INDY 500: The Split’s Driver Entanglement

And how their lives were affected…

 

Yeah, I know Y’all are frothing over today’s riveting qualifying at Mother Speedway, which doesn’t determine anything significant…

 

Having re-examined The Split, what led me down this Wabbit’ Hole was a question that’s long weighed upon my mind. Which like Arlo Guthrie’s magnificent Alice’s Restaurant Massacree; “We’re just waiting for it to come Around”. Each May I wonder over which drivers were denied racing in the Indianapolis 500, due to this travesty!

 

Along with to lesser extent, which drivers gained entrance upon thoust Holy Grail? Although only pondering that this year when researching my answer…

 

For “ease” of comparison, I chose to begin with the Indy 500 vs. U.S. 500, since the latter somewhat became CART’s marquee event. Although run at Michigan International Speedway. Reverting to Michigan 500 in 2000, and Harrah’s 500 the following year. Before jumping to the “Dar Side”, ergo IRL in 2002 as a 400-mile event until 2007.

 

From the Inaugural U.S. 500 Presented by Toyota race, the following names stood out to Mwah: Mark Blundell, Juan Manuel Fangio II, Jeff Krosnoff, Eddie Lawson, Greg Moore and Alex Zanardi.

 

Between 1997-2003, in no particular order: JJ Letho, Memo Gidley, Christiano da Matta, Jan Magnussen and Mika Salo.

 

Other names that tripped my No. 4 wire included: Arnd Meier, Gualter Salles, Luiz Garcia Jr, Tarso Marques, Mario Dominguez, Tiago Monteiro, Mario Haberfeld, Roberto Gonzalez, Rodolfo Lavin and Luis Diaz.

 

Whilst the list of Champ Car World Series (CCWS) drivers between 2004-07 who never got a chance is far greater. Noting just some of the names that jumped out to Mwah.

 

Nelson Philippe, Gaston Mazzacane, Michael Valiante, Guy Smith, Ronnie Bremmer, Andrew Ranger, Timo Glock, Dan “speedy Dry” Clarke, Jan “Van Hagar” Heylen, Nicki Pastorelli, Antonio Pizzonia, Bad Bobby D’, aka Robert Doornbos, Ryan “Razzle-Dazzle” Dalziel, David Martinez and Neal Jani.

 

With no disrespect towards whomever else I left out? Since it behooves Mwah to decide who’s names are worthy of mention or not?

 

Meanwhile, showing off my lack of Short Track driver knowledge, I jotted down the following names when perusing my database of Indianapolis 500 races between 1996-2003, albeit probably gave up after 2001-02.

 

Having noted the following drivers: J. J. Yeley, Jack Hewitt, Steve Kinser, Stan Wattle, Davey Hamilton, Jason Leffler, Jeret Schroeder and Tony Stewart.

 

Although I was wrong about Messer’s Wattle and Schroeder, who both hailed from the Northeast. With Schroeder being the 1995 U.S. f2000 National Championship champion, before graduating to Toyota Atlantic and the IRL.

 

Wattle has the distinction of racing the long forgotten Riley & Scott MkV chassis in the 1998 Indianapolis 500, when the factory Riley & Scott entry of Eliseo Salazar failed to qualify.

 

Mario “Boom-Boom” Dominguez is an outlier to this riveting trivia. Having the distinction of attempting to enter the Indy 500 but failing to qualify in 2008.

 

On a sidenote, Steve Kinser, The Goat! Failed to qualify on His first attempt in Gory 1981! Before successfully racing in 1997 driving for Sinden Racing Services. Qualifying 20th and finishing 14th after an accident on lap 189, upon touching wheels with Buzz Calkins.

 

Obviously the four biggest names that stand out are Alex Zanardi, Greg Moore, Cristiano da Matta and Jeff Krosnoff.

 

For Mwah, the biggest disappointment is over whom during His heyday, I took to calling El Zorro! And I’d Arse-sume when racing fans hear the name Alex Zanardi two things instantly come to mind…

 

First would have to be “The Pass!” When Zanardi audaciously passed Bryan Herta on the final lap at the Corkscrew at Laguna Seca and claimed an improbable victory at the 1996 season finale!

 

Then sadly, there’s that life altering accident at the Lausitzring in Germany on September 15, 2001. Where Zanardi lost both of His legs, and nearly His life!

