory in Oregon. As it’s a good thing we’re using transportation built in America!

 

But just be careful in the Rose City. As I hear they’ve got Bearded women   in Flannel shirts trying to save the trees eating granola wanderin’ the streets up there!

 

Hell! Billy Jo’s sendin’ the Calvary to Portland! I hear that the Screamin Eagles, you know, the 82nd Airbourne’s gonna show those Tree Huggers what happens when they FAFO!

 

And then have somebody give you a lift to PDX, where you’ll find a first class seat booked for you and Butch to fly back to Indianapolis for dinner at our house. Yeah, your son Roscoe will be there too. And of course Butch is welcomed.

 

As we’re having Crab Cakes and Turkey for the main course, and plenty ‘O Coors beer too…

 

For the previous Canamax Capers installment. Please visit the following No Fenders link below.

 

Rotten Tomatoes, or should that be Tamales? 

Tuesday, November 25, 2025

Cable TV Mogul, Le Mans winner Dies

But how many know about Him?

 

Its funny what we as individuals pay Attenzione to, or choose to ignore.

 

Case-in-point, naturally the words Le Mans winner will “Peak” my Attenzione. And no, I won’t elabourate on the Danica peaking pun intended. Which Arse-sumedly, most have forgotten by now…

 

The second part of the obituary that intrigued Mwah was the mention of the gritty city of Tacoma, Washington. Although I have to say the sir name of Hindery did nothing for me.

 

Leo Hindery Jr was born in Springfield, Illinois on Halloween of 1947, and died at age 77 in Zurich, Switzerland on September 18, 2025.

 

Leo grew up in Tacoma, where His father was a manager at a Sears Roebuck store. Completing His undergraduate studies at Seattle University, followed by a MBA from Stanford University.

 

After a few jobs, Leo founded InterMedia Partners. A Cable TV company that eventually grew to nearly three million customers. This was then sold to TCI, (Tele-Communications Inc.) the nation’s largest Cable TV company. Co-founded by the ominous John c. Malone. With Hindery ultimately becoming President and CEO of TCI.

 

Yes, that same John Carl Malone, that Al Gore called the Darth Vader of Wall Street Me Thinks! Or simply Darth Vader for His prodigious consumption of media companies. Whose now Chairman of Liberty Media, Liberty Global and the Qurate Retail Group. Whatever the latter is?

 

Although Malone, now 84 years old, has just announced His stepping down as Chairman of Liberty Media and Liberty global at year’s end. And will take up the new role of Chairman Emeritus on January 1st. Although I’m guessing He’ll be treated better than former Liberty Media Chairman Emeritus Uncle Bernaughty!

 

Hindery became smitten with motor racing after being given a gift certificate to the Richard Petty Driving Experience in the early 1990’s.

 

As Hindery’s third wife was Patty Wheeler, daughter of the irrepressible PT Barnum of Stock Car racing, Humpy Wheeler. With the couple marrying in 2005.

 

Hindery would go onto race at Circuit de la Sarthe, finishing second in the GT Class in 2003. Before winning the GT2 category two years later. Driving a Porsche 911 GT3 RSR with co-drivers Marc Lieb and Mike Rocky’ Rockenfeller, for Alex Job Racing. Finishing 10th overall, 38-laps behind the winning Audi R8 of Mr. Le Mans, aka Tom Kristensen, JJ Letho and Marco Werner.

 

As I’ve forgotten the exact quote now from His New York Times Obituary. But it was something to the effect of why He liked motor racing so much. Noting that the Chequered Flag doesn’t care who you are, or how many successful Deals you make in the Boardroom…

 

Whilst interestingly, I was unaware that Leo had been Chairman of Port Imperial Racing Associates, promoter of the failed Grand Prix of America in Weehawken, New Jersey.

 

Having been announced in 2011 as the Port Imperial Street Circuit with a length of 3.2-miles, and resembling Monaco’s race. Although its elevation changes thru the Jersey’ Palisades were higher and the lap time was predicted to be quicker.

 

The race was first scheduled for June 16, 2013, before being postponed. With Bernie Ecclestone saying the contract had been annulled due to breech of contract.

 

Yet the race was subsequently scheduled for June 1, 2014, before once again running into financial difficulty. With the race quietly disappearing, and not being listed on the 2015 F1 Calendar.

