LE MANS: 2026 Race preview

Can somebody stop Ferrari’s winning streak?

 

This year’s 94th edition of le 24 Heurs du Mans commences over June 13-14 with 62 entries. With 18 Hypercars, 19 LMP2 and 25 LMGT3 entries.

 

As typical, I won’t try covering the entire grid, just what caught my No. 4 wire. Initially being most interested in how the two Genesis Magma Racing GMR-001 entry’s fare upon their Circuit de la Sarthe debut; Nos. 17, 19.

 

As the No. 17 of Pico Derani, Mathys Jaubert and Andre Lotterer are currently 13th overall, having scored Genesis’s first top-ten finish at Spa. (8th )

While the Seester’ No. 19 of Paul-Loup Chatin, Mathieu Jaminet and Daniel Juncadella languishes in P19 overall, with a best finish of 13th at Spa.

 

The other 16 Hypercars cast includes two Alpine A424’s, two Aston Martin Valkyrie’s, two BMW M Hybrid V8’s and three Cadillac V-Serie’s.R’s. Plus three Ferrari 499P’s, including the defending No. 83 winner. Two Peugeot 9X8’s and two Toyota TR010’s.

 

As the No. 8 Toyota won the season opener 6 Hours of Imola, with the No. 20 BMW M Team WRT winning the 6 Hours of Spa.

 

The No. 38 Herst Team Jota Caddy’ sports Jack “Achey Breaky” Aitken, Earl Bamber and le Hamburglar’, nee Sealmeister B’, SeaBass or simply Sebastien Bourdais. With the No. 101 Cadd-Oh-lacc’ being the IMSA entry of Wayne Taylor Racing. Having Filipe Albuquerque and the Jordan Brothers at its controls, i.e.; Jordan & Ricky.

 

The LMP2 field is chock-Oh-block with impressive entries, including the nine Pro Am (PA) entrants. As Luxembourg’s No. 3 VKR Engineering features Renger van der Zande, John Farano and Sebastian Alvarez. While the No. 4 CrowdStrike by APR features Laurin Heinrich, George Kurtz and Alex Quinn.

 

Another IMSA entry is the No. 14 TDS Racing with Mathias Beche, Tobias Lutke and Kevin Estre.

 

The No. 25 Algarve Pro Racing features somebody by the name of Enzo Trulli, son of Former F1 Pilote Trulli Scrumptious’, ergo Jarno Trulli.

 

Romain Dumas and Tristan Turbo’ Vautier anchor the No. 48 RD Limited, with Fred Poordad being the Amateur.

 

And the reigning Pro Am class champion AO by TF will introduce it’s brand new No. 99 Rockie the Pegasus entry, returning with Dane Cameron, P. J. Hyett and James Allen.

 

You can never count out United Autosport in the “Pro” P2 category, with the No. 22 including former Indy Lights driver Rasmus Lindh being part of the ten P2 contingent.

 

The No. 24 Nielsen Racing entry sees former Alpine Formula 1 driver Jack Doohan making His Le Mans debut.

 

Former F1 and IndyCar driver Pietro Fittipaldi is part of the No. 26 Vector Sport entry.

 

The No. 30 Duqueine Team features a stout line-up, with Julien Andlauer, Femme Fatale Doriane Pin and Richard Verschoor.

 

Whilst the defending class champion No. 43 Inter Europol Competition entry remains intact with Nick Yelloly, tom Dillmann and Jacub Smiechowski.

 

In LMGT3, nine marques make-up the 25 entries, i.e.; 3 Aston Martin’s; 2 BMW’s; 4 Chevrolet Corvette’s; 5 Ferrari’s; 2 Ford Mustang’s; 2 Lexus’s; 2 McLaren’s; 3 Mercedes and 2 Porsche’s.

 

The class defending No. 92 The Benz Mantey Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R once again is anchored by Richard Lietz, seeking an unprecedented seventh class win! Along with Riccardo Pera making up two-third’s of last year’s winning driver’s trio. While Bronze rated Aussie’ Yasser Shahin replaces Ryan Hardwick.

 

Interestingly, Yasser is of Australian-Palestinian nationality, and was part of Manthey’s 2024 winning LMGT3 entry alongside Lietz. While Yasser and His brother Sam (also a racing driver) own a number of Australian businesses including The Benz Motorsports Park, a repurposed Mitsubishi test track Down Under.

