’Ol Hollywood’s still got it! (The Tomaso
Collection)
Danny Sullivan riding in pickup before the Race
Sunday, waving to the crowd and in His Miller Beer red Fire-suit.
According to Carpets’, Danny’s not a Hulio’
Just for Men type ‘O guy, Hya! But still looks good.
The picture is nearly in the exact spot where
He gathered up his car after the famous spin 40 years ago…
Photo C/O No Fenders Offical’ Photographer CARPETS’
Team Penske March 85C. (The Tomaso Collection)
The original Penske Racing March 85C that Danny
Sullivan drove to victory sits quietly in Gasoline Alley.
Photo C/O No Fenders Offical’ Photographer CARPETS’
No. 51 DCR entry during Qualifying. (The Tomaso
Collection)
Thee “New” No. 51 Dale Coyne Racing Miller High
Life entry of Jacob Abel, during Saturday qualifying at Mother Speedway.
Photo C/O No Fenders Offical’ Photographer CARPETS’
Miller High Life March 85C on display at the Penske
Racing Museum. (The Tomaso Collection)
If only Jacob Abel could have found one of those
missing three miles per hour Sunday…
This riveting No Fenders story is about ‘Ol
Hollywood’, aka Danny Sullivan. Yet Just to put things into perspective.
Reigning IndyCar Champion Alex Palou tied Sullivan’s, Tony Kanaan and Jimmy
Murphy’s career tally of 17 wins at road America on just His 90th start!
As the Spaniard, who’s truly having a magical
season, had 17 wins, 38 podiums and eight poles in 90 starts. While Sullivan
had 17 wins, 40 podiums and 19 poles from 171 starts over 12 years, double
Palou’s “short” career to date.
Danny Sullivan came back upon my radar,
presumably like most for it being the 40th anniversary of that most memorable
Spin ‘n win Indianapolis 500 victory on May 26, 1985; which I still believe is
the first modern day Indy 500 I watched on television.
VIDEO: Danny Sullivan’s 1985
Indianapolis 500
It was fun hearing the old soundbite of IMS
Radio Network’s call of the 1985 Indianapolis 500 during the pre-race build-up Sunday
morning for this year’s race. As Paul Page, who turns 80 this November 25th,
certainly sounds His age today, which obviously is part of the aging process we
All experience…
Funniest bit in Page’s post-race live interview
40yrs ago is Sully’ saying He’d read the scoreboard wrong and thought there
were only 14-laps remaining and it was time to G-O when He spun passing Mario!
Which was actually only lap 140…
Along with Sully’ repeatedly yelling Mamma!
Before Page asked who’s that Danny? That’s my mamma! During the live winner’s
interview in victory lane; then being 35yr old.
Daniel John Sullivan III was born on March 9,
1950 in Louisville, Kentucky, which is also where current IndyCar driver Jacob
Abel hails from.
Sullivan who was a Lumberjack and New York City
Taxi driver before becoming a racing star, cut His racing teeth with a 21st
birthday gift to the Jim Russell Driving School in Jolly ‘Ol England.
Sullivan made His CART PPG IndyCar world Series
debut in 1982 for Forsythe Racing at the Stroh’s 200 at Atlanta Motor Speedway,
and contested two rounds that year, i.e.; Atlanta and Indianapolis.
Driving Forsythe Racing’s No. 33 March 82C
Cosworth, Sullivan finished an impressive third upon debut at Atlanta. Before making
His rookie debut in that year’s Indianapolis 500. With fellow rookies Chet
Fillip, Chip Ganassi, Herm Johnson, Jim Hickman, Roger Mears, Bobby Rahal,
Hector Rebaque and Dale Whittington.
As this was the race where ‘Ol SuperTex’, nee
A.J. Foyt infamously called Kevin Cogan that Damn Coogan! As Danny qualified
13th and finished P14 after crashing in Turn 4 on lap 148.
For 1983, Sullivan drove for the Tyrrell
Formula 1 team at the behest of the team’s primary sponsor Benetton, who wanted
an American driver in F1. As Sullivan’s highlight would be finishing fifth in
Monaco before being let go at season’s end.
Returning Stateside, Danny joined Doug
Shierson’s race team and promptly won three races during the 1984 IndyCar
season. Including His debutante win at Cleveland’s Burke Lakefront racetrack.
Followed by wins at Pocono, ironically the team’s primary sponsor’s Domino’s
Pizza 500. And the Molson Indy 300 at the Sanair Super Speedway in Quebec,
where future Penske teammate Ric Mears had a nasty crash that year!
Having finished fourth overall in the ’84
IndyCar Championship with five podiums, Sully’ moved to Penske Racing,
alongside teammates :Rocket” Rick Mears and Big al’, ergo Al Unser Sr.
As how many of us remember that Pancho Carter
won the 1985 Indianapolis 500 pole? Or that Mario Andretti started fourth and
Sullivan started eighth…
The zenith of Sully’s racing career came in
1988 when driving that beautiful gold Miller Beer car, nee Miller High Life for
Team Penske. Winning four races that season, including Portland. Amassing eleven
podiums and nine pole positions enroute to winning the CARTPPG IndyCar World
championship.