 

As oddly, what I remember most about this failed attempt is ‘lil syd viddle’, aka Sebastian Vettel running demonstration Hot-laps over the proposed circuit in some sort of Nissan Infiniti automobile. When Infiniti was then Red Bull Racing’s title sponsor… 

Monday, November 24, 2025

The Curse of Blogger!



Mario Andretti belatedly trying to find His way to Denny Hamlin’s Timing Stand, Err Pit Box in Avondale. (The Tomaso Collection)

 

Apparently the Andretti’s aren’t the only one’s Cursed…

 

Since for reasons unknown, Blogger has become super persnickety over uploading pictures on No Fenders. And apparently Mario wasn’t the only one who got lost!

 

As you’re gonna Drive Me to Drinkin’ if You Don’t Stop Uploading Broken Images Blogger, Oh Never Mind! 

The Andretti “Curse” Rolls On?

Who says the Andretti’s have a lock upon victory curses, Eh?

 

As everyone in Ye blogosphere is currently lamenting the retirement of Marco Andretti ending the family’s legacy at Mother speedway, my mind was elsewhere…

 

Nope, I didn’t “watch” the whole G-Damn race, But! I did tune-in at the start and pitter-pattered about until some 30-plus laps to go in Stage 2. Up until A.J. Allmendinger smacked the Wall! Reportedly His second hard crash of the weekend.

 

As its still weird to Mwah hearing Leigh Diffey’s voice calling NASCAR races. Tuning into the Playoffs finale, where I could only stomach so much of Jeff Burton’s nasually, ear splitting reed tonal voice! Switching over to “watching”, Err listening to The Sting on Turner Classic Movies instead…

 

As I’d say the irony of The Sting wasn’t lost on Mwah some 24 hours later!

 

Whilst I suppose due to my deteriorating eyesight, having “seen” the movie many times before. I instantly recognized Spicoli’s favourite High School teacher Mr. Hand’s voice. With Ray Walston playing J.J. Singleton, which I’d never noticed before, but I digress…

 

When I left the broadcast, Denny Hamlin was still out front by some three seconds and had led an astounding 157-laps!

 

Thus you could imagine my surprise to learn Monday morning that Hamlin, who led a race leading 208-laps and was leading by three seconds with three laps remaining, came up short! Err was visited by the Ghost of the Andretti’s…

 

As Kyle Larson finished third and Hamlin P6 on the Rucky Dawgs’ Checkers or Wreckers race restart. Courtesy of Larson’s Hendrick’s teammate, and fellow Championship Contendah’ William Byron, who blew one of Goodyear’s new, softer tyres, CoInky-dense?

 

Hamlin won six races this year vs. Larson’s three. With Larson having been winless since May, albeit notching some 18 Top-5’s and 22 Top-10’s, but still, not winning since May, say what?

 

As Hamlin said if you can’t win this one, He doesn’t know how you’re gonna win one, i.e.; Championship that is. As Hamlin, age 44 was trying to win His first title in 20yrs, not to mention reportedly His father is dying…

 

But seriously? Why did NASCAR let Goodyear bring brand new softer rubber to the Championship deciding race in The Valley of the Sun?

 

As I’m pretty sure that Hamlin takes little solace over having won His 60th NASCAR Cup race this season. Tying Him for 10th overall with Kevin Harvick. And just three wins behind Rowdy Holmes’, err Kyle Busch. Whilst the late Intimidator’, Err ‘Ol Ironhead’,

 

nee Dale Earnhardt ranked 8th overall, has 76 wins… 

Friday, November 21, 2025

F1: Show Me the Money!

But definitely Don’t expect any Change back…

 

Although why did Bernie and The Muppets come screaming in my Head initially?

 

As once again, I wasn’t able to “Back-time” this properly, having already poonded’ out a plethora ‘O No Fender stories for your dining consumption…

 

Did somebody say dining? Was that the 12:45 reservation being called aboard my train? As think its past my lunchtime, Hya!

 

Even if I could have squeezed it in? I wasn’t going to celebrate a one Bernard Charles Ecclestone’s 95th Birthday on October 28th. For whomever will simply be Uncle Bernaughty to Mwah!

