Who’ll win this year’s Indy NXT Championship?

And more importantly, will it matter?

 

Suppose its due to gorging Thyself upon motorsports over the Mid-Ohio weekend. Having listened to both Indy NXT races, IndyCar Qualie and race, along with tuning in for Sunday’s Unlimited Hydroplane Heats and Gold Cup finale on the Ohio river. I’ve simply become waterlogged regarding motor racing!

 

Not to mention casually following the World Cup. Hell even managing to find a few games on FOX Sports radio, streamed via Zed Intrawood’s – when they felt like airing them.

 

Along with strangely feeling deflated over my Numero Uno IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward winning His first race of the season in Lexington. As I’d wanted Christian Lundgaard to stick the knife in Zak Brown’s punting Him Kerbside!

 

As its quite odd, since I’ve never been a fan of Lundgaard’s, but feel He’s getting a raw deal a la James Hinchcliffe, Oliver Askew, Theo Pourchaire, but I digress…

 

Adding to this malaise I suppose is the absolute Beatdown Enzo Fittipaldi put upon the entire Indy NXT field at Lexington.

 

Leading Friday’s practice, then claiming both poles for the Double header weekend. Along with a new pole record. And then leading both races wire-to-wire to go from 27 points behind to leading the title fight by 17 markers was nothing short of impressive!

 

Nikita Johnson who led the points standings entering Mid-Ohio slid down to third, 20 points adrift, while thee other TK’. Nope, not Tommy Kendall or Tony Kanaan, butt Tymek Kucharczyk, Fittipaldi’s HMD Motorsports teammate wound-up second after Mid-Ohio.

 

As these three drivers have played leapfrog with each other over leading the championship. As Fittipaldi had four wins, two poles and nine Top-5 finishes after Mid-Ohio. (431 points) While Johnson had two wins, 0 poles and six top-5’s. (411 points) And Kucharczyk had one win, 0 poles and ten top-5’s, (414 points) with everyone else some 100 markers adrift of this trio.

 

But guess we really shouldn’t have expected things to stay status quo, Eh?

 

Nashville Super speedway’s 1.33-mile concreate oval was an impound race. Presumably due to the weekend’s format being a two day event. Meaning drivers had to set their cars up for the race before qualifying, with no adjustments afterwards.

 

Matteo Nannini claimed pole, with A. J. Foyt Enterprises Alessandro de Tullio second. As de Tullio who has the most poles this season with seven, came up just 0.0931-seconds short of His eighth pole. With Fittipaldi’s two lap average speed being 177.427mph vs. de Tullio’s 177.114mph.

 

 Nikita Johnson was third and the driver Kevin Lee calls the Oval-meister’, Myles Rowe lined up fourth.

 

Don’t know what happened to points leader Enzo Fittipaldi, who qualified P14. Or Tymek Kucharczyk down in a lowly 17th, Youch!

 

Sadly, Kucharczyk’s woes weren’t over, as the Pole’ finished an uncharacteristic P18; three laps down, albeit I cannot find out any reason for this. As there’s no report upon His race outing, Say What?

 

Fittipaldi gradually worked His way forward for an eventual 11th place finish, but all the action naturally was up front. And all that was covered…

 

Nannini had a spirited fight with teammate Johnson over the lead, which the Italian never surrendered. With the exception of Rowe passing the Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR Boyz’ briefly before a yellow flag came out.

 

The race’s main battle was over who’d eventually finish runner-up? As Johnson, Lochie Hughes and Rowe all took turns sharing it, before Johnson finally secured second place with Row claiming the podium’s final step.

 

Yet it was Nannini cruising home with a 5.6+ second lead for His second win of the season. While Johnson reclaimed the points lead over Fittipaldi by a lone, solitary marker; 451 vs. 450 points. With Kucharczyk falling 25 markers behind in third with 426 points.

 

Only four races remain. With this weekend’s Portland event, (Aug 9th ) Milwaukee (Aug 30th) and Laguna Seca’s season ending Double Header. (Sept 5-6th)

 

Thus two permanent road courses and a historic oval sandwiched in-between round out the calendar’s 17 events.

 

Although the last three year’s Indy NXT champions, i.e.; Dennis Hauger, Louis foster and Christian Rasmussen are all currently IndyCar drivers. Hauger’s tenure isn’t certain next year.