 

The runner-up #21 Vista AF Corse Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo returns with Simon Mann, Alessio Rovera and Francois Heriau, and presumably will once again harry the Manthey Racing Porsche for victory.

 

Another former Formula 1 driver’s offspring features Lorenzo Patrese driving the No. 74 Kessel Racing Ferrari, with la Scuderia having the largest class entrants.

 

The 13 Autosport’s No. 13 Corvette IMSA entry sees Matt Bell’s name ringing a bell for Mwah, pun intended! As part of the driver trio.

 

Whilst TF sport runs a trio ‘O Corvette Z06.R GT3’s, the Nos. 2, 33; the latter seeing Nicky Catsburg, Johnny Edgar and longtime IMSA “Gentleman” racer Ben Keating at its controls.

 

TF Sport will also campaign a third NO. 34 Vette’ under the auspices of Racing Team Turkey by TF. Seeing Irish drivers Charlie Eastwood and Peter Dempsey and Turk’ Salih Yolic behind the keyboard.

 

Totally forgot that Dempsey had raced in Star Mazda and Indy Lights between 2011-2013; winning the 2013 Freedom 100, the series closest finish ever in a four-wide photo finish!

 

Proton Competition will run its usual brace ‘O Ford Darkhorse Mustang GT3 Evo’s, the No. 77 with Steven Priaulx, Eric Cowell, and Ben Tuck. While the No. 88 sees Stefano Gattuso, Giammarco Levorato and former Williams F1 driver Logan Sargeant at the reigns.

 

The Heart of Racing Team features two Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 entry’s, the Nos. 23, 27. With the#23 including Eduardo Barrichello.

 

Team boss Ian James, Zacharie Robinchon and Mattia Drudi return in last year’s #27 LMGT3 polesitter.

 

Italy’s Iron Lynx runs a brace ‘O Mercedes AMG GT3’s, the Nos. 61-62 and 79. With the #62 Team Qatar by Iron Lynx being the most interesting of this trio of Merc’s. With Qatari Addulla Al-Khalaifi, Julian Hanses and Guiliano Alesi, son of “Mean Jean” Alesi.

 

Team WRT pair of BMW M4’s sees the No. 69 entry co-driven by former Indy Lights and ex-Vasser Sullivan Racing IMSA driver Parker Thompson. Having won this year’s 6 Hours of Imola LMGT3 category. 

2025 Le Mans LMGT3 Postscript

As move over Jacky Ickx, Thars’ a new six times class winner!

 

According to Daily sports Car’s post race report, the No. 92 Manthey 1st Form Porsche 911GT3 R claimed a dominating victory over the second place No. 21 Vista AF Corse Ferrari 296 GT3.

 

Hurriedly scribbling sometime during the final 90mins, the No. 92 led last portion of race, winning LMGT3 for second year in-a-row. Jotting down the finishing order below, presumably during the final hourly update.

 

LMGT3: #92-21-81-27-87-90

 

Seeing the aforementioned first two finishers followed by TF Sport’s Chevrolet Corvette Z06.R; Heart of Racing Team’s Aston Martin Vantage; Akkodis Asp’s Lexus RC F and the second Manthey Porsche 911 R. (992 model)

 

Whilst I simply couldn’t resist the quote from Richard Lietz, part of Manthey’s winning driver trio.

 

“First of all, you have to be very old to be able to win six times! I am lucky enough to be here for the 19th time with Porsche, always as a factory driver. And basically every year since 2007, it has been really good to me.”

 

“Le Mans with six victories is incredible. And it’s the first time back-to-back. Manthey last year trusted me: I was kind of at the end of my driver career, towards the end, and I was thinking of stopping, and then they said, like, I have to come back. So now, two years later, two more Le Mans victories.”

(Source: dailysportscar.com)

 

Lietz’s six class victories at Circuit de la Sarthe were in  2007, 2010, 2013, 2022, 2024-2025. Being joined this year by Ryan Hardwick and Riccardo Pera, being familiar with Lietz and Hardwick’s names. As Hardwick came upon my radar when winning the 2022 Rolex 24 GTD class for Wright Motorsports.

 

Whilst I was unaware that He’d won the 2023 European Le Mans Series (ELMS) LMGTE and 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) LMGT3 class titles.

