INDYCAR 2024

TheChrisD

Schedule released today.

Texas is out, after reports that NASCAR decided to move their Cup/Xfinity race weekend to April and TMS decided they didn't want both of their main year's race weekends close to one another.

Thermal Club is a non-points event that will take place directly after an Open Test. There will be qualifying, heat races, and a final televised race for the money — which is to be shared with members of the Club who are on the winning "team".

Milwaukee returns with a doubleheader on Labor Day weekend.

Gateway (WWT Raceway) and reportedly Iowa race 1 become Saturday night races. {Yay spectacle! but boo, 1–2am starts...}

No movement on INDY NXT, or the USF Pro Championships schedules as of yet.

Ohmeha

Just when Andretti (now Andretti Global) gains approval from the FIA for a potential 11th F1 entry Romain Grosjean wastes no time taking unspecified legal action against his former team!

Get the popcorn if you like nonsense, clearly something major was going on between him and the team from around the month of May leading to his sudden drop off in form and lots of stupid moves with crash damage. Andretti continuing with his race engineer Olivier Boisson to pair with newly signed Marcus Ericsson points alot to who was the problem. Grosjean is probably off to sportscars anyway with this legal action so that's him finished with any potential Indycar drives

https://www.planetf1.com/news/romain-grosjean-kicks-off-legal-proceedings-following-andretti-axing

Ohmeha

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058315366/indycar-2024

Indy NXT 2024 calendar is out now below, no real surprises after the release of the 2024 Indycar schedule

With the Indycar schedule I'm doubly delighted Milwaukee is back with a double header but losing Texas is a disaster for the series, only down to just Indy 500 as the lone oval speedway when the series should have been adding at least another speedway with Indy and Texas. Then the schedule gets even more lopsided with 5 of the last 8 races on short ovals. The summer Olympics with NBC has caused some issues with the schedules but they need to get Texas back for 2025 with another speedway, the series also badly needs an east coast race particularly on a road or street circuit

https://www.motorsport.com/indylights/news/indy-nxt-set-with-14-races-as-24-schedule-revealed/10528594/

TheChrisD

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121195711#Comment_121195711

Unfortunately Texas was lost because NASCAR moved their date to April 14; and the track decided they didn't want to run both series back to back (Indy was originally earmarked for April 7).

Infoanon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121195932#Comment_121195932

A big issue in 2024 is the Olympics , as you said above with both Indycar and Nascar having no races over this period.

Pietro Fittapaldi to RLL is a bit of a surprise, fourth car at some events for Vips , Rasmussen to ECR is well deserved but today - Illot has parted ways with Juncos !

Grosjean has been mentioned as the replacement, where Illot goes ??

The 4th Andretti is back in play , but all rumours indicate a female driver , probably Tatiana Caledon.

Silly season continues !

TheChrisD

Juncos have dropped Ilott

https://www.indycar.com/News/2023/10/10-26-Ilott-JHR

The internet is turning on them.

Brian CivilEng

Harsh on Ilott, are there any seats still open for him or do you reckon he’ll race elsewhere.

I thought Andretti were dropping the 4th car?

Ohmeha

Ilott was getting death threats from some of Canapino's Argentinian fans earlier in the season and it blew up again after him and Canapino having a near run into each other at the Laguna Seca finale Juncos didn't seem to a give a crap out about it totally mad stuff he must have someone like Grosjean lined up in the background

While it's good Illott is out of that toxic environment he is in the danger zone of not having a full-time or even part-time drive in place to start next season as he doesn't bring a bag of sponsorship cash with him. Andretti seemed to be ready to downsize back to 3 cars plus they are losing DHL sponsorship, only other potential landing spot is with Dale Coyne but likewise they have lost HMD partnership they will need drivers bringing sponsorship. Foyt will probably have Ferrucci and Pedersen back so options not looking great for Illott

TheChrisD

Well, this is certainly going to be... fiery 😬

Infoanon

The relationship between McLaren and Juncos possibly played a role.

Juncos does not have a big budget , Argentine money is financing the #78 , the #77 is primarily McLarens excess sponsorship and Grosjean is a much bigger name than Illot .

Juncos handled the whole situation badly (incl the online nastiness) but indycar is expensive and needs must.

No news on the 4th Andretti , sponsorship is available for a female driver and Tatiana Calderón is named as the most likely driver.

The other rumour is that this (2024) maybe Graham Rahals farewell season with Juri Vips replacing him full time in 2025.