Whilst Danny would drive for El Capitano’, nee
Roger Penske until the end of 1990. Capping His Penske career by winning His
final race at Laguna Seca,after leading wire-to-wire from pole.
Next, Sullivan spent one forgettable season at
Patrick Racing with its recalcitrant Alfa Romeo project. Then two fraught years
with His final two IndyCar wins as ‘lil Al’s (Unser Jr) Galles Draco teammate,
and then a subpar partial season for local PacWest Racing in ’95 before
retiring from Open wheel Racing after a major shunt during the Michigan 500.
Having regaled
Y’all a decade ago with more esoteric ramblings upon ‘Ol Hollysood’ in the
following No fenders tome…
Sullivan also tried His hand at Touring Cars
races for Alfa Romeo and NASCAR. Along with making a total of four 24 Hours of
Le Mans starts. With His best finish being third in the 1994 24 Heurs du Mans
with Hans-Joachim Stuck and Thierry Boutsen, driving the Dauer 962 Le Mans
entry.
Meanwhile, back when I could still “See”, I
recall that the Team Penske Miller High Life March 85C was the only Indy 500
winner on display with a “Duckbill” nose, which I interpreted as being a road
course nose. Since every other Indianapolis 500 winner on display at the Penske
Racing Museum had needle nose’s. For which I’ve got no idea what shows up in
the picture above?
Whilst I was disappointed that the legendous’
Spin ‘n Win car wasn’t on display at the Penske Racing Museum this March. For
which it apparently showed up in Gasoline alley in May. Along with the man
Himself, now 75 years old taking a celebratory lap of honour Sunday morning.
Which I suppose makes it even more disappointing that Jacob Abel wasn’t able to qualify His Dale Coyne Racing’s Dallara DW12 Honda replete in Miller High Life livery for this year’s 109th running of that ‘lil Oval race held now each Memorial Day weekend…
Although a fifth’s of Thar season’s already over.
And I feel like I need a fifth after a most disjointed weekend of trying to
follow along…
This coming fourth ‘O July weekend sees the H1
Unlimited series contesting Thar’ second race of the 2025 season at Madison,
Indiana
The season began nearly one month ago at the
Guntersville Hydrofest, June 8th on Lake Guntersville, Alabama. With the
remainder of the five events as follows: July 6th Madison Regatta at Madison, Indiana.
Then a three race west coast swing, including
the traditional Warshington’ back-to-back “Double”, i.e.; July 27th Tri-Cities Water
Follies at Kennewick on the Mighty Columbia, nee Columbia River.
Followed a week later on Lake Washington August 3rd at Seattle’s Seafair, presumably
replete with the legendous’ Blue Angels, unless somebody’s spent too much upon
His 79th birthday’s military parade and had to cut their funding?
The season concludes on September 14th at Bayfair’s
Mission Bay, with the Bill Muncey Cup in San Diego, CA.
This year’s Tri-Cities Water Follies commemorates
the 60th anniversary of this event and will host this year’s prestigious APBA
Gold Cup race. With the Gold Cup being the oldest American trophy, beginning
with it’s 1904 inaugural event
Like every offseason, much movement has
occurred in the top Dawgs’ Unlimited Hydroplanes fleet. As Dustin Echols has
decided to retire from competition, leaving the U-40 devoid of a driver.
And with Sharon and Kelly Stockton, longtime
owners of Bucket List Racing and the U-40’s main sponsor Flav-R-Pac moving onto
the U-11’s flanks as its new primary sponsor, Y’all have to wonder the status
of the U-40 Bucket List Racing Unlimited Hydroplane this season.
Once again, the H1 Unlimited website has
suffered another compressor stall, since I couldn’t find anything on its
apathetic website about the seismic shift of the competing teams landscape…
According to the Madison Courier, Miss Madison
Racing which had gotten itself into hefty financial debt due to it’s 2018
sponsorship agreement with Home Street Bank. With the former Miss Budweiser
Tukwila race shop becoming an albatross around its neck due to the hefty mortgage,
has led to Miss Madison president Charlie Grooms selling the entire assets of
the championship winning team! Having just won their twelfth championship last
year…
Seattle’s Bruce Ratchford, the founder and proprietor
of Apollo Mechanical, who not only became Seafair’s title sponsor last year.
When the Apollo Mechanical Cup joined Seafair for its 75th anniversary. Also sponsored the U-27 Miss Apollo last season.
With the newly created race team stepping up with the acquisition of Miss
Madison Racing’s two Unlimited Hydroplane Hulls. Along with adding the U-27 to
its fleet.
Thus, defending APBA National High Points
Drivers Champion Andrew Tate has become teammate this season with Dave
Villwock. With Tate in the U-91 Miss Goodman Real Estate and Dave Villwock in
the U-27 Miss Apollo for the new BWR Racing team, forming a new powerhouse race
team to challenge Strong Racing…
Initially, I Arse-sumed BWR Racing would be run
out of the former Miss Madison Tukwila race shop. Although re-reading the
Madison Courier story, it notes that the entire Tukwila inventory was sold,
making me wonder if the building wasn’t included?