 

As what more can I say than Uncle Bernaughty simply cutting a cheque for a cool $100m to the German authorities to wiggle His way out of a Bribery trial! Whilst lest we forget? The miserable Fall-man Sob in the morass, disgraced German Banker Gerhard Gribkowsky sat rotting in jail for 8.5 years while Ecclestone, then a spritely 83 years young, serenely continued doing Business as Usual, Ja Volt!

 

While Formula One’s Teflon Man Slips the Noose, another ties His own Knot

 

Nor should we forget that Messer Bernaughty plead guilty to tax fraud two years ago. Agreeing to pay the British Tax authorities HS Revenues nearly $653m British pounds for failing to properly divulge multiple trusts in 2015.

 

Or accidentally taking a revolver with Him to Sao Paolo when attending the Brazilian Grand Prix with wife Fabiana. With Bernie denying being arrested, yet paying $1,740 in Bail. Before joking that He hadn’t had any publicity lately and thought He needed to drum up some. Along with being mugged for His luxury Hublot watch some 15 years ago…

 

But don’t worry. In typical Bernie fashion, He turned the 2010 mugging into a presumably profitable Advert’. Or at the very least garnered His much sought after public attention He craves!

 

Hublot’s tactic with the Blackey Bernie Ecclestone Watch Ad

 

Not to mention having recently sold His fantastic 69 vintage F1 car collection, reportedly worth $500m to Red Bull Heir Mark Mateschitz. Son of the late Deeter Majestic! Aka Dietrich Mateschitz

 

Along with reportedly just having sold the first of His two private yachts for $17m. With the 176-foot “Petara”, named after daughters Pietra and Tamara. Which the Ecclestone’s only used eight days a year…

 

And how surreal to be 95yrs old and have a five year old son named Abe. Along with His eldest daughter Deborah being 70; some 20-plus years older than His current wife.

 

Yet when reading the London Telegraph’s article honouring His momentous birthday. Interestingly, Eccleston mentioned of His four closest life friends; Jochen Rindt, Niki Lauda, Max Mosely and Flavio Briatore, only one was still alive.

 

Ironically, it just so happens that His pal “HMS Monogram”, Flavour Flav or simply Flavio Briatore is at the heart of Ecclestone’s latest court case. With Felipe Massa persevering over the noxious Crashgate affair that one could say cost Him the 2008 Formula 1 World Championship!

 

As Massa is reportedly suing Ecclestone, Formula One Management (FOM) and the FIA for $64 million Australian pounds for breech of contract and duty. As I love how the London Telegraph always quotes monetary amounts in Australian pounds, and not British…

 

Massa claims that Ecclestone’s public statement in 2023 about how He and Arse-sumedly the deposed Max Mosley knew about Crashgate before the end of the 2008 F1 season and chose to do nothing about it! Would have summarily revised the results of said Singapore Grand Prix, which future Ferrari teammate Fernando Alonso won. And thus Massa would have been that year’s F1 Driver’s Champion instead of Lewis Hamilton winning His maiden Driver’s crown.

 

As I’m most intrigued over how this turns out. Since one could argue that Massa has a valid point. But is it worth overturning History?

 

As sadly, Fernando will Always be Faster than you Massa, Confirm…

 

Meanwhile, on this side of the Gory Puddle. Its nice knowing that Liberty Media has sold out Formula 1. Awarding the 2026 U.S. TV rights to Apple for a rumoured $140-180m per season for the next five years. As basically Liberty Media has just effectively doubled what ESPN paid for its latest three year contract extension between 2022-25, i.e.; $75-90m. Which was far north of the earlier ESPN F1 rights deal of a paltry $5m per year!

 

Thus nobody Stateside with old fashioned Cable TV will be able to “consume” Formula 1 on their Telie’s next year, Bastardoes!

 

Yeah, I know I’m not the desired target audience. And perhaps more people stream these days vs. traditional TV? Especially when your Cable company just adds on an extra $10 per month willy nilly. Not Willie Vanilla; since Thars’ a whole lot of lip synching going on over no better service, Oh Never Mind!

 

But I’m left wondering how is a legally blind motorsports fan supposed to stream? And is this the end of my four decades of faithfully watching Formula 1 on Ye Boob Tube?

