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 Hence my prose is somewhat outdated.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… 

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? 

Trans Am Musings

Although the modern day series  just doesn’t resonate with me as it once did…

 

Not sure why I got so wrapped up in this? But speaking ‘O Mark Donohue! Once again your humble No Fenders scribe Tomaso slid down another Wabbit’ Hole…

 

Hey, I suppose that’s what happens when the IndyCar season has been over for nearly a month’s time. Formula 1 seems anti-climatic and Thars nothin’ but Football on Thy Telie’, Spew! Along with some Taxicab Bombers Playoffs when you’re struggling to upgrade your Desktop Confuzer’ to Windows 11 Assimilation…

 

It all started when reading about the recent IROC reunion at Laguna seca this August, when Tony Drissi won the 10 lap Monterey Motorsports Reunion’s race. As I’ll admit, I’d totally forgotten about Messer Drissi, whom presumably I knew about a quarter of a century ago…

 

Although funnily, Ye ‘Ol memory machine Ain’t quite as sharp as I like to think it is! Since I knew Drissi raced in Trans Am, but incorrectly associated Him with the Tommy Bahamas Qvale Mangusta Trans Am racecar. Which Brian Simo drove to the 2000 title for Huffaker Racing.

 

I especially delight over Drissi’s Bio’ noting that although He began racing vintage cars in the early 1990’s. His driving style was to aggressive for the spritely machinery! Making His professional racing debut in the 1999 SCCA Pro Racing Trans Am Championship. Where He won the Rookie Of the Year driving a Ford Mustang Cobra.

 

For 2000, Drissi apparently joined forces with Claudio Burtin and their newly formed racing team. Acquiring Paul Gentilozzi’s Rocketsports Racing’s 1999 championship winning Ford Mustang Cobra’s. As Rocketsports had switched to the soon to be Uber’ menacing Jaguar XKR. Winning five straight championships between 2001 to the series demise at the end of 2005.

 

Although keep in mind, all of this era’s racecars were Silhouette body’s over tube frame chassis. And it appears that the Rocketsports Jaguar XKR’s were simply updated Ford Mustang chassis with the requisite Jaguar body…

 

Drissi appropriately won His maiden Trans Am race at His Home venue, i.e.; Long Beach, winning the 2000 race in controversial style. Initially being declared the winner of the 35 lap race, before the Chief Steward took the win away and gave it to Johnny Miller, when reverting back to lap 34’s standings.

 

Yet a protest was filed by another competitor, and the results were overturned. As Miller had won after the One Hour maximum time allotment had expired! And Hence the win reverted back to Drissi.

 

It would be Drissi’s lone W’ of the season, finishing sixth overall.

 

In 2015, in a “One-off” Trans Am race at Mid-Ohio. Drissi would be suspended from Trans Am competition for one year, due to multiple incidents on-track, including colliding with points leader Amy Ruman.

 

Hang on a moment, as Y’all may be saying what does this have to do with Mark Donohue, Eh?

 

Well it was none other than Paul Meathedz’ Gentilozzi who broke Donohue’s leading Trans Am career wins mark at Toronto in 2005, scoring the 30th of His eventual 31 Trans Am victories. As Donohue’s record stood for an amazing 33 years.

 

Gentilozzi made His Trans Am debut upon His Home turf at Detroit in 1987. Then scoring His first Trans Am victory on the Streets of Long Beach the following year.

 

And in further irony, Drissi would claim the 2009 Trans Am Championship driving for RSR Racing, i.e.; Paul Gentilozzi’s renamed Rocketsports Pacing team in one of His Jaguar XKR’s. With Drissi claiming a further win at Portland enroute to the title. that season.

 

Although I’ve never been a fan of Gentilozzi’s, and His disgusting behaviour towards Ryan Hunter-Reay didn’t help!

 

The Seedier Side of Racing

 

Which ultimately, RHR’, The Dude! Ergo Ryan Hunter-Reay successfully won His 12 year lawsuit a further two plus months later, in May 2017…

 

Sniffing round the All knowing Intrawoods’, I came across the news that Chris Dyson has just tied Donohue’s record for second most Trans Am wins, when capturing His 29th victory at Virginia International Raceway. (VIR) Driving from last place to first!

