Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) announced today that Nissin Foods USA, the inventor of instant ramen, will be an associate sponsor of the team’s Indianapolis 500 entry for Takuma Sato, winner of the 2017 Indianapolis 500.
HILDEBRAND POSTS 226.646 MPH TUESDAY IN INDY 500 PRACTICE,
RAHAL, SATO AND KING MADE PROGRESS WITH THEIR RACE SETUPS ON THE SECOND DAY OF PRACTICE FOR THE INDY 500
HILDEBRAND, KARAM RETURN TO FAMED IMS OVAL TUESDAY
For Dreyer & Reinbold Racing drivers J.R. Hildebrand and Sage Karam, the opening day of Indianapolis 500 practice can be anxious, exciting and even nervous when the green flag drops at the world’s greatest racetrack, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing 103rd Running of the Indianapolis 500
NTT IndyCar Series
OPENING DAY NOTES/QUOTES – May 14, 2019
ROOKIE JORDAN KING WILL ATTEMPT TO QUALIFY FOR HIS FIRST INDY 500
Jordan King made 11 starts for Ed Carpenter Racing in 2018 with a best finish of 11th at Toronto but all of those were on road or street courses. He participated in a 2018 pre-season test at the Phoenix International Raceway oval before the season-opener at St. Petersburg but that was his only oval experience. The 103rd Indianapolis 500 would be his first oval race. He shared some insight on his preparation what he has been doing since the announcement was made in November 2018 that he would attempt to qualify for the 2019 Indy 500.
Dale Coyne Racing’s Santino Ferrucci won Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year honors and was presented with the award at the Victory Celebration last night at the J.W. Marriott in downtown Indianapolis.
Rookie Ferrucci impressed with an outstanding run to seventh in his oval debut at the 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. The driver of the #19 Cly-Del Manufacturing car climbed from his 23rd spot on the starting grid and was the highest-finishing rookie among the six drivers making their first Indianapolis 500 starts this year at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Herta Leads Honda Qualifiers for Indianapolis 500
Tickets go on sale tomorrow for the 2019 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
ST PETERSBURG, Fla. (November 7, 2018) - Public sales for three-day tickets to the 2019 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg begin tomorrow (Thursday, October 8) at 10 a.m. ET. Tickets may be purchased for the 15th annual event online at gpstpete.com or by calling 1-877-725-8849.
The three-day festival in downtown St. Petersburg opens the IndyCar Series season for the ninth straight year, March 8-10, 2019. Weekend general admission tickets are $55 for adults and a junior ticket for ages 12 and under is available for $30. 3-Day Grandstand seats start at $105 and $70 for juniors. Pit Access and Firestone Paddock Passes can also be purchased now. Single-day tickets will be released for sale closer to the event.
SONOMA, CA- RIS - Hunter-Reay knew what he had to do to win the INDYCAR Grand Prix of Sonoma. Scott Dixon knew what was needed to wrap up a fifth Verizon IndyCar Series championship. Mission accomplished on both fronts.
Hunter-Reay led 80 of 85 laps at Sonoma Raceway in a commanding performance to win the 2018 season finale from the pole position. Dixon started second and finished there, which was more than enough to secure the season crown.
"Man, this is so awesome!" said Dixon, whose five championships leave him behind only another legend, A.J. Foyt with seven, in Indy car annals. "I can't believe that it's actually happened. I can't thank everybody enough for this, it's so cool!"
2018 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear Fast Facts
ANDRETTI AUTOSPORT OF NOTE:
Rookie Claman De Melo Completes First
Indy 500 with Strong Run
- Daly picks up best Indy 500 Finish -
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
102nd Running of the Indianapolis 500
Verizon IndyCar Series
RACE DAY NOTES/QUOTES – May 27, 2018
RAHAL AND SERVIA LED THE INDY 500 AT VARIOUS TIMES, WITH SERVIA LEADING WITH LESS THAN 10 LAPS TO GO BUT BOTH CAME UP SHORT; CONTACT WITH A SLOW LAPPED CAR ENDED SATO’S RACE
Dixon Runs Third for Honda at Indianapolis 500
Fuel gambles from Stefan Wilson, Jack Harvey and Oriol Servia come up short
Come-from-behind efforts from Alexander Rossi, Graham Rahal
Robert Wickens paces rookie field, finishes ninth
Chevrolet Finishes 1-2 in 102nd Indianapolis 500
· Will Power earns first victory in the 200-lap race
ᴏ Driver of No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet led 59 laps
· Ed Carpenter finishes career-best second in hometown race
ᴏ Pole sitter in No. 20 Fuzzy’s Vodka Chevrolet led 65 laps
· Team Chevy claims 10th win in ‘Greatest Spectacle in Racing’
ᴏ It’s the third 1-2 finish since return to Verizon IndyCar Series in 2012
· Simon Pagenaud sixth-place finish is career best in the race
ROBERT WICKENS (No. 6 Lucas Oil SPM Honda): "We were just running through the program. We had to do an install first lap, then we did some pit stops. Then we got into our test program trying different things. There wasn't anything wrong. We have some work to do, for sure. Today was pretty good for track conditions compared to where we have been. We have to make some adjustments. By no means are we in no-man's land." (About James Hinchcliffe being in his pit box): "He was just listening, nothing crazy. It's not like he's coaching me from in there. He was giving his opinion and talking with the engineers, just trying to lend a hand in any way he can."
