Some IndyCar Stocking Stuffer News

As Santa’s brought some early Gifts for a few notable Drivers…

 

Yeah, where does the time go? Especially when Yuhs Haven’t even begun your Christmas shopping Ho Ho Ho! As the following Gifts have already been wrapped up…

 

Topping the list is the welcomed announcement that Bad Arse Femme fatale Jamie Chadwick will drive Mikey A’s No. 28 Andretti Autosport entry in Indy NXT next year. As Y’all may recall, Chadwick’s completely Dominated the Global Women’s W Series. Having won the championship Three times in-a-row, i.e.; 2019, 2021-2022. Since the series didn’t compete in 2020, being Cancelled due to COVID-19.

 

Looking forward to how Jamie fares as the only Female in NXT, and the first Female to compete Full season since Pippa Mann’s 2010 Indy Lights campaign!

 

As Chadwick’s won 11 races, 18 Podiums and 10 Pole positions enroute to Her three W Series titles, but will have Her Hands Full going up against HMD Motorsports nine car Armada…

 

Next, I’m sure Y’all know about former FIA Formula 2 Driver Marcus Armstrong joining Chip Ganassi Racing’s (CGR) No. 11 IndyCar entry for it’s Twisties’ portion, i.e.; Road courses and Street circuits next year. With it’s Ovalmeister’ to be named soon. As this fourth CGR entry was previously Jimmie Johnson’s #48 ride.

 

And listening to Marshall Pruett’s Dec 2nd Week in IndyCar Podcast recently. With the Help of Marshall’s Tease. I immediately blurted out Takuma Sato’s name for who’ll fill the Oval portion of the No. 11 entry’s roster! Since Pruett seems to think that it won’t be Ryan Hunter-Reay…

 

On the Sports Car side of the equation, it’s No surprise that CGR has announced that Scotty “Thee Iceman 2.0” Dixon will Co-Drive the team’s brand new Cadillac GTP entry at the fast approaching Rolex 24, January 28-29, 2023.

 

As Dixon will join regular season Drivers Render Van der Zande and Sebastien Bourdais behind the wheel of Arse-sumedly Cheep’s #01 entry. With the Caddy’s being the only naturally aspirated Hybrid IMSA GTP entry. As you’d think they should have the leg up upon reliability?

 

Whilst it’s somewhat surprising reading that Dixon will be going for His fifth Rolex timepiece for Overall victories, which would tie Him with the races two winningest Drivers, i.e.; Hurley Haywood and Scott Pruett.

 

Oh Yeah, suppose I’d be remiss to not mention that Colton Herta will be part of Team BMW RLL’s #24 BMW M Hybrid V-8 GTP entry. And that Meyer Shank Racing’s (MSR) IndyCar Boyz’ Helio Castroneves and Simon Pagenaud will once again Moonlight at the Rolex 24 in the team’s #60 Acura ARX-06 GTP entry.

 

Lastly, as Pruett had “predicted” following a Tweet from ScottyMac’. It’s now official that Team Penske Drivers Josef Newgarden and Scott Mclaughlin will partner CGR Development Driver Kyffin Simpson. Along with Tower Motorsports Owner John Farano in the team’s No. 8 Oreca/Gibson LMP2 entry at the upcoming 24 Hours of Daytona.

 

Since Marshall also mentioned that in order for Newgarden and McLaughlin to most likely drive their Day Job Boss’s Porsche 963 GTP entries in the future, they’ll need to get their collective “Feet Wet” in Sports Car racing. Since both IndyCar Drivers appear to want to race at the Mack Daddy event, Ye 24 Huers du Mans sometime in the future. And it seems only natural that they’d become Porsche Penske Sports Car Endurance Specialist in the future… 

RETRO: Remembering Dario franchitti’s Most controversial Indy 500 Win

Y’all know, the race that made  the following motto famous: No Attack, No chance!

 

Earlier this year when “Watching,” Err listening to Marshall Pruett’s great video remembering Greg Moore 20 years later. With Dario Franchitti, Max Papis and Paul Tracy reminiscing over the exploits of their Fallen driver. Dario made a comment which I’d Heard before, but forgotten.