 

Zanardi - 10 Years later

 

Zanardi, as most know, was the 1996 CART Rookie Of the Year. And followed that by winning the CART Fed Ex IndyCar Championship two years on-the-trot, i.e.; 1997-98. Before making the mistake of returning to Formula 1 to drive the recalcitrant Team Willie’ (Williams) entry in 1999.

 

Alex currently ranks 31st overall, timed with Simon Pagenaud with 15 IndyCar wins. With Juan Pablo Montoya 33rd with 14 wins. Scoring His maiden oval track win at the 1997 U.S. 500 Presented by Toyota at Michigan International Speedway. And then claimed a second oval win that season at Gateway.

 

Although arguably, Zanardi had nothing left to prove in IndyCar. Yet if He’d stayed at Ganassi instead of essentially swapping seats with Juan Pablo Montoya. Might Zanardi’s face be on the Borg Warner trophy instead of Montoya’s?

 

Secondly would have to be Greg Moore, who sadly died at the season finale at California Speedway in 1999. Just months before He was set to become a Team Penske driver.

 

Somebody on the great Marshall Pruett video remembering Greg twenty years later with Dario Franchitti, Paul Tracy and Max Papis brilliantly says the stats don’t tell the whole picture about Greg.

 

As Moore only won five races in His short IndyCar career. Yet three of these were on ovals, including a masterful win at Michigan International Speedway at the 1998 U.S. 500. With an exhilarating duel with Ganassi’s Jimmy Vasser and Alex Zanardi over the final five laps!

 

And without Greg’s untimely death, would there have been a Spiderman climbing Mother Speedway’s fence? And would Helio Castroneves be a four-times Indianapolis 500 winner?

 

Greg Moore – 10 Years after

 

Third has to be Cristiano da Matta, who never got a shot at the Indy 500. Driving for Toyota powered CART teams and claiming the title in 2002 with Newman/Haas Racing. Da Matta then went to Formula 1 to drive for Toyota before retuning to Champ Car in 2005. Before a deer jumped an eight-foot fence and collided with da Matta’s RuSport IndyCar during testing at Road America…

 

Lastly, Jeff Krosnoff never got a chance to show His true potential, dying at Toronto in 1996 after only eleven IndyCar starts. Yet had been Mike Hull’s choice as Jimmy Vasser’s teammate that year. Wit cheep’ (Ganassi) having already decided on Zanardi…

 

Obviously the biggest name of the Short Trackers would be Smoke’, aka Tony Stewart, who went on to become a three-times NASCAR champion. Having bested Davey Hamilton for the 1996-97 Indy Racing League (IRL) Championship title.

 

Although I’d have to say my two favourite Short Track Boyz’ are the aforementioned Hamilton, who chauffeured Mwah in the Indy 2X Seater a long, long time ago!

 

Davey Hamilton - Postscript

 

And then although post Split. The late Brian Clauson, who’s effervescent “spirit” quickly made me a fan of His. Having even gone so far as to purchase a Clauson T-shirt which I proudly wore at Mother Speedway during the 2016 race, driving for Jonathan Byrd’s Racing; run by Dale Coyne Racing. The best of His three finishes, P23. 

INDY 500: Revisiting The Split – 30 Years later

But who really won the war, and does it matter?

 

Yeah, I suppose I’m the only one who cares about this topic? But since I lived thru it and its my Blog. I can Gory well scribble about what I want!

Although thirty years is a long ways to go in the Wayback’ machine, and my recollections are Hazy at best…

 

As what most prominently stands out, beside that scourge simply known as TG’. Whom I preferred calling Ronnie or ‘lil Napoleon, aka Tony George forever ruining Open wheel Racing, with the creation of the Indy Racing League and that infamous 25/8 rule! And yes, I’m well aware it takes two to Tango.

 

Since All I really recollect now is that tag-line of CART having All the Stars, IRL All the Cars! Or something to that effect. Which one must say bit CART in the Toosh when having a massive pile-up on lap one of its competing race, Butterfingers!

 

Although I do recall a T-Shirt which one side said This is your Brain. (CART) And the other side saying This is your Brain on Drugs! (IRL) A takeoff of that infamous Just Say NO to Drugs era…

 

Supposedly Anton Hulman George didn’t like the escalating costs and lack of American drivers in His namesake’s race. And as early as 1989 proposed a new racing series, which didn’t progress pas the planning stage.