As Grooms and four other Board members of Miss
Madison Racing Inc have been fired over this travesty, with the immediate
future of the team unknown.
Yet H1 Unlimited blissfully reported in February,
that Miss Madison racing Inc had sold one of it’s Hulls to eric Christensen
over the winter. Who’ll compete aboard the U-2 this season, driving for His
newly founded Christensen Racing team. Making me wonder just how many Hulls did
Miss Madison Racing own?
Christensen clamed they’d have the U-2
Fraternal Order of Eagles and Albert lee Appliance Hydroplane ready for May’s
Spring training event on the Columbia River, but the race boat, based out of
Buckley, WA didn’t appear at Guntersville. Making me wonder if this will just
be another west coast partial season Hydroplane?
A la the U-21 Go Fast Turn Left Racing
Hydroplane, that Gunnar O’Farrell dramatically flipped during testing in Pasco
this May! Although the team’s confident they’ll be ready in time for the Water
Follies event.
Meanwhile, following the sale of Miss Madison
Racing’s assets to BWR Racing, the series notes that in conjunction with
representatives of Marshall County Tourism and Sport, the Madison Regatta and
Miss Madison Racing, the team will attempt competing in the season’s first two
East coast races, i.e.; Guntersville and Madison.
Subsequently, Miss Madison Racing announced
that rookie skipper Brandon Kennedy will be at the tiller of it’s U-6
Hydroplane, as the organization regroups and hopefully secures it’s long term
future. AS I’d like to think the team can rebound and return to a full season
campaign in the near future…
Cannot say I’m overly impressed by only six
Unlimited Big Boyz’ Boats showing up at Guntersville, but think we’ve had
worse. As I tend to recall some of the races having a paltry four Hulls. But
with the cloud hanging over the storied Miss Madison operation right now, guess
I should see this as a good thing overall.
Another interesting side note is that Bruce
Ratchford has joined forces with Darrel Strong, owner of Strong Racing, the H1
Unlimited Hydroplane’s other two boat team owner in Hydrotown Racing Inc.
As Hydrotown Racing Inc was created in 2023 to
promote and market the Unlimited Hydroplanes, while apparently APBA is the
sport’s governing body thru its ABRA association.
Yet Hydrotown Racing’s got a long way to go
towards marketing and promoting the sport properly! Especially if Guntersville
is their media template for success…
Whilst opining for nine Unlimited Hydroplanes competing in the Gold Cup and Seafair this summer. I think the best will be eight Hulls, since the U-6 Miss Madison is slated to run just the first two races. Meaning it will be Strong Racing vs. BWR Racing this season jousting for the National High Points Championship titles.
Blue Crown Spark Plug Special racecar. (Image
source: Bing.com)
As that’s definitely not a “Shaken, not Stirred” intended pun. Get it?
Like much past history I try delving into here
upon No Fenders. Even after having finished my monstrous six part Blue Crown
Spark Plug Saga Wayback in Gory 2009. The year of my debutante Indianapolis 500
race, where some pesky Brazilian was making His own history following a tax
trial, I still feel like I know only the rudimentary facts about Lou Moore…
Lewis Henry Moore was born on September 12,
1904 in Hinton, Oklahoma, before His family migrated to California. Reportedly
at age 16, He became a mechanic and started building and racing cars, having
bought an old Ford Model T.
Moore made His rookie debut at the Indianapolis
Motor Speedway in 1928, qualifying eighth and finishing runner-up behind Louis
Meyer for that year’s 16th running of the Indianapolis 500.
Moore’s crowning accomplishment as a driver was
winning the 1932 Indianapolis 500 pole. Along with His second place finish, He
scored a brace of third place finishes between 1933-34.
Interestingly, Moore also competed in the 1934
Tripoli Grand Prix, held on May 6th that year. With this Formula Libre event
being won by the great Achille Varzi aboard an Alfa Romeo Tipo-b P3. With Moore
finishing seventh in a Miller 3.0-litre racecar.
Yet Moore is best known for his racing exploits
as a team owner, beginning in 1937, after having retired from driving the year
prior.
More entered one car for Mauri Rose in 1937,
which finished 18th, retiring with an oil line failure.
The following year, His entry for driver Floyd
Roberts won the first of His eventual five victories as a car owner. Yet sadly,
Roberts was killed in the 1939 Indy 500 aboard the same car.
Mauri Rose drove once again for Moore,
finishing third in the 1940 race at the Brickyard. Following the race, Lucy
O’Reilly Shell sold Her two Ecurie O’Reilly Maserati 8CTF’s to Lou Moore.
For 1941, Moore entered an unprecedented four
racecars at the Speedway, with the two Elgin Piston Pin Maserati’s driven by
Rose and Duke Nalon. While a further two Wetteroth Offy’s (Offenhauser) were
entered as the Noc-Out Hose Clamp Specials for Floyd Davis and Cliff Bergere.