Ohmeha

Gil de Ferran has sadly passed away suddenly only aged 56

One of the greatest CART/Indycar drivers of all time and definitely one of the best to have never driven in F1

https://www.bbc.com/sport/motorsport/67847162

PukkaStukka

Saw that earlier. Very shocking and way too young. RIP Gil

Brian CivilEng

Oh that is so sad, used to enjoy watch him race and he was one of those people who used pop up on Ted’s Notebook from time to time. RIP.

TheChrisD

Season finale moves to the Nashville oval!

https://www.indycar.com/news/2024/02/02-14-nashville-move

Ohmeha

That's a blow for the series the downtown street circuit was a popular addition and the revised route going down Broadway would have been an eyecatcher for a season finale

Good to have another oval but 6 of the final 8 races on ovals is an imbalance on the schedule will certainly suit Newgarden and then the season gets more odd if the delayed Hybrid units are finally introduced mid-season

CrowdedHouse

Is it on Sky Sports this season too?

TheChrisD

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121773002#Comment_121773002

Safe to assume so, since it's still an NBCUniversal product.

Unfortunately there are rumours FOX Sports is making a push for the rights from next year...

Ohmeha

Yes Indycar is definitely on Sky this season which is the final year of their deal

It looks like it will between NBC or Fox for the US rights from 2025 so if NBC retain then it would be a certainty to stay with Sky for the UK rights. Fox are believed to making a big push for Indycar as they are low on live Sports and their 1st half of season NASCAR coverage shrinks a bit in that new rights package

TheChrisD

Race broadcast start times for the season have been published:

1. St. Petersburg — Sunday, 10 March 16:00
   1. Thermal Club — Sunday, 24 March 16:30
2. Long Beach — Sunday, 21 April 20:00
3. Barber — Sunday, 28 April TBD
4. IMS Road Course — Saturday, 11 May 20:00
   1. Indy 500 Qualifying — Sunday, 19 May 20:00
5. 108th Indianapolis 500 — Sunday, 26 May 16:00
6. Detroit — Sunday, 2 June 17:00
7. Road America — Sunday, 9 June 20:30
8. Laguna Seca — Sunday, 23 June 23:00
9. Mid-Ohio — Sunday, 7 July 18:30
10. Iowa Race 1 — Sunday, 14 July 01:00
11. Iowa Race 2 — Sunday, 14 July 17:00
12. Toronto — Sunday, 21 July 18:00
13. Gateway — Saturday, 17 August 23:00
14. Portland — Sunday, 25 August 20:00
15. Milwaukee Race 1 — Saturday, 31 August 23:00
16. Milwaukee Race 2 — Sunday, 1 September 19:30
17. Nashville — Sunday, 15 September 20:00

https://www.indycar.com/News/2024/02/02-20-TVTimes-2024

Few late nights for us this year it seems - Laguna, Iowa 1, Gateway, and Milwaukee 1 all run past midnight!

TheChrisD

INDYCAR LIVE has updated for 2024.

Two tiers available — 20% off a season pass until March 7th with the code ICL20OFF

• Access (€9.50/year) — INDYCAR practice/warmup, all INDY NXT sessions
• Access Plus (€28/year) — INDYCAR practice/qualifying and race in-car cameras, all INDY NXT sessions

INDYCAR race coverage still exclusive to Sky Sports:

https://twitter.com/TomGaymor/status/1761046342489591979

Interesting that we get access to the very basic tier, wonder what Sky are planning to do with the practice sessions then 🤔

TheChrisD

Ah, can finally spot it on the long-range TV guides 😃

TheChrisD

Oh hey, it's race week.

ROUND 1 — FIRESTONE GRAND PRIX OF ST. PETERSBURG

(that's the one in Florida if you still haven't figured)

Friday 8th March

• 6:35pm — 🟥 INDY NXT - Practice 1 [INDYCAR LIVE]
• 7:45pm — 🟦 INDYCAR - Practice 1 [Sky Sports F1 or INDYCAR LIVE]

Saturday 9th March

• 1:25pm — 🟥 INDY NXT - Practice 2 [INDYCAR LIVE]
• 2:35pm — 🟦 INDYCAR - Practice 2 [INDYCAR LIVE]
  • no Sky Sports coverage because apparently filler content between the end of F2 and the Saudi pre-race is too important
• 6:05pm — 🟥 INDY NXT - Qualifying [INDYCAR LIVE]
• 7:00pm — 🟦 INDYCAR - Qualifying [INDYCAR LIVE]
  • shown delayed on Sky Sports F1 at 8pm, due to Saudi Arabia post-race

Sunday 10th March

• 1:10pm — 🟦 INDYCAR - Warmup [INDYCAR LIVE]
• 2:00pm — 🟥 INDY NXT - Grand Prix of St. Petersburg [Sky Sports F1 or INDYCAR LIVE]
  • Green flag 2:10pm
• 7:00pm — 🟦 INDYCAR - Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg [Sky Sports F1 or INDYCAR LIVE]
  • Green flag 7:30pm
  • Replays: Sunday 10:30pm, Tuesday 4pm
  • Highlights: Tuesday 9pm/11pm

Ohmeha

The race time on Sunday isn't correct Chris D. if you can edit? Race coverage is due to start on Sunday 10th at 12 noon local Florida time which is 4pm Irish time and Sky's coverage is starting at the time too don't want anyone to miss the race!

