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. 

R100: Pacific Northwest Racing Teams - Scandia/Simon Addendum

As everybody remembers Team Scandia, Righto?

 

Its funny how one mellows over time, eh? And that ten years after my initial No Fenders story, I’ve gleamed more insight into what should have been a race team of interest to Mwah Wayback’ when.

 

1996

For 1996, initially Andy Evans formed a partnership with Dick Simon, where each party would field one entry apiece in that year’s Indy Racing League.

 

Yet this partnership was dissolved in January when Evans took sole ownership of the team. Having bought the remaining shares from Simon on January 5th, albeit Dick Simon remained as team manager.

 

For the inaugural IRL race at Walt Disney World Speedway the team ran under the banner Scandia/Simon Racing. Before being known as Team scandia thereafter, until its demise in 1998.

 

The Irl’s inaugural season consisted of three oval events, i.e.; Walt Disney World Speedway, Phoenix International Raceway and the Indianapolis Motor speedway.

 

Scandia/Simon Racing arrived at Walt Disney Speedway with three entries, i.e.; Eliseo Salazar, Michele Alboreto and Lyn St. James, but Salazar failed to qualify…

 

IRL Entries

(Indy 500 = Round 3)

#7. Eliseo Salazar, Chile: Rounds 1, 3

#7. R-Fermin Velez, Spain: Round 2

#8. Alessandro Zampedri, Italy: Round 3

#22. R-Michel Jourdain Jr, Mexico: Rounds 2-3

#33. R-Michele Alboreto, Italy: Rounds 1-3

#34. R-Fermin Velez, Spain: Round 3

#43. R-Joe Gosek, USA: Round 3

#90. Lyn St. James, USA: rounds 1-2

#90. R-Racin Gardner, USA: round 3

 

1996-97

The 1996-97 Indy Racing League season was a hybrid calendar, with two Fall events, before a further eight events the following year.

 

The season began on August 18, 1996 at New Hampshire  International Speedway. (Loudon) followed by Round 2 at Las Vegas Motor speedway on September 15th. Then recommenced at Walt Disney in January, 1997 for Round 3 of 10. Followed by Phoenix, Indianapolis, Texas Motor speedway, Pikes Peak, Charlotte, Loudon and Las Vegas, concluding on October 11th, 1997.

 

Team Scandia ran only five cars at that May’s Indianapolis 500.

 

IRL Entries

(Indy 500 = Round 5 of 10)

#7. Eliseo Salazar, Chile: Rounds 1-2, 5-10

#8. Stephan Gregoire, France: Rounds 2, 8

#8. R-Vincenzo Sospiri, Italy: rounds 5-6

#22. Stephan Gregoire, France: Round 1

#22. Michel Jourdain Jr, Mexico: Round 2

#22. R-Marco Greco, Brazil: Rounds 3-6

#22. R-Vincenzo Sospiri, Italy: rounds 7-10

#33. R-Michele Alboreto, Italy: Rounds 1-2

#33. R-Fermin Velez, Spain: Rounds 3-6

#33. R-Jimmy Kite, USA: Rounds 7-10

#34. R-Affonso Giaffone, Brazil: round 2

#34. Alessandro Zampedri, Italy: rounds 5-6

 

Note: Drivers retained their Rookie (R) designation the entire year of 1996. Hence being rookies in the hybrid 1996-97 IRL season.

 

 1998

The 1998 IRL season began the same as the previous year’s, i.e.; beginning at Walt Disney Speedway in Orlando, Florida. Followed by Phoenix, Indianapolis and Texas Motor Speedway, before Team Scandia curtailed further racing that year.

 

As the team had slimmed down to a paltry, pedestrian two car entry for Indianapolis. Before Jimmy Kite closed out the year at TMS.

 

IRL Entries

(Indy 500 = Round 3 of 11)

#7. Jimmy Kite, USA: Rounds 1-4

#33. Billy Roe, USA: round 3

 

1999

The All knowing Intrawoods’, that wonderous Al gore invention, Hya! For reasons unknown, lists Jim Guthrie as Team Scandia’s lone IRL driver for 1999.