Rose would start from pole aboard His No. 3
Maserati, before retiring on lap-60 due to spark plug issues. Moore then
inserted Mauri into the hapless Floyd Davis’s No. 16 Wetteroth Offenhauser
entry and the rest was history, with Rose winning the race, while Davis was
nowhere to be found afterwards…
For 1946, Moore didn’t enter any racecars and moonlighted
as Cliff Bergere’s chief mechanic. Interestingly, this was the ex-Floyd Roberts
1938 winning Champ Car, and Bergere claimed His one and only Indy 500 pole
aboard it that year, before finishing an unheralded P16. As the Noc-Out Clamp
racecar ironically was listed as Out of Oil…
The year’s 1947-49 cemented Moore’s legacy as a
winning team owner, when His Blue Crown Spark Plug front wheel drive Diedt
Offenhauser “Specials” won the race an unprecedented three years in-a-row.
The 1947 race saw “the thrill of Victory, and
Agony of defeat”. As rookie Bill Holland led a dominant 143-laps and was
leading when confused by Lou Moore hanging out an EZ sign for both drivers.
And while Holland was cruising to victory at
reduced speed, He simply waved to teammate Mauri rose, who He thought was
unlapping Himself on lap-193. With Rose going onto claim His second
Indianapolis 500 victory, to Holland’s disbelief!
Rose won again in 1948, leading another 1-2
Blue Crown Spark Plug sweep. And then in ’49, Holland was circumspect when the
EZ sign came out once again while leading. As Rose was disobeying team orders
again, yet this time His magneto packed-up with eight laps remaining and
Holland finally won at Mother Speedway. And Moore fired Rose immediately
following the race.
Thus Moore not only had won five Indianapolis
500 race’s, but became the first ever team owner to win three consecutive
events. A feat that has only been accomplished once more by Team Penske between
2001-03.
Meanwhile, Moore’s legacy as the winningest
Indy 500 team owner stood for 38 years until El Capitano’, nee Roger Penske won
His sixth Borg Warner trophy in 1987. While we all know that Roger and Team
Penske have gone onto win a staggering total of 20 Indianapolis 500’s between
1972 and 2025.
To read my very
long, detailed Mega six parts Blue Crown Spark Plug Specials Saga, with
pictures provided by Dean Jackson. Whose father Purvis was the proprietor of
Blue Crown Spark Plugs, please visit the following No Fenders link below.
http://www.nofenders.net/2012/05/blue-crown-spark-plug-specials-saga.html
Aftermath
Lou Moore died at the age of 51 on March 25,
1956. Complaining of a headache, Moore was rushed to hospital where He died of
a brain hemorrhage, according to the Indianapolis Star.
Ironically, I just listened to Marshall
Pruett’s podcast with Ed Justice Jr, who dryly noted that Lou Moore was
considered the “Roger Penske” of His day, but wasn’t Roger!
Chip Ganassi, who just won His sixth Indianapolis 500 as a team owner, took 66 years to surpass the great Lou Moore’s accomplishment! While Andretti Global remains tied with Moore for five wins apiece…
The iconic “Yellow submarine” that Scott McLaughlin
captured pole aboard last year at Indianapolis. (The Tomaso Collection)
Golly, that sure is a purdy lookin’ racecar… Whale’
it was before ScottyMac’ wadded it up during Sunday morning’s Fast Twelve
Shootout practice session, Youza!
Yeah, I know Y’all are saying but what about
this past weekend’s Indianapolis 500 qualifying, Righto? Which certainly didn’t lack for
drama!
Being Blind, have I reminded Y’all lately?
Obviously I cannot “See” what all of the special One-off liveries look like? Or
if they’re flattering or not?
During the Miami Grand Prix, Formula 1 fans
were up in arms over la Scuderia’s One-off livery interspersing title sponsor
HP’s blue and white into the traditional rosso livery, which I know I scribbled
‘bout here on No Fenders a year ago…
http://www.nofenders.net/2024/05/ferrari-turns-blue-chasing-red-bull.html
As the Ferrari SF-25 sported HP’s blue and
white on it’s engine cover, rear wing and wheels in a nod to their one year
partnership, which began at Miami last year. With Charles Leclerc and Lewis
Hamilton wearing with and blue overalls as part of the One-off asymmetric livery.
As one disgusted Tifosi wrote that it was like
putting pineapple on pizza! Another saying it could be the worst livery ever.
And another saying that Ferrari was morphing into Williams in front of our very
eyes on Social media!
Referring to those
iconic, and good looking HP sponsored Williams BMW racecars of the early Ought’s…
Meanwhile, Racing
Bulls ran a One-off bright pink racecar at Miami, promoting it’s Energy drinks
owners new summer peach flavour, including the drivers wearing magenta
overalls.
While Sauber also
joined the Miami Party-theme train. Running what was called an “Art Car”. Which
apparently saw the teams traditional colours “Shaken, not Stirred” in a blender?
Although the press release claims that what appears to be dripping wet neon
green and black hues were applied to it’s C45 chassis. Along with the drivers
overalls, pit wall and garages, to commemorate Miami’s vivid Art scene…
Arse-suming Y’all
know about Arrow McLaren’s One-off “Artic” white Indianapolis 500 liveries,
part of this year’s Never Stop Racing campaign. As the Nos. 5-7 Arrow McLaren’s
will feature a base coat of white with driver specific colours, while Kyle
Larson’s NO. 17 will be white with blue accents.