 

George than became a Board member of Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) between 1992-94 before resigning, to ultimately create the Indy Racing League. (IRL)

 

The IRL would begin in 1996 wit a three race schedule, with the Indianapolis 500 its showpiece. And since the new, normally aspirated “lower” priced racecars wouldn’t be ready until 1997, older CART machinery (circa 1991-95) was allowed for the inaugural season.

 

The final straw in what became irrevocably known as The Split was the invoking of the 25/8 rule. With the top 25 drivers in IRL points guaranteed starting places in the Indy 500, and eight “At large’ open entries for all competitors, including CART.

 

1996 Indianapolis 500 Rookies (17)

Michele Alboreto, Robbie Buhl, Buzz Calkins, Mark Dismore, Paul Durant, Raccin Gardner, Joe Gosek, Jim Guthrie, Davey Hamilton, Scott Harrington, Richie Hearn, Michel Jourdain Jr, Brad Murphy, Johnny O’Connell, Tony Stewart, Johnny Unser, Fermin Velez.

 

Reportedly, there were 49 entries, albeit I could only come up with 44. With 17 rookie drivers being the third most ever, only eclipsed by 19 rookies in the 1919 and 1930 races. With former CART entrant Hemelgarn Racing and driver Buddy Lazier winning “the Greatest Spectacle in Racing”.

 

CART boycotted the race, with the exception of two teams, i.e.; Galles Racing and Walker Racing participating. Although both teams sent backup drivers instead. With Galles running Davy Jones and Walker utilizing Mike Groff.

 

The Cars of the 1996 Indy 500 Part 1

 

CART Drivers at the rival U.S. 500 had 109 starts and 5 wins amongst entrant vs. 75 starts and one win for the Indy 500 field, the lowest since 1932. And further highlighting this disparity; CART Drivers had 127 wins and seven National Championships vs. IRL Drivers having a paltry 14 wins and no National Championships.

 

27 Drivers in nine rows of three took the green flag at the U.S. 500 held on the same day as the 80th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Michigan International Speedway, with Jimmy Vasser the eventual winner.

 

1996 U.S. 500 Rookies (7)

Mark Blundell, Fredrik Ekblom, Juan Manuel Fangio II, Greg Moore, Jeff Krosnoff, Eddie Lawson, Alex Zanardi.

 

Yet I suppose one could say that the IRL effectively won the war the following year, when CART raced at Gateway on Saturday, choosing not to go head-to-head with the Indianapolis 500 for the remainder of the arduous, stupid 12 year split!

 

25 Years Ago: CART used the U.S. 500 to take down the Indy 500

 

Chip Ganassi Racing was the first CART team to race at the Speedway in 2000, when rookie Juan Pablo Montoya waxed the field. And I still recall crowing over how the first seven drivers finishing were CART drivers, albeit not 100% correct…

 

Marlboro Team Penske joined the field the following year, and the floodgates essentially opened. With Penske winning three consecutive Indy 500’s.

 

CART further shot itself in the foot with the Firestone Firehawk 600 at Texas Motor Speedway having to be cancelled just hours before race’s start in 2001. As drivers had complained of dizziness, along with experiencing vertigo and blackouts due to the excessive G-Forces their racecars generated at over 230mph upon the 1.5-mile oval.

 

Penske was the first major CART team to leave for the rival IRL in 2002, after having won the CART Championship the previous two years.

 

Then seven years into The Split, the landscape truly shifted. As both Honda and Toyota moved to the IRL, along with CART teams Target/Chip Ganassi Racing, Team Rahal and Mo Nunn Racing.

 

I tend to recall that Chris Pook, the creator of the Grand Prix of Long Beach and then CEO of CART spent $100 million before filing for Bankruptcy at season’s end!

 

As the miserable Split should have ended then, but Tony george’s bid was still deemed “Hostile” and the Champ Car World Series (CCWS) arose out of the ashes of CART. With Gerald Forsythe, Paul Gentilozzi and Kevin Kalkhoven as its owners.

 

CCWS, or what soon became Chump Carz’ to Mwah soldiered on a further four seasons before finally, mercilessly The Split ended with Mergification in February 2008 with that year’s unified IndyCar series.