 

Yet as far as I can tell, Andy Evans must have become disillusioned with Open Wheel Racing, or racing in general? Or simply sniffed an opportunity to cut His losses and cash-out?

 

Either way, for all intensive purposes, Team Scandia didn’t exist after the 1998 season. Even if Guthrie is listed as the team’s representative.

 

Especially since Guthrie only made one race attempt that year, driving for the unheard of Poulson Racing at Mother Speedway. Yet Guthrie failed to qualify for that year’s Indianapolis 500 and Team Scandia’s murky conclusion is unknown…

 

Sports Cars

Both Michele Alboreto and Fermin Velez raced Team Scandia’s iconic scarlet Ferrari 333 SP Sports Cars.

 

As don’t know how many times Alboreto drove the 333 SP, other than both the 1996 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring.

 

Ditto for Velez, who primarily raced Prototypes. Including wins in both the 1995 and 1997 12 Hours of Sebring driving for Team Scandia.

 

Velez was part of Andy Evans Scandia Engineering’s two car assault at Le Mans for 1996, with His brace of Ferrari 333 SP’s competing in the IMSA-WSC class.

 

Andy Evans co-drove with Velez and Yvan Muller, albeit a short lived affair.

 

Being my favourite memory of Evans driving prowess, when trying to out-brake triple F1 World champion Nelson Piquet!

 

LE MANS: When Scandia Racing went to France 

RETRO: Revisiting Team Scandia’s Drivers line-up – Americana’s

With a diverse background, spanning from Mexico to New York, and in-between…

 

Team Scandia’s final three drivers, according to their 1996 Indy 500 car numbers. Feature a winning Champ Car driver, a Super Modified champion, and a Bonneville Land Speed record driver.

 

Michel Jourdain Jr.

(1996 Indianapolis 500 results

Car No. 22, Start: 8th, Finish: 13th; Running, 177-laps

Michel Jourdain Jr began racing cars at the relatively late age of 12, in Mexico’s Junior formulae. Graduating to Mexico’s Formula K and Formula 2 series before joining Team Scandia in 1996, as a teenager.

 

Michele made His Indy Racing League (IRL)  debut in Round 2 at Phoenix International Raceway; presumably a “tune-up” for the Indianapolis 500. Which Michel contested as a 19 year old rookie.

 

Jourdain saved His best result for Team Scandia in His final outing. Finishing runner-up to Richie Hearn at the Fall (1996) Las Vegas Motor speedway race. With teammate Michele Alboreto finishing fifth.

 

Interestingly, Jourdain also contested the rival CART PPG IndyCar World Series for Dick Simon Racing in 1996, before joining Payton/Coyne Racing the following three years.

 

In 2000, Michel joined Bettenhausen Racing for two years, before moving to Team Rahal. Jourdain would have His best results at Team Rahal between 2002-03, the first season being a consistent top ten finishers, and tenth overall.

 

2003 would be Jourdain’s breakout year, claiming six podiums, including two wins. As Michel claimed His debutante IndyCar win on the Milwaukee Mile, leading most laps. Then a second victory at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve enroute to a career best third overall.

 

Jourdain’s final Champ Car season for RuSPORT in 2004, as rookie A. J. Allmendinger’s teammate surely was a disappointment, finishing 12th overall, with two podium finishes; including runner-up at Vancouver.

 

For 2005, Jourdain competed in the NASCAR Busch series, followed by the World Touring Car championship. (WTCC) Then returned to Open Wheel Racing in the 2007 A1 series, driving for Team Mexico.

 

Jourdain ran His second and final Indianapolis 500 for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in 2012, finishing 19th, before failing to qualify the next year. With His maiden Indy 500 driving for Team Scandia being His best result.

 

Joe Gosek

Car No. 43, Start: 31st, Finish: 22nd; Radiator, 106-laps

Joe Gosek is a native of Oswego, New York, racing mainly as a Super Modified’s driver. Gosek made His lone start for Team Scandia in the 1996 Indy 500, before failing to qualify for the race with Liberty Racing in 1998.

