Indycar News & Rumors.

[S griffin]

Now that is a worry. Let's just hope they are able to attract a few more top drivers, I'm sure there are quite a few available.

[mstets]

Originally Posted by Hawkwood

O'Ward considering a move when his contract expires? He'd be a big loss to McLaren!


https://racer.com/2022/03/15/oward-w...-amsp-mclaren/

He implied on this morning's radio broadcast that he was very upset to find about Herta's test signing the way he did - which was evidently not from the team.

[mstets]

Originally Posted by joeb

Apparently the series is trying to improve the surface at Texas after Nascar had laid down a traction chemical in the 2nd lane that is not working for Indycar.

https://racer.com/2022/03/14/indycar...action-issues/

Indycar has added another session with extra tires to allow cars to put some rubber down in the 2nd groove. Unfortunately only seven cars are going to take part. It's unclear from Pruett's article exactly when the session is going to happen. The guy really needs an editor.


https://racer.com/2022/03/18/special...s-second-lane/

[bjohnsonsmith]

The new 2.4-liter twin-turbo engine will be tested next week at IMS.

https://racer.com/2022/03/23/date-se...4-spec-engine/

[bjohnsonsmith]

I have moved the posts about attendance at TMS over to the Round 2: XPEL 375, Texas Motor Speedway. March 19-20 thread. It seemed more relevant.

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by mstets

He implied on this morning's radio broadcast that he was very upset to find about Herta's test signing the way he did - which was evidently not from the team.

Thing is, the Herta deal is a separate arrangement between Zak and Michael, it doesn't mean Pato will get any less or more F1 outings.

[joeb]

This was a kind of fun look at some (probably) unbreakable Indycar Records:

https://www.autoweek.com/racing/indy...0Non%20Openers

[bjohnsonsmith]

Chevrolet and Honda gave their 2024 spec engines their first run yesterday at IMS.


https://racer.com/2022/03/28/2024-sp...-cover-at-ims/

[bjohnsonsmith]

Chevrolet and Honda complete the first 2024 spec engine test.


https://racer.com/2022/03/30/honda-c...ndycar-engine/

[joeb]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Chevrolet and Honda complete the first 2024 spec engine test.


https://racer.com/2022/03/30/honda-c...ndycar-engine/

Good to see the work being done on the engine side of things now so that when the hybrid unit is ready to test the engine will be a known quantity.

[S griffin]

It's good that no stone is left unturned before the new rules come in

[mstets]

Originally Posted by chunterer

Thing is, the Herta deal is a separate arrangement between Zak and Michael, it doesn't mean Pato will get any less or more F1 outings.

Understood but Pato seemed to be upset about not hearing about it before the press did. I have no idea if there is any other reason for him to be upset.

[mstets]

Originally Posted by joeb

This was a kind of fun look at some (probably) unbreakable Indycar Records:

https://www.autoweek.com/racing/indy...0Non%20Openers

Thanks for that. Those do look to be impossible records to break. The one that might be broken is youngest driver to start a race, given how young race car drivers start out. What do the rules say about minimum age to compete in an Indycar race?

[bjohnsonsmith]

Finding that 33rd entry for the 500 is becoming tricky.


https://racer.com/2022/04/04/options...ndy-500-entry/

[broadrun96]

That article just sticks to the negative writing it seems all Indy writers want to do. Never mind the field has more cars with a chance to win than in the past, nope, we might miss one car that's a rolling roadblock.

Who gives a rip off it's not 33? Guarantee NOT ONE sponsor will suddenly leave, no one will turn off their TV cause there's one fewer car than before, especially as multiple years up to 10 have run a few laps and parked. This idea that 33 is sacred and must be protected at all costs is pathetic writing at best

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

That article just sticks to the negative writing it seems all Indy writers want to do. Never mind the field has more cars with a chance to win than in the past, nope, we might miss one car that's a rolling roadblock.

Who gives a rip off it's not 33? Guarantee NOT ONE sponsor will suddenly leave, no one will turn off their TV cause there's one fewer car than before, especially as multiple years up to 10 have run a few laps and parked. This idea that 33 is sacred and must be protected at all costs is pathetic writing at best

It's tradition isn't it. It's part of what makes the Indy 500 the event it is.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Finding that 33rd entry for the 500 is becoming tricky.


https://racer.com/2022/04/04/options...ndy-500-entry/

Just a few months ago I thought we were going to be in the opposite situation and were going to have to turn cars away or open the grid! I guess the larger regular season field got my hopes up too much.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

It's tradition isn't it. It's part of what makes the Indy 500 the event it is.