SCOTT DIXON (No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda): "I don't really know if today told us too much about what the race will bring in the PNC Bank car. It's really warm today and we think it could be even warmer on race day. The track temp was way up there today as well. I'm not really sure what you can learn from the times today. There were a lot of people throwing tires at it out there. Overall, the car felt good and we were comfortable. You just never know exactly what you're going to have until you get into the race."
The track was hot as the Andretti Autosport quartet took to the track for the 16th running of the Freedom 100 Presented by Cooper Tires. It was 100 miles of intense, action-packed racing as the fans witnessed 20 lead changes involving five different drivers over 40 laps. In the end it was Colton Herta chasing the checkered across the yard of bricks followed closely by rookie teammate, Patricio O'Ward, and veteran driver Dalton Kellett.
The Dreyer & Reinbold Racing duo of Sage Karam and J.R. Hildebrand completed their “Carb Day” testing runs Friday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as preparations continued for the 102nd Indianapolis 500 Mile Race set for Sunday, May 27, at 12:15 p.m. EDT.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
102nd Running of the Indianapolis 500
Verizon IndyCar Series
CARB DAY NOTES/QUOTES – May 25, 2018
After dominating on the road course, Herta's impressive driving continued as he captured today's win on the iconic oval at IMS. The driver of the No. 98 Andretti-Steinbrenner Racing / Curb Mazda hands Andretti Autosport its sixth win of the Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires season.
An interview with HONDA PERFORMANCE DEVELOPMENT President, ART ST. CYR.
SEEMAN HOLTZ TO BE ASSOCIATE SPONSOR OF REIGNING INDY 500 CHAMPION TAKUMA SATO’S ENTRY FOR THE INDIANAPOLIS 500
CHEVROLET RACING IN THE VERIZON INDYCAR SERIES
102ND RUNNING OF THE INDIANAPOLIS 500
INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVYDRIVER TRANSCRIPT – MEDIA DAY
THURSDAY, MAY 24, 2018
SIMON PAGENAUD, NO. 22 MENARDS TEAM PENSKE CHEVROLET:
WITH QUALIFYING IN THE PAST, WHAT’S THE STRATEGY FOR THE RACE?
“I want to go up front and run away. I think we have a really fast car. If you’re in the lead, then it’s a big advantage for tire wear. I want to try to always be either first or second but not much farther back because traffic gets really complicated back in the pack.”
CHEVROLET RACING IN THE VERIZON INDYCAR SERIES
102ND RUNNING OF THE INDIANAPOLIS 500
INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVYDRIVER TRANSCRIPT – MEDIA DAY
THURSDAY, MAY 24, 2018
TONY KANAAN, NO. 14 ABC SUPPLY AJ FOYT RACING CHEVROLET:
ON DRIVING THE NO. 14. “That number is a big thing here. The number, I think, one day is going to be retired as A.J.’s (Foyt) number. His fan base is unbelievable. So, it’s a lot of pressure. And at this point in my career I didn’t think that I would have that much pressure after winning everything that I wanted to win, but, yeah, it adds to it.”
CHEVROLET RACING IN THE VERIZON INDYCAR SERIES
102ND RUNNING OF THE INDIANAPOLIS 500
INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVYDRIVER TRANSCRIPT – MEDIA DAY
THURSDAY, MAY 24, 2018
WILL POWER, NO. 12 VERIZON TEAM PENSKE CHEVROLET:
THE PENSKE CARS ARE DOING VERY WELL. WHAT IS THE MAIN REASON FOR THAT?
“Well, I think Chevy engines have produced a much better engine this year, a very good engine. And, obviously Penske does a really good job of preparing the cars. We’re definitely given the best equipment, as it shows on the track. We’re all up front.”
CHEVROLET RACING IN THE VERIZON INDYCAR SERIES
102ND RUNNING OF THE INDIANAPOLIS 500
INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVYDRIVER TRANSCRIPT – MEDIA DAY
THURSDAY, MAY 24, 2018
ED CARPENTER, NO. 20 FUZZY’S VODKA ED CARPENTER RACING CHEVROLET:
Q. When you were growing up, what was your thought about running an Indianapolis 500 racecar?
ED CARPENTER: I don't know. Beyond race day I think driving for Eddie in my rookie year, he did a lot to help me develop, start developing my mental approach to how you drive a car here, how you mentally prepare to drive a car here, what you should be thinking about with the car, the team. Even though it wasn't all that successful of a month of May, working with guy that was a 500 champion, instilled in me some good habits in me that I've been able to expand on, make my own, refine as the years have gone on.
