The Business of Motor Racing!

As why did I think of “Riders On the Storm”, Eh?

 

Sheez, you have company for a scant 72 Hours, tune out of motor racing and News in general and Wallah! A litany ‘O events occur.

 

First ‘n foremost was the Death of Rufas Parnell Jones, better known simply as Parnelli Jones, the 1963 Indianapolis 500 winner. For whom I far more appreciated for His 1970 Trans Am Championship in those Nasty Bud Moore School Bus yellow BOSS 302’s!

 

As I’ll let another past legend, the late Robin Miller do the “Heavy” lifting upon what made ‘Ol rufas so great in the video below…

 

https://racer.com/2024/06/05/from-the-archive-robin-miller-on-parnelli-jones/

 

Meanwhile, seemingly All Hell broke loose on the MotoGP Silly Season! First learning that Ducati had signed The Pinball Wizard, nee Marc Marquez to a “multi-year” contract as Pecco’ Bagnaia’s teammate for 2025. As Marquez had said He would only ride for a Factory team in 2025, apparently forcing ducati’s Hands…

 

As Jorge Martin had apparently seen the Handwriting on the proverbial wall, and signed to ride for the Factory Aprilia team beginning next year. Although I don’t know who His teammate will be? Or why Aprilia would drop Maverick Vinales?

 

While reportedly “the Beast”, nee Enea Bastianini will move to KTM, although I’d expect Him to be riding for the GasGas Tech 3 satellite squad, especially since rumours claim that KTM will provide four latest Werks’ spec scooters for it’s four riders.

 

Since I’m Arse-suming that Thriller Miller, aka Jack Miller will be replaced by Pedro Acosta, the 2021 Moto3 and 2023 Moto2 champion at the Factory team next year…

 

Next, I feel sad for Tom blomqvist. Having mused to myself immediately after hearing the news He’d been “Parked” for two races beginning at Detroit; Can Y’all say Hello David Malukas!

 

But Malukas’s announcement of returning to an IndyCar cockpit was overshadowed by Juncos Hollinger Racing’s driver Augustin Canapino’s Maelstrom!

 

Naturally the cynic in me said this was a move to keep the Out-of-Touch Canapino from having to face the “Music”, Err media during the Road America IndyCar weekend. Following Canapino’s Abhorrent behaviour regarding the social media Death Threats that Theo Pourchaire received after colliding with the Argetinian during the Detroit Grand Prix. For which the IndyCar rookie Pourchaire was told to drop three places during the race for.

 

And while I said Good for You Zak Brown and Arrow McLaren for severing your strategic alliance with JHR. Since it seems that the only way that Ricardo Juncos and Company would understand that Canapino and His Fans were wrong was to Hit them financially, since this is the third time this has happened in 14 months!

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2023/09/stop-hate-argentina.html

 

Nonetheless, as Marshall Pruett points out, there’s 65-70 employees at JHR who aren’t enjoying the undeserved scrutiny! And obviously have families to provide for…

 

Having missed the start of Friday’s Road America practice, I was initially Cornfuzed’ over why IndyCar Radio was saying Nolan Siegel’s name? Not knowing that He’d been asked to step into Canapino’s No. 78 entry just an hour before practice began! And only had 15mins to get acclimated to His IndyCar ride following practicing for the week’s Indy NXT race.

 

Siegel then was “excused” by HMD Motorsports to skip the Indy NXT race and focus solely upon His IndyCar Gig’ instead. With no word on whether or not He’d be back in the JHR cockpit for His second “Home” race at Laguna Seca in a fortnight’s time?

 

As we now know, Canapino has been announced as the driver of the No. 78 for the remainder of the season, after having had an Attitude “Adjustment” during His time off…

 

And I know we’re supposed to believe that Augustin’s seen the light and give Him the benefit of the doubt. But what’s going to happen the next time over the remaining ten races when somebody collides with the Argetinian?

 

Although I did learn during All of this turmoil that Nolan Siegel’s father Mark is a very wealthy Venture Capitalist. Meaning that apparently the lack of IndyCar’s paltry $850,000 Indy NXT Advancement Prize is not a deterrent towards Nolan getting a Fulltime IndyCar ride in 2025. Especially since He’s dropped one place to fourth in the points standings following Road America. Then being 79 points adrift of Jacob Abel, who appears to be locked-in a two way title fight against Louis Foster…

 

As I was told that Siegel’s No. 18 Dale Coyne Racing entry for His failed Indianapolis 500 attempt ran devoid of any sponsorship! Which totally befuddles me, since it’s Indy Cars biggest race of the year! As the Siegel’s must have paid Dale a lot of money to keep His sonny’s Barbeque off it’s sidepods, Eh?

 

Whilst I can only speculate that Nolan’s jump to drive for JHR on a moment’s notice was part of their plan to get Him more IndyCar seat time in preparation for next year.

 

And then there’s IndyCar jumping to FOX for it’s 2025 and beyond Television partner. For which All I can say initially is that IndyCar took the money!

 

Since it’s even sadder that the IndyCar calendar has been compressed once again, ending on August 31st next year! Especially since FOX could have shifted the final September TV Broadcasts to either FS1 or FS2. Nah, Ain’t gonna Happen! As College Football’s way too lucrative, Oh Never Mind! 

America’s preferred Open wheel Racing ladder system

Even if it’s not called the Road to Indy anymore, Thanks Roger!

 

Yeah, like many stories here upon thoust mythical Isle ‘O Nofendersville, the genesis of this post began Wayback’ some five years ago, following the conclusion of the inaugural 2018 FR Americas Championship…

 

As it used to be much simpler when it was still the Road to Indy, with the entire Junior Open Wheel Racing ladder system underneath “One” umbrella. But that All changed when IndyCar bought Indy Lights from Anderson Promotions at the end of 2021. With the three rebranded series under USAC sanctioning becoming the USF Pro Championships.