 

Funniest bit is Lietz’s quip about having to be really old to win so many times, with Hardwick being some three years, two weeks older if I’ve done my ryth-huh-tickin’ correctly? (Hardwick’s currently 45 years old) With Pera being the young whippersnapper of this trio at just 26.

 

Another name I recognized was Charlie Eastwood, who finished third aboard the TF Sport Corvette, who also competes for EXDT Racing in IMSA GTD competition.

 

While I’ve long been a fan of The Heart of Racing Team since it’s Team Seattle days supporting Seattle’s Childrens Hospital, spearheaded by Ian James. Although now based in Phoenix, AZ and having switched from Porsche 911’s to becoming Aston Martin’s Werks Hypercar operation in both the WEC and IMSA GTP.

 

The No. 27 Aston Martin Vantage started on pole, but James and Zacharie Robichon, both longtime IMSA competitors were part of the car finishing fourth, along with Mattia Drudi. As Robichon won the 2021 IMSA GTD championship for Pfaff Motorsports.

 

Ironically, just discovering that Robichon was part of that 2022 Wright Motorsports Rolex 24 GTD class winning quartet ‘O drivers. Alongside Hardwick, Lietz and Jan Van Hagar’ Heylen.

 

Although I know the name of the French Lexus race team, since I struggle on their spelling. Guessing fifth place is about what to expect from the long in the tooth Lexus racecar, with 2026 being its final season.

 

As I’m guessing that LMGT3 was largely overlooked, due to the excitement of the late LMP2 antics, and everybody focused upon that bright yellow No. 83 Ferrari 499P winning overall.

 

While are we really surprised it was another Porsche v Ferrari battle in LMGT3… 

2025 24 Heurs du Mans Postscript

Another race, another year. As does anybody remember las year’s outcome?

 

The 93rd running of le 24 Heurs du Mans had a different flavour for Mwah. Due to it also having a Formula 1 and IndyCar race running in parallel with this iconic Sports Car event.

 

After getting up early Sunday morning for the last 90mins of Le Mans, I “watched”, Err listened to the Canadian Grand Prix, since it was being aired live at 11AM Pacific on ABC. And then for dinner, the IndyCar race live from Gateway, nee Wide World Technology Raceway. (WWTR)

 

All of this after having attempted my yearly ritual of listening to half of the 24 Heurs du Mans Saturday, albeit interrupted by IndyCar and F1 qualifying – the nerve of them, Hya!

 

As what happened to the universe stopping for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Eh? When Open Wheel Racing used to take this weekend off. As it seems a long time ago now when Nico Hulkenberg won at Circuit de la Sarthe on an “Off” weekend. Wayback in Gory 2015 when driving for Porsche, aboard it’s all conquering Porsche 919, Ja volt!

 

Having just realized that was the ten year anniversary of thee Incredible Hulkster’s Le Mans triumph…

 

And I was guessing El Capitano’, nee Roger Penske was in France overt the weekend collecting His one of a kind Porsche 963 RSP, the lone street legal 963 on the planet! Built 50 years after that “One-off”, insane Porsche 917K Street Car for Count Gregorio Rossi di Montelera of the Martini company. Having raced the car once in 1971, before returning to the factory for road use conversion!

 

Porsche Debuts the 963 RSP, a One-off Racecar for the Street

 

Briefly  noted the NO. 88 Proton Mustang had big “Off” early in race. Right rear damage/wheel. Think it retired?

 

Porsche 963 plays leapfrog with Ferrari 499P’s during early portion of race.

 

First left for F1 qualifying. Then IndyCar Qualie’ at Gateway, where DJ WillyP’ claimed pole. Being Will Power’s 71st and latest pole position.

 

11.5 hours in; the No. 24 Nielsen Racing LMP2 had big wreck. With full course, three safety cars yellow flag for nearly 40 Freakin’ minutes, including repairing barriers at Tete Rouge.

 

Sadly, at half race distance, the Wayne Taylor Racing (WTR) #101 Cadillac V-Series.R (LMDH) Hypercar entry with Felipe Albuquerque at the wheel pulled off track and eventually retired. Being one of the IMSA GTP Prototypes competing.