 

Reportedly, Gosek’s nickname is “Double-O Joe” for running the number 00 in racing. Having been a prolific winner at His home track’s Oswego Speedway. Including winning its crown jewel, the International Classic 200 three times. Along with being a multi-time champion on the International Challenge Association’s Modified tour.

 

Racin Gardner

Car No. 90, Start: 25th, Finish: 25th ; Suspension, 76-laps

According to oldracingcars.com, Racin Gardner was given the name after His mom went into labour during a race at Ontario Motor Speedway. While His father Slick was also a racecar driver. Although two different sources give two different names for His father, i.e.; Slick or Dennis, and what racing series He dabbled in? Either being NASCAR or SCCA?

 

Born in Buellton, California, where His father owned a ranch. Uhm, Beef. Its what’s for dinner? Eventually racing in the High Desert Racing Association between 1991 to 1993. Making me think He’d be a perfect member of that ‘Ol Mears Gang, along with Robby Gordon and ‘Ol JJ’, nee Jimmie Johnson…

 

The most interesting part of Gardner’s Bio is that according to Wikipedia. Racin tested a Green Monster jet racer at Bonneville for four years before at age 16, becoming the youngest person to exceed 500mph on the Salt Flats in 1988!

 

Walt and Art Arfons were legendary Land Speed Record racers, battling with Craig Breedlove for supremacy oat Bonneville.

 

Art bought a General electric J-79 jet engine from a scrapyard out of a F-104 Starfighter jet, having been scrapped due to ingesting a bird! After crashing this version of the Green Monster at 610mph! Art bult another Green Monster jet car and apparently sold it to Slick Gardner.

 

Racin Gardner also raced in the short lived American IndyCar Series. (AIS) Devoted to stock block engine IndyCars, where Gardner was Rookie Of the Year in 1992.

 

Having failed His rookie test twice at Phoenix International Raceway due to engine failures, He made His one and only Indy Racing League start in the 1996 Indy 500 as Team Scandia’s seventh and final driver. Replacing Lyn St. James who’d driven the No. 90 in the first two IRL races, before running into funding issues.

 

St. James would then race for Zunne Group Racing aboard its No. 45 entry that May.

 

Racin then made one start in ARCA at Charlotte in 1997 before retiring from racing. Becoming a stunt driver for television and movies, along with various driving instructor roles, including off road.

 

Whilst reportedly, Racin and His father ran into legal problems and the ranch was sold, albeit Garner still lives in the “Sunshine State”.

 

VIDEO: All IndyCar’s Racin Gardner Bio 

RETRO: Revisiting Team Scandia’s Drivers line-up

As where did thirty years go?

 

Yeah, your Humble, yet Haggard No Fenders scribe Tomaso has gone down another deep, dark Wabbit’ Hole. Ostensibly due to it being the Month ‘O May and traipsing down memory lane thirty years after that Oh, so controversial 1996 Indianapolis 500.

 

As I thought I’d take a “Deeper Dive” into the drivers who comprised Team scandia’s record seven Indy 500 entries that year.

 

Ten years later, Uhm what’s that ‘Ol Pink Floyd song Time about, Eh?

 

R100: Pacific Northwest Racing Teams - Scandia/Simon

 

Eliseo Salazar

(1996 Indianapolis 500 results)

Car No. 8, Start: 3rd, Finish: 6th; Accident, 197-laps

Eliseo Salazar raced in formula 1 between 1981-83, for March, Ensign, ATF and RAM Racing. He scored a total of three points, with sixth in the 1981 Dutch Grand Prix. And a career best fifth in the 1982 San Marino Grand Prix.

 

Yet Salazar’s moment of fame came in the 1982 German Grand Prix after having collided with the overtaking leader Nelson Piquet, with Piquet punching and kicking Him afterwards!

 

Salazar joined Dick Simon Racing for the 1995 CART PPG IndyCar World Series and finished fourth as a rookie in that year’s Indianapolis 500.

 

Salazar remained with Simon as they transitioned to the Indy Racing League, (IRL) driving for the new Team scandia for two years. With Eliseo scoring the team’s only IRL victory at the Loas Vegas Motor Speedway in 1997.