 

As Franchitti noted how He had been watching CART/IndyCar with Norbert Haug and said Who is this guy! In regards to Greg Moore. For which Haug was then Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsports, for which I always forget that Dario was once a contracted Mercedes Driver, albeit in tintops’, and Not single Seaters…

 

As Greg Moore, who drove His entire CART/IndyCar career for Players Forsythe Racing, competed in only Mercedes-Benz powered equipment between 1996-1999. And like Dario says, the Mercedes-Benz’s were Underpowered during the ’98 CART/IndyCar campaign. Which is Funny, since Dario, Max and Paul All elude to how difficult it was driving those Nasty, Narly 900+ Horsepower Bucking Bronc CART chassis!

 

And although I’m now well aware that Dario “REO Speedwagon” Franchitti, whom I later took to calling Dashley LePew’ for several years! Was a Rookie in Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) for Hogan Racing in 1997.

 

Yet Dashley’ Didn’t come onto my radar until ’98 when He drove for Team Kool Green alongside Mr. Chrome Horn, aka Paul Tracy. Where I always felt that Dario gave Pt’ Fits! As Dario finished third Overall that season with three wins before finishing Runner-up to Juan Pablo Montoya in 1999. As Montoya won on Tiebreaker with seven wins vs. Dario’s two.

 

George Dario Marino Franchitti was born on May 19, 1973 in Bathgate, Scotland. And Hence will celebrate His 50th Birthday this upcoming May, possibly at Mother Speedway?

 

As Dario was a Bad Arse in Go Karts, winning the 1984 Scottish Junior, 1985-1986 British Junior and 1988 Scottish Senior Karting Championships before graduating to the Formula Vauxhall Jr. Single Seater series, where He won the Championship in 1991.

 

Franchitti then joined Paul Stewart Racing in ’92 and won the Formula Vauxhall Lotus title in 1993 before moving up to British Formula 3. Yet following the ’94 British F3 season, Franchitti was dropped by Paul Stewart Racing and became a Werks’ AMG Racing Driver in the Deutsche Touren Wagen series, along with the International Touring Car (ITC) series behind the wheel of a Mercedes C-Class Saloon for two seasons before Mercedes placed Him at Hogan Racing.

 

And although Dario made His Indianapolis 500 Debut twenty years ago for Team Kool Green, I’m afraid I paid Him No Attenzione as a Rookie. Especially since I was a Diehard CART loyalist and feverishly rootin’ Against HULIO’, whom ‘Ol Sugar Ray Tracy still Swears Stole the 2002 Indy 500 victory away from Him!

 

Franchitti joined the Indy Lacing League (IRL) Fulltime in ’03, what I was then feverishly calling the Indy Retirement League! When Mikey A’, who’d bought majority control of what became Andretti Green Racing, moved the team to the Death Star IRL! And being a Champ Car Devotee, I only paid scant attention to the IRL during some Oval race during the Month of May…

 

Yet I know I was quite Happy when Dario won the first of His three eventual Indianapolis 500’s during the Rain shortened 2007 race. Although I remember that race more vividly for the cameras zooming in on then wife Ashley Judd skipping Jubilantly down Pitlane in the soaking rain after Dario’s victory!

 

Next Dario tried unwisely becoming a Roundy Round Taxicab Bombers Rasser’ the following year. Although His Cup career was Short lived, partially due to His breaking an Ankle

 

Thus returning to today’s IndyCar series a year after it’s Mergification, Franchitti soon became known as the aforementioned Dashley LePew’ due to being the Target Chip Ganassi Racing Scourge who continuously Defeated DJ WillyP’, nee Will Power for the Championship each year! Since I was a Huge Power Fan then.

 

Whilst the late Justin BIG UNIT’ Wilson was my Numero Uno IndyCar Driver and How Dare Dashley make El Stupidio Quips Against Him!

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2012/06/may-be-ganassi-should-add-sazzall-to.html

 

And although I’m certain I watched His second Indy 500 win on Ye Telie’. Instead that year, I chose to attend the 2010 MotoGP over the 500 in what I turned into my own version of celebrating Mother Speedway’s first two Centennials, i.e.; 2009-2010-2011.