 

Then the strangest thing occurred in 2019. Ironically being the 40th anniversary of CART’s inaugural season.

 

Tony George sold His beloved Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IndyCar series and IMS Productions to Roger Penske for an undisclosed amount. With the irony being that El Capitano’, nee Roger Penske had been one of CART’s primary founders…

 

For those interested in a more detailed examination of The Split. May I recommend John Orovitz’s Indy Split: The Big Money Battle that nearly Destroyed Indy Racing book, which hopefully I can read one day. 

RETRO: Remembering Scott Brayton – 30 Years later

Who was known for His speed, and synonymous with those stock block Buicks…

 

Today marks the 53rd anniversary of another fallen driver at Mother Speedway, that being Art Pollard.

 

Remembering Art Pollard - Redux

 

Yet instead, this story is about the late Scott Brayton, whom I really know nothing about. But it seems appropriate that upon the 30th anniversary of His death, May 17, 1996 33 cars will be roaring around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway…

 

A Coldwater, Michigan native born on February 20, 1959. I have no idea how Scott began racing or rose thru the ranks to become an IndyCar driver. Or that Scott’s father Lee Brayton was an IndyCar driver Himself, who attempted racing in the 1972-74 Indianapolis 500 races. With His best results being three tenth place finishes; twice at Michigan International Speedway, and once at Texas World Speedway between 1972-75.

 

Lee also ran Brayton Engineering, being instrumental in the Buick V-6 Stock Block engine’s development and building of engines.

 

Scott drove for the family’s Brayton Racing between 1981-85. Presumably in older equipment, since a cursory “look-see” at 1981’s CART PPG IndyCar World Series entries notes the usage of a Penske PC-6 Cosworth DFX. Along with somebody named Floyd Ganassi Jr making His IndyCar debut at the Phoenix season finale in a second Brayton Racing chassis…

 

Ganassi drives Indy

 

Scott then switched to Hemelgarn Racing for 1986-88. Meaning I must have seen Him racing at Portland the latter two years, where He finished fifth and ninth.

 

Then came what must have only been five frustrating years driving for Dick Simon Racing between 1989-93.

 

Being a Young Buck then, I’m certain I lambasted Scott alongside Lyn St. James in those perpetual CART Back-markers during my yearly jaunts to Portland International Raceway. Even though Brayton recorded His best season finish of 12th overall in 1991, with an eventual 147 career IndyCar starts. With Brayton’s best finish being a podium in 1992 at the Milwaukee Mile, finishing third.

 

In 1994, Soctt moved onto Team Menard, then an Indy 500 Only contestant, where He’d spend the rest of His career before His untimely death.

 

Arguably, Scott’s best known for His two Indianapolis 500 poles, but I’m getting ahead of Thyself…

 

 As Scott made a total of 14 Indy 500 starts between 1981 to 1996, having failed to qualify in 1982.

 

For His rookie outing in 1981, Brayton finished 16th after starting in the middle of Row 10. (29th) Then for 1983, Scott scored His first Top-10 finish at the Brickyard in ninth.

 

It appears that Scott in a Brayton Racing March 84C was the first driver to utilize the stock block Buick V-6 at Mother Speedway. Qualifying 26th and finishing P18. Then displaying the Buick’s mighty horsepower one year later. With a superb second place in qualifying, bested only by Pancho Carter, also driving a Buick stock block racecar.

 

Brayton set the one-lap record at 214.199mph on His third lap, but slowed on lap four due to transmission woes. Setting the four lap record at 212.354mph.

 

Yet although Carter couldn’t top Brayton’s one lap record, Pancho did qualify at 212.533mph, claiming the four lap record by a miniscule 0.177 seconds enroute to winning the 1985 pole.

 

Brayton finished a disappointing 30th when His engine “Done Blown Up” on lap 19! Whilst Carter was the race’s first retirement on lap six with a failed oil pump.

 

Its funny, when I think of Buick at Indy, I think of Jim Crawford, and to lesser extent Gary Bettenhausen. Alongside Scott in those Heartily-boosted BuickV-6 lumps not known for their reliability.

 

Scott’s best finish at Indianapolis were a pair of sixth place finishes. Once in 1989, driving a Lola T89/00 Buick V-6. And again in  1993, aboard a Lola T93/00 Ford-Cosworth XB.