 

Salazar would remain in the IRL through the 2002 season, with a career best third place finish for A. J. Foyt Enterprises in the 2000 Indy 500. Before a serious accident testing at IMS caused Eliseo to decide to retire from IndyCar racing.

 

Alessandro Zampedri

Car No. 8, Start: 7th, Finish: 4th; Accident, 199-laps

Alessandro Zampedri made His IndyCar debut for Euromotorsports at Surfers Paradise, Australia in 1994, after having raced in the International Formula 3000 championship; pre-cursor to today’s Formula 2 series.

 

For 1995, He drove for Payton/Coyne Racing, before joining Team Scandia in 1996 for that year’s Indianapolis 500.

 

Alessandro was involved in a major accident at the race’s end, being caught-up  in a wreck involving Roberto Moreno and Team Scandia teammate Eliseo Salazar.

 

Zampedri’s car went airbourne and struck the catch fencing! With Zampedri needing to have part of His left foot and three toes amputated.

 

Zampedri returned for the 1997 Indy 500 with Team Scandia. But an oil leak led to engine failure on the formation lap, with the Italian classified 35th and last with 0 laps.

 

Zampedri made one further IRL start for Team Scandia at the following Texas Motor Speedway round, before returning to Europe. Eventually becoming the 2005 Porsche Supercup champion, the first Italian to win the championship.

 

Michele Alboreto

Car No. 33, Start: 12th, Finish: 30th; Gearbox, 43-laps

The most decorated of Team Scandia’s seven man band. Michele Alboreto rose thru the ranks to the pinnacle of motorsports, entering Formula 1 in 1981.

 

The Italian began His F1 career driving for Tyrrell for 1981-83, before moving to la Scuderia, nee Ferrari between 1984-88. Followed by stint at Larrousse, Arrows, footwork, Scuderia Italia and Minardi. Amassing a total of 185 F1 starts between 1981-94; with five wins, two poles, 23 podiums and five fastest laps to His credit.

 

He scored his maiden Grand Prix victory at the oft, maligned and forgotten Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in 1982.

 

Alboreto holds the distinction of winning the last Ford Cosworth 3.0-litre normally aspirated DFV derived victories. Winning then Cosworth’s 156th victory at Detroit with a short stroke DFY development lump’. Being the sport’s final normally aspirated victory until their return in 1989.

 

Having won twice for “Uncle chopper”, (Ken Tyrrell) Michele’s crowing achievement in Formula 1 was driving for Il Commendatore, nee Enzo Ferrari and Scuderia Ferrari for five seasons and 80 Grands Prix. Netting a further three wins and contesting the 1985 F1 title, before finishing runner-up to Alain Prost. With the Frenchman replacing Him for the 1989 season.

 

Michele made His return to Open Wheel Racing when contesting the entire 1996 IRL season driving for Team Scandia,  finishing fourth upon debut at Walt Disney Speedway.

 

Also competing aboard Scandia Engineering’s Ferrari 333 SP in that year’s 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring.

 

Alboreto claimed His sole podium finish in the IRL for Team scandia at Loudon, New Hampshire Speedway’s fall ’96 race. Finishing third, then capped His Team Scandia career with a fifth place finish at Las Vegas’s 1996-97 Round 2.

 

Michele dabbled in DTM and Touring cars, along with multiple stints in Sports Cars pre and post Formula 1. With the Italian returning to Circuit de la Sarthe between 1996-2000.

 

Alboreto won the 1997 24 Heurs du Mans in the Joest Porsche WSC95 Spyder, alongside ‘lil Stevie Johnson, aka Stefan Johansson and Mr. Le Mans, ergo tom Kristensen.

 

Sadly, Alboreto lost His life in a testing accident at the diabolical Lausitzring, driving an Audi R8. Having somehow forgotten that Alboreto died on April 25, 2001 at the same track that almost cost Alex Zanardi His life nearly five months later…

 

Remembering Michele Alboreto: F1 Ace, Le Mans winner and a Good Man

 

 

 

 

 

Fermin Velez

Car No. 34, Start: 28th, Finish: 21^st; Engine Fire, 107-laps

Fermin Velez is another driver I know very little about, or how the Spaniard rose to be a premiere Sports Car racer. Other than knowing of His two wins for Team Scandia at the 1995 and 1997 12 Hours of Sebring. Having a  framed 1995 Randy Owens serigraph with Velez’s, Eric van de Poele and Andy Evan “John Hancock’s” upon thoust Bungalow’s wall.