 

As I had to watch the 2010 Indy 500 Highlights to remember before the Chequered Flag flew, that Mike “Ice Ice, Baby!” Conway was involved in that Horrendous accident when colliding with The Dude! Aka Ryan Hunter-Reay’s running Out of fuel racecar!

 

Now a decade later, my memories of the 2012 Indianapolis 500 are naturally somewhat fleeting. As it’s hard to believe it’s over ten years ago when I saw Doctor Who’, aka Tim Wardrop for the last time. When Tim was Race Engineer for whom I took to playfully anointing “Mean Jean” Alesi in the Luddi’, Uhm Powered by Judd Lotus lumps Dallara DW12! Which sadly, quickly became the laughing stock of IndyCar for being woefully underpowered As I miss my yearly Chinwag’s with Dr. Who at the long forgotten IMS Flagroom Bar!

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2012/10/sayonara-doctor-who.html

 

And besides the delayed wafting of tyre smoke filling the Stands, we all know the outcome of that race. For which I believe I was seated in Turn-1. And I Don’t begrudge Dario for what He did to Taku-san’, aka Takuma Sato, since after all they were fighting to win the Indy 500! As I now just believe that Dario “Squeezed” Sato towards the Wall. But this is the only time I’ve ever Heard an audible, vehement Booing of an Indianapolis 500 winner on the race’s Cool Down lap!

 

As little did anyone, especially Dario know that would be His final IndyCar victory. As I last saw Franchitti racing in person at the following year’s Indy 500, when He caused the race’s final Caution that  cemented Tony Kanaan’s win!

 

And then there was that Uber Nasty accident at Houston’s Reliant stadium! As I can still being able to see Dario’s racecar going somewhat vertical in the Sky as He Flew Up, Up and Away into the Catch Fencing! Which Dario was super lucky to get away with twice! Since I recall Him Summersaulting over the Hapless, unsuspecting “Sofa King,” nee Kosuke Matsuura after having lost count of the final lap at Kentucky, and careened off of Kosuke’s rear wheel in what Marty Reid described as a Hydroplane Blow Over!

 

Thus wisely, Franchitti took His Doctor’s Medical Advice seriously and retired from racing in November, 2013…

 

As Dario retired from Indy Cars with 265 Starts, 31 Wins, 91 Podiums and 34 Poles. Along with being a Four times IndyCar Champion (2007, 2009-2011) and Three times Indianapolis  500 winner. Which Ain’t too shabby, Eh! 

As Who’s More Naughty, Max or ESPN?

Yo ESPNews, you’ve just gotten a Double Technical foul. You’re Ejected!

 

As Not sure what’s worse? Knowing the Outcome of the Yabba Dabba Doo GP on Yas Isle in Abu Dhabi before watching the evening’s replay, or having the replay unexpectedly pre-empted?

 

Having told a particular former Austin F1 Sherpa when He called me on Saturday, prior to the race. That I wasn’t getting up at Gory 5AM Pacific, and would wait for the Sunday evening replay at 6PM instead.

 

Gee Wally, guess who called me around Noon Sunday? As I made the mistake of answering Ye telephone, Butterfingers!

 

As Claudio’ asked me if I’d watch the race yet? No. Well you already know the results! No, I Don’t! And I Don’t want to know them! Well regardless of that, you Already know the Outcome! SWELL! Thanks a Gory lot for giving it away!

 

But I decided I’d “Watch,” Err listen to the 6PM ESPNews Encore Presentation anyways, or so I thought so…

 

As Kroftie’, aka David Kroft did His usual “And Its Lights Out!” With the replay starting just a minute or two late, and I Don’t think we’d even gotten to the leader making His first Pitstop?

 

But then FUCKING Unbelievable! At 6:40PM in the midst of the Grand Prix the volume went to about level 87! With a piercing, staccato Static Screeching Reverberating sound like when somebody Doesn’t have the microphone plugged in correctly! And Vamoosh! We were switched Justin-time’ to the start of the El Stupidio Rubber Duckies College Basketball game, I Kids Yuh Not! As we were RUDELY switched to the Oregon Ducks vs. Houston Cougars and that ended that! As who fucking Cares about a college Basketball game? I thought I was watching the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Jackarses!