 

Sandwiched in-between the pair of sixes, was the third of His eventual four Top-10 finishes, with a seventh place result in a Lola/Cosworth. With His best three finishes all being for Dick Simon.

 

Having moved to Team Menard in an Indy 500 Only role the year prior, for 1995, Scott claimed the first of His two pole positions at the Brickyard. Claiming P1 with a four lap average of 231.604mph. Yet pop-off valve and turbocharger gremlins saw Brayton finish P17, 10 laps behind winner Jacques Villeneuve.

 

Most of us know that 1996 was a tumultuous year in Open wheel Racing, thanks to Tony George creating the Indy Racing League (IRL) an infamous 25-8 rule…

 

Thus being a CART loyalist, my attention was firmly focused upon the U.S. 500 at Michigan International Speedway instead, meaning I didn’t watch that year’s Indianapolis 500.

 

Scott claimed His second pole position that May in noteworthy fashion. Having qualified at 231.535mph, not fast enough for P1. As rookie teammate Tony Stewart had set “A New Track Record” at 233.100mph!

 

With 33 minutes remaining, Arie Luyendyk took to the track in His backup chassis, having blown-up His primary car’s engine that morning! With the “Flying Dutchman” setting new one and four lap records with a pole speed of 233.390mph.

 

Yet at 5:42PM, with Team Menard having pulled Brayton’s previous time, Scott took to the track aboard His backup chassis, an re-qualified with a four lap average of 233.718mph for His second pole position!

 

At 7:45PM, Luyendyk’s car was DQ’ed (Disqualified) due to being seven pounds under the minimum 1,550lb weight limit, elevating Stewart to second place and Davy Jones to third.

 

Sadly, on May 17th while practicing, Scott blew a tyre entering Turn-3 and was killed instantly when slamming the wall at 230mph! Dying at the age of 37, leaving behind wife Becky, and two year old daughter Carly.

 

Danny Ongais would drive as Scott’s replacement, starting last, with Tony Stewart starting from pole…

 

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway instituted the Scott Brayton Drivers award the following year, awarded to drivers demonstrating the same passion and spirit of Scott until 2009. Which I’m guessing such drivers as Davey Hamilton cherish winning this award… 

Target Boyz’ reunion with Marshall Pruett

A gracious Alex Zanardi greats a star-struck Tomaso at Mother speedway on Carb Day.

(The Tomaso Collection)

 

The world is a sadder place without Alex Zanardi!

 

The seas ‘O synchronicity have struck thoust Isle ‘O Nofendersville again Ah-Mighty!

 

Sometime between the Long Beach IndyCar race and Indy 500 Open test. I tried inquiring upon Zed Intrawoods’ about Marshall Pruet interviewing Top Jimmy’, ergo Jimmy Vasser that weekend?

 

Having heard IndyCar Radio pit reporter Ryan Marin interviewing Vasser over being re-united with His 1996 Long Beach Target chip Ganassi Racing Reynard 96i Honda HRH winner.

 

With Jimmy saying He hadn’t put a leg over a cockpit in quite awhile! And I swear I heard Vasser say something about the reunion involving Marshall Pruett. Being the 30th anniversary of His Long Beach victory…

 

Hence, although I didn’t find anything about this, I did run into a fantastic 38 minutes video from seven years ago. When Marshall got Vasser, Alex Zanardi and Mike Hull to sit together and reminisce about those Glory Dazes during the 2019 24 Hours of Daytona.

 

Having totally forgotten that Zanardi had raced in that year’s Rolex 24 in a specially adapted Hand controls No. 24 BMW M8 GTE BMW Team RLL entry. Racing with John Edwards, Chad Moster and Jesse Kroh to a ninth place finish in the GTLM category.

 

It’s a fantastic interview with lots of laughs and absolutely worth listening to!

 

VIDEO: Target Ganassi IndyCar reunion with Alex Zanardi, Jimmy Vasser and Mike Hull

 

Then karmically, having just put the finishing touches on my No Fenders story including Alex Zanardi never getting to race at Mother Speedway the very same day He unexpectedly died at age 59.

 

Opening my email Saturday morning, I learned that El Zorro was gone, saying Oh Fuck!

 

As I’ll never forget that day at Mother Speedway when He graciously walked across the racetrack to “Meet ‘n Greet” Mwah to my astonishment!