As have to say to
Mwah, I think their 60th anniversary McLaren Indy 500 racecar liveries of 2023 were
far superior! But what do I know, especially since I cannot see any of them,
Y’all…
Yeah, I understand
why we’ve got to wait until after the Indy road course’s tune-up Grand Prix is
run before we can start dolling out those One-off Indianapolis 500 liveries. As
this makes me think of the Super bowl and everybody Ah-Waitin’ and grading that
year’s commercials.
As don’t know
who’ll have either the best or worst Indy 500 livery? But when I think of
worst, I immediately think of Count Dracula’, Err Rinus VeeKay’s black ‘n
yellow polka dot thrown in a blender mobile from a few years ago, Hya!
Whilst we know
that Conor Daly won’t be running any Polka Dot block chain El Speciale livery
this year. Although it’ll be funny if He runs a Union 76 theme car when I
believe Shell is the official fuel partner of IndyCar, Righto?
Having since
learned that Daly’s car is running AM/PM sponsorship, along with Circle K, and
possibly ARCO? Since I think they’re all owned by Atlantic Richfield Petroleum.
Whilst I Arse-sume
that at least ScottyMac’, aka Scott Mclaughlin will once again be driving the
iconic Pennzoil “Yellow submarine”. With no idea what reigning two-times Indy
500 winner Josef Schlick’ Newgarden will carry? Although presume Will Power will
have some El Speciale Verizon “paint” scheme again, Eh?
Thus, not knowing half of this year’s Indy 500
liveries. Although I did learn who the obscure primary sponsors of Castroneves
and Marco Andretti’s rides. Along with Marcus Ericsson’s Allegra car said to
“Pop!” And that beautiful #51 Miller High Life car of Jacob Abel’s
unfortunately not celebrating the “High Life” on Sunday.
And
thanks to the thoroughly GOOBERED, Cough-Cough, Uhm “New & Improved”, NOT!
Racer website, with much difficulty, I learned that Abel’s Dale Coyne Racing
teammate Rinus VeeKay’s primary sponsor is askROI. With NO askROI jokes here
about where’d the missing three miles per hour go?
Busting up in laughter when IndyCar Radio Network’s
Turn 3 reporter Jake The Riddler’ Query said VeeKay’s sponsor is askROI, and
He’s asking where the speed went right now…
Whilst obviously, I cannot see what they look
like? And hence, cannot be swayed by their marketing efforts. Or tell Y’all
which cars look “Cool” and which don’t. Or how well this marketing exercise
works?
As Derek Daly had a good point about the lack
of “brand” recognition that’s long been IndyCar’s hallmark in the following
Racer article.
But I do think it’s cool that the Prema Racing
cars run in an Italian Flag motif of white, green and red. As how ‘bout that
Robert Shwartzman!
Are, You, Ready, to G-O Racing?
But like it’s Big Brother IndyCar and Alex Palou.
Can anybody stop Denis Hauger?
Yeah, your Humble, Haggard No Fenders scribe
Tomaso’s another dollar short and several days late…
Have to say I agree with For the Love of Indy’s
Raymond Hando over how exhausting the sheer volume of negativity surrounding
IndyCar is, albeit much is self inflicted, unfortunately…
Case-in-point is the series yearly inability to
smooth out it’s schedule and the Uber annoying three week breaks at season’s
beginning, after we’ve waited another agonizing six month to go racing once
again!
Yet think those three week gaps are annoying?
Then think about how the Indy NXT competitors and it’s Fans feel over the
totally ridiculous 63 Freakin Days gap between it’s St Pete season kickoff and
round two last weekend at thee Barber’s, nee Barber Motorsports Park on May
4th, nine weeks later, Youza!
Naturally, much has happened since I last
listened to an Indy NXT race, for which I “Drop-in” for the Alabama round., the
first I’ve listened to since I Dunno, sometime last year.
Learning that Indiana native Kirk Dooley was
named Director of Indy NXT by Firestone on April 7th, and will oversee all
operations and competition of the Feeder series.
Dooley previously served as IndyCar’s Chief of
Staff between 2015-16. In in 2016, Dooley was named Director of Executive
Operations for Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Leaving in 2020 to served as Chief
Operating Officer of the Skip Barber racing schools.
Was ready to scribble all about Doce Femme
Fatales in Indy NXT this year, before learning nearly one month after the fact
that Sophia Floersch had ended Her Indy NXT campaign with HMD Motorsports, Huh?
As the 24yr old German driver reportedly had a
misunderstanding with Her primary sponsor according to Racer’s Marshall Pruett
and thus She and HMD Motorsports parted ways immediately, with no word on what
Floersch will do next?
As Sophia qualified P17 and finished P12, two
positions ahead of HMD Motorsports rookie Hailie Deegan. As Deegan makes Her
transition to single seaters, with the Temecula, California native being known
for Her Offroad and NASCAR career. In
ARCA, Trucks and Xfinity.