 

Good, long interview with Wayne Taylor in middle of night, i.e.; 4AM-plus local time. As Wayne’s so pragmatic and cerebral when talking. Telling pitlane reporter Joe Bradley that the BRM in ’92 was the worst weekend ever at Le Mans! Later learning this was the BRM P351 for which they lasted only 20 laps, Youch!

 

With Wayne noting He’d done Le Mans 13 times. (1987-2002) Saying He was most proud of winning His class in the (Doyle-Risi Racing) Ferrari 333 SP. While His best race ever was ’96 when Le Mans had no chicanes on the Mulsanne straight like in Steve McQueen’s movie…

 

Also drove a Spice C1, NissanR390 GT1 and the Northstar Cadillac and various Porsche 962C’s. As Wayne noted none of His “guys” had been here before…

 

(8PM Pacific = 5AM France; Hour 13)

John Hindhaugh Cornfuzed Mwah by giving the current running order Arse-backwards, starting with GT3 runners. As I was expecting typical Hypercar-LMP2, then LMGT3 order, so I missed out on most of GT3 runners. Only managing to remember the No. 21 Vista AF Corse Ferrari 296 GT3 with Simon Mann was leading.

 

Then quickly jotted the following. LMP2: #43-199-18. Hypercar: #50-8-51. Meaning the Toyota was the meat in a Scuderia Ferrari sandwich, Hya!

 

And then I called it a “night” for listening to Le Mans, at the 13.5Hrs “mark”, with the Radio Le Mans Booth boyz’ noting there were still 12 Hypercars on the lead la.

 

Hurriedly typing the following during the “Hourly” report at 8:30PM Pacific. As I always enjoy noting the leaders before leaving the race to “See” who’s still leading come morning…

 

LMGT3: #81-21-92

LMP2: #199-28-48-43

Hypercar: #83-51-50-6-8-12

 

Then more of my scrambled, hurriedly scribbled, Err typed notes during final 90 minutes of race. Just missing the “Hourly” update which strangely were on the half hour, Huh? Quickly noting the following, since all of the Attenzione was on the leader of the race.

 

With just over one hour remaining, full course yellow for stranded United Autosport’s No. 59 Mclaren 720S GT3 Evo. Leaves the sharp end of the grid continuously rotating. As the No. 8 Toyota was in the lead, Huh?

 

Then with one hour remaining, jotted following for Hypercars: #83-51-6-50. Before Kevin Estre in the No. 6 Porsche Penske Motorsports Porsche 963 jumped the Ferrari’s, leaving the field of Hypercars as follows: #83-6-Fuoco-Giovinazzi, i.e.; #50-51 respectively, seeing three Ferrari’s of the race’s top four, Momma Mia!

 

Whilst the No. 43 Europol Dillmann-Yelloly entry led LMP2.

 

Then with 35+ mins remaining; #43 leading LMP2 issued drive-thru penalty for speeding in pit lane by Yelloly, Sheisa! As I was rootin’ for this entry to win, Sigh. Whilst the Hypercars category continued ricking over like a digital clock. With the order as follows: #51-83-6-50-12-7-5-38-4-35.

 

Ironically, four years ago, Robert Kubica, Yifei Ye and Louis Deletraz’s LMP2 leading No. 41 car ground to a halt  on the race’s final lap; losing class win to their Seester’ No. 31 Team WRT stablemate!

 

This year Kubica and Ye won overall. And Deletraz wins LMP2 Pro Am in “Spike-the-Dragon”. As AO by TF runs crowd favourite purple Dragon livery…

 

With thee Krakow Kid’, aka Robert Kubica and Yifei Ye becoming the first Polish and Chinese drivers to ever win Le Mans outright.

 

While Britain’s overlooked Phil Hansen rounds out the trio aboard the privateer No. 83 AF Corse Ferrari 499P scoring a Hat Trick for la Scuderia. Being Ferrari’s third consecutive victory in the Hypercar era.

 

Yet it was the LMP2 class where all the drama was occurring. With the #48 VDS Panis Racing having problem after taking the lead due to #43’s aforementioned Drive-thru penalty. Mechanical issue causes them to be some 18 seconds per lap slower, with the #43 reclaiming class win As Nick Yelloly redeems Himself by re-taking lead with some 20-odd minutes left! Seeing Yelloly cruise to chequered flag. Along with co-drivers Tom Dillmann and Kuba Smiechowski.