 

Longtime rubber supplier Cooper Tires has been replaced by Continental Tires beginning this season. And with their aid, the three scholarship advancement prizes have been increased for 2024.

 

USF Juniors now pays out $263,700 to the champion. With the U.S F2000 National Championship victor receiving $458,400. And the USF Pro 2000 series winner nests a “cool” $681,500!

 

USF Juniors

This series was created as a direct competitor to the SCCA Pro Racing’s United States Formula 4 Championship, presumably to fill the USF Pro Championships “Hole” between Karting and it’s then entry single seater U.S. F2000 National Championship series. And now serves as the entry level of this single seater racing ladder.

 

The schedule consists of six round beginning at Nola Motorsports Park in New Orleans. (April 5-7) Along with being part of the IndyCar support series at Barber Motorsports Park, Mid-Ohio, Road America and Portland, which serves as it’s season finale. Plus taking part in the VIR Grand Prix at Virginia International Raceway.

 

The series is open to 14yr old teenagers and up and utilizes the Tatuus JR-23 chassis, which can be upgraded for continued usage in both of it’s “parent” feeder series.

 

The series inaugural champion was Mac Clark, who’s currently contesting His rookie season with DEForce Racing in the USF Pro 2000 championship.

 

While last year’s champion was Brazilian teenager Nicolas Giaffone, who indeed is the son of former Indy Racing League (IRL) driver Felipe Giaffone. As Felipe is best known for driving for A.J. foyt enterprises in the Indianapolis 500.

 

With His $260,000 (approx.) scholarship prize, Nicolas has graduated to the next rung of this ladder system, and will contest the U.S. F2000 National Championship, continuing with DEForce Racing this season.

 

U.S. F2000 National championship

The series race at eight venues, primarily as part of the IndyCar “Junior” Open Wheel Racing support series, beginning the season at St Pete, florida from March 8-10.

 

Their second event was the triple header at Nola Motorsports Park at the beginning of April. Before a Double Header at Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s )IMS) permanent road course at the beginning of May.

 

There’s also a “One-off” event at Lucas Oil Raceway in Brownsburg, Indiana. With the Freedom 75 precluding this year’s Indianapolis 500. Followed by stops at Road America, Mid-Ohio, Toronto and Portland as it’s season finale.

 

The series utilizes the current Tatuus USF-22 racecar, powered by the former Mazda MZR 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine built by elite Engines. Which is run by Steve Knapp, a former IRL racing driver, who was the 1998 Indianapolis 500 rookie Of the Year. (ROY)

 

Reigning series champion Simon Sikes took His $450,000 (approx.) scholarship prize and advanced to the USF Pro 2000 Championship with Pabst Racing, whom He won His USF2000 title with.

 

USF Pro 2000 championship

This is the final rung upon the USF Pro Championships ladder system ascending to Indy NXT, the final step prior to IndyCar.

As the series has increased this year’s winner’s scholarship advancement prize to $681,500, which Ain’t too Shabby! Especially when you consider the miserly Penske Entertainment Indy NXT award of $850,000. For which reigning Pro 2000 driver Myles Roe has graduated to this season…

 

Wisely, the series utilizes a Tatuus single seater racecar for All three series, which reportedly are “interchangeable”, saving teams operating costs. With the USF Pro Championship series racing the Tatuus IP-22 powered by the same Elite Mazda sourced MZR 2.0-litre inline four cylinder lump’ used in all three series.

 

Top speeds vary, with the entry USF Juniors Tatuus JR-23 racer going 135mph. While the JSF-22 goes 145mph, and the IP-22 tops out at 165+ mph.

 

This season’s schedule mirrors the U.S. F2000 National Championship’s eight events, beginning at St Pete and ending at Portland. Although it’s weekend’s rounds vary slightly over the course of it’s 18-race calendar. With the season finale at Portland being just a single race, which could make for an interesting title showdown.

 

At the moment, prior to the Indianapolis Road Course triple header May 9-11, Nikita Johnson handedly leads the championship with 141-points, having scored three wins, a second and fourth place finish at St Pete and Nola Motorsports Park. 

SCCA Pro Racing’s Alternate Single Seaters Feeder series

But does anybody besides Hard Core racing Fans pay Attenzione to these Championships?

 

I’ll admit that this new for 2024 SCCA Pro Racing single seater ladder system is largely foreign to Mwah. Especially since I’ve never paid any Attenzione to the United States F4 series run under FIA Formula 4 regulations. And only casually know about FR Americas due to it’s “linkage” to Indy NXT competition…

 

What I found entertaining about these three feeder series is that their Race Director is a former IndyCar driver from Up North Eh! Unfortunately known here on No Fenders as Scott “What Pace Car?” Goodyear!

 

As the Sports Car club of America (SCCA Pro Racing) and the previously unheard of Parella Motorsport Holdings (PMH) organizations are billing these three tiered feeder series  as a lower cost alternative, complete with Scholarship prize funding to it’s other Open wheel Racing series. Including a Ligier chassis, Hankook tyres and a monetary award for advancement up the ladder’s rungs.

 

Which if I’m reading the proverbial tea leaves correctly, is PR Speak for Cheaper ladder system than its USFPro Championships competizione…

 

Ligier JS F4 Series

Guessing that this is the SCCA’s, and Ligier’s answer to Anderson Promotions introduction of it’s USF Juniors program? Which is intended to compete directily vs. the Formula 4 United State Championship

 

Although reportedly Tony Parella,.proprietor of Parella Motorsport Holdings, creator of the series says He saw a need to fill the void between jumping directly from Karting to U.S. F4 single seaters.