 

As why should we be left scrambling once again to support a sport that wasn’t even in the mainstream’s consciousness or lexicon when I began following it religiously in 1986, Eh?

 

Thus, a large part of me hopes this move backfires for Liberty Media, Err Formula 1. Since sometime the F1 bubble’s gonna burst Stateside, and this seems the perfect catalyst!

 

But then again what do I know? Simply being a cellar dwelling Blogger who still lives in the 20th Century… 

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

More Belated Driver news

Since Der Wurld de Motorsporten never Sleeps!

 

Yeah, its been strange for Mwah the past few months. Waiting and waiting to get my ‘Ol Desktop Confuzer’ upgraded to Windows 11 specification before the enforced October 14th deadline. Which I’ll scribble about in another riveting No Fenders post, albeit, its been very liberating not madly poondin’ away on thoust keyboard…

 

Naturally, this has caused me to try poondin’ out copious stories for future consumption, like this one. Hence my prose is somewhat outdated.

 

Case-in-point was after having finished scribblin’ about some Belated Driver news. We got another IndyCar Driver’s confirmation along with several teams testing.

 

Be still my beating Heart! Did Dale Coyne actually announce His second IndyCar driver and assign car numbers before Halloween. Trick or Treat?

 

Thus Arse-sumedly everyone knows about Dale Coyne Racing (DCR) having confirmed reigning Indy NXT Champion Dennis Hauger as one of its two drivers for next year.

 

Along with their new technical alliance with Andretti Global. Which sees DCR receiving componentry and engineering set-up advice. Guessing that means Dampers, i.e.; Shocks from Andretti?

 

Whilst Coyne will rely upon its own in-house Engineering staff, most notably noted engineer Michael Cannon. With Dale Coyne noting how Cannon and Craig Hansen, now at Andretti, have worked together in the past. And have a good relationship.

 

And speaking of Andretti Global. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that former Team Penske Managing Director Ron Ruzewski has now become Andretti’s new IndyCar Team Principal, and will begin in January. With Rob Edwards, the previous Chief Operating Officer, (COO) moving into a new role at TWG Motorsports. Becoming its new Chief Performance officer . (CPO)  overseeing all of their vast motorsports portfolio, i.e.; Formula 1, IndyCar, NASCAR, Sports Cars, Formula E and Indy NXT. Although Ruzewski will be in charge of both IndyCar and Indy NXT’s day-to-day operations.

 

Team Penske “rented” Mid-Ohio back on October 1st, with a total of five teams attending. As Penske ran Sports Car Ace Felipe Nasr, who finished quickest of all. Just slightly ahead of countryman Caio Collet, with the Indy NXT driver piloting the No. 14 A.J. Foyt Enterprises car.

 

Fellow Indy NXT Chip Ganassi Racing driver Niels Koolen sampled the team’s No. 8 entry. Kakunoshin Kaku’ Ohta drove one of Meyer Shank Racing’s Honda’s, along with the aforementioned Hauger driving for Coyne. With everyone making their respective IndyCar debuts, with the exception of Nasr., who’s tested multiple times for Penske

 

Then there was the “Big” test at Mother Speedway. With Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing testing Mick Schumacher on the 2.439-mile, 14 turns permanent road course on October 13th. Although it was expected that at least Andretti Global would join the IMS test and give Andretti Global Indy NXT driver Lochie Hughes His debut IndyCar outing.

 

Whilst presumably other IndyCar teams would show up at IMS. As according to The Pit Window, Schumacher and Hughes were slated to be joined by Caio Collet for A.J. Foyt Enterprises. Dennis Hauger for DCR. Both of Ed Carpenter Racing’s (ECR) regular drivers Alexander Rossi and Christian Rasmussen. Plus Juncos Hollinger Racing (JHR) with Indy NXT driver James Roe.

 

Then according to Marshall Pruett, Enzo Fittipaldi would test again for Arrow McLaren on Sebring’s Short Course later in October. As once again , would other teams join the party?

 

As Enzo, younger brother of Pietro Fittipaldi made His IndyCar debut testing alongside His brother at Sebring in 2023. Then tested for Arrow McLaren last November at the Thermal Club for Arrow McLaren.