 

Velez was also a two-times World Sports Car Group C2 champion, and made six starts in the 24 Heurs du Mans between 1986 and 1998. Claiming two class wins, first in 1987 in Group C2 for Spice Engineering. And then in 1998 in LMP1. Driving for Doyle-Risi Racing alongside Wayne Taylor and Eric van d Poele in a Ferrari 333 SP.

 

Having spent one season in the International Formula 3000 series, with less than promising results in 1988, I can only Arse-sume this led to Fermin focusing upon a Sports Car career…

 

Fermin made His Indy Racing League debut at Phoenix International Raceway during the inaugural IRL season, finishing 19th for Team Scandia, presumably a “tune-up” for the impending Indianapolis 500.

 

Velez would make another four starts for Team Scandia during the IRL’s second 1996-97 season, including His best result at the Brickyard, finishing tenth. And then capping His IRL career at the following Texas Motor Speedway round in 25th .

 

Sadly, Fermin died from cancer at the age of 43, just shy of His 44th birthday. 

INDY 500: Will there ever be another Team Scandia entry?

The quick answer is No! But then you cannot collect your $200 for passing go…

 

“Don't believe in the 60's
The golden age of pop
You glorify the past
When the future dries up”

 

“I, I, believe in love”

 

VIDEO: God Part II

 

Not sure why I’ve become so fixated upon the year 1996 this May. Other than I suppose, because Alex Palou once again slicing His way to another IndyCar championship, and the future’s drying up…

 

Thirty years ago, Andy Evans entered the most IndyCar’s in the Post-war era with a whopping seven drivers! Having bought Dick Simon Racing over the winter of 1995.

 

And I found it Uber ironic that I just learned this May, that Dick Simon was born in Seattle, WA, my former Hometown.

 

Being the first year of The Split and Tony George’s Indy Racing League. (IRL) Allowing for old CART “rolling stock” to be utilized, due to the new “lower” cost IRL normally aspirated machinery not ready. I’d Arse-sume this left plenty of “cheap” racecars available that year…

 

Team Scandia (7)

Tyres: Goodyear

 

Chassis: Lola T95/00 Ford-Cosworth XB

#7) Eliseo Salazar, Chile

#8) Alessandro Zampedri, Italy

#22) R-Michele Jourdain, Jr, Mexico

#34) R-Fermin Velez, Spain

 

Chassis: Reynard 95i/Ford-Cosworth XB

#33) R-Michele Alboreto, Italy

 

Chassis: Lola T94/00 Ford-Cosworth XB

#43) R-Joe Gosek, USA

#90) R-Raccin Gardner, USA

 

As what’s that overused cliché about the perfect storm, Eh? Having first scribbled labourisly about this topic on No Fenders Wayback in gory 2015, albeit having first asked Mike Yippee-Aye-eh! King in 2009, Aye Karumba!

 

INDY 500: Multiple entries in Vogue

 

The following year, (1997) Team Scandia “slimmed” down to a five car effort. Which would be the last team to enter five cars in the Indianapolis 500 for nearly the next decade.

 

With Mikey A’ coming out of retirement in order to race with His son Marco, Andretti Green Racing (AGR) enter five Dallara IR-05 Honda powered chassis for the 2006 Indianapolis 500. With Marco finishing a disappointed runner-up to Sam Hornish Jr, with the consolation of being named Rookie Of the Year.

 

Michael Andretti made His final Indy 500 start in 2007, seeing AGR remain at five entries, with the big news being the arrival of Danica Patrick as Brian Herta’s replacement.

 

AGR reverted to four entries the following two years, with Micheal Andretti taking sole control of the team over the winter of 2009 and renaming it Andretti Autosport.

 

For 2010, Andretti Autosport added a fifth Dallara/Honda entry for Gentleman John Andretti driving the famed No. 43 in collabouration with The King, Richard Petty.