 

This marks the newly created single seaters series debut season. With entrants 14 years and up racing “GEN 1” (First Generation) Ligier JS F4 racecars. Arse-sumedly replete with Honda 2.0-litre inline four cylinder normally aspirated lumps’, regulated to a maximum of 160bhp.

 

The six race calendar begins at Nola Motorsports Park in New Orleans. (April 11-14) Running under the Speed Tour banner in conjunction with it’s “Big Brother” U.S. Formula 4 Brethren, both serving as support series to FR Americas. Along with the  SVRA  and Trans Am series.

 

Followed by stops at Road America, Mid-Ohio, New Jersey, Trois Riviers and COTA. As the Circuit Of The Americas season finale  is a Fortnight after Austin plays host to it’s yearly United States Grand Prix Formula 1 race weekend.

 

Formula 4 United States championship

For 2024, this series sees the introduction of the new Ligier JS F422 as it’s sole chassis, utilizing the 1.65-litre Ligier Storm’ V-4 engine instead. As Honda seems to have quietly exited supporting SCCA single seater racing this year.

 

The season’s first round slated for Nola Raceway Park this April was cancelled due to delays with the arrival of the new chassis. As the championship will contest the same remaining five rounds as above. Beginning at Road America from May 16-19, and ending at COTA October 31-November 3rd.

 

As I’d like to Arse-sume these Ligier racecars are faster than their previous JS F4 chassis, and ditto for the FR Americas entries…

 

FR Americas (Formula Regional Americas)

This is the only rung of the series I’m casually aware of, due to it’s influx of participants to Indy Lights, and now Indy NXT.

 

As former FR Americas champions Kyle Kirkwood, Linus Lundqvist and Kyffin Simpson have all graduated from Indy Lights and are now competing in Indy Cars. Along with FR Americas runner-up David Malukas.

 

While FR Americas Alumni Benjamin Pedersen also graduated to Indy Lights before a single season racing for A.J. foyt enterprises in IndyCar last year. Making for a total of five Alumni to make it All the way to the Big boyz’ rainks, ergo IndyCar, America’s premiere Open Wheel Racing category.

 

As I’ve come up with a total of 14 former drivers who’ve graduated to Indy NXT. Including reigning 2023 FR Americas Champion Callum Hedge, who won 13 of 18 races last year enroute to the title! And now drives for HMD Motorsports in Indy NXT.

 

The series will contest a total of seven rounds this year, each comprising of three races for a total of 21 races.

 

FR Americas will contest All six rounds above with it’s Junior F4 Brethren. Along with a Non-points Invitational round at Laguna Seca May 2-5. With the Big News being it’s Debutante event at Mother Speedway! When taking part June 13-16 during the SVRA Sprint Series outing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

 

From the series inception in 2018 thru 2023, FR Americas competitors competed for a scholarship advancement prize to contest the following Super Formula season courtesy of Honda. Which as noted, has quietly ended it’s association with these two SCCA Pro Racing Feeder Series.

 

As the previous Ligier JS F3 sported a 2.0-litre DOHC inline four cylinder turbocharged Honda engine producing 303bhp.

 

While this year’s Ligier JS F3 chassis sports the Ligier Storm V-4 lump’. For which all I could discern about this 1.65-liter 90-degrees V-4 engine utilized for both the JS F422 and JS F3 single seater chassis. Is that it has only two valves per cylinder, presumably SOHC, whilst I’d like to Arse-sume that the JS F3 version is also turbocharged? And producing relatively the same Horsepower as it’s predecessor.

 

While I’m also guessing that the new scholarship advancement prize award for this year’s FR Americas champion allows it’s recipient to graduate to Indy NXT, the next logical step upon this ladder system… 

IndyCar’s NXT Wave of Drivers?

But how many will land Full season IndyCar rides?

 

By now, if you’re a Hard Core IndyCar Afficionado, then you know that Denmark’s Christian Rasmussen driving for the HMD Motorsports Armada won the 2023 Indy NXT Championship. With the Dane’ claiming five wins, eight podiums and five Pole positions enroute to this year’s title aboard the No. 6 HMD Motorsports with Dale Coyne Racing entry.

 

Rasmussen’s closest competitor ultimately was Andretti Autosport’s Kiwi’ Hunter McElrea who finished runner-up with two wins, six podiums and two Pole positions this season.

 

As both drivers were contesting their sophomore Indy NXT season’s, and entering the Laguna Seca season finale doubleheader weekend, Rasmussen held a comfortable 65-point lead over Mcelrea.

 

In qualifying, McElrea clamed Pole position for Race-1, with Rasmussen claiming Pole for Sunday’s Race-2; hence each driver claimed  one point apiece for Pole position.

 

McElrea led Flag-to-flag in Saturday’s Race-1 with Rasmussen effectively “cruising” Home second. Thus with McElrea claiming the maximum 54-points available vs. Rasmussen’s 40-points; McElrea trimmed the points deficit to 51-points. Seeing Rasmussen three shy of clinching the title Saturday.

 

Sunday’s second race saw the same outcome, albeit with Rasmussen leading wire-to-wire and McElrea finishing runner-up. Thus seeing Rasmussen return His final points advantage back to the 65 points He’d begun the weekend with, finally being crowned the 2023 Indy NXT Champion.

 

Penske Entertainment, owners of Indy NXT’s Championship, sees the revised, previously neutered prize fund now awarding the series Champion $850,000 to be used for testing an IndyCar at Texas and Mother Speedway, ergo Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Plus running the Indianapolis 500 and one further IndyCar race. While second place pays a paltry $125,000 and third place a meager $65,000.