 

Alex Zanardi: 1966-2026

 

While here’s another interview of Alex on Late Night with David Letterman following the 2014 Ironman triathlon in Hawaii. Which exudes all of the typical Zanardi charisma, charm, humor and humility which made Him a Hero for Mwah!

 

Nonchalantly describing seeing a female spectator had tears flowing down Her cheeks over Alex’s grit ‘n determination to persevere in the Triathlon. Noting actually, He was just sweating profusely because His gloves were slipping on the wheelchair’s wheels when trying to go uphill, and He wasn’t crying…

 

VIDEO: Alex Zanardi on Late Night with David Letterman

 

Salute Alex! 

Indy Road Course tidbits

Which became a very long, but entertaining day for some of us…

 

Question. Am I expecting too mucho by thinking that IndyCar Radio should have “broken-in” to their canned rerun’s and told us that qualifying was in a hold Friday?

 

Having listened to a very entertaining Indy NXT race, complete with a red flag to allow for the fitting of rain tyres. The broadcast ended at 2:14PM Pacific, which I was happy hearing how “Stoked” Enzo Fittipaldi was during His winner’s interview, but.

 

Got pretty tired of the cliché of stop me if you’ve heard this before. A Fittipaldi wins at Indianapolis…

 

As it was Enzo’s maiden win in Indy NXT, being the grandson of two-times Indianapolis 500 winner Emmo’, aka Emerson Fittipaldi.

 

2:30PM came ‘n went, ironically or karmically/ The driver I’d been trying to come up with a nickname for, i.e.; The Count, aka Rinus VeeKay presumably discussing His lone IndyCar win with Nicky Salt’ yeoman

 

After playing two-plus minutes of the pre-broadcast countdown blather, followed by more commercials. It was 2:47PM and we’re in the midst of an old First to The Flag episode featuring Symone’, aka Pageantry’, nee Simon Pagenaud’s breakthrough victory at Belle Isle. (2013)

 

As it was fun hearing Mike Yippee-Aye-Eh! King tell Driver Analyst and first time team owner Davey Hamilton to leave the booth early to go celebrate in victory lane! As Pagenaud won for Schmidt Hamilton Motorsports running the HP sponsorship Davey brought to the team.

 

Then at 2:58PM more commercials were followed by Yeoman interviewing DJ WillyP’, ergo Will Power on the pitfalls of making it to Indy Cars…

 

This was followed by Paul Page and a very old Indy 500 race, making me wonder if something was wrong with my browser’s connection? So I closed out the program and reconnected to IndyCar Radio, which had now morphed into Mark James calling the 101st Indy 500, Urgh!

 

Obviously Qualie’ must have been Rained out, but I thought they had rain tyres for road courses and street circuits…

 

Decided to ask “Mr. Google”, which was hilarious, since I got three different AI generated answers. First telling me Yes, qualifying has already occurred, when asking at 3:18PM Pacific.

 

Then Yes, qualifying is on FS1 at 2:30PM Pacific. Before finally I got a link to Trackside Online (TSO) saying Qualifying had been postponed until Saturday morning. With the funniest part being the TSO article was written by Bruce Martin, who I thought was writing for IndyCar.

 

Fast-forwarding to Saturday morning’s 7:45Am Pacific IndyCar qualifying being shown on two different Fox Sports channels…

 

During Group-1, Round One’s Qualie’, believe it was Mark Gravelly’ James who casually said that Alexander rossi was one of six drivers to have won both on the road course and oval.

 

Naturally this made me start pondering this trivia question. As I could only come up with five, albeit guessing the sixth had to be Schlick’, Righto?

 

The first to complete the “Double” was Will Power in 2018. Followed by Simon Pagenaud in 2019

 

Third to the party was Scott Dixon in 2020. Before Rossi joined this club in 2022. Followed by Josef Newgarden in 2023, and our newest member “The Surgeon”, aka Alex Palou in 2025.

 

Indianapolis Road Course Winners

(5) Will Power: 2015, 2017, 2018, 2020*, 2021*

(3) Simon Pagenaud: 2014, 2016, 2019

(3) Alex Palou: 2023, 2024, 2025

(2) Scott Dixon: 2020*, 2023*

(1) Josef Newgarden: 2020*

(1) Alexander Rossi: 2022*

 

Notes

From 2020 to 2023, IndyCar held a second IMS road course race in conjunction with the NASCAR Brickyard 200 weekend; known as the Gallagher Grand Prix. Also known as the summer race.