 

The No. 48 cruelly finished runner-up. With the No. 199 finishes third overall and winning the LMP2 Pro Am category. With team owner P. J. Hyett and Dane Cameron enjoying the spoils with Louie’ Deletraz. 

MOTO GP: The forgotten Championship?

Move over Pinball wizard’, Thars’ a new Italian threat on the Hunt!

 

Ticking over the one quarter mark of the 2026 MotoGP season, I thought I’d finally get round to reviewing the season’s start. Although just thru Round 5’s French Grand Prix.

 

Since after all, France becomes the racing epicenter in June. At some place called Le Mans. With the MotoGP event taking place upon its Seester’ track…

 

Although pretty sure that ‘Ol Ettore Bugatti would be rolling over at my use of Seester’ nomenclature…

 

Surprisingly, the 2026 MotoGP grid remains largely unchanged, with the exception of two riders. Being the additions of Diogo Moreira and Toprak Razgatlioglu.

 

22 year old Brazilian Moreira is the reigning Moto2 champion. Replacing Somkiat Chantra at Pro Honda LCR.

 

29 year old Razgatlioglu. from Turkey, the reigning three-times Superbike’s champion. Replaces Miguel Oliveira at Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP.

 

With only three riders being replaced due to injures to date. As VK8 Gresini Racing’s Fermin Aldeguer broke His leg during training, and was replaced by Ducati Corse test rider Michele Pirro in Thailand.

 

Then at Circuit Of The Americas, (COTA) Maverick “Top gun” Vinales, also known as Batman withdrew after practice due to a loose screw in His shoulder.

 

Uhm, a screw from His previous injury in Germany last year was inflicting pain and caused Vinales to not race at Austin…

 

Undergoing further surgery, Vinals had hoped the extended break in the MotoGP calendar would allow Him to be ready for Jerez. But the Spaniard wasn’t deemed medically fit for His home race.

 

Adding insult to injury, substitute rider Pol Espargaro suffered a hand injury prior to Jerez, leaving the Red Bull Tech 3 KTM squad with just Enea Bastianini competing, before Vinales was replaced by Jonas Folger for the French Grand Prix.

 

Yet through the French Grand Prix on the Bugatti circuit, the rider who’s been fairly untouchable was Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi! As the Italian began the season where He’d left off, scoring His third MotoGP win in-a-row; following last year’s triumphs at Portimoa and Valencia.

 

Bezzecchi “Blitzed” the field in Thailand, and comfortably won ahead of Pedro Acosta by 5.5 seconds. While the Aprilia RS-GP26 is now clearly the Scooter’ to beat! With Aprilia claiming four of the top five spots. With Bezzecchi’s teammate thee Martinator’, nee Jorge Martin sandwiched between Trackhouse’s Raul Fernandez (third) and Ai Ogura. (fifth)

 

After passing polesitter Fabio Di Giannantonio in Brazil, Bezzecchi motored off to His fourth win in-a-row. Only the fifth rider to do so; behind Valentino Rossi, Marc Marquez, Jorge Lorenzo and Francesco Bagnaia.

 

Martin finished second, giving the factory Aprilia squad a 1-2 finish at Autodromo Internacional Ayrton Senna.

 

Circuit Of The Americas (COTA) saw Bezzecchi continuing His domination of MotoGP, claiming a fifth successive victory on the trot, with Martin runner-up again. While Ogura’s Aprilia “done blown Up!” With five laps remaining when in third.

 

“Watching”, Err listening to the Spanish Grand Prix highlights, the announcers screamed Oh No! Marc Marquez has crashed out again! As Marquez was chasing His younger brother Alex who was leading. With Alex snapping Bezzecchi’s win streak with His second win at home in Jerez, the second year in-a-row.

 

Also hearing that it was a belated 30th birthday present to the Spanish rider, with Bezzecchi settling for second.

 

Yet obviously, the biggest “Star” rider to suffer another injury was Marc Marquez at Le Mans Bugatti circuit! Crashing heavily during the Saturday Sprint race, Marquez suffered a broken foot. Then having surgery for both the foot and His shoulder. Removing two damaged screws from a previous surgery.

 

As the reigning MotoGP champion will miss the next few rounds, albeit no idea how long His recovery will take?