 

And I say paltry since I’m 99% certain I’ve read that Anderson Promotions who run the lower Junior Formula’s, just wrote a cheque for $654,000 for 2023 USF Pro 2000 championship winner Myles Rowe to advance to Indy NXT. Where He’ll replace Ernie Francis Jr. in the No. 99 HMD Motorsports with Force Indy entry next year.

 

What I found interesting over the Laguna Seca weekend was how Hunter McElrea was garnering All of the Headlines for wanting to move up to IndyCar next year, although He doesn’t come from a wealthy family or have a considerable budget to bring with Him.

 

While where will title winner Rasmussen land? And can He manage to find the necessary budget for a full season Big boyz’ (IndyCar) ride?

 

As I know I shouldn’t type this but, is Ed Carpenter Racing a viable option right now? As ECR has had a fairly miserable season this year, along with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. Although RLLR seems to have righted it’s floundering “ship” at season’s end.

 

While I believe that Racer’s Marshall Pruett has previously speculated that current Indy NXT driver Danial Frost might possibly have a contract to drive one of the empty Dale Coyne racing seats next year?

 

And if Andretti Autosport, Err Global decides to drop it’s fourth IndyCar entry? Which would be the ideal landing spot for Rasmussen, then does the Honda engine lease become available for another IndyCar team

 

As ‘Ol Derek Daly would say; Hang onto your HollyHocks Folks! As Thars miles to go towards sorting out the 2024 Indy NXT and IndyCar season line-ups… 

Stop the Hate, Argentina!

As Come on IndyCar Fans, we’re Better than this…

 

IndyCar Fans certainly are aware of the vengeful, despicable and disgusting attacks directed towards Callam Ilott once again on social media following the conclusion of Laguna Seca’s season finale IndyCar race.

 

As the maelstrom once again swirls around another on-track incident involving Juncos Hollinger Racing (JHR) teammates Callum Ilott and Agustin Canapino, and JHR’s desires for Canapino to claim one of the final remaining IndyCar Leaders Circle prize fund payouts for next year.

 

“Read”, Err listened to a very good article by IndyStar’s Motorsports Beat reporter Nathan Browne on the whole situation and came away with a few thoughts upon it.

 

First ‘n foremost, the team never told Ilott He couldn’t pass His teammate. Instead, Riccardo Juncos just told Ilott’s Engineer to remind Him to respect Canapino’s position on-track regarding JHR’s need to secure it’s second Leaders Circle payout.

 

According to Browne, since I never heard anything when listening to the race on IndyCar Radio. But perhaps I’d taken another “Potty” break during the endless Full course Cautions, Ci?

 

Apparently the JHR duo were running P4-5 with Canapino ahead of Ilott on the lap-74 restart, when Ilott lined-up His teammate and made a textbook pass on the outside of Canapino and left the Argentine room when completing His pass for what potentially could have been a race win…

 

Yet Canapino apparently got loose when clipping the rumble-strip, wiggled and then Hit Ilott’s left rear tyre with His right front wing, leaving Canapino with a broken wing and Ilott with monor rear damage!

 

Seeing Ilott immediately drop two places behind, and losing another two before scoring a fifth place finish, whilst Canapino slowly dropped backwards – finishing 14th. But claimed the coveted Leaders Circle prize by finishing 21st Overall in the Leaders Circle standings, before All Hell broke loose again on Social Media!

 

Look I get it, being a passionate fan, which I myself am, and have most certainly written many stupid things upon No Fenders over the years. But it’s a far different thing to make threats alluding to physical Harm!

 

I have been very impressed with Augustin’s rookie IndyCar campaign, especially since the Touring Car Ace had no Open Wheel Racing experience,along with never racing on an Oval before, and is my rookie Of the Year!

 

While I’ve always been impressed with Riccardo Junco’s story of becoming an IndyCar team owner, and this has been one of the “little” teams I root for…

 

Yet I came away feeling slightly annoyed with Riccardo whom tended to insinuate in the article that the incident was completely Ilott’s fault, implying He doesn’t like having a driver going for wins! And that He wanted to Slow down Ilott instead. And that there appears to be some “Bad Blood” between the team, Canapino and Ilott.

 

But the part of the story I really didn’t like was Riccardo noting how He holds options upon both drivers which don’t expire until December 15th. Meaning He could leave Callam hanging in the breeze by dropping the talented Englishman after the music stops for remaining 2024 IndyCar seats…

 

Yet to Riccardo’s credit, He did say He’ll wait until He calms down and watches the videotape of the incident, which sounds to Mwah like it was clearly Canapino’s fault! Since as far as I can tell, Ilott didn’t break the golden rule of Not taking out your teammate! Although it sounds like both Riccardo and Augustin are claiming that Ilott surprised the Argentinian driver… 

Can the NXT Indy Lights Champion make it into IndyCar Next year?

And will the winner’s prize be enough to fund more than a One-off entry at Mother speedway?

 

Although the season’s far from over, with nine rounds remaining entering Road America, albeit Mid-Ohio’s July 2nd race will be the Halfway point of the season.

 

Nonetheless, the Wo’s Next Championship battle’s currently shaping up to potentially be a two way fight between HMD Motorsports with Dale Coyne Racing teammates Christian Rasmussen and Nolan Siegel.

 

As Rasmussen led by a squeaky clean two points ahead of Siegel; 178-176prior to Road America this weekend. Although Seagal should have been leading the Championship following Detroit, but I’m Jumping the Shark here…

 

Whilst surely Andretti Autosport Boyz’ Hunter McElrea (138 points) and Lewis Foster, (123 points) currently third and sixth respectively, will wish to join the Championship conversation over the remaining rounds. With the pair whom seem magnetized during most races split by Danial Frost (132 points) and Jacob Abel (128 points) P4-5.