 

What’s that Paul? What’s that John?

 

Yeah, I picked up the remote

Turned it to the right Channel

Checked my Bloody TV Guide twice

And it says they’re playing the Wong programme!

 

Yeah, we’re definitely on the One after Gory Nein Das Trolley wagen Nein…

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8UeWjynWvE

 

Although I already knew that Maximus Hothead’, aka Max Verstappen Had won again! His 15th win out of 22 races, Yikes! And that He’d put another Beatdown on the field! At that moment I Didn’t know the rest of the results. Like the rest of the finishing order and who claimed second Overall in the Drivers Standings until I watched the Herky Jerky F1 Highlights video on Youtube afterwards!

 

And somehow I felt Good Riddance Formula 1, as Kroftie’ said we’ll see you in 105 days…

 

And then Mary ellen said How Boring  when looking up the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix results  Sunday morning , before arriving in Bumfiddle’ Florence.

 

Then the next day whilst we were on a Walkabout’ at our Exploding Whale Memorial Park with Hang 10’ Hilo in tow. Mary ellen rand into a man with a white Schipperke, which She said She’d never seen a white one before.

 

To which the man told us that Yes, the white ones, also known as either Blonde or Cream colour are rare. But His Schipperke and Hilo who were both about the same size and disposition, enjoyed each others meeting…

 

For which I couldn’t resist, and awhile later when I was sure we were out of Earshot I Quipped. Damn, I cannot get away from the Freakin’ Duthc!

Although Mary Ellen said it was a Bad Joke! Especially since I Had to Explain It.

 

Yuhs know, Max Verstappen, Schipperke. As one of the latter’s nicknames is Black Devil, Oh Never Mind! Even though obviously, I’ll take the Schipperke Any day over Maximus Hothead… 

Oh Max, You’ve been Naughty Again!

So Don’t be too shocked if Thars a lump ‘O Coal in your Stocking this year!

 

Hmm, I cannot understand why the North Pole just stamped Return to Sender upon Max Verstappen’s Christmas Wish list to ‘Ol Santa. As apparently Saint Nick said He Didn’t have any time to waste upon reading it…

 

You’re A Mean One Mr. Max!

You’re A Heel

You’re as Cuddly as A Cactus

You’re  as Charming as an eel!

 

Oh what’s that Checo?

You wouldn’t Touch Maximilian with a 39 and a Half Foot long Pole!

 

Uhm, what’s that Sir Lewis? You say Maximus’s Christmas Card got Lost in the Mail?

You say that He’s A Bad Banana

And Greasy as A Black Peel,

And that You’re A Monster Mr. Max!

 

Oh DannyRic’, you Didn’t want to say much on Yas Isle, but what’s that?

You say Mr. Max is Full of Vile,

His Smile’s Full of Termites

And His tender Sweetness

Matches that of A Seasick Crocodile!

 

And being known as the “Honey Badger” and the “Smiling  Assassin,”

You’d rather spend your Holiday with the Seasick Crocodile!

 

What’s that Pierre?

When it comes to Mr. Max Sharing Setup’s

He’s a Foul One

As Rank as a Waspy Skunk!

And the three Children’s words that Best Describe Him Are

And you Quote: Stink, Stank and Stunk!

 

Pardon the interruption ‘lil syd viddle, did you want to say something?

You say Mr. Max’s Driving style Nauseates you

And All that Herky Jerky Swerving

Reminds you of ‘Ol Edward Irvine

And that His Crooked Jerky style is

Straight as A Hook!

 

Ok, with Apologies to All those who are Fans of that timeless classic “You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch!” For which I Shamelessly Pilfered above, I think Y’all get the idea, Righto?

 

As ‘lil Maximus Hothead’s certainly been Naughty this Year! Which is Sad, but Not surprising in the least.

 

Only Sad since it simply continues Blotting His and Red Bull’s “Copybook,” Err Reputations! Not to mention now surrounding His first two Formula 1 World Championships in Controversy!