On a side note, learned earlier this season
that Jace Denmark, who’s now racing for TJ Speed Motorsports in His third USF
Pro 2000 campaign Has been signed as an HMD Motorsports development driver…
Norway’s Dennis Hauger claimed His first “Grand
Salami”, Err Grand Slam on His rookie debut for Andretti Global. As Hauger is
the first Indy NXT driver since Linus Lundqvist in 2021 to win on debut.
Hauger led wire-to-wire from pole, and set
fastest lap. Along wit leading rookie Lochie Hughes in an Andretti Global 1-2
finish, ahead of Caio Collet, driving for HMD Motorsports.
Myles Rowe of Abel Motorsports with Force Indy
tied His series best finish in fourth, with Salvador de Alba, also of Andretti
global rounding out the top five.
HMD Motorsports signed Kirkland, WA native Evagoras
Papasavvas to replace the departing Bryce Aron. With Aron moving onto Chip
Ganassi Racing’s Indy NXT team for the remainder of the season as Jonathan
Browne’s replacement.
While Hauger once again cruised home for His
second win in dominating fashion, with a second wire-to-wire victory from pole.
The story of the weekend was Papasavvas’s Indy NXT debut.
Papasavvas, who raced in USF2000 the past two
years, initially had signed a partial season deal with HMD Motorsports. A three
race deal beginning at Gateway and concluding at Mid-Ohio. Yet the HMD
Motorsports reserve driver, who impressed during a Mid-Ohio test, was called-up
as Aron’s replacement four round two.
Evagoras won His maiden USF2000 race at
Mid-Ohio, His hometown track in 2023. Followed by a second win at Toronto and
fourth in that year’s USF2000 Championship.
On debut at Barber Motorsports Park, Papasavvas
qualified third, inherited second when Caio Collet had a throttle issue, and
held off a menacing Lochie Hughes, Myles Rowe and Josh Pierson to finish Vice
Champion, Err runner-up!
Hughes tried everything He could think of, with
Rowe and Pierson nipping at His Heals, all to nought…
Indy NXT contests a Double Header outing on
Indianapolis’s road course this Friday-Saturday.
While can anybody catch the red-hot Hauger? Who’s two back-to-back wins on debut matches Ed Jones start to His 2015 Indy Lights season. As Jones would win the first three races in-a-row before finishing third overall behind Spencer Pigot and Jack Harvey…
Although will any of these prospects succeed to the
Pinnicle of Motorsport?
As my working title was Japanese Drivers
Logjam…
Japan has a long, storied history with formula
1. As the very first Japanese driver to Enter a international Federation
Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) sanctioned race fifty years ago was
Hiroshi Fushida, who failed on both of His entries with the uncompetitive Maki
Engineering F101 normally aspirated 3.0-liter Ford-Cosworth DFV V-8 racecar.
Hiroshi’s Cossie’ lump’ “Done blown Up!” at
that year’s Dutch Grand Prix, for which the team didn’t have a spare motor! And
then He failed to qualify (DNQ) at the 1975 British Grand Prix.
Hiroshi also contested the SCCA’s Can Am and
Trans Am series Stateside. And made history alongside countryman Tetsu Ikuzawa,
when they became the first two Japanese drivers to compete in the 24 Heurs du
Mans. Driving a Mazda Wankel rotary
powered Sigma MS73 (SARD) in the 1973 event.
Japan’s first Formula 1 race was the epic 1976
Japanese Grand Prix at Fuji Speedway, where a further four Japanese drivers
entered their country’s inaugural Grand Prix; Masahiro Hasemi, Kazuyoshi Hoshino, Masani Kuwashina and
Noritake Takahara.
Although reputedly Kuwashina’s
sponsorship Cheque failed to materialize, scratching Him from competing, i.e.
DNS. (Did Not Start) Being replaced by Hans Binder.
Whilst Hasemi,
Hoshino and Takahara all contested the race, becoming Japan’s first three
Formula 1 drivers. Although I’d surmise this accomplishment was totally
overshadowed by that year’s Mega’ F1 Drivers championship showdown between Niki
Lauda and Jame Hunt, which is wonderfully documented in ‘lil Ronnie
Howard’sexcellent Rush movie…
Kazuyoshi Hoshino’s nickname was “The Fastest Man
in Japan”, which is pretty “Heady” suff!
Reportedly there have
been 21 Japanese drivers to attempt a Grand Prix to date, with 18 making
starts. Which I won’t attempt chronicling! Other than three have stood on the
third step of the podium. First Aguri Suzuki in1990. Followed by arguably
Japan’s “Greatest” driver Takuma sato in 2004. And finally K-Squared’, aka
Kamui Kobayashi in 2012. With Kamui now firmly established as a Sports Car
star; including a World Endurance Championship (WEC) title and 24 Heurs du Mans
and Rolex 24 wins to His credit.