 

Interestingly, Indy NXT has had five different winners during the season’s first five rounds a la IndyCar’s multiple winners. With Frost winning at St Pete Wayback’ on March 5th. Followed by Rasmussen at Alabama, and rookie Matteo Nannini’s breakthrough victory at the first Indy GP. As the calendar’s now been amended from a Double Header over the “Guns ‘N Roses” Indy Grand Prix weekend, and will race during the August Brickyard RASSCAR’ IndyCar weekend instead.

 

And yes, Matteo’o’s related to former Formula 1 driver Alessandro Nannini. Whose His First cousin Once removed…

 

Rookie Reece gold took a surprise win during Detroit’s first race, when Siegel who’d led most of the way saw His Half shaft break with two corners remaining and limped home a dejected eighth! Yet Siegel wasn’t to be denied during Sunday’s second race at Detroit. Starting third, He quickly jumped to the lead and remained Thar until claiming His Debutante Indy NXT victory!

 

As the three various HMD Motorsports/Dale coyne Racing concerns, which comprise nearly Half of the Grid with it’s combined nine entries. Have won four of the first five rounds. Arse-sumedly much to Andretti’s and the rest of the field’s dismay! With Nannini winning for Juncos Hollinger Racing being the lone Non HMD/Coyne win to date…

 

Christian Rasmussen from Denmark is in his sophomore Indy NXT campaign. Having won the 2020 U.S. F2000 National and 2021 Indy Pro 2000 championships driving for Jay Howard Driver Development. Before graduating to the final Indy Lights season last year with Andretti Autosport. Scoring two victories enroute to sixth Overall.

 

Whilst rookie Nolan Siegel previously spent three seasons in the U.S. F2000 National Championship with a best finish of eighth in 2021 driving for DEForce Racing. Before contesting Indy Pro 2000 last year, also driving for DEForce. Scoring two wins and finishing fourth overall.

 

Detroit’s Race-1 saw Jagger Jones, grandson of ‘Ol Rufas Parnelli Jones score His maiden NXT podium, finishing second. With Ernie Francis, Jr. doing likewise when finishing third.

 

As I have to say I’m most impressed with Francis’s Gritiness! As the Multi-times Trans Am Champion previously drove the majority of the second round at Barber Motorsports Park with a Broken wrist! And then only missed the following race at Indianapoli’s road course outing…

 

Meanwhile, cannot say I’m overly impressed by either of the two IndyCar Development Drivers Kyffin Simpson (Chip Ganassi Racing) or Homeboy’ Josh Pierson. (Ed Carpenter Racing) Although Pierson’s only doing a limited schedule due to His Day Job of driving LMP2 Sports Cars on both sides of Ye Puddle. Including racing at Le Mans for the second year in-a-row for United Autosports, whose co-owned by some Mr. Zakery Brown character…

 

Whilst Pierson’s Stand-in toby Sowery will get to test an IndyCar for ECR June 8th at Sebring, alongside reigning Indy Lights Champion Linus Lundqvist. Before Pierson closes out the remainder of the season.

 

Whilst Lundqvist is still Hoping to become an IndyCar driver some day after getting Screwed Out of His Indy Lights Advancement Prize! As way to go Penske Entertainment!

 

As I’d say it’s anybody’s guess who’ll win at Road America this weekend, or wind-up the Champion by season’s end at Laguna Seca this September… 

Marshall Pruett Catches Up with Myles Rowe

Although winning an Indy NXT Championship definitely does Not guarantee you a Full season Ride in Indy Cars these days!

 

Love Marshall’s “Playful” dig at those Bus Bros’, noting how they’re just Posers in a Motorcoach! But Myles was actually riding a real “City” Bus in New York enroute to the Gym to work out whilst talking to Marshall…

 

This is a very enjoyable interview from Marshall’s Catching Up Podcast segment with current USF Pro 2000 racer Myles rowe.

 

And with No disrespect to Indy NXT driver Ernie Francis Jr., Myles is definitely the Driver I want to see making it into Indy Cars in the future!

 

As Rowe finished Runner-up to Michael D’Orlando in last year’s USF2000 Championship. With Marshall Catching Up with Him after winning three of the USF Pro 2000’s season’s first four races in-a-row! Driving for Pabst Racing with Force Indy in the No. 99, presumably “Red Tail” racecar.

 

As Rowe will battle D’Orlando once again this year in USF Pro 2000, with the caviot of the Series Champion being awarded a Scholarship prize to compete in Indy Lights, Err NXT next year.

 

https://marshallpruett.podbean.com/e/mp-1376-catching-up-with-myles-rowe-march-27-2023/ 

EXCLUSIVE: IndyCar “Secretly” Testing NXT GEN Dallara DW12 Replacement Chassis

“Open the Pod Bay doors HAL!”

 

Although this is Old News, we simply Didn’t know what the Fine Folks at Starship IndyCar’, nee Penske Entertainment were up to now over a year ago, when hosting the inaugural round of it’s Indy Autonomous Challenge.

 

Yet uncharacteristically, and perhaps because of All of the wonderful, generous Overflowing praise the IndyCar Administration has garnered over the past Offseason. Penske Entertainment’s No. 1 Puffed Shirt Marcus Miles, No relation to IndyCar drivers Marcus Ericsson or Armstrong, Hya! Has let the proverbial “Cat out amongst the Pigeons.”

 

According to Penske Entertainment CEO Mark Miles, IndyCar, in conjunction with it’s exclusive IndyCar Chassis supplier Dallara. Have been secretly testing various iterations of it’s forthcoming Dallara iNX-27 IndyCar chassis, which will finally replace the aging, current 2012 Spec Dallara DW12 in the near future.

