Fans still love DJ WillyP’, even if He’s not
driving for Team Penske anymore. (The Tomaso Collection)
It’s Showtime Ladies ‘n Germs, as finally, we’re
live right now in St Pete!
Well, and No Tomas Sr. It’s A Deep subject Joke
Here Folks, Hya! But It’s time again to throw the Green flag and Go Racing! As
the IndyCar’s and their supporting cast Indy NXT take over the Saint Petersburg’s Airfield this weekend,
on the 1.800-mile temporary Street Circuit. Beginning with the first practices
session today. (Friday, February 27th)
let’s go Racing Vroom-Vroom!
2026 Honda Team line-ups
Attempting another hypothetically, HaHa! Short
synopsis of the 13 Honda powered Drivers on this year’s IndyCar Grid.
Andretti
Global (3)
(Team/Car
No/Drivers)
#26
Will Power, Australia
#27 Kyle
Kirkwood, USA
#28 Marcus
Ericsson, Sweden
2025
Wins: 3
Kyle Kirkwood (3)
Obviously the “Big” offseason news is the
departure of Colton Herta to Europe to race in Formula 2, along with being
Cadillac F1 Team’s development driver. Sprinkled in with Moonlighting in IMSA
endurance races and a hopeful Indy 500 drive. With the one, the only DJ WillyP’
replacing Herta just days after Colton was confirmed leaving IndyCar.
Naturally, Will Power and Arse-sumedly Ron Ruzewski
both have chips on their shoulder after their unseemly dismissals from Team
Penske. And being a Huge Power Fan, I certainly hope He torches Team Penske
this season!
Marcus Ericsson had an even rougher season
overall during His second year at Andretti, sliding from P15 overall in 2024 to
21st last year. And the affable Swede’ doesn’t need reminding what’s riding on
this final contract year.
Kyle “Kirk” Kirkwood had His breakout season in
2025, winning three races, including His first Oval track W’. As Kirkwood
vaulted from seventh in 2024 to fourth overall last year, and hopes to
challenge Alex Palou this season…
Chip
Ganassi Racing (3)
#8 Kyffin
Simpson, Cayman Islands
#9 Scott
Dixon, New Zealand
#10
Alex Palou, Spain
2025
Wins: 9
Alex Palou, (8) Scott Dixon (1)
What more can be said about reigning IndyCar
Champion Alex Palou’s “Magical” season last year? Claiming three consecutive
titles; 2023-2025! Or a total of four over the last five seasons. And the total
Beatdown He put upon the entire field!
While the timeless Scott Dixon who finished third
overall last season with one W’. Currently sits on 59 career wins, only eight
shy of tying the legendous’ A.J. Foyt’s record 67 wins. Obviously won’t be
happy playing second fiddle to Palou another year!
The “Kyf-dog”, ergo Kyffin Simpson in His third
year at CGR improved four positions last year, finishing P17 overall, with
three Top-5 and six Top-10 finishes. Having finished a dubious P21 overall in
2024.
Dale
Coyne Racing (2)
#18
Romain Grosjean, France
#19 (R)
Dennis Hauger, Norway
(Technical
Alliance with Andretti Global)
The wily Dale Coyne took His time honoured
tradition of being the last to announce His latest driver choices to new
heights this year…
Coyne enters a new technical alliance with
Andretti global this season, making it no surprise that the first driver
confirmed at DCR was Dennis Hauger. As the “Nordsky” surpasses the Viking’, aka
Anders Krrohn. As Hauger won the 2025 Indy NXT Championship with six wins
enroute to IndyCar.
Hauger, who turns a precocious 23 years young
on Saint Patrick’s Day, spent three seasons in Formula 2, winning five times,
i.e.; one Feature and four Sprint races before moving to America last year…
We finally learned who Dale’s “second” driver
was one day prior to Valentines Day. Although it was the worst kept secret!
With Marshall Pruett noting prior that Romain Grosjean had shown up in
Indianoplis during IndyCar Content Days, albiet just getting a physical…
As Marshall said it would have been funny if
Romain had “Crashed” Content Days! Before Grosjean tested at Sebring, before
the press release was finally issued on Friday the 13th . Which hopefully won’t
be a bad omen for the Phoenix…
Meyer
Shank Racing (2)
#60 Felix
Rosenqvist, Sweden
#66
Marcus Armstrong, New Zealand
(Technical
Alliance with Chip Ganassi Racing)
No Fenders Offical’ Photographer CARPETS’ has
anointed Felix Rosenqvist with the nickname of Felix-the-Cat. Possibly due to
His nine life for remaining an IndyCar driver? As last year, Felix finished an
impressive sixth overall, with a best finish of runner-up at Elkhart Lake,
Wisconsin. Improving six places over His 2024 finish of P12.
Although Felix’s
podium finish was probably overshadowed by Santino Ferrucci guzzling a Miller
Genuine Draft Beer on His way to joining Rosenqvist on the Road America podium!
Marcus Armstrong had a strong debut season with
MSR. As the Kiwi’ vaulted from P14 in 2024 to eighth overall last year. Just
eight points behind teammate Rosenqvist and Colton Herta who tied for eighth.
(372-364)
As can this duo continue finishing inside the
Top-10 results-wise. And can either win a race for MSR?
Meanwhile, ‘Ol Dancin’ Fool Hulio’, nee Helio
Castroneves will once again run the team’s third #06 MSR entry at Mother
Speedway this May, as the elder statesman at 51 years old.
Rahal
Letterman Lanigan Racing (3)
#15 Graham
Rahal, USA
#45 Louis
Foster, UK
#47 (R)
Mick Schumacher, Germany
Graham Rahal, enters His 20th IndyCar season Me
Thinks? And is the De Facto Team leader. Obviously, snap, Oh Never Mind! Being even “Hungrier” to finally win again. Now entering
His ninth season without a win, Youza! Having finished P19 overall last year.
2024 Indy NXT champion Louis Foster won the
2025 IndyCar Rookie Of the Year title. Along with capturing His maiden IndyCar
pole at Road America.
Lastly, the team has taken a “Flyer” upon
signing Mick Schumacher as Sparky’s, nee Devlin DeFrancesco’s replacement this
year.
As I feel this is great news for the series as
a whole, and I expect Mick to show occasional flashes of “Brilliance” this
season on the Twisties’, i.e.; street circuits and road courses. Presumably the
latter, especially on Mother Speedway’s infield road course.
As I’ll be interested to see how the young German who turns 27 on March 22nd, contest the ROY (Rookie Of the Year) battle. Albeit He’s got the steepest learning curve of this year’s three rookies.
Yet the team seems determined to make its third
wheel, Err entry more than just a “number” on the grid, a la last season with
Sparky…
(R = Rookie)