Calum Ilott makes an unexpected early appearance this season at St. Pete subbing for the injured Malukas in the No. 6 Arrow McLaren. Jack Harvey is confirmed for this race and most of the season in the No. 18 Dale Coyne he will share with Nolan Siegel who does a limited schedule in that car including the Indy 500. Colin Braun is due to make his debut in Dale Coyne's other No. 51 RWR car, could be a variety of ride buyers/sharers/hoppers in that car this season a bit like in Coyne's Champ Car days

https://www.indycar.com/Schedule/2024/IndyCar-Series/St-Petersburg

TheChrisD

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121861124#Comment_121861124

how on earth did I manage to mess that up so badly 🤦

Anyway, well outside of the edit window now, so would need moderator intervention.

Ohmeha

Ominous pole for Newgarden who is my title favourite with having that oval heavy 2nd half of the season in his favour but rooting for Felix today he looks genuinely quick in that Meyer/Shank car, good performances from Grosjean and Veekay hopefully a sign those JHR and ECR teams aswell are going to be more competitive this season

I'll make a decision whether to watch this live or on delay late tonight depending on how the Liverpool/City 1st half goes

1. (2) Josef Newgarden, Chevrolet, 59.5714 (108.777 mph)

2. (60) Felix Rosenqvist, Honda, 59.5772 (108.766)

3. (5) Pato O’Ward, Chevrolet, 59.6540 (108.626)

4. (26) Colton Herta, Honda, 59.8189 (108.327)

5. (77) Romain Grosjean, Chevrolet, 01:00.0642 (107.885)

6. (28) Marcus Ericsson, Honda, 01:03.5583 (101.954)

7. (21) Rinus VeeKay, Chevrolet, 59.5501 (108.816)

8. (12) Will Power, Chevrolet, 59.5594 (108.799)

9. (3) Scott McLaughlin, Chevrolet, 59.5741 (108.772)

10. (11) Marcus Armstrong, Honda, 59.6127 (108.702)

11. (9) Scott Dixon, Honda, 59.8483 (108.274)

12. (45) Christian Lundgaard, Honda, 01:00.0172 (107.969)

13. (10) Alex Palou, Honda, 59.7897 (108.380)

14. (14) Santino Ferrucci, Chevrolet, 59.8182 (108.328)

15. (7) Alexander Rossi, Chevrolet, 59.8164 (108.331)

16. (6) Callum Ilott, Chevrolet, 59.8911 (108.196)

17. (66) Tom Blomqvist, Honda, 59.9968 (108.006)

18. (27) Kyle Kirkwood, Honda, 59.9102 (108.162)

19. (8) Linus Lundqvist, Honda, 01:00.0034 (107.994)

20. (78) Agustin Canapino, Chevrolet, 59.9308 (108.125)

21. (20) Christian Rasmussen, Chevrolet, 01:00.2021 (107.637)

22. (15) Graham Rahal, Honda, 01:00.0953 (107.829)

23. (4) Kyffin Simpson, Honda, 01:00.2956 (107.471)

24. (41) Sting Ray Robb, Chevrolet, 01:00.4125 (107.263)

25. (51) Colin Braun, Honda, 01:01.3044 (105.702)

26. (30) Pietro Fittipaldi, Honda, 01:00.5336 (107.048)

27. (18) Jack Harvey, Honda, 01:00.5712 (106.982)

TheChrisD

Newgy wins.

But what in the **** was that broadcast NBC. How many times did we cut away from racing action to cover driver social media, or weddings, or spend about three minutes solid just focused on Bon Jovi in the pits.

Brian CivilEng

That was a race that happened. I was initially disappointed at how quickly Sky cut away at the end without hearing from any of the other drivers. Turns out it was the US broadcaster that did that, not Sky.

Do you ever find after watching Indycar that you need to google final positions. Once the leader crosses the line they stop showing the tower. And never seem to confirm final standings. You could be watching two drivers fighting over 7th and 8th and have no idea who ended up where by the time the programme ends.