 

Listening to the highlights of this year’s French Grand Prix, with no idea Marc Marquez was out. Aprilia made history by claiming its first ever podium lock-out. With Jorge Martin hunting down Aprilia teammate Marco Bezzecchi and winning for the first time in 588 days! The Martinator’s las W’ being at Indonesia in 2024…

 

Bezzecchi had to settle for second, with Trackhouse Racing’s Ai Ogura third. Hearing that it was the First “Dry” podium for a Japanese rider since 2006! And first podium since 2012 “Wet” race.

 

Shinya Nakano was the rider at the 2006 Dutch GP. While Katsuyuki Nakasuga was the rider at the 2012 Grand Prix of Valencia. With both finishing second.

 

Yet what totally baffled me, was hearing the Announcer saying thee Martinator and Ogura very well may become Yamaha’s factory lineup next year, say What?

 

Apparently the door opens for Martin with Fabio Quartararo moving to Honda. And reportedly Francesco Pecco’ Bagnaia will take Martin’s Aprilia seat…

 

Although I cannot fathom why Martin would wish to leave Aprilia, since they’re the bike to have. Although I was totally unaware that next year MotoGP will move to its new 850cc format.

 

Whilst Martin had tried wriggling out of His Aprilia contract a year early last season. So who knows, will Jorge once again take the No. 1 plate to a new manufacturer, a la 2024?

 

Obviously, not if Marco Bezzecchi has anything to say about it! 

MOTO GP: The Show must go On

With riders Deaths and serious injuries just being part of the business…

 

Par of being a one band Blind Word Butcher, aka Basement dwelling Blogger is you can never keep up with the onslaught of racing news. Nor know how much is too Mucho content here upon No Fenders, Eh?

 

Thus being fully ensconced in the single day Qualie’ at Mother Speedway, and awaiting the canned, highlights MotoGP package upon Ye Intrawoods’. Naturally I was totally unaware of the devastating outcome for two of these ultimate Kneedraggers’, i.e.; Alex Marquez and Johann Zarco.

 

Thanks to Raymond Hando’s Musing from the Weekend post on For the Love of Indy Blog, this is where I first became aware there had been two serious crashes at Circuit Barcelona de Catalunya’s Grand Prix.

 

Listening to the highlights, it sounded like KTM’s Pedro Acosta suddenly slowed for no reason. And as His hand shot up to warn riders behind Him, Alex Marquez who was in His slipstream had absolutely nowhere to go! Seeing Marquez presumably “High-side” with His bike’s carbon fibre bits exploding,! Cart-wheeling from striking Acosta’s rear tyre, reportedly at some 250kp/h! Wit the hapless rider tumbling in lock-step with His stricken Ducati thru the gravel trap!

 

Acosta’s Scooter’ had slowed suddenly due to an unexpected electrical problem. While Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo said He had “Goosebumps” riding past the accident scene!

 

Then upon the race’s restart; having been red flagged for Marquez’s savage accident. Pro Honda LCR’s Johann Zarco fell, causing the unexpecting duo of Luca Marini and Francesco Bagnaia to be caught up in Zarco’s accident. With one of Zarco’s leg’s becoming tangled between Bagnaia’s rear wheel and motorcycle!

 

Naturally I was stunned reading Monday morning, following the Catalan Grand Prix that Alex Marquez had suffered a broken neck and shoulder in this incident! Whilst Zarco tore ligaments and had a fibula tear in the ankle region. But acknowledged He hadn’t broken His femur…

 

As I hesitate to even remotely speculate upon Marquez’s injury, while Zarco got off with less serious damages to an extent, albeit will surely also be out of action for awhile.

 

Marquez underwent successful shoulder surgery to repair His fractured right collarbone. With no surgery performed upon His C7 vertebrae.

 

“Not Necessary”: Champion rides say MotoGP should have been Axed 

IndyCar Rolls On

And the future’s so bright, Oh Never Mind!

 

Was going to pontificate upon IndyCar’s bungling of its T-Shirt fiasco prior to the Indianapolis 500. But I’m certain that Bud Denker, Mark Miles and All of the top Braintrust at Starship Penske would tell us Thars’ nothing to see here. All the suites were sold out for Detroit. We’ve had more sponsors sign up, ticket sales are up and everybody just loves IndyCar, Spew!