 

Also according to Pruett, Enzo is rumoured to be moving to Indy NXT next season, driving for HMD Motorsports.

 

Interestingly, and I totally missed the memo. The Cadillac Formula 1 Team announced Pietro Fittipaldi as its Development Driver on October 1st.

 

One other item that tripped my No. 4 wire, albeit just pure speculation upon my part. Especially with Dale Coyne saying they needed to Walk before running with the Andretti Global partnership. Yet mentioning how Andretti global had other Indy NXT drivers in its pipeline they’d like to advance to IndyCar…

 

I immediately thought of Lochie Hughes, who presumably will run a sophomore campaign in Indy NXT next year. And then He could take over Dennis Hauger’s IndyCar seat at Coyne, apprentice for a year and then replace fellow Aussie’ DJ WillyP’, aka Will Power’s seat? With Hauger presumably taking over Marcus Ericsson’s No. 28 ride?

 

But that’s just plain speculating upon my part, and only time will tell…

 

Meanwhile, Hughes has just officially hired Michael Patrizi as His manager. As the pair have worked together over the years unofficially, with Hughes saying it seemed time to have a manager.

 

Having also missed the memo of Lochie being announced as Andretti global IndyCar reserve driver on October 8th, when I was preoccupied with my Confuzers Windoughz’ 11 Arse-similation, Yuck!

 

And that Hughes will indeed contest a second year in Indy NXT with Andretti Global for 2026.

 

Whilst previously, I know I heard somebody saying they’d seen Romain Grosjean in conversation with Andretti global during the Battle on The Bricks weekend, which I think was Marshall Pruett.

 

Thus, Grosjean joining Coyne with potentially past engineer Olivier Boissan makes perfect sense for the No. 18 DCR entry… 

Monday, November 17, 2025

Battle on the Bricks Postscript

But how many remember who Kissed the Bricks Wayback’ in September?

 

Suppose the majority of Sports Fans were busy watchin’ pigskins being tossed round, eh? Although I did stumble into the NASCAR Playoff race from New Hampshire on USA Network briefly. When looking for the TV coverage of the Battle on the Bricks race during lunchtime.

 

As it still really baffles me, how IMSA or NBC think they’re gonna move the proverbial needle when putting the start of the race, and the first three hours duration behind a Freakin’ Paywall! And Yes, Peacock streaming is nothing more than that!

 

As seriously? USA Network couldn’t forego running three hours of Law and Order reruns?

 

Began the weekend by listening to the majority of Qualie’ via IMSA Radio, albeit they either moved qualifying forward, or I misread when it started? Since when I dropped in, they were interviewing the Grand Touring Daytona (GTD) pole winner Casper Stevenson, driving the No. 27 The Heart Of Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT3.

 

Believe it was Dan Harper in the #48 Paul Miller Racing BMW M4 GT3 claiming the GTD Pro P1 award. But cannot remember now who snagged the LMP2 pole? Whilst Tom The bomb! Blomqvist took the GTP pole position aboard His No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing’s Acura ARX-06 Prototype.

 

Listened to David Land’s coverage. Which began on Friday talking to some of the “Stars” of Indianapolis. That being Edwardo Barichello, Logan Sargent, Broc Feeney and Romain Grosjean. With Barichello, Sargent and Feeney all  making their IMSA debuts.

 

Yeah, that’s the son of former Formula 1 winner Rubino’, nee Rubens Barrichello. Whilst Feeney is an Aussie’ contesting the Supercars Championship down Under Mates! And was leading the title fight prior to Mother Speedway.

 

As Feeney held a 345 point lead with 12 wins prior to the October 12th Bathurst 1000 race…

 

Meanwhile, Grosjean needs no introduction. But I did learn that the Lamborghini SC63 IMSA GTP programme has been placed on a one year “pause” for 2026. Making it quite odd that Lamborghini would be debuting its “Joker” Evo “Card” for its new rear suspension with just two races remaining in the season. And possibly the SC63’s future?

 

This explains why Romain is so eager to return to IndyCar. With Grosjean telling Land that He’ll be turning 40. And  its good to have people mentioning your name vs. not mentioning your name when asked about the rumours of driving for Dale Coyne Racing next year?