Only in the eyes of those who think ANYONE cares, no one watching does. If they did then they would have turned away in the past when start and park entries were needed to make up 33, multiple years of extra cars entered with zero chance of even making the race distance just to make 33, years of cars so slow the only reason anyone watched Bump Day was to see how pathetic the last row(s) were gonna be. There are also multiple years were 33 were not raced, oh and a riding mechanic was tradition as was other things. It's not sacred and you would be hard pressed to find a single sponsor who gives a rip about it.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

Only in the eyes of those who think ANYONE cares, no one watching does. If they did then they would have turned away in the past when start and park entries were needed to make up 33, multiple years of extra cars entered with zero chance of even making the race distance just to make 33, years of cars so slow the only reason anyone watched Bump Day was to see how pathetic the last row(s) were gonna be. There are also multiple years were 33 were not raced, oh and a riding mechanic was tradition as was other things. It's not sacred and you would be hard pressed to find a single sponsor who gives a rip about it.

Calm down, no one said it was sacred.

Are you sure no one watching doesn't care? If they didn't care, why are they still watching after all these years?

Tradition is very much at the heart of why people watch the Indy 500. People like to be part of an event, they like to reminisce after the event, they like the nostalgia that goes with all great sporting events.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Jimmie Johnson has undergone surgery on his right hand.


https://racer.com/2022/04/12/johnson...-injured-hand/

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Calm down, no one said it was sacred.

Are you sure no one watching doesn't care? If they didn't care, why are they still watching after all these years?

Tradition is very much at the heart of why people watch the Indy 500. People like to be part of an event, they like to reminisce after the event, they like the nostalgia that goes with all great sporting events.

So they're watching because 33 cars enter? Yeah, I HIGHLY doubt that's a reason more than 10% of the fans watch because 33 cars started. My ONLY statement was related to starting 32 cars, no one is going to turn in tickets or turn off the TV because only 32 cars showed up. People didn't turn off because only 33 cars were entered for multiple years so no bumping existed despite the many claims that's tradition.

More importantly for teams and the series, no sponsor gives a rip. And sorry but that's where the money comes in to run the race. Even with Indy full there's more money to the teams from sponsors except for the few who could win

[S griffin]

It is a bit of a worry though if the Indy 500 can't get a full 33 car grid. They've always managed to do it in the past, so they must be wondering what has changed this time. That said, they would still have bigger grids than most manage

[mstets]

Originally Posted by S griffin

It is a bit of a worry though if the Indy 500 can't get a full 33 car grid. They've always managed to do it in the past, so they must be wondering what has changed this time. That said, they would still have bigger grids than most manage

This is the best argument for 33 cars. MP wrote that it sends the wrong message to the health of the series if there are less than 33 starters because that's been the tradition. It wouldn't bother me if only the 27 full time entries start the race but I am not a current or potential sponsor.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

So they're watching because 33 cars enter? Yeah, I HIGHLY doubt that's a reason more than 10% of the fans watch because 33 cars started. My ONLY statement was related to starting 32 cars, no one is going to turn in tickets or turn off the TV because only 32 cars showed up. People didn't turn off because only 33 cars were entered for multiple years so no bumping existed despite the many claims that's tradition.

Having 33 cars enter isn't the sole reason fans watch the race but it is one of the reasons, as it's part of the tradition ever since 1934, just like the singing of ''Back Home Again in Indiana'' is part of the tradition and fans don't attend the race just to hear that.

Originally Posted by broadrun96

More importantly for teams and the series, no sponsor gives a rip. And sorry but that's where the money comes in to run the race. Even with Indy full there's more money to the teams from sponsors except for the few who could win

The driver and team sponsors certainly give a rip if their car either fails to finish, or has a lousy result. However, not having 33 cars will be of concern to the race organisers, the sponsors of the race itself and TV advertising because, as has been pointed out, it sends the wrong message regarding the health of the series.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Having 33 cars enter isn't the sole reason fans watch the race but it is one of the reasons, as it's part of the tradition ever since 1934, just like the singing of ''Back Home Again in Indiana'' is part of the tradition and fans don't attend the race just to hear that.



The driver and team sponsors certainly give a rip if their car either fails to finish, or has a lousy result. However, not having 33 cars will be of concern to the race organisers, the sponsors of the race itself and TV advertising because, as has been pointed out, it sends the wrong message regarding the health of the series.

That's my point EXACTLY, it doesn't say a DAMN thing except to those who only whinge doom and gloom. If sponsors gave a rip about 33 then the last 8 wouldn't be blank or sponsored by the team itself. Go back and look, more than a few of those final cars ran with either team owner or friend with zero budget from them on the cars. Obviously no sponsors really care or they would be associated. Sponsors already in the series already have their cars and if you ask the average person watching, and more importantly BUYING THE PRODUCTS, if they care if 33 are running you will find they don't at all. It's literally ONLY the doom patrol saying that, any one hear sponsors wanting to get in but can't find a car?? No, the few drivers who could enter can't find a team and money