Currently, Yuki
Tsunoda is the only Japanese driver competing in Formula 1, entering His fifth
season driving for thee ‘lil bullz’, aka Racing Bulls. Which you’d have to say
that Tsunoda’s inclusion in Formula 1 is backed by Red Bull’s engine, Err Power
Unit (PU) supplier Honda. Even if Honda “withdrew” from full Factory F1
involvement at the end of 2021.
Yuki did finish a very respectable fourth
overall in FIA Formula 3, and third overall in Formula 2 with Four poles and
three wins before graduating to then AlphaTauri in 2021. Yet with Honda
becoming Aston Martin’s Werk’s PU supplier beginning next year, the only option
I “See” for Tsunoda is becoming one of Aston Martin’s reserve drivers.
But Felipe Drugovich, the 2022 FIA F2 champion
has been the team’s reserve driver since 2023. And obviously neither Fernando
Alonso or Lance Stroll seem intent on departing Formula 1 anytime soon…
Ironically,
Tsunoda turns 25 one day after Helio Castroneves 50th birthday on May 10th…
Ritomo Miyata who turns 26 this August, appears
to be Japan’s best bet for joining the F1 Circus in the future. As Miyata will
contest His sophomore season of F2 this year driving for ART Grand Prix. (#15)
Having finished P19 overall last year for Rodin Motorsport.
Ritomo is a member of the Toyota Gazoo Racing
(TGR) Driver Challenge programme, along with being a multiple title winner.
Having won both the Super formula and Super GT Championships in 2023. Along
with the 2020 Super Formula Lights and 2016-2017 Japanese Formula 4 titles.
Miyata was diagnosed with Autism early in life
and is an ardent “gamer”. Having won some 500 iSports races!
Thanks to Toyota’s technical partnership with
the Haas F1 Team, Miyata tested a Haas
VF-23 at Jerez recently. Where race drivers Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman ran
one day apiece, with Ritomo getting valuable “Seat-time” at the end of each
day.
Although
Miyata’s trajectory seems aimed more for eventual Hypercar duty in the WEC for
Toyota, unless a seat on the Formula 1 grid opens up…
Although Ayumu Iwasa, who currently competes in
Super Formula might have something to say about that . As the 23yr old Red Bull
Junior Driver and Honda Formula Dream Project member has already tallied two
seasons in formula 2. Finishing fifth and fourth overall respectively between
2022-23. And finished fifth overall last year during His rookie Super Formula
campaign.
Ayumu helped make “Waves” at last year’s
Japanese grand Prix, driving in His first Free Practice outing during FP1.
Driving alongside Racing Bulls “teammate” Tsunoda. Having last tested for RB
during last year’s Abu Dhabi Young Drivers test.
Ryo Hirakawa (Age 31) is a Toyota Werks’ (TGR)
FIA World Endurance Championship driver, having won two WEC titles along with the
2022 24 Hours of Le Mans. And was announced this January as an Alpine F1 test
and reserve driver.
As I’m guessing the latter has something to do
with team principal Oliver Oakes and Hitech Racing’s involvement with TGR in
it’s Junior Open Wheel Racing categories. As Hitech TGR competes in both the
FIA Formula 2 and Formula 3 Championships.
Interestingly, and this is purely conjecture on
my part. But this arrangement gives Toyota two possible paths to future Formula
1 involvement. But that’s just pure conjecture Folks!
Lastly, Kakunoshin Ohta made His IMSA GTP debut
at this year’s Rolex 24 as part of Meyer shank Racing’s No. 93 Acura ARX06
entry. As the 25yr old Japanese Sports Car driver will also drive the No. 93 at
this year’s Watkins Glen and Indianapolis endurance rounds.
Kakunoshin also recently tested for era
Motorsports, aboard it’s No. 18 LMP2 entry during the Pre-Sebring 12 Hours test
in February. And was slated to ad further LMP2 outing to His busy 2025 schedule.
Then naturally, as I was putting this story to
bed, word came that indeed Ohta would race for Era Motorsports at both the Sebring
12 Hours and later Road America races in the LMP2 category. With HRC US further
cementing it’s “ties” with Era Motorsports in a collabourative effort to
promote young Japanese drivers to Sports car racing. As Era has already
restored previous Acura Sports Car prototypes for Historic Racing…
This is just further speculation. But with HRC US (Honda Racing Corporation) President David Salters recently noting how Honda would like to take it’s Acura GTP racecar to Le Mans, could we see Iwasa or Ohta as part of the drivers lineup?
Are we really, really finally going racing, once
again?
Otay Kiddoes, Hurrah! The Off-season is finally
over! As it’s been nearly a Gory Half year, albeit a svelte 168 days for those
counting. Just under a Fortnight less than six months since the Nashville Super
speedway’s season finale last September 15th…
2025 Chevrolet Team line-ups
This is just intended to be a hopefully
somewhat Brief rundown upon the 14 Fulltime Bowtie’ runners in this year’s NTT
IndyCar Series Championship.
A.J. Foyt
Enterprises (2)
(Team/Car
No/Drivers)
#4 David
Malukas, USA
#14
Santino Ferrucci, USA
(Technical Alliance with Team Penske)
Its old news now, that the first shoe to drop
was Engineer Supremo Michael Cannon’s departure from Foyt to Prema, for which
Larry Foyt said he didn’t want to see Him go. As will Cannon return to Foyt
now?