 

As the final round of the Indy Autonomous Challenge will naturally be held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway sometime later this year. Presumably following some ‘lil ‘OL 500-miler Oval race…

 

As IMS CEO Doug Bowles thinks it would be a great way to cap off the fabled Brickyard’s extensive 2023 season, running sometime shortly after the upcoming Battle of the Bricks, with the first weekend of October being ideal.

 

While Miles says that the winning entry will receive a Cash prize equivalent to last year’s INDY Lights Champion Linus Lundqvist prize award of $500,000 being Donated to the winning University, since Lundqvist’s prize went unclaimed. With a royalty checque being paid for the duration of the Dallara iNX-27’s racing life.

 

Dallara iNX-27 Project Manager Paolo Bandini said there’s No current plans to replace IndyCar Drivers with a plethora of electronic Control Systems. (ECS) And instead, will simply scale up the winning Universities Autonomous Open Wheel Racing Chassis to proper dimensions for the inclusion of a Human Driver replete with the now di riggour Areoscreen, and a second generation Energy Recovery system. (ERS)

 

Yet Bandini stopped short of saying whether He knew anything about IndyCar opening up current Engine regulations, or whether or not a third, new OEM would be coming online in time for the iNX-27’s season debut tentatively slated for St Pete, 2027.

 

While Bandini also would not be drawn on commenting whether or not the iNX-27 chassis would ride on 18-inch tyres like it’s contemporary Single Seater brethren Formula 1 currently utilize…

 

With Bandini also saying that the internal code name for the new Next Generation IndyCar chassis was the JW-27 in Honour of the late Justin Wilson. But He didn’t know if that would stick, since Justin was best known for driving the No. 25 And the decision would be made by others at Dallara Automobili in the future.

 

As here’s the previous Autoweek story recounting the first two rounds of the Indy Autonomous Challenge…

 

https://www.autoweek.com/racing/more-racing/a38705407/how-indy-autonomous-racing-got-real/ 

Penske Entertainment’s NXT Great Marketing Blunder!

Read All About It! Get your Peanuts ‘N KrackerJax’, Hurry!

 

May be it was just because I could Smell the Noxious Wafting of Bull Manure when “Zoey, the Princess Warrior,” my current (Zoomtext Fusion 2022) Screen Reader began reading me the Superfluous, El Stupidio Press Release of Penske Entertainment’s ridiculous rebranding of Indy Lights Thursday evening, November 3^rd. Was why I went so Balistic!

 

As I just could Not understand the Sheer Stupidity of this Stupendous Name Change! As what in the Hell is NXT supposed to mean? And if we’re supposed to be Slap Happy saying Indy NXT by Firestone, than sorry Roger and whomever the other Braintrust that came up with this, Bite Me!

 

As I’d really, really wanted to use FUBAR in my No Fenders Post’s title when I first began scribblin’ this! Which “FUBAR” is an actual acronym that actually Stands for Something! And was All I could think of when “reading,” Err listening to the Bright Shiny lights ‘N Smoke bombs flash Bang Gee Whiz PR Buzz Kill Speak being forced down our Gullets!

 

Uhm, Have I mentioned yet how Horrifically Stupid of a Marketing idea this is? Not to mention the insult of trying to Dumb Down your “Premiere” Feeder series, by telling your existing Fanbase it’s for a Younger and emerging Consumer Audience. And is designed to engage an “elite” Next Generation of Aspiring Drivers an Opportunity to Advance to Indy Cars…

 

Ok, let’s begin with the Obvious, Shall we? As the easy, low Hangin’ Fruit is that Indy Lights, Err, Uhm INDY NXT, Can You Hear Me Now Roger? Currently utilizes the Dallara IL15 Chassis, as in 2015! Although at least it’s three years Newer than the current Big Boyz’ Dallara DW12 chassis…

 

But the most Brazen, and more importantly El Stupidio part of this rebranding exercise is the fact that IndyCar has wrongly decided to jettison a storied legacy of History and the provenance that the name Indy Lights carries with it!

 

Even though it began as the American Racing Series (ARS) Wayback’ in Gory 1986, it’s first run as the Firestone Dayton Indy Lights Championship Harkened from 1991-2001, with some Kiwi’ bloke named Scott Dixon being it’s Champion in Y2k, aka 2000! And then Thar were those Nissan Indy Pro years before the series rightly returned to being called Indy Lights upon reunification in 2008, for which it’s been known as ever since, until this November’s NXT Mutilation!

 

As I’m Not a Marketing Professional, but cannot say that Any were used for this Marketing Blunder, and why would you wish to Discard some nearly 40 years of History with it’s completely defined, universally known Brand Name?

 

Lastly, since otherwise I’ll just keep bashing on and on over this Stupidity! Ahem, if you’re telling us All about the exciting “Opportunity” for Young Drivers to Advance to the rarefied ranks of IndyCar. Uhm, I meant your Next Generation…

 

Then shouldn’t you Not be Sticking the Knife in the Back of your current, reigning Indy Lights Champion? Since after all, Linus Lundqvist should rightly be part of your vaunted Next Generation, Kapishe!

 

As I Don’t know ‘bout Y’all, but when the Indy Pro 2000 Series Champion’s “Advancement” Prize is $114,000 Dollars larger than the Indy Lights Champion’s, then Roger, We’ve got A Problem! As what’s NXT?

 

As Y’all can read the putrefied, nauseating PR Spin press release below…

 

https://thepitwindow.blog/2022/11/03/indycar-introduces-nxt-series-releases-schedule/ 

Just How Much should roger Penske do for Indy Lights?

Besides restoring the annual Prize Fund for it’s Champion to Pre-2022 levels and more importantly Higher! Along with reinstating the three IndyCar rides including the Indianapolis 500!