 

As Y’all know Max Verstappen’s ridiculous, Child-like Tantrum throwing comment at the end of the Brazilian Grand Prix when His Team instructed Him to give Red Bull Racing teammate Sergio Checo’ Perez sixth place Back in order to enable Perez to go to Abu Dhabi two points Ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who He was Battling for second Overall in the F1 Driver Standings.

 

As it’s Sad How I was suddenly rootin’ for Leclerc to finish One point Ahead of Perez! And Not because I Don’t like Sergio, who I Always Root for instead of Max! But just that it would further totally demonstrate Max’s insolence! As Max tersely said over His IN Car radio following the Chequered Flag:

 

“I told you Already, Don’t Ask that  again to me . Are we Clear on that? I gave My reason and I Stand by It!”

 

Regardless of your “Double Secret” reason, you cannot Have It both ways Max! Telling the Media to leave you alone, but then refusing to give them any substantive explanation…

 

As you only Have yourself to Blame for opening up another Can of Worms Max! As seriously? You couldn’t simply move over for your Dutiful Wingman and let Him Have P6? As Sergio’s In Car radio comment following your Disgusting antics at Interlagos was 110% Spot On!

 

“This Shows who He really is!”

 

Although I truly Hope this Spilled Milk Ain’t over Checo’s supposed, purposely wrecking at Monaco, for which I Don’t understand why the FIA Doesn’t have a rule like IndyCar. Y’all know if you cause a Red Flag, you lose your two Quickest laps!

 

But this rant’s supposed to be about ‘lil Boo Hoo Max Verstappen. So let’s All Shed some Crocodile Tears over Max getting a Stocking Full of Coal this year!

 

Uh, I mean after all, if He’s currently racing on a $240m as in Millions Contract extension. Then Gory Hell, Maximilian can Dearly Afford to Buy His own Presents, Ho Ho Ho! 

Santa brings Haas F1 Team early Present in Sao Paolo

    As I just Hope Kevin gets to Keep His trophy!

 

Yeah, if Y’all haven’t already noticed. No Fenders Ain’t the place to go for Breaking News. As it’s a rough life being thee Head Bottle Washer on Ye Isle ‘O Nofendersville Matey’s, but I digress!

 

By sheer luck, I was able to catch the Friday Qualie’ session from Interlagos, a proper ‘Ol School racing circuit! And the outcome not only put a smile upon my face. But kept a Rosy Glow upon my Cheeks all the way up until the final lap of the Brazilian Grand Prix, when ‘lil Maximus Hothead’ was Naughty!

 

Whilst Kroftie’, aka David Kroft chimed in that it was the first American (Flagged) chassis to win a Pole position since the 1975 British Grand Prix, Aye Karumba! For which I’m not sure if they mentioned it or not? But I Don’t recall them saying anymore after that.

 

SO I Arse-sumed it must have been Shadow, and when I looked it up I learned that it was Welshman tom Pryce scoring His one and only Pole position at arguably His Home Grand Prix. For which I immediately said to myself, wasn’t Messer Pryce the F1 Driver Killed by an errant Marshall’s Fire Bottle?

 

As yes, sadly, tom Pryce Died during the 1977 South African Grand Prix when two Marshalls Had run across the track and Pryce was unable to avoid one carrying a 40lbs Fire Extinguisher, which Clobbered Pryce on His Head, Killing Him instantly!

 

And Karmically, or ironically? As many will know, 1975 was the year of Mauro Forghieri’s second Formula 1 championship for la Scuderia, as the Italian Engineer died on November 2nd at Age 87. As Niki “the Rat” Lauda won the first of His eventual three F1 World Championships for Ferrari that year.

 

Whilst 1975 also saw the Death of Penske Great Mark Donohue following that year’s Austrian Grand Prix. As I previously scribbled about Donohue in the following No Fenders tome.