 

As for every Indy NXT champion making it to IndyCar and securing a future there, there’s far more who have either never gotten to IndyCar, or had very short tenures…

As Linus Lundqvist’s name is on the tip of my tongue. With the likes of Oliver Askew, Ed Jones, Kyle Kiser, Spencer Pigot, you get the idea – not being round in IndyCar anymore. And the path to an open IndyCar seat is only becoming more daunting each year… 

Road America Rampage

As many drivers were singing “don’t Fence me In!” over the weekend…

 

Nope, the water’s fine at Elkhart Lake! Y’all can go in as No Algae Blooms to worry ‘bout. Or simply Hang out on the shore, have a picnic and take picture of our scenic Lake. As Thars Nothin’ for Barney Fife to arrest anybody over, ‘cept littering…

 

Having gorged Thyself over the Road America weekend, listening to Friday’s IndyCar practice session. Saturday’s first Indy NXT race and IndyCar Qualie’. And lastly Sunday’s second Indy NXT race plus the IndyCar finale. (race)

 

Including my favourite portion of IndyCar Radio’s pre-race, when they talk to an abundance of IndyCar drivers. Obviously I got my fill of Open Wheel Racing!

 

Thus, I’m still not sure which series race’s were more wild, i.e.; Indy NXT or IndyCar?

 

As I loved the comment from Mark Gravelly’ James about Alex Palou having fun over the abundance of Anybody But Palou signage. With Palou going up to one RV Camper and signing their banner!

 

Whilst James also casually noted that Josef Schlick’ Newgarden hadn’t won on a Twisties’ circuit, i.e.; road course or street circuit in four years! His las win being at Long Beach, 2022.

 

Saturday’s Indy NXT race opening laps were quite chaotic. With Enzo Fittipaldi braking too late and slamming into one of the Max’s, think it was Garcia? Or more likely Taylor. Resulting in a broken nose and finishing a lowly P22!

 

But the most bizarre moment of the first eight of ten laps run under caution was Jordan Missing’s incident. When He simply followed whomever He was trying to pass offtrack, careening thru the gravel-trap and slamming hard into the concrete retaining barrier! As Davey Hamilton said it looks like He just followed so ‘n so offtrack!

 

Lochie Hughes who’d had a impressive start, drafted polesitter and leader Alessandro de Tulio down the front straight on a restart and swept past on the outside into Turn-2? Effectively never giving up the lead, giving Andretti Global it’s 100th Indy Lights victory.

 

Josh Pierson, Hughes teammate made a masterful pass at Canada corner on the final lap to take second away from de Tullio, who came home a dejected third. Whilst Hughes definitely needed the win to hopefully get His season pointed the right direction.

 

Yet what’s that ‘Ol ABC Wide World of Sports slogan? Oh yeah, “The Thrill of victory and Agony of Defeat!” As Pierson collided with Hughes at the start of Race 2! With Lochie eventually finishing P20, two laps behind, Youch!

 

But without doubt the star of the show was Tymek Kucharczyk who started a lowly P16, before Steadily working forwards. As the Polish rookie made 20 on-track passes for positions!

 

Tend to recall Kucharczyk battling points leader Nikita Johnson for third. With Johnson playin’ Argey Bargey’ and shoving Kucharczyk wide, dropping down to seventh. Yet Kucharczyk who set fastest lap and had the fastest car in traffic repassed Johnson for third place and made it stick second time around!

 

As de Tullio held off both Matteo Nannini and Kucharczyk for the win at Elkhart Lake on a Green-White “Chequers or Wreckers” one lap shootout finish. With de Tullio winning His second race of the year…

 

Then tuned back in for My favourite portion of IndyCar Radio’s pre-race coverage at start of broadcast, when they talk to various drivers.

 

For example, talking briefly to 13 of the 25 IndyCar drivers before/during Driver introductions is always cool! With

Alex Wolff asking ScottyMac’ if He can channel some of His World Champion NY Knicks Mojo’, with McLaughlin saying I knew you were gonna bring that up, Mate!

 

Although the drivers don’t give anything away, I do enjoy how they all seem to answer the questions straightforward. And it interesting listening to the new guard vs. elder statesmen, i.e.; Rasmussen, Armstrong, Lundgaard, Siegel vs. DJ WillyP”, (Power) and Scotty thee “Iceman 2.0” Dixon. Along with Felix-the-Cat’, (Rosenqvist) “the Surgeon, (Palou) etc.