As the team hired ‘lil Davey’ from “Chicago”,
ergo David Malukas as Sting Ray robb’s replacement alongside thee Great
Santini’, aka Santino Ferrucci.
As Malukas will drive the No. 4 entry, with the
entire A.J. Foyt Enterprises operation being run out of its Indianapolis
facility. Along with its continued Team Penske technical alliance.
As this will be a fun team to keep an eye upon,
although Hopefully expectations won’t be too Sky High! Even though it would be
nice to see another year of at least one driver finishing Top 10 overall.
Arrow McLaren
#5 Patricio
“Pato” O'Ward, Mexico
#6
Nolan Siegel, USA
#7 Christian Lundgaard, Denmark
2024
Wins: 3
Pato O’Ward (3)
My current Numero Uno IndyCar driver Pato
O’Ward had another respectable season, being the only non-Penske driver
claiming three victories. And one of only three driver with three wins to their
names. Yet Pato fell to fifth overall last year., one position lower than 2023.
Yet I’d expect nothing less than Pato once
again being in the title fight this season.
Think everybody knows about McLaren’s
off-season acquisition of Christian Lundgaard from RLLR, as the Dane’ was ready
to move onto Greener, Shinier pastures, albeit McLaren is known for its
pressure cooker mentality!
As it’ll be fun to see how much Lundgaard can
push O’Ward. Whilst Nolan Siegel who leapt from Indy NXT into IndyCar
mid-season has reportedly added 15lbs of muscle and is looking to improve in
His first ful season IndyCar campaign…
Ed Carpenter Racing (2)
#20 Alexander
Rossi, USA
#21 Christian
Rasmussen, Denmark
The big news for ECR was the signing of
Alexander Rossi to lead the team this year, along with Christian Rasmussen getting
a full season ride.
As Fast Eddie’, aka team Boss Ed Carpenter has
finally, wisely decided to settle upon just an Indianapolis 500 only effort
this year. While the team receives a cash infusion with the addition of Ted Gelov
as a “partner”, Err co-owner of ECR. Along with the team’s new snazzy, stylized
team monogram incorporating the fabled Oval into this “refreshed” logo…
Juncos Hollinger Racing (2)
#77
Conor Daly, USA
#78
Sting Ray Robb, USA
Juncos Hollinger Racing sports an all new
driver lineup this season, with two former Juncos Racing drivers returning to
the fold
Hopefully Sting Ray Robb’s No. 78 will continue
with “Paws,” pet friendly primary sponsorship from goodheart Animals Health
Centers? As I was unaware that Robb had driven for Riccardo Juncos in Pro Mazda,
Indy Pro 2000 and Indy Lights between 2019-21. And won the 2020 Indy Pro 2000
Championship with Juncos, winning five races that season.
Conor Daly is a well known commodity in Indy
Cars, having run the final portion of last year’s IndyCar calendar for JHR,
along with winning the 2010 Star Mazda title in dominating fashion, scoring
nine poles and sevens wins driving for Juncos. Although still waiting to “see”,
Err hear who Conor’s primary sponsor is?
As the team hopes to improve upon last year’s
results, which could be somewhat difficult? But at least team co-owner Brad
Hollinger won’t be spending as much of His own money on the team this season…
Prema Racing (2)
#83 (R)
Robert Schwartzman, Israel
#90
Callum Ilott, UK
Although
Prema is a well proven championship winning calibre European Feeder Series
team. Naturally, the jury’s still out upon their impending IndyCar foray. As
everything seemed to be going great until Michael Cannon hastily exited His new
employer!
The
team’s two IndyCar drivers are both Prema Alumni. As Callum Ilott needs no
introduction. Whilst rookie Robert Schwartzman was highly regarded after
testing an IndyCar for Chip Ganassi Racing, which sounds like a pretty good
endorsement. And His debut for Prema at the Thermal Club was highly impressive…
Team Penske (3)
#2 Joseph
Newgarden, USA
#3 Scott
McLaughlin, New Zealand
#12 Will
Power, Australia
2024
Wins: 8
Scott Mclaughlin, (3) Will Power (3) and Josef
Newgarden, (2)
This is one of only two teams on this year’s 2025
IndyCar Grid to not change any of it’s drivers. The other being Andretti
Global…
Josef Schlick’ Newgarden leads the way as the
reigning, consecutive Indianapolis 500 winner, BOO! And looks to rebound from
His worst season finish of eight last year.
ScottyMac’, nee Scott McLauglin once again was
the top Penske finisher, with consecutive third place overall finishes. Being
just one of three drivers with Three W’s – to match His car number. With His
teammates aiming to knock Him off of His perch, again.
Will Power saw the championship slip away from
Him due to His own, self inflicted mistakes. Along with a bizarre lap belt
malfunction at Nashville extinguishing any remote title hopes. And being in a
contract year, with His first ever Agent. DJ WillyP’ is expecting to improve
upon finishing fourth last year…
(R = Rookie)