 

And I’d like to think that its only a matter of time until Dyson surpasses Gentilozzi’s career wins record…

 

Ironically, Tony Drissi once again was causing controversy at Virginia. Having initially been classified third, before receiving a post race penalty for Avoidable Contact with Yuhs guessed it, Amy Ruman in Her Corvette!

 

As what is it that Drissi has against Ruman, Eh?

 

Thus Drissi was demoted to fourth, with Adam Adretti claiming third.

 

Yes, Adam Andretti is the son of Aldo Andretti, and younger brother of John Andretti. And has been racing in the Trans Am series since 2014.

 

Meanwhile, its another former NASCAR driver named Paul Menard who Dyson made that bold pass upon race leader and pole sitter (Menard) to claim His 29th Trans Am victory.

 

As Menard held a 46-point lead over Adam Andretti following Virginia, with two races remaining. Appropriately ending at the Circuit Of The Americas over Halloween weekend… 

Tres Racecars at Penske Racing Museum

 

Tomaso poses in front of three iconic Penske Racing Cars. (The Tomaso Collection)

 

This photo was taken many years ago during one of my annual visits to the Penske Racing Museum in Scottsdale, AZ. It features the iconic Yellow Submarine made famous by Rick Mears, who won the  1984 Indianapolis 500 aboard it. Mark Donohue’s 1974 Penske PC1 Formula 1 chassis, sponsored by First City National Bank. And Mario Andretti’s IROC VI Championship winning Camaro, Sweet!

 

Not sure why I’ve kept this old Autoweek article’s link upon Ye Gory Confuzer forever? But without Mark Donohue, there would be no Team Penske! And it’s a good look back at Penske Racin and Donohue’s beginnings…

 

In Search of Team Penske Racing legend Mark Donohue

 

Photo C/O Blogmeister’ Miguel

PRM: Bad Arse’ IROC Camaro

1979 Mario Andretti IROC Camaro. (The Tomaso Collection)

 

Guessing many forget that Mario Andretti once drove for El Capitano’, nee Roger Penske. Including wielding this Bad Arse IROC Camaro when capturing the 1978-79 IROC VI championship!

 

Photo C/O Blogmeister’ Miguel 

PRM: Bad Arse’ IROC Camaro, Take 2

1979 Mario Andretti IROC Camaro, Side view. (The Tomaso Collection)

 

Is this the car that Roger Penske Jr drove at the recent Historic IROC Class reunion this August during the Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Laguna Seca?

 

Photo C/O Blogmeister’ Miguel 

RETRO: Seven Generations of IROC Racecars invade Monterey

In what must have truly been an Amazing sight to Behold! Wit no seven wonders Jokes here…

 

This August, the Monterey Motorsports Reunion’s massive “roll Call” of evocative racing machinery featured the once, highly popular International Race Of Champions (IROC) Class. With the series competing between 1973 to 2006.

 

Although 26 entries were listed, it appears that only 24 cars actually competed. With Dario REO Speedwagon Franchitti strangely being listed as the driver of two entries, Huh? With the latter 1977 IROC Camaro, and Carlos de Quesada’s 1974 Porsche 911 both having “goose-egg’s”, Err 0 laps completed for the 10 lap event.

 

This staggering field of IROC History was represented by 11 IROC Pontiac Firebirds ranging from years 1996 to 2006.

 

A further 8 Chevrolet Camaros from 1975-85 were joined by 4  Dodge Avengers. (1984-95) A solitary Dodge Daytona (1990) and two 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR’s.

 

Although I’m Arse-suming the year noted for vehicles above represents their corresponding year of IROC Championship. Since the Porsche 911 Carrera RSR’s were from 1973…

 

Although I subsequently learned that the first seven series were bi-annual events, before switching to single year format in 1984.

 

Ray Evernham who worked as a mechanic during the IROC era, noted this was the first time ever that all seven generations of IROC racecars were present at once. Beginning with the Porsche 911 Carrera RSR during the inaugural 1973-74 season. Colloquially known as IROC I.

 

This was followed by production based Chevrolet Camaros fitted with rollbars and other enhancement the next two seasons, ending in 1976.   

 

Next, the series turned to tube frame “Silhouette” Camaros built by the legendary Banjo Mathews between 1977-78. Culminating in 1980, with the conclusion of IROC VII.

 

The series returned in 1984 with the arrival of the new Camaro IROC Z, which body style competed for five years, before the introduction of the Dodge Daytona body style in 1990

 

For 1994, IROC introduced the Dodge Avenger Body, which raced for two years before the arrival of the Pontiac Firebird, which raced until the series demise at the end of 2006.