 

Scott Dixon claimed both of His road course wins during these summer events. Along with Will Power in 2021, and Alexander Rossi’s latest IndyCar win in August, 2022.

 

The Harvest Grand Prix was held as a Double Header during the weekend of October 2-3, 2020 in order to make up for the raft of COVID-19 race cancellations. Serving as a support event  to the inaugural 8 Hours Intercontinental GT Challenge.

 

Josef Newgarden won Race-1 on October 2nd, and Will Power won Race-2 on October 3rd.

 

Lastly, it was also mentioned during qualifying for pole, that there were four former Indy road course pole sitters in the Fast Six shootout, i.e.; Alex Palou, Pato O’Ward, Felix Rosenqvist and Christian Lundgaard. 

Foyt to become regional Feeder Series powerhouse?

Although letting others do the Heavy lifting…

 

Indy NXT competitors return to action with a Double Header weekend at Mother Speedway beginning today, after a month’s hiatus. Which currently is a battle of the “Young guns”, with Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR’s rookie Nikita Johnson leading the championship ahead of Andretti global rookie Max Taylr.

 

AJ Foyt Enterprises rookie driver Alessandro de Tullio is making some noise Himself. Having finally “Broke His Duck”  last time out at thee Oh, so Beautiful Barbers’, nee Barber Motorsports Park, scoring His maiden Indy NXT win. Currently fifth overall, de Tullio’s been quick, having scored three poles in the first four races, albeit currently 60 markers adrift of Johnson.

 

Interestingly, Foyt has decided to beef-up its Junior Open Wheel Racing involvement with the decision to partner with Crosslink Motorsports in Formula four U.S. and Formula regional(FR) Americas Championship feeder series, to strengthen its driver development ladder.

 

Crosslink Motorsports, a Dallas, Texas racing organization is a “Powerhouse” itself. Claiming to have won the most F4 U.S. races, plus two F4 U.S. titles. Since the team’s official website mentions their known as Crosslink Kiwi Motorsports. Whilst I’ve also seen this written as Crosslink with Kiwi Motorsports and Crosslink/Kiwi Motorsports, Corfuzed?

 

Having won the U.S. formula 4 title in 2019 and 2023. While Kiwi Motorsports won last year’s championship.

 

Crosslin Kiwi Motorsports won the2023-2024 FR Americas titles with drivers Callum Hedge and Patrick Woods-Toth respectively.

 

Crosslink Motorsports won a third consecutive FR Americas Championship with Titus Sherlock last year. Although I’m still not sure how the FR Americas Championship fits into the grand scheme of Feeder Series?

 

Since I’m Arse-suming nobody’s heard of either Woods-Toth or Sherlock, and I cannot find what they’re currently doing? With Sherlock garnering a measly $100,000 cash prize for winning the championship, Youch!

 

SCCA Pro Racing’s Alternate Single Seaters Feeder series

 

By my rudimentary records, Kiwi’ Hedge is the latest FR Americas driver to graduate to Indy NXT, having raced two years for HMD Motorsports and Abel Motorsports between 2024-2025, with a best finish of fourth overall in 2024.

 

Although the Road to Indy and now USF Pro championships run by Anderson Promotions still seemingly is the preferred pathway to Indy NXT.

 

America’s preferred Open wheel Racing ladder system

 

Currently four FR Americas Alumni; Kyle Kirkwood, David Malukas, Kyffin Simpson and Jacob Abel are IndyCar drivers. Kirkwood and Simpson are past champions, with Malukas finishing runner-up. While Abel will race in His first Indy 500 this year, after failing to qualify in 2025.

 

Yet being a champion of both series doesn’t guarantee a long term IndyCar career. As just ask Linus Lundqvist about that! Having won the 2020 FR Americas and 2022 Indy NXT Championships, who's still trying to return to IndyCar…

 

Crosslink appears to be mimicking Indy NXT juggernaut HMD Motorsports by having the most cars on the grid with six. With rookies Alejandro Bobadilla, (#8) Kekai Hauanio, (#29( Evagoras Papasavvas (#71) and Aidan Schuh driving the storied No. 14. Plus Barrett Wolfe (#13) and Kevin Janzen. (#24)

 

While Kiwi Motorsports has just two entries for rookies Harbir Dass and Cooper Shipman.