Ohmeha

NBC's coverage after the chequered flag can often end pretty abruptly if there is anything like Golf, NASCAR or NFL immediately following on as was the case for the final round of Arnold Palmer Invitational yesterday, as mentioned aswell they definitely need to keep the engagements/weddings/babies stuff to a brief mention in a practice session at most, you get the feeling there is a wokester type hired in the NBC production with fingerprints over that. These things you could see why a move to FOX is being looked at seriously by Indycar

I know it's only one race but Penske looked ominously strong in that race, them and Ganassi seem to nearly rotate every second season who is the top team, 2024 looking no different with Andretti and McLaren again looking like the 3rd and 4th quickest teams with a mish-mash in the midfield and the back

TheChrisD

$1 MILLION CHALLENGE AT THE THERMAL CLUB

The non-championship exhibition weekend thingie.

Friday 22nd March

• 4pm — Open Test Session 1 [Sky Sports F1 or INDYCAR LIVE]
• 9pm — Open Test Session 2 [Sky Sports F1 or INDYCAR LIVE]

Saturday 23rd March

• 4pm — Open Test Session 3 [Sky Sports F1 or INDYCAR LIVE]
• 8pm — Open Test Session 4 [Sky Sports F1 or INDYCAR LIVE]
• Midnight — Qualifying [Sky Sports Action or INDYCAR LIVE]

Sunday 24th March

• 4:30pm — Event Broadcast [Sky Sports F1]
  • 4:30pm — Heat Race 1
  • 4:55pm — Heat Race 2
  • 5:45pm — All Star Race

Full format stuff can be read at https://www.indycar.com/-/media/Files/2024/News/03142024-Thermal-Event.pdf

TheChrisD

Detailed schedule was made available recently — only corrections are to the race green flag times, to be at approximately 4:36pm, 5:10pm, and 5:59pm respectively.

Burkie1203

Grosjean unlucky

Burkie1203

This challenge is great Craic

Charlie-Bravo

It is great to watch. Big money without having to think about the championship.

Burkie1203

IInteresting

https://twitter.com/PREMA_Team/status/1777667973873844575?t=yPXczeGEKAlykYDLP5JmQQ&s=19

TheChrisD

INDY 500 OPEN TEST

• Wednesday 10th April — 14:00–23:30
• Thursday 11th April — 15:00–21:00

All live on INDYCAR LIVE or Sky Sports F1

That said, weather is looking very iffy so who knows how much of this time will actually be able to run.

TheChrisD

ACURA GRAND PRIX OF LONG BEACH

From +8 on the F1 side, to -8 on the Indy side.

Friday 19th

• 10:50pm — Practice 1 [Sky Sports F1 or INDYCAR LIVE]

Saturday 20th

• 4:25pm — Practice 2 [Sky Sports F1 or INDYCAR LIVE]
• 7:25pm — Qualifying [Sky Sports F1 or INDYCAR LIVE]

Sunday 21st

• 5pm — Warmup [INDYCAR LIVE]
• 8pm — Race Broadcast [Sky Sports F1]
  • 8:45pm — Green flag

Brian CivilEng

I'm looking forward to this one.

Ohmeha

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122035970#Comment_122035970

Yes it feels like the Indycar season actually starts this weekend after that daft 6 week gap from St. Pete to Long Beach with the exhibition race sandwiched in between. Indycar have to sort the calendar for next season I would see no reason why they can't start at St. Pete a week or two later in March, move Barber into early April and have Long Beach same spot in April before month of May kicks off. If they want to continue with the Thermal test sessions and exhibition race then hold it prior to St. Pete

F2 champ Theo Pourchaire making his debut for Arrow McLaren filling in for the still injured David Malukas will be an interesting one to see how he gets on

TheChrisD

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122038651#Comment_122038651

that daft 6 week gap from St. Pete to Long Beach with the exhibition race sandwiched in between

The gap was only caused since NASCAR muscled in and decided they wanted to hold their one TMS race in the spring. INDYCAR was originally intended to race there April 7, which would have been exactly three two week gaps from STP-THR-TMS-LBH.

I would see no reason why they can't start at St. Pete a week or two later in March

St. Pete specifically targets the early Spring Break market; plus they need to work around the baseball season (they use Tropicana field parking lots as overflow).

PsychoPete

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122038651#Comment_122038651

Pourchaire struggled in the first round of super formula at Suzuka a couple of weeks ago, finished 19th. Very interesting to see how he goes in Indy

TheChrisD

Sky audio has been quite fucked all evening…

Infoanon

That was an exciting finish !