 

Yet what I cannot understand is why Logan Sargent was getting so much interest and coverage over the entire weekend? Yeah, He’s a former Formula 1 driver, but so what! Grosjean, Felipe Nasr, Sebastien Bourdais and Paul di Resta were too. And to a lesser extent, Pietro Fittipaldi and Jack Aitken also made F1 starts, which are just some who I can think of with past Formula 1 results.

 

Yet IMSA Radio’s John Hindhaugh and Ryan Marin felt compelled to keep us up to date on constantly where Logan was, which I just don’t understand. For which all I recall is that Logan didn’t have a very stellar outing, albeit at one point setting the fastest lap for LMP2…

 

Which speaking of the LMP2 category, it seems like All of the Young Turks are racing there. With the likes of Hunter McElrea, Toby Sowery, Rasmus Lind, Pietro Fittipaldi and James Roe all plying their trade Thar. Not to mention former IndyCar drivers Ben Handley and Benjamin Pederson, or is it Peterson, Ya Sure Yuh Betcha?

 

Tuning into the preamble, I was Cornfuzed’ hearing that the top three gid spots were all Cadillac’s, Huh? With Jack Aitken now starting on pole. As the No. 60 MSR entry of Blomqvist had received a post-tech penalty. With the Acura having some producer supplied bodywork out of compliance, seeing the #60 relegated to P12.

 

As the Whelen Cadd-Oh-lacc’ V-Series.R was dominant the entire six hours. Tending to recall hearing it lead 210 of the races 243 laps! Not to mention being only one of two IMSA GTP entries running three drivers line-ups.

 

The race was littered with Full course Cautions, along with multiple penalties after IMSA tightened up its allowable aggression. Yet with 53 cars trading paint and rubbin’ fenders, this outcome wasn’t surprising…

 

As the only drama seemed to be whether the leaders could make the race’s finale without running out of their virtual energy allotment. But a late race caution for Ben Handley drop kicking Toby Sowery in the dueling LMP2 racecars saved the day. Especially for the eventual runner-up No. 10 Wayne Taylor Racing Caddy’. With Ricky Taylor crossing the stripe with just 4% virtual energy remaining!

 

Yet it was Aitken, Earl Bamber and Frederik Vesti winning in the #31 Whelen Caddy’. The team’s first victory since the 2023 12 Hours of Sebring, Yikes! With Jack “Achey Breaky” Aitken being the only “carryover” driver from that Sebring win.

 

While it was also Cadillac’s first win of the season in IMSA competition, with just one race remaining on the calendar.

 

Once again, completing a Hat trick ‘O victories at Mother Speedway, was the No. 11 TDS Racing in LMP2. With Hunter McElrea, Steven Thomas and Nikkel Jensen victorious.

 

The GTD Pro field included a great scrum with the No. 77 Rexi’ AO Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R with Klaus Bachler at its controls. Making the crowd favourite’s Porsche’s flanks extremely wide and frustrating the two Multimatic Ford Mustang GT3’s behind Him! As first the #65 couldn’t get by, and then it took the #64 quite a while. Before finally Sebastian Priaulx saw His chance and made a bold pass that ultimately led to Priaulx and Mike Rocky’ Rockenfeller winning; the duo’s second win of the season.

 

But the most striking victory had to be the No. 70 Inception Racing’s Ferrari 296 GT3 win with Brendan Iride, Frederik Schandorff and Ollie Millroy in the GTD Class.

 

As the car strangely lost its Bonnet during the race, triggering a full course caution for debris on-track, Youch!

 

Apparently with one hour remaining, an LMP2 racecar crossed in front of Schandorff, sucking the Ferrari’s hood off the car! Pitting for a replacement bonnet, the team motored its way home to the team’s maiden victory! Ironically coming on the one year anniversary of the team switching from its previous McLaren 720s GT3 racecar.

 

And thus, the chapter upon Indianapolis Motor speedway’s six hours endurance race comes to a close. With Road America taking the six hour race duration next year, while IMS becomes a “standard” 2Hrs, 40mins “Sprint” race.

 

As you’d have to say, IMSA could have made much more of this six hours race by at the very least, requiring the GTP entries to run three drivers. Whilst not sure how much enthusiasm will be conjured over a Sprint race in the fall?