 

Papasavvas briefly made waves in Indy NXT last year upon debut driving for HMD Motorsports. Qualifying third and finishing runner-up to Dennis Hauger at Barber in the vacated No. 24 seat Sophia

Florsch occupied for one round. Having signed for a partial season, before finishing P21 overall after five races.

 

Perusing the entry list for drivers, another Indy NXT Journeyman’s name jumped out to Mwah. Noticing that Christian Bogle is driving for Toney Driver Development this year. Having raced four seasons in Indy NXT, beginning with Carlin, remember them Y’all? And then a further three seasons with HMD Motorsports, but I digress…

 

Crosslink’s drivers will be welcomed into the Foyt program to interact with Engineers and other team personnel to help them advance their careers, while giving Foyt access to more talented, potential future drivers…

 

Further muddying the waters, when trying to find out more about Kiwi Motorsports, I learned that Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) formed the same “strategic” partnership alliance with New Zealand Kiwi Motorsports them late 2024. Seeing Kiwi Motorsports and Crosslink become fully separate entities for 2025.

 

Along with learning that Kiwi Motorsports are Toyota’s entry in the Formula Oceania series.

 

Thus giving us two FR Americas operations with clearly defined links to Indy NXT, and possibly IndyCar. 

Pato O’Ward celebrates another Year

Although He might wish for something a bit stronger than that energy drink, ci? (The Tomaso Collection)

 

And I’m quite certain He’d like a Borg Warner trophy as one of His presents!

 

For those of you following the gossip columns, today marks Patricio O’Ward Junco’s 27th Birthday. While I’ve got zero clue how Pato’s celebrating today.

 

Arse-sumedly all of the IndyCar drivers busses, Err motor coaches are parked at Mother Speedway. So perhaps Pato will be searchin’ for a tenderloin sandwich or some fried chicken to share with Alex Palou, Ole!

 

INDY 500: Searchin’ Far and Wide

 

Meanwhile, like typical. Thinking of my Numero Uno IndyCar driver’s nationality, I wondered who was the last Mexicali IndyCar Pilote before Him to race at Mother Speedway?

 

Think it was Michel Jourdain Jr, who last raced in the 2012 Indianapolis 500. Before failing to qualify the next year, when Bump Day saw ten cars vying for the final nine grid spots.

 

Ironically, Katherine Legge sat on the Bubble, driving for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports. While Jourdain’s Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLLR) “Steed” just wouldn’t Giddy-Up! As RLLR took several swings to get the Dallara-Honda entry to run fast, but no dice! Before the team finally gave up at 5:45PM with Jourdain never having made a qualifying attempt.

 

Fast forwarding to today, there’s  currently two aspiring Indy NXT drivers hoping to join Pato in IndyCar.

 

Ricardo Escotto, age 21 is in His third season. Having driven for Juncos Hollinger Racing (JHR) in 2024 for five races. Then joining Andretti Cape NXT for the season’s first nine races, before leaving the team.

 

For 2026, Escotto as returned to JHR, and presumably plans on completing His first full season Indy NXT campaign.

 

Salvador de Alba Jr, age 26 is racing for HVM Motorsports in His third Indy NXT season.

 

De Alba spent His rookie season in 2024 competing for Andretti Cape NXT, finishing fifth in the championship.

 

Last year, Salvador graduated to Andretti Global, where He played “third fiddle”. Being overshadowed by Dennis Hauger and Lochie Hughes, albeit the entire grid was overshadowed by eventual champion Hauger. While Hughes finished third overall.

 

Nevertheless, de Alba scored His maiden Indy NXT win with an emphatic triumph on the Milwaukee Mile! Followed by being a disappointed runner-up at Nashville’s season finale. Once again finishing fifth overall.

 

And now, having just learned of the totally unknown rookie Alejandro Bobavilla, competing in this years Formula Regional Americas championship for powerhouse Crosslink Motorsports.

 

Whilst you can read my elongated, previous No Fenders tome about our Southern “Brothers” and Mexico’s involvement in Open Wheel Racing below.

 

On The Border - Mexicali Racing Talents

 

Happy Birthday Pato!