 

Next during the pre-race build-up, Nicky Salt’ Yeoman broke in with the news that both A. J. Foyt Enterprises Indy NXT cars had been disqualified for inadvertently mounting the two cars qualifying tyres on the wrong racecars. Thus seeing Alessandro de Tullio stripped of His victory! With Matteo Nannini becoming the winner, Tymek Kucharczyk second and Nikita Jhonson third. As don’t think I’ve ever heard of that before.

 

And we all know the outcome of the IndyCar race, when Christian Lundgaard went from last on lap-1 with a cut tyre, to first on the podium. With Marcus Armstrong being robbed of a deserved maiden IndyCar victory after leading 14 laps at races end!

 

As Lundgaard said on His cooldown lap, How did We do that!

 

And when’s the last time Palou forgot to engage the pitlane speed limiter in the pits? Although as Mark James and Davey Hamilton said in mock surprise; a yellow comes out and Palou’s sniffing roses again…

 

As Palou’s bad day at the office turned out to be a fifth place finish, sigh! Although I’m getting a bit tired of the Spaniard’s bowling ball tactics with Nolan Siegel, who seems to be a spare pin in the way of a strike!

 

Yet my heart goes out for Marcus Armstrong who was cruelly denied a maiden IndyCar W’ when reportedly His Honda engine gave up the Ghost with three laps remaining.

 

Now, I’m not saying it was this, or putting my tin hat on that I keep on a peg on the basement’s door but…

 

I turned off the IndyCar Radio broadcast saying I certainly hope for Honda and IndyCar’s sake that wasn’t a Hybrid failure…

 

Notice that Honda HRC U.S. Boss Daid Salter issued a public apology to Armstrong and Meyer Shank Racing. But why hasn’t Honda disclosed what it was?

 

As Chevrolet has ben quick to divulge their valvetrain supplied parts for their numerous engine failures, but Honda’s “Keeping Clam”, Oh Never Mind!

 

As suppose this will all be academic now that we’ve just raced at Mid-Ohio. 

Myles Rowe puts on Clinique at Gateway

As I’m certain He saw the Chequered flag being waved!

 

Have to say that was one of the most bizarre race weekends I can remember in awhile, at Gateway. Yeah, it will always be Gateway to this ‘Ol Codger. Not Wide World Technology Raceway, Spew! (WWTR)

 

Missed Indy NXT live Qualie’, so I was unaware of the drama afterwards. As pole sitter Myles Rowe, who’d been faster by one mile per hour was disqualified for taking an extra flying lap after finishing His run. Failing to follow race officials instructions.

 

Have to say I agree with IndyCar Radio’s Driver Analyst Davey Hamilton, who said you cannot blame your radio for not hearing what lap you’re on. You need to be visually aware of your surroundings and situation and never trust your equipment.

 

Davey said He loved Myles, but just didn’t agree with Rowe trying to blame His radio, while Myles had said He needed to have a talk with the Bell Helmet guys…

 

Thus Myle was relegated to the final row, rolling off last in P24. But Hamilton said He was excited to see what Rowe and Enzo Fittipaldi could do coming from the back.

 

Also missed the memo over points leader Enzo Fittipaldi not being able to qualify Saturday due to a mechanical failure, meaning He’d start P23, alongside Rowe.

 

Yet as the race got ready to start, IndyCar Radio’s Michael Young and Davey Hamilton noticed a lack of two cars from the grid. Most notably Fittipaldi standing on pitlane waiting the arrival of His No. 67 HMD Motorsports racecar, before walking to the front of the grid.

 

As Hamilton said He couldn’t see any cars being pushed towards the track from their vantage point, with the other delinquent racecar being Matteo Nannini’s #20 Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR entry.

 

Then Fittipaldi ran to the garage as the race got ready to start, before His racecar with driver was pushed into pitlane. But race officials wouldn’t let Fittipaldi on-track until the entire field had taken the green! While Nannini also appeared and entered the race behind, possibly two laps down?

 

As queue the JAWS’ theme music! As Rowe was up to tenth place by lap 19 of 75. He’s coming boys!