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2015/08/remembering-penskes-first-racer-mark.html

 

As I’ll say American flagged for Haas, since we All know that the car’s obsessively produced by Dallara of Italy. Utilizing as many Customer Ferrari parts as the FIA permits under current regulations…

 

But back to our Dane’ in Question, as I just absolutely loved K-MAG’s reaction over His In-Car radio played upon the world feed. Are You Fucking Kidding Me! For which naturally the F-Word was summarily Bleeped. For which I think Kevin repeated twice…

 

Although somebody on the other end, presumably His Race Engineer told Kevin to Not get Ahead of Himself. As the Q3 Qualie’ session had been Red flagged and there was still 8mins and 10 seconds on the “Clock,” but I’m getting ahead of myself…

 

As arguably, you’d have to say Magnussen’s biggest claim to fame in Formula 1 was His infamous Suck My Balls! Comment to Nico Hulkenberg Wayback’ in 2017. Although the duo made up earlier this year when Hulkenberg was Deputizing for ‘lil syd Viddle’, aka Sebastian Vettel at Aston Martin.

 

Which I suppose is a good thing, since thee “Incledible Hulk,” aka Nico Hulkenberg has just been announced as Magnussen’s teammate for 2023, replacing Mick Schumacher.

 

Although I now recall that Kevin ultimately finished Runner-Up on His Formula 1 Debut Down Under at Melbourne for McLaren in 2014. When originally Magnussen became the first F1 Rookie to score a Podium in His maiden Grands Prix since Sir Lewis Hamilton did seven years prior.

 

As this was the Grand Prix where the Race Stewards were loathe to Strip Daniel Ricciardo’s second place finish after He’d celebrated during the Podium exercises to a Delirious Home Crowd! Before DannyRic’ was subsequently Disqualified for a Fuel flow violation.

 

As Kevin’s since raced for Renault in 2016 and Haas between 2017-2020, before He and Romain Grosjean were replaced by a pair of Rookies. With K-MAG’s lone Podium to Date being upon His F1 Debut some eight years ago…

 

Yet I came to admire Kevin more for His year Stateside driving for Chip Ganassi Racing’s IMSA Sports Car team aboard their Cadillac DPi’s, where Kevin even won a race with teammate Renger Van der Zande on Detroit’s Belle Isle.

 

And then I really enjoyed Kevin’s “One Off” IndyCar Debut, when He Deputized for the injured Felix rosenqvist at Arrow McLaren SP at Road America. As ironically Rosenqvist had suffered a Nasty, Scary Accident at Belle Isle where His throttle stuck wide open!

 

And although I really Hoped that Kevin would find His way into a Fulltime IndyCar ride, it had already been announced that He’d signed to be one of Peugeot’s Sports Car drivers for the 2022 FIA World Endurance Championship.

 

Although we know now that Kevin got a surprise call to return to Haas this year upon the Sacking of Nikita Mazepin, where the Dane’s F1 career seems to have been totally revived…

 

Fast Forward to this year’s Brazilian Grand Prix, and with the ever changing weather, i.e.; Rain. Along with Haas strategically getting Kevin to the Head of the Pitlane for Q3. And then Magnussen setting the Quickest lap Ahead of the other nine drivers, Wallah!

 

Thanks to the combination of Mercedes George Russell Beaching Himself and causing the Red Flag, and then the Rain summarily arriving! As it was wonderful Hearing the Happiness in Kroftie’ and Ted Krabitz’s voices when saying we know we’re Not supposed to Root for Anybody, but How can you Not? With Even Martin BillyBob’ Brundle saying we all love Underdogs. Magnussen Shocked everybody with His and Haas’s maiden Pole position!

 

As Magnussen’s Pole came one day before Team founder Gene Haas’s 70th Birthday, ironically Kevin’s 100th Start for Haas. And occurred on Haas’s 143rd  Grand Prix start.

 

As Kevin now becomes the third longest wait for an F1 Driver to score their maiden Grands Prix Pole on His 140th Start. As crazily, three drivers have now eclipsed the previous record Holder for longest wait to claim their debut Pole. Which Mark Handlebarz’ Webber had Held since 2009 with 132 Starts.

 

Yet Sergio Perez shattered that number when finally scoring Pole at Jeddah on his 215th Start! Then Carlos Sainz Jr. scored His maiden Pole at Silverstone on His 150th Start.

 

As Congratulations Kevin, you Deserve it! 

Is IndyCar trying to Kill Iowa?