 

Like others in Ye blogosphere, and feeling fairly uninspired to scribble ‘bout anything since the Racing Season’s pretty much Done ‘N Dusted! I turned to the Racer Mailbag to “see” if something caught my Attenzione, or tripped Thy No. 4 wire?

 

Not surprisingly, there were two questions in the October 26th Mailbag about the “Health” of Indy Lights, or more pointedly, the lack of Help by it’s parent Penske Entertainment Corporation to Help it’s Series Drivers to reach the top level of Indy Cars. Specifically this year’s Lights Champion Linus Lindqvist who appears to be not moving up to IndyCar next year.

 

Initially, I Didn’t know the exact details that caused Racer’s Marshall Pruett, or just MP in the Mailbag’s outburst. But Pruett effectively Slammed Penske Entertainment by writing that the Lights Prize is a Joke!

 

Subsequently learning after initially scribblin’ this prose, appropriately on Halloween, Uhm Trick or Treat? Like talk bout Bobbing for apples…

 

That Penske Entertainment at El Capitano’, nee roger Penske’s direction had trimmed it from it’s previous $1.2 million by more than 50%, Yikes!

 

Now am I saying it’s roger’s responsibility to fully Fund and ensure that each year’s Lights Champion gets a Full season Ride in Indy Cars? Absolutely Not! And I’m also not trying to insinuate how Roger should spend His money. Especially since Thars a very good reason that Roger’s a Billionaire and your Humble No Fenders Scribe Tomaso is a Basement Dwelling lowly Blogger! Hey Mom, turn on the lights, Chirp chirp, Bueller?

 

Yet I’m not sure why I could remember this? But I was positive that 2006 Champ Car Atlantic Champion Simon Pagenaud’s prize was far larger than today’s Lights champion’s winner’s Cheque. For which indeed, the 22yr Old Frenchman won a $2.0 million prize award for winning the title ahead of Graham Rahal. For which in today’s dollars would be wort $2,944,523.81, or more than twice what Indy Lights pays out today! Roughly equivalent to 2.5 times the Lights Champions award, when using Marshall’s previous number…

 

Yet Marshall seemed to agree with the Mailbag writer who pointed out How Indy Lights doesn’t seem to have a Marketing Department to Help foster Business to Business (B2B) Deals between potential Sponsors and Aspiring Drivers/Teams.

 

For which another Hot topic seems to be the continued Bashing on about lack of Quality Key Personnel in Indy Cars, i.e.; Engineers, Mechanics, etc. For which I’d surmise that Lights is also a prime training ground for such Personnel. But who knows what’s NXT, Eh?

 

While is the switch this year to Firestone rubber just one more Cost cutting measure? By spreading the costs between IndyCar and Lights to use the same company’s tyres?

 

As Roger’s already chiseled in Stone that Indy Lights will not run the Freedom 100 anymore! Which was the Series marquee event, albeit eight Lights cars running around Mother Speedway at “reduced” speeds isn’t exactly saying much about the Health of your Series!

 

While I’d Arse-sume you could say basically ending Double Header weekends is another cost Cutting move, Eh? Although in fairness to Penske and Company, Pruett correctly points out how Roger just so happened to Buy IndyCar, Indianapolis Motor speedway and IMS Production just before COVID-19 Shut Down Motor Racing around the Globe! And that Roger’s fiscal Conservatism is simply a biproduct of trying to Stabilize things…

 

As Hopefully we won’t have to Hear Penske Entertainment’s No. 1 Puffed Shirt Mark Miles crowing about how much Lights has improved for 2023 because of it’s increased Car count. Which after all, is largely inflated by the massive Nine Car Armada that HMD Motorsports will run next year! And what Happens if/when HMD pulls it’s Lights plug a la Sam Schmidt did a decade ago?

 

Yet it wasn’t until reading For the Love of Indy’s Musings from the Weekend Halloween post that I learned about the massive Lights Advancement Prize fund being Slashed! While Raymond Hando further notes How it appears that Penske Entertainment is possibly Dismantling it’s Hugely popular Road to Indy ladder system! And whether or not there will be a Huge Chasm or Disconnect between Lights and Anderson Promotions UF F2000 ladder series?

 

https://fortheloveofindy.blogspot.com/2022/10/musings-from-weekend-protecting-ladder.html

 

While Racer’s Marshall Pruett noted in September How Asinine (My Words) it was that the series final Indy Pro 2000 Champion Louis Foster received a Prize of $614,000 to Advance to Indy Lights vs. Lights Champion Linus Lundqvist’s paltry $500k prize!

 

Whilst Pruett notes that Indy Lights is now paying a monetary Prize Fund Award of $735,000 to the Top four Finishers over the series 14 races. Yet surely either All or the Bulk of this money is going to the Teams, and Not the Drivers! And How Penske Entertainment has Robbed Lundqvist to Pay the Lights Teams His extra $720k the previous Lights Advancement Prize Fund Paid!

 

As Seriously Roger Penske and Penske Entertainment, Y’all can not come up with a measly $1.0 million to correctly Bump the Lights Champion’s Advancement Prize to a respectful $1.5 million? Not to mention reinstating the three race Dealio’ including the Indianapolis 500!

 

As Penske Entertainment should be massively Embarrassed that that it’s only paying Lundqvist One Sixth of what Simon Pagenaud’s 2006 champ Car Atlantic Prize was Worth! 

Lights Drivers Lost in the IndyCar shuffle

And why did Penske Entertainment ridiculously Slash the Annual Indy Lights Champions Advancement Prize Fund?

 

As Laguna Seca seems a really long time ago now, eh? Y’all know when Sophomore Indy Lights Driver Linus Lundqvist was Crowned this year’s Indy Lights Champion. Having scored seven Poles, five victories and nine podiums during the season’s 14 events. Finishing with nearly a 100 points advantage: 575-483 over series Runner-Up Sting Ray Robb.