 

“the High line is the Right line!”

 

Really have to say I was rootin’ for Homeboy’ Josh Person who’d gotten round Andretti Global teammate Max Taylor for second place; believe Alessandro de Tullio who’d started second dropped down the order. With Pierson then harrying pole sitter and Andretti global teammate Lochie Hughes before passing the Aussie’ for the lead.

 

Yet not only was Myles faster than everyone else, He also could place His car wherever He wanted to pass the opposition. Going down low to pass Taylor on lap 32 for third place, with His next victim being Hughes.

 

Rowe passed Hughes on lap 41 with a spectacular three wide pass and set sail for leader Person.

 

Target acquired, as Rowe went to the bottom again six laps later to pass Pierson and never looked back! Making history in the process of starting deepest in the field to win. Shattering Esteban “Ratta-Tat-Tat” Guerrieri’s record climb from P18 to first at the 2012 Freedom 100.

 

Fittipaldi’s day starting from the back wasn’t as stellar as Rowe’s, yet did climb ten places to finish 13th . With title protagonist Nikita Johnson finishing seventh.

 

De Tullio regained positions and finished runner-up to a distant Rowe, while Pierson held on for third, His best finish of the season.

 

Swear I heard Team Penske boss Jonathan Diuguid congratulating Rowe during Myle’s post-race winners interview. As it was Rowe’s third career win, all coming on ovals, and this one being extra special.

 

While Marshal Pruett has reported that Team Penske is considering giving Rowe a post season test aboard one of it’s Indy Cars.

 

Following Gateway, Nikita Johnson led the championship by two markers over Enzo Fittipaldi. (285-283) Both having won twice. And a further three markers adrift (280-points) was Tymek Kucharczyk. As the Polish driver’s been the revelation of the season so far! Scoring His maiden victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s second Indy road course race. Along with finishing third the first three races, and four thirds to date.

 

Max Taylor was fourth, 27 points behind. (258-points) And Vaulting to fifth was Myles Rowe, albeit 73 markers adrift. (212-points)

 

While the $64k question was whether Rowe could continue this momentum at the following Double Header weekend at Road America and to the end of the season?

 

Meanwhile, we learned that both Fittipaldi and Nannini’s racecars had suffered fuel leaks, being the cause of their maladies. Which struck a third, unrelated racecar. As Dennis Hauger failed to start the IndyCar race due to also suffering a fuel leak.

 

As don’t think I’ve ever heard of three cars suffering fuel leaks over a race weekend! 

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. 

Where have All of the Cowgirls’ gone?

Rookie Ana “Bia” Beatriz's car being pushed down the pitlane following the 2011 race. (The Tomaso Collection)

 

And who will fill Katherine Legge’s racing boots in the future…

 

First off, let me say I’m happy that Katherine Legge’s back in the Indianapolis 500 field this year…

 

Fifty years ago, Janet Guthrie was all the rage at Mother Speedway. Attempting to become the first female to crack the Indianapolis 500’s glass ceiling, which history denotes, didn’t occur.

 

Guthrie encountered much resistance in the form of sexism from Her male counterparts during the Month of May. Along with Her luggage being lost upon arrival. Which  included Her firesuit and helmet, albeit perhaps just coincidence?

 

Practice foresaw a difficult road for Guthrie. As teammate dick Simon suffered an oil leak when shaking down Her racecar. The following day Simon burned a piston and suffered a turbocharger fire!

 

Guthrie finally got on-track on the third day of practice, but also suffered a burned piston after only seven laps. The next day She completed phase one of Her rookie test, before rain cut short Her final phase on Thursday. She then completed Her rookie test on Monday with a top speed of 171.429mph, following the first week of qualifying.

 

With turbo boost having been slightly reduced to slow speeds, the fastest in practice was Johnny Rutherford at 189.833mph, wit speeds in the high 180’s. With Al Unser and A. J. Foyt giving chase to Lone Star JR’.

 

Day-3 of qualifying; Saturday May 16th saw Guthrie not attempting a qualifying run, having been hunting for speed, only able to muster 173mph-plus. Not fast enough to bump Her way into the field.

 

Reportedly Foyt was so incensed over His counterparts attitude towards Janet, that He loaned Her his No. 1 backup chassis to attempt qualification on Sunday.