 

IndyCar’s ‘One Nation, One Race’ controversy is no surprise amid its rightward drift

 

Yeah, I realize after this year’s race and the amazing finish, my topic will probably be moot to many. Wallowing in Felix-the-Cat’s comments following His monumental victory; “I’m not thinking about Detroit right now!”

 

Nor am I still thinking about it. Being an Uber good weekend to step away from the All consuming keyboard and go for Walkabout’ in Mother Nature, thanks to Tacoma Bureau chief Mary Ellen…

 

Nevertheless, I’ll still briefly try tackling what’s been on my mind during this Month of May, until race day. When Mother Nature was “Tops of the Pops!” Although allowing us to run all 200 miles…

 

Yet I’m sure many have thought about preceding the race. That being the lack of bumping this year, and how “Quite” this made qualifying.

 

What I still don’t understand, albeit having guessed that Andretti Global was loathe to give-up its fourth Honda engine lease for fear of loosing it permanently? Is the fact that there was a spare Honda lump’ available this May.

 

So why couldn’t Bryan Herta and Andretti Global have run a fourth car program with Stefan Wilson, who reportedly had the necessary budget?

 

Although in hindsight, the three Andretti Global entries didn’t exactly light up the field during qualifying…

 

This led me to pondering if both Chevrolet and Honda were required to field 18 engines apiece, meaning we’d have 36 entries and three drivers going home. Would this be beneficial sporting-wise?

 

And who’d make up these three entries? Since today, almost the entire field is comprised of current IndyCar teams fielding extra entries, with the exception of Dreyer & Reinbold Racing and Abel Motorsports this year…

 

As Geo. Phillips of Oilpressure fame, Ye “Oldest” IndyCar blogger has already opined. We need a third engine manufacturer a la Buick to ease the load upon Chevy and Honda. Although they seem content having a stranglehold upon IndyCar and the Indianapolis 500…

 

Yet I’m guessing this option’s already been taken away from us with the highly cough-cough! Anticipated Dallara IR28 chassis and 2.4-litre V-6 twin turbo hybrid lumps arriving for 2028. When IndyCar becomes a completely “closed Shop” with two final charters going to the engine suppliers, and 27 charter entries being the maximum grid allowance. With the exception of the Indy 500.

 

Obviously, the main obstacle is cost, since there hasn’t been a third OEM engine supplier since the perpetually underperforming Lotus by Judd lumps’ Wayback in Gory 2012, Yikes!

 

And I can only Arse-sume that nobody has found the return on investment (ROI) to be enticing enough to join IndyCar, El Correctomundo?

 

Also, I’m not an Engineer and don’t know if technically possible or not? But why couldn’t a “Boutique” manufacture of high performance Supercars engine be allowed. Say something from Koenigsegg, Glickenhaus, Isotta Fraschini, Vanwall, etc. Since for instance, the Isotta Fraschini Tipo 6 uses a 3.0-litre hybrid V-6 twin turbo produced by HWA.

 

As perhaps I’m wrong? But it really seems like IndyCar has made it virtually impossible for a third engine manufacturer to ever enter the series, which is a shame! Along with presumably Andretti Global and Honda not willing to allow the likes of Stefan Wilson to enter this year’s Indy 500.

 

Since after all, isn’t the Indianapolis 500 supposed to be all about having the fastest 33 racers in the field? 

PHOTO: Felix forever

Indianapolis Star newspaper photo of Felix Rosenqvist. (The Tomaso Collection)

 

I’m told that the newspaper’s caption reads Felix forever! As He joyously pours milk over His head in victory lane after winning this year’s Indianapolis 500. Which we all know was the closest finish ever in history, a scant 0.0233 seconds, eclipsing the 1992 record of 0.043 seconds set by Al Unser Jr.

 

Funniest part after Felix-the-Cat’s monumental victory was during His winners interview with IndyCar Radio’s Alex Wolff. Who’s got a tradition of giving His Mom’s homemade cookies out to various co-workers and drivers, which has become common with Rosenqvist.

 

So it was hilarious hearing Alex present Him with one of His mom’s cookie’s in victory lane. And after Felix said thank you very much, I swear I heard the Cat chewing His cookie.

 

VIDEO: Felix Rosenqvist winner’s interview

 

Photo C/O No Fenders Offical’ Photographer CARPETS’