 

Five cars would be the norm for Andretti between 2010-2016 in various guises, before bulking up to six entries with the arrival of some smarmy Spaniard in 2017.

 

INDY 500: Andretti Six Pack

 

Andretti continued its six car armada’s thru 2021, with the exception of running only five cars in 2019.

 

Then for 2022, Andretti reverted to only having five cars at Mother Speedway, yet was joined by Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) also having five entries. Thus seeing these two powerhouse teams comprise nearly one third of the grid!

 

2023 saw Andretti as the sole five car entry, with CGR reverting to four. Before 2024 saw the two teams playing role reversals. With Andretti slimming down to its current day four car entry. Whilst Ganassi reverted to five cars. Before IndyCar enacted its nebulous Charter system, enroute to becoming a closed shop for 2027.

 

Thus I’m guessing the days of playing five card Monty at Mother Speedway’s over, and we’ll now only see four car “Super-teams” in the future.

 

Whilst now pondering if Andretti Global simply wouldn’t give up its fourth Honda engine this May for fear of not getting it back next year? Although I think everyone would have preferred having Bumping, even if just for one entry.

 

Partial song lyrics from: U2’s God Part II, 1988 Rattle and Hum Album. 

Outfoxing Foodies’, bumping Shemozzle and Car Washes

Current day IMS Tenderloin basket. (The Tomaso Collection)

 

“Let it rain, let it pour”. Hey I hear an Old Man’s Snore!

 

Certainly, its old news now about Romain Grosjean and Takuma Sato’s Up Close ‘n Personal outcomes with animals at Mother Speedway this April, during the two day IMS Open test.

 

Romain Grosjean, was quite peeved after a bird flew into His cockpit during testing! Grousing about not even getting to have any Chicken pate afterwards!

 

French racing driver Romain Grosjean has angered animal rights group Peta for “flippant” comments after hitting a bird while testing for next month’s Indianapolis 500

 

Whilst Taku-san’ said He saw something “Furry” moving around when entering Turn-1 at some 220mph! Which turned out to be a Fox ambling cross the Speedway!

 

Score 1-1 for the Animals. As Grosjean complained about how His suit stunk, His helmet stunk and He didn’t even get to have any chicken or Courdon Bleu…

 

While no idea why Romain was so mad at Marcus Armstrong following the Sonsio Grand Prix?

 

Hey Romain, its not like Marcus said keep your hands off my Swanson Hungry Man dinner.

 

Letgo my Eggo Romain!

 

“Road Kill lunches

This one’s kinda tough

 

I even like the Chicken

If the sauce’s not too blue”

 

VIDEO: TV Dinners

 

And if you thought those tenderloin sandwiches, Coke and fries, or is it onion rings? Were expensive. Then perhaps Y’all didn’t hear about the $150 caviar with sprinkled gold flakes Hot Dogs sold at the Miami Grand Pris!

 

Whilst Thar was also the Gold Digger steak sandwich available for only $135, or some bite sized ‘lil Debbie caviar muffins for $30, Aye Karumba!

 

Outrage as Miami Grand Prix unveils $150 caviar Hot dog for F1 showpiece: Absolutely tone deaf

 

Then there’s the matter of no Bump Day this year. Which although I don’t have a problem with reshuffling the weekend’s qualifying procedures. Other than I still think artificially boosting the engines is lame!

 

No, I just have a problem with blurring the lines between true Bumping and bumping positions, since they’re not the same. Can you hear me now IndyCar!

 

Nope, No Mother Natured didn’t approve of the Qualie’ format change Jokes here…

David Land: This Didn’t need to Change

 

Lastly, for all of those who drove to Mother Speedway back and their vehicle’s splattered with bugs, road tar and whatever other debris a good road trip entails. Then perhaps you’ll want to make sure your trip to the local car wash pans out far better than Tex’s did!

 

And no, that’s not an ‘Ol SuperTex’ reference either. But John Phillips story is priceless!

 

Don’t Mess with Tex!

 

What’s that ‘Ol song about At the Car Wash, Crunch!

 

Partial song lyrics from: ZZ Top’s TV dinners, 1983 Eliminator Album. 

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…