 

Foyt had lapped at 190mph in the car on Friday. And Sunday morning, Guthrie recorded a speed of 180.796mph, being Her fastest lap of the month. Yet even with this improvement of some seven miles per hour faster, Guthrie didn’t make a qualifying attempt and the drama was over…

 

Humpy Wheeler then cut a deal to have Janet race in the World 600 NASCAR race at Charlotte, becoming the first woman to race in a Super Speedway NASCAR event. Finishing 15th after two cylinders “Done Blown Up!” Toward race’s end.

 

Guthrie would race at Mother Speedway between 1977-79, with a best finish of ninth in 1978. Bookending Her time at the Brickyard by failing to qualify in 1980. Before disappearing from the landscape from what’s become a common occurrence for female racers, i.e.; lack of sponsorship.

 

13 years would pass before Lyn St. James arrived at 16th & Georgetown, becoming the 1992 Indianapolis 500 Rookie Of the Year. Yet it would be 24 years since Guthrie first attempted racing in the Indy 500 until two females made the race, when Sarah fisher joined the party And St. James made Her swansong appearance

 

Having first scribbled about this subject nearly two decades ago, I’m not inclined to re-create the wheel, or relive Danica Mania, Yawn! (2005) and will refer Y’all to my original No Fenders post.

 

Women in Racing

 

Whilst 2007 was a watershed moment for le Femmes, the first time ever that three women raced in the Indianapolis 500. With Sarah fisher and Danica Patrick being joined by Milka Duno.

 

Three years later, the bar was raised to four Femme fatales competing at Mother Speedway, which I teased Yuhs with the following No Fenders yarn Wayback then…

 

Speedway Sirens flock to Indianapolis in droves: The Centennial Years (2010 Edition)

 

Quattro females would compete in the Indianapolis 500 again in 2011, the following year reverted to just three. And then four again for 2013, with Katherine Legge having joined the fiesta in 2012

 

The party abruptly ended in 2014, with only relative newcomer Pippa Mann in Her third Indy 500 carrying the torch as the lone female between 2014-2019.

 

2020 would be the first time in over two decades that no Femme Fatales raced in the Indianapolis 500, with Mann running into that ominous funding issue.

 

Simona de Silvestro drove for Beth Paretta’s female team Paretta Motorsports in a technical alliance with Team Penske in 2021. With year’s 2022 and 2025 again seeing no female competitors at the Speedway.

 

Katherine Legge competed for Dale Coyne Racing in 2023, and Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in 2024. Before returning with HMD Motorsports with A. J. Foyt enterprises as the 33rd and final entry for this year’s 110th running of the famed Indianapolis 500.

 

Since 1977, a total of nine women have raced in the Indy 500: Janet Guthrie, Lyn St. James, Sarah Fisher, Danica Patrick, Milka Duno, Ana Beatriz, Simona de Silvestro, Pippa Mann and Katherine Legge.

 

And like I said in the beginning, I’m happy that Legge’s back in the race this year. But at 45 years old, you’d have to wonder how many more “Rodeo’s” will She contest at Mother Speedway?

 

More alarmingly, it doesn’t appear there’s anybody on the horizon to take the spurs from Legge.

 

As I can only think of these four le Femmes having recently competed in Indy NXT, the final rung on the ladder to IndyCar, i.e.; Linsey Brewer, Jamie Chadwick, Haley Deegan and Sophia Florisch.

 

Chadwick was the most promising, being a three-times winner of the women’s W Series. Along with winning the Road America Indy NXT race in 2024, whilst holding off teammate and eventual Indy NXT champion Louis Foster. The first female win since Pippa Mann in 2010.

 

Chadwick tested an Andretti Global IndyCar at Barber Motorsports Park before IndyCar became a “Closed Shop” and currently is Genesis Magma Racing’s FIA World Endurance championship’s Hypercar reserve driver. And hopefully will get an opportunity to compete for Genesis in IMSA GTP in the future…

 

Florisch arguably was the second most promising of this quartet. But only made a single Indy NXT start at the 2024 St. Pete season opener before Her budget dried-up and She was forced to leave the series.

 

Both Deegan and Brewer had less than promising results during their 2025 Indy NXT tenures. And sadly, I’m not aware of any aspiring le Femmes on the Open wheel Racing horizon Stateside… 

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!