Can it really be time again, already?
Shiver Me Timbers! As IndyCar’s set to shake
off another stupendous Winter’s Slumber and go racing once again. As racecars
flock to Saint Petersburg’s temporary street circuit it Friday morning, Hurrah!
As guessing that Dale Coyne finally had to
divulge His second driver by Valentines Day, Eh? Being Dale’s new
“Thanksgiving”, Hya! As Y’all remember Dale saying that Turkey-Lurkey Day was
the new Halloween last year, Righto?
As who is that
masked “second” driver. Although He seems slightly familiar. Donning His
Crash-bucket for two days of testing on Sebring’s “Short” course…
Here’s some of the typical story lines for this
season. As guessing everyone knows about the calendar changes. With the
additions of Phoenix, Arlington and Toronto’s relocated Street race. And that
Iowa’s been dropped from this year’s schedule. Along with Nashville moving to
July and the season finale returning to Laguna Seca…
IndyCar announces
17 race 2026 Schedule
Obviously that was prior to Don Collosus
issuing another Executive Order for the Freedom 250. Where I hear a $1.0
million “Gratuity” will lands Yuhs a VIP Front row seat for the Washington D.C.
Street race taking place on August 23rd as Round 18 of this year’s IndyCar
schedule.
IndyCar
to race on Streets of Washington D.C.
Meanwhile, 24 drivers, including Dale’s second,
Hya! Will be trying to stop the Alex Palou Freight train. As can the affable
Spaniard win a fourth consecutive title this year? Which would give Him five
IndyCar Championship crowns in total. Surpassing Mario Andretti for third most
overall, Aye Karumba!
While can DJ WillyP’, ergo William Steven Power
ring-in His 45th birthday with a supremely satisfying win Sunday? Upon making
His debut for Andretti Global in the No. 26, which is just plain weird!
While have to say I’m more intrigued over the
Rookie Of the year (ROY) battle for the moment. Since Mick Schumacher’s signing
at Rahal is great for the sport. With Dennis Hauger and Caio Collet, who
finished 1-2 last year in Indy NXT. Arse-sumedly trying to take the “Mick”
outta, Oh Never Mind!
Y’all know that bad pun’s Ah-Comin’ sometime
this season. Which probably ranks right up Thar with Marshall Pruett’s Prema-nitions’
regarding Prema Racing, cymbal crash please!
As Schumacher Jnr has no Oval track racing
experience vs. Hauger and Collet’s limited Oval experience, albeit All three
will be Newby’s at Mother Speedway…
Speaking ‘O Prema Racing. We still didn’t know
their situation as of Super Bowl Sunday. When the Seattle Seahawks sought to
seek revenge upon those pesky New Patriots after that devastating loss in Super
bowl XLIV. As Arse-sumedly Seattle will let Kenneth Walker III run the ball
from the One-yard line on Third and Goal, Righto?
Yep, Walker ran roughshod over the Patriots by
cobbling up some 150 yards rushing, being named the Super bowl MVP, Yeah Baby!
With Seattle’s “Dark Side” Defense totally dominating Super bowl LX, with
Seattle cruising to a 29-13 victory! After holding New England scoreless 19-0
until the third quarter…
Uhm, back to racing, as don’t expect Prema to
show up at St Pete. And it sounds like according to Marshall Pruett, the Prema
Racing name is gone in IndyCar. With the hopes of a new owner purchasing the
team, and the new entity showing up later this season…
Also guessing Yuhs know about El Capitano’ ,
nee Roger Penske adding $11 million to the Leaders Circle pot beginning this
year, and running thru 2028. As this increases the individual Leaders Circle
payout from $1.145m to $1.645m for the Top 22 of the 25 Charter entrants. With
teams reportedly budgeting approximately a cool million per new Dallara IR28
chassis in 2028.
Whilst we’ve also got the new “independent”
Officiating Board, led by Ray Evernham and Company, which I’ve got no news upon
or how it differs from last year’s Race Officiating. So as the media Pundits
like saying; Watch this Space!
Whilst speaking of Penske, and I’m personally
happy for one of my favourite drivers ScottyMac’, nee Scott Mclaughlin getting
Tim Cindric as His new race strategist. Which is a great move for Penske’s No.
3 entry.
And that doesn’t even cover the rest of Team
Penske’s major Engineering reorganization, or Ed Carpenter Racing’s for that
matter. Along with whatever else I’ve missed the memo upon, Eh? Like is Todd
Alt sponsoring two IndyCar team this year? As it surely “looks” that way. Now
that the worst kept secret of the No. 18’s driver identity has finally been
divulged…
While I know everyone’s made improvements over
the excruciating Offseason. But the team I’m most impressed with is Rahal
Letterman Lanigan’s renewed efforts, which I hope definitely moves up the
pecking order this season. As I’d really like to see the team improve
dramatically for once.
And like ‘Ol Bob Varsha used to say? Turn Up the Volume!