CHEVROLET RACING IN THE VERIZON INDYCAR SERIES
102ND RUNNING OF THE INDIANAPOLIS 500
INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVYDRIVER TRANSCRIPT – MEDIA DAY
THURSDAY, MAY 24, 2018
JOSEF NEWGARDEN, NO. 1 VERIZON TEAM PENSKE CHEVROLET:
Q. Obviously the last couple years has been really, really thrilling, exciting racing. With the temperature the way it is and that the cars have, how is it going to change it? What are we going to see do you think?
JOSEF NEWGARDEN: It's hard to say. I don't think the front of the field will change drastically from years past, which is good. We've had great races for the last five or six years, and I think when IndyCar was developing the '18 kit, this was a place they didn't want to change. The front of the pack I don't think will alter massively from last season. Deeper in the pack it is tougher. It's tougher to get runs on people, it's tougher to follow. There's a little less downforce on the car in race trim, the maximum you can put on, so when it's a hot day, it makes it a little bit tough.
I think tire dropoff might be higher compared to years past with temperatures being up. But not drastic differences. I think the front will look very similar. You're going to see guys swapping back and forth. It's just you get buried in the pack, it'll probably be a little harder to work your way forward.
CHEVROLET RACING IN THE VERIZON INDYCAR SERIES
102ND RUNNING OF THE INDIANAPOLIS 500
INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVYDRIVER TRANSCRIPT – MEDIA DAY
THURSDAY, MAY 24, 2018
HELIO CASTRONEVES, NO. 3 PENNZOIL TEAM PENSKE CHEVROLET:
HELIO CASTRONEVES: I see the fans, a lot of people excited to have the number four. I'll do everything I can to make people's wishes come true, including mine.
Q. Last year you ran really well. We all hated to see what happened when you went over to the sports car program. In some ways do you feel more refreshed coming into May?
HELIO CASTRONEVES: No question, going into a new program, you see your hard work, not only myself, I'm talking about the Acura Team Penske, the entire organization, putting a lot of effort into the program. We captured 1 and 2 in Mid-Ohio. This is phenomenal.
It does refresh you. It does give you the opportunity to explore more things. On the other side, coming back, you feel like there's so much I could learn in those three other races before jumping into Indianapolis.
The good news is I have a phenomenal group of guys. They're able to give me information. Now you just got to get it on.
CHEVROLET RACING IN THE VERIZON INDYCAR SERIES
102ND RUNNING OF THE INDIANAPOLIS 500
INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVYDRIVER TRANSCRIPT – MEDIA DAY
THURSDAY, MAY 24, 2018
DANICA PATRICK, NO. 13 GODADDY ED CARPENTER RACING CHEVROLET,
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. Your last Indy 500 Media Day.
DANICA PATRICK: Won't miss that The saying from last year when I started really knowing what I was going to do was behind the scenes there would be a lot of 'won't miss thats'. It's my way of going, I'm making the right decision.
You guys have always been nice to me.
Capital Funding Group (CFG), an equal opportunity lender for financial subsidy within the multifamily and healthcare industries, announced today a partnership with Ed Carpenter Racing for the 2018 Indianapolis 500. CFG will be prominently displayed on the rear wing of the No. 20 Fuzzy’s Vodka Chevrolet, driven by Ed Carpenter. CFG will ride with Carpenter as he starts his 15thIndianapolis 500 from the pole position.
A pair of four-time series champions will head the 17-driver Honda field to the green flag Sunday for the start of the 102nd running of the Indianapolis 500. Sebastien Bourdais, now fully recovered from injuries sustained in a qualifying crash for last year’s race, will start fifth in his Dale Coyne Racing with Vasser-Sullivan Honda as he seeks his first “500” victory, to go with his four consecutive ChampCar World Series titles won from 2004-07.
KARAM, WIX FILTERS/DRR CHEVY LEAD FINAL INDY 500 PRACTICE WITH0 226.421 LAP;
Race weekend: Friday, May 25 - Sunday, May 27
Track: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a 2.5-mile oval
Starting lineup: 102nd Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil
Race distance: 200 laps / 500 miles
Firestone tire allotment: Thirty-six sets for use throughout the event.
Team Owner Scores Fourth Front Row Start in Six Years; Spencer Pigot Earns Highest Career Starting Position With 6th While Teammate Danica Patrick Qualifies 7th
SOARING TEMPS HURT KARAM & HILDEBRAND’S SUNDAY QUALIFYING;
KARAM HITS 225.823 MPH, HILDEBRAND CLOCKS 225.418 MPH
Bourdais, Dixon Lead Honda Qualifiers for 102nd Indianapolis 500
Sebastien Bourdais completes return from injury by qualifying fifth
Scott Dixon to start ninth in search of his second “500” win
Indy 500 field to feature 17 Honda drivers from five teams
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (May 20, 2018) – Sebastien Bourdais led the Honda-powered field in final qualifying today at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and will start next Sunday’s Indy 500 from the middle of the second row, fifth.