 

Seven Generations of IROC racing at Monterey

 

As these IROC racecars have staggering Driver history behind them! Ranging from Formula 1, IndyCar, Sports Cars and NASCAR, which I recall tuning out of this racing series when it became NASCAR centric during the end of its lifetime. Better known as the RASSCAR’ Invitational! Losing interest after ‘Ol Ironhead’ v ‘lil al, ergo Dale Earnhart vs. Al Unser Jr era.

 

Yet just one example of some of these racecars provenance is Zak Brown’s pristine 1977 Banjo Mathews “GEN-3” (third generation) Camaro. Having been raced by NASCAR Champions Cale Yarborough and Darrell Waltrip. Along with Actors Clint Eastwood, Paul Newman, Gene Hackman and James Brolin all having driven it during a Media Day at Sonoma.

 

Ran across the following ten-plus minute video of Marshall Pruett doing a “Grid Walk” with Ray Evernham perusing the various entries for this year’s Historic IROC Class at Laguna Seca…

 

VIDEO: Star Studded IROC field Steals the Show at Monterey Motorsports Reunion

 

Especially loved the “Bit” Evernham recants about Niki “The Rat” Lauda getting the call from Uncle Bernaughty’, nee Bernard Charles Ecclestone to not compete in the IROC event He was entered in.

 

Yet being contractually obligated to compete. Lauda went ahead and burnt His car’s clutch to the ground, and Presto Chango,  problem solved!

 

As this year’s Historics race had a bevy of Stars participating. With six NASCAR Drivers competing, i.e.; Mark Martin, Bill Elliot, Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, Bobby Labonte and Ken Schroeder.

 

IndyCar was represented by the aforementioned Dario Franchitti, Scott Pruett and Danny Sullivan. Although Pruett’s more widely known for His Sports car prowess. Along with Bad Arse Patrick Long also representing Sports Cars.

 

McLaren CEO Zak Brown, Scott Borchetta and Roger Penske Jr headed the “Celebrity” roll call, with other “gentlemen” drivers making up the field.

 

As Brown and William “Chip” connor II traveled farthest from Across thoust Gory Puddle, i.e.; Bloody England.

 

For the initial season of IROC I, 1973-74, 15 identical Porsche 911 RSR’s were ordered from Weissach in a rainbow of colours.

 

As Connor’s 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR in Mexican Blue has a great pedigree. Having been raced in IROC I by 1967 F1 World champion Denny Hulme, “The Silver Fox”, aka Three-times NASCAR Champion David Pearson; second All-time NASCAR career wins with 105. And USAC Champ Car driver Roger McCluxkey.

 

On an interesting sidenote. Originally ‘Ol superTex’, nee Anthony Joseph Foyt Jr had declined to participate in IROC I due to it being contested only on road courses.

 

Yet Foyt ultimately competed as the Wee Scot’, aka Jackie Stewart’s replacement. After Sir Jackie had immediately retired from racing following the death of Tyrrell F1 teammate Francois Cevert at Watkins Glen.

 

Kurt Busch claimed the fastest lap of 1:35.112 aboard a ’03 Pontiac Firebird on the race’s final lap. While two other drivers behind the keyboards of 2006 Pontiac Firebirds finished ahead of Busch.

 

Dario Franchitti finished second, while a relatively forgotten name won. As Tony Drissi, a longtime Trans Am driver from the early Ought’s stood atop the podium.

 

Drissi, who runs a Hollywood Advertising Agency, was the 1999 Trans Am rookie Of the Year, and the 2009 Trans Am Champion. Who currently competes in the SCCA Pro Racing Trans Am series, a quarter century later…

 

Jeff Gordon was fourth, while impressively, Scott Borchetta was fifth. Patrick Long was sixth, followed by Danny Sullivan and Bobby Labonte. With the Top-10 rounded out by the unknown Ross Merrill and David Roberts.

 

Scott Pruett (P11) led Zak Brown in 12th. With Bill Elliott P14, Mark Martin one spot behind and Kenny Schroeder P19.

 

Interestingly, it appears that only 23 cars participated, since 2009 F1 World Champion Bloody Jense’, aka Jenson Button was listed with 0 laps completed. While I just wish I could find a video of this race…