And just who the Hell is the Zac Brown Band? As I thought we’re Here to see Indy Cars racing…

 

Perhaps you’ve already heard the nonstop Criticism over the forthcoming 2023 Iowa Speedway Double Header IndyCar race weekend, where ticket prices have Skyrocketed! Anywhere between 211-300% Over this year’s inaugural Hy-Vee Double Header event with four musical Acts.

 

So my only question is why, when IndyCar has had nothing but trouble keeping Oval events Alive, would they decided to Hammer a Stake in the Hearts of true IndyCar Fans?

 

I mean, I get swapping the Hy-Vee sponsorship from Jack Harvey to Cristian Lundgaard. But if Nobody’s able to Afford attending Iowa, then how long will Hy-Vee wish to remain in Indy Cars? As this Ain’t Circuit Of The Americas, it’s Newton Iowa Y’all Hear!

 

Shame On You Penske Entertainment!

 

https://racer.com/2022/11/30/pruett-indycars-iowa-price-hike-is-a-massive-gamble/ 

Pierson’s “NXT 2” Moves

As watch this Space for the Portland Teenager’s promising future…

 

Yeah I know, I know. Enough of the NXT Jokes already! Especially since it’s way too easy pickings! And that was way before I learned via another Marshall Pruett Week in IndyCar Podcast that there’s a WWE NXT! Y’all know like them World Wide Entertainment Professional Wrasslers’,Yikes!

 

Being a transplanted Oregonian, I’ve been loosely aware of Portland teenager Josh Pierson ever since He was signed to drive for Mr. Zakery Brown’s United Autosport’s FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) LMP2 team in 2021, a year before making His Sports Car debut.

 

Never having Heard of Pierson before then, I Had Zero Clue what McLaren Racing’s Head Honcho Zak Brown Saw in the then 15yr Old youngster. Other than saying He’s very Mature for His Age and it would be interesting to See how He progresses

 

As Pierson has gone onto set a few Sports Car records this past year. First becoming the youngest driver to ever win a Sports Car race at Age 16. As Pierson, co-Driving with Paul di Resta and Oliver Jarvis won the season opening Sebring 1000 miles WEC race, where Josh even completed a triple stint enroute to the LMP2 Class victory!

 

Next, Josh became the current youngest ever driver to contest the 24 Heurs du Mans at Age 16yrs 117 Days when joining Oliver Jarvis and Alex Lynn once again behind the controls of the #23 United Autosport LMP2 Oreca-Gibson entry.

 

Prior to Josh’s Sports Car exploits this season, I was totally unaware about this Rose City (Portland) teenager had finished fourth Overall in the 2021 U.S. F2000 National championship with five Podiums. Notching a pair of second places and a trio of third places abord the NO. 24 Pabst Racing entry.

 

Then in October, it was announced that Pierson would resume His Open Wheel Racing career by joining what Marshall jokingly calls the HMD Motorsports Orphanage, Hya! HMD Motorsports with Dale Coyne Racing’s nine car Indy Lights, OOPS! NXT programme.

 

As Josh will continue His WEC Sports Car career for United Autosport in addition to contesting His Rookie Indy NXT season in 2023.

 

And now comes word that Ed Carpenter Racing (ECR) has just Inked Pierson to it’s first ever Driver Development program a la Chip Ganassi Racing’s (CGR) signing of Kyffin Simpson last year. Where Arse-sumedly Simpson will be contesting His Sophomore campaign in Indy NXT against Pierson.

 

As Pierson’s also set to get His Debutante outing aboard one of ECR’s Indy Cars sometime next year.

 

Whilst Fast Eddy’, aka Ed Carpenter says He’s also really impressed by the teenager and their plans are to guide Him to an IndyCar career beginning in 2025, which makes me wonder which of ECR’s current IndyCar Drivers Days are Numbered? Or is this just insurance if Rinus VeeKay decides to Bolt to a rival IndyCar team?

 

As No Pressure Josh. You’ve just got the weight of Zak Brown and Ed Carpenter on your Shoulders! And Hey Zak, did Fast Eddy’ just pull a Zak upon you? As “Let Go of My Eggo,” err Driver…