 

Third Overall was Mathew Brabham, followed by Rookie Hunter McElrea and Benjamin Pedersen rounding out the Top Five.

 

As Lundqvist and Pedersen both effectively drove for HMD Motorsports. Albeit Lundqvist piloted one of the HMD with Dale Coyne Racing entries, and Pedersen drove the Global Racing Group with HMD Motorsports entry. respectively.

 

Robb led the Andretti Autosport Quartet, followed by Mattie B’, (Brabham) McElrea and Cristian Rasmussmen, who finished sixth Overall.

 

Brabham and His Rookie teammates McElrea and Rasmussen All scored two wins apiece, with Robb, Pederson and HMD Motorsports with Dale Coyne Racing’s Danail Frost All claiming their maiden Lights victory.

 

 Why do I bring this up? Whale’, I was fairly certain (before going on Holiday) that the top three finishers were All guaranteed an post season IndyCar test, for which I don’t believe has occurred? Unless I missed thee Memo while away on my three weeks Sabbatical. Whilst the series Champion was supposedly guaranteed a three race IndyCar Dealio’, including the series Mack Daddy event, the Indianapolis 500 thanks to His $1.25-3 million prize!

 

Although that was before I learned that Penske entertainment Had Slashed Lundqvist’s prize amount by nearly two thirds to a Paltry $500,000!

 

Which may be is why I Haven’t Heard anything about the Top Three Finishers getting their Championship rewards! Not to mention Penske Entertainment just Hoping to Quietly Sweep this Underneath Ye proverbial Rug…

 

https://racer.com/2022/09/22/indy-lights-champion-advancement-prize-slashed/

 

Yet Racer’s Marshall Pruett recently wrote about Lundqvist’s struggles to find and ultimately land a Fulltime Big Boyz’ IndyCar ride for 2023, which now makes more sense to me! Not to mention it’s Sad that Lundqvist thinks He needs to stay Silent over His unexpected Funding Cut by Penske Entertainment upon Fulfilling His part of the Agreement!

 

With Marshall noting that effectively Thars’ just three potential Full season Gigs’ available, with the most coveted being the fourth chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) seat that ‘Ol JJ’, nee Jimmie Johnson’s inhabited the past two seasons.

 

But that fourth CGR drive requires a massive Budget which Lundqvist Doesn’t have. And although current Team Willy’, nee Williams Racing F1 Driver Nicholas Latifi’s being Coy about his destination for next year, Odds seem to favour Latifi landing the ride. Especially after Marshall recently noted on one of His Week in IndyCar Podcasts, Cheep’ (Ganassi) Doesn’t Pay for Drivers! They come with Full Budgets instead…

 

And it seems Ditto for the expected second Juncos Hollinger Racing (JHR) No. 78 ride, implying once again that Linus Doesn’t have enough Dinero’ to be Callum Ilott’s teammate next year…

 

Thus to Mwah, it appears the most possible scenario would be Lundqvist “ride Sharing” the Vanna I wants to Buy a Vowel! Dale coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing’s, ergo Coyne Ware Racing’s No. 51 with Takuma Sato. With Taku-san’ running an Ovals only programme and Lundqvist being it’s “Twisties” Specialist. Although this would require HMD/DCR/RWR to run a third IndyCar at Mother Speedway. Or possibly four, since Coyne & Co. typically run a third “One Off” entry already.

 

Although Marshall seems pretty steadfast that Coyne and Company will have a new Full season Driver in it’s second No. 19 entry with Sato in a third Ovals Only No. 51 entry.

 

As Here’s what I scribbled on No Fenders some threes years ago about the Curse of being an Indy Lights Champion in Indy Cars.

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2019/02/indy-cars-curse-o-becoming-indy-lights.html

 

And while the verdict’s still “Out” upon last year’s Dominant Lights Champion Kyle Kirkwood, who’ll  Arse-sumedly have a much better Sophomer season with Andretti Autosport. It’s worth noting that 2019 Lights Champion Oliver Askew is long gone from the IndyCar lanscape! While the 2020 Lights season was cancelled due to COVID-19.

 

By my Spur Ye Cuff run thru the impending 2023 IndyCar Grid, I quickly came up with the following 11 Drivers, Uhm maike that 12. Damn, I keep Adding more as I think about it. Although I’m currently stuck on the number 12.

 

As I’m fairly certain these IndyCar Drivers have previously raced in Lights, which I’m listing in Team order, beginning with A.J. foyt Enterprises Rookie Benjamin Pederson. Followed by Colton Herta, Kyle Kirkwood, Devlin DeFrancesco, Pato O’Ward, Felix Rosenqvist, Scott Dixon, Conor Daly, Rinus VeeKay, Helio Castroneves, Jack Harvey and Josef Newgarden.

 

Whilst Simon Pagenaud and Graham Rahal came from the Champ Car Atlantic ranks, and I’m only focusing upon Full season Drivers…

 

Meanwhile, Marshall also noted that Taku-san’ would like to do one more Full season, which would obviously cause problems for Linus. Whilst FIA Formula 2 Driver Marcus Armstrong’s name seems to be most mentioned regarding drivers looking for a seat in Indy Cars, especially since He reportedly Has $4m (million) in pocket! And Danail Frost, who finished seventh in Lights this year, just impressed when testing for Coyne in their IndyCar. So who knows who’ll fill the final three seats?

 

But it would be a Shame if Lundqvist is forced to race next year in Sports Cars instead of getting a proper chance in IndyCar! Seeing the Age Old criteria of One’s Budget mattering More than the Driver’s talent!

 

And if Lundqvist does end up in Sports Cars, then Hopefully He’ll at least be in a GTP entry.