Reports that David Malakus injury is more serious than first thought and McLaren have acknowledged that there may be a parting of the ways to ensure the future success of the #6.

Theo will be in the car next weekend , Theo stated same on Friday , with Zak Brown acknowledging that TK is an option for Indy , JR Hilderbrand also mentioned .

Seems harsh on Malakus though this was originally Palous drive .

TheChrisD

Spoiler Warning

Scott Dixon and fuel mileage, name a more iconic duo.

Ohmeha

I think Newgarden would have had enough to get by Dixon pity we missed out on a potentially epic battle for the win between those two. It was the correct call by the officials not to penalise Herta over his contact with Newgarden as there nothing intentional or reckless and if you stare at that hairpin all race you may well see half a dozen similar bumps like that

Ohmeha

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122047829#Comment_122047829

It doesn't sound good at all for Malukas as their team principal Gavin Ward came out with that suggestive comment about Malukas's seat, remember that team have been previously ruthless cutting Hinchcliffe and Askew. I feel sympathy for the guy that his injury is taking longer to recover than expected but why on earth was he risking his big career break going on a mountainbike before the season kicked off

If Malukas isn't fit for the month of May he is done with them, I'm sure he will pick up a drive next season. Illott clearly would be their first choice but he would miss another 5 races with his WEC commitments. Pourchaire did ok this weekend nothing spectacular but it was a tough track to make your debut, Barber will be a better assesment for him but then he doesn't have any oval testing so that may rule him out for being a full-time replacement for Malukas and they don't need musical chairs in that car

TheChrisD

CHILDREN'S OF ALABAMA INDY GRAND PRIX

Over to the not-Brit B'rum.

Friday 26th

• 7:30pm — 🟥 INDY NXT - Practice 1 [INDYCAR LIVE]
• 8:40pm — 🟦 INDYCAR - Practice 1 [Sky Sports F1 or INDYCAR LIVE]

Saturday 27th

• 4:05pm — 🟥 INDY NXT - Practice 2 [INDYCAR LIVE]
• 5:15pm — 🟦 INDYCAR - Qualifying [Sky Sports F1 or INDYCAR LIVE]
• 7:35pm — 🟥 INDY NXT - Qualifying [INDYCAR LIVE]
• 8:30pm — 🟦 INDYCAR - Qualifying [Sky Sports F1 or INDYCAR LIVE]

Sunday 28th

• 3:15pm — 🟦 INDYCAR - Warmup [INDYCAR LIVE]
• 4:05pm — 🟥 INDY NXT - Race Broadcast [Sky Sports F1 or INDYCAR LIVE]
  • 4:15pm — Green flag
• 6pm — 🟦 INDYCAR - Race Broadcast [Sky Sports F1]
  • 6:40pm — Green flag

TheChrisD

Newgarden and McLaughlin have been disqualified from St. Pete; after an ECU update implemented for hybrid testing was not reverted, allowing them to utilise Push to Pass outside of the allowed periods, in violation of competition rules.

The software issue was only discovered during Long Beach warmup.

Pato O'Ward is now credited with the St. Pete win.

https://www.indycar.com/News/2024/04/04-24-StPete-Penalties

Brian CivilEng

Wow! What looked like was going to be a good year for Newgarden has changed entirely.

Ohmeha

Holy shi… Indycar President Jay Fyre used the 'manipulated' word and confirmed both Newgarden and McLaughlin both deployed the PtoP on a restart i.e. the drivers knew all about it

I think Team Penske have got off very lightly with this punishment

Brian CivilEng

I don’t think this will be the end of it though.

I see Power was also docked 10 points. Was that because his car also could have accessed the p2p but he personally chose not to?

Ohmeha

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122059857#Comment_122059857

Yes this won't be the end of it and as more info comes out it looks like a can worms have been opened today, there will be retrospective investigations of the P2P data from Penske's cars from previous seasons and suspicious onboard footage from last season is already going viral. Indycar is taking too many black eyes lately with doubts over Honda's future if Chevy get tangled up in this controversy aswell it could get messy

Marshall Pruett's article linked below goes into really great detail on the technical aspects of Penske's violation, Tim Cindric's excuse is very questionable and red flags have been waved at Penske by at least one team last season (team ran by a ZB maybe?)

Power got the 10 point punishment because his car was in violation of the regulations but his car did not benefit, whether he knew the P2P was active at restarts at St. Pete and as a man of integrity chose not to use it we won't ever know but so far his reputation remains in-tact which Newgarden and McLaughlin may not have

https://racer.com/2024/04/24/how-team-penske-took-push-to-pass-beyond-the-limit/